Hunter steps down: See page A2 THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019 COVERING ALTON, BARNSTEAD, & NEW DURHAM - WWW.SALMONPRESS.COM FREE New Durham students celebrate Earth Day BY CATHY ALLYN be proud. The found- the environment that that the nation’s youth Durham School (NDS) was a celebration of Contributing Writer er of Earth Day, who, mushroomed into a would take up his vi- on Friday. Mother Earth and how NEW DURHAM — in 1970, conceived of world-wide observance, sion and hold events Earthfest 2019, host- all of us can protect her. Each grade level Gaylord Nelson would a national teach-in on must have dreamed like those at New ed by the school’s Earthkeepers group, spent half an hour in the gym at eight activ- ity and game stations RUTH ARSENAULT – that focused on inspir- COURTESY PHOTO ing stewardship of the natural world, followed by mixed grade groups meeting up to receive and read a 10-page in- formational coloring book. The Earthkeepers were the perfect am- bassadors for the event. This group of 16 envi- ronmentally conscious and concerned elemen- tary school students have been at the helm of Earth Day activi- ties and performances in the past. Guided by Earthkeepers educator Sue Berry, these kids have proven them- selves to be school lead- ers. “Our goal is edu- cating children to the wonders of the natural world,” Berry said, who Open water has stated that a connec- A lone fisherman casts his tion to the land is time- line from the Alton Town less. Docks over the weekend. Her after-school Earthkeepers program The ice is completely gone fosters an apprecia- from Alton Bay. SEE EARTH DAY, PAGE B10 Rotary show Jeepers peepers is Saturday Local hardware store observes Easter with annual event BY MARK FOYNES ALTON — “We did it,” says Richard Leonard, Contributing Writer Chair of the Alton Centennial Rotary 12th annu- ALTON — About al Home, Garden and Recreation Show. “We’ve 200 people flocked to filled the school gym and now have expanded by the Aubuchon hard- adding more exhibitors in the hallway, cafeteria ware store at the Alton and some outside of the school too.” Traffic Circle last Sat- He added, “There’s less than 10 days until the urday to celebrate the show and any business, large or small, who’d spirit of Easter. Many like to take advantage of this great opportunity to left with a half-dozen reach hundreds of locals, should contact me ASAP or more heritage breed at 767-2652, or e-mail [email protected] to chicks that can begin reserve space.” laying eggs by Septem- What promises to make this year’s show the ber. best ever attended is that the Prospect Mountain Young children High School Future Business Leaders of America pealed with delight as students are involved. They are bringing in six staffers opened wood food trucks and live rock and roll music by the and wire enclosures to Organized Chaos band. Also, the students have pluck out a baby bird. let the ‘whole world’ know through social media Children lovingly cra- about the show. This includes reaching thou- dled the hatchlings sands of their friends and all other high schools with both hands. in NH. Other features added this year is a silent One of them was auction and the start of Rotary’s annual Art Con- Nolan O’Brien. When test, which is ‘Paint a Puppy.’ Rotary will have a The Baysider arrived, booth at the Home Show where anyone, students SEE CHICKS, PAGE A9 and adults, wanting to participate can pick-up a plywood cut-out silhouette of a puppy to paint and MARK FOYNES enter the contest. Both the silent auction, the 2019 (Right) BUNNY-EARED Nolan “Paint a Puppy’ contest plus a raffle to win a 58” O'Brien, joined by his mother HDTV are to raise funds in support of charity and Christine, lovingly cradled a new-born chick at the Alton the Alton and New Durham Police K-9 corps. For Aubuchon last Saturday. The info on ‘Paint a Puppy,’ contact Duane Hammond hardware store held an inter- at 569-3745 ot [email protected]. active, family event that fea- Home, Garden and Recreation Show is Satur- tured a variety of heritage day, April 27, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. at Prospect Mountain breeds. While chick season High School, Alton. Admission is free. coincides with Easter, inte- grating chicks into a flock during the spring gives future INDEX hens a chance to mature so t they can begin laying come Volume 13 • Number 17 fall. Aubuchon ordered 216 20 pages in 2 sections heritage breed chicks for the April 20 event. Some attend- Business .......................A7 Obituaries ....................A8 ees sought to enhance cur- Churches ......................A8 Sports ...................B1 - B3 rent flocks, while others were Classifieds ...............B4-B7 ©2019, Salmon Press, LLC. seeking to create a new one. Editorial Page ..............A4 Call us at (603) 569-3126 Other folks just popped over John Harrigan ............A11 email: [email protected] Letters .................... A4-A5 to visit the chicks while doing www.salmonpress.com some routine business. A2 THE BAYSIDER, THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019 New Durham bids adieu to Nichole Hunter BY MARK FOYNES Contributing Writer cated volunteers and a cial something that lets NEW DURHAM — small staff helped her people know that when How much community enrich the lives of local we work together, we all engagement, cross-de- residents. Her programs succeed,” Thayer said. partment cooperation, taught children to swim, As an example, she re- and inter-generational provided seniors with a called the town’s Christ- activity can be wrought chance to socialize and mas fair, which is held within a half decade of compete though bingo at the library. Thayer service? and cribbage competi- said that the free event Outgoing New tions, and gave youth op- includes a raffle compo- Durham Recreation Di- portunities to learn new nent that Hunter coor- rector Nichole Hunter skills such as pottery dinates; proceeds ben- would be a good person and more. efit other community to consult. During her Hunter’s manager enrichment programs. tenure, she sustained and colleague, Scott Kin- Thayer credited the suc- and expanded several mond, noted that she cess of these fundrais- existing programs and was “quite an employee ers to Hunter’s personal initiated several new of- and an asset to this town. drive and her collabora- ferings that serve a wide “The programs she tive approach to work- variety of residents. organized really en- ing with the Friends of Hunter’s last day was riched the quality of life the New Durham Li- last Sunday, coinciding of a great number of peo- brary. with the department’s ple here,” Kinmond said. “She’s just been phe- perennially-popular The town administra- nomenal - we hate to see senior bingo program, tor added, “She’s a great her go but appreciate all which has been held team player and brought that she’s contributed weekly in the school a real collaborative spir- and hope to see her visit gym for years. it in working with all the from time to time,” she Hunter is departing departments.” added. after four-and-a-half Kinmond said he Kinmond echoed this years in her role. The could not overempha- sentiment. mother of four children size this quality. “She’s a great team - all of whom are seven He ticked off examples player who’s built bridg- and under - she indicat- of how she worked colle- es between recreation MARK FOYNES ed an interest in spend- gially with other town NICHOLE HUNTER recently stepped down as the New Durham Parks and Recreation Director. and other town depart- ing more time with her staffers. A few examples ments,” he said. family. Hunter also ex- included her coordina- Kinmond said he is pressed an interest in tion with the NDPD and budgets. ment’s hiking program. asking her to comment sad to see Hunter leave homeschooling her kids, public works for the an- One of the event’s Recent jaunts have in- on Hunter’s impact. but conceded, “Having which would essentially nual 5k race; working most popular attractions cluded walks to Devil’s Thayer volunteers four young children so be a full-time commit- with the library to host is a dunk tank. Kids pay Den and a snowshoeing with the rec department, close in age is a full-time ment. programs for learners of a small fee for a few balls excursion on the Gelinas the school, the library, job in and of itself.” “For a while, I tried all ages; and collaborat- to dunk a prominent maple sugar farm. and also plants and tends Kinmond acknowl- to be the supermom, but ing with the welfare de- New Durham resident. “I couldn’t have done to the little garden area edged the challenge of it was difficult balanc- partment and the school Selectmen. Cops. Etc. these programs without at the four corners by maintaining a work-life ing that with running a to distribute backpacks Since Kinmond started, Diane,” Hunter admit- the general store. She’s balance in this role. town department,” she to needy students. he’s spent part of his ted. Although Hunter devoted to community “It’s a lot of work, to explained. Nonetheless, This example in- day off getting dunked only lives two towns service. And she knows be sure,” Kinmond said. she expressed a grati- volved talking with ed- in a tank - always with a away and has New a great community ser- Hunter has done so tude to colleagues and ucators to determine smile.