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Salem Community Patriot
Salem Community
by Robyn Hatch Haigh School recently presented a
Haigh School Addresses Bullying with Visiting Theater Program
program from Plymouth State University called TIGER, which stands for Theatre Integrating Guidance, Education, and Responsibility. This program was an interactive theater production derived from anonymous writings and thoughts of New Hampshire school children on the topic of bullying. These writings reflect children’s memories, thoughts, and feelings about being bullied, being a bully, or being a
Salem Community Patriot
Te actors from Plymouth State
Annual Blessing of the Pets
by Robyn Hatch This past weekend, St.
David’s Episcopal Church in Salem held their Annual Blessing of the Pets. With a crowd smaller than usual, there was still a meaningful blessing ceremony for pets of all sizes. This day is actually known as Saint Francis of Assisi day, which is celebrated all over the world. Saint Francis of Assisi was a Catholic deacon and preacher. He also was the founder of the Order of Friars Minor, more commonly known as the Franciscans. He is known as the patron saint of animals, the environment, and one of the two patrons of Italy (with Catherine of Sienna), and it is customary for Catholic churches to hold ceremonies blessing animals on his feast day of October 4. Many of the stories that surround the life of St. Francis deal with his love for animals. It is said that one day, while Francis was traveling with two companions, they happened upon a place in the road where birds filled the trees on either side. Francis told his companions to “wait for me while I go to preach to my sisters the birds. The birds surrounded him, drawn by the power of his voice, and not one of them flew away. Francis spoke to them: My sister birds, you own
much to God, and you must always and in every place give praise to Him; for He has given you freedom to wing through the sky and He has clothed you...you neither sow nor reap, and God feeds you and gives you rivers and fountains for your thirst, and mountains and valleys for shelter, and tall trees for your
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bystander. The production incorporates live actors, puppets, theater, movement, and music to engage school audiences from kindergarten through eighth grade in the issues, challenges, and responses to bullying. By using children’s own words about being bulled, or being a bully or a bystander, the production intends children to hear their own voices as they back from the trauma of bullying to find peaceful, effective solutions. This performance is fast-paced and keeps the children in suspense and laughing. This performance also was powerful and exciting— one the school children will remember forever. By using children’s own words, TIGER enables children to hear their own voices as they step back from the experiences of bullying and intolerance of individual differences to move into more positive social interactions at school and their community.
Salem Community
JamFest Rocks
Field of Dreams
God loves you too, Bucky
nests. And although you neither know how to spin or weave, God dresses you and your children, for the Creator loves you greatly and He blesses you abundantly.
Therefore...always seek to praise God.” Francis’ attitude towards the
natural world, while poetically expressed, was conventionally Christian. He believed that the world was created good and beautiful by God, but suffers a need for redemption because of the primordial sin of man. He preached to man and beast the universal ability and duty of all creatures to praise and the duty of men to protect and enjoy nature as both the stewards of God’s creation and as creatures ourselves.
Legend has it that St. Francis on his deathbed thanked his donkey for carrying and helping him throughout his life, and his donkey wept. Source: Wikipedia (Francis
of Assisi)
by Robyn Hatch At Field of Dreams this past weekend, this year’s JamFest got off to a very slow start. As the weather got sunnier and previous plans must have gotten cancelled, people came to finally fill the park to hear the many great bands slated to perform, but there were many activities and events that kept everyone entertained. A food tent complete with hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, soda, water, ice cream, and cotton candy kept everyone pleasantly full. Music, music, and more music filled the air—all musicians who performed had donated their time to play from the Summer Concert Series. And finally, raffle tables and a silent auction gave people incentive to support local businesses.
Maybe winners of a park tour for a big prize Zack Divinnceazo tries his hand at games TIGER performs for Haigh students Salem-based band Tree Play Ross Trecartin, president of Field of Dreams Samantha’s Sixth Birthday Donation
submitted by Jennifer Brackesy What does every six-year-old want for their birthday? Probably toys, games, and a long list of the latest ‘stuff!’ Samantha Autumn Brackesy asked for something different. She invited her friends to her Dog Party to celebrate her sixth birthday, and instead of bringing gifts, she asked them to bring items that would be donated to a local animal shelter. Samantha loves animals and loves helping others, so this idea was not difficult for her to embrace. She and her mom planned a fun dog birthday party— complete with fleece ears and tails for all to wear, dog games, dog bone cookies to eat, and even a couple of real dogs in the yard to play with. Samantha helped to make the ears and tails, and chose the games she wanted to play. They included Pin the Tail on the Dog, a Dog Scavenger Hunt, and Dog Trainer Says (played like Simon Says, but with requests like ‘chase your tail,’ ‘roll over,’ and ‘go to the dog house!’) Samantha chose dogs from her playroom to decorate on her cake, and
Samantha and Mommy with dog ears
made delicious chocolate and vanilla dog bone cookies to eat. The party was great fun and the ‘dogs’
ran all around the yard. But even better than a fun birthday party was the feeling in Samantha’s heart when she delivered all the donations to the Salem Animal Rescue League the following day. Her friends had been generous with their ‘gifts.’ You can see her in the photo with her homemade doghouse and the pile of items donated. Samantha was smiling from ear to ear as she had a chance to pet the dogs and cats and share her story of what her sixth birthday was all about. Everyone at the shelter, from employees to volunteers to people looking to adopt a pet, was full of compliments for such a thoughtful and considerate six-year-old. In fact, one person said, “I think you are the coolest six-year-old I know!” Now, what can be a better present than the feeling that brings? A few special gifts from family and friends made the birthday girl feel great—there was no need for 20-plus gifts from friends who attended. The smiles on the birthday girl’s face during her party and while at the animal shelter were worth more than anything money can buy.
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Volume 4 Number 12 October 8, 2010 12 Pages
Te Mitchell family with Molly, 3
www.thecolosseumrestaurant.com Piano Bar Tues. & Weds. Evenings
Winner Best of NH 2008, 2009, 2010! Gift Certificates Available
From Napoli, Italy to Salem, NH How Italian Food Should Be!!
Breckenridge Plaza 264 NO. Broadway, Salem, NH 603-898-1190
Enjoy Columbus Day!
staff photos by Robyn Hatch
staff photos by Robyn Hatch
staff photos by Robyn Hatch
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