An Independent Weekly Newspaper


Salem Community Patriot


Salem Community


School District Update: Renovations Flowing Smoothly


by Andrea Ganley-Dannewitz Several months ago, people were starting to wonder when they could physically see progress on the beginning of renovations at three of Salem’s elementary schools. Well, the groundbreaking has begun and much is happening at Lancaster, North Salem, and Barron Elementary Schools. According to an update


provided by Superintendent of Schools Michael Delahanty, all permission needed for the construction has been granted after a slight hold-up in the permit process. Officials from Gilbane Company and Trident Building Group discovered that several weeks ago, some of the paperwork for the project’s final approval to begin construction had not been taken care of, setting the beginning of groundbreaking behind by about a week. Also, some fencing for the construction site at the schools was installed improperly. However, those issues have since been corrected and all is ready to go now. The oil-fueled boilers the


schools have had for more than 40 years have been dug up and removed. The new propane tanks have now been put into place, with the new propane fuel lines near completion. Each of the three schools has had the new boilers installed, and Delahanty says they have a remarkably better appearance than the old units. He also said these boilers will be much more efficient and operate much cleaner.


During this part of the project, there has been no heat in the schools, but staff and students have not complained and have just beared through it, wearing extra layers of clothing if needed during the morning chill. The school district anticipates that by October 15, the new heating system will be fully operational. At Barron School, there is still a small concern about an


Patriot


odor at the school since the abatement of asbestos from the building, which included stripping tiles from the floors, leaving a concrete floor behind—a project done at all three of the schools being renovated. At Barron, the floors have not been painted, as the floors in the other two schools were after abatement, and it is unknown at this time if that is why an odor continues to linger at Barron School. Delahanty says additional air quality testing will be done to be sure the air is free of harmful particles, and to be sure there are no issues before anything is done, such as painting the floors at the Barron School. Barron school currently has the concrete foundation footings being put in place for classroom additions, with the concrete foundation now poured, causing changes in the schools current structure, blocking two exits. Two temporary emergency egress stairwells have been installed and will be covered in fabric soon for a better appearance. Over at North Salem Elementary School, the construction is also evident. At North Salem, trees have been cut and cleared in the space where the foundation will be poured for the new addition. They also had their playground equipment moved to make room for construction vehicles and equipment while the renovation project is on- going.


At Lancaster Elementary


School, the gated area used as a parking area has had an access road built through it to connect the parking area to the excavation area, helping large equipment and vehicles up and down the very steep hill behind the Lancaster School.


All three schools may see


steel frames being put up by November 1, which was the original estimated date for


continued to page 10- Renovations


Exchange Club Donation


Salem Blue Devils Marching Band and Color Guard


President Maggie Linton and Dot Mattson of the Derry Memorial Auxiliary accept a $500 check and donations from Sarah Goodwin of the Salem Exchange Club in support of their effort in gathering items for the Troop Fund efforts.


1st Annual


Greater Salem, NH Rotary Club


Under a Large Tent at Rockingham Park


Friday October 15th from 6pm to 10pm Saturday October 16th from Noon to 10pm


A German themed festival


Foods, Beer, Wine, Bands, Hot Air Balloon Rides, Race Cars, Car Show, Face Painting & more


$10 Admission for Adults • $5 for Kids up to 18 Kids 5 and Under Free


by Robyn Hatch The Salem High School Blue Devil Marching Band and Color Guard welcomed everyone to their 15th Annual Invitational Band Show. This event was held at Grant Field at Salem High School. This event was dedicated to Rebecca Tenney, 16, who was a junior at Londonderry High School, where she played alto saxophone in the band. As a member of the Marching Lancers, she traveled and performed regularly with the program, including several trips to New York City for St. Patrick’s Day, and for the Presidential Inaugural Parade in 2009. Rebecca’s life came to an end on Sunday, September 12, at Children’s Hospital in Boston as a result of complications from viral meningitis. This was an unexpected loss. Becca was really looking forward to marching in the upcoming


2011 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA, on New Year’s Day. Honoring her memory this evening was a fitting tribute to everything that Rebecca stood for. After the National Anthem, the Battle of the Bands got under way. Concord, Manchester, and Nashua started off the competition with “A Latin Celebration,” “The Sound of Simon,” and “Music of Chuck Mangione.” Alvirne’s High School Bronco


Marching Band and Colorguard came next with beautiful arrangements by Santana and Ralph Ford. This night was called “A Latin/Jazz Show,” and not only did they perform well, but the music was outta-sight. Bishop Guertin and Dover High came next, and everyone got blown away with their uniforms and well-done music. Pinkerton’s band followed, performing the songs


“Birdland,” “Bicycle,” and “Shake.” Even though Londonderry


is always the biggest band in the show with well over 321 members, Salem showed them up this year with their


performance of “A Place Just Right.” A totally different way of presenting the music left the audience speechless with the perfection shown—this was a performance not to be forgotten!


Salem Community Patriot


Patriot Salem Community


Salem High School held its 28th Hall of Fame induction ceremony on October 8 at 6 p.m. at the Atkinson Country Club. Four athletes, one administrator, and one musician were inducted. Krista Michalczyk Atwell was inducted for her performances as a softball player. In her senior year, she recorded a 16-0 record with a 0.24 ERA, allowing only nine walks and 35 hits. She had four perfect games and six no-hitters, and more than 220 strikeouts. Michalczyk was also a volleyball player at Salem High School, where she was a co- captain in her senior year. After graduation, she went on to have a successful softball career at the University of Connecticut. Chris White played basketball, and ran cross- country and track. He was a four-year varsity athlete in all three sports. Chris averaged 18.1 points and 10.3 rebounds a game during his senior year, and helped lead the Blue Devils to the NH Class L finals in 2004 after upsetting nationally ranked Trinity High School in the semifinal round. He also served as team co-captain during his senior year. He earned a basketball scholarship to St. Michael’s College, where he received the Jerry Lanteri Award in 2007 for attaining an esteemed academic stature, closely resembling the ideals of the true student-athlete, and being highly regarded by fellow students for his leadership qualities, both on and off the court. Paul Lavoie competed in spring track, soccer, indoor track, and gymnastics. He graduated in 1989, the year he was named Outstanding Male


Tomas Gosslin (right) accepts from Coach Hugh Johnson


Athlete and Outstanding Male Spring Athlete. Lavoie ran a school-record 40.2 in the 300 hurdles. Thomas Gosselin was a talented and versatile three- year starter on the football team. During his career, he scored 13 touchdowns and rushed for 765 yards. Gosselin also contributed with strong performances on the defense. “As far as the coaches up here are concerned, he’s the finest all-around player in the state,” said Salem coach Hugh Johnson, who presented the award to Gosselin at the ceremony.


Current Superintendent of


Schools Michael Delahanty was honored for his long service to the Salem School


Mike Delahanty (right) accepts from Dr. Henry LeBranche


District. Delahanty served as principal at North Salem Elementary, Woodbury Middle School, and Salem High School before becoming Assistant Superintendent of Schools in 2002. He was then promoted to Superintendent of the Salem School District, a position that he currently holds. Kevin Courtemanche, who


graduated in 1980, gave up one career goal when he left law school to pursue his dream of becoming a professional singer. With the help of professionals, he has become a professional operatic tenor. Along the way, he has studied with Will Crutchfield (private study), Stanley Cornett (Peabody Conservatory), and Gary Glaze (University of Southern


Chris White (right) accepts from his brother Brian White


Paul Lavoie Jr. (right) accepts from Andy Khoury


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Volume 4 Number 13 October 15, 2010 16 Pages SHS Honors New Hall of Fame Inductees Vallery Dudley accepts from Dave Rozumck for brother Kevin Courtemanche


Krista (Michalczyk) Atwell accepts from Coach Harold Sachs


California). Courtemanche obtained a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and sang in many scenes and outreach programs, culled from the works of Justin Boyer, Donizetti, Menotti, Humperdinck, and Mascagni. He also prepared the Duke in Rigoletto and the title role in Verdi’s Otello. On the main stage, he sang Arithmétique and the Tree Frog in L’Enfant et les Sortilèges, Bardolfo in Verdi’s Falstaff, and three roles in the World Premiere of Mark Weiser’s Where Angels Fear to Tread, including, shockingly, the role of an opera singer. So he not only is an opera singer, he has played one on (well, slightly off, or, rather, back) stage.


15th Annual Invitational Band Show at SHS


Londonderry band


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courtesy photo


staff photos by Robyn Hatch


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