Salem Community Patriot | December 9, 2011 - 5


Local 4-H Members Achieve Honors at National 4-H Horse Roundup


submitted by Donna Funteral More than 330 of the nation’s most knowledgeable 4-H Horse


Program members competed earlier this month in the 2011 Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup. The North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, KY has hosted the annual event since 1985. Rockingham County 4-H members Hannah Moore and Meagan


Moran of the Derry Nutfield Hunt 4-H Club and the Salem-based Rockingham Riders, placed third in the Presentation Contest. This challenging contest necessitated months of preparation for Moore


and Moran. The contest required them to present factual, relevant information in a way that is entertaining and memorable. Their demonstration, which compared and contrasted two elements of Western and English riding competitions, was impressive by the way it effectively utilized digital imaging along with well-rehearsed and polished speaking. Kristen Harvey, 4-H Horse Roundup management committee


chair, said that each of the 4-H members competing should be extremely proud of their efforts and success. “The Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup represents the final destination for these kids to showcase their talents and hard work. They earned the top award in their state to qualify, and then they had to amplify their level of knowledge and preparation to go up against the other top kids from across the country.” 4-H youth’s first step to develop presentation skills is at their local County Activities Days. These regional communications events take place around the state and serve as practice opportunities and feeder events for other statewide and national opportunities, such as the National 4-H Horse Round Up. This year’s Rockingham and Strafford County Activities Days are open to any youth between the ages of 5 and 18 and will be held at the UNH Thompson School of Applied Science on March 10, 2012.


4-H members Meagan Moran, center, and Hannah Moore, right, of the Derry Nutfield Hunt 4-H Club and the Salem-based Rockingham Riders, placed third in the Presentation Contest at the 2011 Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup.


To left is Amanda Schultz, Rockingham County 4-H Volunteer Leader and Coach.


4-H is the youth educational program of UNH Cooperative Extension. The mission of 4-H is to help youth acquire knowledge, develop life skills and form attitudes to help them to become self directing, productive and contributing members of society. 4-H emphasizes the importance of involving youth in the learning process. For more information on 4-H activities in Rockingham County, call (603) 679-5616 or visit bit.ly/RockCty4H.


Outdoors Charlie Chalk with


New Law Will Allow Rural Communities to Flourish


President Barack Obama recently signed the Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011, which permits year-long recreation opportunities on U.S. Forest Service ski areas, boosting rural economies while continuing to maintain stringent environmental safeguards. The year-long recreation season is estimated to annually sustain up to 600 extra jobs and is expected to bring in an additional $40 million to local communities in direct spending. “The Forest Service is taking steps to promote job growth


every day,” said USDA Under Secretary Harris Sherman. “We look forward to welcoming hundreds of thousands more visitors throughout the entire year to their national forests.” The new legislation amends the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986, which allowed only Nordic and alpine skiing. Under the new legislation, other snow sports may be permitted on National Forest System lands, as well as year-round activities. Potential permitted activities may include zip lines, mountain bike terrain parks and trails, Frisbee golf courses, and ropes courses. Contact the WMNF to see what is coming our way.


Charlie Chalk can be reached at outdoorswithcharlie@areanewsgroup.com


by Andrea Ganley-Dannewitz Christopher Smeltzer sobbed while listening to an audio recording of his daughter Mercey, now 8 who says her father should be punished for killing her mother. The small child’s voice heard on December 2 at the Rockingham County Superior Court by all who attended the hearing for Smeltzer’s sentencing said, “I feel my daddy should be punished for the rest of his life. I love my daddy, but I’m afraid.” Mercey, who survived an attack by her mother, Mara Pappalardo


was recorded days before the hearing while reading a letter that she wrote to be addressed at the court during her father’s sentencing. The child has been staying with family members since her release from the hospital last November. On November 7, 2010, Smeltzer returned to the home in Auburn to find his 4-year old son Mason strangled by a ribbon. Mercey was unconscious, having been strangled with a scarf and his wife Mara Pappalardo was gurgling and had apparently nearly succeeded at strangling herself with a rope. Smeltzer told police and prosecutors that he “lost it” and beat Mara with a flashlight, killing her. Believing that both his children had been killed, Smeltzer took


any pill he could find in the house in an attempt to end his own life. He was surprised to wake up the next morning with Mercey by his side on the couch.


Smeltzer contacted his family and then called 911 after he was


awaken by his only surviving child. He and Mercey were taken from the home on Bunker Hill Road and transported to Elliot Hospital. From there Smeltzer was arrested upon release and charged with second-degree murder. That charge was lowered to manslaughter after a plea deal was reached.


Members from both Smeltzer Christopher Smeltzer


and Pappalardo’s families were present at the December 2 sentencing hearing. Smeltzer is eligible to have five years of his sentenced reduced if he participates in anger management classes, remains on good behavior and


obtains a college degree while incarcerated, according to Judge Tina Nadeau. Smeltzer’s defense team had argued for a much lighter sentence of 7-20 years, but Judge Nadeau disagreed. Before the closure of the hearing last Friday, Smeltzer addressed the court, the family and friends who were all present describing how that extremely tragic night changed their lives forever. “When I walked into that room, it was an unimaginable nightmare. I lost a part of me that night,” Smeltzer said while on


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see what’s going on in surrounding towns


Sneak a Peek


Read the Hudson~Litchfield News, Pelham~Windham News and


the Salem Community Patriot online www.areanewsgroup.com


Smeltzer to Serve 15-30 Years in Manslaughter Case


Please Help BringThem Home for the Holidays Meet Subway!


the stand. Senior Assistant Attorney General Jane Young confirms that Mara


Pappalardo is responsible for the death of her son Mason and for the injuries that Mercey sustained. Mara Pappalardo suffered from paranoia, hallucinations, and depression in the months prior to her death and had been hospitalized at times for these mental illness symptoms. Christopher Smeltzer told the court that he loved and misses his family deeply, including Mara. He expressed deep regret that Mercey will not have a mother or father to care for her. “I will always live with that guilt. All I can say is I am sorry for the loss, burden and pain I have caused,” Smeltzer said.


A very sweet 12 year old male beagle who was found


totally emaciated in the woods of NH. Left behind by his owner as he probably was too old to hunt.


We also have senior Chihuahuas who all need to be in a homes vs a shelter.


Please visit www.arnne.org Subway 603-233-4801


www.areanewsgroup.com Your Hometown Internet Address


It's all there... Photos courtesy of "Creations by Sea-Jay"


Foster Homes Needed for Seniors.


Courtesy photo


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