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Supported Through Advertisers Salem Community Christmas! Dear Salem Community Patriot Patriot Readers, “This is my wish for you: peace of mind,


prosperity through the year, happiness that multiplies, health for you and yours, fun around every corner, energy to chase your dreams, joy to fill your holidays!” These words of D. M. Dellinger inspired me to thank all our readers and advertisers as we report to you for the last time in 2011. Thank you for your input on the stories we bring to you. As we enter into a New Year, I remain humbled


by how much I, in my personal life and in my professional life, have been blessed by the people I meet and their struggles and conquests. Over the past 12 years, the Area News Group


has published thousands of stories of individual triumphs, tributes and tragedies. We have related to our readers about town budgets, town banter and town battles regarding the tens of thousands of words that were published, is how connected our lives are together. While we battle the battles together, much like


families do, we all want what is best for or families, our children of today and of tomorrow. Many times our communities are divided by


different opinions and ideas. But all five are great placed to live. I remain filled with the overwhelming, caring


attitude that exists in Hudson, Litchfield, Pelham, Windham and Salem. Thank you for your continued letters, both for and against the stories that we write. Thank you for contributing to the communities in which we live. Year 2012 will bring new challenges, new beginnings, and new opportunities for us all. Let us continue to remain steadfast to our shared values and our shared concerns. By continuing to work together, there is no telling how far we can grow individually as well as a community. As our next paper won’t be in your mailbox until


January 6, 2012, may you think of what Calvin Coolidge said, “Christmas is not a time nor a season, but state of mind. To cherish peach and goodwill, plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”


Gertrude McDermott and Marilyn Spring both want to enjoy time to the fullest.


Marilyn Nobel feels Christmas is best with family close by


Veterans Remembered at Wreaths Across America Ceremony


by Robyn Hatch The Salem Senior Center held a huge Christmas dinner sponsored by the Salem Fire Department. Close to 300 people feasted on spaghetti and meatballs and sugar cookies. This was actually their 25th year Christmas celebration. Firemen served and cleaned up after the meal. Because of their professionalism, many seniors just had to get their photos done with them. There were actually two meals due to the amount to the amount of attendees. People were asked what the most important memory was from their past concerning Christmas. Almost everyone stated that the importance of family showed the importance of this whole event. Regardless of family size, number of kids, etc., the family was top priority for all.


Firefighters Treat Seniors to Christmas Dinner


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View past issues and our other papers online.


Volume 5 Number 24 December 23, 2011 12 Pages


Firemen worked hard


preparing and cleaning up after the meal


Left: Gene Silver and Freda Smith enjoy family time. Both ladies


strongly believe that the gift of giving is greater than the gift of receiving.


SERVICES


The First Congregational Church of Salem Sunday, December 18 – Christmas Pageant: 10 a.m. - “The Signs of Christmas,” during worship Friday, December 24 – Christmas Eve Services: 4 p.m. - Family Service with the Christmas story 7 p.m. - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Saturday, December 25 – Christmas Day: 10 a.m.


Saints Mary and Joseph Parish in Salem St. Joseph Parish Christmas Masses: Saturday, December 24 – Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. in the Church 4:15 p.m. in the Auditorium Midnight in the Church


Sunday, December 25 – Christmas Day: 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the Church


Saturday, December 31 – Solemnity of Mary: 4:15 p.m.


Sunday, January 1 – Solemnity of Mary: 7:30 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 11 a.m.


Mary Queen of Peace Christmas Masses: Saturday, December 24 – Christmas Eve: 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.


Sunday, December 25 – Christmas Day: 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.


Saturday, December 31 – Solemnity of Mary: 4 p.m.


Sunday, January 1 – Solemnity of Mary: 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.


The Rockingham Christian Church, Salem


Saturday, December 24 – Candlelight Christmas Eve: 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.


Sunday, December 25 – Christmas Day: 10:15 a.m.


The Salem United Methodist Churches Pleasant Street UMC:


Saturday, December 24 – Christmas Eve:


4 p.m. - Family Service in Call Hall with Saint Nicholas 7 p.m. - Candlelight Service


Saturday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve: 4:30 p.m. - Saturday Sabbath Worship in Call Hall 5:45 p.m. New Year’s Eve Potluck Supper: Bring your favorite New Year’s treat. Beverage will be provided.


Open until midnight for conversation, games, movies, Watch Night Service


Hannah Tenney Memorial UMC:


Saturday, December 24 – Christmas Eve: 5:15 p.m. - Candlelight Service


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


by Robyn Hatch


Members of AmericanVeterans Post 2 On December 10, members of the community gathered to honor


veterans during the holiday season as part of the annual Wreaths Across America Day. Seven ceremonial wreaths were placed to remember all soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who served and teach the younger generations about the high cost of freedom. Specially designated wreaths for the Army, Marines, Navy,


Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and POW/MIA were placed on memorials during a ceremony that was coordinated simultaneously all over 600 participating locations all across the Country.


December 10 marked the 20th anniversary of Marine wreaths being donated and placed on headstones at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. 2011 is also the sixth year of the national wreath sponsorship campaign under the guidance of the


non-profit Wreaths Across America.org that will bring the same remembrance wreaths to national and state veterans cemeteries in all 50 states, veterans monuments, schools and communities all across the nation. It was projected that in 2011, over 150,000 volunteers placed over 4,000,000 wreaths nationwide. The story began over 20 years ago when the Worcester Wreath Company from Harrington, ME, initiated a tradition of donating and placing wreaths on the headstones of our nation’s fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery. The Worcester Wreath Company continues to be a major supporter of this special project. They donated over 30,000 wreaths total in 2010 and individuals and businesses nationwide will sponsor over 400,000 wreaths. Wreaths are placed in all 50 states from Maine to Alaska, and at 24 national cemeteries on foreign soil.


Town Won’t See $800K Anticipated From State


by S. Aaron Shamshoyan Bridge repairs in town may be put on hold after an announcement


by Town Manager Keith Hickey that the state won’t be reimbursing over $800,000 as originally anticipated. Funds to offset eighty percent of the over $1 million needed to reconstruct the Town Farm Road Bridge will not be available. “The town would not be reimburse the approximately $800,000


which they would have been reimburse through the municipal bridge aid program,” said Hickey.


As of last week, the state will not be approving new requests for bridge aid until 2019. This comes as the result of new administration of the state. Funds not yet received have been granted to communities, and the state worries they may have over anticipated revenues. “The new administration of the state found that it was inappropriate to be committing funds that they aren’t aware that they


were going to receive,” said Hickey. “Based on that decision, the state will not commit funds until 2019.” A warrant article to replace the Town Farm Road Bridge will still be on the ballot in 2012.


Selectman Stephen Campbell questioned if aid previously granted


by the state would still be funded to which Hickey said it would. Commenting on past projects supplemented by the state, Selectman Michael Lyons said the program has saved the town a lot. “We’ve taken full advantage of this program to the tune of over $3 million,” he said, “We’ve saved the tax payers a lot of money doing it.” He said the state characterized Salem’s bridge plan as the most aggressive they’ve seen across the state. Lyons said the Providence Hill Road Bridge is red listed by the state, but not an immediate safety concern.


Merry


Staff photo by Robyn Hatch


Staff photos by Robyn Hatch


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