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April Fool’s Day


by Doug Robinson


Unlike most of the other non- foolish holidays, the history of April Fool’s Day, sometimes called All Fool’s Day, is not totally clear. It is not like Halloween, where despite an interesting history, most people just put on Halloween costumes, get candy, and leave it at that. There really wasn’t a “first April Fool’s Day” that can be pinpointed on the calendar. Some believe it sort of evolved simultaneously in several cultures at the same time, from celebrations involving the first day of spring. The closest point in time that can be identified as the beginning of this tradition was in 1582, in France. Prior to that year, the New Year was celebrated for eight days, beginning on March 25. The celebration culminated on April 1. With the reform of the calendar under Charles IX, the Gregorian calendar was introduced, and New Year’s Day was moved to January However, communications being what they were in the days when news traveled by foot, many people did not receive the news for several years. Others, the more obstinate crowd, refused to accept the new calendar and continued to celebrate the New Year on April 1. These backward folk were labeled as “fools” by the general populace. They were subject to some ridicule, and were often sent on “fool’s errands” or were made the butt of other practical jokes. This harassment evolved, over time, into a tradition of prank playing on the first day of April. The tradition eventually spread to England and Scotland in the 18th century. It was later introduced to the American colonies of both the English and French. April Fool’s Day thus developed into an international funfest, so to speak, with different nationalities specializing in their own brand of humor at the expense of their friends and families. In Scotland, for example, April


Fool’s Day is actually celebrated for two days. The second day is devoted to pranks involving the posterior region of the body. It is called Taily Day. The origin of the “kick me” sign can be traced to this observance. In France and several other European countries, April 1 is often referred to as April Fish. The prank is to stick a paper fish on the back of another person without being noticed. Pranks performed on April Fool’s


Day range from saying, “Your shoe’s untied, and to the setting a roommate’s alarm clock back an hour. Whatever the prank, the trickster usually ends it by yelling to his victim, “April Fool!” Nobody is expected to buy gifts or to take their “significant other” out to eat in a fancy restaurant. Nobody gets off work or school. It’s simply a fun little holiday, but a holiday on which one must remain forever vigilant, for the joke may be on him.


Salem Community Patriot Patriot April 1 - by Chris White


Salem High recognized its outstanding winter athletes at the school’s winter sports awards banquet on Monday, March 19. The banquet took place at Salem High School. Every Salem team qualified for post-season competition this winter. Heading the list of post-season highlights was the girls’ gymnastics team placing second at the New Hampshire state meet and advancing to the New England Championships, while the winter spirit team took fourth at its state competition and also qualified for New Englands.


After securing the 10th and final seed in


Division I, the hockey team made a run to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs, and the wrestling team earned sixth overall at the Division I Tournament. Meanwhile, the boys’ basketball team ended its season in the first round after finishing second in the regular season standings, as the girls’ basketball team also fell in the first- round to eventual runner-up Londonderry. Other Salem teams performing in the post- season included boys’ indoor track (seventh at Division I Championships), girls’ indoor track (eighth at Division I Championships), boys’ swimming, girls’ swimming, and boys’ gymnastics.


continued to page 7- Winter Sports Awards Senior point guard Jon Klecan was recognized as Salem’s outstanding male winter athlete and boys’ basketball MVP Salem High School’s “Slice of Salem”


by S. Aaron Shamshoyan Romano’s Pizzeria got a slice of success at this year’s annual Slice of Salem fundraiser sponsored by the Salem High School freshmen. The competition for local pizza


restaurants brings them together in the high school’s cafeteria, where students, for a small fee, get the chance to sample the restaurants fares, and vote on which should take home the honor of best in town. Helping run the Domino’s station, freshmen student council members Emma and Sam were excited about the event. Emma said the idea came


from the sophomore class who hosted the event last year as freshmen. Sam said the class planned to use the funds generated to help with the cost of prom.


Another competitor, Polcari’s,


was at the event for the first time. Staff member Anthony from the restaurant said high students visited the restaurant asking for their participation, and they gladly agreed. “We do have the best pizza in Salem,” Anthony said, adding, “It’s a fun time to help students.” Multi-year participant Romano’s Pizzeria received their first victory.


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Volume 5 Number 37 March 30, 2012 16 Pages Salem High Recognizes Winter Athletes


Elias Vera, Geoffery Beauman, and Mike Morine from Romano’s Pizzeria as assisted by freshmen Dan and Erica. Romano’s was this years crowd favorite.


“We were asked to join the competition,” said Elias Vera of Romano’s.


“It’s fun for us and


it’s fun for the kids,” he said. Vera said the restaurant had participated since the first event, but was yet to revive a win. He said they had gone through over


twenty pizzas, serving many different varieties including buffalo, spaghetti, barbecue, and Alfaro white.


About one 175 students attended the event generating around $800 for the class.


Pictured to the left: (Left to right) Freshmen Merissa, Britney, and Callie sample pizza while Student Council Members Emma, Sam, and Nicki assist Anthony of Polcari’s


Rising Fuel Prices Raise Concerns


by S. Aaron Shamshoyan Finance reviews of the year’s budget


show the town to be about $220,000 under spending estimates according to Town Manager Keith Hickey. A request from Selectmen’s Chair


Patrick Hargreaves about an update on the town’s current budget with concerns of rising fuel costs revealed the surplus. “We do have money if and when gas and diesel prices do increase,” said Hickey, adding diesel was projected to go over budget by $16,000 at the current price. Hickey said $110,000 of the surplus


was due to gaps in employment with workers leaving and not having the


positions filled immediately. Selectman Stephen Campbell requested a report on vehicles taken home by employees. “The town’s gone through cycles with lots of vehicles going home,” he said adding there was usually a slow increase after a reduction. Selectman Everett McBride asked


workers shut off vehicles when parked to save fuel. Hickey said department heads had discussed with employees fuel saving measures. Hickey also said short- and long- term disability policies going out to bid could mean additional cost savings.


Easter Bunny Visits the


Derry Salem Elks


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


Easter Bunny greeting the children


submitted by Louise Landry, Derry Salem Elks Sunday, March 25, the Easter Bunny visited the Derry Salem Elks greeting about 50 children and helping them with traditional Easter Egg hunt. Beside the Egg hunt the children enjoyed activities and craft, making flower pots, coloring eggs, decorating cookies, face painting, making thumb prints.


Staff photos by S. Aaron Shamshoyan


Staff photos by Chris White


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