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Hudson~Litchfield News


Hudson~Litchfield News National


Volume 22 Number 43 May 11, 2012 20 Pages Robinson Pond Clean Up is Just One Part of a Larger Story


submitted by Cindy Rosenberg The sun may not had come out yet, but a few


Police Week May 13-19


Respect Honor


Remember


by Doug Robinson In 1962, President John F.


Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Offi cers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement offi cers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifi ce. The Memorial Service began


in 1982 as a gathering in Senate Park of approximately 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement. Decades later, the event, more commonly known as National Police Week, has grown to a series of events which attracts thousands of survivors and law enforcement offi cers to our Nation’s Capital each year. On average, one law


enforcement offi cer is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the United States every 53 hours. Since the fi rst known line-of-duty death in 1791, more than 19,000 U.S. law enforcement offi cers have made the ultimate sacrifi ce. The National Peace Offi cers’


Memorial Service, which is sponsored by the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, is one in a series of events which includes the Candlelight Vigil. The Memorial features two


carvings, upon 304-foot-long blue-gray marble walls. Carved on these walls are the names of more than 19,000 offi cers who have been killed in the line of duty throughout U.S. history, dating back to the fi rst known death in 1791. Unlike many other memorials in Washington, DC, the National Law Enforcement Offi cers Memorial is ever-changing: new names of fallen offi cers are added to the monument each spring, in conjunction with National Police Week. The National Law


Enforcement Offi cers Memorial is the nation’s monument to law enforcement offi cers who have died in the line of duty. Dedicated on October 15, 1991, the Memorial honors federal, state and local law enforcement offi cers who have made the ultimate sacrifi ce for the safety and protection of our nation and its people. Today in the United States,


some 900,000 law enforcement offi cers put their lives on the line for the safety and protection of others. They serve with valor and distinction – and with great success. Federal statistics show that violent and property crime rates in the United States are at historic lows, thanks in large measure to the dedicated service of the men and women of law enforcement. That protection comes at


a price, however. Each year, there are approximately 60,000 assaults on law enforcement offi cers, resulting in nearly 16,000 injuries. Sadly, over the last decade, an average of 160 offi cers a year has been killed in the line of duty. And throughout U.S. history, over 19,000 law enforcement offi cers have made the ultimate sacrifi ce.


Jim Garvey and Sam Mahoney scour the waters edge


loyal Hudson residents were out to show their appreciation for Robinson Pond on Saturday, May 5 by cleaning up the pond and beach. Of course, the Pond has been appreciated by many residents since it was fi rst purchased by the Simeon Robinson family in 1763. It’s hard to imagine what it was like almost 250 years ago, but one thing is for certain: many things have changed. With about 129 acres available for swimming, boating, picnicking, and hiking there is always something to do at Robinson Pond. However, these activities are often taking place without proper regard for the environment. According to Jane Bowles, “Hudson has been


involved for 13 years with the Volunteer Lake Assessment Program, run by the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES).” Each month from May to September, volunteers take samples from the pond and its six tributaries. The results are analyzed at the DES lab in Concord and used to assess the ‘health’ of the pond.


continued to page 10- Clean Up Students Introduced to Tradition Bolivian Folk Music


by Kristen Hoffman Fifth Graders at Litchfi eld Middle School were treated to an early morning concert on Friday, May 4. The group, Manassas, played traditional Bolivian folk music. The fi fth graders just wrapped up a six-week lesson on explorers. This year, the classes paid special attention to the ancient Inca empire, and their encounters with the Spaniards. The group, headed by Jose Lopez-Carasco of


Litchfi eld, consisted of several members of Lopez- Carasco’s family. The group used traditional instruments including guitars, hand pipes and a drum made of goat’s skin, called “wancara.” Throughout the concert, Lopez-Carasco shared bits of trivia about the Incan people, including how they were one of the fi rst civilizations to use a mail system, despite the fact that they did not have a written language. According to Lopez-Carasco, the family has been playing music together for about 20 years.


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Adrian, 20 months, dances to the music. His father, Jorje, plays the guitar


T e wancara drum


Campbell and Alvirne High School Keep Students Safe for Prom


by Tom Tollefson For many young people the high school prom is nothing less than a grand event. It’s a night full of friends, food, and high-class tuxedos and shimmering gowns and photos that will forever be displayed on Facebook and family albums. However, both Alvirne and Campbell High School staff are warning students that this memorable night can quickly turn into a nightmare based on their decisions. Both schools have made efforts to remind students to make responsible decisions in avoiding alcohol and drugs in order to have a safe and memorable evening. These efforts have included holding school assemblies the week before the prom among many others. “We try to carry the message not just in May and October, but all year long.” said Campbell Assistant Principal Laurie Rothhaus. “Our message is very clear we have a zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol.” Alvirne High School Principal Bryan Lane and


School Resource Offi cer John Mirabella spoke to the students about the legal consequences of underage drinking and drinking and driving. Lane and Mirabella also reminded students that their prom night decisions affected the safety and well being of others. “We shared stories that not only affect them but their family and loved ones. In the assembly we showed a short little clip about how it’s affected other communities around the nation. I think that teenagers get caught up in the fun and sometimes they neglect to think about how it could affect them,” Mirabella said. Campbell’s assembly included a viewing of


Wrecked, a fi lm made by Nashua High School Student Ben Crue. The fi lm centers around all decisions about prom including drinking and


Campbell High School SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) members Visit Page 6 for CHS Prom! Visit Page 13 for AHS Prom! Thank You From the Troops to Their Moms


Lance Cpl. Christopher Oascie sends his greetings. See the message at http://bit.ly/IQPW4W or scan the QR code.


driving and their consequences. “It uses all real life scenarios and high school students from Nashua and follows a lot of their real life decisions,” said Campbell English teacher Michael Boutselis. After the fi lm’s conclusion, Campbell School


Resource Police Offi cer Mark Coral led a discussion about the dangers of alcohol. Since Campbell has a junior/senior prom, they alternate their awareness efforts. Every other year, as an alternative of holding an assembly and watching a fi lm, they have a mock accident scene with a discussion to follow. To make a more realistic scene, real police


and fi rst responder personnel are used in place of actors.


Campbell also made brochures for students and parents to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol. These brochures specifi cally targeted prom season by warning about the legal


continued to page 10- Safe Prom


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Photos by Danny Rosenberg


Staff photos by Kristen Hoffman


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