Neighborhood News Inc. - The Hooksett Banner

Newspapers are often criticized for publishing only bad news. "Bad" news is usually the kind of news that needs to be told - misconduct, crime, you name it. But this week we came across a story of truly good news that we.d like to share.

Michael Dross of Auburn found a purse in the parking lot of the Dollar Tree at the Kmart plaza and called the Hooksett police. He handed the officer the purse and, to their surprise, it was full of all its belongings. There was a cell phone, medication, a wallet stuffed full of money, and a bunch of credit cards. Dross said he only took it for safekeeping and didn't open it or look inside.

From the driver's license, the officer was able to contact the Suncook woman who owned the purse. Just as the officer called Marguerite Gendron on a cell phone, she pulled up next to the police cruiser. She had a big smile on her face because she could see the officer had her purse.

After checking the contents and seeing everything there, Gendron looked up at Dross and said, "I have to give you a reward, let me give you a reward."

Dross looked at her with this satisfied look on his face and said, "No ma'am, I just wanted to make sure you got your things back OK."

She said, "Are you sure?" and he said, "Yes ma'am, I'm all set."

That's the sign of a truly decent human being - one who does the right thing because it's the right thing to do. And doing the right thing leads to a wonderful feeling of satisfaction - a feeling we're sure Dross experienced that day. He is not just a good Samaritan but a good example of a great American. Auburn should feel honored to have him as a citizen.

A great Old Home Day
With Hurricane Ophelia bearing down on the area last weekend, it appeared Hooksett's first Old Home Day on its new date might be a washout. But the rain held off, the volunteers set up and the people came out to enjoy seeing their neighbors. Kudos to all involved in a great day!

– Editorials published by Neighborhood News Inc. are written by an editorial board. The board is composed of Publisher and President Amy J. Vellucci, Executive Editor Ginger Kozlowski and Managing Editor Christine Heiser.

Well, it is approaching winter again and we decided to give the Hooksett Highway Department a piece of our minds ... thank you!

We have lived in Hooksett for nine years on one of the toughest hills in town. We cannot express our appreciation to the folks who have kept our streets clear during those long nights of stormy weather.

It is funny, we.d wake in the middle of the night and hear the scraping of a plow blade and think c must be snowing; the guys are out.

We have since moved from Prescott Heights to Fieldstone Drive and look ahead to another year of great work from our Hooksett Highway Department.

Each year, Old Home Day reunites old friends, begins new friendships and offers a relaxing day to share our community spirit. This year was no exception.

We will announce winners of raffles and contests next week, and those who have raffle prizes that are to be mailed, please make sure I have your addresses.

This event could not be possible without many people pitching in to coordinate events and provide the means to have great, free entertainment. The OHD committee has worked hard since March to coordinate the day, and wish to thank the following sponsors for their contributions:

Affordable Health Insurance, Agway, American Fences Inc., American Legion Post 37, American Legion Women's Auxiliar, Applebees, Auto- Torium, Barrett Insurance, BJ's Wholesale Club, Bull Run Beef and Specialty Shop, Cedar Management Group/Granite Hill, Claudette Laroche, Coca Cola Bottling Co., Coldwell Banker Culbertson Realty, Collision Centers of New Hampshire, Colonial Hardware, Cue and Cushion, Cummings Printing, Deerhead Sportsmen's Club, Edward Jones, Faulkner's Landscaping, Forge, G & O Heating and Air Conditioning, George Grant, Goodale's Bike Shop, Gosselin Insurance, Granite State Copy, Granite State Furniture, Great West Trading Co., Green's Marine, Hannaford, HK Powersports of Hooksett, Home Depot, Hooksett Commerce Alliance, Hooksett Congregational Church, Hooksett Family Eyecare, Hooksett Fire Department, Hooksett Kiwanis, Hooksett Parks and Recreation, Hooksett Police Department, Johnny 9 Irons, Levesque Sew and Vac, Macy Industries, Mailbox Express, McDonalds, Merchants Automotive, My-T-Man Screen Printing, 99 Restaurant, Northside Plaza/MEG Companies, Outdoor World, R & D Cleaners, Rita Country Shears, RMC Cabling, Sal's Pizza, Sea Crest Car Wash, William Shackford, Sharon's Ultimate Look, Shaw's, Shorty's Mexican Roadhouse, Space Center, State Farm Insurance, State of the Art Storage, Subway, SuperCuts, Target, town of Hooksett, Tsingtao House, Turks Auto Body, V & J Entertainment, Wal-Mart, attorney William Schubert and Woods CRW.

Also, please remember that the program books are a great community directory. If you need another copy, please pick one up at the library, Town Hall or Robie's Store. They are a great reference to keep handy.

There are a few lost and found items still remaining. Please contact me if you are missing something from the day.

The Old Home Day Committee has had a great team of volunteers. Joining me this year were Nancy VanScoy, Sue Young, Kathie Northrup, Kathy Hughes, Robin Boyd, Steve Korzyniowski, Olive and Cliff Mathewson, Marty Deering and BJ Larsson.

Several volunteers helped during the day of the event as well. Thanks to Corri Wilson and the Cawley School Builder's Club for running our dunking booth to raise funds for Hurricane Relief efforts.

We also want to thank the Hooksett Parks and Recreation Department for their hard work, an awesome band and, as always, fabulous fireworks!

If we missed anyone, we apologize in advance and recognize everyone's contributions to make this event a true success! Thanks to everyone! We look forward to a great Old Home Day 2006!

Praise God, of course, for holding back the rain from about dawn (Dawn?) until about 9:28 p.m., right after the fireworks.

As I have said before, I don't believe in coincidences. Though I hardly know her, I now have confidence that she is a genuine citizen with a genuine heart and is being blessed.

From where does this confidence come? Having a keen eye requires only a glimpse. She had the heart to stand at the polls for hours, as did I, on the opposite side of an issue with me. I can be annoying sometimes, ask my wife. Dawn was the only one in opposition to engage me in serious discussion and debate on the issues and did so with conviction, stamina and etiquette. Others only offered guffaws and "forget about it, it's never gonna happen" sorts of retorts. None offered any qualifying points for debate.

Old Home Day was the clincher. Besides putting it together successfully, (350 words would not be enough), she displayed her commitment and "attitude of a servant" without concern for witnesses.

As I was leaving with tables and chairs in my truck, we spoke and exchanged pleasantries, but as I drove out, I saw her in my mirror picking up trash from the ground.

Need I say more? Yes, I must, again. Thank you Dawn Stanhope for Old Home Day and for being a true servant to your neighbors and beliefs.

P's. I noticed a limp and pray you will heal completely. May God continue to bless you.

P.P's. Thank you from myself and the Hooksett Church of the Nazarene to all who participated in the Home Run Derby! Tri- Town Ambulance benefited and so did we all, even those who missed a great Old Home Day.

This event raises money for MD research and to aid the families in New Hampshire that are affected by this disease. This year, about 80 riders raised more than $96,000. This event would not be possible without the riders who are willing to take the challenge and the many supporters who make generous donations to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

I would personally like to thank all the people and local businesses that made donations this year, making it possible for me to participate in this great event.

Allenstown Firefighter's Association, Chantilly's Restauran and Pub, Charles Spellman, D.A. Boisvert Electric, Dan Levasseur, Dave Spears, Diane Taylor, Dr. Raymond Orzechowski, Ed Domictello, Fred Charlton, Harry-O Electric, Hooksett Kawasaki Inc., Independent Electric, John Lewis, Ken McLoon Jr., Lionel Crete, Murial Saliba, Pete Gleason, Peter Marino, Philip Kelahan, Pike Industries, Roger Janelle, Ron Demers, Scott Johnston, Stephen Wright, Steve Payne, Steve Ricard, Steve Taylor, Superior Electric, Superior Fire Protection and Tri-Town Ambulance Service.

And special thanks to all the students from the Allenstown quilting class led by Kim Clark and Doreen Lord, who created a beautiful mosaic quilt, raffled it and donated the proceeds to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Thanks Ashley and Sarah for thinking of the MDA!

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