FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011
VOL. 20 NO. 106
BERLIN, N.H.
752-5858
FREE
First forum favors consolidating educational efforts in valley BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN -- The first in a series of forums on the future of education in the Androscoggin Valley unanimously supported consolidating educational efforts in the valley. In a straw poll taken at the end of the forum Wednesday, none of the crowd of approximately 70 people raised their hand in support of doing nothing or maintaining the current status of two sepa-
rate SAUs and some sharing of services. The largest show of hands by far was for combining SAU 3 and SAU 20 into a single supervisory administrative unit and consolidating the middle and high schools. Under that option, the elementary schools would not be consolidated but would remain as they currently are. There would also be separate school boards. Just over half of those in attendance favored this option. The next most popular option was maintaining the current status quo of two SAUs but consoli-
dating Berlin and Gorham High Schools. Another popular option was to form a study group to look at consolidation. The forum at Berlin High was the first in a series of six that will be held throughout the valley over the next two weeks. Two forums are scheduled for next week - Wednesday, Sept. 21 at the Randolph town hall and Thursday, Sept. 22 at the Milan School library. Both start at 7 p.m. A grant from the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund see FORUM page 6
Historical Society plans Maynesboro AVH local mom work together for lifesaving testing for newborns Stud Centennial Celebration BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BY MELISSA GRIMA THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
GORHAM — The activism of a local mom, combined with some good timing, is changing the local medical landscape for newborns. Jen Lemoine of Gorham has been advocating for hospitals to implement a simple painless test to newborns that can help detect congenital heart disease in many cases. As a result of her efforts, and with the help of local pediatricians, Dr. Brian Beals who practices in Gorham and Dr. Rich Laracy who practices in Conway, Androscoggin Valley Hospital implemented the testing at the beginning of September and Memorial Hospital anticipates implementation within the month.
Ryan Lemoine
Lemoine, whose 15 month old son was born with congenital heart dissee TESTING page 10
BERLIN -- In 1912, W.R. Brown imported 33 Arabian horses to the United States and established his Maynesboro Stud Farm off the East Milan Road at the larger of the two Brown Company barns. The Berlin and Coos County Historical Society is planning to recognize the 100th anniversary of the event with a centennial celebration from Sept. 13-16, 2012. Historical Society Vice President Walter Nadeau this week briefed the city council on his organization’s plans and received its enthusiastic endorsement. From the original 33 horses, Nadeau said Brown developed a lineage that
is still recognized in the horse world today. As President of the Arabian Horse Registry, Brown in 1919 organized the first Cavalry Endurance Ride to determine the best breed of horse for long distances. Brown’s horses took first place in the ride three of the five years between 1919 and 1923. Brown eventually had to sell his stud farm in the 1940’s to save the paper mill. Nadeau said the historical society plans for the centennial call for hosting three to five recognized endurance rides over a three to five day period with distances up to 50 miles. He said the society is hoping to have access to the ATV trails in Jericho Mountain State Park, the state Rail to Trails system, and some of the former Brown see CENTENNIAL page 15
Cedar Pond chapel up for sale BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
MILAN - Founded in 1944, the St. Antoine de Padoue Chapel at Cedar Pond has been put on the market. Church services have not been held at the chapel since 2002. Cedar Lake Catholic Association President Marcel Nadeau said the association’s board of directors have reluctantly decided to sell the lakefront property. He said property taxes and maintenance of the property have become too costly. The association purchased the Le Club des Montagne Blanche building and property on the lake at its first
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meeting in 1944. The following year the association completed renovations of the new chapel, complete with bell and belfry, all with volunteer labor. “At the time it was awesome,” said Nadeau. The chapel was enlarged in 1959 and the association purchased additional land that same year and again in 1968. Church services used to be held at the chapel every Saturday night and Sunday morning during the summer months. Nadeau said area priests would commit to conducting the weekly services. He said attendance see CHAPEL page 5
The St. Antoine de Padoue Chapel at Cedar Pond in Milan has been put on the market.. The shorefront property has not been used for religious services since 2002.
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