The Laconia Daily Sun, December 24, 2010

E E R F Friday, december 24, 2010

Sales record to fall?

Christmas Eve bargain hunters may break record for holiday season — P. 2

VOL. 11 NO. 148

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year A beautiful little girl soaks in all the sights and sounds of the annual Christmas service of the First Congregational Society at the Smith Meeting House in Gilmanton on Dec. 19. (Karen Bobotas/for The Laconia Daily Sun)

Boilers at county jail have to be replaced at cost of $62K

By Gail OBer

THE LACONIA DAILY SUN

LACONIA — Belknap County Commissioners met yesterday morning in an emergency session to waive the posting requirements for the replacement of the two hot-water boilers at the county jail.

According to Maintenance Director Harold Powell and Corrections Superintendent Dan Ward, there are two 23-year-old hot-water boilers — one of which is completely broken.

Powell said the remaining one began leaking carbon monoxide and shutting down without notice, requiring constant maintenance.

“When that second one goes down, there’s see BOiLEr page 11

‘Maddy’s Meds’ raises another $1,450 to help pay for medicines for senior citizens LACONIA — Three years ago, when their daughter Madison was in first grade, Allan and Wendy Kirker began noticing that money left laying around the house was disappearing. While cleaning house, they opened their daughter’s toy cash register.

“We found coins and bills stuffed into the register,” said Wendy. “There was even a $5 bill.” She estimated the value of the hoard at close to $30.

2.99

Madison Kirker

“It was on the ground so I just picked it up,” Maddy said of the money. “When we asked her what she was saving the money for,” Wendy continued, she told us ‘I’m saving for the elderly.’” Questioned further, Maddy explained “so they can buy medicine and stuff.”

Somewhat surprised but clearly impressed with Maddy’s good intentions, the Kirkers decided to help her fulfill them. see rX page 8

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Page 2 — THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas Eve shoppers may push retail sales to record level NEW YORK (AP) — It’s Black Friday, The Sequel.

Stores are rolling out deals and expect to be swimming in shoppers on Christmas Eve as stragglers take advantage of a day off work. For retailers, the last-minute rush caps the best year since 2007, and possibly ever.

With Christmas falling on a Saturday this year, Friday is a holiday for most U.S. workers. That lets shoppers hit the stores first thing in the morning.

“I’m calling it Fantastic Friday, because I really do think it’s going to be one of the busiest days of the year,” said Marshal Cohen, chief fashion industry analyst with researcher NPD Group.

A strong Christmas Eve would round out a surprisingly successful holiday season for retailers. The National Retail Federation predicts that holiday spending will reach $451.5 billion this year, up 3.3 percent over last year. That would be the biggest

year-over-year increase since 2006, and the largest total since spending hit a record $452.8 billion in 2007. A strong finish could even give 2010 the crown.

While both are heavy shopping days, Christmas Eve draws a different breed of buyer than Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving and the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season.

“Those who get up and brave the cold on Black Friday are usually looking for hot items, not only to buy gifts but to score something for themselves,” said Kathy Grannis, a spokeswoman for the National Retail Federation. “They’re planners, and they map out what they want to buy.”

Shoppers who come out on Christmas Eve, on the other hand, were either waiting for the biggest discounts or they didn’t have the money to spend earlier, she said. Or they just tend to dilly-dally.

While many Black Friday shoppers relish the

hunt, last-minute buyers are harried and focused on getting things done.

And true to stereotype, they are mostly men, said Dan Jasper, spokesman for Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn.

Accordingly, stores push men’s and women’s sweaters in their circulars, while shoes and children’s apparel take a back seat. Jewelry also tends to be a top last-minute gift item, though that category has been strong throughout the season.

E-commerce has driven much of the holiday’s spending growth. For the season to-date, $28.36 billion has been spent online, a 12 increase over last year, according to research firm comScore. Online shoppers spent $900 million last weekend alone.

Many people who postponed their shopping this year blame busy schedules. The number of hours see SHOPPING page 10

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Many California residents who endured flooding, mudslides and evacuations during a weeklong onslaught of rain must now clean up or even rebuild — and could face the prospect of not being able to spend Christmas at home.

The storm’s push across the West left a muddy mess Thursday across Southern California and the threat of avalanches in Nevada, where Clark County officials urged residents of Mount Charleston, near Las Vegas, to leave after snow slides near two mountain hamlets.

Preliminary damage estimates throughout California were already in the tens of millions of dollars

and were expected to rise. Acting Gov. Abel Maldonado declared a state of emergency in three more counties, adding Los Angeles, Kings and Santa Barbara counties to the list of six released earlier in the week.

The inland region of Southern California east of Los Angeles was emerging as among the hardest-hit areas, especially San Bernardino County.

In Highland, people were literally chased from their homes by walls of mud and water, leaving behind dwellings strung with holiday lights. They returned Thursday to find their neighborhood inundated with mud. Five homes were destroyed and nearly 70 others damaged.

Leslie Constante burst into tears when she approached her parents’ house and saw a red tag slapped on the garage, meaning authorities had deemed it unsafe to enter. Out front, a display with two holiday reindeer was enveloped in mud several feet deep.

“My mom and dad worked so hard for this,” said Constante, wearing knee high rubber boots and a rain jacket. The 29-year-old pharmacy technician couldn’t get inside to see how bad the damage was to Christmas presents and other belongings.

Highland officials estimated the storm caused $17.2 million damage to homes, cars and a bridge see RAIN next page

Californians face massive cleanup projects after onslaught of rain

Commission charged with selling state assets not coming anywhere close to $60M goal CONCORD (AP) — A commission tasked with finding New Hampshire assets to sell or lease to help balance the budget is expected to fall short of its $60 million goal in filling a state budget hole.

“We’re not going to be able to sell enough real property to come up with the $60 million,” Rep. John Graham, a commission member, said Thursday.

“About the only pieces we’ve identified that could be sold quickly in this fiscal year are some houses in Manchester and some house lots.”

The two houses and land on the grounds of the youth reformatory in Manchester are worth an

estimated $400,000. They were supposed to be sold years ago.

The eight-member commission was established this year in a budget bill intended to close a $295 million hole. It has been looking for ways to raise at least $60 million by June 30, 2011, when the state closes the books on the fiscal year. It meets Tuesday to vote on a final report with its recommendations.

The state ended the last fiscal year with a $70 million surplus, which could be used to make up for some of the money.

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This year, Arizona raised about $1 billion selling some of the state Capitol buildings, prisons, and other property to investors. The buildings were leased back by the state, which would eventually regain ownership.

New Hampshire’s commission was charged with identifying assets “that may no longer be necessary to fulfill core governmental functions” and recommend whether to sell or lease them. The commission see SALE next page

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THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Friday, December 24, 2010— Page 3

SALE from preceding page also was to explore the privatization of some staterun programs.

A 58-page report found the state owns about 9 percent of New Hampshire’s nearly 5.8 million acres, or about 521,000 acres.

Since it started work in August, the commission has found the task isn’t as easy as envisioned.

Not all properties have a current market value.

The amounts listed are what they were originally assigned. For example, the Hannah Dustin Historic Site in Boscawen is listed for $5. The half-acre memorial commemorating Dustin’s escape from native tribes in 1697 was erected in 1874.

Other properties need multiple agencies to approve their sale or are blocked for sale by statute or some other complication. Some may have a clause in which the property — if its use changes — would go back to the original owner, such as a family. And others may have conservation easement restrictions. Some were bought or built with federal help.

The group also has looked at borrowing against tobacco settlement money.

The use of tobacco settlement money to help fill the budget gap would require legislative approval. Such proposals have been brought up in the past in New Hampshire to balance the budget, but they were not popular, partly because of doubts over whether the revenue amount would remain constant.

Sen. Lou D’Allesandro, the commission’s chairman, said Thursday that borrowing against the tobacco money could raise the entire $60 million, but that the settlement proceeds are already being used this year to pay for school aid.

Graham said he doesn’t like the idea and isn’t sure the Legislature would want to borrow money for this year’s budget that it will have to pay back.

Other big-ticket items like finding private partners for the Lottery Commission or Liquor Commission, or selling or leasing the state-owned Cannon Mountain ski area, have been ruled out for a variety of reasons.

The commission also isn’t recommending selling the valuable site of the former Laconia State School with lake views — at least not immediately, said Graham, R-Bedford. Another state commission is studying what to do with that property.

D’Allesandro and Graham said that their study may not have identified the $60 million needed this year, but that it was worthwhile because it got the state thinking about doing a proper inventory.

Graham said the state is hiring someone to keep working on the project.

All Brite food drive for Salvation Army nets 3,000 plus items Gary Gach, of Laconia, carries one of many boxes of food from an All Brite Cleaning and Restoration truck into the Salvation Army building Union Ave. on Wednesday morning. The food was donated through a campaign the Gilford has organized for four years, in which they solicit donations of non-perishable food items from shoppers at the Market Basket store in Tilton and All Brite and co-sponsor CRDN then join to match each donated item. This year, the drive collected more than 3,000 items of food, which will be used by the Laconia Salvation Army for its food pantry and soup kitchen. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Adam Drapcho)

RAIN from preceding page that was washed away.

As residents surveyed their homes, work crews were busy trying to reopen more than a dozen canyon and mountain roads that were closed by slides and floods. Reopening times were listed simply as “unknown” for most of them.

“There’s a lot of road damage,” San Bernardino County fire spokeswoman Tracey Martinez said.

“The whole county received quite a bit of damage.”

Ibeth Garcia and her family returned Thursday to a home surrounded by mud 4 feet deep to retrieve Christmas presents and clothes left behind when they fled a dirty torrent.

“We left with just our shoes, cell phones and car keys,” said Garcia, 26. “We didn’t have time for anything else.”

They found just a light coating of mud inside the house and considered themselves lucky, since some of their neighbors’ homes

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In neighboring Riverside County, the damage estimate was nearing $30 million. In Orange County, spokesman Howard Sutter issued a preliminary damage estimate of $23 million, adding it was expected to rise.

Along the coast in the county, the upscale community of Laguna Beach suffered an estimated $4 million in damage to 46 businesses and 20 homes.

A section of the city’s popular beachfront park was washed away, leaving chunks of mud and a gaping open space where green grass had been the day before.

When the sun came out Thursday, however, volleyball players quickly filled what was left of the park.

The danger was not over for foothill residents living below wildfire-scarred hillsides.

Page 4 — THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Friday, December 24, 2010

Jim Hightower

Good grief! Obama feels pain of corporate chiefs Guess who’s whining the loudest these days, wailing that they’re getting a raw deal from Barack Obama.

Not the unemployed and barely employed — even though the White House has blithely ignored their critical need for a national jobs program.

Not the poor, even though their ranks are swelling as millions of Americans fall out of the middle class.

No, no, the most insistent demand for attention is coming from way above the poor and the middle class. Believe it or not, it’s the CEOs of Americas biggest corporations and the top bankers of Wall Street who’re stamping their little Gucciclad feet, bawling that they should be getting more love and support from the president.

It seems that the feelings of these precious ones have been hurt by Obama’s occasional condemnation of the stupefying greed that’s been shown by the likes of health insurance executives and Wall Street banksters. As one CEO put it, Obama’s attitude “felt too much like we were the bad guys.”

Yoo-hoo, Mr. Multimillionaire Executive, YOU ARE! Corporate chieftains are ruthlessly downsizing the middle class, carelessly polluting our air and water, gleefully destroying our democracy by using their corrupting corporate money to buy our government and generally feeling entitled to run roughshod over everyone — all while pocketing obscene levels of wealth for themselves. Yet they’re the ones crying?

Those guys are pathetic — they’re a bunch of narcissists with a sense of entitlement. Obama ought to send each of them a box of Kleenex and tell ‘em to go to hell. But unfortunately, he’s no Harry Truman. So instead, he’s giving in to them! “(I intend) to make clear to the business community,” he recently announced, “that the most important thing we can do is to boost and encourage our business sector.”

Hello ... they’re doing fine. The most important thing you can do is boost America’s middle class.

Obama’s helping not only multimillionaire corporate CEOs. He’s also helping their friends at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Of all the groups in America that need the president of the U.S. on its side,

you’d think the last to win a pledge of support would be the Chamber.

After all, this outfit, which is largely funded and run by a handful of America’s biggest corporations, has become the most powerful lobbying force in Washington — and one of the richest front groups funneling secret corporate cash into our elections. Indeed, it poured tens of millions of those dollars into campaign ads this fall to demonize the president and turn the U.S. House over to anti-Obama Republicans.

Yet, the day after the election, the Chamber found itself being wooed by the White House. The president even dispatched his treasury secretary to the Chamber’s opulent headquarters to eat crow and promise that, henceforth, Obama and Team would be more corporate friendly.

Good grief! Friendlier than Obama’s Wall Street reform that coddled the big banksters, or his health care reform that further entrenches profiteering insurance giants inside the system? Or the tax bill cave-in that needlessly awards billions of dollars in special breaks for corporations and rich CEOs? Yes. So friendly that Obama is now holding an ongoing series of closeddoor policy meetings with assorted CEOs. So friendly that he’s already delayed regulations to strengthen anti-pollution rules. So friendly that his deficit-reduction panel proposes cutting the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 26 percent. So friendly that he’s planning to put a highpowered CEO right inside the White House with him, as demanded by the whining corporate powers who say they’re not getting enough love from the president.

Why do they get a special presidential slot? Why not one for labor, small farmers, consumers, the unemployed? Remind me again — is this guy a Democrat?

(Jim Hightower has been called American’s most popular populist.

The radio commentator and former Texas Commissioner of Agriculture is author of seven books, including “There’s Nothing In the Middle of Road but Yellow Stripes and Dead Armadillos” and his new work, “Swim Against the Current: Even Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow”.)

Unemployment benefit extension doesn’t help people like us To the editor, I sent this letter to Governor Lynch and President Obama: What good is the new 13 months unemployment? I had exhausted my claim in November and was told to keep filing in hope of the new extension. But guess what? It only helps the people still on unemployment and not the other 3,000 in N.H. who lost theirs.

Because my husband works and we can’t make all our bills the State

of N.H. gives me $45 in food stamps a month. I really wish their was help out there for us. There are no jobs, so where do we go for help? THATS MY QUESTION. I lost my home back in 2008 to foreclosure; now I have to worry about being homeless.

I see more people being homeless in the next coming years.

Thank you for listening.

Christine Jenot Laconia

LETTERS Free Ward Bird goals are directly tied to this 1 specific incident To the editor, It’s December the 23rd and I am still holding out for miracles as are many who have been following Ward Bird’s case. As a member of the Free Ward Bird Committee, I can assure you that we will not stop our tireless efforts to see an injustice overturned and a family reunited.

While some may feel that a backstory such as the one in your paper today is detrimental to our efforts, I see it merely as an unnecessary distraction, and regrettable timing for the family facing Christmas without their father. I have said many times since this case hit the media, how grateful I am that every aspect of my life is not being dragged through the front pages for everyone to comment on. At the same time I am encouraged by the fact that stories continue to be run on a daily basis, as it shows the attention we have been able to generate, and ensures that no one forgets that Lauchie (Ward’s nickname) is currently incarcerated, a victim of an imperfect system.

The Free Ward Bird Committee has four very succinct goals, and while they have been published before, it seems like an opportune time to reiterate them: — See Ward Bird released from prison as soon as possible.

— Assist Ward Bird in obtaining a pardon.

— Assist Ward Bird in having his record expunged.

— Change NH Law to ensure that what happened in this case does not happen to anyone ever again.

These goals are all directly tied to the charges stemming from one specific incident and the resulting court cases, decisions and sentencing.

Lauchie was accused of waiving a gun and threatening a woman, everything else being discussed is irrelevant to those charges — he is innocent of the charges that were brought against him. I hope that the media and public at large do not lose sight of that.

Rebecca Bryant Moultonborough

15,000 U.S. home fires attributed to candles in just 4 years To the editor, Don’t let a candle ruin your home.

In the past few years there has been a very high increase in the number of home fires caused by candles. During the period 2003-2007 there were more than 15,000 home structure fires attributed to candles. These same fires caused 166 deaths, and almost 1,300 injuries. More than one-third of these fires started in bedrooms, which caused more than 40-percent of all the deaths. We know the risks associated with candles, hopefully now so do you.

Be careful when using candles.

Here are some tips to the safe use of candles: Extinguish all candles when you leave the room or are going to sleep; keep candles 12-in. away from items that can catch fire, such as drapes, curtains, clothing, newspapers, and Christmas decorations and trees; use sturdy candleholders that won’t tip over easily; keep blinds, curtains and drapes away from candles; keep candles away from flammable

liquids; trim candle wicks to onequarter an inch; keep candles out of the reach of children and away from pets; never leave a child unattended in a room with a candle; don’t allow children to have candles in their bedrooms; store candles, matches, and lighters up high and out of children sight; keep a flashlight handy for when the power goes out; don’t walk around with a lit candle; never use a candle when checking pilot lights on heaters; never use candles if medical oxygen is used in the home.

If you think you need emergency services do not hesitate to call 911.

Time is of essence in an emergency.

The longer you wait to call for help the less chance we have of mitigating the problem successfully.

The Laconia Fire Department wishes you a safe and happy holiday season.

Chief Ken Erickson Laconia Fire Department

Write: news@laconiadailysun.com

THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Friday, December 24, 2010 — Page 5

LETTERS

North Country Fireworks

Average living standard is going to slide until we figure this out To the editor, The recession has been hard on both businesses and people who work for wages. Profit margins shrank or went away all together for many businesses. When businesses do not make money they have to cut costs. Cutting costs means laying people off because in most businesses people are the biggest category of expenditure. As a result employment declined. If you don’t make the sales you don’t need the people to make the products. It is that simple. Well, not really.

You see we have a government with a conscience and it is looking out for our best interest. It has adopted a policy of incenting businesses to export manufacturing jobs. The reasoning goes that manufacturing causes pollution and we don’t want that. Besides, we are disproportionately wealthy and if others just had more of what we have, then the whole world would be benefited and we do want that. The fact that it will mean a lower standard for all Americans is a byproduct and we are good with that. Right?

Well the recovery is underway; at least if you believe the talking heads, it is. Weak businesses were weeded out or bailed out. The strong survived.

If you listen to the political types they tell you that corporate earnings have benefited from the return to profitability of the banks, great right? You probably infer that jobs will be the next logical improvement. Well that’s not likely and here’s why.

What they are not telling you is that business profits are also up and perhaps primarily growing because of the contribution of foreign operations.

Corporate profits of American international companies are improving.

Got that? America’s wealth and jobs are being effectively shifted overseas.

Our companies are still profitable but the profits are originating off shore.

Don’t believe it? Well it is estimated that gross overseas profits now represent one third of total corporate profits. Did you know that? A side effect of growing profits overseas is that the best and the brightest will follow the money. America benefited from that simple fact for two hundred years and now we have to deal with the reversal of that effect.

The corporate recovery is not attributable to domestic sales growth as has happened before. The recovery lies in

Get Ready for Your Next Celebration!

the reduction of costs. The reduction in costs comes from lower labor costs, lower interest rates courtesy of the Federal Reserve, and lower depreciation as a consequence of less investment in plant and equipment have helped create cash flow for businesses.

These things have not, will not and cannot create jobs in America.

Healthy businesses providing goods and services in required sectors of the economy are going to survive. What is not going to happen is growing our way out the recession. What is not going to happen is creation of jobs at a pace that will keep pace with population growth. What is not going to happen is for the pace of wage growth to keep up with the pace of the rise in the prices of goods and services.

The living conditions of the average American are going to slide until we figure this out. This is true because there are fewer jobs than there are qualified people to fill them. Wages will continue to lose ground to the cost of goods and services until that changes.

Changes in public policy caused the problem that created the recession and it will take changes in public policy to undo what caused the damage.

People wonder what business is doing with the money it makes. The answer is simple. They are sitting on it until they understand where it can be reinvested to make the highest rate of return. Right now it looks like that reinvestment will happen elsewhere.

So the benefits will accrue to those people overseas where the investments will be made. Business creates jobs and wealth. Governments do not.

If you like the tax compromise you better get used to the attached unemployment benefits extension. The government does not create jobs that are self sustaining. Government jobs require tax revenues to support them.

The size of government is self limiting. When it reaches the point where there are too many government workers for the tax base to support. At that point the government will morph into something else... or collapse under its own weight.

Something has to change. It is egalitarian to do things for the greater good but there are financial constraints to generosity.

Just my honest opinion.

Marc Abear Meredith

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I’m impressed that circus issue has been settled in dignified way To the editor, Mr. Pattison and the Laconia Parks and Recreation Commission, THANK YOU! I am very gratified and impressed that the circus coming to Laconia issue has finally been settled and in such a dignified way. I cannot say I apologize for raking you over the coals in the beginning of this, but that was directed towards attitude, not the person; and I will go on record saying

that I also will be right back on the bandwagon, thanking you for seeing this through to the end and working with the citizens of Laconia to bring about a wonderful venture and having everyone walk away content.

May you all have a Merry Christmas, and a wonderful New Year.

Judi Leavitt Bristol, Conn.

Overwhelming donations to LHS Santa Fund helped many students To the editor, Thank you Lakes Region business and community members! Your generosity was overwhelming and truly appreciated. Your donations helped

season. We wish you could have seen all the smiles. What a wonderful community!

Happy Holidays.

The LHS Santa Fund

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Page 6 — THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Friday, December 24, 2010

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LIVE ENTERTAINMENT IN THE PUB - Friday Dec. 31 JILL DUCSAI - Talented Sandwich Rock ‘n Roll singer New Year’s Eve Music 8 pm - Midnight H O U R S: D inner: M on - T hurs 4:30-9 pm ; F ri & Sat 4:30-10 pm

To the editor, On December 9th & 10th, 672 “Culinary Athletes” and numerous customers of Patrick’s Pub & Eatery participated in the second “Pub Mania” event in support of the WLNH Children’s Auction. Inspired by Laconia Athletic & Swim Club’s “Cycle Mania”, Pub Mania is billed as a “24hour bar stool challenge”.

For 24 continuous hours, beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday, December 9th, Patrick’s, along with event sponsors, local businesses and area musicians provided participants with food, beverage, entertainment and fun and games for 24 hours. Team Captains for each barstool filled their team with 24 participants (one person per hour) and set about to inspire each member of their team to raise funds for the Children’s Auction. Funds raised via teams, sponsorships, 50-50 raffles and T-shirt sales were passed directly to the Children’s Auction. In addition, Patrick’s donated 20-percent of its gross sales for the day. We were all thrilled, amazed and delighted to present a check for $62,550 to the WLNH Children’s Auction!

We would like to thank the Pub Mania teams and team captains for their efforts making this event so successful and so much fun. The enthusiasm and spirit that they and their teams brought to this event was truly remarkable! Our thanks and appreciation to the following teams and their captains: Lahey Landscaping and captain Janet Mckone; ‘Santa Can You Hear Me’ and team captain Judy Taggart; Sherkanowski Drywall and captains Chris & Heidi Sherkanowski; Coldwell Banker and captain Shawn Bailey; Streetcar Company with captain John Shelley; Patrick’s Pub Sports FANatics and captain Stephanie Kirk; The Stool Pigeons and captain Brian Beetle; The Other Team and captain Steven Glencross; Gilford Professional Firefighters and captain Scott Mooney; Amoskeag Distributors and captain John Valliere; Nassau/Meadowbrook with Rocky Pembroke and Ken Tucker; Laconia Athletic & Swim Club and captain Kendra Gilpatrick; Sipping Santas!!

(OPA) and captain Marcie Miller; NH Leathernecks MC and captain Ken Anderson; Gilford Home Center and captain Corey Lofblad; Trauma Team and captain Kyle Davis; The Merry Misfits (Laconia Middle School) and captain Brian Connelly; The Yule Stool Softeners (LRGH) and captains Patricia Coates and Ellen Cimon; Patrick’s Pub Bar Fly’s and captain Carol Haddock; Lizards & Linguine (Body Covers/Fratello’s) and captain Sarah Gray; Bar Hum Bugs (LRGH) with

captain Stephanie Caldon; The Spinners (Meineke Muffler) with captain Barry Williams; Red Nose Reindeers (RE/Max) with captain Travis Cole; 19th Hole @ LCC (Laconia Country Club) and captain Dan Wilkins; SJS & Friends (Steven J Smith & Associates) with captain Steve Smith; The Better Halves with captain Candace Smith; The Merry Stoolers (Laconia Clinic) with captain Lisa Fowler; The Cork Boards (Stonegate Winery/Tradesman Builders) with captain Rich Ellis.

Live entertainment was provided at no cost by our musician friends as follows: Don ‘SEV’ Severance; Mike Bourgeois; Justin Jaymes; George Lodge; Eric Grant Band; Paul Costley, Paul Luff & Tom Yoder; Ken Anderson & Friends.

In addition, we had special games and contests during the quiet hours with karaoke, talent, Hula-Hoop, limbo and comedy contests; Lorie Oakley of LASC leading Barstool Yoga (really!), and an arts & crafts hour.

Food and beverage sponsors and other local business sponsors included Drouin Home Builders, CCI (Conneston Construction Inc.), Notso Costley Productions, O’Du’s Hair Salon, Gator Signs, US Foods, Sysco, Performance Food Group, Amoskeag Beverages, Woodstock Brewery, The Gourmet Food Barn, Granite State Fruit and Shaw’s Supermarket.

Particular thanks to Joe Hempel of Pork-eez Pig Roast & BBQ and Body Covers Screen Printing & Embroidery who went over and above in their contributions. In addition, local songwriter Rick Page wrote and produced a beautiful and inspirational song called “Santa Can You Hear Me” which we adopted as the Pub Mania theme song.

Finally, we thank our staff at Patrick’s for handling the 24-hour production and keeping the participants well fed and happy. In particular, bartenders Katie Whitney and Chris Young logged some long hours through the early morning. Executive Chef Stephanie Kirk managed a buffet that served over 1,000 and General Manager Megan Page was the glue to make it all work. Referees Wendy Beetle, Jennifer Beetle and Jennifer Bailey went the full 24+ hours, really setting the tone for this event.

To all of these people who helped to make this event such a fun time and a resounding success, we thank you.

Your participation and generosity came together to make a huge difference here in our community. We are all proud to be part of such a great community and great community event… the WLNH Children’s Auction!

Allan & Jeff Beetle, Owners Patrick’s Pub & Eatery

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THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Friday, December 24, 2010 — Page 7

LETTERS St. Vincent de Paul continues to rely on an all-volunteer staff To the editor, An open letter to the wonderful people of the Lakes Region: 2010 marks St. Vincent de Paul’s 20 years of service to those in need in the Lakes Region. At this milestone and with the Christmas season upon us, I thought it would good to review our programs for those of you that support our efforts.

Jo Carrignan-Sabbow, with the able assistance of John Peavey, manages our Food Pantry. The program served over 12,000 households in 2010 in the Lakes Region. The Food Pantry also provided 700 turkey baskets for this year’s Thanksgiving holiday. Food donations include meat, vegetables, fruit, bread, cereal, paper products, diapers, soap, detergents, and toothpaste. Most of the food is donated during the holidays. During the rest of the year, we need to purchase additional supplies to meet the need.

Jeanette Buckley and I share the management of the Thrift Store. All items from the store are donated by people who live or visit the Lakes Region. While we sell most of these items, we do give away approximately $20,000 in furniture and clothes each year. The proceeds from the store sales go to support our other programs.

The largest of our programs in terms of dollars and cents is our Financial Assistance program. Under the able coordination of Kay Gray, teams of SVdP volunteers reach out to help families in the Lakes Region with over $130,000 in dental, medical, daycare, rent, utilities, gas vouchers and fuel assistance. They conduct home visits to help clients with budgeting and offering emotional sup-

port, encouragement, and guidance with decision choices.

Long-time SVdP volunteers, Brenda Fortier and Sue Page, monitor the Society’s Children Foundation. This program works with school nurses, guidance counselors and daycare centers to provide education-related assistance to children on the school’s free and reduced lunch program. This includes “Project Pencil” school supplies in September, children’s outerwear at Christmas, camperships in the summer, as well as sneakers, diapers, daycare, book scholarships, field trips and head lice shampoo during the school year. The Children’s Foundation is a benefactor of the WLNH’s Children Auction in December.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the time and effort by our volunteers and the financial support you, our contributors, provide all through the year. As you know, St. Vincent de Paul in Laconia, has never paid any wages or salaries, relying on our all-volunteer staff and management that now totals over 120 men and women. If you’d like to join this outstanding team, please give me a call (524-5470).

At this wonderful time of year, it is very appropriate that we extend our heartfelt appreciation for the support you render by donating food, items for the Thrift Store, and your cash donations. I sincerely hope you’ll continue that support again next year. On behalf of all the people at St. Vincent de Paul, I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

With God’s love, Erika Johnson President St. Vincent de Paul Society of Laconia

Where is the NRA? Ward Bird should be home with his family To the editor, I wanted to know where is the NRA? Everyone has protested to free WARD BIRD. Nothing has been heard or anything said about the NRA. I am surprised they have not gotten involved with this whole mess. After all, we do have the right to bear arms and protect our property. So we have flyers, letters, races and so many other things going on to support WARD BIRD’S release from prison. He does not belong there.

Like I have said before, the wrong

person went to jail. It should have been that women who would not leave WARD BIRD’S property. So many people are for him to be free. Why is all this red tape taking so long? This man should be home for CHRISTMAS with his wife and four children. This is wrong so lets get on with this once and for all. Write to Governor Lynch.

Lets flood his mail box with LETTERS from all of us. FREE WARD BIRD! Anna DeRose Moultonborough

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Page 8 — THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Friday, December 24, 2010

GRAND NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY

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Laconia 3rd grader Madison Kirker, founder and CEO of “Maddy’s Meds”, makes her annual contribution toward the the cost of medicines for local senior citizens yesterday at the Laconia Senior Center. Standing next to her is her brother, Camden. If the back row are Madison’s mother, Wendy Kirker, Walgreen’s Laconia manager Dan Quinn, Walgreen’s pharmacist Wes Crockett and Senior Center Director Paul Weston. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Michael Kitch)

RX from page one “We had to figure out how to do it,” Wendy said.

Searching the Internet, she found FIGS — “Filling in Gaps” — a non-profit organization in Raleigh, North Carolina that during the past 27 years has provided $1.8-million to assist more than 30,000 patients purchase necessary medications. “They told us that pharmacy gift cards would be the best way to handle it,” Wendy said.

Enlisting her fellow pupils at Pleasant Street School and their parents, “Maddy’s Meds” has raised more than $1,000 a year for the past three years through bake sales and donations and matching contributions from pharmacies. Bake sales have been held at Pleasant Street School, Laconia Middle School and Laconia High School and this year

Maddy and her crew expect to be a staple at Lou Athanas Basketball League games. Wendy noted the contribution of Lisa Bladecki to the success of the program.

Yesterday, Maddy and her classmates in Jamie Spulick’s third grade class crowned this year’s effort at the Laconia Senior Center, where they were joined by store manager Dan Quinn and pharmacist Wes Crockett of Walgreen’s Pharmacy. After the class sang carols to the seniors gathered for lunch, Maddy presented Quinn and Crockett with a check for $650. On behalf of Walgreen’s Quinn contributed $400 while Crockett personally donated another $400 to provide $1,450 to be distributed to senior citizens.

“I have learned first hand the great need of our see next page

Jack the Clipper

Barber/Stylist Shop Jack Acorace, Owner / Manager 213 Court Street, Laconia

527-3535

Reg. Haircuts $1200 Seniors (65+) & Children (12 & Under) $1000

Flat tops High & Tight Fades Reg. Hair Cuts For Men & Women

Hours: Mon through Fri, 9:30-5 • Closed Sat & Sun

Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas!

Open Christmas Eve Specials Include: Fresh Swordfish ~ Rack of Lamb Veal Oscar ~ Seafood Scampi New Dinner Menu Also Available Reservations Accepted Open at 11:30 Daily Closed on Tuesdays

405 Union Avenue, Laconia ~ 524-0001

Police say Franklin driver tried to inject heroin en route

BY TARA BALLENGER CONCORD MONITOR

FRANKLIN — The police believe a man driving erratically in Franklin earlier this week was trying to inject heroin as he drove.

David Labounty was pulled over by the Franklin police at 2:55 p.m. Tuesday after they received a call from another driver on South Main Street who said Labounty’s car had nearly crashed into oncoming traffic, the police said.

Labounty was charged with possession of a dangerous weapon and possession of a controlled substance, both felonies,, according to Franklin police Chief David Goldstein. He was also charged with misdemeanor counts of driving after revocation, driving while intoxicated and reckless conduct.

Blood was taken at the scene, and a drug recognition officer determined Labounty was high on opiates and marijuana, Goldstein said. Officers also found an uncovered syringe wedged in his passenger seat, the police said. Heroin in the syringe was the only drug found during the search, Goldstein said. Because the needle was hidden and uncapped, Goldstein said, Labounty was charged with reckless

conduct for endangering the officer who was searching the car.

“The drug itself is dangerous, but needles can carry anything from hepatitis C to AIDS,” Goldstein said.

Officers also found a police-style nightstick, which is considered a dangerous weapon, according to authorities. Because Labounty was previously convicted of felony charges, possessing the nightstick is a felony, Goldstein said.

Labounty’s plates didn’t match his vehicle, and he was driving without a license, Goldstein said.

He told the police that his license had been revoked because of unpaid fines in another state and that he had recently moved to New Hampshire from Vermont for a job, according to the police.

Goldstein said Labounty’s felony records go back to 1987 and include violent crimes and vehicular crimes but no previous DWIs for drugs. Some of Labounty’s tattoos indicated he may be involved in a gang, Goldstein said, and the police are continuing to investigate.

A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Jan. 4.

Bail was set at $10,000 cash.

Convention will soon advertise for new county attorney

LACONIA — The 18-member Belknap County Convention has begun its search for an attorney to replace current county Attorney James Carroll.

Carroll has been tapped by Gov. John Lynch to take over as presiding judge of the Laconia District Court and is expected to be sworn in during the second week of January.

Convention Chair Rep. Alida Millham (R-Gilford) said the delegation met earlier this week and decided to ask the county’s human resource manager to write a detailed job application.

She said the ad should appear online and local newspapers soon.

from preceding page seniors here in the city,” said Paul Weston, director of the Senior Center, “and Maddy truly is making a difference, setting a wonderful example for all of us.”

— Michael Kitch

PIZZA EXPRESS 528-4200 528-1910

“We are being as open about this as we can possible be,” Millham said.

“If we see tons of applications, the Executive Committee (of the Convention) will do initial interviews in public,” she said, noting that it will be very clear in the advertisement that the process is entirely public.

She said the final choice will be made in public by a voice vote or a hand count.

The appointed county attorney will serve until a successor is chosen in the November 2012 election.

County attorney is technically a partisan office and all 18 members of the convention are now Republicans.

Carroll is a Democrat.

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THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Friday, December 24, 2010— Page 9

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639 Main St., Laconia • 528-8541

HRISTMAS ISLAND STEAKHOUSE & the North Pole Tavern

366-4664 ~ Rt 3/Weirs Blvd, Laconia xmasisland@metrocast.net

New Years Eve… Fresh Baked Haddock…$14.95

stuffed with asiago cheese, lobster, spinach and artichokes

12oz Chargrilled NY Sirloin…$18.95 topped with portabella mushroom marsala sauce

Baked Stuffed 1 1/2 Lb Lobster…$24.95 Alaskan King Crab Legs…$24.95 Chateau Briand for 2…$27.95 Entire dinner menu available...No inflated prices!

Reservations recommended and encouraged.

Moulton Farm

Farm Market ~ Garden Center ~ Greenhouse Grower

279-3915 • Route 25, Meredith

~ OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK ~ 8AM-5PM~ Closing @ 2:00 on Christmas Eve and Will Re-Open on Dec 26th Closing for the season Dec 31st New Years Eve @ 4:00

We still have a good selection of Christmas Trees, Wreaths and Poinsettias and More!

Prerogative HeArUnique Boutique

Carrying Clothing, Fashionable Footwear, Jewelry and Accessories.

Designs by: Tribal, Michael Kors, Laundry, Planet, Nallie and Millie, Christopher Blue...

The Shops at 38 Main Street, Meredith, NH (Located on the side behind “Once New”)

603-279-2555 Hours: Monday - Saturday ~ 10am - 5pm Sundays ~ 10am - 4pm

If you are still searching for that last minute gift ... look no further! You can choose from a great variety of custom gift baskets starting at only $14.99.

We also have gift cards that are a great gift for anyone and our farmshare program is something even that hardest person to buy for will enjoy!

Don’t forget to get your 2011 Farmshares Order at only $15 each. Purchase a $100 in Gift Certificates and receive a free Farmshare! For A Great Value Purchase (8) farmshares $100 the best value for your dollar!

Sal’s Fresh Seafood will be here Thur, Friday and Sat with great shrimp platters and bacon wrapped scallops to choose from, as well as other seafood items.

Don’t forget - We are open till 4:00 on New Year’s Eve - We will have lots of great options to choose from, made fresh from our bakery!

10 Page 10 — THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Friday, December 24, 2010

SHOPPING from page 2 U.S. workers are putting in at the office each week has been on the upswing since the official end of the recession in June 2009, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That leaves less time for shopping during the week.

Vivian Lowe, 34, works for an ad agency in Atlanta and didn’t start her shopping until Wednesday. “It just caught up with me this year,” she said.

She spent Thursday at the Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta and plans to hit Target on Christmas Eve because she sees it as a one-stop shop.

Procrastinators like Lowe shouldn’t hit too many snags. Store inventories are not as depleted as last year, when merchants scared about having too many

leftovers saw some empty shelves near the end of the season. But shoppers are not seeing the 75-percent-off-everything fire sales that characterized the 2008 holiday.

Still, many stores are offering discounts this week.

Express’s store at the Manhattan Mall in midtown had a huge yellow sign in its storefront window promoting an “end of the season 50 percent sale” on selected items.

Macy’s is offering 30 percent off some bags and jewelry, while the Gap is applying that markdown to everything in the store. At CVS, there are buytwo-get-one free deals on bath-and-body gift sets and discounts on a 7-inch LCD TV and DVD player combo.

Bridge work slowing traffic on Rte. 28 in Barnstead for 2 weeks CONCORD — The New Hampshire Department of Transportation has announced that bridge repairs are underway on the Rte. 28 bridge over Beauty Hill Road in Barnstead. This bridge repair work is

expected to take two weeks to complete. Daily work hours are from 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

In the event of inclement weather, work will be postponed until the following day.

Ron and Lisa Johnson of Indianapolis came to Circle Center Mall Thursday morning just to buy boots for their 20-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn Shirar.

Nearly four hours later, they sat on a bench with a pile of bags from Nine West, H&M and Forever 21.

“We haven’t found anything that wasn’t on sale,” Lisa said.

Retailers say shoppers have mostly stuck to a big lesson taught by the recession: using cash, not credit. Toward the end of the season, they pulled out the plastic a little more often, but that’s normal.

Overall, analysts consider the increased spending a sign more consumers have paid down debt and have see next page

Correction: Senior bus reservations made by calling 524-7689

A story about bus service for senior citizens that appeared in our December 10 edition included an incorrect phone number. A door-to-door ride on the bus may be arranged by calling 524-7689.

Weirs United Methodist Church

— WORSHIP SERVICES —

Sunday Service & Sunday School at 10 AM

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF BELMONT

35 Tower St., Weirs Beach P.O. Box 5268

Rev. Twila Broadway

366-4490

Childcare available during service

THE BIBLE SPEAKS’ CHURCH 40 Belvidere St. Lakeport, NH

Tel: 528-1549

Dial - A - D evotional: 528-5054

Head Pastor: Robert N. Horne Assistant Pastor: Ron Fournier Public Access TV - Laconia Sunday/Monday 11am Channel 25

Sunday School Classes 9:30 am Morning Worship Service 10:45 am

9:00 & 10:00 Worship Services 9:00 Sunday School

Rev. James Smith - 49 Church St., Belmont 267-8185

ST. JAMES CHURCH 876 North Main St. (Rt. 106) Opp. Opechee Park “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You”

Holy Eucharist:

The St. André Bessette Catholic Community invites you to join us as we celebrate the Birth of Our Savior, Jesus Christ

St. Joseph Church 30 Church St., Laconia Christmas Eve: 4:30 P.M. (Prelude Concert at 4:00 P.M.) Christmas Day: 9:00 A.M.

Sacred Heart Church

291 Union Ave., Laconia Christmas Eve: 4:00 P.M. Children’s Mass (Prelude Concert at 3:30 P.M.) 7:00 P.M. (Prelude Concert at 6:30 P.M.) 12:00 A.M. (Prelude Concert at 11:30 P.M.) Christmas Day: 9:00 A.M.

524-5800

~ CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES ~ 5pm - Family Eucharist

10pm - Traditional Eucharist Saturday: 5PM Sunday: 8AM & 10AM St. James Preschool Nursery Nook in Sanctuary 528-2111

A Christmas Epic: Light vs. Dark Guest Speaker: Elder Mark Petrozzi John 1:1-14

THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Friday, December 24, 2010— Page 11

from preceding page cash to spend.

Besides sales, retailers are finding other ways to accommodate procrastinators.

Many stores, including Best Buy Co., let shoppers order online and then pick up the merchandise at the store. Best Buy’s deadline to order on its website is 3 p.m. Christmas Eve, and most stores close at 6 p.m.

Amy Adoniz, the store manager at Best Buy’s store in Union Square in Manhattan, said that as of midday Thursday, 16 people were in line to pick up items ordered on its website.

BOILERS from page one not hot water at all,” said Ward.

The replacement boilers will be installed by HVac Unlimited of Hooksett and will cost $62,168.

Commissioner Ed Philpot said Powell and County Administrator Deb Shackett researched the prices and the company but needed to replace them immediately for the safety of all involved.

Commissioners believe they’ll be able to use the remaining money from a federal stimulus grant to pay for them.

Ward said the inmates have been accommodating about the frequent loss of hot water. He added there has always been heat in the facility.

With Thursday’s okay, the work can begin at anytime. Powell said the new boilers would work in a new facility, should one ever be built.

LifeQuest Church

Beavers show no respect for Shoreline Protection Act Busily landscaping the bank of the Winnipesaukee River just upstream of the Fair Street Bridge, beavers have nearly gnawed their way through two trees and made a promising start on a third. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is aware of the timbering operation, but has no authority to intervene. The landowner, Beacon Mill, Inc., which is affiliated with the Foster family, former publishers of The Citizen of Laconia newspaper, is entitled to call a halt to the project by trapping the workers, but has not taken steps to do so. The property is being sold to the Boys & Girls Club of the Lakes Region. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Michael Kitch)

Read your entire paper online at www.laconiadailysun.com — WORSHIP SERVICES — Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Sunday School, 9:30am • Worship Service, 10:30am A Christian & Missionary Alliance Church 115 Court Street – Laconia Pastor Bob Smith A/C

ALL ARE WELCOME! CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP at 7pm & 9pm SUNDAY WORSHIP at 10:15am

524-6860

Gilford Community Church 19 Potter Hill Road “In the Village”

524-6057

www.gilfordcommunitychurch.org Childcare in Amyʼs Room The Reverend Michael C. Graham

Join Us for Sunday Worship 10:00 am Christmas Eve Services are at 6 pm & 11 pm

Meredith Center Free Will Baptist Church Meredith Center Rd. Meredith, NH 03253

Services: Sun. 10:00 am - Worship Service Wed. 7:00 pm - Prayer Meeting Pastor: Rev. Robert Lemieux 279-1352

The United Baptist Church 23-35 Park St., Lakeport 524-8775 • Rev. Sharron Lamothe Linda Bentley - Youth Director ~ Anne Parsons - Choir Director / Emeritus Emily Haggerty - Organist / Choir Director

Pastor Dave Dalzell • 2238 Parade Rd, Laconia • 528-4078

First United Methodist Church 18 Wesley Way (Rt. 11A), Gilford 524-3289 Rev. Dr. Victoria Wood Parrish, Pastor

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services at 7pm & 11pm

“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors”

CHRISTMAS SUNDAY 10:30AM - Worship Sermon - “Saving a Baby” Music Ministry: Alison Whitam, Karen Jordan Professional Nursery Available

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

(Traditional Catholic Latin Rite) The Traditional Latin Rite Mass has been celebrated and revered by the Popes of the Church from time immemorial to POPE JOHN PAUL II who requested that it have “a wide and generous application.”

500 Morrill Street, Gilford 524-9499 Sunday Mass: 7:00 a.m. & 9:00 a.m.

Daily Mass: 8:00 a.m.

Mass on Holy Days of Obligation: 7:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Confessions: One Hour Before Each Mass Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and Rosary each Wednesday: 7:00 p.m.

Marriages & Baptisms by Appointment

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF LACONIA United Church of Christ

Join Us for Christmas Eve ...

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

Family Service at 5pm

Friday, December 24th at 7pm

Traditional Candlelight Service at 11pm (Prelude begins at 10:30pm)

SUNDAY SERVICE

December 26th at 10:30am

Guest Preacher/Speaker, Mr. Reuben Lacombe, from Manchester French Speaking Haitian Baptist Church, will be sharing the current situation in Haiti. ~ Handicap Accessible & Devices for the Hearing Impaired~ Food Pantry Hours: Fridays from 10am to 12 noon

The Rev. Dr. Warren H. Bouton, Pastor Mrs. Paula B. Gile, Associate Pastor 18 Veteran’s Square, Laconia ~ 603-524-0668

First Congregational Church (United Church of Christ) 4 Highland Street, off Main Street, Meredith www.fccmeredith.org Email: fccmeredith@metrocast.net • 279-6271 The Reverend Dr. Russell Rowland Colette Fand, Music Director Toni Brown, Sunday School Superintendent

Join us Sunday at 10 a.m. for Worship, Sunday School and Fellowship

“Politics As Usual” Scripture Readings: Isaiah 63: 7-9 • Matthew 2: 12-23 You are welcome here

The Lakes Region Vineyard Church 175 Mechanic St. Lakeport, NH • 603-527-2662

Empowered Evangelicals, who proclaim the Kingdom of God, minister in the power of the Spirit and keep Christ at the center of life.

“It feels like coming home.”

Sunday morning celebration ~ 8:30am & 10:30am Contemporary Worship Sunday School & Nursery • Tuesday night Youth Mid-week Bible studies.

Christ Life Center Food Pantry Thurs. 9 am– 12 noon • 524-5895

www.lakesregionvineyard.org

FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST 136 Pleasant St., Laconia • 524-7132 10:30 am Sunday Services 10:30 am Sunday School 7 pm Wednesday Services ALL ARE WELCOME Reading Room in Church Building Open Mon, Wed, Fri • 11 am-2 pm

Page 12 — THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Friday, December 24, 2010

Magic of Christmas in miniature celebrated in downtown townhome

Gerald Knight, at left, and Tom Smith admire the antique model train village set up in one of the unsold townhomes at Beacon Street West in downtown Laconia. In the inset photo above, a streetcar courses through a village scene set up by Knight. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/ Adam Drapcho)

New Year’s Eve Party

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BY ADAM DRAPCHO THE LACONIA DAILY SUN

LACONIA — Ten years ago, Gerald Knight’s wife gave him a Department 56 house, a miniature replica of a home from the Charles Dickens era of England. That was the start of a collection that has since grown to nearly 40 buildings and about 150 little people, enough for Knight to create a rich, complex winter scene.

“It just seemed like the more we had, the more I wanted to share it with the community,” Knight said. Six years ago, he started displaying his collection at the Rowe House in Gilford, and for the past three years has set up his scene at the Taylor Community.

This year, Knight has been joined by Tom Smith, part-owner of Laconia Antique Center, who has a

quarter century of experience in retail and repair of antique model trains. Together, and with consent of developer Eric Chinburg, who owns the unit, the two men have set up an extensive celebration of Christmas in the miniature in one of the unsold townhomes at Beacon Street West — the former Allen-Rogers complex. Both live in the development.

Smith’s display features his personal collection of antique Lionel trains and buildings, most of which predate World War II. It took many evening hours for him to set up his display, but Smith said it’s worth it.

“I just enjoy it, it brings back memories from my childhood, I love the enjoyment other people get out of it,” he said, noting that for most people, the first word to pass their lips after seeing it is, “Wow!” see next page

Chicago board says Emanuel can run for mayor CHICAGO (AP) — Rahm Emanuel is a resident of Chicago and eligible to run for mayor, city elections officials ruled Thursday, removing the primary obstacle to the former White House chief of staff’s bid to lead the nation’s third-largest city.

The decision of the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners was followed a few hours later by the surprise withdrawal from the race of state Sen. James Meeks, who said the remaining AfricanAmerican candidates must rally a “divided and splintered” black community in Chicago to beat “the front-running, status quo candidates” — a list presumably topped by Emanuel.

Meeks’ decision to exit and urge the city’s large African-American community to rally around a unity candidate tightens a still-large field of people

seeking to replace retiring Mayor Richard M. Daley.

It could also provide a boost to the chances of the two other leading black candidates, former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun and U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, both of whom trail the well-known advisor to President Barack Obama in polls.

The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners unanimously rejected arguments Emanuel forfeited his city residency when he went to work for Obama in Washington. While a planned appeal could ultimately place the question of whether Emanuel’s name appears on the Feb. 22 ballot before the Illinois Supreme Court, Emanuel said the ruling allowed him to “turn the page” and focus on issues important to voters.

Police say failure to yield right-of-way at core of wreck at bypass entrance

GILFORD — Police say one local man faces charges stemming from an accident at the Gilford Avenue entrance to the Laconia Bypass Wednesday afternoon.

Louis Bilodeau, II of 343 Old Lakeshore Road Unit 7 took a left turn from Gilford Avenue on to the bypass headed toward Lily Pond and allegedly cut from preceding page

Knight’s display features his Dickensian microcosm. His little world includes the accounting office of Scrooge & Marley, found in the wealthy part of town with the fancier homes and better-dressed people. On the other end of town, where the homes have thatched roofs and the pedestrians are more shabbily dressed, Knight has placed the Cratchit home, outside of which Bob Cratchit carries Tiny Tim on his shoulders.

The carefully thought-out scene Knight created contains one anachronism: a streetcar. Knight said he included that detail as a nod to the original purpose of the Beacon Street West building the display resides in. It was one of the manufacturing buildings for the Laconia Car Company.

SUSAN DAVIS MASTER BARBER

off the right-of-way of Steven Marchand, 22, of 23 Liscomb Circle.

Marchand was on Gilford Avenue and headed into Laconia from Gilford.

Bilodeau was taken by ambulance to Lakes Region General Hospital with a right knee injury and lacerations.

Because the display is on private property this year, it is only open to Beacon Street West residents and their guests. However, because of the enthusiastic responses it has received from its visitors, Knight said he’s hoping to find a more public location for next year’s display.

“I would like other people to see it. I’m intersted in community, I think it’s a shame to have something like this and not share it,” Knight said.

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Heads Up BARBERS

THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Friday, December 24, 2010— Page 13

Winter Hours: Open Wednesday, Thursday & Friday at 5pm, Saturday at Noon & Sunday at 10 *Call for details.

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by Paul Gilligan

Pooch Café LOLA

By Holiday Mathis SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You are highly responsible and wouldn’t dream of shirking your duties. However, when someone offers to handle a responsibility, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t share the burden.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21).

There’s a time to say “let’s go” and a time to say “no, thanks.” You’re no stranger to trouble, but you know better than to seek it out. A friend who is less experienced will need your guidance.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19).

Though you usually find it appropriate and necessary to put business first and emotions second, your heart is softer now -- so soft, in fact, that you may be able to feel the feelings of others.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You don’t like to talk a lot and draw attention to yourself. However, there are times when it’s important for you to speak up -- like today, when you have the information that everyone else needs to know.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You tend to be quiet around people you don’t know, especially when those people are boisterous and rowdy. As much as you’d like to join the party, you have to first be sure that it’s a party worth joining.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 24). The friendships that mean so much to you make for laughs, fun times and travel.

But you’re also more business oriented than ever. You find goals that excite you and pursue them with passion. Your vision becomes more real because of the work you do in January. Greater freedom is yours in March. Leo and Scorpio people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 8, 2, 14, 32 and 49.

by Darby Conley

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You respect words and have a rich vocabulary. You’ll pick up a few more choice terms as you spend time with a book or in conversation with a particularly expressive someone.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). If you never reflect on your past, you won’t have an understanding of how far you’ve come. But if you spend too much time reflecting, you won’t go anywhere new. Strike a balance.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You have an excellent imagination, though today you won’t have the luxury of letting it run wild. You’ll need to tame it in order to concentrate on the important business of the day.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You like order, but you’re not a slave to it.

When things get out of place, don’t rush to clean up the mess. Savor it first.

It’s evidence that change and growth, essentially life, have happened.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You have been known to leave your belongings in other people’s territory. This reminds them of you after you have left. But will the remembrance be positive? That depends on what you leave behind.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The work that’s before you is rather exacting. Luckily for everyone involved, you find this kind of thing relaxing. In one afternoon, you’ll get through what would take others a week to accomplish.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your public image gets a boost now. You don’t mind being the center of attention, especially when you are the one most qualified to explain or exemplify the main reason for the gathering.

Get Fuzzy

HOROSCOPE

TUNDRA

Solution and tips at www.sudoku.com

by Chad Carpenter

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 thru 9.

by Mastroianni & Hart

Page 14 — THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Friday, December 24, 2010

ACROSS 1 Male child 4 Furry swimmer 9 Turn over 13 Small bills 15 Ill-mannered 16 Venetian beach 17 Twofold 18 Shaped like a tepee 19 Frothy drinks 20 Wonder; theorize 22 “The Beehive State” 23 Invalid; void 24 Actor Aykroyd 26 Surrounded by 29 Entwining 34 Whittles 35 Goatee locations 36 Sticky stuff 37 Slightly open 38 Sprained arm support 39 Insulting remark 40 Go bad

41 Glances over briefly 42 Flip-flop 43 Giving medical care to 45 Gloomy 46 Acrobats’ building 47 “Sport of Kings” 48 Flooring piece 51 Gap in time 56 Nation in the Middle East 57 Goodyear products 58 Prescription 60 Word of warning 61 Still breathing 62 Certain 63 Stops 64 Fend off 65 May honoree

1 2 3

DOWN Turf Burden __ tide

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 21 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 35 38

Sorcerer’s field __ dolls; fads of past decades Albacore, e.g.

Correct a manuscript Like a balding man’s hairline Show off Rhythmical swing Concept Luxurious Thin Use bad words Beast of burden Separated Main field of study Hot under the collar Object Is victorious Home of snow Parts of speech Overeat Extended family Sword with a

39 41 42 44 45 47 48

curved blade Burial garments Pig’s home Peal Secret __; spies Crumb Annoy Laundry deter-

49 50 52 53 54 55 59

gent brand Press clothes Terra firma African river Stumble Bongo, for one Foreign dollar Ruby or topaz

Yesterday’s Answer

THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Friday, December 24, 2010— Page 15

––––––– ALMANAC ––––––– Today is Friday, Dec. 24, the 358th day of 2010. There are 7 days left in the year.

This is Christmas Eve. Today’s Highlight in History: On Dec. 24, 1968, the Apollo 8 astronauts, orbiting the moon, read passages from the Old Testament Book of Genesis during a Christmas Eve telecast.

On this date: In 1809, legendary American frontiersman Christopher “Kit” Carson was born in Madison County, Ky. In 1814, the War of 1812 officially ended as the United States and Britain signed the Treaty of Ghent in Belgium.

In 1851, fire devastated the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., destroying about 35,000 volumes.

In 1865, several veterans of the Confederate Army formed a private social club in Pulaski, Tenn. called the Ku Klux Klan.

In 1871, Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “Aida” had its world premiere in Cairo, Egypt.

In 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower supreme commander of Allied forces as part of Operation Overlord.

In 1980, Americans remembered the U.S. hostages in Iran by burning candles or shining lights for 417 seconds — one second for each day of captivity. Karl Doenitz, the last leader of the Third Reich following the suicides of Adolf Hitler and Joseph Goebbels, died in West Germany at age 89.

In 1990, Canadian teenager Tammy Homolka died after being drugged and sexually abused by her older sister, Karla, and Karla’s fiance, Paul Bernardo.

One year ago: The Senate passed health care legislation, 60-39, in the chamber’s first Christmas Eve vote since 1895. Sean Goldman, a 9-year-old boy at the center of a fiveyear custody battle on two continents, was finally turned over to his American father, David Goldman, in Brazil. A woman jumped barriers in St. Peter’s Basilica and knocked down Pope Benedict XVI as he was walking down the main aisle to begin Christmas Eve Mass; the pope was unhurt.

Today’s Birthdays: Songwriter-bandleader Dave Bartholomew is 90. Author Mary Higgins Clark is 83. Recording company executive Mike Curb is 66. Rock singer-musician Lemmy (Motorhead) is 65. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., is 64. Actor Grand L. Bush is 55. Actor Clarence Gilyard is 55. Actress Stephanie Hodge is 54. The president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai is 53. Rock musician Ian Burden is 53. Actor Anil Kapoor is 51. Actor Wade Williams is 49. Designer Kate Spade is 48. Rock singer Mary Ramsey (10,000 Maniacs) is 47. Actor Mark Valley is 46. Actor Diedrich Bader is 44. Actor Amaury Nolasco is 40. Singer Ricky Martin is 39. Author Stephenie Meyer (“Twilight”) is 37. “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest is 36.

FRIDAY PRIME TIME 8:00

Dial 2

WGBH Wash.

8:30

DECEMBER 24, 2010

9:00

9:30

McL’ghlin Need to Know (N)

10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 Mormon Choir

7

Blue Bloods “Smack CSI: NY “Redemptio” Attack” Three teens die able” Å (DVS) from a drug overdose. tragic secret. Å Disney Phineas Movie: ›› “The Santa Clause 2” (2002) Tim Allen, and Ferb Elizabeth Mitchell. Santa must get married in order WCVB Prep & Landing Christmas to keep his job. (In Stereo) Å Movie: ›››› “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946, Comedy-Drama) James Stewart, WCSH Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore. An angel saves a distraught businessman from suicide. (In Stereo) Å WHDH Movie: ›››› “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) James Stewart. (In Stereo)

WBZ News A Christ(N) Å mas for Everyone NewsCen- Nightline ter 5 Late (N) Å (N) Å News Christmas Eve at St. Peter’s News Christmas

8

WMTW Landing

Christmas Movie: ›› “The Santa Clause 2” (2002) Å

News

Nightline

9

WMUR Landing

Christmas Movie: ›› “The Santa Clause 2” (2002) Å

News

Nightline

4

5

6

CSI: Crime Scene

Charlie Rose (N) Å

WBZ Investigation “Unshock- Hawkes confronts a

13

Smallville “Lazarus” (In Supernatural Dean is suspicious of Samuel’s WLVI Stereo) Å motives. Å Antiques NH OutHappy Holidays: The Best of the Andy WilWENH Roadshow look Å liams Christmas Shows The Insider Entertain- WBZ News Community ment To- (N) Auditions WSBK (N) Å night (N) CSI: NY “Redemptio” WGME CSI: Crime Scene

7 News at 10PM on Friends (In Everybody CW56 (N) (In Stereo) Å Stereo) Å Loves Raymond Christmas With the Christmas at ConcorMormon Tabernacledia: Journey to BethNatalie Cole lehem Å The Office The Office Curb Your Entourage “Moroccan “Survivor Enthusi- “Neighbors” Christmas” Man” asm Å Blue Bloods Å News Christmas

14

WTBS Movie: ›››› “A Christmas Story” (1983) Å

Movie: ›››› “A Christmas Story” (1983) Å

15

WFXT Premiere. A bizarre contractor complicates a

10

11

12

16 17

Movie: ›‡ “Are We Done Yet?” (2007) Ice Cube.

family’s move to the suburbs. (In Stereo) CSPAN Tonight From Washington Monk (In Stereo) Å WZMY Monk (In Stereo) Å

Fox 25 News at 10 (N) Å Fox 25 Seinfeld News at “The Fix 11 (N) Up” Å Capital News Today Law & Order: SVU

Quiet

Punk’d

28

ESPN College Football Sheraton Hawaii Bowl -- Hawaii vs. Tulsa. From Honolulu. (Live)

SportsCtr

29

ESPN2 College Basketball

NFL Live

30

CSNE Celtics Classics From May 26, 1987.

32

NESN Outdoors

33

LIFE Movie: “A Boyfriend for Christmas” (2004) Å

35

E!

MTV Pranked

42

FNC

Outdoors

16 and Pregnant “Ashley” Å

MSNBC Countdown

Sports

Sports

Tailgate

Patriots

Connects

Outdoors

Connects

Connects

Movie: “Under the Mistletoe” (2006) Å The Soup

The O’Reilly Factor (N) Hannity (N)

CNN Parker Spitzer (N)

50

TNT

Greta Van Susteren

Larry King Live Å

Chelsea

E! News

Movie (In Stereo) The O’Reilly Factor Countdown

CNN Presents: After Jesus: First Christians

Movie: ››‡ “The Holiday” (2006) Cameron Diaz. Å

USA National

Fashion

Rachel Maddow Show The Last Word

45 51

Outdoors

Movie: ›› “Honey” (2003) Jessica Alba.

38 43

Outdoors

College Basketball

Movie: ››‡ “This Christmas”

Movie: ›› “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” (2007)

52

COM Movie: “Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay”

53

SPIKE “Star Wars-The Phantom Menace”

54

BRAVO Movie: ››› “Casino Royale” (2006, Action) Daniel Craig. Premiere.

Movie: “The Pacifier”

“Harold & Kumar Escape”

Movie: “Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones” ››› “Casino Royale”

55

AMC Movie: ›››› “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947)

Movie: ›››› “White Christmas” (1954) Å

56

SYFY WWE Friday Night SmackDown! (N) Å

Star Trek: Next

Star Trek: Next

57

A&E Criminal Minds Å

Criminal Minds Å

Criminal Minds Å

Criminal Minds Å

59

HGTV White House

Hunters

Hunters

Hunters

60

DISC Dirty Jobs Å

Dirty Jobs Å

Dirty Jobs Å

61

TLC

Cmas Lights

Cmas Lights

Crazy Christmas Lights Cmas Lights

64

NICK “Merry Christmas”

My Wife

Lopez

65

TOON Tom & Jerry: Nutc.

Save Christmas

King of Hill King of Hill Fam. Guy

66

FAM Santa Claus, Town

Year Without a Santa

Rudolph’s Shiny Year

The 700 Club Å

67

DSN Movie: “Santa Buddies” (2009) George Wendt.

Phineas

Suite/Deck Suite/Deck

75

SHOW Movie: “The Rock”

Hunters

My Wife

Hunters

G. Martin

Fish

Movie: ›› “Knowing” (2009) Nicolas Cage. iTV.

76

HBO 24/7 Penguins/Capitals Movie: ›››‡ “Fantastic Mr. Fox”

77

MAX Movie: ›› “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” (2009)

Hunters

Dirty Jobs Å The Nanny The Nanny Fam. Guy

Movie: ›‡ “Push”

Lombardi (In Stereo) Å

Movie: ››› “Taken” (2008) Å

Lingerie

CALENDAR TODAY’S EVENTS Choral music offered by the Congregational Church of Sanbornton. 7 p.m. Christmas Eve service. Both Junior and Senior Choirs will perform under the direction of Minister of Music Dennis Akerman.

Bake Sale at the Belknap Mall for Cub Scout Pack 68.

Noon to 3 p.m. Don’t bake this weekend — just pick up your needed desserts! Pies, cakes, breads and more!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25 Traditional free Christmas Day Dinner served at the First United Methodist Church in Gilford. Noon fellowship — punch, appetizers and carols — followed by dinner at 1. Roast ham with all the fixings. Call Mac Keysar at 5246190 to make reservations.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 27 Affordable Health Care at Laconia Family Planning and Prenatal. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 121 Belmont Road (Rte. 106 South). 524-5453. GYN and reproductive services.

STD/HIV testing. Sliding fee scale.

Laconia Chapter of Barbershop Harmony Society meeting. 7:15 to 9:30 p.m. at the Gilford Community Church. Guests and singers of all ages and skills are invited to attend these Monday night rehearsals. For more information call Guy Haas at 279-2230.

Overeater’s Anonymous meeting. 7 p.m. each Monday night at the Congregational Church of Laconia Parish Hall (Veterans Square).

Weight Watcher’s meetings. Noon and 5:15 p.m. at the Opechee Park Clubhouse in Laconia.

Memory Loss Support Group meeting. 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Forestview Manor (153 Parade Road) in Meredith. For more information call 279-3121 or e-mail Kathy@forestviewmanor.com.

Mahjong game time at the Gilford Public Library.

12:30 to 3 p.m.

Vacation Week Drop-In Craft Time at the Gilford Public Library. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join us in the children’s room for some creative fun. Materials will be suppllied.

Cub Scouts holding sale at Belknap Mall today LACONIA — Cub Scout Pack 68 will be holding a bake sale at the Belknap Mall, near the large Christmas tree, on Friday, December 24 from noon to 3 p.m., so no need to bake your holiday desserts — just come pick them up! The selection will consist of mostly pies, breads and cakes but smaller, regular bake sale items will also be available to purchase.

The funds raised from this bake sale will help Cubs Scouts get to camp next summer and help them to participate in many other activities the pack will be involved in during the upcoming year!

THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME

OJYLL ©2010 Tribune Media Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

PARVO BYRBAC FLUTIE

NEW BIBLE Jumble Books Go To: http://www.tyndale.com/jumble/

by Mike Argirion and Jeff Knurek

Unscramble these four Jumbles, one letter to each square, to form four ordinary words.

Edward J. Engler, Editor & Publisher Adam Hirshan, Advertising Sales Manager

Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as suggested by the above cartoon.

Print answer here: Yesterday’s

(Answers tomorrow) Jumbles: DELVE THICK BECAME EMBODY Answer: What the ironworkers did when they built the tower — THEY “BEAMED”

Michael Kitch, Adam Drapcho, Gail Ober Reporters Elaine Hirshan, Office Manager Crystal Furnee, Jeanette Stewart Ad Sales Patty Johnson, Graphics Karin Nelson, Classifieds “Seeking the truth and printing it” THE LACONIA DAILY SUN is published Tuesday through Saturday by Lakes Region News Club, Inc. Edward Engler, Mark Guerringue, Adam Hirshan, Founders Offices: 65 Water St., Laconia, NH 03246 Business Office 737-2020, Newsroom 737-2026, Fax: 527-0056 News E-mail: news@laconiadailysun.com CIRCULATION: 17,000 distributed FREE Tues. through Sat. in Laconia, Weirs Beach, Gilford, Meredith, Center Harbor, Belmont, Moultonborough, Winnisquam, Sanbornton, Tilton, Gilmanton, Alton, New Hampton, Plymouth, Bristol, Ashland, Holderness.

Page 16 — THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Friday, December 24, 2010

Joan M. Laplante, 78 LACONIA — Joan Marilyn (Adams) Laplante, 78, of 144 Eastman Shore Road N., died peacefully in the arms of her loving husband, Ernest, at her home on Wednesday, December 22, 2010.

Mrs. Laplante was born September 24, 1932 in Lowell, MA, the daughter of the late John Q. and Beatrice (Breton) Adams.

Mrs. Laplante was a long time resident of Lowell, MA and had been a summer resident of Laconia since 1966. She had been a permanent resident of Laconia for the past fifteen years. Mrs. Laplante attended Fitchburg State College. She had been employed by the Chelmsford Medical Associates for many years and had also been employed by the

OBITUARY

Internal Revenue Service in Andover, MA. Mrs. Laplante was an active communicant of Sacred Heart Church. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, boating on Lake Winnisquam, and delighted in the wildlife surrounding her lakeside home.

Mrs. Laplante is survived by her beloved husband of fifty-eight years, Ernest J. Laplante, of Laconia; brothers-in-law, Leo J. McCaffrey, of Chelmsford, MA, Raymond J. Laplante and his wife, Rita, of Florida, Maurice J. Laplante and his wife, Jeanne, of Pepperell, MA. and Marcel J. Laplante of Chelmsford, MA; two nieces, Pamela Zupkosky and her husband, Larry, of Westford, MA, Sharon Ryan and her husband, Richard, of Chelmsford, MA and many other nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a sister, Frances M. McCaffrey, and by two brothers-in-law, Joseph R. “Bob” Laplante and

Donald J. Laplante.

A calling hour will be held on Monday, December 27, 2010 from 9:30AM-10:30AM in the Carriage House of the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Andre Bessette Parish, Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH on Monday, December 27, 2010 at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, NH. For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to Community Health & Hospice, Inc., 780 North Main Street, Laconia, NH 03246.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is in charge of the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.

Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce welcomes TLC Jewelry of Tilton

TILTON — The Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony welcoming TLC Jewelry to the business community.

TLC Jewelry is owned by Cathy Harper-Mathews, who has managed her uncle’s East Boston Diamond and Gold Exchange for the past 11 years.

After commuting to Boston from Gilford five days a week, Harper-Mathews decided to open her own shop in Tilton. “It’s just cozy,” she said. “Everyone around us has been very welcoming.”

Harper-Mathews still works in Boston on Mondays and, as a result, can obtain any type of jewelry requested including engagement rings, diamond stud earrings, sterling silver, tungsten, stainless steel and titanium bracelets, rings and chains for men, a new Bella Couture line of stainless steel items for women, and the Reflection Bead line.

TLC Jewelry also replaces watch batteries while you wait and offers expert jewelry repairs at a low cost. Layaway and gift certificates are also available.

The store is open from 9 a.m. — 5:30 p.m. Tuesday — Friday; from 10 a.m. — 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

CAPTION: Welcoming TLC Jewelry to the business community are (left to right) Matt Witham of Franklin Savings Bank, Craig Shufelt of Proforma Piper Printing, Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Karmen Gifford, new store owner Cathy Harper-Mathews, Elaine Blinn of Belknap Point Motel, and Eric Proulx of Tilton’s Tanger Outlet Center. (Courtesy photo)

Laconia Savings Bank John and Dorothy Piquado expand theatrical gives $1,000 to Santa Fund horizons as instructors for Winnipesaukee Playhouse

Laconia Savings Bank has donated $1,000 towards the Santa Fund of the Lakes Region, which helps provide warm winter outerwear for children up to age 16, offers food gift certificates for holiday dinners, and supports local school lunch programs and many more worthwhile causes. “This money will help the Santa Fund support the needs of the Holiday Assistance Program, especially since donations are down again this year and the need is on the rise,” stated Katy Wells (left), coordinator for The Santa Fund, pictured with Kathy Crane (right), assistant vice president – trust officer for LSB. (Courtesy photo)

LACONIA — Retired educators John and Dorothy Piquado are taking on a new role as instructors for the Winnipesaukee Playhouse’s newly expanded education program, teaching a 10-week course — “The Play’s the Thing” — beginning January 11.

For more than 35 years, the Piquados travelled the world teaching English at American Schools in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. When it came time to retire, the globetrotters chose Gilford, NH to call home and began to pursue their mutual passion for the theatre. From its inception, the Piquados have been active participants at The Winnipesaukee Playhouse having done everything from performing to stage management to assistant directing.

Artistic Director Neil Pankhurst said, “It’s hard to imagine what the Playhouse would be like without John and Dorothy. They have been eager participants onstage and off, pitching in whenever help is needed. Dorothy has even been known to climb up the ladder on a bad hip in order to operate the lighting board. They are both accomplished actors who have performed to great acclaim in our community and professional seasons and are the only married couple to have ever both won awards for acting in the same year from the NH Theatre Awards.”

When the Playhouse’s new education director, Kate Wisnioski, began looking for instructors to launch her ambitious education program, John and Dorothy were

an obvious choice. Their theatre experience, coupled with their analytical skills as English teachers, compelled them to develop a course for adults entitled “The Play’s the Thing.” This two-hour course will run for 10 weeks beginning on Tuesday, January 11th and will focus on see WINNI PLAYHOUSE page 18

Dorothy and John Piquado, veteran educators and award-winning actors, are expanding their theatrical horizons as instructors for the Winnipesaukee Playhouse. (courtesy photo)

THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Friday, December 24, 2010— Page 17

ANNIE’S MAILBOX

Dear Readers: Merry Christmas to one and all. In honor of the holiday, here is a short poem, author unknown: May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace, The gladness of Christmas give you hope, The warmth of Christmas grant you love.

Dear Annie: There are some wonderful people in this world, but it seems we only hear about the bad things that happen. On October 10, I went to New York with a bus group to see a Broadway musical. The bus arrived early to give us some free time to explore the city. My friend Carl and I went to look at the shops inside a hotel and have a sandwich before show time. The hotel had a huge automatic revolving door, each section capable of holding several people. Carl went into one section, and I followed in the next one. As I entered, my shoe caught on something and I fell flat on the floor.

I am nearing 80 and have two bad knees. There was no way I could get up, and the door was still moving. As I crawled along, I looked up to see two darling little hands reaching down to help me. The little boy could not have been more than 9 or 10. He wasn’t quite strong enough to pull me up, but fortunately, another Good Samaritan behind me got his arms under mine, and the two of them got me to my feet.

I never saw the person behind me. I was rather dazed. I hope you will allow me to use your column to thank him and also to express my gratitude to that wonderful boy who was so courageous and thoughtful to help a stranger in need. His little hands will live in my heart forever. My thanks also to the boy’s mother and father, because children learn kindness from their parents. I will always remember them -- and all

New Yorkers, who sometimes get an undeserving bum rap.

I hope they read this and know that I thank them from the bottom of my heart. -- Nancy in Fort Myers, Fla. Dear Nancy: What a charming thank-you note. We hope they see it, too.

Dear Annie: This is for “Loving and Missing All at the Same Time” and all parents of freeloading children.

I am a 28-year-old male who was spoiled growing up. My every wish was entertained. No surprise that when it came time to spread my wings, I failed to launch. I was terrified of growing up and its attendant responsibilities. I tried moving out a few times, but never took it seriously because I knew my safety net (my parents) was always there to bail me out.

When I lived with them, I was a disrespectful and lazy slob who never contributed to the household. My loving parents, especially my mother, put up with it for many years, but they finally put their collective foot down. Because they stood up to me, I can proudly say that I am a man. I now live in a luxury apartment with my wife. We take pride in our place and keep it spotless. Money is tight, but I manage my finances and work hard.

I can now say no to myself because my parents finally did.

And I have a better relationship with them and the rest of my family now than I did before. Please, parents, don’t be afraid to say no to your children. They will thank you for it later. -Riverside, Calif.

Dear Riverside: You are a rare bird to recognize how indulged you were and how that swift kick enabled you to grow up and get your act together. Not all children are mature enough to appreciate that kind of parental guidance. Bravo.

Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to: anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

Animals

Autos

For Rent

For Rent

AKC English Springer Spaniel pups. Champion, petagrees, great hunting, family dogs. $600 female, $550 males.

(603)466-5676.

2008 Dodge Caravan- Showroom condition under, 6,000 miles. Asking $13,500. Can be seen at 72 Stark St. Laconia. Call 630-9901 Linda or 387-2276 Garey

ALTON/GILFORD Town Line: 2-Bedroom house, $200/week +utilities; Studio, $200/week, includes utilities, cable/internet..

Lake/Beach access. 365-0799.

GILFORD 5 rooms, 2 bedrooms, 1-1/2 baths, attached one car garage, excellent condition, $1200/ month plus utilities, contact Debbie at Roche Realty 603-279-7046 or 603-520-7769.

ABLE to pay cash, cars average $250, trucks full-size $2300, truck batteries $6 each, alloy $7 each, in Epping we have scale, $1/ lb. for coded Copper wire, $2.65/ lb. for copper pipe. (603)502-6438

APARTMENTS, mobile homes. If you need a rental at a fair price, call DRM Corp. Over 40 years in rentals, 524-0348 or visit M-W-F, 12-5, at 373 Court Street, Laconia.

GILFORD At Glendale Docks: 3-Bedroom, 2 story, porch, appliances, wood floors. Year-round.

No dogs. $900/month.

401-741-4837.

CHIHUAHUA pups and 18 month old tiny female. FMI call (603)723-9973.

NEW! THE DOG WASH WAGGIN A full-service mobile grooming salon. Easy, convenient, time-saving! Call 603-651-9016.

ROTTWEILER Pups, AKC, tails, shots done, parents on premises, $700 to $950. 267-7186.

SHIH-TZU and Shih-Tzu cross puppies, health and temperament guaranteed. Non-alergic, $350 & $450. (603)539-7572.

Autos 1995 custom chevy van. Runs good. 350 motor needs doors. $500. Can drive it home.

(603)466-5676.

2 1999 Dodge utility vans, low miles, run great $3,000 for both Call Scott. 786-9955.

CASH FOR junk cars & trucks.

Top Dollar Paid. Available 7 days a week. 630-3606

BUYING junk cars and trucks ME & NH. Call for price. Martin Towing. (603)305-4504.

CASH paid for unwanted or junk cars and trucks. Same day service possible. 603-231-2859.

01 Subaru Limited Outback Wagon. Loaded, heated seats, winter package, dual sun roof.

Great condition, 127K, $6,000/obo. 630-1950 Plow truck for yard use Runs good. $1,100. 630-0957

For Rent ALEXANDRIA Rooms for rent, quiet country setting, large bedrooms and use of family room and kitchen, large backyard, beautiful open space, everything included (cable, Internet), built and designed for easier living. Please call Randy 744-6787 or 707-7295

BELMONT 1 Bedroom Unit Washer/Dryer Hookup. $600/Month 2 Bedroom Unit Washer/Dryer Hookup $700/Month

LACONIA 1 Bedroom units starting at $600/Month CALL 267-8023 GC ENTERPRISES PMC NO PETS BELMONT 2 Bedroom manufatured home on 1/2 acre. Town water and sewer, newly renovated and energy efficient. Nice location.

FOR LEASE: $1,000 a month FOR SALE: Call for details Call 267-8023 GC Enterprises Property Mgt. BELMONT, NH - $699.00 a month. 2 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath, W&D hookup, single wide mobile home with yard for rent. Close to school. Call Fairlane Homes at 800-325-5566 for more information.

CONDO in Lake Winnipesaukee/ Laconia area: Nice condition Studio unit, Fully furnished, lake views, utilities + cable & Internet included, $500/month. Available immediately. Call 860-558-3052.

GILMANTON LARGE 2 bedroom Apartment. Easy commute, pets

For Rent LACONIA: 26 Dartmouth St. 1/2 of a Duplex; 7 Rooms, 3 Bedrooms, 1 Bath. Walkout Basement w/Laundry Hookups. Very clean, hardwood floors, private off street parking for 2 cars. Convenient to library, churches, downtown, Opechee Park & schools. Available immediately non-smoking. $1,000/month plus utilities.

Owner/broker 396-4163

LACONIA One bedroom, heat included, $695/ month, cute and clean, large livingroom, eat-in kitchen, extra storage room, parking for 2 cars. 455-5253.

Laconia-Large 3-bedroom 1st floor apartment. $1000/Month. 1 month security deposit required/1 year lease. Available now.

603-524-3759 LACONIA-South Down, Golf Village: 3 bedroom 2 bath townhouse; Cathedral ceiling, gas heat, central air, gas fireplace, all appliances, washer & dryer, beach, trails, tennis and all SD amenities. No smoking, no pets.

Snow removal & lawn care included. $1,200 Month. Garage available. 603-387-2954 LACONIA: 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom in duplex building, 1st & 2nd floors plus access to attic and basement with laundry hook-ups, $1,100/month plus utilities, 524-1234.

LACONIA: 1 bedroom, 2nd floor, $210/week including heat, electric & hot water. 524-1234.

LACONIA: 3 bedroom, 2nd floor.

Separate entrance, coin-op laundry in basement. $265/week including heat, electric & hot water.

524-1234.

LACONIA: Close to downtown, 5 room 2-Bedroom, 1.5 baths, first floor, includes heat, 2-car parking, snow removal, landscaping, deck, washer/dryer. $210/week. 4-week security deposit, first week in advance, references and credit check a must. No pets. Leave message for Bob, 781-283-0783 LACONIA: Gilbert Apartments. Efficiency, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments available. 524-4428.

LACONIA: 2 bedroom, heat/hot water included. Private entrance.

No smoking/pets. References and security. 524-0329.

Lakeport-Lake view 4 room-2 bedroom 1 bath. Includes snow removal, trash removal & landscaping, 2-car off-street parking, washer/dryer, partial heat. No pets. $200/week. References & credit check a must. 1st week in advance & 4 week security deposit. Leave message for Bob. 781-283-0783.

MEREDITH: 2-Bedroom House, 3/4 bath, washer/dryer hookup, oil FHW. $900/month. 279-8247, Jim.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE IN A BRAND NEW HOME FOR THE NEW YEAR?

$1-A-DAY CLASSIFIEDS • CALL 527-9299 DOLLAR-A-DAY: PRIVATE PARTY ADS ONLY (FOR SALE, LOST, AUTOS, ETC.), MUST RUN TEN CONSECUTIVE DAYS, 15 WORDS MAX. ADDITIONAL WORDS 10¢ EACH PER DAY. REGULAR RATE: $2 A DAY; 10¢ PER WORD PER DAY OVER 15 WORDS. PREMIUMS: FIRST WORD CAPS NO CHARGE. ADDITIONAL BOLD, CAPS AND 9PT TYPE 10¢ PER WORD PER DAY. CENTERED WORDS 10¢ (2 WORD MINIMUM) TYPOS: CHECK YOUR AD THE FIRST DAY OF PUBLICATION. SORRY, WE WILL NOT ISSUE CREDIT AFTER AN AD HAS RUN ONCE. DEADLINES: NOON TWO BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR THE DAY OF PUBLICATION. PAYMENT: ALL PRIVATE PARTY ADS MUST BE PRE-PAID. WE ACCEPT CHECKS, VISA AND MASTERCARD CREDIT CARDS AND OF COURSE CASH. THERE IS A $10 MINIMUM ORDER FOR CREDIT CARDS. CORRESPONDENCE: TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL OUR OFFICES 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M., MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 527-9299; SEND A CHECK OR MONEY ORDER WITH AD COPY TO THE LACONIA DAILY SUN,65 WATER STREET, LACONIA, NH 03246 OR STOP IN AT OUR OFFICES ON 65 WATER STREET IN LACONIA. OTHER RATES: FOR INFORMATION ABOUT CLASSIFIED DISPLAY ADS CALL 527-9299.

BEAUTIFUL puppies, red mini poodles and pomapoos. Sire is champ background. Good price.

Happy, healthy, home raised.

253-6373

For Rent LACONIA In-town, 2-Bedroom, finished basement. $750 plus utilities, first and security. No smoking, available now. 528-2292

GILFORD one bedroom apartment over country store. $750/month everything included.

Contact Sara Mon.-Fri. 6:00am2:00pm for appointment 293-8400 or leave a message after 2pm. at 455-0461.

GILFORD-LACONIA New home 4 New year. Efficiency for rent. Includes all utilities, cable WiFi, furnished. Rent $140/week or $500/ month. 528-8030 GILFORD: 3 bedroom apt, 2 bedroom apt., one bedroom cottage available including electricity, hotwater from $175/week, heat negotiable, pets considered. Security + references.

556-7098 or 832-3334.

Laconia 2 bedroom apartment.

Heat included. Garage parking, no smokers/dogs, near downtown and hospital. Deposit, references. $750/Month. Call 724-1985 LACONIA 3 bedroom, $240 per week plus utilities, security deposit, Pets OK, references.

630-3126 LACONIA Efficiency first floor, with private entrance, quiet area in good location, $650/ month includes utilities, security deposit and references required, 524-4694.

LACONIA HEAT, HOT WATER & ELECTRIC INCLUDED 1 Bedroom $750 Mo. 1 Room Efficiency $450/Mo. Call 267-8023 GC Enterprises Property Management

** LOCHMERE MEADOWS** Brand New Construction Tilton, NH Spacious 2, Bedroom Units 2 BR HC Accessible Units Available Heat & Hot Water Included in rent WD Hookups, Storage..

And much ,much, more!!!

Income Restrictions Apply Rent based on 30% of Households Income Credit, Criminal, & Landlord Checks No Pets Allowed CONTACT US TODAY! 1-800-742-4686 The Hodges Companies 201 Loudon Road Concord, NH 03301

Proudly owned by the Laconia Area Community Land Trust

ATTRACTIVE, SPACIOUS AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNIT IMMEDIATE OPENING LACONIA, NH 1BR Mechanic St School $575 Utilities not included No pets please A Beautiful Rustic Brick Building!

Non Smoking Building.

Section 8 Welcome Income Restrictions Apply Well Maintained Units Off Street Parking Credit, Criminal & Landlord References Required CONTACT RICK TODAY FOR MORE INFO!

1-800-742-4686 The Hodges Companies 201 Loudon Road Concord, NH 03301

Proudly owned by Laconia Area Community Land Trust

Page 18 — THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Friday, December 24, 2010

WINNI PLAYHOUSE from page 16 discussing and responding to plays. It will look at how playwrights throughout the ages deal with universal themes like power, betrayal, and jealousy. It will also examine common themes in plays beginning with classical Greek and ending with the Modern era. Students will read plays and engage in group discussions.

According to Wisnioski, “Our new education program really does have something for everyone from pre-kindergarteners to senior citizens. John and Dorothy’s class is an excellent example of how everyone can get involved in learning about theatre, even if they have no desire to get onstage themselves.”

“The Play’s the Thing” is one of more than 20 courses available in the Playhouse’s Winter 2011 course catalogue. All classes begin the week of January 10th. There is a discount for applications received prior to December 31. For a catalogue, call 366-7377 or visit www.winniplayhouse.com.

Meredith Bay breaks ground on Lake Winnipesaukee waterfront luxury townhomes LACONIA — Meredith Bay has announced that they have broken ground on the master-planned community’s next phase, which consists of 19 luxury waterfront townhomes located on the picturesque site of Look-Off Rock on Scenic Drive. The Townhomes at Meredith Bay first phase, made up of the first four luxury units and infrastructure, is scheduled for completion Fall 2011.

A distinctive village of 19 three-story Adirondackinspired townhomes designed by CJ Architects of Portsmouth, The Townhomes will provide owners with a maintenance-free lifestyle.

Priced from $490,000, each townhome is planned to offer 1,800 to 2,600 square feet of living space with an open-flow floor plan. The Townhomes’ walkout lower level plans feature flexible finished space suitable for one or more optional packages such as a media room, billiards room, home office, or additional guest suites. Additional features include spacious master and guest suites, attached garage, waterfront deck, and a loft retreat ideal for an office or children’s activity room.

“With construction already underway, we are see next page

For Rent

For Rent

For Sale

For Sale

Instruction

MEREDITH: In-town 1-bedroom, includes heat, $600/month. Parking w/plowing. No Smoking. No pets. Security deposit. 387-8356.

TILTON-REMODELED 1 bedroom apartment. 1/2 month rent free!

Heat/Hot Water included. $660/Month. 603-393-9693 or 916-214-7733

BRAND new 18.5 cu. ft. Frigidaire refrigerator $350, 150,000 btu master heater K1 with thermostat $75, toolbox fits small pickup $40.

Tonneau cover fits small pickup $75, chrome rollbar with lights $50. 286-3174

XXL leather Harley Davidson jackets. Kidney belt, zipping liner, vent zippers. Cost $700, asking $250. (603)466-5676.

New Hampshire Aikido -Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Barn, Wadliegh Rd. Sanbornton.

998-1419

Complete Hensley Towing Hitch with operating manual. 10,000 lb. capacity, good condition. $325.

603-524-8860

BEAUTIFUL, Queen Luxury Support Pillowtop Mattress Set. New in plastic. Cost $1095, Sell $249.

Can deliver. 603-305-9763

DRY firewood, 80% Red Oak, $275/ cord, delivered within 20 mile radius of Moultonborough.

236-6749.

MED-LIFT recliner, Brand new less than 6 mos. Cost $1600, sell for $800. 293-2026.

MEREDITH: Large 2 Bedroom second floor. Main St, newly painted, off-street parking, no pets/smoking. First month and security, references required. $795 + heat/utilities. 603-630-2381.

NEW Hampton - stunning quality!

Immaculate 2+bedroom/ 2 bath exclusive Condo. $1195/ mo. Astonishing open stairwell extending up to the 3rd floor lighted by the skylight in the cathedral ceiling.

Brazilian wood floors, W/D hook up. Less than 3 minutes from I-93.

Call today 603-744-3551.

NEFH...Come on Home!!

NORTHFIELD Are you tired of living in run down, dirty housing, then call us we have the absolute best, spotlessly clean and everything works. We include heat & hot water and all appliances, Townhouses & apartments, in Northfield one block from I-93 Call 630-3700 for affordable Clean living.

NORTHFIELD: 1 bedroom, 1st floor, separate entrance, coin-op laundry in basement. $195/week including heat, electric & hot water. 524-1234.

SPACIOUS 1 bedroom apartment, within walking distance to LRGH facilities. Heat/Hot Water, Washer/dryer hook-up, Private parking. NO SMOKERS OR PETS. References and security deposit required. $750/month.

279-1080 leave message.

TILTON- 3 Bedroom house, 2-car garage; near Exit 20. $1,500/Month + utilities & security.

626-5000

For Rent-Commercial

GILFORD PRICE REDUCED 14,000 sf. retail/commercial building on 2.5 acres for sale or lease; Corner location; Ample parking, access & visibility on Rte 11, across from airport.

MOVE YOUR BUSINESS HERE! Call (603) 430-4000 RETAIL Space for Lease: 450 square feet, $650/month plus utilities. Route 3, Tilton (539 Laconia Road). Located in building occupied by Northeast Metal Roofing and Fire and Stove Stove Shop, 630-2332.

For Sale 2008 Dodge Caravan- Showroom condition under, 6,000 miles. Asking $13,500. Can be seen at 72 Stark St. Laconia. Call 630-9901 Linda or 387-2276 Garey 7 foot plush sofa, like new, chocolate microfiber, scotchguard, $200. 267-0977 7.5 ft. Plow set up complete, off of 1987 Chevy Truck. Truck is included. $500. 630-0957 Diesel fuel tank with electric pump. $300. 630-0957

DRY firewood, all hardwood, cut and split 16” to 18” last winter, $265/ cord, $150/ half cord. John Peverly 528-2803 no calls after 8 pm please.

FISHER used plow 7 ft. Complete hydraulics, lights, push rods. Off 1989 Chevy pickup. You haul away. $700. 536-2489 GE Refrigerator White, 18.5 cubic inches, side by side, ice & water in door. 2-years old, like new. $300, will deliver. 603-393-8416

Great Stove Wood GUARANTEED!

FIREWOOD- Hard, easy self serve. Oversized 1/8 cords $25 + free soft wood.

18 Arlene Dr. Belmont off Union Rd. 1 mile from Piches

TEMPORARY/PART TIME The City of Laconia Parks and Recreation Department is seeking an individual to oversee the Community Center gym from December to May 2011. The attendant will be needed the following times: •Monday, Tuesday and Thursday-2:15 pm to 4:15 pm •Monday & Tuesday evenings - 6:45 pm to 10:00 pm

Rate: $7.28/hour Application forms may be obtained at the Parks & Recreation Office: 306 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH 03246, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am-4:30pm.

EOE/ADA

Studio/ Platform Bed w/Mattress: T-$295, F-$350, Q-$400. Floor Sample Clearance on all Mattresses! Exceptional savings at Jeff s Discount Furniture & Bedding. Save Big! Route 3, Laconia, NH (across from Funspot), 603-366-4000.

Free T&B Appliance Removal. Appliances & AC’s removed free of charge if outside. No TV’s Please call (603)986-5506.

Help Wanted

Personals SINGLE white male seeks single white female, 40-60. Please call 733-8387.

Roommate Wanted ADULT person to share house in Laconia. $140/wk. includes everything. Pets okay. Female preferred. 524-1976 SEEKING female roommate for Pleasant St. apartment. $450/month. Heat/Hot Water included. Call for details: 566-3831 SINGLE mom seeks female roommate to share expenses. Nice 2 bedroom apartment in Belmont.

Kids not with me. Non-smoker, no pets, call 603-393-5998

Services

HANDYMAN SERVICES

ADVERTISING Sales for tourism publication, must have solid ad sales experience. Lakes Region, North Conway to Canadian Border. Commission only. Resume and references required.

(603)356-7011.

Small Jobs Are My Speciality

Rick Drouin 520-5642 or 744-6277

BOOMING INDUSTRY Hodgman Quality Hip Waders.

Size 9 Cushion insoles, fully guaranteed. New in box, never worn. $25. 677-6528 BED Orthopedic 10” thick pillowtop mattress & box, new in plastic cost $950, sell Queen $285, Full $260, King $395. 431-0999 BEDROOM set brand new 6 pce solid cherry Sleigh bed, all dovetail sacrifice $750. 427-2001 HOT tub Mp3/ ipod dock, speakers, led lights, 5/6 person. All options with cover. New in wrapper.

Cost $8200, sell $4200. Will deliver 235-5218.

GYM ATTENDANT

Furniture

KITCHEN cabinets solid Maple with glazing never installed/ dovetail. Cost $7000, sell $1650.

235-1695.

NORDICTRACK Elliptical: $150.

Call after 5pm. 524-2239.

SEASONED Hardwood Cut, Split & Delivered $240/ cord. Call 603-534-8863.

STUDDED snows, like new, P215/60R-16 $25 each, metal desk 5 x2 $25, free cage 12x12x41” 528-2324.

is expanding due to record high sales & demand for more JCS tours! Average rep. pay $21/hr, PT. Day shift 8:15am-1:00pm.

Night shift 4:15pm-9:00pm, Also full-time available. Must have good communication skills. Lots of fun, no experience needed. JCS is the industry leader, providing tours to Inn Season, Sterling, Tradewind, Windham, and FantaSea Resorts. 603-581-2741, Laconia. Ask for Carlos.

SUBSTITUTE BUS DRIVERS Substitute positions available with Rural Transportation Program providing transit services for older adults in the Lakes Region including the greater Laconia, Meredith, Belmont, and Franklin areas.

Flexible hours. Experience driving 18 passenger vehicle.

New Hampshire commercial driver s license required (CDL-C) or (CDL-B) with passenger endorsement, DOT medical card and excellent driving record. Substitute positions may cover more than one area. Contact Kris Bregler, Assistant Director of Elder Services at 225-3295. Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Seeking highly motivated people to join my Pampered Chef team.

High earning potential! Call 496-0762.

SUMMIT RESORT Now Hiring

Part-time Housekeeping Saturday s a Must! Please apply in person. 177 Mentor Ave., Laconia.

Services

A Knotch Above Housekeeping.

10 years experience, references available. Residential, Commercial. 603-545-7268

LOW PRICE ~ QUALITY WORK

Rightway Plumbing and Heating Over 20 Years Experience

All Trades Landscaping Construction • Irrigation Excavation • Maintenance Spring and Fall • Clean up's.

Free estimates and fully insured

Fully Insured. License #3647

Call 393-4949

603-524-3969

NEED FINANCIAL HELP with the spaying, altering of your dog or cat? 224-1361 Before 2pm.

PIPER ROOFING & VINYL SIDING Quality Work Reasonable Rates Free Estimates Metal Roofs • Shingle Roofs

Our Customers Don t get Soaked!

528-3531 WELDING SERVICES- No job too small. Mobile unit or at shop. 34 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford.

603-293-0378

Snowmobiles 2002 MXZ 600 Sport, 1900 miles, recent skis, good shape. $2200.

848-0014.

THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Friday, December 24, 2010— Page 19

Lakes Region Real Estate Market Report / Roy Sanborn

Sales & Park

Doublewide

Expect the unexpected It’s coming down to the end of another year so I started thinking. What do you suppose would happen if Dick Clark was counting down the New Year’s ball in Times Square; “10…9…8…7…6…” and it just stopped? The ball doesn’t drop. The New Year, quite unexpectedly, just doesn’t happen.

Do you think people might get a little upset? After all, there are a lot of people down there in the square who are all excited and are getting ready to start the promising New Year. Even if you were to back up a bit, say four or five days or maybe even a week or two, and have something unexpected happen to delay or even cancel the New Year, it could really muck up the works. People have made travel plans, paid for hotel rooms, restaurants have ordered more food and champagne, even the hospitals have geared up for the extra overdoses of celebratory elixirs. You just expect that New Year’s Eve will go off without a hitch.

Well, welcome to the world of real estate in 2010!

As REALTORS®, we were taught (or we learned) to “expect the unexpected”. But there are so many totally new unexpected things that come up it is, well, still totally unexpected. There are so many obstacles in a real estate transaction today it is a miracle that the ball ever drops or the deal ever closes. The only thing we can really expect is that, just like if the New Year gets canceled, there are bound to be people that are very upset.

There are two distinct categories of unexpected things. Most are “bad”. Sir Issac Newton’s laws of real estate motion say that any “bad unexpected” event has an equal and opposite “good unexpected” event (he was also big in physics). Unfortunately, with the real estate world’s axis presently off-kilter about fifteen degrees (where “OffKilterAxis” or OFA = normal axis²/ma X ϖ) we are seeing a preponderance of “bad unexpected” events compared to “good unexpected” events. It is also true that wise old Isacc said, “I can calculate the motion of heavenly bodies, but not the madness of people.”

Here’s a list of just some of the “unexpected bad” events that have stalled, derailed, or killed real estate deals: 1. Your seller accepts a full price offer on his house and then you find out he owes $100,000 more on it than he has it listed for.

2. The home inspection on the five year old home you have listed reveals a failed septic, mold in the attic, and arsenic in the water.

3. The appraisal on what you feel to be a perfectly priced home comes in $30,000 lower and the

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appraiser can’t find any other comps.

4. Your buyer loses his job three weeks before the closing date on the house he is buying. No job, no loan.

5. The short sale process is not very “short” and the buyer gets sick of waiting and pulls out of the deal.

6. You have a condo listing that goes under agreement, but the association does not meet new Fannie Mae guidelines so no one will finance the deal.

7. Your seller, who’s had his home on the market for over a year, refuses to accept or even counter the first offer he gets.

8. After three years on the market, you get a near full price offer with a quick closing date and no contingencies and your seller decides he really doesn’t want to sell after all.

As mentioned, there are rarer but “unexpected good” things that can also happen: 1. You get a low, but reasonable, offer on a house that you have had listed for only 7 days! And, the seller accepts it!

2. The buyer you didn’t think had a pot to pee in, actually can buy whatever he wants with cash!

3. The inspection on one of your listings reveals a myriad of problems, but the buyer feels he is getting a good deal and wants to buy it regardless!

4. The appraisal you have been holding your breath on actually comes in at value and the underwriter has no problems with it!

5. Your listing, which is by far the ugliest house in the Lakes Region, actually gets a buyer.

6. After two years on the market you get two offers on the property on the same day.

7. Both the buyers and sellers in the transaction are truly reasonable and nice people and they don’t lose sight of where they want to be (that is in the house and out of the house) 8. After a long and horrendous process with your difficult sellers (or buyers), you make it through the closing, and they thank you for your hard work.

I think the only reason most of us REALTORS® keep doing this is for the unexpected good things that happen. So, may the unexpected good things outweigh the bad in 2011. Let the ball drop! Happy New Year…

Log on to my blog at www.lakesregionrealestatenews.com and leave me your thoughts on this report or the real estate market in general. Roy Sanborn is a REALTOR® for Roche Realty Group, at 97 Daniel Webster Highway in Meredith and can be reached at 677-8420.

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Happy Holidays from all of us at

448 West Main Street, Tilton NH 03276 603 286 7355 373 Court Street, Laconia NH 03246 603 527 1111 www.ExitLakeside.com

MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE

AT PUBLIC AUCTION January 11, 2011, at 3:00 PM on the premises SINGLE FAMILY HOME 110 STEVENS ROAD

NORTHFIELD, NH PER TAX RECORDS: COLONIAL STYLE HOME WITH 3 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHROOMS, HARDWOOD FLOORS, FIREPLACE, FULL BASEMENT, BRICK PATIO AND ATTACHED BARN ON 7.5 ACRES OF LAND MORTGAGE REFERENCE: Recorded in the Merrimack County Registry of Deeds at Book 2936, Page 878

TERMS FOR THE SALE: $5,000.00 deposit must be presented in cash, certified check or banker’s check satisfactory to the mortgagee at the time and place of sale. Balance due within 30 days from the date of sale.

Attorney Thomas Haughey Haughey, Philpot & Laurent Attorneys at Law 816 North Main Street Laconia, NH 03246

Page 20 — THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Friday, December 24, 2010