GILFORD - Diane Terrill, president of the Granite State Airport Management Association and manager of Laconia Municipal Airport in Gilford, has announced that Gov. Maggie Hassan has proclaimed March as General Aviation Appreciation Month in NH.
The governor's proclamation, signed at the end of February, states that "the State of New Hampshire has a significant interest in the continued vitality of general aviation, aerospace, aircraft manufacturing, educational institutions, aviation organizations, community airports, and airport operators."
The proclamation further states that "many communities in New Hampshire depend heavily on general aviation and community airports for the continued flow of commerce, tourists, and visitors to our state."
Terrill, pleased by the governor's proclamation, is highly involved in promoting general aviation on both the local and state level in her roles as an airport manager and the newly-elected president of the Granite State Airport Management Association (GSAMA).
GSAMA is an organization of aviation professionals committed to increasing awareness of the importance of aviation and supporting economic development for the State of New Hampshire. GSAMA serves New Hampshire's aviation needs by enhancing access to the National Airspace System, promoting a support network for all airports in the State, and promoting legislation in support of aviation interests.
GSAMA was named in the governor's proclamation as an organization that continues to "recognize and promote the interests and importance of aviation in New Hampshire and throughout the world."
On the local level, Terrill has been manager of Laconia Municipal Airport since 1999 and oversees its day-to-day operations as well its long-term management. The Lakes Region's general aviation airport, it is situated between the city of Laconia and the town of Gilford.
The airport, built in 1941, serves the needs of pilots flying a wide range of aircraft, from small,
single-engine planes to transatlantic jets. With a $50 million annual impact on the region's economy, it acts as a responsible community partner and environmental steward of the natural resources of the surrounding areas.
There are twenty-four publicly-owned airports as well as 118 registered airports in the state. The public is encouraged to visit airports throughout the state during General Aviation Appreciation Month to find out more about general aviation and the important role it plays in NH.
More information about Laconia Airport in Gilford can be found at: www.laconiaairport.com.

Photo Caption:
Laconia Municipal Airport in Gilford, shown here in an aerial photo, is one of the state's many general aviation airports. Gov. Hassan has proclaimed that March is General Aviation Appreciation Month. (Courtesy photo)

EPSOM — The Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation of NH will be holding its annual "Eye" Ball on Friday, March 15, at the Circle 9 Ranch in Epsom. This year the theme is the Roarin' 20's. Attendees will enjoy a fun filled evening with good food, dancing and gambling.
Dance to the music of DJ, Jammin' JP and taste the delicious meal provided by Jitters Café of Pittsfield. The event is BYOB.
The festivities run from 7 to 11 p.m. and the cost of the event is $25 per person, plus the cost to gamble. For tickets, contact Lion Toni Olden at 603-677-2431 or Lion Scott Wilson at 603-770-3700.
The Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation started in 1978. Its Endowment Fund purchases hearing aids and eye surgeries for those residents who need assistance. Since its inception, the Foundation has granted over $500,000 to help those in need.
All profits from fundraisers go directly into the Endowment Fund for use in NH communities. For further information, visit www.nhlions.org/LS&H.htm or write to PO Box 970, Concord NH 03302-0970

MEREDITH — Sisters Margaret Hopkins and Bozena O'Brien will be performing W. A. Mozart's Concertone for Two Violins and Orchestra at The Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra's opening concert of the 2013 season on Saturday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Inter-Lakes High School auditorium.
Also on the program are "Fatinitza Overture, Part 2" by Franz Von Suppé and Tchaikovsky's
"Symphony No. 2 in C minor, ("Little Russian").
Margaret Bruziak Hopkins was born in Poland and began violin studies at age 7, adding piano at age 12. As a teen she was a member of the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra for five years and a fiddler with the Polish Dancers of Boston.
Ms. Hopkins received BM in Performance from U. Mass. at Lowell where she also pursued
Music Education. Ms. Hopkins received extensive Suzuki training at Ithaca College in NY,
Hartt College at University of CT, New York State University in Buffalo and Capital University
in Ohio. She has performed in her native Poland, Switzerland, Israel, England, Scotland, Wales,
Canada and in the United States.
Ms. Hopkins teaches violin at schools in Saco and Old Orchard Beach, ME as well as Portland Conservatory of Music and at her private home-based studio. She performs with the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra, the Maine Pro Musica, Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra, the New Hampshire Music Festival, and freelances in the New England area.
Bozena O'Brien was born in Poland and, at age 10, came to the United States. She continued her musical education in this country with the Greater Boston Youth Symphony and as a "Young Artist" member at Tanglewood. Bozena also trained at Boston University, where she was a student of Walter Eisenberg, and later studied with Marylou Speaker Churchill of the Boston
Symphony Orchestra.
She holds a certificate for Suzuki pedagogy and Suzuki Book 1, and teaches at Concord Community Music School, where she is string department chair. Bozena has taught at St. Paul's School for 20 years and also at the Holderness Preparatory School and Kimball Union Academy.
She performs with the New Hampshire Music Festival, Vermont Symphony Orchestra, CCMS Musicians of Wall Street, Brinkler Piano Trio and continues to perform as a freelance violinist throughout New England.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students college age and under and are available online at
www.LRSO.org/tickets, or by mail using the order form on that web page. Tickets are available at the following ticket outlets: Innisfree Bookshop and the Mobil station across from the town docks in Meredith; Greenlaw's Music in Laconia; and Bayswater Books in Center Harbor. 

CAPTIONS

Bozena O'Brien (Courtesy photo)
Margaret Hopkins (Courtesy photo)