GHS literary magazine called 'most outstanding by Scholastic Press
Written by Adam Drapcho
GILFORD — Typically, it's easy for the literary-minded of high school students to hide, to walk unnoticed among their peers. At Gilford High, though, the veil of obscurity has been removed from the editorial team behind Obsessive Image, the school's literary magazine. For two consecutive years, the American Scholastic Press Association has declared the publication the "Most Outstanding Literary Art Magazine."
"It feels like a big deal, it feels like validation for the work we're doing," said Sarah Gill, a senior who has served on the magazine's editorial team for three years.
The club — referred to as "Lit Mag" by its members –— is comprised of nine student editors and teacher Scott Hutchison, who serves as advisor. The club's job is to meet and decide, often through passionate debate, which works of literature, poetry, photography and other visual art are deserving of publication in that year's edition of Obsessive Image. For the past 20 years, said Hutchinson, the magazine has been honored by various awards from the Scholastic Press Association, but only for the 2011 and 2012 issues was the magazine given the association's highest honor.
At GHS, the reins of Obsessive Image are carefully passed from one year's editors to the next. As Gill explained, being invited to serve on the editorial team is an honor reserved for students who are strongly interested in literary works and are strong enough to champion a submission they believe in, even in the face of criticism.
In addition to Gill, editors that worked on the 2012 edition were Shannon McQueen, Brian Burns, Emily Watson, Tyler Haddock, Taunya Latuch, Sarah Cook, Roland DuBois, Lindsey Essaff and Emily Hanf.
Submissions to the magazine are provided by the student body, often resulting from class assignments. The team of editors reads each piece and then meets to decide which belong in the school's magazine. There's no quota for numbers of poems or finite space alloted to photography; whatever impresses a majority of the editors will be included.
A submission need not gain majority approval on first reading. If there is only one "yes" vote among the editors when an item is first evaluated, then the work is placed in the "maybe" pile, said Gill. When it comes next before the team, the supporting editor can argue for its inclusion. When necessary, a submission will be returned to its creator with edits that would be required for publication.
For Gill, who plans to attend the University of Chester, England next year and study creative writing and literature, Lit Mag has been an opportunity for her to indulge her passions and hone her skills. "I like the entire literary world," she said. "I really enjoy helping people improve their writing. We have some great writers in this school who don't shout from the rooftops that they're good writers, but they are. Lit Mag gives them that opportunity."
Gill continued, "We have a pretty good underground writing community. Our volleyball team is very good, everybody knows that. I don't think people know how creative we are." Her creative classmates, she said, represent, "the hidden talent of Gilford."
Could Gilford go for three years in a row? Gill thinks there's a good possibility. Submissions have been of high caliber, especially for poetry, she reported.
Hutchison said he was taken aback when he heard of the award. "I'm rather amazed by it. I knew we had a quality publication, but to think that, of all the schools in the country, the American Scholastic Press says this is the best? It's amazing to me, but we do a good job... we have good writers. We don't treat them like kids who are writing, we treat them like young writers.
CAPTION for OBSESSIVE IMAGE in AA:
Obsessive Image, the literary magazine published by Gilford High School students, has been named "Most Outstanding High School Literary Art Magazine" by the American Scholastic Press Association for two years in a row. Shown here is the editorial team working on the 2013 edition. Front row, left to right, Nathan Boudwell, Sarah Gill and Lindsey Essaff. Back row: Stratton Coleman, Casey Warnick, Roland DuBois and Sarah Cook. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Adam Drapcho)
"It feels like a big deal, it feels like validation for the work we're doing," said Sarah Gill, a senior who has served on the magazine's editorial team for three years.
The club — referred to as "Lit Mag" by its members –— is comprised of nine student editors and teacher Scott Hutchison, who serves as advisor. The club's job is to meet and decide, often through passionate debate, which works of literature, poetry, photography and other visual art are deserving of publication in that year's edition of Obsessive Image. For the past 20 years, said Hutchinson, the magazine has been honored by various awards from the Scholastic Press Association, but only for the 2011 and 2012 issues was the magazine given the association's highest honor.
At GHS, the reins of Obsessive Image are carefully passed from one year's editors to the next. As Gill explained, being invited to serve on the editorial team is an honor reserved for students who are strongly interested in literary works and are strong enough to champion a submission they believe in, even in the face of criticism.
In addition to Gill, editors that worked on the 2012 edition were Shannon McQueen, Brian Burns, Emily Watson, Tyler Haddock, Taunya Latuch, Sarah Cook, Roland DuBois, Lindsey Essaff and Emily Hanf.
Submissions to the magazine are provided by the student body, often resulting from class assignments. The team of editors reads each piece and then meets to decide which belong in the school's magazine. There's no quota for numbers of poems or finite space alloted to photography; whatever impresses a majority of the editors will be included.
A submission need not gain majority approval on first reading. If there is only one "yes" vote among the editors when an item is first evaluated, then the work is placed in the "maybe" pile, said Gill. When it comes next before the team, the supporting editor can argue for its inclusion. When necessary, a submission will be returned to its creator with edits that would be required for publication.
For Gill, who plans to attend the University of Chester, England next year and study creative writing and literature, Lit Mag has been an opportunity for her to indulge her passions and hone her skills. "I like the entire literary world," she said. "I really enjoy helping people improve their writing. We have some great writers in this school who don't shout from the rooftops that they're good writers, but they are. Lit Mag gives them that opportunity."
Gill continued, "We have a pretty good underground writing community. Our volleyball team is very good, everybody knows that. I don't think people know how creative we are." Her creative classmates, she said, represent, "the hidden talent of Gilford."
Could Gilford go for three years in a row? Gill thinks there's a good possibility. Submissions have been of high caliber, especially for poetry, she reported.
Hutchison said he was taken aback when he heard of the award. "I'm rather amazed by it. I knew we had a quality publication, but to think that, of all the schools in the country, the American Scholastic Press says this is the best? It's amazing to me, but we do a good job... we have good writers. We don't treat them like kids who are writing, we treat them like young writers.
CAPTION for OBSESSIVE IMAGE in AA:
Obsessive Image, the literary magazine published by Gilford High School students, has been named "Most Outstanding High School Literary Art Magazine" by the American Scholastic Press Association for two years in a row. Shown here is the editorial team working on the 2013 edition. Front row, left to right, Nathan Boudwell, Sarah Gill and Lindsey Essaff. Back row: Stratton Coleman, Casey Warnick, Roland DuBois and Sarah Cook. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Adam Drapcho)
Last Updated on Saturday, 19 January 2013 03:57
Hits: 311
Worsman sets goal as $1.3 million cut; Republican reps take action to hold cost of county employee pay & benefits on flat line
Written by Michael Kitch
LACONIA — "We knew this was going to get ugly," Rep. Herb Vadney (R-Meredith) remarked yesterday when a sub-committee of the Belknap County Convention voted to deny county employees a proposed pay raise while increasing their share of health insurance premiums and scuttling other benefits as part of a package to trim the 2013 budget proposed by the County Commission.
Although Vadney chaired the sub-committee, Rep. Colette Worsman (R-Meredith), who chairs the convention, charted the course of its proceedings. While others seek to reduce the 8.9-percent increase in the county tax burden projected by the commissioners' budget, she aims to eliminate it altogether, which will require reducing expenditures by approximately $1.3-million.
The convention will hold a public hearing on its changes to the budget at the county complex on Monday night at 5 p.m. It is possible they could take a final vote on the appropriation for 2013 that same night.
When the budget process began, Worsman broke with past practice by directing the sub-committees appointed to review the departmental budgets not to take votes and make recommendations to the convention. But, yesterday, when the sub-committee met to consider the budgets for Sheriff's Department, County Attorney Office, Corrections Department and Diversion Program, Worsman, although not a member of the sub-committee, offered motions to strip a three-percent step pay increase for eligible employees from the commissioner's budget and pass the entire 7.3-percent increase in health insurance premiums to the employees. She also moved to eliminate bonuses for unused sick days and longevity from the budget.
The motions carried by majorities of four-to-one with Worsman and Vadney joined by Representatives Frank Tilton (R-Laconia) and Michael Sylvia (R-Belmont) in the majority, leaving Representative Ian Raymond (D-Sanbornton) the lone dissenter.
County Finance Director Glen Waring said that the aggregate value of the measures remained to be calculated, but estimated it would fall between $300,000 and $400,000, well shy of Worsman's target of $1.3-million. The cost of the step raise, together with consequent increases in Social Security and Medicare taxes, is approximately $115,000, to which must be added the increased health insurance premium along with bonuses for sick days and longevity.
Requiring employees to bear the increase in health insurance premiums, Waring said would raise the contribution of those with two-person and family plans, who currently contribute five-percent, to 11.5-percent.
"I hate to ask the employees to pick up more," Worsman said, "but we have to find a tremendous amount of money."
"We have a budget that is $1-million too high," said Tilton. "The biggest item is employees' salaries and benefits."
Vadney suggested that regular cost-of-living adjustments and step increases in past years had swelled the payroll, raising wages and salaries by 25-percent or more. "They may have been deserved," he allowed, "but that doesn't mean they were affordable."
However, County Administrator Debra Shackett countered that since 2009 the total cost of compensation and benefits has risen by $971,000, or seven-percent, while wages and salaries have grown by four-percent.
Furthermore, Shackett pointed out that the commission is currently negotiating contracts with unions representing employees of the Sheriff's Department, Corrections Department and Nursing Home. Since the contribution to health insurance premiums, along with the sick day and longevity bonuses, are terms and conditions of employment included in past collective bargaining agreements, the commission was bound, under New Hampshire law, to pay for them until new contracts are ratified.
Tilton replied that without sufficient funds to meet these obligations, the commission may have to consider reducing the number of employees. "There may have to be some lay-offs," echoed Vadney.
After listening to the discussion, John Thomas of Belmont, who chairs the three-member county commission, said that "we will do nothing with wages and benefits and if the contracts cost more than they do now, the money must come from somewhere." As for the prospect of lay-offs, he declared "I will do everything possible not to put people on the street. That is my personal goal." Thomas said that he is confident the commission is of one mind.
Although Vadney chaired the sub-committee, Rep. Colette Worsman (R-Meredith), who chairs the convention, charted the course of its proceedings. While others seek to reduce the 8.9-percent increase in the county tax burden projected by the commissioners' budget, she aims to eliminate it altogether, which will require reducing expenditures by approximately $1.3-million.
The convention will hold a public hearing on its changes to the budget at the county complex on Monday night at 5 p.m. It is possible they could take a final vote on the appropriation for 2013 that same night.
When the budget process began, Worsman broke with past practice by directing the sub-committees appointed to review the departmental budgets not to take votes and make recommendations to the convention. But, yesterday, when the sub-committee met to consider the budgets for Sheriff's Department, County Attorney Office, Corrections Department and Diversion Program, Worsman, although not a member of the sub-committee, offered motions to strip a three-percent step pay increase for eligible employees from the commissioner's budget and pass the entire 7.3-percent increase in health insurance premiums to the employees. She also moved to eliminate bonuses for unused sick days and longevity from the budget.
The motions carried by majorities of four-to-one with Worsman and Vadney joined by Representatives Frank Tilton (R-Laconia) and Michael Sylvia (R-Belmont) in the majority, leaving Representative Ian Raymond (D-Sanbornton) the lone dissenter.
County Finance Director Glen Waring said that the aggregate value of the measures remained to be calculated, but estimated it would fall between $300,000 and $400,000, well shy of Worsman's target of $1.3-million. The cost of the step raise, together with consequent increases in Social Security and Medicare taxes, is approximately $115,000, to which must be added the increased health insurance premium along with bonuses for sick days and longevity.
Requiring employees to bear the increase in health insurance premiums, Waring said would raise the contribution of those with two-person and family plans, who currently contribute five-percent, to 11.5-percent.
"I hate to ask the employees to pick up more," Worsman said, "but we have to find a tremendous amount of money."
"We have a budget that is $1-million too high," said Tilton. "The biggest item is employees' salaries and benefits."
Vadney suggested that regular cost-of-living adjustments and step increases in past years had swelled the payroll, raising wages and salaries by 25-percent or more. "They may have been deserved," he allowed, "but that doesn't mean they were affordable."
However, County Administrator Debra Shackett countered that since 2009 the total cost of compensation and benefits has risen by $971,000, or seven-percent, while wages and salaries have grown by four-percent.
Furthermore, Shackett pointed out that the commission is currently negotiating contracts with unions representing employees of the Sheriff's Department, Corrections Department and Nursing Home. Since the contribution to health insurance premiums, along with the sick day and longevity bonuses, are terms and conditions of employment included in past collective bargaining agreements, the commission was bound, under New Hampshire law, to pay for them until new contracts are ratified.
Tilton replied that without sufficient funds to meet these obligations, the commission may have to consider reducing the number of employees. "There may have to be some lay-offs," echoed Vadney.
After listening to the discussion, John Thomas of Belmont, who chairs the three-member county commission, said that "we will do nothing with wages and benefits and if the contracts cost more than they do now, the money must come from somewhere." As for the prospect of lay-offs, he declared "I will do everything possible not to put people on the street. That is my personal goal." Thomas said that he is confident the commission is of one mind.
Last Updated on Saturday, 19 January 2013 03:51
Hits: 381
Auto Serv opens gym for customer & employee use
TILTON — Working, waiting for your car, and working out for health are all possible now that the AutoServ company of Tilton has put in a state-of-the-art gymnasium above the Quick Service portion of the dealership.
The AutoServ Fitness Center, said owner Donna Hosmer, is to provide their 150 employees plus their customers a place to get some exercise.
"To have a meaningful impact an employer needs to invest in the wellness of their staff," Hosmer said yesterday while giving a tour of the facility.
Sen. Andrew Hosmer said that as the Afforadable Care Act begins phasing in, employers who take an interest in the heath of the employees are likely to see the benefits not only in healthier employees but in reductions and savings in their insurance premiums.
The gymnasium is run by Manager Katie Sokol who is not only a fitness trainer but a clerk in the office.
Along with the standard workout equipment, Sokol has also set a schedule for a "boot camp" kind of a work out.
"It's like being in basic training and I get to be the drill sergeant — but without all the yelling," said Sokol.
The Hosmers said the gym facility is also available to customer and some of the classes held by Sokol will be available to local residents.
For more information, call Carolyn Gaudet the Health and Wellness Coordinator at Auto Serv at 286-3500.
CAPTION (Gaudette Gym 008) Used Car Manager Mike Tessier looks over the new gymnasium at Auto Serv in Tilton with Carolyn Gaudet and Fitness Trainer Katie Sokol. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Gail Ober)
The AutoServ Fitness Center, said owner Donna Hosmer, is to provide their 150 employees plus their customers a place to get some exercise.
"To have a meaningful impact an employer needs to invest in the wellness of their staff," Hosmer said yesterday while giving a tour of the facility.
Sen. Andrew Hosmer said that as the Afforadable Care Act begins phasing in, employers who take an interest in the heath of the employees are likely to see the benefits not only in healthier employees but in reductions and savings in their insurance premiums.
The gymnasium is run by Manager Katie Sokol who is not only a fitness trainer but a clerk in the office.
Along with the standard workout equipment, Sokol has also set a schedule for a "boot camp" kind of a work out.
"It's like being in basic training and I get to be the drill sergeant — but without all the yelling," said Sokol.
The Hosmers said the gym facility is also available to customer and some of the classes held by Sokol will be available to local residents.
For more information, call Carolyn Gaudet the Health and Wellness Coordinator at Auto Serv at 286-3500.
CAPTION (Gaudette Gym 008) Used Car Manager Mike Tessier looks over the new gymnasium at Auto Serv in Tilton with Carolyn Gaudet and Fitness Trainer Katie Sokol. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Gail Ober)
Last Updated on Friday, 18 January 2013 04:26
Hits: 108
Dewhirst Funeral Home building sold
Written by Gail Ober
LACONIA – The Dewhirst Funeral Home has sold its Lakeport building to a local man for $128,500.
According to Funeral Director Glenn Dewhirst, all of his permanent records are now being kept at Mayhew Funeral Home and Crematorium in Meredith and anyone with prepaid arrangements has already been notified.
Dewhirst said he sold the building partly because it needed a lot of work — especially a new roof — and that it was very expensive to heat and maintain.
"The taxes were outrageous," Dewhirst said, adding the city was "no help at all" when it came to his tax liability.
According to Laconia's online assessing data base, the land and building at 1061 Union Avenue is assessed at $490,600 — nearly four times the selling price.
He also said the location was difficult because it is nearly impossible to make a left-hand turn onto Union Avenue out of his parking lot.
When asked if some kind of merger or business arrangement has been made with Mayhew, he said the had gotten that far yet. He said letters to all of the families whose permanent records were in his hands have been sent informing them their records are at Mayhew.
When asked why a sign for the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Pauquette Funeral Home and Crematory was posted on the outside of the building along with a for sale sign, Dewhirst declined comment.
Wilkinson-Beane President Russell Beane said he is friends with Donald Houle, the man who bought the building, and Houle allowed him to put his sign up to let people in Laconia know there was a local option.
Beane said he has no plans to purchase the building or relocate any part of his operation there.
CAPTION (Dewhurst) For sales signs are posted what was once the Dewhirst Funeral Home on upper Union Avenue. The funeral home was founded in 1880 and moved to its current location in 1927. The Dewhirsts established their business at that location in 1983. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Gail Ober)
According to Funeral Director Glenn Dewhirst, all of his permanent records are now being kept at Mayhew Funeral Home and Crematorium in Meredith and anyone with prepaid arrangements has already been notified.
Dewhirst said he sold the building partly because it needed a lot of work — especially a new roof — and that it was very expensive to heat and maintain.
"The taxes were outrageous," Dewhirst said, adding the city was "no help at all" when it came to his tax liability.
According to Laconia's online assessing data base, the land and building at 1061 Union Avenue is assessed at $490,600 — nearly four times the selling price.
He also said the location was difficult because it is nearly impossible to make a left-hand turn onto Union Avenue out of his parking lot.
When asked if some kind of merger or business arrangement has been made with Mayhew, he said the had gotten that far yet. He said letters to all of the families whose permanent records were in his hands have been sent informing them their records are at Mayhew.
When asked why a sign for the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Pauquette Funeral Home and Crematory was posted on the outside of the building along with a for sale sign, Dewhirst declined comment.
Wilkinson-Beane President Russell Beane said he is friends with Donald Houle, the man who bought the building, and Houle allowed him to put his sign up to let people in Laconia know there was a local option.
Beane said he has no plans to purchase the building or relocate any part of his operation there.
CAPTION (Dewhurst) For sales signs are posted what was once the Dewhirst Funeral Home on upper Union Avenue. The funeral home was founded in 1880 and moved to its current location in 1927. The Dewhirsts established their business at that location in 1983. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Gail Ober)
Last Updated on Friday, 18 January 2013 03:55
Hits: 370
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