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Make-A-Wish treat: Youngsters meet pilots, see planes before weekend’s air show

In Local News, News on August 29, 2011 at 12:43 pm

PORTSMOUTH — Teagan House had made neon yellow aliens and robots out of his earplugs Friday afternoon while sitting at his table under the Service Credit Union tent at Portsmouth International Airport, and was passing time by enacting an imaginary futuristic battle between the two forces.

“Mom, when are we going to meet them?” he asked.

His mother, Jessica Tufts, didn’t have the answer.

“Your guess is as good as mine, bud,” she said.

As soon as she said it, the crowd under the tent erupted into applause as the pilots of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds air demonstration squadron entered and began to shake hands and take pictures with the children under the tent.

This year, Service Credit Union was able to give 100 children from the Make A Wish Foundation’s N.H. chapter, such as Teagan, as well as children who had suffered from brain injuries, a chance to meet the heroic stunt pilots.

The meeting came just after the pilots had completed a demonstration for Friday’s lead-in to this weekend’s Boston-Portsmouth Air Show. The air show marks the first time in 25 years that the Thunderbirds have performed in the Granite State.

“We’re happy that we can provide this experience to them,” said Service Credit Union Marketing Manager Lori Holmes. “The smiles on these kids’ faces are really the payback.”

Teagan, 11, of Rochester, suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy and is confined to a wheelchair. Thanks to the event, he was able to receive autographs from the pilots for his Thunderbirds poster and his T-shirt, and get his picture taken with them.

Maj. J.R. Williams, a solo pilot with the squadron, complimented Teagan on his camouflage war paint.

“Your face paint is pretty awesome,” Williams said.

As Teagan made his way around the tent to meet the pilots, sometimes the obstacles and people around him prevented him from getting close, something a Thunderbolts crew member quickly recognized and helped him to overcome.

“That I appreciated immensely. That’s not something that happens a lot for Teagan,” Tufts said after the event. “Being in a chair, he usually gets left behind.”

According to Tufts, Teagan has a fascination with the military, and one Halloween their family even dressed his wheelchair up as a tank with him being the soldier inside it.

“He loves the military,” Tufts said, adding Teagan is surrounded by it as a result of several family members having served in or currently serving in various branches of the armed forces.

After the event, Tufts said she appreciated the Thunderbirds taking the time to meet the children.

“Here they are protecting the country, and they took the time out of their day to make sure these kids feel special,” Tufts said.

Maj. John Gallemore, who serves as the squadron’s right wing, said during the event that he admires seeing the tenacity that the children display despite what they have gone through.

“This is my favorite thing that we do,” Gallemore said. “It’s awe inspiring.”

In 2007, Teagan was named the Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Hampshire’s Goodwill Ambassador for that year. While serving as ambassador, he and local firefighters helped raise money for the association by participating in boot drives.

Teagan also appeared on the local Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon in Manchester. The following year he earned a special commendation from Gov. John Lynch for his work.

He currently serves as a local goodwill ambassador.

Originally published by Foster’s Daily Democrat.

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Former Rochester manager named town administrator in Barrington

In Local News, Municipal News, News, Political News on June 12, 2011 at 6:01 pm

BARRINGTON — Former Rochester City Manager John Scruton, who was asked by the Rochester City Council to resign from the position in January, has been appointed by the Barrington Board of Selectmen to serve as the new town administrator there.

Scruton was appointed on May 17, and will officially begin as town administrator on June 1.

“We are very pleased and excited to have John on board,” said Barrington Selectmen Chairman Keith Pratt in a news release that went out on Thursday. “The depth of experience and knowledge of municipal issues in New Hampshire allows him to hit the ground running.”

Scruton was asked publicly to resign as Rochester city manager during an Oct. 5 City Council meeting by Ward 4 Councilor Dave Walker. Walker had been displeased by constant delays and cost overruns pertaining to the North Main Street bridge project.

Seven members of the Rochester City Council voted for Scruton to resign in a nonpublic meeting on Jan. 5. Rochester Mayor T.J. Jean cast the deciding vote, saying that he did so to break gridlock within the council.

“He’s probably the most honest person I know,” Jean said of Scruton in January following the council’s decision.

Scruton said that his resignation was a result of his desire to go in a different direction from that which the council wanted.

“I had five good years in Rochester, and I did a lot of good things,” Scruton said, adding he wishes the Rochester city councilors well.

While serving as Barrington’s town administrator, Scruton said his first objective as town administrator is to reach out to the town’s residents.

“My first goal is to get to meet people, to understand better what the issues are,” Scruton said.

In addition to being Rochester’s city manager, Scruton has also served as president of the New Hampshire Municipal Management Association. Scruton is currently serving as president of the New Hampshire Certified Public Managers Association.

Scruton said that through his experiences he has learned that techniques for working with people and solving problems are essentially universal, and hopes to apply what he has learned to Barrington.

Members of the local Board of Selectmen are optimistic about Scruton’s appointment.

“As a selectman and as an individual, I’m very pleased,” said Selectman Dawn Hatch, adding that she could see nothing negative in appointing Scruton.

“It was a hard job making that decision, but John gave us exactly what we wanted and needed,” Hatch said.

Scruton started to work for the town May 18, meeting with staff and working on various projects. He will officially begin as town administrator following the effective date of current Town Administrator Carol Reilly’s resignation June 1.

The board thanked those community members who helped in the interview process to narrow the field to three finalists who were interviewed by the members of the Board of Selectmen.

The board especially thanked Carol Reilly for her many years of dedicated service to the town, including more than 10 years as town administrator.

Keith Pratt noted on behalf of the entire Board, “She will be missed and we wish her the best of luck.”

Originally published by Foster’s Daily Democrat.

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Fitzpatrick sworn in as Rochester city manager

In Local News, Municipal News, News, Political News on June 12, 2011 at 5:49 pm

ROCHESTER — The Lilac City welcomed its new city manager on Tuesday night as Interim City Manager Bob Steele formally resigned, passing the torch to Daniel Fitzpatrick during a special meeting of the Rochester City Council.

“He’s a seasoned veteran,” Steele said of his successor, who had been serving as city manager to Englewood, N.J. since 2008.

Steele said that prior to the meeting, he and Fitzpatrick had spent the day reviewing issues that Steele had been working on, but had not yet completed. They also met with various department heads and staff.

Rochester Mayor T.J. Jean said that he anticipates that the transition from Steele to Fitzpatrick will be a smooth one.

“Out of the approximately 40 candidates we interviewed, he had by far the most experience and the strongest qualifications for the job,” Jean said. “I’m sure he’ll be hitting the ground running starting tomorrow morning.”

Jean added that he is optimistic about the knowledge and proficiency that Fitzpatrick will bring to the city.

“We’re definitely looking forward to having him evaluate the city in terms of areas for improved efficiencies and to get his insight and experience on how we might do things better for the citizens of Rochester,” Jean said.

After the meeting, Fitzpatrick said that he is looking forward to being part of a city with as much social capital as Rochester.

“It’s an exciting place at an exciting time, and I’m glad to be a part of that,” Fitzpatrick said.

The city council decided unanimously to allow Jean to enter into an employment agreement with Fitzpatrick during a special meeting on April 19.

At the meeting, Jean said that Fitzpatrick possessed two important characteristics: overall experience and a history of managing cities comparable in size to Rochester. Both Rochester and Englewood have a population of about 30,000, Jean said.

“Rochester is on the cusp of some pretty significant growth,” Fitzpatrick said at the April 19 meeting. “I think my experience will serve the city well in taking it to its next level.”

Fitzpatrick has held a city manager position in various states since 1979. Prior to serving in Englewood, he was also city manager in Peekskill, N.Y., Ocean Park, Mich., Augusta, Maine; Ogdensburg, N.Y. and Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

The new city manager has also served as vice president and chief financial officer at an environmental consulting firm in Syracuse, N.Y., and as a regional vice president of an industrial building services company in Poughkeepsie.

Fitzpatrick replaces Former Rochester City Manager John Scruton, who was asked publicly to resign during an Oct. 5 city council meeting. The resignation followed a dispute with members of the council regarding constant delays and cost overruns pertaining to the North Main Street Bridge.

Bob Steele, who has twice previously served as Rochester’s city manager and once as Dover’s city manager, has been serving as interim city manager since Jan. 7.

Jean said that working with Steele taught him a great deal in the previous months about working in government and how to approach various issues.

“I have the utmost respect for Bob Steele,” Jean said. “He is a first class individual and someone who I have tremendous respect for. He’ll be greatly missed.”

Steele, whose formal resignation was met with a standing ovation by all in attendance, said that returning to Rochester gave him the chance to settle unfinished business.

“I had been a little bit disappointed to find that some of the things I thought I’d completed when I left here really didn’t quite get wrapped up, and I’ve been able to do that and finish them off,” Steele said.

Steele added that while he honors his experience in the Lilac City, he is ready to step down from the position.

“I won’t say it’s always been enjoyable, but it’s a pleasure to work in Rochester,” Steele said. “To some extent I will miss it, but I am tired. I turned 71 in this position. I’ve done my duty.”

Originally published by Foster’s Daily Democrat.

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Museum gets a 1960s-era Prowler jet

In Local News, News on July 2, 2010 at 2:20 pm

The National Museum of Naval Aviation received a valuable addition to its collection of fighter jets this week.

Wednesday evening, the museum received an EA-6B Prowler aircraft, which was retired from duty this week after more than 40 years of Navy service.

“This is one of the original five made and was still in service until yesterday,” said Shelley Ragsdale, director of marketing for the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.

The EA-6B Prowler is an electronic warfare aircraft that was designed in the late 1960s. Its main mission is to shut down enemy radar defenses and communications systems using powerful electronic jammers and radar-seeking missiles.

The first three EA-6B aircraft constructed were prototypes, built on highly modified A-6 Intruder attack aircraft airframes.

The EA-6B that the museum received was the fourth EA-6B ever built. It was the first that was constructed from the ground up in the factory as a Prowler, rather than converted from an A-6 Intruder.

The jet, dubbed “P-4″ as the fourth Prowler, entered active Naval service on Dec. 31, 1969. It remained in service until it was delivered to Pensacola Naval Air Station from NAS Patuxent River, Md.

The plane was towed to the museum’s restoration hangar Thursday to be assessed for restoration.

Once restored, the plane will likely be showcased in the museum’s new hangar addition, which is set to open in November and will display a collection of modern jets.

“(The EA-6B) has a lot of unique characteristics to it, and capabilities that the general public will never know about,” said Chip Yarbrough, operational manager for the National Flight Academy.

Many of the Prowler’s electronic capabilities remain classified, but a single aircraft is reportedly able to “blank out” enemy communications over an area the size of a city.

The Navy is working on replacing the EA-6B Prowler with the EA-18G Growler, with the final squadron transition set for 2014.

The phasing out of the Prowler makes the addition of the P-4 an even more prized addition to the museum’s lineup.

“I’m just excited we got one,” Yarbrough said.

The museum hangar’s collection currently boasts various other noteworthy aircraft, including an F8U Crusader that was used for photo reconnaissance during the Cuban missile crisis.

The next project that the museum is working on for its hangar exhibit is the recovery and restoration of a rare Corsair model aircraft from Lake Michigan.

Originally published by the Pensacola News Journal.

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Sprout Day gets kids up close with animals

In Local News, News on June 27, 2010 at 11:34 am

For children visiting the Gulf Breeze Zoo, it was a trip around the world in 80 minutes.

“Two more to go,” Catalina Himes, 6, said as she ran from the bear exhibit back to her mother and cousins with a fresh sticker in her “passport.”

Catalina was one of several hundred children who attended Sprout Day At The Zoo on Saturday.

The event invited children to carry a special passport booklet as they enjoyed the many exotic animals.

At various exhibits throughout the zoo, employees from cable company Mediacom gave out special stickers for the children to collect.

“Mommy, I got the last sticker,” Catalina said as she raced past the children gathered in the zoo’s reptile house.

Catalina’s mother, Kimberly Himes. 31, found the event to be a great experience for the kids.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Kimberly Himes, who lives across the street from the zoo and visits frequently with her family.

Catalina and her cousins agreed, saying that they enjoyed finding and feeding the animals.

“It’s a great time here,” Catalina said, goodie bag in hand.

The zoo, formerly called The Zoo Northwest Florida, reopened in February.

It closed in August because of a lack of money but was purchased by Eric Mogensen, who also owns the Virginia Safari Park in southwest Virginia.

Since then, the park has razed buildings, added animals, and initiated new programs such as Zoo Camp.

Pat Quinn, the zoo’s former owner and current spokesman said the zoo is doing well.

“People are really happy the zoo opened up, because they really missed it,” said Quinn. “Good communities have good zoos.”

Sprout Day At The Zoo was sponsored by Mediacom to promote the new Sprout channel for kids. The 24-hour preschool channel features classic children’s favorites, such as Barney and “Sesame Street,” as well as newer programs like “The Wiggles” and original programs from Mediacom.

The channel also has a website, www.sproutonline.com, for parents and their kids to visit.

“The whole purpose of the network is for parents and kids to interact, and they can do that on TV and also do that online,” said Monica Oakley, an affiliate marketing manager for Mediacom.

Originally published by the Pensacola News Journal.

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Juneteenth event honors past and looks to future

In Local News, News on June 20, 2010 at 2:08 pm

Although Saturday was a celebration of the anniversary of the abolition of slavery, some Pensacola community members chose to spend the day looking to the future.

“Don’t look back. Press on, and take as many other different cultures along with you,” said retired Chief Master Sgt. Walter Richardson.

Richardson, 81, was the keynote speaker at the seventh annual Juneteenth festival at the Fricker Community Center in downtown Pensacola.

“This is truly the Independence Day for black people,” added the Rev. Linda Thompson.

Sometimes referred to as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, Juneteenth celebrates when the last of America’s slaves were freed in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

The date is celebrated every year throughout the nation. It was made a state holiday in Florida in 1991.

Thompson and her husband started the annual festival when they founded Sankofa Outreach Ministries with their children in 2004.

The 60-year-old Pensacola resident said the inspiration for her work in the community comes from the emphasis on spirituality seen in the societies of ancient Africa.

“They survived and they did so many things and their faith was so unshakable,” she said. “To bring that awareness back, we have to go back to where we lost it.”

The festival featured live music from the Belmont Youth Band and local gospel rapper DJ Razheed, as well as an exhibit of artifacts that illustrated the history of the black culture from its roots in ancient Africa to the election of President Barack Obama.

Richardson said he wanted his speech to focus on the idea of freedom, and how much progress the black community has made since the abolition of slavery.

“We’ve come a long way,” the Congressional Gold Medal recipient said. “Since being freed, we’ve shown a lot of our potentials as citizens of the nation.”

Richardson, who grew up in Pensacola and graduated from Washington High School before joining the Air Force in 1949, has confidence in the future of the nation and in the black community.

The former Tuskeege Airman said he sees an amazing potential in today’s young people, calling them the greatest generation for their tolerance of others and their resilience in the face of challenges such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the recent Gulf oil spill.

Pensacola residents who attended the festival found it to be a positive and enriching experience for youths in the community.

“They should have stuff like this more often,” said Timika Mullins, 33, a first-time attendee. “It benefits the youth in the community and keeps them out of trouble.”

Originally published by the Pensacola News Journal.

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Molino, Milton get the blues

In Local News, News on June 13, 2010 at 10:14 pm

Molino knows blueberries.

The small community in central Escambia County is home to several large blueberry farms, and some residents have taken to growing their own in their yards.

On Saturday, residents and visitors celebrate their favorite fruit during the 2010 Blueberry Jamboree at Barrineau Park School.

The festival began at 8 a.m. and featured live music, 75 vendors, a cake walk, a pie-eating contest and a blueberry bake-off.

“We’re one of the only festivals in Molino, and we’re excited about that,” said festival co-chairwoman Libbie Johnson.

The second annual jamboree kicked off with a 5K race organized by U.S. Marines from Pensacola Naval Air Station.

“Everybody had a good attitude and had fun,” said Matt Dobson, who took first place in the 36-54 age division.

Dobson was one of 150 runners who competed in the race, with first place overall going to Neil McDonagh, who ran in the 19-35 age division. Dobson, who runs an average of 70 miles a week, found the course to be quite a challenge.

However, blueberries were the star attraction.

Eli Miller and his wife, Sara, own a farm called A&N Blueberries. They attended the event to sell pints of blueberries from their farm, as well as 22 dozen jars of homemade blueberry jam.

“It’s going well,” said Miller, 24, whose farm encourages people to come onto the property and pick their own berries.

Miller added that although this festival was noticeably slower than last year’s, business at his tent nevertheless was good.

The jamboree’s bake-off showcased 47 different blueberry-themed desserts, including 18 pies, nine cakes and 20 miscellaneous pastries.

“Everything was really good, but the three entries we chose in pies really stood out,” said Alan Ganzhorn, one of several people who judged the bake-off competition.

Ganzhorn, 55, a Methodist pastor, said he believes the festival is a huge benefit to the community.

“It gives us a lot more visibility,” Ganzhorn said. “It helps people to get to know what good folks live here.”

Molino wasn’t the only community to pay homage to the blueberry this weekend.

Milton residents got to show their appreciation with Arc Santa Rosa’s Blueberry Bash, a daylong Saturday celebration.

Originally published by the Pensacola News Journal.

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Navarre Beach Pier opens

In Gulf coast oil spill coverage, Local News, News, Photos on June 6, 2010 at 9:25 am

Excited children from Navarre help Santa Rosa County commissioners cut the ribbon at the opening of the new Navarre Beach Pier. The new pier replaces the one that was closed following Hurricane Ivan in 2004. (Mike Greear/mgreear@pnj.com)

Hundreds of people flocked to Navarre Beach on Saturday to help open the new and improved Navarre Beach Pier.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the $8.6 million pier was preceded by a speech from state Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, who said the pier is a symbol of Santa Rosa County’s resilience during a time of disaster. The previous pier was damaged by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Dennis the next year.

“The comeback for Northwest Florida starts today with this pier,” Gaetz said. Santa Rosa County commissioners also spoke at the event.

For the local fishing community, the new pier has been a dream for nearly six years.

“We’ve been anticipating this forever,” said Tony White, 54, of Navarre.

White caught the first fish of the morning, a 40-pound redfish.

“It’s a good way to start,” he said.

The opening of the pier comes as oil and tar balls from the April 20 Gulf spill have begun washing ashore. Some fishing enthusiasts hope the pier provides a silver lining to that dark cloud.

“It’s ironic,” said Masami Lewis, 41, about the timing of the pier’s opening. “But you make the best of the worst situation.”

Some anglers said they prefer the Navarre pier over the fishing pier on Pensacola Beach, in part because it extends farther into the Gulf, where larger fish swim.

The new pier boasts an octagonal end with a wider surface area, as well as breakaway wood panels to prevent damage to the main structure during a storm.

“They did a good job,” said Milton resident Jerry Couey, 50, who has been fishing in Navarre since the first pier was opened. “It will be here for many years.”

Originally published by the Pensacola News Journal.

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PHS, war veterans honored at cemetery

In Local News, News on June 6, 2010 at 9:20 am

The Friends of St. John’s Historic Cemetery on Saturday paid tribute to the former football players and World War II veterans who attended Pensacola High School.

“Let it be known that we are celebrating all veterans and all Pensacolians who served,” Dr. Jack Fleming said to a crowd of about 50 people gathered underneath a tent in the center of the cemetery grounds at Belmont and G streets in Pensacola. The event was the cemetery’s 10th Annual Commemoration Day.

The event featured an address by Fleming, co-founder of the organization, as well as a recital of the high school’s alma mater by the Tiger Rooters, an a cappella group, and a look back at Tigers football by Richard Fountain, the author of an upcoming book about the history of the school’s football team.

“We are here and free to assemble today because of their — and so many others’ — sacrifice.” Fountain said.

He read the list of Tigers who served in World War II and described what the players did after high school, including those who died for their country.

“I think it’s fitting to honor those who gave away all of their tomorrows for our today.”

In addition to the 66 Tigers buried in St. John’s, the cemetery contains the graves of about six of the 30 men who graduated from PHS and died during World War II.

Starting in 1905, the Tigers are the oldest high school football team in the state.

There are 66 football players buried in the cemetery, including Lucius Bell, who scored the first touchdown in state history.

Fountain’s book, “Florida’s Oldest Football Team, a History of Pensacola High Football,” will feature a history of the team, including the recent state championship.

“Pensacola High School has a long tradition of glory, and it’s returning,” said Cliff Early, who attended the ceremony. He was the announcer at the school’s football games during the 2009 season.

Some attendees of the event were so moved by the hour-long ceremony they decided they’d like to help maintain the cemetery.

“Since my whole family’s buried here, there’s no sense in my not doing it,” said Sean Ward, whose son is in the International Baccalaureate program at Pensacola High School.

Originally published by the Pensacola News Journal.

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Day spotlights cemetery’s PHS athletes, veterans

In Local News, News on May 27, 2010 at 10:48 am

Athletes and World War II veterans from Pensacola High School’s “greatest generation” will be honored at St. John’s Historic Cemetery on Saturday.

The observance will take place during the 10th annual Commemoration Day, an event that honors notable PHS alumni buried in the cemetery.

Local historian Richard Fountain will be the guest speaker. He will focus on the history of the high school’s football team, the Tigers.

Fountain, a former PHS football player, is the author of an upcoming book, “Florida’s Oldest Football Team: A History of Pensacola Football,” tracing the history of the team.

The cemetery houses the graves of about six of the 30 men who graduated from Pensacola High and went on to lose their lives in World War II. Many of those men had also played football for the high school.

They joined the many historic Pensacolians buried at St. John’s, including Frank D. Sanders, whom Sanders Beach is named after, and J. Harris Pierpont, whose father composed “Jingle Bells.”

Members of the public have long enjoyed the cemetery as a valuable historic landmark.

“I do a walk-through of these old sites,” said Alan Janssen, 61, from Pensacola. “It really brings a person down to earth versus the business of a day.”

The high school is nearly as historic as the cemetery.

The PHS football program began in 1906, and is the oldest program in the state of Florida. Last year, the team won the state championship in its division. Fountain’s book will detail the history of the team from its inception.

The Commemoration Day ceremony was initiated by the Friends of St. John’s Historic Cemetery, a nonprofit organization that helps to maintain the cemetery.

“Each one of these stones represents a very interesting story,” said Jack Fleming, co-founder of the Friends of St. John’s Historic Cemetery.

Previous Commemoration Day events have honored members of the law enforcement, education and medical professions. The organization also has an annual All Saints Day festival on the cemetery grounds.

In addition to the two events, members of the Friends of St. John’s Historic Cemetery have volunteered their time for various maintenance projects, including planting new vegetation, installing a new well and irrigation system, and helping in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan.

Fleming, who practiced cardiology in Pensacola for 42 years and helped start the coronary care units at the area’s hospitals, co-founded the organization 10 years ago with Ted Nickinson. The group was started with the goal of providing the cemetery with upkeep and care.

The group hopes to preserve the historic location so it can be passed on to future generations who will be tasked with caring for it.

“It will be an ongoing problem for future generations,” Fleming said. “They can either let it fall into disrepair or they can keep it up as a historic jewel of Pensacola.”

Originally published by the Pensacola News Journal.

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