Times Log

Thursday: I was immediately drawn to the article that dubbed swine flu an official pandemic. I'm absolutely flabbergasted that over the course of four days, something that I hadn't even heard of has become a very real threat to the U.S. and the whole world. After the first person, a young boy, died of the new illness on U.S. soil yesterday, the warnings and cautions seem to have drastically increased. With the director of the World Health Organization telling all countries to "activate their pandemic preparedness plans," I'm wondering what the United States' plans are. The article went on to mention the future possibility of closing schools if more cases developed. While I would love to wrap up the school year a little sooner, I can't help but think that closing UNH would cause more headaches than joy. For instance, I have no idea how I would complete all the tests and assignments I still have to do if school was suddenly closed due to the swine flu.

Times Log

Wednesday: I really enjoyed the article about colleges doing away with trays in the dining halls. Although New Hampshire was specifically not mentioned, I felt pretty proud that I go to a university where this habit has been adopted for a while now. The article mentioned "trayless Tuesdays," which as any UNH student knows, occurs every Tuesday in the Holloway Commons Dining Hall. I knew that the trayless method cut down on food waste, however, I was unaware that it saved water as well. Of the schools mentioned in the article, it was interesting to read about their individual motives for going trayless. For instance, at Skidmore College and Williams College went trayless for the environmental benefits like wasting less food and water, however, Cornell University's strategy was to move away from the institutional look and feel of the trays and conveyor belt. Therefore, whether it's for aesthetic reasons or environmental reasons, nearly everyone benefits from the fast growing trend of going trayless.

Times Log

Tuesday: I found the article about race relations in the US very interesting. According to the article, "two thirds of Americans say that race relations are generally good, and the percentatge of blacks who say so has doubled since last July." The artcile attributes these new statistics to Barack Obama's time spent in office. First of all, I would really love to know how one can judge a nation on a scale of "generally good" versus "generally bad," especially dealing with such an all encompassing issue like race relations. I was specifically drawn to this article in particular becaus I'm currently in ENG 746 and this course has taught me to challenge the way society views and deals with race. While this article isn't a blatant example of white ignorance, it just got me thinking about how a nation as a whole can conclude that race relations are "generally good." Does this mean incidents of prejudice and racism only happen some of the time rather than most of the time?

Times Log

Monday: I felt really uninformed when I learned about the potential pandemic of the swine flu that is currently taking the world by storm. I guess that's what happens when you don't pick up a news paper over a weekend. In our group discussions today I found that I, like most people, was interested in the basics of the swine flu. For instance, how do you get it? what are the symptoms? where are the cases? what are my odds of getting it and surviving? what's the treatment? I found all of these questions could be answered by a simple Q and A. I think the Times did a good job of answering most of these questions and providing enough information as to not provoke a panic.

Recent death of young boy proves fears of shark attack

Alex Ferguson, 10, of Mayfair Court in Amity was killed today in what appeared to be a shark attack at Village Beach.

Ferguson was floating on a rubber raft amidst splashing friends when the attack occurred. His body has not been recovered but his raft floated ashore with what looked like a bite mark taken out of it.

Alex entered the water with about ten other children that continued to splash, scream, and horseplay in the water. The group was in the water for no more than five minutes before Alex's raft upturned and blood appeared near the kids.

Marian Ferguson, Alex's mother, was present at the beach when the attack occurred. After her son did not exit the water, she was taken to Amity Hospital to be treated for shock.

Witnesses at the beach all saw the incident and hustled kids out of the water. Among the onlookers was Chief of Police Martin Brody.

Brody, who discovered the mangled body of Wendy Watson this morning, believes that her attack can be linked to the possible shark activity. However, the investigation for Watson's death is still under investigation.

A press conference will be held by the mayor, Chief Brody, and the Amity Board of Selectmen at 5 p.m. today in Town Hall in which a request to close the beaches will be discussed along with an offer to hunt down and kill the shark alleged for the recent attacks.

Pending Investigation of local teen's mysterious death

The recent death of Wendy W. Watson is under investigation by the Amity Police Department after her mangled body washed up on the shore of South Beach on July 1.

Watson, a 16 year-old sophomore at Amity High School was last seen alive at 11 pm, leaving a beach party with an unidentified male. After she decided to go skinny dipping and didn't return, her companion notified police. Both teens had been drinking at the party.

Police shortly found Watson's severely mauled body on the beach. While a shark attack is a possibility, at this point in time the cause of her death is unknown. Watson's body has been transported to the Coroner's office for an autopsy.

Until further information is known, the beaches will remain open.

This blog will be updated as more information becomes available.

Times Log

Friday: I have no idea why, but I 'm still shocked to read about all of the suicide bombings, terrorist attacks, and other chaos in the middle east. Every day there is a new story about the lack of progress going on overseas. I feel like it's gotten to the point that people just glance over such stories because they're so commonplace. For example, in today's Times there was an article about not one, not two, but three suicide bombings in Iraq that claimed the lives of 80 individuals. These series of attacks are specifically notable because they boast the highest level of kills in one day since February 2008. With such violence still going on, I wonder if it will ever stop or even get better. I, like most of the world, look forward to the day that such stories no longer appear in the paper, not because of ignorance, but because of occurrence.

Times Log

Thursday: One of the articles on the front page of the times directly relates to the localized national story I wrote this week. The article is about the significantly lower amount of Americans that bought real estate this year. This decrease is no doubt a reflection of the recession and the negative effects it has had on the real estate market. The amount of citizens that changed residences in the past year are the lowest since 1962. Indeed, my article is about the discount Vail Resorts has recently offered to attract buyers. However, given the current state of the economy and the outlook, I don't think anyone is going to be shelling out big bucks for housing- no matter how irresistible the location and amenities might be.

Times Log

Wednesday: I found the article about the CIA's approval of the interrogation technique waterboarding very disturbing. I found it absolutely shocking that of all the people that were involved in this decision, none thought to research the origins of the brutal torture. For example, neither the aids to President Bush nor the leaders of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees and not even the top two CIA agents pushing for the program did a background check on what they were approving. Had they done so, these individuals would have found that this technique was prosecuted by the United States in war crimes trials after WWII and was used by "despotic governments since the Spanish Inquisition." Naturally, when the heat turned to the government, the Bush administration relied on finger pointing as a means to an end.

Times Log

Tuesday: I was shocked to read the article about a sophomore at Boston University's med school killing a woman and threatening another in Boston. Both these attacks occurred at hotels (the Marriott and the Westin) Copley Place. Instead of the scary and bizarre story, it was the location that really drew my attention to the story. First of all, I've been to Boston twice and on neither occasion did the city strike me as particularly dangerous, especially this populated corporate and tourist inhabited part. Also, I connected with the Westin at Copley Place on a more personal lever because this was where my parents met. I was also very dismayed to read the article about uninsured hospital patients. Given the current economic crisis, I would hate to be in jeopardy of bankruptcy as these families are due to illness and lack of insurance.

Times Log

Monday: I really enjoyed the cover story about Hungary's version of Seabiscuit. First of all, I had no idea that horse racing was even still going on, let alone an extremely popular sport in foreign countries. Also, I couldn't believe that such a Cinderella story was happening. In light of economic and political crises, Hungary has nearly hit rock bottom. Yet, the unexpected success of an underrated horse and unknown jockey has dramatically lifted people's spirits. The article alludes to the America's Great Depression when people latched all of their hope on the horse Seabiscuit. Like Seabiscuit, nobody expected anything from Overdose. Sold for a mere $3,500, the owner bought the horse on a whim simply because it was an outrageous price for a thoroughbred. Although Overdose's success is not yet as great as Seabiscuit's, he is only 4 years old and holds much potential.

Times Log

Thursday: The article about Afghan women protesting a law permitting marital rape definitely caught my attention. First of all, I was disgusted to learn that such a law even exists. However, once I got over this initial shock, I was interested to see the vast number of women protesting it. In such a dangerous country that is ruled by men, I admire their courage to stand up and demand their rights. After all, at the protest march a group of men attacked the women's bus, smashing out the tail lights and calling the women "whores." Articles like this make me appreciate the democracy and freedom that all of us take for granted everyday in the United States.

Wednesday: I found the article about 18 year old, Tiffany Clay, extremely disturbing. Clay is a senior at Newark High school in Ohio and the best violinist in the orchestra. While her band teacher claims she should be moving on to study music at a top college and should get a scholarship, the odds are stacked against her because of her financial situation. While the article briefly profiles Clay, it also takes a look at the decreasing graduation rate and employment rate in her town, along with the growing number of poverty stricken. The article made a very valid point about how people used to be able to get decent jobs enabling them to "pay the mortgage, get a new car, and take holiday trips- all without a high school diploma" (Barry 1)". However, those jobs are now gone, leaving handfuls of high school drop-outs jobless.

Looking at Clay's situation and the employment crisis in her town makes me very thankful for the education I'm able to recieve and the opportunities that are available to me both now and in the future.

Times Log

Tuesday: I found the article about Disney's "kid whisperer," Ms. Pena, very interesting. It explained that in recent years, the market for boys ages 6-14 has massively declined. In an effort to reassert its claim over youthful boys, the fieldwork of Pena and her team of researchers has produced successful results with their television channel, Disney XD. While this success is notable, Disney hopes to create a television show that rivals the success of the Hannah Montana and High School Musical phenomenons and gear it toward boys. Since boys from the ages of 6-14 make up $50 billion in spending worldwide, if Disney manages to capitalize on such a project, their competition, companies such as Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network will in turn have to raise the bar.

Times Log

Monday: I really enjoyed the article about toilet numbers of men vs. women. "Potty parity" as it is referred to has long been a problem that affects women more than men. This inconvenience is measured by the time an individual spends waiting for the restroom, not the number of toilets available. Since studies have shown that women spend at least twice as much time in the bathroom than men, new architectural projects, such as the new Yankees Stadium, are being built with more available toilets to reduce the potty parity that affects women. I was also interested in the article about multiracial students voicing their struggles through acting. In my ENG 746 class, I just read a story by a man that believes the dramas by minorities will be the plays that save Broadway because they offer perspectives that Broadways hasn't been known to display in the past.

Times Log

Tuesday: I found the article about abandoned horses and slaughter houses extremely interesting. While I knew that the current state of the economy affected everyone in the United States, I was somewhat surprised to learn that ranchers and farmers were abandoning their horses. Given the increase in abandoned horses, the debate to reopen slaughterhouses fired back up. Since the last slaughterhouse was closed just last year, this issue remains relatively controversial. I wonder what the alternative to slaughterhouses would be for these mistreated horses. For instance, aren't there farms or ranches in need of more horses? Coming from Colorado where ranching still exists, I wonder how local ranchers are dealing with this issue and their takes on the debate of slaughterhouses.

Times Log

Monday: The moment I saw the article about the Columbine shooting in the Arts section of the Times I flipped right to it. The article, written by Janet Maslin, was actually a review of Dave Cullen's recent book entitled Columbine on the tragic school shooting that occurred ten years ago on April 20. While Cullen, who considers himself the foremost authority on the two killers, Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, has written other books documenting their massacre, his new release more closely dissects the minds of the troubled boys and examines what we as a society can learn about such devastating events. While still in high school, I did a project on Columbine and became extremely interested in the topic. I fully intend to read Cullen's book so I can draw my own conclusions from it.

Biddeford Airport's Fate yet to be Decided

The long standing debate between the Bidderford City Airport in Biddeford, Maine and the community might finally come to a head as a referendum to close the airport will appear on the ballot for June 4.

While the airport authorities and pilots argue that the airport serves as a convenient location for individuals to fly in and out of, the community argues that money has become the main issue.

"The money is the biggest thing," says Roland Pelletier, a citizen that has lived next to the airport for 25 years. "Times are tough in economy. We can't afford to support operations that don't support themselves."

Indeed, closing the small airport would result in around a 3 million dollar kickback.

Yet, the airport does manage to take in about 56,000 dollars annually on such things as gas sales, property taxes, and land grants and serves as a convenient plane base for business people and corporations to fly in and out of.

Phyllis Landry, a private pilot who keeps her single engine Cessna Sky Pilot 180 at the airport insists that its service remains beneficial.

"Maybe it's expensive to run the airport. But it's a great resource. I love this airport. If I couldn't fly out of here I'd have to go to Sanford or Portland."

While a brief blog featuring citizen responses has drawn further debate on the issue, the community will have to wait until June to hear the final verdict.

"The City Council hasn't come down on one side of the issue or the other," said John Bubier, the Biddeford city manager. "I think they'd prefer to have the voters settle this one."

New lead for Laconia Prison closing

Although the potential closing of the Lakes Region Prison in Laconia, NH will lead to a 1.7 million dollar decrease in the Department of Correction's budget, various layoffs and the unknown fates of several inmates remain unsolved problems.

Times Log

Thursday: I found the article about the detering use of voicemail very interesting. While my friends and I stopped leaving voice mails for each other a long time ago, it was interesting to learn that business workers and professional adults are veering away on the same path. As the article talks about, better ways of keeping in touch have simply replaced leaving a voicemail. For example, a voicemail requites a call back, which could haphazardly lead to a lengthy conversation that most individuals might not have time for. It is much easier, not to mention faster, to reply back to someone via text message, email, or even Facebook message. While my mom has already converted to texting, I pray she never gets a Facebook account.

Times Log

Wednesday: I was particularly interested in the article concerning the closing of Guantanamo Bay prison facility. In order to close the facility, other countries must accept some 241 prisoners from the jail. These plans have recently been postponed due to the controversial issue of figuring out if some of the detainees are in fact innocent. After all, many of those unfortunate souls that find themselves in Guantanamo are only there under suspicion with no proof to help their case whatsoever. While I understand that several individuals can pose as threats to society, I simply can't believe that the government can take a man off the streets and throw him in a prison on the grounds that they "think" he "might" have done something wrong or was "planning" on doing so. The whole process just bewilders me.

Battle Mountain volleyball coach moves on to fry bigger fish

As Brian Doyon, the head coach of the Battle Mountain High School varsity women’s volleyball team takes his leave for the big league of collegiate volleyball, his impact on the program and the players will be remembered.

When Doyon first arrived at Battle Mountain the volleyball program didn’t have much to show for itself other than a slew of unsuccessful seasons resulting in standings at the bottom of the league. The team went winingless for the first two years in the league.

In six years, Doyon completely transformed the program, eventually capturing the state championship. During the 2006 season, the team boasted an amazing 30-1 record, leading to a complete sweep of the state competition. The Huskies didn’t lose a single game on their quest for Battle Mountain volleyball’s first and only state title.

While he agrees that this was one of his most impressive accomplishments, Doyon remains modest and thoughtful.

“I won’t remember the stats, but I’ll remember the kids and how hard they worked. It’s great to see [them] succeed, but it’s more important to see what [they’ve] become. The lasting memory is the kids.” He said.

Indeed, throughout his six seasons, Doyon has influenced countless players’ lives both on and off the court.

“Brian taught me to be responsible which led me to learn how to be a leader and captain for my team,” said former player and All-American Brittany Brown. Brown now plays for the Northeastern Huskies.

Looking back at his last six years, Doyon said there wasn’t anything he would have done differently.

“I wish we had won states every year,” he joked. “But I really don’t have any regrets for the program or the kids that came out of there.”

While he was offered a collegiate coaching position at the end of his 2007 season, Doyon turned it down and returned to the Huskies. Once again, Doyon found himself in the Denver Coliseum for states as his team took fifth.

Yet it wasn’t until after his 2008 season that Doyon received the offer he was waiting for. When Beth Launiere, the head coach of women’s volleyball at the University of Utah, called Doyon he was all but surprised.

I’ve known Beth for a while and she had mentioned last year that there might be a potential opening, said Doyon of his new opportunity. Doyon will serve Launiere as her right hand man and second assistant.
Rich Houghton, Director of Athletics at Battle Mountain, agrees that it Doyon is making the right decision.

“We wish him the best. It’s a good professional move, stepping into a college program,” said Houghton.

Doyon was especially excited to join such a successful program. Utah went 16-6 last year and finished their season in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA championships.

Doyon certainly isn’t looking back as he plans to continue climbing the ladder of success. He eventually wants to become a head college coach himself.
When asked if he had a dream school he’d like to work at, Doyon insisted that it wasn’t so much the school as much as the program. He aspires to work in a program that is supported by the school and students as well as the community.

As he is moves on to bigger and better things, the news of Battle Mountain’s gym no longer being Brian Doyon’s domain was bittersweet for his current players.

“I was shocked but I was proud of him for chasing his dreams and moving on,” said junior Hannah Ellison. Doyon had been Ellison’s coach since her freshman year.

“We’re all going to miss him. It’s going to be really strange not having him around.” She said.