In any event, the Old Home Days celebrations this past weekend made me realize how much I will miss this beautiful old New Hampshire town which is commercializing too fast, and may not be so beautiful and small and strewn with orchards when I return. I browsed the recently uploaded pictures on the Old Home Days site in (mostly vain) hopes of finding pictures of the sparring and other karate demos we put on and although I found little in the way of karate photos, I need, compulsively, to share a few shots with you of everything else – the things that make me wish I weren’t leaving. Those of you who live here will attest to the fact that the town is, indeed, so lovely as it seems:

Click HERE for a link to this Brown bound bloger.

Send us some photos! We would have posted all that have been sent! OHD pup

Snooping around the internet the Answer Pup found this private web log. They are looking for feedback, do it here by touching “comments” do it on their site by touching “talk to me”.

So it is Old Home Day in glorious Londonderry, and the kids and I went to the fireworks tonight. I didn’t want to go, i wanted to sit at home and veg, but I’m glad I did. They were spectacular, and the kids and I had a wonderful time. At one point, Ms. Abbie was laying on the blanket, leaning back against me, and Mr. Zach was sitting next to me resting his head on my shoulder. It was just a perfect moment

Click HERE for this private BLOG

The only thing I hated about Old Home Day this year was that we could not be there. Having attended faithfully for 21 years – for my kids, every year of their lives – that was a bummer. i especially felt badly that I couldn’t march in the parade during my first year as a town councillor – I felt I should be entitled to my share of thrown fruit and eggs!

This year applause for the Town Council and School Board was greater than normal. I am not sure if it was because the parade was four or more deep or if Joe was not there? Old Home Day

But we were just as proud that day, to have been up at Maine Maritime Academy, where our son received his official indoctrination into the Navy ROTC program. He’s the only Marine option candidiate in a group of 20 and will be working toward his degree at University of Maine (yes, that Black Bears hockey school), while looking forward to four blissful years in the Marine Corp after that. He and his mates spent four interesting days with Gunnery Sergeant Merrill, who pushed them beyond their physical limits before they earned their indoctrination pins Saturday.

So we will always remember OLD 2005 for not being there – and the proud reason why we weren’t!

Joe Paradis

The Old Home Day committee will hold its first meeting for planning of the 107th Old Home Day in August 2006 on September 15th at the Londonderry Police Station main meeting room. The meeting starts at 7:00 pm and is lots of fun. We will discuss the 2005 Old Home Day and how we the committee can improve on the event for 2006. General planning for the 2006 Old Home Day will take place at this meeting. Anyone interested in joining the committee, please feel free to attend.

Take Care
Kathy Wagner
OHD Chair

If you can not come, and would like to send us a message HERE.

Click HERE to view the new photos of this years event.
Thanks to Mike Brown for shooting and uploading them.

Click HERE to upload your own photos, be sure to tell us your name when you send them!

The Londonderry School District was delighted to have a booth, and a presence, at the Old Home Day Celebration on Saturday August 20th. For the past two years, the district has taken advantage of this opportunity to make sure that our new radio station, WLLO-LP, was visible and as a result of that success, this year expanded to include coverage by several administrators and School Board members in order to provide additional information to the community .

WLLO Operations Manager, John Robinson, was at the booth throughout the day sending out a signal carried live on a local cable access channel. Robinson was able to talk to a number of Londonderry personalities and, in addition, conducted a special interview with Congressman Jeb Bradley.

HR Director, Suzie Swenson, reported lots of folks stopped by to inquire about substitute teaching and a good number have already followed up with a trip to the district office to fill out the paperwork! In addition, Board Members, Ron Campo and Paul Margolin, Assistant Superintendent Mark Blount and Principals Carol Mack and Rich Zacchilli took turns providing coverage and Superintendent Nate Greenberg was also on hand and able to snag an interview for WLLO with Capt. Bill Hart of the Londonderry Police Department.

All involved agreed the day was enjoyable, and a great way to connect with the community. We’re already thinking about ways to make the booth even better and we’ll definitely be back next year! Our thanks to the Londonderry OHD Committee for all their efforts in making this a special event.

Susan Ballard

The contemporary Christian concert on the common featuring “Youthstorm” was a great way to end the Old Home Day celebration. Many attend and enjoyed the concert. The weather was fabulous and the entire event was a super success. Thank to the Londonderry Clergy for all of their help.

Hi Historical Societyfolks!

Although I wasn’t able to attend the Old Home Day celebration on August 20th at the Morrison House this year due to a prior commitment to my son Karl and his new bride Sun to host a reception here at my home I understand from Kims and Bill Bringhurst that each one of you who participated did an outstanding job. I would like to thank you all very much for helping out this year when I couldn’t. You are an OUTSTANDING GROUP of people and I hope the community of Londonderry appreciated all your efforts.

I have been told that this was out best turn out at the Morrison House ever due to the addition of the 3rd New Hampshire Regiment coming along with I believe the 2nd New Hampshire Regiment ( ?) to make the events at the house that much more special. I understand adding some apples from the trees on our property really made the cannon firing all that more special!

Thanks again to everyone for doing their part when I couldn’t. You are all very special folks and I owe you!

Ginny Dahlfred Chair, Londonderry Historical Society.

Click HERE for the Londonderry Historical Society Web Site.

Winners of the 2006 Old Home Day Baby Contest. The entire contest was a great success with 31 contestants participating.

Best Personality: Hunter Rheume
Best Smile: Dylan James Wilson
Best Dressed: Olivia Colliton
Little Miss Londonderry: Molly Ryan
Little Master Londonderry: Trevor Hatem

Many thanks to our sponsors: Mead Johnson for donating diaper bags to the winners and changing pads and formula to all contestants, Pretty Petals – Little Miss and Little Master sashes, Vanguard for the toothbrushes and info on Pediatric dental care, Catholic Medical Center – bags and bathrobes for Little Miss and Little Master and the Derry News – $100 savings bonds.

Thank our volunteers: Helen Genito for MC’ing the event, the Londonderry Nutfield Moms for their volunteer efforts at the event.

Thanks to our judges: Barbara Mullen, Owner and Director of the Londonderry Dance Company, Briana Burgess, 2006 Miss Londonderry, Amy Slattum, Miss Londonderry Scholarship Program and Jamie Conley, Miss Londonderry Scholarship Program.

All contestants received 2 5 x7 photo’s taken by Ron Provencher that will be mailed to them within one month, changing pad and formula from Mead Johnson, toothbrush and brochure from Vanguard, picture frame and poem from Baby Contest chair

Press is Press

The recent EEE infection of a Londonderry citizen brought the press out to the Old Home Day events to ask what is being done? Looks like the community will keep an eye on the situation an parents will grab the bug spray.

“Friday night, turnout was high for the fireworks show over Londonderry High School. More than 3,000 people attended, the largest ever for the fireworks display.”

Click HERE for the full story. Be sure to buy the Union Leader Sunday (August 22nd) paper, another great artical about Reed Page Clark is in it that is not available online.

The towns thoughts are with the unidentified women with this first case ever in New Hampshire.