BREAKING THE LANGUAGE BARRIER

Norton port director Michel Pariseau of Canaan is one of many U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers helping to process refugees from Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake of January 12. His fluency in French is a huge help as he works with literally planeloads of people arriving in Florida. (Photo courtesy of CBP)

Michel Pariseau, Norton port director for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is about 30 miles away from Orlando, Fla., right now, working to assist the thousands of refugees from the devastating earthquakes that hit Haiti on January 12 and 20. The CBP officers are helping the refugees with their immediate needs as they arrive at the Sanford-Orlando International Airport.

The majority are U.S. citizens who were spending their retirement in Haiti, or Haitian-Americans who live part-time in their native country, Mr. Pariseau said. Others are Haitians who had been previously approved to enter the United States and nearly 500 orphan children of various ages whose adoption process was expedited after the disaster.

These children were lucky in that the orphanages that they came from, although destroyed, still had the necessary papers for them to enter the United States, he said. The Prime Minister of Haiti must sign off in order for these children to be allowed to go," he explained. It was the processing of these children that made Mr. Pariseau's bilingual ability invaluable, as he sorts through birth certificates and adoption decrees printed in French.

He received the call to join Operation Safe Return just over two weeks ago, on Saturday evening, January 16, and left his home in Canaan the very next day. He was chosen for his leadœ�ership role, but his French fluency is also very important in helping the Haitian people.

Although his Quebecois has a different twang than the Creole, he said they are able to communicate and the Haitians appear comforted by the familiar language. "There's a sign of relief on these people's faces on the plane," he said describing the scene at the tarmac. "Even when I speak, you can see that it helps because they ve been through quite an ordeal."

The military C17s carry anywhere from 15 to 200 passengers on board, he explained. Initially there were as many as 12 to 15 flights a day and the scene was very hectic officers tended to become day care providers for the children. Now it has settled into a routine of eight to 10 flights day.

"The majority are coming here," said Mr. Pariseau from his base in Sanford on Monday. "That's what this was set up for.  Working exhausting 12-hour shifts, sometimes longer, Michel and the other CBP officers, Health and Human Services personnel, adoption agency staff and American Red Cross volunteers have had to step outside of their normal duties in order to complete this humanitarian mission. "I'm glad I went, but it's been tough," he said. "We're not doing much but sleeping and working, but we're fine."

The experience has also been eye-opening, he said, as he listens to the people and their stories of survival. One 78-year-old woman assisted her 105-year-old mother on the trip. A 70-year-old woman described throwing herself over her granddaughter as the walls of their home came down. A bookcase fell atop them, saving them both. "It was several hours before they were dug out by other people," Mr. Pariseau said.

Most moving of all was the story of a 29-year-old man who had held his 18-month-old son close to him for days, all the while suffering from a broken back. He carried a photograph of his wife, who was lost in the quake. "He didn't want to let go of the child," Michel said. The man finally eased the boy into Mr. Pariseau's arms as they carried him away on a stretcher.

While he has kept his demeanor up while facing these challenges and stories of loss, at night when he returns to quarters he lets his emotions go. Michel commended his own family for their sacrifice and supportive words.

He expects his stay will last a bit longer, but anticipates being back in Canaan by February 12. On the up side, he said, it is an experience that he will remember throughout his life. Among the arrivals are also medical and search and rescue personnel. "They speak of how hard it is, but how rewarding," he said. "I feel good about what I'm doing now."

As of Monday, he said, 1,172 flights have been processed from Haiti. Of the 21,345 passengers, 15,870 have been American citizens. Military personnel number 518, medical 199, and children who are meeting American family members account for 73. Among the 769 paroled Haitians, he said, 596 were allowed into the U.S. for humanitarian reasons and 34 for medical need. Over 300 orphans have been processed thus far, but more are expected after the loss of life in the earthquake.

(Issue of February 3, 2010)

JUSTICE THE 'CALF'

Justice helped his human friend Hunter Judd by playing the role of a calf in the Pittsburg senior's presentation on Indian Stream Farm for the Tillotson North Country Foundation Scholarship Program. The two listen as off-camera partner Tyler Foote speaks before a panel of judges and a public audience last Tuesday, January 26. Despite Justice's stage fright the presentation was a winner, and the students each received one of four $1,000 scholarships presented to the top two teams. (Karen Ladd photo)

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A Salem woman was killed in a snowmachine accident that occurred in Clarksville late Saturday afternoon.

A N.H. Fish and Game press release states that Joanne Abdinoor, 49, was driving a snowmobile on Trail 128 when she failed to negotiate a corner and struck a rock in a drainage ditch. According to Conservation Officer Adam Cheney, she was traveling 50-60 miles per hour when she went off the trail, and died from blunt trauma to the head.

He said some parts of the trail were icy, but the portion of the trail where the accident occurred was smooth. According to the press release, Ms. Abdinoor and three other riders were making a trip to First Clarksville Store. She was not carrying a passenger.

"One of the members in her riding party returned to the camp they had left and called 911 at approximately 5:31 p.m.," the release states. Pittsburg Fire and Rescue, the 45th Parallel EMS, and Officers Cheney, Chris Egan and Glen Lucas responded to the scene.

Rescuers performed CPR on Ms. Abdinoor when they arrived, and continued attempting to revive her until arriving at Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, where she was pronounced dead by Assistant Deputy Medical Examiner Faye Memolo. Officer Lucas said inexperience and speed were factors in the crash, which is still under investigation.

"Speed and inexperience continue to be major contributing factors in snowmobile crashes in New Hampshire," the press release states, "and conservation officers wish to emphasize to the snowmobile community to ride within their limits of speed and control."

(Issue of February 3, 2010)

YEAR OF THE PRIESTHOOD

Members of the North American Martyrs Parish showed their appreciation to Rev. Robert Levesque and Rev. Craig Cheney with a special mass and dinner on Friday at St. Brendan's Catholic Church in Colebrook, part of Pope Benedict XVI's declared Year of the Priesthood  from June 2009 to June 2010. Tyler Gray and Elise Temkkit were the evening's altar servers. (Lucie Fillion Daley photo)

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The second race in the third annual Great North Woods Vintage Snowmobile Series is set for this Saturday, February 6 in Colebrook. Hosted by the Colebrook Ski-Bees, the event will take place behind Northern Tire beginning at 10 a.m.

The three-race series, featuring 1973-and-older stock machines, is sponsored by LaPerle's IGA. The first event took place in Pittsburg on January 9, and the final race is on February 20 in Errol. Non-points races will be held at the New Hampshire SnoDeo at Coleman State Park on March 6, and at the Spring Mountain Madness Rally at The Balsams Ski Area on March 27.

Also new to the series this year is a stock 120 class for the mini-machines and for those who are "young at heart." Admission to the races costs $5 per person and riders are encouraged to preregister for a reduced rate. Complete information, including race rules, can be found on-line at www.greatnorthwoodssnowmobile.com.

Tickets are being sold for a chance to win a qualifying Polaris snowmachine purchased earlier this year by the Vintage Race Committee. Proceeds will benefit the Pittsburg Ridge Runners, Colebrook Ski-Bees and Umbagog Snowmobile Association of Errol to help defray grooming and trail maintenance expenses.

Souvenir T-shirts are available now at LaPerle's IGA or may be purchased at the races, and food concessions will be provided on race day by the Colebrook Kiwanis Club. Questions about the event may be directed to chairman Arthur Beauchemin at 237-4377.

(Issue of February 3, 2010)

POTENTIAL LIFE-SAVERS

Having had to use the training himself, Roland Cotnoir of Colebrook is getting everyone he can to take the Heartsaver first aid course at Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, either for the first time or as a refresher. He has set a goal for himself to enroll 100 people in 2010, and his first batch participated in training last Thursday night, January 28. From left to right are Sarah Cummings, Vito Rella, Connie Angevine, Joan and Donald Dickson and Richard Sytek, with John AngevineÝstanding in the back. Anyone interested in taking this evening course at $20 per person may contact Roland at 237-4994. (Photo courtesy of Roland Cotnoir)

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The Swift Diamond Riders anticipate the return of the National Guard and 11 exhibitors to the 17th annual New Hampshire SnoDeo at Coleman State Park in Stewartstown on March 5 and 6. Four new exhibitors are joining the two-day event, which is receiving national acclaim in the March issue of SnowGoer.

"We are honored to continue the assistance in the recruiting and retention efforts of the National Guard," said club president Kevin Drew. "Almost everyone in northern New England knows someone serving our country, so we're very proud that they chose to join us again. They also added a really fun element to SnoDeo"

The National Guard is the oldest component of the U.S. Armed Forces and one of the nation's longest-enduring institutions. The National Guard operates in all 50 states, three territories Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia, and is on-line at www.nationalguard.com

Returning exhibitors to the New Hampshire SnoDeo are Absolute Powersports, Camoplast, Chappell Tractors, First Colebrook Bank, Impact Global Industries, Mission Trailers, Profile Powersports, Sled Girls, Steele Hill Resort, Troy Arctic Cat and the N.H. Fish & Game Department.

Snowmobile manufacturers Arctic Cat, Polaris, Ski-Doo and Yamaha will also return, offering free test rides. Activities also include ATV Track tests, kids' snowmobile rides, food vendors and the opportunity to shop for the end-of-season bargains on snowmobiles, clothing and accessories.

Four new exhibitors will join this year s New Hampshire Sno-Deo for the first time: Al's Snowmobile, Allstate Insurance, the N.H. Department of Resources & Economic Development, and Jefferson Inn.

SnowGoer is the world's premiere snowmobile magazine, and has listed the SnoDeo among its Top 10 Must-Experience Snowmobile Events. SnowGoer described the SnoDeo as known for being the first place in the Northeast where snowmobilers can go try next year's models from all four manufacturers."

SnowGoer is the oldest national snowmobiling publication, dating back to December of 1966 and boasting a paid circulation of 66,422. "It's a testament to all the work that everyone involved with SnoDeo has done over the years," Mr. Drew said of the designation. "We know there are a lot of great snowmobile events in the United States, so we're thrilled to be recognized."

Based at Diamond Pond in Stewartstown, the Swift Diamond Riders Club has over 1,000 members. Proceeds from the SnoDeo benefit the club's trail maintenance and other activities that promote snowmobiling in New Hampshire's North Country. The club is on-line at www.swiftdiamondriders.com, and the Sno-Deo is at www.nhsnodeo.com.

(Issue of February 3, 2010)