A New Kind of Senioritis

by Dorothy England

Tuesday, November 11th, nine Seniors from Hopkinton High School met together with 5 Senior Citizens to have an introductory breakfast, concerning this year's Senior to Senior Project. Nini Allen, the founder of this organization, started this project 15 years ago in order to create interaction between Senior Citizens and Senior students. What started as a one-woman job evolved into a volunteer opportunity for students to partake in. The basic task of this project is for two Senior students to be paired up with a Senior Citizen and for these two students to alternate calling the Senior Citizen throughout the year. Allen admitted that some years were better than others but she has faith in this year and the students helping out.
"This project is beneficial because it gives the elderly a chance to have something to, someone to look forward to", says Emma Brown, a Senior participating in this project. Jessie Pennell, another volunteer, also mentions that it "combines different spirits and different generations".
The initial meeting went very well; laughter was heard across the cafeteria where it was held and many traits, including pets, family and interests were learned about each person involved. The goal of this project is to contribute to the community and form friendships between all ages.

A Visit from the Dead

by Dorothy England

Saturday and Sunday, October 23 and 24 at 2 pm at the Hopkinton Cemetery the NH Antiquarian Society is presenting a walk through the cemetery. The cost is $5 for members and $7 for non-members which will benefit the the Hopkinton Historical Society. Viewers are encouraged to bring comfortable shoes and chairs if they would like to sit. Refreshments will be after the event at the Hopkinton Historical Society only minutes away from the Cemetery. There are 13 thespians re-enacting the work of Jeff Daizell who with the help of Roxanne Benzel, Natalie Duval, Carol Hooper, and Nacey Leavy researched the lives of 12 people who used to live in Hopkinton. The performance itself is very informational and insightful to Hopkinton's roots. The performance is directed by State Representative Christine Hamm who directed 'Our Town' a few years ago at the Hopkinton Cemetery.

Contoocook Carry

by Dan Lux

The 7^th Annual Contoocook Carry was held on Sunday, September 27, 2009. This is always a chance for anyone to get out and have some fun while supporting a great cause. This year one hundred percent of the proceeds will go to fuel assistance.

This year's volunteers consisted of The Rotary Club, Hopkinton Policemen, Hopkinton Volunteer Fire/Rescue Squad, Interact Club, the Girl Scouts, The Lions Club, local churches, and also individual volunteers.

The CC has three parts; a two-mile run, a kayak paddle plus a portage, and a fourteen-mile bike ride. The run started at the Hopkinton High School and ended out past Herrick Mill Works. The kayak is on the Contoocook River. About one sixth of the way down the river, the paddlers had to land their boats and carry them 200 feet across the dam, putting them back into the water on the other side of the dam. The fourteen-mile bike ride went through the beautiful backcountry of Hopkinton, and ended at the Hopkinton High School.