i i:
BIG EYES--Meghan Ackerman of Groton con-
templates an answer for Santa's question, during a
recent visit from the North Pole.
Local Santa among the "best
NEWBURY-- The small child
sat quietly on his knee. She
remained speechless, only
nodding her head up and
down. She turned away from
his huge, smiling face and
eyed her mother. Her mother
smiled gently, assuring the
child that the man upon whose
knee she was perched, was a
kindly old gent, who laughed
until his stomach shook like a
bowl full of jelly.
"Santa ,Claus" she finally
muttered, "I want a
Strawberry Daiquiri and a
postcard from the North
Pole." And that was what the
little girl asked Santa Claus
for that evening.
A strange request? Not
really for our pal Santa Claus,
who, in these parts, has
99
handled more difficult
requests than that. Our Santa
Claus, the one we foll-
owed around last week and
will follow this week is about
as real as can he. And he has
had lots of experience !
For the sake of withholding
some classified information
about the travels and specific
locations of Our Santa Claus,
let us just say that he a
popular guy in the area. Lest a
young believer gets hold of
this article and finds out
something we would rather
they didn't, Our Santa Claus
could possibly be only a
Santa's Helper.
Keep a secret
He is a real Santa Claus. He
is a compassionate Santa
Claus, an understanding Santa
Claus and we believe in him.
Gerry E. Brooks, known to
most as GB, is a quick-change
artist who will don the red
suit, flowing white beard,
climb aboard his sleigh at
least a dozen times before he
sets out in earnest dropping
off toys to all the good little
boys and girls next weekend.
Our Jolly Old Saint Nick
began his Santa career 15
years ago, when he volun-
teered for a Santa part up in
Lyndonville. He played the
part so well and received so
many good comments, that
GB decided to stay with it.
"A very seasonal thing,"
GB tells us about his Santa
routine. "About as seasonal as
my pal, the tinsel salesman."
But seasonal or not, Gerry
Elwyn Brooks is, by far, the
best looking Santa around..'
He is meticulous about his
make-up. Rosy cheeks are in
order and none of that thick
head of brown hair is allowed
to be seen, so he takes extra
time tucking here and there to
hide everything. When a
photographer went to shoot a
recent session at Toy World in
Woodsville, he thought maybe
Santa was someone else. He
was astounded to see the
transformation Brooks had
made. He had even disguised
his voice.
GB was a well-known radio
voice and with the Santa role,
he has had to be careful not to
blow his cover, ttis voice
under the Santa wrap is very
much different than his non-
Christmas voice. He is yet to
be discovered.
Playing Santa Claus in the
local schools and at selected
businesses in the area is a real
love of Gerry Brooks. He
enjoys talking with the
children and adults. He is
called upon to come out of his
North Pole trappings there in
Newbury and visit with senior
citizens, preschoolers and
others in a wide range of
locations.
He arrives by private ear,
by fire truck and even a dog
sled. He has a following of
many parents, who like the
consistency of having their
child visit with a Santa who is
so much like the real one, it
fakes out the best of them.
(please turn to page 10)
USP
59349
Number 51
OUTLOOK--Dana O'Donnell of Bradford, who will be leaving soon fol:
Medical Center to receive a heart transplant.
raffle off f6,r good
firleewoman $50 each to the public. The private property.
to call off her lucky winner would get her State officials proclaimed
saying response house, that her raffle was illegal and
was short Since that day in August, cited her for court ap-
to save the she has had resistance from pearance. She has refused to
ure. various officials and recently say exactly how many tickets
has had her plead not guilty in the Orange were purchased, but said she
since she an- County District Court in intended to offer 1,000 tickets
last summer Chelsea that she advertised at$5Oeach.
Lg tickets at plans to hold a raffle on her She indicated that money
collected by her in the sale of
the raffle tickets will be paid
back by check soon.
Serving 0vet 48 Communities in Northern New Hampshire and Vermont
" Heart transplant necessar00
December 20, 198Z
State orders Wright
to make property safe
been in favor of a heart
ansplant for Dana, since it
was learned that his prognis
was not good. And with his
decreasing prospect of ac-
small apartment ina home on do now, because the cold where he will soon receive a earn money for him and his
Saddleback road. He cannot winter air makes it difficult heart transplant. He has been wife, hut through a series of
safely go outside, nor can he for this young man to breath ill for more than four years hospitalizations, he has
expend energy to climb stairs and he knows it is imperative with a serious heart problem, steadily grown worse and has
to his second story residence, that he not catch cold. something which has finally reached the decision to
So, he watches a good deal Dana O'Donnell is eagerly prevented him from leading a travel west for the transplant.
of television, spends hour and anticipating his trip across the normal or active life. His doctor at the Cottage
ttospital in Woodsville has
agreed.
Other problems
But there are many
problems with this medical
procedure. With the
development of a new drug
recently, transplants are now
becoming p(pular with
several medical centers and
top medical people in the
country are gearing up to
perform them once again. And
what about the money?
BRADFORD-- Dana hours taping music. And he country to Stamford He has worked, off and on, tivity, he finally faced the
O'Donnell is confined to a cooks. That isaboutallhecan University Medical Center, attempting to stay busy and issue of a transplant and
prior to West Coast Trip
Stamford will assist the young
BradfOrd patient with the
transplant, but that generous
plan still leaves about $40,000
needed for pre-transplant
care.
That is where the loc.al
people entered Dana
O*DonnelFs problem and a
huge fund-raising effort is
under way in the area,
that was only last
by his doctor, Laurel LyonS,
Through her untiring el-
(please turn to page 14.
WOODSVILLE-- State Fire directly involved with getting be taken within thirty days of
Investigator Darwin C. Lewis
this week issued an order of
compliance to Ralph Wright of
3 Perkins Place demanding
the property be brought up to
safety standards so they do
not threaten property, lives
and safety of the public.
Lewis had the cease and
desist order from the
Department of Safety issued
in hand by the Grafton County
Sheriff's Office. Service was
made early on Tuesday
morning, Dec. 14. The order
stipulates that Wright will
have 30 days to correct 11
deficiencies noted in the order
by Lewis. If Wright does not
effect the changes by that
time limit, Lewis said he will
be forced to take further legal
steps.
The problem at the Wright
property goes hack three
years, when in 1978, Wright
was hauled into court by the
town for maintaining a fire
and safety hazard on the same
premises, tie lost his case and
was fined and ordered to clean
up the property.
In early November, Fire
Chief Bruce Robbins, the
Woodsville Commissioners
and several residents of the
Perkins Place locale went
before selectmen to complain
that Wright was again
maintaining an unattractive
and dangerous nuisance. They
told selectmen they were
worried about fire in the area
because a large amount of
flammable materials and
liquids had since found their
way onto the property.
the premises cleaned up and
put into a safe condition. They
said they wanted to see bow
successful Rohbins would be
with his quest to get the
property up to standards.
Robbins went directly to the
Fire Marshall's office and a
short time later with police at
hand, entered the dilapidated
property armed with a search
warrant. They toured the
property for over one hour,
documenting their findings
with a set of 60 photographs.
Lewis subsequently this week
released his findings of the
inspection.
Lewis said he found the
building to be especially liable
to fire and in that the house is
situated near other properties,
excess amounts of hazardous
materials presents a
dangerous situation to the
lives, property and safety of
the public. He said a "very
dangerous fire hazard con-
dillon" exists.
lewis ordered Wright to
take appropriate measures to
protect the lives and property
of the public and that his
corrective measures shall be
to the satisfaction of the
Department of Safety in
Concord: lewis said if Wright
is aggravated with his order of
compliance, he may, within 14
days, file a petition with the
Superior Court for a review.
The order follows:
Due to the fact that Mr.
Wright has large quantities of
combustible and flammable
material stored both outside
and inside the building at 3
See Pa00e 7
After hearing the cam- Perkins Street in Woodsville,
's -----'--ion_- plaints, selectmen handed the New Hampshire, the following
ball to Robbins, rather than be are appropriate measures to
Flowers for all oeca
A .- ___Fresh' silk and dried "1€ I: Funding approved for radar
/-nIlque jzotlC, v HAVERHILL-- In an effort to Savage as "a tremendous will be putting a speed
VeeMONT n.-4se mv,rs lekla combat what is termed by speeding problem." the detection radar unit into HOLIDAY STARS--Holiday lights sparkle in the darkness at a well lighted home on Route 10 in N.
Police Chief Stephen C. Haverhill Police Department service. Haverhill._
, CANDLES 1 The radar application for
federal fundingwasapproved PRESENTS 1 r BLUE CHIP STOCKS
Pillars -- ColorfuI Tapers and accessories f°r I MEADOW VIEW AUTOFreeBODY
by selectmen and the New
eorating, • , I From a dent too complete collision, insurance Hampshire Highway Safety upS--! /PRIME TIME NETWORK]
1
GLINT
SWIFT
Happy Hour Gift Sho00J ' estimates. Low labor rate. ,all work guaranteed. Call Agency last month. IV LISTINGS i [
John. 802.333-95. A grant for half of the $2056. NH WAT$ (800) 42.7t
tOtS N'ii't''0" WELLS RIVER' 'I L CrossRoad&Rt.l13,WestFairlee, Vt. unit was provided by New SEE PAGE FIVE ] / ,.,s,=),,,,
Hampshire Highway Safety. _ .t
- The remaining money was .... ' ..... -
Oak Ledge Farm
"Where
Dog Grooming
._Is An Arl"
' 1 DAYS A WEEK BY APPOINTMENT.
RE. 10 & 25, Piermont, N.H. Tel. (603) 272-5826
l rl::i ....
raised through several private M: Landscapinq00"00
donations, police raffles, and
the annual police-fire auction, j RIVER ROAD
Savage told the Journal i PIERMONT N H 03779 '-_:
Opinion that the police I av'a'-:'N°w hnokg landeeape praje_ets f'"" ,d
' department raises money for j Spring 83 through November ,
a needed piece of equipment . [ NO sales tax at nursery 603-272-$864
"i (please turn to page 15
Visit Our Model
OPEN e,30-s,0o .t- ks. sin. ;0.S0
,. CO U U+Elh[il' '
tOx 126 Groton, Vermont 05046 Telephone 802-584-333
this order. Failure to do so will
force this office to take further
legal steps.
I. Remove all combustible
and flammable material of
any kind that is presently
stored outside of said building
on the premises, including
material on the porches,
(Furniture, wooden boxes,
cardboard, clothing,' flam-
mable liquids, etc.)
2. if said building is to con-
tinue in use in its present
capacity, as a store house,
then said building shall be in
accordance with the 1976 No.
101 Life Safety Code, on
(please turn to page 15
Cohase Lions give
$10,000 .for heart
WOODSVILLE The Cohase funds was put in motion by
Lions Club of Woodsville- O'Donnell's doctor, Laurel
Wells Rivei" has approved a Lyons who told the Journal
$10,000 cash donation to assist Opinion this week that
a Bradford man in gaining a Stamford will assist with
heart transplant, paying for the transplant, but
The monies will be used as the Medicare system will not
part of a required sum of pay for any pre4ransplant
$40,000 needed to send Dana medical care including car-
O'Donnell of Saddleback road disc catheterization and
in Bradford to Stamford everything else necessary
University Medical Center for prior to the operation.
the heart transplant. Lyons said a minimum of
The recent effort to raise the $40,000 line of credit is needed
for the go ahead to be given for
the operation. "We are trying
to raise enough money to meet
that amount," Lyons said.
"We have approached the
Lions and after a special
meeting last week, they voted
to give $10,000. And the Rotary
has been contacted for help,
too," Lyons added.
She offered that her fund-
raising race has managed to
include several people who
(please turn to page 15
,%
Bradford man lives quiet life
i i:
BIG EYES--Meghan Ackerman of Groton con-
templates an answer for Santa's question, during a
recent visit from the North Pole.
Local Santa among the "best
NEWBURY-- The small child
sat quietly on his knee. She
remained speechless, only
nodding her head up and
down. She turned away from
his huge, smiling face and
eyed her mother. Her mother
smiled gently, assuring the
child that the man upon whose
knee she was perched, was a
kindly old gent, who laughed
until his stomach shook like a
bowl full of jelly.
"Santa ,Claus" she finally
muttered, "I want a
Strawberry Daiquiri and a
postcard from the North
Pole." And that was what the
little girl asked Santa Claus
for that evening.
A strange request? Not
really for our pal Santa Claus,
who, in these parts, has
99
handled more difficult
requests than that. Our Santa
Claus, the one we foll-
owed around last week and
will follow this week is about
as real as can he. And he has
had lots of experience !
For the sake of withholding
some classified information
about the travels and specific
locations of Our Santa Claus,
let us just say that he a
popular guy in the area. Lest a
young believer gets hold of
this article and finds out
something we would rather
they didn't, Our Santa Claus
could possibly be only a
Santa's Helper.
Keep a secret
He is a real Santa Claus. He
is a compassionate Santa
Claus, an understanding Santa
Claus and we believe in him.
Gerry E. Brooks, known to
most as GB, is a quick-change
artist who will don the red
suit, flowing white beard,
climb aboard his sleigh at
least a dozen times before he
sets out in earnest dropping
off toys to all the good little
boys and girls next weekend.
Our Jolly Old Saint Nick
began his Santa career 15
years ago, when he volun-
teered for a Santa part up in
Lyndonville. He played the
part so well and received so
many good comments, that
GB decided to stay with it.
"A very seasonal thing,"
GB tells us about his Santa
routine. "About as seasonal as
my pal, the tinsel salesman."
But seasonal or not, Gerry
Elwyn Brooks is, by far, the
best looking Santa around..'
He is meticulous about his
make-up. Rosy cheeks are in
order and none of that thick
head of brown hair is allowed
to be seen, so he takes extra
time tucking here and there to
hide everything. When a
photographer went to shoot a
recent session at Toy World in
Woodsville, he thought maybe
Santa was someone else. He
was astounded to see the
transformation Brooks had
made. He had even disguised
his voice.
GB was a well-known radio
voice and with the Santa role,
he has had to be careful not to
blow his cover, ttis voice
under the Santa wrap is very
much different than his non-
Christmas voice. He is yet to
be discovered.
Playing Santa Claus in the
local schools and at selected
businesses in the area is a real
love of Gerry Brooks. He
enjoys talking with the
children and adults. He is
called upon to come out of his
North Pole trappings there in
Newbury and visit with senior
citizens, preschoolers and
others in a wide range of
locations.
He arrives by private ear,
by fire truck and even a dog
sled. He has a following of
many parents, who like the
consistency of having their
child visit with a Santa who is
so much like the real one, it
fakes out the best of them.
(please turn to page 10)
USP
59349
Number 51
OUTLOOK--Dana O'Donnell of Bradford, who will be leaving soon fol:
Medical Center to receive a heart transplant.
raffle off f6,r good
firleewoman $50 each to the public. The private property.
to call off her lucky winner would get her State officials proclaimed
saying response house, that her raffle was illegal and
was short Since that day in August, cited her for court ap-
to save the she has had resistance from pearance. She has refused to
ure. various officials and recently say exactly how many tickets
has had her plead not guilty in the Orange were purchased, but said she
since she an- County District Court in intended to offer 1,000 tickets
last summer Chelsea that she advertised at$5Oeach.
Lg tickets at plans to hold a raffle on her She indicated that money
collected by her in the sale of
the raffle tickets will be paid
back by check soon.
Serving 0vet 48 Communities in Northern New Hampshire and Vermont
" Heart transplant necessar00
December 20, 198Z
State orders Wright
to make property safe
been in favor of a heart
ansplant for Dana, since it
was learned that his prognis
was not good. And with his
decreasing prospect of ac-
small apartment ina home on do now, because the cold where he will soon receive a earn money for him and his
Saddleback road. He cannot winter air makes it difficult heart transplant. He has been wife, hut through a series of
safely go outside, nor can he for this young man to breath ill for more than four years hospitalizations, he has
expend energy to climb stairs and he knows it is imperative with a serious heart problem, steadily grown worse and has
to his second story residence, that he not catch cold. something which has finally reached the decision to
So, he watches a good deal Dana O'Donnell is eagerly prevented him from leading a travel west for the transplant.
of television, spends hour and anticipating his trip across the normal or active life. His doctor at the Cottage
ttospital in Woodsville has
agreed.
Other problems
But there are many
problems with this medical
procedure. With the
development of a new drug
recently, transplants are now
becoming p(pular with
several medical centers and
top medical people in the
country are gearing up to
perform them once again. And
what about the money?
BRADFORD-- Dana hours taping music. And he country to Stamford He has worked, off and on, tivity, he finally faced the
O'Donnell is confined to a cooks. That isaboutallhecan University Medical Center, attempting to stay busy and issue of a transplant and
prior to West Coast Trip
Stamford will assist the young
BradfOrd patient with the
transplant, but that generous
plan still leaves about $40,000
needed for pre-transplant
care.
That is where the loc.al
people entered Dana
O*DonnelFs problem and a
huge fund-raising effort is
under way in the area,
that was only last
by his doctor, Laurel LyonS,
Through her untiring el-
(please turn to page 14.
WOODSVILLE-- State Fire directly involved with getting be taken within thirty days of
Investigator Darwin C. Lewis
this week issued an order of
compliance to Ralph Wright of
3 Perkins Place demanding
the property be brought up to
safety standards so they do
not threaten property, lives
and safety of the public.
Lewis had the cease and
desist order from the
Department of Safety issued
in hand by the Grafton County
Sheriff's Office. Service was
made early on Tuesday
morning, Dec. 14. The order
stipulates that Wright will
have 30 days to correct 11
deficiencies noted in the order
by Lewis. If Wright does not
effect the changes by that
time limit, Lewis said he will
be forced to take further legal
steps.
The problem at the Wright
property goes hack three
years, when in 1978, Wright
was hauled into court by the
town for maintaining a fire
and safety hazard on the same
premises, tie lost his case and
was fined and ordered to clean
up the property.
In early November, Fire
Chief Bruce Robbins, the
Woodsville Commissioners
and several residents of the
Perkins Place locale went
before selectmen to complain
that Wright was again
maintaining an unattractive
and dangerous nuisance. They
told selectmen they were
worried about fire in the area
because a large amount of
flammable materials and
liquids had since found their
way onto the property.
the premises cleaned up and
put into a safe condition. They
said they wanted to see bow
successful Rohbins would be
with his quest to get the
property up to standards.
Robbins went directly to the
Fire Marshall's office and a
short time later with police at
hand, entered the dilapidated
property armed with a search
warrant. They toured the
property for over one hour,
documenting their findings
with a set of 60 photographs.
Lewis subsequently this week
released his findings of the
inspection.
Lewis said he found the
building to be especially liable
to fire and in that the house is
situated near other properties,
excess amounts of hazardous
materials presents a
dangerous situation to the
lives, property and safety of
the public. He said a "very
dangerous fire hazard con-
dillon" exists.
lewis ordered Wright to
take appropriate measures to
protect the lives and property
of the public and that his
corrective measures shall be
to the satisfaction of the
Department of Safety in
Concord: lewis said if Wright
is aggravated with his order of
compliance, he may, within 14
days, file a petition with the
Superior Court for a review.
The order follows:
Due to the fact that Mr.
Wright has large quantities of
combustible and flammable
material stored both outside
and inside the building at 3
See Pa00e 7
After hearing the cam- Perkins Street in Woodsville,
's -----'--ion_- plaints, selectmen handed the New Hampshire, the following
ball to Robbins, rather than be are appropriate measures to
Flowers for all oeca
A .- ___Fresh' silk and dried "1€ I: Funding approved for radar
/-nIlque jzotlC, v HAVERHILL-- In an effort to Savage as "a tremendous will be putting a speed
VeeMONT n.-4se mv,rs lekla combat what is termed by speeding problem." the detection radar unit into HOLIDAY STARS--Holiday lights sparkle in the darkness at a well lighted home on Route 10 in N.
Police Chief Stephen C. Haverhill Police Department service. Haverhill._
, CANDLES 1 The radar application for
federal fundingwasapproved PRESENTS 1 r BLUE CHIP STOCKS
Pillars -- ColorfuI Tapers and accessories f°r I MEADOW VIEW AUTOFreeBODY
by selectmen and the New
eorating, • , I From a dent too complete collision, insurance Hampshire Highway Safety upS--! /PRIME TIME NETWORK]
1
GLINT
SWIFT
Happy Hour Gift Sho00J ' estimates. Low labor rate. ,all work guaranteed. Call Agency last month. IV LISTINGS i [
John. 802.333-95. A grant for half of the $2056. NH WAT$ (800) 42.7t
tOtS N'ii't''0" WELLS RIVER' 'I L CrossRoad&Rt.l13,WestFairlee, Vt. unit was provided by New SEE PAGE FIVE ] / ,.,s,=),,,,
Hampshire Highway Safety. _ .t
- The remaining money was .... ' ..... -
Oak Ledge Farm
"Where
Dog Grooming
._Is An Arl"
' 1 DAYS A WEEK BY APPOINTMENT.
RE. 10 & 25, Piermont, N.H. Tel. (603) 272-5826
l rl::i ....
raised through several private M: Landscapinq00"00
donations, police raffles, and
the annual police-fire auction, j RIVER ROAD
Savage told the Journal i PIERMONT N H 03779 '-_:
Opinion that the police I av'a'-:'N°w hnokg landeeape praje_ets f'"" ,d
' department raises money for j Spring 83 through November ,
a needed piece of equipment . [ NO sales tax at nursery 603-272-$864
"i (please turn to page 15
Visit Our Model
OPEN e,30-s,0o .t- ks. sin. ;0.S0
,. CO U U+Elh[il' '
tOx 126 Groton, Vermont 05046 Telephone 802-584-333
this order. Failure to do so will
force this office to take further
legal steps.
I. Remove all combustible
and flammable material of
any kind that is presently
stored outside of said building
on the premises, including
material on the porches,
(Furniture, wooden boxes,
cardboard, clothing,' flam-
mable liquids, etc.)
2. if said building is to con-
tinue in use in its present
capacity, as a store house,
then said building shall be in
accordance with the 1976 No.
101 Life Safety Code, on
(please turn to page 15
Cohase Lions give
$10,000 .for heart
WOODSVILLE The Cohase funds was put in motion by
Lions Club of Woodsville- O'Donnell's doctor, Laurel
Wells Rivei" has approved a Lyons who told the Journal
$10,000 cash donation to assist Opinion this week that
a Bradford man in gaining a Stamford will assist with
heart transplant, paying for the transplant, but
The monies will be used as the Medicare system will not
part of a required sum of pay for any pre4ransplant
$40,000 needed to send Dana medical care including car-
O'Donnell of Saddleback road disc catheterization and
in Bradford to Stamford everything else necessary
University Medical Center for prior to the operation.
the heart transplant. Lyons said a minimum of
The recent effort to raise the $40,000 line of credit is needed
for the go ahead to be given for
the operation. "We are trying
to raise enough money to meet
that amount," Lyons said.
"We have approached the
Lions and after a special
meeting last week, they voted
to give $10,000. And the Rotary
has been contacted for help,
too," Lyons added.
She offered that her fund-
raising race has managed to
include several people who
(please turn to page 15
,%
Bradford man lives quiet life
