For James Laboke, a 17-year-old Sudanese refugee, his daily walk to work is usually nothing out of the ordinary. Today however, was a different story.
At 6 a.m. Laboke came upon a stalled car on the railroad tracks with an unconscious man slumped over the steering wheel. According to a police report, he pounded on the window, but received no response. Without a cell phone, Laboke ran the 100 yards to the police station, reporting what he had seen.
A mile away from the railroad, Captain Janet Paradiso received a call on her radio about the stranded vehicle. As she arrived, she heard the train’s whistle. Before the train could intercept them, she rammed her police cruiser into the 1987 pink Cadillac Seville and pushed it from the tracks. Thirty seconds later, the Amtrak train passed through, travelling at about 40 miles per hour.
“When this baby gets up a head of steam, it takes a mile to stop her,” said the conductor of the oncoming train, Shirley Temple. Worried for her passenger’s safety if she chose to slam on the brakes, she could only watch in horror as the train neared the trapped vehicle. “I had a lump in my throat watching the whole thing.”
The man in the car was 80-year-old Francois Truffaut, a tourist from Quebec City. "I don't remember a thing," he said later from a hospital bed aat Southern Maine Medical Center.
He was listed in stable condition. Truffaut, a diabetic, is said to have gone into insulin shock just as he reached the railroad crossing. He has been coming to old Orchard Beach since he was a child.
As for the Laboke, community members are not shocked at his display of bravery. “It doesn’t surprise me at all,” said Charles Champaigne, Laboke’s boss at the Eezy Breezy Restaurant. “That young man is one of my most responsible employees. He’s just a great kid.”
Asked about his heroism, Laboke said, “I never thought about it. I just knew I couldn’t let that man get crushed by a train.”
Amtrak was not available for comment. “I’m just glad everything worked out okay,” said Temple.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tourist Saved by Oncoming Train
Today, 80-year-old tourist Francois Trufaut, unconscious behind the wheel, was saved from an oncoming train by Janet Paradiso, a police officer who pushed his car out of the way just in time.
“I knew there was no time. I had to do something,” said Paradiso.
At 6 a.m, James Laboke, a local teenager, found Trufaut’s car stalled on the tracks, according to a police report. The young man, who doesn’t own a cell phone, ran the 100 yards to the police station. He reported an unconscious man, locked doors, and a running engine, all in the way of the daily Amtrak train, called the Downeaster.
A mile away from the railroad, Paradiso received a call on the radio about the stranded vehicle. As she arrived, she heard the train’s whistle. Before the train could intercept them, she rammed her police cruiser into Trufaut’s 1987 pink Cadillac Seville and pushed it from the tracks. Thirty seconds later, the train passed through, travelling at 40 miles per hour.
Truffaut said later from a hospital bed at Southern Main Medical Center: “I don’t remember a thing.” He was listed in stable condition. Trufaut, a diabetic, is said to have gone into insulin shock just as he reached the railroad crossing. He has been coming to old Orchard Beach since he was a child.
As for the young man who alerted the police about Trufaunt, community members are not shocked. “It doesn’t surprise me at all,” said Charles Champaigne, Laboke’s boss at the Eezy Breezy Restaurant. “That young man is one of my most responsible employees. He’s just a great kid.”
Later, asked about his heroism, Laboke said, “I never thought about it. I just knew I couldn’t let that man get crushed by a train.”
“I knew there was no time. I had to do something,” said Paradiso.
At 6 a.m, James Laboke, a local teenager, found Trufaut’s car stalled on the tracks, according to a police report. The young man, who doesn’t own a cell phone, ran the 100 yards to the police station. He reported an unconscious man, locked doors, and a running engine, all in the way of the daily Amtrak train, called the Downeaster.
A mile away from the railroad, Paradiso received a call on the radio about the stranded vehicle. As she arrived, she heard the train’s whistle. Before the train could intercept them, she rammed her police cruiser into Trufaut’s 1987 pink Cadillac Seville and pushed it from the tracks. Thirty seconds later, the train passed through, travelling at 40 miles per hour.
Truffaut said later from a hospital bed at Southern Main Medical Center: “I don’t remember a thing.” He was listed in stable condition. Trufaut, a diabetic, is said to have gone into insulin shock just as he reached the railroad crossing. He has been coming to old Orchard Beach since he was a child.
As for the young man who alerted the police about Trufaunt, community members are not shocked. “It doesn’t surprise me at all,” said Charles Champaigne, Laboke’s boss at the Eezy Breezy Restaurant. “That young man is one of my most responsible employees. He’s just a great kid.”
Later, asked about his heroism, Laboke said, “I never thought about it. I just knew I couldn’t let that man get crushed by a train.”
Thursday, February 18, 2010
New York Times 2/16
I am surprised that with all this coverage on Haiti, that it hasn't become an over covered topic, at least for me. The new angles of the story that the Times is coming up with makes it a rounder, more whole of a story. Rather than just reporting stories about one other family that was rescued, or one other child that is now orphaned, which of course, we feel sorry for, but after a while, it is not a story anymore. The Times, today covering the missionaries who have come to Haiti, have found a new angle that is still relevant, but not hackneyed. I think that revisiting a story is necessary, as long as there is a new angle, and it isn't the same story over and over.
New York Times 2/15
I was especially interested in both the articles about the shooting in Alabama, and the surge of medical schools across the country, mostly because they both affect me in some way as a college student. I think that the opening of medical schools is a very smart idea, especially since they are trying to balance American medicine compared to the rest of the world. I thought they set up the story very well- using a personal anecdote of Peter Allen. The lead was intriguing too- "Peter Allen applied to 30 medical schools after graduating from the University of Pittsburg last year. Twenty-eight said no." They then zoomed out to the bigger picture and what is being done about this problem, and the two schools that Allen was accepted to.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
A Cappella Rejects Form Own Group
The story of “Off the Clef”, UNH’s newest coed a cappella group seems something straight from a Hollywood script. A group of rejects band together to form their own group, ultimately triumphing over the same people who denied them.
Rejected from the other a cappella groups on campus, the six originating members of “Off the Clef” decided that if they couldn’t join the other a cappella groups, then they would just start their own. Armed with an out of tune piano, the pioneers of “Off the Clef” met for the first time in the basement of Jessie Doe, a dorm on campus.
“I tried out for the other a cappella groups and did not get in, so I got together with a friend who had also been rejected and we decided we wanted to form our own group,” said Phoebe Bonaparte- Krogh,the musical director of the group. “I was already in concert choir but I wanted another outlet for singing.”
“Off the Clef” just recently held auditions for new members. In their informational meeting beforehand, they stressed their goal of being officially recognized on campus. “It’s really hard to jump into the whole performing realm because first you need built up a repertoire and that takes time,” said Bonaparte-Krogh. The group hopes that their establishment will lead to various gigs in the area, including benefit shows, dorm socials, retirement homes, local schools, and opening for other performers. They are also hoping that when the group is official, they will have access to practice space inside the MUB, rather than their cramped practice space in a lounge in Serc B.
Being on the other side of the audition process was certainly odd for the members. The group wanted “Off the Clef” to be more open than the other a cappella groups, and felt for the singers they could not take, since they had been on the rejected side. However, in the case of an a cappella group this size, balance is extremely important. Since “Off the Clef” is still struggling to recruit basses for their group, they were forced to take only 2 girls from the 30+ that auditioned.
“Off the Clef” describes it’s style as different from the other a cappella groups, performing spirituals, show tunes, and African songs in addition to the common folk and pop songs performed by cappella groups. The groups went through several names before deciding on “Off the Clef”, including “Low Key”, until they realized another New England group already went by that name. “We’re hoping it implies a certain ‘off the cliff greatness’ tone,” Bonaparte-Krough said.
With the establishment of “Off the Clef”, UNH will have 6 a cappella groups on campus including two all female, two all male, and now, two coed. A cappella groups have become very popular on college campuses across the country, with groups singing and beat-boxing to simulate the voices and instruments involved in producing a song, often with individual harmonies. “Off the Clef” performed an arrangement of “Build me a Buttercup” by the Foundations for the group hopefuls during the information session on Wednesday.
Although the group has had several struggles getting started, it has only added to the excitement and dedication of continuing the group’s existence. They have received help from the other a cappella groups on campus in many aspects of running a group like this, and look forward to performing in gigs with them.
As for how the established a cappella groups on campus feel about the emergence of these newcomers, Bonaparte-Krogh responded, “There’s somewhat of a note in the air, no pun intended, of people waiting to see how we’ll measure up; hopefully we won’t let anyone down.”
Rejected from the other a cappella groups on campus, the six originating members of “Off the Clef” decided that if they couldn’t join the other a cappella groups, then they would just start their own. Armed with an out of tune piano, the pioneers of “Off the Clef” met for the first time in the basement of Jessie Doe, a dorm on campus.
“I tried out for the other a cappella groups and did not get in, so I got together with a friend who had also been rejected and we decided we wanted to form our own group,” said Phoebe Bonaparte- Krogh,the musical director of the group. “I was already in concert choir but I wanted another outlet for singing.”
“Off the Clef” just recently held auditions for new members. In their informational meeting beforehand, they stressed their goal of being officially recognized on campus. “It’s really hard to jump into the whole performing realm because first you need built up a repertoire and that takes time,” said Bonaparte-Krogh. The group hopes that their establishment will lead to various gigs in the area, including benefit shows, dorm socials, retirement homes, local schools, and opening for other performers. They are also hoping that when the group is official, they will have access to practice space inside the MUB, rather than their cramped practice space in a lounge in Serc B.
Being on the other side of the audition process was certainly odd for the members. The group wanted “Off the Clef” to be more open than the other a cappella groups, and felt for the singers they could not take, since they had been on the rejected side. However, in the case of an a cappella group this size, balance is extremely important. Since “Off the Clef” is still struggling to recruit basses for their group, they were forced to take only 2 girls from the 30+ that auditioned.
“Off the Clef” describes it’s style as different from the other a cappella groups, performing spirituals, show tunes, and African songs in addition to the common folk and pop songs performed by cappella groups. The groups went through several names before deciding on “Off the Clef”, including “Low Key”, until they realized another New England group already went by that name. “We’re hoping it implies a certain ‘off the cliff greatness’ tone,” Bonaparte-Krough said.
With the establishment of “Off the Clef”, UNH will have 6 a cappella groups on campus including two all female, two all male, and now, two coed. A cappella groups have become very popular on college campuses across the country, with groups singing and beat-boxing to simulate the voices and instruments involved in producing a song, often with individual harmonies. “Off the Clef” performed an arrangement of “Build me a Buttercup” by the Foundations for the group hopefuls during the information session on Wednesday.
Although the group has had several struggles getting started, it has only added to the excitement and dedication of continuing the group’s existence. They have received help from the other a cappella groups on campus in many aspects of running a group like this, and look forward to performing in gigs with them.
As for how the established a cappella groups on campus feel about the emergence of these newcomers, Bonaparte-Krogh responded, “There’s somewhat of a note in the air, no pun intended, of people waiting to see how we’ll measure up; hopefully we won’t let anyone down.”
New York Times 2/11
The headline about a Chicagoan's difficulty in retrieving his family from Haiti immediately caught my eye. Sometimes I don't think that the American public realizes how close to home this earthquake in Haiti really is, and it adds another angle to the story that Americans can more easily identify with when it is an actual American who is returning home to save his family. I was very surprised at the ariel photos of 9/11 being shown now- we feel like we've gotten all the news that is available, and to have pictures that are so vivid released 9 years after they were taken brings the reader right back to how they felt when they first saw the photos. I was curious why it took them so long to release them though. I also found the headline regarding Obama's "gambles" in a bid to defuse nuclear standoff with Iran. I feel like the journalist who wrote this definitely knew that the word "gambles" attached to something about nuclear power would be something most people would read, since it is so gripping
Thursday, February 11, 2010
New York Times 2/10
The Times today was filled with various articles, some very pressing, but others, not so much. Canada's quest for an Olympic medal, although an interesting story, seemed out of place on the front page. There was an excellent lead in the article about long term care hospitals- "No one at the hospital noticed that Tina Bell-Jackman was dying" I was especially interested in the Michelle Obama article regarding childhood obesity and school reforms to bring it down. I think that this is rather important. Although parents should be teaching their children how to make healthy food choices, obviously, there has been some slack somewhere, and Michelle Obama is tackling a very big issue by pushing the schools to pick up the slack.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Local Teens In Car Crash (Practice Article)
Monday evening, three local teenagers were involved in a car accident on Mile Hill Rd.
The three teenagers were speeding down the unlit dirt road when they turned a corner, swerved of the road, hit an embankment, and flipped the car over onto its roof.
“I’ve never seen a car going so fast on this road. It’s a dirt road and it’s really easy to lose control,” said Josie M. Crandall, a resident on Mile Hill Rd who witnessed the accident.
17-year-old Tom Carrol Jr. was driving behind the mustang when the car suddenly sped ahead around a curve. The next time he saw it, it was on its roof. He was the first on the scene.
“I thought the worse,” Carroll said. “They were flying” While talking to the police, Carroll revealed that he saw at least three empty Budweiser beer cans on the ground, along with a blue Gor-Tex rain parka.
According to Lt. Judith Barkus of the Belmont Police Dept, driver of the car has been identified as 17-year-old Jamie Peterson, although the names of the other two female passengers are still unknown. Peterson managed to crawl out of the car on his own. Rescuers on the scene had to resort to using the Jaws of Life in order to free the passengers of the car. The victims were taken to Memorial Hospital in Belmont, where one is in stable condition. The other was airlifted to Mass. General Hospital in Boston.
“It’s hard to see kids your age in something like this. You realize when you see it what could happen, especially on this road,” Carroll commented.
Mile Hill Rd. has a history of dangerous car accidents. On Christmas Eve in 1998, there were two people involved in a fatal crash in the same spot.
The three teenagers were speeding down the unlit dirt road when they turned a corner, swerved of the road, hit an embankment, and flipped the car over onto its roof.
“I’ve never seen a car going so fast on this road. It’s a dirt road and it’s really easy to lose control,” said Josie M. Crandall, a resident on Mile Hill Rd who witnessed the accident.
17-year-old Tom Carrol Jr. was driving behind the mustang when the car suddenly sped ahead around a curve. The next time he saw it, it was on its roof. He was the first on the scene.
“I thought the worse,” Carroll said. “They were flying” While talking to the police, Carroll revealed that he saw at least three empty Budweiser beer cans on the ground, along with a blue Gor-Tex rain parka.
According to Lt. Judith Barkus of the Belmont Police Dept, driver of the car has been identified as 17-year-old Jamie Peterson, although the names of the other two female passengers are still unknown. Peterson managed to crawl out of the car on his own. Rescuers on the scene had to resort to using the Jaws of Life in order to free the passengers of the car. The victims were taken to Memorial Hospital in Belmont, where one is in stable condition. The other was airlifted to Mass. General Hospital in Boston.
“It’s hard to see kids your age in something like this. You realize when you see it what could happen, especially on this road,” Carroll commented.
Mile Hill Rd. has a history of dangerous car accidents. On Christmas Eve in 1998, there were two people involved in a fatal crash in the same spot.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
New York Times
Monday February 8
The Afghani article was a very refreshing article about Afghanistan. Usually it is all about what mayhem is happing in that country or how many troops we're sending there, but this article makes Afghanistan seem more human. I was especially interested in the article about the fast track program to get high schoolers to go to college, since I was in college myself, the headline immediately caught my attention. However, I was not in the least interested in the front page article about the summit on healthcare- the subject of healthcare, although important, seems very hackneyed and over-covered in the news, and I frankly have stopped caring about the small minor developments in the bringing about of healthcare. Overall, a very interesting paper with an array of topics.
The Afghani article was a very refreshing article about Afghanistan. Usually it is all about what mayhem is happing in that country or how many troops we're sending there, but this article makes Afghanistan seem more human. I was especially interested in the article about the fast track program to get high schoolers to go to college, since I was in college myself, the headline immediately caught my attention. However, I was not in the least interested in the front page article about the summit on healthcare- the subject of healthcare, although important, seems very hackneyed and over-covered in the news, and I frankly have stopped caring about the small minor developments in the bringing about of healthcare. Overall, a very interesting paper with an array of topics.
Hundreds Honor Fallen Soldier
This weekend, the Plymouth community came together to honor the life of Private First Class Marc Decoteau, a 19 year old Waterville Valley resident who was killed last week in Afghanistan.
The service was held at the Plymouth Regional High School gym, chairs squeezed together on the gym floor, and the bleachers filled with mourners sitting shoulder to shoulder. The sounds of sniffling and stifled sobs were omnipresent throughout the service.
Those who spoke had only good things to say about Marc, whether they were childhood friends or superiors in the army.
“He always had an infectious, happy atmosphere around him, even in the worst of times. It was impossible to be sad around him,” said Sgt. Marshall B. Howington, Decoteau's psychological operations team leader in Afghanistan.
“In any time of situation, awkward or serious he would make it enjoyable. No matter who you were or how much he knew you he would make your day with a joke or impression,” says friend, Jenn Reals. “I think people will miss this unique mix of charisma, dedication, humor, seriousness and good spirit.”
Decoteau, deployed only three weeks before his death, was killed January 29 at the hands of a disgruntled interpreter, reportedly discontent with his pay.
The heavily attended funeral was followed by a reflection period for Decoteau’s family and friends. An assortment of all of Decoteau’s favorite foods were served, from everything from McDonald’s french fries to Reeses puffs, while friends stood onstage and shared their favorite memories.
Decoteau was a very involved student during his time at Plymouth Regional, playing football, lacrosse, and participating in theatre. At the service, Howington, in praise of Marc said, “his potential as a soldier and a human being were unfathomable.”
According to Decoteau’s family burial arrangements will be held in the spring.
The service was held at the Plymouth Regional High School gym, chairs squeezed together on the gym floor, and the bleachers filled with mourners sitting shoulder to shoulder. The sounds of sniffling and stifled sobs were omnipresent throughout the service.
Those who spoke had only good things to say about Marc, whether they were childhood friends or superiors in the army.
“He always had an infectious, happy atmosphere around him, even in the worst of times. It was impossible to be sad around him,” said Sgt. Marshall B. Howington, Decoteau's psychological operations team leader in Afghanistan.
“In any time of situation, awkward or serious he would make it enjoyable. No matter who you were or how much he knew you he would make your day with a joke or impression,” says friend, Jenn Reals. “I think people will miss this unique mix of charisma, dedication, humor, seriousness and good spirit.”
Decoteau, deployed only three weeks before his death, was killed January 29 at the hands of a disgruntled interpreter, reportedly discontent with his pay.
The heavily attended funeral was followed by a reflection period for Decoteau’s family and friends. An assortment of all of Decoteau’s favorite foods were served, from everything from McDonald’s french fries to Reeses puffs, while friends stood onstage and shared their favorite memories.
Decoteau was a very involved student during his time at Plymouth Regional, playing football, lacrosse, and participating in theatre. At the service, Howington, in praise of Marc said, “his potential as a soldier and a human being were unfathomable.”
According to Decoteau’s family burial arrangements will be held in the spring.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
UNH Orgs Direct Their Efforts Towards Haiti
It may be over 1,700 miles away, but to these two organizations at UNH, relief efforts for the earthquake in Haiti have become a top priority.
Improv Anonymous, the school’s only improv comedy troupe, and the Kappa Delta sorority have certainly not wasted any time in directing their efforts towards Haiti.
“In light of the recent events in Haiti, we believe they need as much help as possible with relief efforts,” commented Mallory Izbicki, the chapter’s vice president of community service. For the next week, the sorority is selling red ribbons in the MUB for a dollar each, donating the proceeds to the Red Cross. Kappa Delta, which strives to achieve community involvement and service, intends to not only raise money for Haiti, but awareness as well.
This view is shared by Andrew Mitchell, senior member of Improv Anonymous.
“It seems that some of the coverage in Haiti is beginning to dissipate as the weeks go on. However, it is obviously still a huge problem,” Mitchell explained.
Improv Anonymous, widely popular on campus for their weekly comedy shows, performed in a benefit this Thursday for Haiti. Four hundred UNH students attended, the largest audience in Improv Anonymous history.
“Our organization is lucky enough to have a massive fan base here at UNH,” Mitchell commented before the show. “Our troupe believes they will come out in full force!”
Improv Anonymous raised over a thousand dollars Thursday night. That, combined with Kappa Delta’s efforts, will certainly make a difference to Haiti relief efforts. But the work doesn’t stop there.
“We’re also hoping that clean up and rebuilding efforts can begin as soon as possible,” Izbicki states. “Some girls have even been talking about going to help rebuild during spring break and when school gets out in the spring!”
Improv Anonymous, the school’s only improv comedy troupe, and the Kappa Delta sorority have certainly not wasted any time in directing their efforts towards Haiti.
“In light of the recent events in Haiti, we believe they need as much help as possible with relief efforts,” commented Mallory Izbicki, the chapter’s vice president of community service. For the next week, the sorority is selling red ribbons in the MUB for a dollar each, donating the proceeds to the Red Cross. Kappa Delta, which strives to achieve community involvement and service, intends to not only raise money for Haiti, but awareness as well.
This view is shared by Andrew Mitchell, senior member of Improv Anonymous.
“It seems that some of the coverage in Haiti is beginning to dissipate as the weeks go on. However, it is obviously still a huge problem,” Mitchell explained.
Improv Anonymous, widely popular on campus for their weekly comedy shows, performed in a benefit this Thursday for Haiti. Four hundred UNH students attended, the largest audience in Improv Anonymous history.
“Our organization is lucky enough to have a massive fan base here at UNH,” Mitchell commented before the show. “Our troupe believes they will come out in full force!”
Improv Anonymous raised over a thousand dollars Thursday night. That, combined with Kappa Delta’s efforts, will certainly make a difference to Haiti relief efforts. But the work doesn’t stop there.
“We’re also hoping that clean up and rebuilding efforts can begin as soon as possible,” Izbicki states. “Some girls have even been talking about going to help rebuild during spring break and when school gets out in the spring!”
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