To the Editor:

With the busy world that we live in, in our “get it done yesterday” society, I would like to ask us to stop for a moment and look around.

If you can get beyond the superficial appearance of what the commercial world tries to define as to what life is and take a closer look at the true meaning of life, you will come upon a certain someone, someone who has been quietly making a difference.

This someone does not aspire toward greatness and does not actively seek the spotlight. This someone simply has a big heart and touches the lives of others.

This someone actively stands on conviction in the defense of what is right and brings the benefits to others.

This someone sees in others what they may not see in themselves finds ways to help them grow and achieve.

This someone weathers difficult moments with strength and dignity and manages to have all stay the course.

This someone recognizes need for what it is and connects it with opportunity knowing what that does.

This someone is held in a deep, abiding respect by those whose lives have been touched by their presence.

This someone knows when the time for change has come, and steps through with that quiet inner strength, leaving fanfare for others.

While I am certain that there are those of us who know someone who fits what is written here, you also respect the quiet life they chose to lead. However in this particular case, the subject of this “someone” gave 33 years to the education of children in a single New Hampshire community and is retiring at the end of this month.

While a rose by any other name is still a rose, the “Rose” who is thought of here deserves a whole-hearted thanks.

James Doig
Northwood

To the Editor:

While there are many things that make me proud to be a Goffstown resident (notably all the hard work done by our town’s officials, DPW workers, firemen and policemen during the recent flood), I’ll admit I’m envious of nearby towns for a few reasons.

This paper has covered the New Boston Master Plan process frequently over the last few months. It’s good to see citizen involvement like this.

Goffstown is also working on a master plan rewrite, but without much citizen involvement. Where is the coverage/publicity of this process? I read this paper each week and can remember only one article last year.

Our planning board held a hearing May 25 and there wasn’t any newspaper notice or coverage. I was glad to see the board listen to several citizen comments and decide to have one more hearing in the next few months. Please make sure this paper covers that hearing.

Our local land trust, the Piscataquog Watershed Association (PWA) helps protect land and waterways in our area. It is greatly underrepresented by Goffstown residents. Weare, New Boston, Francestown and Dunbarton seem well-represented. Last month, there were 18 new members, none of them from Goffstown. PWA needs more Goffstown members and I hope more will join (487-3331) to help protect natural areas in Goffstown.

Jason Sachs
Goffstown

To the Editor:

My wife and I have been residents of Goffstown for many years. We both are very disappointed in the Memorial Day parade. It lasted a whole 15 minutes. The highlight of the parade was the mayor of Goffstown ­ he did a great job throwing candy to the children.

How could we have a parade representing our veterans without American flags hanging on our Main Street? Very few people even attended this parade. Hell, the baseball parade was bigger. I guess some of us have forgotten what the American flag means.

Putnam’s Water View Restaurant, Howe’s Pharmacy, Burns Insurance and the Village Trestle all showed their true Color “Thank God” by having the American flag.

Someone told me that there wasn’t enough money in the budget for the parade. If that is the case, then I feel next year the selectmen or who ever are in charge should get off their “butts” and honor our American veterans and the servicemen and women. It’s about time some of you people, I can’t wish for all, open up American history books, and learn that freedom isn’t free.

At the end of Main Street, there stands a tall pedestal, with a proud soldier atop. Many of you pass this monument every day and don’t even know what it stands for. It’s a sad town when we can’t even take one day of the year, and dedicate it to the veterans and servicemen and women of our country ­ “The United States of America.”

By the way, the monument was erected in honor of Capt.Charles Stinson for the soldiers and sailors of our town.

Shame on you Goffstown ­ Shame!

Bernard and Donna Toomey
Goffstown

To the Editor:

Rose Colby first came to the Goffstown School District back in 1973. She taught biology and chemistry at Goffstown High School. After earning her master’s degree in 1978, she went on to serve as chair of the science department at the high school. Rose was exceptionally dedicated to her students and to the school and in 1989 she became the assistant principal.

Just two years later in 1991, the Mountain View Middle School was built and Rose was hired as the assistant principal. She served admirably in this role for five years until she became principal in 1996. After 10 years as principal of the Mountain View Middle School, Rose Colby is retiring at the end of this school year.

As the state senator representing the district that includes Goffstown, I had the honor of attending the going away party for Principal Rose Colby this week. When I walked into the gymnasium at the Mountain View Middle School, there were 1,000 well-behaved young men and women gathered together to celebrate this momentous occasion.

The school has a wonderful band and a string section that would be the envy of any school. The outstanding music was a real credit to the well-rounded education that the youngsters of Goffstown are receiving. Three young students sang the national anthem and the school chorus serenaded the outgoing principal in a splendid way.

For those who have any concerns about public education, a day at Mountain View would rekindle enthusiasm for public schools. Congratulations to the staff, students and administrators on a job well done. I was very pleased to be a part of this event. It was a wonderful tribute to a woman who has dedicated her life to education and to creating a positive learning environment for the students at her school.

Lou D’Allesandro
State Senate