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GALLERY

 

Winter 2015

 

The weather temps were lower than usual, with some residents exclaiming it was just like in "the old days" when even the Seabrook Village Beach District that normally does not get much snow, got "a Lot" or "hammered" as one person told us!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                                                                             Photos by Vickie Sawyer and Susan Spruce                 

 

 

Chucky's dad

Help is on the way . . . 

 

 

Chucky Rosa has become a Seabrook legend.    

         

After having lost two sons to the drug culture, Chucky now shares, with every fiber of his being, his story and experience in the hope of helping others....and help he does!

 

His dedication starts with an ocean dip every (yes, that’s EVERY) morning of the year to honor the memory of his beloved sons.

 

Chucky Rosa was a wire factory foreman for 27 years. After losing his second son, Dominic, he moved from the Boston area with his son, Charles, to escape the drugs and get help for him. It was a choice he felt he had to make. When Charles came home from school saying there were drugs there also, Chucky moved his wife and their other 3 children to Seabrook, NH and started working in earnest to make a difference. He found that by getting beyond his own comfort zone and following his passion, he could start sharing his own clean and sober message with others. After 7 years his passion has grown to be an influential and huge avocation!

Chucky speaks to kids of all ages. The day I spoke with him, he had just returned from speaking to a class at North Shore Community College. I say ‘speaking to’, but after sharing his story, he finds that kids, young adults, start opening up with their own concerns, questions and stories. He asks them to make a pledge to stay clean and sober and to that end gives them a shirt and dog tag to wear to remind them of that pledge. Chucky has stacks of letters from those he’s touched with his honesty, openness and humility.

 

Occasionally, Chucky will get a call to help the police when they have a situation in which they feel he can be helpful and effective. He works with kids who are performing mandated community service. He volunteers presentations at schools at every grade level. He facilitates a parent support group once a week. He teaches self-defense and cooking at the Chase Home. He teaches a CCD class. He backs up his words with his actions … and with passion.

 

In his own words, Chucky says to those with whom he speaks, “I am no hero. I am here as much for myself as I am for you. (Being here) helps me heal and I hope I can help you make healthy decisions & be good people.”

 

His story is truly touching and inspirational.                    

It reminds me of a phrase my husband often mentions -

"What comes from the heart, reaches the heart”.

That’s just how Chucky comes across.

by Susan Spruce
 

Chucky Rosa’s website is CHUCKYSFIGHT.COM

 

A CHARITY DEDICATED TO FIGHTING TEEN SUBSTANCE ABUSE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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It was just a few months ago, in June, when concerned parents began comparing notes about crimes in and around their neighborhoods. An organized effort was born to put an end to home burglaries, vehicle thefts and other illegal acts.

Thus began the Seabrook Watchdogs, a citizen response group based on neighborhood watch programs used throughout the country in an effort to reduce crime, and acknowledged to have a significant impact on community safety, according to research provided by the Campbell Corporation report for the National Sheriffs' Association.

 

Seabrook Community Watchdog members Chucky Rosa, Kiki (last name withheld) and Bruce Pierce posted 50 new community watch signs in town. 
Story by Nancy Rineman and photo by Chris Shipley.

Chucky Rosa and his mom, one of his biggest supporters.

What do you do when you find a seal on the beach?

If you find a seal . . .  and they do come ashore during the winter months:

1.  Never cover a seal.  They are not cold and normally not ill. Covering a seal may overheat the seal which can cause death because it already has fur and a blubber layer that will keep it warm while on land.  Shirvering is typically a sign of stress which means you are too close to the seal.

 

2.  Never pour water onto the seal - this may inhibit the animal's ability to warm itself.

 

3. Never try to feed the animal.  Foods made by or handled by humans could be problematic for seals.  Seals eat live food and will generally ignore items placed near them on the beach.  Seals do not necessarily eat daily, they will go back in the water when they want to eat.

 

4. Do not handle the seal - it is breaking the law.  Marine mammals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which makes it illegal to touch, harass or alter their normal behavioral pattern in any way.

 

5.  Do call the New England Aquarium hotline at 617-973-5247.

     24/7 hotline 603-997-9448, to report animal's location, size, coloring and behavior.

 

6.  Watch quietly from at least 150 feet away.

 

To learn more about the Marine Mammal Rescue Program, visit www.seacoastsciencecenterorg/mmrt and "like" New Hampshire Marine Mammal Rescue on Facebook.

Memorial Day Parade 2013

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Winter on the beach

Brown's Lobster Pound

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After the winter ... clean up begins by the Department of Public Works under the direction of John Starkey.

The harbor

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The beach

Photo by Mary Souther Dow

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Piping Plovers

Sarah Pease, Piping Plover Monitor

N.H. Fish and Game worked closely again in 2013 with beach managers to coordinate beach raking and plover protection. Beach maintenance may occur, as long as it is coordinated in advance with N.H. Fish and Game and does not pose a threat to the piping plovers.

Piping Plovers are endangered birds. New Hampshire Fish and Game Department reported  last week that there are five pairs of piping plovers nesting along the sandy shores of Hampton and Seabrook. Piping plovers are endangered in New Hampshire and threatened nationally. Their breeding habitat is fenced with yellow roping to indicate the birds' presence to beach-goers and to allow the mating pairs space to nest and raise their young.  “Our goal is to protect these rare birds during their breeding season and manage the beaches for both people and wildlife,” said Brendan Clifford a biologist with the Fish and Game's Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program who oversees the piping plover protection effort.

“The sooner the birds nest, the sooner the chicks will hatch and grow big enough to be able to fly. Once the chicks are about 30 days old, they can fly and escape from danger and we can take down the fences that protect their breeding habitat and open up the whole beach for recreational use,” explained Clifford.     

                                                                                 

As recent as  May 24, 2013: Five pairs of piping plovers were found nesting along the sandy shores of Hampton and Seabrook beaches. By mid July all plovers were ready to fly way and the ban was lifted.

                                                                                                                                         

Beach homeowners and beachgoers were asked to  follow a few small steps that will make a big difference in whether or not piping plover chicks survive to fledgling age:

 

Watch where you step – The chick’s defense mechanism is to freeze when people get close, which makes them difficult to see. The chicks are about the size of a cottonball and light colored, so they blend in with the sand.

Leash your dog – Free-running dogs can accidentally step on and crush eggs and chase after the chicks and adult plovers.  Hampton Beach State Park and the Town of Seabrook both have restrictions regarding dogs on beaches during the summer. People should check before bringing their dog on any public beach.

Fill in holes – holes in the sand are traps for the tiny chicks that can’t fly. Filling in any holes on the beach helps the chicks move about and find the food they need to grow strong and be able to fly.

Volunteer!  Volunteers will be needed to help with monitoring once the plover chicks begin to hatch around Memorial Day.                                                                                                                           

Regular updates on the breeding season can be found on the piping plover page N.H. Fish and Game website www.wildnh.com/Wildlife/Nongame/projects/plover_project.html

 Anyone interested in the Piping Plover Program may contact:   Brendan Clifford @ 603-271-0463;

Sarah Pease, Piping Plover Monitor @ 603-419-9728; Jane Vachon @ 603-271-3211.

Flag Raising

Vernon Small and Keith Fowler

Roland Jacques and Chuck Defrancesco

Raising the Flags..
 

Much of what is accomplished arises from “one man’s dream” and so it was with the Seabrook Beach Civic Association American Flag Program. For years Chuck Defrancesco had been helping Roland Jacques raise the American Flag on the island located at the corner of 1A and 286.
 

In 2010, Chuck approached the Civic Association with the idea of placing American flags along 1A. It didn’t take long to gather enthusiasm and with it all the steps needed to accomplish the feat. There were letters, conversations and approval by the Town of Seabrook along with endless appointments, emails and telephone calls to FairPoint and Comcast (the telephone poles are shared by them). While all of that was happening, the Seabrook Beach Civic Association newsletter went out to the over 800 homeowners of the beach village district. Someone along the way had asked about sponsoring a flag and the idea moved like wildfire. Once it was in the newsletter, folks quickly jumped on the bandwagon and before the flags were on the poles in May, all 60 flags had been sponsored for a period of two seasons. Vernon Small and Keith Fowler accepted the job of physically placing the flags on the poles.
 

Due to the unusual conditions on 1A on Ocean Boulevard with no barriers blocking the winds and rain, the American flags are raised in June and removed in September.

 

This year, The Seabrook Beach Civic Association is again seeking sponsors …

$50.00 for two “seasons”. Folks interested in sponsoring an American flag

may join the Association and complete the form or email the

Seabrook Beach Civic Association by sending sponsorship information and

donation to: American Flag Program

                     Seabrook Beach Civic Association 

                     PO Box 1601

                     Seabrook, NH 03874

Benches

Sponsored benches are scattered throughout the pathways to the beach from Atlantic Avenue and Ocean Drive.

While several are memorial benches others simply beckon you to "sit a minute and enjoy the view".

Follow Dog Etiquette:
 

LEASHED DOGS ARE ALLOWED ON THE BEACH,    
only between 6:00 PM - 8:00 AM                                         
PICK UP YOUR DOG’S WASTE                                                    
 TAKE IT HOME WITH YOU 

                                                                                                         The saga began…

                                                                                                         On December 7, 2011, the Town of Seabrook selectmen approved a ban on fireworks displays on p                                                                                                                private property within the Seabrook Beach Village District. The ban did not restrict fireworks                                                                                                                          displays elsewhere on private property in the town.

                                                                                                         

 

Mr. Tom O'Hara, a taxpaying/voter/homeowner of both beach and uptown property, responded to the selectmen’s ban by filing a citizen's petition to reverse the selectmen’s decision. Mr. O’Hara wanted the ability to shoot off fireworks at his beach property as he can on his property “uptown”. That petition was presented to attendees at Seabrook’s Town Meeting on February 9, 2012.

Beach resident Dick Maguire stepped forth at that same meeting and presented an amendment to Mr. O’Hara’s citizen's petition. By changing the wording in the petition it then excluded fireworks displays in the Seabrook Beach Village District. Mr. Maguire explained that selectmen had approved the ban in December 2011 strictly because of the safety issues (most beach village district homes are built within 8 feet of the property line).    The then Fire Chief Jeff Brown agreed with Mr. Maguire and backed the fireworks ban on private beach property, again, strictly for fire safety reasons. While Chief Brown explained that there had been some close calls but as of that date, no property on the beach had burned down due to fireworks.

Mr. Maguire's amendment passed… the ban on fireworks displays on private property in the Seabrook Beach Village District remained.

It should be noted that… with or without the ban of fireworks on private property, fireworks displays are not allowed on town property in Seabrook, including on the beach itself.

On February 5, 2013, a petition warrant article that would restore the ability to shoot fireworks on private property at the beach district surfaced again. This time it went on the ballot.  The warrant article lost by one vote.

Will the Town of Seabrook voters be asked in 2014 to vote on yet another warrant article regarding fireworks in Seabrook ‘s beach village district?

This website is not designed to be a blog, nor does it plan to be.                                                                     

 

One of the original members of the Seabrook Beach Civic Association had this to say:

Last year, as a result of voters’ action, fireworks were banned on private property in the  Seabrook Beach Village District. The ban succeeded by a margin of one vote.

 

Anyone, including the fireworks advocate who is both an uptown and a beach homeowner, may again sponsor a warrant article to allow fireworks in the Seabrook Beach Village District, and it could find its way on the March 2014 town ballot.

 

If supporters of the ban on beach village district fireworks wish to continue the beach district fireworks ban it is imperative that they express their view both at Town Meeting in February and, if need be, at the polls in March 2014. The same applies to the “other side of the issue”.

 

To all voters who will not be in Seabrook, New Hampshire in February, I urge you to write a letter that can be read at town meeting and if need be and the warrant moves forward, vote by absentee ballot in March…

Go to town hall and ask that an absentee ballot be sent to you and cast your vote.

 

Remember one vote decided the fate of the ban last year ! It may be your vote that decides it in 2014.

 

At this moment,

FIREWORKS ARE BANNED  on PRIVATE PROPERTY in the  SEABROOK BEACH VILLAGE DISTRICT

BUT… You Can Still Enjoy Fireworks During the Summer Months

 

You can watch the area’s most spectacular fireworks simply by walking or riding to

Hampton Beach on Wednesdays or to Salisbury Beach on Saturdays in July and August.

Actually, if you sit on the sand on Seabrook Beach there’s a wonderful view of both displays.

 

So, pack a snack, grab a blanket and sit on the sand.   

Be sure to bring back home what you take  down.  

Seabrook Beach is a “carry in, carry out area . 

All items brought to the beach must carried out upon leaving and disposed of properly”  Article 49 202-19  

Fireworks

All of a sudden the beach was littered with small white disks!

 

It was March, 2011 and beaches were closed from Massachusetts to Maine including our Seabrook Beach.

By Monday, March 14th, thousands of potentially harmful white plastic disks had washed on our shoreline.

The cause, according to DES spokesman Jim Martin of the N.H. Division of Public Health Service occurred on March 6th when the high volumes of water at the New Hampshire Wastewater Treatment Plant due to a recent rainfall and a malfunction of one of their screens caused the tank to overflow and its contents made it into a small tributary that then went into the Merrimack River and quickly made it into the Atlantic Ocean causing havoc all along our coastline.

Even while New Hampshire’s administrative investigation was under way, Jim Martin made it clear the town of Hooksett was responsible for costs associated with the cleanup efforts.

The disks are small, white, mesh circles approximately two inches in diameter and every once in a while, one can still be found on our beach.

If you have any questions about the disks or would like more information, you may go on line to www.des.nh.gov or call Department of Environmental Services public information officer at 603-271-3710.

 

Health officials in New Hampshire and Massachusetts are warning people to stay away from thousands of plastic disks that have begun washing up on the area’s beach. The disks recently broke free from a sewage treatment plant in Hooksett, New Hampshire, where they are essentially placed in sewage and used to soak up and consume bacteria.

Seabrook Women's Club

Theresa Kyle, President

Patricia Connell (VP), Bet Barraclough (CS), Joan Lawson (TREAS), Louise Ferris (RSVP), Jean Rimas (Auditor)

The Seabrook Women's Club opened its season on Thursday, April 11, 2013, noting that 2012 was a most enjoyable and successful year.The object of the Seabrook Women’s Club is to stimulate interest for the betterment of the Seabrook Community. While doing so, there are fun social activities, enjoyed with an interesting, diverse group of women.In 2012 the Club was able to provide financial assistance to the Seabrook Firefighters’ Toy Bank, Seabrook Elementary School, holiday food baskets for the needy and the elderly, cell phones and boxes for military serving oversees and the annual scholarship award for a Seabrook student graduating from the Winnacunnet High School in Hampton, New Hampshire, continuing on with higher education.In addition to their gift-giving, the ladies in the Seabrook Women’s Club and their guests enjoyed informative guest speakers; the Seabrook Police Chief, the Seabrook Selectmen, and Haverhill author Dr. Kathleen M. Rice. An ice cream social, a card-playing night, and a covered-dish supper were among the “fun” nights enjoyed by all. The Club wrapped up the year being entertained by the Winnacunnet High School Chamber Chorus, an excellent group of young people, and the annual Christmas Party. An Open InvitationThe Seabrook Women's Club extends an open invitation to any woman who is at least 20 years of age and a resident of the Seacoast area. Women interested in joining may attend a meeting.Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of the month from April through December at 7:00 PM at the Seabrook Beach precinct building at 210 Ocean Boulevard, Seabrook, New Hampshire.

The Women's Club enjoyed an uplifting performance by the Winnacunnet High School Chamber Chorus as they began the holiday season in November 2012.

Flag Day

Flag Day Celebration 2010

Flag Day, in the United States, is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States in 1777. The United States Army also celebrates June 14th, but as the Army’s Birthday.

In Seabrook, NH in 2010, the Seabrook Beach Civic Association celebrated Flag Day with the placement of over 50 sponsored American flags along 1A from the Salisbury, Massachusetts border to Hampton, New Hampshire with a “party” along the harbor. Besides the “usual”… games, done patriotic style, for the children, as well as refreshments, i.e. hot dogs and drinks for all, there were areas set up to explain about the American Flag, the Seabrook Beach Village District and the Seabrook Beach Civic Association.  Also in attendance were representatives from the New Hampshire Department of Wildlife that educated everyone about the Piping Plovers along our beach and author, Jeff Brown who had recently been a guest speaker at one of the Association meetings. 

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