Even in this picturesque, quaint New England postcard town, times are often troubled, personalities flair, and business can be tough and trying at times.
But in and amid the meetings and town business, often a gem of a story emerges that puts everything back in perspective. And in 2009, a story arose doing just that — giving all a sense of joy, a time to remember and reflect on the past, and a chance to re-visit a man who made a world of difference more than 25 years ago as a citizen of this small town of Chester. We look back at the top stories in Chester and congratulate those who worked hard, helped others, pitched in, and made the community and world a better place.
Gary Aramini returns, participates in the Greater Derry Relay for Life event
Anyone who has called Chester home most likely knows the name "Gary Aramini."
It was May, 1984 when this young man from Chester decided to run across the country in the name of those suffering from cancer.
And it was the name of a dear young friend, Billy Clay, who died of the disease, that gave Ararmini the drive to run.
Aramini became a bit of a celebrity that summer, greeting cancer patients in small towns, and gathering support for his cause as he ran. The honored former athlete at Pinkerton Academy once said he wanted to take on the pain of everyone battling the disease and somehow make a difference.
He touched many hearts as he ran and now, 25 years later in 2009, Aramini celebrated the milestone and returned to his native New Hampshire for the Greater Derry/Londonderry Relay for Life on June 19 at Pinkerton Academy.
In information sent to the Derry News, Ararmini, now living in High Point, North Carolina, said he wanted to return in 2009 to celebrate and honor the life of his young friend Billy and to continue his quest to help battle cancer.
"I was always taught by my parents that the strong are to take care of the weak, until the weak can become strong again," he said. "My intention is to jog in this year's Relay for those who are still living with cancer and to honor them in their valiant fight against cancer."
Chester Public Library opens a news chapter, closes another
As one chapter closes, a new one began in 2009 as the Chester Public Library said goodbye to one director and welcomed a new one.
Melissa Rossetti ended her tenure as head of the Chester Public Library, leaving her post to pursue a dream of being a full-time writer.
As one library chapter ended in town, a new page flipped over to Tim Sheehan, now director of the historic public library. Sheehan was formerly reference/young adult librarian at the Derry Public Library since 2006. Derry Public Library also said goodbye to its assistant director, Jack Robillard, in 2009.
Fire officials honored for bravery and heroics
Two Chester fire officials were honored in 2009 for their efforts in saving a mother and baby from a burning home
Chester Fire Chief Richard Antoine and Lieutenant Kevin Wunderly of the Chester Fire Department received the Liberty Mutual Firemark Award for their heroic acts of saving a mother and her baby from their burning home.
Last May, while en route to a reported brush fire, Antoine and Wunderly came upon a single story ranch style home with fire showing from the front entrance. They immediately stopped and called Derry Fire Alarm for additional apparatus and manpower. The female homeowner and her child were still in the residence unaware that their home was on fire. Chief Antoine evacuated a mother, her child, and a dog from the building to safety. Meanwhile, Lt. Wunderly used equipment from the department's forestry truck to prevent the fire from spreading further. The fire in the front entrance was quickly knocked down but had already extended into the attic area of the home. Once additional fire apparatus and manpower arrived on the scene, crews were able to vent the roof and extinguish the fire. It took approximately one hour for the fire to be brought under control.
Widow keeps her home
When Amy Lapham lost her husband John to cancer in 2008, she never thought she would have to face another major loss so soon. and now faces another serious loss — the loss of her home.
The Chester woman almost lost her home in 2009, the home she shared with her late husband and two small sons.
It was a dream come true, she said, as they planned to settle down, raise children, and live close to family. But when John Lapham was diagnosed with cancer and eventually lost his life battle last June, the dream died too. His widow now finds herself now facing a possible foreclosure on her home.
Last summer, Amy received a letter stating her Chester home would be foreclosed upon and put up for auction, set for Aug. 25.
"This was our dream," Amy said standing on the porch of her home one summer day, contemplating what to do to keep her house and her life in order.
As it turned out, finances were worked out and Amy was able to keep her Fremont Road home.
Chester opens is first ever publc kindergarten
The Chester school district began its first ever public kindergarten program in 2009, opening doors to half-day sessions with approximately 38 children on the roll as the town's first class.
This is the first year Chester has offered public kindergarten — one of 11 remaining communities in New Hampshire that had no program — and part of a state mandate requiring towns to provide the public school service to its students.
