Sunapee

The New England Handicapped Sports Association [NEHSA] held its 13th annual Winter Sports Clinic at Mount Sunapee Resort this week for disabled veterans from across the country, according to NEHSA Executive Director Tom Kersey. Two hundred people, including 55 disabled vets, 75 instructors and various support team members are attending the four-day event.

Kersey said Monday was a fit-up day, to get each veteran fitted with proper equipment and paired up with instructors. Tuesday and Wednesday were half days of skiing and half kayaking at the indoor pool at the Best Western Hotel here.

"They will also be able to try shooting with an air rifle and do some snow mobiling," Kersey said.

Included in the week of activities is a dinner hosted by Colby-Sawyer College in New London and a Monte Carlo gambling afternoon on Thursday, also at the Best Western.

Kersey said the event requires a lot or organization.

Sunapee School district has officially gone digital when it comes to getting the word out. School closings, emergencies, events and special updates will soon be transmitted to parents and guardians using a mass alert system called AlertNow. The service communicates to intended parties using a recorded voice message from a designated “administrator.” Messages can be sent at a scheduled time or as needed, whichever is appropriate.

A system test was conducted during a school board meeting Wednesday night at Sunapee Middle High school. Superintendent Brendan Minnihan prerecorded a message to be sent to select members in attendance and at approximately 7:27 pm, two minutes after the scheduled call time, cell phones began ringing simultaneously around the room. The test was a success.

Minnihan said SAU 85 still plans to use their website, WMUR News 9 and a couple radio stations to make announcements regarding closures but that this method is faster and more comprehensive. Anybody on the contact list could be notified by phone or email as early at 5 am if the school is closed.

Two students from Sunapee High School were the 2009 recipients of Mountain Spirit Institute’s Sunapee High School/Outward Bound Scholarship Program. Sean Reidy and Linnea Circosta, both 17-year old seniors, chose different challenge courses both in the western U.S.

This is Mountain Spirit’s fifth year facilitating the connection between Outward Bound USA, local students, and donors such as Rotary International of New London and Sugar River Savings Bank of Newport. Sean Reidy and his fellow Outward Bound participants in Wyoming on his recent program.

Mountain Spirit Institute founder Randy Richards has an 18-year history with Outward Bound and considers the scholarship program an opportunity for his organization to give back to his hometown community.

“The courses can be life changing for students who learn about community building, climbing, rafting, mountaineering skills as well as how to be more self reliant and compassionate with others under challenging circumstances,” Richards pointed out.