By Angeljean Chiaramida
Tomorrow, Wal-Mart opens its garden center just in time to raise some cash for Seabrook Recreation Department. The Rec Center is located across Lafayette Road from the retail giant, and has often found the company to be a good partner in its projects, said Recreation Department Director Sandy Beaudoin.
For a good part of the day tomorrow, Wal-Mart staff will be selling hot dogs and hamburgers, Coke and Pepsi, with the proceeds going to Seabrook Rec, Beaudoin said. Coca Cola and Pepsi are also sponsors of the event, and members of the community will be baking goodies to be sold to those who'd like some home-baked goods.
In another fund-raising venture tomorrow, two Wal-Mart store managers will be stationed on the roof of the building. They'll have a money bucket, Beaudoin said, and the only way they can get off the roof is by raising money.
"They'll sort of be held hostage on the roof until they can raise enough money in ransom to get down," she said.
The hope is the community will take pity on the managers, as well as donate to the cause to help the Rec Center complete some of its outstanding projects, like its walking trail.
Events begin at 10 a.m. and last until 3 p.m. With any luck, both managers will be down from the roof and on their way home by then.
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The Exeter Chamber of Commerce recently named FPL Energy Seabrook Station nuclear power plant its 2008 Business of the Year for the technology category. The award ceremony took place last month at the Galley Hatch Conference Center in Hampton. Seabrook Station Vice President Gene St. Pierre accepted the award on behalf of all the power plant's workers from Exeter Chamber President Van Ballantyne.
Each year the Exeter Chamber presents awards to its business members who "exemplify good business practices, contribute to their communities and serve as role models for other businesses," according to the Chamber's published criteria.
According to Seabrook Station Spokesman Al Griffith, when Ballantyne introduced Seabrook Station, he commented that "... Seabrook Station has become recognized as one of the best run nuclear power plants in the country, if not the world. This extraordinary transformation from a target to a very successful industrial business is a testament to the spirit of the Seabrook team, a team that stuck together with unity and purpose in the face of major adversity. Most importantly, Seabrook Station has proven itself to be a compassionate and caring neighbor giving back to the community it serves ... ."
In response, St. Pierre thanked the chamber for the honor, saying he's proud of the men and women he works with every day at the power plant.
"Most of us live and raise our families in the Seacoast area. We have a vested interest in our community. We are involved and support our community as individuals and as a company. I know how grateful the Seabrook team is to receive this award because it comes from our neighbors, our business associates, our friends."
Seabrook Station was also presented with a commendation from U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu, congratulating the company for receiving the award.
Other 2008 Business of the Year award winners were: Jordan Signature Heating, in the category of business service; Buxton Oil, in the retail category, and Citzen's Bank, in the financial category.
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The walls of Cafe Fresco in Hampton are filled with the artwork of talented students from Winnacunnet High School. WHS artwork is currently on display at the cafe and will remain there until Thursday, May 1.
The cafe is open Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 2 p.m.
The Winnacunnet High School Art Show takes place at WHS on Wednesday, May 7 from 6 to 8 p.m.
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Seabrook holds its Rabies Clinic tomorrow at Seabrook Elementary School from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The annual two-in-one event allows dog owners to get their pets vaccinated for rabies and get their annual dog license at the same time.
With the rash of rabid animals that have been found in Seabrook over the past years, Seabrook veterinarian Dr. Christopher Baker and Seabrook animal control officer Jeff Baillargeon urge pet owner to have their pets protected against the deadly disease. Both Baker and Baillargeon recommend cats — especially those that venture outdoors — receive a rabies vaccination as well.
Tomorrow, Baker will give rabies vaccinations for $10.
Then Town Clerk Bonnie Fowler can issue a dog license. Dog licenses are $10 for non-neutered or non-spayed animals, and $7.50 or those neutered or spayed. Senior citizens get a discount: $2 a license for the first dog.
Baker said microchipping — a subdermal identification system — will also be available at the clinic for a special price of about $30.
For more information, contact Old Town Animal Hospital in Seabrook at 603-468-1900 or the town clerk's office at 603-474-3152.
Angeljean Chiaramida covers Seabrook for The Daily News. She can be reached at 978- 462-6666, ext. 3271 or by e-mail at achiaramida@newburyportnews. com.
