Old Home Days has added a new event in memory of a very special man that will support a good cause.
On Sunday, Aug. 10, the family of the late Ralph Marshall will hold a 5-kilometer run to raise money for Seabrook's parks and recreation areas, something Marshall strongly supported during his lifetime.
The race will start at 10 a.m. in the town parking lot on Route 1A at Seabrook Beach and is being organized by Marshall's son Justin. Selectmen approved allowing the family to use the area for the race.
Marshall, a longtime supporter of town youth and recreation programs, died in January at 50 after a brave battle with cancer. Money raised by the race will be used to enhance Governor Weare and South Main Street parks.
During Marshall's career working in the Public Works Department, his responsibility was to maintain the parks and recreation areas. It was a job he loved and did very well.
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Old Home Days is planned each year by the Seabrook Recreation Department, with the help of volunteers. It will run this year from Saturday, Aug. 9, through Sunday, Aug. 17. A brief schedule of the daily events is listed below.
A detailed schedule of times and venues can be found at Seabrook's Recreation Center on Route 1, or by calling the department at 603-474-5746.
r Saturday, Aug. 9 — Baby Seabrook Pageant - Applications are available at the Seabrook Community Center. Open to children and grandchildren of Seabrook residents who are up to 47 months old.
r Sunday, Aug. 10 — Ralph Marshall Memorial 5K race.
r Monday, Aug. 11 — Seabrook Historical Society presentation this year is on the genealogy of the Knowles family. The event is researched and presented by President Eric Small.
r Tuesday, Aug. 12 — Family Night, a night of kids games and family fun.
r Wednesday, Aug. 13 — Basketball Shootout.
r Monday, Aug. 11 through Sunday, Aug. 17 — Old Home Days Softball Tournament.
r Thursday, Aug. 14 — Pageants: Miss Seabrook (ages 13 to 18) and Little Miss Seabrook — Applications are available through July 31. Call Nancy at 603-474-2972 or Phila at 603-474-3817 for application instructions.
r Friday, Aug. 15 — Pageant: Junior Miss Seabrook (ages 7 through 12) — applications are available until July 30 and can be picked up at 102 South Main St. or by calling Margaret at 603-474-5039.
r Saturday, Aug. 16 — The Main Event — A festive day of games, vendors, contests, music, activities and great food.
r Sunday, Aug. 17 — Turkey Shoot
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New finance office manager Debra Knowles had good news to report this week when she told selectmen that spending in this tight budget year is under control. About halfway through the year the town has spent about 48 percent of its budget. Knowles was pleased.
Selectman Bob Moore praised Knowles for working late since she's taken over to remedy some outstanding issues in the finance office.
"I've noticed you've been burning the midnight oil to get things straightened out," Moore said. "Thank you."
Selectman Aboul Khan added he hoped she could get out of her office before 8 p.m. soon.
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An effort to amend the town's 100-page emergency plan will result in a new document probably extending about 1,000 pages, according to fire Chief Jeff Brown. Ever since Hurricane Katrina turned into an emergency response nightmare, federal officials have been ordering local emergency service providers to incorporate new procedures in community response plans.
One big addition, Brown said, is an order that emergency evacuations and shelters include pets, something previously not accommodated. Brown said during Katrina, federal officials learned pets were a "deal breaker" for many, who refused to leave their homes for shelters because they couldn't bring their beloved animal family members.
A problem is that federal officials haven't defined what kinds of animals are included in the pet category. Brown said he's assuming cats and dog are included, so town emergency officials are opening discussions with Seabrook's greyhound racing park, in hopes it might be a place where dogs can be domiciled during emergencies.
"But, I'm hoping I don't have to find someone to take a (pet) snake," Brown added.
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Selectmen are allowing those recently billed for water usage to have until Dec. 31 to pay their bills. The bills had required the statements residents received in July to be paid by August.
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.
