2-alarm Fire Destroys North Hampton, NH, Barn

A two-alarm fire early Wednesday (30 March) destroyed two 300-year-old barns and extended to a residence at 134 Walnut Avenue, North Hampton, NH. The fire killed dozens of chickens and burned a boat and a number of other vehicles in the structures.

The initial alarm was transmitted at approximately 0400 hours, and the North Hampton Fire Department was assisted by companies from Exeter, Greenland, Portsmouth, Rye, Stratham, and Amesbury, MA.

Media Reports:

Hampton Union: 3-alarm fire kills chickens, destroys N. Hampton barn (30 MAR 11)

New Hampshire Union Leader: Antique cars destroyed, chickens killed in barn blaze (30 MAR 11)

Portsmouth Herald: North Hampton blaze kills chickens, destroys barn (31 MAR 11)

WMUR-TV: Historic Barns Destroyed In N. Hampton Fire (30 MAR 11)

Portsmouth Herald Photo Gallery: North Hampton Fire

WMUR-TV Slideshow: Barn Catches Fire In North Hampton

Background Information:

North Hampton Fire & Rescue

Town of North Hampton

Wikipedia: North Hampton, New Hampshire

Google Map: 134 Walnut Avenue, North Hampton, NH

Fr. Bevil Bramwell: Cardinal Avery Dulles' Criteria of Authentic Catholic Thought

Drawing upon a presentation by the late Cardinal Avery Dulles, S.J., Father Bevil Bramwell, OMI, reminds readers of and encourages theologians and others to make use of fifteen criteria which "point to and protect the Catholic communion of truth as it embodies and expresses the one truth of Jesus Christ."

To access Father Bramwell's essay, please visit:

The Catholic Thing: Fifteen Criteria of Authentic Catholic Thought (31 MAR 11)

Background information:

Fordham University: Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J. (1918-2008)

Cardinal Avery Dulles online archive

Annual Traffic Fatalities Decline 3% Nationwide, Rise Almost 18% in New England

In an early estimate of 2010 traffic fatalities, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that the total number was 32,788, a decline of 3% compared to the 2009 total. If these projections prove to be accurate, the number of fatalities will be the lowest on record since 1949.

However, the New England total for 2010 is projected to rise almost 18% over 2009 (1,157 in 2010, compared with 983 in 2009 – a 17.7% increase).

To access the complete report, please visit:

NHTSA: Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2010 (April 2011)

Woonsocket, RI, Middle School Promotes Math and Science With Family Night

The Woonsocket, RI, Middle School at Hamlet recently sponsored a math and science Family Night that included a variety of demonstrations as well as student-parent competitions involving geometric shapes or numbers.

To access a Woonsocket Call article about this initiative, please visit:

Woonsocket Call: Middle school's Family Night makes math, science fun for all (1 APR 11)

Reflection Starter from Saint Gregory Nazianzen

“Blessed is he who is considerate to the needy and the poor. . . . Not even night should interrupt you in your duty of mercy. . . . There should be no delay between your intention and your good deed. Generosity is the one thing that cannot admit of delay. . . . He who does acts of mercy should do so with cheerfulness. The grace of the deed is doubled when it is done with promptness and speed. What is given with a bad grace or against one's will is distasteful and far from praiseworthy. When we perform an act of kindness we should rejoice and not be sad about it.” - Saint Gregory Nazianzen (an excerpt from one of his sermons, as published in today’s Office of Readings)

Background information:

Doctors of the Church: Saint Gregory Nazianzus

EWTN: St. Gregory Nazianzen, Doctor of the Church - 328-389 A. D.

Vermont Culture: Vermont Maple Syrup

New England is a treasure house filled with many different types of spiritual, cultural, historical, and other resources. Included in this treasure trove is a rich mixture of legends, places, foods, and other features that are directly related to what many people think of as the New England culture.

On thing Vermont is noted for is its maple syrup. Vermont is the largest producer of pure maple syrup in the United States. Vermont's maple syrup is 100% natural and is made by boiling the sap of maple trees, with nothing added. It is produced in a variety of large and small sugarhouses.

For more information about Vermont Maple Syrup, please visit:

Vermont Maple Syrup

Vermont Maple Foundation and Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association: How Maple Syrup is Made

Vermont Maple Festival

Background information:

Wikipedia: Maple syrup

Institute for Human Dignity Works to Encourage Christian Politicians

“As Christianophobia continues to spread and Church teaching threatens to become taboo in Western politics, how can Christian politicians best be encouraged to speak out in defense of the faith?

“The answer may lie in the Dignitatis Humanae Institute. Founded exactly two years ago by a small group of Catholic European parliamentarians and politicians, the body is made up of working groups in several parliaments with a view to spreading worldwide.”

Thus begins a Zenit article on an initiative designed to be to be a “platform through which Christian politicians can better present coherent, moderate and mainstream responses to the growing number of radical and extremist secularists in public life.”

To access the complete article about the Institute for Human Dignity, please visit:

Zenit: Institute Supports Catholic Politicians in the Trenches (31 MAR 11)

Background information:

Dignitatis Humanae Institute

U.S. Residential Appliance and Consumer Electronics Energy Use Increases

Over the past three decades, the share of residential electricity used by appliances and electronics in U.S. homes has nearly doubled from 17 percent to 31 percent, growing from 1.77 quadrillion Btu (quads) to 3.25 quads. This rise has occurred while Federal energy efficiency standards were enacted on every major appliance, overall household energy consumption actually decreased from 10.58 quads to 10.55 quads, and energy use per household fell 31 percent.

To access the U.S. Energy Information Administration's latest Residential Energy Consumption Survey, which brought forth these numbers, please visit:

USEIA: Share of energy used by appliances and consumer electronics increases in U.S. homes

Brush Fire Destroys Kent, CT, Engine Tank

A Kent, CT, Fire Department engine tank was recently destroyed in an 8+ acre brush fire off Kent Road (Route 7) after the truck malfunctioned and the fire changed its course. The engine tank, Kent 50, was the department’s first due piece on all calls.

Media reports:

News Times: Brush fire destroys Kent fire truck (31 MAR 11)

Republican-American: Pumper truck catches fire in Kent (31 MAR 11)

Republican-American: Kent's neighbors aid department after loss of truck (1 APR 11)

Background information:

Kent Volunteer Fire Department

Town of Kent

Wikiedia: Kent, Connecticut

Music in Rhode Island: Pendragon

New England is a treasure house filled with many different types of spiritual, cultural, historical, and other resources. Included in this treasure trove is a rich mixture of music of many different genres, including (but not limited to) religious, classical, folk, Celtic, sea shanties, rock, country and western, bluegrass, and the list goes on and on. New England is home to a number of composers, artists, and venues.

One such artist from Rhode Island is Pendragon, a group that performs traditional and original Celtic-inspired music, much of which "celebrates the lives and lore of generations of New Englanders who brought traditions from Ireland, Scotland, French Canada, and other distant shores to the banks of the Blackstone River."

For more information about Pendragon, please visit:

Pendragon

For samples of Pendragon's music, please visit:

 YouTube: Pendragon - "Ryan's Mamouth Collection" II 

YouTube: Newport Irish Fest Sept 2009 027

YouTube: Pendragon @ Waterplace Prk July 24, 2009 037

Bishop Tobin on the Church as It Faces Current Challenges

"For reasons that will become obvious, I've been thinking a lot recently about the parable of the farmer walking down a rural road who came across a tiny sparrow, lying along side the road on his back, with his little feet up in the air."

Thus begins a reflective essay by Bishop Thomas Tobin (Bishop of Providence, RI) on the Church as it currently faces a multitude of challenges.

To access Bishop Tobin's complete commentary, please visit:

RI Catholic: Without a Doubt: The Sky is Falling! Really? (31 MAR 11)

Reflection Starter from Thomas à Kempis

"First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others." - Thomas à Kempis