Ron Cole | Fosters Daily Democrat

Happy February to yall. Looks like Mother Nature decided to remind us what winter is like in Dover.

Speaking of Dover, it is time once again to see what it was like around here almost 400 years ago. On Feb. 9 at 7 p.m., Dover400 will be hosting a webinar by Paul and Denise Pouliot as they present "Dover In the 17th Century: Abenaki Life and History from an Indigenous Perspective." Theyll be discussing the myths, misconceptions and much more of an acculturated and assimilated indigenous people telling, among other things, what relationships were like during colonial encroachment and violence which had a major impact on colonial Dover. You can register for this amazing insight into what happened to life back then atdover400.org.

Lots of things bouncing around the area, so lets get to it:

Remember the old saying those who can, do; those who cant, teach? It is a stupid line written in the early 1900sby George Bernard Shaw for his play "Man and Superman."

The implication being that people teach because they cant function in their chosen occupation. This ignores that fact that most of our high achievers also happen to be teachers. Einstein, Robert Frost, J.K. Rowling are a few (think of a couple of your favorites).

Here are a couple names of local note that you have been affected by and will be honored and recognized hearing more of in the near future: Joanne Houston and Cheryl Richardson. They have been teaching for many years at Spaulding High School. Much of their good work has been related to music: marching bands, chorale groups, many many musicals and much more. If youve ever attended a play at Spaulding, the famous Dover High School Band Show or performances by the Seacoast mixed high school choral groups, You have stood up and given a standing ovation to one of their inspired works. Joanne and Cheryl are retiring this year and hundreds and hundreds of Rochester residents are making plans for some pretty impressive stuff honoring them. And this tell just a part of two awesome human beings. Yeah … for teachers! Wait till you hear some of the comments … Ill keep you posted.

Heres a unique guy hes Hilltop City through and through. Dana Hilliard is a graduate of Somersworth High School, both Plymouth State University and Keene State College. Five times served as state rep (for Somersworth, of course), city councilor, more than 22 years in education, 10 as principal of Somersworth Middle School. Now he gets to use that experience in his new position as director of school district operations. He always said it would take a lot to get him away from the middle school building and now he has all the buildings. Oh did I mention ... hes the mayor, too. Darn those educators. I guess some of them are OK. LOL.

A funny thought entered my mind at just the right time the other day. I was thinking about how impressive it is firefighters are heroic for the jobs they do. They get called out in all weather and to do anything that needs to be done - last week for days with the temp dropping to zero w/wind and then a noreaster on top of that .... it must have been brutal. Lo and behold, one of Facebooks members made a bit of an off the cuff remark that firefighters are not heroes, but well paid employees of the city doing their job. That set the locals off with a vast number of folks disagreeing.

My view:

Now Im 80 years old - when growing up Gloucester had a large number of very old wooden summer hotels that had outlived their value and many (some suspiciously) burned to the ground in horrific conflagrations which I watched on the sidelines (for my parents were big fans of big fires and since I was an only child I went with them). I learned first-hand how dangerous these jobs were. Things are different in the 21st century, but one thing hasnt changed …heat, exhaustion, burns, physical and mental stress and toxic hazards are all part of the job. There are many jobs that one can take and sit in an office every day. Ive covered many fires and many accidents these guys and gals sure arent doing it for the money. One other thing Ive learned: Every firefighter certainly doesnt do it for the money, they do it because they care.

What do you think folks? Let me know. Who are your heroes?

Be kind and empathetic, please

Ron Cole can be reached at mrdoverdoins@gmail.com.

Read the original:
Dover Doins: Heroes all around in our community - Foster's Daily Democrat