"Driving is not a right, it's a privilege." Parents everywhere intone that bit of wisdom when talking to teenagers on the verge of getting a driver's license.

Mothers and fathers face this milestone with mixed emotions. They're relieved they won't have to chauffeur their child all over town anymore. But they're also filled with trepidation as they think of their babies getting behind the wheel of a car, alone, to face the dangers of the highway.

And with good reason. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among the nation's 15- to 20- year-olds. That's a pretty scary statistic.

What can you do about it? Experts say experience is key. Enrolling your child in a good driver's education program is a first step. But even more important is practice. The state requires that students in driver's education classes spend 20 hours driving with an adult. That, in most cases, would be you, mom and dad.

Don't neglect this important responsibility. Spending the time to teach your child safe driving habits and giving them plenty of on-the-road practice is the best way to ensure your teen becomes a responsible driver. It may even save their lives.

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To the Editor:
On May 16, the Goffstown School Board unanimously approved a motion to allow the introduction of boys and girls lacrosse as a club sport during the 2005-06 school year.

Lacrosse, the oldest sport native to North America, is rapidly becoming one of America's favorite sports. The sport combines elements of basketball, soccer and hockey in a fastpaced and action-packed game.

The number of children interested in lacrosse is evident by the fast-growing program offered through the Goffstown Park and Recreation Department. In the year 2003, 16 boys participated. This number increased to a total of 48 in 2004 and 70 in 2005. Goffstown Grizzly Lacrosse Club is currently working on a number of initiatives to make the first season of lacrosse at Goffstown High School in the spring of 2006 a success.

The club is identifying volunteer officers and members, adopting bylaws and developing a fundraising plan. According to Mike Shearin, president of Goffstown Grizzly Lacrosse Club, "We are well on our way to a successful start in 2006 thanks to the many children and parents that attended organizational meetings, school administrators who guided us along the way and school board officials for approving our request."

Any one interested in learning more about the Goffstown Grizzly Lacrosse Club or interested in volunteering is encouraged to contact Mike Shearin at 774- 3208 or Kim Shottes at 487- 5129. Donations may be made directly to the club by making checks payable to Goffstown Grizzly Lacrosse Club, 334 Stark Highway North, Dunbarton, NH 03046.
Kim Shotts
Goffstown

To the Editor:
From July 9 through July 16, the Goffstown Public Library will host the Vietnam Moving Wall, the traveling half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Three special events will highlight the week with a special opening ceremony on Saturday, July 9; a mid-week candlelight ceremony on July 13; and a closing ceremony on July 16.

The estimated cost of bringing this moving and timely exhibit to our area is $10,000. In recent weeks, the Goffstown Public Library has appealed to select businesses, organizations and individuals to begin to raise funds to support this project. To date, because of the generosity of so many, we have raised more than $4,600 to support the Moving Wall as well as secured many donations of services and supplies.

We are writing to invite everyone in our community to join with us in supporting this project. Recognition will be given to those who donate as follows:

Benefactors – Donations of $250 to $499.

Friends – Donations of $100 to $249.

Patrons – Donations of $1 to $99

Special naming opportunities exist for those who contribute $500 or more.

To make a contribution, make a check out to the Goffstown Public Library/Vietnam Wall Project and send it to the Library at 2 High St., Goffstown, NH 03045.

This is truly a project which will attract members of all generations. Please join with us to support this wonderful effort.
Carolyn Benthien and Michael Massey
Goffstown

To the Editor:
On Tuesday night, May 24, my children and I attended a cultural program called "The Tokaido Road," hosted by the unified Arts classes at Mountain View Middle School. I was sorry to see such poor attendance, because the presentation was lovely.

A "road" was created down the hallway, with a slide presentation of Japanese silk screen art, and there were refreshments of tea, cellophane noodles and sweet breads. Characters in period costume mingled among the guests, and Shakuhachi Master Phil Nyokai James entertained on the bamboo flute.

For any parent with a child fascinated by cartoon anime, this was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that Japan is more than just superheroes.

Mountain View Middle School continues to impress me with the extraordinary attention paid to creating a whole-life environment for the students, and the community would do itself a great favor by taking note of their scheduled events. Last year the artist-in-residence program put on a celebration of African percussion that nearly blew the rafters off the building. The show was so exciting and so entertaining that it rivaled anything being presented at the Capital Theater in Concord.

The community should know what an excellent group of teachers and administrators are over at our middle school. Teacher vs. student basketball games, cultural events, community support for families in difficulty . all are programs that are planned and supervised by faculty on their own time long after the school day is complete.

Events at the middle school and at the high school are listed in the paper to keep the public informed.

Several events are scheduled over the coming summer . parades, theater, concerts. I guarantee that everyone in the community will find something to entertain or enlighten if they gave the schools a chance.

I.d like to thank the teachers who presented "Tokaido Road" that night. Maybe only a few people attended, but we all appreciated very much your effort and hard work.
Carole Huxel
Goffstown

To the Editor:
“All of us can be creative in ways that are worthwhile and valuable in our lives ... that can change the world.”

That was the message the Maple Avenue Destination Imagination team heard during their four days in Knoxville, Tenn. The teamwork, time management and problemsolving skills they have learned are abilities they will bring back to this community, their schools and future careers.

The Maple Avenue Destination Imagination Global Finals Team extends its sincere thanks for the generosity of so many in the community who contributed to its fundraising drive.

We think of the many donors who responded to our letter campaign, those who bought Krispy Kremes or contributed toward our global yard sale. Special thank you to all the Maple Avenue students who supported their classmates by buying ice cream sundaes or popcorn, to the Maple Avenue Mini-Mart for its generosity, and to the Maple Avenue PFT for supporting DI throughout the year. With the support of the community, the team was reminded of how special Goffstown is, and their pride showed every day of the competition.
Coaches Dianne and Roger Macon
Team members Joel Devoid, Molly Gross, Julia Macon, Justin Poisson, Mandy Waryasz, Amanda Wills

To the Editor:
At the Pinardville end of Mast Road sits a barely seen and little-appreciated memorial to a 20-year-old who died in Korea. Described in a comic book of heroes, Lionel Favreau was a “stubborn sergeant.” His tank driver was killed. His tank was ablaze. But still the gunner refused to stop firing as the Red Chinese Army greatly outnumbered and overran the UN forces at the Battle of Kunuri. Many lives were saved, but 55,000 died and 103,000 were wounded. It was the Thanksgiving weekend of 1950. Favreau was first reported missing in action and then killed in action, and buried in Korea until he was returned home in 1955 for a military funeral at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. He received many awards posthumously.

The young hero was honored with a stone marker by local citizens and the CWV of St. Edmonds and Pinardville. That was 50 years ago. When the CWV dissolved, the memorial was abandoned. Cub Scouts have tried to keep the area respectable, but it is time for more professional intervention. The quiet corner near a bakery is no longer suitable. The traffic makes it impossible to stop or even notice the memorial and the quiet bakery may soon become a sports bar. Few people realize the memorial is there.

Rather than spend effore and money on refurbishing a poor quality stone in a hazardous location, a group of citizens and business owners are willing to undertake a project that includes buying a new stone and cleaning and reusing the brass plate from the old.

We are also asking the Goffstown School Board for permission to place the new memorial on the grounds of Bartlett Elementary School on Mast Road, if a safe-dig survey proves the area suitable. The school board will meet on June 6 at the Mountain View Middle School. We welcome your support and input.

We have an opportunity to not only pay homage to a local young man, but to all of the servicemen and women who served in Korea. Please help us with this project. It is time that the forgotten war and the forgotten warriors be given the honor deserved.
Georgette Lavalliere, Manchester
Bob and Betty Harris, Goffstown