NH OUTLOOK, Tuesday, 12/18/2001
script iconPreshow script iconIntro winter driving
script iconHeadlines script iconIntro Polar Express
script iconEducation Reform script iconPolar SOT
script iconIntro Gregg script iconPolar Express PKG
script iconAmtrack Tickets script iconIntro Calendar
script icondowneaster speed script iconcalendar
script iconWater Bill script iconwebsite
script iconWint. Weath. Tease script iconNext outlook
script iconBusiness Outlook script iconGoodnight
script iconWall Street Stocks script iconfounders
script iconNH Stocks script iconEd Coalition
script iconAnthrax script iconWEB PROMO
script iconIntro Hepatitis A script iconWint weath details
script iconCommon Cold script iconTonight 10:00
script iconIntro Mt. Washington script iconweb promo
script iconMt. Washington  


script iconPreshow
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Next on New Hampshire Outlook.
A new blueprint for education reform at the Nation's capitol. New Hampshire and Massachusetts senators are its architects.
It's not the cure. but close to it for the common cold.
And we'll take you aboard the real life Polar Express.
script iconHeadlines
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Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. I'm Allison McNair.
script iconEducation Reform
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Education is getting an overhaul.
Tuesday the Senate passed landmark legislation that among other things requires annual math and reading tests for millions of students.
The house overwhelmingly cleared the bill last week. President Bush is expected to sign it within days
The bi-partisan plan was hammered out by New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg and Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy.
script iconIntro Gregg
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Senator Judd Gregg says the purpose of the bill is to gauge how well schools are doing. And that will be done by testing pupils - with special attention to low-income children. Gregg says too often, they're left behind.

script iconAmtrack Tickets
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So now that Amtrack is running daily passenger trains from New Hampshire stations to Portland and Boston, how do you get tickets? Well, you can order them - five days in advance by phone - or online from Amtrack-dot-com. But you can't get tickets at any of the New Hampshire train stations. For a ticket agent - you have to go to Boston or Portland. If you want to take a chance , you can get on the train and buy a ticket from the conductor. Amtrack officials warn - however - that on a busy day - you might not find a seat.
script icondowneaster speed
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Rail fans who hoped picking up speed would help the Downeaster pick up some steam as an option for commuters will be disappointed That from a Guilford Rail System executive. Guilford owns the tracks on the line, and has maintained its rails can't handle speeds faster than 60 miles per hour. But the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority wants the train to run at 79 miles per hour, shaving 15 minutes off the two hour and 45 minute trip. Guilford’s executive vice president says safety tests will support the 60 mile per hour limit. But Rail Authority officials said they're withholding comment until they see the test analysis, which is being done by a consultant and won't be completed until next month.
script iconWater Bill
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Water conservation and protection were on Governor Jeanne Shaheen's agenda Tuesday. The governor proposed several water bills. One would regulate commercial operations that bottle and sell groundwater. Another would encourage regional water suppliers to cooperate. And the third would require communities and industry to start water conservation measures before the state would approve major water projects.The bills will be introduced in January.
script iconWint. Weath. Tease
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Monday's winter storm caused roads to turn slippery and treacherous in places. Police blame two fatal car accidents on the weather. In a few minutes, we'll show you some essentials survival tools for the winter driver.
script iconBusiness Outlook
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On Wall Street today, stocks rallied as a report of strong housing
construction in November made Wall Street more optimistic about an
economic recovery.
script iconWall Street Stocks
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The Dow added 106 points, just missing the 10,000 mark, the
Nasdaq composite gained 17, and the S-and-P 500 went up eight and a-half.
script iconNH Stocks
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Here's a look at stocks of interest to New Hampshire investors. General Electric gained a dollar 42 cents a share, Oxford Health Plans rose 89 cents a share. Storage Computer lost a dollar 88, Teradyne gained 82 cents, and Timberland closed up a dollar 11 cents a share.
script iconAnthrax
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Thousands of workers on Capitol hill and postal workers are being offered the anthrax vaccine and an extra 40 days of antibiotics.
Federal Officials are making the offer to those who've already been prescribed antibiotics because of possible exposure during the anthrax attacks by mail. Officials say it's a precautionary move in case any anthrax still lingers in their lungs. Some animal studies suggest that in rare cases, anthrax spores might linger in the body after standard 60-day antibiotic treatment.
script iconIntro Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A could be prevented in children if they're given a routine vaccination.
That's according to a new study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis A inflames the liver and can cause jaundice and flu-like symptoms. It usually takes about two months to clear up. After studying a group of California children who were given the given the vaccine, researchers found a significant decrease in the number of cases.
script iconCommon Cold
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It may not be a cure for the common cold. But it could be as close as we'll get.
Researchers have developed a drug that helps people get better faster if they have the cold caused by the rhinovirus.
Don't run out in search of the drug because it won't be in stores for months. Researchers say it eases cold symptoms within a day -- and it makes a runny nose clear up completely a day sooner than usual.
script iconIntro Mt. Washington
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It was a wintery mix for much of the state Tuesday. We checked in Steve Bailey at the Mt. Washington Observatory to see what's instore for the days ahead.
script iconMt. Washington
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Mount Washington Observatory\Tuesday On The Summit\Snow showers, freezing fog, and some blowing snow\High: 26 degrees\Peak gust: NW 84 mph\Visibility: 50 to 200 feet
Overnight\North\Snow showers likely\Accumulation: 1" or less\Lows: Lower 20s\Winds: NW 10 to 15mph
Overnight\Central\Partly cloudy \Chance of flurries\Lows: Lower 20s\Winds: NW 10 to 15mph
Overnight \South\Mostly cloudy \Chance of flurries\Then partly cloudy\Lows: Mid 20s
Wednesday\North\Partly sunny \Becoming mostly cloudy\Highs: Mid to upper 30s\Winds: W 10 to 15mph
Wednesday\Central and South\Mostly sunny\Becoming mostly cloudy\Highs: Central - Mid to upper 30s\South - Lower 40s
script iconIntro winter driving
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New Hampshire got its first taste of winter this week and the results were all too predictable. - The winter storm that came through the state on Tuesday caused two fatal car accidents and a tractor-trailer roll-over on Interstate 93.
It seems every time the cold weather arrives, we have to learn winter driving techniques all over again. We thought we'd go over a few safe driving tips, learned from past winter storms.
Trooper Kevin Leonard
script iconIntro Polar Express
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Finally tonight. we take a look at a New Hampshire original.
The Polar Express is an award winning Christmas Classic written by Chris Van Allsburg.
It tells the story of a little boy's magical journey to the North Pole. Each year, the Mt. Washington Valley brings the Polar Express to life as hundreds of Santa's helpers make 14 trips to the north pole.
A special run was arranged last week for a group of people from New York city. The ride on the Polar Express was part of a two-night complimentary stay for the family members of the fallen firefighters from the World Trade Center collapse on September 11.
Over 300 community members joined the families in North Conway's Schouler Park as they prepared to board the train.
script iconPolar SOT
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The people of Mt. Washington Valley not only shared their hospitality and holiday spirit with the families from New York, they shared one of the most precious gifts the valley has to offer; the magic of the Polar Express. Tonight Theresa Kennett takes us on board.
script iconPolar Express PKG
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AO Lucy is the event coordinator for the Polar Express, and the executive director for the organization that benefits from its proceeds, The Believe In Books literacy Foundation.
Cover with 19:09 through end of VO
1:16:58 - 1:17:09
The literacy challenge in our country is a lot worse than many of us would like to think. In our own back yard, its a lot worse than what we like to think.
1:17:10 - 1:17:30
And so we know that it really needs some help and some creative help and one great thing to do is to make something come alive to be graphic and to be able to experience it really live and that's what we do with the Polar Express
Nats of steam engine at 2:14:07 dissolve into Storyteller at
1:53:24 - 1:53:40
From outside came the sounds of hissing and screaming and smoking and metal. And I looked through my window and saw a train standing perfectly still in front of my house.
Cover with 2:14:48 to 2:14:53
1:53:55 - 1:54:02
A conductor stood at the windows of one of the cars. He took a large pocket watch from his vest and then he looked up at my window.
Cover with conductor looking at watch 1:25:29 - 1:5:35 and then go to back to story teller when he says and then he looked up at my window.
audio - cd song 2 first 7 seconds
vidio - 44:55 to 44:52
Nats of train from first night at 55:00
Dissolve to Donna Urey at 21:03 to 21:10
And right from the first time we got together it was it has to be just like the book and we have stuck to that every since.
Donna Urey is a bookseller in North Conway and she is one of the originators of the first Polar Express event.
Go to Donna at 25:53 to 26:13
Probably the most exciting thing for me to see from what was a very small idea to start out with is to see how its spread and the people who are just practically desperate to get on it and I wish we could do enough runs for everyone to get on it but we can't.
Cover with 46:10 to 46:15
Although the Polar Express carries over 430 people on each of its 14 runs per season, odds were only 1 in 8 to win a chance to buy a ticket in this year's mail in lottery system.
Cover with 50:39 to 50:50
Nats 2:19:15 to 2:19:18
1:54:35 to 1:54:42
The train was filled with other children all in their pajamas and nightgowns.
Cover with 1:42:04 for the duration or 1:45:36
1:54:43 to 1:54:57
We sang Christmas carols and ate candies with nougat centers as white as snow. We drank hot cocoa as thick and rich as melted chocolate bars. …
Go to
Audio - cd song 3 - hot chocolate from 4 seconds to 19
Video - 1:31:49 to 1:31:58; 1:33:20 to 1:33:26
1:57:06 to 1:57:14
As our train drew closer to the center of the North Pole, we slowed to a crawl, so crowded were the streets with Santa's helpers.
Cover with 1:47:50 - 1:48:02 try slo-mo and dissolve to Sea of Elves to 55:52 from first night
Go to Donna Urey at 27:28 - 27:38 - from first night
I think there is something about the spirit here, cause it's a lot of work, a lot of work and its all volunteer except for the executive director and one assistant.
Over 600 of Santa's helpers volunteer each year to create the magic of the Polar Express.
Cover with 53:05 to 53:12 dissolve to
Nats of train slowing at 55:41
1:57:15 - 1:57:22
When the polar express could go no farther, we stopped and the conductor let us outside.
Cover with 56:38
Play cd song 1 instrumental in the back ground until santa speaks
1:57:25 to:34
We pressed through the crowd to the edge of a large open circle. In front of us stood Santa's sleigh.
Cover with 58:47
1:57:49 - 1:57:55
Across the circle the elves moved apart and Santa Clause appeared.
Cover with
1:58:00 - 1:58:08
He marched over to us and pointing to me said.let's have this one right here. you'll have to get video from my camera or substitute with 1:57:40
2:08:19 - 2:08:29
Now tell me young man what would you like for the first gift of Christmas. A bell from the reindeers harness.
1:58:45 - 1:58:53
When I asked, he gave me a hug and he told the elf cut it off from the reindeers harness the elf tossed it up to Santa and he stood and he called out
2:10:02 - 2:10:12
The first gift of Christmas big applause.
2:01:59 to 2:02:06
At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed it fell silent for all of them.
Cover with kids ringing bells in train 2:17:13
Jump Cut to
2:02:23 -2:02:35
The bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe. Applause
Go to AO at1:13:36 - 1:13:51
Well from an operators standpoint the best things is that it puts unbelievable smiles on thousands of people every year. That's the best thing.
Go to Donna at 25:40 to 25:52
It does that, if people are down it lifts them up. And I think that it's a wonderful thing for people who need a little help in believing in things that can be good.
Nats of train video at 2:18:23; audio from 55:33?
Go to stand up at 2:25:14 to 2:25:38
If the events of the day ever get you down, I suggest you gather your youngest and best friends and take a ride on the Polar Express to the North Pole. Once you get there listen very carefully…. For that bell is ringing for you. From the Polar Express, I'm Theresa Kennett for NH Outlook.
script iconIntro Calendar
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The Polar Express continues to run through December 21. There are lots of other special holiday events going on around the Granite State. Here's a sampling in our weekly events calendar.
script iconcalendar
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Polar Express \North Conway through 12/21 603-447-3100
Lifetime Achievement Exhibit\Concord through 12/21 603-735-6420
Harvest to Holidays\Mt. Washington Valley through 12/24 800-367-3364
Award Winning Christmas Show\Lincoln through 12/25 603-745-8000
Art For Holiday Giving\Portsmouth through 01/06 603-431-4230
A North Country Sampler\Berlin through 02/02 603-752-7202
Tree Decorating Contest\North Conway through 12/31 603-356-7031
script iconwebsite
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For information on our program, and links to our guests and interviews,
visit our web site at nhptv.org.
You can see and hear streaming video of our broadcasts.
If you've got a story idea or comment on our program you can call us at 800-639-2721.
script iconNext outlook
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On the next New Hampshire Outlook -
The 29 year old anti-ballistic missile treaty is now a thing of the past. In withdrawing, President Bush called it a relic of the cold war. Find out from the experts what this development could mean.
script iconGoodnight
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That's it for this edition of our program. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, I'm Ally McNair. Thanks for joining us. We'll see you next time on New Hampshire Outlook.
script iconfounders
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Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook:
New Hampshire Charitable Foundadtion
Public Service of New Hampshire
Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust
Putnam Foundation
Stratford Foundation
script iconEd Coalition
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It appears that the coalition of communities fighting the state wide property tax may be splintering. In Hanover Monday, selectman voted unamimously not to support a coalition proposed amendment to the state constitution. The selectman want Hanover to remain part of the coalition which lost a suit against the state earlier this year. But they think the amendment idea is a lost cause.
script iconWEB PROMO
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook.
President Bush called it a relic of the cold war. The ABM treaty is a thing of the past. We'll look at the implications tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook.
script iconWint weath details
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Sixty-six-year old Ann Peterson of Middleton died after a crash on Monday, officials say. She was a passenger in a car that skidded and hit a second car on Route 123. In Langdon, forty-nine-year-old Geraldine Swift of Alstead died after her car collided head-on with a garbage truck on Route 12-A.
script iconTonight 10:00
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Tonight on NH Outlook
We bring a Christmas classic to life with a ride on the North Country's Polar Express tonight at 10 only on NH Outlook.
script iconweb promo
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook.
President Bush called it a relic of the cold war. The ABM treaty is a thing of the past. We'll look at the implications tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook.
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