MANCHESTER N.H. – Some people may have thought there was a celebrity in the building at Southern New Hampshire University’s graduation on Saturday. Annette Roberge certainly felt like one as she crossed the stage to get her diploma at 90 years old.

“I’m still on cloud nine,” Roberge said. “I can’t even put it into words. It was exhilarating, it was awesome, it was beyond anything I could’ve possibly imagined.”

Degree 50 years in the making

This degree has been decades in the making for the mother of five, grandmother of 12, and great-grandmother of 15. She began taking classes at New Hampshire College, now SNHU, in 1972 one year after her husband of 20 years was killed in Vietnam.

She completed several night and weekend courses before it took a backseat to her five kids and two jobs. Roberge worked as an insurance agent while she finished up as a lunch lady at a nearby school. Roberge retired at age 75, but she was a woman who loved learning, and she knew something was missing from her life.  

“If I started something I just have to finish it,” Roberge said.

But it wasn’t until recently that Roberge’s daughter began poking around and learned her mom had earned enough credits for an associate’s degree in business administration. Barring some health challenges, Roberge finally walked across the stage on Saturday to the roaring cheers from her fellow graduates and a standing ovation.

“Never give up on learning because what you learn can never be taken away from you,” Roberge said.

“It matters so much for the example it sets about what we do for ourselves, to keep learning and stretching and growing,” SNHU President Lisa Marsh Ryerson said.

“Don’t ever give up on a dream”

Roberge even had a parting message for all of her new fellow graduates.   

“If you’ve got a dream don’t let it just sit there. Do something, make it work, don’t ever give up on a dream.”

If you thought Roberge would be satisfied with her associate’s degree you’d be wrong. She plans to start working towards her bachelor’s degree in January.

From the office of the Tax Collector:

I am reaching out due to the high volume of phone calls and emails we’ve received from concerned residents regarding their property tax bills.

As a result of the property tax revaluation this year, the tax rate-setting process has been delayed. We are still awaiting the finalized tax rate from the Department of Revenue. Because of this delay, we anticipate that the warrant will be prepared, and tax bills will be mailed out early December. The due date for taxes will be the second week of January, 2025.

I want to inform you that this information will also be available online for your reference. Tax bills will be posted online once they are mailed out under the online payment tab for property taxes.

In the meantime, you may pay your taxes now based on last year’s tax amount, with the balance due once you receive your updated bill.

If you are looking to qualify for an income tax deduction, please be aware that payments must be received by December 31st, 2024.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving.

This press release was produced by the Town of Bow. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

MANCHESTER, NH – Manchester Fire, AMR and police responded to a report of a multi-vehicle crash with injuries at Silver Street and Maple Street Friday.

Firefighters and AMR arrived just after 5 p.m. and immediately requested additional ambulances after finding multiple people needing medical care.

Five vehicles were involved, including some parked on the side of Maple Street. The first vehicle, a grey 2019 Chevrolet Traverse, was operated by a 53-year-old man from Manchester, who sustained life-threatening injuries. A trauma alert at the Elliot was requested, and AMR transported the driver.

The passenger of the Chevrolet was a 50-year-old man also from Manchester who sustained minor injuries.

The second vehicle involved was a green 2001 BMW 540I, operated by an 18-year-old man from Manchester who sustained minor injuries in the crash. The passenger of this vehicle was a 28-year-old male also from Manchester who sustained minor injuries in the crash.

The third vehicle involved was a silver 2004 Nissan 350Z, operated by a 17-year-old male from Manchester who sustained minor injuries as a result of this crash.

The fourth and fifth vehicles, a green 1999 Honda Accord and a grey 2008 Scion TC, were parked on Maple St.

Several witnesses who saw the vehicles moments before the crash said the BMW and Nissan operated by the teens appeared to be road racing at a very high speed.

One witness said the BMW was in the left lane, with the SUV in the right lane, as the Nissan approached they described it attempting to pass on the right and subsequently crashed into the parked cars.

A utility pole with a significant number of power lines was broken from the impact of the vehicles. Eversource was requested to the scene and expected to work through the night on replacing it.

The Manchester Police Department Traffic Unit is investigating the cause and factors of this crash.

If you have any information regarding this incident, please call the Manchester Police Department Traffic Unit at 603-668-8711.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news