It's a girl!

We're delighted to announce the arrival of our beautiful new daughter, Simone Graciela Springborn Brannigan! Simone was born on Tuesday, September 13, at 5:54 AM - she weighed in at 7 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 20 inches in length. She has dark blue eyes (though most babies tend to have blue eyes to start, so we'll see how they turn out), a fair amount of brown hair, and is generally a happy, healthy baby! Labor lasted just under 9 hours and went very smoothly, with no interventions - our midwife, doula, and labor nurse were a pleasure to work with.

We're slowly adjusting to the challenges of first-time parenthood - it really is a lot of work, and sleep is at a premium! But we're loving every minute of it, and we're enjoying watching Simone grow every day :) These are a couple of our favorite photos, and while our website is currently not updated (as of 9/27), we're hoping to get more pictures of her up there in the next few weeks.

-Jim

Jen Araujo's Wedding

Jen Araujo tied the knot with Phil Johnson (ironically also my uncle's name)in July. A big CONGRATS to you both!!

(For more info, see archive post.)

HBHSers at Jen's Wedding

Can you recognise them?

Our High School/Now the Middle School

The Telegraph Online has an article about a renovation on the old high school building, now the middle school...apparently the school has been re-painted and an addition added.

Increase Your Hurricane Katrina Donations!

Planning on donating to help Hurricane Katrina victims? Make the most of your money with matching donations! Here are a couple I've come across:

*The Ellen DeGeneres Show & Warner Brothers will match your donation to the Red Cross! Up to $500,000 matched. Here's the spot.

*Lowe's will match any donations to the Red Cross up to $2 million made *in-store only*. See box at bottom of their home page.

*Until Sept. 30th, Best Buy will match any online or in-store donations to the Red Cross up to $1 million dollars.

*Sears/K-Mart will match in-store donations to the Red Cross up to $500,000.

*The McCormick Tribune will match $.50 of every $1 donated to it's fund of the first $2 million received.

*Join the Oxygen "Oh! Speakup!" Campaign (free sign-up) and Oxygen will donate $1 to the Texas Children's Hospital up to $10,000.

*Also, check to see if your employer matches any charitable donations!! An easy way for it to add up!

Don't forget our animal friends...Donate to the ASPCA!

For a pretty darn complete list of donations made by corporations, CNN is on it.

If you don't have money you can spare, a local Corpus Christie business called Coffee Cup is collecting "comfort items" for the estimated 250,000 people for whom Texas will be caring. You would simply have to ship items to them.

Christine (Callahan) Blonda

Came across a photo entitled "Hang On, Rye" by Christine on portsmouthnh.com. This picture was submitted to the site's Summer 2005 Photo Contest.
Not sure if the subject is Christine's child or not...if anyone knows, submit in the comment area or e-mail me (gailany@yahoo.com).

HBHS track named after COACH

The HBHS Athletic Booster Club page has a scan of an article from the Hollis-Brookline Journal. The new track facility at HBHS was named in Coach's honor during a commemoration ceremony back in May.

Hollis/Brookline High School Faculty

Looking at the Hollis/Brookline High School Faculty page, you may note that Samantha McElroy Squires is now back at HBHS. But this time as an English teacher. And Mr. Richard Manley is now also a Vice Principal. Wow-ee! I must say, there is quite a large faculty there now! Not the same small school any more I guess.

Windows on Hollis - Town of Hollis, NH

Windows on Hollis - Town of Hollis, NH is a virtual museum run by the town. A rather nice site to remember the town by (especially for those of us who aren't in the area any more!).

Chris Ham

Thought I'd try a few names today. Chris Ham came up on the Hollis Fire Dept. Organization page. Or, should I say Captain?
And will someone confirm that Chambo is a lieutenant??