The Dover Democratic Committee celebrated its’ First Annual Franklin Roosevelt Dinner on Saturday, January 26, 2008 with the presence of many political figures, including State Representatives Brendan Browne, Tom Fargo, Baldwin (Dom) Domingo, Sarah Hutz, and Roland Hofemann. As the crowd was addressed with the famous Franklin Roosevelt remark, “Be sincere, be brief, be seated,” State Representative Domingo displayed his usual humor while taking a picture, “One dollar.”

Harvard Sitkoff, the author of “A New Deal for Blacks” and “King: Pilgrimage to the Mountaintop” told the crowd how it took a President to recognize Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream, which began with the New Deal under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, shifting the black vote from being 90% for republicans to what the greater Democratic party stands for today – a party of social equality, diversity, and fair employment practices. FDR appointed over 100 blacks to administrative positions in a time that society began to speak against racism.

Audio clips provided by the University of New Hampshire played, one of which was President Franklin Roosevelt’s First Inaugural Address, “…let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance…” The Dover Democratic Committee operates in such that all Democrats that live in Dover NH can vote in the upcoming caucuses that will decide new State Representatives.

The University of New Hampshire began its 18th annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration on Thursday, January 24th, 2008. It featured a photo art exhibit entitled In Search of Democracy: A Refugee Story. It highlighted the stories of seven different families from seven different countries, including Rwanda, Somalia, Croatia, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Russia-Uzbekistan, Congo, and Kuwait. A member of one family spoke for all of the families and thanked America for providing a land of great opportunity, while stressing that there was no organization established to help refugees adapt in the United States after arriving. Many of the families had a similar story about how they thought it would be easier to live in the United States, however many found it more difficult to live here because our country has a steep learning curve. While the families have enjoyed living in the United States, many stressed that they felt as if they were being ignored or even fall under prejudice because of their race, and that the media does not cover the issue of diversity enough. It was a great way to celebrate the great legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., while also recognizing that diversity isn’t about one race versus another – it’s about people from different cultures and backgrounds being able to live the American dream together as friends and family.

The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 23rd Apple Harvest Day on Saturday, October 6th, 2007. Each year, over 20,000 people visit this single-day event in downtown Dover to celebrate the Apple Harvest. Over 100 Crafters and Downtown Merchants covered Central Ave between Washington and Chestnut as well as Henry Law Park, including Dover Fire and Rescue demonstrations, Community Services Displays, Food, and Raffles.

The Woodman Institute Museum holds an Antique Auto Show in September each year at 182 Central Avenue, Dover New Hampshire. Additional information can be found at the Woodman Institute Museum Website: www.woodmaninstitutemuseum.com