I began my internship today. A Little Penguin named Chardonnay and "The Departed" helped my nerves and allowed me to sleep last night... yeah I was a bit nervous about this first day- all of those, "Hi, I'm Jeff, Hi, I'm Jeffs," but apparently hearing those three words is nothing new at the Valley News, I am the second intern named Jeff in less than a year and one of four Jeffs working in the very small newsroom. Anyways, all went well in the end, I was just excited to get a camera in front of my face. I arrived on time and after those horrifying introductions (for shyness and anxiety reasons) I was sent out to find a stand-alone. A short drive led me to a skatepark with some young kids riding around on scooters and skateboards in Lebanon, NH.
After learning how the toning and filing system works I finished my skate picture up I went out to get some food before my next assignment, which was varsity soccer tryouts at Lebanon High School for the Valley News' fall sports preview.
I then went to Lyme, NH where a portion of an old bed and breakfast was being torn down for the construction of a new one. The B&B recently fell under new management after it's previous owners passed away.
"My favorite tool is the chainsaw," says Ryan Fynley (9), of Lyme, Ryan is the grandson of Tony Pippin Sr., the new owner of the Alden Country Inn.
Firefighters did the demolition and also used it as an opportunity for training. I got to the demolition and was told to stay behind the safety line but after asking the Chief of the Lyme Fire Department if I could go closer I was quickly escorted inside by Deputy Tim Estes - so there I was with no helmet, no goggles- drywall being shredded with industrial chainsaws, glass being shattered with axes, keeping the camera up was the only protection I had.
I'm really excited about what tomorrow will bring and where the next 5 months will take me. Gee whiz, this is sweet.
