[Hidden-tech] PRESS RELEASE> Ashuelot NH Flood: Mini-Documentary in Progress

[Tom / Reelife Productions]

PRESS RELEASE

*For Immediate Release*

"Disaster on the River- The story of The Ashuelot, NH Paper Service Limited
Mill"

Mini-Documentary Production in Progress

Producer: Reelife Documentary Productions

=====================================

On Columbus Day weekend, 2005, Ashuelot, NH, The Paper Service Limited
mill was ravaged and destroyed when heavy rains breached a nearby dam.
Instantly, a century of family history was washed down the river. Today,
there are many issues of fault and negligence that have yet to be resolved.
Reelife Documentary Productions of Williamsburg, MA is producing a
mini-documentary that will explore the details of  the flood and investigate
the current state of the mill through interviews with mill owner Gary O'Neal
and other members of the Ashuelot community. The documentary will use
archival footage from NH Public TV Channel 11, WMUR Channel 9- Manchester NH
and WFCR Pubic Radio- Amherst MA. Photos from the Cheshire County and
Winchester Historical Society will also be included, along with those of
private collections. Tom Adams, Director of Reelife Documentary Productions
is also seeking photos, video, digital images and eye witness accounts of
anyone who witnessed the destruction of the mill. He is hoping anyone with
anything to contribute will step forward to share their story.


Adams finds this story particularly intriguing because of his own town's
flood history. In 1874, Williamsburg, MA was a bustling mill town that
 suffered a similar calamitous industrial disaster. A huge, poorly
constructed reservoir burst, demolishing many mills, businesses and homes,
and sweeping away 139 lives along the course of the Mill
River. The Ashuelot, NH Paper Services Mill site dates to 1850 when it was a
saw mill powered by the Fuller Dam. In 1883 Christmas papers were produced
in Ashuelot, NH and in 1884, a long term relationship was established with
S. S. Pierce in Boston. Blocks of 1000 sheets of 5x7 cabinet tissue were
shipped all over the Americas by Rail Road Express. During WWI Jerry Packs
were made and shipped to the troops for use in fox holes. The mill changed
with the times and rag paper gave way to recycled tissue. Hydropower then
gave way to coal which, in turn, was replaced oil. The biggest change came
with the 1970’s Green Revolution and the mill adapted it's operation to
include green energy and alternative operation methods. The mill has long
been recognized by the EPA as a model for its anti-pollution efforts.
Unfortunately, due to the amount of damage caused by the flood, the mill can
not be rebuilt and the owner has now filed for bankruptcy. The
mini-documentary will do its part to preserve the legacy of The O'Neal
family business as well as a part of New Hampshire's Paper Mill history.


To contribute to this documentary, please contact Gary O’Neal: Paper Service
Limited, Box 45, Hinsdale, NH 03451, gary at paperservice.com or Tom
Adams: Tom at ReelifeProductions.com, (413) 575-9707, Williamsburg, MA,
www.ReelifeProductions.com.
=====================================

Regards,

Tom Adams
(413) 575-9707
Williamsburg, MA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
www.ReelifeProductions.com
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