School children are reaching out to youngsters in Iraq.

Students at Henry Wilson Elementary School have been collecting items for Iraqi children. They named their program “Kids Helping Kids,” after hearing from a New Hampshire National Guard member that children he visited in Iraq needed everyday items such as crayons, paper and pens.

The guard member, Mark Long, works in the U.S. Attorney’s office. He wrote to his colleagues that if they sent him any packages to make sure they kept the kids in mind.

A colleague shared the message with his wife, who is a teacher at the school, and she got the administration and Student Council involved.

U.S. Attorney Tom Colantuono accepted their items and will have them shipped to Iraq.

Day of mourning

Gov. Benson has declared Friday a day of mourning in New Hampshire for former President Reagan.

He called on state residents to lower their flags at half staff until July 5.

Reagan died Saturday at the age of 93.

Friday also is a national day of mourning for Reagan. A service will be held at the National Cathedral in Washington that day before the body is flown back to California for burial.

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Education Spending

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CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – New Hampshire spends less money on its elementary and high school students than Vermont or Maine.

The Census shows New Hampshire spent $7,650 per pupil.

Vermont spent $8,706 per pupil in the 2000-2001 school year. Maine spent $8,178.

Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island all spent more than the three northern New England states.

New York and New Jersey led the way, each spending almost $11,000 per pupil. Utah was the lowest at $4,600.

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Cow Pie-Gamble

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NORTHFIELD, N.H. (AP) – A $100,000 view at Knowles Pond is safe from development thanks in part to cow-pies.

Town officials sealed the deal preserving 10 acres on the pond after a year of fund-raising.

Joining the more traditional T-shirt and rhubarb pie sales was Cow Patty Bingo. Irma the cow unknowingly inspired the game last summer, when she wandered away from her farm and over to the local fire department to relieve herself.

So participants bought up 2-foot square pieces of grass next to the fire department, and hoped Irma would choose that spot for her next deposit.

The owner of that square won $500, while the town earned $2,500. The town raised enough money to have control over 65 percent of the shoreline.

AP-ES-06-09-04 0937EDT