YOUR COMMENTS

DM from Derry. I understand your concerns however, there is a way to voice them without making your son the laughing stock of his middle school.

Your comments in this post are the exact comments that you made in your interview with the Nutfield News last week. You actually did teach the children of these parents how to play this game as many people had no idea how to play this. Students are very savvy and they read the newspaper for their information. I do hope that your article does not come up as a Current Event on your son's team at school.

Also, it does not take a village to raise a child. It takes his parents to raise him. You should be instilling these values at home with your child and not projecting your beliefs onto other people. We live in America, the country that you served, so that we could all have the freedom to choose. Please allow the parents of other children to do that - choose how they want to educate their children regarding the dangers of alcohol.
- Michelle, Derry

In the state of Nh 50% of children under the age of 18 have admitted to binge drinking. According to Hannafords, They are selling the balls for profit for those who want to play that game. As a mother, a social worker for children, and who has had a family member die from a drunk under-aged college student who had been binge drinking, it is my ethical responsibility to help stop illicit behaviors. I am doing the best to educate my child. Yes, it is my responsibility. But, are all of you doing the best to educate your children? Most of you seem not to get the message, it seems, from what has been written here. I did not teach your children how to play, this game, nor did this article. Have you seen the display? They are selling thousands of these balls for binge drinking purposes. Your children are all ready playing. Hannaford knows, and now you know. It takes a village to raise a child. Your welcome.
- DM, Derry, NH

Oh no! Was there a Solo cup display there as well? We may just have a conspiracy!!! Hannaford must be promoting underage drinking!

Maybe we should start carding for ping pong balls and solo cups! Obviously 7th graders are not responsible enough to purchase those items! Who knows what they would do with them? Well now, they know what to do with them! And probably did before. The Union Leader and this woman probably educated more adults than children. Kids "these days" (how old am I?) are a lot more "socially advanced" than they were 10, 20 years ago. I think alcohol and ping pong ball proximity is the least of any of these kids' problems!
- Beth, Raymond

I would just like to add that you can pretty much make anything into a drinking game. Any deck of cards, loose change, television set, dice, pretty much every game of chance ever invented since the dawn of time has been used in the quest for a quick buzz. Thank you Plymouth State for the lessons.
So really if you want your kids to stay away from drinking games, teach them to respect alcohol and or drugs for what they are. Or lock them away in their rooms Until they figure out how to escape and abuse them anyway.
- Joe, Manchester

First off, I can somewhat understand the complaint but it should have been handled in a quiet, respectful manner. The Union Leader should have never been allowed to use her real name or her son's. (One reader commented that he didn't believe they used their real names - oh but they did) I guess her son's privacy doesn't count. This boy will face the consequences at school thanks to dear old mom and thanks to Kimberly P. he also has a brand new name. I have no idea how the newspaper got involved? Now, there is something to complain about.....
I wonder if WMUR has reported this on the news...... food for thought.
Dawn, I have a few things that puzzle me. I realize your concern as a parent but why don't or haven't you asked the supermarkets or any store, for that matter, to have an "adult only" section. This would help keep the children from whatever worries you. Also, why haven't you filed a formal complaint against the advertisements with selling any alcohol (hard liquor, wine or beer). Doesn't that promote drinking??? I would think that having your child watch, hear or read about it would or could influence his decisions.
I am sure you are an educated person that knows better. Please teach and don't dictate your beliefs. You will succeed with what you are trying to do by using this approach.
- claire, rockwall

It's not "water poisoning" but water intoxacation. When the body takes in to much water it ends up in the red blood cells. With that happening there is little room for oxigan in the cell. The effect is the same as drinking to much beer or other spirits.
- Brian Flynn, Bullhead City, Az. 86442

To Brent in Fremont:

When a person consumes more water than they can lose the result can be a decrease in sodium concentrations and an electrolyte imbalance in the body (especially in the brain). This is called over-hydration. Sever over-hydration is called water-intoxication, which can be fatal.

Nearly all deaths related to water- intoxication have resulted either from water drinking contests, where a person consumes more than 3 gallons of water in just a few minutes, or through long bouts of intensive exercise during which electrolytes are not properly replenished, yet massive amounts of fluid are still consumed (i.e. marathon running.)

Playing "Water Pong" could definitely cause over-hydration and, in extreme cases, water-intoxication.
- Mike, Derry, NH

I thank this mother and Hannafords for addressing these unhealthy advertising and marketing stratagies.
To those who think that the reporting and concerns are a waste of your time you probably don't need to read any further.
- Ann, Derry, NH

The bottom line...and only line here should be...It comes down to PARENTING. Why, as a society now, do we feel the need to have others govern our children's path to adulthood but then complain about someone else telling us how to raise our children?
I say kudo's for product placement. If, IF parents do their jobs in correctly teaching their children, children following the correct path, employee's carding legal purchases, and friends helping make responsible choices...this wouldn't be an issue. Only when there's a breakdown in this chain do overzealous people want to blame the end result.
Why do you think the candy is at the check-out? Icing with cake mixes? Pasta with sauces? Instead of blaming others, pass morals and values to your children. They're alot smarter than you think.
- Brasco, Manchester

It all boils down to parenting... sure in this case the pong balls were moved from the beer section, but still able to purchase in another isle. But what about the other things in life you have no control over, things your child will see--what do you do then?

It's nice to try and protect your children from witnessing certain things in life but there will come a time when you cannot protect or--cover your child's eye.

You need to teach your children what is right and what is wrong, prepare them for the world and all the bad things in it, teach them what they should and shouldn't do... if you are a successful parent then you will have no worries.
- B Firman, Manchester

As an appreciative beer consumer, I think this is ridiculous that this story needs to be made into such a headline. No one goes storming into spencer's gifts because they sell beer funnels and drinking game guides. And guess what, buying ping pong balls for use in beirut, which is the real name for the game, is not illegal, for anyone. We live in a society which promotes alcohol use in all its aspects. These kids shouldn't be drinking at such a young age, but that does not change the fact that the mother is placing the blame for underage binge drinking on the store instead of on herself or the media. I understand being protective of your children, but attempting to pull a power move against a store because it displays drinking game accesories in the beer aisle is ignorant as well as fruitless. If the child has access to the internet, then he has access to all the drinking game information he could ever long for.
- Alec, Goffstown

I would hope that parents would be more concerned with educating their children about what happens in life rather than policing everyone else's behaviors. After all - when her little boy is out in the world without mommy telling everyone where their ping pong balls belong is he going to know how to conduct himself??
- Kittae, Manchester, NH

Ms. Macomber needs to get a hobby and stop seeing the devil lurking around every corner. If the store was selling ping pong balls next to plywood, plastic cups and alcohol with a sign mentioning "Beirut" she would have a point.

What's next, stores that sell alcohol can't selling automotive or cooking supplies because there may be a funnel for sale? Or maybe stores shouldn't be able to sell keys or screwdrivers if they sell beer since that's promoting alcohol abuse.

She needs to get a life and take responsibility for raising her child. Stop worrying about the bad influences of grocery shopping.
- Jason, Londonderry

How about parenting your children about such risks instead of going on crusades?

I think it's become a forgotten art.
- Tom, Manchester

I love you, Union Leader. Thanks for writing this article and including in it HOW TO PLAY beer pong. Smrt.
- CB, Goffstown

I worked at the service desk at two different Hannaford stores during high school and college. The things people would complain about never ceased to amaze me. In my experience, they'd sometimes "speak up" for the "we're sorry" $5 gift card a manager will give out as a pacifier, but more frequently it seemed like they just wanted to be difficult with underpaid retail workers -- it was their moment to be in control and get some attention. I think the employee who came up with this little marketing ploy deserves a promotion! He or she is obviously in touch with what the people want; there's nothing offensive about ping-pong ball placement by itself -- the customer has to make the necessary connection. And Ms. Macomber, now that I no longer work for Hannaford I can say: get a grip!
- Mike, Manchester

From the posts here, it seems beer and toys are much more important to the 'adult children' than to kids themselves!!!!
- John, Raymond

The Sunoco on Rockingham Rd in Londonderry sells them too. The worker there told me what they were used for. Yes its encourages kids to drink in a fun way.
- Bill, Londonderry

A fantastic example of bad reporting and worse parenting.

How about some facts in the article? This reads like an editorial. Anybody interested in this subject (responsibility, drinking games, children) would probably benefit from some actual research done. "Oooh, a mother complained! Let me ask other supermarkets how they sell their ping pong balls!"
Are you for real, Kimberly Pietz?

As for Dawn...I think helping your children make the right decisions instead of trying to hide them from every possible obstacle has been covered aplenty.
Dawn- Our society trusts you to teach your son everything he needs to know to join us as a productive member. If you're not confident in your parenting ability, then seek help. I'm sure there are support groups in your area...or since you can use the internet so well, try that.
You should be able to walk with your son in any aisle in any store and not think "This needs to change so my son doesn't make a bad decision."
You should be thinking "I've given my son the tools to make a good decision. The rest is up to him."
- James, Portsmouth

Beirut was always played with quarters at Plymouth State and still is (I just visited for Homecoming.) Shall I alert the town of Plymouth NH to stop putting out quarters when making change?
- CRS, Bradford

Normally I am against these "do-gooder" parents, but this one has a point. What logical reason is there for ping-pong balls to be in the beer aisle? None, except that they are promoting beer pong, which is not illegal but doesn't exactly jive with the idea of "responsible drinking" that the beer companies like to tout. If Hannaford wants to sell ping pong balls, fine, they can sell any legal product in their stores, but put them in the toy aisle, not in the beer aisle. It is akin to the "smoke shops" who sell bongs with pictures of marijuana on them "for tobacco use only."
- Ted, Manchester

Thats UL for reporting on such a foolish story, and also thanks for informing my 11 year old daughter about all this. Its easy to find fault with anything if you try hard enough.........
- mh, manchester nh

I didn't get the reference to "Water Pong". Why is there a risk of water poisoning when playing Water Pong?
- Brent Spaulding, Fremont, NH

So is this lady saying that she's ok w/teenagers drinking as long as they don't buy ping pong balls? She's more upset about the store selling ping pong balls next to the beer than the stores selling beer to underage kids. You know lady, it's not the ping pong balls, it's the beer that kids should be educated about, thanks to you overreacting about ping pong balls, kids have now learned a new game. You should be more concerned about how kids are getting the alcohol, not the ping pong balls. Put your energy into something more constructive like educating kids on the dangers of drinking. But it's easier to ban ping pong balls isn't it?
- Tammy, Manchester

Parents do not have a chance with the readers. If her son had been rushed to the hospital for drinking too much..you would all be screaming about her parenting skills and why she was not more aware of what he was doing. However, she brings something, that many of you consider innocent, but she sees as potential for bad choices, to the attention of a business and you are all over her for not having a life. Did it ever occur to you that she may have a life outside her son...that she is an educated person and deals with the effects of drinking on teenagers and was trying to shed light to others about the dangers of innocent ping pong balls being sold near the beer?
- TH, Derry, NH

WHO CARES?!?!? Aren't there more pressing and urgent concerns before the people of New Hampshire right now?

If you don't want your kid to play Beirut or drink alcohol, then do your job as a parent and teach him or her to not do those things. Same goes for water pong or Pepsi Pong or whatever. If you want to arm your kid against underage drinking, this isn't the way to do it. Educate them.

Stores can organize their sales floors however they like and if they really want to put the ping pong balls by the beer--you know, for the adults who have to be 21 to buy it--then they ought to be able to do so.
- William Smith, Manchester

Come on people, do you are really believe that the staff at the UL would really post these peoples real names and have the an innocent seventh grader with a crazy moms entire high school career jepordized? Yes, if they used real names in the article then you would all have a valid point. But this is the UL, they are far more comapasionate than that. They are more proffesional than that. They would not put thier good reputation on the line. I am sure if you wend to Derry you would not find anyone there by that name. Or, well, maybe it is real and at which point the UL needs to rethink their PR. I am sure this wont get posted, but maybe it will.
- Dave, Manchester

Give me a break! Some people will complain about anything. I personally believe our children will listen to us and follow what they live. The power of example. They are going to see alot and hear alot. Respond girl do not react. Open your communication line with your child and keep them open.
Some will, Some won't, SO WHAT!
- C-J, Salem,NH

Hannaford is neither a toy store nor a sporting goods store. All you men are very niave if you think this was some coincidence that they were selling ping pong balls in the beer section. The store was sending the wrong message, and this consumer asked them to change. Good for her. I don't know why the responses are so sarcastic and derisive towards her. Calm down, gentlemen, Hannaford is still selling beer.
- kerry, londonderry

Funny, I saw a big basket of ping pong balls at Hannaford in Wells ME and wondered what they were doing selling those. They were not near the alcohol, but right near the checkout lines.
- Rich, Hudson, NH

For Gods sake woman---------- Get a life
and if you had a clue what was going on in the heads of seventh graders you would probably drop dead
- Doug K, Alton

This is totally absurd. It reminds me of people complaining to Disney that the animators hid satanic words in the clouds in movies.

Good job at bringing this game to our attention. If you need a cause to fight for, there may be better ones. I feel that you just taught everyone how to play beer pong! Want a Nanny State? Move one state south. Perhaps teach your children that life is going to be full of choices rather than bizarre, far fetched analogies.
- Steve, Franconia

Well Dawn now has her 15 minutes. My next question is if Dawn complained (which I'm sure she does all the time) and then Hannaford corrected the problem, Why are you involved Kimberly Pietz? Are you a friend of Dawn’s? You looking for a Pulitzer. I can read the headlines now; Union Leader’s Derry correspondent wins Pulitzer Prize in great ping-pong ball scandal of 2008.

Someone else already pointed out the fact that you can go into any convenience store and in one cooler they have milk, in the next they have beer. Mixed messages are sent to our children all the time. It’s up to us parents to teach our kids how to separate those messages, and how to act upon the resulting situations. The message Dawn sent was if you do the right thing and properly respond to a customer complaint, you’ll end up in the newspaper.
- Dan, Nashua

I think this mom should be more concerned with how her 7th grader is getting the beer! Beer pong? Never heard of it, but now I know how to play it and so do my two teenagers.
- Lee, Manchester

Dawn,
You need to find a hobby! I feel sorry for your son, kids at school are going to pick on him because his Mom has too much time on her hands!
- Ginny, Manchester

"Macomber said, referring to what she has learned about beer pong's popularity through the Internet "

Well if it's on the internet it MUST be true... everyone knows that... good work mom! Yawn... no wonder the American youts are so ill prepared for life...
- PJ, Concord

Ping Pong balls near the alcohol section? Oh the humanity! Please. How about keeping the seventh grader buckled in the cart so they won't wonder over to the beer section and don't belive everything you read on the intenet.....The world is such a safer place now.
- Tabitha, Londonderry

Nice Job Mom. Your actions have prompted a news article that explained, in detail, how to play beer pong to the four teenagers in the area that were not aware of the game. Let's hope they don't figure out how to play that OTHER drinking game.
- Marc, Manchester

Just wondering: Why would a seventh grader be in a supermarket with his mom and why would mom let the kid in the beer section in the first place? It won't be long before there's yellow police tape around the beer section. Rumor has it you can play the same drinking game with quarters......
Should the supermarket stop giving back quarters as change?
- Sydney, Londonderry

Jeez, are they gonna ban quarters too? Cause we used to play that same game by bouncing quarters into a cup! Bottom line is where there's a will, there's a way. Or maybe they should just ban all change as well as ping pong balls?
- Mike K, Derry

There has to be better news then this. No big deal if you ask me. No one complains that Hannaford's puts a display of cups next to beer. But yet some one complains over ping pong balls. People need to do more parenting and less complaining. Whats next some one who complains Mc Donald's food is too high in fat?
- James, Hooksett

Wow... No wonder they put the laxatives next to the candy isle in supermarkets when you check out! This will undoubtedly encourage those with eating disorders to buy candy as well as the laxatives. Oh, and I forgot one more example where I actually saw red hot beer peanuts being sold next to the Preparation H supplies. Man, I now am enlighted as to the lenghts those marketing guys will go! BJ, I pray for you dude. JS
- Justin, Pelham

Instead of complaining to Hannaford, Maybe she and others parents should look in the mirror and start parenting, instead of pointing fingers...
- Joe, Derry

With all due respect to this lady Don for wanting to help deter her children from underage drinking but is this really that big of a deal to her? Based on her implication that the pong balls are displayed near the beer to entise people to play beer pong the people buying the beer have to be 21 and I'm pretty sure they are allowed to drink their beer however they want, whether it be out of the can/bottle or out of a cup that just had a ping pong ball in it. As I, and any other good parent know it is important to look out for childrens well being but this isn't a sporting goods store and chances of selling enough ping pong balls to ping pong players at the grocery store without the strategic product placement to remind people buying beer (they would play beer pong anyways but go somewhere else to get the balls) that they can get them right here with there beer. So get a life Don and worry about the economy and educating your kids on the dangers of binge drinking instead of trying to hide it from them completely.
- Mike, Manchester

That's one Mom with WAY to much free time.
- mike, manchester

Who buys sports equipment at the grocery store? There are also other products in the beer aisle that are not beer at some stores, what should happen then? Oh man, I just realized, I bought milk today at the 7-11 that is in a refrigerated cooler, guess what else is in a cooler there....OH NO BEER!!!!! I'm sure this poor 13 year old kid is going to have a blast in school Monday being named in this article as the kid with the overzealous mother.
- Jim Wilson, Manchester

Good work, mom. Now those seventh graders will have to walk two aisles over to get their ping pong balls when they pick up their beer. Thank heavens you are here to protect them.
- Jason, Tamworth