2011
Memorial Day Observance On Thursday, May 26th at 9:00 am, the
American Legion Peterson-Cram Post 75 will be placing flags over our
departed comrades in Floral Park Cemetery. Anyone desiring to
help place flags over departed comrades, please contact Post 75 Vice
Commander Merrill Vaughan at 344-0264. The annual Memorial Day
observance will be held on Sunday, May 29, 2011 beginning with our
annual church service to be held this year at St. Stephen’s
Episcopal Church at 9:30 am. At 1 pm at the War Memorial in
Dustin Park on Main Street, we will hold our observance. Our
guest speaker will be New Hampshire District 17 State Senator, Jack
Barnes. Questions can be directed to Merrill Vaughan, Vice
Commander at 435-5207 or 344-0264.
Those Celebrating
Birthdays are: May 25, Tina Metcalf, Martha, Bryant, Lynn
McLaughlin, Stephanie Tuttle; May 26, David Daley; May 27, Chad
Cates, James Bond, Sr., Scott Brown; May 28, Ashley Morgan, Julee
Worthen; May 30, Dick Burley.
A Very Happy Birthday To One and
All!
Those Celebrating Anniversaries are: May 29,
Corine and Leon Miller.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Joseph Stockman of Pittsfield, NH who received a
Master of Business Administration during the 2011 Graduate
Commencement at Quinnipiac University on May 15.
It is
time once again to pick Pittsfield’s Citizen of the Year.
Please submit the name of your nominee and the reasons he/she should
be named Citizen of the Year to: Citizen of the Year, PO Box
173, Pittsfield, NH 03263.
Deadline for nominations is June 15th.
School
Lunch Menus May 30 - June 3, 2011
PMHS
Monday
- (No
School)
Tuesday
- Pizza, corn, fruit, milk. Wednesday - Chop
suey, salad, bread, baked dessert, milk. Thursday - Chicken,
fries, veggies, fruit, milk. Friday - Burgers, roll, lettuce,
tomato, cheese, fruit, milk.
Tilton
School Inducts Student Into National Honor Society
Claire Cortese
’12 of Pittsfield, N.H., was inducted into the Tilton School chapter
of the National Honor Society. Juniors and Seniors who have been in
attendance at Tilton School for at least a full year and who have a
minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.3 while at the School
are eligible for selection to the society.
Tilton School
maintains an active chapter of the National Honor Society. The
purpose of this organization, which was founded in 1921, is to
recognize the accomplishments of secondary school students in the
areas of academic achievement, leadership, service and character
development.
Tilton School is an independent, coeducational,
boarding and day school in Tilton, N.H., serving students in grades
9 through 12 and post-graduates. Tilton’s curricular model
stresses the acquisition of skills, knowledge and understanding in
five areas: communication, critical thinking, community,
creativity and character. Tilton School believes in the power
of each student’s individual potential for lifelong personal success
and service.
Pittsfield Seniors Learn Real-World Skills And Give Back To The
Community Submitted By: Carin J. Plante
This spring,
Pittsfield Middle High School students in the English 12 classes are
getting more than reading and writing skills, they are gaining
valuable life experience through a project they have to complete
before June 1, while positively impacting their community. The
assignment asks that each student identify a need in their school,
town, or larger community, then create, plan, and implement a
community service project that addresses that need. Students must
write a formal proposal and present it to a panel chosen by both the
student and their teacher, which could be made up of students,
community members, teachers, or administrators. This meeting must
happen prior to the student’s putting his project into motion. They
are expected to consider projected outcomes, timeline, budgeting,
fundraising, managing volunteers, as well as evaluating the project
after completion. While students will spend a good deal of time
reading, writing, and speaking - all typical tasks for English class
- they will also be developing invaluable work and life skills:
teamwork, planning, reporting, managing time and budget, confidence,
working with outside resources, and much, much more.
Students
must avoid duplicating programs that already exist; this must be a
project of their own design as much as possible to demonstrate the
identified skills. They are completely responsible for every aspect
of the project, including setting their own deadlines, finding
funding, volunteers, getting permission for resources, communicating
with school or town officials, etc.
This is the third year this
project has taken place at Pittsfield Middle High School, and each
year students generate incredible ideas and projects. This year’s
students are working on the following: elderly visitations, teen
pregnancy, an umpire clinic, helping middle schoolers transition to
high school, starting an agricultural club, working with the
elementary school after-school program on gardening, a good
Samaritan project and blogsite, assessing the options in the school
cafeteria and what students eat, starting a gaming club, a youth
basketball clinic (for elementary aged students), collecting
donation of music equipment to donate to children’s hospitals,
veterans awareness and education, mentoring and volunteering at the
elementary school, starting an outdoor club, and a two-day middle
school basketball clinic. Many projects involve raising awareness by
writing articles for local newspapers and media, as well as
providing quality after-school activities for PMHS students.
For
more information on this project, you can email
[email protected] or call the school at (603) 435 –
6701.
Pittsfield Historical Society May Program
The Pittsfield
Historical Society was very fortunate in being able to have its May
program at Doug Towle’s Historical Setting on Frisky Hill in
Gilmanton. A special thanks goes out to Doug and his able tour
guides: Diana Avery, Susan Barr and Audrey Humphrey for their
in-depth explanations of furniture, settings, and construction in
the main dwelling. Also assisting in keeping our group well
fed with great snacks was Margaret Towle.
We had over 80
people who participated in the tour of the main dwelling, which
included the 1665 House, the Ell and the Lean-to. Prior to the
tours, Doug did an excellent presentation of how the property and
where the buildings were acquired and also told stories about his
other restorations and the people who resided there. Because
of the size of our group, several separate tours were conducted.
Those awaiting tours were encouraged to visit the Barn, Corn Crib,
the Water Tower and the one room School House.
Letter
To The Editor
I wish to thank all the people from the Josiah
Carpenter Library, Historical Society and the Pittsfield Food
Pantry, who nominated me for the Joseph D. Vaughn Award presented by
the State Committee on Aging and EngAGING, NH It is wonderful
to know that my services are appreciated.
I consider it a great
honor to be chosen as the recipient for the County of Merrimack.
As was pointed out during the awards ceremony, the twelve New
Hampshire recipients have volunteered thousands of hours and have
made many great contributions to each respective county by providing
services, guidance, warmth and love. One recipient even saved
another person’s life. Also remember, the twelve recipients
ranged in age from the middle sixties to ninety -nine.
Again I say
thank you. Ruth Strickhart
Letter
To The Editor
Dear Pittsfield Taxpayer: My on-going aim and
priority as a servant within our community has always been to do my
best at keeping you informed on budgetary and expenditure matters
throughout the year. My reasoning is simple – good sound judgment is
impossible with inadequate and/or inaccurate information. Well
informed citizens lend to well-balanced fiscal decisions.
At
March Town Meeting, you the people voted to support the Budget
Committee’s budget proposal. Additionally, you the people voted not
to add money back to the departmental operating budgets as proposed
by the Board of Selectmen. Lastly, careful consideration was given
by you the people to all capital reserve and capitol outlay items
prior to your vote on those items.
According to the Minutes of
April 19, 2011, the Board of Selectmen voted affirmatively on the
following:
• Transfer $14,999 from Police Department (PD) Special
Details to PD Overtime. Approximate tax impact of this decision
based on 2010 valuation is $0.06/1,000. FYI: there should never be a
tax impact for the use of officers for special detail.
•
Transfer all town building maintenance costs to the Municipal
Buildings Expendable Trust. Approximate tax impact of this decision
based on $3,100 worth of repairs and maintenance appropriations is
$0.01/1,000.
• Use $50,000 from Highway Paving and
Reconstruction budget to cover “over expenditures” and offset
“shortfalls” in other departmental budgets. FYI: These funds were
slated and approved for capitol improvements to Wildwood Drive.
•
Hold on purchasing a new police cruiser as approved by voters; use
the $30,000 to cover “over expenditures” and offset “shortfalls” in
other departmental budgets.
While these transactions may meet
the “letter of the law,” they closely resemble misappropriation of
funds and do not represent the “will of the people.” I’ll continue
to make every effort to keep you posted throughout the year.
Sincerely yours, Linda Small Pittsfield
MVSB
Fund Awards $1,000 To Lakes Region Child Care Services
With
support from the Meredith Village Savings Bank (MVSB) Fund, Lakes
Region Child Care Services (LRCCS) has been able to help fulfill the
growing need for infant and toddler child care in the Laconia area.
The MVSB Fund awarded $1,000 to Lakes Region Child Care Services to
help the organization build the additional bathroom facilities
required to care for these young children. LRCCS currently
provides services to 246 infants, toddlers and preschoolers, as well
as before- and after-school programs for older children.
“We are
so thankful for this generous contribution from the MVSB Fund,” said
Executive Director of LRCCS Marti Ilg. “Building these
additional bathroom facilities will make it much easier for us to
provide high quality, affordable child care to families who live or
work in the greater Laconia area, and in turn, help develop stronger
families for our community.”
LRCCS is the second oldest
non-profit child care center in the state of New Hampshire and has
provided quality, affordable child care services for families in the
Lakes Region since 1968. The organization’s mission has
remained the same since it was founded: to develop and provide
quality, affordable early-learning and child care services for
families in the Laconia area.
The Meredith Village Savings Bank
Fund makes grants every year to local community initiatives and
non-profits that make a significant impact upon the lives of people
in the communities we serve. These grants are in addition to the
bank’s regular contributions and the extraordinary volunteer efforts
by our employees.
Since its inception in 1997 under the
leadership of John Starrett, then president and CEO of the Bank, 184
grants totaling more than $718,000 have been awarded to a wide range
of environmental, social, educational, and historic projects
throughout the Lakes Region and Plymouth area. Applications for the
next set of grants are due by October 15, 2011.
Meredith Village
Savings Bank, founded in 1869, is an independent mutual savings bank
with 11 offices serving individuals, families, businesses and
municipalities in the Lakes Region and the Plymouth area. The bank
and its employees are inspired by MVSB’s core values: respect,
integrity, teamwork, excellence, and stewardship. These values are
intrinsic to every decision made at the bank and are illustrated by
the high priority they place on trust, quality service, and
commitment to community support. MVSB strives to make the
communities it serves a better place to work and live. More
information can be found at
www.mvsb.com.
Denise Hubbard (left), mortgage originator at
MVSB, and Debbie Grant (right), head teller at MVSB’s Gilford
office, present a $1,000 check to Marti Ilg (kneeling in front),
executive director of Lakes Region Child Care Services. Molly
Hagan (second from left) and Taline Lichocki (second from right),
who both attend LRCCS, join MVSB and LRCCS staff to celebrate a
grant from the MVSB Fund that will help the organization build
additional bathroom facilities in response to a growing need for
infant and toddler care.
New
Hampshire State Recreational Trails Opened For Riding On May 23rd
The New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation’s Bureau of
Trails announced that state recreational Off-Highway Recreational
Vehicle (OHRV) trails had officially opened for the season as of
Monday, May 23rd. Trail networks that are not state maintained
could have different opening dates.
With over 700 miles of riding
throughout the state and trailheads located in every region, trail
enthusiasts will find plenty of riding. The Great North Woods
Region has the largest network of trails with over 500 miles
available for ATVs. Some lodging properties even have
trailside lodging available. On May 23rd, Jericho Mountain
State Park, in Berlin, had 70 miles of riding open and available.
Riders can travel from Jericho Mountain State Park to the Success
Trail, which provides the opportunity to fuel up and eat at local
restaurants in downtown Berlin.
“Riders should remember
that volunteer clubs have worked hard to get the trails ready for
the season,” stated Chris Gamache, Bureau of Trails Chief.
“They should find some good riding available. Riders and trail
users should also remember to stay on established trails, be mindful
of other trail users, and to ride responsibly.”
The Bureau of
Trails is one of four bureaus in the Division of Parks and
Recreation. The Division is comprised of the Parks Bureau,
Bureau of Historic Sites, Bureau of Trails, and Cannon Mountain.
The Division manages 92 properties, including state parks, beaches,
campgrounds, historic sites, trails, waysides, and natural areas.
The Division of Parks and Recreation is one of four divisions of
the Department of Resources and Economic Development. To learn
more, visit www.nhstateparks.org or call 603/271-3556.
AppleView Orchard In Pittsfield, NH
Celebrated Its Opening Weekend
On May 20th
The family friendly apple orchard welcomed its 2011
season with new trees and new additions to make visits to the scenic
location even more memorable.
Visitors will enjoy premium ice
cream offerings, new comfortable deck furniture, a unique gift shop
featuring local treats and fine gifts, a petting zoo, and an
engaging children’s play area.
AppleView Orchard opened May 20th
for its spring hours, Friday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Complete hours and activities – from apple picking tours and hay
rides to special events – are posted on
www.applevieworchard.com.
Upcoming Workshops Open To The Public Of All Ages,
For New Growers
Or Well-Seasoned Ones.
•June 1, 2011, 6:30 - 8:00 pm, Pittsfield
“Growing Fruit in your Backyard” Dot Perkins, of UNH Cooperative
Extension, will have a presentation for beginner and experienced
growers that will cover all of the basics of growing small fruits
and berries, as well as apples and tree fruit, in your backyard.
This workshop will be held at the Pittsfield Community Center, 68
Main Street, Pittsfield, and is free and open to the public.
Questions? Call Mary at 796-2151.
•June 6, 2011, 6:00 - 8:00 pm,
Boscawen. “How to Make
Good Compost” Ann LaCroix, a Master Gardener from UNH Cooperative
Extension’s Speakers’ Bureau, will talk about the benefits of
compost, the basics of making compost, compost bins, and how to
maintain your compost. This meeting will be held at the Town of
Boscawen, 116 North Main Street, Boscawen, in the upstairs community
room. This talk is free and open to the public, but we ask that you
call Elaine at the Boscawen Ag Commission at 796-6241 to register.
•June 8, 2011, 5:30 - 8:00 pm, Pittsfield, “Apple Twilight Meeting”
Join AppleView Orchard owner, Dennis Straight, and Merrimack County
Extension Agriculture Educator, Amy Ouellette, for an apple twilight
meeting at Appleview Orchard. Extension Specialists Bill Lord,
Cheryl Smith, and Alan Eaton, will be speakers at this event. Two
pesticide re-certification credits will be awarded to participants.
If you have any questions or require accommodations in order to
participate, please call Amy or Mary at 796-2151.
•June 15, 2011,
6:30 - 8:00 pm, Pittsfield,
“Growing Meat Rabbits” Dot Perkins, of UNH Cooperative Extension,
will cover information about breeds, housing, winter care vs. summer
care needs, breeding, and problems you may encounter with raising
meat rabbits. This workshop will be held at the Pittsfield Community
Center, 68 Main Street, Pittsfield, and is free and open to the
public.. Questions? Call Mary at 796-2151.
•June 29, 2011,
6:30-8:00 pm, Pittsfield, “Controlling Those Garden Bugs” A
Master Gardener from UNH Cooperative Extension’s Speakers’ Bureau,
will discuss those pesky garden bugs and introduce you to Integrated
Pest Management (IPM), the IPM process, pest control rules and
goals, and practicing IPM in your garden. This workshop will be held
at the Pittsfield Community Center, 68 Main Street, Pittsfield, and
is free and open to the public. Questions? Call Mary at 796-2151.
Reminder Old Home Day July 23rd
Want to be a Super Hero for the day? Get your costume
ready and be Superman, Cat Woman, Batman, The Green Lantern or one
of the many Super Heroes of TV, Movies etc., or perhaps someone that
you consider a Super Hero.
Stay tuned for further information on the day’s activities and
of course the parade. Come and enjoy the food, the craft fair
in Dustin Park and the breakfast at the Baptist Church.
Letter
Dear Pittsfield Residents: The Planning Board met May 5th and
discussed:
• Conceptual with Brenda and Alfred Courchene.
They want to expand their garage so they can sell meat, home grown
produce and eggs. They will need approval from the Zoning
Board of Adjustment.
• Master Plan Committee, Ralph Odell,
discussed continuing the Master Plan Committee work. An ad
will be posted for new members.
• 14 Depot Street, the Chair
recommends the Board of Selectmen get an engineer to test
foundations. Further action should be taken.
• Board
reviewed reduction of parking requirements in the “dowtown,” and
after much discussion, it was determined that a thorough inventory
of all parking spaces, parking lots, businesses, and apartments in
the dowtown should be accomplished before definitive action can be
taken. Fred Hast will be conducting this inventory for the
next meeting.
• Planning Board Website Blog is now up and
running. Check out Pittsfield-NH.com/Planning. Blog your
concerns, questions, and/or comments. Only blogs relevant to
the zoning issues will be addressed. Non-relevant or abusive
blogs will be removed. E-mail addresses are posted for direct
access to the Planning Board Chair and Vice-Chair.
Your continued
involvement is appreciated.
Note: This letter highlights
only the major topics of discussion. For full discussions, see
official Minutes on the Planning Board Web page or at the Town Hall.
Thank you, Ted Mitchell Planning Board Chair
Laconia
Adult Ed’s 39Th Annual Laconia Academy Graduation
The 39th
annual graduation of Laconia Academy, the Adult Evening High School
Diploma Program, will be held on Friday, May 27, 2011, at 7:00 p.m.
in the Auditorium at Laconia High School. The Honorable Frank C.
Guinta, United States Representative, New Hampshire’s 1st
Congressional District will be the commencement speaker. The
general public is invited to attend the Laconia Academy graduation.
Over the last 39 years, 1,155 Lakes Region residents have returned
to school at night to earn their high school diploma.
Twenty-four high school diplomas will be awarded on May 27th.
Many of the graduates are unemployed and need their high school
diploma to get a job, earn a pay increase or job promotion.
Some graduates returned to Laconia Academy to increase their
own self-esteem and personal self-worth. Other graduates
enrolled in the program will enter new career fields, find a
better job, or even get hired now that they have their high school
diploma.
Nine of the May 2011 Laconia Academy graduates are going
on to post-secondary education.
|