Those Celebrating Birthdays are: February 20, Fred Hast, II, Chris
Johnson, Amy Thompson, Bill Plummer; February 21, Amber Ash, Staci
Bousquet, Robert Bousquet, Gail O’Keefe, Ann Strand; February 22,
Dan Dunne; February 23, Sarah Hillsgrove;
February 24, Andrew Ash, Daniel St. Laurent, Jr.; February 25,
Reynold Chase, Bruce Tibbetts, Tom Huckins; February 26, Megan Vien.
A Very Happy Birthday To One and All!
Albert and Nellie Riel celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary by
enjoying lunch at the 99 Restaurant with lunch tickets from Melvin
and Dottie Mulkhey and the NH Veterans’ Home. They also received
congratulations from the Vets and Staff at the home. Nellie and
daughter visit Al every Monday and take him out to lunch at
different places and have a good visit.
Providing For Pittsfield’s Needy:
The Vendue System And The Poor Farm - Part II
The Town Farm
On March 22, the Town purchased a 100 acre farm “a little past the
junction with Leavitt Road,” on Loudon Road for $2,600. Ironically,
it was owned by David Fogg, the abuser of Warren Chase.
Pittsfield “Poor House,” as it was called, was strongly opposed by
many residents. Most vociferous were those who were successful
bidders under the old vendue system. These opponents brought suit to
test whether the town could handle its poor in this manner. After
three years the controversy was settled in favor of the Town.
The Residents
Town Farm operation began immediately. According to Historian
Richard B. Bartlett, nearly 20 people were sent there between April
and October of 1836. Interestingly, they were referred to as
“inmates.” Pittsfield notable John Berry kept careful accounts of
the farm’s income and expenditures.
The following year, 1837, it was voted that the “poor farm be a
House of Correction” as well. Thus criminals were placed with the
poor, orphaned and infirm. In 1843, the Town voted to remove
children from the Farm and put them out “to the best advantage”
until they were 14 years old. Perhaps this was in response to
placing criminals on the Farm six years earlier.
At some point in time the practice of placing criminals on the Farm
ceased. In 1856, however, the voters revisited the issue and once
again authorized it to “be established as a house of correction for
the time being. . .”
Condition Of The Farm
The Farm was likely in poor condition when it was purchased. The
former owner, David Fogg had been having financial difficulties for
some time. Perhaps as a result of the farm’s poor condition, voters
attending a town meeting in June 1845 considered whether to appoint
a committee to exchange the Town Farm for a farm where Smith Shaw
was living. The idea was voted down, as was a similar measure in a
September meeting that year.
By 1851, the Farm buildings were in no better shape. At the March
meeting voters discussed how repairs would be made and whether to
exchange it for another farm. John L. Thorndike, John Berry,
Jeremiah Clark, William Knowlton and Nathaniel Batchelder,
Pittsfield luminaries, were chosen to be on a committee to look into
the matter. The voters also authorized the selectmen to “Furnish one
large Room in the Poorhouse . . . with a fire place or open Stove
together with a suitable bed, bedding and Furniture for the
accommodation of the unfortunate sick in said house.”
In March 1850, a proposal was made at town meeting to purchase
additional land adjacent to the Farm, property owned by the
Pittsfield Manufacturing Company. The idea, however, was defeated.
It was raised again three years later and this time the selectmen
were authorized to examine the land and make a purchase if they
found it to be a desirable addition to the Farm. They were limited
to paying $100. Apparently the selectmen did not find it desirable,
as the town did not purchase the property.
One way to improve the Farm was to have it repaired by residents. In
1857 improvements were made to the fields by carting off small
stones and cutting the bushes. Presumably the residents carried out
the work. Extensive repairs were made in 1858. The barn was
battened and two large doors and one small one were made for it. The
shed was remodeled, shingled and new sills placed under it. A new
door was placed on the cider house. In 1859 a new sill was placed
under the left side of the farmhouse and a new floor placed in it.
Objectives Of The Farm
As suggested at the beginning, one of the primary objectives of the
Farm was to provide a more humane way to treat the less fortunate in
the Pittsfield community. Once the Farm was established another
clear objective arose, one that was undoubtedly of paramount concern
to all taxpayers; that of having it run efficiently and
inexpensively. Clearly the goal was to keep costs down, income up,
and to make the endeavor self-sustaining if possible.
The Cost Of Operating The Farm
Records for the years 1857 and 1858 show that the Farm ran deficits,
nearly $383 in the former year, and $136 in the latter. During those
years the salary of the Overseer was $180, making the cost to
taxpayers rather substantial.
In 1859, there was only a $21.22 deficit but this did not include
the salary of the Overseer. During 1860 the Farm apparently ran a
large deficit because it did not produce well primarily because of
frost damage to the corn and a poor crop of hay. The auditors
assured the Town that no fault should be attributed to the then
Overseer, Lewis Joy. In fact, they thought that he deserved a
commendation for the way the Farm was run. “Everything in and about
the Town Farm House, Barn and out Buildings” was neat and orderly,
they stated. “Mr. Joy is an experienced and practical farmer,” they
concluded. He was “well qualified for the position he occupies
managing . . . [the Farm] with faithfulness and ability . . . .”
In 1861 the deficit expenditure on the Farm was again substantial.
However during the years 1863-65 the Farm operated at a profit.
Expenses Of The Farm
Among the items that the Town had to purchase to keep the Farm
operating properly were such personal items of clothing as coats,
hats, boots, shirts, shawls, capes, stockings, and vests. The cost
of medicine was a regular expenditure. Food items that were
purchased included flour, salt, fish, molasses and sugar. Other
items regularly purchased were rum and tobacco, items that would
elicit serious controversy today.
Other expenses included the costs of purchasing livestock such as
cows, calves, horses, and pigs. Naturally, seed had to be purchased
so that crops could be planted. Materials were purchased that
allowed residents to manufacture goods for sale such as shoe leather
to make shoes and calico to make clothes.
Among the miscellaneous items purchased during those years were
ashes, coffins, rope, pots and covers, a cheese safe, nails, paint,
coal, baskets, plow points and the use of bulls and boars for stud.
The Farm also had expenses for specific services such as
blacksmithing, sawing lumber, planning boards, thrashing grain,
handling funerals (including the use of hearses, digging of graves,
etc.), and doctoring for both people and livestock. John French, who
ran a general store in Pittsfield, charged for taking people and
supplies to the Farm and also for attending funerals there.
Letter
Dear Pittsfield Voter:
I am running for reelection to the planning board, and I ask for the
honor of your vote.
An important reason for you to vote for me is that I save taxpayers
money month after month. As planning board secretary, I keep records
and do routine research that the board would have to pay an
administrative secretary or lawyer to do if I were not doing it for
free. My work saves taxpayers thousands of dollars each year.
When I was elected two years ago, I said that I support land-use
regulation when and only when the regulation is clear, lawful, and
necessary for a public purpose. My voting record shows that I remain
committed to that position.
I do a lot of homework to stay current on the law. I try to help
applicants find the easiest way through the process. I help the
planning board avoid mistakes. Sometimes my knowledge lets me find
solutions that others miss. In this way, I help the town and save
taxpayer money because the town uses the town attorney less when the
planning board stays inside the law and treats everyone fairly.
Although I try to help applicants whenever possible, I never forget
my own years of experience as an abutter in the audience. All
people must be treated fairly--both applicants and abutters.
I am proud of the work that I have done to save taxpayers money and
to make Pittsfield better. Please honor me with your vote (Tuesday,
March 12, 2013) to let me continue.
Thank you,
Jim Pritchard
Plymouth State University Fall 2012 Dean’s List
The following students have been named to Plymouth State
University’s Dean’s List:
Northwood
Michael Dodge
Epsom
Lucile Godek, Kylie Pinsonneault
Pittsfield
Sydney Shahin, Sheldon Vogt
To be named to the Dean’s List at Plymouth State, a student must
achieve a grade point average between 3.5 and 3.69 during the fall
semester and must have attempted at least 12 credit hours during the
semester. These credit hours must be in courses that earn grade
points and the student must have completed all such courses
attempted.
TOPS News
Submitted By Terrie Azotea
Once again we had a net loss this past week at TOPS... That is
always nice. Our Best Loser of the week was Stewart. Great Job!
Officers of the week were Thom and Diane. Kudos to you guys for the
weight loss. We set a challenge for the week for a no gain week!
That means we have to stick with our journals and what we put in our
mouths. It helps to write down what we eat everyday. At the end of
the day we can say “I had a good day” or we say “Wow... I really
need to do better!” So I say “Think before you eat.”
We would like to welcome a new member who joined last week! Good
Luck on your weight loss journey. One of our members did a speech on
“The Egg McMuffin” and we learned some interesting facts from the
diet detectives. Once again, this is when I say “Think before you
eat.”
A contest was started that will be running for six weeks and is
always a good thing to get us motivated.
If anyone is interested in joining us on a Tuesday night, we meet at
the St. Stephen’s Church downstairs at 5:30 for weigh-in and at 6:30
for our meeting.
We love to see new faces and now is the time of the year where we
are looking in the mirror and saying spring is on its way and I
can’t hide behind these clothes much longer. We have to face it,
mirrors don’t lie and those spring clothes might not fit as good as
they did last spring. So come out and meet new friends.
Any questions call Laurel Tiede at 269-8721 or Pat Smith at
435-5333.
“To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first.” (William
Shakespeare)
Hope everyone has a good week and see you lighter next week!
Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association Offers Strategies To
Assist In Resting Well Presentation In Pittsfield
Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association is offering a free
presentation “Good Night Sleep Tight: Strategies to Assist in
Resting Well” on Thursday, March 7 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the
Pittsfield Senior Center, 74 Main Street in Pittsfield.
Sleep is essential to your physical and emotional well-being. The
way you feel during the day is dependent on how well you sleep at
night. Changes in our sleep patterns may occur as we age, but our
total sleep needs to remain the same. Discover how much sleep we
really need, suggestions for a quality night’s sleep, and strategies
on speaking with your healthcare provider about difficulty sleeping.
For more information, call (603) 224-4093 or (800) 924-8620, ext.
5815.
Bugsy Malone, Jr. Opens At Scenic Theatre
Fat Sam (Chris Garcia) and his girl Tallulah (Bailey Jennings) will
entertain you at Fat Sam’s Grand Slam Speakeasy in the Pittsfield
Players’ Kid’s Theater Workshop presentation of “Bugsy Malone, Jr.”
The Pittsfield Players’ Kids’ Theater Workshop will present “Bugsy
Malone, Jr.” a riotous romp back to the gangster days of the 1930s,
on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February 21, 22, and 23, at 7:30
pm each evening. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for kids under
13, and they can be reserved by calling 435-8852.
This year, director Maye Hart has 46 kids, ages 8 to 18,
participating in the workshop, and they’ve all worked very hard to
bring this wonderful production to the Scenic stage. The Kids’
Theater Workshop is a program that brings kids into the total
experience of theater arts. They not only act and sing on stage, but
they also handle the set painting, stage management, lighting and
sound for the show. The production is then performed before other
kids from area schools, as well as for the general public.
The cast includes Caleb Molloy as Bugsy Malone; Chloe Rattee as
singer Blousey Brown; Chris Garcia as Fat Sam, the owner of the
Grand Slam speakeasy; Bailey Jennings as Talullah, Fat Sam’s
girlfriend and lead performer at the Grand Slam; Turner Jennings as
Dandy Dan, inventor of the Splurger and rival of Fat Sam who is
determined to take over Sam’s territory; Meghan Smith as super-star
Lena Marelli; Tucker Wolfe as Knuckles, Fat Sam’s right-hand man;
Weston LeMay as Fizzy, the janitor at Fat Sam’s Grand Slam who longs
for an audition and who aspires to be a dancer; and a host of gang
members, flappers, and policemen, played by cast members Ashley
Connor, Gillian Robidas, Deanna Scruton, Ashley Pence, Megan Wilkens,
Tessa Keyes, Lexie O’Brien, Alex Keyes, Essence Bourque, Katie
O’Brien, Kira Wood, Taylor and Sabrina Sargent, Erin O’Brien, Cora
LeMay, Sarah May Schultz, Kendra Luba, Jolene Wood, Molly and April
Keys, Courtney Butler, Kianna Vincelette, Eileen Manteau, Abigail
Cote, Halah Abdelwahid, Riley Luba, Cecily Schultz, AJ Robidas,
Justin Greene, Joseph Garcia, Jordan Atherton, Joseph Molloy, Joseph
and David Cote, Dalton and Matthew Swenson, Dylan O’Brien and Logan
Connor.
The show is directed and produced by Maye Hart, with choreography by
Dee Dee Pitcher, set and lighting design by Jim Hart, and costuming
by Margot Keyes, Kathy Pence, Melissa O’Brien, Tina Rattee, and
Cathy LeMay. Dennis O’Brien will be handling lights and Joshua
Painter will be handling sound. Cassidy Kearns will be stage
manager.
Call 435-8852 and reserve your tickets now for another wonderful
Kids’ Workshop performance of this year’s production of “Bugsy
Malone, Jr.”
March 1st World Day Of Prayer
On Friday, March 1, 2013, people throughout the world will celebrate
the World Day of Prayer. This is a worldwide ecumenical movement of
Christian women of many traditions who come together every year to
observe a common day of prayer on the first Friday in March.
Services begin at sunrise in the Pacific and follow the sun across
the globe on the day of celebration.
Each year a different country’s World Day of Prayer committee writes
the worship service. This year’s highlighted country is France and
the women of France have chosen the theme “I was a stranger and you
welcomed me.” Through visual interpretation and personal stories,
participants will experience the current struggles in France
concerning immigration as they put themselves in the shoes of “the
stranger.”
This year’s service will be held at 7 pm on March 1st at St.
Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 50 Main St., Pittsfield, NH. All are
welcome! Light refreshments will be served after the service. RSVP
would be helpful but is not required.
For more information, please contact Connie Mitchell
by phone at 776-4281 or email at
[email protected] or
Bernie Cameron by phone at 463-7076 or email at
[email protected].
Rise Again Outreach Holds Silent Auction
Rise Again Outreach, a local non-profit community outreach
organization, will hold its first of two Charitable Silent Auction
Fundraiser events at 6:30 p.m. on March 23, 2013 at Grace Capital
Church, 542 Pembroke Street, Pembroke. Formerly held at New
Beginnings Church, this new venue is expected to be even bigger and
better with more than 100 auction items that include air travel,
vacation venues, date nights, theater, fine dining and a whole lot
more.
Past silent auction events have generated upwards of $10,000 for
Rise Again Outreach’s community mission of taking free clothing,
food and personal care items to low income areas of our communities
and providing families and individuals in crisis situations some
real help and hope.
Mark your calendars and come support a great charitable outreach
mission – and get some great items to take home!
A second fundraiser is scheduled for the Manchester area. It will be
held at 6:30 p.m. on April 20, 2013 at Manchester Christian Church.
Both events are free and open to everyone. These are Rise Again
Outreach’s largest fundraising events of the year.
Five-dollar bags of personal care items will also be sold at each
event for distribution to homeless and less-fortunate people
throughout central New Hampshire. For every bag purchased, attendees
receive one ticket for a great Rise Again Outreach gift basket
raffle.
Help Rise Again Outreach make a difference in New Hampshire
communities by supporting one or both of these gala fundraising
events!
Dorcas Guild – February 2013
The Dorcas Guild of the First Congregational Church met the evening
of February 12 with twelve members attending. President Nancy Fogg
conducted the meeting, which opened with devotions by the hostesses,
Gail Ann Newton who read “Love Like My Lord” and Peggy Jacobs, who
offered Bible readings from Isaiah.
Secretary Joan Riel gave her report of the previous meeting, read
many thank-you notes and circulated lots of cards to be signed and
mailed. Reny Boyd gave her financial report.
The food basket was taken by Bev Murdough who will bring it to the
next monthly meeting for Peggy. Elaine Coffey has the apron and will
bring it in March for the next person on the list. The mystery
package, brought by Reny was won by Gail Ann.
It was noted that a donation was made to the Chichester Fuel
Assistance Fund. The church Bus Ministry was discussed and it was
reported that they are okay for now. Mary Jo Powelson reported on
the nursery project of diapers, which is in good supply for the
present time. The possibility of a child’s booster seat for
Fellowship Hour was discussed. Gail Ann will look into
possibilities. Reny reported favorably on the flowers we purchased
that she and Corine Miller delivered to Wayne Case and Elsie Morse.
Christmas Fairs were mentioned and previous chairpersons of each
agreed to chair them again. A few monthly program revisions were
discussed and changes made. The booklet will be done at a meeting
other than December. Prayer Partners will now be drawn in March and
revealed in April. A donation was voted to the Building Fund in
loving memory of Wayne Case. It was mentioned that the World Day of
Prayer service would be held Friday, March 1, 7 pm at St. Stephens
Episcopal Church. Nella Hobson has been asked to participate to
represent our church.
Final plans were made for the collation of Wayne Case and the
February 24 Fellowship Hour. Members were invited to assist Jaime
Koladish on March 10 for the coffee hour. Mary Lawson was here to
discuss the Easter Breakfast and solicited necessary items from the
group. She plans to help with setup the night before.
After the meeting, members enjoyed “Banana Split Night” – bananas,
ice cream, and a great variety of sauces and toppings, served by
Gail Ann and Peggy.
The next meeting will be held March 12 with Reny Boyd and Nancy Fogg,
hostesses. Members are to bring toiletry items for the food pantry.
This will be a craft demo night with Bev Murdough.
Letter
Unopposed Still Means Working Hard
After the closing date for being a candidate came and went, I found
out that I am running unopposed. I want to assure everyone that I
will continue to run my campaign. In the last two weeks I have been
meeting with town officials and introducing myself and learning
their responsibilities and their functions performed for the town.
As I continue to meet with more town officials, attend meetings and
talk to the citizens of Pittsfield, I am constantly learning and
reviewing town issues which will bring me up to date with what the
Selectmen are currently dealing with. I am anxiously looking forward
to working with the town officials, town committees, School Board
and most importantly the citizens of Pittsfield once I become your
Selectman.
Regarding my campaign, I will be getting signs and flyers ready for
distribution. Also, I want to thank those who have already given me
support and for those who have not decided yet, I ask for your
support and vote on March 12th. On candidates night I hope to have
the opportunity to meet as many of you as I possibly can.
I am looking forward to becoming your Selectman and
preparing myself for the hard work that lies ahead. If you wish to
contact me please feel free to do so. My home phone is 435-6314 and
my email is
[email protected].
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter and please come out
and vote!
Sincerely,
Albert Douglas
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