REMINDER
The internment of Matthew Scott Cram will
be held Friday, June 24, 2016 at 3:00 PM at the Veterans Cemetery in
Boscawen, NH.
Family and friends are invited.
The Pittsfield High School Class Of 1966 50th Class Reunion
will be held in the Pittsfield Congregational Church vestry on July
23rd from 3-6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. If you can
attend call Pete Riel at 603-269-8861.
The Epsom-Chichester Lions Club invite you to a really fun
fundraiser, a MINI-GOLF TOURNAMENT, at Chucksters on Rt. 4 on June
18th starting at 9:30am We are setting up teams of 4-5 people
for the competition with great prizes for hole-in-one winners. There
will be additional raffles and FREE hot dogs, chips, and drinks for
participants. For more info: [email protected] or
736-9942. Rain date is June 25th. Reserve your spot!!
A Note of
Appreciation
The Pittsfield Board of Selectmen would like to extend their
appreciation to the Beautification Committee, Floral Park Cemetery
Superintendent Donald Fife, and the Public Works Department for
their efforts in beautifying the town this spring season, right in
time for Memorial Day weekend. Thank you!
Pittsfield Old
Home Day
SAVE the date....Saturday, July 23! (Yes this IS a week later
than usual due to the NHMS Race being held on July 16 & 17 - we
cannot compete with that event!) The theme for the day is an
Olympic one.....”PITTSFIELD GOES FOR THE GOLD”.
Plans are underway and are being finalized and more information will
be coming soon. This is what we know now:
Back by popular demand - a CAR SHOW on Main Street from 9-12
Breakfast at the Park Street Baptist Church St. Stephen’s Church
will be selling their famous hot dogs, baked goods, and much more
Dustin Park will be home to KIDS ACTIVITIES, CRAFTERS, LOCAL
ORGANIZATION BOOTHS, MUSIC and more (To sign up for a booth at
the Community Fair at Dustin Park- contact Leslie Vogt at 435-7993,
[email protected]) KIDS
OLYMPIC GAMES The Annual COOK-OFF will be Whoopie Pies - more info
will be coming on this.
KIDS BIKE PARADE...............followed by the Old Home Day Parade
at 1pm (Floats and other entries are needed for the parade. We
are celebrating the Olympics - they are in Rio this year - pick a
sport or a favorite athlete or team and decorate a float, your bike,
your vehicle - anything....just please get involved!!)
*** Please call Louie Houle at 435-6938 if you would like to put an
entry in the parade *** Cookout and swimming at the F.B. Argue Rec
Area (aka- Town Pool) after the parade Adopt a Duck Race at Drake
Field Boat Launch Fireworks For more information, please contact
Andi Riel at 435-6346 or
[email protected]
or Louie Houle at 435-6938.
Pittsfield Old Home Day - Annual Cook-Off
The Cook-Off for the Pittsfield Old Home Day this year will be
WHOOPIE PIES. It’s a little bit of a stretch, but they could
remind you of an Olympic medal?!!
This event is sponsored by the Victory Workers 4-H Club.
Anyone and everyone is invited to submit their best batch of Whoopie
Pies and bring them to the 4-H Booth at Dustin Park by 9am on Sat,
July 23. The winners will be selected by the public by popular
vote. CASH prizes will be awarded: 1st- $75; 2nd- $50,
and 3rd-$25. The first 10 cooks to call or email will be
registered. Please contact Andi Riel at 435-6346 or email at
[email protected]
to register.
VA Secretary Provides Relief For Veterans With Traumatic
Brain Injuries
Submitted Via Merrill Vaughan
WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert
McDonald has granted equitable relief to more than 24,000 Veterans
following a national review of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) medical
examinations conducted in connection with disability compensation
claims processed between 2007 and 2015.
This action by the Secretary allows the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to offer new TBI examinations to
Veterans whose initial examination for TBI was not conducted by one
of four designated medical specialists and provides them with the
opportunity to have their claims reprocessed. Equitable relief is a
unique legal remedy that allows the Secretary to correct an
injustice to a claimant where VA is not otherwise authorized to do
so within the scope of the law.
“Traumatic Brain Injury is a signature
injury in Veterans returning from the conflicts in Iraq and
Afghanistan, and VA is proud to be an organization that sets the bar
high for supporting these, and all, Veterans,” said Secretary
McDonald. “Providing support for Veterans suffering from a TBI is a
priority and a privilege, and we must make certain they receive a
just and fair rating for their disabilities.”
To ensure that TBI is properly evaluated
for disability compensation purposes, VA developed a policy in 2007
requiring that one of four specialists – a psychiatrist,
physiatrist, neurosurgeon or neurologist – complete TBI exams when
VA does not have a prior diagnosis.
Since 2007, medicine around TBI has been a
rapidly evolving science. VA designated particular specialists to
conduct initial TBI exams because they have the most experience with
the symptoms and effects of TBI. As more research became available,
VA issued a number of guidance documents that may have created
confusion regarding the policy. VA has confirmed that its TBI policy
guidance is now clear and being followed.
“We let these Veterans down,” Secretary
McDonald said. “That is why we are taking every step necessary to
grant equitable relief to those affected to ensure they receive the
full benefits to which they are entitled.”
VA understands the importance of an
accurate exam to support Veterans’ disability claims. The
Secretary’s decision to grant relief will enable VA to take action
on any new examinations without requiring Veterans to submit new
claims. If additional benefits are due, VA will award an effective
date as early as the date of the initial TBI claim.
VA will contact Veterans identified as
part of this national TBI review to offer them an opportunity to
receive a new examination and have their claims reprocessed. More
than 13,000 of these affected Veterans are already receiving
service-connected compensation benefits for TBI at a 10-percent
disability evaluation or higher, which means that the diagnosis has
already been established.
VA Launches
Veterans Legacy Program
Submitted Via Merrill
Vaughan
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) announced the launch of the Veterans Legacy Program to
memorialize Veterans’ service and sacrifice through public
educational programming. The program uses the rich resources
found throughout VA national cemeteries, Soldiers’ lots and monument
sites. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald announced
the program yesterday during a Memorial Day ceremony at Riverside
National Cemetery in Riverside, California.
“The Veterans Legacy Program is meant to
bring to life the stories of Veterans buried in VA national
cemeteries through lesson plans, interactive maps and video
vignettes,” said Secretary McDonald. “Behind every marker is a
story—a story of what it meant to be a Soldier, Sailor, Airman,
Marine and Coast Guardsman at a particular moment in time. Our goal
is to ensure that our nation does not forget their stories and their
sacrifice.”
Using online educational products such as
lesson plans, interactive maps and short video vignettes, VA,
through the Veterans Legacy Program, will engage the general public,
students and educators. VA launched this initiative earlier
this year at two pilot sites: Beaufort National Cemetery in South
Carolina and Riverside National Cemetery in California. Over the
next several years, online educational products and programs will be
developed for all VA national cemeteries.
VA has also formed a partnership with the American Battle Monuments
Commission (ABMC) to co-sponsor a “Teachers Institute,” a workshop
for educators who will conduct research at VA and ABMC cemeteries.
Information about the program may be found at
www.cem.va.gov/cem/legacy/.
More than 4 million Americans, including
Veterans of every war and conflict, are buried in VA’s 133 national
cemeteries. VA also provides funding to establish, expand, improve,
and maintain 100 Veterans cemeteries in 47 states and territories
including tribal trust lands, Guam and Saipan. For Veterans not
buried in a VA national cemetery, VA provides headstones, markers or
medallions to commemorate their service. In 2015, VA honored more
than 353,000 Veterans and their loved ones with memorial benefits in
national, state, tribal and private cemeteries.
Information on VA burial benefits is available from local VA
national cemetery offices at www.cem.va.gov
or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at 800-827-1000.
For more information about the history of VA national cemeteries,
visit
www.cem.va.gov/history.
Blogs about the Veterans Legacy Program
may be found at:
www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/26511/va-launches-veterans-legacy-program/ and
www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/28031/veterans-stories-not-just-stories-americas-history/.
Get In The
Game And Visit Your Library This Summer
Steve Blunt and his band will be starting
the Summer Reading Program off with some exciting musical numbers at
the Pittsfield Elementary School on June 10th. The library is
grateful for a grant to fund Steve’s program. The grant was
sponsored by the “Kids, Books and the Arts,” the New Hampshire State
Library, Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation, CHILIS, Cogswell
Benevolent Trust, NH State Council on the Arts & the National
Endowment for the Arts.
In addition to the library’s regular June
programs, the library is proud to host an educational solar energy
presentation to be delivered by Henry Vigeant of Sunera Solar at the
Pittsfield Middle High School Auditorium on Wednesday, June 8th at
6:30 pm.
The Josiah Carpenter Library staff is
excited to bring to the community an expanded level of opportunities
for participation with the 2016 Summer Reading Program themes. The
following is a synopsis of these programs.
“On Your Mark, Get set. . . .READ!” Pre-school- First grade
Thursdays 10am – 11 am
June 30 Motion Commotion- dancing and movement July 7 Fueling your
Engine – Nutrition, yoga & meditation July 14 Science of
Sports-Games with numbers July 21 Olympic Games- Sportsmanship July
28 Games around the World- London Bridge August 4 Extreme Sports-
Rock climbing parachuting; ballooning All “On Your Mark, Get
Set. . . .READ!” programs to be held at Dustin Park; unless
otherwise arranged and at the Elementary School in case of rain.
“Get in the Game. . . .READ!” 2nd- 6th
Grade 9:30-10:30 June 27 (Mon) Motion Commotion- registration July 5
(Tues) Fueling your Engine – Car racing
July 13 (Wed) Science of Sports-balancing & tightropes
July 20 (Wed) Olympic Games- sportsmanship
July 27 (Wed) Games around the World August 3 (Wed) Extreme Sports-
Relay race All “Get in the Game. . . .READ!” programs to be held at
the Parks & Recreation at Drake Field.
“Exercise Your Mind. . . READ!” 5th grade and up 1-3 pm
Vermont Writers Bread Loaf workshop leaders Betsy Kimball and
Allegra May will host a literacy workshop entitled “Creating Stories
for the Web” for youths between grades 5-12 at the Pittsfield Youth
Workshop. Four leaders will be trained at the library on July 6th
from 11- 2 pm. Workshops will be held on the following dates: July
13, 20, 27, August 3, 10. For more information on this exciting
opportunity call the library or contact Paula Martel at the PYW.
“Exercise Your Mind. . . !” programs to
be held at the Pittsfield Youth Workshop.
Please pick up a Summer Reading
registration form and additional program details for your child or
student at the library.
VA Proposes To Grant Full Practice
Authority To Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
Proposed Rule Will
Improve Veteran Access to Care and Use of Resources
Submitted Via
Merrill Vaughan
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
is proposing a rule to grant full practice authority to Advanced
Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) when they are acting within the
scope of their VA employment. Full practice authority will help
optimize access to VA health care by permitting APRNs to assess,
diagnose, prescribe medications and interpret diagnostic tests. This
action proposes to expand the pool of qualified health care
professionals authorized to provide primary health care and other
related health care services to the full extent of their education,
training, and certification to Veterans without the clinical
supervision of a physician.
APRNs are clinicians with advanced degrees
and training who provide primary, acute and specialty health care
services. APRNs complete masters, post-master or doctoral degrees.
There are four APRN roles: Certified Nurse Practitioner, Clinical
Nurse Specialist, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and
Certified Nurse Midwife. All VA APRNs are required to obtain and
maintain current national certification.
“The purpose of this proposed regulation
is to ensure VA has authority to address staffing shortages in the
future,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. David J. Shulkin.
“Implementation of the final rule would be made through VHA policy,
which would clarify whether and which of the four APRN roles would
be granted full practice authority. At this time, VA is not seeking
any change to VHA policy on the role of CRNAs, but would consider a
policy change in the future to utilize full practice authority when
and if such conditions require such a change,” Shulkin said.
“This is good news for our APRNs, who will be able to perform
functions that their colleagues in the private sector are already
doing.”
The American Nurses Association (ANA)
applauds VHA’s leadership for proposing to grant full practice
authority to the four types of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses.
“VA will be able to more effectively meet the health care needs of
our nation’s Veterans,” said ANA President Pamela Cipriano. “This
proposal removes barriers that prevent APRNs from providing a full
range of services and will assist VA in its ongoing efforts to
address staff shortages and improve Veterans’ access to care. APRNs
are critical members of the health care workforce and an integral
component of the health care delivery system with a proven track
record of safe quality care and high patient satisfaction.”
The proposed rule can be found for comment at
www.regulations.gov.
Our local girl scouts presented three dog
beds to Pittsfield Police Officer DiGeorge and Cashe. The dog beds
were a project they worked on with the help of Karen Healey and
fabric donations from Globe. Jocelyn Ash, Jennessa O’Blenes and Emma
Ramsey from Troop #10540 with Sophia Sarte and Amber Ash from Troop
#10524.
Raplh Echardt Contributes To Historical
Society
Recently, Ralph Echardt generously
contributed six signs of former Pittsfield businesses to the
Historical Society. He collected them through the years and hung
them in his shop on Broadway. Retired and now selling his building,
he kindly thought of the Society as a repository for them. He is
pictured with the sign that was hung on Tilton Hill Road in front of
Catamount Machine Shop. In the background is the sign that hung on
the old bowling alley building across the street from his shop when
New Hampshire Clocks was located there.
University of New Hampshire Announces May
2016 Graduates
The following local students graduated from the
University of New Hampshire during the commencement ceremony held
Saturday, May 21, 2016, in Durham, N.H. Students who received the
honor of Summa Cum Laude graduated with a GPA of 3.7-4.0; students
who received the honor of Magna Cum Laude graduated with a GPA of
3.50-3.69; and students who received the honor of Cum Laude
graduated with a GPA of 3.2-3.49.
Austin Atkins of Barnstead earned a MS in
Physics Emily Kallgren of Barnstead earned a BS in Envirn
Conservation&Sustain Amy Matarozzo of Center Barnstead earned a BS
in BiomedSci:Med&VetSci Haley Farnham of Center Barnstead earned a
BS in Communication Sci & Disorders Magna Cum Laude Nicholas Reval
of Barnstead earned a BA in Political Science Anthony Pfaff of Epsom
earned a BA in Psychology Jennifer McCall of Epsom earned a BA in
English Teaching Summa Cum Laude Alyssa Mahoney of Gilmanton earned
a MSW in Social Work Hunter Rowley of Gilmanton earned a BSME in
Mechanical Engineering Mia Lemire of Gilmanton earned a BA in
Political Science Rachel Garen of Gilmanton earned a BS in Social
Work Amanda Adams of Chichester earned a BS in Biology Hannah DeBold
of Chichester earned a BS in RMP:Therapeutic Recreation Cum Laude
Josie Letendre of Chichester earned a MED in Secondary Education
Aaron Ash of Northwood earned a BA in History Amanda Horne of
Northwood earned a BA in Psychology Amanda Perron of Northwood
earned a BA in History Summa Cum Laude Brian Stone of Northwood
earned a MPA in Public Administration Carissa Hodgdon of Northwood
earned a BS in Occupational Therapy Jordan Foster of Northwood
earned a AAS in Forest Technology Thomas Masison of Northwood earned
a BS in BiomedSci:Med&VetSci Christopher Sliva of Pittsfield earned
a BA in Sociology Claire Cortese of Pittsfield earned a BA in
English Kelli Webber of Pittsfield earned a MS in Math:Applied Math
Ashley Janos of Gilmanton Iron Works earned a BS in Social Work
Whitney Burbank of Gilmanton Iron Works earned a BA in Women’s
Studies The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a
world-class public research university with the feel of a New
England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant
university, UNH is the state’s flagship public institution,
enrolling 13,000 undergraduate and 2,500 graduate students.
TOPS News
Submitted By Terrie Azotea
Well, Spring has sprung and so have we at
TOPS with our TOPS best loser of the week Irene, and our KOPS Best
loser Mickey as well as our Miss Angel, Suzie, who we know can do
and is almost there.
Pat spoke about what they did at SRD
(State Recognition Days), being recognized for being a KOPS. They
had raffles and certain ones got honored for KOPS of the year. Pat
got honored for our chapter KOPS of the year and Chapter Angel and
for our KOPS in black. All in all they had a really great time.
We would like to welcome a new member,
Holly, to our chapter. At our meeting we had our area chapter Suzan
do our program. It was about support and what it means to the
members. Our positive attitude and how we share our struggles, our
foundation, and how members make the foundation, forgive yourself
and move on, focus on change and what you can control. It was a very
encouraging program.
We would like to welcome any new members
to come join us on a Tuesday nights. We meet at 5:30 for weigh-in
and at 6:30 for our meeting on Fairview Rd. in Pittsfield at the
Berakah. We always like to meet new faces! Any questions, please
call Pat Smith at 435-5333. Hope everyone has a good week and see
you all lighter next week!
Historical Society Prepares Pad
Pictured are Ray Webber, Mark Riel, and
Joey Darrah, pouring the concrete pad at the future location of the
cotton mill steam pump.
On Wednesday morning May 25 a small crew
including Larry Berkson, Joey Darrah, Fuzz Freese, Mark Riel, and
Ray Webber, III, gathered to move the Historic Trail Sign from the
triangle at the corner of Main and Joy Streets to in front of the
old tannery building. They then dug the base for the future location
of the Steam Pump, compacted gravel approximately 2 ˝ deep, built a
form, and poured concrete for the pad.
Thanks are extended to owners of the
building for granting permission to place the pump there, to Ray
Webber for supplying the pad’s form, Fuzz Freese for supplying the
rebar, and especially Joey Darrah for supplying the equipment needed
to install the pad, a backhoe, loader, dump truck, compactor, and
materials.
BEFORE AND AFTER: THE COTTON MILL STEAM
PUMP
As noted in an earlier article, Rick Belanger kindly donated the
Cotton Mill’s old steam pump for fire suppression to the Historical
Society and a pad has been poured beside the Tannery on Factory Hill
where it will be placed. It has just been sand blasted and painted
by Arch Equipment in Bow. The pump will be arriving in a couple of
weeks. Pictured is where it stood at Rick’s Place and after
restoration. What a difference!
A Rude Awakening
Submitted By Carl Anderson
Back in the mid-60’s a few of us young
teenagers made some extra money cutting grass at the cemetery for
Buzzy Paige in the spring, getting it looking good for Memorial Day.
The annual parade went from town out to
Floral Park, stopping at the bridge and dropping a wreath into the
river to honor those who died at sea. At the cemetery, the war dead
were honored as the crowd watched in silence, with the ceremony
culminating with the 21 Gun Salute, the highlight for the little
kids who would scramble among the veterans’ feet, picking up empty
shell casings for souvenirs. The parade then made its way back to
Dustin Park where speeches were made from the bandstand.
The parade was always pretty good, by
Pittsfield standards, fully uniformed marching flag bearers led the
procession. I remember how odd it seemed to barely recognize men we
knew in day-to-day life around town: Gil Paige, Johnny Perkins,
Buster Danis, Hank Stapleton, to name just a very few, as they
marched through town in their respective uniforms. Neither my own
father, a WWl 1 veteran of Okinawa, Japan, nor my mother, an
airplane riveter in the Navy, partook of the ceremonies.
Dad used to reminisce about his time in
training at Mt. Rainier in Washington, and even how seasick and sore
from shots he was on the Christmas Eve his ship left Seattle, bound
for Japan and whatever it was that waited them on the other side of
the Pacific. But there his spoken memories ended. I never heard a
word about what went on after they arrived in the islands.
After he died, in going through his
personal belongings, I found his honorable discharge from the Army,
and a dozen ribbons and medals I never knew existed. No Purple
Hearts, but enough to show he hadn’t spent his time hiding in a
foxhole. Point is, some wanted to remember and some wanted to
forget.
So back to the Parade. The school always
had a band to march to, a pretty darn good one actually. I remember
Mitchell Avery was always true as could be playing Taps. The Fire
Dept. marched, as did the Police Dept. and also the Scouts. I may
not recall everyone, or everything, but I remember that the Parade
and service was attended by a good portion of the town. In 1966, I
won a speech writing contest, and in order to collect the $10 prize,
I had to deliver it from the bandstand. “What Memorial Day Means to
Me,” was the title. I don’t remember the words, but I can imagine
how they went. I do remember the park was full!
That’s not the point of this story. The
point is, to my honest embarrassment, I can’t recall having attended
Memorial Day Services since. Excuses only satisfy the ones that make
them, so I won’t give any.
This year, as a member of the Select
Board, I attended for the first time in 50 years, and was blown away
at what this service had shrunk to, frankly due to the indifference
of people just like me. No Parade. No band. No 21 Gun Salute. The
Legion Members were there in uniform, as was the Fire and Police
Depts., but nobody marched. The Middle/High School had a 6 person
chorus group that sang two songs and a solo was sung. We on the
Select Board stood by to observe, as did the town administrator and
a handful of die-hard residents who have not yet given up on the
importance of the ceremony.
The shame is, wait til you see the hordes
that show up in a couple months for the Balloon Rally. The truth is,
had I not been elected to the Select Board, another year would have
gone by without my attending the ceremony. I don’t intend to miss
another. Apathy, for which I take as much blame as any Pittsfield
resident, is a disgrace, and I hope next year we will somehow see
the Memorial Day Service made great again.
Selectman’s Update
Submitted By Carl Anderson
5/31/16 Select Board Meeting
Minnie Plante introduced us to this year’s
group of young people who have been hired to attend the gate and as
lifeguards at the town pool this year. Also, to ask permission to
post the pool as “No Lifeguard on Duty” on weekends, as needed this
summer if she is understaffed.
We told her to do what she had to do, and
just do the best she could with the help she’s able to get.
Dan Schroth asked the Board to provide a
meeting room at the Community Center for meetings of Narcotics
Anonymous. His request is being addressed.
We had a Minutes Taker applicant to assist
Amy in covering the Boards that we need to provide a suitable person
for this required job. Cyndi Hetu was subsequently hired for this
part-time position.
Bids are going out for demolition of the
house at 42 Chestnut St. in anticipation of the grant funds coming
available soon.
The newly formed High School Tuition Study
Committee had its Mission Statement approved by the Board. Carl
Anderson was appointed as the Select Boards rep. Other Pittsfield
taxpayers who might be interested in helping out in this information
gathering effort should ask the Town Administrator for an official
form.
A brief discussion of interest in 37 Main
St. left it to the interested parties to come up with an actual plan
for the use and future ownership of this highly visible property.
The Town Owned Property Committee gave
their recommendation for disposing of the 3 properties we took close
looks at last Saturday. We will get advice on what we can legally
due to insure the best possible outcome for the town on any sale of
these houses before proceeding.
Larry reported on his meeting with Rev.
Staziak regarding possibly moving the food pantry to the old
industrial arts building up at the school. He seems to think it will
meet their needs with the least impact on what we’d have to spend to
get them settled. All plans are still under consideration.
Discussion was held regarding the Building
Inspector’s job description. The consensus seems to be that the
scope of his job should be narrowed considerably in order for him to
be able to focus on what we all agreed the job should be- inspecting
buildings. We will take this up next week.
Police Chief Cain advised us of his intent
to start using the old K9 car as his personal vehicle due to its
high mileage, turning the SUV he has been using over to regular
patrols. The newly donated K9 vehicle will be in service very
shortly. We also talked over requiring decals to be placed on all
emergency response vehicles. After a session of the conversation
going in circles, it was decided to table the subject until next
week as well.
Pittsfield Area Sentior Center News
With summer just around the corner, the
Pittsfield Area Senior Center wishes everyone a safe and happy one.
As a focal point for an aging resource, the center offers many low
cost opportunities to older individuals with the main goal to extend
independent living and enrich the quality of life for older adults.
This is accomplished through a variety of activities that are
offered at the center.
A community meal is offered at 12:00 PM on
Monday thru Thursday. The nutritionally packed dense meal is for
individuals over 60 for only $2.00. Therefore, individuals can come
and enjoy conversation while eating an excellent lunch at an
extraordinary price. On Tuesday’s besides the normal meal, included
is a soup and salad bar for the same awesome price of $2.00.
The Pittsfield Area Senior Center would
like to invite you to a free musical performance by the Dump Run
Gang on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 10:30 AM. The Dump Run Gang is a
group of musicians that are from Gilmanton who sing and play a
number of instruments. They perform songs like ‘’Wabash Cannonball
,’’ ‘’Glory Train’’, and ‘’Temperance Reel”. Come, enjoy the free
show, and have lunch with the group after! The senior center is
located on 74 Main St., in Pittsfield and you can call 435-8482 to
make your reservation for the meal or for more information.
The Pittsfield Area Senior Center and the
Josiah Library are starting a new cooking club called the “1, 2, 3
Cook.” Learn to cook healthier using only a few essential items that
are in your pantry or cupboards at no extra cost to you. You can use
the library for references to gather more information and for
recipes. This club is in the beginning stages and we are hoping to
get individuals that enjoy cooking a wide variety of different items
and dishes. This club is so much more than just cooking a recipe. We
are trying different ideas from learning to cook a healthier meal
with quinoa for breakfast, using fresh herbs out the garden, a
gluten free meal, or healthier but delicious dessert. New ideas are
welcomed and encouraged. If you love to cook, want to learn new
ideas, nutritional information, and want to share your experience,
please come to the next meeting on Tuesday, July 19 at 12:30 at the
senior center. For more information you may call Carol at the senior
center at 435-8482 or Beverly at the library at 435-8406.
Free Patriotic Concert
With rousing American melodies, a salute
to our Armed Forces and many other national favorites, everyone will
certainly enjoy “A Slice of Americana,” a free patriotic concert
this Friday, June 10, 7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 24
Main Street, Pittsfield.
It will feature the church’s Chancel Choir
and JuBellation Handbell Choir and special guest, Bill Parker. You
will even have a chance to join in on a few special songs. Light
refreshments will be served.
Join us for this delightful event – an evening of great American
music. Parking and wheelchair accessible entrance located at rear of
church on Chestnut Street. More information at:
www.pittsfieldcc.org or
435-7471. God Bless America!
Enhancing Long Term Economic Growth And
Stability In Pittsfield
Submitted By Helen Schiff, SVRDC President
Ed LeGraize, SVRDC Vice President and business owner Linda Small,
SVRDC Treasurer and business owner Marilyn Roberts, SVRDC Secretary
and Economic Development Committee representative Edward Vien,
Citizen, Nick Hayes, Citizen Cara Marston, Town Administrator
We
would like to take this opportunity to introduce to you a beneficial
organization in town that you may or may not be aware of. After
endless discussion over the years by and between town officials and
townspeople with regard to increasing the economic tax base in
Pittsfield (in conjunction with the on-going efforts of the newly
created Pittsfield Economic Development Committee) the Suncook
Valley Regional Development Corporation (SVRDC) was formed. So, what
is the SVRDC and what is its purpose?
The SVRDC is a 501 (c) (3) local
development corporation established in 2009 to promote and assist in
the economic development of the Town of Pittsfield. Our Mission is
to work in conjunction with the Town of Pittsfield and its
representatives in promoting and developing the growth, prosperity,
and general welfare of the Town of Pittsfield and the surrounding
region, to prepare the work force of the future through better
education, to reduce unemployment and underemployment, and to
encourage citizen participation in community improvement and
development programs by providing, and assisting others in
providing, industrial, commercial, manufacturing, warehouse,
recreational, residential and other beneficial facilities in
accordance with the Pittsfield Master Plan.
The SVRDC sees itself as a collaborator
and a facilitator between the private and public sectors. Our vision
is to work in conjunction with the Town of Pittsfield in carrying
out the intent of its Property Acquisition and Redevelopment
Expendable Trust fund created in 2008 for the purpose of acquiring
and/or redeveloping land and buildings to enhance the long term
economic growth and stability of Pittsfield. Although our objective
is to have a working relationship with local officials, business
owners, private citizens and contractors in a mutual endeavor to
revitalize the community, we are an independent corporation that is
empowered to meet in nonpublic meetings with businesses and/or
investment partners to ensure confidentiality in perspective
business transactions. It is our priority to assist in enhancing our
economic tax base, ultimately lessening the tax burden on the
residents of Pittsfield.
The SVRDC has been many years in the
making. That said, we are excited that there are some potential
project ideas on the horizon! It is now time to put all of the
foundational tools that have been collaboratively put into place
over the years (via countless volunteer hours) to good use. If you
would like to be part of this worthwhile endeavor, whether to serve
on the board, or volunteer time, or make a monetary donation, please
send your letter of interest to: SVRDC, PO Box 183, Pittsfield, NH,
03263. All donations are tax exempt.
Dorcas Guild
The May meeting of the Dorcas Guild of the
First Congregational Church, Pittsfield, began with a call to order
and welcome by President Mary Jo Powelson. For devotions, Mary Jo
began with a reading entitled, “Faith Muscle” from Words of Jesus
for Women, a daily devotional. All joined in “The Lord’s Prayer.”
Diane Vaughan read correspondence and sent
around cards for signing. Both the secretary’s report and
treasurer’s report were accepted as read.
The food basket brought by Bev Murdough
went to Audrey Moore. The mystery package brought by Elaine Coffey
was won by Kathy Bergeron. Both items are suspended until September.
Our continuing 2016 project is twin-sized
spreads, blankets, adult hats and mittens for the VA. These can be
purchased or made; gently used items are OK.
Our June Banquet will be held June 14 at 6
p.m. at Main Street Grill in Pittsfield. Selections are beef,
chicken or fish; cost is $20 -- see Bev Murdough.
Church and parsonage repairs were
discussed. A motion was made and passed to donate to the Building
Fund for repairs.
Next discussed was the church’s Patriotic
Concert occurring June 10, 7 p.m. The group willingly lent it
support in the form of cookies and servers.
Mary Jo inquired whether the group wanted
to continue having the minutes presented in paper form on the
reverse of the agenda or read by the secretary. She also asked about
the 6:30 time for the meeting. The group liked the current
arrangement for both.
Delicious refreshments were shared by all
as the group enjoyed the “White Elephant in a Brown Bag” event. Next
meeting is our banquet at the Main Street Grill, Pittsfield at 6
p.m. Workgroup continues Wednesdays 10-2.
VA Announces Partnership With Non-Profit
Organization, Leanin.org
VA and Leanin.org Partnership Seeks to
Empower Women Veterans
Submitted Via Merrill Vaughan
WASHINGTON –
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Center for Women Veterans
today announced a partnership with LeanIn.Org, the nonprofit
organization founded by Facebook Chief Operating Officer, Sheryl
Sandberg, to empower women to achieve their ambitions. Building on
the successful launch of LeanIn.Org circles within the Department of
Defense, VA is following the same model to increase support to women
Veterans.
The VA initiative is called the LeanIn.Org Women Veterans’ chapter.
The Women Veterans Chapter is comprised of two distinct pilot
programs: the Veteran-to-Veteran program, a virtual program, which
allows any woman Veteran to participate, no matter where she is
located; meetings will be moderated and attended by women Veterans
throughout the United States. The second is a face-to-face pilot
circle. The face-to-face program is created in partnership with the
existing LeanIn.Org chapter in Seattle, WA. This circle is an
innovative hybrid of women Veterans and non-military members
providing an environment for both to learn and share leadership
skills.
“We are thrilled to have LeanIn.Org as our
collaborative partner,” said Kayla M. Williams, Director of VA’s
Center for Women Veterans. “For many years, women Veterans have
expressed to us that they need to have a mechanism to engage with
their fellow women Veterans to make a difference in their community
and we believe this is the perfect match. VA is pleased to be a part
of these two pilot programs.”
“Women are the fastest growing population
of our nation’s Veterans and through this Circles program, these
women will have the peer support and community they need to reach
their goals,” said Ashley Finch, LeanIn.Org, Head of Partnerships.
“Leanin.Org is proud to be a part of this groundbreaking and
important initiative.”
For more information about the LeanIn.org Women Veterans’ chapter,
visit LeanIn.Org/womenvets or
http://leaninseattle.org/veterans.
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