The Missions Committee of the Barnstead Parade
Congregational Church will be holding their Annual Fall Fair at the
Church on the Parade Grounds, on Saturday, November 5, 2011, from 9 am
to 1 pm. There will be a craft table, including Christmas items, new
items for the Bottom Drawer and a Food Table with home baked goodies. We
will have coffee and homemade donuts for sale, also sandwiches and
homemade chowder for lunch. This fair helps benefit our Mission
Projects.
Free Thanksgiving Dinner at the Epsom Fire Station 12-2
pm Nov 24th.
Looking for food donations and volunteers to help serve.
Open to all. Call Karen at 603-736-9954.
Greetings From The Road!
By Jess Emory
Since my first article about my travels, I’ve had quite
an adventure. I flew from Reykjavik, Iceland to Berlin, Germany. My
family was kicked out of Berlin during the Holocaust, and having the
chance to see a place that was the magical set of many family stories
was like my own grown up Cinderella story. With the emotion of leaving
Iceland and the history all around me, I was thrown in an intellectual
and emotional blender. I hopped on an international bus. Prague in the
middle of the night, lights turning facades into larger than life Gothic
architecture, the stars outside Bratislava at 2 am, the clearest I’ve
seen since leaving home, crossing the border into Romania at 7 am to
have my passport disappear (‘hey! Immigration stamps’ I thought), have a
heart attack (bus driver flooring it through the border crossing with no
sign of my passport coming back from being stamped), and have it
reappear (running to the front of the bus to find it on the dash);
rolling hills with neon green lusciousness, small towns with tile roofs,
endless pear-shaped haystacks. 32 hours later I rolled into Bucharest
and my Romanian adventure began.
I spent a week in Bucharest getting my mind around
leaving Iceland, Berlin, and what happens next. I visited the Museum of
the Romanian Peasant, an overwhelming collection dedicated to telling
the story of rural ways of life. It isn’t your typical museum with dates
and labels; the founder wanted to allow people to interact with each
item in the collection and have a real response. Respond I did. The
costumes are fantastic and each ethnicity has a unique costume with
different embellishments. The Saxons have tremendous embroidery,
Hungarians have beading, the ethnic Romanians fall somewhere in the
middle. Shepherd cloaks of heavy felt with swirls and embroidery,
ceramics that look like they belong in posh collections are what
peasants eat off of on a daily basis. Incredible.
I didn’t find much in the way of tradition in the city
(outside of the museums) and everyone I spoke with said that it was only
happening in the countryside; so off to the countryside I went. I lived
in a little town called Idicel (pop. 400) - 8.5 hours by train from
Bucharest, deep in Transylvania. As I left Bucharest, the view outside
become more and more surreal. Rolling bright green hills, tiny churches,
people harvesting hay into horse-drawn carts. We passed a hay bale stack
as big as a house and in the same shape - right next to a real house. As
dusk began to fall, it became more magical. In the crook of the hills,
villages were cloaked in mist but the trees looked like someone had come
back in and inked them with a stencil - the blackest black against grey
fog. Red roofs speckling hillsides, large fields and fruit trees laden
and waiting for attention. The moon, full last night, blushed against a
dark blue sky with neon pink fingers of clouds tracing the outline of
where stars would soon be - though I never saw them.
My favorite memory of living in Idicel is from one of my
first evenings there. It was twilight and we passed a horse cart taking
farmers home. We were off to barter potatoes with a village woman. Her
house was tucked amongst grapevines that were perfuming the air with
heavy sweetness. Her pigs nosed along the fence line and chortled to
themselves. Seventeen years of a husband in bed with Parkinson’s and now
she’s on her own with no money. 30 kilos each of feeding potatoes, seed
potatoes, and eating potatoes for four liters of plum brandy. She was a
small woman, head covered in a kerchief, skirts and apron, face with
wells and dips and peaks and tanned like an old pair of shoes. Many
parts of life here are from another century and even now the way of life
makes you wonder how in the world people had time to spin and weave- not
that anyone takes the time these days.
In terms of my project, fiber artists are dead and gone.
Speaking with young people, it is clear that there is an appreciation
for the traditional way of doing things but no interest in taking part
in it. Old women in small villages have no need to keep going with the
traditional spinning and weaving because they have all the blankets and
rugs that they need. Children have moved to the cities, and the wool
isn’t worth anything. I’m set to take a side trip to Hungary and some of
the bordering countries- with invasions and wars changing political
lines for the past hundred years, culture here is much more defined in
relation to ethnicity than nationality and I’m eager to explore this
further. Aside from that trip, I’ll spend the rest of my time here,
learning and apprenticing, before heading to Bran’s Castle for Halloween
and back to Bucharest to fly out to Vietnam in early November.
I’ll leave you with a few more bits and pieces I’ve
found surprising and interesting: (Bucharest): I passed women dressed
for a night out crossing the street and twittering away and then
genuflecting with enthusiasm maybe five times as they walked in front of
a church- this happens all the time. Everyone roller blades, young
children, couples, everyone is out rolling about. You can buy flowers on
every street corner, either in a hutch like Hudson News or an old woman
with a bucket of flowers at her feet. Everyone carrying flowers around,
with the faces down and the stems up. The parking is as crazy as
Iceland, but not at the same angles, because if they did, someone would
pick up and move their car to fit another space. There are old women and
men with scales on the sidewalks and you can pay them to weigh yourself.
In Idicel: it is as likely to find horse carts outside the bar as cars
or bikes (the first time I went it was two horse carts, an Audi, and a
bike). Potatoes are traded for moonshine, as is most everything else. A
house may be run down and have holes in the roof, but there’s a fancy
car in the driveway. Goulash is the Hungarian word for a large flock of
sheep. The hot and cold taps are reversed in the bathroom. In
commercials for sponges/paper, the product they want you to buy is on
the other side of the screen than in the US. In the grocery store, you
can buy 6 eggs, 10 eggs, or 36 eggs, but not one dozen. You put
margarine or ‘spread’ on your toast, not butter. Jay walking lands you a
100 euro fine on the spot (not that I’ve had personal experience).
Missing Barnstead, home, and the familiar but
oh-so-excited for what comes next.
Letter
Halloween Questions to Think About:
1. What virtues are there in celebrating Halloween?
2. What redeeming qualities does it have?
3. What are we honoring by celebrating it?
4. If Halloween is "harmless fun", why are there so many
safety warnings, why are people offended by it religiously speaking, and
why do alcoholic beverages enjoy their biggest sales during Halloween?
5. Why is it that child sex predators like Halloween do
you think? Do you know where they live in your area?
6. Are you ready to pay for the dentist to vacation in
Hawaii when your children are done eating all that candy?
7. Have you ever heard of Psychological Injury
Liability? Or that you may be liable for injuries to children on your
property?
8. Did you know that scary movies can have lasting
physical and mental effects into adulthood? What do you think Halloween
will do to very young children who see gory and scary props and costumes
in the stores where you shop?
Len Hanley
Pumpkin ‘n Pine Fair
Save Saturday, November 5th for a charming, country
church fair. There will be fun, food and treasures at the Congregational
Church of North Barnstead. Bring family and friends, jump start your
holiday list and join with others for a delicious lunch in the café.
The fair has many favorite features including vintage
and new jewelry, collectibles, food, holiday crafts, gifts for and about
critters and unique hand-made items from Ghana and Guatemala. This year
there is a new country kitchen selection with handmade cheese boards,
aprons, log carriers and tea cozies.
The silent auction is the largest and liveliest part of
the fair. This year there are over 40 items being auctioned. They
include a gift certificate for the Spa at Wentworth by the Sea and a
massage with Natalie Snyder of Barnstead. There will also be the makings
of 2 complete lobster dinners or a catered lasagna dinner for 8. Want
some beauty? How about an evening of music with Chris Bonoli, Victorian
styled bird houses or a watercolor by Clare Bolster? Feeling practical,
then bid on Handy Dad’s donated time. The list goes on – come see for
yourself and go home with a treasure.
The Pumpkin ‘n Pine Fair will be held between 9 am and 2
pm at the Congregational Church of North Barnstead. It is located at 504
North Barnstead Road in Barnstead. Just follow the signs!
Citizens Of Barnstead For A Living Democracy Annual
Meeting
Citizens Of Barnstead for A Living Democracy will have
their annual meeting on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 10:00 am at the
Oscar Foss Memorial Library, Route 126 in Center Barnstead, NH.
The group will discuss project ideas for the coming
year, 2012.
We will also brainstorm agenda items for a joint meeting
with the Nottingham Water Alliance to be held on Saturday, December
10th. The public is invited to attend.
BYBSA Needs You!
At the October 3rd meeting of the Barnstead Youth
Baseball Association (BYBSA), the board members in attendance discussed
the decreasing level of volunteer participation in running the
Association’s programs. Of particular concern was the lack of
participation at the Old Home Day fundraiser (4 volunteers), the fall
cleanup day at the field house on September 24th (3 volunteers), the
attendance by only 5 board members at the October 4th board meeting, and
the fact that no new prospective board members came forward at the
meeting on the 4th. The workload to run BYBSA successfully is falling on
fewer and fewer volunteers.
"Many hands make light work." BYBSA is looking for new
blood to reconstitute the Board at a level of participation that will
not overburden a few with the many tasks needed to run our programs
successfully. We ask that anyone who is willing to volunteer some time
please attend the next Board meeting at the Barnstead library on
November 7th at 6:30.
The Board discussed its alternatives if sufficient
volunteers don’t "step up to the plate" at the November 7th meeting.
Since the workload is too much for 5 people, our options seem to be
either to:
(1) Suspend operations until a sufficient number of
committed members reconstitute the Board. This would mean that there
would be no baseball or softball in 2012 and perhaps beyond;
(2) Drastically revamp operations to cut out
non-critical tasks. These would include discontinuing the concession
stand, sponsorship and fundraising functions. This would mean a
significant rise in signup fees to replace the funds raised by the
discontinued functions.
BYBSA runs close to 200 kids through our programs
annually. We believe that there should be a sufficient number of parents
out there to ensure that BYBSA can continue to operate and serve our
kids as in the past.
"All God’s Creatures Welcome"
Pastor, Rev. Nancy Talbott blesses Megan Chase’s beta
fish
during the 2010 "Blessing of the Animals" service at CCNB.
On October 30th the Congregational Church of North
Barnstead will celebrate the Blessing of the Animals during their 10 am
service.
The church is located at 504 N. Barnstead Road. Whoever
you are, wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here! All
are welcome, including pets of any sort. Bring your pets, real or
stuffed to worship and celebrate All God’s Critters during worship.
For more information call, (603) 776-1820.
Obituaries
Dorothy (Dennett) Pszonowsky Hayward
Dorothy (Dennett) Pszonowsky Hayward, R.N. passed away
peacefully on September 14, 2011 in Palm Bay, Fla. Born in Concord, N.H.
November 20, 1916 to Linn and Grace (Ward) Dennett of Barnstead, N.H.
Dorothy touched the lives of many people during her 94 years of life.
Raised on the Dennett family farm in Barnstead, N.H.
Dorothy’s kind and gentle nature inspired in her a lifetime of helping
and caring for people. After graduating from Pittsfield High School in
N.H. in June of 1934 she attended the Rhode Island Hospital School of
Nursing, February 1935 to April 1938. As a Registered Nurse she had a
long nursing career involved in hospital care and private duty.
Dorothy married Joseph George Pszonowsky August 1942. He
was the son of Nicholas and Mary Pszonowsky of Providence, R.I. George
and Dorothy’s first child Michael was born in December 1943 just before
George left for WWII as a member of the U.S. Navy. After the war, they
had two more children, in 1948, Roger, and 1955, Susan.
After World War II she was awarded a certificate for her
faithful and valiant hospital service on the home front.
Dorothy and George lived in North Kingstown, R.I. She
was an active member of the Quidnessett Baptist Church.
Upon the sudden death of her husband George in 1971
Dorothy worked as a school nurse at Forest Park Elementary School in
North Kingstown. She enjoyed working with the children and was loved by
the faculty and children.
In 1974 Dorothy returned to Pittsfield, N.H. to care for
her aging parents, Linn and Grace Dennett. She later married Chesley
(Chet) Hayward of Loudon, N.H. She was an active member of the First
Congregational Church of Pittsfield, N.H.
Dorothy and Chet spent the winter months in Deerfield
Beach, Fla. Dorothy continued to do private duty nursing for many years,
she also used her skills and generosity to care for and help family and
friends in New Hampshire and Florida. After Chet’s death Dorothy lived
with her son Roger Pszonowsky and his wife Rhonda in Palm Bay, Fla.
Dorothy loved dancing, music and traveling around the
country to see her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She
had a wonderful ability to connect with others and made many friends
throughout her life.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her beloved husbands
George Pszonowsky, January 1971; Chet W. Hayward, June 1991 and son
Michael G. Pszonowsky, February 2007; her nephew Jeffrey L. Dennett,
October 2009; her parents Linn and Grace Dennett; her sisters Marjorie
French and Ruth F. Hayward and brother Oliver F. Dennett. She was the
oldest surviving member of her generation in her family
She will be greatly missed by her surviving children
Roger Dennett Pszonowsky and wife Rhonda, of Palm Bay, Fla., her
daughter Susan Grace Gibson and husband John of Valley View, TX.,
daughter-in-law Beatrice Pszonowsky Douglas of Pittsfield, N.H., stepson
Ronnie Hayward and wife Susan of Vale, N.C., stepson David Hayward and
stepdaughter Lovering Hayward.
Dorothy was a proud grandmother to Michele Pszonowsky of
Concord, N.H., Peter Pszonowsky and wife Amy of Pittsfield, N.H. and
their mother Gloria Hillsgrove of Pembroke, N.H., Jacob Pszonowsky and
wife Kristen of San Francisco, Ca., Gabriel Pszonowsky and wife Laura of
Akron, Oh., Jennifer Strobel and husband John of Durham, N.C.,
Christopher Barnes of Mayfield, Oh., and Jake Gibson and wife Sheri of
Alexandria, Va.
She will be lovingly remembered by her great
grandchildren Lily and Gwen Pszonowsky, of Akron Oh., Raylyn Pszonowsky
and sister Mary Kate McNeil of Pittsfield, N.H., Layla Grace Pszonowsky
of San Francisco, Ca., and John and Faith Gibson of Alexandria, Va.
In addition to children, grandchildren and great
grandchildren, Dorothy was much loved by nephews Gordon and Peter
French, of Deltona, Fla. niece Carrie Dennett Duval and her husband
John, nephew John Dennett, of Concord, N.H., and nephew Alex Pszonowsky
and his wife Kathy of Johnston, R.I.
Family and friends are invited to share their memories
at a celebration of her life October 29 at 11 am at the First
Congregational Church in Pittsfield, N.H. Interment will follow at
Floral Park Cemetery. Perkins and Pollard Funeral Home is in charge of
arrangements.
Memorial donations may be made to the Pittsfield Rotary
Club Scholarship Fund (Mike Pszonowsky), 32 Manchester St. Pittsfield,
N.H. 03236.
Carole I Smith
Carole I. Smith, age 70, of Center Barnstead, died
Saturday, October 15, 2011 at Hyder Family Hospice House in Dover, N.H.
after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Dorchester MA, on February 8, 1941, the daughter
of Albert F. and Irene (Grant) Olgilve, she grew up in South Weymouth MA
and was a graduate of Weymouth High School.
She resided in Center Barnstead the past 18 years,
having come from Weare, NH. Prior to retirement, she was employed as an
Accountant with Building 19.
Carole loved gardening, baking, sewing and watching the
birds in her many bird feeders. She was a member of the American Legion
Auxiliary of Barnstead.
Survived by her husband of more than 30 years, Henry D.
Smith; her three sons, Alan Smith of Barrington NH, Gary Smith of Boston
MA, Michael Smith of Concord NH; a daughter Debbie Warn of Hanson MA;
ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by
her son, Jamie Smith.
The family would like to give special thanks to the
staff of Hyder Family Hospice House in Dover for their loving care and
support to Carole and her family during her stay. The family would also
like to thank Bill Bailey for all that he did for Carole and all the
friends, family and neighbors that gave their support, love, prayers and
great food.
A Graveside service was held on Tuesday, October 18 at
Riverview Cemetery in Barnstead NH.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in
her memory to: Rochester VNA Hospice, 178 Farmington Road, Rochester, NH
03867. Arrangements were in the care of Peaslee Alton Funeral Home, 12
School Street, Alton, NH. To express condolences, please visit:
www.peasleefuneralhome.com