Community Action Program will be in Pittsfield on
October 24th for fuel assistance at the Pittsfield Community Center.
You must call for appointment 485-7824.
Those Celebrating Birthdays are: October 19, Kyle
Lammott, Joseph Dunne; October 22, Don Bergeron; October 23, Lisa
Albright; October 24, Peter Tuttle, Mike Blais; October 25, Lisa
Paggi.
A Very Happy Birthday To One and All!
Celebrating Anniversaries are: October 25, Travis
and Chrissy Locke.
Congratulations!
Pittsfield Middle High School will be hosting their
Summer Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) Celebration Night on
Thursday, October 20, 2011 from 7 pm – 9 pm. The community is
cordially invited to attend this event. Please mark your calendars
and plan on attending this exciting event at PMHS in the Lecture
Hall. Light refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there.
Please call Sheila Ward, ELO Coordinator, at
435-6701 X1117 if you have any questions.
REMINDER
Suncook Valley Sno-Riders Raffle Ticket Fundraiser
The 2011 NHSA Super Raffle ticket sales will be held
Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23, 2011. This year we will
have 3 locations to buy tickets: Danis Market, Maxfield’s Hardware
and Barnstead Country Store. Only 12,500 tickets for this raffle
will be sold. Tickets are $5/each.
This year’s prizes are:
• 2012 Arctic Cat F1100 Sno Pro 50th Anniversary
Snowmobile
• $500 Gas Card
• $300 Gas Card
• $200 Gas Card
Halloween trick or treat time in Pittsfield will be
Sunday, October 30, 2011, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm.
Coffee with Police Chief will resume November 3rd at
6:30 pm at Jitters Cafe on Main Street.
The Suncook Valley Area Lions Club will be meeting
the second Tuesday of the month at Jitters Cafe on Main Street at
5:30 pm.
The Pittsfield Historical Society would like to
thank all who have supported our efforts by purchasing tickets to
our 2011 Cash Raffle. We congratulate this year’s winners: Teddie
St. Pierre, Pat Lafond, Morganne Budgett, Susan Bleckmann and
Natalie Huntington.
Pittsfield Community Band is resuming rehearsals
Thursday, November 3 at 7:00 pm in the music room at Pittsfield
Middle High School. Come join us, no auditions, no fees. Contact Kim
Lachance 822-2694 if you have questions.
SVSC U12
Boys Tournament
Suncook Valley Soccer Club will be hosting a U12
Boys Tournament on Saturday, October 22nd at Tilton Hill Field. The
event starts at 8:30 am and runs until 2:00 pm. Come out and watch
great soccer and enjoy fantastic food at the concession stand. The
event is free and all monies raised at the concession stand help
support the SVSC.
Pittsfield Parks and Recs will be hosting a
ski/snowboard program this winter at Gunstock Mountain. There will
be an information and sign up session on Sunday, October 23 at the
community center from 6-7. The program runs for four weeks starting
in January.
Behind The Scenes At The Pittsfield Players’
Man Of LaMancha: The Padre And The Barber
Mal Cameron as the Padre and Scott Aubertin as The
Barber in The Pittsfield Players’ fall production of Man of
LaMancha. Tickets are on sale now at
www.pittsfieldplayers.com or by calling 435-8852.
The Pittsfield Players’ are hard at work on their
fall production of Man of LaMancha, which will run at the Scenic on
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 11, 12 and 13, and again the
following week on Friday and Saturday, November 18 and 19. Tickets,
which will go on sale next week, are $15 per person, and can be
reserved by visiting the Players’ website
www.pittsfieldplayers.com and clicking on the TicketLeap button,
or by calling 435-8852.
Two of the members of the cast, Mal Cameron and
Scott Aubertin, were in the original production in 1976 and they
both shared some memories of that show and this new production at a
recent rehearsal. Mal, who played the Barber in 1976, has been cast
as the Padre in this show. So what’s different about this new
production as compared to the first one? Mal said that in the first
show there was a seven piece orchestra on stage with the actors, and
that will not be the case in this new production. Mal said that he
"had forgotten over the years what a great show Man of LaMancha
was", and he’s especially pleased to be able this time to sing the
song "To Each Her Dulcinea" in his role as the Padre. He mentioned
that Dr. Harold Conrad, Jr. played the Padre in 1976 and sang the
role beautifully, but, sadly, was killed in an automobile crash
shortly after the production ended. Mal is a veteran member of the
Pittsfield Players, a Players’ Hall of Fame actor, who has appeared
in so many of the Players’ shows that space doesn’t allow us to list
them all.
Scott Aubertin, who played a prisoner and chorus
member in the 1976 production, is now taking on the role that Mal
played, the Barber. Scott is also the set designer, and so the
almost cameo role of the Barber is perfect for him so that he can
focus on the set and still be in the show. He said that the 1976
production was played in front of plain black flats, and that this
production’s set will be more three dimensional. Scott was a student
at Pittsfield High School when he joined the Players and appeared in
many of their shows in the past. He said that Mal Cameron’s
portrayal of the Barber in 1976 made such an impression on him that
he often sings the Barber’s song and actually is fashioning his
vocals after hearing Mal Cameron sing the role.
After sitting in on a portion of a recent rehearsal,
it became clear that this fall production will be something special
to see, and a must for fans of the Pittsfield Players. Next week,
we’ll visit more with Scott Aubertin to talk about the process of
set design for Man of LaMancha. Make plans now to see this wonderful
show.
Taylor-Mooney
Nichole Taylor and Eric Mooney, both of Pittsfield,
were married on September 18 at Pats Peak Ski Area in Henniker. Rev.
Henry Frost of Loudon performed the double-ring ceremony. The bride
was given in marriage by her parents. Deanna Landry, friend of the
bride, was maid of honor. Samantha Taylor, sister of the bride, and
Rebecca Mankiewicz, cousin of the bride, were bridesmaids. Justin
Mooney, twin brother of the groom, was the best man. Justin Marsh,
step-brother of the groom, was a groomsman. The bride, daughter of
Rodney and Penny Taylor of Pittsfield, graduated from Pittsfield
Middle High School and received a license in Cosmetology from Empire
Beauty School. The groom, son of Jim and Cheryl Marsh of Pittsfield,
graduated from Pittsfield Middle High School and is an independent
contractor. Nichole and Eric share two children: Lillian and Tyler.
Congratulations and we love you!!
Letter
We have lived in Pittsfield for over 4 years now and
love the people, location, and the town itself; with one exception.
We love to camp and have the opportunity to set up a site on the
back of our property. It is open for use by all the neighbors and
friends and all are welcome.
It seems that isn’t good enough for someone. At some
point since the beginning of September we were visited at our site
by a person(s) who removed 3 tents, various utensils, and other camp
equipment. To drag these items they removed a tarp from our tent,
further ruining the remaining items, including sleeping bags.
This isn’t the first time we, along with a neighbor,
have been hit by thieves. We will say, however, this will be the
last time.
To our little friends that can’t afford to buy their
own equipment, be warned. Technology is a wonderful thing. Also, to
parents in town, if you notice a bright orange tent, a red tent, and
a maroon tent in your kids possession, please ask them where they
got them. Hunters, if you come across a camp site with these tents,
you know you found them! Please notify the police.
Thank you,
Eileen Courtois
VA Debuts Documentary Highlighting Heroes,
Polytrauma System Of Care
Submitted By Merrill A. Vaughan
Commander
American Legion Peterson-Cram Post 75
Pittsfield, NH 03263
The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a
campaign to increase awareness about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
and services provided by the VA for Veterans and Service members
recovering from TBI and co-occurring complex injuries.
The campaign debuted with a 25 minute documentary
last week highlighting individual stories of recovery for some of
the most severely injured and wounded Veterans through the VA
Polytrauma System of Care at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical
Center in Richmond, Va. The documentary and other videos can be
viewed at www.polytrauma.va.gov.
"The stories of true courage and determination are
an inspiration to all who watch this documentary," said Secretary of
Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "The stories go beyond their
injuries resulting from combat or vehicle accidents by highlighting
their heroic roads to recovery, aided by VA’s system of care. I
encourage everyone to take the opportunity to watch the video."
VA has released a series of products to promote
awareness of TBI and services available to Veterans, including
public service announcements at
www.polytrauma.va.gov/multimedia-library/multimedia-library;
featuring Golden Globe, Emmy, and Screen Actors Guild SAG Award
winner and Academy Award nominee Gary Sinise.
The pieces highlight the fact that effects of TBI
can range from mild to severe, lasting for a brief or prolonged
period of time. Treatment is available and VA provides specialized
services to support Veterans and Service members through evaluating
and diagnosing TBI, related problems, and enabling their recovery.
More information about TBI and VA’s Polytrauma/TBI System of Care is
available at www.polytrauma.va.gov.
Letter To The Editor
Last week I sent Ron Paul $25.00. I’m an Independent
who wants to see the best Republican run against the best Democrat.
I like President Obama. I like Ron Paul. Now that
would be the election of a lifetime.
Now about the Feds threatening to arrest medicinal
marijuana shop owners in California. $1 billion a year business, tax
revenue $100 million.
I liked Monitor Editorial on Ken Burns
"Prohibition," who wrote about the parallels of prohibition to the
war on drugs. I agree with Ron Paul, legalize all drugs. I say use
the tax revenue for education. I mean, public schools, and drug and
alcohol treatment centers. Relieve the State from this burden. Don’t
people see there is a shortage of affordable free treatment centers,
yet no shortage of drugs?
I guess the proof of the latter is give me $50.00 to
$100.00 and two hours and even I could round up prescription drugs,
cocaine, or heroin. Drugs are often easier to find than work.
This is partially due to the fact it is human nature
to try almost everything life has to offer and the federal
government being the largest supplier of prescription drugs through
various well intended disability programs. Some of these drugs get
sold by the recipient for supplemental income. If we legalize drugs,
we would take away the power from the Mexican drug cartels and not
have to threaten the Afghanistan poppy fields, which we are never
going to control anyway.
Dan Schroth Piermarocchi
The Class of ‘75 met at the South Pittsfield
Community Club on Saturday, October 8th for a delicious turkey
dinner. Sandy Metcalf is not shown in the picture. First row: Sally
DeCota, Georgia Siel. Back Row: Chris Schoppmeyer, Kathy Kenny, Jack
Donovan.
Maxfield Public Library News
Juried Fall Fine Art Show And Sale
Save the date of the first weekend in November for
the upcoming Loudon Village Arts Fall Fine Art Show and Sale at the
Maxfield Public Library located at 8 Route 129, Loudon.
The works of fourteen different artists from around
New England will be featured in photographs and paintings in oil and
watercolor as well as drawings in pastel and pen and ink. Many
affordable artworks are presented in the show including beautifully
rendered miniature paintings. On sale you will also find a fine
selection of prints and note cards. A portion of the proceeds will
benefit the library. What better way to bring art into your home and
support the library, too?
Share the excitement, enjoy refreshments, and meet
the artists at the Opening Reception on Friday, November 4, from 5
to 7 pm. The show will continue on Saturday, November 5, from 9 am
to 3 pm and on Sunday, from noon to 3 pm.
Manchester artist Frank Moulin has donated his
watercolor painting Winter Light for a raffle to benefit the
library. Raffle tickets are on sale from now through the end of the
show. The winning ticket will be drawn at the close of the show. A
door prize ticket for a basketful of original note cards by the
artists will also be drawn. For details, please call Nancy Hendy at
798-5153.
Photo Contest - $100 Prize
Have you taken a great photo capturing the feel of
fall? The Loudon Village Arts group is running a photo contest for
the best Images of Autumn. First place wins a cash prize of $100.
Entries must be sized 8 x 10" and left at the Maxfield Public
Library any time during open hours – Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10
am to 9 pm, Wednesdays from 1 to 9 pm, or Saturdays from 9 am to 1
pm. One entry per person, please. The deadline for entries is
November 1st. First place prize will be awarded at the Opening
Reception of the Fall Fine Art Show and Sale. Call the library at
798-5153 for more information.
Don’t Feed The Plant
(Notes From The Inside...)
By Meggin Dail
The Village Players had an idea, a wonderful,
impossible idea; they were going to put on the musical operetta,
"Little Shop of Horrors" and, get this, make their own plant!
In case you’re unaware, almost nobody does this,
almost. "Rent it!" I begged and pleaded with fellow co-director, Jay
Sydow, "We don’t want to have to worry about the plant." The ‘plant’
being, of course, the infamous Audrey II, who not only talks, sings,
and eats people but grows.
"But we have people who want to build it from
scratch," Jay told me.
"What people?" I asked.
"Corky Mork, Mike Welch, Michael Wilfert....and me."
"No." I had to put my foot down. It’s enough to
direct a musical and have to handle a musical director like Keith
Belanger, costumers like Deb Jones and Kristi Nieman, a
choreographer like Kaylin Dean and an entire cast without adding the
extra headache of having, okay I have to say it...Plant Managers.
I was outvoted. The plant construction started. I
was sent pictures of the plant’s construction, foam and chicken wire
and glue...and a little red-headed three-year-old "helping" his
grandpa, Corky. I was scared. I gave an impossible deadline. "Have
it at the theatre by August 18."
August 18 came and went. Ha! I had won.
Not so fast. "Give them until September 18, give
them more time, give them a chance" Jay pleaded. Begrudgingly I
acquiesced.
September 18 came and went. Jay sent me an email
picture of ‘the plant’ doctored in some photoshop type way as to
make me believe the progress was further than it was. I was livid.
"We need that plant now. Rent it." I begged.
"Just a few more days..." said Jay.
"No."
The next rehearsal, a plant appeared. Except it
wasn’t a plant, yet. It wasn’t green, yet. It didn’t have leaves,
yet. It didn’t have lips, yet, or warts, yet.
Little by little, day by day, much like in the
telling of Little Shop of Horrors, the plant grew and it grew and it
grew. One night there was Michael Wilfert sewing on the red satin
lips, another night, Mike Welch and Jay Sydow were constructing
leaves. One night I got a phone call in the middle of the night.
"Jim Adams and I are just sitting here admiring our
work. We’re placing warts, spraying paint here and there, admiring
it a little more, adding a few more leaves. You’re going to love it,
love it!" Every time Corky Mork came in and out of the theatre,
something changed a little on the plant, perhaps unidentifiable to
the eye right away, making the plant, bigger and more alive...yes,
alive.
Jim Adams wasn’t in the original list of those who
wanted to help create the plant, but once he got the role of playing
the plant’s puppeteer, all that changed. He was dedicated, addicted,
maybe. Jim soon became one with the plant.
"Does this look inanimate to you!?" takes on a whole
new meaning when Adams is inside the plant. Audrey II suddenly has
attitude, has feelings, has needs. It’s angry, cajoling and scary.
Downright scary. Jim’s own basement is full of horror props. A plant
that eats people is right up his alley.
"Did I mention I have a dismembered head with spinal
cord attached?"
"No, Jim, you didn’t."
"It’s rubber, of course."
"Of course."
Now, at rehearsals we not only have the plant(s),
but we have Jim and Rick Tessari, the voice of Audrey II and you’d
never guess how much time and effort and practice it has taken to
get the plant and Jim and Rick to work as one because all you’re
going to see and hear and be amazed by is Audrey II.
Rent it? Not on your life!
See The Village Player’s Audrey II come to life in
"Little Shop Of Horrors" at the Glendon Street Theatre, in
Wolfeboro, NH, October 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30. Tickets available
online at www.village-players.com, at Blacks Paper and Gifts in Wolfeboro
or at the door.
Letter
The Story Behind The Red Symbol
Enrique "Kiki" Camarena grew up in a dirt-floored
house with hopes and dreams of making a difference.
Camarena worked his way through college, served in
the Marines and became a police officer. He decided to join the U.S.
Drug Enforcement Administration, with a goal of making a difference.
The DEA sent Camarena to work undercover in Mexico
investigating a major drug cartel believed to include officers in
the Mexican army, police and government. On February 7, 1985, the 37
year old left his office to meet his wife for lunch. One month
later, Camarena’s body was found in a shallow grave. According to
the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse he had been tortured
to death.
Within weeks of his death, Camarena’s Congressman
Duncan Hunter, and high school friend Henry Lozano, launched
Camarena Clubs in Imperial Valley, California, Camarena’s home.
Hundreds of club members pledged to lead drug-free lives to honor
the sacrifices made by Camarena and others on behalf of all
Americans. These coalitions began to wear red badges of satin, red
ribbons, as a symbol of his memory. The Red Ribbon Week campaign
emerged from the efforts of these clubs and coalitions.
Today, Red Ribbon Week is nationally recognized. The
Red Ribbon Campaign is also a symbol of support for the DEA’s
efforts to reduce demand for drugs through prevention and education
programs. By wearing a red ribbon during the last week in October,
Americans demonstrate their ardent opposition to drugs.
Sincerely,
Denise Morin
VA Launches Outreach Campaign To Eliminate
Homelessness Among Veterans
Submitted By
Merrill A. Vaughan
Commander
American Legion Peterson-Cram Post 75
Pittsfield, NH 03263
As part of its drive to end homelessness among
Veterans by 2015, the Department of Veterans Affairs is launching a
nationwide outreach initiative, "Make the Call," to spread the
message about its special programs to help homeless Veterans and
their families to 28 communities across the nation in October.
"Those who have served this nation as Veterans
should never find themselves on the streets, living without care and
without hope," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.
Shinseki noted that 28 communities - from Atlanta to
Hawaii - will host special programs this fall highlighting local
services for homeless Veterans, their families and those at risk of
becoming homeless.
"Working with our partners in state and local
government, the non-profit and the private sectors, we can restore
our homeless Veterans and their families to the lives of dignity
they’ve earned," Shinseki added.
This fiscal year, VA expects to spend $3.4 billion
to provide healthcare to homeless Veterans and $800 million in
specialized homeless programs. The latest studies say more than
75,000 Veterans are homeless on a typical night, and about 135,000
spend at least one night a year in a homeless shelter.
VA is encouraging family, friends and citizens in
the community to "Make the Call" and help prevent and end
homelessness among Veterans. Since March 2010, VA has offered a
toll-free telephone number, staffed around the clock by trained
professionals, to help homeless Veterans, their families and at-risk
people. The number is 877-4AID-VET (or 877-424-3838).
Recently, VA has transformed its efforts in the
fight against homelessness. It is changing from a program focus upon
temporary, shelter-based services, to prevention, employment,
permanent housing, and help to families and Veterans at risk of
becoming homeless.
More information about VA’s programs for homeless
Veterans, at-risk Veterans and their families is available at
www.va.gov/homeless.
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