REMINDER
Pittsfield Beautification Committee Fundraising YARD SALE,
Saturday May 20th AND Sunday May 21st from 8 am to 2 pm at 515
Dowboro Rd. Pittsfield, just 3.5 miles from the center of Town.
We will also have food and beverages for those of you who need a
coffee and a muffin in the morning!
Anyone
who would like to donate items for our sale can drop them off at the
address listed above. We respectfully request that you do not
bring items of clothing or any heavy items.
Please
join us and help support our town gardens.
Letter
To The Editor Select Board Meeting 5/9/17
Chairman Allard
opened the meeting at 6PM. We had an appointment with the Historical
Society Building Committee, which was taken in non-public due to the
fact that the content potentially contained elements that law
requires affording that privacy. However, the meeting did not
contain such information, therefore, the non-public minutes were
unsealed and are available for review by anyone who cares to see
them.
In a nutshell, the Historical Society needs room to expand
from their present location on Elm St. Given the discouraging amount
of title issues that plague town-owned 81 Main St (next to the Town
Hall), as well as the poor condition of the property, it seems
unlikely we’ll be able to get it back on the tax rolls in the
foreseeable future.
The Historical Society would like to take
title (such as it is) to the property, demolish the existing
building and construct a new one to become their new home. We will
have a public hearing on this proposal at the next Select Board
meeting May 23.
Mini Plante introduced this year’s staff for the
swimming pool. A number of last year’s helpers are returning this
year. They appeared to be a very bright and capable group who have a
big responsibility. We’re glad to have them.
A list of tax
abatements were considered and our assessor’s recommendations were
followed as to approve or deny. Also a number of Veteran’s tax
credits and elderly exemptions were considered and those who
qualified were approved.
Gerard resigned as the Select Board rep
to the Planning Board due to time constraints. As newly elected
school moderator he will be taking classes and studying the proper
way to run the new SB2 hearings.
Carl Anderson
Pastor’s Corner Submitted By Pat Testerman, Associate Pastor
Faith Community Bible Church
There is written evidence back to at
least the 17th century of some Native American groups “burying the
hatchet.” The ritual involved leaders from each groups in
dispute or even war to bring a hatchet and bury it as part of the
peace-making process. The obvious metaphor was that the
instruments of warfare were put down and covered.
Burying our
weapons certainly makes us vulnerable, whether we are talking the
physical weapons of war or the emotional weapons of our
interpersonal disputes, but in both cases this vulnerability is an
essential part of peacemaking.
Of course, for every great concept
like hatchet-burying, we seem to find an equal and opposite cynicism
in our culture. One such expression attributed to journalist
and cartoonist Frank “Kin” Hubbard quips:
“Nobody ever forgets
where he buried the hatchet.”
There is much truth in this,
especially when it comes to humans practicing forgiveness. We
don’t tend to bury the hatchet. We only hide it for later
But praise be to God that while He - being fully omniscient -
never forgets anything, He offers to make peace to us, and thus to
bury the hatchet with the unbreakable covenant promise never to dig
it up again.
Think about that! We are offered the
opportunity to be forgiven of the sins for which we could never
repay, and then promised further that he will not bring those sins
back to mind.
He says, “I will remember their sins and their
lawless deeds no more.” (Hebrews 10:17; see also Jeremiah 31:34
among others)
World-changing implications flow from the fact that
the pure and holy King of Kings makes peace with those who have
rebelled against Him, even to the point of requiring the sacrifice
of the King’s Son!
And what world-changing implications would
flow further, if we who have been forgiven the unforgivable would
practice the same forgiveness with others?
...as the Lord has
forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Colossians 3:13b)
Pittsfield Area Senior Center News
The Pontine Theatre is coming
to the Pittsfield Area Senior Center on Tuesday, May 30, at 10:30 AM
and putting on the show “The Story of a Bad Boy.” This is Thomas
Bailey Aldrich’s classic story of a boy’s adventures in ficitonal
Rivermouth (Portsmouth), NH. Unlike earlier children’s stories,
“Story of a Bad Boy” was not an idealized narrative. Hailed as the
first realistic depiction of childhood in American fiction, it was
considered an inspiration for “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” by
Aldrich’s friend Mark Twain.
With the innovative use of puppetry
and projected images, Greg Gathers and Marguerite Mathews tell the
autobiographical story of a boy and his companions in the mid-19th
century Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he was sent to live under
the watchful eyes of his grandfather and maiden aunt. The eyes were
not so watchful as to keep the boy completely out of mischief. So
come on in to the center, located on 74 Main St. for a show and have
lunch after. Please call 435-8482 to RSVP for lunch.
Connie
Quindley Div. 2 winner with a loss of 61.2 pounds
Front
row-Sandi Truscott, Suzie Fife, Claire Coll, April Ellis, Pearl
Demyanovich, Sandy Gilmore, Flora Kerr, Peg Driscoll. Back
row-Pat Smith, Mickey King, Connie Quindley, Joyce Pearson, Holly
Brown.
TOPS
News
Our TOPS chapter recently held our annual awards banquet.
Members are recognized for achieving milestones in weight loss in
their weight division. We have several members of distinction.
Connie Quindley was first in Division 2 for women with a loss of
61.2 pounds. Jon Martin won first in Division 2 for men with a
loss of 10.8 pounds. Linda Davis was first in Division 1 with
a loss of 38 pounds. Congratulations to all winners. Our KOPS
(Keep Off Pounds Sensibly) members who have already reached their
goal were recognized. Peg Driscoll, Pat Smith and Joyce Pearson
received awards for being in the black- not going above their goal
for the year. Suzie Fife was awarded Angel of the year for being
very close to her goal.
The evening had a Bumble Bee theme and
all awards had beautifully decorated ribbons and certificates made
by Suzie Fife and April Ellis. Individual Appreciation
Awards were given to all members for the effort and determination
each one has in reaching their goal. Congratulations to everyone.
Our chapter meets on Tuesdays 6:30 at Berakah on Fairview Rd.
If you have questions about visiting or joining call Pat 435-5333 or
Beth 435-7397.
Virtual
Reality Activity At FDIC International 2017 Raises $25,000 For Terry
Farrell Firefighters Fund
Globe Donates Funds from New Turnout
Gear Launch Activity
Globe Manufacturing Company continued its
partnership with the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund at FDIC
International 2017, the nation’s largest firefighter training
conference and exhibition held April 27-29 in Indianapolis.
FDIC
was Globe’s official launch of ATHLETIX™, the world’s first turnout
gear with stretch. Attendees were invited to experience the
unprecedented range of motion that is possible with the new
ATHLETIX™ gear in a virtual reality experience for firefighters in
the booth. Firefighters then spun a wheel to determine a donation ‒
$10, $20, $50, or $100 ‒ to the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund in
their name. Globe raised and donated $25,000 to the Fund.
“Due to
the expanded requests for assistance from the fire service community
across the nation, the Terry Fund continues to work hard to ensure
that all firefighters and their families have the resources to
properly operate safely and, when faced with medical or emergency
situations, the help needed,” said Brian Farrell, chairman of the
Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund and brother of Terry Farrell. “This
help is a direct result of the support and confidence given to the
Fund by Globe, who not only makes some of the finest turnout gear
available but continues to pay it forward for all who serve our
communities daily.”
“At Globe, we are celebrating 130 years of
innovation this year,” said Rob Freese, senior vice president of
marketing at Globe Manufacturing Company. “We have always given back
to the fire service and are proud to partner with the Terry Farrell
Firefighters Fund, a hardworking group of volunteers that assists
firefighters, families, and fire departments across the nation in
their times of need.”
About Globe Firefighters need to be
prepared to perform at the maximum of their ability, on every call.
That’s why Globe delivers the most advanced, best-fitting, and
longest lasting protection by listening to our customers, creating
breakthrough designs, and applying the engineering skills of the
nation’s most trusted turnout gear manufacturer. Globe turnout gear
is designed to protect you, move with you, and improve your
performance. It’s athletic gear for firefighters. Learn more at
www.globeturnoutgear.com.
About the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund The Terry Farrell
Firefighters Fund is made of up firefighters and family members who
volunteer their time and energy to help fellow brothers, sisters and
departments in need. The fund operates annually on a budget of 1-3%
and sustains itself through fundraising and the donations of
individuals, fire departments and corporate sponsors. Contributions
to the fund are tax deductible. National chapters are in Alabama,
California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Las Vegas, New
Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Terry Farrell was a
father, a husband, a brother, and a dedicated firefighter who lost
his life on September 11, 2001, during the World Trade Center
attack. Learn more at www.terryfund.org.
2017
Yard Sale
Who: You and the Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce
What: Our 20th Annual Yard Sale
Where: Your address in Barnstead,
Chichester, Epsom, Gilmanton, Loudon, Northwood or Pittsfield or our
community site at Dustin Park in Pittsfield.
When: June 2nd -
4th, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., you choose 1, 2 or 3 days, same price.
How
Much: $5 for individual registration, $10 for multifamily, $0 for
non profits
Why: Started in 1997 by the Greater Pittsfield
Chamber of Commerce, the Annual Yard Sale was created to bring
people to town in a way that showed off the entire town of
Pittsfield. What better way to explore the beauty and
opportunities in Pittsfield than by exploring the back roads and
side streets and conversing with the residents. In the past 20
years, people from all over New England have come to our area to
enjoy the Yard Sale. Many neighboring towns started to hold town
wide events at the same time. In 2013 it was changed to a Multi-Town
Yard Sale to include all member towns of the Chamber. This was done
in order to offer the benefit of this widely advertised event to our
entire membership area as well as to help promote the yard sales of
the weekend in all of our member towns. The transition has brought
changes to the event, spreading the traffic over 7 towns instead of
a concentration on downtown Pittsfield. We are excited to celebrate
20 years of this wonderful tradition! Being a three day event,
it allows shoppers and sellers a lot of time to buy and sell.
It is a fun weekend for those visiting our area and a gratifying
weekend for those participants cleaning out their attics and
garages!
Participants register their home or business address in
order to advertise their personal Yard Sale. Multi family locations
are welcome and encouraged. Non profits find this to be an excellent
fundraising opportunity. The map of registered locations will be
available online at www.PittsfieldChamber.org in
the days prior to the event. There will also be a printable list of
addresses available on the website.
Want to register?
Registration forms will be available in The Suncook Valley Sun and
online at www.PittsfieldChamber.org
Questions? Contact [email protected]
Letter
Dear Pittsfield residents, The Pittsfield Planning Board will
study some potentially difficult zoning questions this year, with a
view possibly to proposing zoning amendments for next year’s town
meeting. Because these questions may be difficult, the board is
seeking public input very early in the process. On June 1, the board
will hold an informal public hearing on the following zoning
matters:
HOME OCCUPATIONS: Should home occupations be allowed by
right, with current restrictions, in the Suburban and Rural zoning
districts, or should home occupations in these two zoning districts
remain permitted by special exception, that is, permitted after
review and approval by the zoning board of adjustment?
ABANDONMENT OF NONCONFORMING USES: State law prohibits expansion or
other substantial change of a nonconforming use. How much time
should a person be given to correct an unlawful expansion or other
unlawful change of a nonconforming use before the nonconforming use
must be discontinued permanently? How many times should the town
show leniency to people who repeatedly and unlawfully expand or
otherwise unlawfully change a nonconforming use? How far back in
time, for example one year, two years, etc., should the town reach
in counting repeat violations?
CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT: What minimum
lot size should a cluster development have? What permitting
conditions should be imposed on the conservation land to protect it?
The main purpose of zoning is to improve quality of life for a
town’s residents. Improving quality of life requires voters to
balance what they want to do on their own land against what they do
not want neighbors to do next door. Please come to the planning
board meeting on June 1 to share your thoughts on the three topics
listed above.
Thank you, Pittsfield Planning Board
Patriotic Concert Planned
“Let There Be Peace,” the First
Congregational Church’s annual patriotic concert, is set for Friday,
June 2, 7 p.m. at the church, 24 Main Street, Pittsfield. It will
feature the Chancel Choir, JuBellation Handbell Choir and other
musicians. Light refreshments will be served.
Be sure to mark
your calendar for this exciting event for all ages. Bring a friend!
Parking and wheelchair accessibility available at the Chestnut
Street entrance. More information at 435-7471.
What’s
Up At PYW? Submitted By Paula Martel
On Friday, May 5, 2017,
Pittsfield Youth Workshop (PYW) held the 15th Annual Pittsfield
Fiddle Contest and Silent Auction at the Pittsfield Middle High
School Lecture Hall.
Not only did everyone, in my opinion, have a
great time watching all the youngsters dance, run, and bounce off
each other, they got to listen to 16 amazing fiddlers. Some of the
fiddlers were accompanied by other instruments such as guitar, piano
and an accordion (squeezebox). There were even 2 couples that got up
and slow danced in the aisle, so cool! There were fiddlers of all
ages, youngest was 3 and the eldest was a young 86. Of course, some
amazing silent auction items were also won!
In the Youth Division
1st place was won by Elsie O’Neil of Rochester NH, 2nd place by Lily
Morris of Strafford NH, and 3rd place by Addison Babcock of
Pittsfield NH. In the adult division 1st place was won by Brennish
Thomson of Lee NH, 2nd place by Heather Morris of Strafford NH and
3rd place by Christopher Dudley of Barnstead NH.
PYW would like
to thank all the participants and volunteers for their support. A
big thanks to our volunteer judges Keith Fletcher, Silvia Miskoe and
Kevin Cleary and to the Pittsfield School District for letting us
use the Lecture Hall!
We would also like to thank Globe
Manufacturing, Nathan Wechsler & Company, Keeley Painting, Podmore
Manufacturing, Citizens Bank of Pittsfield and Epping Well & Pump
Co. Inc. for the prize money donations in addition to Salty Dog
Pottery, Maxfield’s Hardware, NH Fisher Cats, Boston Red Sox, TC’s
Service Center, Harris Furniture, Cheryl Brown, Sue Bleckmann, Sanel
Auto Parts, Corinne Miller, Dawn & Joe Hamel, Terry Riel, Bill
Mitchell, Corrections Creations/Hobby Craft, Main Street Bar &
Grill, the Nine Lions Tavern, Circle Family Restaurant, Ping Garden,
Melissa Babcock, Forget Me Not Flowers, Mikes Meat Shoppe, Pleasant
View Gardens, the Pittsfield Senior Center, MaryEllen Siudut, Kathy
Kelley, Lisa Wickman, Miranda Perlupo for the donations toward PYW’s
silent auction.
Thank you Jack’s Pizza for the pizza, Coca Cola
of Belmont for the soda and water, and to Deb and John Nickerson,
AnneMarie Chapman, Dawn Hamel and MaryEllen Siudut for the chips and
delicious baked goods!
All proceeds from this events will benefit
the Pittsfield Youth Workshop’s programs and activities. Please
check out our web page for more information about the summer
calendar and don’t forget to LIKE us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/PittsfieldYouthWorkshop!
Pittsfield School Board May 4, 2017 Submitted By Ralph Odell
Several ends of the year school activities were described. The PES
spring concert and Art Show were scheduled for May 2 and May 9. The
PMHS concert was May 10. The Drama Club will be performing “I Hate
Shakespeare” on June 2 and 10. Senior activities will include a
Baccalaureate program June 15, Senior Awards June 16 and Graduation
will be June 17.
Derek Hamilton presented school attendance
data. The attendance rate dropped slightly this past quarter but
they are higher than past years. Melissa Brown provided an update
on senior progress and the number expected to graduate. Plans are in
place for those not graduating to complete their work by the end of
the summer.
The Director of Student Services provided an update
on students served for the previous month increase by one and the
number out of district placements decrease by one. She described
planning to prepare for the reduction in staff next year and how to
meet the student’s needs.
Kindergarten Open House was recently
held with very good family participation. Present expectations are
for 46 kindergarten students in the fall.
Discussions followed
concerning staff reductions, budget cuts and end of year
expenditures.
Photographs by Tom Hitchcock
“The
Politics Of Stonework” CHAPTER 7 Chichester Town Hall
Submitted By Dan Schroth Piermarocchi
Many thanks from the
Chichester Charette Team to Stonefence of Pittsfield (Dan, Mark, and
Jim) for volunteering their time and talents to build the beautiful
stone planter at the Grange/Town Hall in Chichester.
Letter To
The Editor
To the good citizens of Chichester, I think it was
mid-September when Kate Hall called and asked if we could build some
stonework like we have in Pittsfield around the message board at the
Town Hall in Chichester.
She told me the Heritage Commission
would help. Sounded like a deal to me. That same evening Lucille
Noel called to see what she could do to move the project forward. I
told her we needed granite and plenty of it to do a 10’X5’ rectangle
around the sign.
Within two weeks, my brother Mark and I were
looking at granite with Lucille. She found Jim Plunkett, who gave us
and trucked in 7 or 8 beautiful foundation granite from up on Bear
Hill from an old barn. This we used mostly on the cap.
Gary
Tasker took a chance and let me on his stone yard in Loudon. With a
can of orange paint, I marked his best 8 pieces. We used his
material for two base corners and some cap, and more base. He
delivered his best pieces to this project.
Barbara Frangione
donated 5 pieces of granite from her farm. This is the corner stone
left toward the road and several pieces in the wall and one cap
piece. Somebody delivered these pieces.
Somebody delivered some
other nice pieces: 1 corner stone rear right corner and several
other pieces we used for base. Somebody brought other pieces which
were invaluable.
My brother Mark Colby split the granite.
My
son James helped build also.
Thanks for opportunity and the
granite.
Dan Schroth Piermarocchi
Letter
To The Editor
The Pittsfield Food Pantry would like to thank
Riley Ann Nagel, 11, for having her family and friends bring food to
her birthday party to be donated to the food pantry.
What a
thoughtful thing to do. Thanks, again, it is greatly appreciated.
The Pittsfield Food Pantry
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