Snowmobile Safety Course with the Suncook Valley Snoriders. November
10, 2018 at the Barnstead Fire & Rescue 8:00a-3:00p. Lunch is
provided. Students must be 12years old by the end of the riding
season. Parents are encouraged to attend. Please pre-register and
any questions contact Joe Hough 603-608-6977.
Suncook
Valley Snoriders 18th annual Ham&Bean Supper, November 10,2018 at
the Barnstead Parade Fire Station from 5:00p-7:00p. Adults:
$8.50; Ages 6-12 $5.00; Ages 5 and under eat Free. We invite our
SVSR trail system Landowners to come on down for a free hot meal and
a hearty Thank you from the Suncook Valley Snoriders snowmobile
club.
The
Women's Club of OLOL/St.Joseph will be holding their annual Xmas
Bazaar on Sat., 11/3/18, from 9:00-2:00 pm in the parish hall in
Northwood, NH. (Next to Northwood town hall). There will be a white
elephant table, craft items, knitted goods and our cookie walk. We
will have a lunch to enjoy while you shop and new this year, a
children's corner where they can shop for Xmas gifts and also enjoy
making some crafts.
The Leader Of The Pack
Submitted By Carole Soule
Author Carole relaxes on her deck with Topper.
Scottish Highlander Oxen, Topper and Stash, at work
pulling a sled with two young riders at the 2018 Miles Smith Farm
Day.
“Which
one is the dominant animal?” husband Bruce asked over the phone.
Without hesitation, I said, “Topper.” We had pastured a small herd
of our Scottish Highlander cattle in Canterbury, the next town over
from ours, and all of them had escaped through an open gate. Since I
was at the Nashua Farmers Market-Bruce had to get them back.
We had
put nine Highlanders into the pasture a week earlier. There were two
pairs of working oxen, a 4H heifer and four halter-trained steers in
the group. All were friendly and easy to handle, but it was still a
herd with traditional herd dynamics. Every herd has a leader and a
pecking order. Understanding the herd hierarchy is critical in
cattle management.
In this
case, for instance, the herd leader, Topper, respects and trusts me.
He is one of a pair of oxen I've trained to work in a yoke. As his
superior; I have control of him, and since I have control of him, I
control the herd. The second in command is Stash, who is Topper's
teammate and the rest rank below these two.
Even
though Topper would never push me around, he would push JoJo, a
smaller steer. Even so, if I'm hanging out with JoJo and Topper
attacks him, JoJo could trample me trying to escape. So when I walk
among cattle, I'm always watching the dominant animals.
Cattle
ranking lower on the hierarchy have to wait while the top cattle
munch on the hay I deliver daily at our home pasture. When the
dominant cows are done eating they will move off so those lower in
the pecking-order can eat. My job is to make sure there is enough
hay for everyone.
A
dominant animal won't stay on top forever. Rosie, a 15 -year-old
cow, lost her status when she contracted arthritis, which slowed her
down. When a top bovine hits the skids, there is no residual
respect. A new leader takes over, and there's no such thing as
Bovine Emeritus. I eventually had to feed Rosie separately so
she wouldn't starve.
While
bovine hierarchy can seem weird and silly, we need to realize it's
not so different from human behavior. We have leaders and followers,
which can work well. We have bullies and victims, which does not
work well. The difference is that we humans can apply some
intelligence and humanity to rein in our instinctive behavior.
When
Bruce got to the Canterbury field, he saw Topper run up the roadway
and into the field with the rest of the herd straggling behind. The
land-owner, Ty, had enticed the herd with a pan of chicken feed and
managed to get a rope around Topper's neck. At that point, Topper
decided it was time to end his walkabout without a struggle. In
fact, he ran ahead of Ty, returning to the confines of his 20-acre
pasture-taking his followers with him.
After
the herd voluntarily returned to the field, I got a call from the
Canterbury Police. Someone had called them about our wandering
cattle, and he wanted to have our contact information on file in
case they ever got loose again.
A
respecter of authority, I complied with the request, and if I'm ever
summoned to round up any escapees, I'll get right on it. I only hope
that Topper doesn't find out there's someone higher up the totem
pole than his own boss. It could topple my empire!
Carole
Soule is co-owner of Miles Smith Farm, in Loudon, N.H. She can be
reached at [email protected].
Letter To The Editor
Public
School Funding Position Statement
As an
immediate measure, I would support a moratorium to cuts in the
stabilization aid. However, such a moratorium must be temporary. The
real solution is in new funding models. I support a moratorium that
would “buy” the time to implement new and better—more sustainable
ways of funding our schools. I would not support a move to restore
funding reduced since 2015. There are genuine consequences for
declining enrollment. We cannot and must not pour additional monies
into school systems that are smaller today than they were yesterday.
We need a reliable system of steady state funding at base levels
that will not fluctuate with minor population swings.
Generally speaking, I am not in favor of constitutional amendments.
They should only be undertaken sparingly and with great care.
However, if that becomes the only course for our legislature to
acknowledge a state responsibility for public education, then so be
it. I would then happily support such an amendment. Given my lack of
expertise as a constitutional scholar, I hesitate to offer my own
verbiage for such an amendment. I would like it to accept a state
responsibility for the public education of young people through
grade 12. I would like such an action to accept that as a collective
body we can do a better job of funding than individual towns and
cities can do on their own. We have the same responsibility to
underwrite what is the same potential for greatness in Colebrook, or
East Chatham as there is in Durham, or New London, or Hollis.
Sincerely,
J. C.
Allard
Letter
To my
fellow citizens of our great state:
If you
are paying attention to the news, you will undoubtedly hear analysts
debating about whether or not there will be a large blue wave in
next week’s election. Frankly, I think if we let that happen, our
country will be divided in ways that wouldn’t be pretty.
I don’t
want to blanket cover every Democrat, but many have taken very
extreme positions and are using tactics against those they disagree
with that are very detrimental to our society.
Qualified, decent and good people are having their reputations
ruined and their families attacked, such as Justice Kavanaugh.
Senator Cruz and his wife were chased out of a restaurant.
Senator Collins of Maine received ricin in her mail after standing
up for basic American principles and decency in her recent Senate
speech, and so on.
I
understand how much it hurts to lose, and how many felt like they
lost in the 2016 election and with the President’s Supreme Court
nominations, but destroying innocent people and bedrock concepts
such as innocent until proven guilty is not the answer. All that
does is keep more wholesome people from wanting to serve in those
capacities.
I do
not think we should reward people who support these actions with
election victories next Tuesday. We must stand for tolerance and
respect for those who disagree politically. Let’s keep our beautiful
nation together. I think Eddie Edwards in CD-1 and Steve Negron in
CD-2 really represent what makes America a unique and special place
to live and to call home. I sincerely hope you agree. Vote on
November 6th.
Willie
Matras
Letter To The Editor
#METOO
The
democratic Party hijacked the #METOO movement and used this
organization to do their dirty work in changing one of our most
cherished fundamental rights, "INNOCENT until proven GUILTY."
The
Kavanaugh confirmation hearings (a Three Ring Circus) brought forth
the Democrats' true colors. The Democrats, under the cover of the
#METOO Movement using MOB RULE, tried to brand all males as GUILTY
if charged by a female. Yes, all males, GUILTY until they prove
beyond any reasonable doubt that they are INNOCENT.
A very
sad day for all Americans.
Signed,
A
Former Member of the Democratic Party
Central VNA Walks For Breast Cancer
Central VNA is well known for the care it gives to
patients in all stages of life. In both their Homecare and
Hospice Programs, they see a lot of men and women, and sadly even
children, with cancer.
The
agency provides treatment in the home and some folks do achieve
remission. But Central also wants to sound the alarm about
breast cancer and the importance of early detection. during
the months of September and October, staff raised over $650.
And on Sunday, October 21, despite the very chilly temperatures,
they took to the streets - proudly in pink.
Central
VNA staff really cares. It shows every day in patient care,
and in ways not always seen, like participating in community events
like the Walk for the Cure. And wanting a cure is something
everyone can agree on.
Pittsfield Secret Santa Program
Fall
weather is just starting, but here at the Pittsfield Fire Dept we're
already getting underway with plans for Christmas. This program
benefits families in need within our community. We assist
approximately 200-250 children each year, ages birth to 14 years. We
provide not only toys, but a warm outfit and any needed winter
outerwear. The needs of each family vary, but we strive to assist
them as much as possible.
That's
where you come in. This program is fully funded by donations from
local individuals and businesses. We appreciate each and every one
of you, and this program would not exist without you. If you would
like to assist, donations of new, unwrapped toys or clothing can be
dropped off at the fire station at your convenience. Monetary
donations are also very much appreciated.
We
would like to have all donations received at the fire station by
November 15th to help us determine what gifts still need to be
purchased. If you will be donating toys or clothing, please contact
Kris at the Fire Station at 435-6807 to coordinate a time to drop
them off, or arrange for us to pick them up.
Checks
may be made payable to:
Pittsfield Secret Santa
PO Box
392
Pittsfield, NH 03263
Thank
you for your support of this program!
PES PTO Trunk Or Treat October 20th 2018
Words
can not express how excited we were for the amazing turnout at this
year’s Trunk or Treat.
There
were seventeen phenomenally decorated trunks parked around the
perimeter of the high school parking lot, and OVER 300 costume
wearing kiddos collected sweet treats as they made their way around
to each parked car. Congratulations to the Zensky Family for the
best decorated trunk and Aspyn Gauthier for the best costume of
2018.
Thank
you to Donna and Steve Keeley for setting up the scaffolding where
15 carved pumpkins were on display for all to see. A wide array of
yummy baked treats (thank you to ALL who donated the deliciousness),
hot chocolate (thank you BELL BROTHERS), cider (thank you APPLEVIEW
ORCHARD) and POPCORN (thank you BOOSTERS), was available to
everyone, too.
Thank
you to those who brought donations of non-perishable goods for the
“PES Food 4 Kids” program—two boxes of food was collected.
An
especially HUGE THANK YOU to our event chairperson, Jillian
Gauthier, for planning and organizing the event. She also had
some amazing committee members; Sabrina Smith, Liz Erickson, Lindsay
Riel, Corey Knecht, and Katie Nikas. The event went especially
smooth due to the helping hands of extra volunteers- Adam Gauthier,
Matthew Erickson, Heidi Darrah, and the Boyce Family.
We are
thankful that the Parks and Recreation committee worked with us
again this year and allowed us to piggy back our event with their
Harvest Fest. It is so exciting to see such a small town come
together and have such amazing events for all of the youth in town.
Thank you EVERYONE!
Mordred And Merlin, Good And Evil In Camelot
Submitted By Maggie Faneuf
The
Pittsfield Players are bringing the world of King Arthur and his
Camelot to life at the Scenic Theater on November 9, 10, 11, 16, and
17 in Lerner and Loew’s wonderful musical CAMELOT.
When we
hear the word Camelot, we, of course, immediately think of King
Arthur, his Queen Guenevere, and his favorite knight, Lancelot. And
we might even hum some of the wonderful songs such as “Camelot,” “If
Ever I should Leave You,” or “What Do the Simple Folk Do.”
However, beyond the main characters, several supporting roles add
substance and even intrigue to the plot. Two such characters
are Mordred, Arthur’s illegitimate son, and Merlin, Arthur’s
powerful and influential mystical teacher since childhood.
Jacob
Sargent, along with his brothers, saw a notice about auditions for
the show and decided to tag along with them. “I thought maybe
I could be cast in one of the smaller parts,” he said. When
one of his brothers was cast as Mordred but then had to leave the
cast due to personal reasons, Director Maye Hart asked Jacob
to take over the role.
So what
is Mordred like? I asked him. “He’s very self-aware. He’s not
completely evil but he is aware of the evil in him as evidenced in
his song ‘The Seven Deadly Virtues,’ in which he flips over the
Seven Deadly Sins and is constantly acting them out.” Because
Mordred is Arthur’s illegitimate son, he is constantly trying to
masterfully manipulate Arthur so that he, Mordred, can one day be
king.
At the same time, Merlin, played by Marty Williams, has an
entirely different approach with Arthur. “He’s an absolutely
powerful influence on him,” Marty said. “He has been with
Arthur since he was a boy, teaching him to think on his own. He even
turned Arthur into different animals to learn different perspectives
in life, such as turning him into a hawk at one point so that he
could have a broader view of the world. He’s a big, bombastic
character who doesn’t grow older and who knows the future,” Marty
said. When Arthur decides he wants to be king, Merlin revels in the
fact that his work is coming to fruition.
With a
beautiful set, gorgeous costumes, and outstanding music and actors,
CAMELOT is a show you don’t want to miss. Tickets may be obtained by
visiting the Players’ website,
www.pittsfieldplayers.com, or by calling 435-8852 for
reservations.
Next
week we feature Arthur, Guenevere, and Lancelot!
Letter
Dear
Voters,
In
response to Senator Reagan’s statement in The Sun, in support for
increasing school funding:
During
Senator Reagan’s lengthy legislative career his voting record shows
little interest in increasing funding for our children’s education.
On the contrary, he has voted to decrease State education funding
and placed the tax burden on our towns.
Senator
Reagan’s claim to fame is a “tax fighter.” So much for that claim
since his votes ensured that impoverished towns, such as Pittsfield,
have excessively high tax rates. His approach is not to follow the
State’s Constitution, which squarely places the burden on the State
to provide adequate education funding for the State’s children. He
continues to place the unfair tax burden on the towns, which is also
in violation of the State’s Supreme Court decision of the 1990’s!
Now
that citizens of the state are beginning to present a united front
to challenge the State’s lack of school funding, Senator Reagan is
proposing to increase the adequacy funding in an amount that is
STILL far below the actual cost to educate our children. He knows
full well that it will never pass the State Senate. It seems that
this is a blatant attempt to win reelection and avoid meeting the
State‘s responsibility for public education.
In an
interview for WMUR Senator Reagan clearly and insensitively stated
that towns won’t notice the annual 4% decrease in the stabilization
grant funding. That is a 4% decrease every year for the next 23
years! Pittsfield residents won’t notice a loss of $86,000.00 each
year?! Pittsfield won’t notice a total loss of more than
$2,000,000.00 in State education funding?!
It is
time for Senator Reagan to be replaced by someone who will actually
fight for fair and adequate school funding.
P.S.
Representative Carol McGuire is of the same mind.
Sincerely,
Ted
Mitchell
Letter
To The Editor
Select
Board Meeting 10/23/18
We
signed a status quo contract with George Batchelder continuing his
position as Superintendent of Public Works until May 31, 2020.
Acting
on citizen complaints that we determined were valid, the board
mailed several letters regarding illegal junkyards. We hope that
they’ll be voluntarily corrected and letters will be all that’s
required. A compliance letter for unpermitted storage trailers that
hasn’t produced results will be pursued by our legal counsel for the
next step. Enforcement of the codes and ordinances of the town
ultimately fall to us, and when we receive a valid complaint it’s up
to us to do what we’re bound to.
Our
employees’ health insurance renewal rate is a 12.8% increase, more
than wiping out last year’s reduction in premiums.
Non-contract town employees begin paying a portion of their coverage
this year as part of the re-negotiated union agreement, which will
partially offset the increase.
The
Board of Selectmen scrutinized the dollar amount necessary to pay
all our bills for this year and the amount of funds to use from
capital reserve as offset while still keeping a healthy savings
account. This year’s tax rate is a REDUCTION of $.11 per
thousand! Granted, that’s not a lot of money, but it’s a rare
occurrence at any time other than when a re-valuation of the town or
a significant change in utility assessments causes a change in the
rate. Taxpayers of Pittsfield can thank frugal administration by ALL
departments, proving that we actually CAN keep spending under
control and still provide vital services if we are all determined to
do so.
Next
year’s budget was finalized by the board and now goes to the budget
committee who get the last look and adjustments before it goes to
the voters in March.
Carl
Anderson
Fantastic Fair
Come
one, come all to the Christmas Fair and Bake Sale at the First
Congregational Church, 24 Main Street, Pittsfield, Saturday,
November 17, from 9 to 2. Sponsored by The Dorcas Guild, this fair
is nothing short of fantastic.
There
are many handcrafted things: kitchen items, aprons, mittens, hats,
artwork, jewelry, toys and special gourmet and baked goods. Don’t
forget the “Unique Boutique” for outstanding values and the “Silent
Auction” for those special gifts. Final silent auction bids are due
in by the close of the fair, 2 p.m., November 17. The successful
bidders will be notified at that time.
Come to
shop and stay for a low-cost corn chowder and sandwich lunch with
homemade pies. One of New Hampshire’s great church fairs, this one
is not to be missed. Parking and wheelchair accessible entrance at
rear of church, enter at Chestnut Street. For more info, call the
church office at 435-7471.
No Cold
Shoulder Here At The Pittsfield Advent Christian Church…
Submitted By Dot Hardy
Too
much?? Not enough??… Have you ever looked around and wondered how
you ever accumulated so much of something? For me, it began last
year when I got really frustrated trying to put away a winter coat.
There just wasn’t enough room in the closet! Next thing I knew I was
madly pulling out all the coats and throwing them on the bed.
At
first, I blamed it on my daughters, who conveniently weren’t around
to hear me fuss… until I started sorting through the pile. To my
horror I realized that seven of the those coats were mine! Well, I
knew that I had a couple more coats in another closet and at least
one tucked in the barn… So how many more coats did I have in this
house?!? That began my Great Coat Hunt.
I
became obsessed looking for coats… and in a ten room house
with a huge barn… there are A LOT of places to store stuff!!! I see
you nodding your head… you get it… Anyway, I soon had the entire
family involved in the project.
Shortly
into this endeavor, I read an article about the process of cleaning
out from having too much. The author was asking: 1) Look at
what you’ve got. 2) What do you really need? 3) If you have two (or
more) of something, is there someone else who could use it?… God
used that author to bring me to a realization of just how much I
had… and how much others didn’t. Well, I passed this knowledge on to
our pastor (who conveniently is my husband) who then passed it on to
our church folk… and so began our Church’s first Winter Coat
Outreach.
Last
year we collected over 40 coats which we gave to the Pittsfield
Clothes Closet. (Not bad for a small church.) This year we are
asking YOU to join in with us. Maybe you are feeling you have too
much… During the months of October and November we are collecting
those winter coats and jackets to share with Pittsfield residents.
If you would like to be a part of this outreach, you can drop them
off at the Pittsfield Advent Christian Church (68 Main St) next to
the Community Center on Sundays from 10:00- 11:00.
Worship
time is from 9:30 – 10:45 and we’d love to have you join us. We have
coffee and munchies both before service at 9:00, and after. (I’m a
tea and cocoa drinker personally.) Pastor usually makes some
wonderful warm treats. If that time doesn’t work for you, give me a
call at 603-848-8050 and we can arrange another time. We also have a
Sup n Study small group on the first and third Wednesdays of each
month at 1 Green St. Please check us out on Facebook. It’s a work in
progress… but it’s there. It’s been great chatting with you … I hope
we can meet soon!
Josiah
Carpenter Library November News
On
November 6th at 6:00pm the Pittsfield Conservation Commission and
Bear-Paw Regional Greenways will host an informational meeting at
the library.
Story
Hour for babies, preschoolers, families and caregivers meets on
Thursday at 10:00am, and the Adventures Club (kindergarten thru 3rd
grade) that meets on Tuesday at 3:30 pm, will be exploring
traditional symbols of Fall and Thanksgiving. Creative
construction (marshmallows and pretzel sticks anyone?) will be the
focus of Creating Adventures (3rd thru 6th grade) which meets on
Wednesday at 2:00pm.
The
Teen Book Worms and the Pittsfield Writer’s Circle are going to take
a hiatus during November and December. The adult book club
will meet to discuss The Thanksgiving Visitor and A Christmas Memory
by Truman Capote and This Year will be Different by Maeve Binchy
at 10:30 am on Tuesday December 11th at the Pittsfield Senior
Center. The books are available at the library, come and enjoy
some inspirational conversation.
The
next gathering of the Chichester-Epsom-Pittsfield Libraries Memory
Café will be held at 2:00pm on Monday December 10th at the
Epsom Public Library. Local caregivers and folks living with
memory loss are invited to come and enjoy a celebration of holiday
classics with refreshments.
Central
VNA Invites You To Annual Interfaith Service Of Remembrance
Central
New Hampshire VNA & Hospice welcomes the community to be together
for their Annual Interfaith Service of Remembrance on Sunday,
November 18 at 2pm at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 2238
Parade Road in Laconia. Anyone who has suffered a loss is
welcome to come together with friends, families and neighbors of all
ages to honor and celebrate the living memory our loved ones.
A
beloved highlight of this annual service is the Tides of Harmony
Choral Group, a team of Central VNA & Hospice volunteers who sing
individually and in small groups with patients and families
throughout the year. Along with this music of comfort and
hope, readings and words of remembrance will be offered by hospice
volunteers and staff and local community members. All are
welcome to bring a poem or brief reflection or to share a cherished
memory.
The
service is open to all, whether you have been connected to hospice
or not, and whether you are connected to a faith tradition or not.
It will run from about 2 to 3pm and will be followed by a reception
with light refreshments and opportunities for connection. For
more information, please contact Dan Kusch, Bereavement & Spiritual
Care Coordinator, 524-8444 or [email protected].
Central
VNA Offers Help With “Grief In The Holidays”
Central
New Hampshire VNA & Hospice will offer “Grief in the Holidays”
support groups in Laconia and Wolfeboro open to all adults in our
community. For those who have suffered the death of loved
ones, this time of year can be full of powerful memories, feelings,
and challenges – navigating holidays, gatherings, and traditions
with family or friends – while vividly aware of absence and pain.
Participants in past years have shared how important it was to have
a space to explore what may be hard and what may be life-giving
during this time: whether, where, with whom and how to
celebrate; the comforts and pains of being with people; how to be
kind to our own shifting emotions or needs.
There
is no right way to grieve and no right way to move through this
season. Together with others who know nothing will take away our
pain, we can share our stories, heartbreak, fears, and hopes and we
can anticipate what we may need and how we may cope.
Groups
will meet in Wolfeboro at the First Congregational Church (115 South
Main Street) on Tuesday, November 13 from 2 – 3:30pm and again
Tuesday, December 11 from 6-7:30pm.
Groups
will meet in Laconia at the CNHVNAH office (780 N. Main St.) on
Thursday, November 15 from 3:30-5pm and again Thursday, December 13.
All
groups are non-religious and offered at no cost. You are
welcome to one or more. For more information, please contact
Dan Kusch, Bereavement & Spiritual Care Coordinator, 524-8444 or
[email protected].
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