Barnstead Youth Baseball/Softball Association will be holding early sign ups for the upcoming season.  Sign up prior to 2/1/14 and get a discount of $5.00 per child. Sign ups will take place at the Oscar Foss Memorial Library on January 31, 2014 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.  Future sign up dates will be posted at a later time. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Oscar Foss Memorial Library News

Kindle E-reader

The OFML has a new Kindle E-reader that patrons can check out for two weeks. We are thrilled to be able to offer this device to the community. Be sure to come in and check it out!

Bring Your Child To The Library Day!

The Oscar Foss Memorial Library invites the families of Barnstead to visit the library on Saturday, February 1, 2014 for a special children’s day. Join us for fun activities and discover all the free programs and resources the library has to offer. 

AARP TaxAide Program

An AARP TaxAide Program is being offered at OFML starting Wednesday, February 5, 2014. This is a free tax preparation and e-filing service. Call 211 or email [email protected] after January 20th for an appointment. 

Please call (269-3900) or visit the library for more information on any of these programs or events. Library Hours are: Monday; 2-8pm, Tuesday & Wednesday; 10-5pm, Thursday; 5-8pm, Friday; 2-5pm, Saturday; 9-Noon.

BEA Negotiations

The Barnstead, NH School Board and the Barnstead Education Association are pleased to announce they have reached a tentative four year collective bargaining agreement that if approved by the residents of Barnstead would serve the district through the 2017–2018 school year.

The agreement follows several months of negotiations where both parties used district priorities and a highly collaborative negotiation process to improve key areas of the contract.  The school board and teacher association focused on student performance, hiring and retaining quality teachers and promoting a positive learning environment as core values to drive meaningful contract revisions.

Goal alignment enabled the negotiation team to appreciate differing perspectives and find common ground.  Both parties are pleased with the results and look forward to the Barnstead School District Meeting in March.

Ethel L. Pinkham

Ethel L. (McAllister) Pinkham, 96, peacefully passed away at the Merrimack County Nursing Home with family members by her side on January 15, 2014.

Ethel was born in Pittsfield, Maine, on May 14, 1917.  Her family moved to Nashua, N.H. for a short period before settling in Center Barnstead, N.H.  She grew up in Center Barnstead and graduated from Pittsfield H.S. class of 1935.  She attended the University of N.H. and graduated in 1939 with a Bachelor of Science in home economics and was a lifelong member of the Kappa Delta Sorority.  On December 1, 1939, she married John (Jack) H. Pinkham.  

During WWII Ethel and John resided in Portsmouth and started their family.  After the war Ethel and John moved their family to Center Barnstead.  While being a homemaker for their six children, Ethel worked part-time for the United States Postal Service and later became Postmaster.  She retired from the Postal Service after 30 years.

On May 14, 2011, her 94th birthday, Ethel was presented the Boston Post Cane by the Selectmen of Barnstead.  Ethel was a life member of the Earl B. Clark Post #42 American Legion Auxiliary in Barnstead Parade, former president of the Barnstead PTA, charter member of the Center Barnstead Fire Department Auxiliary, member of the Pleiades Chapter 41 Order of Eastern Star in Pittsfield, NH, member of the Rural Letter Carriers Association Auxiliary, and a member of the National Association of Postmasters and the National League of Postmasters.

Ethel enjoyed quilting, sewing, gardening, reading, traveling the country and spending time with her family and friends.  Her family and friends loved her cooking especially her pork roast and chocolate cake.

Ethel is survived by four sons; John A. Pinkham of Texas, Larry B. Pinkham of Oregon, Philip J. Pinkham & Alan W. Pinkham of New Hampshire, two daughters; Christine A. Wheeler & Mary E. Pinkham-Langer of New Hampshire, seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, a brother-in-law David B. Pinkham and his wife Ursula of Connecticut, sister-in-laws Doris Welch and Shirley Pinkham of New Hampshire and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her husband John in 2009 and by her brother Robert W. McAllister in 1979.

At her request, there will be no services.  After cremation, burial will be in the family plot in the Durham Cemetery.  The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff at the Merrimack County Nursing Home and Hospice for the excellent care and compassion.