Quick Reminder
When
performing barn, garage, basement, or house cleanouts, please be
mindful of hazardous items that may be stored within the contents.
Recently, ammunition has been exploding in the garbage bunker at the
BCEP facility. This is a VERY DANGEROUS situation for employees and
patrons alike.
Please
do not dispose of ammunition in the trash. Bring it into the
office or hand it to a staff member. As always, when in doubt,
don’t just throw it out, ASK an attendant for assistance. Questions,
(603)435-6237.
Oscar Foss Memorial Library News
Lakes
Region Comic Con!
The
Oscar Foss Memorial Library is sponsoring a multi-community comic
con event, with workshops throughout the day, local comic shops
coming to do events, and our library clubs putting together fun
games and activities for cosplayers and geeks alike. Other events
will include a cosplay contest, a movie screening, D&D games,
Quidditch games, and more! Join us Saturday, October 6th from 12 to
8 pm for all our comic con festivities! There is still time to sign
up for volunteering for this event. If interested please call
Maddison at the library at 269-3900.
1000
Books Before Kindergarten
1000
Books Before Kindergarten is a program that encourages parents and
caregivers to provide positive, nurturing early experiences by
reading aloud to their children regularly. Research shows that the
most reliable predictor of school success is being read to at home
during early childhood. The brain develops more rapidly during the
first three years of a child’s life than at any other time during
the lifespan. Reading to children from an early age can help close
the vocabulary gap and prepare children to enter kindergarten with
the skills they need to succeed. Most important, sharing books with
children promotes a lifelong love of books and reading. You can sign
up at the library or online at oscarfoss.org.
Families can pick up a packet with information and materials needed
for the program at the library.
Please
call the library (269-3900) or visit our website (oscarfoss.org) for more information about our
programs or events. There is always something happening at the Oscar
Foss Memorial Library! Library hours are; Tuesday and Wednesday:
10am-6pm, Thursday and Friday: 12pm-8pm, Saturday: 10am-1pm, Sunday
and Monday: closed.
Letter
Barnstead Taxpayers: Come to a School Funding Forum in Rochester
Last
March, residents at Barnstead’s annual School Meeting voted down
teacher contracts for our schools. The anger and frustration over
another increase in an already crushing real estate tax rate were
clearly on display and overrode residents’ desire to give teachers
well-deserved raises.
Our
Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky and attorney John Tobin have been
speaking across the state at ”School Funding 101 Forums” to educate
taxpayers about what has caused the grossly inadequate and
inequitable funding of our schools in this state, funding which is
highly dependent on our local property taxes. New Hampshire’s tax
rate is the second highest in the country and we pay a higher
percentage of our income in property tax than any other state.
As a
result of the Claremont lawsuits filed by Volinsky and Tobin in the
1990s, the NH Supreme Court clearly mandated that the state must
provide an adequate education for ALL its students. Although
modest reforms raised funding initially, recent cuts to
stabilization grants for property-poor towns have brought funding
levels to about the same level they were at when the Claremont
lawsuits were filed. In recent years, the state has made several tax
cuts that have exacerbated the problem. These cuts have almost
exclusively benefited the richest among us, including the wealthiest
corporations, and the loss of revenue has resulted in the state’s
shifting even more of the tax burden down to the town level.
The
funding forums have become so popular, they are booked across the
state for the foreseeable future. Hundreds have come out to learn
about the problem and possible solutions. Be sure to attend
the forum on Oct. 10 at 6 P.M. at Spaulding High School, 130
Wakefield St., Rochester.
Diane
St. Germain
Jane
Westlake
Barnstead
Meet
Your Democratic NH Rep Candidates
Nearly
a month before the general election, the October 1st meeting of the
Tri-Town Democrats of Barnstead, Gilmanton, and Alton will offer
voters the chance to meet four Democratic candidates running for the
House of Representatives: Michelle Carter- District 5
(Gilmanton and Alton), Ruth Larson- District 8 (Alton, Barnstead and
Gilmanton), Betty Ann Abbott- District 5 (Gilmanton and Alton), and
Kathy Preston- District 7 (Barnstead).
Betty
Ann Abbott has experience in business, finance, communications, and
management and she and husband Nate own and run Abbott Business
Networks. She has been Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector, and a
member of the Select Board. Betty Ann’s focus is on our young
people: educating them, keeping them healthy and making New
Hampshire a place where they want to stay to work and to raise their
families.
Michelle Carter worked as a project manager for a Bio-Medical
research company and on the development of science based educational
projects. Michelle taught middle school science, which gave
her an appreciation for science, the ability to research and
evaluate information in an un-biased manner, as well as the ability
to work cooperatively toward a common goal. She is passionate about
protecting the environment and advocating for public education
Kathy
is currently serving her third term on the Barnstead Planning Board
and served on the school board for 15 years for Barnstead Elementary
School and Prospect Mountain High School. Kathy recently wrote a
book about her life: “Holocaust to Healing. Closing the Circle.” She
speaks publicly on the topic of tolerance and diversity to fight
prejudice and wants to help restore civility to politics.
Ruth
Larson is a retired trial lawyer who in recent years has become
increasingly interested in local government. She advocates for
a more responsive and forward-thinking county delegation.
Ruth will complete her five-year term on the Gunstock Area
Commission in November. She wants to bring change from within.
Much of her focus is on the role of the state representatives at the
county level.
The
guest speakers will be followed by actions items and community
organizing. These monthly meetings give you the opportunity to learn
about local and state political issues and how you can participate
in making a difference. You will share the evening with
like-minded individuals and have the chance to express your opinions
and experiences.
This
meeting of the Tri-Town Democrats will be held on Monday, October 1
at 6:30 pm at Wagner Barn, 63 French Road, in Gilmanton. Come
for socializing and potluck any time between 6:15 pm and 6:30 pm.
This
meeting is open to all residents of Alton, Barnstead, and Gilmanton
who consider themselves moderate, liberal, or progressive Democrats
or like-minded Independents. Potluck items to share are encouraged
but not required. For more information, email
[email protected] or
visit the “Barnstead, Gilmanton, and Alton Democrats” Facebook page.
Obituaries
John
David French 2/6/1929 - 9/19/2018
John
David French Sr., age 89, died on September 19 at the Glencliff
Home. John was born February 6, 1929 in Barnstead N.H.,
residing there for most of his life. He had many adventures
throughout his life. He graduated from UNH and was a member of the
National Guard.
John
worked for Boeing for 13 years, and was involved as a machinist in
the Apollo Space Mission. He later became a Master Plumber, a
restauranteur, and a farmer. John married Pauline Faye in 1952 and
had two sons, John David, Jr. and Richard French. In 1977 he married
Nancy Osgood, and they loved each other dearly till she passed away
in 2007.
He is
survived by his sons John David, Jr. and Richard French, and his six
step children: Tomi Chorlian
(husband Paul), Tamara Sargent (husband Russell), William Bergeron,
James Bergeron, Rebekah Young (husband Michael), and Hervé Bergeron
(wife Brenda). He was blessed with 20 grandchildren and several
great grandchildren.
John
loved the outdoors. He enjoyed gardening, hunting and fishing.
He shared that love with his children and grandchildren.
John is
remembered for his generosity, patience, and kindness. This was
demonstrated in the home of John and Nancy French, who optimized the
term “open door policy.” All were welcome, family, friends, and
strangers. Some stayed for a day, a week, or a year. The
French home was a shelter to all. John was a quiet gentle soul
and will be missed by many.
A
memorial service will be held at the Glencliff Home, 393 High
Street, Glencliff, NH 03238, on Tuesday October 2 at 10am.
Donations on John’s behalf can be made to the Patient Welfare Fund,
Glencliff Home.
|