Tom “Fuzza” Freese Named Pittsfield Citizen Of The Year 2009
“Fuzza” Freese has been named Pittsfield Citizen of the Year for
2009. “Fuzza” graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1967 and has run
a business in Town for many years. Your best picture of him is driving
that aqua and white vehicle, which could charitably be called an
antique, but is so loved.
Those nominating him cited many community-based projects he has
participated in. “Fuzza” is a member of the Historical Society and is
usually seen at Old Home Day and at the Balloon Rally with his tall
stovepipe hat fundraising for them. He is also seen at Lyman Park
planting flowers in the spring and raking it in the fall. For a couple
of years he was very busy in helping to bring the Sargent Forest trail
to fruition. At Christmas time, he aids in putting the lights on the
tree in the park. Simple enough to say, but oftentimes more difficult to
complete. He is known as the “cocoa man” at the Christmas Tree Lighting,
ladeling out hundreds of cups of that steaming drink and delivering them
to eager participants.
“Fuzza” is also known for his big heart. He has shown his love for
his fellow citizens by helping where he can without thought of how it
would disrupt his schedule or repayment. Another good person to
represent Pittsfield as its Citizen of the Year.
The Times They Are A’changing
by Elsie Morse
Many of you either read about or watched the news
last Thursday that the Eagle Times, based in Claremont, would stop their
presses with a final edition on Friday, July 10. More than 120 people
lost their jobs with little notice. People were standing around outside
the Times building that evening talking about a car payment to make,
cars to register, and mortgage payments due. Others were crying, saying
they didn’t know what they were going to do next. This closing made a
great impact, leaving the town without a newspaper. As terrible as this
was for Claremont, its impact was felt by other towns as well - towns
that used the Eagle Times to print their newspapers. One of those was
The Suncook Valley Sun.
A call to The Sun Office at 4:25 Thursday afternoon informed us we
had no printer for the July 15 paper. Needless to say, a flurry of
activity began to bring this issue to you. Negotiations began to find a
printer and once that was secured, Art and Ross Morse went to Claremont
to pick up the inserts that were delivered there and bring them back to
Pittsfield. This gave them a chance to say goodbye to inserters, press
men, plate makers and the others who had served The Sun for the more
than 25 years we had printed with the Times.
The Sun has a new look today to accommodate the printer who is
helping us get through this tough time. It is 13 inches long, not 16 and
it is being mailed flat not folded. The inserts are in the center fold.
The format is the same with the Town pages, Directory, and Classifieds.
The print is the same size and font. Paula will still take your calls.
Further changes may have to be made as we work our way through this, but
we are still here with no plans to close our doors. Unlike the Mayor and
residents of Claremont, who say they don’t know what they are going to
do without a newspaper, YOU have one. Thank you for the more than 50
years of support you have given us.