St.
Patty’s Day Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner
A St.
Patty’s Day Dinner sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council
#11606 of our Lady of Lourdes/St. Joseph’s Parish, will be held
Saturday, March 9, 2013 from 5 pm - 8 pm at St. Joseph’s Parish
Hall, Route 4, Northwood, NH.
Tickets: Adults $7.00, Students $5.00, Families $20.00 and children
under 12 free. Tickets may be obtained at the door, from any Knight,
or by calling Cliff Young at 942-7620 or Al Correa at 942-7689.
A
corned beef and cabbage dinner, desserts and beverages will be
served. Music by C.J. the D.J.
Important Reminder
Election Day is Tuesday, March 12 for town and school election of
officials, and all warrant articles including the operating budgets
for the coming year. Voting will take place in Northwood at St.
Joseph Church Parish Center, 844 First NH Turnpike from 7 am to 7
pm. All registered voters are encouraged to vote on these important
decisions.
Discovering Your Local State Parks
New
Hampshire has several state parks and usually the first to come to
mind are the ones located in the White Mountains. If you look a
little closer, you will find that there are wonderful parks
everywhere and although they may not have the magnificent views and
terrain you would find in the Whites, they do offer incredible
trails and a variety of activities that can be enjoyed close to
home.
I love
living near Northwood Meadows, a 674 acre state park located right
off of Route 4. This is a smaller park that offers trails which are
very easy to navigate. The trails are marked with various signs and
have kiosks in three places. Northwood Meadows also incorporates the
NALMC trail which is a 5 mile trail designed and maintained by
volunteers. There are also other parcels of town land
and private land that make up a network of trails for many users to
enjoy.
The
shortest route is a very flat loop that is about 3 miles in length
that will bring you around a man made pond where you can enjoy
fishing or take a seat on one of the benches made by the NALMC group
and take in the view. In the winter, you will see people on cross
country skis, snowshoes and snowmobiles. If you are feeling more
adventurous, take a journey on the yellow blazed NALMC trail. Please
respect the field portion of the loop as this is owned by a private
landowner who grows hay in the field. He is kind enough to allow
users to follow a narrow path that he mows so that his hay does not
get trampled.
The
yellow blazed trail will bring you through the field which has
incredible sunsets, nice singletrack terrain, snowmobile trails and
a nice pine forest. There are various benches placed along the
trail that allow for taking a break to enjoy the views, watch the
birds, read a book or have a picnic. You may also see horses and
mountain bikers enjoying the park as well.
Northwood Meadows is maintained by volunteers and if you are
interested in becoming involved in maintaining this beautiful local
treasure feel free to contact NALMC or Friends of Northwood Meadows.
There
are 3 trail maps located at the kiosks and the trails are very well
marked. Keep your eyes open for a summer cross country race series
at the Harmony Hill Kiosk in June.
Pawtuckaway State Park is 5,000 acres and located in Nottingham and
Deerfield. Pawtuckaway has a 783 acre lake and is surrounded by the
Pawtuckaway Mountains which are a small, rocky range in a circular
shape that form the outline of an ancient volcanic ring dike! There
are plenty of trails that go up and over these mountains and a fire
tower that will offer some great views!
Pawtuckaway has a wonderful network of trails for hiking, trail
running and mountain biking. In the winter there are snowmobile
trails that pass through. In the summer you will find rock climbers
at various locations throughout the park. Pawtuckaway is a great
place for bouldering and top roping. There are a few places that
offer trad climbing as well. If you are interested in learning to
climb, hire an AMGA certified guide to take you out for a fun day of
climbing!
On a
hot summer day the lake can be a wonderful place for swimming and
kayaking. A family friendly campground is located within the park
where you can choose to camp on or off the water. There is a trail
running race in the fall called Vulcans Fury that takes you on
beautiful singletrack and challenging terrain. This is a large park
so plan your hike properly. Bring a map and plenty of snacks and
water.
Bear
Brook state park is a 10,000 acre park is located in Deerfield,
Allenstown and Candia. Bear Brook offers beautiful trails that are
suitable for everyone. You will find snowmobile trails scattered
throughout the park. The park also offers miles of singletrack, dirt
roads and doubletrack terrain. Some trails are smooth and rolling
while others are rocky and technical.
There
are views on top of the mountains within the park but most of the
park’s beauty comes from the rivers, streams and lakes that the
trails meander around. There is an abundance of wildlife and you
may be lucky enough to see a porcupine or a bobcat! There are a lot
of horses, mountain bikers, trail runners and hikers, but with the
several miles of trails located in the park you will still find
yourself alone on the trail and may only occasionally see other
people out there.
If you
are on a mountain bike try to dismount your bike if you approach a
horse. They can be scared easily and throw the rider off of their
back. You should also bring a map with you and pay attention to
trail intersections. There are some trails that have missing or
unmarked signs so you may have to count intersections on your map.
Most trails are not blazed and are only marked with a sign on
either end of the trail. Pay attention to where you are and look
behind you so that you will recognize the trail in the other
direction.
The
park also offers camping where there is a lake to enjoy, a small
camp store and a playground for the kids. There is a hiker lot for
people looking to ride their bikes or hike and there is an area in
Hayes Field where equestrians bring their horses to ride. A trail
marathon occurs in July and is a single 26.7 mile loop! That gives
you an idea of how large the trail network is at Bear Brook! Be
sure to bring plenty of food, water and a map. A headlight is also a
good idea in case you become lost.
Some
parks charge a small fee so be prepared to stop at a toll booth on
your way in. With some permission from the park it is possible to
hold a wedding or small event. Always be respectful of other trail
users and carry out any trash you carry in; including apple cores,
banana peels and orange peels. If each visitor left one piece of
trash or food with each outing the trails would not be a pleasant
escape into nature. There are plenty of online resources to plan
your local adventure, so download a map and discover how your local
park can bring you and your family fitness, wonderful memories
together and an appreciation for the outdoors!
Letter
What
If?
Let’s
suppose just for a moment—what if there weren’t any Educational
Support Personnel--ESPs?
What
would become of our schools and where would education be?
If not
for the dedication of each Educational Support Professional, how
could our schools ever survive or even function at all?
There
are many ESPs—custodians, kitchen workers, para educators, and
secretaries--who give so much, each in a different capacity.
For to
each ESP, education is far more than just another job or utility.
Education is each child’s future, the hope and prayer of our nation.
For
that future, each day, ESPs give their work, love and dedication.
--Written by Dave Arnold
--Adapted by Linda Royer
Please
consider all the places where Northwood School’s ESPs support
students and the certified staff and administration on a daily basis
when exercising your right to vote on the Northwood Educational
Support Personnel Association’s 2013-2016 contract on March 12th.
The Association thanks you for your time and consideration.
HLWC
News
Harvey
Lake Woman’s Club (affiliated with General Federation of Women’s
Clubs) met March 5, 2013.Guest speaker, Betty (Bailey) Olivolo,
shared her experiences while living in Africa and other countries.
Betty grew up in Northwood and graduated from Coe Brown Northwood
Academy.
Other
Club activities during March are: Sponsoring a food table at the
Town Election on Tuesday, March 12. Proceeds will benefit the
Scholarship Fund.
A
workshop to make Comfort Pillows for breast cancer patients at
Concord Hospital will be held on Friday, March 22, 9 am to 12 noon
at the Congregational Church.
HLWC is
a service organization and a member of General Federation of Women’s
Clubs-NH. Its object is to promote sociability and culture and to
make itself a power for good in the community. All women in the
area are invited to join us.
Letter
To The Editor
In
2012, the U.S. Postal System issued stamps declaring “liberty,”
“justice,” “freedom.” I love sending my correspondence with these
attached reminders of our American values.
In
2012, the re-election of Barack Obama reissued his and our
commitment to these core values. Barack and I aren’t always in
agreement, but I love him as our president.
In
2012, I didn’t vote for Bruce Hodgedon. But after introducing myself
to him at our polling site and speaking with him a couple of times
subsequently, my “audacity of hope” allows me to accept his narrow
victory and the faith of his constituents in him to do the right
things for our town and state and country. I love the perseverance,
dedication, and intellect of his opponent in that closely contested
seat for the NH House, and I appreciate her continued efforts for
social justice and fiscal responsibility as a concerned citizen of
our community. What a “behind the scenes” advocate! Thanks Lucy!
When I
review the roll call for the current Legislative session, I’m really
hoping, Bruce, that you are representing Northwood with thoughts of
justice, liberty, and freedom. As a senior citizen of NH, I’m
looking forward to many more winters at Cannon Mountain, where I can
Ski Free or Die.
So in
2013, please make thoughtful choices, share responsibilities with
clear, mindful voices. Reflect on our blessings; be mindful of all
tasks. Let’s keep New Hampshire special. That may mean some tax!
Let’s care for each other and care for our earth. New Hampshire is a
treasure with immeasurable worth.
Donna
Duff
Letter
My name
is Betsy Colburn and I am running for re-election to the Northwood
Budget Committee. As a lifelong resident of Northwood with 16 years
of volunteer service on the Budget Committee, I am running for
re-election this year to provide a strong voice for fiscal
management in the school and town budgets. I am currently serving
as Vice-Chair of the Northwood Budget Committee.
With
three grown children who have all gone through the Northwood school
system, I support a strong educational program that is fiscally
responsible to the taxpayers of Northwood. I hold a Bachelor’s
Degree in Financial Management and have over 30 years experience in
municipal accounting for both the school and town. I have actively
served on several school and town organizations, including the
Northwood Fire-Rescue as an EMT and Explorer Advisor, the Recreation
Committee, and Northwood School Ski Program.
I
believe that the Budget Committee plays a key role in the budget
development process for both the school and town budgets, and that
my financial background in municipal accounting will provide
valuable support to this process.
I would
like to thank you for your support, and ask that you continue to
support me for another 3-year term on the Northwood Budget
Committee.
Betsy
Colburn
Card Of
Thanks
The
family of Andrew John Lane of Northwood wishes to thank all of those
who provided support and well wishes during our period of mourning.
The food, flowers and the large turnout for his funeral showed us
how well respected John was within the community and his church.
A
special thank you goes out to the Northwood Fire-Rescue and the
Epsom Fire-Rescue who provided critical emergency care. The Concord
Hospital staff and especially to the staff at Presidential Oaks in
Concord who provided exceptional care and compassion during his stay
there. A special thank you also goes out to the Rev. Gayle Murphy
and all the members of the Northwood Congregation Church for their
help and support.
Thank
you to everyone who knew and was part of John’s life.
Jean W.
Lane
Betsy
and Jim Colburn
Peggy
and Pat Riley
Letter
John
Lane
I’ll
miss running into John and Jean Lane together. I didn’t know John
well at all, but he was always a kind of inspiration to me.
Like
everyone else in Northwood, I was accustomed to seeing the couple
just about everywhere. John was in his 80s, but he looked sturdy and
trim, with a distinctly military bearing. Seemingly, wherever I went
in town I would see him devotedly and tirelessly attending his
devoted wife, pushing her wheelchair, getting her into or out of the
car, or standing patiently and silently by while she talked with
neighbors.
John
was a man of few words, but his actions were eloquent. Wherever Jean
was, John was. John seemed to believe that life might be a serious
business, but it was nothing to complain about. He was a model of so
many legendary Yankee qualities. He was reserved, steadfast,
reliable. He did what he could? and that was a great deal.
Strength of character like John’s has a long tradition in these
parts. On the morning of May 19, 1780, the sky darkened in New
England to the point where a newspaper could not be read at noon.
The cause was apparently smoke from a huge Canadian forest fire, but
no one in New England knew that. People were terrified. The
Connecticut legislature considered adjourning, certain that the Day
of Judgment was at hand. One legislator, Colonel Abraham Davenport,
spoke up:
“I am
against adjournment,” he said. “The Day of Judgment is either
approaching, or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for an
adjournment; if it is, I choose to be found doing my duty.”
On the
Day of Judgment, as on other days, John Lane was found doing his
duty.
Michael
Faiella
Northwood
Letter
I am
running for reelection to the Northwood School Board. I have been on
the Board for 5 years and hope to continue. My original reason for
running was to participate in the search for a Principal who would
be willing to make a long-term commitment to the school. We met
this goal when we hired our current principal, Rich Hartford. I
hope to continue working with Board members, citizens from other
boards, and Northwood residents to find a balance between the costs
of education and affordability.
I have
volunteered for the town of Northwood in many capacities: former
President of the Northwood Youth Softball and Baseball Association,
former Chair of the Northwood Recreation Committee, and School Board
representative to the Budget Committee.
I have
been married to my wife Lorraine for 30 years and have 3 children
who are in, or have graduated from, the Northwood School system.
Thank
you for your support. I look forward to continuing my work on the
Northwood School Board.
Dave
Ruth
Northwood School Board Candidate
CBNA
Theatre Presents Neil Simon’s Fools
CBNA
Theatre students left to right Kestyn Ritchotte (Mishkin), Jesse
Felber (Slovitch), Marianna Barnhart (Yenchna) and Gwyneth Horne
(Snetsky) rehearse a scene from Fools.
Prepare
for an evening of hilarity as Coe-Brown Northwood Academy Theatre
presents Fools by the great comic playwright, Neil Simon, on March
7, 8, 9, 10, 2013, at 7 pm in the Gerrish Gym on the CBNA campus.
Fools
is the story of Leon Tolchinsky who has just landed a terrific
teaching job in Kulyenchikov, an idyllic Russian hamlet. When he
arrives he finds that the town has been cursed with chronic
stupidity for 200 years and it is his job to break the curse. No one
tells him that if he stays over 24 hours and fails to break the
curse, he too becomes stupid. Does he break the curse? Does he get
the girl? Does everyone live happily ever after?
The
answers to these questions will be brought to the CBNA stage by
seniors Marianna Barnhart, Timothy Cedrone, Ashlyn Correia, Ryan
Cunningham, Jesse Felber, Kylie Gagnon, Allison Irish, Moriah
Mazzochi and Kestyn Ritchotte; juniors Grace Axelrod, Shane
Chittum, Samantha Corwin, Gwyneth Horne, and sophomores Julia
Collins, Lizzie MacEachern and Colton Rush. The production stage
managers are juniors Kathi Cozine and Hannah Heselton and the
production is directed by faculty member Elizabeth Lent, with
assistance from faculty member Kolby Hume.
Reserved tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and seniors
and will be available after March 4, 2013 by calling 942-5531, ext.
237, by email [email protected]
or at the main office.
SAU 44
Action On Special
Education Applauded
I was
very pleased to hear that the SAU 44 Joint Board voted on February
25th to proceed with an “independent” performance review of the
special education programs. Introducing the proposal was one of
Nottingham’s newest school board members, Gail Mills, who had given
a presentation to her board several days earlier.
Similar
audits had been done in other school districts and the results have
been impressive. Special education expenditures have been curtailed
and made more cost effective while student achievement has improved.
Representing about 25% of Northwood’s total school budget, many of
the special education systems and costs go unaudited. The misnomer
that all special education costs are fixed is a fallacy.
The SAU
has formed a subcommittee to work on this special project. They will
be issuing an RFP (request for proposal) to several qualified firms
to perform the work. Only one joint school board member voted
against having an independent review performed. That person was
Northwood school board member Dave Ruth, who was given a copy of a
similar review done for the Rochester school district more than a
year ago. Although he had claimed that he gave it to Northwood’s
special education director, I have since learned that it ended up in
the “circular” file.
I’m not
sure why Mr. Ruth would vote against improving Northwood’s special
education program, unless he is trying to cover-up something. (i.e.
waste and abuse of property taxpayer’s funds?)
Since
he is up for re-election to the school board on March 12th, voters
will have a chance to let him try to continue to cover-up any
alleged irregularities in our special education program or they
could vote for change and transparency with our school board. If so,
they should vote for Bonnie Sears to have ethics restored to our
school board.
Sincerely,
Jim
Hadley
Letter
Chat
With The Chief
I would
like to cordially invite the citizens of Northwood to join me and
the members of the Northwood Police Commission Thursday, March 7th
at 6:00 pm at the Northwood Town Hall for a “Chat with the Chief.”
This is an informal quarterly conversation with the citizens of
Northwood to promote an open dialogue between the citizens and the
police department. This will be an opportunity for citizens to
voice their concerns, learn about the general operation of the
police department, hear about existing programs and future programs
run by the department, and to strengthen the relationship between
the citizens and the Northwood Police Department. I truly hope to
see you there.
Respectfully submitted,
Glendon
L. Drolet
Chief
of Police
Letter
Dear
Northwood Voter:
The
Northwood Teachers are asking for your support in the upcoming vote
on Northwood School’s Warrant Articles. Northwood School is a safe,
supportive, and academically challenging environment for the
children of Northwood. As teachers, we take the responsibility of
maintaining that environment very seriously. The teachers at
Northwood School are a dedicated group of professionals who
consistently strive to improve their teaching skills. That
professional improvement takes the form of attending workshops,
taking courses, and participating in group discussions on
educational literature. All those efforts are directed toward the
education of the children in our care.
We are
well aware of the economic times. As teachers, we have not had an
increase in our salary schedule in 5 years, since 2008. Like many
people, we have seen increases in the cost of living and decreases
in our pay as a result of increases in retirement and insurance. We
ask that on March 12, 2013, you exercise your right to vote and
support your children’s school and their teachers. Thank you for
your consideration.
Northwood Teachers’
Association
Every
child. Every chance. Every day.
Letter
Lies,
Damn Lies And Statistics
When I
was a boy, I remember reading an item in Reader’s Digest about an
article in Pravda, the Soviet newspaper, which reported on an
international road race: the Soviet vehicle had finished second,
while the American vehicle had finished next to last. Pravda did
not disclose that it was a 2-car race.
I
thought of this when I read Jim Hadley’s letters in defense of the
proposed Road Bond and the proposed 2% tax cap on school spending.
In the first instance, he assured us that the annual State Highway
Grant of “approximately $100,000” would cover the annual bond
payment. In fact, the 2012 grant was only $89,795 – a $10,205
shortfall.
In the
second case, Mr. Hadley uses Northwood’s ranking among Rockingham
County towns to suggest that we are spending too much on educating
our students. The anecdote from Pravda should alert you to the
danger of using rank order for comparison purposes. The other
caveat that applies here is: “all other things being equal – which
they never are.” Within Rockingham County, there are big and small
towns. What can we learn from Northwood’s ranking within this
group? Not much.
Finally, in his most recent letter, Mr. Hadley resorts to distortion
and fear-mongering to promote his tax-cap scheme: “Currently the
school board is looking to increase your school taxes by up to 25%
per year.” This is an outright lie.
When
voters at the School Deliberative Session realized that the tax-cap
warrant could not be killed outright, one insightful voter moved to
increase the amount from 2% to 25%, insuring that – pass or fail –
the tax cap will not prevent the School Board from doing what they
have been elected to do: develop and manage a responsible budget. It
was the voters on hand who did this, not the School Board.
Tom
Chase
Letter
To The Editor
I am
running as candidate for School Board and would appreciate the vote
of all who want a better education for Northwood’s children and to
accomplish this while saving money for taxpayers. This is the flip
side of the coin that has called for more dollars while delivering
less education. I suppose the other candidates would also say they
want to improve the performance of our grammar school (who
wouldn’t?) which absorbs the majority of the money we spend - I want
to do it while saving money. I know it can be done - there are
success stories all around.
But
there is another distinction between myself and the other
candidates. For many years previous school board members, however
well-intentioned, have been satisfied with partial fixes and gradual
improvement schemes that have been lackluster at best. Slight
improvements are made here and there, hit and miss. We need big
improvement successful methods that don’t have to cost more! Imagine
that. Yet without consistency or high goals, they will be still a
disservice to the children first, and I would think to the
expectations of parents, and frustrating to the efforts of good
teachers. Each year lost to a child in a ‘slightly’ improving
program is a long term loss for that child. An important study
several years back revealed what some parents already know. An
average child who spent three successive years in under performing
class instruction (especially early on) was damaged significantly in
the child’s future learning performance. Whereas the same cohort of
similar children in three years of high quality instructional
environment would then go on to outperform their peers (and of
course the plan would be to keep it up). Slight improvements are not
enough. Let’s go for better education while spending less money!
Vote
Joseph McCaffrey
For
Northwood School Board
Letter
To The Editor
I’d
like you to understand what, in my opinion, is going on with the
teachers’ contract. When you’re younger and have a family, benefits
are very important; health insurance, sick pay, vacations etc.
Benefits were the push.
Teachers retire at half the pay of their three highest years. Now
that we have a large contingent of teachers nearing retirement they
want a larger paycheck because that will give them a larger
retirement for over 20 years. Money is now more important, but they
aren’t willing to negotiate benefits.
Healthcare is ridiculous and going up quickly. We have some teachers
on the JY program that will cost $35.815 for a family plan next
year. They pay $6,625; we will pay $29,189. They receive life,
dental, disability and unemployment insurance. Teachers work 187
days a year, 6 hours and 15 minutes a day (some work much more)
which includes paid lunch period. They get 15 sick days, 5 emergency
days, 3 personal days and 3 professional days.
There
is so much more. We actually have some teachers that I would give a
10K raise tomorrow if it was within my ability. We have young,
excellent teachers that deserve more but until things change will
not get it. Go to the school website and check it all out. Get the
information you need and please go vote.
Tim
Jandebeur
Northwood, NH
Letter
A
Response To Mr. Hadley
Mr.
Hadley states the Northwood School taxes are higher than the total
tax rate in Nottingham. Well, the Department of Revenue
Administration (Jan 30th, 2013) would disagree. The 2012 School tax
rate of Northwood is $15.92 ($23.20 total tax rate). The total tax
rate in Nottingham is $20.42. Nottingham has a lower tax rate
because their property values are higher.
Mr.
Hadley references the fact that Nottingham has 20 more students than
Northwood in grades K-12. He fails to mention that Northwood has 45
more high school students (265 vs. 220) than Nottingham, at a cost
of $13,462 per student. Just these 45 students add $605,790 to
Northwood’s budget. Nottingham also sends high school students to
both Dover and Coe Brown at a budgeted cost of $11,066 per student,
a difference of $527,120. Over $1.1 million of the $1.7 million
referenced is in High School tuition alone!
Mr.
Hadley implies that the Northwood School Board is looking to
increase their budget by up to 25%. The SB’s proposed budget for
next year represents a 3.7% increase from the current year’s
operating budget. He also implies in his letter that the SB
increased the percentage from 2% to 25%. Had Mr. Hadley been at the
Deliberative Session when this was discussed, he would have known
that it was clearly stated when the motion was made, that the figure
of 25% was being used to assure that the article will be defeated.
The taxpayers at the DS then voted by a vast majority to place the
25% figure on the ballot, not the SB.
The
Northwood SB is made up of 5 very dedicated taxpayers. We are going
to continue to focus on ways to reduce spending in areas that we can
control, especially in areas like Special Education.
Chris
Andrews
Northwood School Board Chair
|