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Pittsfield NH News

October 6, 2010

The Suncook Valley Sun News Archive is Maintained by Modern Concepts. We are NOT affliated in any way with the Suncook Valley Sun Newspaper.



 

The 2010 LBC Missions Conference will be held Oct. 13-17, Wed.-Fri. at 7 p.m., Saturday, 5 p.m., Dinner; Sunday, 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.


Refreshments to follow and Special guests.


Contact  us at Landmark Baptist Church, 103 Chichester  Rd., Loudon, NH 03307.
Phone, 603-798-3818 www.LandmarkBaptistChurch.info




Celebrating Birthdays are: October 6, Shirley Waters, Morgan Ward; October 7, Jason Darrah; October 8, Ann Emerson, John Fraser; October 9, Art Morse, Bev Drolet; October 10, Hank Stapleton; October 11, Carolyn Reed.


A Very Happy Birthday To One And All.




Celebrating Anniversaries are: October 6, Dana and Cathie Tuttle; October 11, Barbara and Paul Merrill.


Best Wishes.




Fuel Assistance Community Action Program will be at Pittsfield Community Center on October 18, and 25. Please call for an appointment. 485-7824.




Several of the building markers placed on houses by the Pittsfield Historical Society are fading and in somewhat disrepair. This fall they will be removed, repainted, repaired and placed back on the buildings as time and weather allows. If there are any questions please call 798-3984.




Grace Locke and Beverly Price recently returned from a 10 day vacation to Glacier Park, Montana. While there, they stayed at Glacier Park Lodge, and took some local tours of the glaciers and other points of interest. They also spent a few days in Chicago where they had time to sightsee in the “windy city”. A great time was had by both.




On Wednesday, October 13th, the Pittsfield Area Senior Center will be holding a special event. From 10:00 a.m. to noon, Carol Watters will be teaching punch quilting. Those planning to participate should being scissors and a ruler. If you have a favorite woven cotton fabric and low loft batting, you may bring those along as well. The Community Center is located at 74 Main Street, Pittsfield.




Come join The Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce as we enjoy our monthly Business After Hours.  The event will be held at Century 21, Thompson Real Estate Tuesday October 12th from 6pm to 8pm.  This event is located at 1033 Suncook Valley Highway, Epsom, NH.  There will be light refreshments served.  A tour will be given to all that participate in this event.  This is a networking opportunity for your business, so remember to bring your business cards.  Everyone is welcome to come.  If you are not a member and are interested in becoming one, this is a great opportunity to learn what The Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce is involved in and how it could benefit your business.   Find out more information about this and upcoming events at www.pittsfieldchamber.org.

 


 

It’s 4-H Cookie & Candy Bar Sale Time Again!


4-H Clubs are celebrating National 4-H Month with many special events throughout October. One big event that the Victory Workers 4-H Club, which serves the greater Pittsfield Area participates in, is the annual 4-H Cookie Sale, which begins on  October 6th. This is the main fundraiser for our 4-H Club. It helps support camp scholarships and monthly programs for 4-H member’s ages 8-18. Members learn life skills by selling cookies including goal setting, communications, safety, marketing and money and time management.


Several cookie varieties are available including Chocolate Covered Mint Patties, Lemon Crisp, Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Patties, Fudge Graham Squares, Frosted Oatmeal, Raspberry Flip Shortbread, Assorted Sugar Wafer Sticks, Fudge Covered Crème Wafer Sticks, Chocolate Chip Crème Sandwich and Coconut Crème. 4-H members are also selling candy bars.


You do not pre-order 4-H Cookies. They are available for delivery NOW. The cookies are only $3.50 a package. The candy bars are $1.00 each. Your support to the 4-H youth in your community is greatly appreciated. If a 4-H member has not contacted you, please call 4-H leaders Pamela Clattenburg, 269-3200; Pauline Wheeler, 435-8752; Mark Riel, 435-6346; or Corine Miller, 435-8497.

 


 

The American Legion Wins Long Fight On Behalf Of Gold Star Parents
Congress awards state veterans home privileges to all parents of fallen warriors


After a decades-long campaign waged by The American Legion and sympathetic advocates, the U.S. Senate last night cleared legislation that will grant state veterans home care privileges to all Gold Star mothers and fathers; parents who have lost sons or daughters during military service. Heretofore, since the post-Civil War era, only parents who had sacrificed all of their children in service were eligible for veterans’ home residency. The passage by unanimous voice vote followed overwhelming passage of similar legislation at the end of June.


“To lose one’s child to the service of our country is the ultimate sacrifice a parent can make,” said Tim Tetz, Director of The American Legion’s Legislative Division. “We owe them much more than a debt of gratitude. It is heartening to see that Congress is now making an honorable payment on that debt.”


Tetz, formerly the Executive Director of the Nevada Office of Veterans Services, was among those who urged Senator John Ensign (R-Nev.) to introduce enabling legislation into the Senate making that state one of the prime driving forces behind the move to open veterans’ home care to more Gold Star parents. Tetz credited Ensign as being “hugely supportive” of the Senate measure. Nevada’s Gary Bermeosolo, Legislative Chairman of the National Association of State Veterans Homes, also offered his thanks by saying “(we) appreciate the efforts of Senator Ensign and Congressman William “Mac” Thornberry of Texas (who introduced the House bill in late January) to correct the inequity created by the onerous definition requiring Gold Star Parents to have lost “all” of their children to wartime service in order to be considered for admission to a state veterans home. We prayed that they would be successful with their efforts.”


The American Legion’s effort to honor all Gold Star parents with much deserved care goes back many years. It was a special project of Paul Morin, who served as the Legion’s National Commander in 2006-2007 and was superintendent of a veterans home in his native Massachusetts. “The contribution of Commander Morin and fellow American Legion movers and shakers in correcting this inequity cannot be overstated,” concluded Mr. Tetz.


The House and Senate bills will now be presented to a joint conference committee for reconciliation of any differences with the final version to be forwarded President Obama for his signature.

 


 

Nearly $85,000 Raised For Cancer Patients In Need


Cancer patients and their families face many uncertainties including diagnosis, treatment options and oftentimes, financial concerns. Trying to figure out how to pay for transportation to treatment, needed prescriptions, supplements and other essential items can add stress to an already extremely stressful situation. The Gene Gillis Fund at Concord Hospital Payson Center for Cancer Care helps support Payson Center patients in need with any out-of-pocket expenses associated with their treatment.


The 5th annual Pedaling for Payson fundraising event held on Saturday, September 18 raised nearly $85,000 in contributions, corporate sponsorships and in-kind donations to support the Gene Gillis Fund. The cycling event included 240 participants who rode in either the 75-mile, 50-mile, 25-mile or 5K “Family Fun Ride.


“On behalf of Sharon Nall, Dan Rivard and myself, I would like to express our utmost gratitude for the countless hours of work put into this event by our committee members, Concord Hospital’s Philanthropy staff and employees, and all of our volunteers. We are deeply grateful for the spirit of generosity displayed by all of our participants and sponsors, whether their gifts were financial or in-kind,” said Kevin Swenson, event tri-chair and platinum sponsor. “This years event goals were very ambitious and thanks to a lot of dedication, we met or exceeded those goals. We look forward to starting to plan for next years event ever mindful that what was begun five years ago is indeed “making a difference” for so many people in our community.”

 


 

VA Improving Veterans’ Access To Health And Benefits Information
21st Century Technology Will Improve Service


The Department of Veterans Affairs is launching a multi-year initiative called Veterans Relationship Management (VRM) that will greatly improve Veterans’ access to health care and benefits information.


“VRM will transform Veterans’ interactions with VA by using innovative 21st century technologies,” said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki.


“Veterans will have a better experience when they contact VA for assistance, and our employees will be able to quickly convey accurate, up-to-date information through call centers and the Internet.”


Ultimately, Veterans will find enhanced self-service capabilities, and VA employees will have the best tools to serve Veterans, their families and survivors better.


By the end of 2010, VRM will deliver improved telephone services to enable Veterans to reach a call center agent faster. Recording and review of calls will ensure the quality of services provided to Veterans. To help guarantee success, VRM enhancements will be rolled out in six-month increments.


An important component of VRM is the Internet site, which puts the Veteran in the driver’s seat for information. VA collaborated with the Department of Defense to provide a single sign-on capability for both Servicemembers and Veterans. Single sign-on will quickly establish an individual’s identity and allow that person to complete transactions without having to re-enter information.


Self-service access through the Internet site (www.ebenefits.va.gov) is already available in some benefit areas, including military personnel records, VA home loan eligibility certificates, and status information on compensation and pension claims.


VRM is just one of the many initiatives VA is launching to help Veterans get timely access to health care and benefits.


VA provides tax-free compensation, pension, education, loan guaranty, vocational rehabilitation, employment and insurance benefits to eligible Veterans, their families and survivors through 57 VA regional offices.


Disability compensation is paid to a Veteran for disabilities that are a result of - or made worse by - injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty, active military, naval or air service. Pension is a benefit paid to wartime Veterans with limited income, and who are permanently and totally disabled or age 65 or older.


For additional information, go to www.va.gov or call VA’s toll free benefits number at 1-800-827-1000.

 


 

Letter


Dear Suncook Valley folks:
After four good years in Pittsfield I am moving to Colorado. Before I go, a few folks need to be recognized:


•Neighbor Extraordinaire Bruce Cheney, who checked on me during nor’easters, and taught me how to handle an ancient tiller. And his wife, Judy, for the yummy cookies!


• Duane Family Farm, for the warm smiles, laughing at my misadventures, and the delicious produce and pies.


• Christina Heppding of Ever-Green Stables in Center Barnstead, who brought horses and horseback riding back into my life. Thanks for making my dream come true!


• Carol and Henry Smith in Center Barnstead—always full of good humor when my very clever horse escaped and ended up on their delicious lawn!


• The staff of Clark’s Grain Store, for friendly encouragement and good advice.


• Ric Howes at Greenleaf Auto, for valuable car and truck advice, and good cheer.


• Granite State Auto for taking good care of my Beetle and now my truck and me.


• Laurie at the Pittsfield Post Office, who kindly helped me to ship oodles of heavy cartons.


• The nice folks at Valley Dam Feed Store, for figuring out how many bales of shavings would fit in my Beetle—nine!


• Marty and Anne Boisvert, for allowing me to use their barn for the last four years, etc., etc. You guys are the best!


• Finally, anyone and everyone in and around town who ever lent a helping hand or greeted me with a genuine smile and a “hey, hon’ (or darlin’)!”


So, many for the warm wishes and the many kindnesses, small and large. If you see a silver Tacoma with a cap and cargo box heading west, give me a wave! So long and be well!


Sincerely,
Julie Klett

 


 

From The Superintendent’s Desk
Submitted By John J. Freeman, Ph.D.
SAU 51 Superintendent Of Schools


As you may recall, the school district began planning for a redesign of our Pittsfield Middle High School about a year ago.  This redesign was prompted by several factors: the anticipated second consecutive year of staff reductions, challenging economic conditions, a decline in student enrollment, and the disappointing performance of our school on the state assessment tests. In March, you may have received a letter that outlined some of the key immediate developments that would begin to effect a major redesign of our school.


Then, in early spring of 2010, we learned that PMHS had qualified for a large grant – known as the School Improvement Grant (SIG) – from the federal government under the authority of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  The grant funds are being awarded to schools identified by the state as “persistently lowest-achieving schools.”  The identification of eligible schools was based on student achievement levels as measured by the state’s annual assessment program, the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP).  The grant will bring more than $2 million to PMHS over the next three years.


After reviewing and analyzing a wide range of data in developing a plan for the grant’s application last spring, a team of more then twenty-five school district educators, including teacher leaders and administrators from both PES and PMHS, expanded on the early redesign work and identified three goals for the three-year grant period.  In brief, these goals state that by the end of the grant period in June 2013:


• At least 85% of all Pittsfield students will achieve at the proficient or proficient with distinction levels in the state assessment, NECAP;


• All students and adults in the Pittsfield school district will experience a safe, respectful, responsible climate in our schools; and


• Each graduate of PMHS will leave our school with a realistic, ready-to-activate plan for post secondary college and/or career.


As you might expect, our planning team has developed a number of objectives and strategies within each of these three ambitious goals.  I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some of the exciting activities that will contribute to the attainment of our three SIG goals and the redesign of PMHS that will result in a more personalized, high-achieving learning environment.


• Extra-Curricular Activities. Educational researchers have found that participation in extra-curricular activities is highly correlated with academic success.  Here at PMHS, our students are generally very involved; our athletic program engages a high percentage of our students in our small high school.  However, we know that we have room for improvement.


Last spring, our students were surveyed regarding interests in extra-curricular activities that we don’t currently offer.  As you can imagine, suggestions ranged from somewhat impractical suggestions like football, to more do-able suggestions, like arts clubs.  Our ARRA grant will be providing seed money for the start-up of new extra-curricular activities.  Keep watching for new clubs and groups to be forming over the next three years.


• Math Instructional Coaching.  It’s pretty obvious that instruction is one of the integral factors that lie at the heart of academic achievement.  As we move forward with our redesign, work to strengthen our teaching to more effectively respond to different student needs will be at the heart of our work.  In this regard, we’ve been fortunate to secure the services of a high-quality math instructional coach, Mr. Rob Lukasiak.


Mr. Lukasiak has long experience as a math teacher that includes both high school and college level assignments.  He’ll be here in Pittsfield on a regular basis – about every other week throughout the grant period – to model math teaching, share new strategies with our math teachers, observe classes and provide guidance to our teachers, participate in math department meetings, and assist teachers in assessing student progress and needs through collaborative evaluation of student work, among other activities. 


Don’t forget to ask your math student about his/her experience with Mr. Lukasiak in math class.


• Student Advisories.  Student advisories – a combination of what we older folks knew as homeroom period and solid guidance counseling – can serve as strong supports for academic achievement as well as contribute to a positive, personalized school climate.  Our student advisories are featuring a new look this year as they have been moved from first period to the middle of the day and have been trimmed from a full period in length to about a half period in length.


Importantly, each of the advisory groups – grades 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12 – will feature their own specialized themes based on the needs of students at these different ages. Among other themes, for example, our 7-8 groups focus on a successful transition from elementary school to high school, our 9-10 groups focus on self-exploration in the context of future career development, and our 11-12 groups focus on developing personal plans for post-secondary goals.


Our work with advisories will keep the best of the best from past advisories as well as personalize our work for greater student success in the context of our three SIG goals; advisories, as you can and will see, play a central role in each of the three goal areas.
Hoping that this provides you with a bit more information about the exciting transition of PMHS, I’ll close for now; I look forward to sharing more information about our redesign.

 


 

Save Your Land!


Have you ever thought about permanently protecting your property for the future enjoyment of your children and grandchildren? Besides leaving a legacy of open space for generations to come, you may be able to realize some tax advantages to conserving your land, as well.


The Pittsfield Conservation Commission is sponsoring a FREE workshop on Thursday, October 28, 7-8:30 PM at the Pittsfield Town Hall. “Conserving Your Land: Options for Landowners” will be presented by Tom Howe, Senior Director of Land Conservation at the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. Tom is a recognized state-wide expert in conservation easements and other land protection strategies.


In this interactive workshop you will learn how to:


• conserve your land permanently for scenic enjoyment, wildlife, farming, forestry and/or recreation;


• set up a conservation easement;


• meet your financial as well as conservation objectives;


• decide which conservation group to work with, understand how the process works, and know whom to contact for next steps.


Tom is making available at cost ($4) a booklet entitled, “Conserving Your Land:  Options for NH Landowners,” which may be purchased at the end of the workshop (saves having to take notes).


Please join us! Refreshments will be served.

 


 

Amazing Gift


The Pittsfield Youth Baseball Association is pleased to announce a major donation to the renovation project at Pittsfield Youth Athletic Park. John Frederick Nutter, who had already contributed to the project in the past, contributed a large sum of money to establish a fund specifically for lighting the new upper field.


Lighting was a part of the original plan but had to be eliminated when ledge was encountered which cost over $100,000 to blast and remove. Lights will allow PYBA to hold evening games and tournaments, a feature unique for a town of Pittsfield’s size. Indeed, lighting will place the town among the elite communities of the area


John, or Fred as he is known to many, was born in Pittsfield and grew up in the “Beehive” on Park Street. His mother Maude is well remembered for her shoe store there.


Several months after World War II began and while still in high school he joined the Navy. After serving in the United States and on Johnson Island, he returned to Pittsfield in 1946 for a short while and earned a “War Diploma.” Moving away he later became highly successful in the wholesale pharmaceutical business.


Mr. Nutter has never forgotten his old home town and has contributed to many of its local causes. In addition to PYBA, the American Legion, the Historical Society and Pittsfield Youth Workshop are indebted to him for his generosity.


Thank you Mr. Nutter for all of your support.

 


 

Artist Gene Matras To Speak At Pittsfield Historical Society


Pittsfield Historical Society Presents Artist Gene Matras October 14,  Thursday night at 7PM.


Professional artist Gene Matras will speak about his pen and ink pictures of the old barns and scenes around Pittsfield. He will tell how he began and where he’s gone. The detailed drawings of rural life have been winning awards for more than 20 years.

 
Forests, pastures, mountains, and wildlife have been his inspiration. Mr. Matras’s prints are produced from the original by the off set lithography process in limited editions; numbered and signed by the artist.


The program is open and free to the public. It starts at 7 PM in the Historical Society behind Jitters.

 


 

 

Yes, it’s true! November is your lucky month!


The Pittsfield Players have it on “good authority” that a very famous woman will be returning to the “place she belongs.”


Who is she? Watch for details in coming weeks.

 


 

St. Stephen’s Says Thank You


St. Stephen’s Church wishes to thank all who made purchases at our Town-Wide Yard Sale and Old Home Day. We were very fortunate to reach our goal so our outreach project could be realized. We have been able to make sizeable donations to the food pantries of each of the surrounding communities, and also were able to make a donation to the summer recreation programs that enabled added youth to attend special programs. It does our “little church with a big heart” good to say that Hannaford Brothers of Northwood donated an abundance of the food for our lunch specials, and for our raffle baskets. We give them a huge round of applause, and a huge “thank you."


Our next sale will be our Holiday Fair on November 20th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. We will be selling raffle tickets for the “Town Green” quilt, which was crafted by the Barnstead Quilters. Proceeds from the sale of tickets will be given to the surrounding towns’ food pantries. Come join us on November 20th - lunch will be served! 

 


 

Greater Pittsfield Chamber Of Commerce Business Showcase


The Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce hosted a Business Showcase on September 25th at Pittsfield Elementary School. Forty exhibitors participated in this event. Visitors from the public had a chance to visit with local businesses from Barnstead, Chichester, Epsom, Northwood, Gilmanton, Boscawen, Alton, Concord, Manchester, Rochester, Northfield and Pittsfield. Several Door prizes were given away to the public at the end of the event, including the Grand Prize of a one year Family Pool Pass donated by the Red Roof Inn of Loudon; First Prize $100 Cash; Second Prize $50 Cash; as well as several gift certificates for goods and services by the exhibitors. The Chamber would like to thank all the exhibitors for their participation and effort to make this event a success. Thank you to Pittsfield Elementary School for the generous use of the facility. Thank you to the Rotary Club and to the Fire Fighters Assoc. for use of their folding tables; to PYW for feeding us well, and a very heartfelt thank you to the Suncook Valley Sun for all of their support in advertising this event. 


If you have questions or comments about this or future Business Showcase or any of the Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce events, please contact us at www.pittsfieldchamber.org.

 


 

Help The Project At Pittsfield Youth Athletic Park


On Saturday October 9th and 15th from 8:00am to 4:00pm small bushes and perennials will be planted at the Tilton Hill ball fields. A considerable amount of weeding will also be done. This is a great opportunity for PYBA participants and their parents to help out and demonstrate their community spirit. Please contact Larry Berkson at 798-3984 or [email protected] if you will be able to participate. Volunteers are welcome for an hour or two if that is all the time that they have to spare. Bringing shovels, iron rakes and pitchforks would be helpful.

 


 


 

 











 

 

 

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