Celebrating Birthdays are: May 12, Mike Taylor, Timothy Mineau;
May 13, Melissa Mayhew; May 14, Scott Grandmaison, Nick Liouzis;
May 15, Timothy Roode; May 16, Mini Plante; May 17, Jeremy
Grandmaison, Richard Munn; May 18, Mikey Bender, Nathan Riel.
A Very Happy Birthday To One And All.
Best Wishes to Barbara Raney who will
celebrate her 70th Birthday on May 17th.
Celebrating Anniversaries are: May 12, Daniel and
Sheila Ward; May 18, Fern and Jim Bond.
Best Wishes.
Pittsfield Flower Fund
In June we will see the hanging flower baskets (40 of them)
gracing the streets of Pittsfield. This is the fourteenth year
for this worthy, all volunteer project.
As in previous years, we depend on contributions to cover
our costs. Some funds have already been expended by some of us
volunteers, so please contribute generously.
Please send checks to the Pittsfield Flower Fund, c/o John
Lenaerts, 520 Clough Road, Pittsfield, NH 03263. Thank You.
School Lunch Menus
May 17-21, 2010
CHICHESTER
Monday - Variety homemade pizza, green beans, mandarin oranges,
milk.
Tuesday - Teriyaki chicken dippers, French fries,
veggie, brownie, milk.
Wednesday - Spaghetti with meatsauce,
garlic bread, veggie, sliced pears, milk.
Thursday - Bologna
and cheese sandwich, chips, pickles, carrot sticks, fruit, milk.
Friday - Cheeseburger with roll, potato wedges, carrot with
ranch dressing, fruit, milk.
PMHS
Monday - Chicken patties, lettuce, tomato, fruit, milk.
Tuesday - Steak subs, onions, peppers, cheese, fruit, milk.
Wednesday - Pasta, meatsauce, salad, fruit, milk.
Thursday -
Chicken stir fry, rice, fruit, milk.
Friday - Make your own
grinders, chips, pickles, milk.
Earth Day At PES
Submitted By Mr. Kilmister
Elementary aged children have grown up practicing
recycling, aware of the Earth’s limited energy and natural
resources, and concerned about the possible effects of global
warming. They want to learn about their planet, and they strive
to be good stewards.
On Thursday, April 22, PES students and staff celebrated the
40th anniversary of Earth Day with a half-hour whole-school
morning meeting in front of the school.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, fourth grade students led a
greeting, and then representatives from each class shared ideas
for ways to care for the earth and preserve resources. A display
of student ideas, along with an exhibit of “trashy ideas” using
recycled materials, is on display in the PES lobby.
A highlight of the morning meeting was the planting of tree in
the inner circle of the loop in front of the school. The tree, a
Heritage white birch, was donated by PES parent, Jeff Edmonds,
and Millican Nursery in Chichester.
Mr. Edmonds was aided in planting the tree by parent and
school board member, Mike Wolfe. Fourth graders participated in
the planting.
We at PES wish to thank Mr. Edmonds, Millican Nursery, Mr.
Wolfe, and the fourth grade team for their work in planning the
celebration and planting this tree.
The Heritage birch was chosen for its heartiness and fast
growing nature - it’s a lot like our PES students! We hope that
students will watch it grow throughout their school years and
remember where they were on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.
VA Updates Online Application for Health Benefits
Veterans will find it easier and faster to apply for their
health care benefits now that the Department of Veterans Affairs
has updated its online Form 10-10EZ, “Application for Health
Benefits.”
“VA is committed to tapping into the best that technology
has to offer to ensure Veterans receive the benefits they have
earned,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.
“We continue to look for new ways to improve access to care and
benefits.”
This revised online application provides enhanced navigation
features that make it easier and faster for Veterans to apply
for their health care benefits. This new version also allows
Veterans to save a copy of the completed form for their personal
records.
The most significant enhancement allows Veterans to save
their application to their local desktop and return to the
application at any time without having to start over.
Previously, Veterans had to complete the form in a single
session.
This updated online form, along with the revised VA Form
10-10EZ, reduces the collection of information from Veterans by
eliminating some questions.
In addition, there are minor changes to simplify the wording
of questions and provide clarity in the instructions. Further
enhancements to the online application are expected to be
delivered in increments throughout 2010.
Veterans may complete or download the 10-10EZ form at the
VA health eligibility website.
Veterans may also contact VA at 1 (877) 222-8387 (VETS) or visit
the VA health eligibility website at
www.va.gov/healtheligibility.
Jimmy Locke of Northeast Earth Mechanics has once again made a
huge donation to the project at Pittsfield Youth Athletic Park.
He supplied the grader and operator to perfect the subgrade to
the upper field. Thank you Jim and Northeast.
Letter
My husband and I would like to let Pittsfield citizens
know what a great new restaurant we have here! We have had lunch
several times and it is fabulous. The newly renovated interior
of Jitters is lovely and modern. Service is prompt and friendly.
The food is fresh, delicious, and reasonably priced. We
encourage all to come and support this new business. Try the
chicken salad.
Best wishes Jitter’s!
Bill and Bridget
Abbott
Ladies Aid
The Ladies Aid of the First Congregational Church
met in the church vestry on May 3. Attendance was down due to
illness and members away. Louise Kenney, Vice President,
conducted the business meeting in the absence of President,
Freda Jones.
Louise opened with devotions, reading “May,
Nature’s Dressing Room” by Bruce Schwoegler (former WBZ
weatherman) and “Thoughts of Spring,” author unknown. Audrey
Moore read “God’s Love” by O. J. Robertson.
Joan Riel,
Secretary, gave her report of the previous meeting and read
several items of correspondence. Audrey Moore, Treasurer, gave
the current financial standings. Dues were collected for the
coming year. Members voted $400 to the Exterior Brick
Restoration Project.
At the close of the meeting,
refreshments were served and a social time was enjoyed.
The
Pittsfield Teen Mentor Program Wants To Send Thanks...
The Teen Mentor Project is a program that has provided high
school students and 5th - 7th grade students from Pittsfield
with individual and group leadership experience through
mentoring, outdoor adventures and community service projects.
The program involves ten mentor pairs who meet weekly, 1:1,
throughout the school year. The entire group of mentors
and “mentees” participate in monthly outings such as rock
climbing, canoeing, hiking, ropes course activities, bowling,
skating and more. One of the key components of this program is
the close supervision the mentors receive. The ten high school
mentors meet every other week for support, ideas, and discussion
of their experience as mentors. Paula Driscoll and Jeff Martel
provide the direct supervision for the mentors, and coordinate
all other facets of the program as well.
The overall goal of
the program is to provide a safe environment for the high school
students and younger students to develop healthy mentoring
relationships. The program seeks to give each youth the
opportunity to develop their strengths, skills and interests
through individual and group challenges, leadership and
community involvement.
As so many of you know, funding for
non-profits has become very difficult over the past few years-
Pittsfield’s Teen Mentor Program being one of them. We have had
to make many changes to continue to make this program successful
but it is not without support from the Sanderson Trust, the
Pittsfield School District, and many of the mentors, mentees and
their families helping with local fundraisers. Over the past two
years this has not been enough and we have had to solicit far
more support. During our 2008-2009 year the Pittsfield Rotary
Club gave a very generous donation so we could finish the year.
Thank you Pittsfield Rotary for your many years of support,
especially in this time of greater financial need! This
year we found ourselves needing support once again, and with the
unselfish acts of our community businesses, we received the
needed funds to finish the year. We want to extend our deepest
appreciation to Globe Manufacturing, Barry Podmore Inc., Kentek
and The Paige Agency for allowing the Teen Mentor Project to
complete this year’s activities.
If you have any questions
or would like to support this program please contact Jeff Martel
at PMHS, 435-6701 or Paula Driscoll at PYW, 435-8272.
Pittsfield Rotary to Host Free Program:
Event Planning For
Profitable Fund Raising - A Professional Approach
May 26,
2010 - 6:00 p.m.
This event will take place at the Pittsfield
Rotary Meeting held in the Pittsfield, NH, Community Center and
will feature Carl Lindblade of the University of New Hampshire’s
Department of Hospitality Management.
Carl began his hotel
career at the Balsams Resort in Dixville Notch and for the past
40+ years has operated 3 and 4 diamond hotels and resorts. In
addition to years of hands on experience he brings a commitment
to community and industry service. Among his assignments he was
a delegate to the 1995 White House Conference on Travel and
Tourism, Interim Director of the NH office of Travel and Tourism
Development, Innkeeper of the Year, Travel Person of the Year,
Past President of the NH Lodging and Restaurant Association and
American Hotel and Lodging Association Volunteer of the Year. He
is currently a lecturer in the hospitality management department
at the University of New Hampshire where he enjoys teaching as
it affords him the opportunity to share experiences with
students. In 2009, as a volunteer, Carl coached Conway, New
Hampshire’s Kennett High School’s Lodging Class to a national
championship in a competition sponsored by the American Hotel
and Lodging Association.
Events are run usually for one of
two reasons, as an event for the sake of the event itself, (a
basketball game) or for the purpose of fund raising. Carl
Lindblade will share his professional approach to organizing an
event for fund raising and how to measure the PR as well as the
economic impact of an event. This seminar will challenge you
with new ideas and helpful hints to make your fund raising
events more profitable, purposeful and professional.
This
program was made possible by the University of New Hampshire
Speakers Bureau which connects faculty and staff speakers with
non-profit organizations to share the research and knowledge of
the university with the people and communities of New Hampshire.
For more information on obtaining a speaker for your
organization, contact the UNH Speakers Bureau at (603) 862-4401
or on the web at www.unh.edu/speakersbureau.
For more information on this
event, contact the Pittsfield Rotary at 603-435-7447 or
[email protected].
What The Pittsfield Teen Mentor Program MeansTo Me
By Kelsey
Wrye
“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be
the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.” ~ Helen Keller.
This quote has been the definition of my sophomore year. As a
first year mentor in the Pittsfield Teen Mentoring Program, I
have faced and overcome many obstacles. When I first started, I
was afraid that it wasn’t going to work out, or worse; I
wouldn’t be able to commit to the program. As I got more and
more into the program though, I realized that it would be much
easier than I imagined, it was not a task, more of a get-away
from it all.
I had the assumption that my time with my mentee
would be me teaching her, and helping her develop and maintain
social skills, and someone to go to. I learned quickly though,
that I wasn’t going to be the only one teaching. I learned more
from my mentee that I think she has learned from me. I never
would have thought that I could have such a close connection
with an eleven year old girl. Sometimes when we go places
together, people compliment our relationship; they often think
that we are related, mentor and mentee never crosses their
minds.
It’s funny how a program can really become such a big
part of someone’s life. I have not only made friends with
a girl that I never imagined being possible, I also made many
friends within my peers. The Teen Mentors have a really close
bond. Many of the people in my group, I had never talked to
before. Now I feel as though I can go to any one of
them when I need help or advice.
With the year coming to a
close, it’s hard to think about what the group will be like next
year. But I’m also excited to make friends with more of my
peers. Also, I’m excited to see the relationship with my mentee
grow even more, throughout the years. I believe that the
Pittsfield Teen Mentoring Group is something that every student
should have a part in, because it has truly impacted my life, as
well as the people around me.
What Is So Special About Pittsfield’s Clothes Closet?
Submitted By Beverly Drolet
I was recently chatting with
someone who had donated some really fine items for the Clothes
Closet. For the most part, people are extremely generous and
conscientious about contributions and it never ceases to amaze
me. We are doing very well these days and are able to provide a
scholarship for a Pittsfield Middle High School student
graduating this year. We can’t always come up with the funds
but, when we can, it is due to a special group of people and I
want the public to be enlightened.
The Clothes Closet had its
beginnings with a donation of clothing made to the Food Pantry
when it was set up in the empty Grammar School building before
the Selectmen converted it to our Town Hall. Shirley Brooks was
the first volunteer to sort and distribute clothing and other
articles. Needless to say, the program took off, the number of
volunteer workers expanded and the shop eventually moved to its
current location on Carroll Street. Shirley Brooks passed away
and the first school scholarship was presented in her memory
under the title, Brooks Family Scholarship. We continue to use
that title with a Clothes Closet presentation.
How are we
able to do this when we are non-profit and completely staffed by
volunteers? We pay our rent and utilities monthly and if money
is left over, we bank it to build up a little kitty. From that
little kitty we are able to give back to the town when we can.
We do our best to provide affordable items for resale and make
non-money donations to people in need.
There are people in
our area who are in a position to make sizable money donations
to community projects. That is a good thing and we need them.
There are organizations whose sole purpose is to raise funds for
town projects such as the Balloon Rally and Old Home Day
festivities and this, too, is a good thing and we need them.
Now, who are the WE of the Clothes Closet? None other than the
struggling mother who comes in regularly because she can’t
afford retail stores, the elderly woman who buys yarn to knit
mittens for her church winter projects, the young theater groups
who wander in to stock up for traveling thespian programs, the
everyday locals who support us and probably unknowingly
contribute to all kinds of projects.
I commend YOU, our local
people who, in the name of the Clothes Closet, yearly
contribute to the Firemen’s Secret Santa Program, made a sizable
donation for the new baseball field, helped fire victims and
homeless families make a fresh start and will soon offer a
scholarship for an aspiring student to further his/her education
at the college level and reach for a dream. You are the ones who
make the Clothes Closet special. Thank you.
Obituaries
Warren B. Ordway
Pittsfield - Mr. Warren B. “Papa” Ordway,
67, of Leavitt Road, died Sunday, May 2, 2010, at Hospice House
in Concord after a lengthy illness.
Born in Concord on August
6, 1942, he was the son of Walter and Ruth (Nedeau) Ordway. He
had been a resident of Pittsfield for the past 35 years.
In
1962 Mr. Ordway enlisted with the US Navy and saw duty during
the Cuban Crisis and in the Dominican Republic.
He had been
employed at AB Dick as a warehouseman for 20 years and had also
worked for Ross Express and Foster Beef. For fun Mr. Ordway
worked part time at Morse Sporting Goods.
In his spare time,
he repaired and built computers and taught motorcycle safety
courses for Yamaha He was very active with Pittsfield Youth
Baseball, coaching and umpiring a Babe Ruth Team and Little
League.
Mr. Ordway was an avid sportsman and loved any good
competition. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a lifetime
member of the North American Fishing Club. An expert archer and
winner of many trophies in archery, he did staff shooting for
PSE and was a member of Backwoods Bowmen. He was also an avid
NASCAR fan and had won many trophies playing horseshoes.
Members of his family include his wife of 45 years, Patricia
(Sherburne) Ordway of Pittsfield; 3 children, Keith Ordway of
Pittsfield, Kenneth Ordway of Milton, and Janet Ordway of
Michigan; 4 grandchildren, Courtney and her fiancé, Justin
Thurston, Katelyn, Michael, and Colby Ordway, all of Pittsfield;
and his great- grandson and buddy, Aydin Thurston. They shared a
lot of special time together on the lookout for deer and turkey
on their drives to and from the sitters.
Mr. Ordway also
leaves 3 sisters, Nancy Tucker of Concord, Louise Romeo of
Danbury, and Sherri Wombalt of Bow; 2 brothers, James Ordway of
Hopkinton and Bruce Ordway of Chichester; and many nieces and
nephews.
He was predeceased by a brother, Howard Ordway.
Family and friends may sign an on-line guestbook by visiting
www.stilloaks.com.