The
Pittsfield Food Pantry is holding a Ham and Bean Supper to benefit
its outreach to the community. The all-inclusive meal, including
homemade pies, will be served at the First Congregational Church, 24
Main Street, Pittsfield, Saturday, May 21st, 5-7 p.m. A
monetary donation is requested.
Those Celebrating
Birthdays are: May 18, Mikey Bender, Nathan Riel; May 20, Gary
Gadoury, Elizabeth Hast, Nicole Grainger; May 22, Bob Bolduc, Jon
Ward.
A Very Happy Birthday To One and All!
Those
Celebrating Anniversaries are: May 18, Fern and Jim Bond; May 20,
Rich and Sarah Hillsgrove.
Congratulations!
The
newly formed Suncook Valley Lions Club consisting of the Towns of
Barnstead and Pittsfield are looking for community oriented
individuals to join the lions club in collecting glasses and hearing
aids and raising money for hearing and eye tests. Any
interested individuals should contact Bob Wharem at 848-7122.
The South Pittsfield Community Club ham and bean dinners have
started! Be sure to watch for future time and dates.
School
Lunch Menus May 23 - 27, 2011
PES Monday - Chicken noodle
bake, veggie, fruit, milk. Tuesday - Tuna roll, veggie, chips,
fruit, milk. Wednesday - Ravioli, veggie, fruit, milk.
Thursday - French toast, sausage, applesauce, oranges, milk.
Friday - Pizza, veggie, dessert, milk.
PMHS Monday - BBQ
pork on roll, green beans, fruit, milk. Tuesday - Chicken wrap,
cheese, veggies, fruit, milk. Wednesday - Pizza, corn, baked
dessert, fruit, milk. Thursday - Beef and gravy, potato,
veggies, fruit, milk. Friday - Cold sandwich, chips, fruit,
milk.
Pictured are Dave and Maddy Pollard, the latest major contributors
to the project at Pittsfield Youth Athletic Park. Thanks also go to
Jim Snedeker for removing the huge axle from the park, Kyle Wages
who helped pick up the trash along the old railroad bed next to the
park and Joe Darrah who moved all of the concrete blocks from the
parking lot to the upper field where the new dugouts are being
built."
VA
Partners With Easter Seals To Train Family
Caregivers Of Wounded
Warriors Submitted By Merrill A. Vaughan,
Vice Commander American
Legion Peterson-Cram Post 75
Pittsfield, NH 03263
The Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Easter Seals formally announced a
partnership to provide comprehensive Caregiver Training to Family
Caregivers of eligible post-9/11 Veterans as authorized by the
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010.
“We at VA are committed to providing the Family Caregivers who share
our sacred duty to care for those ‘who have borne the battle’ with
the best services available,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Eric K. Shinseki. “We are very pleased to partner with a renowned
organization such as Easter Seals in developing the best possible
training program for Family Caregivers. Throughout its long
history, Easter Seals has demonstrated its strong commitment to
supporting our Nation’s Military, Veterans and their families.”
“Easter Seals is proud to share our expertise and knowledge with
this important group of Family Caregivers, taking care of loved ones
who returned home with serious injuries after their post 9/11
service to our nation,” explained James E. Williams, Jr., president
and chief executive officer of Easter Seals. “We are honored to help
these Veterans and their families.”
Starting today, Family
Caregivers and Veterans can apply for services authorized under a VA
interim final rule that was published on May 5. Eligible
Family Caregivers of eligible post-9/11 Veterans will receive
comprehensive training developed by Easter Seals in collaboration
with VA clinical experts. It is part of a package of new
services that also include a monthly stipend, mental health services
and access to medical care under the Civilian Health and Medical
Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), if the
primary Family Caregiver is not entitled to care for services under
a health plan contract.
Easter Seals has been helping people with
disabilities and special needs, and their families, live better
lives for more than 90 years. From child development centers
to physical rehabilitation and job training for people with
disabilities, Easter Seals offers a variety of services to help
people address life’s challenges and achieve personal goals.
Family Caregivers of eligible post-9/11 Veterans will have a choice
of how to receive their training. Options will include
traditional classroom training, online learning or a correspondence
course. All Family Caregivers will be expected to complete training
as part of the preparation to start receiving other services under
the new program. The first training courses are expected to start in
June, and monthly stipends, which are backdated to the day
applications are formally submitted, could begin as early as July.
Veterans may download a copy of the Family Caregiver program
application at www.caregiver.va.gov. The application enables the Veteran
to designate a primary Family Caregiver and secondary Family
Caregivers.
Caregiver support coordinators are stationed at 153
VA medical centers and available by phone at 1-877-222 VETS (8387)
to assist Veterans and Family Caregivers with the application
process. Caregivers of Veterans from all eras are also encouraged to
use the website and support line to explore more than two dozen
other services VA provides Caregivers.
Easter Seals is a
non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism,
developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special
needs. For more than 90 years, it has been offering help to children
and adults living with disabilities and to the families who love
them. Through therapy, training, education and support services,
Easter Seals assists people with disabilities to live, learn, work
and play. If you would like more information on Easter Seals, visit
the Easter Seals website at
www.easterseals.com.
Josiah
Carpenter Library Volunteer Honored
Congratulations are in order
for Pittsfield resident Ruth Strickhart. Mrs. Strickhart has been
selected to receive the Joseph D. Vaughan Award, which is presented
annually by the State Committee on Aging and EngAGING NH, for
outstanding leadership or achievement as a volunteer on behalf of
older citizens in New Hampshire. Ten awards were presented to
representatives from each county. Mrs. Strickhart received the
award for Merrimack County. (photos courtesy of Eleanor Joyce)
Pittsfield Fiddle Contest Results Submitted By Paula Driscoll
On Friday, May 6, 2011, The Pittsfield Youth Workshop (PYW) held the
9th Annual Pittsfield Fiddle Contest and Silent Auction at the
Scenic Theatre. All proceeds from this event will benefit PYW’s
after school programs and activities.
In the Youth Division,
1st place was won by Reed Cullen of Washington; 2nd place by
Madeleine Stewart of Epsom; and 3rd place by Fiona Shea of Warner.
In the Adult Division, 1st place was won by Lorrie Wilkes of
Norwich VT; 2nd place by Teresa Wyman of Canterbury; and 3rd place
by Margareta Buczala of Dunbarton.
Other participants included
Camille and Micah Pollak of Laconia, Rylan Tuttle of Nottingham,
Charlotte Hardy of New Durham, Chris and Emily Garcia of Strafford,
Shelby and Audrey Smith of Lee, Quinn Griffith of Lee, Taylor Dupris
of Mont Vernon, Nick Heitmann of Amesbury MA, Pat Therrien of
Sanbornton, Miranda Perlupo of Pittsfield and Peter Yarensky of
Barrington.
PYW would like to thank all the participants and
volunteers for their support. A big thanks to our volunteer judges
Sylvia Miskoe, Burt Feintuch, and Audrey Danielson. Special thanks
to Wayne Summerford for coordinating the sound system for the
evening and to the Pittsfield Players for allowing us to use the
Scenic Theatre!
Grappone in the Community was also very generous
to lend us an employee, Amber Pianka, for the day. She helped with
the organizing, set-up before and clean-up after the Fiddle Contest
and Silent Auction.
During the Fiddle Contest, Amber awarded PYW
with a $500.00 cash donation from Grappone Automotive Group. Thanks!
We would also like to thank Kelly Chisholm, of Maximum
Results Realty, Nathan Wechsler & Co., The Pittsfield Clothes
Closet, Keeley Painting and Kentek for the prize money donations.
Additional support from Salty Dog Pottery, Heath’s Flower Shop,
Maxfield’s Hardware, Natural Choice Therapeutic Massage, NH Fisher
Cats, Angela McKinnon for Mary Kay, Danis Supermarket, Boston Red
Sox, Heather and Mike Piaseczny Metal Images, Pauline Wheeler,
William Mitchell, Epsom Curves, Julianne Gadoury, Cathy Thosell,
Corrections Creations, TC’s Service Center, Toy Box and Kids Korner,
Dawn Hamel for Avon, Michele Beauregard of The Innate In
You, Harris Family Furniture, Carolyn Davis, Concord Agway, Cheryl
Brown, Dominick’s Restaurant, Pam Disney, Chucksters, Massage
Therapy Services, Northeast Landscape, Northwood Naturals and
Jenness Farm for the donations toward PYW’s silent auction.
Beautifying Pittsfield
Spring has sprung! We, the
Beautification Committee, are back in full swing with great plans
for this new season.
New this year is the Garden Sponsorship
program. Sponsorship provides funds for maintaining select
gardens. Each garden will be marked with a sign, noting the
sponsor.
We would like to thank the following businesses: •
Barton Lumber; Intersection of Carroll and Depot Streets. • Globe
Manufacturing; Crescent St. and Lyford Hill Lot. • Men of Rotary;
Washington House Lot. • Women of Rotary; Tilton Hill and
Catamount Rd Lot. • Exit Realty; Aranosian Lot, Corner of
Catamount Rd. and Broadway.
We are fortunate to have local
businesses working with us. Dave, of Diamond Sign Design,
created the signs. Joe Darrah Enterprises contributed
equipment and many hours of manpower. Dan and Justin Schroth,
and Jeffrey Ames of StoneFences generously gave their time to
construct a beautiful granite wall around the perimeter of the
Crescent Street lot. They will also be building a small
stonewall around the Tilton Hill lot.
The Pittsfield Road Crew
was helpful in moving the large pieces of granite. R&C General
Contractors of Concord, and Fuzz Freese donated the granite for the
Crescent Street area.
In other news, Derek Hamilton of PMHS,
worked in conjunction with our Nicole Ward, on an Earth Day project,
in which local students donated their time, as part of their
Community Service requirement, to clean up Pittsfield.
For anyone
wishing to make a financial contribution to the Beautification
Committee, donation cans may be found at Jitters, Bell Brothers and
Jack’s Pizza. The Beautification Committee will be taking part
in the Town Wide Yard Sale on June 4th. Please contact Nancy Barto, 435-8843, regarding donating items for the yard sale.
Proceeds from the Donation Cans and Yard Sale are used to support
ongoing projects such as the Flower Barrels and the Flags displayed
on patriotic holidays.
Drake
Field Summer Recreation Program Will
Run Thanks To Generous
Donations
Many people have been asking if the Drake Field Summer Recreation
Program will be open for the children of Pittsfield this year and
the answer is YES. The program was one of the cuts that were
made in next year’s school budget. However, thanks to the
generous donations made by the Sanderson Trust Fund, Globe
Manufacturing Company, R.C. Foss, and the Rotary Club we will be
able to open for the 2011 summer.
So, if you are looking
for something fun, affordable and educational for your children to
do this summer, then we have the answer; the Drake Field Summer
Recreation Program.
Come join us for six weeks of fun.
We will begin on July 5, 2011 and run through August 11th. The
program is open Monday through Friday to Pittsfield students in
grades 1-8 for the 2011-2012 school year. The
program is free and consists of sports activities, arts and crafts,
children’s games, board games, field trips, water games, story time
and many other fun and educational activities.
This year’s
field trips will be Shaker Village, NH Children’s Museum, Pittsfield
Fire Station, NH Fire Academy in Concord, Pittsfield Police
Department, Liquid Water Planet, mini golf, Chuckie Cheese, Ellacoya
State Park, Pittsfield Post Office, Fun Spot, and the Town Pool.
Many of our trips are free and others have a small fee. Don’t
miss out on the fun. Be sure to sign up.
The Drake Field
Summer Recreation Program began in 1917 and has offered a safe, drug
free, fun and educational place for the youth of Pittsfield
ever since. Please take time to say thanks to those who have
donated to make this program possible for another year.
Look for papers to come home from school with your child or for more
information and registration forms please contact Mrs. Sawyer at
Pittsfield High School, 435-6701 x 1110.
Pictured is Dan Schroth and Jeffrey Ames placing granite around the
flower bed at the intersection of River Road, Crescent Street and
Lyford Hill. Thank you guys for helping to improve the appearance of
Pittsfield. As an aside, I feel great relief, Dan, about getting the
wall completed on time at Pittsfield Youth Athletic Park. I know you
would not go off and work on another project if you were not
absolutely sure that you could complete the park project by June 1.
Thanks Dan. And Jeff, keep him plugging away.
HAVE
YOU REGISTERED YOUR DOG(S)? They were due April 30th.
Please register now to avoid any late fees.
2011
Memorial Day Activities
On Thursday, May 26 at 9:00 am, the
American Legion Peterson-Cram Post 75 will be placing flags over our
departed comrades in Floral Park Cemetery. Anyone desiring to
help place flags over departed comrades, please contact Post 75 Vice
Commander Merrill Vaughan at 344-0264. On Sunday, May 29, 2011
we will begin our annual observance with church service to be
held this year at St Stephen’s Episcopal Church at 9:30 am. At
1 pm at the War Memorial in Dustin Park on Main Street, we will hold
our observance. Our guest speaker will be New Hampshire
District 17 State Senator, Jack Barnes. Questions can be
directed to Merrill Vaughan, Vice Commander at 435-5207 or 344-0264.
Sunrise
Farmer’s Market
Great news folks, Sunrise Farmer’s Market in
Pittsfield would like to announce that we are able to continue our
market. We appreciate all of the great responses from the
public when we recently asked for help in obtaining a more visible
location.
We thought the offer from Mr. and Mrs. Scott
Ward of Exit Reward Realty was the best fit for the market.
The office is located at 79 High Street and the market will be
setting up in their field right along River Road, off of 28.
We would like to thank the Wards for their generosity and their
drive to help the community.
In addition to the new
location, we are also changing the day and hours of operation.
Starting late June we will be open every Friday from 3-6. When
we have a date we will post it in the Suncook Sun.
We are
looking for new vendors, specifically vendors who have maple syrup,
honey, apples, and seedlings etc. We regret that we are not
looking for sellers of produce such as tomatoes and cukes and squash
at this time. At least for now we think we have that area
covered. So if you’re interested in joining our new
venture and think you may have something new to offer - then please
call Carl & AnneMarie Chapman at 435-5570 or email
[email protected].
Thank you to everyone who
offered us the use of their property, your generosity was
overwhelming. We would like to thank everyone who took the
time out of their day to call and offer suggestions, We hope you are
able to come and visit us at our new location.
Obituaries
Ralph
Carter Van Horn
At 86, Ralph Van Horn of 36-1 Concord Hill Road, Pittsfield, was not
a jack of all trades, but he was, without question, a master of
many. And whatever he did, his very dry, quick wit, underscored his
comments, so much so that you were usually still trying to figure
out the zing long after it whizzed by. All this, however, ended with
his death May 12th at Epsom HealthCare Center after a brief illness.
Some of Van Horn’s interests started as a youngster, continuing
until the day before he died, when he expressed concern that his
oldest daughter would not drive his car the way he would! Cars were
his first love. When he was 12, he wrote to car manufacturers for
their brochures, which he carefully saved all his life. As an adult,
he built miniature classic cars that children wanted to play with,
but were locked in a glass-fronted cabinet, sealed away in
perfection. All doors and rumble seats opened, and convertible roofs
worked; and not a car drove by in a royal processional on television
or in a film that he couldn’t identify.
Miniatures manifested
themselves in another way in Van Horn’s world. For 30 years, he
built 18th century dollhouse furniture, often improvising as needed.
In his talented hands, a greeting card with an Asian motif became a
three-sided room screen; a cabinet’s empty shelves were
suddenly filled with books treated to look leather-bound.
His
interest in dollhouse furniture arose from his longtime interest in
antiques, about which he was most knowledgeable. He assembled one of
the first collection of slides of Portsmouth, N.H. historical homes,
and lectured for years throughout the state about these houses,
their contexts and their architecture.
This avocation grew out
of his early fascination with English history and English country
homes. During leave from the U.S. Army Air Corps -- he was stationed
in England during World War II where he flew 30 missions over
Germany -- he would visit historic sites.
Always with a book in
hand, he read widely and constantly about the royal families of
Western Europe and the Romanoffs. As a source about the royals,
Renaissance or Egyptian art he was often a better reference than
Google, Wikipedia and Britannica. Mysteries were his other love.
After the war, he graduated from the Art Institute of Boston and
made tracks for New York City, where he worked for the Thomas
Strahan Co., and helped to develop the color chips we use today.
He married Maureen Fletcher (a Londoner), and they moved to
Pittsfield in 1952, where he managed the Pittsfield National Bank.
He later worked for Rich Plan of Northern New England, before
becoming Art Department chair at Merrimack Valley High School. He
also ran its vocational educational program and was Teacher of the
Year in 1974.
Van Horn’s interest in art was more than academic.
An accomplished silver craftsman, he practiced other art forms, too,
and framed art professionally.
He found particularly endearing
those with fur and four legs. Regardless of how small a brain, or
neurotic a personality, if it was his pet, that creature could do no
wrong.
In Pittsfield, he was a Rotary past president, and
served as a trustee and chair of the Board of Trustees of the Josiah
Carpenter Library for many years and was named Trustee of the Year
in 1995. He was 11-year president of the Pittsfield Historical
Society, and a Pittsfield Players charter member, appearing in
several productions.
For almost 30 years, Van Horn was primarily
a guide/interpreter at Canterbury Shaker Village; he so loved giving
tours. He was proud to have known Eldress Bertha Lindsay, Eldress
Gertrude Soule and Sister Ethel Hudson and their pets. His last
stint was infirmary tours, and he was known as Doc. He was
devoted to the Shakers, and it is fair to say that he himself was
much beloved by the other volunteers.
His last community
service was telling jokes. However bad or corny, his victims were
always up for his latest.
Born in Marlboro, MA, of Beatrice and
Jerome Van Horn, he was predeceased by his sister, Shyrley McIntyre
of Baton Rouge, LA. He leaves, his wife, Maureen; daughters and
sons-in-law, Christina Van Horn and Dana Milner of Albany, CA and
Erica Van Horn and Simon Cutts of Ballybeg, Ireland, and Stephanie
Van Horn and fiancé Roy Josselyn of Dover, NH; his brother-in-law,
Dr. John McIntyre; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
In lieu
of flowers, please donate to either the Concord-Merrimack County
SPCA, Penacook, NH 03303, or the Josiah Carpenter Library, Main
Street, Pittsfield, NH 03263.
The family invites friends to a
celebratory gathering Sunday, May 22, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Jitters
Café, Main Street, Pittsfield.
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