SPECIAL NOTICE
The Clothes Closet will have reduced winter hours: February
25th-through March 29th. Open Tues, Wed, Sat: 10:00-1:00.
Play Ball!
Pittsfield Youth Sports would like to announce softball and baseball
signups for girls and boys aged 4-18. Signups will be held in the
Pittsfield Community Center on Wednesday, March 5 (5:30 p.m. – 8:00
p.m.), Saturday, March 8 (9:00 am – 12:00 p.m.), and Tuesday, March
11 (5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.).
If your child is new to the program, please bring a copy of his/her
birth certificate to signups. If you have questions, please contact
Jesse MacGlashing at 724-7528.
Local Master Floral Designer Bill Boudreau has accepted a design
position at D. Mcleod Florist of Concord, NH. Bill specializes in
wedding and special events. He will be available for consultation
Monday, Thursday and Fridays.
American Legion Loudon Post 88
Respectively Submitted By Cmdr Shawn Jones
Since my last article I was able to attend the American Legion’s mid
winter conference held at Post 7 in Rochester. It was well attended
by the Legion Family consisting of the American Legion, Sons,
Auxiliary and Riders.
Candidates for up coming Department Officer elections where
announced.
Membership and participation in Legion events was discussed along
with a variety of other topics.
I attend the annual AL Senior Oratorical Contest held at Saint
Anselm’s College in Manchester on February 8th. I was amazed by the
quality of this year’s students from around the state who spoke on
the US Constitution and the 4th Amendment. The top prize winner will
go on to Indianapolis to compete at the national level with students
from around the country. Your Department of the American Legion
provides an all expense paid trip for the student and one chaperone.
Students on the national stage compete for a large sum of prize
money to help further their education. Both the Legion’s oratorical
contests and Boys State/Girls State programs help our young people
by providing a better understanding of our form of government. These
programs also assist in building up our future leaders. I hope to
work with members in the post and faculty at Merrimack Valley
Middle and High Schools to identify potential students for future
Jr. and Sr. Oratorical contests as well as the week long Boys State
program held at Saint A’s. If any parent or school official wants to
learn more about these programs please get into touch with me for
more information. The Legion sends out a packet of information to
our area schools announcing the competitions.
We have reached our 100% membership goal of 61 members. We will be
turning in some recently received 2014 renewal notices by the end of
the month that should put us over 100%. Our all time high for
membership was 87 members. I sure would like to reach that number
again. I know there are eligible veterans in the town of Loudon and
surrounding communities who I would like to talk with about joining.
I thank all post 88 members for their timely payments that helped
get us to the 100 percent mark so quickly. Now my wish is to have
some more of our membership come to your monthly meetings.
On February 22nd I’m planning on attending Department LEAD Training
with the Veteran’s Home in Tilton being our hosts for this 8 hour
training. Instructors from National will be presenting four 2 hour
training modules to help post leadership. This training is open to
any member of the Legion family. I’m looking forward to this
training and am hoping to leave the training with something that I
can use to help our post prosper.
Please consider attending an up coming meeting and getting involved
with your post. At the February 19th meeting we are expecting a
visit from Department Vice Commander Deb Demers and in April
Department Commander Maurice Anderson will be coming for our post
installation of the 2014-2015 officers. In addition District 5
Commander Gerard LeDuc and his leadership team will be in
attendance. I hope for a great turn out in April. In my four years
of belonging to Post 88 I can not recall our post being visited by
the Department Commander or a Vice Commander. Our March meeting will
be held on the 19th at 7 PM. This is the same night as the Loudon
Police Department’s DARE Pizza night. I hope many Legion members
will attend this worth while fund rasing event for the DARE Program
and then come down to our meeting at Charlie’s Barn. Closing of post
officer candidate announcements will take place at this meeting.
Potter Kit Cornell Art Residency
At Pittsfield Middle High School
Pittsfield Middle High School has received a grant through New
Hampshire Charitable Foundation and Globe Manufacturing of
Pittsfield, New Hampshire to support an artist residency this
spring.
Potter Kit Cornell of Exeter, New Hampshire will spend 5 days at
PMHS working with students on pottery skills.
Ms. Cornell is a professional potter making functional pieces in
both stoneware and porcelain from her studio in Exeter. Her work is
appreciated and shown both here and abroad. Her forms are simple and
her glazes complex, resulting from study of many cultures and
traditions.
Her interests include using local resources, exploring clay as
historical record, and ensuring the relevance of art in daily life.
Art gives life meaning. Kit’s commitment to art education in general
and clay education in particular may be seen in the sharing of her
studio with apprentices and students, traveling to far corners of
the state to teach, and presenting at workshops and conferences.
Imaginations may be kindled, respect for the planet strengthened,
processes taught, and skills relevant to many areas of life acquired
by working in clay.
Organizational affiliations include the League of NH Craftsmen, New
Hampshire Potters Guild, Exeter Art Association, and the Seacoast
Growers Association’s Portsmouth Farmer’s Market. She has most
recently been working with students at the Spaulding Youth Center in
Tilton. Joining Ms. Cornell at PMHS will be her studio assistant
Zack Whitehouse, a masters of education graduate student from UNH.
“Meet Our Members” – Lt. Gary Mullen
Next up in Pittsfield Fire Department’s “Meet Our Members”
series is Lt. Gary Mullen. A lifelong resident of Pittsfield, Lt.
Mullen has been a member for 23 years. He was promoted to the
position of Lieutenant in 2008. He also serves on the School Board
and is a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Q: Why did you become a firefighter?
A: I saw a flyer on how to serve our community, so I went down to
the station and did the paperwork to become member. This was my way
of helping the town I live in. I always wanted to help others, so I
joined the fire department.
Q: How has the department changed over the years?
A: The department has changed in many ways. The way we
do our jobs has changed the most. There are more man-made things
today so fires get hotter. The firesuits are better now, so the
firefighters can be better protected and advance further into the
fire scene. The controls on the trucks have changed from levers to
pull for water to buttons to push for the water.
Q: Would you encourage your 9-year-old son to become a firefighter?
A: I would encourage Garrett to be a firefighter. He loves the fire
department, so I’d want him to join, but I’ve told him he can be
anything he wants to be when he grows up. Helping the town you live
in is the best reason why I would encourage him to be a firefighter.
Pittsfield Wastewater Treatment Plant
Recognized For Excellence
The Pittsfield Wastewater Treatment Plant was recently selected by
EPA for a 2013 Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Excellence Award.
The Pittsfield Wastewater Treatment Plant staff, led by
Superintendent Ron Vien, was recognized by EPA’s New England Office
for exceptional work in operating and maintaining the wastewater
treatment plant. The plant was one of two facilities in New England
acknowledged for exemplary performance during 2013.
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services was
instrumental in nominating this facility. In addition, the plant has
been provided with outstanding support from the Town of Pittsfield
over the years.
“The professionals operating these wastewater treatment plants, as
well as the municipalities and the state environmental agencies that
support them, are essential to keeping our environment healthy by
protecting water quality. EPA is proud to give them the credit they
deserve,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New
England Office.
The EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Excellence Award was
established to recognize and honor the employees of publicly owned
wastewater treatment plants for its commitment to improving water
quality with outstanding plant operations and maintenance. More
often than not, and particularly with the smaller facilities,
conscientious operators and staff continue to perform exceptionally
with limited resources.
“Meet Our Members” – Bob Legg
Next up in Pittsfield Fire Department’s “Meet Our Members”
series is Bob Legg. Bob joined the Support Company in 2009 and
serves as our photographer.
Q: How did you become involved with the fire department?
A: When I moved to Pittsfield in 2002, I spent some of my
days/evenings listening to calls on my scanner. I also happen to be
a photographer and enjoy taking pictures of the local scenery,
buildings, and events. The images from a tragic fire in June 2009
compelled me to share my photographs with the PFD for training and
historical purposes. Impressed by my work, the PFD asked me to join
its Support Company with the idea that my photos could benefit the
department and residents of Pittsfield. I agreed, and have been
part of the Support Company as PFD’s photographer ever since.
Q: The subject matter you photograph for the fire department is
quite varied. What are some of the subjects?
A: As part of the Support Company, I have had varied photographic
experiences. I have photographed numerous structure fires in town as
well as several instances in which PFD provided mutual aid to
neighboring towns. PFD frequently attends motor vehicle accidents
and resulting DHART Med Flights, which I have also documented with
my camera. I also took pictures of the Suncook River flooding a few
years back. Not all of my work, however, is tied to emergency
situations. I have also photographed PFD equipment, the station
house, training exercises, dress uniforms, awards ceremonies, and
holiday celebrations (such as Veteran’s Day). Since 2007, I have
also been photographing Santa’s visit during the annual Pittsfield
tree lighting.
Besides taking pictures for PFD, I use my photography to support the
community in other ways. In 2007, I joined the Pittsfield Website
Committee as the “unofficial” town photographer. As part
of my responsibilities for the committee, I take photos and produce
videos of scenic Pittsfield and events like Old Home Day and the
Balloon Festival. I also photograph for local organizations, such
as the Chamber of Commerce, Pittsfield Economic Development
Committee, Pittsfield Select Board, Pittsfield School Board, and
Pittsfield Listens.
Q: What is your background in firefighting?
A: My first experience in firefighting came in 1966 when I joined
the University of Massachusetts at Amherst’s student fire
department. Not only was I a firefighter, but also a
pump operator, which meant that I dealt with the University’s aging
1932 Maxim Pumper (no laughing!). College summers were spent as a
forest and park ranger on Cape Cod where there were substantial
forest fires. I also worked as a photographer with the fire and
police departments in and around Derry, New Hampshire for over 10
years.
Q: How can members of the community access your photos?
A: I uploaded most of the photographs on Pittsfield
to the town website:
www.pittsfield-nh.com. My professional
website at
www.bobleggphoto.com and photo albums at
http://jalbum.net/en/users/boblegg/albums
also contain thousands of photographs.
[The Pittsfield Fire Department and Pittsfield Firefighters
Association would like to thank Bob for the service he provides and
capturing the images we’d like to preserve.]
Loudon Center Freewill Baptist Church
Caregiver’s Support group the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 6
pm at the church.
Bible Study every other Saturday morning with potluck breakfast.
(Call Rev. Overall at 875-5822 for dates/location)
Monday, March 3, 2014 is a public presentation at 7 pm by CareNet
Pregnancy Center of Concord. Please mark your calendars and invite
your family and friends. Refreshments provided. A freewill love
offering will be collected for the CareNet Pregnancy Center of
Concord.
Saturday, March 15 join us for our monthly potluck supper at 6 pm
followed by a concert by the Dump Run Gang Band from Gilmanton. A
freewill love offering will be collected.
Monday, March 17, 2014 please join us for a presentation on how to
help the homeless at 7 pm. Refreshments provided.
Please call Rev. Linda Overall at 603.875.5822 for more information
on all of our events/studies
Please join us Sunday mornings at 9:30, we would love to see you!
Ash Wednesday Services
The First Congregational Church, 24 Main Street, Pittsfield,
observes the beginning of Lent with an Ash Wednesday service, March
5, 7 p.m. As part of the service, there will be a time of prayer and
reflection, the imposition of ashes and Holy Communion. The Rev.
David Stasiak will lead the service with the addition of special
music by the Chancel Choir and JuBellation Handbell Choir. Everyone
is welcome to attend.
Lent is the beginning of the 40-day season of repentance and
preparation for the remembrance of the passion, death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ. It culminates on Easter Sunday, April
20.
Dorcas Guild
The February 11 meeting of the Dorcas Guild began with a welcome to
the members by President Nancy Fogg. Sisters Corine Miller and
Carolyn Davis offered love-themed devotionals with scriptures from
the Old and New Testaments. All joined in “The Lord’s Prayer.”
Joan Riel read several pieces of correspondence and passed around
cards for signing. Nella Hobson read the minutes of the previous
meeting as well as the treasurer’s report, which were both accepted.
The food basket from Nancy will go to Gail Ann Newton in March,
Leslie Vogt in April and Elaine Coffey in May. Nella has the
traveling apron, which will be brought back in March. The mystery
package furnished by Diane Vaughan was won by Nella.
Vice-president Mary Jo Powelson offered thanks to the group for the
donations brought to the meeting for the Infant-Toddler Diaper
Pantry.
Discussions included possible sponsorship of “Doctors Without
Borders” and the “Wounded Warrior” programs. The group also
discussed “Touch Quilts,” knit shawls or blankets for seniors or
shut-ins.
Planning for the 2014 Christmas and Craft Fairs has begun with
Nancy, Nella, Joan and Bev Murdough starting the prep work. The Work
Group is again meeting Wednesdays, 10 -2.
The Dorcas Guild will host the Sunday Fellowship Hour the Sundays
following their evening meetings. Guild members were encouraged to
save special box tops for education.
The group enjoyed delicious banana splits with homemade ice cream
and a great variety of toppings and sauces provided by hostesses
Corine and Carolyn. The next meeting will be held March 11 at 7 pm.
Pittsfield Fire Department Service News
January 2014
During the month of January 63 calls for emergency service were
received. Fire and EMS personnel responded to: 41 Medical
emergencies, 1 Structure fire, 1 Motor Vehicle collision, 6 Fire
Alarm activations, 8 Service calls, 3 Good intent calls and 3 Carbon
monoxide incidents. 6 of the calls were overlapping calls. 2 Mutual
aid responses were provided to other communities and 6 were received
from other communities. 6 Permits to Kindle a Fire were written.
Training topics for the month of January were: Ambulance 2
Familiarization with the Representative from Dealership and Ice
water Rescue training.
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the Fire
Department or to learn more about the Department, please stop by the
station or call 435-6807.
SAFETY REMINDER: SLOW DOWN when driving in winter weather.
Letter
Dear Pittsfield Voters,
The Pittsfield Planning Board has recommended six zoning ordinance
amendments for the March 11 ballot – Articles 2 – 7. Amendments to
the zoning ordinance are constantly required for many reasons and
can only be done by ballot vote. It’s crucial for the voters to
understand these amendments and their importance to the town. Full
text can be found at the town hall and website.
Amendments 1, 2, 4, and 5 are basic housekeeping to improve the
zoning ordinance’s clarity, organization, and agreement with state
law. Amendments 3 and 6 are regulatory changes to benefit the town.
Amendments 1, 2, and 3 are requests from other town agencies.
Amendment 1 will replace the town’s vague definition of
“agriculture” with the state’s robust definition. The zoning board
requested this amendment.
Amendment 2 will eliminate obsolete building codes and regulations
for manufactured housing and will improve the readability of the
remaining regulations for manufactured housing. The building
inspector requested this amendment.
Amendment 3 will convert the zoning board from a board appointed by
the selectmen to a board elected by town voters. The zoning board
itself requested this amendment.
Amendment 4 will revise certain powers and procedures of the zoning
board to agree with state requirements.
Amendment 5 will revise certain administrative matters to agree with
state requirements.
Amendment 6 will waive parking requirements for nonresidential uses
in the downtown Commercial District. Experience with the downtown
and discussion at the town’s all-boards meeting of last October
prompted the planning board to propose this amendment.
These six amendments will eliminate needless, vague, or confusing
regulations. They will serve public interests, empower voters, and
make land-use regulation more consistent for all property owners.
Please vote YES for these six amendments on March 11.
Thank you,
The Pittsfield Planning Board
Sail Into Spring Luncheon
Special Feature: Carefree Cruises & More with Kristi Lacroix
Inspirational Speaker: Stephanie Pike, “A Light In The Darkness.”
Thursday, March 13th, 2014 • 11:3O - 1:3O
$18.00 Inclusive
Red Blazer Restaurant • 72 Manchester St, Concord, TH • 224-4101
Reservations by March 10th • Cancellations are required. Call Wendy
485-7446 or Barbara 798-5976
Sponsoredby: Concord Christian’s Women’s Connection & Stonecroft
Ministries (non-profit)
www.Stonecroft.org
Obituaries
Peter Joyce
Peter Joyce, 57, of 14 Main St., died January 29th at home following
a sudden illness. He was born in Concord, the son of Alfred and
Phyllis (Mitchell) Joyce. He was employed for many years at the Blue
Seal Feeds store in Bow. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed hunting
with his friends. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor (Maguire)
Joyce and four daughters, Amy Joyce Cooper of Summerville, SC;
Amanda Maguire of Manchester, Kelly Wood of Shepard, TX; and
Jennifer Joyce of Pittsfield. Three Grandsons, Nicholas Cooper,
Alex Cooper and Ruben Wood. Two brothers, Alfred Joyce of
Taylorsville, UT and Philip Joyce of Pittsfield. Aunts, uncles,
nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Services in the Pineground Cemetery, Chichester will be scheduled in
the spring. The Perkins & Pollard Memorial Home is assisting with
arrangements. To sign an on line guest book, log on to
www.perkinsandpollard.com
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