Dorcas Guild
The November meeting of the Dorcas Guild
of the First Congregational of Pittsfield began with a welcome by
President Nancy Fogg. Diane Vaughan began devotions by reading from
a “Friendship Booklet” filled with sayings about friendship, among
them “Friendship Is a Gift from God.” All joined in “The Lord’s
Prayer.” She also passed around some cards for signing.
The October 2015 minutes were approved as
written, as was the treasurer’s report. The food basket brought by
Reny Boyd went to Evelyn Richard and will go to Nancy in January.
The mystery package brought by Bev Murdough was won by Mary Jo
Powelson to bring in January.
Nancy spoke about the 2015 project – the
Spirit of Giving for Concord Hospital. She will take any remaining
items to the point of contact. Paul Corriveau updated the group on
the Community Action Program (CAP) and how we may consider it again
in 2016.
Last month’s approval of a donation for a
new refrigerator was recently realized as it had been delivered and
installed in the kitchen. Gailann Newton reviewed the fair luncheon
with items still needed. Nancy updated the list of workers and
floaters for the fair. Nella gave an update and requirements for the
December 5 Craft Fair.
Nancy passed around a sign-up sheet for
hostesses for the 2016 program guide. Nella will complete the guide
for the January 2016 meeting. A nominating committee for officers
for the new year was requested with Gailann and Linda Towle
responding. The Collation Committee will remain with the same
members with Elaine Coffey taking the lead. The issue of new
tablecloths was raised; we will purchase the required new
tablecloths.
Delicious refreshments provided by Linda
and Diane consisted of pumpkin ribbon bread, warm apples and ice
cream and cider. Donations of socks for the homeless and refugees
were collected.
Next month’s meeting, December 8 at 6 pm,
will be our Christmas Party Pot Luck and Gift Exchange ($10).
Hostesses are: Peggy Jacobs, Reny and Nancy. Wednesday meetings will
be suspended until February 2016.
Life Moves On
(And Other Earls of Wisdom)
By Sandy the Earle of
Wingate
Last time’s Selectboard meeting (never
select-bored) was as fun as a barrel of monkeys. Now, that was a
phrase my mother used, way back. I never thought about it much, but
when I did, I wondered: What would monkeys do in a barrel that would
be so fun? And why would this author even bother to say it? Why is
the sky blue?
So the meeting considered the curfew issue. Faithful readers will
remember when the Board got all flacked up when it seemingly denied
the PeeCeeDeeCee’s charitable exemption in the face of a Town vote
to give it to them, because after Town meeting our assessor, with
new information, said they didn’t qualify. This curfew deal is up
for discussion because the AyCeeElYoo wrote us (and 3 other towns)
to say our curfew was uncontrovertibly unconstitutional. When we
first got the letter in September, the Board said not to answer it,
let’s see what happens. Well, what happened was that a whole lot of
lawyers in other “target” towns went into overdrive (like throwing
money down a well) and poof! Franklin, Somersworth and Belmont threw
in the towel before the fight even began. Our Selectboard, mindful
of the Town mandate (Town meeting 2006, for you history buffs), said
hold off. So I talked with the AyCeeElYoo lawyer, lawyer to lawyer,
and lawyerly we agreed to no lawsuit until the Town decides to
either keep it or not, with no curfew enforcement til then.
What’s to decide? IMHO, how much to pay for the litigation, that’s
what. Me, my taxes are high enough. I don’t want to pay for
litigation (money down a, well-).
Speaking of TAXE$, that’s been the Topic
Du Jour. (French. Not to be too political, but I support the French.
Nous sommes tout Francais, maintenant.) I mean, there’s been a
steady stream of people calling/stopping by (I was going to say
b****ing but I won’t because frankly, they have every right to
complain). So listen up! Here’s what you have to do: Abatement!
There’s an application Form – we have them here at Town Hall – or
you can go on line and 21st Century it (15 years down, 85 to go):
Board of Tax and Land Appeals. You can read the law, RSA 76:16 (same
21st Century internet google whatevah). Deadline: March 1. Just
sayin’ it ain’t fair ain’t gonna cut it! Form has “A section
requiring the applicant to state with specificity the reasons
supporting the abatement request…”. There’s other stuff too, so read
it - see you before March 1!
The Selectboard completed its budget
review last meetin, earliest in recent memory. The Budget Committee
got it hot off the press the next night for their first meeting, and
sank their teeth and claws right into it. We don’t get a direct say
in all the money we ship off to Washington to be wasted. We don’t
have a much of a direct say in the money we shovel into the furnace
in Concord. But we do have a direct say, during Town Meeting, about
exactly what we will spend here (and School Meetin for the youngun’s
skoolin’). I’d ask that you keep in mind what effort goes into
producing our budget. If you have questions about any of it, ask.
Ask now!
Finally, news about a Town + School
partnership, and the work of the Town Administrator. Thanks to a
grant secured by Cara Marston, we will now have a school resource
officer in our schools. Officer John Webber starts December 1.
Pittsfield now joins the majority of New Hampshire communities in
having an on-site officer. For many and varied reasons, this is way
cool.
Christmas
Carol Sing-along
Do you have a favorite Christmas carol?
Well, there’s a good chance it is among those featured at First
Congregational’s Christmas sing-along. “Caroling, Caroling,” is set
for Friday, December 11, 7-8 p.m. at the First Congregational
Church, 24 Main Street, Pittsfield. It will include a variety of old
favorite Christmas carols – with the original words – to listen to
or to sing along. Light refreshments and fellowship will follow. Be
sure to mark your calendar for this free enjoyable Christmas season
event for all ages. There is parking and a wheelchair accessible
entrance at rear of church at Chestnut Street. For more information
call the church office at 435-7471.
Josiah Carpenter Library
December Library Events
Join us for a special “New England Christmas” at the Chichester
Grange Hall on December 5th at 1:00 pm, a jointly sponsored program
Josiah Teen Book Worms Discussing “Gabriel Finley and the
Raven’s Riddle” by George Hagen (and writing riddles) on Thursday
December 3rd between 7-8:30 pm at the
library
Preschool story hour December 3rd, 10th,
17th Thursdays 10:00 am – 11:00 am. December themes are winter,
snowmen and wreaths. Join Mrs. Grainger for a fun filled hour of
stories, crafts and a snack. Ages 2 – 5 Read Meet & Talk Join us for
an exciting book discussion on “The Boys and the Boat” by Daniel
James Brown at the Pittsfield Senior Community Center Tuesday
December 8th at 10:30. Stay for a leisurely lunch afterward.
December 16th Outreach program to
Blueberry Express 10:00-11:00 December 17th Registered parents
participating in the 1,000 before Kindergarten program to pick up
their book bags, notebooks and free books at the library.
Wednesday afterschool Holiday Craft program, December 9th and 16th -
(Tapetricity holiday cards and ornaments) Ages Kindergarten through
5th grade
Library Board of Trustees Meeting Tuesday, December 15th, 2015, 7 pm
Pittsfield Writer’s Circle Christmas Tea Thursday, December 17th
at 7 pm at the library featuring Christmas stories Closed at 5:00 pm
on December 24th in observance of Christmas Eve Closed on Friday
December 25th and Saturday December 26th in observance of the
Christmas holiday Josiah Carpenter Library, 41 Main Street,
Pittsfield, NH 03263 (603)435-8406
www.josiahcarpenterlibrary.org
Josiah Carpenter Library Launches 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Program
Submitted by Beverly Pietlicki, Director
Josiah Carpenter
Library is proud to announce a new program aimed at supporting
parents achieve early literacy goals for children under the age of
five. This program is a state wide initiative sponsored by
Children’s Library Services, the New Hampshire State Library, and is
supported by the Center for the Book at the NH State Library, the NH
Academy of Family Physicians, and NH Family Voices. The
Friends of the Josiah Carpenter Library have purchased book
bags and notebooks to give to parents who register for the program.
What does a parent need to do in order to register and participate
in this program? Registrations are available at the
library and at Blueberry Express. They are easy to fill out and ask
a parent how many books they are willing to read to or with
their child before he or she enters kindergarten. Children
love to snuggle with their parents to watch television or play video
games, but it is just as important that parents read with their
child. Children who are read to by their parents before entering
kindergarten are more confident learners when they begin their
journey into formal educational environments.
For every 100 books read by a parent with their child, they are
acknowledged by the library. This could result in 10 recognitions
once 1,000 books have been completed. The library will help
parents pick out appropriate books for reading, help track the
number of books read and support parents in reaching their
individual goals. Reading the same book twice counts as two
books because repetitive reading has also proven to help children
begin to learn word patterns and recognition. Many children
ask to be read to and once they begin to feel comfortable with a
reading habit, say in the evening before bed, they learn to expect a
routine and often ask for more books on a familiar topic.
Consider giving your child a head start by participating in this
unique opportunity to create an important bond with your child
before they enter into kindergarten. Your town library is here to
help you make difference. Registration is open until all bags have
been claimed. For further information please visit the
Children’s Library Services webpage at:
http://chilis.nhlibrarians.org/nh-1000-books-before-kindergarten/
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