The Pittsfield Old Home Day Community Fair 9:00am to 3:00pm, Car
Show 9:00am to noon, and Parade (1:00pm) will be held on July 11th
. Do you belong to a community organization that would like to have
a FREE space in Dustin Park for the community fair? Crafters or
businesses can also reserve space in the park for $10.00.
Interested? Call Leslie Vogt at 435-7993.
The Old Home Day Theme is “Summer of Suess, Dr. Seuss That Is” If
you are planning to create a float for the parade please call Louie
Houle at 435-6938. Parade floats are a fun way to promote your
business or community organization!
The Friday Night Kayaking Club paddles every Friday night at 6 PM at
a different local site. On June 12 nearly a dozen kayaks explored
the Northwood Lake. To learn where you can join the group this
Friday, visit the group’s web site: huffnpuff.info. See you this
Friday!
LetterTo The Editor
I attended the selectmens meeting on June 2nd, and am disgusted with
the way our town is being MICRO-MANAGED!!!!
Starting with the Police Chief proposing the PARKING BAN, which I
think should have been brought to town meeting. Winter Parking Ban
was put into effect that way. I don’t see how we can change that.
It was not clearly put in any form that anyone understood in The
Suncook Sun. It mentioned about parking of some sort, but I don’t
believe to be out there for people to understand it, especially for
one week. HOW RIDICULOUS!!! If a selectman hadn’t been into
Jitters and mentioned it, I wouldn’t have known.
How could this have been changed, not voted on by the taxpayers?? Especially when it has included the Chief telling tenants it is up
to landlords to provide parking. What gives them the right to say
that, when there are many circumstances to consider? People know
that there is a parking ban from November through April, which has
never been fully enforced.
When the Chief started to speak to the board of selectmen, he stated
that he had talked to the owner of Jitters (ME) and owner of Molly’s
Tavern, stating that he was in complete support. Chief stated that
he has wanted to do this for a long time and it would be better for
businesses???? HOW??? Nobody is open from 12am to 5am, but there
would be special exceptions.
I think it was poorly advertised. Some people on the board and town
officials SOMETIMES think what they would like and not what is the
best for the taxpayers and great citizens of Pittsfield. The town
has recieved a bad rap and it isn’t fair when it’s due to the people
who are running it and wanting control. THINK OF TAX PAYERS....
PUT YOUR WANTS AND BELIEFS ASIDE.
Paul Rogers
Business Owner, and Taxpayer
Summer Food Service Program
The Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Inc. in
cooperation with local school districts and community organizations
is pleased to announce the sponsorship of the Summer Food Service
Program. Children, 18 years of age and younger, enrolled in the
programs listed below are eligible to receive free breakfast and
lunch.
Drake’s Field, Route 107 Barnstead Road, Pittsfield, NH 03263
June 30 – August 6, Monday - Thursday, 8:00-8:15 and 11:15-11:30.
Pittsfield Youth Workshop, 5 Park Street, Pittsfield, NH 03263
June 29 - August 21, Monday-Friday, 2:00-3:00.
Meals will be provided free of charge and regardless of race, color,
national origin, gender, age, or disability. USDA is an equal
opportunity employer and provider.
The Community Action Program of Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Inc. in
cooperation with the Concord Royal Gardens, Littleton Recreation
Department, and the Pittsfield Elementary School is pleased to
announce the sponsorship of the Summer Food Service Program. Any
children 18 years of age and under will be served free meals at the
following locations and times:
Pittsfield Elementary School, 34 Bow Street, Pittsfield, NH 03263,
July 6 - August 6, Monday-Thursday, 8:00-8:30 and 11:30-12:00.
Meals will be provided free of charge regardless of race, color,
national origin, gender, age, or disability. USDA is an equal
opportunity employer and provider.
Letter To The Editor
The American Legion Peterson-Cram Post 75 will be conducting a flag
disposal event on July 1, 2015 starting at 9:00 am.
Bring in your used, dirty U.S Flags into the BCEP and they will
store them in the back room for the event. The flag
disposal ceremony is the only way to properly dispose of the U.S.
Flag. The community is welcome to attend as well as Legion members.
As a concerned member of the Pittsfield Post, I am concerned that
ceremonies are becoming a thing of the past and it is through us,
the concerned members of the Post will keep these ceremonies active
and current. Come, join us for this ceremony. If you have any
questions, please contact me at 603-344-0264. If you are a Post 75
Legion member, make sure you wear your Legion Cap.
Sincerely,
Merrill A. Vaughan,
American Legion Peterson-Cram Post 75
VA Campaign Encourages Public To Help Raise PTSD Awareness
Submitted Via Merrill Vaughan
As the country recognizes Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Awareness Month, the VA National Center for PTSD (NCPTSD) is
inviting the public to participate in its “PTSD Awareness: June
2015” campaign, which began June 1. This year’s goal is to help more
Veterans, their families, caregivers and community members
understand what PTSD is and know that there are specific treatments
that can help improve and save lives.
“Raising PTSD awareness is essential to overcoming the myth,
misinformation and stigma that too often prevents Veterans from
seeking help,” said VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald. “VA is one of
the largest integrated mental health systems in the United States
that provides specialized treatment for PTSD, so we know that care
works. We encourage everyone to join us in this important effort to
share important information about PTSD and help Veterans receive
care they need.”
This year’s campaign focuses on online materials and encourages the
general public to “learn, connect, and share” to raise PTSD
awareness. Anyone can “learn” how PTSD treatment can help, “connect”
by reaching out to someone, and “share” what they learn by spreading
the word.
June 27 also has been designated by VA as PTSD
Awareness Day for the fourth consecutive year. For more information
on PTSD and the ways to raise awareness throughout the year,
professionals and members of the public can visit the National
Center for PTSD website,
www.ptsd.va.gov/about/PTSD-awareness/ .
This site offers resources such as:
PTSD Coach Online and the award-winning PTSD Coach mobile app, which
provide symptom-management strategies. The app is always with you
when you need it.
Continuing Education (CE) and continuing medical education (CME)
opportunities for providers, including PTSD 101 Courses, on the best
practices in PTSD treatment (CEs/CMEs offered).
AboutFace: An online video gallery of Veterans talking about PTSD
and how treatment can turn your life around.
Whiteboards: Short animated videos to learn about PTSD and effective
treatments.
Subscribe to the PTSD Monthly Update – Stay up to date on new
information about PTSD and trauma year round.
VA’S Treatment of PTSD
The health and well-being of the courageous men and women who have
served in uniform is the highest priority for VA.
VA is one of the largest integrated mental health systems in the
United States that provides specialized treatment for PTSD.
From October 1, 2001, to December 31, 2014, nearly 400,000 Operation
Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn Veterans
were seen for potential PTSD at VA facilities following their return
from these overseas deployments.
In fiscal year 2014, more than 535,000 of the nearly 6 million
Veterans who sought care at VA healthcare facilities received
treatment for PTSD.
As of September 2014, more than 5,900 VA mental health staff members
have received training in Prolonged Exposure and/or Cognitive
Processing Therapy, the most effective known therapies for PTSD.
About the National Center for PTSD
The National Center for PTSD is the center of excellence for
research and education on the prevention, understanding, and
treatment of PTSD. Its seven divisions across the country provide
expertise on all types of trauma - from natural disasters,
terrorism, violence and abuse, to combat exposure.
Although the Center provides no direct clinical care, its purpose is
to improve the well-being and understanding of individuals who have
experienced traumatic events, with a focus on American Veterans. The
Center conducts cutting edge research and applies the findings to
advance the science of traumatic stress and promote its
understanding.
Letter To The Editor
After reading the back-and-forth letters the past several weeks
regarding the firing of Pittsfield’s volunteer website committee,
one thing has become clear: our TA has acted in an unprofessional
manner unbecoming of any town official, let alone the administrator,
and in a manner which will needlessly cost the town money. His
letter in last week’s SUN (June 10) in response, far from addressing
those concerns was simply a pathetic and rather obvious attempt at a
cover-up.
As such, it is perhaps appropriate to call for his resignation at
this point, since both his honesty and ability to carry out his
duties are now in question.
Bruce Cobb
Pittsfield
Pittsfield Old Home Day
Please note - MAIN STREET (from corner by Citizen Bank to Elm
Street) will be closed on July 11 from 8:30am - after the parade.
Plans for Old Home Day are underway and being finalized. On
Saturday, July 11, be sure to come downtown and enjoy all the
activities and meet and greet your fellow citizens and neighbors. A
few of the highlights include:
Friday night, July 10 - The Pittsfield Players present the musical
group, “Rockin Daddios” at 7:30pm at the Scenic Theatre. Tickets
are $12 and will be available by calling 435-8852.
Saturday, July 11 - Breakfast will be served at the Park Street
Baptist Church from 7-10am
St. Stephen’s Church will have a BIG Silent Auction, baked goods and
Joe’s famous hot dogs
Community Fair at Dustin Park will begin at 9am. There will be
face painting, jump tent, free kids craft table, Photo “booth”, kids
games (Pie eating, water balloon toss, race, sack races and 3-legged
races) and music.
CAR SHOW on MAIN STREET from 9-noon. Bring your car - there will be
music and raffles!
Check out the Best Berry Pie Cookoff.
Jujubee, the Clown will be on site from 10:30-12:30pm twisting
balloons.
Little Red Wagon Theatre troupe will be performing “What’s All the
Com-Ocean” at 11:00 in Dustin Park
The Pittsfield Historical Society will be open - their headquarters
are located on Elm Street - if you have never stopped in, please do
so!
The KIDS BIKE PARADE will be held at 12:15pm - on Main Street.
The Big Parade will begin at 1pm and follow the same route as last
year. (if you’d like to enter a float or other entry please call
Louie Houle at 435-6938 to register). “Summer of Seuss, Dr. Seuss,
That is!” is the theme for the parade.
The F.B. Argue Rec Area will be open after the parade for a cookout
and swimming.
The DUCK RACE is back...........at 3pm at the boat launch at Drake
Field- tickets are $5 per Duck or 3 for $10. One prize for 1/2 the
money collected. 500 Ducks are waiting to be selected. Please call
Jay Darrah at 435-5272 for information or to purchase tickets.
Fireworks will end what we hope will be a great day at 9:15pm at
Drake Field!
Watch THE SUN,
town Website,
Pittsfield-nh.com and mypittsfield.com for a Full Schedule.
For more information or to volunteer to help that
day, please contact Louie Houle at 435-6938 or Andi Riel at 435-6346
or
[email protected].
Pittsfield Old Home Day - Annual Cook-Off
The Cook-Off for the Pittsfield Old Home Day this year is Best Berry
Pie. This event is sponsored by the Victory Workers 4-H
Club. Anyone and everyone is invited to submit their best Berry
(any kind of berry) Pie and bring it to the 4-H Booth at Dustin Park
by 9am on Sat, July 11. The winners will be selected by the public
by popular vote. Cash prizes will be awarded: 1st- $75; 2nd- $50,
and 3rd- $25. The first 10 cooks to call will be registered.
Please call Andi Riel at 435-6346 to register.
Adopt a Duck Race at Pittsfield Old Home Day
Adopt a Duck Race is back at Pittsfield Old Home Day. The event is
sponsored by and money raised for the PMHS Boys Basketball program.
$5 per Duck or 3 for $10. One prize for 1/2 the money collected.
500 Ducks are waiting to be selected. The Duck Race will be held
at the Barnstead Rd. bridge near the Boat Launch at Drake Field at
approximately 3pm on Saturday, July 11. Please call Jay Darrah at
435-5272 for information or to purchase tickets.
Pittsfield Elementary School Presidential Awards
Outstanding Academic Achievement: Emily Marrero, Rylee Hartford,
Noah Meader. Outstanding Academic Excellence: Harrison Hill, Ben
Stopyro, Amber Johnson, Caleb Stopyro.
Letter To The Editor
With all the confusion about “identity” today I’d like to share who
I really am, a sinner saved by grace. “If you confess with your
mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised
Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Now that I’m
reconciled to the Father through Jesus the Son, I am a new creature
in Christ, indwelt by His Holy Spirit! I am now empowered to:
• “put off the old man; put on the new man” (Ephesians 4:24)
• “walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)
• “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which [I] have been
called.” (Ephesians 4:1)
•“walk in love.” (Ephesians 5:2)
•“walk as [a child] of light.” (Ephesians 5:8)
•“walk in Him.” (Colossians 2:6)
•“walk in a manner worthy of God who calls [us].” (I Thessalonians
2:12)
•“walk in the same manner as [Jesus] walked.” (I John 2:6)
•“walk by the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:16)
This is my new identity in Christ!
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred,
contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions,
dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and
the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in
time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the
kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against
such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the
flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let
us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:19-25)
“This is my story; to God be the glory; I’m only a sinner, saved by
grace!” (James M. Gray)
In Him,
Linda Small
Freese Brothers Big Band Awards Scholarships
Bow, Concord, Hooksett, Loudon, Manchester student musicians
selected
The Freese Brothers Big Band has awarded scholarships that will
enable nine talented high school musicians to attend acclaimed
summer music programs. A tenth student received the annual Concord
High School Freese Brothers Scholarship to help defray college
costs.
This year’s scholarship recipients are:
Bow High School:
Gillian Martin of Bow. Gillian plays the clarinet in the Concert and
Jazz Bands and helps present music lessons to younger students. She
will attend UNH’s Summer Youth Music School.
Lina Patel of Hooksett. Lina plays the clarinet in the Concert and
Marching Bands. She will attend UNH’s Summer Youth Music School.
Emma Roberge of Bow. Emma plays the viola in the String Orchestra
and percussion and French Horn in school Concert Band. She will
attend UNH’s Summer Youth Music School.
Concord High School:
Sarah Aznive of Concord. Sarah plays the clarinet in the Marching
and Concert Band. She will attend UNH’s Summer Youth Music School.
Miranda Kaplan of Concord. Miranda plays the cello and clarinet in
the Marching and Concert Band and other musical organizations
including the New Hampshire Youth Wind Ensemble. She will attend
UNH’s Summer Youth Music School.
Nathan Pace of Concord. Nathan plays the violin in the Orchestra and
in other organizations, including the Boston Youth Symphony
Orchestra and NH Youth Symphony He will attend the Credo Summer
Chamber Music Program at Oberlin Conservatory in Oberlin, Ohio.
Lexie Perlow of Concord received the Concord High School Freese
Brothers Scholarship, awarded by the school and band to help defray
college expenses. Lexie was Drum Major and played the clarinet in
the Concert Band, Marching Band and Concert Choir. She will attend
St. Lawrence University.
Manchester Central High School:
Conor Powers of Manchester. Conor plays the trombone in the Concert
and Jazz Bands, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Trio, as well as with The
Manchester Community Music School. He will attend the Eastman School
of Music Summer Jazz Studies Program in Rochester, N.Y
Manchester West High School:
Sarah McCorkle of Hooksett. Sarah plays the tenor saxophone in the
Jazz Band and the clarinet in the Concert and Marching Bands and at
Manchester Community Music School. She will attend UNH’s Summer
Youth Music School.
Merrimack Valley High School:
Katheryn Campbell of Loudon. Katheryn plays the baritone saxophone
in the Concert Band, Marching Band and Jazz Band. She also sings in
the school choir. She will attend UNH’s Summer Youth Music School.
The Freese Brothers Big Band has been keeping the sounds of swing
and classic Big Band music alive since 1982. Formed by brothers
Jack, Bill, George and Courtland Freese, the band performs
throughout Northern New England. Members volunteer their talent and
donate band performance fees to the Freese Brothers Big Band
Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund has awarded more than $53,000 in
scholarships to enable talented young musicians to enhance their
musical ability.
The band welcomes tax deductible contributions in
care of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, 37 Pleasant Street,
Concord, N.H. 03301. For information, go to
www.freesebrothersbigband.com.
VA Expands Disability Benefits For Air Force Personnel Exposed To
Contaminated C-123 Aircraft
Submitted Via Merrill Vaughan
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today published
a new regulation that expands eligibility for some benefits for a
select group of Air Force Veterans and Air Force Reserve personnel
who were exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange through regular and
repeated contact with contaminated C-123 aircraft that had been used
in Vietnam as part of Operation Ranch Hand (ORH).
VA published this regulation as an interim final rule so that it
could immediately begin providing benefits to eligible Air Force
veterans and Air Force Reserve personnel who submit a disability
compensation claim for any of the 14 medical conditions that have
been determined by VA to be related to exposure to Agent Orange.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald made the decision
to expand benefits following receipt of a 2015 report by the
National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine (IOM) on
Post-Vietnam Dioxin Exposure in Agent Orange-Contaminated C-123
Aircraft. This VA-requested report found evidence that as many as
1,500 to 2,100 Air Force and Air Force Reserve personnel who served
as flight, medical and ground maintenance crew members on ORH C-123
aircraft previously used to spray Agent Orange in Vietnam were
exposed to the herbicide.
“Opening up eligibility for this deserving group of Air Force
veterans and reservists is the right thing to do,” said Secretary
McDonald. “We thank the IOM for its thorough review that provided
the supporting evidence needed to ensure we can now fully compensate
any former crew member who develops an Agent Orange-related
disability.”
Under this new rule, Air Force and Air Force Reserve flight, medical
and ground maintenance crewmembers who served on the contaminated
ORH C-123s are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides during
their service, thus making it easier for them to establish
entitlement for some VA benefits if they develop an Agent
Orange-related presumptive condition. In addition, for affected Air
Force Reserve crew members, VA will presume that their Agent
Orange-related condition had its onset during their Reserve
training. This change ensures that these reservists are eligible for
VA disability compensation and medical care for any Agent
Orange-related presumptive condition, and that their surviving
dependents are eligible for dependency and indemnity compensation
and burial benefits.
The interim final rule can be found on the Federal
Register:
www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection.
VA will immediately begin processing claims and issuing benefits to
eligible Air Force crew members.
VA encourages reservists who were assigned to flight,
ground or medical crew duties at Lockbourne/Rickenbacker Air Force
Base in Ohio (906 th and 907 th Tactical Air Groups or 355 th and
356 th Tactical Airlift Squadron), Westover Air Force Base in
Massachusetts (731 st Tactical Air Squadron and 74 th Aeromedical
Evacuation Squadron) or Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, International
Airport ( 758 th Airlift Squadron) during the period 1969 to 1986,
and developed an Agent Orange-related disability to file a
disability compensation claim online through the joint VA-Department
of Defense web portal, eBenefits (
https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/).
VA also has identified several active duty locations
where ORH C-123 aircraft may have been used following their service
in Vietnam. Active duty personnel who served in a regular USAF unit
location where a contaminated C-123 was assigned and who had regular
and repeated contact with the aircraft through flight, ground or
medical duties during the period 1969 to 1986, and who develop an
Agent Orange-related disability, also are encouraged to apply for
benefits. For more information on applying for these benefits,
including the affected units, Air Force Specialty Codes and dates of
service for affected crew members, and a listing of Agent
Orange-related conditions, visit
www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/claims-postservice-agent_orange.asp.
In order to avoid unnecessary delay of benefits, claimants should
annotate “(C-123)” after each Agent Orange related disability in
Part II, Block 14 of VA Form 21-526 or Section I, Block 11 of VA
Form VA Form 21-526EZ when filing on eBenefits. Example: Diabetes
(C-123). If claimants have any of the following documents, they
should be attached to their application:
Discharge, separation papers, (DD214 or equivalent)
USAF Form 2096 (unit where assigned at the time of the training
action)
USAF Form 5 (aircraft flight duties)
USAF Form 781 (aircraft maintenance duties)
Dependency records (marriage & children’s birth certificates)
Medical evidence (doctor & hospital reports)
VA will process all claims related to C-123 exposure at the St.
Paul, Minnesota, VA Regional Office. Claims not filed through
eBenefits should be mailed to the following address (or faxed to
608-373-6694):
Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
Attention: C123 Claims
PO Box 5088
Janesville, WI 53547-5088
Individuals with specific benefit questions related
to herbicide exposure on C-123s may call VA’s special C-123 Hotline
at 1-800-749-8387 (available 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. EST) or e-mail
[email protected].
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