Josiah Carpenter Library presents: Our
first library art exhibit featuring the ink drawings of local
resident, Gene Matras.
This exhibit will run through May 8th at
Josiah Carpenter Library, 41 Main Street, Pittsfield, NH 03623 (603)
435-8406.
Letter
Dear Pittsfield Voters,
Thank you for granting me the privilege of
serving for three more years on the planning board.
Thank you for approving the planning
board’s four zoning amendments. These amendments have clarified many
zoning rules. The clarifications will empower property owners who
must appear before the zoning board of adjustment and will help
voters in evaluating the zoning board of adjustment’s performance.
Thank you to all of the other candidates
for serving the town and for giving the voters so many good choices.
Thank you to the thoughtful citizens who
brought food--doughnuts, cookies, and pizza--to make the long day’s
wait a little shorter for the candidates who were standing in front
of the town hall.
Jim Pritchard
Upcoming
Lenten And Easter Services
First Congregational Church, 24 Main
Street, Pittsfield, will hold its Palm Sunday Service at 10 a.m.
this coming Sunday, March 20. Palms will be distributed.
A special Maundy Thursday worship service
including Holy Communion, commemorating the “Last Supper” of Jesus,
will be held Thursday, March 24, at 7 p.m. Special music will be
provided by the Chancel Choir and the JuBellation Handbell Choir.
On Easter Sunday, March 27, at 7 a.m., the
customary Sunrise Service will be held in the Sanctuary with
breakfast immediately following (about 8 a.m.) in the Vestry. The
traditional Easter worship service will commence at 10:00 a.m. with
special music by the Chancel Choir and JuBellation. Come and worship
at either service and join us for breakfast!
There is parking as well as a wheelchair
accessible entrance at the rear of the church at Chestnut Street.
For more information about any of these services, call the church
office at 435-7471 and speak with Rev. Dave Stasiak.
VA Announces Additional Steps To Reduce Veteran Suicide
Because even one suicide is one too many
Submitted Via Merrill Vaughan
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) today announced new steps it is taking to reduce Veteran
suicide. The steps follow a February 2 Summit, “Preventing Veteran
Suicide – A Call to Action,” that brought together stakeholders and
thought leaders to discuss current research, approaches and best
practices to address this important subject.
“We know that every day, approximately 22 Veterans take their lives
and that is too many,” said VA Under Secretary for Health, Dr. David
Shulkin. “We take this issue seriously. While no one knows the
subject of Veteran suicide better than VA, we also realize that
caring for our Veterans is a shared responsibility. We all have an
obligation to help Veterans suffering from the invisible wounds of
military service that lead them to think suicide is their only
option. We must and will do more, and this Summit, coupled
with recent announcements about improvements to enhance and
accelerate progress at the Veterans Crisis Line, shows that our work
and commitment must continue.”
Several changes and initiatives are being
announced that strengthen VA’s approach to Suicide Prevention. They
include:
Elevating VA’s Suicide Prevention Program with additional resources
to manage and strengthen current programs and initiatives; Meeting
urgent mental health needs by providing Veterans with the goal of
same-day evaluations and access by the end of calendar year 2016;
Establishing a new standard of care by using measures of
Veteran-reported symptoms to tailor mental health treatments to
individual needs; Launching a new study, “Coming Home from
Afghanistan and Iraq,” to look at the impact of deployment and
combat as it relates to suicide, mental health and well-being; Using
predictive modeling to guide early interventions for suicide
prevention; Using data on suicide attempts and overdoses for
surveillance to guide strategies to prevent suicide; Increasing the
availability of naloxone rescue kits throughout VA to prevent deaths
from opioid overdoses; Enhancing Veteran Mental Health access by
establishing three regional tele-mental health hubs; and Continuing
to partner with the Department of Defense on suicide prevention and
other efforts for a seamless transition from military service to
civilian life.
For information about VA initiatives to prevent Veteran suicide,
visit
www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/.
Veterans With
Incomplete Health Care Applications Receive Additional Year To
Enroll
Submitted Via Merrill
Vaughan
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) announced today it will extend the healthcare
enrollment application period for one year to approximately 545,000
living Veterans that have pending incomplete enrollment
applications.
“Fixing the Veterans enrollment system is a top priority for VA.
This is an important step forward to regain Veterans’ trust and
improve access to care as we continue the MyVA Transformation,” said
VA Deputy Secretary Sloan D. Gibson. “We’ve got a lot of work left
to do, but this is a big step in the right direction to restore the
data integrity of our enrollment system,” Gibson said.
The National Enrollment Improvement team conducted a detailed
analysis of the pending applications in VA’s enrollment system and
identified approximately 545,000 living Veterans whose applications
were incomplete and in a pending status. The team also
validated that approximately 288,000 pending enrollment system
records were for deceased Veterans. VA has segregated deceased
records from living Veteran records and, as part of the Veteran
Enrollment Rework Project (VERP), will review each incomplete
application to determine if any should have been enrolled in VA
health care.
VA is required by law to provide notice to Veterans of incomplete
applications. The VERP team could not verify that VA’s mailing
system used to contact Veterans about their incomplete applications
was able to notify the 545,000 Veterans identified above.
VA will contact living Veterans to confirm their continued interest
in enrolling in VA health care and ask them for the necessary
information to complete their application. Veterans will have
one year from the notice to provide this information. After a
year, VA will close the record. A Veteran may reapply for
enrollment at any time.
As Veterans choose to enroll, VA offers an enchancement to
their enrollment experience through “Welcome to VA” (W2VA).
Veterans enrolled since July 1, 2015 have received a personal
introduction to VA health care services, programs and resources to
help them become more familiar with VA’s services. In addition, VA
sends each new enrollee an introductory letter and personalized
handbook in the mail. W2VA enhances communication by reaching out to
newly enrolled Veterans through personal phone calls upon
enrollment, providing assistance with health care inquiries and
assisting with their initial appointment at their preferred VA
healthcare facility.
What’s happening at PYW?
Submitted By Paula Martel, PYW Program Director PYW Volunteer
of the Year!
Each year, PYW likes to recognize someone
that has made a lasting impact and helps make our organization the
best it can be for the youth and the community. We are very proud to
announce that Paul Sherwood is our Volunteer of the Year for 2015.
Paul started to work at PMHS 5 years ago in Tech Education. Since
that time we have grown to know and appreciate his talent in the
wood working field.
Paul has been volunteering many hours after school and during the
summer months on projects large and small. Having these
opportunities can help the youth expand their knowledge, and teach
many new skills. Most of the youth that started using tools now have
a new respect for both hand and power tools! Paul has also spent
many hours volunteering during drop-in hours and on trips. He is not
only a caring and committed part of the PYW family, he is also a
dedicated member of the community. We appreciate all that Paul has
done in the past and all he continues to do—Congrats Paul and thank
you so much!
The Pittsfield Youth Workshop is lucky to
have a loyal and committed group of volunteers who help keep things
running throughout the year. From our dedicated Board of Directors
to the volunteers that help to coordinate events and activities,
help us with fundraisers, or cover drop-in hours. Our volunteers
play a huge role in everything we do — and we are so very grateful!
Letter
To the Voters of Pittsfield
Thank you for putting your trust in me by
electing me to the Board of Selectmen.
Congratulations to Carl Anderson and Larry
Konopka for also being elected to the Board. I look forward to
working with the other four members of the Board.
During the twelve hours that I spent
outside the Town Hall on Tuesday, I got an earful of comments and
concerns you have regarding our town; what you would like to see and
what you definitely hope will be changed.
I will guarantee that your voice will be heard and you will be
treated fairly and respectfully. The Board has to look at all
options to make sure that your tax dollars are spent wisely, and
that decisions will be fair and transparent.
Communication is the key, and decisions by the Board should be well
thought out and determined to be what is best for all the citizens
of Pittsfield.
Thank you again for your support, and I will never forget that the
Pittsfield voters had faith and trust in me to elect me to this
extremely important position.
Carole Richardson
Sled Dog Races
Submitted By Larry Berkson
I was saddened to read Keith Bryar’s
obituary in the Concord Monitor a little while back and it got me to
thinking about the sled dog races that were held in Pittsfield when
I was a youngster. Mr. Bryar was an avid, and many times, champion
racer. So I did a little research and much to my surprise found at
least three periods when sled dog races were held in Pittsfield.
1932-1936
The sled dog races during the 1930s were
sponsored by the American Legion under the auspices of the New
England Sled Dog Club. The first was held in February of 1932 as
part of Pittsfield’s first winter carnival. Sixteen teams
participated with 1500 spectators watching. The Winter Sports
Association co-sponsored the event in subsequent years. Added to the
event in 1933 was a Mushers Ball. Richard Foss remembers the Adel
Family, which lived in the house at the southwest corner of Route
#28 and Leavitt Road, participating in the events.
In 1934 Pittsfield was one of only eight
towns in the state to hold races. There were several separate
division races. No Pittsfield person entered the senior races but
two young Pittsfield men entered two junior, one mile races. Rodney
Lindberg came in third in the two or three dog race, and Paul Badger
came in third in the single dog race. The route began at Drake
Field, crossed the river to High Street, thence to Barnstead Road,
to Depot Street, to Broadway, to South Pittsfield turning left at
the Tan Road, along Tan Road crossing Route #107 to Tilton Hill
Road, and turning left to Will Smith Road, along Will Smith Road
down to Barnstead Parade, toward Pittsfield to Province Road, along
that road to Laconia Road, to Lilly Pond Road, to High Street, and
finally along High Street to the point of beginning, a distance of
21.3 miles.
Miss Phoebe Barton won the popularity
contest to become queen. Viola Hall, who later married Edward
Murphy, came in second.
In 1935 the races were shortened to 18
miles. At least 21 teams competed, with two teams driven by ladies.
Several Pittsfield people competed in the junior division. Jackson
Freese won the two or three dog race and his sister Dorothy was
second. Rodney Lindberg won the novice race with Paul Badger coming
in second.
In 1937 the races were cancelled because
of a lack of snow, and it was decided not to hold them in 1938.
Apparently, they were not held again until 1949.
1949-1952
In 1949 the Chamber of Commerce revived
the sled dog races under the auspices of the New England Sled Dog
Association. In 1951 the event drew 1,000 onlookers. In 1952, 2,000
viewed the major race on Sunday, the last part of which was taped
and broadcast on Manchester’s WKBR Radio Station a day later. The
mushers raced to Jenness Pond and back over Tilton Hill. Judith
Feldman was crowned sled dog Queen. The following year Barbara Colby
was selected as queen.
A newspaper article suggests that the 1953
races began at Dustin Park, went down Park Street, to Green Street,
to Main Street, to Crescent Street, to Loudon Road, to Ring’s
Corner, cross country to Lyford Hill, to River Road, to Bridge
Street, to Depot Street, to Catamount Road, to Clark Street, to Main
Street, passing Dustin Park and repeating the route.
Apparently, this was the last race for
many years, as none is reported in the local newspaper.
1958-1977
In 1958 the sled dog races were revived by
the Lions Club. Again, they were held under the auspices of the New
England Sled Dog Association. By 1964 four or five radio stations
were broadcasting the race. Steve Davis was the only entry from
Pittsfield. Thirty-eight teams raced over the 28 mile course. John
Piscopo, Jr. of Laconia won the major race by nine seconds over the
second musher.
During this period races were held on
Saturday and Sunday with several divisions. The combined times of
the two days determined the winner. There was a Class A event for
large teams, and junior events for five, three and one dog sled
races.
In 1965, the Pittsfield Sled Dog Club
developed a new trophy known as “The Pittsfield Trophy.” It was to
be awarded to the winner of the New England Sled Dog Championship
Race in Pittsfield. The largest in the sled dog racing circuit, it
stood 49 inches tall and was finished in antique silver. The first
driver to win it three times would be allowed to keep it
permanently. The New England Sled Dog Club would present a small
replica of the award to each winner.
Local teams in junior divisions in 1956
included those driven by Steve Davis of Pittsfield, Richard Collins
of Barnstead, and John Bryant and Jack and Ethel Adel of Gilmanton.
Richard was a Pittsfield High School graduate, John was the son of
Harold Bryant who owned the Pittsfield Locker Plant where Rustic
Crust Pizza is now located, and the Adels were originally from
Pittsfield.
Unlike previous races which began at Depot
Square and ran over back roads for 20 miles, the 1965 race was held
on the abandoned railroad bed between Fairview and Webster Mills
Roads, a 12 mile round trip, won by John Piscopo, Jr. of Laconia,
finishing 30 seconds before the next musher. There were 500 people
at the finish line.
In 1966 there were 30 drivers, and 300
dogs, huskies, Irish Setters and hounds. The event drew 7,000
spectators. Donna Mudgett of Laconia won the five dog race.
The following year a new trophy and $100
in prize money was created to present to the best Siberian husky
team. It was given by Neil Rice of Hamilton, Massachusetts in memory
of Leonhard Seppala, the famous musher who raced by dog sled from
Nome, Alaska over the dangerous Norton Sound, in the winter of 1925
to obtain serum for a diphtheria outbreak. He travelled 260 miles in
4.5 days. Later Mr. Seppala placed second and won a silver medal in
a sled dog demonstration event in the 1932 Olympics.
John Piscopo, Jr. won the senior race for
a second time in 1967, this time by 44 seconds over the second place
musher. Steve Davis, who competed annually throughout this period,
placed sixth in Class C, 17minutes and five seconds behind the
winner. In the five dog race, Richard Collins came in fourth.
In 1968, John Piscopo, Jr. won the race
for the third time and retired the trophy. The following year a new
trophy was created, but was not as large. That year a woman,
Tilton’s Darlene Hawkins, took second place in the senior race with
an 11 dog team.
In 1970, seven races were run: One Dog,
Five Dog, Five Dog Amateur, Regular Amateur, Class A, Class B, and
Class C.
Senator Thomas McIntyre was the honorary
starter for the races in 1971. The route went to Barnstead, around
by Lilly Pond and back to Pittsfield. The best viewing spots were at
the start and finish lines, Barnstead Parade Grounds, Bosco-Bell
Garage, and the Route 107 crossing near Lilly Pond. A bull dozer was
used on 75% of the route to level the snow because it was so deep.
Seventy-nine junior and 80 senior mushers took part. The Sunday
races had to be cancelled because of the weather so the Saturday
race times determined the winners. Jack Adel of Gilmanton came in
third in the Class A, Senior Division. The one dog race that year
was held on a winding course on White’s Pond.
During the 1970s the route generally
passed through Barnstead and continued to be sponsored by the
Pittsfield Lions Club. Strangely, there is very little coverage of
the event in the local newspapers, despite extensive coverage of
other events.
Races probably were not held during 1976
due to weather conditions, for a brief note in the newspaper stated
that the Lions voted at the end of February “against an attempt to
restage” them. The following year they were held but probably for
the last time. That year George Twigg, IV came in third in the one
dog class.
The Story Behind The Sign!
In 2009 the Board of Selectmen, with
guidance from the Economic Development Committee (EDC) and
assistance from Central NH Regional Planning Commission (CNHRPC)
presented a warrant article at the Town Meeting. This article asked
residents to support the creation of a Economic Redevelopment Zone
(ERZ). The warrant article was approved. The following ERZ
boundaries were subsequently established:
As a result, Pittsfield businesses within
this zone are potentially eligible to apply for tax incentives. (RSA
79E and RSA 162N). RSA 79E allows a business owner who improves his
building by 15% of it’s total assessed value or up to $75,000 to
apply for a tax deferment up to a maximum of 5 years.
RSA 162N is a state tax credit program
based on the increase in the number of employees hired.
In 2010 this ERZ was expanded to include
Barnstead Rd (RT 107) from Carroll St beginning at Depot St and
ending at RT 28.
In 2013 Kentek became the first business
to take advantage of RSA 79E.
In 2014 Rustic Crust burned to the ground.
Upon their building of the new facility the EDC assisted the Board
of Selectmen in expanding the area within the ERZ that would allow
businesses along Barnstead Rd to be eligible for RSA 79E. This
encompassed Rustic Crust. Rustic Crust is the second business to
receive a tax deferment under RSA 79E. Prior to this, they had
already qualified to receive tax credits thru RSA 162N.
Now to the present… The EDC with
assistance from Diamond Signs created and installed a sign at the
junction of River Rd and RT 28, under the EXIT Reward Realty sign.
The intent of this sign is to advertise that Pittsfield is open for
new businesses and that there is an Economic Redevelopment Zone with
tax incentives to give them a leg up when relocating to Pittsfield.
EXIT Reward Realty has kindly volunteered to act as an agent of the
EDC to direct prospective business owners to available properties
within the ERZ, regardless of which realty agency represents them.
The EDC continues to look for more ways to promote our town. There
are 3 openings on the EDC. Please join us in making Pittsfield an
even better town in which to live. You can contact our chairman at:
[email protected] or
call 435-6573.
Thank you for your support!
News From Friends Of The Josiah Carpenter Library
The Friends of the
Josiah Carpenter Library would like to thank all the Pittsfield
voters who supported us on the last two election days at Town Hall
by participating in our raffles. It’s a fun and easy way for
residents to contribute to the Friends and the library. Our
Valentine’s Day gift basket was won by Joshua Stevens, and this most
recent, St. Patrick’s Day / Spring basket went to Corine Miller.
Congratulations to both!
We’d like to send a special thank you to
Gini Hayes of Forget-Me-Not, Flowers & Gifts, on Main St., for her
generous $50 gift certificate donation to our Valentine’s Day
basket.
With the monies from the raffles, we are able to give extra support
to the library and its programs. The “Lego-Maker” after-school
program, has been a big hit with children of all ages. Most
recently, we voted to purchase additional Lego pieces for this
program, which will allow more children to participate.
The library and the Friends are happy to announce an upcoming
presentation by NH author, Dan Szczesny, on April 5, 2016 at
Pittsfield Middle High School. This event is open to the
public. He will be discussing his recent book, “The Nepal
Chronicles: Marriage, Mountains, Momos in the Highest Place on
Earth.” The Friends will be raffling off a basket of
Nepalese style items. All proceeds from this raffle will go to
an orphanage in Nepal that Mr. Szczesny has taken under his wing,
since the major earthquake of April 2015. You may purchase
tickets for this raffle beginning March 21, 2016, at the Josiah
Carpenter Library. Please help us support this worthy
cause. More information regarding this event will be in
following issues of The Sun.
Thank you again for your support !
Pittsfield Historical Society Honors Ruth
Strickhart
On February 25, The Pittsfield Historical
Society and her family honored Ruth Strickhart for 10 years of
volunteer service to the society. The event also served as a
celebration of her 96th birthday. Ruth has been an incredible asset
working on the cataloging and archiving of material into the museum
to help preserve the historical significance of our town. Her family
and the Society directors made a donation in her name of a
presentation display system that will serve as a lasting reminder of
her service. The display system will be used to promote the society
and its programs and will be especially useful when the historical
society is on the road. We are indebted to Ruth for her commitment
to the society and thankful for her service.
VA Expands Hepatitis C Drug Treatment
Expanded funding now allows VA to provide increased drug therapy at
VA facilities nationwide
Submitted Via Merrill Vaughan
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) today announced that it is now able to fund care for
all Veterans with hepatitis C for Fiscal Year 2016 regardless of the
stage of the patient’s liver disease. The move follows increased
funding from Congress along with reduced drug prices.
“We’re honored to be able to expand
treatment for Veterans who are afflicted with hepatitis C,” says VA
Under Secretary for Health Dr. David Shulkin. “To manage
limited resources previously, we established treatment priority for
the sickest patients. Additionally, if Veterans are currently
waiting on an appointment for community care through the Choice
Program, they can now turn to their local VA facility for this
treatment or can elect to continue to receive treatment through the
Choice Program.”
VA has long led the country in screening for and treating hepatitis
C. VA has treated over 76,000 Veterans infected with hepatitis C and
approximately 60,000 have been cured. In addition, since the
beginning of 2014, more than 42,000 patients have been treated with
the new highly effective antivirals. In fiscal year 2015, VA
allocated $696 million for new hepatitis C drugs (17 percent of the
VA’s total pharmacy budget) and in fiscal year 2016, VA anticipates
spending approximately $1 billion on hepatitis C drugs. VA expects
that with the expansion, many more Veterans will be started on
hepatitis C treatment every week this fiscal year.
In addition to furnishing clinical care to
Veterans with hepatitis C, VA Research continues to expand the
knowledge base regarding the disease through scientific studies
focused on effective care, screening, and healthcare delivery
including to female Veterans and Veterans with complicated medical
conditions in addition to hepatitis C.
For additional information on Hepatitis C treatments Veterans can
log onto http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/patient/hcv/index.asp.
Letter To The Editor
Thank You Pittsfield
I want to thank the many voters who showed
up at the polls last Tuesday in support of Larry, Carole and myself,
and to congratulate Larry and Carole on their wins of the other two
seats on the Selectboard.
I doubt there were any voters who
supported us that did not know exactly what we stand for, and what
direction the Selectboard would head in, if we were elected. There
were alternatives on the ballot that would have continued to take
Pittsfield down a path of no return- bloated budgets, waste, fat,
excess, and crippling taxes, however, there is now a clear mandate
for the board to do a 180 degree turn.
I know I have heard many, many concerns
and complaints from residents on the street that echo my own and am
personally committed to addressing every one of them as quickly and
as firmly as the office of Selectman will allow. There’s no shortage
of anger, frustration, and disgust out there, and come hell or high
water, I’m going to help change whatever I can.
I’ve also been made well aware of the
hesitancy many residents have to express these feelings in public.
I’ve assured them I understand, and will have no such hesitancy
myself. Whatever needs to be said, will be said. I look forward to
wide open, honest, and blunt discussions that should bring back the
town the majority of the residents want.
No more secrets, no more cozy cliques. The
Selectboard must return to overseeing the business of the town and
stop the tail from wagging the dog. I plan to write a brief synopsis
after each of the public meetings in an effort to keep those who
cannot attend the meetings up to speed on what’s going on.
I know what is expected of me and I will
live up to those expectations. Thanks again, and I can’t wait to get
started.
Carl Anderson
Rave Reviews For The Game’s Afoot
The latest play to hit Pittsfield’s Scenic
Theatre stage is being hailed as a masterpiece! Recent attendees had
nothing but good things to say about the Pittsfield Players’
performance of Ken Ludwig’s award-winning play, “The Game’s Afoot or
Holmes for the Holidays.” Directed by Mike Hobson and produced by
Jon Martin, the mystery/farce has three remaining show dates: Friday
and Saturday March 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 20 at 2
p.m.
The time is December 1936 and William
Gillette, who plays Sherlock Holmes on Broadway, has invited his
friends to his Connecticut castle for a weekend of fun beginning on
Christmas Eve. When one of the guests is stabbed, things quickly
turn serious. Then it’s up to Gillette, assuming the identity of
Holmes, to track down the killer. Hilarity and hijinks abound --
this play has everything you love about live theater.
“I never laughed so much,” one attendee
said, “and the plot twists and turns kept me guessing!” She added
that the actors are fantastic, the set lovely and the costumes
gorgeous. She intends to go a second time. “It’s just amazing what
they can do at the Scenic!”
Reserve your tickets now for one of the
remaining show dates. You can get tickets online at
pittsfieldplayers.com, by calling the theater at 435-8852, or at the
door; tickets are $15. The theater is located at 6 Depot,
Pittsfield.
Local Funeral Director Designated
Certified Funeral Service Practitioner
David J. Pollard, CFSP, a
funeral director with Waters Funeral Home in Concord, New Hampshire,
has recently qualified for recertification of the designation of
Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP), by the Academy of
Professional Funeral Service Practice.
A number of professions grant special
recognition to members upon completion of specified academic and
professional programs and “CFSP” is funeral service’s national
individual recognition.
A select few have distinguished themselves
among their peers within the funeral service profession as they
continue their education to exceed the highest standards of care.
This achievement is especially notable because Dave has voluntarily
elected to participate in quality educational and service
opportunities that far surpass what the funeral service licensing
board in New Hampshire requires. Dave has committed to a program of
lifelong learning to serve you and families in your community with
the level of excellence expected of a CFSP.
The Board of Trustees of the Academy of
Professional Funeral Service Practice commends you for choosing to
put your trust in the hands of a Certified Funeral Service
Practitioner.
Since its 1976 founding, the Academy has
had as its goals: 1) to recognize those practitioners who have
voluntarily entered into a program of personal and professional
growth, 2) to raise and improve the standards of funeral service and
3) to encourage practitioners to make continuing education a
life-long process in their own self-interest, the interest of the
families they serve, and the community in which they serve.
To initially receive this award, the
practitioner must complete a 180 hour program of continuing
education activities and events. In addition, the practitioner is
required to accumulate 20 hours per year to recertify. Credits are
awarded by the Academy for work leading to personal and/or
professional growth in four areas:
• Academic Activities
• Professional Activities
• Career Review (for retroactive credit)
•
Community and Civic Activities
A Bicycle Ride With Harmony Mccall
By Shawn M. Smith
Down meandering hills
And still, quiet roads
The silence disturbed only by gentle
breezes
And the occasional bird and his song
If he so obliges
It is
impossible to perceive
The bravery and the sadness here
If you are
not moved by this place
You have not taken the time to ponder...
What stories be told
beneath the marble and granite stones
And blankets of sod
By they in the land of nod
The air moves slowly past my face
Rustling the cut grass that ripples
Like wind upon the waters
Whispering
That it’s time for me to go
Silently
I thank my most gracious hosts
And chuckle at their reply
Visit us soon when you’re a ghost
We’ll see you when you die.
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