TOPS News
KOP members: Peg Driscoll, Pearl Donovitch, Katherine
Snow, and Pat Smith.
Our
TOPS chapter recently celebrated a KOPS anniversary. Pat Smith
earned her KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly)status in the Epping
Chapter in 2001. She transferred to the Pittsfield Chapter #38 and
has been with us since. She is a motivator and a
tremendous support to all the members. She constantly puts herself
out for the members by offering transportation, calling, encouraging
and truly helping solve weight and diet concerns of the Chapter. She
has never lost her status as a KOPS, and in the 15 yrs. never was
out of her goal leeway. She truly is the glue that keeps Chapter
#38 together. Congrats to her on her 15th Anniversary as a KOPS.
Have
you made a decision to lose weight during 2017? Maybe in the past
you have struggled to do this on your own. If so, you may want to
consider joining TOPS, which stands for Take Off Pounds Sensibly.
Our chapter provides support among its members, information on
healthy foods and periodically brings in special speakers to present
information to promote good health. We would encourage you to visit
and learn how TOPS can assist you. Meetings are Tuesdays at 6:30 at
Berakah on Fairview Rd. Call Pat 435-5333 or Beth 435-7397 for more
information.
Letter To The Editor
Well,
so much for a week off. An unscheduled Select Board meeting was
called for 1/10, principally to deal with some revised year end
accounting numbers.
Additionally, PD admin assistant Katelyn Ricker’s resignation was
accepted with regret. Katelyn has moved out west to be with her
husband who’s in the service. Norma Konopka also tendered
resignation from her Cemetery trustee position. Selectman Allard
will write them letters of thanks.
Planning board chairman Clayton Wood came to us for permission to
meet on behalf of the town with a rep. of Blackhaul Networks, LLC.
They had approached him regarding their desire to place a 120’
tower/pole somewhere in the downtown area which would provide new
communication technology to Pittsfield. Clayton will come back to us
with more details once he has met with them as we will no doubt have
many questions and concerns.
Carole
Richardson presented a check for over $14,000 to the town from the
cemetery fence fund. Carole will no longer be raising money for this
cause, having already completed 3 sections of the 4 phase project,
to the tune of $60,000. The new fence looks wonderful and anyone
wishing to contribute to the final phase should now contact the town
administrator’s office. Carole has been working tirelessly on this
cause for a long, long time and she deserves the credit for setting
off our very visible Floral Park town cemetery with an attractive
respectful border.
Carl
Anderson
Letter To The Editor
Budget
Committee Update
Budget
season is well under way in Pittsfield and the Budget Committee
would like to provide some objective context for discussions, and
encourage citizens to attend our meetings, particularly the public
hearing on February 8th.
The
School and Town budgets presented to the committee this year both
represent challenges due to the estimated impact they will have on
the tax rate. The estimated tax impact as presented by the school
is $2.97/thousand, and by the Town is $1.77/thousand.
This is
a starting point, and there are many factors affecting these
estimated values, such as revenue projections and expenditures,
which will be finalized in the coming weeks. Additionally, you must
consider property valuations in conjunction with the tax rate.
However, the committee feels it is important to present the
potential impact to taxpayers, and the challenges we face.
The
total estimated tax impact as presented is $4.74/thousand, on top of
$1.97/thousand from last year. This means a homeowner with a
valuation of $100,000 could potentially pay an additional $474 in
taxes next year, $711 for a property valued at $150,000, and $948
for a property valued at $200,000.
We are
all members of this community, and want to do what is in the best
interest for all of Pittsfield. It is a complex and challenging
task, and we want to hear from you.
The
Budget Committee is meeting regularly on Wednesday nights at 6:30pm
at Town Hall. Our public budget hearing is scheduled for 7:00pm
Wednesday February 8th at the PMHS lecture hall, with a snow date on
Thursday February 9th.
Sincerely,
Pittsfield Budget Committee
White Elephant Wisdom LLC Comes To Pittsfield!
White
Elephant Wisdom LLC is dedicated to providing clients with essential
tools and practical skill sets designed to help them lead richer,
less stressful lives by becoming more engaged in their own
experiences. It is our pleasure to serve you through Education &
Ceremony.
Vicky
is a Reiki Master, Spiritual Teacher, Inspirational Speaker and
Facilitator of Ceremony who uses the wisdom she’s gained through
study & personal experience to assist others in navigating life’s
challenges. She is a true example of someone who has chosen to make
the most of her STE’s (‘Spiritually Transformative Events’ ….a life
event that serves to change one’s belief systems and outlook on
life) by using her knowledge and experience to empower others.
After
working through the loss of her son to suicide, then her daughter to
cancer, followed by her husband (also a suicide), she developed a
strong passion for helping others cope with their own grief through
ritual, ceremony and mindful practices. By taking a metaphysical
approach to her grief support services, she brings much needed light
to a subject often shrouded in fear and darkness.
Vicky
holds unique and powerful workshops that give participants lots of
valuable information, resources, inspiring examples and instruction
on various techniques designed to help us become more engaged in our
own life experience (“Conscious Living”). By doing so, we develop
an inner calm that aids us in facing life’s challenges.
Vicky
feels that Ritual and Ceremony are artistic expressions of the Soul,
and often uses her years of Shamanic training to “flavor” her
beautifully moving ceremonies and workshops. She has a wide range
of services to offer…something for everyone and remains both honored
and humbled by the opportunity to do so.
“It is
my distinct honor to be of service to you. Nothing gives me more
pleasure than to see a genuine smile on another’s face and know that
I had some part in making that happen.
Whether
I am guiding others to wonderful new self-discoveries in a workshop,
or presiding over a heartfelt ceremony among your family and
friends, I always come away feeling truly blessed to have been a
part of your lives for those moments in time. You have my undying
gratitude always.”
Pittsfield School Board Meeting
January
5, 2017
Submitted by Ralph Odell
Mike
Wolfe called the meeting to order at 5:30
Faculty
leaders presented a series of reports starting with Danielle Harvey.
Students and schools are being evaluated annually and PES faculty
will be performing a midyear evaluation. Some of the faculty may be
new to a competency based approach to learning and this midyear
evaluation will help them insure they are on track. Due to the
innovations at PES, 30 educators visited Pittsfield on January 12 to
gain further insight into the opportunities being developed in
Pittsfield.
Derek
Hamilton, Dean of Operations described actions being taken to comply
with deficiencies observed in a recent Fire Inspection. He also
described planning for the upcoming District Wellness Fair in March,
that is designed to promote healthy lifestyles and positive choices
by students.
Donna
Lehmann, Director of Student Services, reported the District is
serving 132 students from K- to age 21. A small increase is
expected with students moving to the area. Nine of the students are
attending programs outside of Pittsfield. She has been attending
training that will allow her to assist students with disabilities to
prepare and participate in SAT tests.
The
Office of College and Careers has been active with a series of
events planned. In December representatives from three NH Community
Colleges visited Pittsfield for an instant admission day. 78% of the
graduating seniors participated with 43 acceptances being offered.
Ninth and tenth graders had a presentation on January 6 from the
Concord Regional Technical Center providing insight into programs
that are available that they might want to experience. On January
10, 2017 the annual “Home is Where the Heart is” presentation will
held consisting of a series of PMHS graduates describing their post
graduation experiences. Students have the opportunity to participate
in On-Line courses while at PMHS. She described a student who has
completed enough credits to enter college as a sophomore.
Dr.
Freeman presented a proposal for a Wellness District wide Policy.
The intent is to insure a culture of health and wellness including
student behavior and nutrition. Students will be insured meals that
will include quantity and quality that meets Federal Guidelines.
Coming
back after a Christmas break the agenda was shorter than many with
the meeting being the shortest in recent memory.
Letter To The Editor
It’s
once again Town Meeting time and, as usual, controversial subjects
come front and center. This year is no different when at a recent
meeting of the selectboard, the police department came under
scrutiny and the board decided to shave the budget. Their proposal
is to eliminate the SRO (school resource officer) and a patrolman.
The
issue here should not be saving pennies at the expense of children,
especially in the environment we now live in as well as the recent
killings of multiple police officers around the country. Many of you
are quick to agree that we have too many officers and that you never
see a cruiser. Well I can tell you (because of my affiliation with
the court), that neither is correct. I not only frequent Pittsfield
PD, but many of the surrounding towns, and our town has a
significant number of calls including: domestics, drugs, DUI’s, etc.
You may not see them but they are out there.
It has
been said the State Police will handle our calls, but that will only
happen if they are in the area, as they have a lot of territory to
cover. Yes it’s true they responded to a call recently with a canine
unit, however, that is probably the exception. We have a police
canine whose usefulness comes under question. A dog not supported by
the town, but an important member of the dept.
Enough
said. If you have questions about the department or the canine (his
name is Cache), go to the PD, meet with an officer. Members of the
selectboard have been invited to a cruiser ride-a-long, but none
have responded. It’s easy to sit and criticize but finding out the
facts seem to be non-existent.
Elizabeth A. Hast
Applications To Be Accepted For 2017 National Veterans Golden Age
Games
Event
Takes Place in Biloxi, May 7-11
Submitted Via Merrill Vaughan
The
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will accept applications from
Veterans interested in competing in the 2017 National Veterans
Golden Age Games beginning Feb. 1. Veterans ages 55 and older and
enrolled in VA health care may complete applications online at
www.veteransgoldenagegames.va.gov. Applications will be accepted
through March 1.
“VA is
committed to offer sports and fitness as an integral part of a
successful healthcare program, and I encourage every eligible
Veteran to take advantage of this opportunity,” said Carla
Carmichael, National Veterans Golden Age Games director. “There are
significant health benefits to leading an active lifestyle, and in
keeping with the Games motto, we want every Veteran to achieve
‘Fitness For Life.’”
The
2017 National Veterans Golden Age Games will take place in Biloxi,
Mississippi, May 7-11. Nearly 800 athletes are expected to compete
in the national multi-sport competition for senior Veterans,
embracing the “Fitness for Life” motto. The event encourages
participants to make physical activity a central part of their
lives, and supports VA’s comprehensive recreation and rehabilitation
therapy programs. Competitive events include air rifle, badminton,
boccia, bowling, cycling, golf, horseshoes, nine ball, powerwalk,
shuffleboard, swimming, table tennis, and track and field.
Exhibition events include: air pistol, archery, basketball, blind
disc golf and pickleball.
VA
research and clinical experience verify that movement and exercise
are important to maintaining good health, speeding recovery and
improving overall quality of life. The games encourage participants
to continue in local senior events in their home communities and
every other year serve as a qualifying event for competition in the
National Senior Games. VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System
will host this year’s games. The Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care
System provides care for more than 50,000 Veterans throughout
Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.
For
more information visit
www.veteransgoldenagegames.va.gov
and follow VA Adaptive Sports on Twitter at @VAAdaptiveSport or on
Facebook at www.facebook.com/vaadaptivesports.
Letter To The Editor
I have
three words for the inauguration on January 20th: God help us.
Enough said.
Jennifer Mika
Pittsfield
Letter
To The Editor
To the
good citizens of Pittsfield and our State Legislators,
John
Freeman, our school superintendent, told me a few weeks ago that
this coming year’s proposed school budget includes a $3.00 a
thousand tax rate increase and 8 positions eliminated.
I was
pretty sure I misunderstood him, but then I read articles in The
Suncook Valley Sun and the Concord Monitor that this was looking
like reality.
From
what I understand, the reasons are State funds decreasing $86,000.00
this year, 17% health insurance increase, and an increase in special
education costs. We have voted very frugal budgets for the last five
years, at least. I don’t feel the school can absorb these cuts.
Either
the State steps in to help, or we raise the tax rate by over $5.00
per thousand.
We will
not under fund our schools. We will fund our energy saving fund to
help save our species, and we will not go down without a fight.
Dan
Schroth Piermarocchi
Obituaries
Margaret R. DuHamell
Margaret R. DuHamell (Magz), 57, passed away after a long struggle
with various medical issues on Sunday, January 1st, 2017 at her home
in Pittsfield, NH.
Margaret was born on January 10th, 1959 in Brooklyn, NY. Margaret is
survived by her loving husband John of 21 years and her dog, who was
her constant companion and helped her through her disabilities; her
daughter
Vanessa, mother Patricia Bruno, and step father Arthur Bruno, as
well as father William Haas, sister Patricia Scott, brother William
(Bill) Haas, nieces and nephews, and brother- and sister-in-laws who
miss her very much.
Margaret loved life and fought hard for the life she loved. She
enjoyed the warm spring and summer as well as the fall colors and
snowy winters. She enjoyed riding on the back of her husband’s
motorcycle whenever she could, traveling in the mountains and lakes
region of New Hampshire. She loved growing vegetables and working in
her yard when she could.
There
will be a Memorial Service for Margaret on January 28th at 11 AM at
Our Lady of Lords Catholic Church, 20 River Rd., Pittsfield, New
Hampshire. There will be a
gathering after the service around the corner from the church with
the address posted at the service; all are welcome to both the
service and gathering.
Sharon
Cole
PITTSFIELD – Sharon Cole, 64 of Pittsfield, passed away on Monday,
January 9, 2017 at her residence with her family by her side
following a lengthy illness.
Born on
November 24, 1952 in Goffstown, NH she was the daughter of the late
Lamson and Elaine (Barker) Wood.
Sharon
worked for many years as a Machine Operator for Pittsfield Weaving
before her retirement. She was a people person who was there if you
needed someone to listen or a place to stay. She was everyone’s
biggest supporter and she had a heart of gold. Her quick wit and
love will be missed.
Besides
her parents, Sharon was predeceased by her husband Paul Cole in
1993.
Sharon
is survived by her longtime friend and recent caregiver, Cheryl
Keene of Pittsfield; her sons, Mark Therrien and his wife Tracey of
Alton, Austin Cole and his wife Caitlin of Barnstead and Heath Cole
and his wife Jennifer of Pittsfield; her daughters, Heidi Nixon and
her husband Tony of Epsom, Cassie Mwangi and her husband Don of
Tyngsboro, MA and Amy Mitchell and her husband Ricky of Raymond; her
sister, Deborah Lacourse of Laconia; her brothers, Lannie Wood and
his wife Linda of Pittsfield and Rob Wood and his wife Donna of
Zephyrhills, FL; 19 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and
numerous nieces and nephews.
A
graveside service will be held in the spring at Floral Park Cemetery
in Pittsfield. Assisting the family with arrangements is the Still
Oaks Funeral & Memorial Home in Epsom. To share a memory or offer a
condolence, please visit www.stilloaks.com
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