REMINDER
Pittsfield High School Class of 1984 Reunion
Attention All PHS Class of 1984 members- We are starting to plan for
our 35th High School Reunion!! (next year) Our first meeting
is on Wed., Sept. 19 at 6:30pm at Laurie Deane Vien’s house (132
Ingalls Rd). Please come to the meeting if you’d like to help.
We would like to hear from our classmates with ideas for the
reunion. If you can’t make it to the meeting, feel free to
call Andi Grainger Riel at 435-6346, email at
[email protected]
or find me on Facebook!
Pittsfield Beautification Committee Annual Mum Sale
The
Pittsfield Beautification Committee will hold it’s annual Mum Sale
Fundraiser, on Saturday, September 8th at the Aranosian Garden,
(next to Jack’s Pizza on Catamount Rd.), from 8:00 am to 12:00
noon.
We will
be selling a variety of colors in 10” pots and 5 gallon pots.
We will also be selling perennial plants for fall planting,
baked goods and yard sale items.
As
always, thank you for your support !
Oxen Are A Ton Of Fun
Submitted By Carole Soule
Stash, left, and Topper, right, at the Loudon Old Home Day
Parade in 2017.
Stash
looked at me through his fringe of shaggy hair as I shouted, “Walk
on!” He just stood staring at me with a puzzled look on his face. I
was standing about 6 feet in front of him and using the voice
commands I thought he'd learned. But he was not cooperating.
Stash
is one of a pair of 6-year-old, black Scottish Highlander oxen. An
ox is not a particular species or breed, it's a professional
designation, like a plumber or air-traffic controller. For a steer,
it sure beats the alternative career path (meat).
Stash's
partner, Topper, is the same age as Stash, but I've been working
with Topper since he was 6 months old. I trained Topper and his
original partner, Flash, to work in a yoke. With a chain hooked to
the yoke, they would pull logs, a cart, or a sled weighted down with
rocks.
For
their first three years, teams are called “working steers.” At age
4, trained teams are called “oxen.” The person who works them is
called a “teamster.” (Members of the International Brotherhood of
Teamsters drive trucks now, but in 1903, when the union was founded,
they were driving draft animals.)
For two
years I took Topper and Flash to county fairs where we sometimes won
ribbons in the best-trained competition. Most people are familiar
with competitions that determine which team can pull the heaviest
load. That one doesn't interest me. We competed in obstacle courses
and competitions that tested how well the team responds to the
teamster's commands.
Because
Topper was the more obedient of the two, I choose him to be my
“near-ox.” When working with a team, the teamster stands to the left
of the oxen. The closest ox to the teamster is called the near-ox.
The other ox is called the “off-ox.”
The
teamster has to determine which position works best for each ox, but
once they are trained to either the near or off position, it is
virtually impossible to change their positions. I once accidentally
yoked my team in the wrong positions and it totally bewildered
them.
Not
only do they learn to work as a team but each ox has to learn his
name so he can be directed to move forward, back, or to the side
independent of the other.
Unfortunately at age 3, Flash became unruly. He'd swing his horns
when I approached and would run off when I tried to catch him. He
was acting more like a wild bull than a well-trained working steer,
and I had to make a hard decision. I decided that, with horns out to
here, he was too dangerous for ox duty. I had to retire him and find
a new partner for Topper.
Fortunately, I had a likely match – an untrained black steer with a
calm, gentle disposition. Stash (short for Moo-Stash) began his
training as a 3-year-old. At first, Stash was terrified of
everything – the chain, the yoke, the cart, even the goad-stick.
(It's a small stick that reinforces the voice commands, functioning
more like a band leader's baton than a whip). But Stash was smart,
and by watching well-trained Topper he gradually overcame his fear
and, while he isn't as proficient as Topper, he usually stays calm
and does what I expect.
On
Labor Day weekend I plan to bring Topper and Stash to the Hopkinton
Fair, so I'm tuning them up and teaching them new commands. It's
best to work each ox individually, which is what I was doing that
day with Stash. With a little coaxing, he eventually walked toward
me and stopped when I shouted, “Whoa!” He'll be OK.
Together, Topper and Stash weigh more than 2,800 pounds, and both
have wide, intimidating horns, so it's essential they obey the
“Whoa” command every time. I'll be working them twice a day until
the Hopkinton Fair and looking forward to them showing their stuff
in the ring. I'm proud of my boys and get a rush when, even though
I'm relatively tiny, they obey my commands – especially “Whoa!”
Letter
To
veterans of Pittsfield,
Let me
introduce myself. My name is Todd Connor and I am the District 5
Commander for the American Legion. I sadly announce that
Peterson-Cram Post 75 is at risk of closing its doors permanently.
The reasoning behind this is that the building is in disrepair and
there are no officers at this time. My officers and I have
temporarily (under new management) taken over. I am in need of a
Commander, Adjutant, and Finance Officer. Training will be provided,
if needed.
This
post comes with rich history. Geoff Freese was the first post
commander. He served in WWI. Dr. Blood was the first Department
Commander from Pittsfield.
A
meeting will be held on September 3, 2018 at 7 PM at Post 42
Barnstead.The address is 1078 Beauty Hill Rd., Barnstead. If
interested, please come to the meeting so we can keep Post 75 alive.
Todd
Connor
District 5 Commander
Welcome to Our 2018-2019 School Year!
Submitted By Dr. John Freeman, Superintendent of Schools, Pittsfield
School District
Hopefully, all our Pittsfield families have enjoyed a wonderful
summer, a summer that is leaving you relaxed and recharged and ready
for a great new school year. District staff has been busy
preparing for the 2018-2019 school year. All that’s needed now
is the positive energy and enthusiasm of our students and the
collaboration and support of our students’ families.
The
start of a new school year comes along with great anticipation and
excitement. Whether a student is new to Pittsfield or is a
returning veteran of our schools, the opening of school is a special
moment for both students and families. Most of us enter the
school year with an exhilarated feeling that comes along with a
fresh start and a new beginning; it’s a truly energizing point in
time.
I
encourage families to look on the new school year with a spirit of
positive anticipation. As our students enter their own school
at the end of August, they will feel a strong sense of pride and
passion from our faculty and staff, pride in our schools’ history
and accomplishments in striving to create a truly student-centered
learning environment and passion for the learning and achievement of
each and every one of our students.
Our
teachers and staff are committed to making an important difference
in our students lives. Many of our teachers have been working
this summer to support our students’ learning through extended year
programs and our Summer Academies. Others have devoted a good deal
of time to developing our programs, especially through our new work
with Universal Design for Learning, an approach to curriculum
planning and instruction that is intended to support the learning of
all students, regardless of individual strengths and needs.
As
always, a number of our teachers and staff members have left us and
have moved on to other opportunities. We’ll be introducing our
new teachers and staff member to you in the weeks ahead, so you are
encouraged to keep your eye on our district website and The Sun.
We’ll also be describing some key program changes in the weeks
ahead, which will be of interest to our Pittsfield families.
But
now, it’s time to celebrate the beginning of our new school year
because this year will be packed with new learning experiences that
represent another big step forward toward a wonderful future for all
our students.
Pittsfield School District Bus Routes
Listed
are approximate times that buses will pick up or drop off students.
Students should be at the bus stop 5 minutes early. Weather
conditions may delay pickup or drop off times.
GREEN
BUS
DRIVER
- MRS. RAMSEY
MORNING
7:00 AM
Tilton Hill Road as far as #310 (before Wildwood Drive)
7:10 AM
Stop at Wildwood Dr. - Hill Top Rd.(out Tilton Hill Rd. - do not
cross street will pick up on the way back)
7:15 AM
To school
7:20 AM
Crescent Street, Loudon Road, students to right side of road only
7:22 AM
Ring Road
7:25 AM
Targhee Road, Karacull Lane
7:30 AM
Sweetfern Drive
7:35 AM
Ingalls Road
7:40 AM
Loudon Road, Students on left side of road
7:45 AM
Back to School
AFTERNOON
2:35 PM
Leaves PES
2:37 PM
Tilton Hill Road
2:40 PM
Wildwood Drive
2:50 PM
To PMHS
2:55 PM
Leaves PMHS
3:10 PM
Crescent Street, Loudon Road
3:15 PM
Ring Road
3:20 PM
Targhee Drive, Karacull Lane, Sweetfern Drive
3:30 PM
Ingalls Road
3:35 PM
Route Finished
PURPLE
BUS
DRIVER
- MR. MARSTON
MORNING
6:55 AM
Governor's Road to Corner of Route 107
7:00 AM
Jenness Pond Road
7:01 AM
Clough Road
7:03 AM
End of Shingle Mill Brook Road
7:20 AM
To School
7:30 AM
Catamount Road, Stop At Corner of 107 and Fairview Road
7:40 AM
Berry Pond Road, Mountain Road, Sargent Road
7:45 AM
White Brook Apartments
7:46 AM
South Main Street
7:50 AM
Back To School
AFTERNOON
2:35 PM
Leaves PES
2:37 PM
Blueberry Express, Dollar Store
2:38 PM
Cram Avenue, Carroll Street
2:41 PM
Elm Street, Park Street
2:50 PM
Goes to PMHS
2:55 PM
Leaves PMHS
3:00 PM
Tilton Hill Road (Past Wildwood Drive) Catamount Road
3:20 PM
Johnson Road, Thompson Road
3:30 PM
Governor's Road
3:35 PM
Route Finished
RED BUS
DRIVER
- MRS. SPENDOR
MORNING
6:45 AM
Webster Mills Road
7:05 AM
Dowboro Road, South Pittsfield Road
7:10 AM
Turn at Tan Road
7:15 AM
Quail Ridge Circle, Prescott Road
7:25 AM
To School
7:30 AM
Lyford Hill Road
7:35 AM
Leavitt Road out 28 to Kaime Road
7:40 AM
Concord Hill Road
7:45 AM
Back to School
AFTERNOON
2:35 PM
Leaves PES
2:37 PM
Lyford Hill Road, Leavitt Road, Out 28 to Dominicks Restaurant,
Martel Road, Concord Hill Road
2:55 PM
Goes to PMHS
3:00 PM
Leaves PMHS
3:15 PM
Lyford Hill Road, Leavitt Road, Out 28 to Dominicks Restaurant,
Martel Road, Concord Hill Road
3:20 PM
Quail Ridge Road
3:25 PM
Prescott Road
3:40 PM
South Pittsfield Area, Webster Mills Road
3:45 PM
Route Finished
BLUE
BUS
DRIVER
- MRS. KENNEPOHL
MORNING
7:00 AM
- 7:08 AM RT.107,Shaw Road
7:08 AM
- 7:13 AM Deer Meadow Road, Bailey
7:15 AM
Route 28
7:15 AM
Upper City Road, Molly Lane
7:18 AM
Daroska Road, Siel Road
7:22 AM
Returns to Upper City as far as Loudon Town Line
7:28 AM
Eaton Road
7:32 AM
Norris Road across Cameron Drive to Leavitt Road
7:40 AM
To School
AFTERNOON
2:35 PM
Leaves PES
2:37 PM
South Main Street, Town Hall
2:40 PM
White Brook Apartments
2:45 PM
Goes to PMHS
2:50 PM
Leaves PMHS
3:00 PM
Barnstead Road
3:10 PM
Shaw Road, Range Road (Only if students on road to ride)
3:15 PM
107 N to Deer Meadow Road, Bailey Park
3:20 PM
Upper City Road, Molly Lane
3:25 PM
Daroska Road, Siel Road
3:30 PM
Upper City Road to Loudon Line, Eaton Road, Norris Road, Across
Cameron Drive to Leavitt Road
3:40 PM
Route Finished
ORANGE BUS
DRIVER
- MRS. MARTIN
MORNING
7:00 AM
Thompson Road, Johnson Road
7:05 AM
Governor's Road
7:10 AM
Sanderson Road as far as Berry Pond Road
7:15 AM
To School
7:21 AM
South Main Street - Town Hall
7:25 AM
Cram Avenue
7:27 AM
Dustin Park
7:29 AM
Park Street
7:30 AM
Back To School
7:32 AM
Blueberry Express, Dollar Store
7:35 AM
Oak Street, Chestnut Street
7:36 AM
Damsite
7:38 AM
Bridgeview Apts
7:39 AM
Watson Street, Corner of River Road
7:41 AM
Bridge Street & Chestnut Street
7:44 AM
Back To School
AFTERNOON
2:35 PM
Leaves PES
2:37 PM
Dustin Park/PYW
2:39 PM
Oak Street, Chestnut Street
2:42 PM
Damsite
2:47 PM
Bridgeview Apts., Corner of River Road
2:50 PM
Bridge Street, Chestnut Street, Smith Street
2:55 PM
Goes to PMHS
3:00 PM
Leaves PMHS
3:05 PM
Route 107 South - Catamount Apartments as far as 424 Catamount Road
3:15 PM
Berry Pond Road
3:20 PM
Mountain Road
3:25 PM
Route Finished
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