Wellspring Counseling will close on November 26, 2013. The address for records will continue to be: Wellspring, PO Box 74, Pittsfield, NH 03263.

School To Farm Event Another Success!!!

Submitted By Ruth Smith, Coordinator

New Hampshire Agriculture in the Classroom

New Hampshire Agriculture in the Classroom recently hosted their fourth School to Farm two-day event for Belknap County fourth grade school students.  This event was once again held at Ramblin’  Vewe Farm in Gilford with 378 students attending  plus their teachers and chaperones.   On these two days, the farmland was bursting with excited students learning where their  local food comes from and seeing how important it is to keep agriculture right here in New Hampshire.  

We wish to thank all the presenters  who exhibited and presented an educational program for the students during the day.  This year our presenters were Pemi-Baker Beekeepers, Huckins Farm, Prescott Farm Environmental Education, Ox-K Farm, Belknap County Farm Bureau, Suroweic Farm, Belknap County Cooperative Education, Belknap County Conservation District, Shepherd’s Hut Market and Lindon Garlic Farm.  Again a big thank you to Ramblin’ Vewe Trust for allowing us to use their farm land for this event.

However, this event would not be possible without our sponsorships.  Thank you to Ramblin’ Vewe Farm, Moulton Farm, Meredith Village Savings Bank, Farm Family Insurance, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Barbara and Bill Angevine, Huckins Farm, and Allison and Jon Howe.  

Again, many thanks to all who participated.

Pumpkin & Pine Fair In Barnstead

This Saturday, November 2nd, is the date of the charming country church fair known as the Pumpkin & Pine Fair.    There will be fun, food, and treasures at the Congregational Church of North Barnstead between 9 and 2 pm.  Bring your friends, find unique items for your holiday plans, enjoy a complimentary chair massage, and be sure to join us for a brunch or lunch in the Schoolhouse Café.   Bring the kids too – there will be child care available while you shop.

Many come each year just for the silent auction!  Each year is different and this year there are over 90 items or services being auctioned. There is great art from local artists and hand-crafted wooden clocks, cupboards and cutting boards from local woodworkers. There are gift certificates galore for massage, photography, haircuts, food and handyman services.  There are always decorative items to celebrate the season and items to help you with your gift giving – a sushi-making kit, a little lamb hat and mittens, a grouping of kites, a car emergency kit, and handcrafted ceramics.  The list goes on – come and bid often and go home with a treasure.

The fair has an eclectic jewelry selection, holiday crafts, delicious foods and equally tasty preserves, relishes and canned tomatoes for your holiday season.  There are also collectibles, both vintage and new.   A special treat are the beautiful and unusual hand-made gifts by artists from Ghana.  Our church is rich in children and young families so you will find a good selection of gifts for children – be they just for kids or kid’s activities for the whole family!

The Congregational Church of North Barnstead is located at 504 North Barnstead Road near the end of Peacham Road.  Just follow the signs for Pumpkin & Pine Church Fair!  The money earned at the fair is donated by the Women’s Fellowship to community outreach and to help renovate this 1820 historic church of Barnstead.

Locke Lakers Social Club

The Locke Lakers Social Club gathered at Dominic’s Restaurant on October 20th for their Fall Brunch.  15 members attended.  It was a wonderful time to say ‘Bon Voyage’ to the snowbirds traveling to Florida, socializing with the members, and catching up on summer news.

The club’s next meeting is at the Shea’s house on Tuesday November 12th at 9:30 a.m.  All Locke Lake and Half Moon residents are most welcome to attend the meetings and events.

On November 10th, Sunday at noon, we shall have our Harvest Pot Luck Brunch at the lodge, and then attend the musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie” at the Scenic Theatre with The Pittsfield Players.  If you want to join us please call President Ann Shea @ 393-7233.

Plans are to have our Holiday Brunch on December 15th, have a Yankee Swap, and then go see the lights and crèches at LaSalette Shrine in Enfield, NH.  Hope residents of Locke Lake and Half Moon Lake can join us.

Oscar Foss Memorial Library And Barnstead Elementary School Receive CLiF Rural Library Award

Congratulations to the Oscar Foss Memorial Library and the Barnstead Elementary School for being awarded a CLiF (Children’s Literacy Foundation) Rural Library Award!  The grant includes $2000 in new children’s books for the town library. The local elementary school receives a selection of 25 new books and two separate storytelling presentations for all students in grades K- 6 at the elementary school, with a book giveaway at the second event. There will also be two separate storytelling and book giveaway events for local childcare/preschool programs at the Oscar Foss Memorial Library. Rural librarians from NH and VT were invited to apply for this grant.  The Children’s Literacy Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1998. Its mission is to nurture a love of reading and writing among children throughout New Hampshire and Vermont. The Oscar Foss Memorial Library and Barnstead Elementary School staff are very excited to share the benefits of this award with the community.

“Fancy Nancy Tea Party” 

At Barnstead Library

The Oscar Foss Memorial Library would like to invite the children and families of Barnstead to our annual “Fancy Nancy Tea Party!” on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 10:00am. Everyone should bring their favorite teacup and of course dressing-up in your ‘Fancy Nancy finest’ is always the best part! A light snack and beverage will be provided by the library, as well as some other fabulous fun and surprises!! Our seating is limited, so please call 269-3900 or come by the circulation desk to reserve your place as soon as possible. Library Hours are; Monday:  2pm - 8pm, Tuesday & Wednesday: 10am – 5pm, Thursday: 5pm – 8pm, Friday: 2pm – 5pm & Saturday: 9am – Noon. 

Barnstead Parks & Recreation Basketball Sign Ups

Sign ups for the coming basketball season will be accepted for grades K-6 now through November 15. 

We are also seeking coaches for all levels.  As a thank you for volunteering to coach, your children will play for free. 

Please make note of several important changes to the registration process effective immediately.  Registrations will no longer be accepted by Town Hall personnel.  Instead, please come to one of our sign up nights on November 5, November 8, November 12, or November 15 between 6:00 – 7:00 pm in the old lobby at Barnstead Elementary School. The cost to register is $35.00, which includes a team jersey.  Registrations submitted after November 15 will be subject to a $10.00 late fee, and will be placed on a wait list, no exceptions.

Practices are expected to begin after Christmas break.  Coaches will contact players directly to provide practice schedules.

Please remember that if your child is accepted to play on a BES team, it is your responsibility to inform Parks & Rec, not the coach, no later than the second team practice in order to receive a refund. 

Thank you for your cooperation with our new registration process. We are looking forward to a great season.

Celebrating 50 Years

On Saturday, October 5, a surprise 50th Anniversary party was held at the Puritan Back Room Restaurant for Joann and Tony Pinto. It was given by Anthony and Marie Pinto, Rob and Chris Pinto, Scott and Tara Pinto, and Greg and Bette Pinto. Also attending were: grandchildren Jordyn, Crystal, Seth and Nicole, Andrea and Dave, Meghan, Catherine, Gage, Dustin and guest; great-grandchildren Scarlett, Aeris, Avery, Gabriel, and Abel. Other guests included: Bob Hillis and Malissa, Jan and Bob, family friends Vaughn and Sally Rigone, Danny Sullivan, Eileen, Joe and Ron Pinto, Dorothy Murphy, sister of Joann and Ron and Andrea Dryden, brother of Joann. The food was great and a good time was had by all. Looking forward to the next fifty.

Barnstead Fire Fighter Passes Away

Barnstead Fire Lieutenant Jacob G. Weber died as a result of medical complications on Tuesday, October 22, at his home in Underhill, VT. Lt Weber was also a volunteer firefighter at Underhill/Jericho and Essex Rescue (VT), a former member of the Colebrook (NH) Fire Department and also served as a part-time police officer in Lancaster, NH.

Lt. Weber joined the Barnstead Fire Rescue in 2003 as a part-time firefighter and was appointed to career status the following year. In 2012, he was promoted to his current rank of department lieutenant and was an active member of the department.

He was born in St. Johnsbury, VT in 1983 to Howard Weber and Mary Beth (George) Kenison. He attended Colebrook Academy and the NH Technical College in Laconia. Keeping true to his goal of working in the fire service, he majored in Fire Science and Investigation.

Barnstead Chief Mark Tetreault, commenting on Lt. Weber’s passing, noted “He was a fire fighter committed to helping others. He would often volunteer to read to a class during National Book Week, was a member of the Ski Patrol, and he helped establish the Fire Explorers at the Colebrook Fire Department. He’d drive hours to help out on a shift and never complain.” He served Barnstead as an EMT-Basic as well.

LT Weber leaves his wife, Alicia (Davis) Weber; his father, Howard Weber of Gulf Breeze, FL; his mother, Mary Beth Kenison of Groveton, NH; brothers Nicholas of Gilmanton, NH; his twin, CAPT. Samuel Weber, currently of Afghanistan, and his grandmother Suzanne Webber of Colebrook.

The funeral took place at the Colebrook Elementary School on Sunday October 27, 2013. 

Kevin Price

Kevin C. Price Jr. , 21 of North Barnstead Road, died October 18th of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.

He was born in Concord, the son of Kevin and Jennifer (Forsyth) Price. He lived in Pittsfield and Barnstead all his life attending both Pittsfield and Prospect Mountain High Schools.  

He is survived by his parents, three Brothers, Joey and Justin Clements both of Allenstown and Jacob Gray of Barnstead, a sister, Jennifer Price of Barnstead, and his girl friend, Kate-Lynn Varney of Barnstead, his maternal grandparents George and Judith Forsyth of Barnstead, his maternal great grandmother Jean Eastman of Barnstead, aunts including Linda Bedell and Donna Messier and uncles including David Price.

A Memorial Service was held Friday October 25th in the Gilmanton I.W. Community Church. The Rev Chris Stevens, Pastor officiated. Urn burial will be at the family’s convenience in the Floral Park Cemetery, Pittsfield.