Evergreen Lodge #53, Ivy Green Lodge #36 and friends are offering digital photos with Santa on Saturday, December 6th at the Historic Odd Fellows Hall on Short Falls Road in Epsom from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be crafts for the children, refreshments and a Christmas tree raffle. Also, a movie with Santa at 1 p.m. Plan to join the fun and help with local holiday outreach!
For info call the Benner’s at 736-4707.
 

The Epsom Public library is having a “Food for Fines” collection. Patrons with fines for late library materials may donate non-perishable items for the Epsom Food Pantry and have their fines reduced or eliminated. Everyone is welcome to donate! Bring items to the library during our regular hours Mondays, 10-7 and Saturdays, 9-1. For info call 736-9920
 

It’s time for another fair at the First Congregational Church in Pittsfield. On Saturday, December 6th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Dorcas Guild will be sponsoring the Annual Craft Fair which features several different crafters from Pittsfield and surrounding towns. This fair has gained a wonderful reputation over the years for the great variety of unusual items offered by the artisans in the area. If you haven’t attended before, make an effort to attend, you will be glad you did.
 

Letter
SB2 in Epsom

I have read the letter about some folks wanting to rescind the SB2 form of government that we have in Epsom and go back to the Old Traditional Town Meeting form.

SB2 is even being blamed for the financial problems that Epsom is facing as it discourages people from understanding what they are voting for. I guess this means what some call the “Uninformed Voter”. I am sure that there are some voters that may be uninformed but by and large most of us can read and understand. It would be a big help if we all would discuss the Warrant Articles, and there has to be a way to do this without going back to the old ways. Maybe we could have a Blog on the town’s web site with questions & answers about the articles. What I don’t want to see is going back to the pitiful attendance that showed up at the old Town Meetings.

For seven years before SB2 was implemented, the year of 1992 had the record attendance with 168 out of a possible 5000 voters showing up. I for one do not want that small percentage of voters making up my tax bill.

The SB2 form of government was instituted by the State Legislature in 1995 because of concerns that modern lifestyles have made it difficult to attend traditional meetings.

With SB2 the voters can vote throughout the day or even vote by absentee ballot.

There should be no extra expense to the town except for adding the articles to the ballot.

Please don’t forget the fundamental principle of our Democracy, is that every American has the right to cast a vote.

Sincerely,
Les Cash
Epsom Voter

The Epsom Website Committee

The Epsom Website Committee is looking for some new members to join in our goal to be the main communication tool for the Town. We are a small group and are in need of a few people who know enough about websites and programs to be able to help design our future look and keep our site updated. But computer experience is not necessary. We also need people who know what they like to see on a website and who can help develop a user-friendly website for our residents. Our committee usually meets once every four to six weeks. If you are interested, please contact the Town Office at 736-9002 and leave your name and phone number. One of our Committee will get back to you to discuss any questions you might have.

Thank you for taking the time to consider becoming involved in Epsom.

Epsom Historical Society

Submitted By: Virginia Drew
On Sunday, November 18, Bruce and Penny Graham entertained all those who attended the Epsom Historical Association’s The Lost Art of Making Shoes presentation in the historic Epsom Town Hall. An informative slide show accompanied live demonstrations of shoemaking and the history of shoemakers in Epsom. The Epsom Historical Association would like to thank the Grahams as well as all those who came out to the event!

Reminder to all who helped make the December Calendar raffle a success: Ticket drawings began on December 1st! You may find information regarding winners at www.epsomhistory.com. Also if you have received your application forms to the Association, please remember to fill them out and send them in, this will insure that you receive our newsletters and information regarding the Association. Winners of the drawings will be notified by the contact information provided on your ticket. Thank you all for your support for the Epsom Historical Association! Happy Holidays and Good Luck!

Epsom Police Notes

The following is a summary of calls made by the Epsom Police Department for November 3-23, 2008. It is compiled from information provided by the Department.

Complaints Included: OHRV, 1; Suspicious Activity, 11; Animal, 7; Civil, 8; Motor Vehicle, 7; Juvenile, 2; Phone Harassment, 1.

Checks Included: Suspicious Activity, 8; Suspicious Subjects, 4; Road Hazard, 1; Abandoned 911 Calls, 2; Abandoned Vehicles, 4; Suspicious Vehicles, 2; Shots Fired, 1.
Assists Included: Disabled Motorist, 1; Other PDs, 3; Agency With Service of Paperwork, 10; Agency With Investigations, 9; Subject With Well Being Checks, 2;

Disabled Motorist, 1; Rescue Squad, 4; Fire Dept., 5; Agency With Arrests, 1.

Reports Included:  Theft of Gas, 1; Theft of Miscellaneous Items, 1; Theft of Item, 1.

Responses Included: Unwanted Person, 1; Accidents With Deer, 3; Accidents, 2; Domestic, 2; Juvenile Complaint, 1; Alarm Activation, 1.

There were three Arrests and one Bad Check.

Lori Sousa, Artisan  Of The Month
 

Lori Sousa is our Artisan of the Month for December. Lori has been designing and creating beaded jewelry for 12 years.

Primarily self-taught, her skills have progressed from simple stringing to wirework, metalwork, and intricate off-loom bead weaving. Her goal is to create durable, wearable, affordable pieces that are uniquely  beautiful without being “quirky” or trendy. Design influences are classic -  Chanel rather than Versace. She loves technical challenges - how does one take a necklace from 1 strand to 5 and back to 1 without the use of mass-market findings? How to create a beaded ruffle that looks like a wave, or a flower petal? What shape bead will show off this open-weave pattern to the best advantage?

If this type of jewelry sounds like something you would love to give as a gift, or for yourself as a Christmas present, then come in to Valley Artisans. We have over 40 juried creative artisans to pick from.

On December 6th and 7th we are having our 27th annual Christmas Open House, come in and enjoy our holiday atmosphere and affordable gifts. Hot mulled cider, home baked yummies will be available.

Come and get warm by our fireplaces, open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 7 days a week til December 26th, when we close for the season. 1/4 mile on Route 202/4 east, past the Epsom circle take a left at the first light. 603-736-8200, www.valleyartisansnh.org

The Pathfinder Academy preschool and kindergarten students wrapped up a theme on Thanksgiving by having a pumpkin pancake breakfast. The students learned about the Pilgrims’ journey to the new world, the help from the Native Americans, and also about the differences about both cultures. For crafts they designed Native American vests complete with symbols, journals about the story of thanksgiving, and handprint turkeys stating what the students are thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving! From left to right: Aidan Cox, Hannah Keeler, Eva Roy, and Brenna Roy.