The
Inn at Deerfield, a non-profit residence for people with
Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, is looking for board
members. This volunteer board oversees and approves the
policies, direction, and administration of The Inn. In
addition, board members represent the communities which surround
The Inn, and help with fundraisers and public events. The
time commitment is approximately 4 hours per quarter. If
you are interested in being a part of this organization, please
contact Kelly Adams, Executive Director, at
[email protected].
Meet Mud Bud at the Chesley Memorial Library!
Mud
Bud, a very lovable Golden Retriever, will be here with Crystal
Myslinksi on Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. in July and August.
(Mud Bud will not be here on August 17, he will be on vacation!)
Mud Bud is registered and certified through the National Therapy
Dog Program. Mud Bud loves to visit with children and
seniors so all ages are welcome, but young children in
particular might be interested in reading aloud to Mud Bud.
The purpose of a reading to dogs program is to provide children
with a comfortable environment to practice their reading skills.
Children who read to dogs improve their own reading skills and
often report a greater enjoyment of reading. Mud Bud is ready to
meet some new buddies at the library this summer!
Oh!
The Possibilities For Northwood
When the Baptist Church,
located next to Hannaford Supermarket in Northwood went up for
sale last year, some Friends of Northwood thought that the
building would make a wonderful community center. A
walk-through was scheduled to gage the possibilities. The
church part is a large empty space suited for entertainment,
education, exhibits, voting and other town needs. The 13
year old two-story addition measures 36 feet x 40 feet with a
kitchen, great room and meeting rooms on the second floor.
The estimated cost to build the addition today is about
$500,000.
When we saw the possibilities we invited all the
Town of Northwood government entities to two scheduled
walk-throughs to determine the viability of buying the church
for a community center. When all was said and done, the
response was very positive, but we were told to do our due
diligence and get estimates to bring the building up to code so
it could be used as a public building.
While the building is
structurally strong, some work may be needed to shore up the
foundation in spots and the floor in the church part would need
to be replaced. Due to the cost of adding a sprinkler
system, adding handicap exits, upgrading the security system,
and installing a lift/elevator at the cost of about $150,000 to
do all of the upgrades, we decided to step back and look for
other alternatives.
Noting that the whole building has a 13
year old roof, heating system and water filtration system, it is
a good solid historic building with so many possibilities.
Why do we need such a building? Northwood is handicapped due to
lack of space to hold programs that the town people like to
attend. Recently, the library held a “Birds of Prey”
program in which 62 people packed into the basement of the
library to see four live birds of prey. People were turned
away due to lack of space. While the library previously tried to
find another venue, none were available. Beside the many
programs the library could offer, the Boy and Girl Scouts could
use a space. The Northwood Recreation Department could
offer programs to youth and seniors such as cooking classes,
quilting/sewing classes, movie night or movie afternoon for the
seniors and even dance night… so many possibilities.
Situated
in the east side of town with a bank, gas stations, library,
restaurant, flower shop, and supermarket, the location is the
closest concept of a town center Northwood has to offer.
It is noted that there is a community center in the Narrows;
however, it is remote, almost always booked, and rather small
for programs that require 100 plus seating.
How can a small
town like Northwood afford to buy the building and bring it up
to code? The owner’s asking price was $150,000. Is
there a talented grant writer in town that could acquire the
funds to buy and upgrade the church? Will a Northwood
resident or residents come forward and donate the money to
purchase and upgrade the church for a community center? Is
there someone in town that would like to leave a legacy that
would continue to benefit the community for years to come?
You may think that is unlikely, but in 1991 town resident,
Joseph Grano donated enough money to build the two story
addition to the Chesley Memorial Library, and more recently,
eight people in Andover, NH bought the old town hall in 2016, an
historic building, to save it from being torn down, “to keep a
piece of the past alive while being mindful of the needs of the
town’s youth” and seniors. Could that happen in Northwood?
Are there people of means that could afford to commit to
providing for the community a center to be used for civic,
cultural, and educational programs?
While this project is
solely the idea of Friends of Northwood, anyone inclined to help
in the funding may call the Town of Northwood at 942-5586 for
more information.
This Weekend’s LRPA After Dark Feature:
1956’s “Please
Murder Me!”
Join Lakes Region Public Access Television at
10:30 p.m. this Friday and Saturday night (August 19 & 20) for
our “LRPA After Dark” presentation of 1956’s crime drama “Please
Murder Me!” starring Angela Lansbury and Raymond Burr.
Told in flashback, “Please Murder Me!” is the story of a deadly
love triangle involving attorney Craig Carlson (Burr), who’s
fallen hard for Myra Leeds (Lansbury), the wife of Joe (played
by character actor Dick Foran), Craig’s close friend and WWII
buddy. Craig owes Joe his life and so is tormented by his
feelings for Myra. Joe tells Craig in confidence that he
suspects Myra of having an affair. It’s too much for Craig to
bear, so he confesses to Joe that he’s “the other man.”
Surprisingly, Joe isn’t angry – he asks Craig for a few days to
think things over. Craig is mystified by Joe’s behavior. When he
asks Myra about it, she advises him to do nothing until Joe
responds. A few nights later, Myrna shoots Joe, claiming
self-defense. Craig, while shocked by his friend’s alleged
behavior, agrees to serve as Myra’s attorney. He defends her
superbly, even putting his own reputation on the line,
anticipating a happy and peaceful life after the conclusion of
the trial. But there is more, it seems, to Myra than meets
the eye.
“Please Murder Me!” is one of the least-known
entries in the film noir genre. While it certainly is a small,
low budget thriller, it is a thriller nonetheless, and features
some wonderful plot twists wrapped up in a bracing 78-minute
film. Angela Lansbury is terrific here, playing, as she often
did early in her career, the heartless femme fatale. Classic
television fans will likely recognize minor character actors
including Dick Foran as the cuckolded husband and Denver Pyle
(best known for shows such as “The Dukes of Hazard” and “The
Doris Day Show”) as a police lieutenant. But the standout is
Raymond Burr, who ironically, up until that point in his career,
usually played the bad guy (who can forget him as the ruthless
killer in Hitchcock’s “Rear Window”?). Burr’s intelligent and
earnest lawyer, who is more than slightly unhinged by the film’s
end, was likely the model for his biggest, career-defining role
-- that of TV lawyer Perry Mason. “Please Murder Me!” deserves
to be better known by film fans everywhere. So grab your popcorn
and meet us after dark for this seldom-seen thriller from the
past.
Letter To The Editor
Northwood Community,
As you may have
heard, Northwood Transportation is no longer in operation and at
the present time we do not have transportation to school this
fall for students at Northwood School and CBNA.
We have put
out an RFP for bids on the transportation contract and received
no interest. At the present time we are exploring all
options, but the largest hurdle is finding available bus
drivers. Anyone interested in becoming a bus driver can
contact Superintendent of Schools, Bob Gadomski, at 942-1290.
We are hopeful that we can find a creative solution to this
problem by the opening of school. The Northwood School
Board will be discussing this further at their July 20, 2017
Board meeting. The meeting will take place at the
Northwood School Library at 6:30 pm. All are welcome to
attend and hear the discussion.
Keith McGuigan
Northwood Historical Society Museum
How much do you or your
children know about the shoe industry in Northwood? At one time,
Northwood was the home to 3 large three story buildings built
for the manufacture of shoes. Digging in many Northwood yards
will sometimes produce pieces of leather, wooden or medal shoe
forms or tools as many family homes also manufactured shoes or
did piece work for additional income. We have a large
display of items used in the old shoe mills along with photos of
the buildings and the workers. We hope you will plan a
visit and learn about this time in Northwood’s history.
The
museum is open Saturdays in July and August from 1 - 3 PM
(except Bean Hole Bash weekend-July 29th), we are located in the
brick building on School Street in the Narrows. We will
also have a display at the Bean Hole Bash, please stop by and
talk with one of our members about membership and sign up for
notification of our programs.
Northwood Bean Hole Bash
The 2017 Northwood Bean Hole Bash is
almost here, July 28th and 29th Many family events are
planned for this year.
Friday night is the country auction
with our auctioneer telling us there are going to be great items
awaiting your bid. The bean pots should be lowered into
the pit around 10:00 PM.
The Northwood Park and Recreation
Committee is sponsoring a bike and wagon parade on Saturday for
all ages. Bring you decorated bike or wagon to in front of
Smith Hall at 1:00 PM to be part of this new event. We are
looking to see how many participants will show our red, white
and blue community and patriotic spirit. At 2:00 PM, old
fashioned family field games will start such as sack and three
legged races, water balloon toss and perhaps a few surprises.
Starting at 2:30 PM under the tent there will be a pie eating
contest for different age groups, yes this also includes adults.
New Hampshire Fish and Game is bringing their Operation Game
Thief trailer.
Raffle tickets will be on sale for many items
,first prize is a piece of furniture generously donated by D.R.
Dimes and Company, Ltd.
Starting at 4:00 PM will be the Bean
Hole Bash Supper featuring beans (pea, kidney and vegan), corn
on the cob, hot dogs and beverage, prices are adults $10.00 and
children 12 and under $5.00.
Visit our updated web page
beanholebash,com for full schedule of events, our brochure is
available at many locate merchants. Please thank sponsors
for their support of the Bean Hole Bash.
HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE
AT THE BASH
Letter To The Editor
Suggestion #2
The dedicated reader
will recall that Rock. 1 Rep. Brian J. Stone emailed me last
month to request suggestions for “potential legislation for the
next year that could benefit Northwood.”
In this installment,
I would like to suggest that the Legislature fund kindergarten
at the same level as Grades 1-12, and that they detach its
funding from the proceeds of the newly legalized keno lottery.
The current bill, signed by the Governor on July 12, provides
only an additional $1,100 to districts with full-day
kindergarteners – rather than the $1,800 that would be needed to
achieve parity with Grades 1-12 that receive $3,600 in
“adequacy” funding. While the amount may increase if keno
revenues allow, there is no reason to believe that they will.
And, because it will take some time to set up the keno system,
pay-outs to schools won’t begin until 2019, if then.
While
the Governor has been taking victory laps, I am appalled by this
80% solution. Aside from being 20% short, it ties funding
education – once again – to the gambling losses of those who
often are those that can least afford it.
Instead, the
Legislature should fund kindergarten at the same level as Grades
1-12.
If you agree – or have other legislation of your own to
propose – contact Rep. Stone at 724-1404 or
[email protected].
In our next installment, I will address why $3,600 in “adequacy”
funding is inadequate and wonder if, after 20 years, it isn’t
time for another Claremont case.
Tom Chase
Northwood
