Celebrating Birthdays are: April 8, Ben Abbott, Bob Zahn, Debbie Riel; April 9. Mary E. Locke, Carolyn Bond, April 10, Rebecca Walton, Michael St. Laurent, Diane Lammott; April 11, Carl Hubbard; April 12, Julie Snell, Helen Charron, Amber Valentyn; April 13, Curt Luksza, Jean Jelley; April 14, Mary LeDuc, John Genest, Jr., Kaela Marable, Laurie DePalma.

A Very Happy Birthday to one and all!

Best Wishes to Arthur and Glenda Harnden who will celebrate their Wedding Anniversary on April 11th.

Salty Dog Pottery is offering Pottery Workshops for students during April School Vacation, Monday, April 27 through April 30.

For information and registration call or e-mail:

Teresa Taylor

Salty Dog Pottery

92 Suncook Valley Road (Rte. 28)

Barnstead, NH 03218

435-6014

[email protected]

David Martin and daughter, Larissa, of Spokane, Washington, spent a week recently with his parents, John and Arlene Martin at their home on Concord Hill Road. This was their first visit in several years.

The public is cordially invited to join us at the First Congregational Church in Pittsfield, for our Maundy Thursday Service at 7 p.m. on April 9th as we partake of the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of this significant day in the Christian Faith. Also, during this special Lenten Service, the Chancel Choir, under the direction of Music Director, Ashley Morgan, will present the Cantata, “All The Ni nth Hour,” written by Tom Long.

Easter Sunrise Service at Park Street Baptist Church will be at 7:00 in Veteran’s Park (weather permitting) followed by a community breakfast downstairs in the church. Everyone is invited to join us! For more info, call 435-8036.

School Lunch Menus

April 13-17, 2009

PMHS

Monday - Pizza, veggies, fruit, milk.

Tuesday - Mac & cheese, sausage patty, veggies, fruit, milk.

Wednesday - Pasta, salad, bread, fruit, milk.

Thursday - Hot dogs, fries, veggie, fruit, milk.

Friday - Make Your Own Grinders, fruit, milk.

EPSOM

Monday - Ham & cheese sandwiches, chips, pickles, fruit, milk or yogurt tray, chicken salad.

Tuesday - American chop suey, garlic bread, veg., fruit, milk or yogurt tray, nacho salad.

Wednesday - Chicken stir fry, rice, fruit, milk or yogurt tray, Chef  choice salad.

Thursday - Soft shell tacos, lettuce, tomato, cheese, salsa, fruit, milk or yogurt tray, Chef choice salad.

Friday - New Item: Homemade chili, roll, trail mix, fruit, milk or yogurt tray, Chef choice salad.

PES

Monday - Chicken noodle bake, veggie, fruit, milk.

Tuesday - Ham & cheese sandwich, salad, fruit, milk.

Wednesday -  No School

Thursday - Popcorn chicken, veggie, fruit, milk.

Friday - Pizza, fruit, milk.

CHICHESTER

Monday - French toast sticks, sausage links, applesauce, pears, milk.

Tuesday - Ham & cheese sub, French fries, apple, milk.

Wednesday - Spaghetti with meatsauce, garlic bread, green beans, sliced peaches,

milk.

Thursday - Bologna & cheese sandwich, tomato soup, carrots, Baker’s choice, milk.

Friday - Hot dog with roll, baked beans or veggie, Jello with topping, milk.

Letter

County Of Merrimack

A Message From County Commissioner Bernier The County budget passed on March 24th. I am very pleased to inform you that there will not be any increase in county taxes. Rather, there will be a slight decrease in taxes. In previous years, our bond rating has been triple B. Due to the hard work of the County Administrators and elected officials, the bond rating has been set at an A rating. This improvement in the rating will save the County money when we borrow money. This change in rating has a long term effect on our taxes.

Town and City governments are going through very difficult times right now. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you in any way in your community. I can be reached at 228-0331 if you have any questions or concerned.

Leo R. Bernier,

Commissioner

Pittsfield Clothes Closet Raffle

Lisa Wickman of Longaberger  Baskets has graciously offered to donate one of her lovely handcrafted baskets to be used for a raffle for the Clothes Closet with all proceeds benefiting the shop. The basket will be on display until Wed., May 6th when there will be a drawing for Mother’s Day. Raffle tickets can be purchased at the Clothes Closet durin g our open hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 10 to 1 p.m.

Pittsfield Historical Society

The Pittsfield Historical Society’s first 2009 program will be:

RECORDING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY to be held on Thursday April 9th, 7 p.m.

at the PHS building.

Admission is Free and the public is invited.

The program is a hands-on, how-to workshop for anyone wanting to learn ways to record their family history.

Larry Berkson, Society Historian, and Marilyn Thyng will help you get started. They will share methods of research, resources available to  everyone, hints, tips, and ideas.   Please join us for an interactive session that will he fun, as well as informative.

Meet Detective Sergeant Richard C. Walter, Jr. Of The Pittsfield Police Department Detective Sergeant Richard Walter, Jr. says, “When times are tough, look at all that is positive in your life.  Try to bring out the good in yourself and others and strive on that.  Nothing is impossible to achieve if you believe in yourself.  Keep up the good work.”

Sergeant Walter has been in law enforcement for 13 years and with the Pittsfield Police Department for over ten years.  He served from 1994 until 1998 with the Chichester Police.

“In December 1998 I was given the opportunity to further my career by coming to work for the Town of Pittsfield Police department.  I previously worked for Chichester Police and felt that thi s move would help me to advance in my career.”

“I had worked side by side with the Pittsfield Police and felt that they were a group of professional officers.  I also liked the amount of activity and how they have an active approach to dealing with their community.  I also saw an opportunity to teach D.A.R.E. in Pittsfield.”

Sergeant Walter has been teaching D.A.R.E. since 2000 and was D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year for New Hampshire in 2006. Walter is a member of the Pittsfield Youth Workshop Board of Directors, held membership on the Pittsfield Mentoring board that is run through the Pittsfield school, a Boy Scout leader, assistant baseball coach, Juvenile officer, started the Pittsfield Police Explorers program, is responsible for helmet safety courses and talks at the school, and started the bicycle registration program.

Sergeant Walter is the Police Prosecutor for adult and juvenile cases and received Police Officer of the Year from the Chichester Grange in 2008.

Sergeant Walter has three children and enjoys hunting and fishing, baseball and football.

Pittsfield Fire and Rescue Service News

February 2009

During the month of February, fifty-five calls for emergency assistance were received. Fire and EMS personnel responded to 44 medical emergencies, 4 motor vehicle accidents, 1 passenger vehicle fire, 2 hazardous conditions, 2 service calls, 1 good intent call, and 1 alarm activation.

Four of the calls were simultaneous responses where all units were responding to or operating at other emergency calls.

Three mutual aid responses were given to other communities, six mutual aid responses (including 3 for a structure fire) were received from other communities.   Paramedic and/or mutual aid was received from a neighboring department on 10 occasions and provided 3 times to another community.

We’d like to thank Jim Horan of NH Electric Coop for his presentation on electrical emergencies that many members of the department attended.

Members also attended an Assistance to Firefighters Grant Workshop. A monthly department meeting was held, as well as an Officers meeting.

Coverage was provided during WinterFest and at the Fishing Derby. 

Seven code consultations, 2 follow up inspections, and 2 oil burner permits were conducted and issued.  Members attended two work details for snow removal from the station roof.  Exams for Lieutenant positions were taken and an oral board was held.

We are pleased to announce that we have received the new ambulance voted upon at the 2008 Town Meeting to replace our 1998 ambulance.

Currently, equipment and radios are being transferred from one ambulance to another and soon the new “72 Ambulance1” will be on the road.   We are appreciative of the support from members of the community.

We would like to welcome Arlene Norton back to the Department.  Arlene is working towards obtaining her EMT-Basic certification.

Reminder:  A Permit to Kindle a Fire is required for all outside burning. Call the station at 435-6807 for more information or stop by the station at 33 Catamount Road to obtain a permit.

Therapeutic Massage for Area Teachers

Natural Choice Therapeutic Massage and Nathalie Champagne, student of massage therapy, are pleased to offer the teachers and staff of area schools a one hour therapeutic massage with Nathalie at a greatly reduced rate.

We are doing this for two reasons. First, teachers do so much for our children we want to say “Thank you”. Second, Nathalie needs feedback on her massage techniques and who better to give feedback than teachers.

About Nathalie

My name is Nathalie Champagne. I have been living in Barnstead since 2004. I have 2 children, ages 16 and 11. I am currently a student at North Eastern Institute of Whole Health in Manchester, NH. I am expecting to graduate in the fall of 2009. Currently, I am fulfilling my 125 hours of practice in the school clinic.  I am very proud and happy to be part of the Natural Choice Therapeutic Massage team with Deb Godin, LMT and Marc Godin, LMT.  Some of the important courses I have taken so far are Neuro-muscular massage, Swedish massage, seated massage, anatomy and physiology, pathology, sport massage, hydrotherapy, and ethics and professionalism. I will be taking electives on Elder Mas sage and Trigger Point Therapy in the next few months.

Please call 620-8690 for more information and to schedule your massage.

We look forward to working with you on your quest for optimal health and stress reduction.

Clothes Drive To Be Held

In these hard economic times, it is difficult for people to afford even basic necessities of life. Clothing and hygienic needs (tooth brushes, tooth paste, deodorant, etc.) can be very expensive, especially when families have young children. So we’re holding a clothes drive! It will be held on May 23, 2009, from 9 a.m. until noon at the Pittsfield Elementary School. If you and your family are in need, please attend.

We are also looking for clothes donations and/or monetary donations to buy the simple hygienic items families may need.

The clothes should be for children in the elementary school level.

Donations are welcome between now and May 15, 2009. They can be dropped off at the Pittsfield High School front office. If you have any questions, please contact the school at 435-6701 and leave a message for Kristine Scott or Jillian Fennessey. Thank you for your help.

Letter

The flower baskets will soon be hanging throughout Pittsfield for the thirteenth year. Babe Jenisch who has taken care of the money for many years is giving that up and we want to thank her for doing that job and for prodding her friends and others to contribute.

Not being much good for anything else, I will take over her role so contributions should be made out to the Pittsfield Flower Fund, c/o J. Lenaerts, 520 Clough Road, Pittsfield, NH, 03263.

Don Morse and his family have done much of the work for several years, but they are greatly in need of help, particularly with watering. Call me for details. 942-8879.

John Lenaerts

7th Annual Pittsfield Fiddle Contest

The Pittsfield Youth Workshop (PYW) would like to invite you to the 7th Annual Pittsfield Fiddle Contest on Friday, May 15th. The contest will be held at the Scenic Theatre located at 19 Depot St. in Pittsfield, NH. There will be a silent auction and refreshments from 5-9 PM. The fiddle contest will begin at 6:30 PM, with the youth contestants competing first, followed by an open division in which anyone can participate. There will be prizes for the first, second, and third place winners of both divisions, with $200 as the top prize for the open division, and a $100 top prize for the youth division. This is an annual fundraising event organized and presented by the Pittsfield Youth Workshop, that is heavily attended, and always a lot of fun!

Contact: Please feel free to contact Zach Powers, Executive Director of the Pittsfield Youth Workshop, by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at (603) 435-8272.

The Pittsfield Youth Workshop is a non-profit youth organization committed to providing programs and services that empower youth by helping them to develop useful skills, self-esteem, and meaningful friendships, by involving them in activities that are interesting, challenging, and healthy avenues to self discovery. PYW is funded by grants from Merrimack County Incentive Funds, and the NH Division of Public Health Services, the Sanderson Trust, private foundations, and from fundraisers and donations.

Suncook Valley Soccer Club

The Suncook Valley Soccer Club, which serves the youth of Pittsfield ages 5 to 12, announces sign-up dates for Fall Soccer.

Wed., April 15th , 4:30 p.m .-7:00 p.m. at Pittsfield Elementary School.

Sat.,  April  25th , 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. at Globe Mfg. Parking lot -

Car Wash Fundraiser for     Mark Kubat and family.

Tues., May 5th,  6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. at Pittsfield Middle High School.

Sat., May 9th, 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. at Pittsfield Middle High School.

Costs: U10 (3rd & 4th Grade) & U12 (5th & 6th Grade)  $45.00.

U8 (1st & 2nd Grade)   $30.00.

U6 (Kindergarten)  $15.00.

Family Cap of $75.00.

Pittsfield Area Senior Center Activities Wed., April 8 10:00 - Crafts 12:30 - Mystery Dinner Thurs., April 9 10:00 - Bingo Fri., April 10 10:00 - Games 11:00 - Yoga Mon., April 13 10:00 - Bingo Tues., April 14 10:00 - Games with Dan Volunteer Appreciation Week - April 20-24, 2009 The Pittsfield Area Senior Center is hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. We invite and encourage all organizations utilizing  the services of volunteers to honor those folks with a fun fill celebration on Tuesday, April 21, 2009.  At 11:00 a.m. We plan a “Sing Along with Cheryl Meehan”, followed with dinner 12:00 p.m. and at 12:30 an Ice Cream Social and  with short appreciation presentation. There will be a door prize, 50/50 raffle and a time for volunteer recognition.

We are serving Pork Loin, gravy, stuffing, fancy potatoes and green beans followed with an Ice Cream Social.

Make reservations by April 15th.

Call 435-8482.

Quilts Needed for Exhibit

Is Grandmother’s quilt on your bed or in the cedar chest? Do you have a quilt that is in progress, a month old, or 100 years old? A great opportunity is coming next month to display your quaint quilts at the First Congregational Church, Pittsfield.

First, mark your calendar for April 15 to submit your quilt entry form; turn your quilts in by May 6. Then mark your calendar for Saturday, May 9, 2-4 p.m. for the Dorcas Guild’s, “Quilts, Tea, and Thee,” to view your quilt and all the others at the church, 24 Main Street, Pittsfield. In addition, the Pittsfield Historical Society has agreed to display the Congregational Church’s 1883 historic quilt!

To round out the afternoon, after viewing the quilts in the church sanctuary, enjoy some goodies and tea and look around in the “gift shop” in the church vestry. There is a $3 donation requested, and every visitor will receive a complimentary keepsake.

For more information and a quilt entry form, contact Elsie Morse at 435-6917 or Nella Hobson at 435-8385.

Pittsfield Police Department Arrest Log

2/22/09-3/28/09

On February 27, 2009, Norman Bates, 54, of Upper City Road, Pittsfield, was charged with DWI and given a court date to appear in Concord District Court on 3/20/09.

On February 28, 2009, A Juvenile of Main Street, Pittsfield, was charged with Unlawful Possession of Alcohol and Facilitating an Underage House Party and given a court date to appear in Concord District Court on 3/2/09.

On March 13, 2009, Christopher Fife, 27 of Olde Canterbury Road, Northwood, NH, was charged with Driving After Revocation/Suspension and given a court date to appear in Concord District Court on 4/10/09.

On March 25, 2009, Paul O’Connel, 20 of Coyne Street, Clinton, MA was charged with Possession of Drugs in a Motor Vehicle and given a court date to appear in Concord District Court on

On March 27, 2009, Jason Cook, 32, of Main Street, Pittsfield, was charged with Criminal Threatening and given a court date to appear in Concord District Court on 3/27/09.

Respectfully Submitted,

Chief Robert Wharem

Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce

Come join The Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce as we enjoy our monthly Business After Hours. The event will be held at The White Buffalo Trading Post located at 89 S. Barnstead Road, Rt. 126 in Center Barnstead on Tuesday, April 21st from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be appetizers, pizza and light  refreshments provided by The White Buffalo Trading Post. All Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce Members are welcome to come and encouraged to bring a guest. If you are not a member, this is a great opportunity to learn what The Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce is involved in and how it could benefit your business. This event is set up to allow everyone to network with other businesses, so make sure to bring your business cards!