Come
and sing, dance and play with Miss Kim! Miss Kim’s Music Makers
is now accepting registrations for a 4 week children’s music
class, DANCE WITH ME, in Pittsfield from April 10-May 1, 2010,
from 11:00 a.m.-noon on Saturday mornings. Classes will be held
at the Pittsfield Youth Workshop on Park St. Cost for the 4
weeks is $34.00. Please call 822-2694 or email
[email protected] to register your child by April 3. Class size is limited to
10 children, so register early to secure a spot.
Celebrating Birthdays are: March 24, Craig Luksza, Jessica
Locke; March, 26, Don Raney; March 27, Margaaret Dunne, Nancy
Perkins; March 28, Lisa Maxfield, Robert Chagnon; March 29,
Terry Perkins, Michelle Hill; March 30, Carlton Potter, Sr.
A
Very Happy Birthday to one and all.
John
Feeny of Kaime Road has a great interest in cancer among
children. Once a year he solicits sponsors and participates in a
fundraiser for St. Baldwicks Organization which raises money for
Children’s Cancer Research. On March 13th, John joined with many
others who met at the Draft Restaurant in Concord to have their
heads shaved to raise money, through sponsors, for the
organization. John, himself, raised $750. This is a yearly event
and if anyone else is interested in becoming a “Shavee,” they
can go online and check on stbaldwicks.com or contact John Feeny
at J.H.F. Recycling and Light Hauling at 435-8111. He plans to
make this a yearly event and would welcome sponsors or
participants.
The
Pittsfield School Board has changed its meeting day from 1st and
3rd Thursday to 2nd and 4th Thursday; meetings for the remainder
of the school year are as follows:
-
Thurs., 4/8 at 6:15 p.m.
-
Thurs., 4/22 at 5:30 p.m.
-
Thurs., 5/13 at 5:30 p.m.
-
Thurs., 5/27 at 5:30 p.m.
-
Thurs., 6/10 at 5:30 p.m.
-
Thurs., 6/24 at 5:30 p.m.
Reminder
There
are openings on the Pittsfield Budget Committee. Anyone
interested in serving on the Committee, please contact the Town
Moderator, Cedric Dustin at either 6 Blake Street, Pittsfield,
NH 03263 or
[email protected]
School Lunch Menus
March
29-April 2, 2010
PMHS
Monday -
Pizza, corn, fresh fruit, milk.
Tuesday - Steak
subs, veggies, chips, fruit, milk.
Wednesday - BBQ
pork, roll, fresh veggies, fruit, milk.
Thursday -
Chicken wrap, veggies, pears, milk.
Friday -
Cheeseburgers, rolls, chips, pickles, fruit, milk.
PES
Monday -
Chicken nuggets, veggie, fruit, milk.
Tuesday -
Burger, chips, fruit, milk.
Wednesday -
Ravioli, veggie, fruit, milk.
CHICHESTER
Monday - Tacos
with lettuce, tomato and cheese, rice, vanilla pudding, milk.
Tuesday - Mixed
sandwiches (chicken patty, grilled chicken, etc.) baked fries,
corn, sliced peaches, milk.
Wednesday - Pizza
dippers, garden salad, fresh fruit, milk.
Thursday -
Rotini with meatsauce, green beans, chocolate cake, milk.
Friday -
Hamburger with roll, pickles, tater tots, veggie, fresh fruit,
milk.
Pittsfield School Board Names New Principal
Robert E. Bickford Jr., an experienced school administrator and
resident of New Durham, has been appointed by the Pittsfield
School Board to serve as principal of Pittsfield Middle High
School beginning on July 1, 2010. Mr. Bickford replaces Interim
Principal Rick Gremlitz.
Mr.
Bickford currently serves as principal of Nute High School and
Nute Middle School in Milton. Previously, Mr. Bickford had
served as assistant principal of Nute as well as Assistant
Director and Director of the River Valley Technical Center in
Springfield, Vermont.
During his tenure at Nute, Mr. Bickford has provided leadership
for the development of course competencies that serve as
performance standards for each high school course. In addition,
he has been instrumental in expanding academic options for Nute
students through the development of Extended Learning
Opportunities that access community resources for learning.
Mr.
Bickford’s secondary school teaching experience includes service
at Fall Mountain Regional High School in Alstead; Alvirne High
School in Hudson; Manchester School of Technology in Manchester;
and Limestone High School in Limestone, Maine. His teaching
courses have included agri-science, animal science, agricultural
mechanics, landscape, horticulture, and natural resources.
Mr.
Bickford holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural
Mechanization from the University of Maine at Orono, and a
Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Keene State
College in Keene. Mr. Bickford also manages his small-scale
family farm in New Durham.
Pittsfield LEGO Club
Suncook Valley CyberNuts
For
eight weeks a group of six local second and third grade children
met to learn about simple machines, engineering, working as a
team, and building. How did they learn all of this? With LEGOs!
Junior First LEGO League’s “mission is to inspire young people
to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in
exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering
and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster
well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence,
communication, and leadership.”
The
challenge for the LEGO league this year was on transportation.
The kids had to design and build a structure that contains at
least one moving part. After a lot of hard work the kids are
very proud to present Indiana Jones takes a Magic Portal to Star
Wars. The final project is a movie theatre scene complete with
popcorn and drink stand. The attentive audience is watching a
final scene of a movie starring Indiana Jones, Darth Vader, and
an airplane complete with a moving propeller.
If
you would like to see the finished product please come to check
it out at the Josiah Carpenter Library now until the beginning
of April.
If
you are interested in finding out more information on Junior
First LEGO League, or starting your own group, check out their
web site at www.usfirst.org
or send an email to
[email protected]. A special thank you to the Pittsfield
Elementary School for sponsoring our team.
Pittsfield Senior Center Weekly Activities
March
25-31, 2010
All
activities begin at 10 a.m. and end at 11:30 unless noted.
Monday, Bingo; Tuesday; Games with Dan McGuire; Wednesday,
Crafts; Thursday, Bingo; Friday, 9:30-10:30, Chair Exercise and
Chair Dancing, 10:30-11:15, Senior Seated Yoga.
Pittsfield Rural
Transportation Service
Call
the Pittsfield Area Senior Center to reserve your seat and for
further information. 435-8482.
A
requested donation of $2.00 for those 60+ is appreciated.
A
charge for those below the age of 60 is $5.00 per person for in
town service and $10.00 for out of town.
Monday and Wednesday, Medical and shopping day, Epsom Medical
Building, the Concord Hospital campus and all surrounding
medical facilities. Check out shopping opportunities along Main
Street and Storrs Street.
Tuesday and Friday, Epsom Medical Building and shopping all
around the Concord Heights and Fort Eddy Road. Friday is a day
that people like to have coffee or lunch at the Steeplegate
Mall.
Thursday, the bus travels to Alton. The 1st and 3rd Thursday of
the month we go to the Alton bank and post office, Market Basket
in Rochester and then the Lilac Mall. The 2nd, 4th
and 5th Thursday of the month, the bus stays in Alton.
People shop at Hannaford and then go for lunch locally.
Those
of you interested in taking the bus to the Epsom Medical
Building will be dropped off at approximately 9 a.m. and picked
up between 11:30 and 12:30. This will vary depending on when we
are able to leave Concord and deliver riders back to their homes
along the way.
Disclaimer: The bus schedule, times and dates are subject to
change from the time of publication.
Dorcas Guild
Submitted By Joan Riel
The
Dorcas Guild of the First Congregational Church in Pittsfield,
met the evening of March 9th with fifteen members attending. The
meeting opened with devotions shared by Shirley Bleckmann and
Reny Boyd from the Book “God Always Has a Plan B.” All joined in
the Lord’s Prayer.
The
business meeting was conducted by President, Peggy Jacobs. Joan
Riel, Secretary, gave her report of the previous meeting, read
several thank you notes for donations and circulated many cards
to be signed by those attending and then mailed. Reny Boyd,
Treasurer, gave her financial report.
The
Food Basket, brought by Peggy, was taken by Nancy Fogg.
Linda Stasiak will bring the Mystery Package to the next
meeting. It was decided to continue the Service Project through
fall - collecting towels, etc. and other household goods and
toiletries. Members of the church family will be invited to
participate.
A
trip to the Cathedral in the Pines in Rindge was discussed under
new business as were banners for the Sanctuary for special
church holidays. Nella Hobson reported on the annual World Day
of Prayer Service held this year at the North Barnstead
Congregational Church in which two or our members participated.
Two hundred dollars was voted to be sent to Camaroon for
textiles. Mary Lawson solicited muffins and other needs for the
Easter Breakfast following the Sunrise Service on April 4th.
Money
was voted for four seniors in the church who will be graduating.
Funds were also discussed for a delegate to the National
Association of Congregational Christian Churches from our church
at the Convention to be held in Alaska in June. It was tabled
until further information is forthcoming.
Plans
were made to host the Sunday Fellowship Hour following the
Morning Worship Service on March 28th.
The
next meeting will be held on April 13th. Members are asked to
bring a white elephant item in a brown bag for a Yankee Swap.
Hostesses will be Sally Lewis, Betty MacKay, and Nella Hobson.
Letter
To
All Pittsfield Residents,
I
would like to thank all of you for your support and for electing
me to the Board of Selectmen. As I stated on Candidates’ Night,
and during my campaign, I do not have any personal agendas. My
ONLY agenda is to represent all Pittsfield residents to the best
of my ability.
Our
first meeting as a new board took place on Tuesday, March 16th
and it became very obvious, very quickly, that we will be
working very well together and moving forward in a positive and
timely fashion to get the town’s business done effectively.
Again, Thank You to all, and I look forward to serving you over
the next 3 years. Please don’t hesitate contacting me at any
time if you have any questions or concerns. I can be contacted
on my cell at 848-1849, or by leaving a message at the Town
Hall. Your questions or concerns will be dealt with promptly.
Respectfully,
Don
Chase
Making a Difference for Haiti
By
Carin J. Plante, Pittsfield Middle High School
For
twenty-four hours from April 2-3, seniors at Pittsfield Middle
High School will be sleeping outside on the school’s parking
lot. No shelter. Limited blankets. Port-o-potties. Rationed
water and food. Trash can fires. Why? Because they want everyone
to understand what the living conditions are in Haiti right now
as a result of the devastating earthquakes that took place in
January.
“We
feel like if we do this and we can raise attention to the
situation, then other people won’t forget and will continue to
help,” said Michael, one of the students planning the project.
For
their Senior Seminar class, an English elective, the students
were asked to create and implement a community service project.
Jordan Scannell, Mike Hayes, Amanda Newton, Melyssa Slayton, and
Briahnna Metcalf knew right away what they wanted to do, since
the earthquakes had just occurred and images of the devastation
were all over the media. How to help, besides just giving money,
took more time and planning.
“We
were really frustrated with how New Orleans is still struggling
to rebuild, even though it’s been years,” said Amanda. “We
didn’t want people to give a lot of money and then stop
worrying, because it’s going to take a lot of time for them to
recover.”
The
students felt that if people could truly understand, then
Haiti’s struggles would stick with them. They decided to
‘recreate’ the circumstances and then live under the conditions
most people in Haiti are currently dealing with. They want to
get media coverage, as well as document the experience using
technology the school received through a grant to create videos
to share locally and through the internet. They also decided to
include the rest of the senior class and their families, because
they felt the more people involved and committed, then the
greater impact they might be able to have. So far, two-thirds of
the senior class has agreed to participate.
Briahnna remarked, “We are only asking for people to live for
two days like this. The reality is that Haiti didn’t ask to live
like this at all, and they have to live like this for a lot
longer. I hope that people realize they can actually help Haiti
out long-term instead of just feeling bad, not knowing what to
do, or not doing anything.”
In
addition to the sleep-out, the group is soliciting donations of
food, clothes, and blankets to send to Haiti. They researched
what is needed and being sent, and then wrote formal letters to
small and large businesses in Pittsfield and the greater Concord
area. To afford the postage required to send their care
packages, students have been collecting cash donations at school
events as well.
“I
looked up what food was being rationed and they have a limited
list of things they are getting. People are eating canned meats,
condensed milk, pinto beans, and sardines. I think it’s really
disgusting and I wouldn’t want to have to eat just that,” said
Melyssa.
There
is still a lot of work to be done by the group, however. They
have to get fire permits, permission from parents and school
officials, pick up donations, and much more. The experience,
however, is teaching them valuable life and career skills. More
importantly, they are realizing they can make a difference.
Jordan spoke passionately on the subject, saying, “There’s the
story of the guy on the beach covered with starfishes and he is
throwing them back one by one. Another guy comes along and says,
‘What you’re doing doesn’t matter, because you can’t possibly
save them all.’ And the other guy picks up another starfish and
throws it back, saying, ‘It matters to that one.’ I think about
that a lot,” she said, “we really can make a difference even if
it’s to just one person.”
Letter to the Editor
To
the people of Pittsfield,
Earlier this month, at our annual Town Meeting, the Pittsfield
Board of Selectmen said good bye to two of their members.
They were, Linda Small and Larry Konopka. It was the election
year of 2006 that I was introduced to both of them as all of us
were running for the expanded Board.
Both
of these individuals have given more time than any of us would
be willing to give up. Both of them are small business
owners, yet many times in the past four years both Linda and
Larry were at the scenes of floods, fires and tornados, while
not required, they were there.
If
you have not had the opportunity to thank them personally; next
time you see them, say thank you for a job well done.
Linda, Larry, I thank you both for all that you have shown me
these past four years, the education you gave me was accurate.
Merrill A Vaughan
Pittsfield
Letter
Dear
Pittsfield Residents:
For
those of you who voted March 9th, thank you.
For
those of you who voted for me, for a 3 year planning Board term,
an extra thanks.
I
encourage all of you to occasionally attend, not only Planning
Board meetings, but also other board and committee
meetings. This is the best way to find out how government works
and understand the dynamics behind issues and decisions.
For
the most part, you will be positively impressed with the
dedication of, and amount of time Pittsfield elected and
appointed officials (and volunteers) put into making this a
better, more prosperous town.
Ted
Mitchell
Pittsfield, NH
Letter
I
want to thank the Pittsfield voters who voted for me and my
proposed legislation in the March 9 town meeting election. I was
disappointed in the Planning Board race, but my legislation was
more important to me, as it always has been, and it did better.
My most important legislation, a 5-member elected Planning
Board, passed 290 to 196.
Many
voters know that Planning Board member and acting chair Bill
Miskoe persecuted me all year long. Every Planning Board
meeting, he insulted or belittled me. His attack letter in the
March 3 Sun violated Planning Board rules. Many voters may know
that Mr. Miskoe fiercely opposes an elected Planning Board. But
many voters may not know that Mr. Miskoe has, since 2005,
quietly sabotaged EVERY land-use proposal that I have made to
promote citizens’ rights and curtail the land-use boards’ power
to be arbitrary. At least two times, on March 2, 2005, and
February 18, 2009, he has written in the Sun that a frontage
regulation that “requires that lot frontage be on a Class V or
better road” would “serve the town well,” but, as an official,
he has sabotaged EVERY effort to enact such a regulation. Thus,
I am profoundly grateful to those voters who had the vision and
energy to see through him and to vote for me and my legislation.
People who bemoan the Planning Board with five seats instead of
seven can blame Bill Miskoe. It was his “delaying tactic” (his
words) that sent me on a wild-goose chase during which I
stumbled on the Planning Board membership problem. Otherwise, we
would all still be in blissful ignorance and think that the
Planning Board has seven seats.
Thank
you,
Jim
Pritchard
Obituaries
Holly Ann Reed
Holly
Ann Reed, 46, of 30 Stevens Drive, died March 19th at the Boston
Medical Center, following a courageous battle with scleroderma.
She was born in Concord, the daughter of Herbert A. Reed Sr. and
Rowena May (Clark) Reed. She was raised in Pittsfield and has
lived in Concord for the past 12 years. She was employed
by Concord Hospital in the food service department for
over 18 years. She was a loving mother, sister and aunt and will
be greatly missed.
Survivors include her daughter Britney Fowler of Concord.
Two brothers, Herbert A Reed Jr. of Northwood and Ronald
N. Reed of Canaan. Two sisters, Beverly Tibbetts of
Concord and Betty Vanasse of Rochester. Several nieces and
nephews. She was predeceased by a sister Diane Vien in 1998.
A
Memorial Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5-7 PM in
the Perkins & Pollard Memorial Home, 60 Main St. Pittsfield.
To
sign an on line guest book, log on to
www.perkinsandpollard.com.