Celebrating birthdays this week are: January 24, Therese Riel,
January 26, Ruth Huckins, and January 29, Andrea Riel. Happy
Birthday!
Congratulations to Colleen Corliss of Pittsfield, who was recently
recognized for achieving academic distinction at the University of
Massachusetts Lowell.
Corliss, majoring in business administration, was named to the
dean’s list at UMass Lowell for the fall 2013 semester.
To
qualify for the dean’s list at UMass Lowell, a student must have
completed no fewer than 12 graded credits for the semester and
earned at least a 3.25 grade point average with no grade lower than
C and without any incompletes.
Letter
Duncan...
By now
most who knew Duncan know that he has passed. I wanted to take a
moment to thank everyone for their kind words and thoughts. But,
also for taking the time to greet and pat my best friend Duncan on
our daily walks through Pittsfield and beyond.
Duncan
lived for those walks. He keep a sharp eye out for his close
friends, while also seeking out new friends on a daily basis. These
walks were precious to us both. Every time a door opened, whether it
be house, shop, or car, Duncan would stop, hoping they would take a
minute to meet him. He had a secret weapon, which was his smile and
more often then not, this would win them over and a new friend was
made.
For
those who don’t know, I followed Duncan. I never knew where we were
going until we reached the end of my driveway and Duncan would
either turn right toward town or left down Concord Hill Rd. to Rt.28
and beyond. Even then, how long, how far, and which streets we would
visit that day remained a mystery until he took me down them.
Duncan
gave me strength, friendship, and tons of love. But most of all he
gave me so many new friends. I’ve lived in Pittsfield for decades,
but it was Duncan who showed me the town.
Thank
you,
John
Ferraro
Pittsfield Fire Department Service News
December 2013
During
the month of December 61 calls for emergency service were received.
Fire and EMS personnel responded to: 32 Medical emergencies,4
Structure fires,2 chimney fires, 1 outside fire, 3 Motor Vehicle
collisions, 8 Fire Alarm activations, 7 Service calls, 2 Good intent
calls,2 Hazardous conditions. 6 of the calls were overlapping calls.
8 Mutual aid responses were provided to other communities and 6 were
received from other communities. 4 Permits to Kindle a Fire were
written.
Training topics for the month of December were: operating emergency
vehicles in winter weather conditions, chimney fire operations and
an incident management tabletop training.
On
Monday, December 2nd, Rob Martin started as Fire Chief. Please join
us in welcoming Chief Martin.
Should
you have any questions or concerns regarding the Fire Department or
to learn more about the Department, please stop by the station or
call 435-6807.
SAFETY
REMINDER: Remember to keep walkways and doorways clear of snow and
ice.
Letter
To The Editor
To the
good citizens of Pittsfield,
Just
got back from a celebration at the Pittsfield Middle High School
cafeteria. The last time I ate there was June 1971 when I was in
eighth grade. I didn’t like school none too much. I ended up going
to high school at Pembroke Academy. I wasn’t into sports. I wasn’t
into academics. I liked that place even less. School was mostly like
prison for me, but I needed my diploma to get into the Navy.
I
sometimes wonder if my dislike for school has made me fight their
budget request over the years. Anyway, everything has changed. It’s
hard for me to explain. It’s like a new management style in school,
where the teacher doesn’t micro-manage the student; where the
student feels that they are part of a team: the parent, the school,
the community, and the student.
Pittsfield has dedicated teachers, high standards, and student
engagement. Thanks to Pittsfield school for giving us a reason to
celebrate.
In
closing, I must acknowledge some of the leadership that made it
happen. They are: Rick Anthony, Derek Hamilton, Sheila Ward, Susan
Bradley, Tobi Gray Chassie, and John Freeman.
These
people never gave up on Pittsfield schools. This is the reason for
the success. Also, I must acknowledge the amount of community
involvement, the teachers and the students who are making success
possible.
Also,
Scott Brown, Art Morse, and Mary Paradise, who helped get us where
we are today.
Some
people have been telling me I’m starting to sound like one of them.
That they got to me and that I don’t know what I’m talking about.
Well, things are starting to go my way. Why would I complain?
Anyway,
I ain’t changed, but I know I’m not the same.
Dan
Schroth Piermarocchi
The NH
Veterans Home had music by Bill Parker this last Thanksgiving,
Christmas and New Year’s, and all of the men and women Vets received
a good gift. They celebrated the New Year with lots of music and had
cookies and punch. Albert Rield (above) singing and saluting the
flag while they were all singing The Star Spangled Banner. Good
times were had by all.
Globe,
Dupont, And NVFC Give Away 51 Sets Of
Gear In 2013
Globe,
DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) partnered in
2013 to give away 51 sets of gear to 14 volunteer fire departments
in need across the U.S. The Globe Gear Giveaway Program provides
struggling volunteer departments with much-needed gear to help
improve the safety and protection of their firefighters.
This
was the second year for the program. In 2012, Globe launched the
Gear Giveaway Program as part of its 125th anniversary celebration.
The program was a way to say thank you to the first responders who
selflessly devote their time and risk their own safety to protect
their communities. In all, 144 sets of gear were distributed to 16
volunteer fire departments across the U.S. and Canada. Due to the
outpouring of interest in the program, Globe expanded the
partnership with DuPont and the NVFC to continue giving away sets of
gear in 2013, this time to NVFC members who demonstrated great need.
“Thanks
to the support of Globe and DuPont, a total of 30 fire departments
have received 195 sets of gear since the giveaway program began,”
said NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. “The NVFC is proud to
partner with Globe and DuPont to help these volunteer fire
departments improve their safety and protect their members. This
program has had a significant impact on departments that can’t
afford to purchase necessary equipment for their firefighters.”
Volunteer departments are often dealing with inadequate budgets and
limited resources. Firefighters have to make do with gear that is
decades old, ill-fitting, overly worn, and that do not meet current
safety standards. Globe teamed up with DuPont and the NVFC to help
meet the gear needs of some of the country’s struggling departments.
Through a competitive application process, the program targets
all-volunteer departments serving a population of 25,000 or less in
the U.S. and Canada that demonstrate a significant need for gear
that they cannot meet on their own.
“Every
day, thousands of volunteer firefighters place themselves in harm’s
way in the performance of their fire and rescue duties,” said Rob
Freese, Senior VP of Marketing at Globe Manufacturing Company.
“We’re pleased and honored to be able to give back to some of the
many volunteer fire departments with limited resources by improving
the safety of their members with the most advanced turnout gear.”
The
Globe Gear Giveaway Program has had a tremendous effect on the
departments that receive gear. For instance, Axtell (NE) Volunteer
Fire and Rescue was in dire need of gear. The agricultural community
had been hit hard in recent years due to falling crop prices, drop
in the cattle market, and severe drought. This had a direct impact
on the fire department’s budget, and the demands on the department
continued to increase while the tax revenue and donations fell.
There was simply no money in the budget to replace the turnout gear,
all of which were over 20 years old.
“Their
condition is unsafe, as they are torn, frayed, missing reflective
stripes, and ill-fitting,” explained Chief Jeff England of the gear
situation. “Thus, it creates a life safety risk for fire personnel
due to the condition of the turnout gear.” He also worried because
department members were unable to attend needed hands-on training
until the turnout gear was updated. The Globe Gear Giveaway Program
was a game-changer for the department. “With the awarding of the
Globe turnout gear program, we will be able to replace our turnout
gear which will enable us to attend all needed training sessions as
well as improve the life safety of our volunteers,” England said.
For the
Jasper Volunteer Fire Department in Duffield, VA, a great concern
was that they didn’t have enough gear for their 20 active members.
The gear they did have was all over 10 years old. “We would be very
grateful to have newer gear that we can trust and that is most
importantly up to standard,” Deputy Chief Leonard Bowen said about
the need for the Globe gear. “We are big on safety first and
foremost, and with this gear at least on a few of our guys, not only
would we be helping the community but also doing a great service by
keeping our guys safer.”
One
thing all of the departments shared was a great desire to improve
the safety of the volunteers who risk their lives to protect their
community. “As a Fire Chief, it is very hard to watch your people do
a job well and not be properly dressed for the task at hand,” said
Sam Bonovich, Chief of the Clear Creek Volunteer Fire Department in
Boise, ID.
This
sentiment was echoed by Chief Glenn Elmore of the Jackson Township
(IN) Fire Department, which lost use of their fire station and a
great deal of equipment in a 2008 flood. “Your support is essential
to help make the community a safer place,” he said of the Globe Gear
Giveaway Program. “To have firefighters train to fight fire but
cannot go into a structure because their gear is too old is very
sad.”
The
following departments each received new gear as part of the 2013
Globe Gear Donation Program:
•
Axtell Volunteer Fire & Rescue (NE)
• Clear
Creek Volunteer Fire Department (ID)
• East
Dixfield Fire Department (ME)
• East
Glacier Park Volunteer Fire Department (MT)
•
Golden City Fire & Rescue (AR)
• Green
Valley Volunteer Fire Department (WV)
• Happy
Jack Fire Services (AZ)
•
Jackson Township Fire Department (IN)
•
Jasper Volunteer Fire Department (VA)
•
Jefferson Township Fire Department (OH)
•
Lilbourn Volunteer Fire Department (MO)
•
Monroe Hose Company (PA)
•
Mossville Volunteer Fire Department (MS)
•
Woodbury Heights Fire Department (NJ)
Thank
you to everyone who applied for the 2013 Globe Gear Giveaway Program
and to all firefighters and emergency personnel who dedicate
themselves every day to protecting their communities. Stay tuned to
the NVFC web site at www.nvfc.org for information
on the 2014 Globe Gear Giveaway Program.
About
Globe Globe Manufacturing Company is the largest and most trusted
manufacturer of structural firesuits in the world. Over its 127
years, Globe has been responsible for introducing many of the
materials, designs, and construction methods now taken for granted
in personal protective equipment. Learn more at
www.globeturnoutgear.com.
About
DuPont DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and
engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative
products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes
that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought
leaders we can help find solutions to such global challenges as
providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing
dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment.
For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to
inclusive innovation, please visit www.dupont.com.
About
the NVFC The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading
nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the
volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the
voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides invaluable
tools, resources, programs, and advocacy for first responders across
the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org.
Josiah
Carpenter Library News
“Read,
Meet and Talk” will be meeting on Tuesday, January 28th at 10:30 am
at the Pittsfield Community Center. We will be discussing “The
Lobster Chronicles” by Linda Greenlaw. Possible future selections
include “My Life in France” by Julia Childs and “The Language of
Flowers” by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.
Josiah
Teen Book Worms: It may be difficult to find a book as good as John
Greene’s “The Fault in Our Stars,” but the book worms are going to
try by committing to read and discuss “Going Bovine” by Libba Bray
on February 3rd. Come and enjoy lively discussions with some
seriously spectacular readers.
Monthly
Movie Madness: We have added lots of new movies to the collection-
stay tuned for January’s Science Fiction titles.
Preschool Story hour marches on with Mrs. Grainger Thursday mornings
from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., engaging young readers with stories,
crafts and snacks. Winter topics include mittens, winter animals and
snow guys!!
Author
Presentations: Michele Albion, NH resident and author of the
Quotable Henry Ford will be speaking on Thursday, February 13 at 7pm
at the Pittsfield Middle High School. This program is sponsored
jointly by the library and the Pittsfield Historical Society. Please
pick up your free ticket at the library.
Please
call the library for further details: 435-8406
Pittsfield Community Crimewatch
Even
though we have not had any formal meetings since October, we have
continued to keep an eye on the happenings in the community. We also
got together and had a nice community dinner at Jitters in December.
It was great socializing and getting to know each other on a more
personal basis. Now that the holidays are complete, we are getting
back to business and are planning a meeting for January.
We are
proud to announce that we have over 85 members who have attended at
least one of our crime watch meetings since August. This means
there are over 170 eyes watching the streets of Pittsfield and
surrounding towns more carefully and being more diligent about
getting to know their neighbors and surroundings.
Even
though crime has seemed to decrease over the past few months in the
town, it is still prevalent and we are still moving forward with
this group. We invite you to join us at our next meeting where we
learn about more details of the Volunteer Citizen Patrol program
which was briefly mentioned at one of our first meetings.
The
police have been diligent about trying to update the community about
town happenings. Please follow them on Twitter
(Twitter@pittsfieldnhpd) to get the latest info as well as Weekly
crime re-caps.
Please
join us at Jitters Café on Tuesday, January 28th at 6:30pm.
Obituaries
Kenneth
“Kenny” Muzzey
Kenneth
“Kenny” Muzzey, age 59, passed away Friday, January 17, 2014 at
Concord Hospital after a brief illness.
Kenny
was born October 21, 1954 in Concord and is survived by sisters
Evelyn Timmins and Carolyn Stinson of Loudon; brothers Harold L.
Muzzey Jr. of Strafford and Raymond Muzzey of Loudon; two nieces,
five nephews,many great nieces and nephews and cousins.
Kenny
was predeceased by his parents, Harold L.Muzzey, Sr. and Gertrude
(Welch) Muzzey both from Loudon, NH.
Kenny
held various logging and sawmill occupations over the years and was
a lifelong resident of Loudon.
A
graveside service will be held in the Spring. Pastor Harold Muzzey
will be officiating.
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