The annual meeting of the Pittsfield
Historical Society will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at the
Society’s headquarters at 13 Elm St. The meeting will be at 7:00 PM.
PYW Family Fun
Dodgeball Tournament
To Benefit the Youth
of Pittsfield
Saturday, January 23,
2016
Start time 10:00 AM
Pittsfield Middle High
School
23 Oneida St
Pittsfield NH 03263
(snow date January 30,
2016)
Registration Fee $40 ($5.00 per person) 8 players per team (with a
maximum of sixteen teams competing. Open Division (anyone can enter)
will begin followed by the Youth Division (grade 8 and under) .
$3.00 admission at the door. Youth under 10 are free.
Contact Paula Martel or Zach Powers at PYW
435-8272 or [email protected]
American
Legion Post 88 News
Submitted By Commander
Shawn Jones
Sr. Vice Commander Gary Tasker presenting Sue Houck of the
Loudon Food Pantry with a donation of $250.00
At our December meeting we had 11 members
in attendance. Gary Tasker gave a report from the building
committee. They have met with a contractor and are coming up with
bid specifications. The contractor will give us a quote to renovate
our post. If we do not like the amount we can put the work out for
bid knowing what the bid specs will be. Shane Labonte will contact
Home Depot and Lowes and see if they will be willing to make a
donation to our building expenses to include labor and supplies.
They will also work with Larry Elliot to get a Home Depot charge
card so that supplies can be bought.
Mike Moffett showed us the year books he’s
been working on. He’s gathered newspaper clippings and photos from
the past four years and organizing them chronologically. We may even
enter these in next years Department Post Year Book competition. We
appreciate the time and effort our Historian has undertaken in
documenting our posts history.
We voted to donate $250.00 to the Loudon
Food Pantry for its Christmas baskets. We also voted to donate
$500.00 to the NH Veteran’s Home resident benefit fund.
We did not make 100 percent membership by
the end of December. Joe processed four membership renewals at the
December meeting, this will put us over the 75.34% renewals that
Department has us at as of 12/9/15.
Starting in January 2016 the membership
dues are $30.00 still a bargain to some other posts and Department
whose dues have gone up to $50.00. The NH Department’s goal for our
post is to recruit two new members for 2016. If you know of anyone
interested in learning about the benefits joining please have that
person contact me for a membership brochure. As customary Post 88
will pay the new member’s dues for the first year if they’d like.
From our Department Adjutant’s Newsletter.
“The Mid-Winter conference will be held on January 30, 2016. The
location for this conference will be at the Roland E. Patnode Post
7, Rochester N.H. This conference will include the Auxiliary, Son of
the American Legion and Junior Auxiliary.
The doors open at 8:00 AM with coffee and
registration, with the opening joint session to begin at 9:00 AM.
We are proud to have this year our
National Judge Advocate, Phil Onderdonk, who will be addressing our
Legionnaires in our normal training. If you have not had a chance to
hear our National Judge Advocate speak you are in for a treat. He
will be addressing any affecting the American Legion and hopefully
as many questions you may have as time allows.
This would be the year to come to this
conference if you have not previously.”
The Legion’s Oratorical Competitions are coming up for the 2016
year. These contests are open to all students from grades five to
twelve including home schoolers. If a parent(s) want to learn more
about the American Legion Oratorical contest go to
http://www.legion.org/oratorical/about or contact me.
Our Commander’s Fund Raffle winners for
December where: $50-G. Tasker,$25-S. Johnstone,$10-R. Smith,$10-R.
Letendere & $5-B. Boardman. Congratulations to our winners.
Our next meeting will be on January 20th
at 7 PM at Charlie’s Barn. I hope you all have a Happy and Healthy
New Year.
The Dorcas Guild
The December meeting of the Dorcas Guild
of the First Congregational Church of Pittsfield, which was the
annual Christmas Pot Luck and Gift Exchange, opened with a welcome
by President Nancy Fogg. Peggy Jacobs began a time of devotions by
reading a paraphrased Christmas version of 1 Corinthians 13. Nancy
led the group in prayer culminating with “The Lord’s Prayer.” The
group then enjoyed a delicious meal.
Diane Vaughan reported on some Christmas
correspondence both sent and received. November 2015 minutes were
approved with some minor changes. Reny Boyd gave the treasurer’s
report, also accepted. Nella Hobson offered the Craft Fair results.
Mittens and hats will remain for sale throughout December.
The food basket will go from Evelyn Sheehy
Richard to Nancy in January and then Gailann Newton. The mystery
package will be brought by Mary Jo Powelson in January.
The Nominating Committee offered the 2016
slate of officers, unanimously accepted: President, Mary Jo
Powelson; Vice Presidents: Kathy Bergeron and Nancy Fogg; Recording
Secretary: Nella Hobson; Corresponding Secretary: Diane Vaughan;
Treasurer: Bev Murdough.
The president asked for a volunteer to
purchase kitchen supplies with Linda Towle volunteering.
While we enjoyed dessert, we had our gift exchange with many lovely
gifts exchanged. Reny provided a cute snowflake ornament for each
attendee.
Next month’s meeting will be held January
12, 2016 at 7 pm, with hostesses Paula Corriveau and Evelyn Sheehy
Richard. Wednesday meetings will be suspended until February 3,
2016.
Final Awards Given In 2015 Globe Gear
Giveaway
Globe, DuPont Protection Technologies, and
the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are wrapping up the 2015
Globe Gear Giveaway Program by providing two more departments with
turnout gear. The Cairo Volunteer Fire Department in Mississippi and
the Mountain View Volunteer Fire Department in Oklahoma will each
receive four sets of new Globe turnout gear.
In 2015, 13 departments in need have been
awarded a total of 52 sets of state-of-the-art Globe turnout gear to
help protect their firefighters. All Globe gear is made with DuPont™
Nomex® and Kevlar® fibers, providing proven protection and top
performance. The recipients were selected through a competitive
nationwide application process and demonstrated a great need for the
gear that they were unable to fulfill on their own.
“We thank Globe and DuPont for recognizing
the critical need and taking action to help volunteer departments as
they struggle to find funding to obtain gear and equipment for their
firefighters,” said NVFC Chairman Kevin D. Quinn. “Four sets of new,
compliant gear will go a long way in helping these departments
enhance the safety, efficiency, and morale of their personnel.”
The Cairo Volunteer Fire Department in
Booneville, MS, serves 1,200 residents in a 25-square-mile area.
They also run mutual aid calls with four other departments. Their
very small annual operating budget is barely enough to pay for basic
utilities and fuel, let alone new gear. In fact, they currently do
not have enough turnout gear for all their active members. The gear
donation will help get them get closer to having a full set of
compliant gear for all of their active members, as well as free up
funds for upgrades in other vital areas
“Our new Globe gear will keep our
volunteers much safer on the fire scene and allow us to be more
productive in saving lives and property within our community and
surrounding communities,” said Chief Jerad Sims. “This award is
greatly appreciated by our department and the whole community.”
The Mountain View Volunteer Fire
Department, Inc. (MVVFD) provides fire protection and first
responder services to the rural community of Muskogee, OK. Their
service area includes 2,500 residents as well as a variety of
buildings and businesses, a section of a river, and several
highways. MVVFD also offers a community center for residents, which
includes an underground tornado shelter, and maintains
a helipad for Life Flight helicopters.
Their 16 volunteer firefighters work to protect life and property by
providing response services, assisting residents with obtaining and
installing smoke alarms, and educating the community about fire
prevention. Of the department’s 17 sets of gear, 12 sets are more
than 15 years old. With the four sets of new Globe turnout gear, the
department will be able to outfit more than half of their volunteers
with new, up-to-standard gear.
“Proper equipment will give our volunteers
the ability to help our community in a safe and effective manner
when they need us most,” said MVVFD Board Chairman Bobby Allen. “We
are grateful for the new Globe turnout gear, which gives our
volunteers the proper protection that every firefighter should have
when they are called to duty.”
Stay tuned to the NVFC’s weekly Dispatch
newsletter and web site for a full wrap-up of the 2015 Globe Gear
Giveaway program in early January.
New Members Appointed To VA Advisory
Committee On Minority Veterans
Submitted Via Merrill Vaughan
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced
the appointment of four new members to the Advisory Committee on
Minority Veterans. The committee was chartered on November 2, 1994,
and advises the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on the needs of the
nation’s 4.7 million minority Veterans on compensation, health care,
rehabilitation, outreach and other benefits and programs
administered by the VA. The committee assesses the needs
of Veterans who are minority group members and recommends program
improvements designed to meet their needs. The committee members are
appointed to two or three-year terms. Minority Veterans comprise
nearly 21 percent of the total Veteran population in the United
States and its territories.
The new committee members are:
Melissa Castillo: Navy Veteran of San Antonio, Texas. Served as the
Assistant Regional Director for San Antonio Region, Veterans County
Service Officer Association of Texas; Assistant Women Veterans
Coordinator; Advisor to the US Army Survivor Outreach Services
Program; and Advisor to the Alamo Community College District
Veterans Affairs Committee. Currently serves as the Assistant
Veterans Service Officer at the Bexar County Veterans Service Office
in San Antonio, Texas, and is an accredited Veterans Service
Officer.
Benno Cleveland: Army Veteran of Fairbanks, Alaska. Served two tours
in Dong Tam, Vietnam where he earned a Purple Heart. He also
served as Senior Vice Commander and Department Commander of the
Military Order of the Purple Heart. In recognition of his
distinguished military service, the Alaska Federation of Natives
bestowed him with their “Veteran of the Year” honors in 2014 at
their Annual Convention in Anchorage. Mr. Cleveland also founded the
Alaska Native Veterans Association and is currently serving as
President.
Ginger Miller: Navy Veteran of Accokeek, Maryland, and former
homeless disabled Veteran. Ms. Miller became Founder and CEO of two
nonprofit organizations that serve Veterans and their families: John
14:2, Inc. and Women Veterans Interactive. She served as
Chairwoman of the Prince George’s County Veterans Commission;
Commissioner, Maryland Commission for Women; member of the Maryland
Veterans Resilience Advisory Council; and a member of the Maryland
Caregivers Support Coordinating Council. She is currently a
member of Disabled American Veterans.
Xiomara Sosa: Army Veteran of Summerville, South Carolina. Ms.
Sosa is the Founder and Principal of XAS Consulting, LLC, an
integrative mental healthcare and holistic wellness consulting firm.
She served on the Women Veteran Social Justice board of directors;
Military Partners and Families Veteran Initiative; the Semper
Fidelis Health and Wellness Advisory Board; and a current member of
the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, Inc.
The new members join current members:
Marvin Trujillo, Jr., Committee Chairman,
Marine Corps Veteran
Many-Bears Grinder, Col. (USA-Ret)
Patricia Jackson-Kelley, Lt. Col.
(USA-Ret)
Librado Rivas, Command Sgt. Maj. (USA-Ret)
Teresita Smith, Sgt. First Class (USA-Ret)
Rebecca Stone, Staff Sgt. (USA-Ret)
Cornell Wilson, Jr., Maj. Gen. (USMC-Ret)
Anthony Woods, Army Veteran
Homecoming for Todd Connor. From left to
right: seated is Jane LeDuc, daughter Ashley Connor, father Spec.
Todd Connor, wife Pamela Connor. In the background is District 5
officer Tony Rabbia.
Josiah Carpenter Library January News And
Events
Stop by the library for a warm cup of
coffee or tea and check out the new books! New to the library: The
Martian by Andy Weir; Twists and Turns: An eclectic collection of
stories by Carmel Portillo; Either the End or the Beginning of
Everything by Terry Farish; How to Code in Ten Easy Lessons by Sean
McManus; Diva and Flea by Mo Williams and There was an Old Monster
by Rebecca Emberley.
Library Closed Friday January 1st in Observance of New Year’s
Josiah Teen Book Worms Discussing “The Testing” by Joelle
Charbonneau on Thursday January 7th between 7-8:30
pm at the library
Preschool story hour Thursdays January 7,
14, 21 and 28 10:00 am – 11:00 am. January themes are cats, kittens,
mittens, penguins and shapes! Join Mrs. Grainger & Ms. Rosalie for a
fun filled hour of stories, crafts and a snack. Ages 2 – 5
Library Scrapbooking Day! Join us while we review 2015 and make the
most of our memories with the library scrapbooking project,
Wednesday January 13th from 3:30-4:30. All ages
Library Closed on Monday, January 18th in
Observance of Martin Luther King’s birthday.
Library Board of Trustees Meeting Tuesday,
January 19th , 2015, 7 pm
January 20th Outreach program to Blueberry
Express Daycare 10:00-11:00
3rd round of Lego Club at the library
begins Wednesday January 20th at 3:30 pm Build and tell your
stories- sign-up required
Pittsfield Writer’s Circle on Thursday, January 21st at 7 pm at the
library. Writing prompt: New Year’s resolutions, which ones have
worked in the past? Which ones are you aspiring to in 2016?
Read Meet & Talk Join us for an exciting
book discussion on “The Light Between Oceans” by M.L. Stedman at the
Pittsfield Senior Community Center Tuesday January 26th at 10:30.
Stay for a leisurely lunch afterward.
Pittsfield Wellness Coalition Update
The Pittsfield Wellness Coalition held its third meeting on Monday,
December 14, in the PMHS media center. Twelve community
members and educators participated.
Two key tasks were accomplished by Coalition members present:
(1) the group’s draft charter was completed; the charter outlines
the work of the coalition; once approved at its next meeting, the
Coalition will bring the draft charter to our School Board for
review and approval; and (2) Coalition members engaged in a root
cause analysis, in which potential causes of addition in Pittsfield
were identified.
The Coalition’s next meeting is scheduled for 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. on
Monday, January 11, in the PMHS media center. In addition to
finalizing the draft charter, Coalition members will review
evidence-based strategies for addressing the potential causes of
addiction that were previously identified. Annika
Stanley-Smith, consultant from the Capital Area Public Health
Network, is assisting with research on strategies.
The Pittsfield Wellness Coalition meets
two times each month; the group meets from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. on the
second Monday of each month and from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on the fourth
Thursday of each month; meetings are being held in the PMHS media
center.
All Pittsfield residents and educators are
invited to participate in the group’s meetings, with no long-term
obligation; the next meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Monday,
January 11, in the PMHS media center.
Obituaries
Bette (Hilliard) Hackman
Boscawen – Bette (Hilliard) Hackman, 90,
died Friday, December 18, 2015 at the Merrimack County Health Care
Center in Boscawen.
Born in Loudon on February 24, 1925, Bette was the daughter of Alvah
and Rebecca (Campbell) Hilliard and was a graduate of Pittsfield
High School, Class of 1942. She joined the labor force to assist
with the war effort during World War II, working for several
companies in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She was later
employed by Ammon Instruments in Manchester for several years.
She enjoyed crossword puzzles, needlework
and traveling to yard sales and craft fairs. Bette also loved to
play card games with her family, was an avid Bruins fan and was
known for her sense of humor and witty responses. She loved to go
for rides and see nature, always finding joy doing so with her
husband, Paul, from their marriage in 1950 to his death in 1988.
Bette’s sisters had always been her best friends and together they
were known as “the Golden Girls.” All her siblings, Everett,
Ethel, Beulah, Winnie, Rebecca, and Frances, predeceased her.
Bette is survived by two daughters,
Victoria Arceci of Jaffrey and Rebecca Kidder of Gilmanton; three
grandchildren, Brian and Molly Kidder and Lindsey Arceci. She also
leaves a brother-in-law, Marvin Hackman, and treasured nieces and
nephews.
Friends and family gathered at the Still
Oaks Funeral & Memorial Home in Epsom on Monday, December 28th.
Burial followed at the Loudon Center Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, because of Bette’s
love of animals, memorial donations may be made in her name to the
Pope Memorial SPCA, 94 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH 03301.
An on-line guestbook is available at
stilloaks.com.
Robert W.Thrall
Robert William Thrall, 80, of Siel Road, died peacefully at the
Pleasant view Nursing Home, Concord following a long illness. He was
born October 20, 1935 in Mt. Kisco, NY, the son of William L. and M.
Dorothy (Roxby) Thrall. He was a graduate of White Plains High
School in 1954. He also graduated from St. Lawrence University,
Canton, NY in 1958. He married his wife Ruth (Olson) in 1957.
He worked in the insurance industry at
Glen Falls Ins. Co. and National Fire/Casualty Co. During his
insurance career as a insurance agent he lived in Glen Falls NY;
Wheaton, IL; Grand Rapids MI; and Richfield,CT. In 1963 he and his
father opened the W. L. Thrall Hardware and Garden Center in Old
Lyme, CT. He was later a commercial airline pilot for Pilgrim
Airlines in Groton, CT. He was a “ham radio” operator, and a
computer enthusiast. He enjoyed RV travel, boating, golfing, flying,
the NE Patriots and especially his beloved home on Treasure Island,
Lake Winnipesaukee.
He is survived by his wife Ruth of
Pittsfield. Three Daughters, Carolyn T. Larson and husband Eric of
Concord, Joanne E. Shurbert and husband William of Alton Bay and
Sandra T. Found and husband Andrew of Pittsfield. Four
grandchildren, Nathan Larson, Kate Larson and her wife Alex, Brita
Larson Guirguis and husband Andrew and Anna Larson.
A Memorial Service followed by a reception
will be scheduled in the spring at the Waters Funeral Home 50 So.
Main St. Concord. An urn burial will follow in the Floral Park
Cemetery, Pittsfield. The Waters Funeral Home-Perkins & Pollard
Memorial Home is assisting with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made
to CRVNA Hospice Program 30 Pillsbury St. Concord, NH 03301
To sign an online guest book, log on to
perkinsandpollard.com
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