Pittsfield
Citizen Of The Year
It is time to pick the 2016 Pittsfield
Citizen of the Year. Who’s activities and accomplishments to better
our town do you feel make them eligible for this year’s award?
Please send the name of your nominee and the reason they should be
Citizen of the Year to:
Citizen of the Year
P O Box 173
Pittsfield N H 03263
Nominations must be received by June 8,
2016.
Treat yourself to viewing an exhibition of
one-of-a-kind jewelry created by former Pittsfield and now Epsom
resident Christina Van Horn. An opening reception will be held on
Saturday, May 21, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Epsom Library, to which
one and all are invited.
Congratulations to Adriaunna Towle who
graduated from the University of Connecticut on May 7. Adriaunna
received a bachelors degree in civil engineering and begins her
first engineering job on June 6 in Quincy, MA as a transportation
engineer for Environmental Partners Group.
Student
Centered Learning in Pittsfield
Submitted By Dr. John Freeman, Superintendent Of Schools SAU 51
As Pittsfield readers may know, we have been on a journey of
redesign of our schools for several years; this work may be thought
of as a reinvention of our schools to become more student-centered.
This means that we are becoming more responsive than ever to
individual student needs, strengths, and interests.
One of the most important reasons for creating student-centered
learning for our students is that we now know more about how people
learn than ever before. Thanks to the discoveries of brain
researchers, parents and educators can now offer our children and
youth higher quality learning experiences than those that most of us
remember from our own school days.
To put it briefly, we are now working to provide our students with
learning experiences that reflect new discoveries in how our brains
work. This is why we are minimizing practices like lecturing
or assigning workbook page after workbook page. Instead, we
are engaging our students in more firsthand learning, team or group
learning, and thinking about their leaning than most of us
experienced in school.
For example, I can remember how much I enjoyed preparing a project
for my school science fair when I was a middle school student.
It was so much more interesting than reading a book chapter (though
I loved reading immensely!) and taking a paper and pencil test at
the end of the chapter. And, I remember learning so much from
my own investigation needed to prepare my project, not only about
science, but also about time management, presentation skills, and
determination.
As our practices in our schools continue to evolve, we’re working to
help students enjoy the most powerful learning experiences that we
can provide for them. We’re asking students to take on new,
more active roles in their own learning, in ways that are similar to
my middle school science fair project.
Rather than asking students to sit quietly
and absorb everything they’re told, we’re more and more asking them
to be actively involved in researching, experimenting, and talking
about what’s important to them in the context of both traditional
school subjects and subjects that interest them as they grow to
become successful learners in their post-high school learning and in
their careers.
2016
Multi-Town Yardsale
The Annual Multi Town
Yardsale is June 3rd, 4th and 5th!!
How do I get a map?
This is our most frequently asked
question, you are not alone.
Beginning June 1st at 11pm, the map will be available online at
www.PittsfieldChamber.org The map will be posted in the form of
a link to a Google Map. Additionally, there will be a printable
address list by town.
While we understand that several people miss the old paper map of
Pittsfield locations, it just isn’t feasible for this larger event.
Some communities have their own maps available however, so keep your
eyes peeled!
If your organization is interested in
printing and selling maps for the 2017 Yardsale please get in touch
with us.
Drive safely, and have a great time at the
Annual Multi Town Yardsale!
A Huge Thank You To Rick Belanger
From The Pittsfield Historical Society
Steam Pump Committee
Front: Edward Vien, Thomas “Fuzz” Freese
Back: Bill Miskoe, Mark Riel, David Harper, Ray Webber, Larry
Berkson
Last fall Rick Belanger made the
Historical Society a great offer: a donation, free of charge, of a
huge steam pump used in the old Cotton Mill. Larry Berkson relayed
the offer to the Board of Directors along with pictures and it
immediately gave approval to move forward. A group of volunteers got
together, were officially designated a committee by President Cedric
Dustin, and held a series of meetings during the winter.
The first issue was where to locate it.
Three suggestions were made: on the State property to the left and
right sides of the dam, and in the triangle piece of property in
front of the Amenico Building where the Cotton Mill was located. All
agreed that the latter would be preferable if permission could be
obtained from the current owners. David Ossoff, speaking for them,
was elated about the idea and readily supported the venture.
Next came decisions about the steam pump
itself. It was rusted, not giving a good appearance, there were open
portals that water could intrude into, and some of the parts did not
belong on it. Lengthy discussions were held with the following
results. It was decided to have it sand blasted, portals enclosed,
extra parts removed and the entire pump painted.
The pump has now been moved to Arch
Equipment in Bow for rehabilitation. Within a short while a
foundation will be dug and a concrete pad poured upon which it will
rest. We will keep the public updated as we progress. Thank you Rick
for your wonderful support of Pittsfield.
Drake Field Summer Recreation Program
Drake Field Summer Recreation Program will
begin for the season on June 27, 2016 and end on August 4th. The
program is open to Pittsfield students in grades 1-8. Good behavior
is mandatory. The cost is free except for some field trips. We will
run Monday - Thursday and times will vary due to field trips.
Calendars and applications will be sent home through the schools or
can be picked up at the schools. Activities will include arts and
crafts, board games, children’s games, sports activities, weekly
visits from the library, and field trips. Breakfast and lunch will
also be included on most days.
For more information, please contact Mrs.
Louise Sawyer at 267-6733 after 5:00 PM.
Pittsfield Planning Board Office Hours Of
The Acting Administrative Secretary
Submitted By Jim Pritchard,
Secretary Pittsfield Planning Board
The position of planning board
administrative secretary is currently vacant, and the acting
administrative secretary, Jim Pritchard, will have office hours in
the town hall as follows:
Monday:
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Thursday:
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
At other times, the town administrator’s
assistant, Bonnie Theriault, will receive documents for filing but
may not be able to provide other support to the planning board.
People who urgently need to speak to the
acting administrative secretary may ask the town administrator’s
assistant for the acting administrative secretary’s cell telephone
number.
Office hours are subject to change, but
notice of the new office hours will be posted if the office hours
change.
The planning board respectfully asks for
the public’s patience during this interim.
Selectman’s Update
Submitted By Carl Anderson
A night off! That doesn’t mean we didn’t
have plenty to do all week. Among other things, I have had a number
of residents question why the police are seen parked up on Rt 28
when downtown is supposed to be our law enforcement focus.
Seemed like a darn good question to me, so
I took it to the Chief of Police. Here is his explanation: there is
no “policy” about patrols on 28. The State Police no longer have
‘rural’ patrols overnight, so monitoring for impaired drivers, etc.,
on 28 in Pittsfield falls to local police. If late at night the
downtown area is dead, our cruisers sometimes spend ‘short’ periods
on 28 with the intent of continuing Pittsfield’s battle with
incoming drugs by monitoring a major route in and out of town.
Better to use the 24/7 mandated police
coverage where there might be something going on, than sitting
behind a desk in the middle of the night. As with other late night
patrols, the likelihood of being pulled over for a minor offense
such as a tail light out increases. The truth is, this gives the
police probable cause to see if there appears to be something bigger
going on.
> Personally, I support efforts to curb
the downtown drug problem and if this method is really helpful, and
not overused, I understand it. I do have to say, however, if I’m the
guy headed to work at 3AM, and find myself pulled over on 28 with
flashing blues and spotlights in my mirrors, my understanding may
disappear in a hurry.
Regular meeting scheduled for 6 PM, 5/17.
Patriotic Concert Planned
“A Slice of Americana,” the First
Congregational Church’s annual patriotic concert, is set for Friday,
June 10, 7 p.m. at the church, 24 Main Street, Pittsfield. It will
feature the Chancel Choir, JuBellation Handbell Choir and other
musicians. Light refreshments will be served.
Be sure to mark your calendar for this
exciting event for all ages. Bring a friend! Parking and wheelchair
accessibility available from the Chestnut Street entrance. More
information at 435-7471. God Bless America!
Pittsfield Players Present The Dixie Swim
Club
(Left to Right) Deb Comire, (Sr. Mary
Esther); Betty Fortin, (Sheree); Debra Douglas,(Lexie); Doreen
Sheppard, (Dinah); Becky Rush, (Vernadette).
On Thursday, May 19th, at 7:30pm in the Scenic
Theatre in Pittsfield NH, Pittsfield Players will present its
opening performance of “THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB,” directed by Carole
Neveux, for the weekend. Friday and Saturday performances will
be at the same time, with a matinee at 2pm on Sunday afternoon.
Although the cast is all female, this is far from a
chick-flick. The five retired women, who make up the DIXIE SWIM
CLUB, gather at a beach cottage at Outer Banks in
North Carolina yearly in August for a reunion. This play takes
four of these weekends over a 30 year period and gives us a
hilarious and insightful glimpse of their lives and the challenges
they have faced. Anyone who attends will relate to the many
situations that we all endure as we age. Each character has
their strong points and we can see that as their personalities
develop throughout the play.
A few surprises are in store for the audience, and the laughs
keeping coming with each conversation. Leadership, vanity,
work-alcoholic, acceptance, and complete innocence all intermingle
throughout the play.
Letter To The Editor
In recent months, the Pittsfield School
Board has been aware of conversations in town regarding the State’s
cost per pupil of educating Pittsfield Middle High School students
and suggestions of how to lighten the financial burden passed on to
the taxpayers of our community.
To date, only one citizen has spoken to the Board about this subject
during a Board meeting. In the spirit of community, the Board would
like to invite public comment to hear all concerns during the next
Board meeting. Please join us at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, May 19,
in the PMHS media center to offer your comment.
Also during the meeting, information gathered in response to
anticipated concerns will be reported.
Dr. John Freeman,
Superintendent of Schools, SAU #51
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