REMINDER
There
will be a Memorial Service for Margaret R. DuHamell on January 28th
at 11 AM at Our Lady of Lords Catholic Church, 20 River Rd.,
Pittsfield, New Hampshire. There will be a gathering after the
service around the corner from the church with the address posted at
the service; all are welcome to both the service and gathering.
Letter To The Editor
Select
Board meeting 1/17/17
We had
a presentation by NH Economic Development giving direction to the
BOS, other boards, and the public. Focus was two-fold; helping
existing businesses be successful to create a more vibrant community
and encourage new business, primarily along Rt. 28, with the goal of
more taxable real estate that’s less demanding on town services than
residential development.
The
highlights: Don’t waste economic development funds on consultants;
simplify planning and zoning - complexity drives development away;
planning and zoning shouldn’t get caught up in minutia that delays
approvals; rules get taken to extreme; Pittsfield viewed as a ‘drive
by’ town- little on 28 welcomes business; downtown image
improvement; social media should be as positive including our
website; boards should be welcoming and citizens with negative
attitudes should not employ ‘mob rule’ at hearings.
I was
disappointed that bringing commercial to Rt. 28 sounded so
difficult. They stated it’s hard to attract business north and
increased development must be viewed long term. Given the town
really has taxation as our only revenue source (and we need relief
now), I found this disheartening. However, 10 years will come and
go quickly, so we better start. One statistic I found surprising-
they claim considerably more people travel into Pittsfield to work
than travel out of Pittsfield to work elsewhere. I never would have
guessed that.
Also;
$117,734 was transferred from the ambulance revenue fund to the
general fund; an extension was signed on the contract for 31 Berry
Ave.; private interest in 37 Main St. is being encouraged as well as
town committees; public input- question re; where the sidewalk plow
stops on Catamount St.; concerns about appearance and safety of
dilapidated buildings around town, and the amount of donations
piling up around the Planet Aid box.
We’ll
address what we can while respecting property owners’ rights.
Carl
Anderson
Dorcas Guild
The
January 10 meeting of the Dorcas Guild of the First Congregational
Church of Pittsfield began with a welcome by President Mary Jo
Powelson. Nella Hobson began a time of devotions by reading a
passage of scripture from Matthew 6. All joined in “The Lord’s
Prayer.”
Diane
Vaughan reported on various cards sent for the ill and bereaved. She
shared correspondence and the group received an update on shut-ins.
The December 2016 minutes were accepted as was the treasurer’s
report.
The
food basket from Corine Miller was received by Gailann Newton and
will go to Linda Towle in February. The mystery package brought by
Nella was won by Bev Murdough. Nella and Bev are co-chairs for the
World Day of Prayer event, March 3, and are working it.
SouperFest, hosted by the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness,
will be held March 17 in Concord. A sign-up sheet for “cookie
support” is on the vestry bulletin board.
For new
business, the Guild will consider a service project for 2017. “Baby
Threads” of New Hampshire and “Children’s Care Tote Bags” for local
law enforcement are some possibilities.
Discussion on our missions’ disbursements followed. The group
approved support to several local organizations. Bev discussed Camp
Sentinel, a Christian overnight and day camp in Tuftonboro.
While
enjoying dessert, the group had their book exchange and the new
Program Guide was distributed. Next month’s meeting will be held
February 14 at 6:30 p.m., with hostesses Diane Vaughan and Nella
Hobson. “Hearts and Flowers” is the theme, and items for the Diaper
Pantry would be appreciated. Wednesday work meetings begin again
February 1, 10- 2 in the vestry. All ladies are welcome.
Pastor’s Corner
Submitted By Mike Mavity, Grace Capital Church
Happy
New Year! There is just something about that word ‘new’ that feels
good. We love the smell of a new car or the look of a new outfit.
Personally, I love the look and feel of new shoes. They feel so good
on my feet and I always feel a little bit fresher when I get to wear
a new pair of shoes.
New
Year’s is also the time when we make new resolutions to live
differently. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve resolved to lose
weight, exercise more, read more books, among other things. New
resolutions are good. A new year is a great time to re-focus
ourselves on the things that are good for us. It’s exciting to see a
full year calendar ahead of us with nothing penciled in yet. It’s
all out there for us to go and get!
It’s
important to remember too, that the Bible reminds us that God’s
mercies are new every day. We don’t have to wait until January 1st
to receive new mercy from God. It’s an every day event! Lamentations
3:22-23 says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his
mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is
your faithfulness.”
So,
this year as we plan our resolutions and live them out, let’s
remember that things are new with God every day. He sees us as sons
and daughters and because of His great love for us, He gives us a
new batch of mercy every day. We might slip and completely fail with
our new year’s resolutions but God’s amazing grace for us can make
us new every day.
2
Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a
new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Go Ahead, “Eat Your Heart Out” This Spring
Rehearsals are now underway for “Eat Your Heart Out” and the cast
and crew are working to deliver a deliciously funny play to
audiences at The Scenic Theatre in Pittsfield this spring.
Director Mike Hobson and producer Jon Martin have teamed up once
again following their successful last year’s production of “The
Game’s Afoot.” They have picked a comedy by author Nick Hall that
presents a unique look at the human situation. Set in present time,
“Eat Your Heart Out” follows the plight of an out-of-work actor
named Charlie who waits tables in six New York City restaurants
while hoping for his big break in show business. The remaining four
cast members portray multiple roles as customers who come in the
restaurants and interact with their waiter. The steady flow of
changing locations, customers, and personal revelations provide the
audience with wonderfully amusing insights into all the characters’
lives. And, with the action, audiences will learn the proper way to
eat escargot and raw oysters.
A
dynamic and high-spirited cast has been selected for this
mouthwateringly humorous show. Jonathan Flower portrays Charlie,
the waiter, who is your server for the show. The four actors
playing multiple customer roles are Vicki Watson as Women, Mike
Towle as Men, Alexis Keyes as Girls, and Tony Pfaff as Boys.
So
prepare yourself for a connoisseur’s delight by marking your
calendars and coming to see “Eat Your Heart Out,” performing March
24, 25, 31 and April 1 for evening shows at 7:30 p.m., and on April
2 for the Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. All shows will be presented at
The Scenic Theatre, 6 Depot Street, Pittsfield. Tickets will be
available in March.
Mark Your Calendar For World Day Of Prayer
The
World Day of Prayer service will be held this year at the First
Congregational Church of Pittsfield, 24 Main Street, Friday, March 3
at 7 p.m. People of more than 170 countries and regions celebrate
this event.
World
Day of Prayer is an ecumenical movement of Christian women of many
traditions coming together to observe a common day of prayer the
first Friday of March. Each year a different country’s committee
serves as writers for the World Day of Prayer service. This year the
ladies of the Philippines have written an interesting program with
the theme, “Am I being unfair to you.”
Plan to
join in prayer and song in this community of faith service. All are
welcome. Parking and wheelchair accessible entry are available at
rear of church at Chestnut Street.
VA To Provide Fertility Counseling And Treatment
For
Certain Veterans And Spouses
Submitted Bia Merrill Vaughan
WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) announced that it is amending its regulation regarding
fertility counseling and treatment available to eligible Veterans
and spouses. VA currently provides certain infertility services
other than in vitro fertilization (IVF) services to Veterans as part
of the medical benefits package. This interim final rule authorizes
IVF for a Veteran with a service-connected disability that results
in the inability of the Veteran to procreate without the use of
fertility treatment. It also states that VA may provide fertility
counseling and treatment using assisted reproductive technologies
(ART), including IVF, to a spouse of a Veteran with a
service-connected disability that results in the inability of the
Veteran to procreate without the use of fertility treatment.
“I have
always believed that one of the main responsibilities of a grateful
nation is to make whole the men and women who have made sacrifices
on our behalf,” said VA Secretary Bob McDonald. “It is important
that we fully understand the needs of our Veteran population, and
incorporate the major scientific advances available today that can
allow them to live a full life. Providing fertility counseling and
treatment, including in vitro fertilization, is consistent with VA’s
goal of restoring reproductive capabilities of Veterans and
improving the quality of their lives.”
As part
of the medical benefits package, VA provides many different types of
fertility treatments and procedures to Veterans. These include
infertility counseling, laboratory blood testing, surgical
correction of structural pathology, reversal of a vasectomy or tubal
ligation, medication, and various other diagnostic studies or
treatments and procedures
Full
implementation of this regulation requires that VA utilize and
optimize existing capabilities for care in the community and develop
internal processes that will provide Veterans with a seamless path
to receiving ART services. Veterans can immediately schedule
appointments with their local health care system for eligibility
determinations, clinical evaluation and consultation, and initial
treatment as we work to build this structure.
The
interim final rule was published in the Federal Register on January
19, 2017 and can be accessed here. Although the interim rule
references September 30, 2017 as the date the funding expires, the
funds are authorized through September 30, 2018.
American Legion Post 88 Loudon News
Submitted by Commander Shawn Jones
At our
December meeting on 12/21/16 we had 14 members in attendance. We
voted to establish an account to help indigent members who wish to
continue their membership in the post but are struggling
financially. The Chaplain, membership chair, and I will decide on
the need on a case by case basis for a period up to two years. We
seeded the account with some donations from members and moving some
money from the Commander’s Fund Raffle to the new account.
We will
be upgrading our flag pole light to electrical power in the spring.
It was discussed at this meeting that the current solar powered
light is inadequate to properly light the flags. The solar light
was worth trying but is not serving its intended purpose. Gary
Tasker will work on running power out to the flag pole in the spring
and we will purchase a new light fixture.
Our
Commander’s Fund Raffle winners for December were: $50-Mary P.,
$25-Dustin B., $10-Judy D., $10-Stan P., $5-Maureen T.
Congratulations to our December winners.
At our
January meeting on 1/18/17 we had 18 members in attendance including
one new prospective new member along with two guest speakers from
the Friends Program in Concord.
Our
guests Brian and Cindy of the Friends Program spoke about their
various programs where members could volunteer as little as one hour
a month or one day a week. The Youth Mentoring program is in need of
male mentors for the boys they have in their program who need
someone to look up to or who may want to participate in one of your
favorite hobbies. The Friends Program has several ways that people
can volunteer with them, not just mentoring boys and girls but
helping to drive someone to a medical appointment or helping out at
a Friendly Kitchen in Concord among many other opportunities to find
something that is rewarding and gets one out of the house. For more
information on the Friends Program go to
http://www.friendsprogram.org/ or call them at 228-1193.
I gave
a report from the District 5 winter conference held at Post 59 in
Hillsboro on January 14th. The district is looking for members who
want to serve at the district level starting with the April election
of officers. If you would like to serve in one of the many
leadership positions such as Vice Commander, Jr Vice Commander,
Adjutant, Chaplin, Historian, Sargent at Arms, Service Officer,
Judge Advocate, etc., please contact me at
[email protected] or
496-0204 and I’ll pass your name along. Your post will also be
looking for members who want to serve at the post level as well
starting in April. We will be taking nominations in March. Our post
is only as good as its members and those who want to help run it.
District 5 is going to be holding an upcoming raffle for a
Bushmaster AR-15 rifle. I will let you know when the tickets go on
sale. The District needs to raise some money so that it, in turn,
can make some charitable donations out to the many organizations
that are out there helping veterans.
The
Mid-Winter Department Conference is going to be on January 28th at
Post 7 in Rochester. I’ll be going to this along with any other
members who want to attend. I’ll give a brief report of the
conference in my next article.
Children & Youth Officer Mike Hart gave an update on the District
Oratorical program that he has been hard at work trying to get
students interested in competing. Post 88 will be holding the
contest dates this year for the high school age students on February
4th, and on March 11th for the middle school age students. The
winners of these two contests will go on to compete at the state
level at Saint Anselm College in March and April. Mike had a lot of
good ideas how to better reach students in the Public and Private
sector as well as Home school students that he will bring up at the
Department committee meeting in January.
We did
make our 100 percent membership goal for 2017 by the December 31st
deadline. We actually exceeded that by five members. We have the
highest overall score in the district at 107.46%. We currently now
stand at 72 paid members for the 2017 year. Look for our 100%
membership yellow streamer on our flag at the Memorial Day Parade.
We cannot stop here with recruitment as we want to grow our
membership and do even more good for the community and our veterans.
Our post all time high membership level was 87 members. If we can
continue to get new members or transfers from Post 200 or other
posts, we can achieve this number. I’m not actively trying to get
members from other posts to join ours, but if a Legionnaire moves
into the Loudon area, we’d welcome them to switch their membership
to our post. We really need to do a better job of bringing in new
younger members as well as women veterans. They will help our post
to continue into the future and carry out our programs. If you think
you want to join the Legion, Auxiliary, or Sons of The American
Legion, please contact me for more information.
The
Loudon Lions Club wants to use the post for its spring breakfast on
April 15th. There were no objections to them using the post on this
day. Keep your eyes out for the signs.
Commander Jones reads the Certificate of Appreciation to Larry
Hemphill before presenting it to him.
I
presented Larry Hemphill with a Certificate of Appreciation that
both he and I were presented with at the District 5 meeting. Larry
did not attend that meeting, so Department Commander Thomas Willey
asked me to give Larry his. The certificates we received from the
National Commander and Adjutant for efforts in last year’s District
5 revitalization efforts. Larry and I worked a phone bank, calling
prospective new members or to help get members transferred to a
local post.
Our
Commanders Fund Raffle winners for January were: $50-Tony R.,
$25-Beth B., $10-Mike M., $10-Garrett L., $5-Bob S. Congratulations
to our January winners.
That is
all for this month. Enjoy the rest of our winter season.
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