Early
Head Start is accepting applications for children under the age of 3
and for prenatal women. Fun activities, information, support, and
learning experiences are provided through home visiting and
playgroups. It is free for income eligible families. For further
information and to jump start your child’s learning, please call
435-6611.
The
Pittsfield Parks and Recreation Commission along with a variety of
other local groups are planning Harvest Fest for October 21, 2017
from 11:00 to 3:00. The PTO will be sponsoring Trunk or Treat for
that night. We are also are trying to arrange a function for Friday
night. Save the date to join us for a weekend of fun.
Congratulations to Kevin Buchanan of Pittsfield who was among a
record number of graduates presented with diplomas at UMass Lowell’s
2017 Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 13 at the Tsongas
Center at UMass Lowell.
Buchanan received a Bachelor of Science Technology degree in
electronic engineering technology.
PHS
Class Of 1977 Holds 40-Year Reunion
Back:
Donna Golden Garofano, Rita Doucette Kiley, Judy Flanders Brown,
Diane Fraser Hathaway, Randy Brown, Linda Kenney Janosz, Susan
Kidder Croft, Scott Prescott, Lewis Corson, Don Farnham, Richard
Thoroughgood, Brett Tiede, Greg Keene, Brenda Corey Rizzo, Eddie
Watson, Lynn Pethic Tiede, Kenneth Plante
Front:
Nancy Carr, Sally Siel Blanchard, Bernice Davis, Kathleen Carson
Beltrami, Kathy Cochran Beaudoin, Robin Bouchard Derby, Verna Brewer
Poole, Gail Bunnell Tasker, Susan Chapman Seamans, Margo Storey
Lucas, Nancy Mitchell Lagasse, Dawn Bedell Foss
On
August 5 members of the Pittsfield High School Class of 1977 held
their 40-year reunion week-end, beginning with an open house Friday
night at Kathy Carson Beltrami’s house, followed by a tour of the
high school Saturday morning, and culminating in the reunion at the
Concord Country Club Saturday night..
The tour of our school revealed many changes since 1977, as the
school has been renovated and added on to. It was fun (and
confusing) to see the library where classrooms used to be and try to
remember where we had attended Mr. Horne’s Algebra class, Mr.
Gildden’s History class, Mr. Fatula’s Biology class, and Mrs.
Krause’s home economics class, as well as many others. Even the
office has moved! It was also pretty cool to see a name plate
indicating that classmate Lynn Pethic Tiede’s daughter, Erin Bosek,
now teaches at our alma mater. Everyone enjoyed the tour down memory
lane with Tobi Gray Chassie as our excellent tour guide.
Saturday evening, members of the class enjoyed reminiscing about our
four years together by viewing photo boards featuring our Freshman
through Senior years, as well as seeing ourselves as 17/18 year-olds
on photo picks in the centerpieces. We were fortunate to have Mr. &
Mrs. Glidden and Mr. Fatula attend as honored guests. A cocktail
hour before dinner provided time to walk around & get re-acquainted
before dinner.
After
dinner, we kicked off the festivities with Alumni Superlatives.
Each classmate received an award, such as: married the longest,
most grandchildren, world traveler, moved the most; as well as joke
awards such as: celebrity look-alike, least hair, class clown, etc.
The list was fun and it was a great way to learn what some class
members had been up to over the years, and get everyone laughing and
in the mood to dance. Another high point was when Mr. Glidden and
his ‘girls’ from the field hockey team serenaded the group with
‘Moon River’, which was a tradition on the bus to away games. We
danced the night away to songs from our early years. Most of us
could hardly believe that 40 years had passed and many friendships
were rekindled. A great time was had by all.
Pittsfield School Board
9/14/2017
Submitted by Ralph Odell
The
school year has begun and it is time to update the citizens of
Pittsfield on the activities of the school.
Our
recent meeting began with a reception for eight of our new teachers.
They are an experienced, professionally qualified, and an
enthusiastic group. Danielle Harvey, Dean of Instruction, reported
on changes at the elementary school, resulting with three
kindergarten classes and two large sixth grade classes. She also
presented a video tour of classrooms which was available to parents.
The room was designed to enhance the student learning experience and
was a collection of cast off furniture and grant funded equipment.
Derek
Hamilton, Dean of Operations, mentioned that the New Hampshire
Interscholastic Athletic Association has notified the school that
they will receive an award for excellence. This past season there
was not one disqualification of a player or coach. Great job!
Students are able to take courses at New Hampshire Technical
Institute for credit while attending high school and also gain high
school credit at a reduced cost. Melissa Brown, Director of College
and Career Readiness, described increasing interest. The class of
2017 earned 99 college credits at a cost of $4,500, a savings of
$25,740. She also indicated that 26 students were taking classes at
Concord Regional Technical Center, again an increase.
The
school year appears to be off to a busy and productive start.
American Legion Peterson-Cram Post 75 News
The
next scheduled meeting of the American Legion Peterson-Cram Post 75
will be held on October 2, 2017 at 7:30 pm at the Post Home, 3
Loudon Rd. Members of the District 5 Commander will be
visiting us. All Post Officers are requested to be in place no
later than 7:25.
We are
always looking for new members, with new ideas who are willing to
participate. Come check us out, see if we are what you are looking
for. Our small post is the only Veteran Service Organization in
Pittsfield, we are proactive in our patriotic observances. If you
are a member of the Legion and you have just moved to Pittsfield,
you are more than invited to attend; if you are a member of Post
200, come on in, become involved.
We are
still searching for singers to sing our National Anthem at our
meetings and special occasions. As of this date, we have had one
person come forward and audition. She is the leading candidate. If
you want to sing for us, contact the Post Adjutant.
If you
have any questions, please, feel free to contact me the Post
Adjutant, Merrill Vaughan at 603-340-1375 or his email
[email protected].
Blessing Of The Animals
On
Sunday, October 1st at 11AM, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and the
Reverend Miriam Acevedo invited you to celebrate the feast of St.
Francis and his love of all creatures by bringing your animals for a
special blessing. Everyone is welcome to bring their pets on a
leash, in a carrier, or secured in some humane way and participate
in this special event. If your animal is too large, too far away or
just nervous/ aggressive around other animals or groups of people,
you may bring a picture which will be blessed.
We will
be celebrating the special bond between pets and the people who love
and care for them. There will be special prayers for
pets who are sick and /or disabled. Each pet will be blessed
individually, so be ready to share their name and yours, so that
Rev. Miriam may make the blessing personal and special. She can offer the blessings in either English or Spanish. Bring your camera, cell phones, and a friend to record the event. This is an outdoor event. Rain date is Sunday October
22nd .
Letter
To The Editor
To the
good citizens of Pittsfield,
After
the vote to not approve the teachers’ contract, I feel like the
contents of a baby’s diaper.
No
contract to save 25˘ on the tax rate. Stupid.
The
teachers have provided the value for this increase.
The
voters voted short term. Count me out on this strategy.
Anyway,
I have a petition that needs more signatures.
To be
decided at Town Meeting 2018: Are you in favor to advise and beg the
selectmen to remove the position of building inspector?
Instead, form a committee to come up with something that does not
discourage investment in Pittsfield and tries to help people. God
save the people.
Sometimes I sound like a broken record.
Find
me, if you can help.
Dan the
Stoneman
More
Piggy Tales
Submitted By Carole Soule
The
pigs were bouncing through the cow pasture barking at the turkeys
and snorting at the calves. It was a delightful, happy scene except
for one thing. These little piggies were escapees from their pig
pasture across the road and occasionally snuck to our neighbor’s
yard to steal apple drops.
While
fencing pigs is not complicated, it is fussy. These delinquent pigs
each weigh about eighty pounds, just small enough to dive under the
plastic handle. The handle is insulated so if they move quickly the
handle will roll off their backs as they dive, at lightning speed,
under it. Braver pigs dive under the bare wire to make their escape,
risking a fleeting zap as they escape. Pigs are smart and once they
see a sibling escape they all copy the move. They never go far and
always return to the pig shed but it just wouldn’t do to have
twenty-one piglets terrorizing the neighbor and stealing apples.
We put
a second electric wire inside their pen so that they would get
zapped once before they made it to the outside fence. That worked
and the piggies are “rehabilitated.” Pigs one-hundred-fifty pounds
or more are too big to slip under the fence and too worried about
getting zapped. Unless a gate is left open, the big pigs almost
never escape.
Besides
dealing with escapees and caring for Snowball and Napoleon, two
runts who needed extra help, Charlotte, our 800-pound pet sow, is
sick. She was lethargic for a few days but her temperature had been
a steady 101.5. Then it spiked to a scary 108.0, a temperature that
can kill so I started giving her medicine. Have you ever tried to
inject a reluctant 800-pound sow who doesn’t like needles? While
she’s sick it’s easy but once she gets better the battle gets
harder.
Fortunately, for Charlotte but not for me, she is getting better and
the little piggies are resigned to hanging out in their own pasture
but I always wonder, “What’s next?” For now, don’t worry if you see
me riding around the paddock on Charlotte’s back with a syringe in
my hand. It’s just me playing “Pig Nurse.” Want to help?
Carole
Soule is co-owner of Miles Smith Farm, in Loudon, NH, where she
raises and sells beef, pork, lamb, eggs and other local products.
She can be reached at [email protected].
Pittsfield Wellness Coalition Becomes Stand Up Pittsfield
Stand
Up Pittsfield, formerly known as the Pittsfield Wellness Coalition
is a group of community members advocating for the prevention,
intervention, treatment and recovery from substance misuse and
mental health issues by promoting a healthy mind, body and spirit.
Formed
in the fall of 2015 through a grant from the NH Charitable
Foundation, the coalition’s mission is to promote wellness, prevent
substance misuse, and create a positive impact on the community
through providing opportunities for youth, families, and community
members.
Stand
Up Pittsfield is hoping to benefit through the partnering of similar
groups like Stand Up Laconia, an established group committed to
confronting the causes and consequences of substance misuse. It is
hoped this approach will further support the efforts in Pittsfield
and other,like-minded communities.
To
date, the coalition has hosted two Narcan events, inviting
participants to become trained toadminister naloxone, a drug that
has been known to reverse the effect of a potential overdose.
The
coalition also sponsored the viewing of “The Hungry Heart,” a
documentary of a small town in Vermont dealing with prescription
drug and opiate addiction. This movie was presented in full to the
freshman class and again offered, in part, to the greater community.
Both events included a panel of substance misuse experts.
Stand
Up Pittsfield has participated in Old Home Day, National Night Out,
and the Pittsfield Elementary School’s Open House to gather
information to identify areas of concern within the community that
might be alleviated by the coalition addressing through a
health-centered lens.
Stand
Up Pittsfield is a community organization that meets the first
Tuesday and third Monday of each month. Potential new members are
encouraged to attend to learn more about the efforts of this group.
Meetings are held in the media center (library) of Pittsfield Middle
High School at 6:00 PM.
Pittsfield Youth Baseball Association would like to
send
out a big THANK YOU to Mike Brewster, Dan “the Stone Man,” and Joe
Darrah for fixing the monument that had fallen.
Victory
Workers 4-H Club Starts Its 76th Year
Members
must be 8 years old by January 1st, 2018 and Cloverbuds must be 5
years old by Januray 1st, 2018.
If you
wish to become a member please attend the first meeting at 6:45 pm
Monday, October 2nd.
Meetings are held monthly the first Monday of the month at the
Pittsfield Community Center. Meeting time is 6:45 to 8pm.
Each
meeting consists of a business meeting and a program, filled with
many new and exciting events. We have a monthly newsletter to help
assist families.
If you
would like more information please feel free to call key leaders
Melissa Babcock - 603-496-3928, Mark Riel - 435-6346, Corine Miller
- 435-8497, Fern Bond - 365-5301, or Pamela Clattenburg - 435-0772.
The
Year was 1942 and we were at War... Pictured above is Marge Marston
Feeney a member of the first 4-H club established in Pittsfield. The
task was to come up with a name for the club....Since all the adults
were saying Victory Victory end the war she blurted out at the
meeting Victory Workers! Now, 75 years later, the Victory Workers
4-H Club celebrates and Marge tells us the story.
Corine
Kimball Miller - Key Leader and daughter of our 1st Organizational
leader Mrs. Ruth Kimball (Gram to most of us).
Key
Leader Mark Riel Thanking all that attended our 75th Celebration and
the committee members.
Serving
the Greater Pittsfield Area here are members and leaders from
Barnstead, Chichester, Epsom, Loudon, Pittsfield and Londonderry.
Committee members Back Row - Leon Miller, Mark Riel, Austin Ladd,
Ann Marie Chapman. Middle row - Carolyn Davis, Corine Miller, Derek
Ladd, Trinity Bond, Robyn Ladd, and Pamela Clattenburg. Front row -
Jordyn Pinto, Josh Chapman, and Fern Bond.
Theresa
Riel, Corine Miller, Carolyn Davis, Marge Feeney, and Lucille
Randall.
The
75th slate of Officers for the VW4-H Club: President Derek Ladd,
Epsom, Vice President Jordyn Pinto, Pittsfield, Secretary Trinity
Bond, Loudon, Treasurer Austin Ladd, Epsom, Reporter Kristen
Therrien, Loudon.
Current
Organizational Leader Pamela Clattenburg accepting from the 4-H
Foundation of New Hampshire presented by Jim Doyle award
congratulating the Victory Workers on its Diamond Anniversary for
service to their club, community, country and world.
President Derek Ladd with member Demarco Donini showing off his
1st wood working project. Wood working members wish to Thank
Barton’s Lumber for their donations to make this project a success.
Pam
Clattenburg receives a Commendation from Dean of UNH Extension
Kenneth La Valley. Whereas, the Victory Workers 4-H Club of
Pittsfield is celebrating its 75th anniversary and Whereas, Ruth
Kimball and Carol Ward stated the Victory Workers 4-H Club in 1942
with just 11 members, focusing their efforts on gardening and
canning, dedicated to the 4-H pledge and developing true leaders in
New Hampshire and Whereas, since its inception, the Victory Workers
4-H Club has served more than 1000 youth from Pittsfield, Gilmanton,
Loudon, Barnstead, Chichester and Epsom and Whereas, Ruth Kimball
led the organization for 65 years, assisted by Emily Barton, Pauline
Barton Wheeler, Corine Kimball Miller, Carolyn Kimball Davis, Mark
Riel and Melissa Currier Babcock and Whereas, Marjorie Marston Feeny
named the club, and it is currently led by Pamela Clattenburg, with
61 members ages 8 to 18, 16 Cloverbuds ages five to seven and 31
volunteer leaders and Whereas with dedicated volunteer leadership,
family involvement and active youth members, the Victory Workers 4-H
Club carries on the vision from its founding leaders and strives to
“Make the Best Better.”
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