Those Celebrating Birthdays are: April 11, Carl Hubbard; April 12,
Julie Snell, Helen Charron, Amber Valentyn; April 13, Curt Luksza,
Jean Jelley; April 14, John Genest, Jr., Kaela Marable, Laurie
DePalma; April 15, Madison Lawlor.
A Very Happy Birthday To One and All!
Celebrating Anniversaries are: April 11, Arthur and Linda Harnden.
Best Wishes!
Suncook Valley Soccer Club will be hosting its Spring meeting on
Sunday, April 15th at 7 pm at the Tilton Hill Field Clubhouse.
Please email
[email protected] for more information or
questions.
School Lunch Menus
April 16 - 20, 2012
PES
Monday
No School
Parent/Teacher
Workshop
Tuesday
Chicken Noodle Bake
Tater barrels, peas and carrots, fresh Mac apple
Wednesday
Early Release Day
Ham and cheese sandwich, veggie sticks, pretzels, fresh fruit
Thursday
Colonel’s Fav
Oven crisp chicken nuggets, seasoned rice, steamed zucchini, honey
wheat roll, fruit cocktail
Friday
Fresh Picks Pizza
Cheese pizza, or chef’s topping, carrot sticks, jammin Jell-o
PMHS
Monday
Colonel’s Fav
Crispy chicken tenders with dipping sauce, garlic/herb potatoes,
fresh baby carrots, wheat roll, cinnamon apple sauce
Tuesday
Philly Mex
Steak and cheese burrito with salsa, spanish rice, mexicali corn,
pineapple tidbits
Wednesday
Pasta, Pasta
Pasta with homemade meat sauce, garlic wheat bread, heart healthy
salad, peaches
Thursday
Yankee Dinner
Shepherd’s pie with mashed potatoes and green beans, warm corn
bread, pears
Friday
Souper Sandwich
Chicken noodle soup, grilled ham and cheese sandwich, tater barrels,
fresh Mac apple
10th Annual Pittsfield Fiddle Contest
The Pittsfield Youth Workshop (PYW) would like to invite you to the
10th Annual Pittsfield Fiddle Contest on Friday, May 11th, 2012. The
contest will be held at the Scenic Theatre located at 6 Depot St. in
Pittsfield, NH. There will be a silent auction and refreshments from
5:30-9:00 pm. The fiddle contest will begin at 6:30 pm, with the
youth contestants competing first, followed by the open division in
which anyone can participate. There will be cash prizes for the
first, second, and third place winners of both divisions.
PYW is currently looking for donations for the silent auction, and
sponsorship for the cash prizes. This is an annual fundraising event
organized and presented by The Pittsfield Youth Workshop – all
proceeds from the evening directly support PYW programs and
activities.
Please feel free to contact Zach Powers, Executive Director of the
Pittsfield Youth Workshop, by e-mail at
[email protected] or by phone at (603) 435-8272.
The Pittsfield Youth Workshop is a non-profit youth organization
committed to providing programs and services that empower youth by
helping them to develop useful skills, self-esteem, and meaningful
friendships - by involving them in activities that are interesting,
challenging, and healthy avenues to self discovery.
PYW Cinco de Mayo Karaoke Fundraiser
The Pittsfield Youth Workshop (PYW) would like to invite you to an
exciting evening of Karaoke at Dell-Lea Country Club on Saturday,
May 5th, 2012. Tickets, which can be purchased by contacting PYW,
are $15.00 each or two for $25.00. Seating is limited, so please get
your tickets before they sell out!
All proceeds from the evening go to support PYW programs and
activities. For more info or to purchase tickets, please contact
Zach Powers by e-mail at
[email protected] or by phone at (603) 435-8272.
The Pittsfield Youth Workshop is a non-profit youth organization
committed to providing programs and services that empower youth by
helping them to develop useful skills, self-esteem, and meaningful
friendships - by involving them in activities that are interesting,
challenging, and healthy avenues to self discovery.
Letter To The Editor
I’m writing in response to Concord Monitor letter "Bad for
Pittsfield", on April 1, 2012, written by Henry Thomas.
Henry, the Select Board is an agent of the town meeting. By a vote
of 70 to 30 (I think) the voters said loud and clear let us
stabilize our tax rate.
We have Linda Small and Larry Konopka on the Select Board. Seeing
how they are willing, let’s cut $125,000 from the budget and let
them handle it.
You see, Henry, the voters are demanding that the Select Board use
any method to prevent our tax rate of $30.66 per thousand from
increasing. How about giving Linda and Larry a chance. If they can’t
do it, it can’t be done.
Dan Schroth Piermarocchi
Pittsfield Players’ Begin Spring Fundraisers With Dinner And A Show
The Pittsfield Players will kick off a major fundraising effort with
a spring evening event called Dinner and A Show. The event will be
held on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at the Pittsfield Community Center
and all proceeds will go to the Scenic Theatre Sprinkler Fund.
The Players will offer a three course dinner followed by the adult
comedy Suitehearts, which was performed at the Chateau Restaurant in
Manchester in February and is being reprised by popular demand for
this event. The Players hope to pre-sell tables prior to the event
and tickets will be $30 per person and discounted to $250 for a
table for ten people.
Maye Hart will be directing the Dinner portion of the evening, which
will begin at 6:30 pm. Dinner will include a spring salad of grapes,
walnuts and baby greens with a light balsamic dressing, followed by
the main course of roast pork in a cassis sauce, au gratin potatoes,
and an assortment of vegetables. Dessert and coffee will be served
at intermission. Wine and beer will also be available during dinner.
Carole Neveax directed the show portion of the evening when it was
performed in February, and she will be at the helm for that portion
of the evening once again, which will begin at 7:30 pm. Suitehearts
tells the story of a naïve newlywed couple who book the bridal suite
for their honeymoon, only to discover that their room has been
double booked to an older, wiser, set of newlyweds, who have been
around the block before, so to speak. With no other rooms available,
hilarity breaks out when the two couples find themselves sharing
their adventure.
The Players are planning more fundraising events in the coming
months. In June, they will begin sharing proceeds from bingo games
held on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons at the Belmont Dog
Track. There are also plans for a teen band night to be held later
in the summer. And we will be having our second annual pie sale
again this year the Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving. Your support for
these events will be greatly appreciated, not only by the Players
but also by the Pittsfield Fire Department, who eagerly anticipates
the addition of a sprinkler system to the Scenic Theatre.
For more information about Dinner and A Show, call Maye Hart at
736-9563. To reserve tickets for this event and arrange for
prepayment, call 435-8852. If you can’t make the event but would
like to make a donation, send your check to The Pittsfield Players,
P.O. Box 177, Pittsfield, NH 03263.
Ferdinand French And The French Carriage Company
Ferdinand French was born in Pittsfield in 1843, left town when he
was about 20, and became one of the foremost carriage and buggy
dealers in New England. His Boston company sold carriages of all
kinds, some of which survive today, still bearing his name. He was a
widely known expert in the field and was chosen to be a judge of
carriages from all over the world at the famous World’s Fair
Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.
As a note of interest, the Great 1872 Fire of Boston, which
destroyed over 65 acres and nearly 800 buildings, was started on the
spot where his business was later located.
On Thursday, April 12 at 7:00 pm in Historical Society Headquarters
on Elm Street, Paul Gauvreau of Hudson, who has researched Mr.
French and the history of his companies for over 20 years, will give
an insightful look at one of Pittsfield’s truly renowned people of
the 19th Century. Mr. Gauvreau’s life-long hobby has been restoring
old carriages, entering them in parades (drawn by horses which he
keeps for that purpose) and displaying them in expositions. Many
have been from the French Carriage Company.
Letter To The Editor
It’s interesting to note that Psalm 16 is considered a michtam
psalm, meaning to engrave or sculpture. It suggests that this is one
of David’s "golden psalms" meant to be meditated upon and preserved
forever. So, what is it that David wished to preserve?
David begins by pointing out his total dependence upon his God
during turbulent times, most particularly the years he was fleeing
for his life. "Preserve me, O God; for in Thee do I put my trust"
(v. 1). He knows that God is his Maker, his Mediator and his Master.
"But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in
whom is all my delight. Their sorrows shall be multiplied that
hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not
offer, nor take up their names into my lips" (vv. 3, 4). He lives in
the Lord’s presence, for the Lord’s people and by the Lord’s
precepts.
David goes on to say, "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance
and of my cup" (v. 5). His strength and resolve lies in something
far greater than anything of this world. Even though as long as Saul
is on the throne David can never enjoy his earthly heritage, his
inheritance is far better; he has the Lord! David knows one day his
"flesh shall rest in hope" because he has the Truth of the
Resurrection! "For Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt
Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption" (v. 10), speaking of
Jesus Christ.
"Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er His foes: He
arose a Victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His
saints to reign." Now this is worth meditating upon and preserving
forever!
Because He Lives!
Linda Small
For Pittsfield, Middle Schoolers: One In Five
Submitted By John J. Freeman, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools,
Pittsfield School District
Pittsfield Middle School (grades 7 and 8) has been recognized by New
Hampshire Commissioner of Education Virginia Barry as one of only
five schools in the state to achieve "adequate yearly progress" for
the second consecutive year while listed as "in need of
improvement;" and thereby, the designation of "school in need of
improvement" has been removed.
Pittsfield High School showed important gains, though results are a
bit mixed. The "whole group" index score for high school reading
increased over 6 points to 91.4 (on a scale of 100) and for math to
79. The highest high school math index score for the state was 83;
Pittsfield’s score is the 6th highest in the state (out of 80 high
schools tested).
The high school, however, was not determined to have reached AYP due
to missing the target for graduation rate, one of a third of the
high schools in the state to miss the graduation rate target.
Because PMHS is already working on improvement through the school’s
School Improvement Grant program, the Department of Education will
not place any additional requirements on the school.
Pittsfield Elementary School did not achieve AYP in the latest round
of testing; as a result, a school improvement action plan will be
required by the state. 71% of the schools in the state did not make
AYP; only 26% of New Hampshire schools did so.
As a district, the Pittsfield School District was determined to have
achieved AYP again this year. In the state, Pittsfield is one of
fifty-two districts - 32% of districts in the state – to meet AYP
this year; 66% of districts did not meet AYP this year.
Both state and federal laws require schools to aim for AYP targets
in the annual NECAP (New England Common Assessment Program) testing
that occurs for reading and math in the fall of each school year. As
noted, more than 70% of New Hampshire’s schools did not achieve AYP
in the latest round of testing.
To make AYP, according to the NH Department of Education, " a school
or district must meet performance targets established for students
in reading and mathematics, as well as meet state targets for
student NECAP participation, attendance, and graduation (at high
school only)." To make AYP, a school must meet the targets in every
category and for every sub-group (of students).
As many have observed, the accountability portion of the federal No
Child Left Behind law is seriously flawed and requires significant
modification. Commissioner Barry has stated that "over seventy
percent of schools… failed to make AYP in 2012. This is ample
evidence that the accountability system is broken, not that the vast
majority of schools in New Hampshire are failing."
Regardless of the imperfections in the system, this year’s NECAP and
AYP results chronicle a positive trend for student achievement in
Pittsfield’s schools. Because the current accountability system
measures learning in a cumulative manner, all of Pittsfield’s
students, parents, and school staff can take pride in these
achievements while we all continue to improve learning for our
children and youth in Pittsfield.
Letter To The Editor
Learning of the actions taken (and not taken) by the Pittsfield
Board of Selectmen, I can’t help but wonder if they are acting in
good stewardship or actually in disregard of community needs in the
name of a dollar. When the Town Departments tell us they aren’t able
to provide police and EMS coverage, it’s a wake-up call and time to
listen. Yes, a small number turned out for Town Meeting, but did
they really understand that making this cut to the bottom line would
leave them unprotected?
It’s time for the power struggle to end. The Board needs to serve in
the capacity that they were called upon to – to represent the well
being of the community. It’s your civic responsibility. That, to me,
is good stewardship.
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. – Mark 12:31
A.W. Reinhart
Have Desperate Times Found Desperate Measures In Pittsfield?
At What
Sacrifice?
Submitted By The Officers And Members Of The Pittsfield Firefighters
Association
Pittsfield is faced with a financial crisis. The citizens need to be
informed of the negative impact on public services brought upon by
the amended reduction of $125,138 on the final budget approved at
Town Meeting. It is of great concern to us to report the following:
• Fact – While waiting for approval to pay for the repair of the
Town’s tanker truck, the community was without this form of fire
protection for five days, plus an additional three days to complete
the repair.
• Fact – Globe Manufacturing and Concord Hospital Trust donated a
LUCAS device to perform chest compressions during a cardiac arrest.
We are unable to utilize this lifesaving tool as there are no
available funds to pay for training. We are extremely thankful to
Globe Manufacturing for their steadfast support and generosity, as
well as to Concord Hospital for this generous donation.
• Fact – For the first time ever, two applications for membership
were denied due to a hiring freeze enacted by the Select Board as of
March 20, 2012. According to the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA 2007), the number of volunteer firefighters in the
U.S. has declined over the past two decades; Pittsfield is no
exception in this trend.
• Fact – Last week, full-time members were available to fill two
shift vacancies. The vacancies remained unfilled as overtime funds
have been eliminated. A request for emergency medical services was
not answered by the Pittsfield Ambulance and a neighboring community
needed to provide transport. This resulted in a delay in care and
transport, as well as a loss of ambulance revenue from the billing
associated with the call.
When the budget amendment was made, residents were promised there
would be no effect on public services. The above issues demonstrate
there has been an effect on services and we anticipate more
instances to occur. These types of budget cuts do not make sense for
the public safety of our community. It is imperative that a safe,
realistic, and effective plan is developed to achieve these budget
cuts.
We encourage you to attend Select Board meetings to become better
informed about how the reduction in the budget affects you and our
community. Our purpose and desire is to serve the community in the
best manner we can and we ask your continued support. Thank you.
|