Ivy Green Rebekah Lodge #36 is hosting a Scrapbook event on
Saturday, Jan. 21st from 1-9 pm at the Epsom Public Library. Call
Vickie at 736-4707 or Jennifer at 736-8681 to reserve your spot!
Food and beverages will be included in the fee. Plan to spend the
day with us for a great time of scrapbooking and fun!
Soup and Salad Supper, sponsored by the American Legion Post 112,
Short Falls Road, Epsom, NH, will be Saturday, January 21, 2012,
4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Snow date is Sunday, January 22, 2012.
Donations: $8.00 Adults, $3.00 children 6-12, under 6 free.
Soups (a variety) salad, rolls, dessert and beverage will be served.
Letter
To my constituents in Allenstown, Epsom, and Pittsfield:
Happy New Year! The legislative season is off to a strong start with
747 new bills to be dealt with: each will receive a public hearing,
committee debate and recommendation, and a vote on the House floor.
As usual, it’s a very mixed bag, ranging from the very simple to the
incredibly complex. My committee was assigned 61 of them, so I’ll be
very busy this session. We have a full schedule of public hearings
planned for every Tuesday and Thursday in January and February,
including on primary day.
The first week of January, though, we have session days for the
whole House to vote on the bills retained from the first year. I’ve
been reading the bills from other committees, including the
amendments, and deciding how to vote. Some of the more contentious
bills, including redistricting and the repeal of gay marriage, are
likely to be postponed until after the primary. I’ll need the extra
week to think through that issue!
Please feel free to write or call me on any issue before the
legislature. I appreciate the information you can give me, since
there are so many areas covered that no one person can be an expert
in all of them. Interested readers can email me for my newsletter,
with more details than I can fit in a letter.
Representative Carol McGuire
[email protected]
782-4918
SAU 53 Learning Circle Presents
Preventing Anxiety and Depression: Skills We Can (and Should!) Teach
For Happier, Healthier Kids
Did you know that teens and young adults have the fastest growing
rates of depression and anxiety? Learn how to teach young people the
life skills they need to prevent depression, anxiety, and build
healthier relationships.
• By Lynn Lyons, LICSW
• Tuesday, January 17, 2012 with snow date January 19th,
• 6:30 to 8:30 pm
• Pembroke Academy Auditorium; free Admission.
Participants will learn:
• The thought and behavioral patterns that predict depression and
anxiety in children and teens
• What really works for the long term prevention of anxiety and
depression
• How to teach and model the skills that lead to better mental
health in children.
For event questions, contact Vicki Therrien at
[email protected]
For information about Lynn Lyons, go to
www.lynnlyonsnh.com
Silent Swing: On Trips Through NH,
Candidates Failing To Talk Conservation
Submitted By Eric Orff
From Theodore Roosevelt creating the National Parks System to
Richard Nixon establishing the Environmental Protection Agency to
George H.W. Bush signing a strengthened Clean Air Act, Republicans
have a long history of supporting common sense solutions to problems
facing our wildlife, air, water and public health. Will this year’s
crop of GOP candidates follow that conservative presidential
tradition?
So far, the signs aren’t promising. I’ve heard plenty about jobs,
but little of protecting the rivers, lakes and wildlife habitat that
supports thousands of hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation
related jobs across New Hampshire. According to the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service’s National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife,
in New Hampshire, 228,000 people spent $177 million on fishing in
2006. Every dollar spent on conservation programs here in New
Hampshire delivers jobs and economic activity.
Right now the Granite State duck hunters are asking "Where are the
ducks?" and fishermen and women are asking "Where is the ice?" Until
just a few days ago, going into late December, there was no ice in
much of New Hampshire. Worse yet to the north in Maine and beyond
winter and the snow and ice normally expected by now has not
happened. As a result ducks and geese have been slow to migrate
south to the New Hampshire’s coast this fall. And safe ice for this
state’s ice fishermen is but a wish for now. Both this state’s
hunters and fishermen are impacted by a warming climate. Worse yet
all of the dozens of businesses that count on these sportsmen and
women are up against a tough economy worsened by the lack of ice and
snow. A good old fashioned winter just can’t be counted on anymore
it seems.
Climate change also poses a threat to New Hampshire’s economic
health many other ways. The skiing industry directly employs 17,000
people in New Hampshire and pumps $650 million a year into our
economy, a revenue stream that’s critically threatened by warmer
winters. And if ski resorts are forced to make more snow, it will
cost plenty to cover one acre of ski trails with one foot of snow
that takes up to 180,000 gallons of water to be pumped. Along with
the ski industry is the snowmobile industry which contributes
another $1.2 billion dollars to this state’s economy, according to a
2004 UNH study. Snowmobiling supports thousands of jobs as well,
especially in the Great North Woods.
So I have a few simple questions for this year’s crop of
presidential candidates: Where are the ducks? What’s your plan to
protect America’s natural resources? Will you support mainstream
values by standing up for the wildlife, our national forests, and
clean air and water that enrich all Americans? Or will you be going
to Washington, prioritizing special interests and protecting the few
at the expense of our environment?
Eric Orff is a wildlife biologist from Epsom, NH. He can be reached
at 603-736-4663 or at his web site
nhfishandwildlife.com
Letter
Just read a very informative letter to the Editor at the Hooksett
Banner.
Talk about being kept up to date with what’s going on down at the
Epsom Meetinghouse, Mr. Richard Frambach has put out an excellent
notice to residents. I am totally in favor of plans to develop the
lower level into town office space. A perfect example of what can be
done to make this space workable beyond that which anyone can
imagine can be viewed at the Chichester Town Hall. Better than this
is the fact the town will show a yearly savings of $32,000. Who
knows ,this savings could go to the upkeep of all of our roads
within a five year period.
William ( Jim ) Breagy
Epsom, NH
Parker Abbott Wins Local Competition In
Lions International Peace
Poster Contest
Epsom, New Hampshire’s Parker Abbott of the Epsom Central School
took a step to becoming an internationally recognized artist by
winning a local competition sponsored by the Epsom-Chichester Lions
Club. The runner-up was Jacob Sherman.
Parker’s poster was among more than 350,000 entries submitted
worldwide in the 18th annual Lions International Peace Poster
Contest. Lions Clubs International sponsors the contest to emphasize
the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.
The poster was chosen by the Epsom-Chichester Lions Clubs based on
its originality, artistic merit, and portrayal of the contest theme,
"Children Know Peace".
Epsom-Chichester Lions Club President, Richard Gibson, said he is
impressed by the expression and creativity of the students at the
Epsom Central School. "It is obvious that these young people have
strong ideas about what peace means to them. I’m so proud that we
were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their
visions."
Parker’s poster is advancing through Lions District 44 where there
is stiff competition.
One grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners will be chosen.
The grand prize is a $2500 award plus a trip for the winner and two
family members for a ceremony at the United Nations on Lions Day.
You may view the winning posters at
www.lionsclubs.org. The
Epsom-Chichester Lions Club has conducted this contest for many
years and encourages other local schools to participate.
If you would like to visit the local Lions Club meeting please call
736-9942 for information.
Letter
To my constituents in Allenstown, Epsom, and Pittsfield:
This week the legislature met to finish the 2011 session. We debated
HB218, stripping the Rail Transit Authority of power. The override
attempt failed, 231-128, with the Nashua and Manchester delegations
mostly voting against the bill. Since they would reap all the
benefits of passenger rail, they naturally favor it more than the
rest of us, who just have to pay for it.
SB57, authorizing title loans, was debated extensively before we
voted to override the veto, 248-123. Nobody likes these high
interest loans, but sometimes they’re the best option in a bad
situation; I trust that most people who use them will do so wisely.
SB3, reform of the state pension system, had been laid on the table
because the content was included in another bill; today it was
removed from the table and killed, 1-367.
Finally, we reconsidered the November vote on HB542, which requires
schools to provide alternate content, at parent’s expense, when
parents object to course material. In November, the veto was
sustained, 244-130; today it was overridden, 255-112, with different
Representatives attending.
Starting the 2012 session, we dealt with 77 bills at once. HB309,
repealing some health insurance mandates, was debated at length. The
committee amendment changed it from a simple repeal to requirements
on how to handle that coverage, if an insurance company chose to
offer it. I’m not sure this is much of an improvement over the
current situation, but it is an improvement. The committee amendment
passed 295-64, another amendment to include obesity treatments
passed 231-133, and the bill passed 229-133. SB160, allowing and
regulating payday loans, passed 208-139 after a brief debate that
essentially said the issues were the same as for SB57.
Interested readers can email me for my newsletter, with more details
than I can fit in a letter.
Representative Carol McGuire
[email protected]
782-4918
Letter
Epsom’s Historic Meetinghouse
Last year the Friends of Epsom’s Historic Meetinghouse committee
asked for $72,000 to finish the upper level of the meetinghouse, but
there was so much confusion about the ADA and Life Safety Codes,
that the Selectmen decided to ask for $42,000 for an Engineering and
Architectural study to find out just what was needed to obtain a
Permit of Assembly. It included a request for an electronic drawing
in an Auto CAD format, to design office plans for the lower level,
and a summary report of cost and estimates for completing the work
for office space in the lower level. (You can get a copy at the town
office.)
In September, the Meetinghouse Committee hired JCM Code Specialists,
LLC to study the ADA building and life safety codes that were needed
to bring the upper level into compliance. The bill was $600 which
was paid for out of the Meetinghouse funds.
We met with the Selectmen, the Fire Dept. and the Consultant and
they agreed to the recommendations. We now can move forward.
This fall, the town saw what could be accomplished with a little
cooperation from a few volunteers. They donated their time and
equipment, we paid for their fuel. The same can be done with the
upper level of the meetinghouse.
There will be an article on the ballot asking for $25,000 to
purchase materials to finish the upper level. This will include the
rest rooms, the installation of the septic system, the water line,
and the safety lighting, but nothing for labor.
We are looking for Plumbers, Electricians, Contractors, and anyone
else who is interested in volunteering their services to work on
this project to sign up and become part of Epsom’s Volunteer Work
force. Call 736-9295.
Thank You,
Richard Frambach
Chairman
Obituaries
Edward H. "Beaver" Payne
Edward H. "Beaver" Payne, age 85, died peacefully at his home in
Belmont Sunday, January 1, 2012, with his family at his side, after
a period of declining health.
Ed was born May 6, 1926 in Manchester, NH to Harold Payne and Mary (Platek)
Payne Biley. He graduated from Manchester Central High School in
1944. He worked for Hermsdorf Manufacturing in Manchester for 22
years, and Bingay and Sons Manufacturing in Nashua as manager for 30
years. Ed lived in Hooksett for almost 50 years before moving to
Epsom in 2004 then Belmont in 2010. He attended Merrimack Valley
Church in Epsom.
He coached Little League, Babe Ruth and Legion Baseball in Hooksett
and Women’s softball teams for many years. He enjoyed reading and
watching movies and was an avid Red Sox Fan. Ed had a passion for
dogs and his dog Duffy will miss him greatly. He was a loving and
devoted husband and father, his family was the center of his life.
He enjoyed working in his woodworking shop making heirlooms for the
family including his daughter Linda Erickson and her husband Paul of
Epsom; three sons, Thomas Payne and his wife Janet of Warner, Steven
Payne and his wife Kathleen of Manchester, and Eric Payne and his
wife Lisa of Belmont; four granddaughters, Lisa, Stephanie, Jennifer
and Rebecca; five grandsons, Craig, Keith, Kenneth, Jason and Bryan;
eleven great-grandchildren and a great-great granddaughter; with a
great grandchild and a great-great grandchild expected in 2012;
several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Lois
Bradley Payne in 2010; and a brother, Harold Payne.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Community
Health & Hospice, Inc., 780 North Main Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
Please go to www.goodwinfh.com
to sign the online guestbook.
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