Epsom Historical Association Program
A reminder to mark your calendars! The Epsom Historical Association
will present a program entitled “March Madness Musical” on Sunday,
March 22, at 2:00 p.m. at the Epsom Public Library. Everyone is
invited to enjoy an afternoon of entertainment with favorite songs
from Broadway and other hits from the past by local performers. A
time of refreshments and socializing will follow the program. For
more information, please call 736-4477.
Epsom Public Library News
On Saturday, March 21, at 9:00 AM, the Epsom Public Library will be
offering a basket making class. Betsy Bosiak will show attendees
how to make a square gardening basket, measuring 12’x12”. The cost
is $15 for materials and that includes a pizza lunch. Reservations
are required as space is limited. Sign up at the front desk of the
library or call the library at 736-9920.
Tuesday, March 24 the Epsom Public Library will be offering the
program “Birds, Bats and Butterflies: Keeping Common Wildlife
Common” at 7:00 PM. Alicia Geilen, from Speaking for Wildlife and
the UNH Cooperative Extension, will highlight a dozen wildlife
species commonly seen in NH. This is an opportunity to learn some
cool animal facts and find out how the diverse mix of habitats in
our region support these species.
Letter To The Editor
What is the proper role of government?
Our Founding Fathers, i.e., the signers of the Declaration of
Independence, had it right from the very beginning.
They were obsessed with John Locke’s idea/principal of Natural Law.
Locke first conceived of the idea/principal of Natural Law when
commissioned to write a justification for England’s Glorious
Revolution of 1688.
Seventy-five or so years later, our Founding Fathers were so
convinced of the correctness of “Natural Law” that they would
ultimately risk their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor
to make Natural Law the philosophical foundation of our country.
All Natural Law says is that every individual has a right to their
life, their liberty, and to own and control their own property.
That governments are instituted by the people to secure those
rights.
And if a government should ever become destructive of those rights,
it should be abolished and new measures put in place that will
secure those rights.
Period.
Government’s proper role, therefore, is to be the “protector” of
individual rights, not a “provider” of subsidies and “services”.
It is not a legitimate function of government to use force or
threats of force to take money (property) from some individuals to
whom it belongs and then give that money to someone else to whom it
does not belong, be it in the form of a direct payment or a subsidy
. . . no matter how worthy or noble you think the cause . . . no
matter how loud those who want access to the public treasury scream.
Nor is it a legitimate function of government to deny individuals of
their right to own and control their own property by enacting
“zoning” laws.
Jack Kelleher
Letter To The Editor
I’d like to thank all of you who came out to vote and to let us know
what issues concern you. It was a good day, not cold, no wind, rain
or snow, just perfect for voting. I’m honored to be your Road Agent
for the next two years.
It’s that time of year again where the frost starts coming out both
from the top and bottom of our roads. As usual, to save the
integrity of the roads we will be posting weight limits. Remember,
heavy trucks do several thousand times the damage as cars.
Please remember to drive on the high spots or areas on your roads.
It not only levels the road but saves you money in the long term.
Bless you,
Gordon Ellis
Your Road Agent
Letter To The Editor
I want to thank everyone for all the support. We gave it a great
run. I can hold my head high knowing that I presented an honest
campaign and did my best.
Congrats to the candidates who did win. I hope that they will do
their job in the best interest for the town and not a personal
agenda. A special congrats to Celeste! She deserves every vote she
got and will do a great job.
All I ask now is that residents pay a little closer attention to
what is going on in our town politics. If nothing else, read the
minutes every week online and keep up with what is going on with the
people who represent us. If you have an issue write a letter to the
selectmen through the town’s website. Thanks Again.
Scott Elliott
Paul Famulari Named New Principal Of Pembroke Academy
Pembroke, NH - Following an extensive interview process and
resulting recommendation by a Principal Search Committee, the
Pembroke School Board voted unanimously to appoint Paul Famulari,
Pembroke Academy’s current Dean of Students, as the new Principal at
the school.
Famulari will officially become Principal of Pembroke Academy (PA)
on July 1, 2015, replacing Robert Pedersen, who was hired in an
interim position for the 2014-2015 school year so a search could be
conducted.
“I’m thrilled at the opportunity to lead a high school into the
future and to be a part of something special at a school that is
already on a great path,” said Famulari, who has been employed at PA
for the last three years. “I want to thank the administrative team,
the SAU #53 leadership and the School Board for their trust and
confidence in me.”
As Dean of Students at PA, Famulari’s duties included discipline,
supervision and evaluation, budget oversight, coordination of school
wide testing and the assuming of responsibility for school safety,
security and general operations in the absence of the Principal. He
also coached Junior Varsity Baseball at PA. Prior to coming to PA,
Famulari worked as a social studies teacher at both Oyster River
High School and Spaulding High School, where he coached football and
baseball.
“Pembroke Academy and the entire Pembroke community is extremely
fortunate to have Paul in this leadership position,” said SAU #53
Co-Superintendent Patty Sherman. “Not only are his qualifications
superb, but he brings with him consistency and stability having been
a strong member of the administrative team at the school. I look
forward to working alongside him as PA grows to continue to ensure
the best quality education for our students.”
Famulari said he is proud of the fact that PA has some of the
strongest academic performers while at the same time offers such a
broad depth of co-curricular and other activities outside the
classroom. Continuing to promote strong co-curriculars and
beginning goal setting and fundraising efforts for Pembroke
Academy’s Bicentennial Celebration in 2018 will be amongst efforts
he will be tackling when he takes over as Principal in addition to
the budget and ongoing work on the school’s current Master Schedule.
For now, however, he is just happy knowing he will be furthering his
leadership at a high school he has grown to know and love. Said
Famulari, “I’ve found a home here with people I can rely on and I’m
very excited to build upon the solid foundation that has already
been established.”
When not at PA, Famulari enjoys spending time with his wife, Brei,
and daughter, Brennan.
Letter
To my constituents in Allenstown, Epsom and Pittsfield,
This week the House met on over 200 bills. HB681, raising the
marriage license fee by $5 to fund domestic violence services,
passed 223-146. I supported an amendment to provide the same amount
of funding from the general fund, both because non-married couples
also suffer domestic violence and because the number of marriages
has fallen, underfunding this effort below what was budgeted. This
failed, 170-199.
HB426, repealing the prohibition on cell phone use while driving,
was debated at length and failed, 214-166. Michael Brewster, Dan and
I voted to repeal this ban.
Two poker bills were debated: HB169, allowing charitable “table
stakes” games, was not killed, 157-204, then passed by acclamation;
HB445, defining poker as a game of skill, failed, 217-150. My HB547,
repealing the tax on telephone poles, was amended to give a standard
assessment method, and passed, 205-162. We hope that this will
settle the hundreds of lawsuits due to inconsistent assessments.
A number of important education bills passed: HB124, requiring
public hearings before adopting new standards; HB276, declaring
school districts do not need to adopt Common Core, passed 225-136;
HB332, requiring schools to notify parents in advance of presenting
sexual material, passed 217-136; HB578, opposing unfunded federal
mandates, passed 204-136; and HB603, allowing parents to exempt
children from assessments and surveys.
Representative Carol McGuire
782-4918
[email protected]
Like Us On Facebook
Submitted By Nancy Heath, Master Gardener
UNH Cooperative Extension
EPSOM GARDENS facebook is up and running thanks to Lisa Marie
Doherty. I am novice at facebook so I was thrilled when Lisa Marie
volunteered to create the page. The pic on front page is fabulous:
crocus peaking through snow. Another mention: Thank you, Carole
Brown for donating wreaths and winter greenery for historical
buildings & new library. (They will be coming down as I can get thru
snow & ice.)
Thus far, we are in the planning stages of 2 veggie garden projects
for the Food Pantry. I will be meeting with a Girl Scout Troop this
week which had decided earlier in the year they wanted to do a
garden project for Pantry. We will be discussing options: container,
tunnels, Hugel Kulture etc. Lisa Marie’s son, Nick and his friends,
are interested in doing work for high school community service
credit. I have 3 other volunteer names as well. The 2nd veggie
project will be offered at the new Library using spot off children’s
reading room.
The Period Garden at Olde Library (Epsom Historical Association)
will be my main ‘working focus’ for this summer. Erik Wochholz,
Curator of Historic Landscapes, Strawberry Banke Museum, has been of
great help sharing information with me. We need volunteers for this
project.
One of Epsom’s senior citizens has an herb garden and up to 1/2 acre
of garden space which he will donate use of to a community
organization (in case of the herb garden an approved individual
would be welcomed in lieu of organization).
The Chichester Garden Club welcomes Epsom residents to attend their
meetings held every 4th Wednesday night 7:00 pm at Chichester Grange
which is street level floor above town offices. I have found
speakers and topics interesting, informative and helpful. I will
post monthly topics for each CGC meeting on facebook where you can
also: “like us.”
Epsom Food Pantry
Well, elections are over and isn’t that a blessing? Back to normal,
I hope, and all the words coming out of everyone’s mouth are kind
and gentle.
The Pantry has been busy and the needs are great. We were very
excited to have such great response on Voting Day. Loads of
generous people stopped by to wish us well and to thanks us for
helping our neighbors.
I talked with Ken today and he said we could use some eggs again.
They fly out of the Pantry. Again, I ask one and all, if you see a
need in a home for food, let us know and we will look into their
need and fill it.
Do not forget friends, when you do this year’s garden, plant a row
for the Pantry.
We just loved what you brought us this past year.
Until next time,
Priscilla
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