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Gilmanton NH News

February 17, 2010

The Suncook Valley Sun News Archive is Maintained by Modern Concepts. We are NOT affliated in any way with the Suncook Valley Sun Newspaper.



 

Letter


On Saturday, January 23 the Gilmanton Seniors were treated to a delicious turkey dinner with traditional “fixings”, followed by an extraordinary dessert offering. A number of “age qualified” members of the Gilmanton Women’s Club attended this event and thank  Boy Scout Troop 242 for an opportunity to meet you and to enjoy such a fine meal where we were able to visit with one another.


We want everyone to know that we found our hosts a credit to themselves, their families, their leader, Mr. Fred Buchlolz, and to the whole community.


Happy 100th Birthday, Boy Scouts of America!


Brenda McBride

 


 

Letter To The Editor


Dear Editor,
I have to admit I am somewhat perplexed by Al Blake’s letters regarding the Year Round Library in Gilmanton.


Having only lived in the town about six years, I have absolutely no knowledge of the “promises” he says have been broken by the Library Association.  It actually seems quite silly to dwell on the past when the reality of the matter is we have this huge resource staring us in the face.


It seems there are some strong negative feelings between Mr. Blake and some of the board members, perhaps?  Perhaps Mr. Blake feels left out of the library’s activities?


Until moving to Gilmanton I had never lived in a town with such limited library resources.  Now that I have two small children a library is even more important than ever.


I know that times are tough – for everyone – but for the small annual increase in our taxes we will more than get our share in return.  I know that we have a beautiful building with character that is filled with a wonderful children’s section, thousands of books, magazines, DVD’s, computers and wonderful people.  Most importantly the library is a warm inviting place to learn and gather with neighbors.  Perhaps we could meet you some morning at the library Mr. Blake and you could see the sheer joy in my son’s face when he comes in to get some new books?


I am sure that fundraising will continue – there are much more opportunities for the library being run as a non-profit organization.  Mr. Blake – as a person who LOVES libraries – perhaps you would be willing to head up some of the fundraising?

 

Mike Kingsbury
Gilmanton

 


 

Letter To The Editor


Dear Editor,
I’d like to respond to the numerous letters of Al Blake’s with a bit of well-intentioned neighborly advice.


First point:  Don’t burn your bridges!  We live and work and share many common interests with our neighbors who don’t support the new library and your ill spirited letters only serve to harm the relationships we have within our community. 


Second point: Do not underestimate the commitment that many of us in this community have made to the new library.  I for one am more than happy to scrape together the $27.00 in additional taxes that it will cost to fund it.


Third point: The Iron Works and Corners Libraries hold a special place in the hearts of many of our citizens. I grew up in those libraries and cherish the memories of reading in them on hot summer afternoons. It is my hope that we can work together to find a way to unify and support all of our town’s libraries. 


So I challenge you, Al Blake, to be a part of the solution.  If we focus our minds and spirits in a positive direction, then I know we can find a way to make it work for the whole of the community.


With Respect,
Lori Baldwin

 


 

Letter To The Editor


For more than 2 years I have driven 20 minutes away from Gilmanton to Gilford, Laconia or Alton so that my young children were able to participate in library activities. For the past 2 months, on Wednesday mornings, my children and I walk through the big, beautiful barn doors of our very own town library and are greeted, by name, as we join our group for storytime, eager to connect and create. Our librarian is a magician of sorts. As she animates a simple story and leads a clever craft, the circle of squirming preschoolers become rapt listeners and accomplished artists. This is no easy trick! Moms, dads, grandparents, aunties and nannies of more than a dozen kids are all thrilled with this weekly time, well spent. Still not ready to go, some of the adults will browse for books or banter back and forth with new found friends while the kids play with puzzles or busy themselves building train tracks. I wave goodbye to a few of the knitters at a table across the room whom I play Scrabble with on Tuesdays at that same table and I finally feel like I’m part of this community. I’ve met more people in the last 2 months at the library than I’ve met in the whole 2 years I’ve lived here in Gilmanton! It goes without saying that departments like police, fire, etc... are essential components of any town and therefore, require funding. Yet, we are not mere wolves, protecting our townpack. We must strive beyond basic safety and maintenance and seek to nurture the hearts and minds of our community as well. Let’s continue to offer the haven that our very own town library has already proven to be. Vote to keep town culture alive on March 13th!


Maeve Shar

 


 

Letter To The Editor


Dear Editor
Re: Year Round Library. I have been to the library several times, and each time I feel so good when I enter the facility as it has such a calming feeling and the surroundings are just beautiful. It is nice to just pick out a book, have a cup of coffee, and so sit upstairs in any one of the comfortable chairs to sit and read. Gilmanton residents are fortunate to have such dedicated people to work on such a project. There are a lot of volunteers who help with getting the books ready so that can be taken out and be enjoyed by residents. Also, it is nice to now have a library open year round, and warm and soothing. I was there the other day and one of the gals was doing story hour and she was just terrific with the children and the children seemed to be happy listening to her and enjoying each other. Thanks for giving me this opportunity to encourage other residents to use and support their library.


Barb Nelson
Gilmanton

 


 

Volunteer Tutors Wanted


The Adult Tutorial and Adult Learning Services Program for Belknap County is looking for individuals with time on their hands who have a desire to help adult learners improve their math and reading skills, prepare to take the GED Exam or to work with people living in the Lakes Region from a foreign country who need to learn to speak, understand and improve their English skills. Volunteer tutors do not have to be teachers. They are individuals that have a sense of humor, patience, and the desire to help adult learners become more employable, read to their children, be able to read the labels on the cans and boxes at the grocery store and turn their lives around.


There is no typical adult learner. Adult Literacy Programs have both male and female adult students with an age range from 18 to 80+. Students come from various ethnic, religious economic backgrounds and they represent all the possible family structures existing in the community. School experiences will range from none to 12 or more years. Some adult learners may hold responsible jobs, while others are unemployed or may have just become laid off due to the current economic downturn. Some have stable home lives while others are burdened with social problems. Volunteer tutors can be certain of two things when working with an adult learner: Your students want to improve their Reading, Writing, Math and English speaking skills, and they need your help.


The ability to read and write does not necessarily indicate the lack of intelligence. Many non readers are intelligent and very creative in finding ways to compensate for their lack of being able to read. As one student commented “I don’t have trouble thinking. My trouble is just reading.” Adult learners differ from children in terms of their range of life experiences, personalities, habits, attitudes and interests. Most adult learners know what they want from an education and have rich personal experiences on which to build, and can be motivated to try and learn different approaches. Adult learners are not blank slates. They need the help of a volunteer tutor to encourage them to use the adaptability and creativity that they have demonstrated in other areas of their lives in order to develop good Math and Reading skills to achieve their goals in life.


For more information on becoming a volunteer tutor, please contact Jane Gallant or Peggy Selig at the Laconia Adult Education Office at 524-5712. Volunteer tutors can make a huge difference in the lives of adult learners.

 


 

Letter To The Editor
What Gilmanton’s Year Round Library means to me


The year round library in Gilmanton is a special asset to our town.  It is a beautiful historic building with immeasurable opportunities for our citizens.  Not only do we have the growing collection of books and DVDs - we have the use of up-to-date computers and all that gives us access to such as internet research.  Where else can you borrow and try out a GPS?  See an exhibit of the works of local artisans? This is just the beginning.


The children’s collection together with our dynamic children’s librarian (Jenny Stevens) offers so many opportunities for the children in Gilmanton and their families.  And what a wonderful, safe meeting place for teens.


Our librarian (Gary Mason) is a gem with so much knowledge to share with us.  He was the right person to get us up and running and continues to guide the daily operation in a knowledgeable, professional manner. The opportunity the year-round library offers the community is only limited by our imaginations and our enthusiastic involvement.  Check the local newspapers for update programs and special events.


Everyone in Gilmanton should be proud of this library even if they do not use it. It adds to the culture of our town – it takes Gilmanton in to the 21st century and still maintains our rural atmosphere.


We suggest the citizens of Gilmanton put aside their differences and work together to find a way to fund the needed safety building, other town expenses and contribute toward the running of the year-round-library.  How many towns can boast that the citizens built and started up a full service library without asking more of the town?  It is our understanding the association is still looking for a benefactor to support the library – in the meantime they need help from the town! 


Ed and Ruby Bartlett
Taxpaying citizens
Gilmanton

 


 

Letter To The Editor


To The Editor:
Denial has many faces. We can deny things outright, or .... we can admit them, but deny their importance, or .... we can admit them, admit their importance, but deny responsibility. It would seem then, that the Gilmanton Year Round Library Association understands the many faces of denial...... all too well.


Unable and unwilling to successfully speak to the many points raised against them, the Association and its supporters have now resorted to name calling, insults and ...outright denial. Taxpayers, for instance, who have campaigned against the Association’s attempts to saddle Gilmanton with a tax it simply cannot bear and who truly believe the Association is responsible and accountable for allowing original donors, fundraisers, taxpayers and town government to be misled, and who also believe that the Association’s library, although admittedly impressive, is overbuilt for this small community, have been branded liars and accused of dealing in misinformation and distorted facts. This is what the Association has said, and then, they simply deny everything. They either deny the presented facts, or they admit them, but then deny their importance, suggesting, “look at what we’ve done here, who cares how we did it,” or .... they admit the facts, but want to pass on the responsibility of explaining them.


Gilmanton taxpayers, please, we can not live in denial. We have a responsibility to the fragile tax base in this very small community. Once the seed of a tax is planted, as the years pass, it will grow to consume the whole garden. The Year Round Library is a beautiful, big, fun thing, but some economies and tax bases simply cannot afford ... big - fun - things. Library patrons, you and the Association can easily support the Association’s library without creating a cycle of tax commitment that this community cannot support, now or in the future.


Al Blake
Gilmanton

 


 

Gilmanton Trails Offer Winter Fun For All!


The best part about living in NH is that you can get out and enjoy the natural world all year-round. With the arrival of winter snow there are many fun opportunities for the whole family to enjoy together, including snowmobiling, snowshoeing, wildlife tracking, or just exploring a new place in your town. The Gilmanton Conservation Commission (GCC) has been working hard to provide information about local conservation lands and the trails that are great for exploring and winter family fun. Below are a couple favorites:


· Thompson Town Forest: Parking is located at the end of Gale Rd. This Forest has a wonderful loop trail complete with interpretive signs that were created as part of an Eagle Scout project. This historical trail that includes cellar holes and evidence of life long ago is marked by red trail markers in both directions and is perfect for snowshoeing and tracking.


· Cogswell Mountain Conservation Area: Parking is available behind the new Gilmanton Year-Round Library or across the street at the Gilmanton School. There are many trails throughout these 519 acres that are worth exploring. The main trail is marked in red and begins behind the new library. This part of the trail is used by snowmobiles but is also excellent for snowshoeing. You may decide to find your way up to “Middle Summit” by following the signs and eventually yellow markers where two new picnic tables are available to rest and snack at. A popular side trail that is not far from the trail head, called the “Beaver Pond Loop” is also an ideal snowshoeing site as snowmobiles do not use this trail. Many wildlife sign can be seen throughout.


Although some information about these and other conservation properties is available at the GCC website http://gilmantonnh.org/index.php?pg=org&oc=cc, the committee is also working to have a list of downloadable trail maps and brochures available, and kiosks at popular trail heads. A map of trails in the Belknap Mountain Range is also currently available at the Year-Round Library. If you are interested in supporting the GCC with such projects, please consider joining the “Gilmanton Lands Crew” by emailing the GCC at [email protected].

 


 

Letter To The Editor
Editor Suncook Valley Sun


This letter is in response to Mr. Al Blake’s letter that appeared in the February 10 edition of the Suncook Valley Sun. 


The Gilmanton Year-Round Library Association (GYRLA) believes the readers deserve accurate information.  The only part of Mr. Blake’s letter that is accurate is that the GYRLA does have an appreciation for technology.  One of the GYRLA’s goals is to make technology available to those who aren’t fortunate enough to have a computer or access to the Internet.


The form he suggests was taken from the web site for devious reasons is available for anyone to see at the Year-Round Library.  It was a part of an early “Campaign to Build the Library”.  It was taken down because the members of the Board had changed and that campaign was no longer being run.  Nowhere on that form are there any promises or pledges that the Association would not “come to the town for operating costs” as he again suggests.  Anyone who knows about web sites knows you don’t simply “hit delete”.  Mr. Blake also insists on using the term “private” when he refers to the library. The library is a public library and meets all statutory requirements for a public library.  It is owned and operated by a public charity.


We invite Gilmanton voters to visit the Library, obtain accurate information and vote at Town Meeting.


Gilmanton Year-Round Library Association, Stan Bean, President.

 


 

Letter


To the residents of Gilmanton:
As an introduction, my name is Frank Weeks and I am interested in your support as a candidate for the Gilmanton School Board.

 
I have been a resident of Gilmanton since 1977.


I am a retired school teacher with 40 years of experience and was an interscholastic athletic coach for 21 years.


My older son, Frank, graduated from Franklin Pierce Law Center and is presently employed as a police officer.


My younger son, Christopher, is presently a sophomore at Gilford High School.


I was on the school board of the St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover, N.H., for 4 years, and am a member of the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee for the Gilford School District.


I have volunteered for various activities at the Gilmanton School and at Gilford High School.


I have been actively involved with my son’s education by being in communication with his teachers and school administrators.


I have a firm belief in the importance of education for our children and believe that the positive aspects of their scholastic experience will provide them with those additional skills necessary for them to cope socially, emotionally, and financially in their future endeavors. I believe that the academic aspect should be the primary focus in schools, and also believe that extracurricular activities(in their proper perspective as a means and not an end) should be an integral part of their education.


I also realize that the role of the school has changed dramatically from the past, and that there are many difficult decisions to make concerning the education of our children. I do not have an agenda and will come to meetings with an open mind.


My concerns will always have the best interests of our children.


Thank you for your consideration.
Frank M. Weeks

 


 


 

 











 
 

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