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