Those
Celebrating Birthdays are: April 13, Curt Luksza, Jean Jelley; April
14, John Genest, Jr., Kaela Marable, Laurie DePalma; April 15,
Madison Lawlor; April 18, Barbara Bouchard, Brittany Frost, April
19, Linda Rafeal, Tony Snedeker, Anthony Snedeker. A Very Happy
Birthday To One and All!
Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Sponsored by Pittsfield Parks and Recreation
• Place: Drakes
Field, at tennis courts. • Date: April 23, 2011. • Time: 9:00
am.
Winners in the March drawing at the Peterson-Cram
Post No. 75 American Legion Post were: #102, Henry Stapleton,
$50.00; #201, Clarence Schmidt, $25.00; #343, Bonnie Chagnon,
$10.00; #349, Rodney Stockman, $10.00; #42, Mrs. Richard Foss,
$10.00.
Winners in the April drawing at the Peterson-Cram Post
No. 75 American Legion Post were: #166, Mrs. Eileen Fullen, $50.00;
#85, Leonard Boudrious, $25.00; #175, Mrs. Ruth Grappone, $10.00;
#201, Clarence Schmidt, $10.00; #36, Merrill Vaughan, $10.00.
School
Lunch Menus April 18 - 22, 2011
PES Monday
- Conferences -
No School Tuesday - Popcorn chicken, veggie, fruit, milk.
Wednesday - (Early Release) - Ham and cheese sandwich, carrots,
fruit, milk. Thursday - Burger on bun, veggie, fruit, milk.
Friday - Pizza, veggie, fruit, milk.
PMHS Monday
- Sliced
turkey, gravy, potatoes, cranberry sauce, peas, bread, fruit, milk.
Tuesday - Pasta, meat sauce, garden salad, bread, fruit, milk.
Wednesday - Chicken, noodles, gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce,
baked dessert, fruit, milk. Thursday - Steak and cheese subs,
onions, peppers, fruit, milk. Friday - Cold sandwich, chips,
fruit, milk.
Letter
To The Editor
Dear Neighbor: “And, behold, the veil of the
temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth
did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many
bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves
after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared
unto many” (Matthew 27:51-53).
Ah, springtime – a time of new
growth and regeneration. While I celebrate the Resurrection of my
Lord and Savior every Sunday, my heart rejoices this time of year as
I ponder the empty tomb! Spring signifies renewal, as does the
Resurrection. “Oh death where is thy sting? O grave, where is
thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is
the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:55-57).
Good news?
Absolutely! However, the Bible teaches of two resurrections - one
unto life and one unto death. The first Resurrection comes
only through faith in Jesus Christ alone. “That if thou shalt
confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine
heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved”
(Romans 10:9). “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first
resurrection on such the second death hath no power…” (Revelation
20:6).
The second resurrection is reserved for all others.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man
cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). “And death and hell
were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And
whosoever was not found in the book of life was cast into the lake
of fire” (Revelation 20:14, 15). The choice is ours...
Praise be to Him! Linda Small Pittsfield
Pittsfield Players To Hold Auditions For Encore! 2011
The
Pittsfield Players will hold auditions for their 14th annual summer
dinner theater show, Encore! 2011, on Sunday, April 17, at 2 pm at
the Scenic Theatre, 6 Depot Street, Pittsfield, NH.
The popular
variety show will be performed at Steele Hill Resort in Sanbornton,
NH, every Tuesday evening beginning on July 5 through August 30.
Auditioners should come prepared to sing a song of their choice and
should bring sheet music for their selection. They will also be
asked to perform a few simple dance steps.
For more information,
contact Maye Hart, producer, at 736-9563.
Letter
Last weekend I literally went “Sunday Driving” around some of the
back roads of Pittsfield. Being new to the area, I wanted to
explore my new home.
As I drove around, I noticed small
cemeteries that were marked with signs that told who was buried
there. When I got out of my car to look at a sign, I saw that
it was put up by the Pittsfield Historical Committee.
As I
drive around NH towns I tend to notice small cemeteries because they
interest me. I have never seen attractive signs indicating who
is buried in them. I thought that this was such a nice thing
for an organization to do. The cemeteries hold so much history
and are often forgotten and not recognized. I am glad that I
live in a town where those who came before us are respected enough
to be identified and not be forgotten. Sincerely,
Jennifer
March Pittsfield
Letter
Follow-up on Fire Horn: Do you know that home insurance is based
on how near you are to a hydrant, fire station, and response time by
the Fire Department?
Dispatch retones the Fire Department every 3
or 4 minutes! If retoned twice that 8-10 minutes could make a
big difference if your house was on fire.
The horn would blow for
fire calls only, not ambulance calls.
I am in no way criticizing
the firemen, or Fire Chief. They have to work where there is
work. This is to alert the ones who are available. The
retones are getting quite frequent! This has been used for
years with great success. It is there - it works - why not use
it?
A little input from other concerned citizens might
help.
Paul Riel Pittsfield
First
Congregational Church Provides Holy Week Services
The First
Congregational Church, 24 Main Street, Pittsfield begins Holy Week
with a Palm Sunday worship service April 17th at 10:30 a.m. Come to
hear how Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem and what the week
would hold; palms will be distributed. The Chancel Choir and the
JuBellation Handbell Choir will present special music.
On
Thursday, April 21 (also known as Maundy Thursday) at 7 p.m., there
will be a service including Holy Communion, commemorating the “Last
Supper” of Jesus. Music will be provided by the Chancel Choir and
the JuBellation Handbell Choir.
For Easter Sunday, April 24th, at
7 a.m. the long-established Sunrise Service will be held in the
Sanctuary with breakfast immediately following in the Vestry. The
customary Easter worship service will commence at 10:30 a.m. with
music by the Chancel Choir and JuBellation.
Please join the
fellowship at any or all of these Holy Week services. Everyone is
warmly welcome throughout the year as well. Sunday worship services
are at 10:30 a.m. with adult Sunday School at 9 a.m. and children’s
Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. For more information, call the church
office at: 435-7471 and speak with Rev. David Stasiak, Pastor.
Letter
In response to the letter of Judy Rowe and dog poop, I commend her.
I do not own a dog, I do not like most dogs and am always
fearful if they are not on a leash. And the dogs know my fear.
It
is a shame that there are a few who think they are beyond common
sense and can do their own thing - and make it worse for others.
Worse of all is that they do not care.
It doesn’t take much to
bring a bag with you as you walk your dog. If you don’t care
about where your dog poops, maybe you shouldn’t be owning a dog as
it seems you don’t care for that dog as you should.
Diane Vaughan
Pittsfield
From
The Superintendent’s Desk Submitted By John J. Freeman, Ph.D.,
Superintendent of Schools SAU #51
During a trip to another country last fall, I
happened to walk past a primary school during the
after-lunch recess period. At that very
minute, I saw a small group of boys teasing another
boy while tossing around his shoe out of his reach.
Fortunately, an adult supervisor quickly stepped in
to put a stop to the misbehavior.
Some folks have said that bullying is just a normal part of growing
up; that victims of bullying should just “toughen up” and not make a
big deal of a “normal” part of childhood.
Most folks, however,
recognize the destructive nature of bullying and are determined to
address bullying behavior in schools. These folks refuse to
accept bullying as normal. I agree.
After much research on
bullying, we know a good deal about this misbehavior. For
example, we have learned that:
• More than 10% of students
surveyed in 2002 reported that they were bullied “frequently”
•
30% of adolescent depression victims in a 2001 study attributed
their depression to “peer harassment”
• Children who bullied at
eight years old are five times more likely than all children to have
a criminal record by the time they are thirty in a 1996 study.
In
December, 2010, the Pittsfield School Board amended its Student
Safety and Violence Prevention – Bullying Policy to comply with our
new state law governing student safety. In this policy –
Policy JICK – the Board asserts:
• All students have a right to
attend school and school-sponsored activities that are safe, secure,
and peaceful environments. Students should be protected from
all forms of physical, emotional, and psychological bullying and
cyberbullying.
• It is the intent of this policy to protect
students from physical, emotional, and psychological harm by
addressing bullying and cyberbullying of any kind in our
district/school, and to prevent the creation of a hostile
educational environment.
In its policy, the Pittsfield
School Board defined “bullying” as “a single significant, or pattern
of incidents, involving a written, verbal, or electronic
communication, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination
thereof, directed at another student which:
1. Physically harms a
pupil or damages the student’s property; 2. Causes emotional
distress to a student; 3. Interferes with a student’s
educational opportunities; 4. Creates a hostile educational
environment; or 5. Substantially disrupts the orderly operation
of the school.”
Like most school districts in our state and
nation, we in Pittsfield are working to fulfill the spirit and
letter of our new law and policy. And, like most school
districts in our state and nation, we are challenged in this work.
Earlier this year, our school staff received professional
development on the new law and its implementation.
Additionally, the School Board hosted a community forum on this
topic. Importantly, the district is about to begin a
three-year relationship with a bullying expert of national and
international renown: Stan Davis.
Mr. Davis has published
books on this topic, including Schools Where Everyone Belongs, which
was previously distributed to all district employees. He also
provides a good deal of information on bullying on his website,
www.stopbullyingnow.com.
Mr. Davis will be visiting our schools on Wednesday, April 20th,
to meet with students, teachers, and administrators. This
visit will provide him with a general sense of school climate in
Pittsfield. He will also be administering a student survey
later in the spring to assess the more specific nature of bullying
in Pittsfield. He will then collaborate with district leaders
to develop an action plan intended to reduce and minimize bullying
in our schools.
Importantly, Mr. Davis will also be meeting with
parents and interested community members. You are invited to
join Stan Davis for this conversation about peer to peer relations
in Pittsfield at 6:30 p.m. on the evening of Wednesday, April 20th,
in the PMHS library (We’d love to have to relocate this meeting if
the library proves to be too small!).
Please plan to join us for
this important event that represents a major step in our work to
reduce bullying in Pittsfield. Your perspective is important;
your voice is appreciated; your involvement will help.
Bullying in schools has been with us for a long time. However,
this doesn’t mean that it must always be with us. We are not
powerless to stop bullying. Together, we can fight back
against bullying.
Looking
for Easter deals? The Clothes Closet has lots of bunnies,
baskets and baby clothes. Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays
10:00-4:00; Saturdays 10:00-1:00.
Ladies
Aid
The Ladies Aid of the First Congregational Church in
Pittsfield, met in the church vestry on April 4th. In the
absence of President Freda Jones, Vice President, Louise Kenney,
conducted the meeting which opened with her devotional readings of
“Dear Spring” and “Thoughts of Spring” followed by the Lord’s
Prayer. Audrey Moore gave a comical reading regarding a
child’s misinterpretation of some of the wording in the 23rd Psalm.
Joan Riel gave her report of the previous meeting and Audrey Moore,
Treasurer, gave her financial report.
Members voted to purchase a
lily for Easter Sunday in memory of departed members. The
question of dissolving the group was brought up once again.
Due to light attendance, it was decided to hold off any discussion
until all the “snowbirds” have returned. The next meeting will
be held in mid-May, when everyone can attend and a decision will be
made at that time.
We missed our long time member, Arlene Martin,
who has moved to Bow. For many years she was our Devotional
Leader.
Light refreshments were served and a time of fellowship
was enjoyed. The meeting closed with the Mizpah Benediction.
Hats
off to Paul and Lucia Metcalf for their donation to the renovation
project at Pittsfield Youth Athletic Park. Thank you so much. A
final push is being made this spring to complete everything before
Old Home Day. If you see Larry Berkson coming, run the other way or
get your wallet out. Funds are still needed to finish a few of the
items. If you have not given and wish to do so please contact him at
798-3984. The time for individuals, businesses and organizations to
be recognized on the plaques that will be placed at the entrance to
the park is running out. Money can also be given in memory of a
loved one, which will have a special notation on the plaques, as
will donations given on behalf of PMHS Classes.
March
For Meals Walk A Thon To Support Meals On Wheels
Elder Services
of the Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Inc.
including Pittsfield Area Senior Center are hosting a very special
event to celebrate the Meals on Wheels Program (MOW). The
event is a walk; March for Meals that will be held on May 14th at
Memorial Field in Concord from 9:30 am – 12:30. This
charitable walk-a-thon will raise public awareness of the Meals on
Wheels Program; MOW provides nutritious meals, safety wellness
checks and connection to community resources.
Nancy
Parascandola, coordinator of the Concord Meals on Wheels program
describes the impact of Meals on Wheels on participants. One
participant, a Vietnam veteran living with cancer has been receiving
Meals on Wheels for over a year now.
“I had not seen this
gentleman for two months; previously he was not able to get up and
walk to the door. To my surprise, he greeted me at the door.
I simply could not believe the difference in his physical strength
and demeanor”. The participant says: “Now that I am in
this situation, I really value the service. I appreciate that
someone checks in on me Monday through Friday when my family is
busy. I want to make sure other veterans are participating in
Meals on Wheels if they can benefit from the program. If it
wasn’t for Meal on Wheels, I would be eating crackers and milk.”
The Elder Services’ Meals on Wheels Program is committed to
eradicating senior hunger in Belknap and Merrimack Counties.
Meals on Wheels also reduces the isolation experienced by many older
adults as frequently, the Meals on Wheels driver is the only person
the senior may see all day.
The relationship with the
driver provides important human contact and a safety net;
particularly by those seniors living alone. This also provides
peace of mind for family members who may be living out of state.
Meals on Wheels enables older adults to maintain their health,
dignity and independence. Elder Services is proud to have
served 970 Meals on Wheels clients with 221,978 from July 2009 –
June 30, 2010.
Let’s all work together to make a difference in
the lives of our loved ones, neighbors, our veterans and all of our
nation’s seniors who are facing the threat of hunger. With the
population of older adults expected to double by the year 2050, the
time to support Meals on Wheels and the eradication of hunger and
malnutrition is now!!! The March for Meals walk will raise
funds to help pay for the home delivered meals provided to the
increasing number of seniors living in Belknap and Merrimack
Counties. For more information on how to register to
participate in the walk or to make a pledge, please call 435-8482.
Thank you for your support!!!
Obituaries
Earle
W. Cate, Jr.
Earle W. Cate, Jr., 85, of Loudon Ridge Road, died
at home on April 3rd following a long illness.
He was born in
Loudon on January 1, 1926, the son of Earle W. Cate, Sr. and Ida
Hill Cate. He lived in Pittsfield for 30 years but still spent his
lifetime doing what he loved best, working the family farm on Loudon
Ridge.
He was a graduate of Pittsfield High School and upon
graduation, he enlisted in the US Army and served during WWII. He
was the widower of Elizabeth (Ricker) Cate who died in 1976 and N.
Audrey (Bartlett) Cate who died in 2007.
Members of his family
include two sons, Earle W. Cate, III and wife Dawn and Douglas J.
Cate and wife Janet both of Loudon; four daughters, Judy Watkins and
husband Robert of Barnstead, Linda Silver and husband Bill of
Colebrook, Denise Ouellet and husband Paul of No. Stratford and
Annette Cate of Gilmanton Iron Works; twelve grandchildren and
thirteen great grandchildren; a sister, Virginia Nichols of Loudon;
nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Memorial Service was held in the
Loudon Town Hall in Loudon Center. The Rev. Henry Frost, Pastor of
the Loudon Center Freewill Baptist Church officiated.
Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Gail Singer
Memorial Building, 360 Rt. 101, Unit 8, Bedford, NH 03110-5032. The
Perkins & Pollard Memorial Home, Pittsfield, assisted with
arrangements.
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