American Legion Post 88 News
Submitted By Post Commander Shawn Jones
First Vice Commander Gary Tasker & Bob Ordway present a
check for $250 to the Loudon Food Pantry.
The Army’s M60 Tank at its new resting place at Post 41 in
Whitefield.
Greetings Comrades,
We here at Post 88 wish everyone a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season.
Since our last meeting I have been busy attending Legion training
sessions and the fall conference.
First on October 25th I attended the Department Fall Conference at
Post 1 Laconia. Information from the Department was passed down
concerning membership and sad news that two Legion Posts had to turn
in their charters due to lack of members. This is also occurring in
the SAL (Sons of the American Legion). We are looking at various
ways of trying to attract new members and retain the ones we have.
We also heard from some Committee chairpersons regarding goals and
current accomplishments the have laid out for the current year. In
the afternoon we broke out for the various training sessions being
offered by Department staff.
On November 8th I attended Leadership Education and
Development (LEAD) Training at Post 34 Plaistow. The classes that
National offered were: Post Operations; Finance; Writing
Resolutions; Getting AC&Y programs active in our communities. This
was the second year I attended LEAD training and I encourage all
members to take some of these classes being offered from time to
time. All members are welcomed to attend any of the Department and
District 5 conferences when they are scheduled. Check out the
calendar of events at
http://www.legionnh.org
On November 11th I attended the Veteran’s Day ceremony at the NH
Veteran’s Cemetery. I saw the largest crowd of attendees I have ever
seen there.
Mother Nature had cooperated this day giving us sunny
skies and mild temperatures. I then traveled via motorcycle to
Whitefield for the dedication ceremony of our former M60 A Main
Battle Tank at it’s new location; Ingerson-Smith Post 41. Members of
Post 41 did an excellent job of creating a static display area.
There was a nice article published in the Union Leader and you can
find it by typing in the following information in your web browser.
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20141111/NEWS18
/141119743/0/SEARCH
Did you know that Veteran’s can join your local Lion’s Club and have
your entrance fee waived up to $30.00? Veteran’s are all about
giving back to their communities and that’s why many of you are
members of the American Legion in the first place. Legionnaires help
their fellow veterans out as well as other community members. What a
great way to make new friends and give back a little of your time by
becoming a member of the Loudon Lion’s Club or any other Lion’s Club
in your area. To look into joining the Loudon Lions please contact
me or go to the Loudon Communications Council web page and click on
the Lifestyles drop down menu and select Loudon Lions Club.Contact:
Gus Belden, President and ask him about the Involve a U.S. Veteran
Program.
Please keep your 2015 renewals coming in. We would like to have all
members renewed by December 31st. We are currently 3rd in the
district at 65.79% membership renewals.
For any new members who wish to join our post and
have never been in the American Legion we will pay your first years
dues for you as our way of saying thank you for joining Post 88.
Please contact a member of the post for a membership sign up card or
contact me directly at [email protected] or 603-496-0204.
The American legion is launching a national awareness
campaign to raise funds to help our organization assist veterans,
their families, young people and communities. The first installment
of that campaign will focus on the internal health needs of
veterans, particularly those who are battling the signature wounds
of today’s war era, PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Suicide
prevention hotline: 800-272-8255, press 1. Texting service: 838255.
On-line chat service,
www.VeteransCrisisLine.net
We meet again on December 17th at the Loudon Community building at
1900 hrs. We look forward to seeing you there.
Loudon Center Freewill Baptist Church News
Saturday evening, November 15th, members and guests of the Loudon
Center Freewill Baptist Church, enjoyed our Monthly Fellowship Pot
Luck Supper, followed by a lively Gospel Concert by “Harold and
Diana Muzzey with Mark and Vicky Whittemore, also known as “The
Homefolks”.
You are invited to join us on Sunday, November 30th to celebrate the
beginning of the Advent Season. “The Service begins at 9:30 am to
get a good seat.
For any information regarding Loudon Center Freewill
Baptist Church, please call Deacon Henry A Welch at 603-435-6510, or
Pastor John M. Young at 603-796-2479. You can also email the Church
Office at:
[email protected].
Please check us out on Facebook.
Pittsfield School District To Hold Informational Sessions On Biomass
Central Heating System
The Pittsfield School Board is exploring the advantages and
disadvantages of developing a biomass central heating system – wood
pellets – for both schools in the district. Pittsfield citizens are
invited to one of the upcoming informational meetings to be held on:
· 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, in the PMHS Lecture Hall
· 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 6, in the PMHS Lecture Hall
Under current usage patterns, the PES boilers are approaching the
end of their useful lives in about three years, while the PMHS
boilers are approaching the end of their useful lives in about ten
years. One biomass system that serves both schools would eliminate
the PES boilers completely and extend the lives of the PMHS boilers
considerably.
The comparative fuel cost savings between heating oil and wood
pellets is estimated to be a savings of $67,500 per year.
The estimated replacement cost of the PES boilers alone is
$350,000. The estimated cost of the shift to a biomass system that
would serve both schools is $850,000. The estimated simple payback
for the difference between these two estimates would be 7.5 years.
The School Board would consider financing options to fund this
project, if approved.
Please plan to join us for more information, as well as your
comments and questions, for one of the two informational meetings in
the weeks ahead.
Dorcas Guild
On November 11, 2014 at 7 p. m. Nancy Fogg, president, welcomed 12
members to the monthly First Congregational Church Dorcas Guild
meeting. The devotion, “Tears and Laughter” by Marjorie Holmes was
offered by Mary Jo Powelson who then led the Lord’s Prayer.
Routine business followed the opening. Mary Jo shared notes and
cards that were received by the corresponding secretary who was
unable to attend. The secretary’s report, prepared by Nella Hobson,
was presented by Nancy. The treasurer’s report was approved as
presented by Reny Boyd.
The slate of officers nominated for 2015 was passed unanimously.
There will be no change in the Executive Board – Nancy Fogg,
president; Kathy Bergeron and Mary Jo Powelson, co-vice-presidents;
Joan Riel, corresponding secretary; Nella Hobson, recording
secretary; Reny Boyd, treasurer.
Preparations for upcoming annual events dominated the monthly
business. Gailann Newton reviewed plans for the Christmas Fair
luncheon on November 22. Donations of food and supplies have been
solicited and volunteers to work in the kitchen have been lined up.
Nancy reported that only final details are required to complete
preparations for the Christmas Fair. Guild members and friends from
the church community, including some men, have been generous in
offering their time and assistance
Contributions for the Craft Fair scheduled for December 6 were
solicited. There remain opportunities for other volunteers,
particularly for coverage at the Dorcas and Silent Auction Tables.
Partial coverage is needed in the kitchen, as well as a floater.
Two agenda items were tabled until January. Dedicating income from
monthly fundraisers for local missions will be considered. In
January Corine Miller and Reny will provide an overview of potential
funds available. Purchase of a music cabinet was tabled pending
additional information from retailers.
Data for the 2015 Program Guide continues to be a work in progress.
Although the Collation Committee will continue to flourish under
current leadership, two others are needed to share the
responsibilities.
This month socks were donated by members for distribution to the
needy. The deadline for contributing socks is the December 9th
meeting.
Refreshments provided by hostesses, Elaine Coffey and Mary Jo
Powelson, were elegant and mouthwatering. The pumpkin cheesecake
was complemented by cheese and crackers, mixed nuts, coffee and
cider.
December 9 is the date for the Annual Potluck Dinner and Christmas
Party. The celebration will begin at 6 p. m. in the Vestry. Bring a
dish to share and a gift to exchange. Hostesses for the evening
will be Peggy Jacobs, Reny and Nancy.
Annual Craft Fair
Don’t miss the annual Craft Fair at the First Congregational Church,
24 Main Street, Pittsfield, Saturday, December 6, 9 am-2 pm. A dozen
local artisans feature fine seasonal crafts of all types including
knits, decorative items, fresh greenery, gourmet selections and much
more including items offered by the Pittsfield Historical Society.
Luncheon is available and offered by the Dorcas Guild. There is
parking and a wheelchair accessible entrance at rear of church. For
more information call the church office at 435-7471.
TOPS News
Submitted By Terrie Azotea
At TOPS this past week our Best Loser was April and our KOPS was
Kay. We ended our football contest and some awards were handed out
for the winners and the runners up. Great Job!
Weekly awards were handed out for the best loser of the month and
for a 10 lb. weight loss. Kudos ladies!
We talked about our upcoming Christmas party. We all had a lot of
fun making Inspirational Angels that Suzie brought in for us to
make. We all wrote a phrase on the front of the angel to help us get
through the upcoming holidays. We had lots of laughs and a special
angel to bring home to have in our kitchen. Thanks Suzie, for
sharing.
At TOPS we are a non-profit organization that helps with your weight
loss journey. We always welcome new faces and with the upcoming
holidays it is nice to have the support. So, if your not busy on a
Tuesday night, we meet at 5:30 for our weigh in and at 6:30 for our
meeting at the Berekah on Fairview Rd. in Pittsfield. Any questions
please call Janis White at 603-491-5532 or Claire Coll at 435-7271.
Hope everyone has a good week and a Happy Thanksgiving! I for one am
thankful for my TOPS friends. See you all lighter next week!
Peterson Cram Post 75 Pittsfield American Legion News
Submitted By Dan M. Ward, Post Commander
On Monday evening November 3rd the monthly meeting of Post 75 was
convened at the Post Home with five members present. Plans were
discussed for the Veterans Day ceremony on the 11th of November at
11:00 a.m.
Thank you very much to Legionnaire Joe Rogers who repainted, and put
a new pulley and flag rope on the Post 75 flag pole. With the help
of a couple other Post 75 Legionnaires the newly refurbished flag
pole with a brand new flag also furnished by Joe Rogers is now
proudly waiving at Post 75. To quote Joe our Post needed to have
the flag pole fixed so he said, “I can do that” and Joe did just
that. Again thank you Joe the new flag pole and flag are a welcome
to our humble post home. Thank you goes out to Post Adjutant Scott
Ward for replacing the Flag Pole’s light bulb.
We still needed a plumber to be present when the Home Depot team
comes to install the new bathroom. If you are or you know a plumber
that can help please let us know. The bath room project will be
going forward as soon as we find the plumber. The plumber simply
needs to pull a permit and be on site when the plumbing is being
installed.
Plans were reviewed for the Veterans Day Memorial Service that was
held on Tuesday November 11th at 11:00 a.m. at the War monuments at
Dustin Park on Main in Pittsfield.
The Veterans Day ceremony on November 11th was attended by about 30
residents. Pittsfield Middle High school sophomore Anitrea
Provencher sang the National Anthem. Thank you to the Pittsfield
Police Dept. for the support relating to the ceremony.
We are looking to find a cabinet maker or finish carpenter to build
a display case for some very important WWI and WWII uniforms. If
you or someone you know may be able to assist us with this project
please call me at 603-496-0848. We have some funding set aside for
this important project.
Next year’s Raffle Ticket Fundraiser will be kicking off in
December. Tickets will be mailed to all Post members. We simply ask
all Post members to purchase and or sell ALL of the tickets that we
send you. This is our primary fundraising activity so we need EVERY
POST MEMBER to fully support the raffle. Each raffle ticket is
$10.00 dollars and there are five chances per month that can win.
The top monthly prize is $50.00. Buy raffle tickets as a stocking
stuffer gifts this Christmas, or give them as a Birthday gifts for
that special someone in your life. Each raffle ticket purchased and
given as gift helps Post 75. We thank you in advance for continuing
to support YOUR Pittsfield American Legion Post.
Following is the list of Raffle Winners for November 2014; $50.00
Justine Metcalf , $25.00 Scott Ward, $10.00 Gilbert Paige, $10.00
Jane LeDuc, $10.00 John Kost.
Fellow Legion members and Veterans of Pittsfield, we could use your
help here at Post 75. We want to continue honoring ALL Veterans on
both Memorial and Veterans Days however it is getting more difficult
to do so as we only have on average five members who regularly
attend meetings. There are over 300 Pittsfield residents who
receive the Veteran’s Property tax reduction. We are simply asking
those Pittsfield Veterans to please come…and HELP us to keep Post 75
a part of the fabric that is the Pittsfield community. Can you give
1 hour per month to support fellow Veterans? PLEASE consider
joining us. Any questions concerning membership please contact Dan
M. Ward Commander at 603-496-0848. We meet each first Monday of the
month at 7:30 p.m. at Post 75, 3 Loudon Rd. in Pittsfield. Our next
meeting will be on December 1st we hope to see YOU there.
Happy Thanksgiving to ALL Legionnaires, their families and to ALL of
our troops currently serving around the world…God Speed to All.
Pittsfield Cub Scout Pack #84, and accompaniment, visited the office
of The Suncook Valley Sun recently to learn more about how
information is shared through the newspaper to the towns it serves.
The scouts asked many thoughtful questions and it was a pleasure to
host them for the afternoon. Left to right: Faith Martineau, Mason
Martineau, Nicholas Mistler, and Christopher Sawyer.
Obituaries
Kevin M. Keene, Sr.
Pittsfield – Kevin M. Keene, Sr. 59, died Saturday,
November 15, 2014, at his home on Depot Street after a lengthy
battle with end stage COPD, emphysema, and MAC disease. He is also
a survivor of bladder and prostate cancer and quadruple bypass
surgery.
Born on March 30, 1955 in Concord, Kevin was the son of Marshall G.
and Leone (Perkins) Keene. He had lived in the Barnstead and
Pittsfield area all his life.
He had held several positions in his lifetime, including
construction work, drilling, working for Pittsfield Weaving, and
driving for the Concord Monitor. He also worked as groundskeeper
for Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Pittsfield and St. Joseph Church
in Northwood.
Kevin was a member of the Suncook Valley softball team and, as an
avid hunter and fisherman, belonged to the North American Hunting
Club. He enjoyed all pro sports and talking to and meeting people.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Tina (Miller) Keene of
Pittsfield; his children, Angela Shanyo and her husband Craig of
Pittsfield, Amanda Keene of Epsom, and Kristina Keene and Katrina
Keene, both of Pittsfield; 7 grandchildren; a brother, Gregory Keene
of Gorham, ME; a sister, Cheryl Keene of Pittsfield; and nieces and
nephews.
Kevin was predeceased by a son, Kevin Jr. and 2 siblings, Sheila
Hanks and Brian Keene.
Friends and relatives shared memories of Kevin at the Still Oaks
Funeral & Memorial Home in Epsom on Saturday, November 22nd.
Services were held following, with Rev. Duane Bailey officiating.
Burial will take place at a later date at the Floral Park Cemetery
in Pittsfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations should be made to the CRVNA
Hospice Program, 30 Pillsbury Street, Concord, NH 03301.
An on-line guestbook is available at
stilloaks.com.
Pamela Fielding Hayes
Pittsfield – Pamela Fielding Hayes, 70, died Sunday, November 16,
2014 at her home on Main Street.
Born in Beverly, MA on May 17, 1944, Pamela was the daughter of
Fielding and Virginia (Lachance) Rogers. Prior to her retirement,
she spent years taking care of children as a specialized foster
parent in Barnstead.
Pamela was a free spirit and rarely followed the rules. She was
most happy when her children and grandchildren gathered at her home
for meals. Her granddaughter Lily often headed to her Nonnie’s
after school with her friends to visit with her.
Pamela is survived by her husband, Clement Hayes; her children,
Melissa Howard and her husband Mike of Kittery, ME, Siobhan Plummer
of Pittsfield, and Clement Hayes III of Concord; grandchildren,
Amanda, Jillian and Michael Howard, Lily Plummer, and Mason, Alex
and Hannah Hayes; her great grandson, Ryan; 2 siblings, Caroline
Gallivan of Essex, MA and Calvin Rogers of Sedona, AZ; and her
faithful companion, her dog Duchess Marie. She was predeceased by
her sister, Susan Jeremsek of Essex, MA.
A gathering to celebrate Pamela’s life was held at her daughter’s
home in Pittsfield on Saturday, November 22.
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