Pittsfield NH News

Celebrating Birthdays are: December 11, James Piaseczny; December 14, Herb Emerson; December 15, Tim Drew; December 16, Brett Tiede, Nikolas Hunter Mewkill.

A Very Happy Birthday to one and all.
 

Best Wishes to Ed and Chris Young as they celebrate their Wedding Anniversary on December 16th.
 

School Lunch Menus
Dec. 15-19, 2008
 

PMHS
Monday - Pizza, corn, fruit.
Tuesday - Chicken, veggies, fruit, milk.
Wednesday - Meatball subs, green beans, baked dessert, milk.
Thursday - Grilled cheese, tomato soup, fruit, milk.
Friday - Turkey, gravy, potato, veggies, fruit, milk.

EPSOM
Monday - Sloppy Joe with rolls, brown rice, veg., fruit, milk or yogurt tray, chicken salad.
Tuesday - Homemade pizza, tossed salad, fruit, milk or yogurt tray, no salad.
Wednesday - Spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread, tossed salad, fruit, milk or yogurt tray, no salad.
Thursday - Early Release Day
Ham & cheese sandwiches, chips, pickle, fruit, milk or yogurt tray, ham & cheese salad.
Friday - Salisbury steak with brown gravy, mashed potatoes, veg., fruit, milk or yogurt tray, cheese salad.

The Pittsfield Area Senior Center

The Pittsfield Area Senior Center is having a Holiday Party on December 19th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

We hope you will come sing songs, listen to holiday stories and enjoy a scrumptious holiday feast with us.  There is talk of having a Featured Special Guest! 

We are serving Stuffed Chicken Breast and a Buffet Ham with gravy or Raisin Sauce, Butternut Squash, Peas/Onions, Mashed Potatoes and a Festive Desert Table!

As usual we need a count to be sure we have enough ham and dessert so call to make your reservation and let us know what you would like to bring to complement the meal. (and to insure that we don’t have 12 carrot casseroles and Raisin Sauce!)

RSVP deadline December 15th.  435-8482.
 

Wed., Dec. 10
10:00 a.m. - Medicare Presentation.
12:30 p.m. - Mystery Dinner.
 

Thurs. Dec. 11
10:00 a.m. - Bingo
Holiday Diner by CAP
Not to be confused with
Our Holiday Party!
 

Fri., Dec. 12
11:00 a.m. - Yoga
 

Mon. Dec. 15
10:00 a.m. - Bingo
12:30 p.m. - Book Club
 

Tues. Dec. 16
10:00 a.m. - Crafts
10:00 a.m. - Easy Bridge Lessons!

Officer Clint Cassavaugh Graduates Full Time Police Academy

Officer Clint Cassavaugh recently graduated from the Police Standards and Training Academy as a full-time police officer. Cassavaugh works for the Pittsfield Police Department. Chief Robert Wharem and The Pittsfield Police Department are proud of Officer Cassavaugh’s achievement.

American Legion Peterson-Cram Post 75 Pittsfield

As Commander of our American Legion Peterson-Cram Post 75 of Pittsfield, I feel I owe to our veterans news releases that I deem important. Some may not feel it is important, but to our veterans, I feel I must publish the news. For those of us who utilize the Manchester VA, we are just outside the “travel window” but those who utilize White River Junction, this will apply to you.

Merrill A. Vaughan
Commander. American Legion Peterson-Cram Post 75

Secretary Peake Announces Travel Reimbursement Increases For Eligible Veterans

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced recently that eligible veterans will see an increase in the mileage reimbursement they receive for travel to VA facilities for medical care.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake announced today that he will use his authority to raise the mileage reimbursement from the 28.5 cents per mile to 41.5 cents per mile for all eligible veterans.

“We owe it to our veterans to give them the best care possible,” said Peake. “The increase will once again provide assistance to our veterans, especially in these difficult economic times, to help offset gasoline costs and to assist veterans with access to the VA’s world-class health system.”

Congress, which mandates such increases, recently provided funding to VA to increase the reimbursement rate, which went into effect on November 17, 2008. Service connected veterans, veterans receiving VA pensions, and veterans with low incomes are eligible for the reimbursement.

“As I have traveled the country and spoken with many of our veterans, they have expressed the need for such an increase,” added Peake. “We are pleased to be able to provide them with the increase needed and we will continue to work with our veterans to ensure they receive the quality care they need.”

While increasing the payment, the current deductible amounts applied to certain mileage reimbursements will remain frozen at $7.77 for a one way trip, $15.54 for a round trip, and capped at a maximum of $46.62 per calendar month. On January 9, 2009, these deductibles will decrease to $3 for a one way trip, $6 for a round trip, with a maximum of $18 per calendar month. Deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial hardship to the veteran.

The Pittsfield Players Hold Open Auditions for Love, Sex and the I.R.S.

Here is a wild farce with twists of fate, sight gags, mistaken identities and hilarious comic lines. Jon Trachtman and Leslie Arthur (male roommates) are out of work musicians who room together in New York City. To save money, Jon has been filing tax returns listing the pair as a married couple. The day of reckoning comes when the Internal Revenue Service informs the “couple” they’re going to be investigated by a Mr. Spinner. Leslie masquerades as a housewife, aided by Jon’s fiancée, Kate. Complicating matters further Leslie and Kate are having an affair behind Jon’s back, Jon’s mother drops in unexpectedly to meet her son’s fiancée, and Leslie’s ex girlfriend shows up demanding to know why Leslie has changed and won’t see her anymore.

The cast consists of 5 males and 3 females.

Auditions are Sunday December 14, 2008, at 4PM and Monday, December 15, 2008, at 7PM at the Scenic Theater.

Ladies Aid

Submitted By Joan Riel
The Ladies Aid of the First Congregational Church met December 1st in the church vestry. Freda Jones, president opened the meeting, and in the absence of Arlene Martin, she led devotions. She had a Moody Press Cookbook with Tried and True Recipes that included “Food For The Body And Food For The Soul.” Readings were interspersed and she read “If God Forgot.” All then joined in the Lord’s Prayer.

Joan Riel gave her report of the previous meeting and Audrey Moore, Treasurer, gave her financial report, noting that the Ladies Food Table at the Christmas Fair was very successful! Money was voted toward the Christmas Wreaths, as well as to several mission items taken care of each year.

Following the business meeting, delicious refreshments of Christmas Cookies,  Christmas Cup Cakes, Spritz Cookies, crackers and cheese and peppermint stick ice cream were enjoyed. During this time, cards were signed for members unable to attend along with twelve Christmas Cards. Everyone then formed an assembly line and sixty cloth Christmas Bags, which had been made by members previously, were filled with mini candy bars and Christmas candies and will be delivered with Meals on Wheels at Christmas time. The meeting adjourned and all joined in the Mizpah Benediction.

Letter

From The Desk Of The Pittsfield Select Board

Submitted By Larry Konopka, Chairman
What a great turnout at this year’s general election! Everything ran smoothly, as seen by citizens who took the time to come out and vote, with plenty of room for a warm welcome from those who were in charge. The Board received a letter from the Attorney General’s office commending officials for a job well done. Hats off to all who were part of this huge success! A special “Thank You” to the 4-H workers for the delicious meals and refreshments served to election officials and staff.

Last April the Board started an Employee of the Month recognition program. It’s been great as a selectman to award these people who go above and beyond the call of duty for the community. Each month employees are nominated by Department Heads and/or the Town Administrator then a selectman is voted on by the Board of Selectman. It’s been hard to choose, as we have so many great employees in our town who deserve “Employee of the Month.” Outstanding job, employees!

At the November 25th Selectmen’s meeting, the Board discussed and approved holding meetings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday, beginning in January. When needed, the Board will have work sessions on the odd weeks. Holding Select Board meetings twice a month is on a trial basis and will be reviewed in a couple of months to see how the new schedule is working. My thought is that it will work well, perhaps even saving some time and money. It will certainly give staff and Board members time to address some other needs. I am comfortable with this decision and feel it will be an efficient change with the guidance of our Town Administrator, Paul Skowron. Many thanks to him for a job well done on behalf of the citizens!