REMINDER
Equinox Celebration
Berakah is hosting an Equinox Celebration on Friday, March 21, 6:30
- 8 p.m. This is an opportunity for all to greet the coming of
Spring in a meaningful and creative manner.
Participants will observe the glow of the sunset, learn about the
lives of woods frogs, salamanders and woodcocks, enjoy the warmth of
a fire and tea or hot chocolate.
Led by Denise Turcotte, csc Free will offering. Call
435-7271 or email [email protected] to register.
Pittsfield’s Greatest Estate: The Fairview Property
Part Ii: The Dwelling Houses And Owners After 1930
Submitted By Larry Berkson
Maplehurst with the caretakers cottage on the left.
Ambassador John Winant and his wife Constance with General
Dwight D. Eisenhower.
John L. Keenan who owned the estate from 1937 until his
death in 1944. His wife sold it in 1945 to the Franciscan Fathers.
Sisters of Holy Cross probably taken shortly after the order
purchased the estate in 1965.
The Winant Residence and Camp Winsunvale
Maplehurst Farms remained in the White Family until May of 1930 when
it was sold at auction to John W. Pearson acting on behalf of former
governor John Winant. The deed, however, was never recorded in
Governor Winant’s name. Rather, during the period of his claimed
ownership, it was registered to Ray E. Williams, district manager of
Woolworth Stores in Holbrook, Massachusetts. Presumably, Governor
Winant either had some connection with Mr. Williams or he quietly
leased the premises.
The house contained 12 rooms and 14 guest rooms in the ell. With the
purchase came all of the house furnishings, farm equipment, and a
“superintendent’s cottage,” the caretaker’s house a few hundred
yards northwest on Fairview Road. The property contained
approximately 115 acres of land and a well-stocked, 27 acre pond. It
had tennis courts, bowling alleys, a recreation hall, and flower
gardens, and was nicely landscaped. From the estate’s 3000 trees,
over 10,000 bushels of apples were harvested which could be stored
in modern cellars located on the property. Apples produced on the
farm had won scores of first prizes at fairs throughout New England.
Governor Winant called the property Winsunvale.
He hired 1926 UNH graduate Richard Elwell to run the apple producing
operation. Unproductive trees were removed and others planted.
Modern equipment was purchased for efficiently grading, sizing, and
packing apples. Beehives were installed to insure pollination.
After the purchase, Governor Winant’s wife, who was president of the
state YWCA, announced plans to hold a YWCA summer camp for 40 girls
at the estate. The camp was also to be available to any girls
between the ages of 12 and 18 who were sponsored by farm bureaus,
the Grange and similar organizations. Activities would include
handicraft, dramatics, swimming, lifesaving, and community
recreation. The camp was to begin in July and run for five or six
weeks. Later in the summer, it was to be made available to local
farm women as a rest camp at actual expenses.
The project was successful that year and in August nearly 500 people
from all over the state gathered to witness a program carried out by
the 50 campers and their counsellors. A tennis competition was held
followed by a variety of dances in the playhouse. At the water front
there were archery and swimming demonstrations, and row boat races
which were capped off by 18 girls forming the letter “W’ in the
pond. Later a play was given by six girls in Indian costumes, and
later yet, as a finale, the chorus sang a number of songs.
A similar camp was held in 1932 which was begun by the girls
attending local churches. By this time a small infirmary had been
established. Activities similar to the previous year were offered.
Added was basket weaving which became very popular.
The camp continued in 1933 and on July 4th it held a huge
celebration, which began early in the morning with a parade of
“horribles,” through the camp with girls shooting off fire crackers.
This was followed by a patriotic assembly with a salute to the
American flag and the singing of “America the Beautiful.” In the
evening pantomimes of three Revolutionary War scenes were given by
campers: the Redcoats battling the Revolutionists, the making of the
peace between the British and Americans, and the signing of the
Declaration of Independence. A poem was read entitled, “Washington,”
followed by playing of the tune “Washington at Valley Forge.” In the
late evening there was a display of fireworks.
In 1934 the camp opened as usual in June and in September held a
second session with 25 unemployed girls as part of a federal
project. The camp opened once again in July of 1935 with 27 campers
enrolled for six weeks. For the first time Pittsfield girls were
allowed privileges of the camp during the hours of 9:00 am to 5:00
pm at reasonable prices.
In 1936 Camp Winsunvale operated for six weeks. The following year
it opened for the last time. That year it was reported inaccurately
in the local newspaper that Governor Winant had sold the property to
Ray B. Williams. As noted earlier, it was Mr. Williams who actually
owned the property and he sold it in March of 1937 to two New
Hampshire speculators, Harris C. Rice and James B. Perry. They in
turn sold it to steel magnate John E. Keenan the following September
to be used as a retirement home.
The John Keenan Estate
John Keenan had worked for the mammoth Tata Iron and Steel Company
in Jamshedpur, India for 25 years, the last eight of which he was
the general manager. With his move to Pittsfield he brought one of
the finest collections of Bibles in the world. In retirement he
spent much of his time completing a very interesting autobiography.
He referred to his pond as Maplehurst Lake but the local folks never
accepted the change.
At the outset of World War II Mr. Keenan agreed to a confidential
mission in China for the O.S.S. Branch of the State Department,
forerunner of the CIA. Tragically, he was shot on the “Bermuda Road”
and died in an Army hospital in Kenming, China, on January 5, 1944.
The Catholic Orders
Mrs. Keenan’s family sold the property to Franciscan Fathers of
Maine the year after her husband’s death. It became a retreat for
aging priests. In 1960 the Order of Friars Minor purchased the
property.
About 1961-62 the caretaker’s house was sold to Edward Murphy and
moved down onto Catamount Road. According to Dennis Murphy, Ed’s
son, it was moved on a flatbed truck which got stuck in the mud part
way down the hill after a heavy rain. The house sat on the truck
several weeks before the ground dried enough so that it could be
moved to its foundation beside the road below.
In 1965 Mont St. Joseph Corporation (aka Sisters of Holy Cross)
purchased the property as a house of administration for Notre Dame
College in Manchester, seven high schools, and 27 grammar schools.
In 1992 Berakah, meaning “Blessing,” a holistic renewal program for
the religious, moved to Pittsfield. Today the Monastery, as it has
become known in local parlance, serves as a retreat for the conduct
of various religious programs and can accommodate up to 20 people.
Mid-Year Awards At Pittsfield Middle High School
Pittsfield Middle High School celebrated the close of the first
semester with a mid-year Academic Awards Ceremony to recognize
students for academic achievements and community contributions.
Students in grades 7-12 were recognized for making the Honor Roll.
Students earning Honors maintained a 3.0 in all competencies across
all courses and students earning High Honors maintained a 3.5.
The Student Council announced that sophomore Lily Plummer had been
selected as the Student of the Month for January and seventh-grader
Colby Wolfe was awarded Student of the Month for February. Lily is
a member of the Site Council, Student Council, and is the student
body representative on the School Board. Colby is a two-sport
athlete and an Honor Roll student. The Student Council also
announced that Max Tuttle was the recipient of the Bryce Paradise
Community Award which is given annually to a senior representing the
pillars of pride, respect, community, and safety. Max is a member
of the National Honor Society, the co-chair of the Site Council, and
the senior class president.
7th Grade Honor Roll
Honors: Charles Chapman, Autumn Colon-Pagan, Mitchell Guest, David
Howard, Alexa Kauppila, Connor Manteau, Morgan Morasse, Richard
Pantis, Thomas Shaver, and Daniel Ward.
High Honors: Kaylee Brooks, Joeanna Emerson, Colton Gaudette, Jacob
Marcotte, Jessica Rainville and Colby Wolfe.
8th Grade Honor Roll
Honors: Derek Boudreau, Casey Clark, Jack Farr, Emma Farwell, Cailey
Marston, Robert Quirk, Kathleen Rollins, Emlee Sanuth, Matthew St.
George, Emily Thompson, Jack Tobin and Jaden Vincent.
High Honors: Hannah Conway, Mackenzie Desilets, Weston LeMay,
Danielle McNulty, Amber Patten, Kegan Vincent and Tucker Wolfe.
9th Grade Honor Roll
Honors: Gabriel Anthony, Samantha Nevins, and Frederik Pantis.
High Honors: Savannah Godin, Isack Soto, Jordyn Pinto.
10th Grade Honor Roll
Honors: Lily Plummer.
High Honors: Chase Gaudette, Kyle Hamel, and Jesse Slater.
11th Grade Honor Roll
Honors: Gabrielle Bartlett, Colby Clark, Jessica Farwell and Madison
Johnson.
High Honors: Star Chagnon, Morgan Corliss, Ryan Marquis, Jessica
Massey and Kayla Vanslette.
12th Grade Honor Roll
Honors: Sarah Adams.
High Honors: Emma-Jean Fisher, Stefani Gauthier, Katrina Haynes and
Maxwell Tuttle.
“You’re so lucky to have him.” Veda, played by Megan
Rohrbacher of Rochester and Raynelle, played by Nella Hobson of
Chichester, commiserate with one another over one losing her husband
and the other one’s husband hanging in there. Norval is played by
Johnathan Babon of Dover. Dearly Departed is at The Scenic Theatre,
Home of The Pittsfield Players on 6 Depot Street, Pittsfield, NH .
Tickets, $12, are available by calling (603) 435-8852, or via the
Pittsfield Players website
www.pittsfieldplayers.com or at the door
the nights of the shows, March 21 and 22 at 7:30 PM.
Mama Ray doesn’t quite believe her son, Junior’s
nonsense either, come see what happens next when Junior, played by
Greg Parker and Raynelle (aka Mama Ray) played by Nella Hobson,
appear in this Month’s production, Dearly Departed at The Scenic
Theatre, Home of The Pittsfield Players on 6 Depot Street,
Pittsfield, NH . Tickets, $12, are available by calling (603)
435-8852, or via the Pittsfield Players website
www.pittsfieldplayers.com or at the door
the nights of the shows, March 21 and 22 at 7:30 PM.
What’s Up at PYW?
Submitted by: Paula Martel
Pittsfield Youth Workshop Volunteer of the Year 2013
The staff and Board of Directors at PYW would like to give a big
thanks to the 2013 Volunteer of the Year - Dawn Hamel! Dawn has been
volunteering at PYW for the past three years. In that time, as
Treasurer of PYW, she has selflessly given her time to bettering our
organization. With her help and experience, PYW has become more
financially stable, and has become more proficient at managing our
resources. The role of Treasurer is not always the most exciting,
but it is indeed one of the most important positions on our Board of
Directors, and Dawn has done an outstanding job!
Dawn has always been available when called upon to help with
fundraising, community events, and her delicious baked goods are
always a plus! The amount of time and energy she has given to PYW is
amazing, and we truly appreciate everything she has done for the
youth in town.
Without help from volunteers like Dawn, PYW would not be able to
offer such a wide variety of experiences to the youth of Pittsfield.
We are proud to have Dawn as a volunteer at PYW, and we hope to
provide the youth of Pittsfield with more positive role models like
this year’s Volunteer of the Year!
Congratulations and Thanks Dawn!
Pittsfield Fire MOM Karen Brown
Next up
in Pittsfield Fire Department’s “Meet Our Members” series is
Paramedic Karen Brown. Karen joined the department as a Per Diem
member in 2006 and was hired as a full-time staff member six months
later.
Q: How did you happen to choose a career in EMS? What is your
background in Fire and EMS?
A: I’ve always been interested in the medical field and after
starting my family I began to look into furthering my education and
finding a job in a profession I felt was rewarding and fulfilling. I
started out in EMS by taking a Basic EMT class in 1999 and this was
such a great experience that I decided to find a job as an EMT. I
started out working for private ambulance companies where I was able
to learn from some of the best EMS providers.
In 2003, I bought a home in Hillsboro and joined the fire department
there. I was inspired by some of my friends there to take a
Firefighter Level 1 class which was a quite a challenge and
something I had always dreamed of doing. My accomplishments as a
firefighter helped me to build the confidence I needed to enter into
a paramedic program in 2006. Around the same time I was hired
full-time at the Pittsfield Fire Department. I went on to receive my
Paramedic License in 2009 and have been happily working for both
Departments as a Paramedic ever since.
Q: What was the best training you participated in?
A: While working here at PFD I had the opportunity to take a class
offered in southern Massachusetts. This was a two-day training in
Advanced Airway Techniques. The course was taught by paramedics who
had years of experience working in busy city areas. I was able to
get a better understanding of surgical airway procedures while
practicing hands-on techniques, as well as performing many other
types of airways, such as intubation tubes to help people breath
when they are physically unable on their own. This class was very
helpful to me as a paramedic.
Q: What other EMS/Fire opportunities are you/ have you been involved
with?
I have also had many other part-time employment opportunities in EMS
over the years. One of the jobs I loved most has been teaching an
EMT-Basic class at Pinkerton Academy in Derry. I was one of the
instructors who assisted in teaching the Senior high school students
all they needed to know to become fully capable EMTs. I am a State
Examiner and am currently helping out at the New England Emergency
Medical Services Institute at Advanced Level or with ALS practical
exams for new EMTs and paramedics who are finished taking classes
and need to complete skills performance evaluations. I work as a
paramedic at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon whenever I
can.
I have just recently become involved in volunteer work that has much
to do with my interest in helping people and in my experience as a
female firefighter. I found that, due to the low number of women in
the fire service, there are very few places women can find support
for the specific job-related issues that affect them, either
negatively or positively. I have started taking the steps to form a
nonprofit organization that has come from the success of a Facebook
page I created which now has over 2,000 members internationally. In
March, we will have our first gathering of women from all over the
country and I look forward to meeting and discussing the future
plans for the organization. The group will be meeting in Delray
Beach, Florida to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Firefighter Parade
which has now become one of the largest representations of
firefighters in the country. I will proudly represent the Pittsfield
Fire Department as I march with my Sister and Brother Firefighters.
Loudon Center Freewill Baptist Church
Caregiver’s Support group meets every 2nd and 4th Monday’s at 6 pm
at the church. Call Rev. Overall for more information at
603-875-5822.
Bible study every other Saturday at 8 am. Potluck breakfast. Call
for dates/location. Rev. Overall 603-875-5822.
Please note that there will be no potluck supper in April due to the
normal date falling on Easter weekend.
Please join us for a Good Friday service at the church on Friday,
April 18, 2014. Watch for the time coming soon.
Please join us and spread the word about our Community Resource Fair
on Saturday, April 26, 2014 from 10 am-2 pm. There will be an
activities table for the kids. There will be lunch items available
for a nominal fee. Come find out what resources are available for
the citizens of Loudon and all the surrounding towns.
Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am. All are welcome to
join us as we worship the Lord!
[email protected]
Don’t Miss Your Last Chance To See Dearly Departed
At The Scenic Theatre In Pittsfield
Since you won’t be seeing Dick
Colman’s face much as Daddy Bud - we thought we’d give you a
preview...Dick plays Bud and Nella Hobson plays his wife, Raynelle
in The Pittsfield Players production of Dearly Departed - This is
your last weekend to enjoy it.
All your friends are talking about what a great time they had at The
Scenic Theatre last weekend and you don’t want to be left out of the
circle - you don’t have to! Get your tickets now and see for
yourself that, yes, Ross Morse of The Suncook Valley Sun and
Pittsfield Listens also carved out a little time to do some pretty
funny comedic acting as Ray-Bud. That your favorite attorney from
Alton, Cyndi Dame plays a pretty convincing knocked-up Nadine. Mike
Towle, usually associated with Asplundh now knows how to do selfies
at Daddy Bud’s funeral and Dick Colman, old man and TNT master has
a pretty convincing role as a dead guy.
Dearly Departed, directed by Meggin Dail and Jay
Sydow is at The Scenic Theatre, Home of The Pittsfield Players on 6
Depot Street, Pittsfield, NH . Tickets, $12, are available by
calling (603) 435-8852, or via the Pittsfield Players website
www.pittsfieldplayers.com or at the door
the nights of the shows, March 21, and 22 at 7:30 PM.
Community Connection Thursday March 20th
On Learning Studios
Join us for the Pittsfield Listens Community Connection on Thursday
March 20th, where community will join together to learn more about
Learning Studios and their successes/challenges at the Pittsfield
Middle High School. A teacher, community member and two students who
are involved in a Learning Studios will share their experiences,
followed by small group discussions to hear community questions and
feedback.
Learning Studios are project-based learning environments in which
pairs or groups of teachers and students from different content
areas work together to develop and implement semester-long or
yearlong project investigations. These can also include
collaborative partnerships between classroom teachers and local
professionals. This year subjects have included: Green Thumbs
Greenhouse; Preparing for a Successful College & Career Experience;
The What Ifs in History; and How Eastern Philosophy help us attain a
more balanced, tranquil life.
This event is intended for anyone in the community who is interested
to:
• Enjoy community, food and a night of learning;
• Share about your involvement/connection in a Learning Studio;
• Explore ways community members can further connect to support
Learning Studios;
• Learn about the ongoing redesign to Student Centered Learning at
PMHS.
No previous involvement or experience necessary!
Dinner is provided. Childcare available upon request. RSVP requested
to help plan for food. For more information or to RSVP, contact
Molly with Pittsfield Listens at email:
[email protected] or call
312-6980.
The Community Connection Series is a monthly meeting hosted by
Pittsfield Listens. Focuses have included open meetings, educational
sessions, community dialogues, guest speakers, and trainings. To
learn more, visit pittsfieldlistens.org.
Pittsfield Meet The Candidates Night
On Monday March 3rd, 2014 Pittsfield Listens, in collaboration with
The Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce, held Pittsfield’s Meet
the Candidates Night. In total, five candidates running for various
positions were in attendance (Gerard Leduc, Arthur “Art” Morse, Ross
Morse, James Conrad Allard, and Michael “Mike” Wolfe). Seven
candidates were unable to attend (James Theodore, Cindy Houle,
William Tahnk, Cedric Dustin III, John “Pat” Heffernan, Elizabeth A.
Hast and Roberta J. Maxfield). Pittsfield Listens provided volunteer
facilitators who supported small group discussions at four separate
tables.
This year, the Pittsfield Listens Youth Organizing & Action
Committee (Y.O.A.C.) hosted a youth table reserved for teenagers of
Pittsfield. Approximately 40 members of the community attended.
The evening started with candidate introductions, followed by small
group dialogues where facilitators asked community members-
including candidates- to introduce themselves and talk a little
about their experiences living in Pittsfield. The groups then
brainstormed priorities for Pittsfield. To read the summary of the
important issues identified by community members, go to
Pittsfieldlistens.org.
After the small group dialogue, community members were given several
opportunities to ask questions directly to the candidates. Small
groups met each candidate for about 10-15 minutes, where they were
able to answer questions and provide comments in a more intimate
setting. “Everyone had a chance to speak,” shared one participant
“We were made to feel comfortable to get to know the candidates,
each other, and to share different opinions about priorities for
Pittsfield.”
Participant feedback forms were distributed at the close of the
event. Of the 30 participants who completed the feedback forms, 28
people said they agree or strongly agree that “they became better
informed about the issues,” “learned new things from group members”
and that they “would attend next year’s Meet the Candidates Night.”
A special thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s Meet the
Candidates Night a great success! To name a few: the members of the
community who attended; the candidates running for various positions
who joined: Gerard Leduc, Art Morse, Ross Morse, James Allard and
Mike Wolfe; the facilitators of small group discussions: Kathy
Bleckmann, Louie Houle, Paula Martel and Zach Powers; Members of the
Pittsfield Listens Youth Organizing & Action Committee (Y.O.A.C.)
for hosting the first ever youth table reserved for teenagers of
Pittsfield; PMHS for sharing the space; and members of the Greater
Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce and Pittsfield Listens for hosting!
For questions on the Summary of Notes or for more
information about Pittsfield Listens, contact us! Email:
[email protected] Phone: 312-6980
Pittsfieldlistens.org
Pittsfield Candidates Night 2014 Summary of
Notes.pdf
Letter
Dear Pittsfield Voters,
Thank you for approving the six zoning amendments that the planning
board proposed for the town meeting ballot. The board worked very
hard to make the zoning ordinance serve the townspeople better by
being clear, by conforming to state law, by empowering voters with
an elected zoning board, and by eliminating downtown parking
regulations that no one can possibly meet.
Thank you to the all the candidates for stepping up to serve our
town, and congratulations to the winners.
Finally, thank you to the numerous people who stopped outside the
town hall to ask questions about the zoning amendments or simply to
chat. Your interest and support made the long day pass more quickly
and, as always, were much appreciated.
Jim Pritchard
Brad Sterl and Doug Troy, owner and manager of Rustic Crust recently
met with EDC to discuss future plans. EDC seeking tax relief for
their company. Others in attendance: Senator John Reagan, Select
Chair Larry Konopka, Helen Schiff and Steve Smith SVRDC and
Selectman Al Douglas.
Obituaries
Leonard L. “Sonny” Gould
Leonard L. “Sonny” Gould, age 80, of 231 Lake Huron Drive, Mulberry,
FL died March 11th, 2014 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.
Born in Colebrook, NH on Feb 27th, 1934 he was the son of Leonard
and Ethel (Eastman) Gould.
After serving two years in the US Army in Germany, Sonny became a
partner with his father-in-law on their dairy farm. He won several
awards during his 20 years as a successful farmer, including a cow
who set an all time state record for milk production in a single
year. In 1978, Sonny and his wife Jean built a new Agway store in
Gilford, NH which they operated together until selling the business
to their partner and son in 1986. Then, in semi-retirement, he
launched yet another successful business which became one of the
larger landscaping companies in central NH. Upon his full
retirement, Sonny and his wife Bettie enjoyed living in the warm
weather of Florida. Known for his hard work in any endeavor, in his
heart he was always a dairy farmer first.
Sonny was active in his community, serving many organizations
including the Congregational Church, FFA, Grange, Jaycees, 4H, town
planning and school boards, PTA, and NH state agriculture boards.
Mr Gould was predeceased in life by his first wife of 37 years, Jean
(Corbett) Gould; his sister, Alice (Gould) Crawford; and three
greatgrand children.
Family members include his wife of 20 years, Bettie (Farnham) Gould
of Mulberry; a daughter, Dawn (Gould) Brooks and her husband Ronald
of Gilmanton IW; a son, Jeffrey C. Gould and his wife Tracey of
Mulberry; a stepdaughter Tracy Remington of Concord; a stepson,
Richard Anthony and his wife Erica of Pittsfield; six grandchildren
and six step grandchildren; three greatgrandchildren and two step
greatgrandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Services: Calling hours are Friday March 28th from 57 pm at Jenkins
Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook. The funeral is Saturday March 29th
at 1pm at the Monadnock Congregational Church, Colebrook. Burial
will be in Colebrook Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
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