Pitsfield
Park-Rec
Final Sign-Ups
Pittsfield High School
at the Craft Fair
November 21
9:00AM-2:00PM
Grades-K through 8th
Any questions contact
Darrell Wages-603-812-6741.
Thank You To Citizens Of Pittsfield And The Globe Manufacturing
Company For the past few years the Josiah Carpenter Library has been
fortunate to receive annual donations from the Globe Manufacturing
Company, Inc. to fund its subscription to the New Hampshire
Downloadable Audio books. The library has been able to maintain
those services and for the last two years the numbers have been
increasing in usage by a big margin. It is clear that people enjoy
the e-book and audio book experience that the subscription offers.
These figures have been reflected in communities all over the state
of New Hampshire and so recently the consortium decided to try
adding magazines to the service. Lucky library card users can now
download up to three magazine titles each week. Pittsfield library
users can glean articles, recipes, holiday craft ideas all from
their favorite popular magazines. Also through a local donation the
library now has a NOOK for library users to explore and discover the
e-book and New Hampshire Overdrive experience. Downloading magazines
and e-books from the New Hampshire Downloadable site is easy; all
you need is a library card number and a device! If you have any
questions on how to create an account, just stop by the library or
give us a call. We look forward to expanding your reading options in
whatever way we can.
Do you have any very overdue library books
that you have not returned because you are afraid the fines will
break your bank? Please don’t worry, during the Thanksgiving week,
from November 23- November 30th, any books or materials returned to
the library will be automatically forgiven. To extend our feelings
of gratitude, the library will also be accepting donations to the
Pittsfield food pantry that week. Please help stamp at hunger this
Holiday season and consider donating a nonperishable food item or
two.
The Library is happy to welcome, Diane
Rider as a new Circulation Assistant. Please stop by to meet Diane
and say hello. Diane has volunteer experience in libraries and fits
right in with our library staff and patrons. She will be assisting
during the upcoming after school holiday craft programs on November
18 and 25h, as well as December 9 & 16th from 3:30- 4:30 pm.
The library is also very grateful for the volunteer service of
Rosalie Sweatt who has been helping the Children’s Librarian, Mrs.
Grainger, with craft preparations for Pre-school story hour and who
recently volunteered with the culinary activity at the “Not So Scary
Story” night. Mrs. Sweatt also assists with the after school
programs. The library is fortunate to have several volunteers help
with keeping the library shelves up to date, preparing for
activities and functions and supporting library staff. Thank you for
all your help. Happy Holidays!
Pittsfield 5th and 6th girls placed 2nd
behind Chichester, in the Halloween Soccer Jamboree, held in
Northwood on Saturday, October 31. Thank you coaches, Matt Rayno and
Mark Tobin! Congratulations girls!
VA Convenes Commission For The Selection
Of Next Under Secretary For Benefits
Submitted Via Merrill Vaughan
WASHINGTON – The Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) announced today he is convening a commission, which will serve
to make recommendations to the President for the appointment of VA’s
next Under Secretary for Benefits (USB).
Suitable candidates to serve as members of
the important commission will be selected based upon criteria
outlined in the law and their skills, knowledge and attributes as
leaders, managers and educators. VA is required by law to convene a
commission to seek the next Under Secretary for Benefits.
Position announcements will appear on
USAJOBS on Friday, November 6, 2015.
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) provides a variety of
benefits and services to Servicemembers, Veterans, and their
families. VBA has been undergoing a major transformation that is
people-centric, results-oriented, and a forward-looking integration
of solutions that will ensure total lifelong engagement with
Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families. To learn more please
go to http://www.benefits.va.gov
Keene State College Awards Dean’s
Scholarships
181 first-year students have been awarded
a Dean’s Scholarship this year.
Holly Donohue of Northwood
Kendra Danby of Gilmanton
Emma Donzello-Jewett of Chichester
Ryan Marquis of Pittsfield
Keene State College is a preeminent public liberal arts college that
ensures student access to world-class academic programs. Integrating
academics with real-world application and active community and civic
engagement, Keene State College prepares graduates to meet society’s
challenges by thinking critically, acting creatively, and serving
the greater good. To learn more about Keene State College, visit
www.keene.edu. Keene State College: Wisdom to make a difference.
Join The Club
Rolling Bones 4-H Dog Club
Informational Night for interested youth
and their parents:
When: Wednesday, December 30th, 6:30pm
Where: A Furry Affair Grooming Salon, 248
Sheep Davis Road, Suite 7, Concord, NH 03301
What: Join us to see if you are
interesting in joining our club! We will be discussing what we are
all about and what we do all year in our 4-H club. Please leave your
dog at home About Us: The Rolling Bones 4-H Dog club is a 4-H Club
open to members between the ages of 8 (as of January 1st) and 18.
Both purebred and mixed breed dogs are welcome to the club. Members
learn how to train and show their dogs. They also learn dog general
knowledge including dog care, grooming, first aid, breed
identification, career opportunities, and more!
Volunteer leaders meet with members twice
a month (2nd and 4th Wednesday nights 6-8pm) in the Concord, NH
area. In the Summer/Fall, 4-Hers are able to compete in many 4-H
fairs across the state and can qualify to compete in regional
events. We hold many special events throughout the year such as
fundraisers, a fun match, field trips, weekend clinics, public
relations events, Quiz Bowl practices, and more!
• For more information about the event or to RSVP email Danielle
Furness [email protected] OR
Sarah Gardner [email protected] • Visit
our club website for more information about our club
www.rollingbones4h.org • For
more information about 4-H go to: http://extension.unh.edu
Decorated Wreath Contest At The Pittsfield
Christmas Tree Lighting
Mark your calendars - Saturday, Dec. 5 from
4:00-6:00pm for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration
sponsored by the Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce - Everyone
is welcome to attend!
We will be having a DECORATED WREATH CONTEST again this year.
Everyone is invited to bring a decorated (anyway you’d like) wreath
to Dustin Park. The wreaths will be displayed inside PYW and
will be judged by the public. The winner will be announced at
6pm after the Tree Lighting and will receive a $50 CASH PRIZE.
Please drop your wreath off by 3:45pm at Dustin Park (PYW) and
please pick up your wreath by 6:15pm. Any wreaths that are not
picked up will be donate to local groups.
Get in the Holiday Spirit and show off your creativity and bring a
wreath. The contest is open to everyone! For more information,
contact Andi Riel at 435-6346 or visit the Chamber’s website
www.pittsfieldchamber.org.
VA And PenFed Foundation Work Together To Prevent Veteran
Homelessness
Commitment is Part of the VA’s Expanded Partnership
Efforts
Submitted Via Merrill Vaughan
WASHINGTON – The Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) is teaming up with the Pentagon Federal Credit
Union Foundation (PenFed Foundation) to strengthen efforts to
prevent Veteran homelessness. This new partnership will expand the
PenFed Foundation’s existing Military Heroes Fund Emergency
Assistance Program to include all Veterans. Previously, the
program was available only to Veterans of the Operation Iraqi
Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) conflicts.
Through this partnership, the PenFed
Foundation and VA will work together to provide emergency financial
assistance for Veterans who are experiencing unexpected financial
setbacks and are at risk of becoming homeless. The foundation will
be able to provide emergency financial assistance for Veterans in
need of one-time payments for back utilities, creditors, security
deposits, and rental deposits. To date, the PenFed Foundation’s
Military Heroes Fund has already provided more than $4 million in
assistance to Veterans.
As a part of the partnership, Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Homeless Program staff will connect Veterans who are facing
overdue or arrearage payments to the PenFed Foundation for emergency
financial assistance. This partnership and pledge embodies the
mission of MyVA, launched last year to reorient VA around the needs
of Veterans by collaborating with Veterans, employees, private
industry, nonprofits, and other stakeholders.
“VA’s new partnership with the PenFed Foundation will greatly
benefit Veterans who are facing overdue bills and are at risk for
homelessness,” said VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald. “As we
work with local communities throughout the Nation to help them end
Veteran homelessness, partnerships like these are critical to
ensuring we are doing everything possible to support Veterans who
may be facing financial hardship and are at risk of losing their
homes. Whether through their Military Heroes Fund or their support
of the Defenders Lodge, the PenFed Foundation has shown they are
dedicated to improving the lives of Veterans and we are proud to
call them a partner.”
We are absolutely right to hold up our
military service members as American heroes,” said PenFed Foundation
President and CEO James Schenck. “Anyone, who at one time or
another, wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of
America – for an amount of up to and including their own life has
paid their citizenship dues in full, as far as I’m concerned. It’s
up to the rest of us to ensure that when these heroes need heroes,
someone is there to answer the call.”
For more information about VA’s homeless initiatives, visit
http://www.va.gov/homeless/.
For more information about the PenFed Foundation’s programs
supporting Veterans, visit
http://www.pentagonfoundation.org/site/PageServer?pagename=heroes_index.
Exploring Class And Classism Workshop
Building Unity In Our Community
December 12, 2015, Pittsfield Middle High
School Media Center, 23 Oneida Street, Pittsfield, NH, 10am – 5pm,
Lunch provided
Register: www.classism.org/exploring-class-NH
Sponsored By Pittsfield Listens
In this interactive workshop, Class Action
supports safe space to engage on how exploring class can transform
our lives, our work and our communities.
What can we gain by talking about class?
•How class identities affect our lives, how we work and who we work
with •What are the invisible obstacles within our own communities
•How can we become more class inclusive (and why we should) •How can
we celebrate the differences from all class backgrounds to build
community This workshop is one of 4 workshops across New Hampshire.
Visit www.classism.org/exploring-class-NH/ to learn more. Sponsors
include the American Friends Service Committee, Investing in
Communities Initiative, NH Charitable Foundation, NH Listens, and
more!
Church Fair Takes Place Saturday
Many handcrafted quilted items will be for
sale at First Congregational’s Christmas Fair this Saturday from
9-2.
Ho, ho, ho… the Christmas Fair at the
First Congregational Church, 24 Main Street, Pittsfield, is
happening this coming Saturday, November 21, from 9 to 2. Sponsored
by the Dorcas Guild, this fair is the event you won’t want to miss.
The guild has been busy crafting all those
special festive gifts including mittens, hats, aprons, quilted
items, girls’ dresses and special gourmet and baked goods. Don’t
forget the “Unique Boutique” for outstanding values and the “Silent
Auction” for those special one-of-a-kind gifts.
Bring your friends and neighbors to shop
and stay for a great corn chowder and sandwich lunch with yummy pies
for dessert. Parking and wheelchair accessible entrance available at
rear of church – enter at Chestnut Street. For more info, call the
church office at 435-7471.
St. Stephens Announces Holly Fair 2015
St. Stephen’s Holly Fair is almost here. Doors open at 9 AM on
Saturday, November 21 and the shopping and bidding fun runs until 2
PM. You can preview the Silent Auction items and bid on them
from 4-7 PM on Friday evening. Great food, unique crafts
and treasures await.
The undercroft will be loaded with one of a kind holiday crafts and
gifts. There are baskets full of hand knitted mittens, baby sweaters
and blankets. Also, beautiful holiday placements, coasters, table
runners and pot holders. Craft items include one of a kind wreaths,
centerpieces and wall hangings. What could you use to decorate your
doors, porch, or yard? There are also many unique hand crafted birch
decorations including lighted stars, trees and reindeer. Start
your Christmas shopping here. You are sure to find something unique
for those hard to shop for people on your list.
A new feature this year is a free raffle for children only. A basket
filled with a dozen books about snow awaits a lucky youngster. With
assortments of hot cocoa mixes this prize will surely entertain on
one of those “snow days.” Be sure you enter all your children and
grandchildren for a chance to win this great item. Better yet,
bring them along so they can sign up themselves!
There will be lots of food. Come early for a breakfast treat or
enjoy the corn chowder, toasted meatball sandwiches and homemade
soups for lunch. Select a delicious dessert and shop at the
well stocked food table for a baked item or jams, pickles and relish
to take home or present as hostess gifts.
See you at St. Stephen’s Holly Fair, Saturday, November 21st from 9
AM until 2 PM, 50 Main Street, Pittsfield, NH. The Little
Church with the Big Heart.
NHTI Student Athletes Earn National Honors
The fall sports season has wrapped up for NHTI and the United States
Collegiate Athletic Conference. This week the USCAA honored Student
Athletes for performance and academics.
Shannon Hart (Swanzey, N.H.) earned Second
Team All-American in Women’s Soccer. Hart finished the season with
21 goals and eight assists. The 21 goals led the Yankee Small
College Conference and was tied for fourth in the USCAA. Shannon
also led the YSCC in points with 50.
Stefani Gauthier (Pittsfield, N.H.) earned
an honorable mention for All-American leading the YSCC in assists
with 10.
Carissa Archibald (Sanbornton, N.H.)
earned and honorable mention for All-American in volleyball.
Archibald led the Lynx, , ranking in the top five in the conference
in kills per set (2.13), total kills (136) and hitting percentage
(.186), helping to lead NHTI to the YSCC Championship and a trip to
USCAA Nationals.
Brendan McCoo (Pembroke, N.H.) earned
second team All-American for finishing 11th at the USCAA Nationals
in Lakeland Florida. McCoo was the top male runner in all but one
event this fall.
Kyle Haas (Alenstown, N.H.), and Lexi
Duclos (Epsom, N.H.), earned a spot on the All-Academic team for
having a grade point average higher than a 3.49 while playing
soccer.
Claire Bilick (Penacook, N.H.), Julia
Gleason (Merrimack, N.H.), Ryleigh Lorimer (Peterborough, N.H.), Tim
Kneuer (Laconia, N.H.), Kyle Sims (Franklin, N.H.) and Branden McCoo
earned the All-Academic honor for cross country.
Pittsfield Christmas Tree Lighting and Children’s Store Celebration
Save the Date, Saturday, Dec. 5 – the Greater Pittsfield Chamber of
Commerce will sponsor the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and
Children’s Store Celebration. Also a craft fair at the First
Congregational Church will be held.
On FRIDAY, DEC. 4, at 7:30pm – The Pittsfield Players Annual Free
Christmas Show, starring PMHS Drama & Chorus sponsored by the E.P.
Sanderson Trust, will be held at the Scenic Theatre.
The day begins with the Pittsfield Elementary School PTO sponsored
Breakfast with Santa. Breakfast will be served for $3.00 per
person between 8:00-9:30am in the PES Cafeteria. Photos with
Santa will be available for $1.00 each. This is a fundraising
event for the PTO. Then after a hearty breakfast kids can shop
at the Children’s Store at the PES Gym from 9:00-noon. The
Victory Workers 4-H Club will be hosting a Cookie Walk at PES during
the Children’s Store – parents will have an activity to keep them
busy while the kids shop.
Volunteer “elves” will assist shoppers up to age 16 in purchasing
gifts for their parents, siblings, teachers or friends. The
Store is open to CHILDREN ONLY – sorry, no adults allowed.
Most of the items are new or nearly new and can be purchased for
$1.00 or less. Some items are more expensive. There is
also free gift wrapping available.
Anyone interested in donating items(new or nearly new), Christmas
wrapping paper, GIFT BAGS (the wrappers love gift bags), tags or
tape may drop them off to the various donation boxes at Jitters
Café, Pittsfield Post Office, Pittsfield Town Hall or Northway Bank.
Monetary donations are gladly accepted to help defray some of the
costs associated with the event. Please make checks payable
to: Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce and mail to Greater
Chamber of Commerce, Attn: Children’s Store/Tree Lighting, P.O. Box
234, Pittsfield, NH 03263.
The celebration continues at DUSTIN PARK from 4-6pm (on Sat., Dec.
5) The Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration is fun for the whole
family and is a great community event. There will be FREE
horse drawn wagon rides, Holiday music by the Joyce Family, cookies,
cocoa, popcorn, and candy canes to enjoy. Inside PYW
(Pittsfield Youth Workshop) there will be a Gingerbread House
Display and raffle, face painting, visit with SANTA (who will arrive
via fire truck around 4pm), Free pictures with Santa and feel free
to bring your own camera. HOT chili, chowder, and soups will
be available for a donation of a canned or packaged food (or
purchased for a few dollars) to benefit our LOCAL FOOD PANTRY.
HOLIDAY STORY TIME from 4-4:30pm at the
Park St. Baptist Church basement (beside PYW) – on Sat, Dec. 5 – All
ages are welcome to come to the Library and enjoy some Holiday
stories with Mrs. Grainger.
Get in the Holiday Spirit and DECORATE A WREATH and enter it in the
Decorated Wreath Contest – decorate it anyway you’d like- drop it
off at PYW (Dustin Park) by 3:45pm (on Sat, Dec. 5) and the public
will vote for the best one! Winner will receive a $50 CASH
PRIZE.
A raffle for a (fresh) Christmas Tree will be held. Free -One
entry per person. The winner will be able to choose their tree
from the selection the Corinthian Lodge Masons will have available.
The Highlight of the Celebration will be everyone gathering around
the Christmas Tree, singing Holiday songs and counting down to the
Lighting of the TREE. The Blue Star Mothers group will be
there to assist anyone that would like to add a Star to the Tree.
For more information, please contact Andi Riel at 435-6346 or visit
www.pittsfieldchamber.org.
VA Secretary To Announce VA-Bob Woodruff
Foundation Partnership
Aim of Partnership is to Better Connect
Veterans with Resources Close to Home
Submitted Via Merrill Vaughan
WASHINGTON – Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Secretary Robert
A. McDonald this evening will announce a partnership with the Bob
Woodruff Foundation (BWF) to further advance VA’s outreach to
Veterans through deeper and more innovative local and community
partnerships. VA will capitalize on BWF’s strength and contacts to
find unique ways to connect Veterans, transitioning Servicemembers
and their families with resources right where they live. The
partnership with BWF is one of many strategic alliances VA is
forming and is an integral goal of the MyVA initiative, the largest
reorganization in VA’s history which reorients VA around the needs
of Veterans.
“We believe that by working together we
can create a ‘single front door,’ or a convenient community point of
entry, to help Veterans gain access to the benefits they have earned
in addition to the resources unique to their local communities,”
said Secretary McDonald. “This partnership creates a more robust
integration of federal, state and local governments, non-profit
organizations, businesses and other local partners at the community
level. By combining and sharing our efforts and expertise, I believe
this partnership can help us better serve our nation’s Veterans –
together.”
“Our nation’s transitioning
Servicemembers, Veterans and their families each have unique needs,
making the resources and services dedicated to overcoming their
challenges all the more necessary,” said BWF Executive Director Anne
Marie Dougherty. “We are excited by this opportunity to work in
partnership with VA to reach Veterans and their families where they
live and to deliver high-impact programs to support sustainable
success.”
The Bob Woodruff Foundation is a nonprofit
organization dedicated to ensuring injured Servicemembers, Veterans
and their families are thriving. Since 2006, BWF has invested nearly
$30 million in programs reaching more than 2 million injured
Servicemembers, Veterans and their families in three key areas:
Education and Employment, Rehabilitation and Recovery, and Quality
of Life.
For more information about the Foundation, visit
www.bobwoodrufffoundation.org.
For more information about VA including the MyVA initiative, visit
www.va.gov.
John Chinn, Mal Cameron, Cathy Williams,
Dave Pollard and Jared Griffin, “They saw the Light” Don’t get left
in the dark, this is your last chance to see The Pittsfield Players
present the musical comedy, “70, Girls, 70” before it goes away for
another 30 years... get your tickets now before we sell out, (603)
435-8852.
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