Please join us Thursday September 22 from 6 pm to 8 pm at Pittsfield
Elementary School for statewide Cub Scout sign ups. We are looking
for all boys, kindergarten and up, who are interested in joining the
adventure of scouting. If you have questions, feel free to contact
Nikki at [email protected] or at
731-7852.
Pittsfield Middle High School Awarded Division IV Sportsmanship
Banner
On Monday September 12, 2016 at the 70th Annual NHIAA Annual Meeting
held at the Concord Grappone Center, the Sportsmanship Committee and
the Executive Director of the NHIAA Jeffrey Collins presented the
Dean of Operations Derek Hamilton and the Director of Athletics Jay
Darrah with the Division IV Championship Sportsmanship Banner.
The NHIAA’s most prestigious award is given to the school who
receives the highest sportsmanship rating for the fall, winter and
spring athletic seasons.
Concord Regional VNA Announces October
Seasonal Flu Clinics Concord Regional VNA is holding seasonal flu
clinics in October. Specially-trained nurses administer seasonal flu
shots to people age 3 and over and answer your flu-related
questions.
The discounted cash or check charge is $30
per immunization. Clients who present an insurance card from
Medicare B, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, Harvard Pilgrim, or Anthem
do not need to pay a fee.
Wednesday, October 19, 4 - 6 p.m.
Epsom Public Library
1606 Dover Road, Epsom
Friday, October 21,
10 a.m. - Noon
Pittsfield Senior Center
74 Main Street, Pittsfield
Seasonal flu clinics are dependent upon the availability of the flu
vaccine and are subject to change. To confirm clinics and for a full
schedule, visit www.crvna.org
or call (603) 224-4093 or (800) 924-8620, ext. 5815.
On the pleasantly warm evening of July 13,
2016 a light breeze escorted family and friends to the wedding of
Renee Raymond and Art Morse. Mr. and Mrs. Morse thank the many well
wishers as they commence this exciting new adventure of their life
together.
Veterans Who Need Routine Audiology And
Optometry Appointments Will Soon Be Able To Directly Schedule
Initiative Gets Veterans Into Appointments Quicker
Submitted Via
Merrill Vaughan
WASHINGTON – Veterans receiving care at Department
of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Medical Centers will now be able to
schedule routine ear and eye appointments at local VA Audiology and
Optometry clinics without a primary care referral – a move that
eliminates multiple steps and gets Veterans into appointments
quicker.
Before now, Veterans seeking appointments
with audiologists or optometrists had to first make an appointment
with a primary care physician for a referral for a routine clinic
consult visit. A clinic representative would contact the patient to
set up the consult appointment, which could result in a several
weeks’-long lag between the appointment and when the Veteran was
actually seen. The new process, the Audiology and Optometry Direct
Scheduling Initiative, which began as a successful pilot at three
sites in 2015, is being expanded to all VA Medical Centers.
“The Audiology and Optometry Direct
Scheduling Initiative allows Veterans who need eye and ear care to
be seen sooner,” said VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald. “It also has
the benefit of freeing up primary care physicians so access to
primary care improves for other Veterans as well. This kind of
process improvement is exactly the type of innovation we expected
when we launched MyVA in 2014. In the end, we changed a VA process
by considering the needs of our Veterans, a change that allows for
more timely care and an improved Veteran experience.”
The Audiology and Optometry Direct
Scheduling Initiative is one of a number of efforts underway at VA
to improve Veterans’ access to care and wait times. Among those
recent accomplishments:
• VA and Choice contractors created more
than 3.1 million authorizations for Veterans to receive care in the
private sector from May 1, 2015 through Apr. 30, 2016. This
represents an 8-percent increase in authorizations when compared to
the same period in 2014/2015.
• In FY 2015, 12 percent of all Veterans
enrolled for VA care received telehealth-based care. This includes
more than 2 million telehealth visits touching 677,000 Veterans; 45
percent of these Veterans live in rural areas.
• In FY 2015, more than 6,300 Veterans
accessed VA care through live interactive video telehealth from
home.
• VA has activated over 3.9 million square
feet of space in the past two years.
• We’ve increased authorizations for care
in the community 46% in the past two years.
• Clinic production is up 10 percent as
measured by the same productivity standard used by many
private-sector healthcare systems. This increase translates into
roughly 20 million additional hours of care for Veterans.
• As we improve access to care, more and
more Veterans are choosing VA care — for the quality, for the
convenience, or for the cost-savings so even though we’re completing
millions more appointments, we continue to have more work to do.
• VA has increased salaries for physicians
and dentists to close the pay gap with the private sector and to
make VA an employer of choice. With more competitive salaries, VA
will be better positioned to retain and hire more health care
providers to care for Veterans.
“We want our Veterans and those who care for them to know that we
are doing everything that we can to improve their experience with VA
and to provide the care our Veterans deserve in a thoughtful and
timely way,” said VA Under Secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin.“We have
made progress, but know there is more work to be done. This
Audiology and Optometry Direct Scheduling Initiative is one of many
initiatives underway to improve Veterans access to care.”
The Audiology and Optometry Direct
Scheduling Initiative is expected to be fully operational within all
VA Medical Centers by the end of 2016.
Selectman’s Overview
Submitted By Carl Anderson
Select Board meeting 9/6/16
This will be an abbreviated version of the
9/6 meeting as I was still away and have taken the highlights from
the minutes for publication.
Last night, 9/13, there was a two minute
meeting solely for the purpose of appointing 3 members to the
Welfare Fair Hearing Board.
Due to Primary elections, there was no
full BOS meeting.
Dept. reviews- George Batchelder has
indicated it is pretty much out of the question to do any paving re:
Safe Routes To School this year, due to circumstances beyond our
control. Given the excellent bid, we would like to take advantage by
using it to do some other roads in desperate need of paving.
Police Dept. reported no major incidents
for Balloon Rally weekend. National Night out was a success with
every police officer attending. 300 slices of pizza and 500 hot dogs
were given out. The Dodge Charger has been to the mechanic a couple
of times and there is a factory recall which it will be assessed
for. Officer Clark has been accepted in the Drug Expert
Certification Program and will be certified following the practical
portion of the program which takes place in Arizona. The Dept. is
participating in the national “See Something, Say Something”
campaign, and encourages the public to report concerns, as does the
Board of Selectmen.
The Board accepted Sergeant Rick Walter’s
retirement effective 10/01/16, and thanked him for his service to
Pittsfield over the last 17 years. Rick is going on to a new
profession.
Fire Dept.- Two new doors for the
firehouse were approved- the old ones are in tough shape and long
overdue for replacement. The Dept. is having a study done by PSNH to
try to bring down the cost of electricity there.
A taxpayer concern over a portion of Shaw
Rd. was discussed. George Batchelder addressed the subject and
explained that since Shaw Rd. was designated a “scenic road” his
hands have been tied in many respects, and repair costs will be
increased. Without having the money in the budget for such a job, it
will probably have to wait.
The Budget Committee asked if there could
be a joint hearing with the Board of Selectmen for Dept. Head
presentations in the interests of streamlining the budget process
and to have clear communication. In order to provide enough room,
this meeting will take place at the school at the end of Oct. Mary
Thorpe was appointed Budget Committee rep. to the BCEP.
The Town closed on the industrial building
on Fayette St. which includes the parking lot at the corner of
Bridge St., the vacant lot adjacent to Bell Bros. laundromat as well
as the parking lot on Franklin St. Firm plans for the use of these
properties by the new owner are yet to be determined, but we are
confident that, all things considered, the town is far better off
with this real estate in private hands, and back on the tax roll at
full value.
Once again, this information has been
taken from the draft minutes by me and I assume they are, as usual,
accurate minutes.
The “Big Dig” on Depot Street at The
Scenic Theater will bring a 6” water pipe into the theater to feed
The Pittsfield Players’ new sprinkler system. While the dig is
underway, the Players are taking the opportunity to fix the floor in
the interior lobby, put a foundation under the doors, and fix the
sidewalk. Once these projects are completed, the front façade and
doors will be rebuilt and renovated. Our thanks to Jimmy Locke and
Northeast Earth Mechanics for the dig project, and everyone who
contributed to the Sprinkler Fund project. Stay tuned for more
updates!
Letter To The Editor
Stolen Bike(s)
I just wanted to vent some of my
frustrations in hopes that the person(s) who stole my 12 year old
nephew’s bikes is/are reading this.
Whether you are an adult or teenager, what
you have done is WRONG. You have violated my family. You walked onto
their property that you had zero right being on. This is called
trespassing, something you clearly were not taught or do not
understand. You not only stole one, but two bikes. Those bikes
belong to my innocent 12 year old nephew.
One had just been a gift for Christmas
from his grandparents and he probably rode it a handful of times.
The other had been his brother’s and was passed down to him. Thanks
to a good citizen, the older bike was recovered after it was thrown
into some bushes downtown. The other is still missing.
We would offer a reward to get the bike
back and have you hopefully be arrested, but we are now focused on
getting a new bike.
I feel sorry for you. Sorry that you have
no conscience in what you do to others. Sorry that you feel you can
take whatever you want from others and not have to work for it.
Sorry that you probably have no license and needed his bikes for
rides downtown.
It is people like you who give Pittsfield as a town a bad name.
Hopefully someday you will grow up and take care of yourself and not
have to steal from others. No one owes you anything, especially an
innocent child. Every time that you get on that red and silver
Mongoose mountain bike I hope that you think of my innocent 12 year
old nephew who now has zero trust for people and is without his
bike.
If you have any type of conscience you
know where you took this bike. Return it. Parents, if your
child/teenager has been home in the past two weeks with a brand new
red and silver Mongoose mountain bike, please ask questions. PLEASE,
if anyone finds this bike, contact the Pittsfield Police Department.
Thanks,
Jamie Thoroughgood
The Sanctuary Bodyworks And Sauna, A
Sanctuary Indeed!
There’s a rich oasis in Pittsfield tucked
into Locke’s Location. That’s right! Located next to Northeast EARTH
Mechanics off Barnstead Road. Don’t let the heavy equipment and
construction workers deter you because Sanctuary lives up to its
name; as soon as you enter its doors, you are transported from the
hustle and bustle of Route 28 and into the serene settings of a
soothing day spa.
Owners Nathalie Snyder, LMT and Jan Lesieur, LE, Somatic
Experiencing, Reiki II Practitioner along with Kelly Chace, LMT,
Herbalist, Aromatherapist and Dr. Liz Kennedy, Chiropractor, are
Sanctuary’s components encompassing massage, skin care, spinal
health, nutrition, and so much more. Every fourth Monday of the
month one of Sanctuary’s team members holds a free talk, open to the
public, on ways of improving your health, life and well-being. This
is part of their commitment to our community by providing the
education and tools to enlighten each client concerning the
immutable Laws of Nature. What are they exactly? Do you know? They
believe having the knowledge of the Laws of Nature are integral to
experiencing vibrant health. Like a diamond or anything in Nature,
many faucets exist to optimal health and wellness. Each aspect,
vitally important in influencing homeostasis/balance in the entire
organism/structure. It’s well documented that the toxins
generated by living a stressful life lead to the deterioration of
health. Foremost, one must know where one is on the map to health.
Once one has the wisdom, you never lose it. It will inform every
choice. Empowerment is what the Sanctuary is all about. If you’re
searching for stress relief; Sanctuary can provide an outlet. “We’re
about finding sanity in the chaos that is our daily lives,” says
co-owner, Jan Lesieur. Jan provides mindfulness opportunities
through deep relaxation through her facials and pedicures. Her
extensive training in Somatic Experiencing and Reiki supports her
ability to access your nervous system and how it is influencing your
total health.
If you’ve finally decided you are sick and
tired of being sick and tired, Dr. Liz Kennedy wants you to know
“YOU ARE NOT ALONE!” Most folks don’t know how to work with the
“design” of their body which causes untold suffering. We simply
haven’t been taught! We’re all born to be well! It’s our birthright!
She wants to empower you to regain control over your health and live
the life that you’ve imagined. Let her show you how good life can
be.
As far as Therapeutic Massage, The
Sanctuary offers everything that one would expect in a “big” city
spa. From Couples Massage, Hot Stone, Deep Tissue, Pregnancy, or
nourishing Relaxation Massage. Kelly Chace specializes in Massage
Cupping and her signature treatments are designed to provide much
relief for tired, injured and painful muscles. Nathalie Snyder,
co-owner, is well known for her Ashiatsu Massage (Eastern Massage
technique where the therapist massages with her feet while her
weight is supported by ceiling bars). Nathalie is also recognized
for her talent in Neck and Shoulder Release Massage. Both Kelly and
Nathalie are highly skilled in helping their clients to achieve
relief from painful knots in neck, shoulders, back and limbs.
And then, if that wasn’t enough, The
Sanctuary offers Infrared Sauna Therapy! A beautiful room is
dedicated to feature their Sunlighten Sauna. The benefits of regular
sauna therapy are vast and space here is limited, to highlight a few
Detoxification, Weight Loss, Hearth Health, Pain Relief and
Anti-Aging. Many of their clients include regular Sauna Therapy
sessions to enhance the benefits of their treatments. It’s easy to
make a spa date for pampering yourself and your loved ones here at
The Sanctuary.
The team at the Sanctuary is passionately
committed to providing you the very best experience uniquely suited
to your individual needs.
If you’re finally ready to start treating yourself the way you
should, by paying attention to what your body is already telling
you, it’s time for you to make an appointment at The Sanctuary
Bodyworks and Sauna. Please contact through their website
www.thesanctuarybodyworksandsauna.abmp.com , Facebook or by
calling 603-731-3855.
Obituaries
Lucas W. Mannion
PITTSFIELD- Lucas Wayne Mannion, age 29,
died peacefully at Rose Meadow Garden in New Boston surrounded by
his loving family on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 from complications
from a traumatic brain injury on September 5, 2005.
Born in Concord, Lucas was the son of Hope (Martin) Mannion of
Pittsfield and the late Dennis G. Mannion, who passed away in 2014.
Luke was raised and educated in Pittsfield, where he had been a
lifelong resident until his injury. Lucas was subsequently cared for
by Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center and finally Rose Meadow
Garden in 2015.
Lucas enjoyed soccer and snowboarding. He was greatly loved by
many and will be lovingly remembered by his countless friends and
family members.
In addition to his mother, Lucas is survived by two sisters: Amy
Hargrove and her husband George of Lowell, MA and Shyla Mannion of
Pittsfield. He is also survived by his aunts and uncles, Mary
and Perry Boyd, Richard Mannion, David Mannion and his wife Maureen,
Roseanne Mannion, widow of Paul Mannion, Raymond Mannion, Marlene
Wright, Richard Martin, Bonnie Jarczyk, and Sam Hagedorn; nieces
Amanda, Talia and Cassidy and nephews Devin and Robert along with a
great nephew, Jason. In addition to his father, Lucas was
predeceased by his brother, John Patrick Mannion.
To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit
www.stilloaks.com.
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