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Pittsfield NH News

October 17, 2018

The Suncook Valley Sun News Archive is Maintained by Modern Concepts. We are NOT affliated in any way with the Suncook Valley Sun Newspaper.



    

REMINDER

Please Join Our

Masonic Open House

Corinthian Lodge #82

Free & Accepted Masons

Saturday, October 20

9:00 – 3:00

5 Park Street, Pittsfield

 

Have you ever wanted to know about Freemasonry or had a family member who was part of the fraternity?  Come and visit us to learn more – all are welcome!

 


 

NH Senate and House of Representatives Candidates Forum

Epsom Public Library

Sunday, October 28th 2:00pm

 

Do you live in Allenstown, Epsom or Pittsfield?  Are you concerned about our roads, schools and taxes? Come and talk with your NH Senate and House Representative candidates.  The decisions they’ll make will impact all of us every day!  The candidates forum is sponsored by the Friends of the Epsom Public Library and the Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce.

 


 

Don't miss the 2018 NH Opera Idol Competition presented by Piccola Opera and Opera New Hampshire. Be a part of the excitement and watch emerging professional singers compete for $7,000 in cash and prizes. This is your chance to see the "opera stars of tomorrow" perform some of opera's most beloved arias. The grand finals concert will be presented at the Concord City Auditorium at 7:00pm on Saturday, October 20th. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at piccolaopera.net or operanh.org.

 


 

Cattle deserve a blessing

Submitted By Carole Soule

Pittsfield MS Eleanor1_InPixio2 copy.jpg

Leanor, a Sicilian donkey from Miles Smith Farm meets Thea at St. Paul School.

 

Pittsfield MS Photobomb1_InPixio copy.jpg

Rev Richard Greenleaf blesses donkey, Eleanor, as Ryder, a Scottish Highlander yearling, gets in the picture.

 

Pittsfield MS Ryder2_InPixio copy.jpg

Ryder, a yearling Scottish Highlander heifer from Miles Smith Farm-held by student Celia, is blessed by the Rev. Richard Greenleaf at St. Paul's School.

 

Pittsfield MS St paul_InPixio copy.jpg

Ryder, the Scottish Highlander yearling heifer, stands with Mary Bartwell in front of a statue of St. Paul outside the school chapel.

 

The blast of bagpipes cut through the morning mist in front of the 1840s St. Paul School Chapel as Ryder, a yearling calf, waited to be blessed as part of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. This was the sixth year that Miles Smith Farm critters have been blessed by the priests at St. Paul's School in Concord.

 

Raised as a Christian Scientist, today I don't subscribe to any specific religion, but I do enjoy the sacred music of Christianity whether sung or played by a bagpiper. For me, “Amazing Grace” seemed especially apt that morning through the coincidence of a Scottish instrument serenading my shaggy Scottish Highlander calf.

 

But St. Francis was Italian. Born in the 12th century, he became the Christian Church's patron saint of animals and the environment. Each October animals are blessed in his name at St. Paul's School (and elsewhere).

 

Even though I'm not Episcopalian, I feel that cattle deserve to be blessed. They have made human existence so much more viable. For centuries they pulled plows so that we could plant crops. They produce the perfect fertilizer (in abundance!) to nourish those crops. They replicate themselves by giving birth to calves, and they supply protein to sustain human life.

 

But cattle do more than provide meat and milk. Did you know that they also yield raw material for other products? Hooves and horns are used in wallpaper and shampoo; bones are used to create glass and charcoal; hair is used in brushes and air filters; skin is used in gelatin, emery boards and medicines; fat is used in chewing gum, candles, ceramics, chalk and deodorant; and milk is in cosmetics and adhesives. The list of products is long and includes vitamins, crayons, and matches. Yes, instead of cursing the darkness, you can light a match – and thank a cow!

 

Because cattle make our lives better, both in life and death, I take every opportunity to honor my livestock. Every year I take at least one cow to be blessed at St. Paul's. Happily, cows don't have the capacity to contemplate mortality or ruminate over the meaning of life. But I know that each day of their lives is precious, and we try to treat them accordingly. 

 

Carole Soule is co-owner of Miles Smith Farm, in Loudon, NH. She can be reached at [email protected].

 


 

Letter To The Editor

Select Board Meeting 10/9/18

 

Dale Frizzell was appointed to the Community Development Committee.  

 

We went over the 2019 budget proposals for the library, emergency management, housing standards, conservation, elections and registrations, financial administration and welfare.  All are coming in very close to level funded so maybe a little tweaking, but I don’t see any huge battles at this point. These departments have all been operating (and getting the job done) with minimal funding already.

 

A few things for residents to be aware of:

Sewer lines are being checked October 16 and 17 using “smoke testing.”  If you see or smell smoke, check it out, but it could be the sink or the stink pipe.  The town website has more information.

 

First Impressions Forum will be held at the PMHS media center October 17 from 6 to 9 PM.  Join us to hear from Tilton and their thoughts and suggestions of what others think of Pittsfield. Could be interesting.

 

Housing Standards is looking for a member who is not a town employee or elected official and who DOES own rental property.  Call HSA at 435-6773 ext. 21.

 

Doesn’t sound like we did much, but we managed to stay busy until almost 10:30 PM.

 

Carl Anderson

 


 

Public School Funding Position Statements

 

Candidates for NH Senate District 17 (Allenstown, Chichester, Epsom, Loudon , Pembroke, Pittsfield, Strafford, Deerfield, Northwood, Nottingham, Raymond)

 

Senator John Reagan (Republican) and candidate Chris Roundy (Democrat) have submitted the following statements in response to questions from a group of Pittsfield citizens concerned about statewide funding for public education.  Both Senator Reagan and Chris Roundy provided additional information, which is posted on the Facebook page Suncook Valley Supports Equity in Education.

 


 

Letter

 

I would suggest the wrong question is being asked. The correct question: How do we provide the best possible education for our children and for each child? How do we best afford this education?

 

Your first question concerns the adequacy payment amount from the statewide education property tax. I am introducing a bill to increase the adequacy amount $9,000 for every NH child attending a NH public school. (The current amount is about $3,600.)

 

Secondly you ask how tax rates can be "fair" and equal. This is the veiled attempt to create an income tax and greatly expand the size, scope and functions of government. While it is an appealing idea to equalize and treat everyone fairly we know it is impossible to control local spending. Local control decides how much each community devotes to whatever are their priorities. 

 

The proposed adequacy amount gives each classroom of 20 students $180,000.00 to spend on that group of twenty students. When a community adds to that level of spending they are controlling their own tax rates.

 

Third, when the stabilization reduction bill was proposed it was an immediate return to zero dollars. The compromise was the 25 year phase in of the reductions. This is a 4% reduction each year, not of the school budget but of the smaller portion of the stabilization amount.

 

Fourth and last is an idea to change the state constitution. Perhaps instead we should be looking at the way we teach our children and how we can better prepare our students 

 

My vision for education is allowing many different places and methods adapting to each individual child. Encouraging competition will see many providers with parents deciding who can best prepare their children. Organized teacher, and especially administrators organizations will oppose competition. I wonder why.

 

Senator John Reagan

Chair of Senate Education Committee

 


 

Letter

 

To make sure that New Hampshire updates its adequacy grants to realistic levels, we must stop the planned cuts and establish an accurate statewide cost of educating a student.  We know it's more than $3,636.

 

To make school property tax rates fair and equal across the state, the first step is to re-establish the Building Aid fund and use it to incentivise regionalization of our smaller school districts.   Next would be to create a fund to reimburse towns under a certain "equalized property valuation" level for the income they lose for property that's been placed in current use. The state needs to reimburse those towns for some portion of the lost revenue.

 

I would fight against any cuts to stabilization aid and at a minimum restore any prior cuts.

 

Instead of a Constituional amendment on school funding, I'd prefer to see a whole cloth rework of the property tax system in which the state collected 100% of the revenue that would go towards schooling and then distribute it back to the SAUs on a $ per student basis.  There would obviously need to be some flexibility built-in for special education costs.  Education needs to be a state-wide concern.  The quality of a student's education should not vary dramatically from town to town and the endless cycle of significant property tax increases that some towns have been forced into most stop. 

 

Chris Roundy

 


 

Letter To The Editor

Public School Funding Position Statement

 

I believe that the first task is to get the legislature to acknowledge the “Claremont Decision” and recognize that the state has a responsibility to fund education in the 21st century. This is not a universally held view under the state house dome. I personally believe the state is in contempt of court on this issue and should be held to account. With current budget surpluses adequate funding models can be achieved and implemented without harm to the rest of the state budget. I will make it my mission to tell the house and senate that the views that our state constitution does not involve education is misguided, unrealistic and antiqued. A well-educated workforce is the key to the future of our state. Educational disparities based on finding cannot be allowed to restrict the development of young people from whatever town, city or village they happen to inhabit. I believe we must consider new models for NH schools. We need to look to consolidating high schools to get the most bang for the dollars invested and other partnerships that combine our strengths and minimize our deficiencies. But the first thing is to accept responsibility on a state level.

 

Sincerely,

J. C. Allard

 


 

Letter To The Editor

Public School Funding Position Statement

 

There's currently a legislative “committee to study education funding and the cost of an opportunity for an adequate education” working on this issue, and I know that the Governor's budget plan is being developed now. When the budget or a bill is complete, I will read it, do my best to understand the details and vote appropriately.

 

If I return as a committee chair, I will be obliged to vote for the final budget, but I'm free to vote on critical amendments,

 

I would seriously consider a bill to have the state take responsibility for all special education, including paying for it. Otherwise, I don't believe school taxes should be equal across the state. Towns have the authority to control development and minimize (or maximize) their taxable base; schools have the ability to add or subtract expense items that are optional in terms of education. Without these powers, state funding to flatten tax rates is inappropriate.

 

As an immediate measure, would you support a moratorium on cuts to stabilization aid?  Would you support restoring the amount that has been cut since 2015?

 

No. Stabilization was never intended to be a permanent supplement to adequacy aid, which is based on student population and additional factors that affect how difficult it is to teach them (not speaking English, qualifying for free or reduced price meals, success at reading, and I believe special ed.) That's the calculation that needs to be revised.

 

Without the legal language, a constitutional amendment on school funding should say that the primary responsibility for education funding is with the community, and the state has full authority to supplement as it sees fit. I would expect that property poor towns would receive the bulk of the funding, and am not opposed to including that in the amendment.

 

Carol McGuire

 


 

Donna Ward Read Our Plea Last Week

Pittsfield Donna Ward.jpg

Two weeks ago, the Pittsfield Historical Society advertised that it was receptive to receiving new items, large or small, to include in our new Society Museum to be built next spring. One tremendous result came from Donna Ward of Exit Reward Realty. She had in her possession the old book shelves from the Carpenter Library and is donating them to the Society. They are perfect for our archives room and will hold our many books on Pittsfield: scrapbooks, year books, school books, books by Pittsfield authors, town reports, school reports, directories, genealogies, biographies and newspapers. 

 

She also has donated three large desks, an early metal sign with the word “Pittsfield” emblazoned on it, a set of seats from the Scenic Theater, and an early picture of a baseball team. Thank you so much, Donna. Hopefully this will stimulate others to do the same.

 


 

Sponsors Needed For Camelot

 

Kentek Corporation and Martha and Richard Moloy are sponsoring the Pittsfield Players' presentation of CAMELOT at the Scenic Theater on November 9, 10, 11, 16, and 17 and the Players are grateful to them for their backing of the show. 

 

However, more sponsors are needed to help defray the costs of rental of swords for the knights as well as the training by the Fight Choreographer, J. D. Lariat, both of which come to an extra $1000 in costs to stage the show. 

 

Any corporation or person who would like to be a sponsor will receive an ad in the program, free tickets to the show, and special mention at all five performances. 

 

Anyone interested in being a sponsor may contact Director Maye Hart at [email protected].

 


 

CAMELOT -Then And Now

Submitted By Maggie Faneuf

 

CAMELOT, the magical home of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, is coming once again to Pittsfield when the Pittsfield Players present the beloved Lerner and Loewe musical on November 9, 10, and 11, as well as the following weekend, November 16 and 17 at the Scenic Theater. 

 

According to mythology, King Arthur founded the kingdom of Camelot and his knights to fight for justice and right, only to see his ideal crumble when his wife, Guenevere, falls in love with Arthur's favorite knight, Sir Lancelot. 

 

Director Maye Hart says she chose this musical because "it's a classic story of good vs. evil, might vs. right, and what can happen when individual desires destroy the collective good, and I think we all need to be reminded of that every now and then." 

 

She also felt that it would be a perfect wrap-up to the Players' 50th year celebration since "we're reprising a show we've done before. Plus, it has a strong musical score and story."

 

Pittsfield Players Lena.jpg

The Players first presented the show in 1988, and Lena Luongo, who played Morgan LeFay then, says she was "thrilled" to be cast in the same role again. "It's a small fun role, because Morgan is mysterious, magical, and mystical." Comparing the two productions, Lena noted that in 1988 she was much less experienced and just starting out, whereas now she has much more confidence after working with the Players for several years.

 

Pittsfield Players Mal.jpg

Although Mal Cameron, who's been a Players member since 1973, is not in the current production, he vividly remembers his role as Pellinore back then. Working on the path to becoming a director, he was Assistant Director to Dennis Bunnell, when, unfortunately, the original Pellinore had to back out of the show for personal reasons. 

 

Consequently, Dennis put Mal into the role with only a month to learn the part. Although as Pellinore he had to deal with Horrid, the dog, and make sure he didn't "misbehave," Mal liked the part because "he didn't have to sing any songs" and he enjoyed the comedic role.

 

Pittsfield Players Ross.jpg

In the current production, Ross Morse plays Pellinore, (or "Pelly," as he is often called by Arthur), a comical, much-loved permanent guest of Arthur and Guenevere who is most famous for his endless hunt of the Questing Beast which he is tracking when Arthur first meets him. Ross says he is enjoying the role because Pellinore is likeable and jovial, though sometimes misunderstood by people because of his sacrifice to the "Family Tradition" of chasing the beast.

 

Tickets are now on sale and may be obtained by visiting the Players' website, www.pittsfieldplayers.com and clicking on Buy Tickets, or by calling 435-8852 for reservations.

 


 

Open Invitation

 

The Suncook Valley Rotary Club cordially invites the area residents to our meeting at Dominick's  Restaurant on Wednesday, October 24, 2018. Dinner is served at 6:00 p.m. and our guest speaker for the evening will be Mr. Larry Berkson at 7:00 p.m. People can come for dinner or to hear the speaker or both.

 

Mr. Berkson will be speaking on the Historical Society's plans for a new museum and headquarters building. The new building will be located on the old Washington House lot on Main Street. 

 

Please join our club for an informative evening.

 


 

41.1%

Submitted By John Freeman, Pittsfield Superintendent of Schools

 

When our high school students completed our most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey in the early spring of 2017, 41.1% said YES to the question Have you ever used an electronic vapor product?

 

In the same survey, 27.2% of our high school students said YES to the question, "During the past 30 days, how many days did you use an electronic vapor product?"

 

What are these products? Known by many names, including e-cigarettes, vapes, and by a commercial name Juul, electronic vapor products provide the user with an aerosol that may deliver nicotine (which is highly addictive) or THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana (which is as addictive as alcohol).  

 

Both of these substances are especially harmful to normal adolescent brain development, which continues into their early 20’s. Not surprisingly, vaping also may harm the user’s lungs.

 

The Centers for Disease Control warn us that “some e-cigarettes are made to look like regular cigarettes, cigars, or pipes.  Some resemble pens, USB sticks, and other everyday items.” So they can be very challenging to identify.  Use can be difficult to detect, as the usual odors associated with burning tobacco or cannabis are not present.

 

In addition to the health risks, use of an electronic vapor product is not permitted in our Pittsfield schools or on school grounds, including Drake Field.  And, yes, a number of students have violated this ban in the new school year and have received school suspensions as a result.

 

To learn more about the risks that our Pittsfield high schoolers are taking and to learn more about electronic vapor product use, you are invited to two special events, organized by Stand Up, Pittsfield! and PMHS Health Educator James Cobern:

 

• Youth Risk Behavior Survey – presentation of most recent survey of our high school students

o 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 24, PMHS Media Center

• Vaping Info Meeting and Forum – presented in collaboration with Breathe NH

o 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 27, PMHS Lecture Hall

 

For our middle high school students, we’ll be hosting presentations by Merrimack County Juvenile Services over the next few weeks.  So, parents, be sure to ask your students what they learn in the upcoming presentations.

 


 

In Memory Of Cleon V. Riel Sr.

 

To everyone who has supported us following the death of Cleon V. Riel, Sr:

 

We would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation. Your many acts of kindness and sympathy continue to be a great comfort to us in our time of sorrow. We especially wish to thank the Still Oaks Funeral & Memorial Home, Matthew and Katie Roan showed us such compassion and support throughout this very difficult time.

 

The family of Cleon V. Riel, Sr.

 


 

Friends Of The Josiah Carpenter Library Taking Poinsettia Orders

 

The Friends of the Josiah Carpenter Library annual poinsettia sale offers red, white, or marble poinsettia plants for gift giving or display purposes.  Plants may be ordered by using the form found on the library web site, by coming into the library, or by purchasing at Election Day in Town Hall. 

 

The plants, grown by Ledgeview Greenhouses in Loudon, NH, may be ordered through Wednesday, November 6th, 2018. The plants will be available for pick up at the Josiah Carpenter Library, 41 Main St., beginning on Wednesday, December 5, 2018. 

 

Plants are available in three colors and in four different sizes; 6.5 inch pot with 1 plant for $11.00; 7.5 inch pot with two plants for $17.50;  8.5 inch pot with 3 plant for $20.25 and 10 inch pot with 4 plants for  $25.00, please call the library at 435-8406.

 


 

Election Day Raffle

 

The Friends of the Josiah Carpenter Library are sponsoring a raffle whose items have been generously donated by fourteen local businesses. The prizes include a unique hand-made decorative item that reflects the basket’s Thanksgiving theme. The basket will also include $40.00 dollars of scratch off tickets sponsored by the Friends group. Chances to win this valuable basket will be available at the library and at Town Hall on Election Day, November 6, 2018.  Prices of the tickets are one for $1.00 and six for $5.00. The winner will be drawn on Wednesday, November 7th, 2018 and the winner notified by phone. 

 

Our thanks to the following local businesses for the donated prizes; Bell Brothers, Cindy’s Hair Salon, Danis Market, Dunkin' Donuts, Granite State Motors, Jack’s Pizza, Local NH Products, Main St. Grill, Paul Provencal Auto Services, Ping Garden, Pittsfield Family Dental Center, Professional Physical Therapy, Sanctuary Spa, and Sanel’s Auto Parts. The Friends Raffle Committee welcomes any other local business that they may not have been contacted to call the library at 435-8406 if they wish to add a prize to this special basket. 

 

Thank you to the local business community for their support of the Friends of the Josiah Carpenter Library.

 


Obituaries


 

Robert “Bob”  A. Hardy

Pittsfield Hardy obit.jpg

Bob Hardy, of Concord NH (83) born in Rochester, NH on December 3, 1934, passed away on October 9, 2018 after a long battle with COPD. He was predeceased by his mother, Yvonne (Boudreau) Flanders, his father, Edmund Hardy, his brother Edgar Hardy, and niece Debra Hardy.

 

Bob graduated from Spaulding High School in Rochester and soon thereafter joined the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division where he served two years. 

 

Bob was a hard worker and devoted 24 years to the A&P grocery chain, starting as a bag boy and eventually becoming a manager. He later owned his own grocery store in Pittsfield, NH. After retirement, he worked as a toll booth attendant for the State of NH for 10 years.

 

Bob is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Margaret, and three children: Veronica Hardy of Henniker NH; son Mark Hardy and his wife Diane of Nottingham, NH; and son Keith Hardy and his wife Tammy of N. Myrtle Beach, SC. He also leaves behind his granddaughters, Ashley Hardy of Boston, MA, Meg Johnston of Henniker NH, Caitlin Joyce of N. Myrtle Beach, SC and grandson, Matthew Hardy of Phoenix, AZ. He is also survived by his brother, Joseph Hardy and his wife Gemma of Barrington NH, as well as nieces and nephews. 

 

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, October 16 at the N.H. Veterans’ Cemetary in Boscawen NH. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Concord Regional Visiting Nurses’ Association.

 


 

Doris Y. Bedell

 

Doris Y. Bedell, 76 of Pittsburg, died at her home peacefully, surrounded by her loving family.

 

She was born in Pittsfield, February 20, 1942, the daughter of Edward J. and Yvonne (Champagne) Cameron. She was the Co-Proprietor of the Spruce Cone Cabins and Camground with her husband of many years, Gary C. Bedell.

 

Doris enjoyed cooking, traveling, and especially helping people. She was always a woman of strength and compassion.

 

She is survived by her husband Gary; three daughters, Dawn Foss, Heidi Smith, Penny Bedell, and her son Gary S. Bedell; ten grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren who are blessed beyond measure to have had her. She was pre-deaceased by two sisters, Dorothy Leduc and Teresa Silva; four brothers, Dean, Donald, Daniel, and Richard Cameron; also a great granddaughter, Anna. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

 

A Graveside Service will be held in the Floral Park Cemetery, Pittsfield October 21st at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice. The Waters Funeral Home, David Pollard Director, is assisting with arrangements.

 


 

William (Bill) Allen St. Laurent

Pittsfield St Laurent.jpg

William (Bill) Allen St. Laurent, 58, of Boscawen passed away suddenly on October, 10 2018. 

 

Bill was born on December 29, 1959 in Ipswich Massachusetts to his parents William St. Laurent and Evlyn (Patterson) St. Laurent. He attended public schools and Whitter Vocational Tech until he moved to New Hampshire to start his family. 

 

Bill was an avid out-doors-man and loved hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. Bill enjoyed watching the New England Patriots and Nascar racing. 

 

He is survived by his partner Jody Welch, his former spouses Darlene St. Laurent and Debra St. Laurent; his children, Danielle St. Laurent and her partner Clark Thorne, Dina (Tim) Beaulieu, and William St. Laurent and his partner Britney Folwer; sisters, Patricia (Troy) Powers and Andrea (Scott) Huffman; Grandchildren Layla, Stella, Weston, and Atlas; His Faithful companion, his dog, Cody. 

 

He is preceded by his parents, William St. Laurent and Evlyn (Patterson) St. Laurent. 

 

A celebration of life will be held at Alans of Boscawen on October 27, 2018 from 1-5pm. Fond Memories and expressions of sympathy may be share at www.bennettfuneralhome.com.

 


 


 

 











 

 

 

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