Pittsfield's Congregational Church thanks
Matthew Odell for providing an outstanding recital for the community
on Saturday, April 21. People from Pittsfield and the
surrounding communities were treated to Matthew's wonderful talent
and his insight into the music he played. The Pittsfield Food
Pantry and Josiah Carpenter Library are the beneficiaries of the
audience's monetary donations.
Please mark your calendars for the annual
Patriotic Concert at the Congregational Church on June 15, 2018.
Citizen of the Year
It is time to make nominations for Pittsfield’s
2018 Citizen of the Year. Please let us know who you feel deserves
this honor for their actions and activities benefiting our town. A
panel of former Citizens of the Year will decide from the
nominations submitted who will get this honor. Please send your
nomination as to who and why your nominee should be honored to:
Citizen of the Year
PO Box 173
Pittsfield, NH 03263
Nominations must be received by June 13,
2018. Thank you.
Josiah Carpenter Library May News
On Thursday May 17th at 3:30pm the library will
host a poetry reading to commemorate the publication of Pittsfield’s
very own Maureen Van Horn’s poetry volume Fly Falls in Milk Jug:
News in Haiku. The reading will feature Maureen’s work; in
addition local poets are invited to attend and read their poems.
Please come and savor this special event.
The Teen Book Worms will gather on Monday 7th
at 5:00pm; they will enjoy a light supper and discuss Their
Fractured Light by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. The
Pittsfield Writer’s Circle will meet at the library on Monday 21st
at 5:00pm. The adult book club will meet to discuss Bottom of
the 33rd: Hope, Redemption and Baseball’s Longest Game by Dan Barry
at 10:30 am on Tuesday May 22nd at the Pittsfield Senior Center.
Everyone is welcome to join our ongoing activities whenever you have
the time and inclination.
The preschool story hour that meets at 10:00am
on Thursday will continue having fun with transportation, and then
begin learning about farm animals. The afterschool Adventure
Club meets at 3:30pm on Tuesdays and will explore papier Mache,
canvas and frame art. On Tuesday mornings at 10:00am we offer
a Stay and Play time for toddlers and their parents/caregivers to
meet for a brief story, simple games, movement and time to
socialize.
On Monday May 14th at the
Chichester-Epsom-Pittsfield Libraries Memory Café we will explore
items from the past and figure out what is it? The Café will
begin at 2:00pm at the Epsom Public Library. Local caregivers
and folks living with memory loss are invited to come and enjoy
socialization in a comfortable setting. Refreshments will be served.
The Pittsfield Middle High School Art
department has brought a new selection of student art work to
display. Please stop in to admire the students’ talent.
From The Farm: Delicious Meals For Cattle
Submitted By Carole Soule
The cows charged down the hill lining up along
the gate in anticipation as the white delivery truck pulled into the
barnyard. The chickens joined them, and all waited for the doors to
open and scatter treats out on the ground.
Twice weekly we pick up five to six barrels of
discarded food from Shaw's in Gilford. Most are items that have
passed their “sell by date” or are trimmings from fruit. Shaw's has
taken a proactive approach to recycling … they put the fresh
vegetables and fruit into barrels we provide. We collect these
edible scraps to bring back to the farm and serve to our cattle.
Occasionally the pigs are offered cream cheese or butter. We never
take meat, and the fruit and vegetables we get are fresh and crisp.
While the dates on packages are expired, the food is not.
These barrels save approximately $56 in hay
(one large round bale) each week, and the cows love the variety of
their contents. Imagine if you ate cereal all Winter, that would be
like a cow eating hay. Then imagine being served fruit twice a
week. The cows love the diversity, and that is why they come running
when the truck drives up. Chickens get in the act by picking through
the scraps for berries.
As Summer creeps upon us, we'll be increasing
trips to Shaw's because more people buy fruit and veggies in warmer
weather. Not only do we get scraps from Shaw's but several times a
week Grappone Conference Center gives the farm bucket of kitchen
scraps; food that has never been served and is refrigerated. Great
North Aleworks in Manchester also gives us three barrels each week
of spent grains which is a by-product of making beer. Our pigs get a
tasty meal of the utilized beer grains mixed with pig food. Just
like the Conference Center, we like to keep our livestock menus
attractive and delicious!
It is finally warm enough for the six surviving
piglets to move from our porch and back to the pig house. Their mom
is fully recovered and is now living with the big pigs. Thanks to
everyone who offered to help feed them. I'll be in touch with
details now that these squealing bundles of joy have moved off the
porch. They still need bottle feeding until they learn how to eat
solid food.
The calf count is at eight with five more
expected soon. All the calves are doing well, even the little guy
born in the ravine during the storm two weeks ago who still is
without a name. Stop by the farm on Saturdays to check out piglets
and calves. It'll be fun to see the six pig babies grow into
300-pound hogs. Soon they'll be eating spent grains, but for
now, their diet is milk...lots of milk …and without a mom to care
for them they need to eat four times a day. Oink!
Carole Soule is co-owner of Miles Smith Farm,
in Loudon, NH, where she raises and sells beef, pork, lamb, eggs and
other local products. She can be reached at
[email protected].
Letter To The Editor
In Carl Anderson's letters about what he thinks
are important things that happened in selectmen's meetings, he
omitted some things that I think are important. Carl omitted to say
that one of the board of selectmen's first zoning decisions, last
December, was appealed to the zoning board of adjustment (ZBA) and
that the selectmen lost. Carl omitted to say that he led the
selectmen's defense in that case. Carl omitted to say that the
selectmen went into nonpublic session to make a complaint to the ZBA
about me as ZBA secretary. The selectmen used the "public employee"
excuse to go nonpublic when the selectmen all knew that I am an
unpaid volunteer for the ZBA and that I am not a public employee.
Carl omitted to say that the ZBA rejected the selectmen's complaint
entirely. But Carl did say that (after these accomplishments) the
selectmen appointed him alone as the new zoning administrator.
Carl is an interesting choice for zoning
administrator. When Dan Schroth petitioned to repeal zoning, Carl
wrote in the Sun, "I voted against zoning for Pittsfield when it was
adopted in 1988, and I welcome the chance to vote it out in 2011,
however slim that chance might be. And it's to Dan's credit that
I'll get that chance. We didn't need it then and we don't need it
now." (January 12, 2011.)
When the board of selectmen appointed such an
opponent of zoning to be the zoning administrator, the selectmen
attacked zoning. When the board of selectmen appointed a board
member to be the zoning administrator but complained that the
planning board should not have a board member as secretary, the
selectmen contradicted themselves. And when the selectmen misused a
nonpublic session to complain about me, the selectmen were
contemptuous of transparency.
Jim Pritchard
Letter
Citizens of Pittsfield:
It has come to my attention that the Pittsfield
Select Board has ordered the Police Chief to close the police
station for 20 hours a week.
Further, the Chief has been forbidden by the
Board to disclose the hours during which there will be no police
service in town. And there will be no police service because the
Sheriff's Department and the State Police have informed Pittsfield
that they cannot guarantee any response because of their own short
staffing problems. There will not be any mutual aid from surrounding
towns as this must be requested by Pittsfield on a case-by-case
basis, and this cannot occur when the police station is closed.
I believe Pittsfield people have a right to
know when the town has ceased providing police coverage, and intend
to find out under the provisions of the state's Right to Know laws.
I encourage others to do the same.
Bill Miskoe
Central NH VNA Celebrates Occupational Therapy
Month
What is an occupational therapist, you say?
Do I need one if I don’t work?
Don’t let the term fool you. Occupational
therapists do amazing work for people young and old, employed or
retired, male or female. It is all about managing activities
of daily living and helping folks achieve or regain the skill sets
that allow them to be independent.
Often there is confusion between occupational
and physical therapy. While there is some crossover, a good
adage is that “Physical Therapy gets you where you need to go -
Occupational Therapy shows you what to do when you get there.”
OTs enable people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping
them regain their function or teach them ways to improve their
independence and live better with injury, illness or disability.
Today we celebrate our Occupational Therapists and applaud the work
they do to improve people’s lives every day.
Common occupational therapy interventions
include performing on-site assessments of both the home environment
and work environment, making recommendations to appropriately adapt
those environments, helping children with disabilities to
participate fully in school and social situations, training people
recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for
older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes. For
example, after a total hip replacement an OT would help a person to
relearn bathing, dressing and meal prep independently and safely.
Or after a stroke, an OT might work with someone who lost the
function of one arm to discover new ways to dress or cut up
vegetables with only one hand, perhaps with the use of some adaptive
equipment. Even a patient who struggles with COPD can learn
some coping strategies like to sit while brushing teeth or keep
commonly used items closer at hand.
Central New Hampshire VNA and Hospice has many
qualified and friendly Occupational Therapists who can help you
after an accident, injury or illness. If you have experienced
any of these or are facing surgery, call 1-800-224-8549 to learn
more.
Squirrels On Stage?!! The Pittsfield Players
Seek Help At The Scenic Theatre
Well, just when you finish a big project like
the Scenic Theatre Sprinkler System installation, another project
crops up. And of course the latest project takes precedence over all
of our others, because it seems squirrels (oh, and birds) have made
their way into the soffit at the very tippy top of the back of the
theatre. They appear to be contained in that area, and have not, so
far, made their way into the building, but this issue has to be
addressed right away.
But how do we get up to the very tippy top of
the rear of the building? Because of our storage shed, a simple
solution such as putting up a ladder is impossible. It’s got
to be done by someone with lots of scaffolding to reach that high,
or with a really tall bucket lift. And once you get up there, you
have to have carpentry skills in order to fix the situation. Our
guess is that the job will probably entail a whole lot more than
just the one circled area of the trim boards, and we also know that
the wooden window frames need work as well, as you can see from the
arrow in the photo.
So if you are in the construction business, or
know someone who is in that line of work, and who has the equipment
to reach that area, we’re looking for someone who can do the job. To
give us a bid or to put us in touch with someone who can do the job,
contact
[email protected]. We’d like to get this done
over the summer, before next winter. Can you help us???
Pittsfield Listens
will coordinate a Family And Community Engagement (FACE) group
comprised of parents, family, youth, and alumni to engage, empower,
and mobilize parents and family members to advocate and support not
only their child’s learning but their own personal learning.
Approximately two hours a week. There will be a small stipend for
all participants to compensate them for their time spent on the
project. Meetings will include a meal or snacks, and childcare is
available upon request- both at no cost to FACE group members June
through December $500. Application link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1josHqdtcUWOCE
6G9arSCqE9wW7Z9XfMwqRAqTMld7g0/edit
Letter To The Editor
Selectboard Meeting 4/24/18
Long
agenda with numerous approvals and denials of tax abatements,
veterans credits, timber tax, sewer user fees, etc.
Discussion relative to the library chimney condition and how much
repair it actually requires. The building inspector and fire chief
will assess this need.
Joshua
Stevens was hired as a full time police officer. He is presently
part-time accredited and will attend the full time academy this
fall.
Also in
police staffing talks, the projected shortfall of approx. $30,000
was discussed, and frankly agonized over. Due to several officers
resigning after Town Meeting (where the total PD budget was
established by voters) 24/7 coverage at overtime and outside detail
rates has become unsustainable. This temporary situation has tapped
all known sources of revenue we are at liberty to use and the BOS
reluctantly but unanimously felt the only solution is to cut police
coverage from 168 hrs per week to 148 hrs for a two week trial
period.
Chief
Cain was given the latitude to decide when to exercise this
directive with the explicit condition that times be random,
unannounced, and variable so as not to be predictable. Response
times during these limited hours may be adversely affected, however,
until a better solution is found, we need to take action so we don't
run completely out of money at an even worse time.
A
zoning compliance question relative to a proposed use of the convent
on Fairview, which is for sale, was discussed. The proposal is for a
drug rehabilition group treatment facility with up to 70 or more
beds.
Carl
Anderson
Pittsfield Senior Center News
The Pittsfield Area Senior Center is welcoming
Spring, with a number of different activities and events thru the
month of May. Everyone is invited, no matter what your age is, to
participate in the activities. The center is having their annual
Meals on Wheels fundraiser, an ethnic cooking demo, entertainment,
and a planting party.
On Thursday, May 3, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm,
the center is having their annual Meals on Wheels Bake Sale
Fundraiser. One in six of our senior’s nationwide struggle with
hunger and the Meals on Wheels programs help prevent this. The
program helps seniors stay in their home longer and help the
participants to feel more secure and safe. Visit the center at 74
Main St. in Pittsfield, buy some tasty homemade treats, and support
our seniors that are in need.
Tuesday, May 8, at 10:30 am there will be a
taste testing cooking demo, Southwest Fiesta “Cooking Around the
World.” Maggie Perez is a certified Health and Wellness Coach, while
she is cooking you can learn about the health benefits of the foods
being cooked, then you will get to try the food. The menu is Black
Bean Burritos, Mexican Rice, and Virgin Strawberry Margaritas. This
class welcomes everyone, please call the center by May 7, at
603-435-8482 if planning to participate.
Thursday, May 10, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm,
there will be a Mother’s Day Luncheon. Don Smith will be performing
thru the celebration. Don plays at many local venues and is very
entertaining. He plays his guitar and sings music from many artists
including Johnny Cash. So come in enjoy the entertainment, while
celebrating our Moms. Please RSVP by May 3, if planning on
attending.
Tuesday, May 15, at 12:00 pm a retired UNH
professor in horticulture, is coming to the center to help us with
container gardening and give us tips on our home gardens. A lifelong
love of gardening should not have to end as mobility and other
issues arise as we age. Container gardening can be an easy way to
have beautiful flowers or a few fresh fruit and vegetables without
all the bending. You can do container gardening no matter what
amount of space you have. This class is free and open to the public.
Please call 435-8482 by May 11, so supplies can be planned
accordingly.
Obituaries
Shirley Bleckmann
Mrs. Shirley Bleckmann, 89, of Boscawen,
formerly of Pittsfield, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family
on Saturday, April 14, 2018.
Born on August 7, 1928 in Kalamazoo, MI, she
was the daughter of the late Rudolph and Hettie Woodward Smith.
Shirley moved from Kalamazoo, MI, to Pittsfield, NH when she was in
high school and remained there, where she raised her family and
fostered great friendships.
Shirley was deeply involved with the First
Congregational Church in Pittsfield, where she served as a Sunday
School Teacher, was a member of the Dorcas Guild, directed the
Flower Committee, and volunteered countless hours. Shirley was voted
"New Hampshire Mom" in 1992 and participated in the "Mom USA" finals
in Lexington, KY, placing 5th in the nation. She enjoyed flower
gardening, listening to the birds, and collecting miniature teapots.
She had an avid sweet tooth for chocolate and was always
well-supplied.
Besides her parents, she is predeceased by her
husbands, Kurt Bleckmann, William Robinson, and Albert Riel; her
son, Terry Robinson, and her brother, Paul Smith.
She is survived by her daughters, Peggy Reardon
and her husband David of Gloucester, MA, and Jodi Alexander of
Concord; her son, Douglas Robinson and life partner Victor
Perea of San Diego, CA; daughter-in-law Denise Robinson of Epsom,
NH; daughter-in-law Susan Bleckmann of Pittsfield, NH; her
grandchildren Caleb and Eli Alexander, Kyle Reardon, Heidi Reardon,
Amanda Orfanos, Christopher Johnson, Amy Thompson, Karen Kharitonov,
Frederick Bleckmann, and Kathy Bleckmann; sisters, Ann Hoar and
Peggy Weldon, both of Boscawen, several great grandchildren and
numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May
19th at 11 A.M. in the First Congregational Church, 24 Main Street,
Pittsfield. In lieu of flowers, donations in Shirley Bleckmann's
memory may be made to First Congregational Church, PO Box 188,
Pittsfield, NH 03263. Assisting the family with arrangements
is the Still Oaks Funeral & Memorial Home in Epsom, NH. To
share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit
www.stilloaks.com
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