Today is the last day to buy a beautiful Christmas tree from the Allenstown Pack 97 Cub Scouts at Aubuchon Hardware in Allenstown from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On Monday and Tuesday at 10 a.m., there will be a bulb planting workshop for indoor blooms during the winter. It will be at the Suncook Senior Center and the suggested donation is $2.
The cribbage tournament will be held on Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. at the Suncook Senior Center.
Bone Builders takes place on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9 a.m. at the Suncook Senior Center. For more information, call Leslie at 485-4254.
The Christmas schedule for St. John the Baptist Church is as follows: Christmas Eve there will be a 4 p.m. Mass and Christmas Day there will be a midnight Mass and a Mass at 10 a.m.
CLAUDETTE VERVILLE
485-4437
cverville2@comcast.net
A community dinner at the Maple Street Church will be held Wednesday at 6 p.m. The Wifi Café will be open at 7 p.m. with Christmas carols and music. This is an open mic event, so please feel free to bring your instrument of choice and participate. For more information, email lorimahar@tds.net.
LORI MAHAR
269-2329
lorimahar@tds.net
Looking for activities for the kids on their school vacation? The Boscawen Public Library is prepared with two fun events on their calendar. On Thursday, school age children are invited to a Holiday Crafts workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. where they can make Christmas ornaments and birch log centerpieces plus much more. Come in and play with us Dec. 28 when fun with Legos, gears, spirograph and more games will be enjoyed from 1 to 3 p.m. Signup is suggested for these popular workshops.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd is the book discussion topic for this month’s meeting Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. Stop by the library and pick up your copy today!
The Library’s Writers’ Workshop is not meeting in December. Their next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m.
The Boscawen Elementary School and the Merrimack Valley School District will be closed for winter vacation from Thursday through Jan. 2. School reopens Jan. 3.
The Town Municipal Offices will be closed for the holidays on Friday, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.
The Boscawen Public Library will be closed Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. They will be open Saturday and Dec. 31 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MARY ALLARD
753-8576
contact@boscawenlibrary.org
The upcoming New Year’s Day breakfast buffet hosted by the Bow Community Men’s Club will be Jan. 1, with eggs, bacon, sausage, hash, chipped beef, beans, blueberry pancakes, French toast, fruit salad, toast, coffee, milk, tea, hot chocolate and juices. The cost is $10 for adults and $4 for children 12 and younger. The breakfast will be at the Bow Community Center, 3 Bow Center Road, from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
The Merrimack County Stamp Collectors will hold its monthly meeting at the Bow Mills United Methodist Church, 505 South St., on Tuesday at 1 p.m. Anyone who is interested in stamp collecting is welcome. For more information, call Dan Day at 228-1154.
The Concord Area Center of the Community Action Program is scheduling appointments for fuel and electric assistance for the 2016-17 heating season. Call for an appointment at 225-6880.
JOYCE KIMBALL
bowcomnews@comcast.net
“How Far is it to Bethlehem?” will be today at 4 p.m., with carols and the creche in the center, followed by potluck in the Parish House. Services on Christmas Eve will be at 4 and 8 p.m. and Christmas Day at 10 a.m. Church in the Woods will hold services for Advent today at 9 a.m. for Eucharist and reflections from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Quaker Meeting House will have a Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m. followed by potluck and regular 10 a.m. meeting on Christmas Day.
Elkins Public Library Young Readers Book Group will meet tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. and Teen Time Read for seventh grade and older will meet at 6 p.m. The library will be closed Saturday through Monday and again Dec. 31 through Jan. 2. National Card Playing Day will be celebrated Dec. 28 at 10 a.m. This is a school break program for children. Come learn some simple card games and eat popcorn together. The next rug braiding class will be Jan. 12. Sign-up is required at the library.
The Canterbury Shaker Village Museum Store will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily until Friday. The Village will open for 2017 visitors in May.
In Canterbury food donations for the Loudon Food Pantry can be dropped off at the library. Donations are especially needed at this time of year. Gift of Lights (NHMS Winter Wonderland) will be open every day from 4 to 9 p.m. except for Christmas day through Dec. 31. It costs $20 per car, with a $2 discount for any car giving three or more items for the food pantry.
LOIS SCRIBNER
scribnerlois@gmail.com
Tomorrow’s meeting of Lovers of the Chichester Library is canceled.
The select board will meet Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the town offices. The new interim selectman Ed Millette has been appointed until March elections.
The school board will meet Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Chichester Central School. The meeting is open to all residents.
The agricultural commission will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Library.
The Evening Book Club will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the library to discuss Gaining Ground by Forrest Prichard. The club is seeking new members to choose a book for next month’s discussion.
Bee Hold Beavers Snowmobile Club will meet Wednesday at the library at 7 p.m.
Chichester Grange will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. upstairs in the grange hall.
The library will be closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
School vacation will start Friday with early release at 12:35 p.m. Winter break will be Dec. 26 through Jan. 2. School resumes Jan. 3.
The Chichester all-volunteer fire department is open to new members. Free training and equipment are provided. For full information, check the town website or call 798-5954.
CAROL HENDEE
247-7191
alexsmeme@hotmail.com
Join the library’s “no book” discussion Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. to share a few of your favorite books. Light holiday refreshments will be served and a list of books you’d like to read will be compiled for the coming year. The library will be closed Saturday. It will be open Dec. 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Elementary school classroom parties will be held Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. before early release at 12:15 p.m. School holiday break will be Dec. 26 through Jan. 2.
The transfer station will close at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Town offices will be closed Dec 26.
Holiday vacation fun at the library will take place on Dec. 27 at 6:30 p.m. with special storytime. Wear your pajamas and bring your stuffed animals. Great songs and stories are guaranteed. Stuffed animals will not stay overnight. For more information, contact the library.
Come to a free library Lego party Dec. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. The library has oodles of Legos with which to free build. Drop in, create Lego masterpieces, then show and tell. The creations will be on display for the rest of vacation week.
NORA LEDUC
774-3141
dtowncrier@gmail.com
Story time at the library will be Monday at 10 a.m., Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. and Thursday at 3:30 p.m. Lego club will meet on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
The new day for toddler time will be Tuesday at 10 a.m.
The Epsom Historical Association, Dover Road, will be open on Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m.
Epsom Public Library will show the family movie The BFG on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. The movie is rated PG and popcorn and drinks will be provided.
The select board will meet Monday at 6 p.m. at the town office.
The budget committee work session will be Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the town office.
There will be a zoning board public hearing on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the town office meeting room, 940 Suncook Valley Highway.
Epsom Community School will have early release at 1:15 p.m. School vacation will be Thursday through Jan. 2.
Concord-Epsom Elks Lodge 1210, 24 Old Mill Road, will have a breakfast buffet today from 9 to 11 a.m. Omelettes and eggs will be made to order and milk, juice, coffee and tea will be included. The cost is adults $8, veterans $6 and kids 10 and younger $4.
On Tuesday, come out and paint some wine glasses with Coop’s Canvas at 7 p.m. at the Elks Lodge. This is best for age 16 and older. There will be a cash bar for beverages. The cost per person to paint is $20 for one glass and an additional $15 per glass for that person.
On Wednesday, there will be free trivia with your smartphone or tablet. Games start at 7 p.m. You must be 21 or older; there will be a cash bar. All weekly prizes are sponsored by Amoskeag Beverages. This week it’s an ugly sweater theme.
Happy birthday to Carolyn Davis and Timmy Riel. May you both have fabulous days celebrating.
TERRY RIEL
c21rielt@metrocast.net
The Franklin school board will meet Monday at 7 p.m. at the middle school library.
The joint city and school finance committee meets Tuesday at 6 p.m. at city hall.
Focus on better health in the new year. Several community education programs will be offered by LRGHealthcare at the beginning of 2017. Call 527-7120 for a schedule of informational meetings, such as Living Well with Diabetes, Diabetes Prevention Program, Better Breathers, Powerful Tools for Caregivers and A Matter of Balance.
The Franklin Middle School will hold its awards assembly Thursday at 9 a.m. at the school.
The TRIP Center will host a Yankee swap on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Musical entertainment will be provided by David Jenne. A delicious lunch will be followed by the swap. Bring a ($5 limit) gift to swap, if you wish, and enjoy punch, eggnog and dessert as you exchange gifts and sing Christmas carols. Call the TRIP Center at 934-4151 to sign up.
Mark you calendar for a New Year’s Day celebration with First Day Franklin on Jan. 1, sponsored by Choose Franklin. Watch kayakers run the rapids on the Winnipesaukee River, docking at Trestle View Park where they will be welcomed into a heated tent with hot soup, chili and more to warm them. Children’s activities will be provided by the Junior Youth Group of Franklin. Various local organizations will provide food for participants, which will also be available for attendees, for a donation. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
JUDITH ACKERSON
934-2543
franklintowncrier@gmail.com
Volunteers from the Active Living Program at White Birch Center have been extra busy helping others this holiday season. The group recently donated their time and talent to support an important international effort and some local causes dear to their hearts.
A big “thank you” to the members of Henniker Fire and Rescue – Chief Tom French, Deputy Chief Greg Aucoin, and Captain Mick Costello – for their education, feedback and leadership provided to the NEC Wilderness First Responder students in the outdoor education major.
Reminder to HCS elementary school parents of students in first through fourth grades: the deadline to register students for ski school is Wednesday. Lessons begin Jan. 4.
The Henniker Firefighters Association and the Friends of the Henniker Rescue Squad were honored to receive two $2,000 checks that were raised by The Rick Hall Golf Classic. The checks were presented by Billy Gould, the organizer of the golf classic. Rick was a great supporter of both organizations and is missed by all of us.
TOM DUNN
dunn.t@comcast.net
Deering Community Church will offer a special Blue Christmas service Thursday at 7 p.m. Blue Christmas, called the Longest Night service, is a service of support for those who’ve lost loved ones. It is a time of remembrance, acknowledging that not everyone is caught up in the gleaming lights and revelry of the season. It is a time to gather in a prayerful, supportive community.
Give a senior friend or family member a GHSS gift certificate, which can be used for any of its bus trips or luncheons. For details, call Pat Mathison at 464-5029.
NANCY SHEE
nshee71@gmail.com
The Hopkinton Conservation Commission along with the conservation commissions of Warner, Bradford, Sutton and Webster, are proposing that the Warner River be considered for nomination into New Hampshire’s Rivers Management and Protection Program. The commissions have been working for over a year on the nomination document and are now holding public information sessions. The Conservation Commission’s presentation in Hopkinton will be Monday at 7 p.m. at the Hopkinton Town Hall. To learn more about the process and what the nomination would mean to the Warner River and its watershed communities, visit warnerrivernomination.wordpress.com/warner-river-designation.
An analysis of the total school budget, including the projected tax rate, will be presented Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Maple Street School cafeteria.
Do your last-minute shopping at the Contoocook Farmers Market on Saturday – food for feasting and goodies for giving. Still plenty of veggies, meat, jam, maple syrup, bread and other baked goods, centerpieces and rosemary trees, sweets, and unique gift items. It will be at Hopkinton Town Hall, 330 Main St., Hopkinton. Market hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. all winter. SNAP/EBT accepted. For more information, visit facebook.com/ContoocookFarmersMarket.
The Hopkinton Lions will be selling Christmas trees every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Contoocook Railroad Depot. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Hopkinton High School Scholarship Fund.
Senior lunches will resume in January. The Slusser Center will be closed Tuesday through Friday and Dec. 26 through 30. There will be no senior activities for those two weeks. For senior center information, call 746-2915.
Hopkinton High School Interact Club is hosting a few flocks of flamingos for the holiday season. These flocks can be sent to anyone in the Hopkinton/Contoocook region for a small donation. You can flock a friend, a neighbor or a family member. You can even flock yourself! Flamingo flocks are known to bring holiday cheer and make the recipients of a flock very generous. Please consider sponsoring a flock to help the Interact Club raise money to help fund its projects in Nicaragua in February (building reefs and lobster houses) and working on other service projects. To flock someone, request a flocking form from Pam Moskal at pmoskal@sau66.org. Forms can also be picked up in the office at each of the schools and the SAU.
Hopkinton High School Interact Club will also hold a post-holiday “yard sale.” Donated items will be sold to help raise funds for its service projects in Nicaragua and the community. Please donate anything that is in good condition. Donations will be accepted Jan. 3 through 6 at the school’s front office. The yard sale will be held Jan. 7 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hopkinton High School. Donated items that do not sell will be re-donated to local charities or taken to Nicaragua.
KATHLEEN BUTCHER
724-3452
kathb123@comcast.net
Congratulations to Laconia High School’s Athletic Director/Dean of Students Craig Kozens on being named the 2016 Debra Bienarz Award recipient. He was presented with the honor during the city council meeting Dec.12.
Congratulations to the following Laconia High School students for their college acceptances and career decisions: Collin Humphreys at Middlesex Community College, Alexis Albert to U.S. Army, Laurenda Robinson at Lakes Region Community College, Josh Shumway at Lakes Region Community College, Emily Gray at DePaul University, Cheyanne Zapalla at Regis University and Teegan Stevens at University of New England.
A special thank you to Shaw’s and Hannaford in Gilford for their generous donations of more than 100 paper bags for Project EXTRA students at Pleasant Street to decorate.
REGINA THEBERGE
rtheberge@laconiaschools.org
The Pembroke Zoning Board will meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Pembroke Hill School. Call the town hall for details.
JOCELYN
CARLUCCI
485-3352
taihi@comcast.net
The Josiah Carpenter Library will present works by local artist Rosemary Pierce. She is a self-taught artist and uses three different mediums: oil, watercolor and pastel. Her artwork will be on exhibit until Jan. 10.
The budget committee will meet Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the town hall.
The Pittsfield Elementary School holiday concert by fourth through sixth grades will be presented Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Pittsfield Middle High School gym.
There will be no December meeting of the Suncook Valley Area Lions Club.
The Pittsfield Players will hold open auditions for their March 2017 production of Eat Your Heart Out at the Scenic Theater, 6 Depot St. Auditions will be held today and tomorrow at 7 p.m. each evening. Cast requirements for this comedy by Nick Hall are three men and two women. Auditioners will be asked to read from the script. Performance dates will be in late March. Eat Your Heart Out is a delicious comedy that follows the experiences of a waiter named Charlie who works in various NYC restaurants while hoping to be discovered and then make it big in show business. For more information, email Mike Hobson at mike@pittsfieldplayers.com.
The Suncook Valley Rotary Club will meet Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the community center. For more information, email Donna Keeley at keeledm@yahoo.com.
The Infant Toddler Diaper Pantry will be open Tuesday from 9 to 11 a.m. at First Congregational Church. Young families are given supplemental diapers and wipes. Everyone is welcome. Please use the Chestnut Street entrance.
Join your friends and neighbors and bring the whole family to a wonderful traditional candlelight service Christmas Eve at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church. The service will include beautiful music by the Chancel Choir and the JuBellation Handbell Choir, scripture lessons, the story of the first Christmas, the sanctuary shimmering in candlelight and the singing of “Silent Night.” Include this lovely evening service in your holiday plans. Parking and wheelchair-accessible entry are available at rear of the church at Chestnut Street. For more information, call the church office at 435-7471.
The Pittsfield Players Kids Theatre workshop will hold auditions for Singin’ In The Rain, Jr. on Sunday and Monday at 4 p.m. each day. For more information about the show and the Kids Theater Workshop, email Maye Hart at maye@pittsfieldplayers.com.
The 2017 Pittsfield historical calendars featuring town organizations are available for $10. They can be purchased at the town hall, Josiah Carpenter Library, the historical society Tuesday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon or by calling Fuzz Freese at 435-7777.
The Pittsfield Conservation Commission will meet Thursday at 7 p.m.
The varsity boys and girls basketball teams will be playing in the 39th annual Mike Lee Holiday Basketball Bash in Farmington Dec. 26 to 29. Come cheer on our teams on Dec. 26, at 11 a.m. the boys vs. St. Thomas Aquinas and at 12:30 p.m. the girls vs. Kennett; on Dec. 27, at 1:30 p.m. the boys vs. Inter-Lakes and at 3 p.m. the girls vs. Franklin; on Dec. 28, the boys at 12:30 or 5 p.m. and the girls at 6:30 p.m. vs. Farmington.
Happy anniversary, Fred and Liz Hast. Enjoy your special day.
Happy birthday wishes to Aunt Carolyn Davis, Rich Hillsgrove and to my nephew, Tim Riel. I hope you all enjoy your special days.
ANDREA RIEL
435-6346
pittsfieldtowncrier@hotmail.com
The planning board will meet Monday at 7 p.m. at Academy Hall.
The select board will meet Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. This is also the Volunteer Appreciation Night and people are encouraged to come to the meeting to help honor those who volunteer so freely all year long. Refreshments will be served.
Salisbury Free Library will have new hours starting Jan. 1. They will be open Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday from 1 to 7 p.m., Thursday from 1 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Starting in January, there will be two weekly storytimes: Monday at 10:30 a.m. and Thursday at 1:30 p.m. The library will be closed Saturday and Dec. 31. The library will be closed if the schools close for inclement weather. The library has passes available to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
KATHIE DOWNES
648-2473
kdownes@tds.net
MainStreet BookEnds will have extended holiday hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Friday. On Saturday, it will close at 3 pm.
The first Wednesday of the month, Simonds teachers will have storytime in the MainStreet BookEnds Gallery from 4:45 to 5:15 p.m.
School will be closed Friday through Jan. 2.
A family lunch will be held at the elementary school Jan 4 from 12:15 to 1 p.m.
There will be no guitar club in January.
NEIL NEVINS
456-3614
info@mainstreetbookends.com
The Leo Club is gathering toys and food for homeless cats and dogs through Wednesday at John Stark Regional High School. The Santa Paws collection will deliver these much-needed items to the Concord SPCA before the holiday break. The Leo Club is also collecting gently used and clean winter coats, hats, and mittens to be given to area refugees.
John Stark will hold its winter concert Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeterian with a snow date of Thursday. Concert Choir, Select Choir, Concert Band and Stage Band will all perform. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors.
There will be no school Friday through Jan. 2.
The Weare school board will meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the middle school library.
KATERI FITTS
kateritek@hotmail.com
Winter officially begins Wednesday, so remember to dress warmly for the cold weather.
Webster Free Public Library trustees will meet Wednesday at 4 p.m.
All are invited to the Christmas Eve candlelight service at the Congregational church on Saturday at 7 p.m.
DOROTHY HASKINS
648-2243
dhaskins@tds.net