The Allenstown Town Hall will be closed Monday.
The Suncook Senior Center will begin the new year on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. with a dedication of the center’s Memorial Area, which is devoted to the memory of all the former members of the Suncook Senior Center.
Cribbage will be played Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. at the Suncook Senior Center, 8 Whitten St. For more information, call 485-4254.
There will be no Allenstown Historical Society meeting on Wednesday. The society wishes everyone a happy new year and thanks you for your support.
CLAUDETTE VERVILLE
485-4437
cverville2@comcast.net
The Barnstead Farmers Market planning meeting will be Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Maple Street Church. If you are interested in learning about or joining the market, please stop by to pick up an application at the conclusion of the meeting at 7:30 p.m. For more information, please email lorimahar@tds.net or call 269-2329.
LORI MAHAR
269-2329
lorimahar@tds.net
If one of your New Year resolutions is to become healthier, check out the Bone Builders group that meets every Monday and Friday from 9 to 10 a.m. at the town hall, in the basement of the Boscawen Congregational Church. Also, Chair Yoga is held weekly at 9 to 9:45 a.m. at Boscawen Public Library.
Bingo returns in full swing on Saturday at the Boscawen Town Hall (basement of the Congregational Church). A homemade turkey dinner will be served at noon followed by an afternoon of bingo and lots of fun, all for just $10. Additional bingo games plus delicious lunches will be held Jan. 28, Feb. 11 and 25, March 11 and 25 and April 8 and 22. Proceeds will benefit the Boscawen Old Home Day event.
The town municipal offices and the Boscawen Public Library will be closed for the New Year’s Day holiday tomorrow.
MARY ALLARD
753-8576
contact@boscawenlibrary.org
Don’t forget the Bow Community Men’s Club’s New Year’s Day breakfast this morning! The feast is being held at the Bow Community Center, 3 Bow Center Road, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. It will include eggs, bacon, sausage, hash, chipped beef, beans, blueberry pancakes, French toast, fruit salad, toast, coffee, milk, tea, hot chocolate and juice. The cost is $10 for adults and $4 for children 12 and younger.
The Concord Area Center of the Community Action Program is scheduling appointments for fuel and electric assistance for the 2017 heating season. Call for an appointment at 225-6880.
Concord Regional VNA is offering Life After Loss, an eight-week adult grief support group on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 2 p.m. beginning Jan. 10 at White Rock Senior Living Community, 6 Bow Center Road. Trained grief facilitators will offer grief support and education to participants who have suffered a recent loss. The group size is limited to 12 participants and sessions are free. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 224-4093, ext. 2828 or visit crvna.org.
Happy New Year!
JOYCE KIMBALL
bowcomnews@comcast.net
The 2017 Old Home Day Committee needs volunteers to prepare the event. The Chichester select board invites anyone interested in serving on the committee to meet Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Grange. It’s not too early to start planning and thinking about getting involved. If you have any questions, contact Jodi Pinard at jpinard@chichesternh.org or KBarnouski@chichesternh.org or call 798-5350.
The select board will meet Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the town hall.
On Thursday, the Chichester Planning Board will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. at the Chichester Town Hall, 54 Main St., to consider amendments to the Chichester Site Plan Regulations and the Zoning Ordinance. The text and full language of this amendment can be reviewed at the town hall during normal business hours or at chichesternh.org.
A New England Christmas – Captain Eli’s Best Year will be performed by the Pontine Theatre Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Grange Hall. This wonderful puppetry play is open to the public and is a free event, thanks to the Chichester Library and the New Hampshire Humanities Council. Refreshments will be served.
The Chichester Library is adding a new weekly program called Toddler Time. Starting Jan. 10, from 10 to 11 a.m., the program is for children under the age of 3. Babies are welcome. Parents/caregivers must stay during the program of storytelling, games, songs and very simple crafts. No sign-up is required.
CAROL HENDEE
247-7191
alexsmeme@hotmail.com
Sunday morning breakfasts start Jan. 8! The Dunbarton Congregational Church will offer a full breakfast at the Teapot Tavern, 1007 School St., from 8 to 10 a.m. All proceeds will benefit the church’s scholarship fund for children attending Horton Center Camp. Everyone is welcome.
There will be a public forum on Jan. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the elementary school. Capital improvement plans, all-day kindergarten, enrollment trends, and programming and space needs at the elementary school will be discussed with possible options for the 2017-18 school year. Possible building renovations will be introduced.
There will be no school on Jan. 16, Martin Luther King/Civil Rights Day.
Vanished Veterans: An Illustrated Introduction to New Hampshire Civil War Monuments and Memorials will be presented Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. by George Morrison. The event will take place thanks to a generous grant from New Hampshire Humanities Council.
Come to a book party at the library – the book being discussed will be The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout. It will take place Jan. 25 at noon; bring your lunch.
NORA LEDUC
774-3141
dtowncrier@gmail.com
The Epsom Library will be showing the movie Florence Foster Jenkins on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant. The film tells the story of a rich New York socialite who dreams of becoming an opera star. Her friends find her voice laughable but her husband sets out to make her debut a success.
The select board will meet Tuesday at 6 p.m.
The Epsom Historical Association will be open on Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m.
The budget committee work session will be Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Trustees of Trust Funds will meet Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the town offices.
It’s toddler time at the library on Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. Toddlers and their parent/caregiver will enjoy songs, stories, movement activities and a craft.
Storytime will be Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m.
Bone builders will be Tuesday and Thursday at 9 a.m.
There will be a school board meeting at Epsom Central School on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
Concord Epsom Elks Lodge 1210, 24 Old Mill Road, Epsom, will offer a buffet-style breakfast with eggs and omelettes to order Jan. 8. The cost is adults $8, veterans $6, and kids under 10 years old $4.
TERRY RIEL
c21rielt@metrocast.net
Ring in the New Year with First Day Franklin today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 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 up. Children’s activities will be provided by the Junior Youth Group of Franklin. Various local organizations will provide food for the kayakers, which is also available for attendees for a donation.
Diabetes Self Care – Living Well with Diabetes will begin a six-week class focusing on managing blood sugar, physical activity, goal setting and more. Classes, offered by LRGHealthcare, will take place Thursdays from Jan. 12 to Feb. 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Bessie Rowell Community Center. Call 527-7120 with questions and to register.
Registration begins Thursday for Franklin Continuing Education second semester. Classes start Jan. 17. Call 934-5441 for more information.
The Franklin City Council will meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. at city hall.
The zoning board will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. at city hall.
The Franklin Lions Club will meet Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Soda Shoppe.
The Junior Youth Group will meet Friday at Bessie Rowell Community Center. Call Karen Darling for information at 918-1998.
The Rotary Club will meet Tuesday at 7 a.m. at Ralph and Jo’s Café downtown. For information, call Julie Buker at 934-0411.
Start the New Year off right by joining some of the activities offered by the TRIP Center. There’s line dancing, chair exercises, Keep Movin’ exercise program, yoga, crafts and cribbage, to name a few. There are daily lunches, with transportation available, and trips are planned throughout the year. Monthly newsletters are available at the Franklin Public Library or at the TRIP Center. Call 934-4151 or visit the center at Bessie Rowell Community Center on Rowell Drive from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
JUDITH ACKERSON
934-2543
franklintowncrier@gmail.com
Henniker Community School upcoming meetings include a PTA meeting Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. in the school library and Henniker School District budget work session Jan. 17 at 5 p.m.in the SAU 24 offices, 258 Western Ave.
John Stark Regional High School meetings include a Principal’s Coffee Jan. 12 at 7:30 a.m. in the principal’s office and a school board meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the library.
Parking fines aren’t usually the stuff of holiday cheer, but the Henniker Police Department has turned them into an opportunity to promote giving, allowing drivers to cover their parking fines with food donations to the food pantry! It’s wonderful to see organizations engage with our food bank in creative ways to fight hunger and deliver hope. Many thanks to all involved.
Marge Burke, author of Melting Ice, Shifting Sand, will be at the Tucker Free Library Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. Marjorie writes the words for her husband Don as he describes his developing Alzheimer’s disease and the confusing mix of thoughts and emotions, something he could only describe as “melting ice . . . shifting sand.” This event is free and open to the public. Call 428-3471 for more information.
TOM DUNN
dunn.t@comcast.net
Happy New Year, with sincere wishes for peace, health, happiness for you and yours.
NANCY SHEE
nshee71@gmail.com
The Contoocook Farmers Market will be open on Saturday with its regular hours of 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stock up on veggies, meat, jam, maple syrup, bread and other baked goods, and unique gift items. It’s held at the Hopkinton Town Hall, 330 Main St. in Hopkinton village. It will be open every Saturday all winter! SNAP/EBT accepted. For more information, visit facebook.com/ContoocookFarmersMarket
Senior lunches will resume at noon on Wednesday. For a $4 donation enjoy a meal of vegetable beef soup, cornbread, ice cream and cake. Senior Center information is available at 746-2915.
Hopkinton High School Interact Club is holding a post-holiday “yard sale.” All donations will be sold to help raise funds for service projects in Nicaragua and the community. Please donate anything that is in good condition. Donations will be accepted Tuesday to Friday at the high school front office. The yard sale will be held Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hopkinton High School. All donations that do not sell will be re-donated to local charities or taken to Nicaragua.
Gingerbread men are loose in the library! Come find them in this winter scavenger hunt and choose a prize. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats will be on the trail this winter. The StoryWalk is located behind the Slusser Center and playground. All programs are free and open to the public. Call the library at 746-3663 or email lmaynard@hopkintontownlibrary.org with questions. Brought to you with the support of The Friends of the Hopkinton Town Library as part of the Friends Winter Family Series.
Children who will be 3 years old and 4 years old on or before Sept. 30, 2017, are eligible to attend preschool at the Harold Martin School. Preschool is a tuition-based program and enrollment is filled by lottery. Children who will be 5 years old on or before Sept. 30, 2017, are eligible to attend kindergarten at the Harold Martin School. Children who will be 6 years old on or before Sept. 30, 2017, are eligible to attend first grade at the Harold Martin School. Call the school office at 746-3473 or pick up a registration packet at the Harold Martin School, 271 Main St.
First Day Hike of Parks and Recreation is today. Celebrate the New Year with nature at the Kimball Lake Cabins. Meet at the Kimball Lake Cabins Greenway trailhead at 11 a.m. Hike with friends and neighbors. A bonfire, hot cocoa and treats will be waiting for you at the cabins from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Please have your news to me by Tuesday night. Kathleen Butcher, 724-3452, kathb123@comcast.net
KATHLEEN BUTCHER
724-3452
kathb123@comcast.net
Wishing everyone a peaceful and happy new year!
JOCELYN
CARLUCCI
485-3352
taihi@comcast.net
Local artist Rosemary Pierce’s exhibit will be on display until Jan. 10 at the Josiah Carpenter Library. She works in oil, watercolor and pastel.
The budget committee will meet Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the town hall.
The school board will meet Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the media center at the high school.
2017 Pittsfield Historical Calendars, featuring Pittsfield’s organizations, are available for $10. They can be purchased at the town hall, Josiah Carpenter Library, historical society on Tuesday mornings from 9 to noon or by calling Fuzz Freese at 435-7777.
Strengthening Our Community – Facing Heroin and Substance Misuse will be the topic on Jan. 25 at 6 p.m. Gather with neighbors for this “A Roundtables, Not Podiums Community Dialogue” to learn more and focus on actions we can take in our community to address the opiate crisis – in prevention, treatment and recovery. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. in the Pittsfield Middle High School cafeteria. All are welcome to this free event. Light refreshments and child care will be provided. Transportation is available upon request. The event is co-hosted by Pittsfield Wellness Coalition and Pittsfield Listens. For more information, call 312-6980 or email info@pittsfieldlistens.org.
After Monday, the Josiah Carpenter Library will be open with temporary hours (due to restroom issues) on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Suncook Valley Rotary Club will meet Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Community Center, lower level. For more information, email Donna Keeley at keeledm@yahoo.com.
The Suncook Valley Sno-Riders will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Barnstead Parade Fire Station. For more information, visit suncookvalleysnoriders.com.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the January meeting of the American Legion Peterson-Cram Post 75 is canceled. The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Post Home, 3 Loudon Road. The subject of the meeting will be plans for the upcoming year. If you are new to the area and would like to join the organization, you can still do so. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Post first vice commander at 344-0264.
The Pittsfield Elementary School PTO will meet Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the PES library. For more information, please contact Lisa English at 340-4831 or pto@pittsfieldnhschools.org.
The Pittsfield Youth Workshop will reopen on Tuesday with daily drop-in hours of 3 to 6 p.m. For more information call Zach or Paula at 435-8272.
Just a reminder: if you are “after Christmas” shopping or reorganizing and cleaning out for the new year, consider donating gift bags and tissue paper and items for the Children’s Store for next year. Please contact Andi Riel at pittsfieldtowncrier@hotmail.com or 435-6346 to arrange for drop-off information.
Happy birthday wishes to Merrill Vaughan on Tuesday and to Robin Davis on Friday. I hope you both enjoy your special days!
Best wishes for a very Happy New Year! Here’s to a safe, healthy and prosperous 2017.
ANDREA RIEL
435-6346
pittsfieldtowncrier@hotmail.com
School vacation ends Monday – back to school Tuesday.
There will be no planning board meeting Monday.
The cemetery trustees will meet Tuesday at 9 a.m. at Academy Hall.
The select board will meet Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Academy Hall.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday!
KATHIE DOWNES
648-2473
kdownes@tds.net
BookEnds BookGroup at MainStreet BookEnds kicks off a new year of reading with Anita Shreve’s The Weight of Water on Sunday at 4 p.m. For information, call 456-2700.
The annual Warner Fall Foliage Festival meeting will be Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. in The Gallery at MainStreet BookEnds for a re-cap of 2016 and what to expect in 2017.
MainStreet BookEnds will be the bookseller for the annual NOFA-NH winter conference, with keynote speaker Joel Salatin, at Rundlett Middle School in Concord on Jan. 28. For more information, visit.nofanh.org.
Storytime in the Gallery, with Simonds Elementary teachers reading, will be Feb. 1 at 4:45 p.m.
No School at Simonds Elementary School on Monday or Jan. 16
Family Lunch at Simonds will be Wednesday at 12:15 p.m.
Simonds PTO will meet Wednesday at 6:30 pm
The school spelling bee will be Jan. 20 at 1:20 p.m.
There is no Guitar Club for the month of January.
NEIL NEVINS
456-3614
info@mainstreetbookends.com
No school Monday at John Stark Regional High School. Principal’s Coffee will be Jan. 12 at 7:30 a.m. in the principal’s office. There will be a school board meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the library. No school at Weare schools tomorrow. There will be a Weare District board meeting Jan. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Weare Middle School library. There will be a public hearing on budget at 7 p.m. No school in Weare on Jan. 16 in observance of Civil Rights Day. There will be a CWES PTO meeting Jan. 23 at 7 p.m.
The Weare Writers Group will meet Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Weare Public Library, Sawyer Room.
KATERI FITTS
kateritek@hotmail.com