The Allenstown select board will hold a public hearing on Monday at 6 p.m., at which the board will receive public input in regard to the bond warrant article proposed by the sewer commission to construct a pump station in the vicinity of Library Street. The warrant article was requested to be presented to the voters for the 2017 town meeting.
The Suncook Red Hatters will meet on Monday at 10:30 a.m. at the Suncook Senior Center.
Pastel drawing class with June Garny is scheduled to begin on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at the Suncook Senior Center. Each class is two hours for six weeks and the cost is $45, including materials. For more information, call Leslie at 485-4254. The activity planning meeting will be Wednesday at 9 a.m. and all are welcome.
The town of Allenstown will be holding its public hearing for the 2017 town budget and the 2017-18 school budget on Jan. 14 at 9 a.m. at the Allenstown Community Center, 8 Whitten St.
CLAUDETTE VERVILLE
485-4437
cverville2@comcast.net
On Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., the planning board will hold a public hearing in the town hall meeting room on the proposed zoning amendment to allow Accessory Dwelling Units in existing residences in Andover. The proposed amendment attempts to meet the requirements of the new state law requiring towns to allow ADUs while doing so in a way that maintains Andover’s small town and rural character. Wording of the proposed amendment can be found on the town’s website – Andover.NH.us.
The budget committee will hold a public hearing on Wednesday on the budgets for all the town departments. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Andover Town Hall meeting room. Public input and questions are welcome.
A monthly book discussion group open to all interested readers will hold its first discussion on Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at the home of Alita Phelps, 5 Smith Road. This event is co-sponsored by the Andover Public Library and the Andover Institute, a branch of the Andover Community Association or ACA. The book to be discussed is The Third Wife by Lisa Jewell; copies are available at both town libraries and at the Morgan Hill Bookstore in New London. For more information, contact Alita at 520-6631 or the ACA at AndoverCommunity03216@gmail.com.
SUSAN CHASE
735-5135
srfchase@gmail.com
Applications are available for the 2017 farmers market. Please visit.barnsteadfarmersmarket.club or call Lori Mahar at 269-2329. The deadline to apply is April 1.
LORI MAHAR
269-2329
lorimahar@tds.net
Attention blood donors! The annual Doris Jones Blood Drive will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Boscawen Town Hall in the basement of the Congregational Church at 12 High St. Appointments can be made by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or visiting redcrossblood.org.
New to the Boscawen Public Library is Storytime on the third Saturday of each month. Come in Jan. 21 beginning at 11 a.m. Legos are also available for all ages on Saturday mornings, now starting at the new time of 10 a.m. Preschool Storytime is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., adult craft group meets on Mondays from 2 to 4 p.m. and Gentle Yoga meets Wednesdays at 9 a.m.
The Food Pantry at the Boscawen Congregational Church is open on Mondays from 10 a.m. to noon and on Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m.
MARY ALLARD
753-8576
contact@boscawenlibrary.org
The Bow Young at Heart Club will meet Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at the Bow Community Building. Members and guests should bring a brown bag lunch; beverage and dessert will be provided. Stacy Fenerty from Royal Tours will present information on tours available for 2017 and a meeting will follow. Payments for 2017 are now due.
In conjunction with their Martin Luther King Day of Service, the Bow Mills United Methodist Church will host a Health Assembly Party on Jan. 16 beginning at 10 a.m. Many hands are needed! Attendees will produce 1,000 health kits for the United Methodist Committee on Relief that will be distributed to individuals around the world at times of disaster such as earthquakes, floods and hurricanes. Each kit will contain personal care items such as a towel, washcloth, soap, and toothbrush. Monetary donations in any amount to purchase supplies for the kits can be mailed to: Health Kit Supplies, Bow Mills UMC, 505 South St., Bow, N.H., 03304. Checks should be made payable to BMUMC with the notation “Health Kits.” For more information, please call 224-0884 or 219-0921.
The Merrimack County Stamp Collectors will hold its monthly meeting at the Bow Mills United Methodist Church, 505 South St., on Jan. 17 at 1 p.m. Anyone interested in stamp collecting is welcome to attend. Meet other collectors and learn more about their hobby and varied interests in Philatelic resources and issues. 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 2017 heating season. Call for an appointment at 225-6880.
Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association is offering “Life After Loss,” an eight-week adult grief support group on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 2 p.m. beginning Tuesday at the 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. Registration is required. To register, call 224-4093 ext. 2828 or visit crnva.org.
JOYCE KIMBALL
bowcomnews@comcast.net
Winter yoga begins on Wednesday and lasts for 10 weeks at the Parish House from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The cost is $95. Please send your check to Judy Egan, 53 Pickard Road, to register. For information, call Judy Egan at 783-9065 or Nancy Jackson-Reno at 746-2728.
The Canterbury Benevolent Society will meet Wednesday at 1 p.m. to plan for the upcoming year. Hostesses will be Janet Pessolano and Denise Sojka. All are welcome to attend.
Canterbury 4-H Rascals will meet tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at the Parish House. Upcoming projects will include lamp repair, lamp making (woodworking), lampshades, and ice fishing, as well as county events such as public speaking, action exhibits, demonstrations, posters and photography. Intermediate knitting will continue throughout the winter. Contact Laura Crockford for information at 540-9877 or canterburyrascals4H@gmail.com.
The Elkins Public Library board of trustees will meet tomorrow at 7 p.m. Rock N’ Read will meet Tuesday at 10 a.m.The book group will meet Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. to discuss All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. National Popcorn Day will be celebrated Jan. 19. Friends of Elkins Public Library will meet Jan. 19 at 6:30 pm.
The annual CES Graham P. Chynoweth Spelling Bee will be held Jan. 18 at 1:30 p.m. The winner will compete with other fifth through eighth-grade school champions at the New Hampshire State Bee, which will be held in Concord on Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. Other grade level bees will be held throughout the month of January.
Canterbury Elementary School PTO movie night will be Jan. 20 with Zootopia.
The Canterbury Community Farmers Market Association meeting and potluck will be Jan. 24. RSVP to canterburyfarmersmarket@gmail.com.
LOIS SCRIBNER
scribnerlois@gmail.com
The Chichester Grange would like to thank everyone who donated socks to the Socks for Seniors Drive – 109 pairs of warm, colorful socks were collected and distributed to area nursing homes.
The Chichester Youth Association will meet today at 6 p.m. at the town hall. If you have an interest in sports for the upcoming seasons, you are invited to attend.
The library trustees will meet Monday at 4 p.m. at the Library. The road advisory committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the town sheds in an open meeting.
Toddler Time for children under the age of three takes place at the library Tuesday at 10 a.m. – the perfect opportunity to pick up a bookbag and start reading 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. Parents/caregivers are asked to stay with their child.
The select board will meet Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the town hall.
The community supper at the Chichester United Methodist Parish Hall will be Wednesday at 6 p.m. The supper is free to all and the menu includes chicken or beef pot pie.
The Epsom Library will host the Memory Cafe on Friday at 2 p.m. sponsored jointly by the Chichester library, Epsom library and Concord Regional VNA. This week Marjorie Burke will discuss her and her husband Donald’s book Melting Ice-Shifting Sand, which is a deeply honest and moving account of their struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. This program is open to all area residents. Refreshments will be served and there will be a question-and-answer session.
CAROL HENDEE
247-7191
alexsmeme@hotmail.com
Susan Johonnett is hosting the annual Epiphany Tea of the Dunbarton Congregational Church today at 2 p.m.
Sunday morning breakfast begins today – the Congregational church is offering a full breakfast at the Teapot Tavern, 1007 School St., from 8 to 10 a.m. All proceeds will benefit the Dunbarton Congregational Church Scholarship Fund for children attending Horton Center Camp.
The library will be closed Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 16.
The PTO will hold its first meeting of 2017 on Jan. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the elementary school. Babysitting will be available.
Don’t forget the library’s book discussion of Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout. It will take place the third Wednesday at noon – bring your lunch.
The first session of Knitting for Kids at the library will be Jan. 27 from 3 to 4 p.m. The library will provide materials, but please bring anything you may want to use. Please call the library to reserve a spot.
The police department reminds everyone to please make sure that your mailbox is clearly marked with your house number. In an emergency, seconds count!
NORA LEDUC
774-3141
dtowncrier@gmail.com
Concord Epsom Elks Lodge 1210, 24 Old Mill Road, will offer a buffet style breakfast today with eggs and omelets to order, plus milk, juice, coffee and tea. The cost is adults $8, veterans $6 and kids under 10 years old $4.
On Wednesday night at 7 p.m., Concord Epsom Elks Lodge 1210 will offer free trivia contests for ages 21 and older. There are prizes at this weekly event sponsored by Amoskeag Beverages.
There will be a select board meeting Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.
The historical association will be open Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m.
The cemetery committee will meet Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m.
The budget committee work session will be Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The planning and land use board will meet Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the town office.
Toddler time at the library will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. Toddlers and their parent/caregiver will enjoy songs, stories, movement activities and a craft.
Storytime will be Monday at 10 a.m., Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. and Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
Bone Builders will meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.
Lego Club will meet Thursday at 3:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
On Wednesday at 1:30 p.m., the Epsom Library will show the film Sully starring Tom Hanks as Capt. “Sully” Sullenberger, who landed his crippled passenger plane on the Hudson River, saving 155 lives.
Brian O’Neill is looking for people interested in forming a new chess club from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursdays in January and beyond. All ages and levels of experience are invited to come to play and learn. No experience? That’s fine; they are more than willing to teach new players. For more information, email BrianONeil2@gmail.com.
The PTO will meet on Monday at 6 p.m. at Epsom Central School.
On Friday at 2 p.m., Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association will present author Marjorie Burke who will discuss her and her husband’s book Melting Ice, Shifting Sand, a deeply honest and moving account of their struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. The one-hour presentation will include a question and answer session.
Belated birthday wishes to Robin Davis last Friday.
TERRY RIEL
c21rielt@metrocast.net
The Franklin Public Library Book Group will meet Thursday at 1:30 p.m., in the Upper Room to discuss The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin. Handicap parking and access is available in back of the library. The book for February will be available at that time and newcomers are welcome. Call 934-1901 with any questions.
Better Choices, Better Health will host a free program to learn new tips for living well. Learn to manage chronic health conditions (such as arthritis, joint pain, diabetes and high blood pressure) through a series of workshops from Jan. 18 through Feb. 22. Seminars will take place at Franklin Savings Bank Community Room, 61 Laconia Road, Tilton. Call 527-7120 for details and to register.
The Franklin Junior Youth Group will meet Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Bessie Rowell Community Center. Contact Karen at 918-1998 with any questions. The group will prepare to participate in the National MLK Day of Service taking place Jan. 16 by serving families in crisis in Concord.
The school board will meet Monday at 7 p.m. at the middle school.
The middle school PTO will meet on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
The Mayor’s Drug Task Force will meet Thursday at 5 p.m. at Bessie Rowell Community Center. Contact Lauren Malloy at 934-7446 with any questions.
The Franklin Opera House board of directors will meet Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the lower conference room of city hall. The entrance is the side door at the rear of the building on Memorial Street. Meetings are open to the public. Call 934-1901 with any questions.
Tickets are still available for Unhappy Hour, this year’s Mystery Dessert Theater presented by Franklin Footlight Theatre Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. Don’t miss this interactive who-done-it. Thanks to Footlight for making this an annual fundraiser for the Franklin Opera House.
National Hat Day will be celebrated Friday the 13th at the TRIP Center. Wear your favorite hat or get creative and make one. Prizes will be awarded for most creative, funniest and craziest creations. Stay for lunch!
The TRIP Center monthly bus trip to Concord will be tomorrow, leaving the center at 9:30 a.m. Shop and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (lunch cost is on your own). Call 934-4151 if you want to reserve a seat for the trip.
Free tax preparation will be available through Granite United Way. A representative will be at the TRIP Center on Tuesdays starting Jan. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The food pantry needs continue throughout the year. Consider making a food donation or sending a monetary donation to Twin Rivers Interfaith Food Pantry, P.O. Box 184, Franklin. For information, call the pantry at 934-2662 or Esther at 286-8110.
JUDITH ACKERSON
934-2543
franklintowncrier@gmail.com
Nationally known local magician Andrew Pinard will be at the Tucker Free Library, 34 Western Ave., for a family-oriented magic show on Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. Come early for good seats! For information, call 428-3471 or email tuckerfree@comcast.net.
The new year is a chance to forgive, forget, renew and recharge. Check out a sampling of “resolution” books available at the Tucker Free Library. Visit tucker.biblionix.com/?booklist=9729.
The John Stark chapter of Tri-M Music Honor Society will hold its fourth annual John Stark Idol singing competition on Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. in the John Stark cafetorium. There will also be performances by some Tri-M members. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors.
TOM DUNN
dunn.t@comcast.net
Snowman Painting Workshop at the town library will be Thursday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. for ages 4 to 5 with a caregiver. Here by popular demand, Elaine Emerson will lead this workshop for preschoolers. Your child will enjoy the process and will go home with a completed snowman for your walls. All materials included. Group size is limited to eight people. To register for programs, call the library at 746-3663 or email lmaynard@hopkintontownlibrary.org. If you register but are unable to attend, please call so we can free up a space for another child.
Meet New Hampshire author and illustrator Lita Judge on Jan. 15 from 4 to 5 p.m. Bring your children and come be inspired by Judge as she tells about her life and writing process. Books will be available for purchase! Your children are probably already familiar with many of her books, including a Ladybug award nominee. The event is free and open to the public. It is brought to you with the support of the Friends of the Hopkinton Town Library as part of the Friends Winter Family Series.
The Hopkinton High School Drama presents The Music Man, held at Hopkinton High School Auditorium on Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. Adults tickets are $10 and senior/students are $8. We are encoraging you to purchase tickets in advance. We will start selling tickets at 6:00 Friday night at the door, and we will sell one hour before the other two performances as well. Please call Kathy Donahoe at 491-0816 for ticket info. Thanks for your support!
The Contoocook Farmers’ Market will be open on Saturday with its regular hours, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stock up on veggies, meat, jam, maple syrup, bread and other baked goods, and unique gift items. Hopkinton Town Hall, 330 Main St., in Hopkinton village. Open every Saturday all winter! SNAP/EBT accepted. For more information, visit facebook.com/ContoocookFarmersMarket
Senior Lunch is at noon on Wedesday. The suggested donation is $4. Italian chicken, vegetables, rolls, and brownies are on the menu. For more information, call 746-2915.
Gingerbread Men are loose in the library! Come find them 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 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 are eligible to attend kindergarten at the Harold Martin School. Children who will be 6 years old on or before Sept.30 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.
Please have your news to me by Tuesday night.
KATHLEEN BUTCHER
724-3452
kathb123@comcast.net
Laconia High School and Stand Up Laconia will host Poetry Out Loud on Thursday at Wayfarer Coffee Roasters. Poetry Out Loud is a national recitation contest established by the Poetry Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. This year’s Laconia High School contestants are: Jillian McDonald, Gabrijela Djuric, Kate Persson, Emily Baird, Allyssa Miner, Morgan Gamans, Jessica Washburn, Nikki Fain, Gladiana Spitz and Colleen O’Brien. The winner will go on to the regional competition in Lincoln.
First-grade students in Mrs. Myers’ and Mrs. Connelly’s classes at Woodland Heights School won money from the Treats for Troops campaign put on by Children’s Dentistry of the Lakes Region. Students were told that they could use the money to throw a classroom party or to buy games and toys. After a unit of learning about wants and needs, they decided to use some of the money to buy new games and learning materials for the classroom and use the remaining funds to purchase and donate items to the Carey House. Thank you, Children’s Dentistry of the Lakes Region, for giving our students the opportunity to help some of our community members and understand the value of giving back to the community.
REGINA THEBERGE
rtheberge@laconiaschools.org
The planning board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the town hall. For additional information, call 485-4747 or visit the town’s website.
JOCELYN CARLUCCI
485-3352
taihi@comcast.net
Don’t miss the exhibit by local artist Rosemary Pierce at the Josiah Carpenter Library. She works in oil, watercolor and pastel. Her artwork will be on exhibit through Tuesday.
The budget committee will meet on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the town hall..
The Sanctuary Bodyworks and Sauna, 175 Barnstead Road, invites you to celebrate its first anniversary on Jan. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come meet the team: Jan Lesieur, esthetician; Nathalie Snyder, licensed massage therapist; and Dr Liz Kennedy, chiropractor. Learn how sauna therapy can help you achieve your health goals for 2017, sample Green First products, and enter your name to win a prize.
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 is 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. The dialogue will take place Jan. 25. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event will be from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Pittsfield Middle High School cafeteria. All are welcome to this free event. Light refreshments and childcare 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.
The Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce will hold a regular business meeting on Monday at 7 p.m. at the community center, lower level.
The Pittsfield High School Alumni Association will meet Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the high school, room 126. Anyone who attended or graduated from Pittsfield High School is an alumni and is welcome at the meeting.
The historical society will hold its annual meeting on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at society headquarters, 13 Elm St. The meeting is open to the public.
The Pittsfield School District presents a Community Conversation Series program, “Student Behavior Management – How do educators manage student behavior?” on Jan. 17 from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at the Pittsfield Middle High School Media Center. For more information, contact Susan Bradley at 435-6701 or sbradley@pittsfieldnhschools.org.
The parks and recreation committee will meet Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. at the town hall. Plans are being made for Winterfest activities for the weekend of Jan. 14 to 16.
The Josiah Teen Book Worms will meet and discuss Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green on Thursday between 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the library.
Preschool Story hour at the library for ages 2 to 5 will meet THursday and 26 from 10 to 11 a.m. January themes are snowmen, mittens, penguins and shapes. Join Ms. Holly for a fun-filled hour of stories, crafts and a snack.
1, 2, 3 Cook! program “What’s in a soup?” will be Tuesday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Meet at the Pittsfield Senior Center for a soup swap as we discuss our personal favorite soup recipes.
A Wellness and Artisan Fair will be held on Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sage Wellness Center and Spa, 175 Barnstead Road. Linger over complimentary refreshments as you browse the unique line-up of vendor booths.
Happy birthday wishes to Tammy Colby on Monday, Joe McHugh on Thursday, and to Lyn Ward on Saturday. I hope you all enjoy your special days.
ANDREA RIEL
435-6346
pittsfieldtowncrier@hotmail.com
The snowmen are out on the Maplewood Recreation Park signs to indicate that the ice rink is officially open. The hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Information on the annual winter carnival will be passed along as it is received.
The budget committee will meet Monday at 7 p.m. at Academy Hall.
The Old Home Day committee will meet Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Academy Hall.
January is when one must sign up for the elected positions for 2017 town meeting. If you would like to get involved with the town, the following positions are available: selectman, tax collector, town clerk, road agent, library trustee (two positions), cemetery trustee (two positions), trustee of Trust Funds (two positions), planning board (two positions), budget committee (four positions), and zoning board of adjustment (two positions). To run for one of these positions you must file your declaration of candidacy with the town clerk. Your name will then be placed on the town ballot for voting at town meeting election on March 14. Filing dates for this purpose are Jan. 25 to Feb. 3. There are other committees or departments that have appointed positions available as well. If you would like to find out more about these contact Kathie Downes, administrative assistant to the select board, at 648-6321 or kdownes@tds.net.
KATHIE DOWNES
648-2473
kdownes@tds.net
Today, Main Street BookEnds book group will kick off a new year of reading with Anita Shreve’s The Weight of Water. On Monday at 7 p.m., the annual Warner Fall Foliage Festival meeting will be in the gallery. Join us for a re-cap of 2016 and what to expect in 2017. On Jan. 22 at 2 p.m., join us for an informational meeting about the exciting, ongoing project, the Concord to Lake Sunapee Rail-Trail.
There will be no school held at Simonds Elementary School on Jan. 16 for Martin Luther King Day.
NEIL NEVINS
456-3614
info@mainstreetbookends.com
The Webster Conservation Commission will meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the town office. All are welcome.
The Merrimack Valley School District School Board will meet Monday at 7:15 p.m. at Merrimack Valley High School.
Extra activities at Webster School this week include the Lego Club for third through fifth grades Tuesday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
The PTO will meet on Wednesday at 6:30 .pm.
The chorus will get together at 8:15 a.m. at the school.
Friday will be Popcorn Day at the school.
Happy New Year. I hope you all will send me news articles for my town crier column in the by Tuesday mornings in order to have them in the following Sunday. My email address is dhaskins@tds.net. If you have any questions feel free to call me at 648-2243. Many thanks to those who already send me articles.
DOROTHY HASKINS
648-2243
dhaskins@tds.net