On Feb. 14, 1946, the Belknap County Conservation District was established with strong farmer support from every town in the county. The idea was a simple one, a locally-led effort to promote soil and water conservation. Today, as then, good stewardship of soil, water, farm and forest lands and wildlife habitat matters. Our County Conservation District is one of 3,000 nationwide that follow that mission. Working locally on a voluntary basis with landowners to conserve natural resources. We want to recognize the generations of stewardship by individual volunteers, farm and forest landowners, town Conservation Commissions, and local conservation and food assistance organizations in Belknap County. Belknap County is a better place due to their commitment to conservation. The Belknap County Conservation District (BCCD) has been privileged to partner in these efforts. Today, BCCD is focused on providing advice and assistance, water and stream habitat restoration projects, working with local farmers to glean and distribute surplus fruit and vegetables to combat hunger in our communities, and coordinating volunteer efforts. We invite people interested in conservation to participate in BCCD programs and learn more about how you can get involved at belknapccd.org.
Two virtual sessions will be offered for voters to gather more information prior to the March 9, 2021, election in the Town of Weare. Both sessions will be held on March 4 via Zoom.
The first session will focus on the school district budgets for Weare and John Stark with the opportunity for public questions. This budget session will be with Weare School Board Chairwoman Wendy Curry, John Stark School Board Chairman Zach Lawson, SAU 24 Superintendent Jacqueline Coe, and SAU 24 Business Manager Christopher Roy. This session will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. via Zoom. Link information is available at SAU24.org.
The second session will be a Meet the Weare School Board Candidates event beginning at 7 p.m. and hosted by the Weare Town Administrator. Email nbolton@weare.nh.gov for the link to this Zoom session and also if you would like to submit a question for the candidates. There are 10 candidates running for the Weare School Board this year. Participation in this event is by candidate choice.
Michele L. Bartlett was a middle school science teacher at Rundlett Middle School for 29 years, originally born in Burlington Vermont. She coached track and field, nordic skiing, and cross country at the middle school and highschool levels. Students who qualify are invited to apply for the Michele Bartlett Perseverance Scholarship. It is open to current Rundlett Middle School students and or a high school sophomore who attended Rundlett. To apply, you will need a letter of recommendation from a non-family member and a 1,000 word essay on a time you perservered. The recipient will receive a $300 scholarship to their athletic or academic endeavors. A recipient will be chosen by late April. Applicants can apply at jump813.wixsite.com/my-site-1 or email wbartlett.fitness@gmail.com for information.
Franklin High School senior theater students and officers, Riley Roper and Madison Clark, are about to bring their vision to completion. Over a year ago, these two collaborated to write a piece that they hoped would be the 2021 submission to the NHETG Theater Festival. Sadly, due to COVID, the festival is not happening as it normally does this year, but it was still important to bring these students’ piece to life! They cast the show in late December and began rehearsals in January. With a cast of 10 peers and Briahna LaFlamme (junior) as their stage manager, Riley and Madison have taken their one-act, Anesthesia, through all the processes of scriptwriting and workshopping and now into full production. These two have taken their own years of experience and applied that into directing their vision, but also have learned a lot about the full aspects of theater production along the way! Their piece will be shared with the public on Feb. 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. each night at the Opera House. Tickets are on sale now for $5.