A free screening for children who live in SAU 53 (Pembroke, Allenstown, Chichester, Deerfield and Epsom) will evaluate speech, vision, hearing, motor and learning skills. It will be held April 16 at Pembroke Hill School, 300 Belanger Drive, Pembroke. Parents/guardians must accompany the child (under age 6). To set up an appointment, call Mary Dobson at 485-5187 or email mdobson@sau53.org. Parents who have concerns about a child age 6 or older should contact the special education coordinator in their school district.
Warner organic farmer Larry Pletcher and Five Rivers Conservation Trust are collaborating to place a significant 118-acre conservation easement on Pletcher’s property that will benefit residents of many area towns. 5RCT Executive Director Liz Short says, “Until the end of March, the Thomas W. Haas Fund of the NH Charitable Foundation will match every private donation we receive dollar-for-dollar. By contributing now, local folks can take advantage of this terrific matching opportunity and help reach our goal. Donations in any amount will help conserve this important farm, and will protect streams, wildlife and forestland on the side of Mount Kearsarge, prevent development, and make agricultural use more financially viable for future farmers.” Pletcher’s Vegetable Ranch is an important local food source, selling fresh organic produce at area markets, retailers, and restaurants including the Concord Farmers’ Market, the Concord Food Co-op, Dimond Hill Farm, the Warner Public Market, Sweet Beet Market, Whole Foods Market, and Revival Kitchen & Bar. Vegetable Ranch also participates in the Local Harvest CSA, selling weekly veggie bags through Concord Hospital and Local Baskit, and provides fresh produce to the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program of the Belknap-Merrimack Counties Community Action Program. Five Rivers Conservation Trust organization has conserved over 80 properties, totaling more than 5,400 acres in communities in the greater Capital region of New Hampshire. Learn more or contribute to the March Matching Donation at 5rct.org/pletcher.
Tack Room, a new shop in Andover, is scheduled to open its doors to the public on April 1, at 10 a.m. in the lower level of The Andover Community Hub at 157 Main St. Entrance is on the west side of the building, facing Pizza Chef. Tack Room has an unusual mission: to provide financial support to Becky’s Gift Equine Relief, a non-profit established “to provide short-term assistance to horse owners, such as hay, grain, and veterinary and farrier services. That support comes from the sale of donated tack.” As Salisbury resident Linda Barnes, owner of Tack Room and president of Becky’s Gift, explains: “When horse owners experience difficulties in their lives, care for their horses can become a burden. Our intervention is to provide short-term relief so that horses are kept in good health.” Becky’s Gift non-profit was formed in 2009 in memory of Becky Lang, a young woman from Bow who died in a tragic automobile accident. According to Barnes, Becky’s mother, Kathy Lang, wanted to honor her daughter’s short life by fulfilling her passion for helping horses. Since its inception, Becky’s Gift has helped countless horses when their owners were struggling due to personal or financial hardships. The April 1 opening date is also the birthday of the late Becky Lang. Hours of operation are Thursdays and Fridays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Founded in 2009 and originally known as The Tack Room Consignment, the shop was located at The Constant Quilter at the corner of NH Route 11 and Pancake Road in Andover until the recent closing of that business. For more details, visit the Facebook page “Tack Room for Becky’s Gift.”
Tom Hitchcock, president of the Lakes Region Art Association, announced that thanks to the generosity and support of the Tanger Outlet Mall management, the LRAA Gallery will move from its present address to a larger and more centralized location in the same mall. “We’ll be moved and back in business by April 1, and we couldn’t be more excited about our change of venue,” said Hitchcock. “This move will now allow us to create a new look, become a more interesting gallery featuring not just fine art and photography, but also add one-of-a-kind handcrafts too.” Crafts will include original items such as sculpture, carvings, pottery and other types of décor. The move will also increase the art and photography class space. A grand opening of the gallery will be held May 2 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. A number of Lakes Region florists and garden centers will participate by providing creative and beautiful floral arrangements for the month of April in the gallery. Admission is free. The Lakes Region Art Association and Gallery is a non-profit, 501 c-3 organization dedicated to the promotion and support of art and artists in the Lakes Region. Open Thursday through Sunday for gallery sales 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Open weekdays and evenings for art and photography classes. Call 998-0029 or visit LRAANH.org to inquire about gallery related events.