■The Allenstown Historical Society will be meeting on March 2 at 6 p.m. at the Suncook Business Park. We are open to the public and always looking for new members. For more information call (603) 485-4437.
■The Monthly Market will be held on March 5 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and on March 6 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Parish Hall.
■Don’t forget – Town Elections will be held on March 8 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Parish Hall.
■The Suncook Senior Center activities are: Bone Builders (9 to 10 a.m. on Mondaysand Wednesdays), Bingo (10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays), Klunk (12:30 to 2 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays), Cribbage Club (10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays), Gentle Chair Yoga (1 to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays), Tops Group (11 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays).
CLAUDETTE VERVILLE
485-4437
cverville2@comcast.net
■Chichester Town Moderator, Ewen MacKinnon, released information to inform residents of the following: March 5 School Meeting (9 a.m. at the school, budget and warrant items), March 7 (6 p.m. open house at the Chichester Fire Station), March 8 (10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the school, the first section of town/school meeting will be elections and zoning changes), March 12 (10 a.m., the second section Town Meeting is at the school and will be voting on the proposed budget and warrant articles). The moderator will be needing ballot counters on March 8 starting at 7 p.m. The Supervisors of the checklist will be at the March 8 election to accept voter registration. You must have been on the checklist prior to March 5th to vote at the school meeting. Absentee ballots are available at the town clerk’s office. Masks are no longer required to be worn at CCS if anyone has concerns about mask-wearing contact the town or school moderator at the meetings. Childcare will be available at the school meeting.
■The Chichester School has a large assortment of Lost and Found items located near the gym entrance. Is your child missing jackets, hats, mittens, miscellaneous clothing items, water bottles, and footwear? Check out this area when attending the town and school meetings.
■Feb. 28 starts a week of school vacation for Chichester Central and Pembroke Academy. Classes will return on March 7. Reminder, no school on March 8, a Teachers Professional Day is being held.
■The Chichester Youth Commission reminds residents that registration for Tball, baseball and softball for school-age children is due by March 7. To register, contact the Chichester Youth Commission website. Coaches and volunteers are needed.
■Road Agent Craig Sykes is continuing working with town engineer on the 2022 road construction on Horse Corner Road. Kaime Road construction will not be completed as planned because of a lack of funding. The new truck purchased in 2021 will be delivered in March.
■The Board of Selectmen announces a change in the office hours of the Selectmen Office effective on March 1. New hours will be Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The BOS Administrator Assistant has a name change to Planning Coordinator/Administrator Assistant. A new part-time office assistant will be hired to assist in duties in the BOS office. The hours of the Town Clerk/Tax Collector will remain the same (Monday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m). On March 1 the BOS will meet at the town hall at 6 p.m. for a business meeting. The Planning Board will meet on March 3 at the fire station.
■Spring is coming! Sign-ups for school sports have started. This spring, the school will be offering track for grades 5 through 8, and baseball and softball for grades 7 and 8.
■Congrats to the 5 and 6 grade boys basketball team for taking home the second place trophy in the Suncook Valley Basketball League Tournament. Many hours of support from coaches and parents showed the athletic program in Chichester is strong.
■Chichester Central School moved to a low level COVID-19 operating level meaning that face masks are optional at school except for CDC requiring masks on the bus.
■Dedication of hours by the 7 and 8 grade boys and girls basketball teams proved that practice does pay off. Chichester boys took home the trophy for first place in the Suncook Valley Basketball League Championship. The girls placed second in their tournament.
■Pembroke Academy Spartan Athlete and Chichester resident Mike Pitman, a senior, was named to the Division 11 Boys Basketball 2nd team all start selection. Mike was named by his coaches to the NH Basketball All Star Roster.
■Concord Hospital EMS Coordinator Craig Clough was honored to present certificates to Chichester Fire/Rescue members: Paul Sanborn, Peter Godbout, Ryan Sarratori and Kevin O’Donnell. Certificates handed to these men were for Clinical Excellence and Code Save Pins for their efforts in resuscitating a patient who suffered a cardiac arrest. Because of their actions they were able to achieve the return of spontaneous circulation. The patient made full recovery and shows prehospital care combined with CPR and defibrillation and post-resuscitation. The work done by our Chichester rescue team of health professionals is strong.
■Kindergarten through grade 4 participated in a Jump Rope for Heart Event during PE classes. Physical Educator Kristin Dougherty coordinated this event. Thank you to family and friends who donated to this worthy cause. Students also learned about the Chinese New Year by making Chinese masks for the 2022 Year of the Tiger. The Environmental Club led by Mrs. Gagnon has been busy this winter hanging up birdhouses and feeders, planting garlic, and most recently trying their hand at tapping trees in hopes of making maple sugar. Teachers during staff professional development days in Kindergarten through grade 5 received training in handwriting. This training gives teachers the tool to align their handwriting instruction across grade levels. It begins in kindergarten focusing on pencil grip and proper formation of letters and numbers and moves into cursive writing in grades 3 through 5. Each student had their own workbook for paper/pencil practice.
■Chichester Library is ready for school vacation week. They welcome visitors to come in and build their new Lego set for display. The Library Book Group is back starting March 21 at 7 p.m. Books can be picked up at the library now. Patrons of the library may continue to access and download audiobooks, eBooks and magazines from the NH State Library, free of charge at NH.overdrive.com
EVELYN PIKE
broomtailfarm@hotmail.com
■Zoning Board Public Hearing on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at 282 Black Hall Road.
■Children’s Movie at the library on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. is “Clifford the Big Red Dog.” The movie is rated PG. The movie includes snacks and drinks. Masks are required for everyone except when eating.
■Knitters group will meet at the library on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
■Bone Builders will be on Tuesday and Thursday at 9 a.m.
■The Book Discussion group meets on the first Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m. The next book discussion of “Be Frank with Me” will be on March 5. Our following meeting will be on April 2. We will be reading “American Dirt” by Jeanine Cummins. Please stop by the library to pick up a copy of the book if you would like to join us (or just read it for fun). We will have copies of this book available in late February.
■The town election is coming up on March 8, starting at 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 398 Black Hall Rd
■Mark your calendar for the 9th Annual Epsom Central School (ECS) Soup/Chili/Chowder Cook-off at ECS will take place on March 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for children 10 years and under. Tickets will be sold at the door while supplies last. Proceeds will go to ECS Student activities. Entry forms can be found at bit.ly/2022CookOffEntry and mail to ECS, 282 Black Hall Road. Epsom, NH 03234.
■It’s time to register your child for Kindergarten! Epsom Central School will be holding registration and screenings for the 2022/2023 incoming Kindergarten students. The screenings will be taking place on the following dates: March 29 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.), March 30 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.and 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.), March 31 (9 a.m. to noon).
■If your child will be a new, incoming First Grade student, literacy screenings will be held on: March 30 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.). Please note, students entering Kindergarten in the fall need to be five years old on or before Sept. 30, 2022 and new to Epsom Central School. Grade 1 students need to be six years old on or before Sept. 30, 2022. At the time of registration, we will require your child’s birth certificate, most recent physical, immunization record, and two proofs of residency. For one of the proofs bring a purchase and sales agreement, tax bill, or rental agreement, and for the second proof bring a utility bill that is mailed to your physical address in Epsom. Please call the main office at 736-9331 to schedule your child’s 45 minute block of time for either of these screenings.
■Happy birthday wishes today to Joffa Raymond and Ian Dube on Tuesday. To Lisa Marie Doherty on Wednesday, Judy Rand on Thursday, Sharon Bickford on Thursday and Bill Smith on Friday! I hope you all have fantastic celebrations!
TERRY RIEL
rielt397@gmail.com
■The Pembroke/Allenstown Old Home Day Committee will hold its first meeting on Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Pembroke Library. This meeting is open to the public and if anyone is interested in helping or has ideas/suggestions, please come.
■Introduction to Responsible Gun Ownership – Learn some gun safety tips March 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Pembroke Town Library. For more info, contact the Library at 485-7851.
■If anyone would like to be Pembroke’s Town Crier, please give me a call.
JOCELYN CARLUCCI
485-3352
taihi@comcast.net
■The Pittsfield Players are holding auditions for the play “Deathtrap” on Feb. 27 and Feb. 28, both nights at 7 p.m. at the Scenic Theatre. Please wear a mask.
■The First Congregational Church will host Soup’s On! on Feb. 28 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Church. Your choice of hot and hearty soups, bread and beverage will be served. Cost by donation.
■Absentee ballot applications are available at the Town Clerk’s office or may be printed from the town website pittsfieldnh.gov. The ballots will be mailed to you as soon as they are available. Please note, absentee ballots must be either handed to the town clerk or deputy town clerk, or mailed by U.S. mail. Any ballots left in the dropbox will not be counted.
■Congratulations to the winners of the First Congregational Church Dorcas Guild’s Quilt Raffle held on Feb. 6. The winner of the “Sweet Dreams” quilt was Sonia Noyes. The second prize winner of the handmade woven basket was Janet Hart. The third prize winner of the quilted table runner was Reverand Steven Small. Thanks to all for your participation!
■Teen Surprise Book Bags are here at the Josiah Carpenter Library to help you get the most of school vacation! Get cozy with a good book, snack and cocoa today! We have books from all genres and ages 10 and up. Come on in and check one out today.
■The Chamber of Commerce will not be sponsoring the “in person” Meet the Candidates Night this year. All Candidates were asked to submit an introductory letter to the Chamber which was printed in The Post on Feb. 23 and the letters are also posted on the Town and Chamber websites. Some hard copy packets are available at the Post Office and Town Hall.
■The Second Session of the Annual Town and School District Meeting (Election Day) is on March 8 at the Pittsfield Middle High School Gymnasium from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Please note, Oneida Street is one way to the Middle High School. Berry Avenue is one way leaving the school. The entrance will be the gymnasium side door to the left of the lobby doors. Traffic through the polling place will be one way with the exit on the opposite side of the gymnasium. Masks shall be worn (masks will be available), and social distance spacing of at least six feet. There will be no public restroom facilities. Poll workers will be available to provide directions and answer questions. Please call or email the town clerk’s office with any questions or concerns prior to Election Day. For more information contact (603) 435-6773 ext 1 or eanthony@pittsfieldnh.gov
■The staff shortages that you have been hearing about on the news have finally affected us here at Pittsfield Senior Center. Due to illness and lack of personnel, the center must reduce its hours. We are only open for Bingo on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The hours of walking are postponed until further notice. This is only temporary until we find a coordinator, then the center will be reopened for its normal business hours. Please call the Center at 435-8482 if you have any questions.
■The Pittsfield Senior Center is looking for a coordinator that will assist the Resource Manager with the day-to-day operations of the senior center. The hours are Monday through Friday, morning and early afternoons, 25 hours per week. Perfect hours to work around school children’s schedules. If interested contact the center at (603) 435-8482 or send an email to cschiferle@capbm.org. You also may submit your resume at https://recruiting.paylocity.com/ recruiting/jobs/Details/915690/Community-Action-Program-Belknap-Merrimack-County/Senior[1]Center-Coordinator.
■The Pittsfield Players’ Kids’ Theater Workshop will present “Godspell, Jr.” at the Scenic Theatre on March 17, 18 and 19, at 7 p.m. each evening. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for kids under 12, are on sale now, and can be purchased through the players’ website pittsfieldplayers.org or reserved by calling (603) 435-8852. Abraham Marcotte will be playing the role of Jesus in this presentation, and Biagio Donini will play the role of Judas. The ensemble cast includes: Grey Dunlap, Natalie Cowser, Alinda Jacques, Cecily Schultz, Wyatt Rhymer, Alyssa Weaver, Benjamin Tedcastle, Carly Griffin, Rose Kadish, Kaylyn John-Zensky, Molly Vignola, and Annelissa Marcotte. Christopher Tedcastle will be handling lights and Victoria Cowser will be handling sound. The show is directed by Maye Hart and Dee Dee Douglas, who is also choreographing the show. Meg Rhymer is assistant director, and Jim Hart is set coordinator and lighting designer. Cathy Williams is handling costumes. The Kids’ Theater Workshop is a program for ages eight to 18, designed to introduce kids to all aspects of theater production from acting, singing, dancing, set construction and decoration, lighting, sound, and costuming. For over 25 years, the program has successfully introduced many youngsters to the discipline of theater arts.
■It is with a heavy heart that the PHS Alumni Association Executive Committee has decided to postpone the All-Class Reunion for one more year. We have concluded that it is too early in the evolution of the pandemic for us to extend financial and human resources for an event that ultimately may need to be canceled or will be compromised by some people’s reluctance in being in a large crowd. We look forward to starting the planning process in the fall of 2022 for a wonderful, well-attended event in July of 2023. If you are interested in joining the All-Class Planning Committee, please contact Andi Riel at pittsfieldtowncrier@hotmail.com.
■Joy Church is hosting a free family movie night on March 4 at 6:30 p.m. We will be watching “Spies in Disguise.” The whole community is invited. There will be free popcorn and snacks for everyone. We hope to see you there!
■The American Legion Peterson Cram Post 75 will hold their monthly meeting on March 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall.
■Suncook Valley Sno Riders club will meet on March 2 at 7 p.m. at St. George’s shop on High Street. Please bring a chair if you would like to sit.
■The Pittsfield Association and Support Group of the Pittsfield Fire Department is sponsoring an All You Can Eat Spaghetti Supper on March 5 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pittsfield Fire Station. The menu includes spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, dessert, and drinks. Cost is by donation.
■The Suncook Valley Rotary Club will hold its monthly meeting on March 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Historical Society on Oak Street. Did you hear that the Balloon Rally is on this year!
■On March 1 at the First Congregational Church of Pittsfield NH, the Infant Toddler Diaper Pantry will be open from 9 to 11 a.m. Each family is eligible to come for the supplemental diapers once per opening (twice a month). Each family receives one set of diapers/product per child in need, and one package of wipes per family. We generally have newborn through size six diapers, along with pull-ups and overnights. We use the parking lot off Chestnut Street. We will also be accepting donations of diapers and wipes, including open packages. Please call 435-7471 if you have any questions. Together we are making a difference.
■The Pittsfield Youth Workshop has drop-in hours from 3 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 1 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday this week. Lots of fun activities happening Please contact Laurie Sweeney or Zach Powers at info@pittsfieldyouthworkshop.org or 435-8272 for more information.
■Happy Birthday wishes to Dave Johonett at the end of February!
■A very special Happy Birthday wish to my fabulous Sister-in-law, Terry Riel on Wednesday. I hope you have a great day!
ANDREA RIEL
435-6346
pittsfieldtowncrier@hotmail.com