Concord/Penacook
■The United Church of Penacook Food Pantry, serving Penacook residents only, is open every Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. year-round. (If Penacook Elementary/Merrimack Valley School District is closed due to weather, the pantry will also be closed.) Visitors coming to the pantry are allowed two bags of groceries and one bag of personal care items every two weeks unless extra food is available or an emergency comes up.
■Mark your calendar! On Christmas Eve at 6:30 p.m., Pastor Jerry McCann will share the message of joy, hope and peace during the annual candlelight service at United Church of Penacook. For more information, you can call (603) 753-4072 or visit www.ucpnh.org for directions to the church, located at 21 Merrimack Street. All are welcome to join the festivities!
CHERYL STINSON
news03303@aol.com
■You are invited to a special evening of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, Dec.17 at 4 p.m. at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 68 North State St. Parking behind the church. Enjoy an evening of Psalms, Hymns, and Prayers adapted from the Service of the Royal Hours of Christmas together with the singing of some traditional western Carols. Entrance is free and all are invited to participate. Following, there will be a Festive Reception. For more information, please call 603-225-2961.
■The Concord Writers Group currently has a few openings for new members. If you have a writing project in mind, or would just like to polish your writing skills, this group can help you. Meetings are held on the first and third Saturdays of each month, Sept. through May at 10 a.m. in the Shakespeare Room of the Concord Public Library. Members review the day’s submissions and offer tactful constructive suggestions on how each piece can be improved. This feedback is beneficial, especially for those seeking publication. For more information, call Barbara at 603-456-6052 or email: barbaralassonde@aol.com.
■Today at 5 p.m., it’s the St. Paul’s School 53rd Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols. It’s modeled on the renowned service at King’s College in Cambridge, England. The congregation is asked to join in well-known carols, “Once In Royal David’s City,” “Unto Us Is Born A Son,” “Hark The Herald Angels Sing,” “We Three Kings” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful”. Go here to see all the glorious music for the event: allevents.in/concord/the-53rd-annual-festival-of-lessons-and-carols/200025865840212.
■The Courtyard by Marriott Concord and Grappone Conference Center, 70 Constitution Avenue, The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce and Concord Young Professionals Network (CYPN) are joining forces for their annual free holiday networking party at the Grappone Conference Center. They will present a spread of festive treats for you to enjoy while networking with business leaders and young professionals. Register online on this webpage. allevents.in/concord/holiday-business-after-hours-with-cypn/200025854230938. To learn more about Chamber membership and attend this event as their guest, please call the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce at (603) 224-2508 or email membership@concordnhchamber.com.
■Join us for an evening of festive cheer and camaraderie on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Merry & Bright: A CENH Holiday Social at 135 N State St. near the headquarters of their new office! Enjoy refreshments, games, music and connecting with fellow clean energy enthusiasts. Go to allevents.in/concord/merry-and-bright-a-cenh-holiday-social/200025865873218 for more information.
■Game On! happens on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in the Blanchard Room of the Library, 45 Green St. Enjoy a drop-in board games group for adults with disabilities and their caregivers.
■RSVP for Dungeons and Dragons on Saturday at 2 p.m. for tweens in the Library Auditorium. Join the battle against evil as we defend Concordia: docs.google.com/forms/d/1A5whKrF870Lts2oxbXwT6DCKtgr9Mua9r9biPjhxtkk/viewform?edit_requested=true.
■Teens and Tweens can create No-Sew Throw Pillows on Monday, Dec.18 at 6 p.m. in the Library Blanchard Room. Please RSVP to docs.google.com/forms/d/1WUoSWSf5uCrEzXQoJG5dTltcXVfvZDYglG_rhs0gB-E/viewform?edit_requested=true.
■So much recreation; so little time! Go to concordnh.gov/666/Parks-Recreation for details on Adult Drop In Pickleball, weekdays, mornings and afternoons at the Green St. Community Center; Drop in Futsal on Monday at 6 p.m. in the Gymnasium; afternoon and evening Adult Drop In Basketball on weekdays at the Green St. Community Center; Family Open Gym, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, times vary; High School Drop In Basketball on Wednesday; and Middle School Open Gym on Saturday.
■On Wednesday, Dec.20 at 1 p.m., GoodLife Programs & Activities, 254 N. State St., let’s celebrate the holiday with an abundance of goodies! It’s a Cookie Swap. For the rules, go to goodlifenh.org/activity/holiday-cookie-swap. For more information, contact kgagnon@goodlifenh.org. Everyone to bring something to take cookies home in!
■Mae Edwards will present a one-hour Advent reflection on the topic of her book, “You Are Here for a Reason” on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 180 Loudon Road. All are welcome! No cost to attend. Signed copies of her book will be available for anyone interested for $22.
■Traditional New England dance caller and musician Dudley Laufman brings an evening of seasonal dancing and singing for the first time since 2017 on Saturday, at the City-Wide Community Center, 14 Canterbury Road, 6 to 8:50 p.m. More information at https://concordnhcontra.wordpress.com. See you on the dance floor!
JEAN VER HOEVEN
jeanann@voicenet.com
Allenstown
■2023 Christmas Lighting Contest schedule is from Nov. 17 to Dec.10 to register your home at www.allenstownnh.gov/economic-development Be sure to include your name,address, and a few good photos of your decorations. Registered homes will be shown on the town’s contest web page so you can view everyone’s decorations. Dec.1 to Dec.14 they will view all homes registered and on Dec.16 at 3 p.m. the festivities at Town Hall will begin with the Awards Ceremony of trophies, gift cards from local businesses, plus trophies from the Fire and Police Dept.
■2023 Santa Parade will be held on Dec.16 from 1 to 2 p.m. where Santa and his elves will parade through town with a Police and Fire Dept. escort, handing out candy to waiting children along the route. The parade ends at Town Hall where there will be refreshments, warming fires, and the Christmas Lighting Contest Award Ceremony and Caroling.
■Allenstown Town Clerk and Tax Collector Office Hours for Dec.11 to Dec.14 are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. closed for lunch from 1 to 2 p.m.
■St. John the Baptist Choir Rehearsal for Dec.13 will be held at 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
■The Giving Tree 2023 will be in the back of the church with ornaments that are gift suggestions for the boys from Pine Haven, as well as pregnancy centers assisting women and their families. Choose an ornament, purchase the gift selected and return as soon as possible. Thank you
■Suncook Senior Center on Dec.12 from 9:30 and10 a.m. will be holding a brunch and at 10:30 a.m. Bingo will be held.
■Arts and Crafts on Dec.13 at 10 a.m. will be carving vegetable.
■Christmas Party will be held on Dec.14 from 9 to 10 a.m. with a Yankee swap no more than a $10. gift and Christmas music and snacks.
CLAUDETTE VERVILLE
cverville2@comcast.net
BOSCAWEN
■All are invited to join the Holiday Open House at the Boscawen Public Library on Monday, Dec.18 from 2 to 6:30 pm. This festive event is an opportunity for kids, adults and families to mingle, listen to holiday music and enjoy light refreshments with friends and neighbors. Craft Bags will be given to children to take home with them. A Holiday Story will be shared at 6 pm for all that wish to stay.
■James Patterson’s novel “The Twelve Topsy-Turvy, Very Messy Days” is the topic of the Book Discussion meeting at the Library on Tuesday starting at 2 pm. Copies of the book are available at the library whether or not you can attend the meeting.
■Christmas Eve services will be held at the Congregational Church on Sunday, Dec.24 beginning at 6 pm.
■The Writer’s Workshop will not be meeting in Dec.due to the holiday. Their next meeting is on Monday, January 29 at 6 pm.
■Town Offices will be closed on Monday, Dec.25 and Tuesday, Dec.26 for the holiday. The library will also be closed on Monday and Tuesday.
MARY ALLARD
boscawenpl@gmail.com
BRADFORD
■Last weekend was very busy for the Bradford Fire Department when some of the members were involved in a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday training in Newbury with seven towns involved in breathing equipment and protective clothing. Also, two of the members and a pumper from Bradford were involved on Sunday morning in a controlled burn on White Plains Road in Webster where they burned an abandoned mobile home. Several towns Fire Departments were involved, and one of Bradfords members did an interior search. Mark your calendar for more information on January 1 about the possible Polar Dip with Parks and Recreation.
■The Annual Christmas Pageant will be presented at the Bradford Center Meeting House at 5 p.m. Christmas Eve. A wonderful Christmas event with just a reminder to dress really warm.
■On Sunday Dec.17 the children of the Bradford Community Church will be putting on a Christmas Pageant at the 10 a.m. regular service. On Wednesday Dec.20 Christmas Food Baskets will be delivered to families between 5:30 PM and 6:30PM. There will be the regular Sunday Service the day before Christmas at 10:00AM and the Christmas Eve Service at 6:00PM.
MARGE CILLEY
mgcilley@gmail.com
CHICHESTER
■Fun at the Library this week with a unique take on a classic snow globe. A Snow Globe Shaker Card Class will be held on Dec. 13 at 6 .pm. Free materials will be provided. Contact 798-5613 to reserve your spot. The Little Book House outside locations have closed for the season. The Grange Hall will be the scene for the Pontine Theater annual holiday celebration on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. The Theatre will present “Captain Eli’s Best Ear” a special holiday celebration for the entire family.
■Wreath Across America will be at Memorial Park at town hall on Dec. 16 at noon time. This special event will have an opening ceremony and following will be laying of wreaths at the 218 veteran grave sites. If you have not attended this event make sure you stop by and see the opening ceremony and the many volunteers who pick up wreaths and travel to the town cemeteries and lay the wreaths in honor of our laiden veterans.
■The SAU Executive Board Meeting will be held at Pembroke Academy on Dec. 13 at 5:30. There are two openings at Chichester Central School which include Title 1 Math Interventionist for grades 1-5 and a Paraprofessional Special Education assistant. The Fisher Cats Fungo presentation will be held on Dec. 12 at 1 p.m. at the school. Chichester Recreation Ski Program is now open for registration. This is a week day event with grade K-12 starting Feb. 15. Contact rbidwell@sau53.org for information.
EVELYN PIKE
broomtailfarm@hotmail.com
DUNBARTON
■Dunbarton Garden Club will have its annual meeting on Mon., Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m. in the upstairs of the town hall. The Dunbarton Garden Club would like to extend it thanks to all who have supported them throughout the year. Without your support, they would not be able to sponsor their local groups in town. Keep an eye out for their daffodils flyer in 2024. This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the Dunbarton Garden Club selling daffodils in town. They will be back with their first meeting Monday, April 3, 2024. Contact dgc03046@gmail.com if you have any questions.
■The Concord Coachmen Chorus is coming, Tuesday, Dec 12 at 6:30 p.m. Their performance will be on the Upper Town Hall stage. The Concord Coachmen Chorus is a fine group of men that have been delighting the greater Concord, NH area since 1957 with its presentation of many timeless tunes sung in the Barbershop style. They have been performing for over 65 years! This will be a Holiday Concert extraordinaire. Please wear your extra warm holiday sweaters because baby, it’s cold outside. FMI contact the library dunlib@gsinet.net
■Chair Yoga with Sherry Gamble will be held Thurs: Dec 14 at 11am. Come early and take up a chair to the second floor of the town hall. Sponsored by the library. FMI 603-774-3546.
NORA LEDUC
noleduc2000@yahoo.com
EPSOM
■Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday at 6 p.m. At the lower level of the Epsom Meeting House.
■The Planning board will meet on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m, contact town for location.
■The Budget committee will meet at ECS at 7 p.m.
■The Friends of the Library will be a fundraiser TODAY … Have dinner at UNO’s in Concord. You print your coupon at home or pick them up at the Library, show your server to have 15% of your bill credited to the Friends of the Library.
■Eyesight Screening Sponsored by the local Lion’s Club, the library will be hosting eyesight screenings for children on both Monday and Tuesday next week. Starting at 10:30 a.m., the screening is a non-invasive, quick procedure that will screen children to identify any potential eyesight issues. Parents or guardians will need to fill out a consent form prior to the screening. These forms are available at the library now, as well as more information on the program and procedure for the screening. Please reach out to Miss Hannah with any question
■Mark your calendar: join us for Grinchmas at the library and celebrate the beloved classic Christmas tale, Dr. Seuss’s ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas! Miss Hannah will lead a Grinch story time followed by Grinch themed crafts and fun. Then join us to watch the original animated featured on our big screen! There will be a hot cocoa bar and freshly popped popcorn for the movie, along with some other Grinchy snacks. This event will start at 10a.m.
TERRY RIEL
rielt397@gmail.com
Henniker/Weare
■Ski for $20? Join the Tucker Free Library Friends or renew your membership to win a Season Pass at Pats Peak.
■Coming up at John Stark Dec. 13 John Stark School District Board Meeting, 6 p.m. in Room 144 at John Stark. Dec. 14 Early Release Day and also Dec. 14 Winter Concert, snow date Dec. 19.
■Thanks to Weare Park & Rec and Weare Middle School Student Council for sponsoring the Senior dinner last week at the Middle School.
■Dec. 13 is the Henniker Community School Theatre production, “The Epic Quest of the Damsels in Distress” at 7 p.m. Admission by donation. Snow date is Dec.15.
■And at the Weare Public Library Poke Mondays at 2 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec 12 Baby & Toddler Playgroup and also Scholastic Chess and Pinochle & Cribbage; And on the Dec. 14 (early release day–great planning!) Mini “Gingerbread” House STEM Challenge at 1:30 p.m.
TOM DUNN
dunn.t@comcast.net
Hopkinton
■A Christmas quilt by Suki Wright is being raffled at the American Legion. The drawing will be at the Children’s’ Christmas party on Dec. 17.
■Two Villages Art Society (TVAS) is holding its 2023 Winter Members Show and Sale through Dec. 23 at 846 Main Street in the village of Contoocook. The gallery is open to the public Thursday through Sunday, from 12- 4 p.m.
■Red Cross Blood Drive at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Hopkinton on Wed Dec. 20 from 1:30-6:15 p.m. Register at redcrossblood.org and enter HOPKINTONNH. Or call 800-RED-CROSS. Co-sponsored by St Andrew’s and First Congregational Church of Hopkinton.
■Registration is open for the 2024 Bill Koch Youth Nordic Ski League (BKL) season for kids in grades K-8. The program will run Fridays from 3:15-4:30 p.m. and Sundays from 4 – 5 p.m. starting Friday Jan. 5 and running through Feb. 23. There also may be occasional informal Tuesday practice sessions from 3:15-4:30 p.m
KATHLEEN BUTCHER
kathb123@comcast.net
Pembroke
■Special thanks to Shirley’s Kitchen on Main Street in Suncook for providing the Meet Me In Suncook Committee with a spectacular Christmas party meal. Great people, great food – what could be better!!
JOCELYN CARLUCCI
taihi@comcast.net
Pittsfield
■The Chancel Choir and the JuBellation Handbell Choir of the First Congregational Church, 24 Main Street, are pleased to present a free Christmas concert entitled, “Joyful Christmas,” Friday, Dec.15, 7 p.m. This special one-hour concert will feature many of your favorite Christmas songs and some new ones! And wear your favorite Christmas attire to the concert. Light refreshments will be served. Parking and wheelchair accessible entrance are located at rear of church. For more information: 603-435-7471.
■The Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a House Decorating Contest in the spirit of the season. All Pittsfield residents and businesses are encouraged to pull out those holiday lights and decorations and participate. No entry fee and a $100 prize! For information and to register, please call or text Kathy at 603-833-1434. Judging will be held on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. (weather permitting). Let’s “Light Up Pittsfield!!” and get in the holiday spirit!
■The Barnstead Parade Congregational Church is holding their Cookie Walk on Sat, Dec. 16 from 9-12 p.m. For more information, contact J. Terry at 603-269-5441.
■The Pittsfield Historical Society will be open on Sunday, Dec. 10 from 1-4 p.m. Stop in and browse all the wonderful artifacts from Pittsfield’s history!
ANDREA RIEL
pittsfieldtowncrier@hotmail.com
Warner
■Voice your concerns about poor internet access and/or limited provider selection. The NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) will be receiving a large federal grant to bring high-speed broadband to unserved and underserved locations in the state. You may read the Draft Initial Proposal Plan, Volumes I and II, and submit comments until Dec. 13 at nheconomy.com/office-of-broadband-initiatives/iija/bead.
■The town of Warner is seeking photos of Warner’s natural disasters and severe weather events, including drought or flooding damage, from 2019 – 2023 for the five-year update to the Hazard Mitigation Plan. Your photos will help document the events. Send photos to Ed Mical, director of the Emergency Management Department, at emd@warnerNH.gov. Please include location, date, and photographer credit.
■Library Book Group will meet Wed. Dec. 13 at 1:30 p.m. to discuss The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman. All welcome. Copies are available at the library. Warner Writers Group with David Elliot will read selections of their writings at Cafe One East on Thurs. Dec 14. Please arrive to order coffee 6-6:30, readings begin at 6:30 p.m.
ELIBET CHASE
warnertowncrier@gmail.com
Webster
■On Friday, Dec.15 at 7 p.m. join the library to watch “Christmas in Connecticut,” a rom com in which a food writer who has lied about being the perfect housewife must try to cover her deception when her boss and a returning war hero invite themselves to her home for a traditional family Christmas. Starring Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, and Sydney Greenstreet. Free snacks and comfy chairs are always available.
■Tax bills have been mailed out. If you want to see past and present tax bills for your property, first go to webster-nh.gov and then click on Property Tax Information or go to nhtaxkiosk.com/?kioskid=webster.
■The Winter Maintenance Policy. Pursuant to RSA 41:11 the Town of Webster passed the following ordinance. It shall be a violation of this ordinance for cars to be parked in the right-of-way during and including November 1st through April 1st. Failure to adhere to this ordinance will result in: First Incident-Police issue a verbal warning with copy of Winter Maintenance Policy. Second Incident–Police issue a written violation and a fine of $100. Third Incident–Vehicle is towed and stored at owner’s expense.
NANCY PICTHALL-FRENCH
jobar2003@yahoo.com