Concord/Penacook
■Penacook Winter Farmers Market is now open every Wednesday, from 3 to 6 p.m., at Riverhill Grange, 32 Horse Hill Road.
■The Open Door Community Kitchen, housed in Fellowship Hall (rear parking lot entry) at United Church of Penacook, serves free hot and nutritious meals every Monday and Wednesday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. All are welcome.
CHERYL STINSON
news03303@aol.com
■A momentous occasion for the South End Neighbors and others who happen to know Lou Sillari! Lou will be celebrating his 108th birthday on Friday in the comfort of his home! As he always says after blowing out the candles, “and there’s the next one coming up” which will be his 109th next year! Enjoy your one and only 108th this year with gusto, Lou! You’re a treasure to behold! (Note from Jean: Happy Birthday, Lou! It’s been a big annual honor to celebrate you since I began this column with your 100th! Enjoy!)
■Safe Haven Ballet presents How the Grinch Stole Christmas today at 4:30 p.m. at the Chubb Theatre at CCA 44 S. Main St. Get tickets at ccanh.com. The story of a lonely creature who tries to cancel Christmas by stealing the gifts and decorations from the homes of the nearby town of Whoville on Christmas Eve. This ballet is full of laughter, romance and an important lesson about the true meaning of the holiday season. The Grinch is a unique interactive experience for audience members of all ages & learning opportunity that transforms our ballet stage into a vibrant classroom! The performance is set to both classical music and contemporary holiday music and includes narration so each audience member has a clear understanding of the story & can fully appreciate the artistry of the professional dancers.
■Celebrate at the New Years Eve Disco & Dinner Party at the Grappone Conference Center, 70 Constitution Avenue on Sunday, December 31! Ring in the New Year in style with an unforgettable party filled with music, dancing, and endless fun at 7 p.m.! Register at eventbrite.com/e/new-years-eve-disco-dinner-party-at-the-grappone-conference-center-tickets-713831809157.
■See the Concord High Girls vs. Salem Hockey Game at the Douglas N. Everett Arena, 15 Loudon Road on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
■Shake, Rattle, and Roll will include music, fun games, yoga, and creative movement for toddler through preschool age children with their caregivers in the Library Auditorium on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. Please register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1bCX5nGVzBCTAU2j9tbHVHqTuAu0KH6ySUPZEAFJdguw/viewform?edit_requested=true.
■Join the Library for this hands-on STEAM Event and learn fun facts, make discoveries, and create! It’s 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. This program is best suited for grade-school children, 5 to 10. Please register here. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1cyl9DT9CM-wNKAkJsuac3Wm8tafcfvhcYUH3mDJXKYA/viewform?edit_requested=true
■Can you complete the challenge? What will you build? Use engineering skills and creativity in this LEGO Club Program for elementary-school-age children on Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 3:30 p.m. Please register here. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-eASlgKRpW8wK-S1PqqRTcshPUtgQaLYrvuyqMPJFbU/viewform?edit_requested=true
■It’s time to drop in for fun with the Parks and Recreation Department. There’s Adult Drop In Pickleball, Monday through Saturday, mornings and afternoons. Try Drop In Futsal on Monday. You can score in
■Adult Drop In Basketball, Monday through Thursday. Drop into Family Open Gym on Tuesday through Saturday. Go to concordnh.gov/666/Parks-Recreation for times, locations and other fun!
■The monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee will be on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the City Wide Community Center. The Public is always welcome.
■A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Heather Pierson Trio happens on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Bank of NH Stage, 16 S. Main St. Tickets are $25 at ccanh.com/show/charlie-brown-jazz-christmas. Based in Conway, the Heather Pierson Jazz Trio performs a rich variety of Heather’s originals, jazz and blues standards, and unique re-workings of familiar American music. In their annual December offering, they share their interpretation of Vince Guaraldi’s iconic soundtrack of ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ plus other Guaraldi compositions and other holiday favorites. The Heather Pierson Jazz Trio perform the entirety of the Charlie Brown Christmas album as recorded by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, as well as other Guaraldi compositions.
■City offices will be closed on Monday, Dec. 25 in observance of Christmas Day. Trash and recycling collection for Monday will be postponed to Tuesday. Collection will be delayed by one day for the rest of the week into Saturday. The Concord Transfer Station will be closed on Sunday and Monday. Happy Holidays!
■Concord Crew and Red River Theatre are co-hosting the movie “Boys in the Boat” for the evening showing on Tuesday, December 26. Concord Crew rowers and coxswains will be attending and available to answer questions about rowing or our youth programs which cover grades 7-12. Contact info@concordcrew.org for more information. They suggest you buy tickets early! They will be giving away two Learn to Row Sessions and 2 CC sweatshirts.
JEAN VER HOEVEN
jeanann@voicenet.com
Allenstown
■Town of Allenstown Town Clerk and Tax Collector hours for all services for Dec. 18 to Dec. 21 are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and closed from 1 to 2 p.m. for lunch. Closed on Friday.
■Winter Parking Ban will be from Nov. 15 to April 15, 2024. Winter Parking Bans vehicles from parking on any portion of a public street after midnight until 6 a.m. can be ticketed and can also be towed depending on the circumstances. Please work together as a community this winter season, so that our Highway Dept. can focus on clearing the streets to make our travels safer.
■2023 Angel Tree Gift Program to help Allenstown children in need go to allenstownnh.gov for more information. Thank you
■The Suncook Senior Center on Dec. 21 at 10 a.m. will hold a PJ Bingo and Christmas Meal. Come in dressed in your favorite Christmas PJ and have a great Christmas meal. Arts and Crafts on Dec. 20 will decorate a faux Gingerbread House. Cribbage Club is on Tuesday at 10 a.m to noon. Remember that the caregiver support group is held every Tuesday from 1 to 2 p.m.
■St. John the Baptist choir rehearsal will be held Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. after K of C Holy Hour at the Parish Hall.
■The Giving Tree Program has decorated ornaments with gift suggestion for the boys from Pine Haven Center as well as the pregnancy center assisting women and their families. Please choose a ornament, purchase the gift and return as soon as possible. Thank you very much.
CLAUDETTE VERVILLE
cverville2@comcast.net
BOSCAWEN
■‘Tis the season to celebrate at the Holiday Open House happening tomorrow at the Boscawen Public Library. The festive activities are from 2 to 6:30 p.m. for kids and adults to enjoy holiday music and enjoy light refreshments. Craft Bags will be given to children to work on at the library or to take home with them. A Holiday Story will be shared at 6 p.m. with all that wish to listen.
■Christmas Eve services will be held at the Congregational Church on Sunday, Dec. 24 beginning at 6 p.m.
■The Writer’s Workshop will not be meeting in December due to the holiday. Their next meeting is on Monday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m.
■Town Offices and the Library will be closed on Monday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Dec. 26 for the holiday.
MARY ALLARD
boscawenpl@gmail.com
BRADFORD
■Interested public members are encouraged to attend the Public Hearing on Dec. 18 for the acceptance of Unanticipated Funds at 6 p.m. in the Selectmen’s meeting room at the Community Center.
■On Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, the Bradford Fire Department will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive at the Fire Station from 1 to 5 p.m. To sign up, please contact RedCrossBlood.org or contact the fire chief at firechief@bradford.org
■Bradford’s Tax Rate has been set and bills were received by owners on Dec. 9 with payment due by Jan. 9, 2024.
■The Holiday House tour of decorated properties was a great success, and the winners of the awards include: The Peoples Choice Award went to 127 Old Warner Road who received the copper boot and $200 cash donated by The Appleseed Restaurant. The Spirit of Christmas went to 67 Deer Valley Road who received a $50 gift card from the 121 Gift Shop, The Clark Griswald award went to 56 W. Main St., receiving a $50 gift card to Market Basket by an anonymous donor. Take a ride around town to see the many decorated homes. Thanks to all participants.
MARGE CILLEY
mgcilley@gmail.com
CANTERBURY
■Message from Canterbury Community Farmers Market: Thanks to everyone who showed up at the market on Saturday, Dec. 9! 200+ folks came to visit and it was a cheerful and vibrant way to end our market season. If you would like to keep up with the market over winter months you can visit us on Facebook, find us on Instagram, or hop over to the Market website CanterburyFarmersMarket.com. If you sign up for the Market News we promise not to overload your inbox, but might send you a few recipes, a joke or two, some photographs, and will certainly send you everything you know need to know about when we open again in 2024 (spoiler alert: it will be the first Wednesday in June!) Happy New Year, neighbahs!!
■The Town Offices will be closing early on Thursday, Dec. 21. The hours that day will be 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
■The Town Offices will also be closed on Monday, Dec. 25 and Monday, Jan. 1.
■Elkins Public Library news: The next meeting of Elkins Public Library Board of Trustees is on Monday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m.; In December the Evening Book Group will be reading “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” by Charlie Mackesy. We meet for discussion by the fireplace on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. Copies are available at the circulation desk. Bring a snack to share if you wish; Afternoon at the Movies on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 3:30 p.m., join us for some classic Christmas movies and a snack! Children of all ages are welcome; children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
■Join Elkins Public Library on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 10 a.m. for a special Story Time with Mrs. Claus! The hour will be filled with singing, stories, activities and snacks. Come help us celebrate this festive season!
RACHEL BAKER
bakercompany4@gmail.com
CHICHESTER
■The Board of Selectmen will hold a budget meeting on Dec. 19 discussing the 2024 proposed budget with the highway department at 6 p.m. and the fire department at 7 p.m. at town hall. On Dec. 21, the BOS and Advisory Budget Committee will hold a workshop to discuss the budget that is proposed for the March town meeting. Contact town hall for details.
■The School Board will hold a meeting on Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. at the school to explain the 4.88% increase in the 2024 budget and warrant articles. The school will have early release on Dec. 22 at 12:40 p.m. for the holiday break.
■Chichester Grange No. 132 will hold a 2024 planning meeting on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. in their meeting room at town hall.
■Town and school district election of officers will take place on March 12, Town Meeting Day. Filing period for your name to appear on the official town and school ballot for an office starts on Jan. 24 and ends Feb. 2. Watch for details coming out soon from your town clerk and school district clerk on the procedures required by state law and the list of office positions that terms are expiring. Absentee ballot applications are available from the town clerk for the Jan. 23 Presidential Election.
EVELYN PIKE
broomtailfarm@hotmail.com
DUNBARTON
■Holiday schedules: Town offices are closed all day for the holiday on Dec. 25. School holiday recess is Dec. 25 through Jan 1. School resumes on Jan. 2, 2024. The library will be open Dec. 23, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The library will be closed on Dec. 26. The library will be closed on Dec. 30. The library will be open on Jan. 2, from noon to 7 p.m.
■“No Book” Book Discussion will be Wednesday at noon at the library. Wrap up the year, share a few snacks, and load your book suggestions into the Random Spinner for selection for the coming year.
■Christmas Services at the Congregational Church News: Christmas Eve this year falls on a Sunday. The deacons and church council have decided rather than have two services that Sunday. They will just be having an evening service, starting at 7 p.m. There will be no morning church service on Dec. 24.
NORA LEDUC
noleduc2000@yahoo.com
Henniker/Weare
■Congratulations to Weare Middle School 8th graders Nick Tetro and Miles Green on their acceptance to the New Hampshire Band Directors Association Middle Level Honors Band in April. They are the first students in WMS history to be accepted into this Honors Band.
■Coming up on Jan. 29, 2024 will be a visit by the Harlem Wizards who will play a team comprised of teachers, principals and community members from the Weare Middle School, Henniker Community School, and Center Woods.
■On Jan. 9, Henniker School District Board Meeting at 6 p.m. and 2024-25 Budget Hearing at the Henniker Community School at 7 p.m. and live streamed on SAU 24 YouTube channel.
■On Jan. 12, John Stark School District Board Meeting, 6 p.m. and 2024-25 Budget Hearing at John Stark and live streamed. There will be no school Jan. 15, Civil Rights Day.
■Alchemists’ Workshop (Weare Henniker Youth Theatre) is seeking area residents to serve on their Board of Directors. Contact dunn.t@comcast.net for more info.
TOM DUNN
dunn.t@comcast.net
Hopkinton
■Two Villages Art Society 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 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.
■Hopkinton Historical Society is currently selling some of Linda Mai’s artwork that she made before she passed in November. The proceeds will be given to a charity in Linda’s memory.
KATHLEEN BUTCHER
kathb123@comcast.net
Pembroke
■The Pembroke Historical Society is offering suggestions for families to address their oral histories at upcoming holiday gatherings. “The Basics of Video Interviews” and lists of potential questions are now available on the PHS website to help facilitate discussions with family members, neighbors and friends. “The holidays are a perfect time to ask about family stories and histories”, says PHS President Ayn Whytemare, who compiled the information; the link for accessing the website is https://pembrokenhhistoricalsociety.com/research. Anyone interesting in sharing their videos on the Society’s YouTube channel may call 603-228-1421.
JOCELYN CARLUCCI
taihi@comcast.net
Pittsfield
■At the Senior Center on Thursday at 9:30 a.m., please join us for a Christmas party and spend some special time together. Schedule: 9 to 9:30 a.m. Chair Yoga, 9:30 to 10 a.m. snacks and chit-chat, 10 to 11 a.m., Bingo, 11 a.m. to noon Yankee swap. No more than a $10 gift.
■The Pittsfield Elementary School Holiday Concert will be held on Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m. at the high school gym. (Snow date is Thursday).
■Joy Church, 55 Barnstead Road, will hold their Christmas Eve service at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 24 with a Children’s Christmas Pageant.
■Join your friends and neighbors and bring the whole family to a wonderful traditional candlelight service Sunday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, 7 p.m., at the First Congregational Church, 24 Main St., Pittsfield. The service includes beautiful music by the Chancel Choir and the JuBellation Handbell Choir, scripture lessons, the story of the first Christmas, the sanctuary shimmering in candlelight and the singing of “Silent Night.” Include this lovely evening service in your holiday plans. Parking and wheelchair access are available at the rear of the church at Chestnut Street. For more information, call the church office at 435-7471.
ANDREA RIEL
pittsfieldtowncrier@hotmail.com
Warner
■Main Street Warner’s 2023 Impact Report is available at mainstreetwarnerinc.org. Learn about the work this local organization has completed this year with the generous support of the community. And, speaking of giving back, bring a donation for the Warner Area Food Pantry to Café One East and receive a coupon for half off your drink. Donations may also be made directly to the Food Pantry at their location at 49 W. Main St., or mailed to PO Box 402, Warner, NH, 03278. View their wish list at warnerconnectsnh.org.
■Still lots of holiday activity in Warner! Enjoy Breakfast with Santa today, Dec. 17, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Reed’s North. Take pictures with Santa and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate. Brunch runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Warner Historical Society’s Barn Sale continues Dec. 17 and 23 from 9 a.m. to noon. NH Telephone Museum has ornaments, and more, for sale Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Trees and greenery can be found at Warner Aubuchon, Café One East, and the Buttonwood Shop. And, don’t miss the Festival of Lights tree display at Town Hall!
■The New Hampshire Student Transportation Association seeks feedback from parents regarding their experiences with student bus transportation. To complete a survey, visit surveymonkey.com/r/P559SLY.
ELIBET CHASE
warnertowncrier@gmail.com
Webster
■The Webster Town Clerk’s Office is looking for a part-time Deputy Town Clerk. The office is open every Monday and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and again from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Deputy Town Clerk will be asked to work eight hours per week, and to fill in if the Town Clerk is absent due to illness, vacation, etc. The Deputy Town Clerk’s hours will be discussed in more detail during the interview process. This position reports to the Town Clerk. T A high school diploma or GED required. Higher education preferred. At least six months previous experience with similar work required. If hired, a Municipal Agent Certification shall be obtained as it is required to perform the duties of this position. Strong knowledge of computers and office equipment required. Strong customer service skills, math skills, and attention to detail required. Must be able to work efficiently and independently. Must be a Town of Webster resident.
NANCY PICTHALL-FRENCH
jobar2003@yahoo.com