Amherst Citizen
THE AMHERST CITIZEN • 1
VOLUME 27 – NUMBER 1
SEPTEMBER 2018
Postal Customer
THE
PRSRT. STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 10 Amherst, NH ECR WSS
www.amherstcitizen.com • SEPTEMBER 2018 •
AM H E R S T , N E W HAM P S H I R E ’S C O M M U N I TY N E W S PAP E R
Morning Meeting
Ponemah Bog: Amherst’s Boreal Gem
Amherst’s Old Home Day
Community Dinner on the Common with Silent Auction!
Amherst’s Ponemah Bog is a popular spot for casual botanizing, but is it really even a bog?
At the daytime meeting of the Amherst Garden Club on T h u r s d a y, October 4, Pam Hunt, Ph.D., will explore the geology and ecology of the wide range of wetlands within the larger category of peatland - with a special focus on Ponemah. The program will close with an overview of the Ponemah Bog Sanctuary, its history, and stewardship. Pam is presently the Avian Conservation Biologist with the NH Audubon Society. The meeting will take place at 9:00 am at the Messiah Lutheran Church, 303 Route 101, Amherst. Following the business meeting and refreshments, the program will begin at 10:30. The public is welcome to attend with no fee.
Evening Meeting
Raptor Migration in NH: What the Numbers Tell Us
Join Phil Brown for a talk about hawk watching in New Hampshire, raptor identification and species natural histories. He will discuss what we have learned from observing the fall migration spectacle at Pack Monadnock Mountain each Fall for the past 13 years, as well as share anecdotes from the observatory, ID techniques, and tips on timing for enjoying this annual event. Phil Brown is a lifelong bird enthusiast and trained naturalist who has traveled extensively in search of birds and natural places, but equally enjoys exploring close to home. He is a frequent field trip leader and instructor for NH Audubon, where he manages wildlife sanctuaries across the state. Phil has led many birding and nature tours from New England to the tropics for groups including Merlin Wildlife Tours, NH Audubon, Holbrook Travel, Road Scholar, and the Hawk Migration Association of North America. He has consulted on bird-related research projects for The Nature Conservancy and several local land trusts. Phil now coordinates the Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory for the Harris Center. In addition, Phil volunteers his time through coordinating two Christmas Bird Counts for National Audubon, runs an annual Breeding Bird Survey route for the USGS, and sits on various state and regional bird and wildlife committees. He is a winner of several birding competitions including NJ Continued on page 2 u
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Letters.................................. 2 Town News............................ 4 Library.................................. 5, 6 Arts & Entertainment............. 7, 8 Schools/Sports...................... 9 Ballots.................................. 10 Local Events.......................... 11 Mont Vernon......................... 12 Next Issue: October 2018
AMHERST – Get Your tickets ASAP and join your neighbors for a festive evening on the Common (5:307:00PM) complete with a Silent Auction chock full of terrific Amherst-related items. This fun benefit supports the Wigwam and Chapel museums. The Historical Society will set up the Common with festive lighting, tables with linens, and chairs. To join in just pur-
Schedule of Events – Amherst Old Home Day, September 8, 2018
AJWC Silhouette Fundraiser
8:00 AM – Disc Golf Arrival @ Birch Park (Preregister @ Amherst Community Foundation Site) 9:00 AM – Silhouette Fundraiser for the Junior Women’s Club (Free registration required ) 9:00 AM – Disc Golf Start! 10:00 AM – Silent Auction on Town Common Begins! 10:00, 11:00 & 12:00 – Vanished Amherst walking tours (Meet on Town Common) 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Crafts, Clothes & Other Vendors Open on the Town Common 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Revolutionary War Reenactment Camp (Buchanan Field) 11:00 AM – Food Truck opens at the Common 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Amherst Lions Popcorn Wagon on the Town Common NOON – Amherst Garden Club Village Walking Tour (Meet on Town Common) 11:00 PM – 1 PM – Concert by Fiddler Christopher Dudley (Town Common) 1:00 PM – 3 PM – Concert by Robert Allwarden (Town Common) 1:00 PM – Extended Congregational Church Tour 1:00 – 4 PM Antiques Roadshow @ Library (Register at the library site, bring an antique for appraisal) 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Bocce Tourney (Free Registration Required @ Amherst Recreation Site) 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Cornhole Tournament (Free Registration Required @ Amherst Recreation Site) 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM - Amherst Patriots cheerleaders (Town Common) 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Amherst Town Band in concert (Town Common) 5:00 PM –Dinner participants decorate tables (Get your tickets today at @ hsanh.org) 5:30 PM – Community Dinner begins (Town Common)
Amherst Town Administrator Jim O’Mara to Step Down Amherst Town Administrator James O’Mara submitted his resignation to the Amherst Board of Selectmen on Wednesday, August 29th. Jim has been the Amherst Town Administrator since the fall of 2011. Jim told the board he is stepping down to accept a position in Massachusetts. Jim’s
last day with the Town of Amherst will be September 28th. Board of Selectmen Chairman Dwight Brew thanked Jim for his seven years of service to Amherst and for the strong team of department heads Jim has helped put in place and develop.
Calling All Book Lovers!
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Vice Chairman Peter Lyon also thanked Jim for his commitment to the community and his willingness to sit down and help anyone who had a concern. The Board of Selectmen voted to accept Jim’s resignation with regret. The Amherst Board of Selectmen is currently review-
ing proposals to assist in the search for a new Town Administrator. While the timeline for this search is still being worked out, the board hopes to have the new Town Administrator in place in December or January.
2018 Amherst Cider Festival
chase an entire table for 8 to 10 people at the HSANH website (Early Bird pricing is $100), or a ticket for a community table ($15). Space is limited so act now! Then bring your favorite gourmet meal and to our tables on the Commom and enjoy a one-of-a-kind night out on the town with friends old and new while helping to preserve Amherst’s rich history. Tickets and more info at www.hsanh.org
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Saturday, September 8th, 9-3: Portraits in Silhouettes to Benefit the Amherst Junior Women’s Club will be at the Amherst Old Home Days at the Brick School 1 School St. Amherst. Hand cut by mother-daughter artists Jean & Marcella Comerford, these lovely matted portraits make a wonderful gift for the holidays. Don’t wait to sign up and secure your 10 minute time slot; children only need to sit for 5 minutes and the artists are experienced with wiggly little ones!
Sign up at www.ajwcnh. org, the Amherst Junior’s facebook page or at Sign Up Genius: Saturday, September 22nd, 8-1: Amherst Town Yard Sale to benefit the Amherst Junior Women’s Club: Many homes in Amherst will be participating in this town wide yard sale. The complete list of addresses and highlights of sale items will be available at www.ajwcnh.org, Amherst Junior’s Facebook page and Moulton’s Market 10 Main St, Amherst. Time to score some treasures!
Antiques Roadshow – What’s My Antique Worth? Page 5
Rotary 50th Pancake Breakfast
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