Amherst Citizen
THE AMHERST CITIZEN • 1
VOLUME 28 – NUMBER 7
MARCH 2020
Postal Customer
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PRSRT. STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 10 Amherst, NH ECR WSS
www.amherstcitizen.com • MARCH 2020 •
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
Amherst Town Library
Editorial
Election Day March 10
Crisis of Confidence By Cliff Ann Wales
Ballots & Voting Information Pages 10 and 11
Tax Calculations Town of Amherst – Operating budget
FY21 Tax Impacts Gross amount Tax Rate ARTICLE 22: Operating Budget $14,616,376 $5.35 ARTICLE 23: Contingency Fund $120,000 $0.00 ARTICLE 24: Police Station Renovation CRF $200,000 $0.12 ARTICLE 25: Communications Center CRF $25,000 $0.01 ARTICLE 26: Assessing Revaluation CRF $25,000 $0.01 ARTICLE 27: Service-Connected Total Disability $17,600 $0.01 Tax Credit ARTICLE 28: Optional Tax Credit for Combat Service $5,000 < $0.01 ARTICLE 29: Town Computer System CRF $15,000 $0.01 ARTICLE 30: Bridge Repair/Replacement CRF $200,000 $0.12 ARTICLE 31: Fire Rescue Vehicle /Equipment $257,000 $0.15 Purchase and Repair CRF ARTICLE 32: Amherst Street Side Path $287,500 $0.17 ARTICLE 33: Police Union Contract $46,221 $0.03 ------------------ ---------Total of warrant articles $0.64 Operating budget $5.35 Total Operating budget and articles/per thousand
$5.99
Tax Comparison
Operating budget & articles FY 20 - FY 21 -
$14,874,849 $15,814,697
Operating budget & articles increase - $939,848 Tax rate increase (rounded) - $0.37 Avg. home: $353,000 x $0.37 = $130 increase
Amherst School District
Article 12 - Operating Budget Default budget Tax impact is: Tax impact of not passing this article is:
$28,986,317 ($28,645,517) $0.09/thousand. $0.11 per thousand.
Article 13 - Amherst School District Capital Facilities Repair, Maintenance and Improvement Expendable Trust Fund $300,000 Tax impact is: $0.17 per thousand.
Along with our reputation for quality schools, Amherst also holds tight to its semi-rural lifestyle, historic environment with a charming village. That village is being stretched to its limit. It consists of historic homes, two schools, playgrounds, library, churches, retail and town and school offices. Parking is often at a premium. Twice a day during the school year, busses, schoolchildren on foot and bikes, parental drop-off and pick-up and commuter traffic flood the roadways and funnel onto primarily Boston Post Road and Foundry Street. Many residents ask how can adding two large developments to this mix be viewed as “in the best interest of Amherst?” Yet, it has spawned a crisis of confidence by residents who no longer believe that government is working properly. This isn’t just a planning board problem, it’s a town problem, a school problem, and a safety and health welfare problem. Recent development proposals include: Transfarmations, Brook Road development, Carlson Manor, Pendleton Farms, and Clearview Development (Prew property, bordered by Boston Post Rd and New Boston Road). Yes, it has been pointed out by board members that landowners and developers have rights. But, the abutters ask, “what about taxpayers who have been paying the taxes in Amherst? Do these responsible landowners, residents and neighbors have any rights?” What is needed in Amherst is a volunteer group of concerned citizens willing to devote the time to researching all sides of critical issues facing the town and schools with the intention of informing and involving the general electorate and improving the Master Plan. The plan must be a vision for Amherst with ordinances and application processes that are “clear, transparent,
repeatable, trusted, and in the best interest of Amherst residents,” according to Mike Akillian. Those volunteers have emerged under a familiar name, Amherst Citizens Association. This group started many years ago as a spin-off of the Amherst Ways and Means committee when several members didn’t think they were given the required information crucial to making informed decisions. One of the founding members was Rick Crocker. He was approached recently about revitalizing the committee and he gave his nod of approval for the new citizens to use the original name. At a meeting with Rick Crocker, Mike Akillian, Tim Kachmar, Tom Quinn and Jim Hendrix all agreed that they are seeking to restore the diverse voices of the residents in an effort to build quality governance in Amherst. The position of the committee is that they want to see a Master Plan in place as a road map for the town and schools to follow. With new residential developments and growth in town and school budgets, it becomes evident that strategic planning hasn’t been done. The ACA seeks to foster a community where opposing voices are heard and treated fairly. “Democracy dies in darkness,” says Tim Kachmar. Most residents don’t know what is going on,” says Tom Quinn. “There’s a lack of citizen engagement and when the citizens do speak up the boards don’t like what they hear. This is a town wide problem.” Jim Hendrix emphasized education as the foundation of the organization. “I’ve observed some of the problems up-close during recent planning board meetings,” says Jim Hendrix. “We need to educate, engage and advocate,” he continued. People with diverse voices need to speak out. Meet, greet and sign up: Amhersttoday.net
Total of budget and warrant articles: $29,286,317 Tax impact: $0.26/thousand Avg. home: $353,000 x $0.26 = $92 increase
Souhegan Cooperative School District
Article 2 – Operating Budget $18,377,407 Default Budget ($18,371,651) $0.58/thousand for Amherst and $0.00/thousand for Mont Vernon. Tax impact of No vote:
$0.58/$1,000 for Amherst and $0.00/thousand for Mont Vernon.
Article 3 – Fund agreement between professional and support staff of SHS for fiscal year FY21 $299,102 Tax impact: $0.15/thousand for Amherst and $0.15/thousand for Mont Vernon. Article 4 – School Maintenance Expendable Trust Fund $100,000 Tax impact: $0.05/ thousand for Amherst $0.05/thousand for Mont Vernon. Total $18,776,509 Total of SCSB budget and warrant articles: $18,776,509 Tax impact: $0.78/thousand Avg. home: $353,000 x $0.78 = $275 increase
Totals on $353,000/property: Town – Amherst School District Souhegan Cooperative
$137 $92 $275
TOTAL
$504
All numbers were published on ballots and handouts at the deliberative meeting. Any differences are the rounding of numbers.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Letters............ 2, 3, 10, 13, 14, 15 Town News............................ 4 Recreation............................ 4 Library.................................. 5, 8 Arts & Entertainment............. 6 Schools................................. 9 Amherst Ballots..................... 11, 12 Mont Vernon......................... 16
Amherst Town Library Renovation Open House, March 29 The Amherst Town Library renovation is complete! These renovations were made possible because of the thoughtful generosity of Doris E. Jones, an Amherst native who loved her town library, Trustee funds, and the always generous support of the Friends of the Amherst Library. Our new space combines service
points to streamline patron experience, improves the efficiency of circulation desk, and provides ergonomic and collaborative staff workspaces. Please join us on Sunday, March 29 2:00-4:00PM as we celebrate our new space with cake and self-guided tours! This open house will allow you to see and understand these renova-
tions and what they can do for you as a member of the Amherst community. We are so thankful for this renovation, the generous funding that enabled the project, and the flexibility of all of our patrons as we worked around a plastic wall for two months. This is your library, come and celebrate with us!
Friends of the Amherst Town Library Announce Trivia Night, March 28 AMHERST – Get your geek on! It’s Trivia Time. On Saturday, March 28th the Friends of the Amherst Town Library will be hosting their 8th annual Trivia Night at LaBelle Winery in Amherst. Doors open at 6:00 and Trivia begins promptly at 7:00. New this year, NH State Senator Shannon Chandley will be our special guest, serving as the “quizmaster” for the evening during the trivia time. Reserve your table soon - this event always sells out! Gather your smartest friends and make a trivia power team! Tables are available for $500, or individual tickets are available for $50 a piece. Partial tables and individuals tickets are available. Entry includes an appetizer buffet, trivia, and a coupon for a future wine tasting. Cash bar is available for drinks. To reserve your table, send an email to 2019TriviaNight@gmail.com or contact Kim Casey at 816-560-9047. Also please let us know if you would like to donate a tax-deductible item or gift card to our silent auction. All proceeds from tickets and raffle will benefit the Amherst Town Library.
To learn more about Trivia Night or “The Friends” just visit https://www.facebook.com/ friendsoftheamherstlibrary/. Thank you to LaBelle Winery for sponsoring our event.
Jeff Snow
The Softer Side of Celtic The Amherst Town Library is pleased to kick off the winter concert series with “The Softer Side of Celtic” on Sunday, March 8, 2020 at 4:00PM. Growing up as the son of a drummer in a Bagpipe band and in a home where older Celtic songs were the everyday sounds, Jeff Snow developed a love for the music of Scotland, England and Ireland. His concerts have been described as “quiet and relaxing “ and much of it is, but sometimes he’ll break out and the foot stomping begins. The magical sounds from the instruments coupled with vocals and Jeff’s love and knowledge of his Scottish heritage create a delightful program of traditional and original tunes and songs.
Much of the history of Scotland, England and Ireland is preserved in song. Hearing those stories along with the songs educate as well as entertain. You will see singing, laughing, lots of smiles and perhaps a few tears as you enjoy music on guitar, bouzouki and autoharp. The winter concert series is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Library, All adult programs offered at the Amherst Town Library are free and open to the public. Registration is required due to space limitations. Register for these events listed above by calling 673-2288 or by visiting the website at www.amherstlibrary.org and selecting the “Community Services” tab, then click on drop down “Sign-Up for Programs.”
March Artist of the Month, Wendy Ayotte The Friends of the Amherst Town Library would like to welcome Wendy Ayotte to display her mixed media art on the first floor of the Amherst Town Library for the month of March. Wendy is a Milford resident and is the Art Director at the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley. Her work will be up for the entire month of March with fresh hanging locations in the newly remodeled main floor of the library. There is no registration and all are welcome to stop in during business hours to view Wendy’s work. Wendy is a mixed media artist who combines her love of recycled materials, collage, acrylic paint and text to create colorful art with uplifting messages and strong visual impact. Wendy is an avid reader who is inspired by the written word in all its forms. Using color and text, she choos-
Genesha, by Wendy Ayotte
es to make art that lifts the spirit and imbues the viewer with a joyful sense of hope and positive inspiration. She believes deeply in affirming the worth of all people, and especially encouraging kids to believe in themselves and their unique individual value. When not making her own art or working, Wendy loves spending time with her husband Dan, adult children Emma, Max, and Lily and extended family, and baking decadent (mostly chocolate) desserts.
Sen. Chandley Bill to Expand Health Coverage for PFAS Contamination CONCORD - State Senator Shannon Chandley (D-Amherst) introduced SB 623-FN to the Senate Commerce Committee. SB 623FN requires insurance coverage for perfluoroalkyls (PFAS) and perfluorinated compound (PFC) blood testing. This legislation follows the passage of two bills this year that also seek to address New Hampshire’s drinking water and waste water crisis, SB 287-FN and SB 486. After the hearing, prime sponsor Senator Shannon Chandley (D-Amherst) issued the following statement:
“We are taking significant action toward cleaning up New Hampshire’s drinking water and ensuring public safety. We must not forget, however, that many people have already been exposed to unsafe levels of PFAS in their drinking water. This is a matter of equity; we need to catch possible health problems early and ensure that no one is without the necessary coverage. As we work to prevent future health crises, it is our responsibility to understand the harm that has already occurred – SB 623 is one step in the process.”
2 • THE AMHERST CITIZEN • F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 • w w w . a m h e r s t c i t i z e n . c o m
Letters & Opinions The SAU Joint Facilities Advisory Committee
The SAU Joint Facilities Advisory Committee, JFAC, is comprised of members of the SAU staff, the Amherst PTA, Amherst and Souhegan school boards, and members of the community. • The JFAC has been tasked with conducting a thoughtful and extensive analysis of the state of public education facilities in Amherst, NH. This includes Amherst Middle School, Clark-Wilkins Elementary School, and Souhegan High School. • The JFAC is committed to presenting solutions that will serve both the interim and long-term facilities needs of the school children of Amherst. • The JFAC endorses the need for professional services to accurately assess and weigh options for remodel or replacement across the district. • The JFAC supports the work that has already taken place with Souhegan 2.0.
After touring the buildings and researching the history of educational facilities in Amherst, the Joint Facilities Advisory Committee finds several areas for improvement to assure that we are providing an appropriate and quality learning environment for the students of SAU 39.
Why Now?
While our students continue to receive an outstanding and highly-regarded educational experience, the buildings in which they do so do not match the same high standards that we place on the curriculum. Clark was built in 1937, Wilkins in 1967, AMS in 1973, and Souhegan and the Annex in 1992 and 2001, respectively. Classrooms, students, and programming look very different in 2020 than when these buildings were created. There are new educational requirements (state and federal laws) that mandate additional services. Many of these mandates were not required when our schools were built. A number of the school facilities in town are also coming due for costly system upgrades and replacements. Do we repair or replace and which option is the most efficient and cost-effective for our community? Also, what is best for educational outcomes?
Do Temporary Solutions Save Money?
One example the committee noted throughout the historical research phase is that residents have often favored a strategy of addressing shortterm enrollment demands by augmenting facilities with portable classrooms and smaller additions. It was thought to be a temporary problem requiring only a short-term solution. However, after three decades of employing this strategy it is becoming plain that our needs are beyond temporary. We are now faced with this question - Is it the best use of resident tax-dollars to continue investing in temporary, disposable assets? Is there a better solution?
A Way Forward, Together
The SAU has developed a detailed maintenance plan based upon a capital assessment review of our current systems at Amherst Middle School, Clark-Wilkins, and Souhegan High School. With the support of voters, the SAU can begin to fund this plan, implementing scheduled repairs (keeping the doors open and the lights on) and updating systems as needed. At the same time, the SAU can begin work with architects and educational space planners to review remodel and replacement options. A necessary step to ensure that we are making the most appropriate and efficient use of our budgets. The FY ’21 Operating Budgets and Expendable Trust Fund warrant articles for ASD and Souhegan include funds to continue the comprehensive planning needed to keep all of the schools in Amherst on par with the exceptional educational experience our community expects. Our quality schools continue to attract residents to our town.
Stay Tuned
We will provide updates in this format regularly. Additionally, we will host building tours, coffee chats and round-tables as we move through the process.
The committee is currently comprised of 15 members. Amy Facey - Chair/Souhegan School Board Shannon Gascoyne - Vice Chair/Community Member John Bowkett - Community Member David Chen - Alternate/ Souhegan School Board Brian Coogan - Community Member Tom Gauthier - Amherst School Board Christine Grayson- Community Member Pim Grondstra - Souhegan School Board Ellen Grudzien - Amherst School Board Shannon Hargreaves - Souhegan High School Student Rep. Jeanne Ludt - Community Member Victoria Parisi - Amherst PTA President Kristan Patenaude - Community Member Adam Steel - SAU 39 Superintendent Laura Taylor - Alternate/Souhegan School Board
Committee meetings are open to the public. They generally meet every two weeks. The dates and times are listed on the SAU Calendar.
Letters To the editor: The Amherst Citizen is eager to serve as a community forum. We welcome your letters, opinions, and commentaries and make every effort to run them in their entirety. We do reserve the right to edit. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the position of the staff of The Amherst Citizen.
AMHERST The
Cliff Ann Wales
Publisher & Editor
Please direct your letters, views and commentary to the Editor, The Amherst Citizen, P.O. Box 291, Amherst, NH 03031-0291, or e-mail your submission to: news@amherstcitizen.com. We will attempt to run your letter as submitted (space permitting) providing it is signed and phone number is included.
CITIZEN Jim Wales
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Chair of Souhegan School Board Discusses Budget FY2021 To the editor:
The FY2021 Souhegan Cooperative School Board budget is a straight-forward budget and seeks to address three main objectives. These include: • Pass a budget that supports our strategic efforts • Support a 4-year teacher agreement that solves competitive imbalances • Pass the 1st year of a multi-year Capital Maintenance Plan
First, with respect to passing a budget that supports the strategic efforts of both Souhegan and SAU39, I’d ask you to consider the current strategy for our schools. That strategy is to create a school system that offers a personal learning pathway to every student. Reaching this destination will be a multi-year process as we move from a traditional educational model, to a Mastery Learning model, which we believe is not only essential to creating personalized learning pathways, but is also a New Hampshire state regulation. No new major investments are required to support the curriculum component of our plan, but as we transition to this new model we need to strike a balance between investing in our teachers and staff, and working to achieve greater efficiencies in our overall cost structure to prepare for potential future investments. We have also worked more closely with the other SAU39 school districts to budget collaboratively, working to shift budget increases or decreases in any one year from one school to the other, depending on the greatest need, in an attempt decrease the overall burden to taxpayers. Therefore, we are making additional staffing reductions totaling $485,000 to address this, as well as projected enrollment estimates. These reductions were made possible through course scheduling efficiencies and an early retirement program for staff. The biggest increase in our FY2021 budget will be in Special Education, which represents a 16.34% increase, or $598,349. Were it not for the increase in Special Education, our budget would be down -2.05%. Therefore, the board has placed Article 2 on the ballot, recommending a 1.54% budget increase to $18,377,407. Given we have already made significant cuts in one-time expenditures, the proposed default will be $18,371,651, or a difference of $5,756. Second, with respect to the proposed 4-year teacher agreement, the board is attempting to rectify imbalances in competitive pay between new, tenured and highly experienced staff. Currently, Souhegan’s starting teacher pay is competitive with benchmark districts. We sought no change to the compensation for teachers in this range. The same can be said for highly experienced teachers. Our concern is for teachers with 10 or more years of experience. These teachers are compensated below the competitive bench-
mark at other school systems. Given these are our future, highly experienced teachers at Souhegan, and given they will bear the greatest responsibility for implementing the transition plan to Mastery Learning, it is the board’s recommendation that we move to correct this imbalance in the Article 3, PPC Agreement. The proposed agreement is structured as follows: FY2020-2021Estimated FY2021-2022Estimated FY2022-2023Estimated FY2023-2024Estimated
Increase: Increase: Increase: Increase:
$299,102 $298,994 $298,133 $298,656
Therefore, the board recommends to raise and appropriate the sum of $299,102 for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Lastly, by FY2021, the Souhegan facility will be approaching 30 years. As such, the board has asked the Superintendent to develop a long-range Capital Maintenance Plan to stay ahead of any planned and unplanned capital expenditures. As part of the analysis, the Superintendent has determined that ~$685,000 will be required every year across all SAU39 schools to support this maintenance plan, in order to load level the impact to taxpayers and make that tax impact more consistent and predictable. We currently have ~$250,000 in the Souhegan Capital Maintenance Fund and recommended our contribution be to add $100,000 to that fund this year in anticipation of future capital maintenance expenditures. It’s important to note, these funds are not part of the proposed Souhegan 2.0 Project, which would constitute a significant and comprehensive capital reinvestment in the entire Souhegan plant site at a future date. As always, the Souhegan Cooperative School Board, with guidance and oversight from the Advisory Finance Committee, sought to present a budget that is fair and equitable to all stakeholders in our communities at large. We also realize that your vote matters, and that without support from the communities of Amherst and Mont Vernon, Souhegan Cooperative High School and the young people it serves, cannot thrive. Souhegan has served as a distinctive point of pride in this community for a quarter-century and represents one of the biggest investments. We believe this budget respectfully and responsibly reflects those considerations. Respectfully submitted, James Manning Chair, Souhegan Cooperative School Board
Amherst School Board Budget To the editor:
This past month the Amherst School Board continued to move forward on next year’s budgetary matters by conducting a public hearing on January 8, and preparing for the deliberative session on February 4. The Board is very pleased that the Ways & Means Committee unanimously voted in favor of the two budgetary Warrant Articles that will appear on the ballot this March. The FY21 proposed budget for the Amherst School District is $28,986,317. This amount is $366,448, or 1.3%, over the FY20 default budget we are working under and $340,800 over the FY21 default budget. To recap, the Board is attempting to make progress on several key areas, including: • Class Size: The proposed budget includes funds for two new teachers, which will help alleviate class sizes that continue to exceed Board-adopted target goals. The precise placement of those teachers will be determined by the Administration based on enrollments that emerge as the 2020-21 school year approaches. The Board recognizes that these additions will not fully address every classroom where out-of-target class sizes persist. When deciding to limit the number of new teachers to two, rather than the full amount needed, the Board took into account both available space in the existing buildings for more classrooms, and desires to keep a responsible budget increase. • Renovation & Replacement Study: The proposed budget includes funds for a study for renovation or replacement of the district’s schools. With the help of the Joint Facilities Committee, our schools are in need of an upgrade to accommodate class size goals and special programming needs, and to adequately serve the investment we’ve made in curriculum. Armed with a capital needs assessment and the research-backed recommendations of the Joint Facility Committee, several areas of need were identified in our schools. These include the district’s long-term reliance on portable structures; the use of two elementary schools and the overall grade configuration; the space needs of a modern school compared to aging buildings; increased space for special education programming; and the value of investing in long-term repairs to these aging buildings. These funds will allow professionals with expertise in renovating and building schools to understand what and where actions can be considered. With this planning effort, the Board will be able to confidently evaluate which options make the most sense going forward. • Lunch and Recess Monitors: The proposed budget includes funds for three monitors for lunch and recess at Wilkins School, a need identified
by principal Anna Parrill. These monitors, working every day on a parttime basis, will set strong behavior expectations for lunch and recess while also better monitoring the safety of each child. They will also better monitor potential bullying issues, and provide full-time teachers and staff with more time for lunch and prep work. • Safety: The proposed budget includes funds for replacing safety pads for the AMS gymnasium, which will help reduce the severity of accidental collisions with equipment and walls. • Improved Learning Environment: The proposed budget includes funds for replacing modular furniture in eight classrooms at AMS. The current furniture is old and difficult to move. In light of today’s learning environments, new furniture is desired to create more functional classrooms that readily enable students to work individually and in group teams. • Facilities Maintenance: In a separate warrant article, $300,000 will be added to an existing expendable trust fund for facilities repair and maintenance. These funds are intended to address ongoing facilities needs that were identified in a 20-year capital assessment the Board commissioned in 2017. Regardless of what long-term planning solutions emerge, the existing facilities will continue to need repairs to equipment and features that approach the end of their useful life. This fund is critically low for upcoming schedule repairs with a balance of just $22,000.
The Board was proud to learn that AMS was again designated as a “Spotlight” school by the New England League of Middle Schools. This achievement means that AMS is known to all as a place of excellence for effective teaching and learning, and a place where best practices have been implemented. The designation comes only after an extensive review of AMS’s processes, including curriculum documents, professional development, state test scores, student and staff attendance rates, a discipline profile, the student handbook, a self-assessment survey, and improvement plans. AMS is one of only seven Spotlight middle schools in New Hampshire! The Board welcomes questions or comments from the public at any time. The best way to communicate is by email at ASB@sau39.org. Amherst School Board, Elizabeth Kuzsma, Chair Terri Behm, Vice Chair John Glover, Secretary Tom Gauthier Ellen Grudzien
—— More Letters on pages 3, 8 and 10 ——
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More Letters Souhegan PTSA Announces Fundraising Memory Quilt Raffle and “Drive and Jive” To the editor:
Do you have fond memories of the birth of a child? Growing up? High School? How about physical memories, like baby clothes? Precious keepsakes? How about team uniforms, warm-up jerseys, t-shirts, etc? Of course you do! As many of us do, we tend to fold them up, pack them in tubs or boxes and put them up in closet shelves. What if you could see those memories every day? The PTSA is holding a raffle to raise funds for various endeavors such as grants, scholarships and school functions. One of our members has generously donated her time and effort into creating a “Memory Quilt” for one lucky winner of the raffle. A “Memory Quilt” is just that... one made out of the many physical memories throughout your or your students life, or any memories you choose. She will work hand in hand with the lucky winner to create this wonderful quilt... one to be enjoyed for many years to come! The tickets sold for the raffle are $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00. You can contact any member of the Executive board at any time by sending an email request for tickets to “souheganptsa.gmail.com”. The tickets will be available at various events in the coming weeks. We even have a PayPal account, so tickets can be purchased through that venue. A table will be set up at SHS basketball games as well as on Primary Day voting at the High School on Feb. 11th. The drawing will be held on Leap Day, February 29th, 2020. Good Luck to all who enter!! Our second fundraising event will be a fun night at the Amherst Country Club on March 7th, 2020! It’s called “Drive and Jive”!. The ACC has four golf simulators that can do a number of fun events such as “longest drive”, “closest to the hole” etc. There will also be a DJ for the “Jive” part where dancing (or attempting to) will be held. There will be baskets of goodies for the winners of the various events. A cash bar will be available and lots of snacks as well! Tickets can be purchased through the PTSA account on “souheganptsa@gmail.com. Tickets are $20.00. There will be a small charge to participate in the various golf contests! Remember! This is for a worthy cause. The grants and scholarships we provide every year help to relieve some of the expenses our students and teachers encounter through the school year. Scholarships go to Senior students heading to college or trade schools and are much appreciated. Bring a friend or two! Even Tiger Woods is welcome! Regards, Andy Krawiecki President, Souhegan PTSA
Our Students Deserve Better To the editor:
It has been said that the road to Hades is paved with good intentions. There is no doubt the SAU39 administration meant well with wholesale changes, but they have either failed to consider consequences, or have chosen only to hope for the best. Either way, the majority of the Amherst and Souhegan Board members have failed to govern in any responsible manner. Rather than challenge the administration, they have chosen to go along. School board membership does not imply unpaid employment with the school districts or SAU39. Ironically, the majority of school board members are deeply involved with various committees, where they lose objectivity and go along with the committees. Then they return to the school board and lobby for the committees. Sadly, these same members, while grossly involved in certain matters of the schools, refuse to get as involved in staffing, the master schedule, or budgets. This is not school governance, and we need a change. The students in our community deserve better. Thank God for the freshmen who spoke out on 12/17/2019. They served notice that they did not want to be guinea pigs in some “experiment” that is promoting “academic communism.” Did the boards hear? No. On 01/27/2020, parents spoke out regarding A/P, SNHU, curriculum, transcripts, report cards, and Empower. Did the board hear? The Chair of the Souhegan Board posts on Facebook that there will be more sessions to explain what “they” are going to do regarding the “experiment.” Are these elected officials aware of the cons with this “experiment,” that Maine has abandoned CBE, and the FED will no longer fund this “experiment” at the college level? It is apparent the administration is moving ahead, with reckless abandon, to reinvent the delivery of education at all costs. Our students realize they are not allowed to perform to their best with all assessments, and many are frustrated with grades that do not reflect their capabilities. Parents have been marginalized and told that grades of ‘A’ through ‘F’ are not meaningful. However, most of us, as well as the rest of the country, realize a grade of ‘A’ is mastery and an outstanding achievement. What is the benefit of nitpicking a student down to a lower grade? Again, why have the majority of School Board members embraced this in the face of legitimate objections? It is imperative that all students are encouraged to learn, thrive, and be rewarded as often as necessary. The majority of the school board members have failed our students. Re-electing the incumbents is a vote for more failure and confusion. Our school districts deserve board members who honestly seek all sides of a matter, are willing to honestly “listen” to all constituents, have honest conversations, make responsible decisions, and accept responsibility. Last year, Amherst voters rightly rejected both budgets. Did the boards get the message? No! With projected declining enrollment at Souhegan, the proposed budget is increased over last year. As a slap in the face, the board agreed to a default budget that is only $6,000 less than the proposed. This default is loaded with “anticipated costs.” Either way, they get the money they want. Enough! While the Souhegan Board approved a reduction of 3 teaching positions for this current school year, that reduction did not happen. This year, there has been some talk of approximately $480K in “staffing” reductions. That is not seen in the signed MS-DSB form for the default budget. Will this happen? Yet there is a warrant article to strap the community with another $1.2 million in staff raises over 4 years. Is there a serious plan in this budget to reduce teacher or administration staffing? Who is this board listening to? The ASD board last year threatened the community to accept their excessive spending, or else they would create overcrowding in certain classes by taking teachers out of the classroom. They made good on the threat, even though there were nearly 40 less kindergartners than projected for this year. The ASD proposed budget requires 2 more teachers because next years projection expects the 40 kindergartners - that did not show this year - to enroll in 1st grade, plus the same projection for next year as last year for kindergarten. Should we believe there will be an additional 80 students added in both K and 1st for next year? The reality is ASD schools officially added only 10 students from last year to this year. Did this board hear the voters? Let us recover and rediscover what was great about our schools, our teachers! Before it was necessary to dumb down the curriculum and confuse grading, our teachers successfully led the students of these districts on to even greater endeavors. I know this personally as a fact. My older children have, and are achieving, beyond anything we imagined, largely because their teachers, before the change, had the right to teach in manners that were appropriate. Hopefully the new mindset on the boards and administration will work with the experienced, seasoned, and successful educators in our classrooms. Elections are about voters choosing to continue with or change government. To the voters of the Amherst and Souhegan School Districts, please end these failed experiments, such that no other student or family suffers irreparable harm. Seek reasonable and fair school budgets, and vote for school board members who understand they have the awesome responsibility as governors of our most precious resources, our children. Faithfully, Dwayne Purvis Amherst
THE AMHERST CITIZEN • 3
SAU 39’s Competency-Based Education Experiment: Success, Failure? It’s Time to Know To the editor:
The worst thing one can do when conducting an experiment is to forget that it’s an experiment. That’s what’s happened for the past five years with SAU39’s system-wide educational experiment called Competency-Based Learning. What is especially unnerving is that the subjects of this experiment continue to be our children. It’s time we assess the strengths and weaknesses of this model and decide what should be retained and what should be jettisoned. We should not simply assume that this experiment represents a proven educational system that works for all our children. Nor should we support plans and budgets that perpetuate this “business as usual” process until we determine where it is succeeding and failing – and what should change. Several years ago, the State of New Hampshire solicited communities that might be interested in exploring a different approach to public education – competency-based education. The educators of SAU39, with a proclivity for innovation and experimentation, prevailed upon our school boards to volunteer for this experiment. The model was supposed to be research-based, but our school boards failed to thoroughly review available research prior to embarking upon this experiment and prior to expanding it across our entire school system. The past five years have thus been marked by frenzied experimentation in pedagogy, standards, curricula, teacher training and proficiency, grading, and student outcomes. Many people are exhausted from the process, and taxpayers find that our educational system regularly consumes 75% of all taxes we pay annually – a higher percentage than most communities. A major red flag is the problematic competency-based grading system: • Teachers don’t know how to grade within this the arcane system, and students (and their parents) are distraught because they don’t know how they’re really performing academically. • The 5,300 U.S. colleges and universities don’t understand the grading system and are likely avoiding the necessary detailed analysis of an SAU39 student’s credentials, especially since they have hundreds of more comprehensible transcripts available to them. This puts our college-bound students at great disadvantage. • Also, recruitment officials from the armed services or many companies that might otherwise be interested in our graduates cannot assess our students’ performance either – a further disadvantage for our students.
This issue has been evident for some time. The response from SAU educators has been to extend this already sprawling experiment to create a second grading system. A similar debacle in St. Albans Vermont recently cost the high school principal his job (https://www.wcax.com/content/news/ BFA-St-Albans-principal-resigns-amidst-proficiency-based-grading-controversy-563732591.html). The bigger question is this: if the grading system so closely aligned with the competency-based education model is this deficient, what does it say about the efficacy of the model itself? It’s time to find out. And we need to send a clear, strong message to the boards and administration that this is a high priority. As parents and voters, here’s what we should do: • We should demand that the schools, over the coming year, institute a comprehensive, honest assessment of this educational experiment. They should convene a task force comprising students, parents, teachers, administrators, board members, and the general public to do so. It
should cover the educational efficacy of competency-based education and likely ongoing related costs should this model become institutionalized across our communities.
SAU39 leadership affirm that they can assess the performance of every grade level for each of the programs of studies (English language, math, science, engineering, technology, humanities, the arts, social studies, foreign language, etc.) What’s more, they have identified variables (standards, pedagogy, teacher proficiency, materials, and many others) they can use to assess why certain student clusters, classrooms, or grade levels are performing well or not. Doing this work could serve as the basis not just for tracking past performance but for establishing and pursuing desired future student outcomes in each program area, along with investments and timing necessary to make them a reality. This would form the SAU39 strategic plan that has eluded the district for seven years. This work has not been done. It’s time it was. We should reinforce – for a second year in a row – that “business as usual” is not acceptable. We should do this by rejecting the proposed Amherst School District (ASD) and Souhegan operating budgets (Articles 1 and 2). Boards try to deduce what we voters mean by our votes. The SAU 39 school boards and administration would love to think that last year’s voter rejection of the school budgets was a one-off blip (i.e., “If only we had communicated better with the voters this wouldn’t have happened”). To get us to let them return to “business-as-usual, the ASD and Souhegan boards collected, then returned, over $2 million dollars in taxes from last year and have limited budget growth this year. We should not be distracted by these moves. Rather, we should reinforce that we want academic quality and management accountability in our schools, and we don’t want to perpetuate this experiment without it being thoroughly evaluated as worthy of becoming our educational model of choice for years to come. This would be an especially effective time to vote “No” on the school budgets and to reinforce our message, because the difference between the proposed and default budgets is less than 1%, which means we can send a clear message without significantly disrupting investments in our schools. • We should also use Souhegan’s proposed PPC agreement (Article 3) as leverage to bring staffing levels in line. Souhegan has failed for years to trim staff to sensibly match declining enrollments. We should withhold support of the agreement as leverage to get them to reduce staffing levels appropriately. Otherwise, should we approve the agreement, we’ll be signing up to pay higher taxes ($1.2 million over four years) not only for the staff we need, but for the staff we don’t.
Amherst’s Planning Board will be launching a master planning effort this year through which it hopes to engage residents in shaping a longrange vision for Amherst and how we should use our land and resources to attain that future. SAU39 should do likewise – crystalizing a workable and measurable educational model that can help us achieve the outcomes we want for our children. We should take these proposed steps to help restore a healthier balance between educational innovation and well-educated students, along with an educational tax rate that is both reasonable and sustainable. Mike Akillian Amherst
Vote Stephanie Grund for SHS School Board
Amy Facey Seeks Reelection to SCSB
To the editor:
To the editor:
Today I filed my declaration of candidacy for Souhegan Co-operative School Board (SCSB). While living in Amherst for 15 years, my admiration has grown for the numerous volunteer groups creating this special community. While my two daughters flourished in Elementary and Middle school, I actively volunteered in the classroom and at the schools. My own service has included the President of Amherst Junior Women’s Club, Treasurer of MOM’s Club, and Troop Leader for two Girl Scout Troops. For two years, my service on the Amherst School District Ways & Means Committee taught me the budgeting process in our schools and what influences the expenses, revenues, and tax rates. This past year, I have been actively attending the Souhegan and SAU School Board Meetings and have realized big changes are coming. The Administration and School Boards have been engaged in implementing a new grading and reporting system along with Competency Based Education (CBE). These have directly affected the high school transcript and the philosophy of the education in our schools. The Administration presented the Strategic Vision to the SAU School Board in June with a vision that will change our high school dramatically. Education is changing. How our students learn is changing. I want to ensure that the background research has been done and communicated to parents and students to explain the why we are making changes. Pros and cons need to be disclosed and discussed before changes are implemented. We need to evaluate the effects of CBE, grading and reporting systems, and changes to transcripts being used in our schools. I am most concerned about the rigor being in our school system. We need to help all students, including those that are our top learners. I want to make sure we are communicating before we implement changes. This is what is driving my decision to run for the SCSB. Souhegan High School provides an excellent education, as our statistics show. Is there room for improvement? Of course! I am asking for your vote so I can be part of the process of learning through research, communicating, listening, evaluating, and changing. Stephanie Grund Amherst
I am writing to announce my candidacy for the Souhegan Cooperative School Board (SCSB). My husband Eric and I have lived and participated in our community of Amherst for 27 years. Our three children attended the Amherst schools, are proud recent Souhegan High School graduates, and are now pursuing their passions in both college and the working world. My experience and dedication to our community is driving me to stay involved and I look forward to continuing my service as a SCSB member if elected. During my time on the SCSB we have made some important advancements in educational quality and fiscal management. Some of these efforts include: • • • •
Completed alignment of academic standards to curriculum Improved safety and security of the Souhegan campus Increased technology resources for students Reduced staff relative to enrollment
We have had some success over the last 3 years but have also had challenges. Some areas that I would like to be part of the solution going forward include: • • • • •
Addressing the issues of the grading and reporting system at Souhegan Hiring an exceptional principal Managing and improving facilities and capital maintenance needs Exploring additional ways to improve efficiencies and reduce costs Developing a SHS specific Strategic Plan in accordance with the SAU Strategic Vision
I remain committed to improving the quality of our educational programs for all students, while practicing sound fiscal management. I look forward to continuing to work for the betterment of our community and ask for your support on March 10. Respectfully, Amy Facey Amherst
Restoration and Renovation of Our Supporting the Reelection of Amy Historic Mont Vernon Town Hall Facey to Souhegan School Board To the editor:
After a months long process the Board of Selectmen have chosen DEW/ Macmillin Construction from Keene and Catlin+Petrovick Architects to work with us on the restoration and renovation of our historic Town Hall. DEW and Michael Petrovick recently completed a very successful restoration of the Town Hall in Francestown. This is just one facet of a years long process involving the work of many volunteers on several committees to study and create plans for the town’s historic buildings including the Daland Memorial Library, the McCollom Building and the Town Hall. Of all our historic buildings the Town Hall is the oldest, in the worst condition and has received the least maintenance. The McCollom Building has received almost 500,000 dollars worth of work in the last few years including 80,000 dollars worth of windows this year which completes restoration of the building envelope. The exterior of the Daland Memorial Library was repaired and re-painted last year at no cost to the town courtesy of the Sophia Daland Trust. We are very grateful. Design work for the new interior layout and updated mechanical systems is ongoing. Mike Petrovick has had numerous meetings with the Board of Selectmen and the Town Office Staff so as to come up with a plan that meets the current and future needs of the town government and retains the historic nature of our Town Hall. Mont Vernon residents are invited to join us on Thursday February 6th, 7 pm at the Mont Vernon Village School when the architect will present plans for the interior renovation and accept public input. The plans are available for viewing at the Selectman’s Meeting Room in the Town Hall. We are well aware of the many needs facing our small town and the impact any project has on our taxes. Currently we are seeing historically low interest rates on municipal bonds as well as relatively low inflation. Now is a good time to borrow money. Our Town Hall, built in 1792 is the seat of town government and something we should all be proud of. Let’s make it so. John Esposito, Kim Roberge and Tim Berry Mont Vernon Board of Selectmen
To the editor:
Please join me in supporting Amy Facey for reelection to the Souhegan School Board on March 10, 2020. Amy served two terms on the Amherst School Board and is completing her first term on the Souhegan School Board and is the chair of the SAU39 Board. I’ve known Amy for 12 years and am consistently impressed by her dedication and commitment to understanding and evaluating new ideas presented by administration, asking good questions in board meetings, and holding the schools accountable. She has been incredibly hands on as a board member, including but not limited to sitting on curriculum review committees, approving the hoursbased calendar change, negotiating teacher and support contracts, participating on the principal search committee, and being actively involved in the community council. Most recently, I’ve been happy to hear Amy’s guidance to administration regarding the changes in grading and transcripts that were implemented, and the need to quickly resolve the concerns of all affected parties. Amy has had three children graduate Souhegan in the past 6 years and is very familiar with the high school experience, college admissions process, and the skills necessary for the kids to be successful upon graduation. Later start times for the high school have been talked about for many years, and Amy understands the challenges at the high school level regarding extracurricular activities and academics and is holding administration accountable to make sure those challenges are all considered before any change is implemented. Amy has been through the Souhegan budget process 3 times, and is keenly aware of the taxpayers concerns regarding the costs to educate the town’s children, and the towns legal responsibility to educate all children. As the enrollment has declined, there has been a decrease in staff each of the past three years she has been on the board. Last year, she was adamant that excess money in the budget be directly returned to the taxpayers. Amy has shown up and done the work day in and day out and will devote the time and energy needed on day one. I was thrilled to find out she was willing to give another three years of her time to serve in this capacity, and cannot imagine a better candidate for Souhegan School Board. Sincerely, Jennifer Mastergeorge, Amherst
4 • THE AMHERST CITIZEN • F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 • w w w . a m h e r s t c i t i z e n . c o m
Souhegan Valley and Merrimack Chambers of Commerce Merge AMHERST – The Board of Directors of the Souhegan Valley and Merrimack Chambers of Commerce have come to a mutually beneficial agreement to merge into a new regional partnership effective February 1, 2020: The Greater Merrimack-Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce. We are confident that combining our resources at this time in our collective histories will positively impact economic development opportunities, offer a broader range of member services and programs, will boost the small business programming in the region, and increase the opportunities for leadership to develop a stronger business climate. Equally as important, we will be an even stronger collective voice of the business community watching out for area businesses, large and small, at local, regional and state levels. Both Chambers share a similar philosophy: to promote, maintain and enhance the area’s economic climate so businesses will locate in our region, grow and hire employees, and stay in our area. The 11 towns geographically affiliated with the Souhegan Valley Chamber include: Amherst, Brookline, Greenville, Hollis, Lyndeborough, Mason, Milford, Mont Vernon, New Ipswich, Temple, and Wilton; however, SVCC members also hail from Nashua, Bedford, Manchester, Merrimack, Con-
cord and other towns throughout the Southern New Hampshire Region and Northern Massachusetts. Adding the geographical footprint and members of the Merrimack Chamber will mean our member businesses will have much greater reach. Current Souhegan Valley and Merrimack Chamber of Commerce Board Members will be part of this new, combined GMSVCC Board. Over the next few weeks, Chamber staff and our board of directors will be working closely together on this transition to a regional chamber, and will focus our efforts on business advocacy, networking events, economic development, business education opportunities, workforce development, tourism in our region, and other issues pertinent to the success of our member businesses. Combining our efforts, we will provide even more connections, resources, information, advocacy and networking opportunities for our members. For information on membership in the Greater Merrimack-Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce, please contact Wendy Hunt, President, at wendy.hunt@souhegan.net or call the Chamber at 603.673.4360. As a member of the Greater Merrimack-Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce -- the GMSVCC -- you are investing not only in the growth of your business, but also in your community and local economy.
Brox Industries Receives NAPA’s 2019 Diamond Achievement Commendation AMHERST – Brox Industries, Inc.’s Amherst Plant is a recipient of the National Asphalt Pavement Association’s (NAPA) 2019 Diamond Achievement Commendation for Excellence in Asphalt Plant/Site Operations for its dedication to responsible practices and high-quality products. “Safety and sound operational procedures for the benefit of our employees, the community, and our customers are always top of mind,” said Brox Industries, Inc. Plant Manager Bob Norkiewicz. “We have an exceptional team here at Brox.”
NAPA’s Awards Program distinguishes ongoing improvement in all facets of asphalt operations, and industry peers choose the winners of these honors. This designation marks the fifth consecutive Diamond Achievement award received by the Amherst Plant, which specializes in hot mix asphalt and paving and aggregate supply services. The plant is one of five New Hampshire locations. For more information about Brox Industries, Inc., visit http://www. broxindustries.com/.
Amherst Garden Club Charitable Fund Seeks Applications for Grants AMHERST - The Amherst garden Club Charitable Fund welcomes qualified applicants for the 2019-2020 year. Proceeds from our fund raising activities as well as memorial gifts are added to our fund each year and then awarded to local community projects that are consistent with our mission. Our mission is to provide education, resources and networking opportunities for our members to promote the love of gardening, civic landscaping and environmental responsibility.
Recent grants have been awarded to the Women’s State Prison Gardening Program, Joshua’s Park and Community Gardens, The Amherst Town Library Gardens and the Amherst Garden Club Garden House Project and The Souhegan Valley Boys and Girls Club Edible Garden Project. Information and applications can be found on our website: www.amherstgardenclub.org. Questions can be directed to Sheila_steele@comcast.net. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis and reviewed when applications are received.
Trails and Their Guides By Bruce Beckley Today is a mid-winter NH day. Snow covers the ground and wet ice the driveway. Squirrel tracks on the white crust lead to the bird feeders as do small-critter tunnels below. Ten feathered species with 30-plus individuals fly from above into the feeders non-stop. My thoughts were triggered this morning about the lasting values that may be imparted to young students by their teacher-guides. In this case, the understanding of and respect for the natural world. The trigger in the mailbox was the winter issue of Living Bird published by the Cornell lab of Ornithology. Back to the subject; I have written before about the rewards an early introduction to natural history can make over a lifetime. Just
another example: young campers at the Massachusetts Audubon summer camp on Moose Hill have gone on to careers at the Cornell Lab, the Rachel Carson Center, the NH DES, and diversified municipal land and species conservation programs. And who knows, how many more “students” find a life in Nature’s world thanks to teachers’ triggers on life’s trail. “I do not think there is much else for me to say about my anything but important work as a naturalist. But perhaps I may say further that while my interest in natural history has added very little to my sum of achievement, it has added immeasurably to my sum of enjoyment in life.”
— Theodore Roosevelt
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Town News Historic Amherst
Some Old Verse for Valentine’s … and Rise of Poultry Raising around 1900
Shanghai rooster and two or three hens of unknown breeding, he was The celebration of Valentine’s Day considered a poultry man. But that in our town goes waaaay back, at least period has gone past. A fine pair of to 1883, when one of the two generbirds of any of the selected stocks al stores in Amherst Village offered today will bring $40 or $50 and it “the largest choice of Valentines ever is not unusual to get even larger shown in Amherst” (Farmers’ Cabifigures for a fancy cockerel. The net, 26 Jan. 1883). Alas, no illustrabreeding of hens like the breeding tions of such Valentines accompaof blooded horses has come to be nied the advertisement. Six years an art and like every other art it earlier, a “Valentine social with valis costly. But there are big returns entine grand march” was held at the from it. In fact, there is probably no Congregational chapel in Milford business extant from which a man (FC, 12 Feb. 1878). Presumably held can realize so large a return from for the “young people” but no further Old Corner Store (Main & Middle Streets, next to 4 Main Street so small an investment. A man can particulars on that event, more’s the brick house) as it looked 1881-1896 when Henry Calvin Dodge get a big start with from $25 to $50 pity. worth of birds …” (1844-1902) was proprietor. (The building was erected late-18th So instead I offer an old poem century; torn down in 1940.) Besides variety in general, and flour, “The fact that incubation is so inthat fits a Valentine’s theme; hope- teas and coffees, Diamond Dyes and soap in particular, Dodge frequent and the demand for chickfully will provide a chuckle; and can advertised in January 1883: “Bachellors and Maidens please bear ens so great has rendered necesserve as a pretext for historical infor- in mind that we have the largest invoice of Valentines ever shown sary … the incubator, which from mation about our formerly-agrarian in Amherst.” one of the curiosities and wonders town at the turn of the 19th to 20th of modern science has come to be century. accepted fact in every large and This poem was published in the Milford Cab- many small poultry yards. [Incubators] can be inet, N.H., 8 Dec. 1910, under heading “In the obtained at from $15 to $100. They vary greatALMOST AN AWFUL TRAGEDY Poultry Yard.” (The same poem also ran earli- ly in capacity and run from a few dozen up to by C. M. Barnitz er and later elsewhere, e.g., in The Aegis of Bel 20,000 eggs.” That 1900 article included sketches of the Air, Maryland 15 April 1910 and in The CitiOh, who could wonder that she’d weep “principal poultrymen in Milford who make zen of Honesdale, PA, 24 March 1911.) The auWhen she heard Bill say in his sleep: poultry raising a business,” although it emphathor was Charles McLean Barnitz (1867-1956) “You are a peach, a darling, too. of Riverside, PA, who had his own poultry farm sized that there were many more people keepCome here, sweetheart, and I’ll hug you.” (and a wife but no children) and for several ing from 50 to 200 fowls. One George H. Need“Oh, how I wish I had never wed! years wrote a column called “Poultry Notes,” ham, president of the featured association, had I’ll kill myself!” she sadly said. often with a poem, that ran in multiple news- raised “common fowls” up to 1886 when he “And then perhaps when I am dead papers; the Milford Cabinet carried it for only switched to particular breeds, selecting for He’ll think of me and some tears shed.” about one year, 1909/10, including his piece best egg producers. He had “13 pens that acon “How to kill and dress turkeys for market” commodated about 50 fowls each and smallAnd so when morning light had come accompanied by a Thanksgiving poem in Jan. er ones to make up 750. He finds a market for She quickly to the orchard run 1910 (odd timing). Charles was a son of Rev. eggs and poultry in several cities in Mass. He To hunt a limb both strong and high Alexander M. Barnitz (1824-1903), a Method- marketed last year about 70,000 eggs, shipped Where she might hang herself and die. ist Episcopal pastor of Pennsylvania, and had in cases of 30 dozen each, shipped mostly by When through the trees she heard once more himself been an ordained minister of the gos- express three or four times a week through Those words that her poor heartstrings tore: pel, serving as pastor 1892-1906 and would the year at prices ranging from 14 to 40 cents “You are a peach, a darling too. serve again, in Riverside, 1911-12; he moved to a dozen. Probably ships away 1000 dressed fowls...” Willis Burns, one of the local pioneers Come here, sweetheart, and I’ll hug you.” Florida before 1920, retired from farming. in the business along with the Fitches, comLocal Agricultural Trend menced raising poultry in the spring of 1879 “Ah, ha! I’ll kill that woman now This poem fits into the time period – late with 100 fowls; for the past nine years he had Before I hang on this high bough! 19th century-early 20th century – when a wintered 900 fowls and hatched each season I wonder if it is the cook significant portion of Amherst’s houses were from 800 to 2400 chickens. By 1900, Burns had That Bill’s affections from me took. summer homes. For example, the part-time “many hundred feet of poultry houses” but his “I’ll murder her! I’ll kill her quick resident who created Lincoln Pond in 1913 flocks were scattered about the fields in sumFor playing such a low, mean trick!” bought his “summer” home on Route 101 mer. He produced 75,000 to 84,000 eggs annuAnd so she crept among the trees, in 1894 (and although he died in 1928, it re- ally, marketed in Lowell and Boston; his broilDetermined vengeance to appease. mained in his family until 1937). I think of ers went to Boston market. Then there was Asa But, lo, when near the chicken pen Amherst center at this time (1892 map) as the J. Fisher, who had “the longest poultry house She saw Bill hugging a fat hen, Village of Widows and Spinsters. But the back- in the state” as well as about 30 smaller houses While on his shoulder there perched two, bone of the town of Amherst at this turn-of- or coops scattered round about his yards. He And near him the old rooster crew. the-century period was its farm families. And had “all the modern facilities with running waone of the trends of local agriculture was an ter the entire length of his hen houses.” For the They were all eating from his hand past six years he had about 900 fowls producincrease in poultry husbandry. And cackling, too, to beat the band, ing about 126,000 eggs, for which Fisher found On 11 Jan. 1900, the Milford Cabinet ran While in his basket right near by a market in Lowell mostly. The “surplus stock” a huge spread about the poultry business on Fresh eggs were piled away up high. their front page and most of page 4, the occa- he would dress for market in Boston, mostly, And when Bill saw her spying there, sion being the fourth annual exhibit of the Mil- but found “a local market for a portion.” He He cried: “Ah, there, my own true love, so fair! ford Poultry and Pet Stock Association. Once was raising about 1400 chickens a year, preferYou are a peach, a darling too. hen fever gets ahold of a man, it rages, said the Continued on page 5 u Come here, sweetheart, and I’ll hug you.” article. “There was a time, when if a man had a BY KATRINA HOLMAN
AMHERST RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Amherst Recreation Programs and Events
4 Cross Rd, Amherst, NH 03031 603 673-6248
Youth Softball
Peabody Mill Environmental Center 66 Brook Road 603 673-1141 www.amherstrec.org Like us on Facebook
February Vacation Camp February School Vacation will be here before you know it! What better way to spend it then take part in a fun-filled week at camp. This camp will be based around the beautiful art and nature that PMEC has to offer! Each day there will be outdoor exploration, snow play, nature hikes, group games, and of course...arts and crafts!
Youth Sports Lacrosse
Amherst Recreation is excited to be teaming up with Souhegan Valley Lacrosse to offer Lacrosse to both boys and girls in the Souhegan Valley Region. Our goal is to teach athletes the FUNdamentals of Lacrosse in both practices and games. If it’s not FUN, why play? Early Bird Discount Ends 2/19. Uniforms must be purchased by 2/21 to guarantee delivery by first game.
Spring Baseball
Batter up! Babe Ruth League Baseball is open for players 5-15 years old. Please see below for information on specific groups including season dates. Early Bird Discount Ends March 3rd! Save $20!
Come join girls ages 5-12 on the softball diamond. Please see below for information on specific age groups, including season dates and late fees. Early Bird Discount Ends March 3rd! Save $20!
Summer Camps Outdoor Discovery Camp
This summer, Outdoor Discover Camp is excited to offer a funfilled camp focused on exploring the great outdoors and encouraging an appreciation for the natural environment. Amy Hull, PMEC Coordinator and her fun, creative staff is looking forward to making 2020 the most memorable summer ever! Offering Full Summer, Weekly and daily options Early Bird Discount Ends April 14th!
Baboosic Lake Summer Camp Offering Full Summer, Weekly and daily options
Early Bird Discount Ends April 14th!
Are you ready for a summer of craziness, memories and laughs. Each day campers will be greeted by our energetic counselors and have the opportunity to play a variety of games, swim and make a craft with their friends. Special events are planned in conjunction with our weekly themes to round out the summer of fun. Whether it be building a cardboard boat, cooking pancakes over and open fire, weaving a friendship bracelet or a camper/counselor tug-o-war match, be prepared for goofy, super fun, days
with high-energy activities at Baboosic Lake Summer Camp!
Outdoor Discovery Mini Camp
A Mini Camper’s (ages 4 & 5) day is filled with creativity and curiosity by exploring the natural world through hands-on discovery. Each day will include nature based crafts and other various activities, sports, and water play.
instructor will assist participants with guidance and exploration of the various art materials. No prior art experience needed or required. Just a willingness to create, explore art materials, have fun, and socialize!
Friday, Jan 31st; at PMEC
All Ages
Cheer Camp
Ukulele Lessons
Adult Programs
Youth Programs
Create your Own Cutting Board
I Love Nature
Are you ready to jump, cheer, dance and stunt? Have fun learning and improving on the fundamentals of cheerleading at the Amherst Recreation Cheer Camp.
Come join us in the shop and build a custom wood art board. This sturdy board is great as a game board, serving tray, or a cutting board.This course will help teach the average woodworker with average materials and the humblest of wood shops create unique and eye-catching wood creations in your own basement or garage. Come join us as we explore and create wood art.
Museum Trips
Join us for a day of paintings, sculptures, and gardens at the best museums in the Greater Boston area. Museum of Fine Art: Feb 6th
Creative Arts for Adults
A creative arts class for older adults that focuses on exploring a variety of art materials and creating a different art piece each class. The
Find the Ukulele Class that is right for you! Class options have expanded and beginners and all ages are welcome. You will be playing in no time.
I Love Nature is for preschoolers who are itching to discover the world around them. Each class will include a craft, circle time, and an activity.
Mini Artist
Does your toddler love stickers, sparkles, or maybe drawing on the walls? Join our Mini Artist class where participants and their caregivers will create new projects each week that you can take home and hang on the fridge! Ages 1-2 and 3-6 on Mondays
Adult Exercise Mom’s fight Club w/ Amherst Karate
This is NOT your typical fitness kickboxing class! Learn authentic Continued on page 5 u
www.amherstcitizen.com •FEBRUARY 2020 •
THE AMHERST CITIZEN • 5
Town News AMHERST TOWN LIBRARY Amy Lapointe, Library Director 14 Main St., Amherst NH 03031 Phone 673-2288 Fax 672-6063 email: library@amherstlibrary.org web http://www.amherstlibrary.org
HOP INTO READING with Buttercream and Julia Monday afternoon, February 24 from 3:45 to 4:45
Sign up in the Children’s Room for a reading appointment with our favorite bunny, Buttercream, and her friend Julia. Julia hopes to encourage literacy by working with Buttercream to provide a “judgement-free zone” for emerging readers and a welcoming audience for fluent readers who love to read aloud. Call 673-2288 ext. 751 to make a reading appointment or for more information.
REGULAR Hours: Mon. - Thur. 9:30 - 8:30 Fri. 9:30 - 5:00, Sat. 9:30 - 5:00 Sun. 1:00 - 5:00
Amherst Town Library 14 Main Street Amherst, NH 03031 Telephone 673-2288
Children’s Programming at the Amherst Town Library – February 2020 SPECIAL COMMUNITY ACTIVITY
“CARDS & COFFEE FOR OUR VETERANS”
Every February, we ask you to remember those who have served our country by coming down to the Children’s Room and creating a Valentine card, for Miss Sarah to deliver to the Veteran’s Hospital in Manchester. In addition, we ask you to contribute some K-cups to enable the hospital to offer coffee to our veterans as they wait for their apppointments, attend programs, etc. Materials will be available to everyone who wants to participate---not just children—we think it’s important for kids to see adults taking part, too! Please make sure you come down this year---and let’s see how many K-cups we can send to Manchester with Miss Sarah! Show our veterans how much you care. Materials will be available to make cards from Monday, Feb. 3 until Thursday, Feb. 13. Coffee donations will be accepted anytime until Feb. 13. Thank-you!
STORYTIMES:
All of our traditional Storytimes are drop in--we love to see you whenever you are able to attend. Storytimes in February will be held at the following times: Family Storytimes (ages 3-6, younger sibs welcome)—Tuesdays, Feb. 4, 11, 18 and Wednesdays, Feb. 5, 12, 19 at 10:00am. S.T.E.A.M. Storytime (grades k-3) --- Wednesdays, Feb. 5, 12, 19 at 3:30pm. Little Listeners — (newborn to 3) Thursdays, Feb. 6, 13, 20 and Fridays, Feb. 7, 14, 21 at 10:30am. No registration required. There will be no Storytimes during the week of Feb. 24-28.
BOOK CLUBS:
If you’re interested in joining one of our clubs, please contact Miss Sarah (shydorn@amherstlibrary.org or 673-2288 ext. 509) Families Read Together (for kids in grades 3 and 4 and their parents) meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm. On February 12, club members will discuss The Unlikely Adventures of Mabel Jones by Will Mabbitt. The Great Stone Face Reviewer’s Club (for 5th and 6th graders) gets together on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 to talk about the newest fiction titles that we’ve all been reading—then Miss Sarah passes these opinions on to the Great Stone Face Committee at the state level. We’re an opinionated group that loves to read---and loves to talk about what we’re reading!
LITERACY BUILDING:
PAWS FOR READING with Brook and Monica Friday afternoons--- February 14 and 28 from 3:304:30
Does your child struggle with reading, or hesitate to read aloud? Bring him or her to the library, and let Brook help. Brook and Monica (her person) are members of Therapy Dogs International, and are trained to work as “tail-waggin’” tutors with children. They’ll listen to your child read, and increase their reading confidence and fluency. To make an appointment, please call the Children’s Room at 673-2288.
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Amherst Recreation
boxing and kickboxing techniques in the air, on a heavy bag, and with a partner all while getting in a hardcore workout! All experience levels welcome. This is a special deal offered for a limited time, partial proceeds will go to Amherst Rec.
Barre
Power Barre is a ballet inspired fitness class that strengthens and tones the entire body. This hour class will be high intensity with low impact choreographed to fun music.NO dance experience is required and modifications can be made for all levels. Tuesdays: 9:30am-10:30am Wednesdays: 6pm-7:30pm Saturdays: 8:30am-9:30am
Pilates
Pilates is a full body-conditioning program comprised of a series of approximately 500 designed movements performed primarily
DROP-IN STEM TIME on FRIDAYS:
TRACK TIME! Friday, February 7 from 3:00-4:30 We’ll be setting out our huge collection of matchbox cars for your fun and enjoyment on Friday afternoon—come take a test drive! Ages 3 and up BUILD IT! Friday, February 21 from 3:00 – 4:30 Come to the library to build with our collection of legos, blocks, marble runs, etc. Build the “construction project” of your dreams! Ages 4 and up. No registration required. TECH-TIME FOR KIDS! Friday, February 28 from 3:00-4:30 Come and explore our collection of S.T.E.M.-based activity kits: Snap-Circuits, Citiblocks, Ozmobots, and more...We make them available, you enjoy an opportunity for make-your-own fun! For ages 7 and up. No registration required.
FEBRUARY VACATION ACTIVITIES FEBRUARY 24-28:
ALL WEEK LONG: The craft table will be open to create your own MARDI-GRAS CROWN. MONDAY: Hop Into Reading with Buttercream and Julia 3:45 to 4:45 TUESDAY: Mardi-Gras Cupcake Story Time! (ages 3 and up) 10:00am We’ll gather for some cupcake stories, some fun rhymes and songs, and we’ll each decorate a Mardi-Gras cupcake before we go! Mardi-Gras BINGO! (ages 5 and up) 2:00pm Join Miss Sarah and Miss Lisa for some Mardi Gras Bingo, and the lucky winners will take home some Mardi Gras inspired prizes. We’ll play the game and enjoy some special refreshments in celebration of Mardi Gras! WEDNESDAY: Kids are Experts, Too: A Program for Kids---by Kids!--- Learn about reptiles with D.J. Valentine. (ages 4 and up) 2:00- 2:30. Another in our great series of “kid-run” programs. This time you’ll be learning all about the fascinating world of reptiles. D.J. will be introducing some of the reptiles he cares for (although we won’t be handling them) and sharing information about these amazing animals. Please register online so that D.J. knows who’s coming THURSDAY: Lego Afternoon (ages 4 and up) 2:004:00pm. Stop by the library this afternoon for some Lego fun! We have lots and lots of Legos, so bring your imaginations. For ages 4 and up. No registration required. FRIDAY: Tech Time 3:30-4:30 (ages 7 and up) No registration. PAWS FOR READING with Brook and Monica 3:30-4:30
COMING IN MARCH
Author visit/writing workshop with VIVIAN KIRKFIELD! Tuesday, March 10 at 3:30. (ages 7 - 10) Local author Vivian Kirkfield will present an extension program here at the library after her visit to Wilkins Elementary School. She’ll be talking up close and personal to the kids about the writing process, and will guide them through some writing activities. Sign your child up now! Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with a published author who loves to share her talents with children! Space is limited, so please register online.
continued from page 4
on a mat. This Pilates mat class fuses classical principles and a more contemporary athletic approach to produce noticeable results through more challenging moves. Mondays: 6pm-7:30pm Thursdays: 9:30am-10:30am
True Potential
TRUE POTENTIAL is a program designed specifically for women which encompasses nutrition, result-based workouts and mindfulness. There are classes Mon-Fri to fit your schedule.
Amherst Makerspace What is The Amherst Makerspace?
Amherst Makerspace is a collaborative project with the Amherst Recreation Department and the Amherst Middle School. An entire wing at the Amherst Middle School,
is open to the surrounding communities during non-school hours. We provide the ultimate workshop for paid members, to use State Of the Art tools, share knowledge, work on projects, network, and build things. Our goal is to foster a highly collaborative learning environment that is excellent for individuals who learn best by doing and making, with like-minded people or self-directed.
Repair Cafe
The Amherst Makerspace is hosting people with skills, to help you repair a broken item that you may treasure or something you wish to save from the trash heap. We will have woodworkers, welders, electricians, computer techs and general handymen/women on hand to help you fix your item. Broken furniture, bicycles, toys, toaster, vacuum cleaners, lamps or electronics. If we can fix it...it ain’t broke. When: Third Thursday of every
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Friends of the Amherst Town Library Announce Trivia Night AMHERST – Calling all Trivia lovers! On Saturday, March 28th, 2020, the Friends of the Amherst Town Library will be hosting their 8th annual Trivia Night at LaBelle Winery in Amherst. Doors open at 6:00 and Trivia begins promptly at 7:00. New this year, NH State Senator Shannon Chandley will be our special guest, serving as the “quizmaster” for the evening during the trivia time. Reserve your table soon - this event always sells out! Tables are sold in complete parties of 10 - so gather your smartest friends to make a trivia power team! Tables are available for $500, or individual tickets are available for $50 each. Tickets include appetizer buffet, trivia, and a coupon for a future wine tasting. Cash bar is available for drinks.
To reserve your table, send an email to 2019TriviaNight@gmail. com or contact Kim Casey at 816560-9047. Also please let us know if you would like to donate a tax-deductible item or gift card to our silent auction. All proceeds from tickets and raffle will benefit the
u Rise of Poultry Raising around 1900 ring hatching by hen rather than incubator. Claimed to be a prosperous enterprise. Several other poultry men, including Walker Fitch family, are profiled, but you get the idea. Substantial business. In Mont Vernon a few years later, a correspondent lamented: “With all the big increase in the poultry business all through this section of country, it is difficult to get either fine fowls or chickens. A great many birds are shipped to Boston, but the butchers’ carts on which we have to depend are not well supplied with plump broilers, or first-rate fowls.” (Cabinet, 5 Oct. 1905.) In 1906, one L. G. Brown in a letter from Mont Vernon (Cabinet, 22 Feb 1906) noted that when he was a lad seventy years ago, “farmers did not get or expect eggs in winter. ... Eggs for a number of winters have been very high, so much so that many rushed into the business, expecting soon to make a fortune. But disappointment is the lot of all, alas, there are many failures.” He nevertheless predicted that “the egg and poultry business has come to stay, and at a profit.” And touted side benefits: “The poultry manure and ashes will be the means of restoring fertility to many of our run down farms.” Then he went on to quote specific statistics, including Mrs. Ellie M. Marshall whose 60 pullets laid 38 eggs in one day, and who in December and January sold 150 dozen eggs for $50. Despite his earlier warning, Brown concluded: “Young man or woman buy a rundown farm and work into the poultry and egg business and in a few years you will have a nice farm and plenty to supply your wants in winter.” So what about poultry raising in Amherst?
Poultry in Amherst
The statistics for poultry in Amherst come from – drum roll, please – the annual Invoice & Taxes (which are now accessible to researchers at Amherst Town Library). A New Hampshire law, effective August 1889, required taxation thereafter of fowls exceeding $50 value, but the town of Amherst did not begin taxing livestock fowls until 1893. By 1899 the tax collector had standardized on a valuation of 50 cents per bird. So one could deduce that generally the first 100 birds were tax-free; and that therefore no one in Amherst raised more than 100 (ballpark estimate) fowls prior to 1893. By the same reasoning, to get a sense of the size of an individual farmer’s poultry business, add 100 to their number of taxable birds. In 1893, when there were 748 polls (men aged 21-70) in Amherst, its top poultry raisers were: George E. Farley (coincidentally also the town’s tax collector that year) with 58 acres owned since 1879 in District 5 (Ponemah in SW corner of town), taxed on 150 fowls valued $70 (as well as 1 horse worth $110 and 8 cows worth $160); Jeremiah E. Upton with 74a in District 10 (NE of Village), taxed on 130 fowls valued $60 (as well as 2 horses worth $160 and 4 cows worth $74); Chas T. Crooker, renting in District 12, taxed on 130 fowls valued $64 (plus one horse worth $60 and 5 cows worth $100); and John C. Philbrick with 75a in District 5, taxed on 125 fowls valued $56 (plus one horse worth $110 and 3 cows worth $60). In 1894, seven persons (more people getting hen fever? or more effective data collection by the tax assessors?) were taxed on fowls, but George E.
Amherst Town Library To learn more about Trivia Night or “The Friends” just visit https:// w w w.facebook.com/friendsoftheamherstlibrary/. Thank you to LaBelle Winery for sponsoring our event.
Continued from page 4
Farley (who was also a lumberman) was still at the top with 200 taxable fowls. In 1900 in Amherst, 11 men were taxed on a total of 624 fowls. The top producers were: James F. Weston (1851-1946) of District 3, joint owner until 1911 with his widowed mother Elizabeth B. Weston and siblings of 6 Thornton Ferry Road 2 (W. J. Weston house on 1858 map) on 110 acres, who was taxed on 112 fowls valued $56 (plus 2 horses worth $100, 8 cows worth $192, and 5 other neat stock worth $48); George E. Farley (died 1913 aged 64) with 58+15 acres in District 5, taxed on 100 fowls, down from 200 the prior year (plus a horse worth $40, 10 cows worth $280, and 1 other neat stock worth $16); and A. L. Hilton with 46a in District 2 (western part of town, including Irish section by Milford), taxed on 100 fowls (plus two horses worth $90 and 10 cows worth $300). As you see, Amherst’s top poultrymen in 1900 came nowhere close to the top producers in Milford, and none were dedicated to poultry. A decade later, in 1910 in Amherst, 12 men were taxed on a total of 1424 fowls. If one adds 100 taxfree birds per person, that yields 2624 birds among the top 12 poultrymen – but still doesn’t count the number of fowls raised by individuals with fewer than 100 birds. The top producer in 1910 was James H. Barker (died 1929 aged 71, having lived here about 30 years) with 60a in District 5 (Ponemah), taxed on 350 fowls (plus a horse but no other livestock, so poultry was his primary farming focus; although in later years he was in the tire repair business, “considered an expert vulcanizer” according to his obituary). He was followed by William B. Crooker renting in District 5, taxed on 230 fowls (plus a horse worth $30 and 7 cows worth $214); Edmund W. Reed (died 1927 aged 79) on 30-acre farm in District 5, located one mile south of Ponemah station heading toward Hollis (until sold out in 1912), taxed on 200 fowls (plus a cheap horse and single cow); Charles W. Green, renting in District 1, taxed on 200 fowls (and no other livestock); and Elmer Seabury with 85-acre farm in District 4 (Christian Hill area), taxed on 100 fowls (plus 3 horses worth $296, 6 cows worth $176, and 1 neat stock worth $24). If you dote on your special-breed biddies and roosters, surely you want to show them off. Charles Green participated in Milford’s annual poultry show and regularly won. In 1898, his Buff Leghorn cock and pullet each garnered first place, his White Wyandotte hen second, and his Langshan cockerel third for their respective breed and type. In 1902, Green’s B B Plymouth Rock cockerel took second and hen first place. In 1903, Green’s Rose Combed Rhode Island Red pullet placed second, and his Single Comb Rhode Island Red pullets second and fourth. In 1913, Green’s Columbian Wyandotte cock and cockerel each took second, the hen first, and pullet third place, and in the same show his SC Rhode Island Red pullet took second. The following month, in Feb. 1913, Green naturally advertised for sale “eggs for hatching from birds that win, and breed winner SC Rhode Island Reds and Columbian Wyandottes” as well as baby chicks. Other Amherst chicken breeders exhibited at Milford too. George Farley (farm near railroad station) in 1898 took second place for his
White Wyandotte hen and third for Black Langshan cockerel. James E. Weston of Thornton Ferry Road 2 in 1898 achieved first place for both his Sherwood cock and hen, and his Buff Leghorn cockerel took third and pullet second. For context: In the 1910 census, the farmers of Amherst identified their places as: 92 general farms (not counting 3 farms whose owners were listed as cattle dealer, lumberman, and county commissioner); 14 dairy farms; 4 fruit farms; and 8 poultry farms, namely of James H. Barker, 52; Charles W. Green, 36; Hugh K. Fisher, 29; Edmund W. Reed, 62; William Smith, 65; Amos R. Stoddard, 52; Charles H. Wetherbee, 45; and Clara A. White, 43. And one 19-year-old squab farmer.
Hen Thieves in Amherst
In 1886, “a dozen Plymouth Rock chickens” were stolen from the henery of Jacob Wilson (1819-1892) “in the north-east part” of Amherst (Farmers’ Cabinet, 10 Sep. 1886). This happened at 302 Route 101 (Gutterson house on 1858 map), which Wilson owned with 45 acres and farmed 1881-1889, specializing there in growing strawberries. In 1919, the local newspaper reported on the front page: “Hen Thief in Amherst. Tuesday morning, D. A. Warren found that a thief or thieves had robbed his hen roosts of all his birds. The poultry were at his home on the Manchester road in Amherst. There were 17 fine Plymouth Rocks, Monday night, and on Monday, they had laid 16 eggs. The birds weighed 5 to 6 pounds each. Not a bird was left Tuesday morning.” (Milford Cabinet, 29 May 1919.) This took place at 54 Old Manchester Road (S. Dow on 1858 map), which Nettie L. Warren (born 1858), wife of Daniel Augustus Warren (born 1857), owned with 50 acres 1917-1923. On the same May Monday night, hen thieves visited the Amherst farms of H. H. Parkhurst, a 78-year-old widower on Chestnut Hill Road, and Henry Lang, aged 75 who died six months later, having owned & occupied the former Upton farm in the northeast area of town since 1919. These are just three examples of poultry raisers who kept under the radar, that is, below the taxable threshold. This particular thief of 1919 may have chosen easy targets in Amherst, but poultry thieves were a plague in the surrounding towns, too. For example, in 1908, a poultry raiser in Ponemah section of Milford (adjoining Ponemah section of southwest Amherst) “shot several times at a party about to help themselves. The gentleman means business and has his poultry houses connected by electric wires that run into his room and rings a bell, when the doors and widows are meddled with.” (Cabinet, 17 Sep. 1908.) The bigger poultry farms used dogs, shotguns and electrical wires for protection – but that wasn’t always enough, especially once automobiles made for speedy getaways. The poultry producers association of Milford and selectmen of Wilton and Temple offered rewards for the apprehension of such thieves. Well, there you have the story of the beginning of the popularity of commercial poultry in Amherst. The boom and bust of local chicken farms would come several decades later. Katrina Holman welcomes comments to HistoricAmherstNH @ juno.com
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6 • THE AMHERST CITIZEN • F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 • w w w . a m h e r s t c i t i z e n . c o m
Arts
&
Entertainment Entertainment
Exhibits
Late Spring - Monadnock Phil Bean
Opening Reception for Three New February Exhibits at JCC
The Jaffrey Civic Center will kick off the winter season with 3 new exhibits for the month of February. Greg Hunsaker will exhibit his first oil exhibit. A newcomer to Peterborough, he specializes in oils. Phil Bean, will present an exhibit entitled: Landscapes: Its Light and Shadows in the Display Case Gallery and Jeani and Rosti Eismont will jointly present a mixed media exhibit upstairs in the Cunningham Gallery. Exhibits are free and open to the public on Friday, Feb. 14th with an Opening Reception scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 15th with light refreshments from 5 pm to 7 pm. We hope to see you at the reception. The Jaffrey Civic Center, is located at 40 Main Street, Jaffrey, New Hampshire, parking in rear. Admission is always free. 603532-6527, info@jaffreyciviccenter.com.
Redfern’s Celebrates the Human Spirit KEENE – The Redfern Arts Center, Keene State College’s arts presenter of dynamic and multifaceted arts experiences, hits the ground running in January, picking up its 2019-20 performance season with vibrant offerings in dance, music, family theatre, puppetry and more. Tickets for the Spring 20 season can be purchased online, by phone at 603-358-2168 and in person when the Redfern Box Office is open, Monday to Friday, from 12 to 5 p.m. On February 22 family audiences will enjoy a charming, food-filled farce Sammy and Le Grand Buffet from Shelbourne Falls-based Piti Theatre Company. • Piti Theatre Company/ Sammy and Le Grand Buffet (Saturday, February 22, 11 a.m., Alumni Recital Hall). The award-winning Piti Theatre Company presents Sammy
and Le Grand Buffet. This charming children’s show, performed by Jonathan Mirin, sees an American clown in Paris trying to prepare a great feast. Follow the hilarious antics of Sammy as he clowns and juggles his way through this storytelling adventure. This food-filled farce is sure to please audiences of all ages. On March 12 the acclaimed puppetry ensemble Sandglass Theater returns to the Redfern with a new theatre piece Babylon (Journeys of Refugees) centering the stories of refugees, and the season closes on April 2 with the debut of POWER by choreographer Reggie Wilson/ Fist and Heel Performance Group, exploring intersections between Black Shaker worship and movement.
Q&A With Erik Koeppel: Painting in The White Mountains, a Gallery Talk by Acclaimed Artist, Erik Koeppel at New Hampshire Antique Co-Op Lecture & Reception: Artist Erik Koeppel presents “Q&A with Erik Koeppel: Painting in the White Mountains” Saturday, February 15, 2020, 1 pm At New Hampshire Antique Co-op 323 Elm St., Milford, NH 03055 Tel: 603.673.8499
MILFORD – On February 15, Erik Koeppel, a nationally recognized painter working in the traditions of the nineteenth-century White Mountain School artists, will present a gallery talk, “Q&A with Erik Koeppel: Painting in the White Mountains,” at New Hampshire Antique Coop. This lecture is in conjunction with the current exhibit on view at New Hampshire Antique Coop, “Snowbound: Winter Landscapes from the 19th c. to Present.” All are welcome to this Valentine’s weekend gallery talk and champagne reception on Saturday, February 15, at 1 p.m. in the Upstairs Gallery at New Hamp-
shire Antique Co-op. Bring your sweetheart to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Enjoy refreshments while you take in the gallery talk and view the winter paintings exhibition. Painting en plein air, defined as outdoors and onsite, presents wonderful opportunities and unique challenges for artists, especially in the winter in New England. From brisk blue-sky days to blinding blizzards, the invigorating snow-covered scenery holds tremendous appeal for artists to capture nature’s rugged beauty. Koeppel will discuss his traditional painting techniques and his strategies of painting the White Mountains in the winter, both en plein air as well as in the studio. He will also present some of his recently completed new works and field questions from the audience. Koeppel is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design and New York Academy of Art. He has exhibited widely throughout New England, New York City and beyond, receiving numerous awards and accolades for his outstanding work. Koeppel’s mastery of traditional techniques has led him to become one of a Erik Koeppel, A Fine Winter Day in Jackson, few contemporary oil on panel, 23˝ x 31˝ artists whose work is
Erik Koeppel in his Jackson, NH studio
regularly exhibited with historic masters of the 19th and early 20th centuries. As a leader in a movement of young painters seeking to revive the methods of the White Mountain School, his paintings have hung beside acclaimed historical art figures such Thomas Cole, Winslow Homer, Edgar Degas, John Frederick Kensett and George Inness. American Artist, Plein Air Magazine and other respected publications have covered Koeppel’s progress. Koeppel lives in the heart of the White Mountains in Jackson, New Hampshire, where he maintains a studio. Works by Koeppel are always available in the Up-
stairs Gallery at New Hampshire Antique Co-op. New Hampshire Antique Coop is a destination shop for fine art, period furniture, porcelain, silver, collectibles, jewelry and more. NHAC is one of the largest group antique shops in the state. Established in 1983 by the Hackler family, the shop features more than 200 dealers and 2,000 consignors. The shop is located at 323 Elm Street in Milford, New Hampshire, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please call (603) 673-8499 or visit online at www.nhantiquecoop.com or www.facebook.com/nhantiquecoop.
Creative Ventures Teachers Welcome Local Chamber MILFORD – Anyone with an interest in what goes on in the classrooms at Creative Ventures Gallery can visit the opening of the ‘Teachers on Parade’ Show on February 19th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Gallery at 411 Nashua Street in Milford. On that occasion Creative Ventures will also be hosting the Chamber Business After Hours function for members of the Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce. This will be an event where art and business come together and where art teachers will be on hand to mingle and to discuss their work with interested representatives of our local business community. For those who miss the opening, the Teachers’ Show will hang in the Gallery from January 28 through February 22, and during that time visitors and guests can view examples of the work of these amazing professionals. This will be an “all media” show, displaying drawing, colored pencil, printmaking, watercolor, pastel, oil and acrylic paintings as well as polymer clay cre-
ations. Artists represented in this show include Beth Ashton, Eileen Belanger, Mike Brazao, Kristine Brock, Elizabeth Craumer, Paul Ducret, Alex Haas, Emily Johnson, Lynne Noseworthy, James O’Brien, Diane Orzel, Jeanne Pierce, Steve Previte, Chris Reid, Sugitha Srinivasan, Joan Tierney, Chris Volpe and Judith Wing. Some instructors teach ongoing classes while others conduct workshops that can be for only a single day or as long as a week at a time, depending upon the subject. These talented, professionally trained individuals bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to Creative Ventures classrooms and, with their enthusiasm and encouragement, nurture students to achieve their goals. For additional information call 672-2500 or check out the website Landscape painting by Chris Reid at creativeventuresfineart.com. Refreshments will be served on the night of the opening. Free and open to the public.
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www.amherstcitizen.com •FEBRUARY 2020 •
THE AMHERST CITIZEN • 7
Schools Scholastic Art Awards Announced at AMS
Clark-Wilkins School Scripps Spelling Bee
Runner-up Georgianna Howell, left with champion Amritanshu Pradhan
Veronica Castell, “Reaching Out”
Wilkins School Scripps Spelling Bee was held in Wednesday, January 15. Fourteen finalists from the 4th grade spelled increasingly difficult words while on the stage. ”It was an exciting competition,” said reading specialist, Lorraine Stockwell, who coordinated the Spelling Bee at Clark-Wilkins Elementary School. After 12 rounds the final word that determined the champion was derogatory.
2020 Wilkins Scripps School Spelling Bee finalists:
Emily Bolin, Joel Corrigan, Eric Davis, Chloe Hatch, Georgianna Howell, Jeremy Jagentenfl, Brendan Jones, Graham Hayes, Yancey Musonera, Jack Parisi, Amritanshu Pradhan, Ava Sierra, Quinn Tremblay, and Mateus Tymowicz
Amherst Middle School
Spelling Bee
Hannah Lorsbach, “Honorable Mention--Flicker of a Bird”
On Friday, January 10, Amherst Middle School began the annual spelling bee final competition with approximately two dozen grade-level spelling bee qualifiers representing their fifth through eighth grade classrooms. After a number of suspense-filled rounds, 7th grader Austin Harvey correctly spelled “cystic” to secure the win. School winners have the opportunity to advance to the State Bee held in March. Congratulations and best of luck to Austin!
Veronica Castell, “La Nouvelle Vie”
Geography Bee
Austin Harvey, Spelling Bee Winner
The annual Amherst Middle School Geography Bee took place on Friday, January 17 with 28 grade level finalists. Congratulations to 7th grader Kasen Fox whose correct answer to the following question won the AMS school-wide Geography Bee. Winning Question: A National Geographic Pristine Seas expedition helped gather scientific data to support the creation of a marine protected area surrounding Ascension Island. Ascension Island is located in the South Atlantic and is part of an overseas territory of what country? Answer: United Kingdom Kasen will take an online qualifying exam for the NH State GeoBee held at the end of March. State GeoBee qualifiers will be announced on March 2. Congratulations and best of luck to Kasen! Kasen Fox, Geography Bee Winner
Isabella Vanbibber, “Torn Between Two Worlds”
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Allison Jordan, “Tough Work”
FEB . 24 -28
Amherst Middle School is proud to announce four students received awards through the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards of NH. This is an incredible honor. The students’ work was recognized by a panel of creative professionals as the most outstanding work submitted among that age group.
The following students are being honored:
Veronica Castell: Honorable Mention--Reaching Out (Digital Art), Teacher: Brandie Pettus Veronica Castell: Honorable Mention--La Nouvelle Vie (Drawing and Illustration), Teacher: Brandie Pettus Allison Jordan: Honorable Mention--Tough Work (Sculpture), Teacher: Brandie Pettus Hannah Lorsbach: Honorable Mention--Flicker of a Bird (Mixed Media), Teacher: Diana Plank
BUILD MORE MORE THAN MUSCLE
Isabella Vanbibber: Honorable Mention--Torn Between Two Worlds (Sculpture), Teacher: Brandie Pettus The work will be on display January 21, 2020 through February 16, 2020 at The Stockbridge Theatre @ Pinkerton Academy, Derry. Open during Stockbridge events (check website for events) and February 16th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
YMCA OF GREATER NASHUA
WESTWOOD PARK YMCA | 90 Northwest Boulevard, Nashua, NH
JOIN US AT THE YMCA
100’s of Program and League Options At the Westwood Park YMCA we give you the support and encouragement you need to become a healthier, happier you. We offer a wide variety of programs and classes in our many courts, classrooms and studios: • 4 courts for basketball, volleyball, badminton, pickleball and more • A full-size indoor turf field and training area for soccer, flag football cricket, kickball, lacrosse, field hockey and other field sports. • A wellness center with functional training areas featuring the MX4 system, a cardio center and group exercise studio • A multipurpose space for health education, arts, enrichment, teen programs and more • A group cycling studio. • Kids Stop area for child watching while parents utilize the YMCA for programming • Sports-based Summer Camp programming for youth development • Batting cages ready for rental (included in membership) • Teen Nights at the Y: For teens, by teens!
To see a full list of the benefits of joining the YMCA visit www.nmymca.org/joinus!
8 • THE AMHERST CITIZEN • F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 • w w w . a m h e r s t c i t i z e n . c o m
More Letters
School News Students in the News Students Named to President’s List at Plymouth State University
PLYMOUTH, NH - 807 students have been named to the Plymouth State University President’s List for the Fall 2019 semester. To be named to the President’s List, a student must achieve a grade point average of 3.7 or better for the Fall 2019 semester and must have attempted at least 12 credit hours during the semester. Grace Murray, of Amherst Samantha Cushing, of Amherst Lindsay McCool, of Amherst Julia Brogioli, of Mont Vernon Kianna Darrow, of Amherst Heather Gebhardt, of Amherst Kyle Archambault, of Amherst Bethany Eubank, of Amherst Anna Farrow, of Amherst Meaghan Allard, of Mont Vernon Collin Wright, of Amherst
Area Students Named to Highly Selective Dean’s List at Colby College
WATERVILLE, ME Area students were recently named to the highly selective Dean’s List at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, for outstanding academic achievement during the fall semester of the 201920 academic year. A total of 566 Colby students, or 27 percent of the qualified student body, made Dean’s List last semester. Jacqueline O. Chistolini, a member of the Class of 2023, attended Souhegan High School and is the daughter of Jennifer Kendrick of Amherst, N.H., and Thomas Chistolini of Amherst, N.H. Teresa D. White, a member of the Class of 2022, attended Souhegan High School and is the daughter of Leo and Amy White of Mont Vernon, N.H. Students earned a semester grade point average of 3.75 or higher last fall to be included on Colby’s Dean’s List.
Bucknell Students Named to Dean’s List
LEWISBURG, PA - Bucknell University has released the dean’s list for outstanding academic achievement during the fall semester of the 2019-20 academic year. A student must earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0 to receive dean’s list recognition. Madeleine Hunt, a Chemistry major in the class of 2021 from Amherst, NH.
Cedar Crest College Recognizes Fall 2019 Dean’s List Recipients
ALLENTOWN, PA - Cedar Crest College congratulates dozens of students who were named to the Dean’s List for the Fall semester of 2019. Among the students recognized is Brenna Desborough of Amherst, NH.The Dean’s List recognizes students who have earned a grade point average of 3.65 or higher in the academic semester.
Cohen Gains Spot in Susquehanna Stadium Band
SELINSGROVE, PA - Naomi Cohen, of Amherst, participated in Susquehanna University’s stadium band during the fall. The Susquehanna stadium band played at all home football games, the homecoming parade and pep rally, and at special events. Cohen is a Dean’s List students who achieved a grade point average of 3.4 or higher out of a possible 4.0 for the semester. Naomi Cohen is a Music Education - Vocal (BM) major of the Class of 2021 and a graduate of Souhegan High School.
University of San Francisco Announces Fall 2019 Dean’s Honor Roll
SAN FRANCISCO, CA- The following student was named to the Dean’s Honor Roll for the fall 2019 semester at the University of San Francisco. Annalise Poisson, Amherst, is a first year student with sophomore standing majoring in History with a minor in Classical Studies. To be eligible, a student must be enrolled full-time for 12 units or more of course work graded “A” through “F” and achieve a 3.5 grade point average for that semester.
Fall 2019 Dean’s List at Dean College
FRANKLIN, MA - Dean College is pleased to announce the local students that have earned a place on the Dean’s List for the Fall 2019 semester. These students have demonstrated a serious commitment to their studies while at Dean College. Tiana Savo of Mont Vernon.
Hofstra University Congratulates Fall 2019 Dean’s List Students
HEMPSTEAD, NY - Hofstra University congratulates the students named to the Fall 2019 Dean’s List for their outstanding academ-
ic achievement. Students must earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 during the semester to make the Dean’s List. The following local students earned this academic honor: Cassandra Jillson of Amherst, NH.
Lindsay McCool Named to President’s List at Plymouth State University
Lindsay McCool of Amherst has been named to the Plymouth State University President’s List for the Fall 2019 semester. To be named to the President’s List, a student must achieve a grade point average of 3.7 or better for the Fall 2019 semester and must have attempted at least 12 credit hours during the semester. McCool is a Elementary Education major at Plymouth State.
Andrew Hubbard Named to Dean’s List at Anderson University
ANDERSON, S.C. - Andrew Hubbard of Mont Vernon was named to the Dean’s List at Anderson University for the fall semester, 2019. In order to be named to the Dean’s List, a student must maintain a 3.5 grade point average or higher for the semester.
Local Students Makes Dean’s List at Connecticut College
NEW LONDON, Conn. - - The following students from Amherst have been named to the dean’s list for the 2019 fall semester: Katherine Bermingham, 2020, Dean’s High Honors, Sociology and Government; Katherine Hollister, 2022, Dean’s High Honors, Psychology and Human Development; Jake Upton, 2022, Dean’s Honors, English.
Honor Students Named at Baylor University
WACO, Texas - More than 4,400 Baylor University students were named to the Dean’s Academic Honor Roll for the 2019 fall semester. Students honored on the Dean’s List are Baylor undergraduates with a minimum grade-point average of 3.7, while enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester hours. From Mont Vernon: Abigail Niamh Keeney, College of Arts and Sciences.
Northeastern University Announces Fall Semester 2019 Dean’s List
BOSTON, Mass. - Northeastern University is pleased to recognize those students who distinguish themselves academically during the course of the school year. The following local students were recently named to the University’s Dean’s List for the Fall semester, which ended in December 2019. In addition to achieving distinction through the dean’s list they are member of the University Honors Program, which offers high caliber students the chance to further hone their studies and interests, live in special interest residential communities, participate in enriched, interdisciplinary courses, and engage in research and creative endeavors, service, and global experiences. Invitation into the University Honors Program is highly competitive and students must maintain a high GPA to maintain membership. Amherst resident Blake Karavas, majoring in biochemistry To achieve the dean’s list distinction, students must carry a full program of at least four courses, have a quality point average of 3.5 or greater out of a possible 4.0 and carry no single grade lower than a C- during the course of their college career.
Local residents make Dean’s List at Wentworth Institute of Technology
Boston, MA - The following local students have made the Dean’s List at Wentworth Institute of Technology for the fall 2019 semester. Kathryn Deppen Dechambeau of Amherst, Spencer James George of Amherst, Laura Madeline Pease of Amherst, Kyle Gene Gibson of Mont Vernon.
Local Residents Named to the Becker College Dean’s List for the fall 2019 semester
WORCESTER/LEICESTER, MA - Becker College recognized the following local residents who were named to the dean’s list for the fall 2019 semester. The Dean’s List recognizes all full-time students whose term grade point average is 3.50 or higher with no grade below a B- and no incomplete (I) or withdrawal/ failing (WF) grades. Natalie Caraccio, of Amherst is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.
Northeastern University Announces Fall Semester 2019 Dean’s List
BOSTON, Mass. - Northeastern University is pleased to recognize those students who distinguish themselves academically during the course of the school year. The following students were recently named to the university’s Dean’s
New England League of Middle Schools Renews Amherst Middle School Designation as a Spotlight School The New England League of Middle Schools announced in a letter dated January 17, 2020 that Amherst Middle School, Amherst, NH was renewed as a NELMS Spotlight School for a three-year period, 2020-2023. According to Kathleen Hill, NELMS Spotlight Schools Coordinator, “The school was renewed because of its ability to create an excellent learning environment for young adolescents and its consistent observance of middle school best practices.” Criteria for the award included a review of curriculum and instruction, qualified middle level teachers, teaming practices, professional development, democratic
governance, leadership, appropriate school environment and the level of involvement of parents and community. NELMS reviewers were very impressed with the excellence that was evident during the site visit. Permeating the culture and the environment of the school is the deep concern for and understanding of the young adolescents they serve. The school will be acknowledged at NELMS’ Annual Conference, March 9-10, 2020 in Providence, Rhode Island. Amherst Middle School is one of only seven Spotlight Schools in New Hampshire and twenty-seven in New England to be so designated by NELMS.
The renewal letter specifically states: The New England League of Middle Schools would like to commend Amherst Middle School on the following:
• Exemplary connects among Central Office, school Administration, teachers, students, parents, and the community at large, • Very palpable positive school environment/climate, • Dedicated school community committed to learning and improvement, • Generous PD opportunities for personalized teacher growth, • Excellent communications among school, parents, and community, • All classrooms connected to technology and used daily, • Common rubrics developed by staff, shared with students, and linked to state standards, • Central Office support in all initiatives undertaken by the school, • Personalized learning system to support every student, • Strong Multi-Tiered System of Supports recognizing each student’s area of challenge as well as extensions for areas of growth, • Healthy Relationships theme focuses on building relationships between all stakeholders in the school community, • Healthy school lunch program, • Well-maintained school with a dedicated custodial staff.
Student Support for Amy Facey To the editor:
It gives me great pleasure to write this letter in support of School Board Member, Amy Facey. As a student in SAU 39, it can sometimes be nerve wracking to watch adults make decisions for me and my peers’ education. I have trust in my community to guide us in the right direction, but I feel most comfortable with a board that has people like Amy Facey working with us because she listens and truly cares. I am reassured by Amy’s position on the school board as I feel she most understands the students positions and the concerns we have. I am a sophomore at Souhegan, but I first met Amy as a freshman during SHS in community council. I was quite nervous to be in a room full of upperclassmen and adults. It was a large circle of people and was a little intimidating for a wide-eyed freshie. When we were put into our committees, I was grouped with Amy who immediately made me feel comfortable and invited my thoughts and ideas to the group. We were tasked with many problems to solve and weren’t sure how to go about them, but she steered us in the right direction. After spending more time at Souhegan, I got a job filming the school board meetings where I often watched the room full of adults with passionate opinions try to solve problems that I face everyday. Amy shines a light on student voices and concerns in these conversations. I noticed quickly how she understood the cultures of each school and how each played a significant role in our students’ lives. She sees our perspectives and bridges the viewpoints of adults with many of my peers frustrations. This moves the conversations to be more constructive. It’s easy for adults to make our problems seem small and insignificant, but Amy recognizes what we struggle with today and strives to help us by representing us and other community members by being on the school board. She is thoughtful and well spoken, which is helpful when collaborating with other very passionate adults… and on top of that, her organization and determination makes the meetings more productive. I’ve witnessed her encouragement and passion to help our schools and community. She invited me to help her with a committee that looks to put our school’s facilities in a better place than they are now. Many community members sit on it and as the only student she makes me feel very comfortable to share my ideas and small inspirations that could be of help. She encourages me to use the tools and resources at my disposal and has given me an outlet to use my video production skills to help in our community. Personally as a student who has been through Wilkins, AMS, and now SHS, I feel a lot more comfortable with someone who I feel understands the students and the dynamics of our schools to be on our school board. She is so positive and receptive to student ideas and does the work to help communicate our needs. I can’t think of anyone who does it better than Amy Facey, and I am grateful for everything she does for our learning community. Please vote for Amy Facey for our school board. Sincerely, Shannon Hargreaves SHS Student Class of 2022
Christine Peters is a Candidate for Stress Management Through the Souhegan School Board To the editor: Power of the Breath Workshop My name is Christine Peters, and I am an eighteen year resident of AmAMHERST – Does everyday life have you feeling stressed and overwhelmed? Do you find your blood pressure is too high, do you feel tired and fatigued often, or like you can’t shut your brain off to go to sleep? This 90 minute powerful experiential workshop helps you understand the origins of stress and how to harness breathing to manage life’s difficulties. You will learn how to quiet the mind through intentional awareness through breath and movement. When: Tuesday February 18th from 6:30-8:00pm Where: Souhegan High School- Mini Gym Who: Students 13 years or older and any adult feeling stress Please RSVP at : souheganptsa@gmail.com
The Souhegan PTSA is hosting this event and any tax-deductible donations will be accepted at the door or via our Paypal, by visiting www. souheganptsa.com
Presenters:
Heather Ramm, MA, LCMHC Heather is a private practice licensed clinician in Bedford, NH. She specializes in helping individuals cope with anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses through Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She has practiced for more than 11 years and has been mediating since the age of 10 to help manage her life stressors. Kathy MacKinnon After a career in school teaching, Kathy MacKinnon completed her certification as a YOGYAM® Yoga teacher in 2015. Her interest in this practice is a result of the benefits she received from yoga/meditation in her personal life. Having studied directly with an Indian Master, Yogacharya Vineeta Sharma, and gaining the enormous benefits in both her physical and mental state, Kathy has fully dedicated herself to conducting YOGYAM® Yoga classes at Amherst Yoga Studio, Amherst, NH.
List for the Fall semester, which ended in December 2019. Amherst resident Cade Ruffing, majoring in business administration and Amherst resident Anna Sparks, majoring in business administration.
Local Residents Receive Trinity College Faculty Honors
Hartford, Conn. - The following local students were awarded Faculty Honors for the fall 2019 semester at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. Faculty Honors are awarded to students with a semester GPA of at least 3.667 on four graded courses, with no individual grade below B-, and no incomplete grades pending. Sydney A. Pagliocco, of Amherst.
Local Student-Athletes Competing on Assumption’s Inaugural Women’s Ice Hockey Team
WORCESTER, MA - The Assumption Department of Athletics has announced that 15 student-athletes are competing on the College’s inaugural Women’s Ice Hockey team, one of the three new teams formed under the Blue & White Sports program. Local student-athletes include: Shannon Paquette of Amherst Class of 2023.
Local Students Named to President’s List at Clemson
CLEMSON, SC - Local students were named to the fall 2019 President’s List at Clemson University. Timothy John Driscoll of Mont Vernon, whose major is Computer Engineering. To be named to the President’s List, a student must achieve a 4.0 (all As) grade-point average.
Nichols College Students Named to Fall 2019 Dean’s List
DUDLEY, MA - Many hard-working students at Nichols College in Dudley, Mass., have achieved Dean’s List or President’s List honors during the fall 2019 semester. The following local students received academic honors from Nichols College: Ethan Hopey of Mont Vernon. In order to be included on the Dean’s List, a student must have a minimum average of 3.5 for at least 12 undergraduate credit-hours and must have received no grades below B- during the semester.
SNHU Announces Fall 2019 Dean’s List
MANCHESTER, NH - It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates the following students on being named to the fall 2019 Dean’s List. Eligibility for the Dean’s List requires that a student accumulate an academic grade point average (GPA) of 3.5-3.699 and earn 12 credits for the semester. Hannah Cohen of Amherst and Grace Desmarais of Amherst.
Springfield College Recognizes Dean’s List Students for the 2019 Fall Semester
herst. We moved here in 2002 with two babies and quickly added two more children. We have primarily educated our four children through homeschooling, though we have been thankful for the help of our Amherst and Souhegan Districts over the years. I am running for the Souhegan Cooperative School Board, because I want to see our students leave Amherst best prepared for whatever path they choose to follow. I also desire to see us retain and support faculty who are engaged in this endeavor. As a lifetime educator with a degree in Guidance counseling, I believe I am uniquely equipped to balance the needs of our Students and Faculty in a way that uses funds responsibly and to the highest advantage. I greatly appreciate your consideration! Christine Peters Amherst
Tony Labranche for Souhegan Cooperative School Board To the editor:
Hello, my name is Tony Labranche and I am a current Senior at Souhegan High School. Last year I made a fateful decision, I was going to run to be on the Souhegan Cooperative School Board. Last week I finally filed for candidacy. I have always been interested in being involved in this community since I was just a freshman at Souhegan. During my past four years there, I have always tried to give back to my community through service and leadership. This is what I intend on doing when I am elected to the Souhegan Cooperative School Board on March 10th. As a senior at Souhegan, I have seen what it is really like on the ground level. I have seen the issues that our school faces and I have seen where your tax dollars go and I have seen the true impacts of school board policies and decisions. And I have already used my abilities to help solve issues through my involvement at the school, from being on Community Council to reforming the Judiciary at Souhegan, I have also founded the new Student Union. I would like to think that although I am the youngest person running for election, this gives me significant experience that will aid me in being a successful school board member. I have planned the next three years of my life around being a school board member. It is my duty and honor to serve and give back to my community. I understand that this is an important commitment that needs to be properly tended to and not ignored, so if elected I will stay in Amherst and attend Nashua Community College to stay focused on the issues here at home. They say home is where the heart is, and I know my heart is at Souhegan and here in Amherst. Souhegan has taught me life lessons and reinforced my core values. I am truly grateful for the opportunity that Amherst has given me by moving here. I have lived here for nearly 6 years now and it has truly had a transformative impact on me. Help me give back to this community by voting for Tony Labranche on March 10th. You can contact me at tony.labranche.politician@gmail.com Tony Labranche Amherst
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SPRINGFIELD, MA - Springfield College recognized the following local students for making the Dean’s List during the 2019 Fall Semester: Ellie Lohnes from Amherst. Lohnes is studying Health Science/ The Amherst Citizen e-newsletter. Pre-physician Assistant. Criteria It’s free, private and secure. Sent to you for selection to the dean’s list requires that the student must have a by e-mail between print editions. minimum semester grade point avwww.amherstcitizen.com/subscriptions.html erage of 3.500 for the semester.
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Sports Shorts
School News
SHS Alpine Boys and Girls Team Ski to Winning Levels This Season
Fundraiser to Support Various PTSA Endeavors
PTSA Raffle of Personalized Memory Quilt AMHERST – The PTSA is holding a raffle to raise funds for various endeavors such as grants, scholarships and school functions. One of our members has generously donated her time and effort into creating a “Memory Quilt” for one lucky winner of the raffle. A “Memory Quilt” is just that... one made out of the many physical memories throughout your or your students life, or any memories you choose. She will work hand in hand with the lucky winner to create this wonderful quilt... one to be enjoyed for many years to come! The tickets sold for the raffle are $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00 You can contact any member of the Executive board at any time by sending an email request for tick-
ets to “souheganptsa@gmail. com. The tickets will be available at various events in the coming weeks. We even have a PayPal account, so tickets can be purchased through that venue. A table will be set up at SHS basketball games as well as on Primary Day voting at the High School on Feb. 11th. The drawing will be held on Leap Day, February 29th, 2020. Good Luck to all who enter!! Our second fundraising event will be a fun night at the Amherst Country Club on March 7th, 2020! It’s called “Drive and Jive”!. The ACC has four golf simulators that can do a number of fun events such as “longest drive”, “closest to the hole” etc. There will also be a DJ for the “Jive” part where dancing (or attempting to) will be
held. There will be baskets of goodies for the winners of the various events. A cash bar will be available and lots of snacks as well! Tickets can be purchased through the PTSA account on “souheganptsa@gmail.com. Tickets are $20.00. There will be a small charge to participate in the various golf contests! Remember! This is for a worthy cause. The grants and scholarships we provide every year help to relieve some of the expenses our students and teachers encounter through the school year. Scholarships go to Senior students heading to college or trade schools and are much appreciated. Bring a friend or two! Even Tiger Woods is welcome!
Souhegan’s alpine ski teams prepare Division II meet mid-February
Souhegan Student Shares Words with US Poet Laureate BY JEANNE STURGES
What do you do when you’ve got a question you just can’t find the answer to? Souhegan junior Alex Karpawich decided to go straight to the source. As part of the 11th grade Poetry Out Loud unit, students in Aimee Gibbons’ English class researched their chosen poems as part of their exploration into Literary Critical Theory and the lenses through which we can analyze poetry. Karpawich chose Ted Kooser’s poem, “Abandoned Farmhouse.”
Souhegan junior Alex Karpawich working with teacher Aimee Gibbons on his Poetry Out Loiud project
Alex: I can’t recall the year in which that poem was composed, but it would have been before the ‘80s, possibly as early as the mid ‘sixties. But we have had farming problems in my part of the country since the land was first broken, and many farms have failed, or their farmers have failed. It’s always a risky business, farming, and on every square mile in my eastern Nebraska there were once home places that are gone and plowed under, leaving no trace. Where it was once possible for an entire family to be able to support themselves on 160 acres, today’s
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Brookford Farm achieves sustainability in diversified organic farming.
Thistle’s All Natural Zucchini Salsa, freshly made in Merrimack, NH.
is better because it contains naturally occurring beneficial probiotic microorganisms and enzymes that are killed by pasteurization. And some people who are lactose sensitive are able to drink milk in its raw state, thanks to its probiotic nature. Also found at Moulton’s are New Hampshire Honey Bee products, made in Gilsum. The New Hampshire Honey Bee is family-owned with simple goals: enjoy the fun and education of beekeeping, provide a range of beekeeping supplies, services and equipment to hobbyist beekeepers and side-liner apiaries and produce quality honey and beeswax products. New Hampshire Honey Bee also supports veterans by selling wood products made by veterans and 100% of the proceeds go to the organizations that support veterans. Moulton’s carries New Hampshire Honey Bee honey in various sizes, as well as honey sticks, honey candy and a line of lip balm and hand salve. Looking for a great salsa? Look no further than Thistle’s All Natural Zucchini Salsa. Owners of this New Hampshire brand are based in Merrimack and got their start through farmers markets. Demand grew, and now Thistles is a familiar sight on store shelves across the state. Gluten-free, fat-free and with no sodium, Thistles salsas are based on a traditional family recipe. Every flavor is handcrafted in small batches
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for the best flavor and quality possible. “There’s a New Hampshire product for every taste, every need,” says co-owner Greg Bolton. “As a good neighbor and a proud supporter of the local community, Moulton’s will continue our long tradition of showcasing New Hampshire small businesses, as well as offer a wide range of delicious products for our customers. It’s a win-win!”
THE AMHERST CITIZEN • 9
farmers own and rent many more acres in order to make out, a thousand or more. My wife was for a time a political writer for our newspaper and maybe twenty years ago, approaching an election, I asked her what she anticipated from the farm vote in Nebraska. Her response was, “What farm vote? The farmers are gone.” All the best, Ted Alex: I can’t recall the year in which that poem was composed, but it would have been before the ‘80s, possibly as early as the mid ‘sixties. But we have had farming problems in my part of the country since the land was first broken, and many farms have failed, or their farmers have failed. It’s always a risky business, farming, and on every square mile in my eastern Nebraska there were once home places that are gone and plowed under, leaving no trace. Where it was once possible for an entire family to be able to support themselves on 160 acres, today’s farmers own and rent many more acres in order to make out, a thousand or more. My wife was for a time a political writer for our newspaper and maybe twenty years ago, approaching an election, I asked her what she anticipated from the farm vote in Nebraska. Her response was, “What farm vote? The farmers are gone.” All the best, Ted “Mr. Kooser has seen the farming industry struggle. It gave me insight into why he chose a lonesome, despairing tone for the poem,” Karpawich said. What drew Karpawich to the poem initially was its theme, but also the “perspective he takes through the farm objects themselves. When I was little we’d peep into old rotting barns, wondering why they are there. I imagine the speaker is in the barn, saying what happened for the objects.” “Some of the research is hard in that it’s hard to find information for the historical/biographical lens. But, part of what we are being assessed on is using a literary lens, like the Historical/Biographical, Post-colonial or Feminist lenses. A student might see in the poem an allusion to colonization, for instance. In feminism, a question you might ask is, how might the role of women in this poem go against the societal norms at that time?” Karpawich explains. Students not only analyze the poem, but through this rich exploration, they then turn their focus to internalizing the poem through memorization and recitation. “In terms of reciting the poem, Poetry Out Loud gives me more connection to the poem. Before, I wouldn’t have taken it for much more than words on paper. Because I know what inspired him to write it, I can now imagine how he wants the poem to be presented. I can present it more closely to what he might want.” When Karpawich practices his recitation, he is “standing in one of the barns on the lower floor, by a window, looking outside to see the fields cluttered. I am pretending there’s a scene I am speaking.” Karpawich explains that for some students the Poetry Out Loud project comes naturally because they are comfortable speaking in front of a large audience. However, it helps everyone fine tune their public speaking skills in a “fun way for kids to explore poetry. Poetry Out Loud gives students more of a focus on pronunciation of key words to emphasize in their audience’s mind what they want portrayed in the poem.”
January has been a busy month for Souhegan Alpine Ski Team! The depth of talent has produced strong consistent team results for both boys and girls. Their athletic skills and positive attitudes have created a fun atmosphere and growth for all participants. The girls’ team placed first in a giant slalom (GS) race on January 23rd. They have placed 2nd behind Con-Val in both slalom (SL) races on January 9th and 16th. Scoring girls have been Bella Kraus, Erin Taylor, Riley Greene, Sierra Kimball and Abbie Robinson. Senior Captains Georgia and India Jones have also had an outstanding season. The boys’ team also placed first in the GS race on January 23rd. They placed second behind Hollis-Brookline in SL on January 16th. On January 9th, they placed 3rd behind Bow and Hanover in SL. The scoring boys have been Andrew Taylor, Quade Bell, Nathan Fritz, Aidan Leary, and Alec Reitter. Congratulations to senior captains Andrew and Quade who have put a Souhegan Alpine Boy on top of the podium for our first five races!
Several more races remain before Div 2 states in mid-February. Wishing all the alpine racers continued success! This season, SHS Alpine coaches and captains decided to host a fund raising raffle, instead of a movie night. This fundraiser was a great success thanks to the support of many donors and those who purchased tickets. The team is especially grateful to Proctor Ski & Board, Ken Jones Ski Shop, Waterville Valley Ski Resort, Crotched Mountain Ski & Ride, Bretton Woods Ski Resort, Pat’s Peak Ski Resort, Gunstock Mountain Ski Resort, Golf and Ski Warehouse, Amherst Garden Center, County Stores, Earthward Natural Foods, Vertical Dreams, El Arroyo Mexican Restaurant, PJ Mac Williams Bon Bon, Union Street Coffee, Shaw’s, Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Hannaford, Linda Smith (Avon), Trish Berlack and Wendy Corrigan! Thank you to everyone who bought raffle tickets from SHS Alpine skiers and please look for them again next December!
SHS Senior Captain Andrew Taylor takes first place in giant slalom at Crotched Mountain on January 23rd.
Little League Baseball Signup
BEDFORD – Baseball players ages 4-13 from Amherst and beyond are encouraged to sign up for the Bedford Little League. Over the years, the league has benefited from many strong Amherst players! Registration is currently open at bedfordll.com.
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10 • THE AMHERST CITIZEN • F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 • w w w . a m h e r s t c i t i z e n . c o m
Vote in Town and School Elections, March 10 at Souhegan High School — Polls are Open 6:00AM – 8:00PM
Candidates Night – March 3, 2020 (make-up March 5)
The Southern New Hampshire Branch will hold the Eighth Annual Candidates Night in the Barbara Landry Room at the Amherst Town Hall on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 5, 2020 will be the snow make-up date. All Amherst school and town candidates who have filed by the January 31 deadline will be invited to participate. The event can be seen live on your computer at http://amherstnh.viebit.com, and on Comcast Channel 20, and as a recording after March third. Town elections are scheduled for Tuesday, March 10. The Presidential Primary is Tuesday, February 11. AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. In addition to Candidates Night, the Southern NH Branch provides scholarships for young women who are pursuing college degrees. AAUW is a non-partisan non-political organization that never endorses candidates or specific parties. Questions about the event contact Liz Overholt at liz@theoverholts. net or 673-5171, and questions about AAUW contact Diana Owen at 673-7841. New Hampshire Voter Registration Information – Feb. 11, 2020 Primary To be eligible to register and vote in New Hampshire a person must be: • 18 years of age or older on Election Day; • A United States citizen; • Domiciled in the town or ward where the person seeks to vote. To register, you will need to provide proof of your identity, age, citizenship, and domicile. Proof can be either by documents or if you do not have documents with you, by affidavit. Documents may be presented in paper or electronic form. • A driver’s license or non-driver ID from any state satisfies proof of identity and age. • A birth certificate, U.S. Passport/Passcard, or naturalization document satisfies proof of citizenship.
NOTE: A New Hampshire Real ID compliant driver’s license is NOT proof of U.S. Citizenship. If you do not have any of these documents, you can prove your identity, age, and/or citizenship, by signing a Qualified Voter Affidavit, under oath, in front of an election official. You will also need to prove that you are domiciled in the town or ward where you intend to vote. Proof can be either by documents (such as a bill, rental or lease agreement, deed, NH driver’s license or registration, etc.) or if you do not have any documents with you, by affidavit. The law requires a document that “manifests an intent to maintain a single continuous presence for domestic, social, and civil purposes relevant to participating in democratic self-government.” RSA 654:12 . New voters may continue to register at the Town Clerk’s office during regular business hours until 10 days before Election Day or at the Supervisor of the Checklist Session on Jan. 21, 2020 between the hours of 6:30 and 7:30 pm at the Town Clerk’s office. New voters are always able to register on Election Day.
Feb. 11, 2020 Presidential Primary -- To help those new to the primary process in NH, here is a brief explanation:
On Election Day, if you are registered Undeclared (independent) you can select either a Republican or Democratic ballot. Your party will become that of the ballot you chose until you change back to Undeclared. After submitting your ballot, you may return to Undeclared at the polls by visiting the table specifically designated for those wanting to return to Undeclared status. If you forget to do this at the polls, you will need to stop by the Town Clerk’s office to return to Undeclared beginning the day after the election. On Election Day, if you are registered Republican you will automatically be handed a Republican ballot when voting in the primary. If you are registered Democrat you will automatically be handed a Democratic ballot when voting in the primary. Check your current party affiliation by going to: http://app.sos. nh.gov. It is important that you do this as people often forget the party in which they were last registered and are disappointed to find that their options on Primary Election Day are different than they expected. (If you were registered before Oct. 25, 2019, that was the last day to change your party affiliation before the Feb. 11, 2020 Primary.) For any questions regarding registering to vote, the election or securing an absentee ballot, call or visit your Town Clerk’s office. Amherst: 673-6041 X-203
More Letters
Candidates for Town of Amherst: Selectmen (Vote For Not More Than One) Thomas Grella
3 Years
Moderator (Vote For Not More Than One) Stephen W Coughlan
2 Years
Women Candidates for President
Town Clerk (Vote For Not More Than One) Nancy A. Demers
3 Years
To the editor:
Zoning Board (Vote For Not More Than Two) Charles A. Vars James Ramsay
3 Years
Trustee Of The Trust Funds (Vote For Not More Than One) 3 Years Michael Parisi Library Trustee (Vote For Not More Than Two) Nancy J. Head Lucienne Foulks
2 Years
Supervisor Of The Checklist (Vote For Not More Than One) 6 Years Donella “Donni” Hodgkins Cemetery Trustee (Vote For Not More Than One) Marie Grella Francis “Frank” Beaudoin
3 Years
Candidates for School District Offices Amherst School District
School Board (Vote For Not More Than Two) Joshua Conklin Terri Behm John Glover Clerk (Vote For Not More Than One) Catherine Jo Butler Treasurer (Vote For Not More Than One) Catherine Jo Butler Moderator (Vote For Not More Than One) Nathaniel Jensen
3 Years
3 Years 3 Years 3 Years
Souhegan Cooperative High School District School Board (Vote For Not More Than Two from Amherst) Amy Facey Stephanie Grund Tony Labranche Christine Peters Pim Gronstra (Not More Than one from Mont Vernon)
3 Years
Absentee ballots are available to registered voters of the town. NH law requires that you vote in person at the polls unless you declare one of the following absences: • You plan to be absent on election day from the town where you are domiciled. • You cannot appear in public because of observance of a religious commitment. • You are unable to vote due to a disability. • You cannot appear at any time during polling hours at the polling place because an employment obligation. For the purposes of this application, the term “employment” shall include the care of children and infirm adults, with or without compensation. Any person who votes or attempts to vote using an absentee ballot who is not entitled to vote by absentee ballot shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. RSA 657:24
Absentee ballots may be requested in person at the Town Clerk’s office from 9AM to 3PM, Monday through Friday and Tuesday night from 4:30 to 6:30 and up to 5PM on Monday, February 10, 2020. They must be returned by 5PM on Election Day, Tuesday, February 11, 2020. Absentee ballots may be requested by mail or in person or by email by completing an application found on the town website or at Town Hall. The application is also available on the Secretary of State website. Absentee ballots may be returned to the Town Clerk’s office by mail or delivered in person. If the voter cannot return the ballot, a family member may return the ballot but an Absentee Ballot Return Form (RSA 657:17) must be signed. Absentee ballots cannot be returned to other departments in the Town Hall and will not be accepted by other department employees. Applications can be found at www.amherstnh.gov and scanned and emailed to ndemers@amherstnh.gov, or mailed to:
Or picked up at the office during regular business hours.
Mary Wilson Amherst
3 Years
Absentee Ballots Available for Primary
Town Clerk 2 Main Street Amherst NH 03031
I’m only considering women candidates for president in 2020. It’s sad that in over 200 years of United States history no woman as ever served as president or vice president. The first time I met presidential candidate, Tulsi Gabbard, was at the Amherst 4th of July parade. As I waited for her to arrive, I stood among her group of supporters. The first thing I noticed, was the diversity of her supporters, not only ethnicity but also political affiliation. In the past few months that I have attended Tulsi events, I’m standing next to not only a Democrat but Republicans, Libertarians and Independents. With Tulsi’s diversity of supporters, one might wonder why the media does not cover her more. Tulsi is dedicated to her country. Currently, she is a Major in the U.S. Army National Guard where she has served for 17 years. Tulsi is in her 7th year as a U.S. Congresswoman representing Hawaii. She has served on the Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, and Homeland Security Committees and has raised awareness that the US spends billions each month on wasteful wars. This is money that could be used here to build infrastructure, and help veterans, just to name a few. When I listen to Tulsi speak at events, I hear her explain how we need to stop regime change wars. I am not for war, yet I was under the impression that our wars were keeping us safe. Tulsi informs voters that these useless “regime change wars” in the Middle East and around the world, where the U.S. goes in and topples the leaders, does not benefit these countries, nor do they make the U.S. more safe. Deployed twice to the Middle East with the Army National Guard, Tulsi knows first hand the human cost of war. If you are wondering why Tulsi doesn’t dye the gray streak in her hair… that gray streak developed during her first deployment to Iraq. She keeps it as a remembrance of her brothers and sisters in uniform who died or were injured in the war. Please consider voting for Tulsi Gabbard in our first in the nation primary on February 11th. Visit Tulsi2020.com for more info.
Ending the Retail Sale of Puppies To the editor:
New Hampshire is considering legislation that would end the retail sale of puppies. The majority of pet stores in the state, both big and small, stopped selling puppies years ago. Only a handful of pet stores in New Hampshire still sell puppies despite the growing trend to adopt a homeless dog or purchase directly from a breeder. Passing House Bill 1388 to end the retail sale of puppies in New Hampshire would be a step in the right direction toward addressing the many problems associated with selling puppies in pet stores. The most serious problem with pet store puppies is that it is well documented that the majority of these dogs come from puppy mills. A puppy mill is a commercial breeding operation that disregards the well-being of dogs for profit. Animals are housed in crowded and often unsanitary conditions. To maximize profits, female dogs will be bred at every opportunity with little or no respite between litters. When they are worn out or no longer able to reproduce, breeding females are often killed. Even if New Hampshire pet stores wanted to avoid buying from puppy mills, they would have difficulty because only large-scale commercial breeders can sufficiently fill their cages with 8-week-old puppies of varying breeds. These commercial breeders are located in faraway places such as Arkansas and Missouri. A responsible breeder would never hand their puppies over to truck drivers to be transported halfway across the country, displayed like a product, and sold to anyone with a credit card. (Note that for those who can’t afford the $1,000 to $2,000 price tag, pet stores offer financing and instant pre-approval.) Pet stores are a preferred sales outlet for puppy mills because they allow the inhumane conditions at the mills to remain hidden from consumers. As tempting as those pet shop puppies are, purchasing one supports an industry driven by profit, not animal welfare. The puppy you buy will quickly be replaced by another, and the cycle will continue. By enacting HB 1388 to end the retail sale of puppies, New Hampshire will be doing its part to shrink the market for mill puppies and drive demand toward more humane sources, such as shelters, rescues, and breeders who screen prospective buyers. You can help get this legislation passed by reaching out to Representative Megan Murray of Amherst (Megan.Murray@leg.state.nh.us) and stating your support for HB 1388. Joan O’Brien Amherst
SAMPLE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY BALLOTS – FEBRUARY 11, 2020
www.amherstcitizen.com •FEBRUARY 2020 •
Obituaries Mary Jeanne Mendolusky Mary Jeanne children’s clothes Mendolusky, 74 of for the school year Amherst passed and a matching away January 3rd shirt and trousers at Southern NH for her husband. Medical Center. Jeanne was an avid She was surroundreader of Steven ed by her lovKing novels and ing family. Mary, a big fan of Brit“Jeanne” or “Jeanish murder mysnie” as she was tery movies and better known was TV series. When incapacitated with not constructing advanced COPD. crafts or watchShe contracted ing movies or TV pneumonia and a she took to makvirulent strain of ing large intricate the flu which was puzzles consisting Jeanne Mendolusky far more than her of thousands of respiratory system pieces. could handle. Despite the heroic efJeanne was predeceased by her forts of the nurses and staff of the sister, Sister Mary Anne Quibin, for ICU for 4 days she went to rest at whom the in the infirmary at Riv2:11 am January 3, 2020. iere University is named. Jeanne Jeanne was born in Kentfield, is survived by her loving husband California on May 6, 1945. She of 52+ years, John B. Mendolusky, moved to Amherst with her fami- four loving children and one grandly when she was 2 months old and child, Joshua Casimir Quibin Menremained a lifelong resident. Jeanne dolusky, Joel Christian Quibin was the daughter of Felix Aglipay Mendolusky, Jessica Celeste Quiband Rita Mary Quibin. She gradu- in Mendolusky Freeman, Jordana ated Valedictorian from Presenta- Claudine Quibin Mendolusky and tion of Mary Academy in Hudson, Danica Julia Gush along with severNH in 1963. She held secretary/ al close aunts, uncles, cousins, niecclerk positions in the Hillsbor- es and nephews. ough County Court System, includIn keeping with her wishes there ing the following courts, Hennick- will be no services. Jeanne was an er, Hillsborough, Jaffrey, Nashua, avid donor to several local animal Manchester, Auburn and Milford. shelters. In lieu of flowers considIn her early years, she was a medi- er a donation to your favorite local cal secretary at the old St. Joseph’s shelter in her name. Hospital and later at Medical AssoA celebration of her life will be ciates Broad St. Nashua. held in the spring in early May. ExJeanne was very skilled in sew- tended family and friends are all ining, knitting and crocheting, mak- vited to attend and should contact ing sweaters, afghans, baby clothes the family. at celebratingjeanne@ and scarves for family and friends. yahoo.com During the period of Stretch and Sew popularity, Jeanne made all the
Christopher R. Hebert Christopher R. “Chrissy” Hebert, age 29, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at his home. He was born in Brandon, Florida on November 28, 1990, the beloved son of Daniel and Jeanne (Motyl) Hebert of Chelmsford. Chrissy was a resident of Chelmsford for the past two years and was formerly of Amherst where he graduated from Souhegan High School in 2009. He went on to further his education at the University of New Hampshire where he earned a bachelor of science degree as well as a master’s degree in computer science. Chrissy was currently employed as a software engineer with Progress Software in Bedford, Ma for the past two years and previously at Jacobs Software in Nashua for several years. He enjoyed computer programming and coding, online gaming and music. He also loved food and
communicating with his friends online. Besides his parents, he is survived by a sister, Stephanie Carberry and her husband, Dermot, of Manchester, NH; his paternal grandfather, Melvin G. Hebert of Jacksonville, FL; his maternal grandmother, Stephanie Motyl of Mansfield, MA; a close, dear friend, Marty Aldridge of California; also many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was the brother of the late James Hebert who passed away February 11, 2017. Arrangements - A Celebration of Life was held at the J. A. HEALY SONS FUNERAL HOME, 57 N. Main St., Westford on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Interment will be private. Those who wish may make donations in his memory to the Muscular Dystrophy Association at www. mda.org/make-a-donation - To share your thoughts and memories of Chris, please visit www.healyfuneralhome.com
Milford United Methodist Church Presents: A Life Interrupted Community Presentation The Milford United Methodist church is hosting a “Life Interrupted” presentation for the area community on February 17th, 7 p.m. at the church, 327 North River Road, Milford. Families deal daily with the stigma and misconceptions that surround their loved one’s mental illness. Stigma makes families feel shame and guilt. It may prevent ill family members from having the opportunity to work, live independently and create well balanced lives for themselves. This program enables families to use their experiences to change the attitudes and open the minds of all members of their community, and to spread the message that everyone has the ability to help promote recovery, resiliency and wellness for those diagnosed with a mental illness. Life Interrupted was developed to provide families a way to educate their communities about mental illness recovery. This Presentation will be made by trained family members who have a loved one affected by mental illness. These families speak about their own recovery; how they learned about, coped with, and promoted
their own health, the health of their family, and that of their loved one with mental illness.
The Goals of the Family Perspective Presentation
To help audiences understand the family perspective on mental illness. To reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and to demonstrate that family recovery is possible. To encourage hope for families that are affected by mental illness. To educate communities about NAMI NH, its philosophy, services and the benefits it provides to families. To promote resiliency and recovery. The Voice committee at Milford UMC is proud to bring this event to the Milford community because we believe it is important to change the stigma of Mental Illness across all facets of society. We believe being informed, hearing people’s stories, and forming having the opportunity to form relationships makes us better able to be there and care for all the people in our world. Please Join us February 17th.
THE AMHERST CITIZEN • 11
Club News AAUW Southern NH Branch News
Amherst Garden Club Morning Program, March 5, 2020
Fundamentals of Organic Lawn Care
(L to R): Amherst Town Library Assistant Library Director Sarah Leonardi, Program Vice President Susan Hoover, and long time newspaper reporter and editor Michael Cleveland at the Black Forest Cafe on January 22. “Media: Friend of Foe?” was the second program in the three part series on Civic Engagement scheduled for 2019-20.
Third Program in Civic Engagement Series “Women and Labor” Dr. Monica Galizzi
AMHERST – The Southern NH Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will hold their Spring Branch Meeting at The Black Forest Cafe, 212 Route 101, Amherst on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 5:15 p.m. The evening will begin with a social time. Each person may order from the regular dinner menu with separate checks. The program will begin with opening remarks at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8 p.m. Current members and anyone interested in learning more about the organization are invited to attend. If you would like to attend the dinner and program contact Program Vice President Susan Hoover at 603-2136601; e-mail susnhoover@aol.com. If you would like to attend the program only plan to arrive at 6:15 p.m. and please let Susan know. For more information about the organization contact Diana Owen at 603-6737841. Professor Monica Galizzi, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Economics and a Senior Associate of the Center for Women & Work at the University of Massachusetts Lowell will be the presenter in the third and final program in the Civic Engagement Series planned for 2019-2020. Professor Galizzi will address the gender pay gap and economic security in her talk “Women and Labor.” She teaches classes in Principles of Micro and Macro Economics, Labor Economics, and Health Economics at the university. AAUW’s mission is to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. The Southern New Hampshire Branch provides scholarships for young women who are pursuing college degrees with the intent to follow STEAM careers after graduation. Last year’s recipient was a young woman who graduated in June from Souhegan High School. In addition, the branch hosts a book discussion group and Meet and Eat social evenings. In March, they will sponsor the annual Candidates Night giving the public a chance to hear the positions of candidates running for offices on the Amherst ballot in March. Occasionally members also attend theatrical performances and see special exhibits at local museums.
Closing the Gender Pay Gap – Work Smart Online - FREE Course
AAUW has developed a program to help women in salary negotiation. Work Smart Online is a free course that helps women earn the
pay they deserve. To access the online course type salary.aauw.com in your search bar and begin preparation to negotiate a better salary and benefits. An easy, engaging e-tool will teach participants to learn the market value of their skills and experience, determine an equitable “target salary” based on skills and experience, and ask for the pay they deserve. In surveys nearly all participants reported having more confidence and better negotiating skills after taking the class.
AMHERST – The spring equinox happens this month and then, voila—summer’s here and lawns/ weeds are fast growing. Our March 5th speaker, Britt Phillips is an Organic Lawn and Land Care Professional and owner of Complete Land Organics who will enlighten us about creating beautiful organic lawns using proven practices that are practical, safe, and science based. Ready to live with less worry? Learn how to keep your family and pets safer by eliminating the use of chemical insecticides, weed killers, and fungicides. Britt Phillips will discuss how soil plays an integral role in the state of your lawn and why your lawn areas may not be as healthy, green and lush as you’d like. Step by step instructions will be provided on how to achieve a sustainable and successful organic lawn. The process of building & balancing your soil to create a happier lawn can be fun, educational, and satisfying. Be sure to attend and bring along any household members who help
with the landscape and who aren’t yet sold on the organic approach. The meeting will be held at the Messiah Lutheran Church, 303 Route 101 in Amherst beginning at 9:00 AM with a short social time and business meeting. The program will begin at 10:15 AM. The public is welcome to attend with no fee.
Amherst Garden Club Evening Program, March 5, 2020
Not Your Average Tea Party
Upcoming Book Discussions in 2020
Members plan to meet to discuss the following books on the dates below. Meetings are held in members’ homes and begin at 7 p.m. with a social time. The discussions begin about 7:30.
Books to be discussed:
Britt Phillips
Dandelion, and Violet, the process of pressing the flowers, and incorporating them into our food. A fascinating topic and one we can incorporate into our own lives. Kat started her own little Apothecary in 2017 with the idea of being an inspiration to others. She is a wife, stay at home mother, former science teacher and aspiring herbalist. Her products which are hand-crafted in small batches using organic, ethically sourced herbs. Keeping things natural and simple can be very empowering for the mind, body and soul. This meeting is open to the public and there will be refreshments. The meeting will take place at 7:00 pm at Parkhurst Place, 11 Veterans Road, Amherst, NH. The public is welcome to attend with no fee. Weather Note: If Amherst schools are cancelled due to weather, the club’s Daytime Meeting will also be cancelled. If schools are only delayed, the Daytime meeting will be held as scheduled.
March 2: “Closest Companion: The Unknown Story of the Intimate Relationship between Franklin Roosevelt and Margaret Suckley” by Geoffrey C. Ward April 6: “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens May 4: “Educated” by Tara Westover June 1: “The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women” by Kate Moore If interested in participating, contact co-facilitators: Mary Marsh at amherst993@comcast.net, or Linda Pellerin at linda-82@comcast.net.
Kat Kausch
The Southern New Hampshire Branch will hold the Eighth Annual Candidates Night in the Barbara Landry Room at the Amherst Town Hall on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 5, 2020 will be the snow make-up date. All Amherst school and town candidates who have filed by the January 31 deadline will be invited to participate. AAUW is a non-partisan non-political organization that never endorses candidates or specific parties. The organization whose roots date back to the 1880s has two branches in NH. The Southern New Hampshire Branch, established in the 1970s, hosts a variety of programs concerning women’s education and equity issues that are open to the public. Members of the branch live in the following New Hampshire communities: Amherst, Dover, Exeter, Hanover, Manchester, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua, and Wilton.
Amherst Garden Club’s Annual Scholarship
Candidates Night – March 3, 2020 (make-up March 5)
Grella to Run Boston Marathon to Raise Funds for Camp Kita
AMHERST – Theresa Grella is running the Boston Marathon on April 20th in the name of Camp Kita. This is a camp for children age 8-17 who have lost a loved one to suicide. It is held in Rome, Maine in July. In order to reach her goal of $10,000, she has planned an Adult Prom on Saturday. March 7th at Hampshire Hills. Tickets for dinner, dancing, and a silent auction are $75.00. The cost of one week at Camp Kita is estimated at $9,750. Please help Theresa to raise funds for Camp Kita, a bereavement camp open to children ages 8-17 who are survivors of a loved one’s suicide. Sh will run the 2020 Boston Marathon to raise funds for Camp Kita https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/camp-kita2/theresagrella
www.amherstcitizen.com
AMHERST – The Spring Series of the Amherst Garden Club evening meetings start with the March 5 meeting at Parkhurst Place, 11 Veterans Drive, Amherst. The meeting starts at 7pm in the Bean Room. The speaker will be Kat Kausch, a resident of Amherst and owner of “MyLittleApothecary.com”. Her topic will be “Not You Average Tea Party”. Come learn about the various herbs & flowers that are delicious and safe to eat. She will discuss common herbs such as Lavender, Calendula, Nasturtiums,
The Amherst Garden Club is once again offering scholarships to qualified applicants this spring. Scholarship money totaling $4,000 is available to Amherst or Mont Vernon residents who will be attending an institute of higher learning to study horticulture, botany, plant science, landscape design, sustainability, or environmental science as it relates to horticulture. The garden club believes that supporting the education of students who have an interest in a field closely allied in some way with horticulture can have a positive impact on the world we live in. Applications are available on the Amherst Garden Club web
site, www.amherstgardenclub.org. There are two application forms available, one for high school seniors and one for high school graduates who are presently college age or older. Souhegan High School students need to return their applications to the high school student services office. All other applicants should mail their applications to Nancy Head, Scholarship Committee, Amherst Garden Club, PO Box 694, Amherst, NH 03031. The deadline for all applications is March 15. 2020.
AJWC Funds Available for Area Non-Profits The Amherst Junior Women’s Club invites non-profit organizations in need of charitable contributions to apply for a donation. Throughout the year, the AJWC raises money and then disburses those funds within the community.
Request must follow these guidelines:
• Requesting organization must be affiliated with a 501(c)(3) non-profit. • Organization does not need have an Amherst address but must service the local community. • Request must be submitted by March 31, 2020, in writing or by e-mail.
Request must contain the following information:
• Name of organization, mailing address, e-mail address, website (if available), telephone number, contact name. • Dollar amount requested. • How would donated funds be used? • How does requesting organization currently benefit Amherst and greater community? • How does organization’s
objective correspond to the mission of the AJWC? AJWC mission is explained below. • When was organization established? Provide short history of organization. • How does organization fund itself, ie. federal/state/local grants? • What is organization’s annual budget? Include any expected shortfalls.
The AJWC is an organization of women who volunteer their time, energy and talent to enhance the community. The club’s mission is to focus efforts on civic needs, educational advancement and the less fortunate. All requesting organizations will be notified when applications are received. Once approved, funds will be distributed no later than June 15, 2020. Only chosen recipients will be notified of disbursements. Questions may be e-mailed to Stacey Morison at cip.ajwc@gmail. com. Please reference “CIP Request” in subject line. For more information, please visit our website at: ajwcnh.org. Our mailing address is: AJWC, CIP Request, P.O. Box 513, Amherst, NH 03031.
12 • THE AMHERST CITIZEN • F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 • w w w . a m h e r s t c i t i z e n . c o m
Mont Vernon
Daland Memorial Library News
Million-Dollar Gift for New Mont Vernon Library
The Mont Vernon Library Trustees, along with the board of the Mont Vernon Library Charitable Foundation, received news from attorney David Sturm on Monday, Dec. 16th that resident Sherri Conyers had bequeathed a million dollars to the library foundation to support the Town’s long-awaited new library. Sherri Conyers, who passed away last fall, was a local resident and frequent library visitor. She was a lover of art, music, and literature. She made the donation in memory of her late husband David Lawrence Moore and asked that the library’s main reading room be named after him. In addition to the monetary gift, Sherri and David’s extensive book collection was also donated to the library. According to Cindy Raspiller, chair of the Mont Vernon Library Trustees, the Conyers donation combined with a significant pledge from the Sophia G. Daland Trust, the town-held Library Capital Reserve Fund, funds pledged by the Friends of the Daland Memorial Library, and additional foundation donations brings the total raised for the library project to approximately $2.3 million dollars. Although the total cost of the new library has not been finalized, the initial estimate was between $4-5 million. A Library Building Committee will be seated this spring and will be tasked with determining true costs based on current material and construction costs. Plans for a new library in Mont Vernon stretch back many years. The Library Capital Reserve Fund dates to 1988 and the project site
was purchased in 1997. The plan gained steam in 2015 with the formation of the Mont Vernon Library Charitable Foundation. The foundation was created specifically to raise funds for a new library to offset the potential tax impact of new construction. In 2018, the Library Trustees updated the Library Needs Assessment and selected DSK Architects + Planners (DSK) of Concord, MA to design the building to meet the current and projected needs of the town. The effort was funded from the Library Capital Reserve Fund as voted at Town Meeting. DSK met with library boards, staff, and town residents to gather input before producing the preliminary new library design. The resulting 7,000 square foot design includes space for both adult and children’s book collections, an adult reading room, a children’s room, a teen room, community meeting room, a reading porch, a performance lawn, and finally ample parking and handicap accessibility. Although the 110-year-old, current library building, which sits on the corner of Main Street and Grand Hill is quite beautiful, it is much too small to serve the community, and is not accessible to all who wish to enter. The Library Trustees are committed to partnering with the MVLCF to raise a significant portion of the funds for the library project through a library capital campaign in 2020. A final vote on the project is expected in March 2021. For more information about the new library project in Mont Vernon visit the library website at www.dalandlibrary.com.
Just in time for Town Meeting… the Daland Memorial Library presents Moved and Seconded on Saturday, February 29th at 1:00pm in the Mont Vernon Village School MPR located at 1 Kittredge Road. Drawing on research from her book, Moved and Seconded: Town Meeting in New Hampshire, the Present, the Past, and the Future, Rebecca Rule regales audiences with stories of the rituals, traditions and history of town meeting, including the perennial characters, the literature, the humor, and the wisdom of this uniquely New England institution. Come early from 12:00pm-1:00pm for an informal “Meet the Candidate” social hour. Candidates running for Mont Vernon elected town offices will be invited to attend. Refreshments will be served. About the Speaker: Rebecca Rule tells and gathers stories in New England, especially New Hampshire. Her books include The Best Revenge: Short Stories; Could Have Been Worse: True Stories, Embellishments, and Outright Lies; and a new book Live Free and Eat Pie: A Storyteller’s Guide to New Hampshire. She hosts the New Hampshire Authors Series on NH Public Television. This program is brought to you by a generous grant from New Hampshire Humanities and is free and open to the public.
The Mont Vernon Library Charitable Foundation is delighted to announce a major gift in support of their commitment to build a new library for the town of Mont Vernon. Upon her death earlier this fall, Sherri Conyers, a Mont Vernon resident bequeathed the sum of one million dollars to the MVLCF in support of the project in memory of her late husband, David Lawrence Moore. At their meeting on Monday December 16th, the MVLCF board of directors voted to accept this very significant gift and to honor Sherri’s generosity by naming the adult reading room in the new library in honor of her husband, David Lawrence Moore. This gift represents the single largest commitment to the project to date. This gift will continue a tradition started by the late Sophia Daland when she left the town the funds to establish the existing library in her 1899 will. The Sophia G. Daland Trust has continued to support the library that bears her name for more than a century. The Daland Trust has also pledged significant financial support of the new library project and to continue to maintain the new library in the future as they have the current facility. The new library (see graphic) was designed in 2018 by Dewing Schmid Kearns Architects + Planners of Concord, MA and is expected to be built on town owned land on Grand Hill Road in Mont Vernon, NH. The Mont Vernon Library Charitable Foundation was established as a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization in 2015 specifically to support this project.
Mont Vernon Village School
Students Compete in Geography Bee and Learn About a Form of Art
Geography Bee Winners: Congratulations to our Geography Bee winners and all participants. Liam Melvin (center) - 1st place, Lydia Wilkins (left)2nd place, and Arianne Grdina (right) - 3rd place. Well Done!
Mont Vernon Historical Society News
The 2nd NH Turnpike
All are welcome. Admission is free. Questions contact Museum Curator Francestown Heritage Society Mary Jo Marcely. will present a program on the history of the 2nd NH Turnpike, known Become a Member locally as the Francestown TurnSupport the society and become pike, from 1799-2019. The program a member. Annual dues per person will follow its path from Amherst to are: adults $20; 18 and younger $5; Claremont and include its impact lifetime $200. Join when visiting the on citizens. The program will be museum, or mail to Mont Vernon held at the Francestown Town Hall Historical Society, PO Box 15, Mont on Sunday, February 23 at 1:30 p.m. Vernon, NH. Please include name(s), The program is sponsored by the mailing address, phone number, and Francestown Heritage Society and e-mail address. Make checks out to the Mont Vernon Historical Society. the Mont Vernon Historical Society.
Autumn Grdina Peter King Stephen O’Keefe Lyn Jennings
The Daland Memorial Library has produced a podcast called Tiny Town Library. Look for the first five episodes on iTunes and Spotify. The library will produce an episode once a month to report local news, make book recommendations, and interview a person of interest in town. Tune in to our next episode titled “Love Your Library” to find out what’s happening in Mont Vernon in the month of January and catch up with our interview with the Mont Vernon Village School PTA board. Subscribe, rate and review!
Just the Classics Adult Book Club
Clerk Moderator School Board Treasurer
1 1 3 1
Year Year Years Year
Pim Gronstra
School Board
3 Years
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Tiny Town Library Podcast
Souhegan Cooperative High School Disctrict
In art class, students were introduced to the artwork of Keith Haring and used white chalk on black paper to make line drawings in the hallway – like Haring used to do in New York Subways.
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Come get cozy at Lapsit! Children ages 0-3yrs old and their caregivers are encouraged to join Miss JoAnn for an hour of stories, songs, finger-plays, felt boards and fun this winter! 6 week session begins Thursday, Jan. 16th -Thursday, Feb 20th at 11am. Registration required. Call the library at 673-7888 to sign up.
Mont Vernon Village School District
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Bundle up the kids and head to the library on Thursdays for an hour of stories, craft, and fun! Children preschool ages 3-5 are welcome to sign up for a 6 week session starting Thursday, Jan 16th -Thursday, February 20th at 1pm. Registration required. Call the library at 673-7888 to sign the kids up today!!
Do you love the classics? Join the Just the Classics Book Club Adult Winter Reading and read one book a month from The library is embracing the Dan- the classics. Group meets the 3rd ish lifestyle this winter and offering Thursday of the month at 7pm for an adult winter reading program dessert and a book discussion. This that encourages all things hygge. month join in and read “Diary of a What’s hygge? Pronounced “HUE- Young Girl” by Anne Frank. Group guh,” this Danish word has no exact will meet on Thursday, February 20 equivalent in English but its clos- at 7pm. Books available to borrow at est translation is “coziness” . Hyg- the library. ge essentials include lighting candles, sitting by the fire, cozy clothes, Coffee & Books Coffee & Books is back just in warm blankets, hot drinks, comfort foods, and of course reading books. time for cold weather. Stop in the Reading is a hygge activity because library every Tuesday from 10amit’s a way to slow down and detach 5pm for a free cup of coffee or tea yourself from the busy, fast-paced compliments of the Friends of the modern world. Our winter reading Library and Starbucks. Stay and program began Jan. 2nd and runs chat or browse for books! Cookies through March 21st. Registration too!! required. Stop in to register, pick up Join the Friends of the Library your first book, and sign up to win The Friends of the Library inour Grand Prize Hygge themed basvite you to join them in 2020. Your ket! membership dollars go directly Men Only Valentine’s Bouquet back to the library to support adult and children’s programming, junior Flower Arrangement Class Love is in the air! We are inviting book clubs, Halloween treats, mu12 lucky men to come make Valen- seum passes, and more! The Friends tine’s Day Sweetheart Bouquets for meet once month on the 4th Montheir loved ones on Tuesday, Feb- day at 7:30pm at the library. Visit ruary 11th at 7:00pm. Florist, Sue the library or the library website for Friend membership information.
Business Directory McGuigan
Winter Storytime
NH Humanities Program: Moved and Seconded
Mont Vernon Library Charitable Foundation Announces Major Gift for New Library
The new library was designed in 2018 by Dewing Schmid Kearns Architects + Planners of Concord, MA and is expected to be built on town owned land on Grand Hill Road in Mont Vernon, NH.
Ries from Woodman’s Florist will teach participants step by step how to make a beautiful Valentine’s Day arrangement in a vase. Space is limited to 12 men! Call the library at 673-7888 to reserve your spot! $30 material fee.
Library Director: Bonnie Angulas Children’s Program Director: JoAnn Kitchel Email: dalandlibrary@comcast.net Hours: Tuesday 10-8 Wednesday 10-8 Thursday 10-8 Friday 2-6 Saturday 10-1 Sunday Closed Monday Closed
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McOsker Kennels
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