The Goffstown Edge

A Letter from Crispins House

To the Editor:

Crispin’s House needs the voters help and understanding. We are caught between a rock and a hard place. Without an executive director we are very limited in our ability to locate funding to operate the vital youth services that we provide to the Town of Goffstown. Without funding we cannot hire an executive director.  The reason we do not have an executive director is that we lost all of our State and county funding and we had to lay off all of our paid staff and close our After School Program at Mountain View Middle School.

Grants are very scarce in this economic environment, as most of the non-profits in the State are in the same predicament as Crispin’s House is and we are all vying for the same grant resources. Without an executive director we do not have the stable organizational structure that funders are looking for, as result, this is extremely limiting our opportunities for grant funding. We are like a dog chasing our tail. Round and round we go. Without an executive director we cannot level the playing field. Without funding we cannot hire an executive director. Fund raising efforts have fallen far short of our needs, thus the decision to request $62,500 from the Town of Goffstown.

We are well aware of the very difficult economic times that this community is experiencing and the very large tax increase that Goffstown homeowners are about to saddled with. Knowing this, we still felt very strongly about going forward with the warrant article. The vital services that Crispin’s House provides to the youth and the families of our community are worth the sacrifice.  In the scheme of things, the warrant article for $62,500 that we are asking the voters to approve, will have very little impact on the tax increase that we are definitely going to experience. Approval of this warrant article will give us the ability to hire an executive director and for that person to spend the time necessary to explore grant opportunities that will hopefully preclude us from coming to the voters again for help.

Please join us as a friend of Crispin’s House at the deliberative session on Monday, February 6th at Goffstown High at 7:00pm and advocate for the approval of the Crispin’s House Warrant Article for $62,500. Thank you for your help and understanding.

Sincerely,
Al Baines
President of the Board of Directors
Crispin’s House Inc.
P.O. Box 411
Goffstown, NH 03045

Button Up N.H. Weatherization Workshop

The UNH Cooperative Extension, will present a “Button Up New Hampshire” home weatherization workshop on Thursday, February 9 from 3:00 to 4:00pm at the Hillsborough County UNH Cooperative Extension Office, 329 Mast Rd. Goffstown, NH.  Information on how simple household changes and modest investments can lead to significant energy and dollar savings over the long haul will be provided. The workshop will be conducted by professional energy auditors and topics will include: common sources of energy waste in homes, easy do-it-yourself steps to save energy, guidance on air sealing, when to bring in an energy professional, and the technical and financial resources available to make it happen.  Residents can also receive personalized assistance to energy related questions and get guidance through the process of implementing an energy reduction project through telephone and e-mail support provided by the Button Up New Hampshire workshop partners.
This workshop is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged due to space limitations by Tuesday, February. Call 1-877-398-4769 between the hours of 9 am and 2pm or got to: http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/1202345631918324043. For more information on the Button Up N.H. workshop or getting a jump start on saving money on energy this winter, visit http://myenergyplan.net/buttonup.
Made possible by a grant provided by the NH Office of Energy and Planning, with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, this UNH-based program is a collaboration with Clean Air-Cool Planet, Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative, UNH Cooperative Extension, and the Lakes Region Community College.

Pinardville Residents Asked To Consider Zip Code Issue

Pinardville residents- Download letter from Town Hall and Reply Form HERE:  Download Pinadville Zip Codes

New Boston Community Pinewood Derby Set To Roll

Next time you visit Dodge’s Store; why not pick up your car building kit for the open division community pinewood derby? It’s great to see that the new owners of Dodge’s are continuing to support local community events as demonstrated by their willingness to sell the pinewood kits through their store. Pack 123 is sponsoring New Boston’s second annual open division classification of racing, allowing non-scouting kids and adults to participate in this fun and exciting event. Whether you are a scouting aged boy who would like to experience an action packed afternoon of fun or a girl who thinks you can beat “the boys” at their game or maybe you’re an adult with a competitive itch that just needs to be scratched, this event is for you.

This race is not for wimps! To see if you’ve got what it takes, you need to first design, and build your own custom pinewood car. Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers in each division and we will have a final race where the open division grand champion will be awarded a LARGE trophy with an engraved plate showing their name and their car name for 2012. The grand champion will hold the trophy for one year and then rotate it to the grand champion of the following year. The division trophies are yours to keep...if you have what it takes to win! The cost of the pinewood kit is $10 and they can be purchased at Dodge’s. Once you purchase your kit, simply follow the directions shown on the sticker located on the pinewood derby car kit box to register in either the adult, junior (15 years old or younger) or outlaw division. You can also register a car that was used in a previous pinewood derby for a nominal $10 race entry fee. Racers can check in between 1pm-2pm on Saturday, March 24th with open racing scheduled between 2:30pm-6:30pm. This event was a huge success last year with nearly 50 entries competing. There will be food and beverage concessions available for sale during the race but you must register before Friday, March 18th. For more information, please visit our website where you can download car building instructions and rules of the race at: http://newboston123.mypack.us/ and click on “Open Division Pinewood Derby 2012”. Pack 123 would thank the Patel family and Dodge’s Store for helping make this event a continued success.

Teen CERT Training Program

Looking for Teens to Participate in a Teen CERT Training Pilot Program

Should a disaster strike their community, neighborhood or school, a group of Goffstown Area High School students will be more prepared to help, once they complete the Teen Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. Teen CERT is a pilot program that mirrors the CERT program developed for adult citizens who want to be better prepared to respond to and cope with the aftermath of a disaster. Similar to CERT, Teen CERT educates and trains participants in preparing for disasters that impact their area learning a range of disaster response skills, including fire suppression, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations and animal response. This CERT training requires that the students participate in a 20-hour training program to become certified by the NH Department of Safety. This training will benefit all students but especially those who are considering a career path in emergency services as well at the military. Colleges throughout the country also have Campus CERT Teams. This training can be carried over to these programs as well. This is a nationally known program and also looks great on college applications, especially when applying for college grants.
Guest speakers/trainers include Lt. Mark Lemay from the Goffstown Fire Department, Officer Ryan Buker from the Goffstown Police Department school resource officer, Dr. Matt Lewis a Goffstown Veterinarian as well as a Goffstown CERT member and Cheryl Paquette an EMT and also a Goffstown CERT member.
“I am very honored to be part of the first high school group to be trained in the state  to go through the course knowing that these students could step up to this challenge. They will be ready to help themselves and others in case of an emergency,” said Susan Jutras director of the adult Goffstown CERT and a specialty trainer with the NH Department of Safety who coordinated this program.
Once fully trained the student will receive a CERT backpack complete with hard hat, safety vest, latex gloves, first aid kit, dust mask, flashlight, safety goggles, emergency blanket, and light stick which will be supplied by FEMA and Volunteer NH.
The four week training sessions will be offered on the following four Sundays from 11am to 4pm. Complementary lunches will be provided: March 11, 18, 25 and April 1, 2012. Registration will be open until February 19th. This is on a first come first serve training for the first 20 to register for teens between the ages of 14 and 17. For questions or to register for the FREE Teen CERT training contact Susan Jutras through the Goffstown Police Department at 497-4858 or e-mail goffstowncert@hotmail.com

Hawaiian Party for Grades 5+ at Goffstown Library

Maple Avenue Elementary School Quilt Project

Maple Avenue Elementary School alum Nancy Pingree Mackenzie never forgot the lesson of community service that she learned growing up in Goffstown.  Reaching out to her college roommate Barbara Mostue, who is now a staff member at Maple Ave, she started a quilt project that has energized students and teachers alike.  30 hand-pieced quilts, all carefully cut and sewn by members of the Maple Avenue family, will be shipped to Nancy and hand-delivered to the Umphiem refugee school in Tak, Thailand, for a group of Burmese students who struggle for an education far from their families.

“When I was first approached by Nancy, I thought we’d maybe put together a couple quilts.  But then people really stepped up and wanted to be a part of this,” said Mostue.  “People are happy to come together to accomplish something,” added Maple Ave Principal Suzanne Pyszka.

The Maple Avenue staff have been meeting after school for sewing bees, and Information Specialist Linda Mistretta color coordinated all the different fabric squares sent in with the students.  Mrs. Lamson’s First Grade sent in 533 squares, and wrote letters to all 68 children at the camp.

“Each quilt is different,” explains Mostue.  Each quilt has 35 squares, with 5 across and 7 down, creating a 40” x 56” blanket.  The children took the project very seriously.  One first grade girl in particular went home and told her mother she wanted to make squares out of a bathrobe that had been given to her as a gift from her grandmother.  “When she gave me that it meant so much to my heart, now I want to share this with these children to pass that special feeling on to them.  That is the true spirit of Christmas Mom".


Visitors to Maple Ave can see quilt tops hanging on bulletin boards throughout the school, and fabric squares are piled in many classrooms.  Mostue said that the project has created such a positive result that the group is thinking about continuing their sewing bees and donating quilts to other NH causes.

If you’re a quilter or can run a sewing machine, and would like to assist with the assembly or complete an entire quilt, please refer to the following instructions. We’d also be happy to accept any donations of batting and/or backing.

In order for the quilts to be as similar as possible:
use 8 1/2” squares and 1/4” seams
5 squares across
7 squares down
no border or sashing, just sew the squares together so the front measures 40” X 56” (see the attached picture)
don’t feel you need to use an expensive batting; polyester is fine
you may quilt them any way you’d like, or tie them if you prefer – either is fine
if you have any sheets you no longer use, or can find some at Goodwill, etc.feel free to use that for the backing.

Please keep them simple – the children will love and appreciate them! If you would like to make a cash donation or have other questions, please contact Barbara Mostue at bmostue@goffstown.k12.nh.us.

Country Primitive Gathering in New Boston

Download your coupon HERE: Download CPG_Coupon_January

Goffstown Elementary School Tour

The Goffstown School Board would like to invite any resident of Goffstown to take a tour of Bartlett Elementary School and Maple Avenue Elementary School.

Residents of Goffstown will be asked to vote on a warrant article for the renovation and expansion of both elementary schools on voting day, March 13, 2012.  This is an opportunity for community members to see our schools as they currently exist and to review the proposed plans. There will be time to explore the buildings and ask questions about the projects!

The open house for Bartlett Elementary School will be on Tuesday, January 31, 2012. The open house for Maple Avenue Elementary School will be on Thursday, February 2, 2012.  The open house will run from 6:00-7:30.   Please stop in at any time during that period!

Valentine Card Class at Apotheca

John Stark Fishing Derby

CANCELLED

due to ice conditions

John Stark Regional High School will host a fishing derby at Lake Horace in Weare on Saturday, February 4, from 7 am to 1 pm.

The cost is $20 per person, and participants can register at the event.  Snacks and drinks will be provided and prizes will be awarded.

All proceeds will benefit the Junior Class at John Stark High School.

For details, contact Stephanie Harpring at stephanieharpring@sau24.org orcall 529-5315.

TWIG Presents Sustainable Gardening for Homeowners

This is a basic introductory garden/landscape design course for the gardener who wants to keep the biodiversity on their property using native plant material and organic methods.  As an Accredited Organic Land Care Professional, Paula would like to convey the importance of enhancing the land, not abusing it.  This is a six week course, two hours a week that will involve the following methods of giving back to the earth what we take away.

Presented through the Goffstown Adult Education Program, beginning March 8th from 6-8 pm for six weeks.

Introduction.

What is sustainablity and why is it important for our ecosystems?

Organic vs. pesticides

Starting with soil – Composting basics – organic soil preparation

Rain Gardens – learning how to conserve water and deal with runoff

Meadows/organic lawns/lawn substitutes

Plant material

Design elements

Working with our land and not against it is the main focus for the students to get a sense of place on their own property.

--
Paula Kovecses, AOLCP, NHCLP, MCSL
Horticultural Consultant, Owner
T.W.I.G. (The Way It Grows)
Horticultural Consulting
603 491-9929
www.twigthewayitgrows.com

Hula in the Coola Paradise at the Goffstown Library

 

Apotheca Open Mic Night

4-H Garden Patch Quilt Raffle

LEGO Club at Goffstown Library

Annual Super Roll A Thon for Outreach

Saturday, February 11 at 1pm, King Lanes, Goffstown.  All ages welcome.  Cost of $11 includes three strings and shoes.  Money raised by getting sponsors will go to the Goffstown Clergy Association Fuel Assistance Fund.  For more info contact Barbara Carbonneau at 497-3295 or glenlake.nh@comcast.net. 

National Puzzle Day at Goffstown Library