pelham~windham news 11-29-2013

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Volume 11 Number 11 November 29, 2013 16 Pages

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by S. Aaron ShamshoyanNearly 40 area non-prots and organizations rely on

charitable gambling to supplement a large portion o f their

annual budget, but failure by state lawmakers to pass anexpanded gaming bill and threats of southern competition couldcause that funding source to fold.

Organizations involved in charitable gaming at RockinghamPark earn an average of $53,000 a year. Members are requiredto assist in the operation of games of chance about once amonth. All organizations combined raise nearly $2 million atRockingham Park alone.

Salem Kiwanis President Tony Fabrizio said Rockingham Parkprovides a majority of the organizations revenue. Most of ourfundraising is through gaming at Rockingham Park, he said.The organization uses that money to support programs such asthe Kelley Library Summer Reading Program and Make a WishDinner, in addition to annual donations between $5,000 and$10,000 to the Tufts Medical Center Pediatric Trauma Division.

The Knights of Columbus also fear the loss of charitablegaming. If we lost Rockingham Park, wed lose about $50,000to $60,000 a year, Finance Manager Gene Bryant said. TheKnights help fund various charities including Catholic Charitiesin Manchester and Lazarus Houses. The charity gaming atRockingham Park really makes a huge difference, Bryant said.

Both groups also support the Boys & Girls Club. Gaminghas been a substantial stream of revenue for the club for manyyears, Chief Professional Ofcer Michael Centor said.

Organizations such as Kiwanis, the Knights of Columbusand the Arlington Pond Protective Association helped fundthe installation of a new gymnasium oor recently at the club.Centor said the organizations raised $30,000 to fund half theproject.

Losing donations isnt the only funding threat the club wouldhave to face if charitable gaming were to end. The Boys & GirlsClub is a member of Rockingham Parks charitable gaming andreceived close to $100,000 a year between games of chanceand bingo, also hosted at the track. Centor said the funds arerelied upon as club membership increases.

We continue to see new members and registrations walkthrough the door, Centor said. About 300 members attend theclub daily and over 3,000 are registered, an increase of 450from 2012. Centor said nearly 10 percent of the clubs budgetwas received from gaming. Without gaming, it will be thatmuch more of an uphill struggle, he said about raising funds.

Competition is already creating a problem for charities.Centor said the Aquasino, a casino boat, launched earlierthis year in Lynn, Massachusetts and other southern casinoexpansions have caused a reduction in revenue. Betweengames of chance and bingo, Centor said funds have declinedabout $20,000.

Rockingham Park President and General Manager EdCallahan believes expanded gaming will pass in the state soon.The hope is that the legislature will do something in the nextyear or two, he said.

A gaming oversight committee is being established to helpease concerns of naysayers to expanded gaming. Their chargeis to provide rules and regulations for a casino for the n extsession of the legislature, Callahan said.

Earlier this year, the New Hampshire House ofRepresentatives voted to kill Senate Bill 152, which would haveallowed expansion of video lottery machines in the state. Thebill would have required casinos allocate space for charitablegaming, and that if revenues were to decline, the casino wouldhave to provide the difference.

Callahan said Rockingham Park needs expanded gamingto survive. If the state doesnt do anything, Rockingham andSeabrook wont be the only charitable rooms well end upclosing down. That would mean a signicant impact on non-prots and charities south of Manchester.

Salem and Seabrook raise nearly 60 percent of the statescharitable revenue, Callahan said. Massachusetts competitionwill also create a problem for the track. If a casino opens up inMassachusetts in early 2016, than Rockingham Parks not goingto make it, he said.

The competition would take customers and employeesaccording to Callahan. Eighty percent of poker room customersare from Massachusetts and a closer casino without the limitedmaximum bet and a better atmosphere could be more attractive.Employees would be driven to higher wages and bigger tips,he said.

And if expanded gaming doesnt pass in the state, parkowners could entertain development options for the 126-acreproperty in late 2015.

Callahan said the state would lose nearly $ 2 million inrevenues if the park closed and if a Massachusetts casino opens,the state could lose up to $100 million in lottery, liquor, androoms and meals taxes if nothing is done in the state.

State Representative Gary Azarian (R-Salem) will propose anexpanded gaming bill to lawmakers early next year. Azarianpresented the bill last month at a Lions Club meeting and said itwas similar to SB 152, but included amendments, which weresuggested in the previous session. Azarian is condent his billwill pass, but didnt guarantee Rockingham would receive thelicense.

If gaming does pass, Salem is ready. A non-bindingreferendum in March showed 80 percent of voters supporteda casino on the grounds of Rockingham Park. If the parkis to obtain a license in the future, residents will have theopportunity to vote on a binding referendum if they still supporta casino.

If Rockingham is granted a license, Millennium Gamingof Las Vegas plans to purchase the property and invest nearly$600 million in construction of a casino, hotel, entertainmentcenter and grandstand. Horse racing would be restored to theproperty.

Local Organizations Would LoseNearly $2 Million Annually

submitted by Greater Salem Boys & Girls ClubChildren in Miss Dianes and Miss Jens Afternoon

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by Barbara OBrienMembers of the Windham School Board got their rst public view

of the proposed 2014-2015 school district operating budget earlierthis month, but they didnt appear surprised by the increase.

According to SAU 95 Business Administrator Adam Steel, nextyears proposed operating budget shows an increase of 2.98 percentover the current years default budget of $43,486,224. The schoolboards proposed budget for the current 2013-2014 school yearfailed to obtain a majority of the votes cast last March, resulting inthe enactment of the default budget.

The proposed operating budget for next year currently stands at$44,831,018; an increase from the current year of $1,344,794 (2.98percent). There are not, however, any current teacher or instructionalaide contracts in place.

As currently proposed, the operating budget for next year would

have a tax impact of 64 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation. Thistranslates into an approximate tax increase of $224 on propertyassessed at $350,000. This increase does not include any separatemoneyed warrant articles or any warrant articles being put forth on

the town side of the ledger.The reasons for the increased proposal include a slight increase

in required state retirement contributions by the school district, anincrease in student transportation costs (two new buses), technologyupgrades, more instructional aides due to an increase in studentson Individual Education Plans (IEPs), and 14 new proposed staffpositions.

The 14 proposed new stafng positions include: A half-time preschool teacher (Special Education) An additional secretary at Golden Brook Elementary School A half-time guidance counselor at Golden Brook Elementary

School A fourth-grade teacher at Windham Center School An increase in secretarial hours at Windham Center School A seventh-grade position at Windham Middle School (math/

language arts) An intervention math teacher at Windham Middle School A special education case manager at Windham Middle School

Initial Proposed School Budget up 2.98%

Shop Local

This Holiday Season

by Marc AyotteIn the most recent fund-raiser for the ongoing support of

the Pelham Good Neighbor Fund (PGNF), the Pelham PoliceDepartment (PPD) presented a check for $1,255 to them.

The check was presented by PPD Master Patrol Ofcer MattKeenliside to Pelham Good Neighbor Fund President Frank Sullivanat Scissors Palace located at 95 Bridge Street in Pelham. The fund-raiser event was organized by Ofcer Keenliside, and basicallyreected a department-wide, No shave November. Weve neverdone anything like this, offered Keeliside, noting that departmentregulations allow only moustaches. He continued by addingthat Chief Joe Roark made the exception of beard growth for thischaritable event. The ofcers met at the Pelham business on Mondaymorning, November 25, where Scissors owner Alex Prudhommepromptly returned the ofcers to clean-shaved status.

After each ofcer contributed $50 to the concept of donatingit to charity, Keeliside indicated that overwhelmingly, the ofcerscollectively decided the money would go to the PGNF, which isearmarked to exclusively help Pelham residents in need. We helppeople in need in the town, expressed Sullivan, who elaboratedby saying that moneys benet families with personal bills suchas utilities, rent and food. Additionally, Sullivan noted that thecharitable offerings sometimes go to various household expenses inthe form of gasoline cards.

Karen Fournier, Vice President and Branch Manager of EnterpriseBank (Pelham location), was also at Scissors Palace representingthe bank. Fournier, a Pelham resident, also serves as the PGNFsVice President. In addition to their involvement with this localcharity, Fournier mentioned the upcoming Sponsor a Child at

Christmas campaign that the bank organizes. Also, on December14 and 15 the bank is conducting the Pelham Good Neighbor FundForty Fourth Annual Christmas Drive in the Pelham Plaza parkinglot. Volunteers will be accepting food and cash donations to helpindividuals andfamilies in need.

Specically tothe PPD fund-raiser,and according toOfcer Keenliside,Alex also donated$125 that he took-in (from) touchingup the guysbeards throughoutthis process.Additionally,members ofthe departmentwanted to offer acollective thanksto Prudhomme foropening his shopon a day when he is normally closed for business, solely to shavethe beards at no cost to the ofcers. After another $125 straggledin from other ofcers in the department, pushing its contribution to$1,380 the total contribution for the beard-growing charitable eventclimbed over an impressive $1,500 mark.

Pelham Police and Good Neighbor Join Forces

Pelham police offi cers who partic ipated in the beard-growing fund-raiser for the Pelham Good Neighbor Fund From left: Matt Keenliside, Ryan Donovan, Brian Kelly, Jim Locke, Brian Barbato, Mike Pickles, Glen Chase, Dave DeRoche. Front, from left:

Scissors Palace owner Alex Prudhomme, Enterprise Bank V.P. (Pelham Branch) Karen Fournier and Pelham Good Neighbor Fund President Frank Sullivan

Offi cer Brian Kel ly gets his beard removedby Scissors owner Alex Prudhomme.

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continued to page 10 - School Budget


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by Barbara OBrienThe directors of the Educational Choices

Foundation, a non-prot organization recentlyformed in New Hampshire, want to meet withmembers of the Windham School Board toaddress the possibility of the two entities workingtogether toward the goal of establishing a charterschool in the Town of Windham.

Charter Schools are schools that havereceived charters from a school districtor state department of education to operateindependently. They are not private schools anddo receive public funding based on enrollment.They are not, however, governed by all ofthe same regulations as public schools. Therst charter school in the United States wasestablished in Minnesota in 1991, more than 20years ago.

Local resident, business owner and parentTom Murray, one of the directors of the newlyformed Educational Choices Foundation, saidthe organization is trying to help the communityof Windham to alleviate the over-crowding inexisting schools, while at the same time providing

an excellent education to students. It is the hopeof these directors that school board members arewilling to work in conjunction with making this areality.

Director Ken Eyring, also a member of theWindham Taxpayers Coalition, said the group hasbeen looking at the school districts space crunchand alternative options to solve the problem forsome time. Eyring said the taxpayers coalitionrecently reached out to Murray and has since

joined forces. This is a win-win situation for theWindham School District, Eyring told schoolboard ofcials.

Murray is already in the process of constructinga building at 135 Rockingham Road (Route28) that could house a charter school forapproximately 300 elementary school students.The New Hampshire Department of Education hasalready been contacted regarding the possibilityof receiving a charter to establish such a schoolin Windham. According to Eyring, such a charterschool in Windham could be eligible for a start-up grant ranging from $300,000 to $400,000 infederal money.

A charter school in Windhamwould provide a choice forparents, Eyring said. It wouldalso reduce the need to hire moreteachers for Windham publicschools. There would be zerotax impact on Windham propertyowners, he noted.

Eyring went on to explain thatit would be preferable to have acharter school that is approvedby the local school district andnot just the state departmentof education. If the charterschool is approved by the localschool district, the students inthat district get preference (inbeing accepted), Eyring stated.If the approval comes fromthe department of education,the charter school must acceptapplications from everywhere, heexplained.

It is anticipated that thecharter for a new school shouldbe nished by mid-December.The directors of the EducationalChoices Foundation would like

to meet withschool boardmembers beforethe end of theyear.

School boardmembers saidthey had noobjections tomeeting withthe directors,but would liketo see as muchinformationregarding theproposal as

possible, inadvance ofany meeting.The details ofany upcomingmeeting willbe arrangedthrough thesuperintendentsofce.Administratorswere uncertainwhether anysuch meetingwould be heldin a public ornon-publicsetting.

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by Barbara OBrienWindham School Board members had hoped to

make a nal decision on what direction to take inregard to dealing with the space crunch at local

schools no later than November 19, but the datecame and went without any progress being made.The ve school board members are leaning

toward a multi-phased addition to the existingWindham Middle School, but administrators feelthat more investigation is needed into the site onwhich the addition would be built. As a result,a site survey, including an investigation into sub-surface conditions, is being conducted. It is nowanticipated that the information about what canand cannot be done on this site will be availablein time for the school boards Tuesday, December17 meeting.

Time to reach that decision is running out,however. Business Administrator Adam Steel saidthat the drop dead date for what goes on nextMarchs school district ballot is January 7.

The current site survey will help to determinethe extent of any addition, as well as the cost ofan access loop to Windham Middle School offof Heritage Hill Road. Board members believethe loop is badly needed to lessen existing trafcissues at the middle school. There is someconcern, however, that constructing the trafcloop could mean losing an existing baseballeld; an asset that is already in short supply inthe Town of Windham. However, we are onlyinvestigating the site, not engineering it, Steelemphasized.

Many Will be Kept Warm this Winter

submitted by Pelham Good NeighborFund

Chris Mearn, Vice President ofRubicon Real Estate which ownsPelham Plaza, presented to FrankSullivan, President of the Pelham

Good Neighbor Fund and KarenFournier, Vice President of thePelham Good Neighbor Fund andBranch Manager of Enterprise Bankin Pelham, with a donation of $1,000in food gift cards. The food gift cardswill be distributed to our NeighborsIn Need during the holiday season.

submitted by Pelham High School Ms. Kathryn Sheridan, Dean of Guidance at

Pelham High School, recently served on the NewEngland Association of Schools and Colleges(NEASC) visiting committee for Athol HighSchool (MA). Founded in 1885, NEASC is theoldest regional accreditation association in thecountry and has been recognized by the U. S.Department of Education as the sole agency toaward accreditation to educational institutions inNew England. Sheridan participated in the reviewof several educational components of Athol HighSchool, and assisted specically in writing the

nal report for the NEASC Assessment of and forStudent Learning Standard. This is Sheridans fthparticipation on a NEASC team. She is a formerEnglish teacher who has worked at PHS sinceAugust 2000.

Pelham Good Neighbor FundReceives Donation

PHS Dean of Guidance Participatesin NEASC Visiting Committee Front, from left: Margot Luhrmann and Patricia Russell, Co-chairBack, from left: Mary Ashburn, Sue Violi, Co-chair and Aileen Stearns

C o u r t e s y p h o t o

C o u r t e s y p

h o t o

Courtesy photo

From left: Frank Sullivan, Chris Mearn and Karen Fournier

Educational Choices Foundation Wants to Discuss

Charter School in Windham

Decision on SchoolFacilities Delayed

submitted by Ruth Coole,Windham Womans Club

The Windham Womans Club wants tothank everyone for your caring and giving atour November 2 coat and sweater drive! Wecollected 864 items and distributed to thefollowing charitable organizations: ShepherdsPantry - Windham; Sonshine Soup Kitchen andFirst Baptist Church Food Pantry - Derry; New

Horizons - Manchester and Adult Learning Center- Nashua.

Special thank you to two locations in Windham,Shaws and Nesmith Library, for having bins forcollection. Thank you to our members whovolunteered their time to sort, count and bag andto the co-chairs of project Patricia Russelland Sue Violi. Our website:www.windhamwomansclub.com.


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The Word Around Town... Letters to our Editor

Pelham - Windham News | November 29, 2013 - 3

Put Your Mask On! Windham Endowment forCommunity Advancement Says Tank You

Te Windham Endowments annual fundraiser,Unmask the Magic!

was a hugesuccess. Te Endowment is proud to have so many members of our community helpadvance the work we do - raising funds to benet Education, Culture, Recreation andthe Environment within Windham.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Moeckel Pond Fund (supporting therestoration of Moeckel Pond and providing easy access to the pond for all residents of Windham), the Windham Historic Commission Fund (supporting Searles School andChapel), the Education Fund and the Recreation Fund.

We would like to thank the community for their continued support. We areespecially thankful to the following businesses and families for their generoussponsorships and donations, which made this event so successful.

Event Sponsors: Edward N. Herbert Assoc., Inc., Black ie Limousine Inc.,Canobie Lake Veterinary Hospital

Dessert Providers: Apple Acres, Private Island Cakes, Sophisticakes, Windham Junction.

Businesses: Access ent of Windham, All About You!, Black Moose CountryStore, Black ie Limousine, East Coast Alpi ne Ski Shop, Fantasian Nails, Kumo SushiRestaurant, Lucias Bodega, More Space Place, Prelude Restaurant, Prime Butcher,Shaws, Stonyeld Yogurt, Synfully Sweet reats, Windham Pilates, WindhamRestaurant, Woof It Down.

Families: Armstrong Family, Bruzzese Family, Carpenter Family, KathleenDiFruscia, Donovan Family, Howard Family, Mollica Family, Wimmer Family, DonZimmer.

At this thankful time of year, everyone at the Windham Endowment is veryappreciative to be part of the Windham Community.

Diane Carpenter, Windham

Te Pelham Good Neighbor Fund44th Annual Christmas Drive

Te Pelham Good Neighbor Fund committee is asking for your support so that we will be able to help individuals and families during Christmas with food , clothing andtoys for the children. We are asking individuals, families, businesses, organizations,schools, civic and church groups to be as generous as possible. Volunteers will beaccepting food and cash donations on Saturday and Sunday, December 14 and 15from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the parking lot at the Pelham Plaza. If you would like tomake a donation online, please visit our website at www.pelhamgoodneighborfund.orgor you can make your check payable to the Pelham Good Neighbor Fund, P.O. Box953, Pelham, NH 03076. Your cash donation is tax deductible since we are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Te committee also uses the money collected during thedrive to provide nancial assistance 52 weeks a year for food, heat, rent, electricity andother household expenses. Your nancial support would be greatly appreciated so wecan help our Neighbors In Need. If you need help during the holidays, please call oneof the people listed below or e-mail us at [email protected]. If you would

like to sponsor a child or family for Christmas, please also call one of the people listedbelow or you can go to the First Congregational Church or St. Patricks Church topick out a name tag(s).

Nancy Vachon - (603) 521-4045, Brenda Blake - (603) 635-3590, and KarenFournier - (978) 319-8650.

Please call after 6 p.m. during the week and after 10 a.m. on the weekends. Weneed to hear from you no later than Saturday, December 7. Your call for help will behandled in strict condence.

Frank Sullivan, President, Pelham Good Neighbor Fund

Amazing Community Spirit Tanks to everyone who participated in the rst annual Wellness in Motion Walk-

a-Ton for the benet of Windhams Helping Hands. Te walk was a huge successthanks to the hard work of so many volunteers and participants whose generosity willbe felt by the residents of Windham throughout the coming year.

It is heartwarming to be associated with such a great organization and to be part ofthis community. When we started Windhams Helping Hands over 10 years ago, westarted with a goal of helping every school aged child in Windham go back to school with a new outt and sneakers. Since then our neighbors have proven, through theirdedication and generosity, that much bigger things can be accomplished.

We have expanded our program to cover holiday drives at Tanksgiving andChristmas and to provide local support throughout the year to the teachers and staffthat educate and care for the children of our community. We have been overwhelmedby the outpouring of nancial, service and emotional support from all of you, ourneighbors.

It is that exact spirit of generosity and dedication to each other that we would liketo continue by appealing to everyone to participate in the 19th Annual Windham

urkey rot (http:// www.windhamturkeytrot.org/). Tis wonderful Windhamtradition has been supporting our community for nearly two decades, raising funds tosupport Te Shepherds Pantry, Family Promise of Greater Rockingham County and Windhams Helping Hands. Please join the urkey rot and give as generously as youcan. Your help is especially appreciated this time of year.

Happy Tanksgiving!

Ruth-Anne Calandra, Co-Founder, Windhams Helping Hands

Overwhelming Support Te board members of Windhams Helping Hands would like to thank our

sponsors, volunteers and participants of our rst annual Wellness in Motion Walk-a-

Ton. We were overwhelmed by the generosity of the community and the outpouringof support from all. Special thanks to Gamma Medica Inc, Enterprise Bank, Coco,Early and Associates, Windham Dunkin Donuts, Prudential Verani Realty andDebbie Mackenzie Realty as our Gold Sponsors as well as Windham Lions, Klemms

Mobile, Windham errace, Parent Chiropractic Center, Windham Pilates, WardeHealth, Bank of New England, Early Years Child Care, and Howie Glynn andSons. In addition, we were able to have apples courtesy of Apple Acres, water bottlescourtesy of Shaws Windham and hot chocolate and coffee ser ved by Siri Wilbur,Sandy Hurley, Deb Paone and Susan Hebert of Prudential Verani Realty.

We are honored to have had more than 100 families (more than 400 people) walkthe loop up to ve times at Griffin Park, and earn a bead necklace for each lap alongthe way. We loved seeing the smiles and excitement on everyones faces and promisethat the proceeds will help your neighbors in need smile as well!

Check out pictures on our Windhams Helping Hands Facebook page and email usyour pictures at windhamshelpinghands.org and we will post them as well!

Patti Letizio on behalf of the Board Membersof Windhams Helping Hands

Te Great ConversationPerception sometimes becomes reality. As a member of the Pelham School Board, as a resident, and as a parent, I am

lucky enough to have had some enlightening, riveting, and often contentiousconversations with my fellow citizens. I always enjoy these exchanges as nothingconnects two people more than open and honest communication. I am, however,chagrined at how often my partners in conversation do not know, what I believe to

be, important facts. I do not intend any disrespect here. I attribute this to a numberof factors - our busy lives trying to make ends meet, lack of information and thetelephone game phenomenon. Te disservice, as I see it, to this great town is thatthe misinformation becomes the perception and those perceptions become our townand school districts reality. Te Pelham School District would like the opportunity tomatch those perceptions with the true reality. o that end we have begun an initiativecalled Te Great Conversation. We desire to engage the community of Pelham in aconversation about the Pelham Schools and the benets they bring to the public.

We have formed Great Conversation teams and they are eager and willing tocome to any Pelham organization to bring their message. Tey are members of thepublic who wish to engage in a two-way conversation about our schools, how theysupport the community and how they can improve the benet to the public. If youare interested in having a team come visit your meeting, function or group pleasecontact Amanda Lecaroz at [email protected] or call the SAU at 635-1145.

I recently ran across a quote that sums it up perfectly for me, Communicationleads to community, that is, understanding and mutual valuing.

My hope is that by mutually valuing our schools and our town we will be auniedcommunity that will only become a greater source of pride than we alreadyare.

For more information on Te Great Conversation, please visit pelhamsd.org and jamievoller.com.

Debbie Ryan, Pelham

Holiday Aid forwo Local Rescues

From now through December 31 Rockingham Emergency Veterinary Hospital(REVH) will be collecting donations for the Salem Animal Rescue League and the

Animal Rescue Network of New England. Both of these non-prot organizations work diligently to provide a safe haven and to nd forever ho mes for the animals thatcome through their doors. Tese organizations rely on community donations in orderto provide the animals with the best care possible. Below is a holiday wish list of itemsdesperately needed this holiday season:

oys, Food - canned and dry, Leashes,Simple Green cleaner, owels, Bleach,Beds blankets, comforters, Paper

owels.Monetary donations may also be

brought or mailed to REVH.REVH is located at 3 Cobbetts Pond

Road in Windham. REVH is a 24 houremergency facility; donations may bebrought in anytime!

Denise Bly, Rockingham EmergencyVeterinary Hospital, Windham

Can a WindhamCharter School

Help Resolve WSDProblems?

When Windham axpayersoverwhelmingly voted down theproposed two-grade, $50M school lastMarch it was an important rst step ingetting Windham School District (WSD)taxes under control. Te next step is tond cost effective solutions to our needs.Te most glaring (and potentially costly)

need is to reduce the crowding problem in the Windham Middle School (WMS). With this goal in mind, the Windham axpayers Coalition (W C) formed a

committee about six months ago to address the WMS issue. Several obvious solutions were researched, including expanding the WMS and moving the 8th grade students to

the high school. A few months ago, we began to explore another optio n, opening a new CharterSchool in Windham. Te W C reached out to many NH experts on educationto learn more about the possibilities and potential benets. Tis led us to severalindividuals who are now actively involved in our planning; Matt Southerton andTomas Frischknecht.

Mr. Southerton is the Director of the NH Center for Innovative Schools (www.nhcharterschools.org). His organization provides specialized assistance to help newcharter school ventures get started.

Mr. Frischknect is the Chairman of the Academy of Science and Design, thehighest achieving charter school in NH (www.asdnh.org), and the founder of theFounders Academy, an approved charter school that will open in Londonderry nextyear (ww w.thefoundersacademy.org).

Our collective research has led us to believe that opening a local district charterschool in Windham would be a zero tax impact solution to the WMS crowding issue.

wo weeks ago Windham resident, om Murray, told the school board he waspursuing the idea of opening a charter school in Windham. Since then we joinedforces and formed the Educational Choices Foundation, a non-prot organizationthat will sponsor the new charter school.

Tere is still much work to be done and more information to share, but here is asummary of the benets and comments that were presented at the Windham SchoolBoard meeting o n uesday, November 19th.

* Our venture has the support and direct involvement of some of NHs mostknowledgeable charter school experts.*

* Mr. Murray owns the building that is currently under construction at 183Rockingham Road (Rt. 28), Windham. Tis is the intended location for the school.

* Upon opening, the charter school would be able to absorb approximately 300students from the Windham School District which should alleviate capacity issues inthe district.

* Tis approach would provide a zero tax impact to the WSD .* Te charter school would become eligible for an estimated $400K to $575K in

start-up grants. Again, this would have no tax impact to Windham taxpayers.* It would reduce the need to hire additional teachers and thereby keep future

payroll and benets lower.* It provides a viable education choice for parents.* Charter schools can be approved by the NH DOE or by a local school

board.* State approved charter schools must accept applicants from all towns

which would drastically restrict the number of Windham students that couldbe accepted. Tis is why we prefer the local district charter school approach.

* We are asking the Windham School Board to approve the charter schoolfor two reasons: (1) it will expedite the process, and (2) a local approvedcharter school will ensure that Windham students are given preference foracceptance.

* While there is still a lot of work to be done, this appears to be an option

that could be supported by Windham taxpayers.* Tis solution would obviate the need to ex pand the WMS for $17.5M* We asked the WSB to meet in about a month for a special presentation

of our plans. Te school board authorized Superintendent Feneberg toschedule and coordinate the meeting.

We look forward to working with the school board and districtadministration towards making this opportunity a reality.

Ken Eyring on behalf of the Windham Taxpayers Coalition, Windham

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I . . :

by Barbara OBrienWinter has yet to arrive, at least not ofcially. A

few cold and likely snowy months are waiting on thehorizon, but some folks are already planning their springplantings.

Among this group of optimists is WindhamsCommunity Development Department Director LauraScott and University of New Hampshire graduatestudent and intern Jeff Malloy. Malloy has worked as anenvironmental planner for the past 10 years. Together,Scott and Malloy have been working under the CapstoneProject, an initiative intended to bring communitymembers together; to create a gathering place, whereresidents can share a common interest or goal.

As a result, Scott and Malloy have spent sometime in recent weeks investigating locations where acommunity garden project might thrive. It has beena challenge to nd such a spot, Malloy said, citingsunlight and water requirements, as well as access andparking availability as some of the issues to be faced.Thanks to the members of the Crossing Life Church andproperty owner Sean Foster, however, the ideal spot waslocated at 122 North Lowell Road and, subsequently,a use agreement was reached. That agreement hasbeen reviewed by Town Counsel Bernie Campbell

and was signed by selectmen on November 18. Thereis no nancial obligation on the part of the Town ofWindham. The agreement is renewable on an annualbasis, Scott explained.

According to Malloy, the 100 square foot parcelof land (approximately acre) is large enough toaccommodate 30 individual garden beds. The area willalso have space for composting, annual ower beds andwill feature a post and rail fence, as well as rain barrels.Both in-ground and raised beds will be developed. Forthe rst year, however, only 20 garden spots will bedeveloped. We are starting small, Scott said. Wedont want to be too ambitious.

It sounds like a great idea, Selectman RogerHohenberger said, but, he, also, expressed concernover how the area would be policed. Hohenbergerreferred to the littering and vandalism that took place atthe town-owned skateboard park, until it was recentlydismantled, as well as concern about people pilferingfrom other peoples garden spots. This is a very publicspot, Scott replied, referring to the location. We alsohope everyone will watch out for each other, she said.Similar projects are already successfully underway inPembroke, Derry and Goffstown, she added.

Scott also said she is seeking the donation of materialsto be used at the community garden. Anyoneinterested in further information can contactLaura Scott at 432-3806. If the communitygarden project is successful, Scott says shehopes there will be enough vegetables toshare with local food banks.

Voting in favor of the use agreement withSean Foster and the Crossing Life Churchwere Chairman Phil LoChiatto, SelectmenAl Letizio, Jr. and Roger Hohenberger. Vice-Chairman Kathleen DiFruscia and SelectmanRoss McLeod were not present when the votewas taken.

Community Garden Program Proposed

submitted by Carol Gariepy,Pelham Memorial School

Many of the seventhgraders at Pelham MemorialSchool had a special treatin October when DebRyan came to speak to thestudents. Mrs. Ryan is aresident of Pelham and a

school board member whohas a passion for Pelhamshistory and a desire to shareher interest with the students.It was a double pleasurewhen Mrs. Eleanor Burtonattended the presentation andadded her knowledge andexperience.

Mrs. Ryan showed picturesof Pelhams rich history,which included residentialhomes and businesses ofthe past. She explained themeaning behind the ButlerMonument which honored thetowns rst settler, John Butlerand explained to the students why Pelham was a vacationplace for many.

In thank you notes to Mrs. Ryan and Mrs. Burton, thestudents summed it up the best: Thank you Mrs. Ryan for coming to our class and

telling us about Pelham and its history. I will alwayslook at Pelham with more thought and curiositynow. Thank you so much. Dylan

Thank you Mrs. Ryan for showing us some coolfacts about our little town. I didnt know a lot thatyou told us and it was very interesting. I was verypleased to have you come. Anna

Thank you for coming and teaching us the historyof Pelham! I learned a lot. I never knew Pelhamhad so much history. El ise

Thank you so much for teaching us all aboutPelhams history. I never knew so much about theplace Ive been growing up in for the past 12 years ifmy life! Gala Cares

Thank you Mrs. Ryan and Mrs. Burton for I learnedso much about this great town! Riley

Thank you Mrs. Ryan for teaching us the history ofPelham. I had no idea it was a vacation place andthat it was here for so long. Emma

Thank you for coming to teach us about the historyof Pelham. I didnt know half of the things you said.I will stop and think about Pelhams history morenow. Jared

Thanks for coming to our class. I learned so much!My mom was so surprised about all the informationI was able to tell her. Jessica

Thanks! I will always look at Pelham differentlyand imagine it with trolley tracks. Jason

At the end of the presentation, Mrs. Ryan told thestudents that they are living history now and the manychanges happening in Pelham will be a part of history forthem to pass on to future generations. It was pleasure tohave Mrs. Ryan speak to the school and share her passionof the town while stimulating an interest in history and apride of Pelham.

Windham School DistrictFood Drive

submitted by the Windham School District The Windham School District held their annual Food Drive for Windhams Helping

Hands. All four schools participated in the Food Drive from November 12 through 22.Collectively, the schools were able to bring in over 8,000 pounds of food. Each year theschool with the highest weight in food takes home the turkey trophy. This year WindhamMiddle School was able to take home the trophy. Windham Middle School brought in anastounding 5,300 pounds of food.

Thank you the students, staff and parents for your help in making our food drive a successthis year! A big thank you to all of the volunteers who helped move and organize all of thefood.

Deb Ryan Shares Her Love of Town History with Students

Deb Ryan points to an old picture that shows the common area where the Butler Monument is.

Deb Ryan addresses the seventh-grade class at on one ofher visits to Pelham Memorial School.

Courtesy photos

Courtesy photo

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Windham SchoolDistrict 2013-2014Calendar Revised

submitted by Windham School District SAU 95 The Windham School Board has revised the calendar, effective

November 19. Please note the changes below: February 17, 2014: Full school day for both teachers and

students. February 21, 2014: Teacher workshop day (from June 12), no

school for students.

April 2, 2014: End of third quarter. June 12, 2014: Last day of school. Early Release day for students.Additionally, keep in mind that the Early Release/last day of school

will adjust in accordance with any snow days that must be made upin June.

The revised calendar will be posted on the school district website,www.windhamsd.org.

by Marc AyotteWindham High School students

and teachers once again joinedforces for a worthy cause, inaddition to continuing theiradversarial roles on the gridiron.On Friday, November 22, atotal of six student/athlete teams

engaged with some internalcompetition as well as squared-off against a single faculty teamin the fourth annual ag footballgame sponsored by the JaguarCommunity Alliance (JCA).When all was said and done, theteachers once again emergedvictorious this year, stomping thestudents eight touchdowns to two.

According to Michael Welch,who is the JCA co-advisoralong with Janice Les, theevent received great supportfrom the administration andteachers. Welch went on tosay that the annual, friendlygrudge on the gridiron affairalong with other JCA events, helpsbring school diversity together.Welch elaborated on the matter by saying, Our club, the Jaguar

Community Alliance, has a few purposes, but most notably we arefocused on bringing together students with and without disabilitieswhile creating a climate of diversity and acceptance. Our eventsare as diverse as our students and staff.

Athletic Director, Bill Raycraft, noted of the light-hearted rivalry,usually its pretty ugly but a lot of fun. On a larger scale, the

Jaguar A.D. added, its a nice community event for the school.With a $20 per team entry fee, half of the events proceeds willgo to Windham Helping Hands; an organization geared towardshelping Windham families in need. In raising $115 for the day,Welch described the effort as, denitely our most successful ag

football event yet.As previously alluded to, there was great participation from

the teachers; suiting up for the faculty team were: Bill Raycraft(Athletic Director), Jack Byrne (Coach and Human Performance),Ken Naroian (English), Anne Haky (Human Performance), GregIworsky (School Resource Ofcer), David Gilbert (Math), KathleenReardon (English), Michelle Rhoads (Math), Matt St. Hilaire andRobert Tompkins (Instructional Assistants), Thomas Darrin (SocialStudies) and Jennifer Beland (Mathematics and Special Services).In addition to many other faculty members who were there as fansto support the cause, were Assistant Principal Bob Dawson andScience/Special Services Teacher Matthew Blair who played outtheir roles as whistle blowers (referees) for the game.

After the successful andentertaining event that includedover 100 participants, Welchsummarized the groups principalendeavor for all of its events; theactivities allow students a chanceto socialize and participate inmanner that is most comfortablefor them. Based on hisexperience as the JCA co-advisor,

Welch also offered; I have foundthat just getting students togetherwith the basic premise that weall want the same thing, to beaccepted and appreciated, resultsin natural friendships and at thevery least, acceptance. Fromvideo game nights, movie nights orstaff versus student competitions,we try to create events that allowpeople a chance to participate insome manner and conveniently,develop friendships and possiblyknock down some walls (while)were at it.

WHS Teachers, Students Playin JCA Flag Football Game

Josh Gallager dives into the end zone for a touchdown before Andrew Doorman was able to strip him of his ag.

Human Performance Teacher Jack Byrne(far right) performed well on this play,scoring for the faculty.

Staff photos by Marc Ayotte


6/16

Sunday, December 1Come and join us in Celebrating Yuletide

at the Pelham Fire Department starting at4:15 p.m. There will be plenty of food; hot

dogs and hamburgers for a small donation.Free desserts, coffee, hot chocolate and more!There will be holiday music provided by localchurch choirs! Santa will be arriving at 6 p.m.Come visit Santa and Mrs. Claus!

Tuesday, December 3Pelham High School will hold a

Financial Aid Night for parents andour college-bound seniors. The event,

organized by the schools guidancedepartment, will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. inthe PHS Library. A representative from theNew Hampshire Higher Education AssistanceFoundation will facilitate the event, providingparents and students with information about thenancial aid process for colleges and universities.Specically, the Free Application for FederalStudent Aid, FAFSA will be explained in detail.The FAFSA is required for all nancial aid requests.For more information, call the PHS GuidanceDepartment at 635-2116.

Holiday Tree Lighting and Bell ChoirPerformance . Come celebrate with the PelhamPublic Library on at 6:30 p.m. for the lighting ofthe beautiful Conifer tree on the Village Green,courtesy of the Garden Club. Then join us insidefor hot cocoa and a performance by the PelhamCongregational Church Bell Choir. It will be acheery event to put everyone into the holiday spirit.Baked goods will be provided by the Friends of theLibrary feel free to bring your own special treat toshare. Free and open to the public.

Tuesday, December 3Story Hour Registration Session 2. Numbers

will be handed out when the library opens at 9a.m. No phone registrations will be taken untilafter the in-house library registration is completed;subject to space availability. This program isonly open to families who are Nesmith Librarycardholders. Story hour is for children ages 3-6years of age who can independently participatein an hour of stories, songs, and a simple coloringproject. While the child is in his/her story hourclass, a parent or guardian needs to remain in thelibrary at all times. Children must be three yearsof age by December 1, 2013 to be eligible for thissession, and each child may only be registered forone class per story hour session.

Story hour sessions will be held on Tuesdaysand Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. and on Tuesdaysand Wednesdays from 1 to 2 p.m. Story hours willbegin the week of December 9 and run for eightweeks with the last story hour being held the weekof February 10.

Nesmith Library Presents an Evening withAuthor Frank Grzyb. The Friends of the Libraryof Windham present author, Frank Grzyb, fora special presentation of his book HiddenHistory of Rhode Island and the Civil War at theNesmith Library on at 6:30 p.m. Frank Grzybsbook will be available for purchase and signingfollowing the presentation. This program is freeand open to the public. Register for this programby calling the Library at 432-7154. Frank Grzybis a decorated combat veteran and the author ofthree previous books. His work has been featuredin such magazines as Americas Civil War, CivilWar Monitor and The Civil War Times. When notenjoying his family, Frank serves as a guest lecturerat high schools, universities and military, civic andreligious organizations.

Pelham Parks and Recreation has been runningLive Stronger classes for adults and our instructor,

Sue OMaley, is offering a free class from 6:30-7:30p.m. at the Pelham Senior Center room at 8 NashuaRd. Bring a water bottle and oor mat if possible.You are also welcome to bring weights andresistance bands if you like. This is a total bodyworkout that strengthens, sculpts and tones allthe major muscle groups to work the core, upperand lower body. A registration form is needed butthere is no cost or obligation. Forms can be foundat www.pelhamweb.com/recreation. If you haveany questions, e-mail [email protected] give us a call at 635-2721!

Wednesday, December 4The Windham Womans Club is

busy with holiday activities, includingThanksgiving basket project and Christmas

gifts project, both for local families in need,as well as veterans holiday gift project. Theholiday projects are an important part of the clubscommunity service program. The clubs 2013activities will culminate with a Christmas Socialluncheon at the Common Man in Windham at11:30 a.m. www.windhamwomansclub.com.

Thursday, December 5 The second session of The Great

Conversation will be held today from6:60 to 8 p.m. in the Dr. Ernest Matthew

Law Reading Room at the Pelham PublicLibrary.

The Great Conversation is designed to engagethe Community of Pelham in a conversation aboutthe Pelham Schools and the benets they bring tothe community. Team members of this group arecitizens of Pelham, who are eager to discuss someof the great things happening at Pelham schoolsand to facilitate a two-way conversation aboutopportunities to strengthen the school-communityrelationship in a mutually benecial way.

For more information regarding The GreatConversation, visit http://www.pelhamsd.org/ domain/466, and watch for other communityvenues for additional events.

Friday, December 6 Join Annie at the Pelham Public Library

on at 10 a.m. to learn more about thebasics of Microsoft Excel , including

editing within spreadsheets, creatingbudgets, and using functions. To sign-up for thisclass, call 635-7581. Must have valid PelhamLibrary Card to sign up.

The Windham Police Ofcers AssociationNEPBA Local 213 is proud to bring to thecommunity a very Special Family Magic Show at6 p.m. at the Windham High School Auditoriumon London Bridge Road with world renownedmagician and actor Matt Roberts, whos astonishingMagic & Illusion Act will feature fun audienceparticipation and a magnetic personality thataudiences of all ages will talk about long after theamazing show. Opening will be juggler BrysonLang. Proceeds will be applied to scholarships,betterment for police ofcers and their families andmore. Doors open at 6 p.m. to this all-ages show.Tickets available for a suggested $10 donation bycalling 516-3421 in advance and will be availableat the door. Kids 13 and under free. For moreinformation, e-mail [email protected].

Friday, December 6 & Saturday, December 7 Match-ups for the First Annual New Horizons

Pre-Season Basketball Jamboree presented by NewHampshire Sports page and Alvirne High School;all games to be played at Alvirne.

On Friday: 5 p.m. Salem vs. Windham, 6:30p.m. Bishop Guerin vs. Bishop Brady, 8 p.m.Merrimack vs. Pelham

On Saturday: 12 p.m. Alvirne vs. Newport,1:30 p.m. Spaulding v. Lebanon, 3 p.m. Bedford

vs. Portsmouth, 4:30 p.m. Manchester Centralvs. Conant, 6 p.m. Trinity vs. PembrokeAcademy

Saturday, December 7 All Women of all ages are invited to

join us in honoring Our Lady for FirstSaturday Devotions on at St. Patrick Church

in Pelham. We begin with Mass at 8 a.m.,followed by the Rosary at 8:30, and then join usfor our Annual Advent Prayer Service where wewill walk through the Old Testament in preparationfor Christmas. Following the service we will havea pot luck breakfast and fellowship. For moreinformation call Linda at -930-6436 or [email protected]. Note: Adorationand Divine Mercy Chaplet will be available beforeMass at 7:30 a.m. in the chapel.

Join us from 3-5 p.m. for our Annual TreeLighting in Windham. Santa and Mrs. Claus willarrive by re truck around 3 p.m., escorted bythe Salem High Marching Band and Color Guard.

Santa will be in the Windham Cable Studiofor photos until 5 p.m. The Girl Scouts will behosting holiday crafts in the upstairs of the TownHall; while the Boy Scouts will be watching overthe massive bon re in front of the Town Hall.You wont want to miss the performance by TheWindham Community Band in the heated tentfrom 3:30-4:30 p.m. Hot cocoa, will be servedas well as cookies, and hot coffee. The WindhamMiddle School will be singing Christmas carols inthe gazebo on the Town Common at 4:45 p.m.,followed by the lighting of the tree. The WindhamPresbyterian Church will be hosting their annualfree non-denominational spaghetti supper. Wehope to see you there! The event goes on in rain,snow, sleet or shine! For more information, contactthe Recreation Ofce at 965-1208 or by e-mail [email protected].

The Windham Development Department, inpartnership with the Windham High School, thelocal business community and several non-protorganizations will be holding their Second AnnualHoliday Shopping Extravaganza from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.at Windham High School, 64 London Bridge Rd.

The Shopping Extravaganza will help you with allyour holiday shopping needs, including clothing,

jewelry, home dcor, specialty foods, toys,cosmetics, bath and beauty, personal wellness,and much. Christmas greenery and other festivedecorations will be available for purchase as wellas refreshments; childrens face painting and crafts,pictures with Santa and his Elves, holiday music,and rafe prizes you wont want to miss!

Come and do your holiday shopping whilesupporting your community! For an added treat,check out the tree lighting at the Town Hall from3-5 p.m.!

Windham Recreation will once again be offeringfree photos with Santa at the Annual Tree Lighting on. Santa will be visiting with children at theCable Studio from 3-5 p.m. Windham Recreationwill be taking complimentary photos, that willavailable for you to download a few days later.Make sure you take the website information onwhere to download and view your photo on yourway out of the Cable Studio. Happy Holidays!

Tuesday, December 10Friends of the Library in Pelham hold

Elections. The Friends of the Library inPelham (FLIP) will host their next meeting

at 6:30 p.m. at the Pelham Public Library.FLIP is a non-prot group who raise funds forthe Pelham Public Library and sponsor discountMuseum pass programs and other events the librarycannot normally afford. At the next meeting,

FLIP will be holding elections for new ofcers,president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer.Attend the meeting to learn more about howyou can be a part of this fun group. The libraryrecommends all volunteers attend FLIP meetingsto learn about opportunities to complete morehours. For more information about all our eventscall 635-7581 or check us out online at http:// pelhampubliclibrary.org/friends.

Sundays, December 15 thru January 5 Lacrosse Skills Clinic for boys from 5

to 6 p.m. and for girls from 6 to 7 p.m.at Pelham Elementary School gym. This

Boys and Girls Lacrosse instructional clinicis open to ages 7 and up. Participants should

arrive in appropriate sneakers and comfortableclothing. Boys need to bring a lacrosse stick,helmets and gloves. Girls are required to bringa lacrosse stick and goggles. All players areadvised to bring a water bottle. Clinics are gearedtowards newer players to teach the basics of thegame. Learn the fundamentals and be taughtskills for lacrosse offensively and defensively. Youwill have great fun with the coaches and becomea better player! No experience is necessary. Aregistration form is required. You may also registerand pay online with MC/VISA at https://webtrac.pelhamweb.com (a household must be set up rstin your name). Space is limited; rst come, rst

served.Sunday, December 15

The New Greeley Singers of Pelham AnnualHoliday Concert , Music in the Winter Air, 3 p.m.,First Congregational Church, 3 Main St., Pelham. Itwill uplift you, entertain you, perhaps inspire you,and if you are not already there, will be sure to getyou in the holiday spirit. This years annual holidayconcert will include songs ranging all the wayfrom a 1950s-style Doo-Wop Christmas, to themagical Walking in the Air from The Snowman,to the spiritual Goin to Bethlehem, to the all-time classic Hallelujah Chorus from HandelsMessiah. The chorus will be joined this year by theMerrimack Valley Flute Choir. Tickets are $10 foradults and $5 for children 12 and under and areavailable at the door. To obtain tickets in advance,or for more information, call Helen at (978) 453-9982, e-mail [email protected], or visit ourwebsite newgreeleysingers.com.

Light refreshments will be served after theconcert in the churchs Fellowship Hall to give thesingers and audience a chance to visit with eachother. Dont miss this wonderful opportunity tosupport a local chorus and to enjoy some reallygreat holiday music!

Friday, December 20Heritage Baptist Church in Windham

is sharing Bethlehems Child with thecommunity. Youre invited to experience

the Christmas story in word and song, withlight refreshments to follow. The program takesplace at 7 p.m. at Heritage, 108 Rockingham Rd.,Windham. To nd out more, just call 765-4000 orvisit www.hbcnh.org.

Errors: e liability of the publisher on account of

errors in or omissions from any advertisement will in no way exceed the amount of the charge for the spaceoccupied by the item in error, and then only for the rstincorrect insertion. Advertisers should notifymanagement within three (3) business days if any erroroccurs. Published by Michael Elizabeth & Moore, Limited

Area NewsGroup

Area NewsGroup

Area NewsGroup17 Executive Drive, Suite One,

Hudson, NH, [email protected]

Pelham ~ Windham News is an Area News Group PublicationDeadline for all materials is due Tuesday at noon, prior

to Friday edition.e Area News Group prints Letters to the Editor ona space available basis, with preference to non-frequent writers. Requests to withhold a writers name will behonored at the discretion of the editor. Letters more than600 words will be returned to sender.

Any article, Letter to the Editor, umbs, or

advertisement appearing in Area News Group papers are thesole opinion of the writer(s) and does not necessarily reectthe opinion of the staff or ownership of the newspaper. Wereserve the right to edit or refuse ads, articles, or lettersdeemed to be in bad taste.

areanewsgroup.com 880-1516 Fax: 879-9707

Staff Editor-in-chief:

Len Lathrop Advertising

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Information Co-ordinator:Pat St. CyrClassieds Manager: Andrew P. Belliveau

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Old Lawrence Road, LLC, 27 Old Lawrence Road, 29/7-10, remove& replace existing panel antennas, equipment, cabinets, andbattery cabinets, as well as install a ber distribution box withintheir existing leased area. There will be no tower extension ofcompound expansion proposed.

Peter & Donna Sheeran, 278 Windham Road, 15/8-227, 300 sq. ft.deck.

Jaswant & Floradeliza Moorjani, 18 Balcom Road, 15/8-48, septicreplacement.

Nathan Sears, 63 Keyes Hill Road, 2/5-77, septic systemreplacement (new).

Skyview Estates LLC, Majestic Avenue, 32/1-146-47, foundation. Skyview Estates LLC, Aspen Drive, 32/1-146-6, foundation. DHB Homes LLC, 4 Harmony Lane, 4/9-138-1, foundation. DHB Homes LLC, Frontier Drive, 36/10-10-17, foundation. Christopher Lafrance, 1-3 Arbor Way, 17/12-253-1, 24 foot x 58

foot 6 inch duplex, 3 bedrooms each side, 3.5 baths on each side,2 car garage on each side, 15 foot 5 inches x 11 foot 7 inches deckon each side, farmers porch on each side and both have a walk upattic.

Pelham Realty Group LLC, 150 Bridge Street Unit E, 29/7-95, installnew sign face in existing cabinet Verizon Wireless.

Jeannette Malapanis, 9 Hickory Ill Road, 21/3-102-33, 12 x 16shed.

Skyview Estates LLC, Majestic Avenue, 32/1-146-2, nish 800 sq. ft.of basement to be a playroom.

David Mendes, 70 Simpson Road, 7/9-135-7, foundation. Peter & Linda Cote, 9 Velma Circle, 14/9-136-29, septic system

replacement (new). James W. Petersen Build Homes, LLC, 10 Whispering Oaks Road,

16/13-85-S, foundation. MZL Realty, LLC, 10 Bridge Street #4, 41/10-246, knock d own

wall between Singn Bowl Hookah Lounge to add more space byconnecting existing garage.

William Barthell, 19 Old County Road, 33/2-61, 2,600 sq. ft. singlefamily house, one car attached garage, farmers porch in front,covered porch & screen porch in the rear, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths.

Michael & Paula Carrier, 30 Ledge Road, 17/12-200, renew permitfor add. famers porch to right side of house and around front foran additional entrance; cap off foundation (from 2009 permit) forwinter.

Great Pond Road LLC, 7 Vassar Drive, 16/12-166, septic systemreplacement (new).

Scott & Lynne Mallard, 7 Pineridge Road, 16/13-125-3, septicsystem replacement in-kind.

Adeline Realty Trust, 47 Bridge Street, 41/6-120, pellet stove. William & Marianne Gaffney, 51 Tenney Road, 21/3-102-2, pellet

stove. Roy & Elizabeth Parkhurst, 141 Bush Hill Road, 19/3-146-1,

change a screen porch into a three season porch by adding a door& window.

J.D.C

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin(never known to fail)

O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, BlessedMother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of theSea, help me and show me here you are my mother. O Holy, Mary Mother of God,Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart tosecure me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand yourpower. O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee. (3 times).Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for 3consecutive days and then you must publish and it will be granted to you.

Town of PelhamBuilding Permits Issued November 11-22


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by Lynne Ober Pelham has a rich history of carefully enhancing town parks. It is now

time to think about improvements at Raymond Park, which is growing inusage thanks to the soccer elds and robust soccer program in Pelham.Town Building Inspector Roland Soucy, and Parks and Recreation DirectorBrian Johnson, met with Selectmen to discuss the new building proposal forRaymond Park. The proposal Soucy reviewed included both a snack shackand bathrooms. With this project, a 2,000 gallon per day septic system wouldbe installed, as approved by the state. Electric service would be pulled fromthe exiting service.

When Selectman and Chairman of the Board Ed Gleason asked

if there was a necessity to be ADA compliant, Soucy replied thatthe bathrooms were all ADA compliant; they had a concrete slaboor with oor drains. Gleason wanted to know if there was anyneed for ramps, but was told no as the bu ilding was grade level.Soucy also said there was a storage area in the basement of thebuilding.

Selectman Hal Lynde, who championed building the soccerelds, asked if the building was being constructed into the hilland Soucy answered yes; alongside the existing concrete stairs.When Lynde asked if the building was sized similar to the buildingat Muldoon Park, Soucy didnt recall, but said he believed it waspretty close to that size.

Soucy told the Board he recommended they have an invitedlist of three to four bidders, versus having a public bid, given theywere heavy on the masonry aspect. The intent was to have onecontractor do the whole job. However, selectmen questioned howthey would handle questions about who was and was not invitedto bid. During the ensuing discussion about the bidding process,Soucy noted all the contractors were from Pelham. He had a listof basic specications that would be used for the contractors toreview.

When Gleason asked where funding for the building wouldcome from, Johnson said funding would come from the revolvingaccount using funds raised by travel soccer and Outlaws lacrosse.He said they would know exactly what funding was needed whenthe nal bids came back; if they needed additional funding theywould do so. No tax dollars are being requested.

Selectmen asked about the timeframe for construction. Soucysaid if they could get the numbers back early enough they couldget the building done before the snow ies.

Selectman Bob Haverty questioned who would manage theconstruction project. Soucy said he would. Haverty then askedabout the inside conguration. Would there be a stove and a hoodor grills, but Soucy said no and explained that they might have ahot dog machine and crock pots as well as drinks. Johnson saidthey might have pizza, pretzels and things of that nature.

Finally Gleason asked if Saucy would be handling the bid process and heoffered to do so. He said he could meet with the contractors, review theplans, go over the job and eld their questions. Gleason said Soucy hadhandled the Senior Center addition in the same manner proposed. Thatprocess was successful and cost effective.

Lynde moved and selectman Doug Viger seconded to authorize RolandSoucy in conjunction with Brian Johnson to put out for bid the snack shackproposed at Elmer G. Raymond Memorial Park, near the soccer/lacrosseelds, in accordance with the plan presented to the Selectmen at theirOctober 15, 2013 meeting and the motion passed unanimously.

Snack Shack Proposed for Raymond Park

submitted by Robert D. Horne, Pelham Fire Department The Pelham Firemans Association and Professional Fireghters of

Pelham L4546 are seeking nominations for the second Annual 2014George W. Harris Outstanding Citizenship Award. This award willbe presented to the winner at the 2014 Firemans Ball in February2014. The qualications are as noted below:

This award is presented to a citizen or citizens who displaya consistent level of leadership, dedication, philanthropy,volunteerism, guidance, and/or general commitment to thebetterment of the community. These attributes may take the formof coaching, elective ofce, volunteerism, paid work, or nancialcontributions, etc.

Last years winners were Chris and Kristen Mader. Yournominations will be tallied and considered by PFFP L4546 and thePFA. The nominee must be a Pelham resident. This town has plenty

Nominations Sought for the George W. Harris

Outstanding Citizenship Awardof worthy people so lets recognize those efforts. E-mail me [email protected] with your nominations. You may alsoreach me at the re station 635-2703. Let us know your contactinformation as well as the contact information for the nominee andlet me know if they usually attend the Firemans Ball or not. Besure to include the reasons why you feel your nominee is worthy.


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Christine Ryan speakswith a couple of visitorsabout her artwork.

S t a f

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b y A J D i c k i n s o n

submitted by Patti Drelick,Salem Senior Services

Ruth Henning was awarded Salem, NHsBoston Post Cane on Wednesday, November20, at 2 p.m. at Windham Terrace, 3 ChurchRoad, Windham.

Ruth L. Henning is Salems most seniorresident at 99 years old. She was born January16, 1914 in Methuen, MA. Ruth was oneof four children born to William and WallyHenning. She had two brothers; William andCarl; and one sister, Martha.

Ruth grew up in Lawrence, MA. Whileat the John R. Rollins Grammar School shewas awarded the Principals Gold Medal forexemplifying what a Best Student shouldbe. She still speaks proudly of that medaltoday. After graduating from Lawrence HighSchool, she went on to Cannons CommercialCollege in Lawrence to become a professionalsecretary. Her career included working at theHomeowners Loan Corp and Avco.

Her passion has always been her faith andmusic. She studied under renowned Organistand Choir Master, Fred Jones, of Grace EpiscopalChurch in Lawrence. She went on the play theorgan at Central Methodist Church in Lawrence for 15years.

In 1948, upon the passing of her mother, Ruth andher father moved to Salem, NH to live with her sister,Martha Foley. She became the organis t for the FirstCongregational Church in the 60s. When the choirdirector retired she also became Choir Master of the 15member choir. In 2007, the church presented Ruth with aplaque to honor her 55 years of service and participationas Organist, Choir Master, Church Council Secretary,Church Treasurer, member of Philathea (the womensgroup) and outstanding stewardship. From 1986 to 2004,Ruth played a straight 18 years of worship services withoutmissing a week!

Ms. Hennings other great pleasure is her family, whichincludes ve nieces P riscilla Cravino, Sandra Hebsch,Carol Tordoff, Nancy Callahan and Wendy Lisbon; one

nephew who has pre-deceased her, Bruce Henning alongwith seven grand- and numerous great-grand nieces andnephews.

Though Salems original Boston Post Cane was lost, itis believed the towns original cane recipient was lifelongSalem citizen and former state representative CharlesKimball, who was born in 1822 and held the post untilhis death in 1911, at the age of 89. Frank Pop Bemis,former stationmaster of the Salem Depot, was awarded thecane in the late 1950s, and held the honors until 1970,upon passing at the age of 99. In 2005, Salem SeniorServices Director, Patti Drelick, resurrected the programand obtained replica canes. Among the more recentcane recipients were Frances Anderson, 103, August

2005-March 2008; Hilda Telfer, 104, March 2008-April2008; Herman Harrison, 102, May 2008-February 2011;and Harry Garabedian, 101, May 2011-September 2013.

Boston Post Cane Presented

to Ruth L. Henning

Selectman Pat Hardgraves, Salem Town Manager Keith Hickey, Ruth L. Henningand Director Patti Drelick, Salem Senior Service

C o u r t e s y p h o t o

by AJ DickinsonThe Pelham Public Library celebrated Christine

Ryan as Artist of the Month Tuesday, November12. Christine, who was raised in Pelham until the ageof 11, was more interested in math and science as achild. However, when visiting one of her childhoodfriends in California nine years ago she was told thatanybody can learn to draw and paint. After being

turned onto the book Drawing on the Right Side ofthe Brain Christine dove into the arts. By studyingthe book given to her by her friend and working atrst with primarily oil paint the former business majorquickly developed visual skills and techniques, whichtake some painters years to form. After being askedto be named Artist of the Month in her home town,Christine was ecstatic. Locals not only got the chanceto view her beautiful paintings, but also got a chanceto talk to the artist herself.

Artist of the Month Exhibitedat Pelham Public Library

Christine Ryan posing next to one of her paintings after being named Artist of the

Month by the Pelham Public LibraryTuesday, November 12.


9/16


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by Barbara OBrienDonations to help pay for much needed repairs and renovations

to Windhams historic Searles School and Chapel on Range Roadcontinue to come in. The money is being raised to help offset the costof the repairs, after voters failed to pass a $100,000 warrant article thispast March.

According to fundraiser Chairperson Margaret Case, who initiatedthe campaign shortly after the proposed bond failed earlier thisyear, work on the more than a century-old building is progressing.Repairs to the carillon tower are next on the agenda, Case said.

As of the end of November, a total of $24,478 had been donated tothe Searles campaign. This is an additional $2,475 from earlier this

fall.Selectmen accepted the donations with gratitude by a vote o f 3 to

0. Voting in favor were Chairman Phil LoChiatto, Selectmen RogerHohenberger and Al Letizio, Jr. Vice-Chairman Kathleen DiFrusciaand Selectman Ross McLeod did not attend the meeting when thevote was taken.

Additional donations are still being sought and can be donatedin memory or in honor of someone special in the donors life. TheSearles School and Chapel is rented out for special occasions,such as weddings, receptions, birthday and anniversary partiesand conventions. For more information, visit the website: www.searleschapel.com.

Donations for Renovations to Searles School andChapel Continue

by Barbara OBrienFor the rst time in the more than 20 years that David Sullivan has

served as Windhams Town Administrator, he is not recommending theproposed town budget being put forth to selectmen. The proposedbudget in question totals $13,999,896; a 10.5 percent ($1.3 million)increase over the current years approved allocation.

In recent years, for the past several at least, town ofcials haveput forth a zero percent increase in the overall town budget. Thiswas predominately because of the weak economy and their concernover taxpayers, whose incomes had suffered, due to the recession.Unfortunately, when projects get delayed year after year, the problemscompound and, eventually, it is time to play catch-up.

There are crucial issues that need to be prioritized in the proposed2014 town budget, Sullivan told selectmen, referring to this yearsproposal being the victim of the perfect storm. Several elementsare converging, at this point. However, this most likely will result inmajor increases in portions of next years town budget.

The largest increase to which Sullivan referred is the 41 percentproposed rise in capital improvements, a portion of the budget whichis slated for a 41 percent ($361,000) hike over 2013 and will bepresented to voters through special warrant articles. There are morecapital improvement proposals on the town side this year than on theschool district side, Sullivan explained.

The operating budget for next year, which is facing several statutoryincreases, over which local town ofcials have no control, is currently

set to increase by about 4.6 percent from 2013. As of mid-November, the 2014 town operating budget showed an increaseof $618,465 over the current years appropriations. The mainreasons for the increase include a hike in the mandatory amountto be contributed to the state retirement program for municipalemployees, 53 weeks of payroll in 2014, the revaluation of allproperties in Windham (required every ve years), a proposed 2.5percent salary increase for non-union town employees, thehiring of an additional employee for the police department,higher health insurance costs, making a p art-time employeein the community development department full-time, andmoving a part-time employee at the Nesmith Library to full-

time status. Sullivan said that 85 percent of the proposedincreases in the operating budget are mandatory.Lastly, there are two ratied union contract agreements

to be brought forth to voters next March (re and municipalemployees), as well as a tentative agreement with thepolice union. I wholeheartedly support all three of thesecontracts, Sullivan commented.

Selectmen will be meeting on a weekly basis for the nextmonth or so, ne-tuning the proposed 2014 town budget,and conferring with department heads in the process.These public meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are held in theCommunity Development Building, adjacent to Town Hall.

Like Pelham~Windham News on

Town Administrator Does NotRecommend Proposed Budget

submitted by Lynn Murray The girls of Windham daisy troop 13932 are doing

something special this holiday season. They are caring forour senior citizens by helping the non-prot organizationStockings for Seniors. Stockings for Seniors serve thosewho are 60-plus years of age, who have little to no supportin their home and community. Since 2011, they haveprovided Christmas stockings lled with gift items to over375 seniors. The girls are looking to help by collecting itemsthat are in need. Some of the items that they are askingfor are: books, puzzles, old movies, picture frames, hats

and gloves, crossword puzzles and Sudoku books, sugarfree candies and pet supplies. One hundred percent of alldonated items go directly to the seniors in our community!Unwrapped items can be donated at the Shaws supermarketin Windham. Donations will be collected until December11.

If you would like more information on Stocking forSeniors, contact Anne Walls at 296-0960 or [email protected]. For moreinformation on becoming a Girl Scout, email [email protected].

Support Girl Scouts with FillingHoliday Stockings for Seniors

by Barbara OBrienThe nal chapter of Windhams now infamous

skateboard park seems to have nally been concluded.The town-owned facility, located in Windhams Grifn

Park, survived nearly a decade of use and abuse, butwas subsequently shut down for good over a year ago.Following its closure, town ofcials tried repeatedly to selloff the equipment, but interested parties were few and themoney they were offering was scant.

The Town of Salem eventually bought three pieces of theequipment, netting Windhams coffers a few dollars, butno other monetary offers were forthcoming. Finally, earlierthis month, a Pelham business owner o

pelham~windham news 11-29-2013

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