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STRAFFORD FIRE & RESCUE OPEN HOUSE
Over the (very long) winter, the Strafford Fire Department moved into the new addition to the Bow Lake Fire Station. The extra space has been used daily for everything from paperwork to training and meetings. In February, we took delivery of a new fire truck that has already enhanced our ability to respond to emergencies within the community. As a token of our appreciation, we’d like to invite all Strafford residents to an Open House on Saturday, May 3, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Coffee and doughnuts will be served from 9 to11; and hot dogs, chips, and soda will be served from 11 to 2. There will be balloons and face painting for the kids, and the new fire truck will be on display and available for tours. All food and activities are free of charge. It’s just our way of saying “Thank you, Strafford!” for your continuing support of our Department.
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE 2008
Beyond Service
Strafford’s Memorial Day Parade will take place on Monday, May 26, 2008. The parade will assemble at Beaver Dam Estates off Rt. 202A at 11:00 a.m., begin marching at 11:30 a.m. to Bow Lake, and conclude with a memorial service at the Bow Lake Dam. Everyone is encouraged to come out for a time of remembrance of our men and women who sacrificed all for our great Country. Patriotic groups, civic organizations, the Red Hats…all are welcome to participate in the theme of "Beyond Service". More information is available from Kevin Lacroix at kalcon@metrocast.net or 335-3831/783-1172. Refreshments will be served in the Bow Lake Grange Hall following the parade and dedication, courtesy of the Scouts and the Strafford Women’s Club..
BELL CHOIR CONCERT
The Faith-A-Peal bell choir from the Faith Bible Church in Loudon will be returning to Third Baptist Church on Sunday, May 4, at 6:00 p.m. They were a great hit the first time they came, and we expect a great time this night also. Come see what a bell choir sounds like—you might even get to try ringing a bell!
CENTER STRAFFORD CEMETERY ASSOCIATION
The Annual Meeting of the Center Strafford Cemetery Association will be held in the Christian Education Building by Third Baptist Church (junction of Rts. 126 and 202A) on Saturday, May 17, 2008, at 1:00 p.m.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DAY
Dispose of the household hazardous waste you’ve been collecting. Strafford’s household hazardous waste collection day at the Turnkey facility on Rochester Neck Road in Rochester will be on Saturday, May 3, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
CAMP IDLEPINES REUNION
Calling all Camp Idlepines campers and staff—Idlepines is having an alumni reunion in August 2008. If you or someone you know attended Camp Idlepines, please go to www.campidlepines.com or call 603.352.5626 for more information. Camp Idlepines was an active Bow Lake community participant from 1919-1985.
STRAFFORD DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE by Kate Cameron, Committee Secretary
The Town of Strafford Democratic Committee met on Tuesday, April 1. As a result of committee elections held at the March meeting, the following were named officers of the committee to serve a two-year term: Regina Flynn, Chair; Lynn Lagasse, Vice Chair; Roger Mumper, Treasurer; and Kate Cameron, Secretary. Discussion continued at this month’s meeting about the opportunity to create a committee website, which will be an educational and informational resource on local and state Democratic initiatives. The Social Subcommittee made a brief report on the success of the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner held at the Bow Lake Grange Hall, and the committee began plans for another event to be held in July. Details of the event will be included in future committee reports. State Representatives Bob Perry and Jim Cyr provided Legislative updates on the activity in the NH Legislature this spring. Finally, the committee began discussing the important elections coming this fall. Please join us at our next meeting on Tuesday, May 6, at 7:00 p.m. at Hill Library.
STRAFFORD CORNER (CROWN POINT) CEMETERY ASSOCIATION
The Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2008, 7:00 p.m., at the Crown Point Baptist Church (intersection of First Crown Point and Crown Point Roads). All are welcome to attend.
16th ANNUAL NATIONAL FOOD DRIVE
SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2008

The Strafford Post Office is proud to support the Annual National Food Drive. Your Postal carriers will be collecting non-perishable food and personal care products that customers leave in a bag at their mailbox. There will be a receptacle available in the lobby of the Strafford Post Office for those customers who wish to drop off their items. All donations are distributed to the local food pantry located at Third Baptist Church of Center Strafford, (Rte 202A), 22 Strafford Road, Strafford, NH. This pantry is open every Thursday from 8 to 10 a.m. for confidential distributions. Anyone in need of assistance can visit at that time or may contact 603-664-2680 for assistance. MORE...
BOW LAKE COMMUNITY MARKET
Planting a large garden this year? Spin wool? Make soap? Weave Baskets? Bake bread? We are looking for you! The Bow Lake Community Market is looking for quality vendors and crafters that highlight Strafford’s rural character and diverse economy. The market will be held each Saturday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Waldron Store. For more information and an application, please contact Sarah and Shawn Stimpson at SustainableFarmProducts@hotmail.com or 664-5151. Thank you; we look forward to seeing you this summer.
“…YOUR JUST DESSERTS”
Saturday, May 10, 2008 – 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
What a great gift for Mother’s Day!
“…Your Just Desserts” - An evening of absolutely the most fun you’ll have in a long time - combined with the most decadent desserts you’ll ever eat - together with a plethora of assorted items available that will be raffled will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2008, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Bow Lake Grange Hall. MORE...
CROWN POINT CHURCH
Pastor George Moore
The “Merry, Merry Month of May” has arrived in this Year of our Lord 2008. Most of us are glad that the cold winds and all the snow of winter have gone. Now we are looking to all that will bless us as we pass the days and weeks of this Merry Month.
At Crown Point Church we will worship each Sunday at 9 a.m. followed by a Bible Study class at 10:15. However, two Sundays will include special segments of interest. The first is the second Sunday, May 11, as Mother’s Day. The Pastor’s message will tell how God made it possible for Sarah, the wife of Abraham, to give birth to a child at her age of ninety something. Sons and daughters, bring your Mother to Worship. On Sunday, May 25, our people will celebrate and honor all those who gave their lives in defense of our Nation and the liberties we all share. (Memorial Day is Monday, May 26.) The service will include a flag ceremony with pledges to our National and Christian flags and the singing of our National Anthem. You are invited to “Come and Worship”.
VNA’s CHARITY MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Rochester District Visiting Nurse Association will be hosting their first Annual Charity Motorcycle Ride to Benefit Home Care ... The first Annual Charity Motorcycle Ride will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2008 (rain date Sunday, June 8). The ride is scheduled to leave Rochester District Visiting Nurse Association, 178 Farmington Road (off Rt. 11) in Rochester at 10 a.m. (registrations will begin at 9 a.m.) and continue 90 miles around Lake Winnipesaukee (with scenic stops). The ride will end at Granite Steak and Grill, 11 Farmington Road, Rochester at 2 p.m.
Registration Fee – Rider $25.00; Passenger $10.00. Registration Fees include a free t-shirt (for the first 50 people), coffee & donuts at Rochester District VNA, and appetizers at Granite Steak & Grill after the ride.
If you would like more information, be an event sponsor, or make a cash or raffle prize donation, please visit our website at www.yourvna.org or call us at 332-1133.
STRAFFORD GARDEN CLUB SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS - 2008
This is the first year that the Garden Club is awarding three scholarships to area students. A scholarship was added because of all the worthy students who have applied in the past. In a turn of events, we only had four applicants this year! Please join us in congratulating the winners. MORE...
CUB SCOUTING IN STRAFFORD
The following boys received the Arrow of Light award at a Cub Scout ceremony held on March 6: Matthew Dustin, Connor Forsythe, Ian Gray, Ian Hayden, Mason Jimino, Beau Patteson and Alex Yonchak. The Arrow of Light award is earned after years of hard work and community service. It is the highest Cub Scout award and the only one that can be worn on a Boy Scout Uniform. We wish the boys well as they continue the trail of Scouting and enter Boy Scout Troops 23 and 777. Congratulations!

In honor of Memorial Day, the Cub Scouts of Pack 23 will be offering American Flags for sale throughout the Town during the month of May. The flags are a perfect size for parades or home display and range from $1-$3. Thank you for your support!

MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE
The Cub Scouts invite you to visit our Memorial Day Tribute to be held in the upper level of the Bow Lake Grange Hall on Memorial Day, May 26, from 10:00 to 1:00. Families are welcome to view exhibits from veterans in the area, as well as enjoy art and writing entries from our Memorial Day contest. Children can make a holiday craft and a card to send to our Troops overseas. Anyone who is interested in providing memorabilia to use for the exhibit can contact Jeannie Garcia at 269-4143 or Garcia6@worldpath.net
MEMORIAL DAY WRITING AND ART CONTEST!
The topic for this one-page essay or art project should be “What does Memorial Day Mean to Me.” Entries can be submitted to the Hill Library from May 19-22. Ribbons will be awarded in each category, and two $25 savings bonds will be awarded to the top art and writing entries. For more information, contact Jeannie Garcia at 269-4143 or Garcia6@worldpath.net
STRAFFORD HEALTH OFFICER NOTICE
Dunc Chaplin
The warm weather and sunny days remind us that spring is near. But with spring comes the risk of spring flooding. While there is no immediate risk of flooding in our community, residents are being asked to prepare now to protect your home and family. During a flood, you can stay informed by listening to the following radio stations: WOKQ 97.5 FM, WTSN 1270AM, and WMEX 106.5 FM or watching television on WMUR Channel 9. MORE...
ST. BALDRICK’S CHALLENGE
As part of our ongoing desire to help others, the Strafford Firefighters Association has entered a team in support of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. For those unfamiliar with St. Baldrick’s, this Foundation raises funds to support childhood cancer research. Participants agree to have their heads shaved and ask for donations from sponsors in return. Three brave firefighters have agreed to be shaved at Gunstock on May 31. If you would like to support their efforts, donations can be made c/o the Strafford Firefighters Association, P.O. Box 25, Center Strafford, NH 03815. Donations can also be made online at http://www.stbaldricks.org/get_involved/donate.html. Select “Team” and type in Strafford Fire & Rescue for the team name. Thanks for supporting this very worthy cause!
LIBRARY LINES
May has arrived, and the gardens around the Library are beginning to look like they should at this time of year! New audio books are arriving this month including books by Robert Parker, Diane Mott Davidson, Stuart Woods, Karen Robards, Stephen King, and James Lee Burke. Long trips seem so much shorter when you can listen to a good story along the way. MORE...
STRAFFORD TAXPAYERS COALITION
The Coalition’s mission is to keep Strafford taxpayers informed so we can make the best decisions possible, to promote civil dialog between Town officials and taxpayers, and to support the taxpayer perspective. Visit the Web site at www.straffordtaxpayers.org often for information from various meetings and other activities, or enter your e-mail address under the “Join E-mail Updates” heading to be notified whenever something new is posted on the site.

The Strafford Taxpayers Coalition meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of every month at the home of Jim Forsythe on 51 Lakeshore Drive. During the May12 meeting, Charles Moreno will speak about Strafford’s “timber tax”. Everyone is welcome. We all share the responsibility of keeping Strafford the Town we want to live in, and we work best by working together.

THE BOW LAKE COMMUNITY CLUB FOR THE BOW LAKE GRANGE HALL
Much anticipated harbingers of spring in Strafford have emerged – peepers, budding trees, loons on the lake, Red Sox fever and the annual membership drive for the Bow Lake Grange Hall. Yes, this is the time of year for renewal in all things. The BLCC extends to all Strafford residents the opportunity for renewed support of this community treasure, maintained for the pleasure and use of all. An important part of the financial support for operating expenses, maintenance and improvements has always come from annual membership dues. With several improvement projects planned this year, your generous support is appreciated now more than ever. We look forward to the continued support of both existing patrons and new members from our growing Strafford community.  MORE...
CONSERVATION NOTES
Strafford students! There’s still time to apply for the scholarship for a week at Barry Conservation Camp up in the White Mountains. The Conservation Commission will cover the whole $400 cost of a week at the camp. You can choose either the week of July 8-13 called Aquatic Adventures, or July 27-August 1 called A Walk on the Wild Side. To win the scholarship, you need to write a 200-word essay about why you’d like to go and mail it to the Conservation Commission in care of Harmony Anderson, P.O. Box 5, Center Strafford, NH 03815 by May 15. For more information, you can Google Barry Conservation Camp to get the details of the activities for each week.  MORE...
STRAFFORD WOMEN'S CLUB
We welcome May, sweet child of spring, with her soft shades of green, rainbows and puddles, and pretty flowers along the lane where sunshine spills. With gentle breezes, and cooling rain, nature comes to life again.

As we spring forth into the pretty little month of May, we will gather at the Chip and Run Pub and Grill at Nippo Lake Golf Course on May 19 for our annual BUSINESS MEETING/LUNCHEON. Mark your calendars to gather at 11:30 a.m. for conversation, payment of dues, and purchase of raffle tickets for those awesome MYSTERY GIFTS. Lunch, always a consideration, is at 12 noon with meeting to follow, which will include the election of officers, discussion of programs, and our all important scholarship fundraisers. MAY you all be there! If you did not sign up at the April meeting and you wish to attend the May luncheon, please call Jane at 664-9202 by May 14. Remember your FOOD PANTRY donations. We welcome new members. Questions? Call Jane at 664-9202. JUNE PREVIEW: AFRICA! Tune in to the June Calendar for details.

GARDEN CLUB NEWS
Day Division:
We thank Carol and Mark Thompson for helping us open our regular 2008 meetings in such grand style at their Blue Hill Farm on Parker Mountain Road. Our annual pot luck luncheon was enhanced by place setting favors of the maple syrup they had made on their return from Arizona in March. Our meetings will continue to be held at 1:00 p.m. the first Monday of the month at the Grange Hall except for September when we will meet on the 8th. New members are always welcome!  MORE...
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