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BOW LAKE CHRISTMAS
BOAT PARADE
Last July’s Christmas Boat Parade was a great success
both on the Lake and along the shoreline. Over 20 boats
joined in, and many camps along the shoreline also
participated. Many comments were received in the days
following the parade from enthusiastic observers indicating
their intentions to join it next year. Next year has
arrived, and we plan to do it again. Some were disappointed
about part of the route last year; this year’s route will
hug more of Bow Lake’s shoreline. There are no fees, no
registrations, and no commitments. Just decorate and join
in. Lead boats will start from Kooaukee Island (Bow Lake
Estates) Wednesday, July 2, 2008, at 9:00 p.m. and go
counter clockwise around the Lake. Just meet us there
between 8:30 and 9:00 p.m. or fall in line as we pass. For
additional information, please call or email Tom Brophy
(664-5396,
ftbrophy@hotmail.com). Hopefully, this will be a
successful third annual Bow Lake Christmas in July Boat
Parade. |
THIS LITTLE PIGGY
WENT TO MARKET…
…The Northwood Farmers Market, that is! After months of
organizing, the Northwood Area Farmers Market is pleased to
announce the first date and location—Thursday, July 3, at
the Masonic Hall municipal lot from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. Our
plan is to feature one market a month this first season.
This market will feature locally grown products such as
seasonal vegetables and fruits, perennials and herbs, meats,
eggs, natural skin products, and more. And there will be
entertainment (how could there not be, with all the local
color in Northwood!). It’s a win-win situation. By buying
fresh local produce, the consumer gets the highest quality
product - more nutritious, with same day harvest, and more
delicious! Contrast this with food that travels 1300 miles
to get here. The producers also benefit by having a great
nearby outlet for their goods. It’s not only greener, it’s
downright neighborly. So mark your calendar. Don¹t be like
the second little piggy who stayed home...come on over to
the Northwood Area Farmers Market for some great food and a
neighborly chat. |
CUB SCOUTING IN
STRAFFORD
A Cub Scouting year would not be complete without climbing
across the 30 foot rope bridge to celebrate the next level
of Scouting! We welcome Patrick Helm and Matthew Flanders to
our program as Tiger Cubs. Moving from first year Tiger Cubs
to Wolves are Matthew Jimino, Joe Garcia, Brain Downer, Paul
Bane and Luke Belbin. Liam Grace, Jacob Flanagan, Zach
Caron, Zach Helm, Heath Howard and Cyrus Hiraldo have moved
to the level of Bear. Andrew Leas and Carter Greig have
moved up to the level of Webelos. Our Webelos 2 Lightning
Eagle Patrol – Brady Dolan, Zach Flanagan, Chris Garcia,
Mark McKinney, Jake Pogorek, Tyler Schroeder, Griffin Snow
Warburton, Jason Palmer and James Zeblisky – continue to
work hard towards their Arrow of Light Award and the trail
to Boy Scouts next year. Although the weekly meetings have
ended, the fun continues during the summer. Interested in
Scouting? Join us Thursday evening, July 17, at 6:00, at the
Bow Lake Dam for our H2ooh event – water games and cookout.
Rain date is July 24. For more information, contact Cub
Master Patrick Grace 664-7461. Pack 23 would like to thank
the community for participating in our Flag Fundraiser. Your
donations enable the Pack to assist scouts attending camp
and help support our summer activities. |
MEMORIAL DAY CONTEST
WINNERS
Cub Scout Pack 23 would like to congratulate the following
winners of our Writing and Art contest. Matthew Dustin of
Troop 777 received first prize in our Writing Contest, and
Heath Howard, a Bear from Pack 23, won the Art contest. Both
contestants were awarded $50 savings bonds. Additional
ribbons were awarded to Chris Garcia, Emma Molloy, Brian
Downer and Paul Bane. Thank you to the Isinglass Country
Store, Blue Loon General Store, and Chip and Run Pub & Grill
for their support of the contest. |
ST. JOSEPH’S
CATHOLIC CHURCH
VBS AND STORY HOUR!
Come enter Son World Adventure Park, where kids will
discover that choosing Jesus is the ticket to the best ride
of their lives! Based on Joshua 24:15, Choose this day whom
you will serve, children will learn to make the right
choices in a world of options. Join us for fun an excitement
on July 21-25 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Parish
Center in Northwood. For more information, contact Katrina
Allan at 664-7113.
Story hour for children in grades K-3 will be held on
Tuesday mornings from 10 to 11 starting July 1 through
August 12 with the exception of VBS week. Learn about the
lives of Saints and their faith in the Lord through stories,
games, and crafts. Call Jeannie Garcia at 269-4143 for more
information. |
BROWNIE TROOP 2965
On Saturday May 10, Brownie Girl Scout Troop 2965 of
Strafford held a special ribbon tree ceremony. The ceremony
was created by second grader Olivia Lee as part of a Try-It
Badge earning process. Olivia presented the idea to her
Troop Leader as a way to honor women in a family or
community. Each member of the Troop chose three women in
their life that were special for various reasons. A ribbon
represented the woman and noted both her name and what it
was that made her special. The Troop met and shared their
selections with each other and then tied their ribbons onto
a tree at Bow Lake Baptist Church. |
NEW HOPE NORTHWOOD
ANNOUNCES ITS 2008
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
An exciting week for children is planned for July 28 to
August 1 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. – Fractured Fairy Tales—Jesus
is no fairy tale! It all happens at New Hope Church, 545
First NH Turnpike (Route 4) in Northwood, 942-7729,
www.newhopenorthwood.com. Friends from "Down Under"—yes,
from Australia— will be bringing great fun and excitement to
us in Northwood! *Great Stories from the Bible*Puppets*Craft
Fun*Games*Food*Australian BBQ! |
VACATION BIBLE
SCHOOL
You are invited to explore God's Big Backyard! This is an
outdoor adventure that starts in our own backyards and takes
the love of Jesus into our neighborhoods and communities.
Children from 4 years old through 8th grade will love the
Backyard Bible Club, crafts, games, music and snacks. VBS
runs from July 21 to 25 at Third Baptist Church in Center
Strafford from 9 a.m. to noon. For more info, please call
664-7750. Registration takes place on July 20 at 11:30 a.m.
at the Church or on July 21 from 8:30 to 9 a.m. |
CHRISTMAS IN
STRAFFORD – 2008
Plans are underway for the 19th annual Christmas in
Strafford – 2008. If you are interested in participating in
Christmas in Strafford – 2008, please contact Carrolle
Popovich at 603-664-5609 or cap78mgb@metrocast.net
no later than September 1, 2008. Crafter locations can only
be in homes located in Strafford; however, you may extend an
invitation to your talented friends or relatives to join you
in your Strafford location – provided that all craftspeople
participating create their own work and/or you meet the
criteria necessary for participation. Each crafter at your
location is responsible for their portion of payment.
Christmas in Strafford is a registered trade name. |
CHICKEN TO GO at the
Bow Lake Church
July 5, 2008 from 4 to 7 p.m. or until there is no more
The traditional Bow lake Church Chicken Drive Thru is right
back on time this year to serve the best and most fun meal
of the summer season. A one-half chicken, hot off the
barbecue pits (seasoned and basted to perfection), in
combination with baked potato, homemade coleslaw, and a roll
complete a quick and delicious dinner—all available for a
short drive around the Bow Lake Church where the "church
crew and chicken gurus are waiting to take your order. Enjoy
a night off from the kitchen. The receipts from this effort
are designated to help sponsor children to Camp Sentinel.
Thank you for your patronage, and we wish for you a blessed
and safe summer.
Pastor Lillian Buckley and Bow Lake Church members invite
you to join us for our services of prayer, praise and
celebration every Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. "Come as you
are" for fellowship with neighbors and friends who love you.
SUNDAY EVENING HYMN SING at 7:00 p.m. at the church JULY 13.
Please come and sing...there is no admission...just sing for
the joy of singing! |
STRAFFORD DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE UPDATE
By Kate Cameron, Committee Secretary
The Town of Strafford Democratic Committee met on Tuesday,
June 3. The Committee discussed updates and additions to our
new web site,
www.StraffordDems.org. Candidates for the fall State
elections were discussed at length, and the Committee
proposed opportunities to support and engage in the process.
Additionally, we all learned a great deal about the State’s
on-going school funding crisis during a presentation by a
Committee member with first-hand experience in the continued
battle. Please join us for our next meeting on Tuesday, July
1, 7:00 p.m. at Hill Library. |
STRAFFORD HEALTH
OFFICER NOTICE
Dunc Chaplin
Stephanie Gray, Selectman Coordinator/Co-Emergency
Management Director; Dunc Chaplin, Health Officer,
Strafford; and Volunteers Sheila Rainey and Erma Clark
participated in the NH Department of Health and Safety Point
of Delivery (POD) Drill in Farmington, coordinated by the
Northern Strafford County Health & Safety Council, on Friday
and Saturday, May 17 and 18. The purpose of the Drill was to
teach and demonstrate the ability of Frisbee Hospital to
provide trailers containing medical equipment and serums for
towns to set up and to support County medical teams for mass
immunization of citizens in the event of a hazardous disease
pandemic. During the Drill, Selectman Gray acted as the POD
Operations Officer. Strafford is now ready to set up a
Strafford POD in the event of a disease emergency. |
BOW LAKE COMMUNITY
MARKET
Don’t forget – The Bow Lake Community Market will be
held every Saturday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the
Waldron Store, across from the Bow Lake Fire Station,
through the end of August – your very own farmers market
right here in Strafford. |
SCHOOL BOARD NEWS
The Board congratulates all of our graduates! 56 Strafford
students received diplomas from Coe-Brown Academy on May 30,
and many will further their education by entering college in
the fall. We wish every graduate the very best as they begin
a new chapter in their lives. Also graduating were 63 eighth
grade students who are now preparing for entry into high
school in late summer…congratulations and get reading those
summer books!
A special congratulations goes out to those students who
honored our school and community by placing 3rd in the
Global Destination ImagiNation finals in Tennessee (again!).
Team members are Alex and Abbey Archambault, Jesse Felber,
Greg Hatfield, Mackenzie Young, and Megan Curtain. We can’t
overstate how proud we are of each of you and how thankful
we are to Pat Lucas, Sheila Hatfield, and all the parents
who volunteer countless hours to support the team. What an
accomplishment! MORE... |
POLICE K-9 UNIT GETS
CRUISER…FOR $1
The Strafford Police Department’s K-9 Unit received a
2000 Ford Crown Victoria from a donor who wishes to remain
anonymous. The silver/gray cruiser has 60,000 miles and is
fully equipped. K-9 Officer Randy Young is working with a
local company to have the cruiser lettered and fully
operational by late June. All maintenance and upkeep will be
paid for through the K-9 fund supported by donations and
drug forfeitures. |
GEORGE N. CATE
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Trustees of the George N. Cate Scholarship Fund are
pleased to announce that $19,000 in scholarships has been
made available for the 2008/09 academic year. The graduating
seniors receiving awards were Tyler Goodell, Jade Wilcox,
Leah Graham, Jesse Horne, Jillian Bibeau, Marilyn Gorcinski,
Wendy Anderson, and Megan Savioli. Awards to current
undergraduates went to Lauren Catano, Kimberly Felber,
Alison Freeman, Meghan Gahm, Rebecca Harnish, Megan Kerivan,
Katherine Letourneau, Brendan McCann, Alexander Pape, Andrew
Plummer, Katie Robertson, Elizabeth Somers, Emilee Somers,
Nicholas Vina, and Hanna White. These individuals join the
group of over 200 current or former residents of Strafford
who have benefited from scholarships from this fund.
MORE... |
SWC RAFFLE 2008
The Strafford Women’s Club is offering tickets for sale
for its Raffle 2008 Scholarship Fundraiser—One Ticket for $1
or Six tickets for $5. Tickets are available at our Ice
Cream Socials on July 9 and August 6 at the Bow Lake Grange
Hall or from Alice at 664-2690. A partial list of prizes
includes items from Northwood Garage; Chadbourn’s
Restaurant; Blue Loon General Store; Liu’s Garden Chinese
Restaurant; Calef’s Country Store; Berrybogg Farm; Cassidy’s
Tavern at Bow Lake Inn; Granite Steak & Grill; Chip and Run
Pub & Grill; New Beginnings Farm Stand; Windjammer’s Seafood
Restaurant; Eclectic Florist; Studley’s Florist & Garden
Center; Pied Cow Gift Shop; Sassafras Tree Artisans;
Isinglass Country Store; Northwood House of Pizza & Seafood;
Blue Oasis Spalon; Heritage True Value Hardware; Elf’s
Garden Center; Stamped Designs; 3rd & Long Diner; Nelson’s
Organic Farm; Tea Basket from Ruth Paugh; and more to come.
There will be a separate drawing for 18 Holes of Golf for
two people (with cart) at Nippo Lake Golf Club. Drawings
will be held following the August Ice Cream Social. MANY
THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS! |
MAYBE YOU CAN HELP…
Because of the many different problems that we experienced
at the Bow Lake Dam and swimming area last summer, the
Police Department is asking for your help. Last year we
responded to several different calls including illegal drug
use, obscene/offensive language, fighting and other
inappropriate behavior. The Department is looking for people
to join a neighborhood watch this summer. While the
Lifeguards do a great job keeping the younger kids in line,
they do have a problem with some teenage visitors and
adults. This distracts them from their duties of watching
the swimmers.
On June 8 of this year, the Police Department responded to
five separate complaints at the dam, including inappropriate
sexual behavior. The on-duty officers will be patrolling the
Dam and swimming areas during the summer as we did last year
but need extra eyes and ears at the beach. If you are
planning on spending any time at the Town beach this summer
and are willing to participate in a neighborhood watch,
please contact Chief Young or Sgt. Richard for more details
at 664-5644 or 664-7462 or at
straffordpd@metrocast.net.
All beach rules will be strictly enforced. All repeat
offenders will be removed from the swimming area for the
summer. The Police Department does not recommend children be
dropped off at the Dam without adult supervision. |
E-911 HOUSE
NUMBERING
In recent months, it has been increasingly difficult for
the ambulance and fire truck to locate addresses when 9-1-1
has been called. Several residences have either lacked
numbering or the house numbering has been inadequate,
resulting in critical minutes lost. As a result, we are
asking everyone to check their house numbers for loss or
winter damage. Numbering needs to be 3 inches tall,
reflective, and visible from both directions. In order to
ensure the safety of all residents, local 911 ordinances
will be enforced by Strafford Police as of August 1, 2008.
Should you have any questions, please call Town Office at
664-2192. |
DRIVE-IN MOVIE NIGHT
IS BACK!
Bring bug spray and a blanket for a night of
entertainment under the stars as Strafford Fire & Rescue
continues its summer movie series on the lower ball field at
Strafford School. Our next movie, Shrek, will take place on
Saturday, July 12. Concessions will be sold from 8 p.m. with
the movie starting at dark. Any proceeds will benefit the
Strafford Firefighters Association and its ongoing efforts
in the community. In the event of rain, the movie will be
shown on Saturday, July 19. |
STRAFFORD TOWN
REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE
The Strafford Town Republican Committee is looking for
good candidates for State Representative. New Hampshire has
one of the most accessible Legislatures with 400 members
representing our small State. If you are interested in
serving Strafford in the State House, please contact the
Republican Town Committee Chair, Jim Forsythe (jimforsythe@metrocast.net,
822-2588). |
| Click
here for News from the Town Clerk |
WARM WEEKENDS
July is warm, even in New Hampshire. All spring we
endure the cold and the rain and the gnats and the mud,
looking forward to those warm summer weekends. This last
weekend was warm as well. My husband and I spent half of it
in Boston and half in New Hampshire. In Boston we attended
the birthday dinner party organized by a husband who was
grateful to his wife for her love for him and their three
sons. She stuck with him through his long bout with
post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of fighting in
Vietnam. Knowing the story brought tears to my eyes as they
danced together. MORE... |
ANGELS WALK FOR
WISHES
The first annual Angels Walk for Wishes will be held
Saturday, August 23, 2008, in Strafford, NH. Registration
begins at 9:30 a.m., and the walk begins at 11:00 a.m. This
event is held in memory of 5 precious babies who left us too
soon, some before we ever had the chance to say hello. Our
losses have inspired us to give back, to share our babies’
love, and to allow them a voice. All proceeds from our event
will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of New Hampshire.
The NH chapter has brought hope, strength, and joy to almost
700 children across our State. The magic of childhood comes
from believing that wishes do come true, so it is with great
pride that we bring you our Angels Walk for Wishes. Help our
angels to share the power of a wish®…
You can register online or fill out and mail in our
registration form. If you have been touched by a pregnancy,
stillbirth, or neonatal loss, you can also register the baby
to be specially recognized at our event. Donations and
sponsors of every level are welcome and very much
appreciated. Additional information can be found by visiting
our website:
www.angelswalkforwishes.com or by calling 603.608.8612. |
LIBRARY LINES
As a memorial for Carol McCarty, a sundial was
installed on the Hill Library front lawn. A plaque
commemorating her service and love of poetry will soon
appear on the Library wall. Sundials are one of the earliest
time telling instruments, the earliest called obelisks
(3500BC) and shadow clocks (1500BC). The sundial is a
simple, but accurate, instrument which tells time by the
movement of the shadow a pointer casts upon the dial marked
with the hours of the day. The shadow moves as the sun
changes position in the sky throughout the day, and the dial
tracks its movement. The type of sundial that we have at the
Library does not have moving parts, so please don’t try to
move the pointer as it will break off. Information on
sundials is available in the Library if you’d like to know
more about these interesting ancient instruments.
MORE... |
GARDEN
CLUB NEWS
Led by Co-Chairmen Carolyn Page of the Day Division and
Lorraine Gaire of the Evening Division, our 2008 Plant Sale
more than met our goals by selling 50 plants more than we
did a year ago. The raffle also set a record and found many
very satisfied winners, thanks to the enthusiasm of Chairmen
Betty Buckman and Winnie Fracassi. The Club thanks the many
donors to the raffle as well as those who donated all those
plants. The day's success means that we can continue
providing three college scholarships as well as funding our
beautification projects around Town.
MORE... |
THE BOW LAKE
COMMUNITY CLUB FOR THE BOW LAKE GRANGE HALL
After summer’s dramatic, record-breaking arrival in
early June, one can only hope it continues through the next
eight weeks, providing unlimited opportunities to enjoy
family, friends and that priceless natural resource in our
community known as Bow Lake! We kick off the summer of ’08
with a smorgasbord of events scheduled at the Bow Lake
Grange Hall - you may never have to leave Strafford to find
something fun to do all summer long! MORE... |
CONSERVATION NOTES
At last! As of the July Calendar deadline in
mid-June, all is on track for a July 31 signing of the
Isinglass River Corridor project. As you know, it won’t
be just the 287 acres along more than a mile of the river
that is protected when all the ink is dry. The Bedford gift
of land and the protected portion of the School District
property add to the public acres, and generous landowners
are signing conservation easements on their private lands in
several areas of Town. All in all, it will be close to 1000
acres of newly protected land here in Strafford! Among these
acres are many types of woodland, a variety of wetlands
including open still waters, marshes, bogs, swamps, vernal
pools and, of course, the running streams of the Isinglass
and its tributaries. It offers so many kinds of homes to the
abundance of Strafford wildlife and offers Strafford’s
people scenic pleasure, recreational opportunity, and pride
in realizing more of our Master Plan goals. MORE... |
STRAFFORD WOMEN'S
CLUB
June has come and gone, but we will remember the tales
of Africa shared with us first hand by Jo Eldridge after our
business meeting. We had fun and learned a lot because we
were totally captivated. Thanks so much, Jo!
Now that summer is here and July has made its appearance, we
are preparing for the first of our annual ICE CREAM SOCIALS
to be held on the 9th (the other on 8/6) at the Bow Lake
Grange Hall from 4:30 to 8:30. Held with an annual RAFFLE,
this is our largest SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER. Be sure to mark
your calendar for both socials so you won't miss this great
opportunity to help fund scholarships while building your
own sundae! Raffle tickets may be purchased from WC members
or at the socials with winners being drawn at the conclusion
of the August social. Look for a partial list of prizes
elsewhere in the Calendar.
Later on, ladies, on July 28, we will have a LUNCH trip to
the Green Bean Restaurant in Dover. We'll carpool at the
church at 11:30 a.m. If you were unable to attend the last
meeting, expect a call from Alice. We welcome guests and new
members. Questions? Call Jane 664-9202. |
AVOID BITES AND
STINGS THIS SUMMER!
The sun is out. The temperatures are rising. At last the
screened doors and windows can let in the fresh air. Summer
is finally here! As you enjoy the great weather, however,
please give some thought to hazards that come with the
season and take steps to protect the safety of your family,
your friends, and your Postal employees.
Dogs like the spring weather, too. Cooped up
all winter, they want to play now that it’s pretty outside.
But dogs can present a hazard. Last year more than 3,100
letter carriers were attacked while on the job delivering
the Nation’s mail. And that number pales in comparison to
the more than four million Americans – most of whom are
under the age of 13 – bitten by dogs all across the country.
What can you do to ensure that your dog doesn’t injure
someone? First, be sure that your pet is always properly
restrained. Make sure your fences are secure and locks are
in place. Make sure that your children understand that your
dog should not be allowed out, except while on a leash
controlled by a responsible family member. And make sure
they know how to keep themselves safe around animals,
because even your neighbor's usually friendly dog might
bite.
Bees, wasps and hornets like warm weather,
too. They often make nests in cozy places, such as mail
receptacles, porch overhangs, and flower beds. Thousands of
people are allergic, making a bee sting a potential
life-threatening event. What can you do to prevent bee
stings? Periodically check your mailbox, the eaves and
overhangs of your house, and your flower beds, and remove
any insect nests promptly.
Children are out and about enjoying their
summer vacation. Remind them to stay clear of the mail
carrier as they make their rounds. Children should wait
until their carrier has pulled safely away from the mailbox
before retrieving the mail. Help protect your letter carrier
and have a wonderful and safe summer. |
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