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REPORT FROM THE SELECTMEN’S OFFICE
Town and School elections will be held on Tuesday, March
9, 2010. The polls will be open from 8:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
at the Strafford Town Hall for voting purposes. Article 1,
to choose the necessary officers, will be voted on at this
time. Articles 2 through 16 will be presented for
consideration at 8:30 A.M. on Saturday, March 13, 2010, at
the New Hampshire Army National Guard Training Center.
MORE... |
ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
The Strafford Women’s Club is offering two $750 college
scholarships to full-time, graduating high school seniors
who are residents of Strafford. Scholarship application
Forms are available now at Coe-Brown’s Guidance Department
or mailed upon request by calling Lucinda Kerivan at
664-9200. Deadline for submission of applications is April
30. |
STRAFFORD RECREATIONAL SPORTS COLLEGE
SCHOLARSHIPS
Strafford Recreational Sports is offering two $500
scholarships for a male and a female student from Strafford
pursuing college in the Fall of 2010. Applicants must have
participated in Strafford Recreational Sports. See
www.straffordrec.org to download an application form.
Applications are due by April 1, 2010, mailed to Strafford
Recreational Sports, P.O. Box 261, Strafford, NH 03884.
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SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY
The Strafford Garden Club is offering two $500.00
scholarships to college-bound high school seniors or
students already enrolled in a college or technical school
or graduate school. Students will need a 3.0 grade-point
average to be eligible. These scholarships are offered to
students who live in Strafford and Northwood or are
relatives of Strafford Garden Club members. Any student may
apply, but those enrolled in—or planning to major in—courses
relating to plants, ecology, environment, or agricultural
studies, etc., will be given preference. Applications are
available at the Coe-Brown office or by calling Mary Lou
Lambert at 664-9503. You can get an e-mailed application
form from
carolyn_page@hotmail.com. Former winners may reapply.
The deadline for application is March 15. |
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BOW LAKE 5K RUN
On Sunday, May 2, 2010 there will be a 5K Road Race to
benefit the Strafford Recreational Sports program. The race
is on a certified course beginning at the Grange Hall and
will begin at 9:00 AM. There will be cash prizes for first
and second place runners overall, Male and Female. There
will also be a Walker’s category. Pre-register by April 24,
2010 for a fee of $15.00, or on race day for a fee of
$20.00. The first one hundred people to register will
receive a free T- shirt. To register visit:
www.straffordrec.org. |
SCHOOL BOARD NOTES
Please visit the Strafford School Website at
www.strafford.k12.nh.us and click on “School Building
Committee” to learn more about the proposed building
project, including the following items:
Warrant Articles
Bond Payment Schedule
Tax Impact Document
Building Project PowerPoint Presentation
Air Quality Test Results
Proposed “Infill Project” Floor Plan
Mechanical Systems Diagram
The desire of the Strafford School Board and Strafford
Building Committee is to present as much information
concerning the proposed building project as possible. We
would like our community members to attend our annual School
District Meeting on March 10, 2010, prepared to make
informed decisions concerning the state of our school. We
appreciate your continued support of our Strafford School
students. |
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SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT #44
Strafford School District, Strafford, NH
03884
* School District Meeting *
Wednesday - March 10, 2010 * 7:00 PM
Coe-Brown Northwood Academy, Gerrish Gym
907 First NH Turnpike, Northwood, NH 03261
Snow Date: Thursday, March 11, 2010 |
OPEN POSITIONS ON TOWN BOARDS AND
COMMITTEES
The following positions are open for reappointment this
year: Conservation
Commission: 2 members
Planning Board: 1 member
Zoning/Board of Adjustment: 2
members
The Board of Selectmen encourages all
residents to take an active role in their community. If you
are interested in any of the above positions please contact
the Selectmen’s Office for consideration via mail: PO Box
23, Center Strafford, NH, 03815, email:
admstraff@strafford.k12.nh.us, or phone (603) 664-2192,
x101. |
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SRS TRACK AND FIELD REGISTRATIONS
The SRS Track and Field Program is currently taking
registrations for the 2010 track season. The registration
form is available online at
www.straffordrec.org, Isinglass Country Store, Sheilah’s
Deli & Market (formerly The Blue Loon), and the Strafford
School. MORE... |
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GOOD NEWS CLUB
Children ages 5 -12 are invited to join us for a
funfilled time after school. Meeting at the Strafford
Elementary School on Fridays from 3:30p.m.–5:00p.m. starting
March 12th and going until April Vacation. By teaching
biblical principles, moral values, character qualities and
respect for authority we hope to help equip children to make
healthy, smart choices that will affect the rest of life.
Sponsored by New Hope Church in Northwood. For more
information contact Terri Marsh at 664-4044 or
dthsmarsh@metrocast.net. |
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TEEN CHALLENGE
Teen Challenge New England provides youth, adults and
families with an effective and comprehensive Christian
faith-based solution to drug, alcohol and other
life-controlling problems in order to become productive
members of society. By applying Biblical principles, Teen
Challenge endeavors to help people become mentally sound,
emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well and
spiritually alive.
A number of graduates from Teen Challenge
have said that the key to their success was developing a
personal relationship with God and putting into practice all
that they had learned while in the program.
Teen Challenge will be speaking to the Jr.
and Sr. High Sunday School Classes on March 14 at 9:00 a.m.
and then they will be ministering during the worship service
at 10:00 a.m. Please invite others to join you for these two
important services. For more information contact Pastor
Muzzey at 664-7750. |
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STRAFFORD SWAMP STOMPERS
OK Folks, time to start wearing the pajamas inside out and
wishing for snow! What ever happened to our New England
winter? We are still hopeful that Mother Nature will provide
us with some riding weather. We may be without the fluffy
white stuff now, but the club has continued to work on
various projects. We are grateful to the Conservation
Commission for the acquisition of the Evans Mountain
property. We hope to continue to work with them to preserve
the trails and beauty of this area.
MORE... |
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PANCAKE BREAKFAST TO BENEFIT FIRE STATION
and EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT
Come support the Eagle Scout Project of James Hayden, which
is to build a Smokey Bear fire danger sign and flagpole for
the Strafford Fire and Rescue Department. A Pancake
Breakfast fundraiser will be held on Saturday, March 27th
from 8am – 11am. at the Third Baptist Church (junction of
Routes 126 & 202A). Donations will be gratefully accepted. |
STRAFFORD GARDEN CLUB DAY GROUP
Not much is happening in the garden these days. But to
help you gardeners start to come out of your dormant state,
this would be a good time to re-pot those root-bound house
plants. If you don‘t have any defrosted soil handy, you
could pick up some store-bought stuff. It‘s also a good time
to do some pinching back of those straggly stems on your
indoor plants.For those of you who
haven‘t ordered your seeds yet, it‘s time to be checking out
those catalogs that came a few months ago. By ordering now
you can avoid the disappointment of finding that the stores
do not have the exact variety (especially heirlooms) that
you want.
The hardy members of the day group went to
the Dover Margaritas in February and enjoyed a nice meal and
some friendly chat. We will be going to the Common Man in
Portsmouth on Tuesday, March 9. Meet at the Bow Lake Grange
Hall parking lot at 11:30. Please call Debbie Shaver at
664-5951 or e-mail her at
dsbowlake@aol.com by March 5 if you plan to attend.
Don‘t forget about the Garden Club
Scholarship. See the article elsewhere in this newsletter.
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EVENING GARDEN CLUB
We are happy to announce the March 8th meeting of the
evening division of the Stafford Garden Club will be a talk
by and with Lauren Chase-Rowell. She will be presenting on
permaculture and simple and sustainable gardening and living
practices. (Permaculture is an approach to designing human
settlements and agricultural systems that mimic the
relationships found in natural ecologies.) Many of you have
already met Lauren since she has spoken in the past to both
the day and evening groups. If you haven‘t heard her before
you certainly are in for a treat. She is an amazing person
and an inspiration to anyone who cares about the earth.
The meeting will be held at the Hill Library
Starting at 6:30 on Monday March 8, 2010. All are welcome,
day and evening members and friends and neighbors. |
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TOWN DEMOCRATS HOST IRISH DINNER AND MUSIC
Happening this month! Come enjoy the third annual St.
Patrick’s Day dinner and foot-stompin’ live Irish music by
Strafford’s own guitar and fiddle duo “Mike & Mike” at the
Bow Lake Grange Hall on Saturday, March 6, at 6:00 p.m. The
event is a fundraiser for the Town of Strafford Democratic
Committee during this important election year. Tickets are
$15 per person or two for $25. Advance ticket purchases are
recommended. For tickets, call Bob Perry at 603-269-4651 or
talk to any committee member.
This festive evening includes a full
traditional Irish boiled dinner of corned beef and cabbage,
carrots, potatoes and homemade Irish soda bread, topped off
with Watergate cake, coffee and tea. Vegetarian option of
lentil loaf and colcannon also available. BYOB. Soft drinks
and set-ups available. PLUS enjoy a lively musical show by
“Mike & Mike” – guitarist Mike Morris and fiddler Heather
Mike draw from a wide range of influences, from Celtic and
Cape Breton fiddle tunes to percussive blues and modern
acoustic guitar styles. Round out the evening with raffles,
prizes, special guests and an inspiring tip of the hat to
famous Irish Democrats.
Visit the Strafford Town Democrats at their
regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 2, at 7 p.m. at
the Hill Library in Strafford, or online at
www.strafforddems.org. |
COMMUNITY KITCHEN ANNIVERSARY
March 17th won’t be a celebration just for the Irish
this year. It will be the first anniversary of the Community
Kitchen at the Third Baptist church. I would like to thank—
again—all of the great people who are so committed to
volunteering their time and efforts to make all this
possible. We will enter another year with the hopes of as
much success, at least, as 2009. The Kitchen is open to all
for good food and wonderful fellowship each Wednesday
evening. |
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STRAFFORD WOMEN’S CLUB NEWS
Daylight lengthens, snow banks begin their retreat, and
hints of spring appear with the promise of rebirth and
renewal. As we gather on March 22 at NOON in the Idlepines
Room of the Bow Lake Church for the annual POT LUCK lunch
and meeting, we emerge from a two month hiatus, ready to
address the business and programs for the ensuing year.
Come! Old members, new members, those we haven‘t seen for a
while, and anyone interested in attending a Club meeting, we
want to see you! So, remember your dish to share, set-ups,
optional FOOD PANTRY ITEMS and fresh program and fund
raising ideas. Need a ride? Questions? Call Jane at
664-9202. |
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T.O.P.S. OPEN HOUSE
Here it is almost three months after that New Year’s weight
loss resolution. In the famous words of Dr. Phil, “How’s
that goin’ for you?” If, like so many of us, that resolution
has gotten bogged down in the cold weather need for comfort
food, how about reaching out for a little help and support
to get rededicated to a new healthier you? Your Strafford
Take Off Pounds Sensibly (T.O.P.S.) chapter invites everyone
to an Open House on Tuesday, March 23rd, from 6:15 to 7:30
at the Police Station lower level meeting room. It will be a
no pressure, no fee chance for you to learn about the
T.O.P.S. strategies that help keep one on track toward a
weight loss goal. We’ll talk about the friendship,
encouragement, fun contests, and weekly programs that make
the journey to a healthy weight much easier than going it
alone. Men, women, and teens are all invited. Come check it
out! |
STRAFFORD FIRE & RESCUE
by Lt. Tod C. Rix
The members of Strafford Fire & Rescue continue to focus on
training in 2010. Some citizens may have seen personnel
participating in ice rescue training on Bow Lake in
mid-January, an essential skill that we practice every
winter. While luckily we have had no major incidents
regarding ice rescue recently, it’s one of many skills
members are required to master. MORE... |
CONSERVATION NOTES
Conservation efforts in town are in high gear this spring on
two main fronts, and we need town input to turn these
efforts into reality.
As you have probably heard, in late January, a
conservation collaborative of Bear-Paw Regional Greenways,
The Town of Strafford, and the Blue Hills Trust signed the
papers, paid the money, and became owners of the 1015-acre
Evans Mountain tract. We have protected forever our view of
the forested mountainside, the varied wildlife habitats on
the mountain, and our rights to public access including
hunting and snowmobile passage on the traditional trail
across the property. MORE... |
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BLACK GUM CO-CHAMP
A newly measured black gum (tupelo) has just inched its way
to the position of the largest in town, but not by much.
This new tree nominated by Bob McLellan will have to share
the title of Strafford County Co-champion with the black gum
across the street. Measuring 84 inches in circumference at
breast height, it is three inches larger, but a foot shorter
then the tree that was measured in 2007. The average crown
spread is also larger than the other tree owing to a lot of
vigorous growth at the top. The new champ is owned by Lissa
D’Anjou of Roller Coaster Road but lives deep in the woods
behind her house. Carolyn Page and Cal Schroeder measured
the tree with Bob.
If you have some big trees you think might
be champs, give us a call. We have only one pine on our list
and this is a great time of year for finding and measuring
conifers, so keep your eyes open. Call 664-2934 or email
carolyn_page@hotmail.com. |
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BOW LAKE COMMUNITY CLUB
Let’s March into Spring! The Lakeside Players
will be marching into Chadbourn’s Restaurant in
Northwood with their first production of the year,
Dealt a Deadly Hand – Murder at Poconos Casino,
March 12th, 13th, 19th and 20th at 7:00 p.m., with a Sunday
matinee at 3:00 p.m. The mystery dinner show spoofing
“Casablanca” and winning the big jackpot will sure to
delight everyone. Tickets are $25.00 per person for this
amazing presentation; please call Chadbourn’s Restaurant for
reservations and menu selections. MORE... |
LIBRARY LINES
Preschool and early readers, come on out for Story
Hour every first and third Thursday at 2pm. Preschool
through early elementary age children are welcome to “Read
Across America” in a combination literature/geography class
at 2pm every second and fourth Thursday.
MORE... |
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