Happy December to all our Dublin neighbors! The December Advocate begins with a roundup of holiday events and services, which can be found throughout the issue with events at the Park Theatre in Jaffrey, Dublin Public Library, the DubHub, and DublinArts and Muse Gallery.
The Library is launching new programs in December, and plans an author talk with Eric Cervini (The Deviant’s War: The Homosexual vs. the Unites States of America) in conjunction with Nashua Public Library.
It is the way of things in a close-knit town like Dublin to say farewell to loved ones, even while we welcome new friends and neighbors. In this issue, we say thank you and farewell to our Town Clerk / Tax Collector of 16 years, Jeannine Dunne, as she heads to a new post in Dover, New Hampshire. We also recognize the contribution of retiring Program Director at the DubHub Volert Volkersz, which will be marked with a farewell concert on December 30. We remember Sheila King, longtime resident and local artist, who died recently. And we are delighted to introduce new residents Peter and Brittney Micali and their young son Tripp, for those who don’t yet know them!
In local education, both Dublin School and Dublin Christian Academy celebrate athletic successes – the Dublin School mountain bike team and DCA’s volleyball both took top honors at their seasons’ close. Our ConVal School Board representative provides information on the recent community forum, the school district budget, and long-term consideration of consolidation/reconfiguration plans. And Dublin Consolidated School principal reflects on gratitude.
This month, in addition to regular programs, the DubHub will again host the Small Treasures Art Show and Sale December 2-5, a holiday singalong on December 4, and a takeout community lunch on December 15.
The Supervisors of the Checklist offer thanks for the many volunteers and town officials who made the November election a success. Other town news includes an update on Transfer Station fees, the town budgeting process, and an informational meeting about a community power proposal from Cheshire County, hosted by the Energy Committee.
With winter upon us, the Harris Center gives families with young and very young children the opportunity to get outside together and learn about evergreens, forest critters, and more. The Conservation Commission has been busy fulfilling its responsibilities as stewards of the Mud Pond conservation area, and Rusty Bastedo reminds us that drought conditions continue in New Hampshire, and that we need to be conscious of our water usage in the winter months to avoid costly remedies.
The month of December also brings many opportunities to reach out and take care of our neighbors. Reality Check, a nonprofit in Jaffrey, is offering a film series over the winter months that addresses mental health issues affecting our communities, especially young people. Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter (MATS) offers its Lights of Love program to remember loved ones and support their work of sheltering local families. Dublin Community Church provides a takeout supper free of charge on December 27, CVTC could use your help to provide non-emergency rides, and End 68 Hours of Hunger seeks donations of food for food-insecure students and their families.
We are grateful to our advertisers for supporting our work at the Advocate, and we hope you’ll support them in turn! Peace to all, and we’ll see you next in 2023!