Happy 2023! The New Year and January Advocate bring thoughts of traditions and resolutions, and much good news from Dublin!

The Grand Monadnock Rotary Club is making progress on its goal of bringing outdoor sculpture to our region. The Dublin Public Library has chosen a winner in its bumper sticker contest, and stickers will be available for sale in January. Stop by the Library for events and programs, or just to curl up and read a good book by the fire.

The Town of Dublin is seeking candidates for offices, and welcomes Maureen Hulslander who will fill in the remaining town clerk/tax collector term. The Planning Board and Energy Committee are both seeking your input on critical projects, so check out page three for more information.

Alan Edelkind has lots of information for Dublin residents about the school district budget process, so be sure to read how your tax dollars are determined and allocated. Shawne Hilliard, principal of Dublin Consolidated School, shares some recent progress students are making toward setting and meeting goals.

The DubHub has a new director, Monica Laskey, who takes the helm upon the retirement of Volkert Volkersz. The Smartphone Photo Contest display and opening reception will launch the month on Friday, January 6, and residents can bring their Christmas trees to the DubHub on January 7 to help feed the goats at Amazing Grace Animal Sanctuary during the winter months. Ongoing weekly programs continue.

The Harris Center and New Hampshire Humanities have films and book groups to help you through winter days and nights, and MAXT has two new ceramics courses starting. There’s lots going on in neighboring Jaffrey this month, including a celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday with speaker Aaron Mair, past president and current Board member of the national Sierra Club. Artworks “Inspired by Jaffrey” are requested for their upcoming 250th celebration.

We have another “enthusiastic recommendation” from Dublin resident and chef Judy Mortner, who highlights the pastries at Orchard Hill Breadworks in Alstead. The Dublin Community Church is offering a community takeout supper on January 24, and End 68 Hours of Hunger is grateful for donations received to help provide food for nearly 200 children each week.

Tom Warren heralds the arrival of pine grosbeaks in the region, sometimes thought to be a harbinger of a mild winter. We can only hope!

The Recycling Committee has provided a great deal of information about the cost to the town when recycling lags, as it has done over the past ten years. They seek input on a proposal for a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) program, which would require a warrant article to be approved at Town Meeting to implement.

The Conservation Commission explains their charter, and is seeking new members to help monitor and protect local natural resources. Finally, Consolidated Communication’s subsidiary Fidium is offering three new plans for expanded internet service, and information is available online.

So, welcome 2023 – and please support our advertisers!

January 2023