Memorial Day Parade to be Held on Monday, May 25
Memorial Day exercises will be held on Monday, May 25, beginning at 11:15 am. The parade will form at Yankee parking lot at 11 am and march to the cemetery for a service. Afterward, a closing ceremony will be held at the flagpole in the center of town. All veterans are encouraged to participate as this is their day. After the services, the Recreation Committee will provide light refreshments at the back of Yankee Publishing’s parking lot.
These Memorial Day photos were taken at last year’s parade by Hal Close. Hal has had a number of photography shows over the years, most lately in Jaffrey, Peterborough and at the Audubon Society in Concord. While he and his wife Margot lived in Harrisville until their recent move to RiverMead, Hal has deep roots in Dublin. His parents were Joe and Luette Close who lived on Close Road, and his sister Luette Bourne still spends summers in Dublin. Hal’s career was in law, politics and broadcasting.
A Post College Grad
Gus Meissner will graduate from Clark University with his MBA (marketing concentration) in May and will be inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, an international honor society for business students. As an undergraduate at Clark Gus majored in Business Management and minored in Entrepreneurship. He balanced academics with active play for the Ultimate Frisbee Club.
Gus is currently a Business Specialist at Unum, a Fortune 500 provider of disability insurance, located in Worcester, MA, and is also a member of Unum’s green team, where he is working to further sustainability initiatives within the company. After graduation Gus plans to continue living in Worcester for the summer before moving to the greater Boston area with his girlfriend Olivia Krommes of Peterborough. Gus is the son of Bob Meissner and Pat Meissner of Dublin.
Graduating? The Advocate welcomes submissions from Dubliners who are graduating high school and college accompanied by a short paragraph and photo. Please e-mail by May 15 to DublinAdvocate@nullgmail.com, so that we may include it in the June issue.
Trustees Offer Scholarships, Due May 1
By Bill Goodwin and Tim Clark
Places like Dublin thrive because on a daily basis people care about their community. This attention to civic responsibility takes on many different forms and, in turn, this range of civic engagement helps to define the character of our town. Because the people of Dublin believe that education is one factor in maintaining a strong community, the Dublin Trustees of Trust Funds Scholarship Committee is pleased to offer three scholarships of $1000 each that will be awarded to legal Dublin residents who are continuing their education beyond secondary school. The Scholarship Committee consists of Tim Clark, Mary Loftis and Balmeet Kaur Khalsa.
The application for the scholarship was developed by the Scholarship Committee in March and distributed to the secondary schools attended by Dublin students early in April. Copies were also made available at the Town Hall.
The completed applications are to be submitted no later than Friday, May 1, to the Trustees of Trust Funds, PO Box 127, Dublin, NH, 03444.
Bill Goodwin is Chair of the Trustees of Trust Funds; Tim Clark is Chair of the Scholarship Committee.
Dublin Public Library
An intriguing new book is Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be by Frank Bruni. This 200-page book is a look into the college admissions mania. It is informative, inspiring, insightful. Everyone should read this book: young, middle age, and oldsters. Another interesting read on a similar subject is Excellent Sheep by W. Deresiewicz.
During May, the Dublin Public Library Wednesday morning StoryTime will offer programs about mothers, exploring the outside world, gardening, and Memorial Day. Children can make something special for the moms in their lives. The children will get to hold a magnifying glass and look at a few bugs and worms up close and learn which ones help our garden soil.
Children love to sing and we will add a few patriotic songs to our favorites. Books that will be shared are If You Plant a Seed, Molly’s Organic Garden and We All Sing with the Same Voice. Refreshments will be served and a different craft is offered each week. StoryTime is held on May 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 9:30 to 10:30 am.
Books
Blood on Snow by J. Nesbo
The Handy Islam Answer Book by J. Renard
She Weeps Each Time You’re Born by Q. Barry
Between You and Me by M. Norris
The Making of a Carpenter by N. MacLaughlin
At the Water’s Edge by S. Gruen
Hush Hush by L. Lippman
DVDs
The Theory of Everything
The Magic Flute
The Night at the Museum
Here Am I Send Me
Into The Woods
Wild
Welcome the Birds of Spring
Tom Warren, Dublin’s resident bird expert, will be talking about spring birds in the Monadnock Region. There will be slides, handouts, and an opportunity for discussion. Come see and hear Tom at the Dublin Public Library’s lower level on May 20 from 6:30 to 8 pm. This program is presented by the Friends of the Dublin Public Library.
Join Book Group
The Friends of the Dublin Public Library is sponsoring a book group led by Marsha Whitney. The group will meet each Thursday evening at 6:30 pm starting May 7 in the library.
The first book in the series will be Farm City by Novella Carpenter, a memoir of a woman who turned a vacant lot in downtown Oakland into a thriving farm.
Let the Friends of the Dublin Public Library know you’d like to join and a copy of this book will be held for you at the library. Email us at Dublin.Library.NH@nullgmail.com or simply stop by the library to sign up.
News from the Dublin Women’s Club
By Jill Lawler
The Women’s Club Beach Committee has set the schedule for setup and its summer program.
Volunteers are needed for two setup days: Sunday, June 14, beginning at 11 am and Saturday, June 20, beginning at 10:30 am. Lunch will be provided to volunteers.
A lifeguard will be on duty beginning on Saturday, June 20, and lessons will start on Monday, June 29. The season will end with our traditional Fun Day on August 14.
We are happy to report that our very experienced staff is returning again this summer with Megan Briggs covering the weekends and Polly Seymour and Liz Lawler teaching lessons and covering the beach during the week. Megan and Liz both grew up learning their swim skills at the beach and Polly has taught there since 1989.
Jill Lawler is Chair of the Beach Committee of the DWC.
First Female Officer Joins the Force
Dublin has two full-time — and now one part-time — police officers.
By Margaret Gurney
“I’m honored to be working for the Town of Dublin,” Officer Melissa Hetrick opens, and she is also pleased about working with Dublin’s Chief Sullivan. “He’s so personable,” she adds.
Since Officer Hetrick is an avid sportswoman who enjoys kayaking, hunting and fishing, it comes as no surprise that Dublin’s newest part-time police officer describes herself as a jack of all trades.
Called in to replace Officer Cheshire who is fulfilling a military commitment, Officer Hetrick is currently Hancock’s full-time police officer (a position she will keep), and brings many relevant skills to her new position with us.
Before obtaining her degree in law enforcement, Officer Hetrick served in the US Navy for four years, and was stationed in Jacksonville, FL. Prior to that, she worked in a hospital as a clinical laboratory phlebotomist, and was previously an EMT. Although that certification has lapsed for EMT, she says, “I’d like to get back into that and recertify.”
Officer Hetrick has been in law enforcement for almost six years, the last five in Hancock. It was our police department’s administrative assistant Vira Elder’s recommendation that got her in the door. “I have nothing but good things to say about her,” Vira explains.
By assisting our other full-time police officers in general areas of duty including traffic and community policing, Hetrick looks forward to meeting with townspeople and working in and among our community. But her responsibilities may seem tame in comparison to her former military responsibilities.
Officer Hetrick was an aviation ordnanceman handling many weapons, mainly torpedoes. She was a Plane Captain on H3 helicopters and served on the decks certification of two aircraft carriers, the John F. Kennedy and the John C. Stennis, launching and bringing in aircraft. She handled turnarounds and made sure the planes were safe for flight. Onboard, and skilled as a sharpshooter, she helped train Navy Seals and Search & Rescue personnel in shooting, and enjoyed operating an M-60 from helicopters.
Officer Hetrick says she had a cameo appearance in G.I. Jane with Demi Moore and had a small part in the Miami School Bus Hijacking “after school special,” where she played the role of a police officer. Officer Hetrick has also been an Advisor for the New Hampshire Police Cadet Training Academy since 2013.
Originally from the Midwest, Officer Hetrick hopes to find time for some outdoor activities, though with such a busy work schedule, it may prove difficult. Do say hello when you meet her around town.
Margaret Gurney is editor of the Advocate.
Your Turn to Speak Up
The Highway Safety Committee would like public input on traffic safety issues. Tell Chief Sullivan your concerns and he will bring them to the committee at the next meeting, which is scheduled for May 13, 6 pm, at the Town Hall.
Residents can call Dublin Police Chief Stephen Sullivan at (603) 563-8411, or email him at ssullivan@nulltownofdublin.org.
Get Your Weather from People Who Live Here: If last winter taught us one thing it is to understand the weather here in the Monadnocks. A fellow resident of the region, Rich Lefko, provides daily forecasts, storm warnings, advance notice of stormy weather when possible, through the site: RichLefko.com. Sign up for free Thursday Weekend outlooks.
Message from Our School Board Rep
By Fiona Tibbetts
Happy Spring, we all deserve one after the winter we’ve had! Since I last wrote to you, the district budget and articles passed as did the teachers contract. The School Board voted to outsource ConVal Food Services to Cafe Services in an effort to rein in costs. It was a difficult decision but I believe the right one. I am no longer on the Budget and Property subcommittee, but hopefully the new committee members will continue the work we have been doing to keep the district running as efficiently as possible. The District Study committee has been absorbed into the SAC(Selectman’s Advisory Committee) and I am no longer a member of that committee either. Hopefully they too will continue the work we have been doing these past two years to address decreasing enrollment and increasing costs in our school district. I have been assigned to the Education subcommittee for my final year as your representative so please let me know your views about the education we provide in the ConVal School District. I will continue to work hard as your representative and would greatly appreciate any and all input from my fellow Dubliners!
Fiona Tibbetts can be reached at 566-2823 or email her at fionatibbetts@nullgmail.com.
Register Now for Dublin Summer Playground
By Eliot Pelletier
Spring has finally arrived so summer can’t be far behind! Looking for a fun way for your kids to fill up their vacation? Let them take part in a true Dublin tradition, Dublin Summer Playground.
The day camp has been a summer mainstay in Dublin for more than 40 years. The Playground is open from 9 am to 3 pm on weekdays from June 29 to August 7 at Dublin Consolidated School.
The camp features daily games and craft projects as well as several fun NH field trips. Highlights include trips to Canobie Lake Park and a hike up Mt. Monadnock; weekly walks up to the Dublin Public Library for StoryTime; and fun daily activities like tie dying, gardening, four-square, a bike rodeo and tag.
Cost for the entire seven weeks is only $150. Sign up now to reserve a spot! Drop off form (p. 4 May Advocate) at Town Hall.
Eliot Pelletier has been the director of Playground for the last 10 years. During the school year, he is a 5th grade teacher in Jaffrey.
Easter Egg Hunt Was Hopping
By Jen Bergeron
The Dublin Recreation Committee hosted the town’s annual Easter egg hunt on March 28 in the library. Though it was snowing (again), the Easter Bunny was able to hide plenty of eggs. Just after 10 am, kids of all ages began their search. Everyone was especially on the lookout for the three golden eggs! After looking high and low, Patrick Bennett, Jacob Carter, and Katelynn Horn struck gold!
We’d like to thank the Dublin Public Library staff for hosting our event again this year.
See you at our next event, the Memorial Day Parade. Hopefully the snow will be gone by then.
Jen Bergeron is a member of the Dublin Recreation Committee. Other members consist of Vira Elder, Chair; Daniel Adams, Dan Albert, Mike Caron, Ken McAleer, Bec Stapleton, and Winnie Sundstrom.
Developing Little Spirits
By Cathy Carabello
For many years, I have practiced yoga and meditation as part of my own wellness regimen at home and have recognized the many health benefits of both. As an educator of young children, I have occasionally offered some simple yoga, taking poses I have learned and simplifying them for preschoolers, but never on a regular basis.
In recent weeks, we were approached by Bridget McFall, a Dublin mom of two preschool-aged children, and a recently certified children’s yoga instructor, about doing a trial program at Dublin Community Preschool. Bridget was trained through Childlight Yoga and is certified to teach yoga to children ages 2 to 12 years old. After three weekly half-hour sessions, we were hooked!
In each interactive session, Bridget incorporates storytelling, games, songs and creative movement to engage the children. Through the process, the children are learning poses, breathing and balance and, even more importantly, they are learning to accept others for the good within them.
The benefits of a weekly session were clear. The children were calmer transitioning into the other activities of their day. Physically, yoga enhances balance, strength, coordination and flexibility while promoting body awareness. Emotionally, yoga helps to build self-esteem and self-respect. Mentally, yoga helps to develop focus and concentration and offers a means of self-calming.
We look forward to witnessing the continued benefits of yoga at DCP and are grateful to Bridget for reminding us of this extremely beneficial practice.
If you are interested in further information on Little Spirit Yoga, you can reach Bridget McFall at 563-8699.
Cathy Carabello is lead teacher/director of the Dublin Community Preschool.
News from the Dublin Consolidated School
By May Clark
The biggest and best news from DCS is our incredible readers! For this year’s Read-a-Thon, we set out to beat a goal of 57,822 minutes read over two weeks in April last year. Our readers topped 77,677!
We are all delighted and amazed by our students, who have put their whole hearts into this effort. Many children have gotten sponsors, and all funds raised will go toward some brand new playground equipment. Anyone who wishes to donate to the DCS/PTO for this purpose is welcome to — it could even be given in recognition of our readers! We ended our Read-a-Thon and Turn Off TV week with our annual Literacy Celebration and a celebration lunch the next day. Many thanks go to Jen Bergeron, Vicki Brown, and Bec Stapleton.
And speaking of our playground effort, parent Emily Bennett is heading up the fundraising and planning. She has already gotten plans and prices from different vendors, applied for two grants, and formed a committee to help. Thank you to Emily!
We have also completed the first round of the new state test, called Smarter Balanced. It was an experience! Our students did very well; the testing is all done on the computer, and requires quite a bit of savvy in order to get all the answers entered properly, never mind that the questions are really hard!
The month of May brings many annual events, such as Walk to School (May 8) and Art Day (May 26). We’ll also have a repeat residency visit from one of our favorite artists, Mark Ragonese. If you haven’t seen his installations in our school, come and visit. Just call or email first.
May Clark is Teaching Principal at Dublin Consolidated School. She can be reached at 563-8332 or mclark@nullconval.edu.
Mountain Shadows’ Olympic Studies 2015
Eleven Dublin students from Mountain Shadows School were among the presenters of month-long projects that let students learn the process of creating a project as well as exploring the individualized topics they each chose.
Quinten Boyle, all of 5 years old, attends his project on Dogs, showing their parts, complete with a storybook he wrote with pages in the shape of a bone.
Alex Catlin learned about making high-end jewelry from mentor Susan Barker, a well-known jewelry designer based in Dublin.
Avelea Kalvaitis was busy drying kelp seaweed to decorate the sea otter she carved from a large block of green soapstone.
Nakoa Kalvaitis created a diorama for Star Wars spaceships made out of Legos. His mentor was his older brother Kamanakai.
Surasa Kalvaitis studied about horses under Melissa Barden, a horsewoman and Dubliner who teaches math at Mountain Shadows.
Charlotte Lasky studied mosaic making, and completed a tray she made using real tiles.
Sita Moses, whose mentor was Melissa Barden, studied about horsejumping and created her own mini course on display.
Nora Rogers completed her own programming for Minecraft, a computer game. Her mentor was her father, Thaddeus.
Anders Silitch studied drawing, displaying different views of animals on mini canvases.
Birken Silitch studied movie making. Here is his viewing theater.
Oliver Wilson prepared his research about Nicaragua, complete with handcrafts and maps.
Retired Admiral Dale Gabel Committed to Community
By Ramona Branch
If you have attended the Memorial Day Parade starting at the Yankee lot and proceeding east on 101 to the cemetery, then you likely noticed the distinguished man leading the veterans in his full dress military uniform. It was Dublin’s retired U.S. Coast Guard Admiral, Dale Gabel.
Dale’s father was career Army. When it came time for Dale to decide where to go to college, he chose the Coast Guard Academy, from which he graduated in 1975.
Armed with a marine engineering degree and commissioned as an Ensign, Dale’s first assignment was in the engineering department of the Coast Guard Cutter Burton Island, a 269-foot, 6,000-ton icebreaking ship, creating channels in the Antarctic for supply ships to the U.S. Naval Base at McMurdo Sound. On a port call in Wellington, New Zealand, while assigned to the icebreaker, Dale met Shelley, a young New Zealander, who would become his wife three years later.
After two years on the Burton Island Dale expanded his undergraduate training at the University of Michigan and received two masters’ degrees, one in naval architecture and marine engineering and a second in mechanical engineering. His next post was Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC, working on hydrofoils and surface effect ships (large high-speed boats) in the Office of Research and Development.
In Key West, Florida, Dale took charge of engineering on a Coast Guard ship involved in drug enforcement. He explained, “Our mission was to keep drugs out of the country. We would stay out for three to four weeks at a time. During a two-year period we seized about thirteen boats including sail boats and shrimp boats, confiscating mostly marijuana.”
“More than anything else,” Dale says, “I enjoyed my times at sea. Particularly dramatic,” he continues, “was the seizing of a Russian vessel found fishing in U.S. waters. After confiscating the boat and catch, we towed the ship for two days until we could hand it off to another Coast Guard cutter that then towed it some 1200 miles to Kodiak, Alaska.”
“In every job,” Dale points out, “you are aware of the difference you are making. But when you become an Admiral you can make a much bigger difference.” In Washington as Assistant Commandant for Engineering and Logistics, Dale took on the task of examining how the Coast Guard managed its ships and bases. “We initiated a new system for managing our logistics,” he explained. “This greatly enhanced our control of maintenance and spare parts, and allowed us to begin analyzing how much it really cost to do our operations, and where we could find savings.”
In preparation for retirement, Dale and Shelley bought their home in Dublin in 2007. They chose the Monadnock Region to be closer to their son, Chandler, who lives in Merrimack, NH, with his wife Catherine, and Cornelius, an energetic two-year old.
Dale retired from the United States Coast Guard in 2009 after more than 38 years of distinguished service. His final tour of duty was as Commander, First Coast Guard District, headquartered in Boston, MA, where he commanded more than 12,000 active duty, reserve, civilian and auxiliary personnel and led 30 cutters, 200 boats, and eight aircraft in carrying out Coast Guard missions across eight states in the northeast.
For six years Dublin citizens have been on the receiving end of the skills Dale used in his military career. He was on the Budget Committee for five years and served on the Planning Board for two years.
Dale’s leadership extends to the private sector as well. He is the current President of the Monadnock Rotary Club, which meets every Tuesday morning in the Dublin Community Church. In July he will move up into Rotary district leadership as an Assistant Governor. Dale also continues his connection to the Coast Guard by periodically consulting on its acquisition programs, and he is on the Board of Directors of a company in Virginia.
What does this productive and well-organized Admiral do for fun and relaxation? “I love working on my cars,” Dale says. He and Shelley have a 1986 BMW, a 1988 BMW, a 2010 BMW and a 2001 Suburban. The couple enjoys gardening and is in the process of expanding their vegetable and flower gardens and enhancing the landscaping. He also is an avid reader of history and historical fiction.
Ramona Branch is a writer on the staff of The Dublin Advocate.
A Retirement Party for May Clark
Come celebrate with us at DCS on May 28 from 3:30 to 5 pm
Brown Performs at Keene State College
The 40th anniversary of An Evening of Dance.
Abbie Brown performed in the 40th anniversary celebration of An Evening of Dance presented by the Keene State College Department of Theater and Dance in mid-April.
Brown, a junior dance performance and choreography major, choreographed a dance for the 40th anniversary dance concert. She has performed in The Tempest, Spring Awakening, An Evening of Dance 2013 and 2014, and Choreography Showcase 2012 and 2014 while at Keene State.
A graduate of ConVal High School in Peterborough, Abbie is the daughter of Milton and Vicki Brown of Dublin.
Writing Camp
By Jill Lawler
My daughter, Liz, and I will again be offering a writing camp at the Monadnock Center for History and Culture in Peterborough this summer; it is co-sponsored by the National Writing Project in New Hampshire based at Plymouth State University. The Peterborough camp is one of more than a dozen NWPNH sponsors throughout the state.
The theme, “Write What You See,” is designed for students entering grades 3-5 and 6-8. The camp will meet from 9 am to 12 noon daily from July 13 to 17.
Our eyes are important tools for writing and in this camp students will use their eyes to explore their surroundings. We will write about the artifacts and exhibits we see as well as what we discover when we explore the grounds of the Monadnock Center and the Peterborough downtown. We will look at paintings and photographs and let our imaginations take us into them.
Cost is $125 per student; there is a $10 discount for siblings and for those who register before June 1. For more information or an enrollment form, please contact Jill Lawler at jilltlawler@nullgmail.com.
Jill Lawler retired in 2010 after teaching high school English at ConVal for 40 years. She is now a consultant with the National Writing Project in New Hampshire, working with teachers on implementing Writing Across the Curriculum. Elizabeth Lawler is a 2nd grade teacher at Antrim Elementary School where she has taught for the past seven years.
Marjorie Eaves Nielsen: 1933-2015
By Kiki Sangermano
Marjorie Lillian (Eaves) Nielsen, 82, died on March 29 at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Jaffrey. Marge was born March 25, 1933, and lived on the family farm in Jaffrey before marrying Jim McCarthy and moving to Dublin.
She was a well-known organist in the Monadnock Region, playing at the Dublin Community Church for 20 years and was director of the adult, youth and children’s choirs for many years. She met her second husband, Elden Nielsen (Advocate, Oct. 2012) while playing at that church.
Marge gave piano lessons and played at many nursing homes, plus she was a member of the American Guild of Organists and a Girl Scout Troop Leader. Elden and Marge loved camping and traveled the country. Marge also served as the organist and choir director at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Dublin for many years.
A memorial service for
Marjorie Eaves Nielsen
will be held on
Saturday, May 2, at 1 pm
at the Dublin Community Church
Marge is survived by her three daughters: Kathleen Fiske of Temple, Rebekkah McCarthy of Richmond, and Regina McCarthy of Bennington; her stepsons: Kenton of Goffstown, Barry of Lowell, MA, and Bradley of Lee; and her sister, Betty Nutting of West Suffield, CT. She has six grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
When Marge was a single mom raising her three girls, in addition to organ and piano work, she worked in private homes in Dublin. This is where I saw Marge most often and where she showed her wonderful sense of humor and dry wit. Once while we were waiting on table at a dinner party, she had me laughing out loud in front of all the guests from a whispered comment she made while she walked away looking back with a puzzled look on her face. Another time, while I was carrying a very large tray of demitasse coffee cups and serving the guests, she “floated” by outside some French doors with a white tablecloth over her head when I was the only one who could see her. I was often the brunt of her pranks but enjoyed every minute. Thanks for making me smile, Marge.
Kiki Sangermano has been a Dublin resident all her life. She and her husband live on Lower Jaffrey Road.
John R. Elder: 1928-2015
By Tim Clark
Close to 100 people turned out for John Elder’s memorial service at the Dublin Community Church on April 18. The high point of the event was his son Jim’s warm and funny stories of John’s life in Dublin and other local towns.
He recalled one night when John was late getting home for supper – “he was not the most punctual of men,” Jim explained. On this particular night, though, his first wife, Betsy, let her actions express her frustration. When the family sat down to eat, she brought in a hot tuna noodle casserole, and plopped it in Johnny’s lap.
As Jim related it, John said not a word, but scooped the casserole out of his lap, and went into the living room to read the newspaper.
John Elder, one of 12 children, died April 12 at the age of 86.
Tim Clark is a deacon at the Dublin Community Church, as well as moderator for the Town of Dublin.
The local Monadnock Ledger-Transcript profiled Dublin’s own Geoff Pinney
in its Health section on April 7, 2015 (p. 9). It was titled “An unlikely recovery”
and was written by Nicholas Handy: “Doctors told him he’d never walk again
after his stroke, but Allan Pinney is back on his feet…
A traumatic brain injury that paralyzes half of your body
and destroys your short-term memory can be seen as
a death sentence for most. Allan Pinney saw it as an
opportunity to grow stronger…” The full article is online at http://www.ledgertranscript.com/home/15849764-95/an-unlikely-recovery
The Hub’s Activities Continue to Grow
May’s special events are plentiful. Celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the “Breakfast Club” with the film and popcorn in the evening of May 30 (7-9 pm). Dress like the ‘80s if you dare and we’ll play ‘80s music. All free.
Art at the Hub: Michael Reilly will be displaying his paintings and sculptures during May. He presents the “Portrait of Jazz” series, which he has been developing for more than 10 years. This work, which is done in casein and ink, explores the relationship between painting and music in the free lyrical style that jazz represents.
Michael will also show a new series, “Portrait of Cuisine” that combines painting, collage and found objects. Michael lives in Harrisville with his family, and has a studio at the Harrisville Mill.
There will be a reception for Michael Reilly at the Dublin Community Center on Saturday, May 23, from 5 to 7 pm.
Please contact the teachers / leaders with questions: Qigong (Ginnette Groom 313-9828); Woman’s Fellowship (Candace Reed 563-7101); Kids Yoga (ages 2-6; Bridget McFall 563-8699); Adult Yoga (April Claggett 933-2574); and Zumba (Debbie Giaimo 563-8648). See Calendar (p. 14) for dates and times.
Chair of Beach Club Joins Advocate
Jill Lawler a welcome addition to the staff.
By Margaret Gurney
We are pleased to present our newest member on the masthead of The Dublin Advocate, Jill Lawler. Known for decades by every high schooler that passed through ConVal, she is no stranger to many in Dublin as well.
Jill moved to Dublin in 1968 when her husband Jerry, currently Chairman of the Supervisors of the Checklist, was hired by Founder Paul Lehmann for a teaching position at Dublin School, which also included coaching and dorm parenting.
Jill and Jerry were fresh out of college at that point, having both attended Bates College in Maine (alma mater of their two daughters as well).
They were at DS for 11 years, and their oldest daughter, Jess, was born during that time. Then Jill found a job teaching English at the high school in Peterborough, which had not yet formed into ConVal as we know it today. In fact, Jill was the last retiring teacher in 2010 to have taught at ConVal when it opened. Jill laughs as she recalls having about 125 students per year, “then I had their kids and maybe their grandkids but nobody confessed that. I’ve definitely been through many generations” while teaching in Peterborough.
And it’s a similar story at the Dublin Women’s Club, where Jill is currently Chair of the Beach Committee. She was a lifeguard and swimming instructor for many Dubliners in 1969. She recalls being hired by Betty Woodward who, she says, was a member of the Beach Club at the time. To this day, the Club continues to serve all residents of Dublin who join by providing a place for children and their families to swim in our beautiful lake.
But Jill is still involved in education. Although retired, she works for Plymouth State’s National Writing Project in NH, and she also mentors two student teachers who benefit from Jill’s nearly 40 years of experience in education.
Jill will bring a fresh perspective to editorial content for this newsletter; she feels the Advocate “has broadened its scope, and become an important source of community information. We know it’s read well because every time we need help setting up the beach, plenty of people turn up.”
Please join us in welcoming Jill to the staff of the Advocate.
Margaret Gurney is editor of the Advocate.
Rotary Speakers in May
By Sue Copley
The Monadnock Rotary Club meets in the lower level of the Dublin Community Church on Tuesday mornings at 7:30 am for fellowship, breakfast, updates on our service projects, and to hear a speaker of interest to club members. All are welcome to attend.
5/5 – Peter Tuttle, author and poet, speaking about his new book The Porch of Common Prayer.
5/12 – Forrest Cook retired banker and author, speaking about his book Money, Murder and Madness, A Banking Life.
5/19 – Chris Flynn, retired banker, speaking about SCORE, an organization of retired executives.
6/2 – Howard Mansfield, historian and author, speaking about his most recent book, Dwelling in Possibility.
6/9 – Frank Sterling and Dick Ames, speaking on the implications of various bills before the NH legislature.
6/16 – Helfried Zrzavy, Director of Technology at ConVal High School, speaking about cyber security and how to protect your online identity and personal information.
6/23 – Lorraine Walker, Monadnock Center for History and Culture, speaking about the Lusitania and the Peterborough residents who were killed when this ship went down 100 years ago.
If you are interested in learning more about the Monadnock Rotary Club, please contact President Dale Gabel at dggabel@nullmail.com, or Membership Chair Jerry Branch at jerrybranch2@nullgmail.com.
Sue Copley is a member of the Monadnock Rotary Club.
Dublin Community Church
Rummage Sale & Yard Sale
May 1 & May 2
On May 1st from 1 to 6 pm it will be time to pick up
your warm weather wardrobe. Shoes, lightweight jackets, bathing suits,
slacks, blue jeans. Plus, we have some wonderful linens, maybe some
new sheets, pillowcases and towels. There are always wonderful
housewares like dishes, cups, pots and pans.
What Caused the Banking Crisis
Local author sheds light on how it happened.
By Mary Loftis
Forrest Cook and his wife June moved to Dublin more than a decade ago following Forrest’s retirement from an illustrious banking career spanning over 35 years, during which he had served as senior vice president and retail division head at State Street Bank in Boston and as president and CEO of South Shore Bank and Bank of New Hampshire (now TD Bank).
Now the long-time banker has become an author with a new book entitled Money, Murder, and Madness, A Banking Life, which he characterizes as part memoir, part history of the banking industry, and part analysis of the recent financial crisis.
Forrest said his goal in writing this book was to cut through ponderous financial and economic jargon. The book has a readable and accessible style, and he includes many interesting personal anecdotes from his long career.
Forrest maintains that “people tend to lump all bankers together,” and the book serves as a vindication of his profession. He concludes that both Democrats and Republicans are responsible for the financial and housing crises, and he provides a specific and provocative analysis of just how this is true.
Forrest recently spoke about his book, published by AuthorHouse, at a well-attended event hosted by the Toadstool Bookshop.
On May 12 he will discuss his book at the Monadnock Rotary Club meeting (7:30 am, Dublin Community Church); and on Wednesday evening, July 8, Forrest will be the featured speaker of The Friends of the Dublin Public Library.
Mary Loftis is on the board of the Advocate.
Farmers Market on Wednesdays
Peterborough Farmers Market (www.peterboroughfarmersmarketnh.com) is open year-round from 3 to 6 pm every Wednesday at the new Peterborough Community Center (25 Elm St), and is looking forward to seeing its Dublin customers. Say hello to Andrea Kierstead, who lives in Dublin and has sold her baked goods at the market since it began 13 years ago.
DCA Graduation: Dublin Christian Academy (www.dublinchristian.org) will hold its annual Graduation on May 23 at 10 am. The Academy is located at 106 Page Road, in Dublin, and can be reached at 603-563-8505 ext. 15.
May 16 is Children & the Arts Day
The 22nd annual free Children and the Arts Festival is May 16 from 9 am to 3 pm in downtown Peterborough. Balloons, kites, birds and planes are in the spotlight this year with the theme “Up, Up, and Away.”
A year of planning and great community cooperation culminates in this all-day event, where the streets are closed to vehicular traffic and filled instead with song, laughter, parading Giant Puppets, food, fun, dancing, chalk art and the Art Walk.
Local groups and students are preparing by building giant puppets, rehearsing their dance and theater routines, and working on their sky-themed artwork.
The festival is free due to generous donations from individuals and businesses in the ConVal communities and beyond. For information, visit www.childrenandthearts.org.
New Hampshire’s Hands-Free Law Goes into Effect July 1
When NH’s Hands-Free Law goes into effect on July 1, it means no use of handheld electronic devices capable of providing voice or data communication while driving or temporarily halted in traffic for a stop sign or traffic signal or other momentary delays. (This includes cell phones, GPS, tablets, iPods, iPads or other devices that require data entry.) Emergency calls to 911 or other public safety agencies will be allowed, as will Bluetooth or other hands-free electronic devices. One hand non-cellular 2-way radio use will also be permitted. However, teenaged drivers under 18 years old will not be allowed to use any electronic devices except to report an emergency.
If your vehicle is not equipped with Bluetooth functionality, many auto service centers can install after-market systems or you can purchase over-the-ear devices at Staples, Best Buy or your cell phone carrier.
This law is important because during the past four years, 116 fatal crashes in New Hampshire were caused by distraction.
While texting, a driver is 23 times more likely to crash. Sending or receiving a text distracts the driver for almost 5 seconds. At 50 miles per hour, we travel longer than the length of a football field during that 5 seconds.
Local Nonprofit Gives Scholarships to Eight American Indian Students
Friends of the Oglala Lakota, a Dublin-based nonprofit organization, is giving $500 scholarships to eight college-bound American Indian students from the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. All winning students wrote essays about why they wanted to further their educations. The students are from two high schools, Crazy Horse School and Little Wound School, and it will be a challenge for them to live away from the reservation.
The Friends organization is also awarding one of their board members a commercial food processor. Jerry Goes In Center, who lives in Rapid City, South Dakota, makes a mixture of dried bison meat, chokecherries, and fat, called “wasna,” for the dialysis patients of Pine Ridge. The gift will enable Jerry to continue her outreach work of supplying proper nutrition to her community.
Pine Ridge is an Oglala Lakota reservation of about 20,000 people and covers about 5,000 square miles. The Friends have worked with the reservation’s schools promoting literacy for 21 years.
Nancy Cayford, founder and president of the organization, travels to Pine Ridge annually to visit eight schools and four clinics to learn what the schools want and need. At home, she and volunteers send many new books that are in demand to the schools.
5K Race in Keene Benefits HCS: Healthy Starts, the 3rd annual 5K Run/Walk event to benefit the Maternal and Child Health Program at HCS, will be held on Saturday, May 9, at 9 am. The race starts and finishes at HCS’s Keene office at 312 Marlboro Street. The 3.1-mile course is suitable for all, but please leave dogs at home. For information, contact Chaille Cohen at 352-2253 or ccohen@nullHCSservices.org. Register online at www.HCSServices.org.
Low Lily at Nelson Town Hall: On May 8, Monadnock Folklore Society presents a string trio, Low Lily, at 8 pm. Admission is $15/$12 (seniors, youth, or in advance). Low Lily, formerly called Annalivia, is an American string trio (Liz Simmons, Flynn Cohen and Lissa Schneckenburger), with histories in traditional music, ranging from bluegrass to Irish, Scottish, New England and Old Time Appalachian music. Contact the Monadnock Folklore Society at 603-762-0235 or http://monadnockfolk.org.
Clean Waters: Other Ideas
By John Morris
Last November, Felicity Pool wrote a compelling piece about how we should protect our water bodies and waterways. There are several things each of us can do to help. This is the third (and last) piece on ways you can help protect our water quality. In the past two months I wrote about controlling storm-water runoff and maintaining septic systems.
There are many other things we can do to preserve water quality. These include:
- Preserve vegetative buffers around water bodies, waterways and wetlands.
- Test your soil to determine which, if any, nutrients are needed and avoid fertilizers with phosphorus if possible.
- Do not over-apply fertilizers.
- Install drip line trenches and water gardens to absorb water running off buildings and paved areas.
- Use as little salt to treat icy roads as required.
- Clean your boat before launching to avoid spreading invasive aquatic plants.
See the New Hampshire DES shoreland protection fact sheet webpage http://des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/factsheets/sp/index.htm and the NH DES publication “A Shoreland Homeowner’s Guide to Stormwater Management” (http://des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/publications/wd/documents/nhdes-wd-10-8.pdf) for more detail on these and other ideas, which are useful for all properties. I hope you found these three articles informative and useful. I look forward to hearing of success stories.
John Morris is on the Dublin Conservation Commission, Dublin Lake Preservation Committee, and Dublin Planning Board. He can be reached at 563-7042 or jamnh@nullmyfairpoint.net.
Exhibits at the Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery
Ongoing Intersection: Art, Culture, and Identity II; Object based learning using the Thorne’s permanent collection.
April 18-May 9 Emerging Art: KSC Art Student Exhibition. KSC Art Department showcases work by 10 BFA and 5 BA graduating seniors. Summer Hours – Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday (12-5 pm); Friday (3-8 pm); closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
June 5-July 23 Furniture Masters 2015: Our Stories — Founded over a decade ago, the New Hampshire Furniture Masters Association (NHFMA) members create studio furniture in an array of styles including Period, Early American, Shaker, Neo-Classical, Traditional, Contemporary and Art Furniture.
Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery is located on Wyman Way of Keene State College in Keene, NH 03435-3501; Contact thorne@nullkeene.edu; www.keene.edu/tsag; or call 603-358-2720.
Hospice at HCS Volunteers: Hospice at HCS is offering a volunteer training program that begins on June 1 and continues on Mondays from 5 pm to 8 pm through July 13 at Peterborough HCS, 45 Main Street, Suite 316.
Volunteers can provide support to the patient and respite to family members by writing letters, reading, playing board games, scrap booking, visiting or attending events. The training is free, but class size is limited.
To register, contact Lorraine Bishop, Hospice at HCS Volunteer Coordinator, at 532-8353 or lbishop@nullHCSservices.org.
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