1Stone Bridge Post • December 13, 2019www.StoneBridgePostNH.rocks

VOL. 2, NUMBER 2 Promoting Integrity in the Valley December 13, 2019 FREE VOL. 2, NUMBER 2 VOL. 2, NUMBER 2 Promoting Integrity in the Valley December 13, 2019Promoting Integrity in the Valley December 13, 2019

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The Kearsarge School District budget has jumped by nearly $1.8 million, mainly due to the second year of the teacher’s col-lective bargaining agreement. Last year’s increase was just 1.26 percent due to a de-crease in health premiums which offset some of the increases. Voters will be asked

to approve a budget of $45,069,217. Also, on the 2020 warrant is the fi rst year

of the collective bargaining agreement with the district’s para-educators, which gives a $279,009 increase in salaries and benefi ts for 2020-21, followed by two years of less-er increases, at $86,622 for 2021-22 and $84,636 the following year.

Similar to last year, voters will be asked to put $25,000 into the Special Education

Expendable Trust Fund for emergency sit-uations. Last year the amount was $15,000, and this money comes from surplus funds so it will not impact the tax rate. If approved, that will bring the total in the fund to just over $280,000. Finally, the warrant asks vot-ers to place $50,000 of surplus funds into the School Buildings Maintenance Expendable Trust Fund for “repair, unanticipated utility costs, and maintaining the school buildings

and equipment”. The current fund balance is $445,000.

Both the School Board and the Munici-pal Budget Committee are in agreement on all of the warrant articles this year.

The deliberative session to discuss and make changes to the warrant takes place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, January 4, and voting takes place in March at the polls.

Kearsarge 2020-21 budget up 4.1%

One smart cookie, Adelyn Davison got all the cookies she wanted at the Smith Church Cookie Walk on Saturday. See more inside on page 2. (Michael Pon photo)

Jack Snyder shared some important inside info with Santa at the Henniker Fire Department Cookie Craze on Sunday. See more inside on page 6. (Michael Pon photo)

By Lucy PivonkaStone Bridge Post

Due to the holidays our press schedule has changed, we will hit the stands on Mondays Dec. 23rd and Dec. 30th instead of our usual Fridays. Sorry for any inconvenience.

The Holiday Season is in full-swing!

2 December 13, 2019 • Stone Bridge Post www.StoneBridgePostNH.rocks

Smith Church Cookie Walk

Noah Greenwood had to weave his way through a crowd of towering adults to get his cookies at the Smith Church Cookie Walk on Saturday. (Michael Pon photos)

Kyle Knapton had his hands full with his daughter Laurel and pounds of cookies.

Incasts Jeremiah Williams, Emma Matteson, Mercedes Fournier, with Rusty Wightman, who pointed out that they meet each Tuesday at Smith Church.

John Stark Connec-tions is the off-site cam-pus that uses an alterna-tive approach to support students in their pursuit of a high school diploma. Connections emphasiz-es personalized learning through strong communi-ty connections, authentic civic and social experi-ences, and favorable stu-dent/teacher ratios.

Earlier this fall, the Peer Leaders on the main campus were hard at work on a project that would focus on build-ing community within John Stark. They deter-mined one of the areas they could be most ef-fective was between the main campus and the Connections campus. The physical difference in locations made for an automatic barrier to each group knowing about and understanding each other.

In early December, a group of Peer Leaders came to visit the students at Connections and learn about their program and the opportunities for stu-

dents. Over a delicious breakfast prepared by Connections students and staff, the ice was broken. Kids and teachers got to know each other and connect. Everyone par-ticipated in Connections’ daily morning meeting and then had time to ask questions and play a fun team-building game.

A lot of learning hap-pened on that day. Peer Leaders learned that Connections students love their teachers, the class sizes, the commu-nity, and the opportuni-ties. During the building tour, the Peer Leaders were able to see why the Connections program is limited in numbers as they are located in a very small space. They also recognized how the phys-ical closeness also has a positive impact on their ability to thrive in that particular educational setting. In turn, the Con-nections students recog-nized that they are being successful in class due to their caring teachers and

the supports they need in a smaller setting.

What would Con-nections students like to change? They’d like to change the general thought that Connec-tions is a punishment and asked the Peer Leader for help with that incor-rect perception, which took the Peer Leaders by surprise. Why? Because after spending just two hours, the Peer Lead-ers didn’t want to leave. “It was obvious that the students at Connections have really great relation-ships with their teachers,” said Peer Leader Summer Giroux. “They were en-gaged, leaders in the pro-gram, and very happy,” she continued.

The Peer Leaders plan to continue their work this year on building community between the main campus and Con-nections with visits to the Connections site and educating students on the main campus about the program.

John Stark Peer Leaders Make Connections at Connections

Benjamin Perrin was sure to get his share of cookies.

3Stone Bridge Post • December 13, 2019www.StoneBridgePostNH.rocks

Stone Bridge Post is a weekly newspaper published every Friday. Stone Bridge Post readership consists of the Rt. 202/9 corridor with heavy circulation in

Antrim, Bennington, Bradford, Contoocook/Hopkinton, Deering, Henniker, Hillsborough, Newbury, Washington, Windsor and Weare.

Publisher/Editor: Michael Pon Co-Owner: Dwight Gould

Graphic Designer: PJ Fischer Sales: Cindy Stosse

Circulation: Ken Matthews Correspondents: John Segedy; Lucy Pivonka; Marjorie Cilley;

Jill Pertler; Jim Bailey

Stone Bridge Post welcomes letters, features, guest columns and pictures of local interest.

Correspondence may be sent to:

Stone Bridge Post, Inc. PO Box 225, Hillsborough, NH 03244

Phone: 603-854-0174Email: stonebridgepost@gmail.com

Website: StoneBridgePostNH.RocksFacebook: Stone Bridge Post NH

A screening commit-tee to include two board members, two commu-nity members/parents, three teachers, two ad-ministrators, and two staff members is current-ly being formed to assist in the selection of the next Assistant Superintendent of SAU 24. If you are interested and available to join this team, please contact Jacqueline Coe at jacqueline.coe@sau24.org by December 18. We

will confirm committee membership by Decem-ber 20.

The screening com-mittee timeline is as fol-lows. All meetings will take place at the SAU 24 offices at 258 Western Avenue, Henniker, NH. The first meeting will take place on Jan. 15 from 3:30 - 5. Next the commit-tee will screen applica-tions on Jan. 22 from 3:30 – 5. Interviews with the committee will take place

Jan. 28 and Jan. 29 from 4 – 8 both days. Candidates to meet with SAU lead-ership team the week of Feb. 10. Public candidate interviews with the SAU 24 board will take place Feb. 19 from 5:30 – 7:30.

SAU 24 is comprised of five schools, four dis-tricts, one community serving the public schools in Henniker, Weare, and Stoddard, NH.

SAU 24 seeks screening committee volunteers

Trains at Heritage Museum

Conductor Benjamin Chadwick keeps his train running on time. (Michael Pon photos)

Tucker and Marcus White were fascinated with the many trains at the Hillsborough Historical Society Museum on Saturday.

School districts prepare to look for new assistant superintendent

4 December 13, 2019 • Stone Bridge Post www.StoneBridgePostNH.rocks

It was many years ago now at my childhood home in Austria, on a snowy St Nikolaus 6th of December, my first one, I was just four years old. My father’s friend who acted the part of the saint came with his son as Kram-pus, the develish companion who is said to stuff bad chil-dren into his Butte (backpack) and carry them off to who knows where …

“Onkel Hubert” was the nephew of the prelate of the local monastery and so was allowed to borrow the richly gold and silver embroidered vestments, the mitre, staff, fancy slippers and jeweled ring (which we all had to kiss reverently). My sister and I watched from the alcove as the pair slowly walked up the snowy garden path. We were shivering with anticipation and just a little fear…

The entrance of the saint was very solemn with greet-ings of peace and wishes for a holy Advent. In those days Advent was still a “closed season” which meant no sweets until Christmas! So the gifts that St. Nikolaus brought: apple, orange, nuts, lebkuchen and maybe a little wooden toy that we could later hang on the tree. Only one candle was lit on the advent wreath, which made it spooky with the Krampus rattling his chain behind the stove. We were asked if we had been good children, which of course we were, and mother agreed with some reservation. (Papa had already been sent to the Russian front.) Then we had to recite a poem and sing a song, after which St. Nikolaus with blessings and the Krampus with a quick use of his Rute (a bundle of birch twigs) left by the way they had come.

The real St. Nikolaus had been bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, now Turkey, where he was loved for his care and generosity. The story tells of three young girls who were

so poor that they had no dowry and therefore could not get a husband! So one night Nikolaus threw three golden apples into their room that brought a happy ending to the family’s woes. Many churches and people revered him as their patron saint - even bankers and thieves!

The belief that good and evil walk the earth in the long nights of the year has roots in pre-Christian times. Kram-pus is sometimes depicted as a boar or goat with horns

but mostly as a devil with one human foot and one cloven hoof. The Brothers Grimm have a story: “The Devil with three Golden Hairs,” which hints at his divine origin: a fallen angel. I remember later in my teens, boys would dress up as Krampus and come with “Ruten” to chase and spank us!

When our children were little we sometimes had to find a substitute saint. The best St. Nikolaus fill-in was a dear neighbor of Jewish faith who said he was delighted to be a Catholic bishop for an evening. His son, a spirited Krampus, later became an internationally known oncol-ogist.

Several years ago, I donned the Nikolaus outfit I had made in 1962 and headed downtown to surprise Kim and Jack Wells at the Central Square Emporium in Hillsbor-ough. My bishop staff at the time consisted of an alumi-num foil embellished broomstick, which Jack immediate-ly considered inappropriate ”That won’t do!” he said and presented me with a beautiful hand-crafted shepherd’s crook which I have used ever since.

Last Friday night, my husband Gil dressed as St. Ni-kolaus made good use of it walking up the snowy road. Neighbor Jay Emmert kindly volunteering as Krampus lit the way to the Studio where children were waiting with joyous anticipation and just a little fear…

Although St. Nikolaus and the Krampus have left, you can still visit Sissi’s Art Studio in Hillsborough’s Old Center, where wonderful Lebkuchen (decorated ginger-bread cookies) as well as other holiday decorations are on sale. The cookies and decorations will be available daily from 10 – 3. You might call (464-3850) ahead so we don’t miss you.

It was a cold and snowy night – the 6th of DecemberBy SiSSi Shattuck

St. Nikolaus and the Krampus approach Sissy’s studio on a snowy night. (Courtesy photos)

The Krampus and St. Nikolaus crouched in wait for children to come.

The tree was lit and St. Nikolaus was there!

5Stone Bridge Post • December 13, 2019www.StoneBridgePostNH.rocks

Students in the 6th grade at the Henniker Community School will experience an expanded study of India through the school’s Artist-in-Residence program beginning in December and continuing into January. Aligning with the social studies curriculum, the program brings artists to the school to work with students to enrich their understanding of geography and culture of ancient and modern indige-nous people from around the world. The public is invited to the final performance with students and artists on Fri-day, January 24 at 7 p.m. in the gym. Admission is free.

Sunanda Sahay will be the first artist to work with the Henniker students. From December 16-19, she will teach them about a form of folk painting from northern India featuring pictures of nature and mythology and depict-ing different events in life. Sahay will then help students use acrylics and calligraphy pens to create their own folk paintings. Sahay grew up in Darbhanga in the heart of the Madhubani region in northern India.

During the week of January 21-24, 2020, three artists will come to the school—dancer Jasmine Shah of the Aangikam Dance Academy, Nashua; Martial Arts Grand-master Michael Couhie from Riverside Martial Arts and Wellness, Weare; and henna artist Denise Kelly of Squir-rel Cat Designs, Exeter.

Jasmine Shah returns to the Henniker Community School to share Indian dance with the sixth-grade stu-dents. Shah is the founder of Aangikam Dance Academy of Nashua, NH, an affiliate of the Nritya Bharati Institute of Bombay, India. A brilliant practitioner of Manipuri and Bharat Natyam (classical) dance as well as folk, she has more than 35 years of training in both styles. She worked with the Indian Drama Theater for 10 years before com-ing to the U.S. and has directed and choreographed many full-length and short dance dramas and performed widely throughout India and America. She has worked in private and public schools, libraries, corporations, nursing homes,

and nonprofit organizations and has received many awards and honors for her work.

Grandmaster Michael Couhie is 6th Dan in Hapkido and 9th Dan in Taekwondo. He was one of the first Ameri-cans to learn these martial arts and has been teaching these skills to adults and children for more than fifty years. The

students will learn about India’s contributions to martial arts and learn a routine for the final performance.

Henna artist Denise Kelly will also visit the school in January to teach students about the ancient Indian art of henna.

The Artist in Residency Program at the Henniker Community School is made possible by support from the taxpayers of Henniker and the Henniker PTA.

Henniker Community School hosts India folk artist

Sunanda Sahay

6 December 13, 2019 • Stone Bridge Post www.StoneBridgePostNH.rocks

It wasn’t only kids who scooped up pound after pound of cookies to bring home.

Jaxson the Flash, and Jordon Hess were at the head of the line at the Cookie Craze. (Michael Pon photos)

Reagan Dennis had a Christmas moment with Santa.

Cookie Craze at Henniker FD

Due to a recent acci-dent, Newbury’s insurance company, Primex, con-siders that police cruiser a total loss, consequently the Police Department is down one cruiser. This was also the vehicle that was scheduled for replace-ment this coming year. The insurance money from the accident will be used towards the scheduled new cruiser. All equipment was removed intact and can be used on the new cruiser when it is delivered.

The Police Department is looking to improve light-ing and install cameras in the front and back of the Police Department and eventually in the booking room. Fire Chief Henry Thomas commented that his department already has cameras. The library is another area that has been considering cameras. Some additional quotes will be sought after be-fore any final decisions are made.

Fire Chief Henry

Thomas reported they cov-ered Wilmot’s Fire Station as there was a 4-alarm fire at Floorcraft’s in their stor-age building.

Newbury resident Paul Christiansen came before the Selectmen and request-ed a cease and desist to some activity on 18 Proc-tor Road. Christiansen stated the business he is concerned about is in a res-idential area, but is restrict-ed because of the type of business and furthermore his parents were never no-tified as abutters. Another problem is the major exca-vation that was done which created water to flow onto his parents’ property.

Christiansen claimed that when this all started Planning Board member Bruce Healey signed all the Planning Board paperwork and there was no Site Plan. He also indicated there were false documents, one to get around his parents’ rights and one to cover it up. Healey said this was not what happened and if something was done incor-rectly it was in error. After further discussion Chair-

man Ed Thorson said all the facts of this complaint shall be checked out thor-oughly and followed up with whatever is necessary.

Property owner Ma-honey forwarded a letter to the Selectmen regarding a property on Crest Road in Sunapee Hills. Highway Administrator Cal Pruss-man spoke regarding this road, which is the responsi-bility of the Sunapee Hills Association, as it was nev-er accepted as a town road. The owners of the proper-ty are paying Association fees. Any problems would be considered a civil case from the residential own-ers and the Association.

Highway Administra-tor Cal Prussman reported that two new employees have started and so far 400 tons of sand have been spread on the roads this winter.

Thorson stated that while Police Chief Brad Wheeler was out for two weeks, Officer Sparks did a great job in covering the Police Department.

Newbury cruiser totaled

New London’s Emer-gency Management Com-mittee has teamed up with a Colby Sawyer College class to find out how read-ily the town could respond to a major disaster, like the ice storms in 1998 and 2008 when power was out

for days and the National Guard was called to assist.

To begin the process, town residents - homeown-ers, renters and business owners - are being asked to take a 5-minute sur-vey (https://tinyurl.com/rjtrhn8) to share their per-sonal preparedness, and comment on how they think the town handles

emergencies. The survey is complete-

ly anonymous and “will prove extremely beneficial in determining our emer-gency management bud-gets for the foreseeable fu-ture,” according to a recent press release. The town asks that residents com-plete the survey by January 15, 2020.

Survey for New London residents

By Lucy PivonkaStone Bridge Post

By Marjorie ciLLeyStone Bridge Post

7Stone Bridge Post • December 13, 2019www.StoneBridgePostNH.rocks

8 December 13, 2019 • Stone Bridge Post www.StoneBridgePostNH.rocks

A tentative date of January 28, 2020 is set for the Planning board to host a Public Hear-ing to learn of the changes for each chapter of the Master Plan. Prior to this meeting, Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Matt Monahan and Mike Tardif will be at a Planning Board meeting to review recent chapters the board has worked on.

At this meeting, there was some discus-sion on the fl oor as to the timing of putting an updated sign article on the Town Warrant for Town Meeting in March. The article would specifi cally relate to sandwich board signs as well as signs that have removable/

interchangeable letters. Vice Chairman Claire James pointed out that perhaps the Town should pay attention to the enforce-ment of the existing rules and regulations rather than come up with new ones. A pro-posal for the revisions will be worked on by Laurie Colburn and Marlene Freyler prior to their next meeting.

An E-Mail was received and discussed regarding a store front proposal for Map 6, Lot 103 from Steve Kelly, who will attend the next Planning Board meeting.

The Bradford Planning Board was intro-duced to and welcomed their new Secretary, Katie Olohan at their last meeting.

The regularly scheduled meeting will not be held on December 24th, Christmas Eve.

Bradford to hear Master Plan changes

FREE Delivery Of Building Materials

By Marjorie ciLLeyStone Bridge Post

Saturday December 14ANTRIM — Festival Gala & Meet-the-Artist Night, sponsored by Antrim’s Fes-tival of Trees, 7-9 pm at the James A. Tuttle Library, 45 Main St. An evening of holiday revelry and celebration. Entertainment, refreshments sweet and savory, Favorites winners revealed, Donation Basket Raffl es, Quilt Raffl e drawing. Free. 603-831-1802.ANTRIM — Come to Meet-the-Artists of the 10th Annual Festival of Trees from 7 to 9 pm at the Library. Enjoy entertainment, awards, and raffl es.BRADFORD — Children are welcome to a Crafting Event from 10:30 am-12:30 pm at the Rosewood Country Inn. All materials will be provided, plus hot choco-

What’s Happening 60 WORD LIMIT: Any calendar items we receive over 60 words will not be published so as to make space

for as many items as possible. Please send us your calendar events to stonebridgepost@gmail.comlate! Contact Odo at 603-938-5253.BRADFORD — Santa is coming to the Library at 11 am. Don’t miss your chance to sit on Santa’s lap and make your Christmas dreams come true!HENNIKER — Henniker Historical Society and Museum Annual Gift and Cook-ie Sale from 10 am-1 pm at the Grange building, 21 Western Ave. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to buy a variety of wonderful home-baked cookies for all your holiday needs. Also available are gifts such as our collection of wooden Cat’s Meow Henniker buildings including our newest, the Henniker Academy. Come early for the best selection!HILLSBOROUGH — The Ladies Aid Society of the Union Chapel will hold a Candle Light Christmas Service. Rev. Donna Vuilleumier will begin the holiday service promptly at 7 pm. All are welcome to attend, please remember to dress warm. The Union Chapel is located at 220 Sawmill Road.HILLSBOROUGH — Saturday Storytime at Fuller Public Library, 10 am. Join us for a story and gingerbread house decorating. You must sign up due to limited space, please call 464-3595.HILLSBOROUGH — Sign up for a Special Storytime 10-11 at Fuller Public Library. We’ll be decorating gingerbread houses!

Sunday December 15ANTRIM — The Antrim Baptist Church will be offering a free pancake breakfast on Sunday, December 15 from 8:30 to 10:00 am. Menu includes plain and blueber-ry pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit, orange juice and coffee.HILLSBOROUGH — Join Grapevine staff, parents and their children for a play group at Smith Memorial Church’s Dubben House at 34 West Main St. on Mon-days from 1- 2:30 pm and Fridays from 10-11:30 am. Fun play for kids, meet other parents. Drop-ins welcome. For more info call Carol at 588-2620 or email caroll@grapevinenh.org.

Tuesday December 17BENNINGTON — Come to the Dodge Library from 3:30 to 4:30 pm for the 5th Annual Candy Cane Sled Races! Snacks will be provided.HILLSBOROUGH — Smith Memorial Church, 30 West Main St., is offering a Blue Christmas service at 7 pm to provide a time of refl ection and comfort for those fi nd the holidays challenging rather than festive.HILLSBOROUGH — Fuller Public Library Mystery Book Group meets at 6:30 pm. We’ll be discussing Watching You by Lisa Jewell. Pick up a copy of the next book, In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware.

Wednesday December 18DEERING — Join us at 7 pm for art and craft night at the Deering Community Church. Bring your own art or craft to work on enjoying the company of others, or come and do wood-burned ornaments the 18th for a modest materials fee of $2 for the evening. All adults are welcome ages 18 and up and from surrounding commu-nities. Refreshments will be served. For more information, please email the church at deeringchurch@mcttelecom.com.

Friday December 20HENNIKER/WEARE — Annual Candlelight Carol Sing, 7 pm, Henniker Quak-er Meetinghouse, 529 Quaker St., Free. Bring a candle, stick of fi rewood or fi nger food to share. Snow date - Dec.22nd. Call 603-995-4311 for more information.HILLSBOROUGH — Annual Holiday Raffl e at Fuller Public Library ends to-day. Winners will be drawn at noon! Thank you to all who participated.

Tuesday December 24EAST WASHINGTON — Christmas Eve Candle Light Service 5 pm, East Wash-ington Baptist Church, 2234 East Washington Road. We Welcome All

9Stone Bridge Post • December 13, 2019www.StoneBridgePostNH.rocks

Contoocook - (603) 746-6677New London - (603) 763-1393Sunapee - (603) 763-1393

www.nhins.comBBarton@nhins.com

BENJAMIN K. BARTON,CIC, AAI

AUTO - HOME - BUSINESS - LIFEWhere you are known by Name

and not Policy Number.

Don’t miss the ever-popular Hancock Family Christmas at 4 p.m. on Saturday, 12/21. It’s one of the most memorable holiday events going!

As always, you’ll enjoy the Ju-nior Minstrels and Norway Pond Festival Singers, who have been in fine voice since early fall. And, yes, the Hancock Village Bell Ringers are returning, as well.

These local groups will be joined by the “astonishing” mez-zo-soprano Jazimina MacNeil, whom the New York Times calls “clearly a singer to watch.” The Chicago Classical Re-view adds, “MacNeil possesses a rich mezzo-soprano voice and a versatile dramatic style.”

Rounding out this cast is Han-cock’s own composer/fiddling champ Steve Schuch of Night Her-

on Music, creating sounds of nat-ural beauty that bring audiences together as a community.

Come early to be guaranteed a seat for this (roughly) one-hour

concert at the Hancock Meeting House. And please be generous with your donations to Music on Norway Pond to help us defray our costs. For more information,

go to www.musiconnor-waypond.org/

Hancock Family Christmas

Steve Schuch Jazimina MacNeil

Norway Pond Festival Singer. (Courtesy photos)

10 December 13, 2019 • Stone Bridge Post www.StoneBridgePostNH.rocks

STRAIGHT TALKby Marjorie Porter

Our digital editions can be found at www.StoneBridgePostNH.Rocks

The Warner Selectmen had a long conversation at their recent meeting, con-sidering several Health In-surance plans. Chairman Clyde Carson was at the municipal conference that is held annually. Health Trust was there and they offer three primary plans. Some time ago when the Agent for Health Trust met with the Selectmen it was indicated that many towns offer more than one plan to their employees. After the

selectmen discussed those three plans with their vari-ations it was decided that a meeting would be held with the employees to present the different plans to them. Once a plan has been cho-sen then a representative could come and answer questions and further ex-plain the coverage in more depth.

The town budget for software is being fine-tuned as the Selectmen have been checking into upgrading to Windows 10, Anti-Viruses compatibility and the ex-pense of each aspect of the

computer upgrades.Some local towns are

using Town Hall Streams for a $150.00 per month charge for their Selectmen’s meetings. This allows the public to view meetings from their home computers, either as they are in session or recorded. Chair Clyde Carson would like to add the cost of this service to the budget for six months of 2020.

The resignation of Library Trustee Emma O’Conell Fauteaux was re-ceived and accepted by the Board of Selectmen.

Warner selectmen mull insurance plans

The Police Budget for 2020 and Police Chief Bill Chandler explained the Board of Selectmen approved of his re-calculating his budget. One of his changes was the removal of a line item for the part time po-sition. Chandler corrected that by saying a part timer is needed, but nearly impossible to fill, so this line item will remain open at just $1.00. Because there will be 27 pay days in 2020, the Police Department sal-ary is $78,856 and wages have increased to $223,800. Also, it was made clear that Chandler came up with a grade and step pay scale that was approved by the Board of Selectmen. This $223,800 includes this new plan. With the 27 paydays coming up in 2020, the Police Department budget will have a total increase of $8,709 for a total budget of $537,289 which figures out to be 1.62% increase.

Budget Committee Member, Martha Mical stated she could understand that Chandler took care of his employees by de-veloping his own pay scale but does feel all updates for all employees should be done

at the same time. If each department does it at staggered times, it could leave some employees out. Mical restated that the re-mainder of the employees need to be taken care of as the Police Department has been.

The two emergency access roads com-ing off Kearsarge Mountain were further discussed, one being the Nichols property, going out where the cell tower is on North Road. The other possible exit could be to North Road going through Magdalen College property, through the town forest. This road under discussion would be for emergency evacuation only, and would be gated, however it will still require main-tenance. At this time there are no known Grants available for such a project.

Budget Committee Member Alfred Hansen mentioned that about 3 years ago the town was requested to update their Emergency Management Plan for the state, but was not done at that time. This plan is to be prepared for any event that could be catastrophic. For example, where would town employees be located if something unforeseen happened and the town hall became unavailable. How would the town run? Emergency Management Chair Ed

Mical is looking at a $5,000 Grant to help fund the Emergency Operation Plan up-date, which was last done in 2016. ED Mi-cal also stated that this is a 50/50 Grant and the town could pay their match by paying expenses or in-kind by attending meetings or other credits. The state is working at getting towns to have a Continuity of Op-erations Plan. (COOP).

In the State’s efforts to help raise reve-nue, they are offering some parcels for sale. Warner is purchasing two parcels, a four-acre parcel near the Lang Bridge off Route 103 for $14,600. The other is a 9-acre prop-

erty near the Bagley soccer field for $7,100. It was noted that the Board of Selectmen agreed to use some money from the Con-servation Funds to pay for these lots.

A non-binding motion was made and carried 4 to 2 to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that the Transfer Station be separated from the Highway Department to be individual departments. Comment was made that the Transfer Station Fore-man, Varick Proper is doing a fabulous job and should be given the title he deserves and should be considered a Department Head.

Warner Police proposes 1.62% increase

By Marjorie ciLLeyStone Bridge Post

By Marjorie ciLLeyStone Bridge Post

Last summer the Warner Fire Depart-ment moved into their brand new facility, leaving old Fire Station located at 27 East Main Street empty. But not for long, as then came Olde Window Restorers who have a year’s renewable rental.

Proprietor David Bowers started this business about 15 years ago in Weare at Lake Horace. Alden Witham has been employed there for 5 years and is the Man-ager in Warner. And Loretta Blackwell is his very capable glazer and painter. There are 3 full time and 1 part time employees in this shop.

Witham, a very enthusiastic window restorer explained he was an organic farm-er, but when he lost the use of the land he was using he and his brother became in-terested in wood working and worked with his Uncle who continues to use antique wood working tools. Witham heard about Bowers’ window restoring business and has been a window restorer ever since.

Witham explained that a steamer is used to help remove glazing from the windows. Basically the business caters to

the New Hampshire region, however they have done a couple of large jobs out of state. Windows do come in and get a com-plete repair done from all over the country. Currently there are two extremely large windows being repaired there from a local Church. If a mintin (the wooden frame-work the glass fits into within the frame-work) sample comes in they can reproduce it and return it to a customer.

Their business runs about 50% from municipalities and Churches and 50% from residential. The company deals in weatherization and restoration.

The windows are stripped to bare wood, and if an antique pane of glass gets broken in the process, they do have a sup-ply of antique glass and it gets replaced with like kind. Also, all hardware is refur-bished. This work is all accomplished in a controlled environment.

Witham also said he holds four work-shops a year. He likes to show people how to replace the ropes on window weights as well as give talks on window restoration to interested Historical Societies, and hope-fully the Bradford Historical Society will be one of his stops in the spring.

A look at Olde Window Restorers

By Marjorie ciLLeyStone Bridge Post

11Stone Bridge Post • December 13, 2019www.StoneBridgePostNH.rocks

High School Sports By john Segedy Stone Bridge Post

Hillsboro-Deering’s Girls Bas-ketball team opened their season with a pair of losses this week. Fri-day in their home opener they fell to the St. Thomas Aquinas Saints 44-22 and then Tuesday on the road they lost to the Hopkinton Hawks 56-22.

In the season opener St. Thomas took charge early racking up a doz-en points before Hope Grimes put the Hillcats on the scoreboard with a pair of foul shots. The Saints held on to the advantage taking a 28-6 lead into halftime.

In the second half the Hillcats started to put things together keep-ing pace with the Saints. Playing a strong game under the net, center Fayth Grimes led the Hillcat offense with 10 points. Freshman Emily Howell provided five showing her speed up and down the court.

Coach Jen Sanborn commented she was seeing “Change since last

year, our numbers are better.”The Lady Hawks host Raymond

on Friday and then Winnisquam on Tuesday.

BowlingThe Hillcat Bowlers opened

their season in Keene last Saturday. The Hillcats were in contention the whole way before losing 2 games to 1 against Winnacunnett finish-ing 3rd. The Hillcats got strong opening performances from Seniors Jeremy Riendeau (167) and Coo-per Brien (158). Sophomore Alaina McGillicuddy, a first year bowler, bowled a personal best 153. The Hillcats look to rebound next week-end in Manchester.

Boys BasketballLooking ahead to their season

opening this Friday in Newport Coach Carl Doucet noted: “The Hill-cats return with virtually the same

team only graduating one player last year. The squad adds Freshman Zack Coombs who is already mak-ing strides after taking advantage of summer league play.

The squad will look to run a lot and will be very guard oriented with returning guards Srs. Ben Ketterer, Jack Ferguson and Jr. Owen Coombs expected to contribute significantly. Jr. Sam Hatcher will be relied on for leadership and is the most phys-ical player who can play multiple positions on both sides of the floor. Soph Thomas Doyle moves up and is improving quickly while centers Sr. Charles Veitch, Jrs. Jon McMa-hon and Joe Tsepas will be relied on for physical play changing shots and rebounds. The squad can play a mixture of defenses and will use an offense that allows creativity within a set system. We project solid im-provements and expect to be a play-off team this year.”

Lady Hillcats off to slow start

Emily Howell with a layup. (John Segedy photo)

The John Stark Regional High School Wrestling Team opened the winter sports season hosting the Bow Falcons on Wednesday night. The Falcons went

home with the win 54-18. The Generals with a small team to begin with had two of their six members out sick. With mis-matched weight classes, the Falcons came

away with eight wins by forfeit and a pin by Andrew Bliss of the General’s Julian Henry. The Generals had two forfeit wins along with Dawson Ruoff’s pin of Falcon

Eli DiPhilippa. The Generals next match is Saturday at Conval.

The Generals Girls Basketball team opens their season Friday night at home.

Generals wrapped up by Falcons

Dawson Ruoff Works Opponents Back Towards Mat. (John Segedy photos) Gifford Colburn Attempts to Turn Over His Falcon Counterpart.

12 December 13, 2019 • Stone Bridge Post www.StoneBridgePostNH.rocks

High School Sports By john Segedy Stone Bridge Post

The Hopkinton Girls Basketball team opened their season with a pair of victo-ries defeating Newport 60-23 last Friday and then Hillsboro-Deering on Tuesday 56-22. The game against Hillsboro-Deer-ing was a family affair pitting Hillcats coach Jen Sanborn against the Hawks that her daughter Kate Bouchard is on.

The Hillcats kept pace in the first quarter but the Hawks began to pull away in the second taking a 23-11 lead into the locker room at the half. The Hawks dom-inated the second half scoring 15 coming out before the Hillcats were able to re-spond. They stretched their lead to 45-12 after three and then in the fourth the

Hillcats kept pace as both teams spread the playing time around.

Hopkinton Coach Pat Roye com-mended the Hillsboro-Deering team and noted his Hawks “All Played well, but will need to step it up this week (against Campbell)”.

The Hawks opener against Newport

saw the Hawks on top the whole way. Katie Meserve led the offense with a doz-en points and Maurgan McGrath tallied ten.

The Hawks hit the road this week, playing at Campbell on Friday and then Raymond on Wednesday.

Lady Hawks open with a pair of wins

The Stone Bridge Post asked readers to send in the Christmas decorations, and Dianne Duvernay did exactly that with her Outdoor Decorations Trailer Fabulous Style!

Hillcat Coach Jen Sanborn, left, with her daughter Hawk Kate Bouchard. (John Segedy photos)

Hawk Fiona Beane Drives to the net while Hillcat Elizabeth La-bier attempts to defend.

Katie Meserve with a layup as Hillat Emily Howell trails.

13Stone Bridge Post • December 13, 2019www.StoneBridgePostNH.rocks

High School Sports By john Segedy Stone Bridge Post

The Redhawks were recognized with a banquet where the following awards were presented:

Most Valuable Player Colby Quiet

Outstanding Offensive Player Dylan Barrett

Outstanding Defensive Player Vincent Waddell

Outstanding Special Teams Player Charles Veitch

Outstanding Offensive Lineman Evan Jacobsen

Outstanding Defensive Lineman Alex Brown

Most Improved Defensive PlayerTyler Allen

Most Improved Offensive PlayerJack Morrall

Coaches AwardMax CostelloRookie Redhawk

Eli Tanuvasa

Iron Redhawk Perfect Attendance Awards were given to Max Costello,

Evan Jacobsen, Jack Horne, Dylan Barrett, Alex Brown, Vincent Waddell, John Jacobsen, Connor Tewksbury and Devin Barrett.

Selected to the NHIAA DIII All State Football teams were:

Colby Quiet1st Team Running Back

Charles Veitch 1st Team Defensive Tackle

Alex Brown 2nd Team Defensive Tackle

Evan Jacobsen 2nd Team Center Dylan Barrett

2nd Team Running Back, Jack Morrall

2nd Team Defensive Back Vincent Waddell

2nd Team Linebacker Tyler Allen

2nd Team Defensive End Max Costello

Honorable Mention Offense

Redhawks football team recognized

Pats Peak, Henniker’s family snowsports destination, announces their weekday adult ski and snowboard clinic programs for skiers and snowboarders.

These Weekday Lesson Clinics are the most cost-ef-

fective way to learn to ski or snowboard or improve skiing/snowboarding skills with attention on individual develop-ment. These programs are great for anyone with flexibility to take time off during the week.

For more information on these programs and to regis-ter go online to www.patspeak.com or call the Pats Peak Snowsports School at 1-888-PATS-PEAK (1-888-728-7732).

Pats Peak offers weekly lessons

14 December 13, 2019 • Stone Bridge Post www.StoneBridgePostNH.rocks

Dear Editor;

In her letter to the Concord Monitor of 12/6/2019 (“It’s time for Deering to address taxation”) Nancy Cowan not-ed that Deering’s property tax assessment is higher than that of the more populous Hopkinton. She seemed to see a correlation between Deering’s higher assessments and the fact that 100% of Deering’s Land Use Change Tax (LUCT) is added to the town’s Conservation Fund. LUCT bears no relationship to our town’s assessments, and re-ducing the percentage of its allocation to the Conservation Fund will not reduce individual tax burden because in a typical year there is simply no Land Use Change liable to taxation.

On the other hand, the Conservation Fund, which is

administered by the Conservation Commission, is a re-source that has helped Deering residents protect their privately owned forests, wetlands and working farms through conservation easements. This in a town where, according to successive master plans, land held in conser-vation is important/very important to its residents, and the rural character of Deering is a “core value.”

In addition to land protection, the Conservation Fund is available to protect the town by transferring liability on some of town-owned lots to certified land trusts such as the Society for the Protection of NH Forests, potentially saving thousands of dollars in legal fees and disastrous settlements. There are ways to lower individual tax bur-den. Ms. Cowan’s plan to starve the town’s Conservation Fund is not one of them.

Gary SamuelsChair, Deering Conservation Commission

My grandbaby has started talking. One of her first words was “water.” It’s a multi-tasking multi-purpose word in her life. When she’s in the bath she’s surrounded by wa-ter. When she’s in the lake she swims in water. When it rains, water falls down on her from the sky to create pud-dles for splashing. When she drinks from her cup she tastes water. When I pour a glass of wine, she calls it water. And I guess she’s mostly correct. Wine is mainly comprised of water – 85 percent, to be exact. (Wink.)

I’ve touched on the subject of water before. But it war-rants revisiting because water is nothing short of miracu-lous and I’m about to explain why.

The make-up of water is relatively simple; two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen combine to form one of the most simple and most complex of substances in ex-istence.

Water – good old H2O – is a necessary component to all life. Life. All. Life. At least here on earth. Every living thing needs water to survive – plants, animals, insects, peo-ple, reptiles, birds, amoeba and of course the obvious: fish.

When water is frozen it can cool our drinks, but that’s merely the tip of the iceberg regarding the topic of frozen water. Glaciers carved out rivers, lakes and streams. They forged mountains and formed canyons. Water literally sculpted Mother Earth, as well as infamously sinking the Titanic.

Water gives life and takes it away.Water forms clouds which produce rain that feeds the

grass, trees, ponds, rivers, streams, lakes and oceans. More than 70 percent of the earth is covered with water. The hu-man brain and heart are nearly equal to that number. It’s as-tounding – Mother Earth and our hearts and brains all con-tain relatively the same proportion of water. Let that sink in.

When rain freezes to make snow, it forms crystals –

each unique in and of itself. Not to mention beautiful. It’s hard to wrap your brain around that. Every snowflake is uniquely formed. Uniquely beautiful. Uniquely water.

We drink water and it detoxifies our body via sweat and urine. We take a bath or a shower and it detoxifies our skin. Water helps us regulate body temperature – via sweat or a shower or a dip into the lake. It nourishes our internal organs and helps fight wrinkles. It lubricates our joints. It carries oxygen throughout our body (via our blood, which is 90 percent water). It provides a cushion for the brain and spinal cord. It aids digestion and helps maintain blood pres-sure.

Impressed yet?We can go three weeks without food (some experts

claim twice that much) but only a few days – a week tops – without water.

My granddaughter was surrounded by water even be-fore she was born. Amniotic fluid filled the sac that held her until she officially made her entry to this world. Babies in the womb literally swim in their mother’s bag of water. It cushions their environment. If the amniotic sac breaks, baby can no longer survive inside mom’s body.

It makes sense then that one of my grandbaby’s first words was water. It’s been a necessary part of her life long before we officially knew her as the unique person she is. Besides, she’s a smart baby. Can’t wait until she learns to swim – again.

Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright, author and member of the Nation-al Society of Newspaper Columnists. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

ClassifiedsPT/FT HOUSEKEEPER &

LAUNDRY AIDE WANTEDFlexible scheduling in a homelike environment. Stop into Hillsboro House Nursing Home and fill out an application.Please call Jessica or Heather @ 464-5561 with any ques-tions. 12/13

Letters to the Editor

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PUBLIC NOTICEHILLSBORO-DEERING SCHOOL DISTRICT

WARRANT ARTICLESPersons wishing to submit warrant articles for inclusion in the 2020 Hillsboro-Deering School District Warrant must submit such war-rant articles to the School Board, or one of its members, no later than Tuesday, January 8, 2020, at 4:30pm. Persons wishing additional information may contact the Superintendent of School’s office at 464-4466.

To submit your photos, articles or calendar

items to Stone Bridge Post, please email them to

stonebridgepost@gmail.com

SLICES OF LIFE by Jill Pertler

Water, wonderful water

TOWN Of HENNIKERPUBLIC NOTICE

Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s Office Change in Saturday Hours

New Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s Saturday Hours, Effective January 11, 2020: 8 am to 10 amThe Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s Office is open the second and fourth Saturday of each month.

15Stone Bridge Post • December 13, 2019www.StoneBridgePostNH.rocks

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16 December 13, 2019 • Stone Bridge Post www.StoneBridgePostNH.rocks