Goffstown - 8 February 2010 - Matthew is co-editor of Flea Market Style, a new decorating & lifestyle magazine created in partnership with Ki Nassauer.  It is set to premiere on news stands this Spring and has partnered with the From Out Of The Woods Antiques Center in Goffstown for a autograph session from 10am to 3pm.  This is a great opportunity to meet up with one of the most highly respected lifestyle experts in the industry today.  Follow the making of the magazine on the popular blog  www.fleamarketmag.blogspot.com.

Celebrity lifestyle and entertaining expert, Matthew Mead,  has authored  numerous books including Entertaining Simple and Matthew Mead’s Halloween. He is a contributor to numerous shelter publications including  Better Homes and Gardens, Real Simple, In Style Weddings, Victoria, Celebrate,  Do it Yourself, and Country Living and has produced images for Pottery Barn, Dove Chocolate, Target and Stonewall Kitchen, He frequently contributes to the Discovery Channel & HGTV, and is a columnist for i village.com. Matthew has created products for Waterford Wedgewood American Folk Art Museum collection and is creating a table top line of paper products for all seasons.

Goffstown - 7 February 2009 - The Villa Augustina school will participate in World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine – getting a real taste of hunger to help feed and care for children living in extreme poverty around the world. They join approximately half a million teens nationwide aiming to raise more than $12 million to fight world hunger.  Now in its 19^tth year, World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine raises awareness and money to fight hunger both overseas and in the United States. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, visit www.worldvision.org. This is the Villa Augustina’s 8^th annual Famine.  During the 30 hours, teens will do the Famine “on an empty stomach” – the theme for this year – by giving up their normal food fare  (consuming only juice and water, and a select set of allowances like rice cakes, and cut vegetables) to experience what the poorest children and families face every day. During the time students will learn about the causes of world hunger, and what we can do to help. Our fast begins 2:00AM Thursday, and ends on Friday with a breakfast meal at 8:00AM.  In other words – we miss all our meals on Thursday.  Roughly half a million teens nationwide participate in the 30 Hour Famine each year. Last year, approximately $12 million was raised, contributing to World Vision’s response in countries worldwide where famine, conflict, and other crises make children vulnerable to hunger and preventable disease.  Additional information about the 30 Hour Famine can be found online at www.30hourfamine.org.  For inquiries about the Villa Augustian's upcoming quest to help others in need, you may contact Jyl Dittbenner at 603.361.8906.      

In another effort, the Villa Augustina School will be making “Houses for Haiti” Pins to be sold at a later date to raise money for Haiti.  Recently Villa staff and students ran a can and dollar drive that ended February 5, and a $5 dress down drive during the month of January with appreciative results.(Villa Augustina photo courtesy of Rich Damboise of 2D Designs)

Goffstown - 7 February 2010 - Did you know that Goffstown Television produces a news program?  Anchor Tim Hogan brings stories to you every week about what is going on around  town and the surrounding area.  Tim's co-anchor, Kristen Devoid, is a Senior at Goffstown High School. The news airs daily at 12 noon and again at 6pm.  You can CLICK HERE for the entire schedule on GTV16 and HERE for the Public Meetings on GTV22.  If you would like to produce your own program either in the studio or from your own video work, please contact Dick Gagnon at GTV at 497.5707.  The studio is open to Goffstown Residents for use and has equipment that can be signed out so that you may make your own high quality movies.  Feel free to take advantage of this fine resource offered by GTV.  Everything is just waiting for you to do your thing!  Additionally, if you would like to be involved at the studio or film sporting events and other events in the community, hop on board with the GTV crew.  The GTV committee meets monthly and welcomes the opportunity to those who want to join in on the fun.  Get involved and make it happen on film just the way you would like to see it.

Goffstown - 5 February 2010 - The Goffstown Community Emergency  Response Team (CERT) will offer FREE Emergency Preparedness  training to the community on Saturday, April 3rd and 10th form 8:00 to 4:00 and Saturday April 24th from 8:00 to 12:00. All sessions must be attended in order to receive a certificate from the State on Emergency Preparedness. Training will take place at the Goffstown Area High School located at 27 Wallace Road in Goffstown. This training will include hands-on instruction in basics first aid, fire suppression, search and rescue and much more will be covered in this nationally recognized course. If this is of interest to you please e-mail me at goffstowncert@hotmail.com or call me at 497-1731 to reserve your spot. Please call ASAP as this FREE course fills up fast with a max of 20 participants. Thank you!

Susan Jutras, Director Goffstown CERT

Goffstown/New Boston - 4 February 2010 - At the Town Deliberative Session in Goffstown on Wednesday evening Article 21  to "define marriage" was modified from it's original form (see our video below) to read as follows on the March 9th Ballot; "To See"...  GoffstownToday.com has produced a video which brings forward comments from both sides.  In New Boston, the debate was just as lively.  Voters held positions on both sides as to whether the Article should or should not be supported.  The original Article wording will hold on the March 9th ballot as the proposed amendment failed.

Goffstown - 4 February 2010 2:43am - On Wednesday evening Town Moderator Rodney Stark opened up the session to the public with 17 Articles for presentation, review, proposed modifications and discussion.  Attendance was higher than it has been in the past and voters were ready and willing to take part in their 1st Amendment rights.  The first order of business for the meeting brought about a presentation from outgoing Dave French, (retiring) to long time Moderator Rodney Stark of a Referee shirt, which the Moderator proudly wore throughout the entire evening.  The crowd enjoyed this bit of rivalry.  Additionally, Chairman, Selectman Scott Gross, who presented a wrapped chocolate candy bar to Dave French at his retirement party two weeks ago encountered an unintended interception from Dave only to get it back into his possession.  It will be interesting to see just how this candy bar may surface in the future as Mr. Gross is always thinking and has a plan for everything before him. 

The Craig Heiber Theatre was filled to about two-thirds capacity and several voters certainly came prepared to not only embrace discussion on the articles, but to enter modifications and motions as the evening progressed.  Of the 17 Articles before the voters, three in particular gained popularity with lengthy discussions.  It is the view of this writer that there was about an equal number of people "for" articles as well as those who "opposed' Articles.  This brought about vibrant discussion from both sides and all presenters were of exemplary behavior during the entire evening.  True Democracy embraced with a high degree of respect was considered by all.

Not withstanding, the evening closed just after midnight and three Articles in particular gained a significant amount of attention from all sides.  Article 9., the first Article for presentation kept people busy for over an hour.  This Article proposed to raise the sum of $948,000 for the purchase of three vehicles to replace a 1994 Fire Truck, a 1999 ten wheeled dump truck, and a 2000 Solid Waste automated collection vehicle.  Historically, the Town has purchased vehicles in each particular year, however this proposed Article asks voters to pay for them over a 5 year period at an approximate interest rate of 5% in order to lessen the immediate tax impact on tax payers in 2010 alone.  Other funds utilized to reduce the expense of financing would  be acquired in the amount of $100,000 now held in the Fire Apparatus Capital Reserve Fund and approximately $119,000 via taxation.  Article 11., on the Operating Budget which is not recommended by the Selectmen, however recommended by the Budget Committee brought about a "Secret Ballot" vote on the $19,208,477 Article. Once the votes were tallied, there were 87 in favor and 86 opposed with one vote of "no" not eligible for counting.  Mr. Tim Redmond advised that his vote slip ripped in half and he had the exact match of the vote cast aside and recognized to the Moderator that the vote should count and that it was his vote.  Mr. Dan Cloutier and Mr. Guy Caron addressed the Moderator referencing their opinion to count the vote as well as State Statutes, however Moderator Rodney Stark was not convinced and denied the request to count Mr. Redmond's vote.  Had Mr. Redmond's vote been counted, the result would have been a tie and the proposed amendment would have failed.  As a result, the amendment passed by one vote.  Article 21., which gives the Citizens of Goffstown the ability to submit a resolution (this is a non-binding Article which simply offers an opinion to those in the legislature and Senate) on allowing the Citizens of New Hampshire to vote on an amendment to the New Hampshire Constitution that defines "marriage".  Of all debates during the evening, this particular Article brought out deep opinions from both sides.  GoffstownToday.com currently has video in production about this Article and other video media of interest and will be posted here as soon as it's out of production. 

Goffstown - 3 February - News From Dianne Hathaway, Director
February at the GPL is when we collect nonperishable food items, cleaning products and personal care items for the local food pantry in place of late fines.  It's also a way for us to get our overdue library books, audios and more back where they belong AND we help out our community.  Here are the guidelines: pay your entire fine to the collection can to be turned over to the food pantry or bring in a comparable number of items that we can bring to the pantry.  Either way your fines will be removed from your record-it's easy!  As usual we are looking for our patrons to be generous in "paying" back by bringing new food (canned and boxed), diapers, toothpaste, paper products, cleaning products, etc. in to the circulation desk February 1st through 28th.  You may only donate food in lieu of overdue fines; if you owe the library money for a lost or damaged item you still must make payment-sorry!  (NOTE:  It is important that no food items have an expired date-please check)  Please visit the GPL on line to find out more about what we do....

Weare 1 February 2010 - On Saturday 30 January 2010, the Town held it's Annual Deliberative Session at the Weare Middle School.  Many residents came forward to discuss and make motions on Warrant Articles to be brought before the voters on March 9th.  Articles on spending and the Town Budget were the highlight of the meeting.  Attendees were well prepared with questions while seeking  discussion regarding financial impacts to the tax rate. Excerpts of the Deliberative session can be watched in the video below produced by GoffstownToday.com.  

Goffstown 1 February 2010 - The Deliberative Session was scheduled to start at 7pm Monday evening and began a few minutes late.  This was due to the high number of residents checking in with the Checklist Supervisors.  Everyone agreed that this Session appeared to be a record breaker for those in attendance.  Moderator James Raymond handled the entire session in an superb manner keeping everything organized and moving along.  Mr. Raymond was clear from the outset about the conduct of the meeting and stated that this venue was not to be used for personal attacks on any matter and especially towards anyone in attendance.  This apparently fell on deaf ears of Selectman (Chairman) Scott Gross. (see video clip below)  The Moderator spoke out twice halting Mr. Gross's attempted personal attacks on individuals of the Budget Committee.  Selectman Gross utilized a similar attack when Bill Gordon was running for selectmen  in 2009 with information he obtained from a third party's facebook page.  Mr. Gross can be commended for his involvement in the 250th Goffstown Anniversary Planning, however some people expressed their feeling that these tactics are uncalled for by anyone, especially an Elected Official.  It's all about integrity and Mr. Gross's integrity is called into question by some tonight.  Earlier in the evening School Board Chairman Keith Allard attempted to increase the School Budget from the outset of deliberations with a motion of almost $900,000; the motion failed.  At the conclusion of the meeting, voters on March 9th will choose from either the School Board Default Budget of $15.31 per $1,000 assessed value, an increase of $3.40 or the Budget Committee recommendation of $14.53 per $1,000 assessed value, an increase of $2.62.  Voters were paying attention and many expressed opinions of "control the spending" as it makes sense for the School Board to keep expenditures in line with current economic conditions.  Some expressed concern for the increase while there are likely some residents of the community facing home foreclosure and job losses.  Goffstown Television recorded the event and it is likely the show will air as soon as this week.  The Town Deliberative Session is Wednesday 3 February 2010 at 7pm at the Goffstown High School in the Craig Heiber Theatre.  Articles up for discussion and possible amendments include Fire Apparatus, Department of Public Works vehicle purchases and more.   

"To ensure the citizens of Goffstown receive accurate and unbiased facts about our local government's budgets, contracts and spending; and to propose and rally voters to alternative solutions that enable our local governments to operate sensibly and without undue financial  burden to taxpayers."

The full show is now airing on GTV16 - Click here for day and time to watch or CLICK HERE to watch the entire show on demand any time 24/7

LETTERS SUBMITTED TO GCFR FROM VIEWERS

Instructions from an SAU#19 administrator to support the school budget

Goffstown Voters Have a Choice to Make

The Right Outcome "Wins", at the Goffstown School Board, with thanks to Lorry Cloutier

 SEE ALL LETTERS

____________________________________________

   

GOFFSTOWN: 29 January 2010 - The Goffstown High School art department continues to shine in both state and national art competitions. I wish to congratulate and sincerely thank our fabulous art educators for providing all of our students with a quality experience. Mrs. Lane, Mrs. Nichols, Mrs. Karolian, and Mr. Martin are outstanding at their craft. Their skills are reflected annually through the many honors earned by our student artists. Recently, a record number of student artwork from GHS received recognition at the New Hampshire Region of the prestigious National Scholastic Art Awards. Congratulations to all of our award winners. You will find a complete list of the award recipients and samples of their.....READ MORE

GOFFSTOWN:  26 January 2010, by: Bill Wynne - Dave has always been a well known person in the community of Goffstown and what many found out at his "surprise" Retirement Party is just how well Dave was liked, or should I say tolerated, well no, perhaps understood, hmmmmmmm, well perhaps not or.....  Obviously for those who work at the Goffstown Town Hall and other Town Departments who have interacted with Dave for the past 32 years have some stories to tell.  This video presentation is a condensed version of what you can expect from the full 1hr+ show to air on GTV16 starting next week.  We wish Dave well in his retirement years and many thanks for all of his years of dedicated service to the community of Goffstown.  Enjoy the video.

Our school is very excited to have Woods Scientist Susan Morse from "Keeping Track" visiting our school for three days next week. Susan, a Vermont resident, is a nationally recognized naturalist and habitat specialist with 30 years of experience tracking and interpreting wildlife uses of habitat.  She is currently a founding member of the Northeast Carnivore Conservation Working Group.  Her research has focused on cougar, bobcat, black bear, and Canada lynx. She is a recipient of the Franklin Fairbanks Award for her lifelong creative and dedicated service to enriching the awareness and understanding of the natural world among the residents of New England. Here in Southern New Hampshire she has been working for years with....<<<READ MORE

ALSO:  enjoy our annual Reflections Exhibit of "Beauty Is..." Every entry submitted is on display in the hallway at the top of the stairs until Friday, Jan. 22^nd. Congratulations to all of our 11 finalists (Phoebe Castellano, Kelsey Wynn, Eliza Heafield, Julia Lambert, Lilly Proulx, Victoria Kelley, Patrick Mannion[3 finalist pieces], Will Ruggieri, Tony Rocha, Collin Wynn, and Dante Aguayo) whose work will move on to the State Level of Reflections. <<<READ MORE

Goffstown: by Bill Wynne, (20 Jan 2010) As I entered the Goffstown Public Library and made my way to the second floor, I could hear voices of laughter and enlightenment.  Being somewhat surprised at the number of people in attendance, I was glad to learn of the number of people involved in Crispin's House and the hard work that is done by many to work with our youth of the Community.  Crispin's House Mission Statement is as follows:

Here for Youth, Crispin's House works to prevent juvenile delinquency, drug, tobacco and alcohol involvement through positive leisure-time activities, resources and education. Crispin’s House Inc. encourages youth to make positive choices through community involvement while developing active partnerships that support local families.

Crispin's House is a nonprofit New Hampshire corporation founde

d for the purpose of encouraging partnerships for cooperative and direct support of local families and children

THREE AWARDS ARE GIVEN OUT FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY (watch the video)

Jill Girolimon - The Micheal T. French "light the way" award

Brenda Fortier - Richard St. Gelais "Volunteer Of The Year" award

Josh Desrochers - Gail Thomas Here For Youth" award

My intention during my visit was to produce a short video of the art work created by the students.  It was a pleasure meeting with Al Baines, President and Lorie Goll, Executive Director and of course I asked for a short interview which you can watch in the video below.  The art work by students was interesting and much of it can be viewed in the video.  I was also glad to see awards given out to individuals who are instrumental in moving forward with the vision of the Crispin's House Mission Statement for all they have done.  Such a wonderful group of volunteers that have stepped up to help the youth of the community.  My hats off to all of these volunteers and each and every person who works within the organization, however the best gratitude of all goes to the young adults who have found their way through the programs Crispin's House offers. Many thanks to the staff at the Goffstown Public Library and Crispin's House.  It was a pleasure meeting everyone this past Friday evening.