Epping Library News 10/1
September 30, 2008
Epping Library News
The Harvey Mitchell Memorial Library hosts the first ever PJ Movie Night on Friday, Oct. 10th. The festivities begin at 6:30 with the world premiere of “Pirates at Reef’s End: Curse of the Kraken” a short film by Epping 4th grader, Tyler Wilkins and his friends. After a meet and greet with the cast and a break for snacks, the feature film will begin. Though the library’s movie license prohibits mentioning the film title by name, think of a stop-action animation film by Tim Burton about a Halloween mix-up that was recently re-released on DVD. The film is rated PG for scary images. Kids and parents are encouraged to wear their comfiest PJs and bring a snack to share. Extra pillows or camp chairs might make viewers more comfortable.
There is still time to pick up a copy of the latest selections for either the Eclectic Book Group, which is reading The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, or the Mystery Book Group, which is working on Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie. Both groups meet next week, The Eclectic Group on Tuesday, Oct. 14th at 7:00 pm, and the Mystery Group on Wednesday, Oct. 15th also at 7:00 pm.
Please note that for the next few months, the library’s Board of Trustees will be meeting on the third Thursday of the month which falls on Oct. 16th this month at 7:00 pm. With approval from the Selectmen they will soon gain the 2 members needed to fill out the board properly. Once all 5 are in place the search for a full time director of the library will resume. The staff and board wish to thank everyone for their patience during this transitional phase.
Filling in the calendar for the “Halloween Season”? Don’t forget the ever-popular Halloween Party on Friday, Oct. 24th. Now in its fifth year, the library Halloween Party provides a fun, community based event for kids ages 2-8 to get more use out of their favorite costumes. With traditional games like donuts on a string and bobbing for apples, plus crafts, snacks and stories, young children and their families make this a fun celebration of the season. Older children are always welcome to volunteer as helpers. Simply call Miss Tracie at the library to make arrangements. The Halloween Party begins at 5:00 and runs until 7:00. Due to the tender age of many of the party goers, masks will not be allowed
October’s Toy Play Day on Sat., Oct. 25th will have a Pirate theme. Kids are invited to bring their own pirate toys to play with and share, and since it is costume season, why not come dressed as a pirate too?
These events are free and open to the public. For more information on these or other library programs, call us at (603) 679-5944.
Economy Slows Building Projects
September 30, 2008
Tough economic times are taking a toll on Epping’s retail boom.
Local developer Rob Graham has shelved plans to bring a retail project to the former granary building property along Main Street and Railroad Avenue. Graham said yesterday he was hoping to have tenants, but no one signed onto the project.
“We are in a wait-and-see mode,” he said yesterday.
The planning board in May conditionally approved Graham’s plan to build a 2,497-square-foot restaurant that would have included a Taco Bell and a Kentucky Fried Chicken. The plan also called for a 3,480-square-foot bank.
Graham said his project isn’t the only one being put on hold.
“A lot of projects in town are holding off and waiting to see what’s going to happen, and it’s not just in Epping,” he said.
Despite the uncertainties, Graham said, there are still a lot of “great locations and good fits” for certain types of businesses.
Full story from JASON SCHREIBER
Selectman wants fee for boats ‘docked’ in Epping’s landfill
September 29, 2008
Junk is arriving at the town dump by the boatloads — literally.
Jim Freeman has seen fiberglass bath tubs and Jacuzzis hauled to the landfill, but lately motorboats are becoming a hot item to dock at the dump.
As many as five large boats have been dropped off so far this year, compared to only two last year.
Because boats aren’t on the list of bulky items that require owners to pay a disposal fee, residents have realized that they can save big bucks by ditching them at the dump.
But that could change if Selectman Tom Gauthier has his way. He insists that residents ought to pay up if they want to drop off their boats.
This week, two boats were seen sitting side by side in the landfill.
“We need to do something about that. We can’t keep taking boats in there,” Gauthier told selectmen this week, suggesting that either the town start charging a disposal fee or simply not accept boats.
Full story from JASON SCHREIBER
Volunteers Needed For Project Graduation
September 26, 2008
The 2009 Project Graduation Committee at Epping High School needs the public’s support. Monthly meetings are held every third Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the high school conference room. Students are welcome at all meetings.
Volunteers are needed for sign-ups at booth sales and events. Bake sale items, gift baskets, gift certificate donations, etc., are also needed for the raffles. Raffle tickets will be sold by seniors and also available at the Epping Voting Day booth on Nov. 4.
Project Graduation hosts an all-night event for the seniors immediately following the ceremony on June 19. Seniors will help plan the event, which usually includes dinner and dancing at the Legion Hall and a hypnotist for entertainment. Previous years the group has visited Hilltop Fun Center and ended in the wee hours of the morning with a homemade breakfast provided by the Epping Community Church.
Anyone wishing to provide an item for the raffles, should call 679-1319 or send an e-mail to Eppingprojectgrad2009@gmail.com. Arrangements can be made to pick up any items.
All sponsors will be listed on the 2009 graduation commencement program.
Gift certificates and money donations may be sent to: Epping Project Graduation, P.O. Box 529, Epping, NH 03042.
Vandals cause $15,000 damage at soccer field
September 25, 2008
Vandals caused more than $15,000 in damage to a soccer field complex Monday night when they sliced apart soccer nets and large banners, fired paintballs, flipped over portable toilets and drove across one of the fields.
Police are now searching for the culprits behind the vandalism spree at Seacoast United Soccer Club’s outdoor facility on Shirkin Road.
“I don’t know if somebody was trying to be vindictive or wanted to have some fun, but it was just sickening. It’s nothing more than just a kick in the teeth,” said Paul Willis, the club’s executive director.
The damage to Field 4 was discovered late Monday afternoon when members of a team showed up for practice. As many as 14 large banners advertising the names of sponsors were cut up with a knife, along with the soccer nets. The field was littered with the banners and trash that was left behind by the vandals.
Willis said paintballs had also been shot at the shelters that cover the area where players sit. The players and staff cleaned up the mess.
See the full story from JASON SCHREIBER
Epping Library News
September 18, 2008
The library will be hosting a “Home Buying Information Night “on Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 6P.M. to 8P.M. at the library. An informational segment will be presented on topics such as: credit repair and restoration; qualifying for a mortgage; exclusive buyer representation; the closing process and the importance of homeowner’s insurance. Time for Q&A will follow presentation. Refreshments provided and some great raffle prizes. Please call JoAnn Moore at Buyer’s Brokers of the Seacoast (603) 436-6636 x 117 or (603) 534-2653 for more info and to reserve your space. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Dessert and a Movie – A night out for adults – Thursday, Sept, 25th at 7:45 pm. The movie scheduled for August was cancelled, so the same movie planned for then (with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman and a list) will be shown on the big screen this month. Bring a dessert to share.
Toy Play Day this month is all about Horses! On Saturday, September 27th, from 11 to 1, children are invited to bring their favorite toy horses (and accessories) to the library to play with and share. Horse and pony crafts and stories will also be offered as a part of this program. Toy Play Day occurs on the 4th Saturday of each month, giving families the opportunity to enjoy the library in a casual and fun way.
On Monday, September 29th the Harvey Mitchell Memorial Library will be hosting a Tea for Epping Seniors from 11 to 1. Brewed tea and delicious treats will be provided by the Friends of the Epping Library, a small but effective group dedicated to supporting library programs. Local seniors are invited to enjoy a light luncheon and the company of friends and neighbors. For more information please call the library at 679-5944
In October there will be a Scrapbooking Crafter’s Night on Wednesday, Oct 1st, the first ever PJ Movie Night on Friday, Oct. 10th, and the fifth annual Halloween Party on Friday, Oct. 24th. Save the dates!
Epping-Newmarket football team wins opener
September 9, 2008
The Epping-Newmarket High School football team didn’t have many problems in Saturday’s opener against Mascoma. At least not on offense.
The Blue Devils had two backs rush for at least 100 yards and received a 41-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Roy in their 32-20 triumph over Mascoma.
Todd Blanchard led the Epping-Newmarket offense by scoring two touchdowns and kicking two point-after conversions. Blanchard scored on a 4-yard run in the second quarter, and a 9-yard run in the fourth. He finished the game with 102 yards on 21 carries.
Full story from Seacoast Online
Epping parents told there’s no free lunch
September 6, 2008
School officials are serving a warning to parents who repeatedly fail to pay for their students’ school lunches: Pay up or face action by the school.
Collecting money for unpaid lunches isn’t a widespread problem, but officials say the small percentage who ignore the rules are costing taxpayers and creating headaches for food service workers struggling to keep their budgets in the black amid rising food costs.
“We’re not talking about the entire Epping population. We’re talking about a few parents who at times take advantage of the system,” Superintendent Barbara Munsey said.
Students haven’t been turned away when they show up in line with no money, but the school board adopted a policy last year in an attempt to crack down on the problem.
Read the full story from Jason Schreiber
Epping cheerleaders passionate about their sport
September 5, 2008
he Epping High School cheerleading squad … where do you begin?
They’re led by seniors Allie Bradley, Kristin Boomhower, Shaun O’Regan, Chelsea Campbell and Brandi Paige. They’re coached by head coach Kathy Sicard, JV coach Kim Fraser and assistant coach Teresa Bradley.
They’re numerous, a squad of 28, which makes it the largest girls program at the school. Almost half the team is related in some form or manner. They’re passionate about the sport. They cheer because they want to and its fun. They work hard. They’re loud and not shy about being heard.
Their “Cheer Bible” is the movie “Bring it On.”
And they’re good.
Last year they finished runner-up at the state’s Class M Fall Spirit competition.
“The biggest thing is team camaraderie,” said Sicard, who is in her 24th season of coaching cheerleading, and fourth at Epping High.
Allie Bradley, Boomhower and O’Regan have been cheering together since they began cheering for the Blue Demons, the high school’s feeder program.
Read the full story from Ken Stejbach
Town Considering Four-Day Work Week
September 2, 2008
Town officials are considering a switch to a four-day work week to cut heating costs at town hall.
The proposal is the latest town attempt to save money in the face of rising energy costs.
Under a four-day week, the town hall would most likely close Fridays since the building currently closes early that day. The change would mean that offices would add hours to other days during the week.
Town Administrator Dean Shankle said the additional hours might be beneficial for residents who are unable to get to the selectmen’s office before it closes at 4 p.m. That office and others, like the town clerk’s office, would be open later.
“Now we leave before anybody gets out of work,” Shankle said, adding that having the offices open later would make them more easily accessible to working residents.
“To me, the savings is nice, but I think it would result in an increase in service to people,” he said.
If approved, Shankle said the change would affect only town hall employees.
Full story from JASON SCHREIBER.
