Superintendent: ‘Financial storm’ means trouble for Epping schools
November 25, 2008
The school superintendent is painting a bleak financial picture that would mean job cuts and reduced work hours for some staffers.
In a letter to the budget committee, Barbara Munsey described the situation as a “financial storm” that requires slicing $1 million from next year’s proposed school budget.
The financial troubles are compounded by tough times facing the national and state economies, increased costs for salaries, benefits and energy, and a declining student enrollment throughout the district, according to the letter, dated Nov. 22.
“It is disheartening to see our district affected this way; however, I acknowledge that our student enrollment and economic times cannot sustain things as they are,” Munsey wrote in the letter.
If the school board did not make cuts, Munsey said, the proposed budget would increase by $1.4 million to cover an additional $800,000 needed for increases in salaries, benefits and other costs and $600,000 to make up for a revenue shortfall.
Full story from JASON SCHREIBER
Epping Library News - 11/25
November 25, 2008
This week’s installment of gratitude from the Epping Library harkens back to warmer weather, when the Summer Reading Program brought Australia to New England.
For 6 weeks each summer the staff of the Epping Elementary School Library relocates to Main Street and helps to provide kids with the motivation to read while school is out. Summer 2008 saw the transformation of the children’s room into a piece of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, thanks to the creativity of EES Librarian Barbara Young and her Assistant, MaryAnne Nicosia. As the town library worked through changes in leadership and staffing challenges, Ms. Young and Mrs. Nicosia piloted another successful reading program, where kids added one sea creature to the “reef” for every 2 and a half hours they spent reading. Over 200 children participated, reading nearly 2000 hours and creating hundreds of amazing sea creatures for Epping’s reef. This year’s student assistants, Shannon Nollet and Hannah Kimball were equally amazing, helping Barbara and MaryAnne at every turn. The Epping library staff is deeply grateful for the ingenuity and dedication of all four ladies that made the summer reading program work. Thank you, thank you, thank you and thank you!
The Friends of the Library Silent Auction is under way. Donated items from generous Epping businesses, residents and neighbors are on display both upstairs and downstairs and bids will be taken until December 5th. Patrons use their library card numbers to bid.
This month’s Toy Play Day on Saturday, November 22nd has a construction theme! Kids are invited to bring hard hats, blocks and work trucks of all kinds to the library to play with and share with friends from 11 to 1. Theme related stories and crafts round out this monthly program. December’s Play Day will be the annual Holiday Tea Party on Saturday, December 27th, when children can dress up for a special Tea with real china teacups and holiday goodies of all kinds!
The library will be closed on Nov. 27th for Thanksgiving, but will be open the rest of this week with regular hours.
Mark your calendars for the 6th annual Magic of Christmas Pajama Night on Friday, December 12th at 6:30. Plan to come celebrate the season with stories, crafts, friends, food and fun!
For more information on these or any library programs, feel free to call 679-5944.
Police dig in Epping, come up empty-handed
November 20, 2008
State and local police spent much of yesterday digging up a section of a property along Friend Street.
State police investigators were tight-lipped about the excavation. They referred all comments to Assistant Attorney General Jane Young, who refused to discuss the case. Investigators appeared to find nothing significant as they filled in the hole and wrapped up their search late yesterday afternoon.
Epping Police Chief Gregory Dodge said the search was part of a follow-up investigation from another agency that didn’t involve an Epping case.
Authorities would not confirm whether the investigation was related to the Nov. 13, 1984 disappearance of Tammy Belanger. The 8-year-old Exeter girl vanished while walking to school. While authorities have followed up on several tips over the years; nothing has led them to her.
Full story from JASON SCHREIBER
Also see the article from Lara Bricker: AG, police won’t say why yard was dug up
Flynn Hopes LaBarre Case Is his “Career Changer.”
November 18, 2008
Article from GEOFF CUNNINGHAM Jr. at Fosters. (Click name to read whole story.)
First came the discovery of a smoldering pile of debris with a human bone sticking out of it on a farm in Epping.
In the hours following there were neighbors too afraid to talk about the female suspect and an overheard conversation between investigators that led reporter Kevin Flynn to believe a missing persons case was much darker.
The above came to light in the spring of 2006 and it didn’t take long for Flynn — former WMUR television reporter turned author — to realize he had been assigned the story of a lifetime whose full telling wouldn’t fit in a 30-second news segment.
Flynn, 38, of Hopkinton has moved on from reporting at Channel 9 and is set for the Dec. 1 release of his first book: “Wicked Intentions: The Sheila LaBarre Murders - A True Story
Flynn worked for WMUR for five years and delved into the murder case in far more detail than required by his job. He was assigned the story as a journalist, but it would later become the focus of a new book detailing one of New Hampshire’s most grisly murderers.
Albert F. “Gabby” Dodge
November 18, 2008
If you went to Epping High School in the 1980’s and early 1990’s, “Gabby” was a fixture around the school. He’ll be missed.
Albert F. “Gabby” Dodge, 77, died unexpectedly Nov, 10, 2008, at Elliott Hospital, Manchester.
Mr. Dodge was a monitor for the Seacoast Learning Collaborative in Brentwood.
He was always a hard worker, starting at the W.S. Goodrich brickyard in the 1950s. He was then employed as a shoe worker for Epping Shoe Co. and National Shoe.
He was a custodian at Epping High School for 13 years until his retirement in 1993.
Following his retirement, he worked for 12 years at the Nottingham Post Office, then returned to Epping High School working part time.
He is survived by his wife, Lura (Monroe) Dodge of Epping; two daughters and their husbands, Mary Jo and Moe Lemieux of Concord and Wendy and Bill Koberski of Concord; five grandchildren, Denis, Rian, Jeff, Danielle, and Brittanie; four great-grandchildren, Kyle, Kaylee, Morgan, and Kairi; one sister, Emily Foote of Exeter; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by one son, Paul Dodge, who died in 1980.
Full obituary at Seacoast Online.
Epping Library News 11/18
November 18, 2008
Continuing in the spirit of gratitude that comes with the holiday season the staff of the Harvey Mitchell Memorial Library would like thank the many gift givers in the Epping community. These are folks who don’t wait for the holidays to give thoughtfully to others. One Storyhour grandmother keeps the library in mind when she goes to yard sales, and recently donated a whole box of dollhouse furniture for the children’s room to go with the newer dollhouse she donated last year. Jeanne Hennessey doesn’t even live in Epping, but fortunately for the library her granddaughter Kaylin does. Everyone at Thursday morning Storyhour knows her as “Nonni” and is grateful for her both her dollhouse donations and her motherly support. Even simple gifts like fly swatters to combat the influx of flying fall pests can mean a lot. Thank you so much to Mary Butterfield for being sensitive to our needs! A $750 thank you goes to Bernadette Randle of Exeter who, as an Independent Consultant for Usborne Books solicited a $500 donation from Epping’s Wal-Mart and then had Usborne match it with books for the library. The huge box of books from Usborne should be processed and on the shelves within the coming weeks. Epping is blessed to have such great friends and neighbors.
The official Friends of the Library began their annual Silent Auction on November 10th. Donated items from yet more generous Epping businesses and residents are on display both upstairs and downstairs and bids will be taken until December 5th. The Friends are also hosting a Tea for the Seniors in town on Monday, November 24th from 11 to 1.
Coming up this week is the first in a series of 3 Tax Talks given by Michelle Lally of H&R Block’s Community Outreach program. This month’s topic provides answers to many common questions regarding retirement and social security. Do you need to update your withholding amounts? Do you understand the tax implications of your retirement plan? Come to this informative workshop on Thursday, November 20th at 6:30 and find out what you need to know.
This month’s Toy Play Day on Saturday, November 22nd has a construction theme! Kids are invited to bring hard hats, blocks and work trucks of all kinds to the library to play with and share with friends from 11 to 1. Theme related stories and crafts round out this monthly program. December’s Play Day will be the annual Holiday Tea Party on Saturday, December 27th, when children can dress up for a special Tea with real china teacups and holiday goodies of all kinds!
The library will be closed on Nov. 27th for Thanksgiving, but will be open the rest of that week with regular hours. Please call 679-5944 for information on these or any library programs.
Dealer’s lights heat up Epping officials
November 17, 2008
Hurlbert Toyota may be forced to pull the plug on the massive wall of lights that illuminates the front of its automotive dealership.
Town officials say the lighted wall wasn’t part of Hurlbert’s plan approved by the planning board in 2006. The dealership took over the former Crossroads Sports Center behind McDonald’s at the intersection of routes 101 and 125.
During its overhaul of the building, Hurlbert installed a large, white, plastic wall illuminated by a series of fluorescent tubes at the front entrance of the building.
Town Planner Clay Mitchell said the plan submitted by Hurlbert at the time it was approved showed the wall as a flush metal panel, not a wall filled with lights.
The wall is an eye-catcher at night and is seen easily by motorists traveling routes 101 or 125.
Full story from JASON SCHREIBER.
Former WMUR Reporter Releases Book on LaBarre Murders
November 17, 2008
The first of two true crime books about convicted murderer Sheila LaBarre has already been released.
The book, titled Wicked Intentions: The Sheila LaBarre Murders - A True Story
LaBarre was convicted in June of this year of murdering and then burning the body of her live-in boyfriend Kenneth Countie, as well as the murder of another boyfriend, Michael Deloge.
A jury rejected the defense case that LaBarre was insane at the time that she killed the two men. After researching her case for more than two years, and meeting her in person, Flynn also has an opinion on LaBarre’s mental status.
“Do I think she’s legally insane or not responsible for her actions? No. I think she belongs in jail. I think the jury got it right,” Flynn said. “But when we talk about the things she does, we use words like crazy, nuts, lunatic, and I think it actually describes her behavior. Just because she’s crazy doesn’t mean she’s legally insane.”
Full story from Lara Bricker
Gatchell to shepherd in a new era and welcome Leddy Center to a new home
November 13, 2008
It didn’t matter that her stage looked very much like her family’s porch when it all began for Elaine Gatchell.
She was all of 8 years old in those days back in Winchester, busy writing shows, gathering the neighborhood to be in then and attend them, having her mom and her sister serve popcorn and Kool-Aid to the patrons.
Sensitive to the fact that her mom had suffered a detached retina before she was born, and was blind for a year, she displayed, even at that young age, a giving heart.
Gatchell earmarked all proceeds from her porch productions for the blind.
Flash forward to the 1970s and Gatchell’s founding of what was to become the Leddy Center for the Performing Arts in Epping. In honor of the occasion, her mom gave her the original box of pennies and nickels that was meant for the blind. She had written a check for the amount and mailed it to blind charities but kept the box all those years for her daughter.
Gatchell took it as a positive omen and yet another reminder, she said, that “giving back to the community was the way to go.”
Read the full story, including the news of the Leddy Center’s new home from Ryan Alan
Also see the new Leddy Center website.
Epping Library News, November 11th
November 11, 2008
In the spirit of gratitude that comes with the upcoming holidays the staff of the Harvey Mitchell Memorial Library would like to take some time during this season to say thank you to the many folks in the community who contribute their time and energy to supporting our little library. This week we thank the Friends of the Library and our many library families for their donations to the Halloween Party. We had a great turnout of witches, vampires, princesses and superheroes, and there were more than enough choices on our Finger Food Buffet to feed them all. Special thanks also to the Kaplan Family for their donation of self-stick craft supplies, and to our “big kid” volunteers: Carissa Johnson, Sarah Clements, Evelyn Carleton, Jamie Craig and Tyler Wilkins. Lastly, to the families who came to the party: It isn’t a party if people don’t attend. Thank you for making it such a fun night!
Please do your part to help support the Friends of the Library by bidding in their silent auction, which began Nov. 10th and continues until December 6th. Local businesses and residents have donated a variety of products and services which are on display in the main part of the library.
One of Epping’s talented residents will be here Wednesday, Nov. 12th for crafter’s night at 6:30pm. Misty Glines returns by popular demand to teach crafters the art of candle making. Misty’s creative soy candles can be found at many local craft fairs, and now she’s going to share some of her secrets with us. There is no fee for this program and supplies are provided, but interested participants are encouraged to call ahead to reserve a spot.
This Friday, November 14th children ages 2-8 and their families are invited to November’s Pajama Night. Beginning at 6:30 there will be crafts and a scavenger hunt focusing on the 10 titles nominated for this year’s Ladybug Picture Book Award. After a week of voting, PJ Night will be the final opportunity for children under 8 to place their votes for this state award. At the end of the evening there will be a winner in Epping, which will be the story selection that Miss Tracie reads to close PJ Night, but it will be several weeks before the final state-wide tally is complete. Many times over the past few years Epping children have chosen the book that went on to win the Ladybug Picture Book Award. Will they choose it this year?
Thursday, November 20th at 6:30 is the first of three tax talks given by Michelle Lally of H&R Block’s Community Outreach program. This month’s topic provides answers to many common questions regarding retirement and social security. Do you need to update your withholding amounts? Do you understand the tax implications of withdrawing from your retirement plan? Come to this informative workshop and find out.
Toy Play Day on Saturday, November 22nd has a construction theme this month. Hard hats, blocks and work trucks of all kinds are welcome for playing and sharing. Play Day runs from 11:00 to 1:00 on the 4th Saturday each month. December’s Play Day will be our annual Holiday Tea Party on Dec. 27th.
In addition to running the Silent Auction, the Friends of the Library is also hosting a Tea for seniors on Monday, Nov. 24th from 11 to 1. Tea and goodies provided by library Friends provide a nice outing for local seniors. Please call the library at 679-5944 for more information about any of these programs.
