Friday Update September 18, 2009

“FRIDAY
UPDATES”

September
18, 2009

Michael Behrendt talks about the
architecture and history of the RED TOWER

during the Historic Walk held on
Sunday, September 13

Courtesy Andrea
Bodo

 

On Sunday, September 13, 2009, a
beautiful warm afternoon, over 150 people gathered for the first HISTORIC WALK
through some of Durham’s picturesque history.  A heartfelt
thanks to all those who helped make this such a memorable event. This was a
special gathering where community came together to rediscover and enjoy our
history.

 

To read more about the event, please
click HERE.
To enjoy the full slideshow of photographs, please click HERE.

 

DURHAM DAY IS THIS
SUNDAY!

After a washout in 2008, the weather
looks like it will be perfect for the 2009 Durham Day event at Wagon Hill
Farm!  Please join your fellow townspeople from 12:30-4:30 PM, this Sunday
September 20^th, for this tradition which dates back many years. A
history of the event will be presented at approximately 2:30 PM. There will also
be boat rides, antique cars, grilled food, great music by Durham band Fling and a kid's tent with games and crafts
and Durham's own
Shawn the Storyteller. Many local organizations will have informational tables
as well.

 

All Durham residents are invited and all events and
food are free. Bring a plate of cookies to share for the picnic, if you like,
and lawn chairs or a blanket are a good idea.  See you
there!

 

Thank
you from our family at the Hickory Pond Inn

Greetings Neighbors and friends in
the community:

 

The boys and I would like to thank
you for all of your love and support over the last five years. Many of you have
celebrated a special event of some kind here at the Inn, or had family, a colleague or friends stay with
us.  We are very grateful for your patronage over the years. 

 

On October 8th at 11:00 AM the
Inn will be auctioned by Paul McInnis. 
While we are saddened by this fact, we are not sure of our destiny here at the
Inn.  Who knows, we may stay around
depending on who steps up to the plate.

 

We would like to invite you to
celebrate the good memories with us on Thursday, October 1^st from
4:00-8:00 PM.  Come sip some cider and enjoy some good cooking. We would
love it if you might bring some cans of food to donate and/or a warm piece or
two of clothing.  Maybe a blanket if you have one hanging around. 

 

Please RSVP to Hickorypondinn@aol.com so that we will
make sure we have plenty for all.  Spread the word…the more the
merrier…with much Gratitude, Jane Brown Sparks

 

SEACOAST REPERTORY THEATRE BUYS
MILL POND CENTER

On June 15, 2009, the Seacoast
Repertory Theatre came before the Town Council and provided a brief presentation
regarding its desire to acquire the former Mill Pond
Center property which will
allow the organization to expand programming. On Tuesday, September 15, 2009,
the Repertory Theatre purchased the Mill Pond
Center property for
$570,000.

 

CHURCHILL
RINK OPENING MID-OCTOBER

Fall is here, so sharpen your skates
and get ready for the Churchill Rink to open at Jackson’s Landing.  The rink is
anticipated to open by mid-October.  As in the past, there will be season
passes for sale for individuals and families at the rink this year.  Ice
time slots are still available for groups or teams looking for the season. For
more information, please contact the Department of Public Works at
868-5578. 

 

Pettee
Brook Dye Test

This past Wednesday residents may
have noticed that portions of Pettee Brook had a red tinge. Not to worry. UNH
graduate student Amanda Hope of the Department of Natural Resources was
conducting a dye tracer experiment using a harmless red dye called Rhodamine.
The dye was released into the Brook near its headwaters at the old Durham
Reservoir. The title of her research project is "Impact of Stream Piping on
Ecosystem Processes", and she is looking to determine if the stream’s ability to
metabolize nutrients is impacted by the long sections of the Brook that run
underground through numerous culverts. 

 

Wiswall
Reservoir Drawdown Public Informational Meeting

On Tuesday, September 22, 2009
beginning at 7:00 PM, the Department of Public Works will hold a public
information meeting in the Council Chambers of the Durham Town Hall about an upcoming drawdown of
the water level in the Wiswall Reservoir.  The Wiswall Reservoir is on the
Lamprey
River and extends
approximately one mile upstream of the Wiswall Dam and provides water storage
for the UNH/Durham Water System.  The purpose of the drawdown is to lower
the water level in the reservoir to enable the replacement of the Wiswall Road Bridge and its abutments.  The
drawdown is scheduled to begin Wednesday morning, September 23, 2009, and the
water level is expected to be down until the middle of February.  The
drawdown will be done in a slow controlled manner (taking at least a week) by
slowly opening the gates of the Wiswall Dam so as not to create a sudden shock
to the river habitat.

 

Another
Successful “Energy Raiser” in Durham

Members of the Seacoast Area
Renewable Energy Initiative (SEAREI) and the Durham Energy Committee installed a
solar thermal system at the home of Kevin and Sheila Gardner on Sunday August
30th. 15-20 volunteers from Durham and surrounding towns installed the
system. At noon a dozen or so Durham residents stopped by to learn about
SEAREI and solar water heating technology. The system was completed and heating
water by 4:00 in the afternoon. The Gardner’s have had 100% of their domestic hot
water produced from solar since that day.  They are looking forward to the
30% rebate on their federal taxes this year, which will drop the price for the
new system to approximately $4,000. It is expected to pay for itself (in pure
monetary terms) in approximately 5 years. Complete pictures for the day can be
viewed here: http://gallery.me.com/kevinhgardner#100061

 

DURHAM ENERGY COMMITTEE
LECTURE SERIES

On Wednesday, September 30, 2009
beginning at 7:00 PM, the Durham Energy Committee will host a lecture on
“Innovations in Wind, Tidal, and Wave Energy” to be presented by Ken Baldwin,
Chair, UNH Ocean Engineering Department. The lecture will be held at the Durham
Public Library.

 

PARKS
& RECREATION STARTING USTA YOUTH TENNIS
PROGRAMS

In October the Parks &
Recreation Department is starting United States Tennis Association
classes.  QuickStart tennis classes will be available for children between
the ages of 5 and 10 and will be held at Woodridge Park every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon
in October.  The cost for the QuickStart program will be $75 for 8
classes.  Introduction to Competitive Tennis classes will be available for
children between the ages of 11 and 14 and will be held at Woodridge Park every Monday and Wednesday afternoon
in October.  The cost of Introduction to Competitive Tennis will by $95 for
8 classes.  For registration contact Parks & Recreation Michael Mengers
at mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us,
868-8064.  For more information, please click HERE.

 

COPPAL
FARM CORN MAZE MANIA

On Sunday, October 4th from noon
until 4:00pm join the Parks & Recreation Committee for an a-mazing time at
Coppal House Farm in Lee.  Get lost in Coppal House Farm’s 6.5 acre,
professionally prepared corn maze.  Durham residents receive a discounted admission
price of $4 at the event.  (Remember to bring proof of residency. 
Drivers license, library card, mail with home address, etc.).  Visit the
Parks & Recreation Committee table before purchasing tickets.  Contact
Parks & Recreation Michael Mengers at mmengers@ci.durham.nh.us, 868-8064,
with any questions you might have.  For more information, please click HERE. 

 

 

BACK
TO SCHOOL BASH A SUCCESS

On Friday, September 11, 2009, the
Parks and Recreation Department held a “Back to School Bash” at the Durham
Public Library. Children were treated to free ice cream, two live performances
from local performer Story Telling with Shawn, as well as other games and
activities.

 

Durham
Trick-or-Treating

Trick-or-Treating in Durham is always held the
day before Halloween, or October 30th. This year, Trick-or-Treating will be held
on Friday, October 30th, between the hours of 5:00 and 7:30 PM.  Here are a
few tips for parents this Halloween:

 

§        
Know the route your children will be taking if you
are not going with them.  While it is best to have an adult tag along, see
if another parent will accompany them or a teenaged sibling.  They should
walk, not run, and be cautioned against running out from between parked cars, or
across lawns and yards where ornaments, furniture, or clotheslines present
dangers.

 

§        
Make sure you set a time for children to be home, and
how important it is for them to be home on time.

 

§        
As hard as it may be, never let your children eat any
treats before you have examined them for evidence of
tampering.

 

§        
When purchasing a costume, masks, beards, and wigs,
look for the label “Flame Resistant”. 

 

§        
Make sure they are short enough to prevent tripping
and/or falling. Children and parents should both wear good walking shoes. Make
sure that the costumes are light and bright enough to be clearly visible to
motorists.  Many have decorative trim that is reflective.  Bags or
sacks should also be colorful and/or reflective.  To easily see and be
seen, children should also carry flashlights.

 

§        
Apply a natural mask of cosmetics rather than have a
child wear a loose-fitting mask that might restrict breathing or obscure vision.
If a mask is used, however, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large
enough to allow full vision.

 

§        
Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories
should be of soft and flexible material.

 

§        
Know the neighbors and choose safe houses. Children
should go only to homes where the residents are known and have outside lights on
as a sign of welcome.

 

§        
NEVER let children enter homes or apartments alone.
They should always be accompanied by an adult.

 

§        
Homeowners expecting trick-or-treaters should remove
anything that could be an obstacle from lawns, steps, and porches. Candlelit
jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from landings and doorsteps where costumes
could brush against the flame. Indoor jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from
curtains, decorations, and other furnishings that could be ignited.

 

PUBLIC
MEETING SCHEDULE

The following public meetings are
scheduled for the coming week in the Town Council chambers at the Durham Town
Office and will begin at 7:00 PM unless otherwise indicated below.

 

Town Council – Monday, September 21,
2009

Tuesday, September 22, 2009 – Rental
Housing Commission (4:00
PM)

Tuesday, September 22, 2009 –
Wiswall Reservoir and Beard’s Creek Drawdown Public Informational
Meeting

Wednesday, September 23, 2009 –
Planning Board

 

To view the agenda for the meetings
listed above, please click HERE. 
All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library
for checkout and viewing. 

 

To view the Oyster River School
Board meeting schedule, please click HERE. 

The Durham Public Library Board of
Trustees meet every third Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM at
the Durham Public Library.  All are welcome to attend. To view the Trustees
meeting schedule, please click HERE.

 

DURHAM CABLE ACCESS
TELEVISION PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

To view a listing of the DCAT
programming schedule, please click HERE

 

GROWING
PLACES OPENINGS FOR “OUR TIME” AFTER SCHOOL
PROGRAM

Growing Places currently has
openings in its "Our Time" After School Program. The program operates after
school until 6:00 PM daily in Moharimet’s multipurpose room.  Part or
full-time schedule options are available.  Growing Places also offers
full-day programs during no school days and teacher workshop days. Children do
not need to attend Moharimet to enroll. 

 

New
Programming Offered: LEGO PROGRAM with THINK Education
every Tuesday and Thursday. Build your dream house in our Lego city. Build the
longest, tallest, strongest, most stable structures and test them out. Learn the
basics of mechanics by building simple machines—gears, pulleys, levers, wheels
and axles. Invent and create new gadgets in “invention
sessions”.

 

Other
Daily Activities at “Our Time” include:
Fun games,
art activities, and collaborative projects. A chance to develop friendships.
Quiet space for reading and homework

 

For more information or to register
your child, please contact Jen Thurston at
969-8677.

 

COASTAL
CLEAN-UP IN DURHAM SEPTEMBER
19

The Oyster River Watershed
Association will coordinate an Oyster River Clean-up event on Saturday,
September 19, beginning at 9:00 AM at the Durham Landing. The program is part of
Blue Ocean Society’s Coastal Clean-up Campaign, taking place along coastlines
throughout the area. The UNH Office of Sustainability is assisting with
on-campus publicity.

 

Volunteers will be supplied with
gloves, trash bags, and tally sheets. Small groups will be sent to assigned
locations, where they will pick up trash, separate recyclables, and tally what
they collect. All materials will be brought back to the Durham landing for weighing
before hauling to the transfer station. The results will be analyzed by the Blue
Ocean Society staff and reported to the public.

 

This is intended to be a
family-friendly event, so wear old clothes and boots, and join the fun.
Questions should be directed to Dick Weyrick, 868-2862, dweyrick@comcast.net.

 

Stonehouse
Pond Hike

On Saturday, September 19, 2009 from
9:00 AM to 12:00 noon, the Strafford Rivers Conservancy and the Trust for
Public Land will hold a morning hike at the spectacular
Stonehouse Pond property located in Barrington. Project staff will describe the
conservation project and campaign goals. Join Anna Boudreau, Executive Director
of the Strafford Rivers Conservancy, to learn about this spectacular natural
treasure.  Phil Auger, Land and Water Conservation Educator with UNH
Cooperative Extension, will lead this walk.

 

Registration is free and all are
welcome. For registration and directions, please contact the Strafford Rivers
Conservancy at (603) 516-0772, info@straffordriversconservancy.org,
or register online at http://straffordriversconservancy.org/.
This program is funded in part by the New England Grassroots Environment
Fund.

 

    

 

“FRIENDS
OF EILEEN” ORGAN CONCERT AT DURHAM COMMUNITY CHURCH

An organ concert and an Organ
Scholar position are among the tributes planned in memory of Eileen Keesey,
Community Church of Durham organist for over thirty-years and THE piano teacher
of Durham, who
died a year ago. In her memory, Church members have established an Organ Scholar
position to help train a student to become a Church musician. 

 

On Sunday, October 4, 2009 beginning
at 3:00 PM, a number of her friends will be playing a concert in Eileen’s memory
at the Community Church of Durham, 17 Main Street.  Both Pam Langley, a
student of Eileen’s and Brian Jones, her teacher, will be playing organ and
piano.

 

There will be a reception following
the concert.  Donations will be accepted to help establish and fund the
Eileen Keesey Memorial Organ Scholar Program.

 

Big
Tai Chi

Tuesday,
September 22, 2009 (rain date: Thursday, September 24, 2009), T-Hall Lawn,
1:00-2:00PM:
Come try Tai Chi and go with the flow with Lin Lin Choy, Tai Chi Instructor.
Community residents who wish to participate may park at A Lot at no charge.
Please go to the Visitors Center in A Lot to get a parking pass.
Please contact Amy Cunningham with questions at the Discovery Program office at
862-0309 or email discovery.program@unh.edu. Big Tai
Chi is sponsored by the UNH Discovery Program and UNH Health
Services.

 

Active
Retirement Association PROGRAM – FUTURE OF FEDERAL
BUDGET

On Thursday, September 24, 2009 at
7:00 P.M. at the Oyster River
High School auditorium, The
Active Retirement Association Memorial Fund will present Robert L. Bixby,
Executive Director of the Concord Coalition.  His presentation and
discussion will be The Future of the Federal Budget and the issues that directly
affect you. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information,
contact Beverly Johnson, ARA Public Relations, at bhjohnson@comcast.net

 

FROM
HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL – 1600 – 1976

“1940 – Ed and Mary Scheier were
sponsored by the N.H. League of Arts and Crafts and became teachers at UNH. As
skilled potters, their creations from Durham clay are collectors’ items in museums
world-wide. Fortunate are the many students who studied with this
couple.”

 

“1940 – The last of the one-room
schools at Packers
Falls was closed in June.
The Mast Road School
had closed in 1915 and the Point School in 1921. The Schoolhouse Lane School in the village was built in 1890
with 2 rooms, with tower and bell. Enlarged to 4-room in 1917, the tower was
removed.”

 

Have a nice
weekend.

 

Todd

 

Todd I. Selig, Administrator

Town of Durham
15 Newmarket Road
Durham, New Hampshire 03824
Tel
(603) 868-5571
Fax (603) 868-5572
tselig@ci.durham.nh.us
www.ci.durham.nh.us

 

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