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 NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...
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Shirley Thompson waves at bystanders during the Fire Department's 100th anniversary celebration on July 23, 2011. She passed away today. Courtesy William Lenharth
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It is with great sadness we report that longtime and beloved citizen Shirley A. Thompson died early this morning at her home on Mill Road. Shirley was very active as both a volunteer and an elected official for the Town and the Oyster River School District. In the near future, the Town Council will formally recognize Shirley for her many years of dedicated service to the Town of Durham.
We will provide a notice via the "Friday Updates" early next week once funeral services have been set.
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PARKING FOR SLEDDING AT WAGON HILL FARM
Residents utilizing Wagon Hill Farm should not utilize Route 4 for parking as parking there is prohibited for safety reasons.
The Town has plowed the lower orchard (the typical parking area for Durham Day on the drive to the water) and adequate parking exists in that location to accommodate sledders.
FILING PERIOD FOR LOCAL ELECTIVE OFFICES
The 2014 Town elections will take place on March 11, 2014 between the hours of 7AM and 7PM at the Oyster River High School.
The filing period for local Durham elective offices opened on Wednesday of this week and will close at 5:00 PM today. Positions that are up for election in 2014 include:
3 Councilors (3 yr. term)
2 Durham Library Board of Trustees (3 yr. term)
1 Supervisor of the Checklist (6 yr. term)
1 Town Clerk-Tax Collector (3 yr. term)
1 Town Treasurer (3 yr. term)
1 Trustee of Trust Funds (3 yr. term)
The filing period is officially closed and the following is a list of citizens who have filed for the Durham elected offices:
Town Council: Katherine (Kitty) Marple, Julian Smith, Katherine Bubar
Library Board of Trustees: Susan Roman, Dianne Thompson
Supervisors of the Checklist: Ann Shump
Town Clerk-Tax Collector: Lorrie Pitt
Town Treasurer: Karl VanAsselt
Trustees of the Trust Funds: Bruce Bragdon
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The filing period for Oyster River School District elective positions is on this same cycle and ends at 4 PM today. Contact the SAU Office for more information at 868-5100.
The following is a list of individuals that have filed for the ORCSD elected offices (All are for at-large positions) as of mid day, Friday:
Michael Williams – Durham
Denise Day – Durham
Sarah Farwell – Lee
Richard Laughton - Moderator
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Hockey players on the Mill Pond earlier today. Courtesy Todd Selig
HISTORIC MILL POND DAM LISTED ON NH REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
This week the NH Historic Resources Council approved the state register listing for the Mill Pond Dam. The official letter and certificate will be sent to Durham within the next two weeks. The council recognized the 101-year-old dam for having engineering and historical significance.
Durham resident Edith Onderdonk paid to build the Mill Pond dam in 1913 to honor her stepfather, Hamilton Smith. It replaced a series of wooden dams that powered sawmills and gristmills in the area since the mid-1600s. It's also one of the few remaining examples in New Hampshire of an Ambursen dam, which is a particular style of concrete dam patented by the Ambursen Hydraulic Company early in the 20th century.
The Mill Pond Dam joins the Smith Chapel and Folsom's Tavern as other Durham structures on the N.H. State Register of Historic Places, which was created in 2001.
The Durham Historic District, Smith Chapel, the Gen. John Sullivan House and Thompson Hall on the University of New Hampshire campus are some of the Durham structures on the National Register of Historic Places, which is separate from the state listing.
To read a nice article on the Mill Pond Dam’s listing in this week’s Foster’s Daily Democrat, click HERE.
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2013 EMPLOYEE SALARY INFORMATION
A 2013 report of annual Durham employee gross wages and taxable benefits is currently available on the Town web site. To view the 2013 report click HERE.
Gross wages include: overtime, special detail pay, merit pay, holiday pay, sick leave bonus pay, longevity pay, insurance credit, and miscellaneous stipends. Taxable benefits include: short and long-term disability payments, car allowance, and matching retirement deductions.
While the Town is under no obligation to create a report that is not already on file, it is important to facilitate the release of this information in an easily understandable format for residents. Employee titles were added to make it easier for the lay person to understand. The report also includes elected officials who receive a stipend for service.
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This illustration shows downtown parking changes currently being discussed
before the Town Council. Courtesy Jim Lawson
PARKING CHANGES FOR DOWNTOWN CORE MOVING FORWARD
The Administrator’s proposed 2014 Budget was amended by the Town Council to expand the use of parking kiosks throughout the Central Business District in areas were time limit parking is currently permitted or older coin operated meters are used. The Town Council authorized the purchase of new parking kiosks during their January 13, 2014 meeting. Durham’s experience with the parking kiosks has demonstrated that greater payment options benefit the users of parking and increases revenue, and the newer technology facilitates better parking management and improved enforcement.
Proposed Ordinance #2014-01 amends Chapter 153 “Vehicles and Traffic” of the Durham Town Ordinance to be consistent with the Council’s 2014 budget and discussions regarding better parking controls and management. The amendments also address the need for expanded Business Permit Parking to accommodate the increasing commercial activity in the Central Business District. Expanding the use of parking kiosks and improving parking management and enforcement requires a number of ordinance changes affecting multiple sections of Chapter 153 to ensure consistency. For example, adding kiosks to Madbury Road requires changing both the metered parking and the Time Limit Parking sections of the ordinance.
The Figure above shows the parking configuration after the ordinance is amended and the parking kiosks are installed. A summary of the ordinance changes follow:
Specifying Parking Areas in the Amended Ordinance
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The current ordinance frequently uses landmarks to describe parking areas that are difficult to understand, not fixed or may change. For example, “From 36 feet west of town utility pole No. B8 to 9.5 feet west of town utility pole No. B8”. Utility pole locations and numbers change. In the proposed amendments, parking areas are described by roads and intersections, such as “Designated parking spaces on the northerly side of Main Street between Pettee Brook Lane and Madbury Road”.
Time Limit Parking (Section 153-23) Amendments (1 Hour Still Free Along Main Street)
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The areas allowing two hour parking for vehicles displaying a resident sticker will be managed by kiosks providing two hours of parking with the first hour free. Resident stickers are no longer required for two hours of parking, and the section is amended accordingly. Administrator Selig receives regular feedback that one hour is not enough time for people to have lunch, do shopping, etc. in the downtown core. This change will accommodate people who need more time than 60 minutes to do their business along Main Street versus the situation today.
Meter Parking Areas (Section 153-29) Amendments
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The Ordinance has been updated to reflect the town’s use of parking kiosks.
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Acceptance of debit and credit cards.
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Requirement to display the kiosk receipt on the dashboard so that it is visible from outside the vehicle.
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Parking fees may be either established or set as specified in the master fee schedule. This provides the Town Council with greater flexibility on how metered parking is managed. For example, the proposed Master Fee Schedule specifies that the Town Administrator manages metered parking in specific areas (i.e. sets time limits and/or change parking fees).
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Metered Parking is added to the following parking locations:
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East side of Madbury Road between Mathes Terrace and Garrisson Avenue.
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South side of Garrison Avenue between Madbury Road and Rosemary Lane.
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North Side of Main Street between Pettee Brook Lane and Madbury Road.
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Jenkins Court.
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The parking lot at the southwest corner of the Madbury Road and Pettee Brook Lane Intersection (the “Store-24/Tedeschi/Sammy’s” parking lot).
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Depot Parking Lot (a portion to allow easier access for residents to utilize the train in additional to permit parking).
The following area is being transitioned from coin operated meters to parking kiosks
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Pettee Brook Parking Lot North
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The Town Administrator may designate a limited number of parking spaces on Main Street and Jenkins Court that allow a maximum of fifteen minutes (15) of parking without a fee or using the meter. This is to accommodate, as needed, downtown businesses dependent on food takeout and quick transactions.
Business Permit Parking Areas (Section 153-30) Amendments
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Creates new Business Permit Parking Areas
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West side of Madbury Road between Mathes Terrace and Garrison Avenue
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South side of Garrison Avenue between Rosemary Lane and Madbury Road
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East side of Strafford Avenue from Garrison Avenue to the UNH managed metered parking in the vicinity of the former NE Center.
Penalties for offenses (Section 153-32) Amendments
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Fines are increased from $20.00 to $30.00 for violations of Time Limited or Meter Parking, EXCEPT in the core Downtown where the fine remains $20.
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Fines are increased from $20.00 to $30.00 for violations of prohibited parking.
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Clarification on the ordinances covered by prohibited and time limited penalties.
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A new fine of $50.00 for violations of the Business Parking Areas ordinance.
Schedule Amendments
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Schedule XIV (153-46): Parking prohibited at all times (Section 153-46)
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Changes to Garrison Avenue to accommodate new metered parking between Rosemary Lane and Madbury Road
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Schedule XVII (153-49): Parking prohibited certain hours
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Restricts Parking on Strafford Avenue between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
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Schedule XX: Time Limit Parking
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Changes the hours of time limit parking to times when metered parking is not enforced at the following locations: Jenkins Court, Main Street, Garrison Avenue, parking lot at southwest corner of the Madbury Road and Pettee Brook Lane intersection.
The Council approved the parking ordinance on first reading and has scheduled a public hearing on it for February 17, 2014.
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ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF ADMINISTRATOR SELIG TO BE DISCUSSED MONDAY, 2/3/14
Pursuant to Section 17 of Administrator Selig’s Employment Agreement with the Town: “Commencing in April of 2013, and each succeeding April thereafter, the Town Council and Selig shall mutually establish goals and objectives [these are the approved 2013-2014 Town Council goals] which they deem necessary and appropriate for the proper management of the Town during the succeeding twelve (12) months. Such goals and objectives shall be committed to writing and formally adopted by the Town Council. . .. Commencing in January 2013, and for each January thereafter, the Town Council shall review/evaluate Selig’s performance in accord with the criteria provided to Selig by the Town the preceding April. The Town Council shall provide Selig with a written summary of this Annual Performance Evaluation and shall provide Selig with an opportunity to discuss this evaluation with the Town Council.”
The Council has utilized a one page evaluation form/matrix for a number of years outlining key elements of importance and ranking the Administrator’s performance (on a scale of 1 to 5) for each of these elements which included five categories: Ability to maintain or improve strong relationships, Financial oversight and Initiative, Leadership, Initiative, and Other. Rankings included: 5=Excellent, 4=Very Good, 3=Good, 2=Acceptable, 1=Unacceptable.
The objective of this process is to develop a consensus of the Council regarding the performance of the Administrator over the course of the previous year and to offer collective guidance (one voice to the extent possible) for the upcoming year.
Council members were asked to complete the matrix and return their responses electronically to Council Chair Jay Gooze by January 22, 2014. Chair Gooze then compiled the responses and distributed them electronically to each Councilor in advance of the February 3, 2014 Council meeting at which time the Council and Mr. Selig will discuss the results.
The average consolidated score for Mr. Selig this year was 4, down from a 4.5 in January 2013. Councilors generally observed that 2013 was a very busy year for the Town of Durham.
To review the complete consolidated evaluation that incorporates the results submitted by Council members, as well as written responses that were provided, click HERE.
Only Mr. Selig’s annual performance evaluation is required to be completed in 2014 as the Council and Mr. Selig entered into an Employment Agreement last year for a period of four years extending from 1/1/13 to 12/31/16, and establishing a fixed base annual salary for Mr. Selig at $125,000 for each year of the four year contract. Under the terms of the Employment Agreement, Mr. Selig, who resides in Durham, is prohibited from leaving the employment of the Town during the term of the contract without providing a full eight (8) months advance notice.
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NH RANKED #1 IN NATION BY POLITICO MAGAZINE
Politico Magazine rounded up 14 different state rankings from sources such as the Census Bureau, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the FBI, and on important factors such as high school graduation rates, per capita income, life expectancy, and crime rate. The magazine averaged out each state’s 14 rankings to come up with a master list. NH came out #1. Thank you to Durham resident Jay Moore for passing along this information.
Read more HERE.
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2014 DOG LICENSES/TAGS NOW AVAILABLE!
2014 dog licenses/tags are now available at the Town Clerk's Office.
New Hampshire law states “any owner or keeper” of a dog must register the dog annually in the month of April. A penalty of $1/month will be added to the registration fee beginning in June. If the dog(s) remain unlicensed, the law requires the issuance of a Civil Forfeiture which carries a $25 fine/dog. If the dog(s) continue to remain unlicensed, a summons to court will be issued. Prompt attention to licensing your dog(s) eliminates the need to pursue further action.
As always, you can register at the Town Clerk’s office M-F, 8-5. If your dog’s rabies vaccination is up-to-date you can register on-line, or register by mail and include a copy of the new rabies expiration date.
If you have received a notice from the Town Clerk's Office, and you no longer have the dog, please call 603-868-5577 as the Town has no other way to obtain this information.
WINTER SAFETY TIPS FOR DURHAM PET OWNERS
Just like people, pets’ cold tolerance can vary from pet to pet based on their coat, body fat stores, activity level, and health. Be aware of your pet’s tolerance for cold weather, and adjust accordingly.
Doctors David and Michelle Harriton are longtime family residents of the Town of Durham. They also own The Animal Hospital of Barrington. Given the frigid temperatures experienced these last few weeks, they have very graciously forwarded some excellent tips for keeping animals, particularly dogs and cats, safe.
To view them, click HERE.
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ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE 2014 WAGON HILL FARM COMMUNITY GARDENS will be held Sunday, February 16 from 2:00 - 3:30 pm. at the Durham Parks and Recreation Building (the Old brick court house on the corner of Route 108 and Main Street, next to the gas station). You can park your car at the town office parking lot. All current and prospective members should come to apply for a 2014 garden, learn about the garden schedule, and meet other gardeners. For more information about the gardens see our website: http://communitygardensforall.org/ If weather forces postponement of the meeting, the snow date is Sunday, March 2 at the same time.
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Newly hired Durham Patrol Officer Katie Bolton
TWO NEW OFFICERS AT DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief Kurz is pleased to announce the hiring of Katie Bolton and David Skelly as patrol officers bringing the department to its authorized strength of twenty (20) police officers. The 2014 Town Budget increases the number of patrol officers from 19 to 20, and utilizes a Federal COPS Grant in the amount of $125,000 over three years to offset a portion of the cost of the additional officer.
David Skelly grew-up in Methuen, Massachusetts and graduated in May from Unity College in Maine with a BA degree in Conservation Law Enforcement. Officer Skelly is currently residing in Barrington.
Katie Bolton grew up in Epping and graduated from Springfield College with a BA degree in Sports Management. Most recently Katie worked at Water Country as a revenue manager.
Both David and Katie are currently at the New Hampshire Police Academy focusing upon their fourteen (14) weeks of intensive training and will return to Durham after graduation on April 11th.
Chief Kurz wants to extend a hearty thank you for the assistance of Durham residents Ellen Karelitz and Andrew Corrow who graciously provided their time, insight, and life experience by participating in the oral board hiring process for these officers. It is important that residents be involved in this process to ensure that Durham Police Officers possess the necessary attributes to be a successful employee of the community.
Durham's new Patrol Officer David Skelley
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ARTICLE ABOUT DURHAM POLICE - Officer Involved Shootings
Chief Kurz and Sergeant Jack Dalton delivered a symposium at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conference in Philadelphia recently about “Officer Involved Shootings in Smaller Agencies”. Chief Kurz is a member of the IACP Advisory Group that focuses upon the unique issues facing smaller police departments who may often be expected to accomplish “large agency” tasks without the resources that may be available to those large metropolitan. After the presentation, the US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance published an article authored by Chief Kurz and Sergeant Dalton to share to a larger audience. To read the article, click HERE.
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PLANNING BOARD APPROVES ORION PROJECT, ADDITIONAL MEETING SCHEDULED FOR 2/5/14
The Planning Board approved the Orion project on Wednesday. This project involves a partial redevelopment of a key parcel on Church Hill (next to the Grange and across the street from the US Post Office - the "tri colored houses"). It was a long process because the site is very sensitive.
Administrator Selig would like to acknowledge the hard work of the Historic District Commission, the Economic Development Committee, the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and the Planning Board in reviewing this significant project in the heart of Durham's Historic District.
It takes time, effort, and dedication to serve on local land use boards. If you know someone who does serve, please take a moment to thank them for their important work. It makes a difference in Durham.
Meanwhile, the Planning Board is holding another special meeting this Wednesday, February 5, to continue its review of Madbury Commons. This will make for meetings on six Wednesdays in a row (from January 8 to February 12).
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BLASTING EXPERT SPOKE AT PLANNING BOARD
In conjunction with the proposed student housing project at 25-35 Main Street ("Orion"), and following up on Town Engineer David Cedarholm's comments to the Planning Board on January 15, a blasting expert was invited to speak to the Board on Wednesday, January 22. Both meetings were recorded and are viewable on DCAT on Demand.
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DURHAM COMPOSTING PILOT PROGRAM
The Town’s Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee, the Department of Public Works, and Mr. Fox Composting will conduct a composting pilot program beginning on March 1, 2014. This program seeks to remove organic waste from our land fill disposal stream and, through composting, convert this organic waste into usable soil. While the amount of organic waste generated by a household is quite variable, it is frequently estimated that 40% or more of the material disposed of in land fills is organic waste. Durham’s annual land fill disposal exceeds 1600 tons at a cost of more than $112,500. If we could remove just 20% of the annual disposal tonnage Durham could save more than $22,500 annually. And help extend the life of existing land fills, produce useful soil, and reduce the production of methane gas, one of the most destructive air pollutants produced by human activity.
How will the program work? Participants in the pilot program will receive organic waste disposal liners (bags) at the beginning of the program. These liners will be placed by participants in a waste disposal container (trash can) with a tight lid. Then, as organic waste is produced it will be collected in the liner, in the container. When it is time to empty the collected material (once a week?), participants will take the container to the transfer station and place it in a marked composting dumpster. Care should be exercised in handling the filled liners as they are made of compostable material and may soften when wet. It is best to tie off the liner and then dump it from your disposal container into the dumpster. Mr. Fox Composting will transport the waste to a composting site.
What do you mean by organic waste? Compostable materials are: food scraps from the table; eggshells; bread; seafood (not clam or oyster shells); fruits and vegetables (including pits and nuts); coffee grounds and filters; tea and tea bags; pizza boxes; wood stirrers; sugar packets; paper napkins, plates and towels; waxed paper linings; flowers and floral trimmings; corn based cups and utensils; and corks. Items not on this list are not currently compostable.
How do I participate? If you are interested in participating in the pilot program call Durham Public Works at 868-5578 and ask to be place on the pilot program list. You will be asked for your name, address and telephone number so we can contact you with updates and additional coordination. We are planning to conduct the pilot program with 50-100 residences. If the program proves successful, we hope to expand it to as many residences as possible.
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Foundation work progresses at the Town Hall project. Courtesy Craig Stevens
TOWN HALL PROJECT
Public Works staff installs footer drain piping, imbedded in stone, along one of the new exterior walls at the Town Hall construction site today. This drainage piping will call ground water away from the new Town Hall building.
Public Works began to backfill around the new foundation at the front of the building. We should expect to see framing begin in the next few weeks.
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STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY ADDRESS
The State of the University Address will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2014. Doors open at 12:40 PM for the speech by UNH President Mark Huddleston in the Granite State Room of the MUB. The speech begins at 1 PM. The address is open to the entire Durham community.
The address can also we watched on line live at: http://www.unh.edu/president/state-university.
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PHYSICAL ACTIVITY/RECREATIONAL PROGRAM OFFERED to DURHAM AND ORCSD STUDENTS THROUGH UNH DEPARTMENT OF KINESIOLOGY FOR 3RD/4TH GRADE STUDENTS
UNH physical education (PE) students will offer a social/recreational experience designed to enhance skills in the areas of physical and social skill development. Participants will engage in team building and cooperative activities leading to use of the indoor climbing wall. We are offering this program to students who may want extra time working on these skills in an environment with a high teacher/student ratio. We are able to effectively accommodate 15 students and registration is on a first come/first serve basis.
The program will run on Tuesdays for the following dates: 2/11, 2/18, 3/4, 3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8, 4/15 from 4:00-5:00pm at New Hampshire Hall at UNH with a suggested donation of $40.00 to support the professional development of our PE students. For more information or to register your child, contact Michelle Grenier via email at: michelle.grenier@unh.edu or phone 603-862-1835.
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CHURCHILL RINK AT JACKSON'S LANDING SKATE SCHEDULE
For details on the schedule, please go to https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/churchillrink or call the rink at 868-3907.
Public Skate Schedule:
Sundays: 12:00 - 1:45pm
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 2:00 - 3:20pm
Tuesdays:12:00 - 4:20pm
Thursdays: 12:00 - 1:50pm
Saturday: 2:00 - 3:45pm
Open Stick & Puck (unstructured hockey)
Sunday thru Friday: 11:00 - 11:50am
Adult Drop In
Sundays: 9:30 - 10:50am
Monday & Wednesday: 12:00 - 1:20 pm
Fridays: 12:00 - 1:20pm AND 8:00 - 9:20pm
Family Pond Hockey (Helmet required)
Saturday nights, 7:00 - 8:30 pm (except for Dec 28th)
For more information, contact Gary at Rink Services Group, 603-868-3907, gary@rinkservicesgroup.com.
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THE LATEST PRODUCTIONS FROM DCAT STUDIOS
Strafford Regional Planning Commission presents: Mills Scenic Byway -Run time: 1:02 - Sunday’s @ 8:30 PM
Join your hosts, Kyle Pimental, Senior Regional Planner & Todd Selig, Durham Administrator for a presentation on the Mills Scenic Byway. The proposed Mills Scenic Byway is a 12.1 mile route that travels through the Towns of Newmarket, Durham, Madbury and Rollinsford. This route offers a clear depiction of small, yet vital communities, located along the coastal shores of the Lamprey, Oyster, Bellamy, Salmon Falls, and Cocheco Rivers. This public hearing is required in order for the Cultural Byway Council to officially designate the Mills Scenic Byway as a state byway. This video will also be available on the towns On Demand site. This is a production of DCAT 22 Studios.
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Mill Pond Dam Centennial Celebration - Sunday’s @ 10:30 AM & 7:30 PM - Run time: 30 Minutes
Sit back and enjoy the latest production from DCAT 22 Studios. Enjoy some of Durham’s beautiful scenery, hear a this history of the Mill Pond Dam. Who is Congreve Hamilton Quniby? Did Humpty Dumpty actually make an appearance at the celebration? You’ll only find the answers to these questions by watching the video.
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An afternoon with “Big Nate” author Lincoln Peirce - Sunday’s @ 2:30 PM & 5:55 PM - Run time: 1:04
If you weren’t available to make it to the Library for Durham’s own author Lincoln Peirce, then no worries, DCAT 22 Studios was there to record and capture all of the cool stuff he talked about and his demonstration on how he illustrates. Hear a some of his Durham history, his humble comic strip beginnings and learn how “Nate” got his name.
These videos are also available for viewing on the Town’s On Demand site.
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MEETINGS: SCHEDULE AND VIDEO ON DEMAND
The following public meetings are scheduled for the coming week All meetings begin at 7:00 PM and are held in the Council chambers at the Durham Town Hall unless otherwise indicated below.
Town Council - Monday, February 3, 2014. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.
Durham Energy Committee - Tuesday, February 4, 2014. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.
Planning Board - Wednesday, February 5, 2014. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.
Historic District/Heritage Commission - Thursday, February 6, 2014. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.
All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library for checkout and viewing.
VIDEO ON DEMAND: Meetings can also be viewed via Video on Demand. Interested viewers can access the streaming site from the Town’s website at http://ci.durham.nh.us/ by clicking the DCAT on demand logo, or directly at http://dcat.pegcentral.com/.
Durham Public Library Board of Trustees meeting schedule, please click HERE.
DCAT Programming Schedule, please click HERE.
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PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Durham Parks and Recreation, its Director and Committee, strive to offer a wide range of quality programs, parks, and facilities that encourage all community members to participate in healthy, fun, and enriching activities. Together, they celebrate the essential role public recreation plays in fostering a cohesive and vibrant community.
Family Fun Day at Wagon Hill Farm – NEW! - Join us on Friday, February 28th for a day of sledding FUN! Enter our FREE raffle for your chance to win some WILD WINTER prizes! Warm up with some complimentary hot chocolate, shoot a family photo by the wagon, and take a hike around the property rated New England’s “Best Hilly Retreat” by Yankee Magazine.
When: Friday, February 28th (12-3PM)
Where: Top of the Hill - Wagon Hill Farm
Note that Durham has plowed the lower orchard for parking. Residents SHOULD NOT park along Rout 4.
Sledders at Wagon Hill Farm. Courtesy Stefanie Frazee
DPR Climbing Club - Back by popular demand, and filling up fast! Find out more HERE.
Jumpstart Your Week with Yoga - Every Monday from 6-7AM. Fill out a registration form HERE.
Senior Trips – NEW! - Are you interested in taking a trip to places like Boston, New York, Foxwoods, etc.? Email: sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us to put your name on the mailing list.
Yoga for Seniors - Find out more HERE.
Tai Chi – Beginners - Find out more HERE.
Fitness Close to Home - Pick a class that FITS your schedule HERE.
Volunteer With DPR - Do you like being outdoors? Do you have a group looking for ways to be more involved and give back to the community? Contact: sfrazee@ci.durham.nh.us to learn about local volunteer opportunities. Find out more HERE.
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John Adams, second President of the United States
The Active Retirement Association's February General Meeting will feature Dr. James M. Farrell of the UNH Communications Department, speaking on "Public Education: John Adams and the New Hampshire Constitution". See more information below.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
RaffleTickets on Sale for Oyster River High School 2014 Project Graduation. Project Graduation is a tradition whereby the parents and community come together to provide a fun, safe, and substance free night to OR graduates. For more information contact Fran Mandeville, nhpanda@yahoo.com or Diane Gallant at pg2014.dgallant@gmail.com.
Winter White Sale going on now at Echo Thrift Shop, Community Church of Durham. All white items are 50% off.
UNH Museum of Art Exhibitions Opening Soon, January 24-March 30, 2014. For more information, visit http://cola.unh.edu/moa
UNH Celebrity Series, Duo Versus, Abraham McWilliams, violin and Martynas Levickis, accordian, Saturday, Feb 1, 2014, &PM, Johnson Theatre. For more information, visit http://cola.unh.edu/celebrity-series
Active Retirement Association General Meeting, Monday, Feb 10, 2014, 1:30 PM, Durham Evangelical Church, 114 Dover Road. Program will feature Dr. James M. Farrell of the UNH Communications Department, speaking on "Public Education: John Adams and the New Hampshire Constitution".
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DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Take Your Child to the Library Day, Sat. Feb. 1st 10-5 pm – At 10:30 we have Baby Lap-sit. Throughout the day, we will have Xbox games available and a library challenge for you to complete. You can also make a craft, read a book, tour the library and borrow some great materials to take home! Come and join us!
McGregor EMS Babysitting Class, Sat. Feb. 1st, 10:30-3:00 p.m. - This course is designed to certify kids ages 12 & up. Cost is $35. To register, visit www.mcgregorems.org or call 603-862-3674
Baby Lap-Sit! For infants to age 2 with their caregiver, Sat. Feb. 1st at 10:30 a.m. - Join us for stories, fingerplays and songs. There will be a time after for you and your baby to play and socialize with other parents and babies. This program is geared to ages 2 and under with their parent/caregiver. All are welcome.
If Valentine's Day makes you think of romance, be sure not to miss the super sale of romance books in The Friends' Bookstore next to the cafe in the library. February 5-February 15.
Chess and Board Game Afternoon (ages 10 & up), Monday Feb. 3rd 3:00-4:00 p.m. – Join us every Monday afternoon now in the Young Adult room for a game of chess (or other board games).
Young Adult Writing Group, Monday, Feb. 3rd, 7:00-7:45 p.m. - Like to write? Join us for this monthly writing group in the YA room. We do writing exercises, talk about your writing and post to our blog "Write Away". All are welcome.
Pre-school Storytimes: Tues. Feb. 4th and Thurs. Feb. 6th at 10:30 a.m. – The theme is: Alligators!
Raccoon Readers, 2nd-4th Grade Book Group, Tuesday, Feb. 4th 6:00-7:00 p.m. – This month’s book “Bobby vs. Girls (accidentally)” by Dan Santat. Join us for the Raccoon Readers (2nd-4th grade book group). We talk about a book/author, do puzzles, play some games and make a craft. All are welcome and books are available at the library.
Lego Club, Thurs. Feb. 6th at 3:45-4:45 p.m. – Join us Thursdays to make Lego creations. Lego Club is in need of Lego Donations! Have any Legos that you would like to donate to the library? They will be put to good use at our very popular Lego Club.
Alzheimer’s Café, Friday Feb. 7th, 10:30-12:00 p.m. – Join us in the café for this social gathering for Alzheimer’s patients who still reside at home and their caregivers.
Homeschoolers Activity Hour, Friday Feb. 7th, 10:30 a.m. – This week: Math Wizardry! We will hear books, play some games, do some puzzles and make a craft. This group is geared to home-schoolers but all are welcome.
Crafternoon – Fri. Feb. 7th 3:00-4:30 p.m. – Stop by the Children’s craft room on Fridays for a fun craft.
McGregor EMS CPR Course, Tues. Feb. 11th, 6:00-8:15 p.m. - McGregor Memorial EMS is proud to offer a CPR Course at the library. The cost for the Community CPR Class is $20, and payment is due the night of the class. Please register at www.mcgregorems.org
Bookeaters, Middle School Book Group, Weds. Feb. 12th, 2:45-4:00 p.m. – Join us for this middle school book group. This month’s book is “Captain Nobody” by Dean Pitchford. Walk from the middle school. Ruth Wharton McDonald is the facilitator. Pizza is served and all are welcome. Books are available at the library.
Embracing Physical and Emotional Pains, Sat. Feb. 15th, 10:30-11:30 a.m. - Everyone experiences pains, physically and emotionally, at different time of life: aging, a serious medical diagnosis, the sudden loss of a loved one, the breakup of a relation, financial loss, loss of home, loss of job or simply from stress... Pain is unavoidable. But do you know suffering isn't? Come and sit with us to explore how meditation of Mindfulness and Compassion can bring hope of peace and freedom. Experience yourself.
Family Movie Afternoon, “Enchanted”, Sat. Feb. 15th, 2:00 p.m. – Join us for this month’s family movie: “Enchanted”. All are welcome and popcorn is served.
Pajama story times are once a month sponsored by Oyster River Parents and Preschoolers (ORPP). All are welcome! The next one is on Tuesday, Feb. 18th at 6:30 pm and this month: Pirates! Come and hear stories about Pirates, make a pirate craft and have a treasure hunt. Come wearing your pajamas. We read stories, do fingerplays, songs, feltboard and make a craft. ORPP supplies a snack. All are welcome.
Libros Lovers, High School Book Group, Weds. Feb. 19th, 2:45-4:00 p.m. - This month's book is "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman. Ruth Wharton McDonald is the facilitator. Pizza is served.
XBOX Kinect Gaming Night (ages 10 and up), Weds. Feb. 19th, 6:00-7:30 p.m. – Come out and test your skills with our Xbox Kinect in the Young Adult Room. Pizza is served and all are welcome.
Make-it-take-it craft week of Feb. 22nd through March 1st - Stop by the Children’s room all week during February vacation to make a craft.
McAdams Magic Show! Special Joint Library Vacation Program, Thursday, February 27th, 10:30 a.m. at the Durham Public Library! Join us for this fun joint library (Durham, Lee and Madbury) vacation performance by a very talented magician and his dog. All are welcome. Get ready to see some magic!
Tales for Tails and Seacoast Reads sign-ups happening now. Contact the Children’s desk to register.
Patch Club! Earn patches and a library bag for your reading time. Register at the children’s desk.
Visit the DPL website www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more information.
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WEEKLY ARREST REPORT
*Academic year commences the third week of August through graduation at UNH in May.
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FROM "HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL - A BRIEF HISTORY OF DURHAM, NH, 1600 - 1976 written by Philip A. Wilcox and members of the Durham Historic Association
1740 - The Great Awakening came to town. Religious revivals, led by fanatical Nicholas Gilman, divided the town and temporarily destroyed the church. Revival antics included vision-seeing, jig-dancing, and all-night meetings. Unusual sectarian spirit continued after Gilman's death in 1748.
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