Friday Updates - July 24, 2015

Friday, July 24, 2015

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In Memoriam
Phyllis Wheeler Bennett

February 21, 1941 - July 21, 2015

It is with sadness we report that one of Durham's longtime citizens, Phyllis Bennett, died on July 21, 2015. Phyllis was an an active and devoted public servant. Her obituary follows.

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Born February 21, 1941 in New York, New York, Phyllis was the daughter of Bertram Hill Wheeler and Kathryn Brennan Wheeler.

Phyllis graduated from Douglass College, now part of Rutgers University, in 1962. She began her active career when she won an internship with the United Nations. She did regular broadcasts, in Spanish, for the Voice of America. After graduation she worked in the Washington, DC, office of Congressman Jim Wright of Texas. As a political activist, she participated in The March on Washington in 1963 with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965.

Phyllis was long active in the newspaper industry.  She started at the early age of 10 by distributing handwritten newspapers to her neighbors in Woodbridge, NJ.

In 1973, she and her former husband, Stephen Alden Bennett, moved to New Hampshire to start a weekly newspaper devoted to “local news and opinions.” Publick Occurrences was named after the first newspaper published in the American colonies, shut down by King James after one issue.

Six weeks after going to press, Publick Occurrences broke the news that Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis was secretly planning, with the aid of then-Governor Meldrim Thomson, to build the world’s largest oil refinery on Durham Point.  As publisher, Phyllis oversaw the editorial content of hundreds of pages of facts gathered by University of New Hampshire faculty and members of Save Our Shores, led by local resident Nancy Sandberg.

 

The paper’s reporting brought truth to the events and was instrumental in preserving the NH Seacoast. Its coverage of the oil refinery opposition and debate, “Battle for Durham,” was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and it was named the most enterprising newspaper in New England by the Boston Globe.

The oil refinery proposal was ultimately defeated by local vote made possible by the legislative works of NH Rep. Dudley Dudley.  A granite bench recognizing the actions of these three women can be visited at Wagon Hill Farm in Durham, NH.

In 1974, Phyllis joined Steve Taylor at the newly formed New Hampshire chapter of the Humanities Council and in 1979 she joined the University of New Hampshire, where she led the Office of University Relations for eight presidents over the course of 23 years.

After retiring from UNH, Phyllis served the state and Durham community as a board member of the NH Audubon Society, the Canterbury Shaker Village and the NH Charitable Foundation.

Phyllis was a quiet power in state politics. She worked as a trusted advisor, in both formal and informal capacities, on countless political campaigns, including as Press Secretary for US Rep. Mo Udall’s 1973 presidential campaign.

Her advice to all was “be a doer, not a watcher” and she lived that philosophy. She was passionate about newspapers, gardening, traveling, politics, friends and family. Phyllis loved her home and garden at Oyster River Farm that she shared with her loving husband Ray Belles. Phyllis brought light into the world, into every space she occupied. She was a loyal friend, a beloved mother and wife, as well as a truly wonderful grandmother who taught her four grandsons the value of reading, listening, and being kind to others.

Members of Phyllis’ family include her husband and partner of 40 years, Ray Belles; her brother, Richard Wheeler and his wife, Patty, of Ketchum, ID; her daughter, Meredith Bennett, her husband, Robert LaForty, and grandsons Ryan and Colin, of Ridgewood, NJ; and her son, Patrick Bennett, his wife, Kathy, and grandsons Alden and Hartley, of Charlotte, NC.  

Memorial contributions are welcome in support of the local organization, Families First, which helps many people in the Seacoast area. They may be sent to Families First, 100 Corporate Drive - Suite 12, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, in memory of Phyllis Bennett.

A celebration of Phyllis’ life will be held in the fall. We hope many will join us to share memories of a woman who made the world a better place with her good humor, wisdom, talent, conviction, generosity, and grace.

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UNH AGREES TO CONTRIBUTE FUNDS TOWARD DURHAM’S COLLEGE ROAD/MAIN STREET LIGHT/CONTROL PANEL PROJECT

The Town is pleased to report that UNH, through the generous support of the Affirmative Action and Equity Office, will contribute or reimburse up to $3,000 for the installation of the new pedestrian control panels at the College & Main intersection. 

The controls for the street lights at College Road/Main Street are a Durham project scheduled for this year.

NO-SORT RECYCLING

It was a successful first week of no-sort recycling.  However, DPW has received several calls with confusion on the change.  The only difference to the weekly recycling regiment is that residents no longer need to separate (no-sort) their bottles, cans, and glass from their paper and cardboard--they can all be placed in the same container. 

Residents can continue to use the same recycling containers they have always used.  Residents may, if they prefer, purchase a larger lock on barrel such as the lock on barrel in the educational video that was aired recently. That is a choice, not a requirement.  Such barrels may be purchased at local hardware stores perhaps, or places such as Home Depot, Lowes, or Walmart.

 

The educational video can be viewed HERE. 

For more information on no-sort recycling, click HERE.

AFTER/BEFORE HOURS DROP BOX AT TOWN HALL

In order to make it as convenient as possible for residents to drop off materials at the Town Hall, a drop box has been installed under the main entrance arch to the building, directly under the bulletin board used for posting public meetings and notices. 

The Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s Office staff checks this daily.  It can be utilized for any department in the building.  

 

Approximately 20 people in total participated in the bus tour of Eversource's Seacoast Reliability Project on Wednesday this week. Courtesy DCAT Studio

REPORT OUT ON BUS TOUR OF EVERSOURCE’S SEACOAST RELIABILITY PROJECT 

On Wednesday of this week, July 22, 2015, the Town of Durham hosted a bus tour of the proposed Eversource Seacoast Reliability Project’s 8-mile route through Durham.  Representatives from Eversource were present to talk about the project and answer questions from residents.  Ten residents participated as part of the tour along with Durham staff, reporters from Foster's Daily Democrat, and numerous Eversource personnel.  


Craig Stevens from DCAT-Channel 22 also filmed the tour and is in the process of producing a video to place on TV and on our web site.  


A special thanks to Business Administrator Sue Caswell from the Oyster River Cooperative School District who on very short notice mustered a big yellow ORCSD school bus and driver for the tour.  Driver Jim Thrasher kept the group safe and sound as did a Durham police car escort!  


A thank you is also extended to Durham resident Dudley Dudley for suggesting the tour at the June 22nd Eversource forum.


To read an article in the Foster’s Daily Democrat about the bus tour this week, click HERE.

2015 ROAD PROGRAM

The 2015 road program paving schedule continues in Town.  Reminder to residents on roads that are being paved, driveway tie ins occur in the weeks following the road paving.  We apologize for the brief bump at the end of your driveway in the meantime but appreciate your patience. 

Paving crews will return in the next few weeks to complete the driveway tie in making it a smooth transition.

Assistant DPW Director of Operations Doug Bullen holds the electric vehicle charging station mount to be installed at the Pettee Brook lot. Courtesy Todd Selig

SELECTING LOCATION OF DURHAM’S NEW ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING STATION IN PETTEE BROOK LOT

As noted recently, the Town has received word from the State of New Hampshire that Durham will be awarded a $5,000 grant for a dual port EV charging station for electric vehicles within the Pettee Brook Parking Lot.  The charging station will be installed as part of the Pettee Brook Parking Lot repaving. 

On Thursday of this week, Public Works Assistant Director for Operations Doug Bullen, Director Mike Lynch, Energy Committee Chair Charles Forcey, Energy Committee Member Jim Dreher, resident Robin Mower, and Administrator Selig met on site to discuss where the new two-handled electric charging station would be located.  


To read an article in the Foster’s Daily Democrat about the new charging station, click HERE.

New pedestrian bridge on Pettee Brook. Courtesy Todd Selig

NEW PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER PETTEE BROOK TAKES SHAPE

As part of the new Madbury Commons project, a Planning Board appointed subcommittee has been working diligently with the project owner to design a new, much improved pedestrian crossing over the Pettee Brook creating the linkage between Madbury Road and Pettee Brook Lane envisioned as part of the B-Dennis planning efforts several years ago.  The bridge is probably at 60% completion at this time.  In addition, the Pettee Brook Parking Lot will be reconfigured this week to become more pedestrian-oriented.  

Administrator Todd Selig is found by a Friends Forever group from Northern Ireland and Israel during a scavenger hunt on Thursday of this week.  Courtesy Craig Stevens

FRIENDS FOREVER UNDERTAKES SCAVENGER HUNT IN DOWNTOWN DURHAM ON THURSDAY

Friends Forever is an independent 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization based in Durham on Morgan Way that utilizes a grassroots approach to help youth from conflict-prone regions of the world build lasting friendships across cultural, religious and political divides. Serving as a liaison between U.S and international communities, the organization allows people of all backgrounds to participate first-hand in the international peace process.

The goal of Friends Forever is to create trust, empathy, and friendships between cultures in conflict by working with international and local youth leaders.  


This week two groups of young people, one from Northern Ireland and another from Israel, participated in a scavenger hunt in downtown Durham.  Police Chief David Kurz. Fire Chief Corey Landry, Paul Eja (from Pauly’s Pockets) and other people/items were amongst a list of things that the groups had to find.  Everyone involved had a nice time getting to know one another.

 

TOWN COUNCIL AWARDS $45,000 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN CONTRACT TO BILL SCHOONMAKER, SCHOONMAKER ARCHITECTS, FOR THE DESIGN OF AN ADDITION TO THE DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Durham Police has been located at 86 Dover Road since 1997 having converted the building from its use as the former Clipper Affiliates business office to that of a police facility. In that year, the Town purchased and renovated the facility for  $440,000 and it has served the community well during that time. Over the last 18 years the demands placed upon the department with evidence retention, equipment storage, lack of women's locker room space, as well as record retention needs is becoming an acute challenge. While the existing facility is in need of insulation, window replacement, and other maintenance items, when accomplished in conjunction with an addition to the rear of the existing building, the facility addition/renovation would negate the need for the Town of Durham to be concerned about addressing police housing needs for the next 30-40 years.


In the 2015 CIP, the Council authorized the expenditure of $45,000 to obtain engineered drawings and a complete design portfolio that will be "shovel ready" and allow the Town to determine costs for the addition.


In early March, the Durham Police developed an RFP and hosted an open house and tour of the facility to discuss with potential bidders the parameters, needs, and desire(s) of the police department. Ultimately, three companies submitted proposals by the required date:

• Schoonmaker Architects Durham, NH/Bauen Corporation
• Noonan Construction Rochester, NH
• Turnstone Corporation Milford, NH

After initial review of the qualifications by a committee of Durham Police personnel, as well as Public Works Director Michael Lynch and Code Enforcement Officer Tom Johnson, the decision to interview Schoonmaker and Noonan for final determination was made. After interviews with the two firms, the committee was unanimous in determining to offer the contract to Schoonmaker & Associates.


The contract award of $45,000 Monday evening by the Council will provide the Town with architectural drawings and allow for a definitive/maximum pricing costs associated with an addition to the rear of the current facility. Currently, the department is dealing with assumptions and conjecture when an attempt is made to assign a price tag to the addition/renovation.


The proposed addition would consist of a sally port that will enable officers to drive into a garage where prisoners can safely be transported into the booking area. Additionally, with five (5) women police officers currently on staff, locker room space has exceeded capacity and any future hiring should not be dependent upon locker room availability. The need to have adequate space for evidence retention is a critical challenge as is record retention and the associated State mandates for storage of investigations and other police reports.


Once architectural drawings are complete, Schoonmaker Architects, working with the construction element of the team Bauen Corporation (the firm that constructed Durham's library), will provide definitive and maximum pricing for the addition/ renovation.


The goal is to have drawings completed with a definitive price structure followed by a presentation to the Town Council for possible inclusion in the 2016 Operating Budget for construction commencing that year.

 

A Durham firefighter uses a thermal imaging camera during a recent training exercise. Courtesy Durham FD

FIRE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS TRAINING IN USE OF A THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA

The Durham Fire Department was able to use the Hewitt Annex on UNH Campus for training over the last few weeks.  Although it is difficult to make out in the pictures. Captain and Firefighters maneuver the building with smoke simulation to locate and rescue a patient (what is actually a dummy used for training purposes).

Above, a firefighter uses a TIC (Thermal Imaging Camera) which is used to sense the temperatures and differences in them to locate either fire, significant heat source, or a person. 

Clothes donation box located in the entryway to the Town Clerk's Office at Town Hall.

OYSTER RIVER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HOLDING CLOTHING DRIVE

It’s time to clean out your closets and drawers – summer is here and a clothing drive is coming to town. Oyster River High School students have planned a clothing drive the week of July 27th – 31st. Gently used, clean clothes will be collected to donate to Echo Thrift Store. Donation Boxes will be located in the entryway of Oyster River High School, the Durham Town Hall, and the UNH Memorial Union Building.

Echo Thrift Store provides a great internship site for ORHS students. Students this summer have handled the logistics: promotion, advertising and planning the clothing drive.

The shop is open Monday- Friday 10:00-5:00 and Saturdays 10:00-2:00.  Echo is located in the back of the Durham Community Church 17 Main Street Durham. 

Echo now has "Fill a bag" for $5 every day. "Fill a bag" applies to sale items in the hallway - which now has new items every week.

 

The Giant Hogweed plant

DANGEROUS PLANT ALERT

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has put the giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) near the top of its Federal Noxious Weed list. Officials in Washington are asking residents to be on the lookout for it so they can eradicate it. In New York a hotline has been set up so residents can easily report sightings, and crews in several states are seeking it out and destroying it. To date it has been reported in Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington and Vermonnt.

Thank you to resident Bill Cote for forwarding this information along.

For more information and photos, click HERE.

VEHICLE SPEED MONITORING ON FFROST DRIVE

As noted in a previous update, the Durham Police Department applied for a grant and received a Kustom StealthStat™ which has a Traffic Statistics Computer built into the unit.  This box type radar unit is discretely mounted on sign poles or other vertical objects and allows the Town to track and analyze traffic that passes in front of the machine without the use or need for road tubes. Additionally, the statistical computer software plots and graphically displays the number of vehicles vs. time of day, vehicle speed vs. time of day and vehicle speed vs. number of vehicles.  

For a week the computer was set up on Ffrost Drive near Cutts Road aimed towards the relatively straight stretch of Ffrost Drive where the posted speed limit is 25 MPH.   Data was collected on 1,322 vehicles with the 10 mph “pace speed”, which is defined as the 10 MPH range containing the greatest number of vehicles, was determined be 25-34 MPH.   

During the week, the frequency of vehicles exceeding the posted 25MPH by 10MPH was 5.2%!  On the weekend 6% of the vehicles exceeded the posted speed limit by 10MPH.  There were 23.5 vehicles per hour that traveled on Ffrost Drive during this period.   

A directed patrol has been established for this area.

Town Clerk Lorrie Pitta takes a few moments to swear in Captain Nathan Katz (right) and Assistant Chief David Emanuel (left). A small gathering of members from the department attended to support the newly-promoted staff. Courtesy Durham FD

SUMMER HOT DEALS!

The "Summer Hot Deals" listed below will run through August 15th. Please contact the businesses directly with any questions.

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3 Bridges Yoga, 37 Main St., 603-590-0010, http://3bridgesyoga.com/

$30 5 class card, limit one time use per customer. Classes cannot be shared or transferred. All sales final.

A Drop of Om, 8 Willey Rd., 571-338-3229, http://adropofom.com/

30% off Crystal Chakra Balance healing sessions and 10 Pack In Your Home Private Yoga and Pilates classes with Damla Aktekin when you mention this email. Offer valid for purchases before August 31.

Amy's Frame Shop, 44 Main St., 603-868-2511, http://www.amysframeshop.com/

20% off a single custom framing order of $200 or more when you mention "Summer Hot Deals". Discount applied to materials only. One discount per customer. Valid for one item/art being framed & must include a custom frame. Order must be placed between Jun 15 - Jul 15, not to be used on past orders.

Domino's, 7 Mill Road, 603-868-6230, http://www.dominos.com/

Spend $10 and get free breadsticks or cinnastix. Spend $20 and get a free small 1 topping as well as free breadsticks or cinnastix.

Durham Bike & Sports, 72 Main St., Unit 1 in Aroma Joe's Bldg, 603-397-5140, https://www.facebook.com/durhambike

40% off all 2015 bikes - 20% off all helmets - 50% off all mens' and womens' swimsuits & swim gear.

Hair Dimensions, 3 Jenkins Court, 603-868-1323 http://www.hairdimensionsspa.com/

All hair services 20% off. Manicure & Pedicure Combo - $45 on Fri and Sat only

SolSistar, 9 Madbury Road, 603-397-5229, http://www.solsistar.com/

Take 25% off of one item every Friday this summer when you mention "Summer Hot Deals". Offer not valid on previous purchases and sale items.

The Candy Bar, 44 Main St., 603-397-5154, http://www.thecandybarnh.com/#!

20% off collectible candy tins, giant gummy bears/giant gummy worms, and black licorice when you mention this ad.

Town & Campus, 60 Main St., 603-868-9661, http://townandcampusunh.com/

Greeting cards 25% off, everyday.

UNH Dining Services, 75 Main St., 603-862-483, http://www.unh.edu/dining/

UNH Dairy Bar, 3 Depot Road. Conquer the 2015 ice cream trail and pick up a NH guide map. Get passport stickers from all the NH ice cream locations listed for a free sweatshirt. You will also be entered in a drawing with a chance to win a basket of NH Made goodies, sweatshirt, and one year membership to your local Planet Fitness.

3RD ANNUAL DURHAM FARM DAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 FROM 10AM TO 4PM, RAIN OR SHINE

Join the Durham Agricultural Commission in this annual celebration of our town's working landscape of farms and gardens.  Highlights include: cow riding at Emery Farm, hay rides, sugar shack tours, sheep shearing demonstrations at LaRoche Farm, guided tours of UNH Woodman Farm, self-guided tours of the Community Gardens at Wagon Hill Farm, an opportunity to tour the stables at Linden Woods Farm, and a walking tour of downtown gardens. 

A full list of events, with times and information on pre-registration for some tours, will be posted at the Durham Agricultural Commission webpage.

For more information, please contact Theresa Walker of Agricultural Commission at 659-7226, theresawalker@comcast.net.

Courtesy Ellen Karelitz

COMING SOON...FOOD-FRIENDLY YARDS TOUR ON DURHAM FARM DAY, AUGUST 15TH

Have you been thinking about growing food, flowers, and fruit in your yard?

Maybe you've considered getting a few chickens but aren't sure how to integrate them into your landscape?  The Food Friendly Yards Tour may be just the inspiration you need to get started.

Visit 5 properties on Bagdad Road to see how families are growing food and supporting pollinators.

The tour, which is part of the Durham Agricultural Commission's Farm Day,  will be from 1:00-2:00 on Saturday August 15th.  Pre- registration is required so contact ellenkare51@gmail.com to register.  

 

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. Click on the meetings listed below to view agendas and other information.

There are currently no public meetings scheduled for the week of July 27 - August 1, 2015.

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://www.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.

DCAT Programming Schedule.

DCAT CABLE CHANNEL 22

If you missed the last “Music by the Bay” series on July 16th, no worries, DCAT 22 Studios was there to capture the show.  Watch the Marcy Drive Band play many of your classic rock favorites, or just tune in and have it on as background music.  This video is only available on our On Demand site.  DCAT 22 replay times: 10:30 & 5:00 PM, Saturday & Sunday.

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Bayou New Hampshire with Julian Smith

Run time: 25 minutes

Saturday & Sunday @ 1:30 PM & 8:00 PM

 

Have you ever wondered why Town Councilor Julian Smith (pictured above), carries that club like stick as a cane?  Tune in and find out.  Julian gives DCAT 22 Studios a tour of what he calls “Bayou New Hampshire”.  Check out his extensive ponds and learn about the beavers that call Julian’s NH bayou, home.  Julian, like his beaver pals, has been very busy indeed.  DCAT 22 Studios original programming. This video is only available on our On Demand site.
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Join DCAT 22 Studios on a time lapse video tour of our New Town Hall.  Watch from a bird’s eye view as the Town Hall starts as the old bank and quickly transforms into our new space.   This video is only available on our On Demand site.

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DCAT is Live Streaming

Please join DCAT for any of our regularly scheduled meetings live-streamed directly to the device of your choice . It’s easy, all you have to do is go to: live-stream.com and follow the prompts to set up your live stream account.  You’ll receive email updates as to when the meeting will be held and the start time.  All you have to do is click and watch.  Live-stream works on any PC (just remember to update your Adobe Flash player), Apple or Android device.  Please contact dcat@ci.durham.nh.us with any questions.

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.

Durham Day at Wagon Hill Farm - Saturday, September 26th from 12:30-4:00pm

Durham Day is a free community celebration with live music, BBQ, boat rides, KidZone activities and much more!

WANTED:

Exhibitors/Participants:  We are currently looking for businesses and organization to be part of the Durham Day celebration. This is a great way to get the word out about what you do and give back to the community.  Registration forms are available at Durham Town Hall, the Parks and Recreation Department office and by visiting our website. Registration details HERE.

Boats and drivers:  Boat rides around the bay is a Durham Day favorite.  If you are available to donate your boat and time for group tours,  please sign up, we’d love to have you!  Boat rides will take place from 2:30-4:00pm.

Volunteers: Volunteers are needed to make Durham Day a success!  Please email Rachel at rgasowski@ci.durham.nh.us if you’re able to assist with the logistics and coordination for this event.

 

Parks and Recreation Committee Vacancies:  The Parks and Recreation Committee has three vacancies to fill (2 regular members and 1 alternate).  If you are passionate about recreation here in Durham and would like to help support and guide the Parks and Recreation Department, please consider joining this committee.  Those who are interested should contact Parks and Recreation Director, Rachel Gasowski at rgasowski@ci.durham.nh.us or committee chair, Mike Sievert at mikesievert@mjs-engineering.com.  All three vacancies are three-year terms.  

 

Yoga Classes at Wagon Hill Farm

Churchill Rink at Jackson’s Landing: On Monday evening, unanimous consent was granted by the Town Council to move forward with the installation of a newer refrigeration system for Churchill Rink at Jackson’s Landing.   The Department of Public Works, Parks & Recreation Department and Firland Management Group are now working on a timeline with Refrigeration Services of Hudsonville, Michigan to replace the old Snively Arena equipment. The Department of Public Works will be charged with the installation of this equipment before the start of the 2015-2016 skating season.

It was a picture perfect evening for our second Music By the Bay Summer Concert at Wagon Hill Farm on Thursday, July 16th. Approximately 60 people enjoyed the entertainment by the Marcy Drive Band. Courtesy Durham P&R

Music By The Bay Summer Concert Series at Wagon Hill Farm:  Mark your calendars for our final Music By The Bay Summer Concert Series of  the 2015 season.  On Thursday, August 20th (rain date 21st), Granite Planet will delight Wagon Hill Farm waterfront with upbeat, danceable rock and pop music, ranging from the 60s to today's hits.  This is a free community event taking place from 6pm-8pm.  Parking is available in the apple orchard with a short walk to the waterfront.  Participants are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner, chairs/blankets, bug spray and some friends! View more on Granite Planet!

Camp R.E.A.C.H. 1/2 Day Kayaking Camp with Seven Rivers Paddling enjoyed exploration around Adams Point on Friday, July 17th.  It was a perfect day to be on the water!   Click HERE for Camp R.E.A.C.H details.

We want to hear from you!  Have a new exciting program idea?  Please be sure to share your vision with Parks and Recreation Director, Rachel Gasowski by stopping by the Recreation Department Office (2 Dover Road), or by calling/emailing the department at (603) 817-4074/ rgasowski@ci.durham.nh.us. 

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Main Street Makery - Offering $5 weekly crafts. As always, we will have everything you need. Funky flip flops look great at the beach! Come in anytime Friday, 10-6pm and Saturday, 10-4pm.

SAVE THE DATE for the 2nd annual AlleyFest, Sunday, September, 20th.

Halcyon Music Festival, Wednesday, Jul 29, 2015, 7:30PM, Community Church of Durham. A full video preview of the 2015 event can be viewed HERE. For more information contact Katie Shine, katherineshine@gmail.com, or visit http://halcyonmusicfestival.org/

Sprint Race for Canoe and Kayaks, Saturday, Aug 15, 2015, hosted by The Great Bay Stewards. Fund-raiser for the educational and research efforts of the Great Bay Estuarine Research Reserve. Race will be 5 miles in length going from Jackson Landing in Durham to Durham Point and back.  Pre-registration recommended:  greatbaypaddle@greatbaystewards.org. On-site registration will begin at 10AM with a wave race start at noon to coincide with high tide in the river. $25 registration fee will be waived if a boat can raise $50 or more for the cause.

 

Jungle Jim's Superhero Training and Giant Balloons will perform on Friday, July 31st at 10:30 am for our Finale Celebration of Summer Reading!

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Week 5 of Summer Reading!
Adult Hero Puzzles Continue Weekly - Thai Smile 2 Restaurant $25 Winner announced!  Thank you to Thai Smile 2 Restaurant for your generous donation! Thai Smile 2 donated the $25 gift card to DPL's Adult Summer Hero Puzzle Contest.  Congratulations to David Fifty!  Congratulations to Cristina Healey winner of the Superhero Comic Book.  Every week a different puzzle, every week a different Durham restaurant gift certificate.   Contact Armida Geiger ageiger@ci.durham.nh.us
$25 Gift Card to Mixteca!  Drawing held at DPL on July 28 @ 10 am     - Thank you to MIxteca for donating a $25 dining gift card to the upcoming Adult Hero Trivia Puzzle.  Stop by the library and complete the Hero puzzle and enter for a chance to win $25 to Mixteca.  Contact Armida Geiger Adult Program Coordinator at ageiger@ci.durham.nh.us
Young Adult Writing group (ages 10 & up), Monday July 27th 4-5:00 pm – This week:  Poetry and ORHS Poet Laureate Daiyau Zhang visits !  Join us in the Young Adult room to hear about writing and do some writing exercises.  We will post your writing to our library blog “Write Away”.
Family Movie Night, “Fire, Planes & Rescue”, Monday July 27th at 6:00 pm – Join us for our family movie, “Fire, Planes & Rescue”  in the community room.  All are welcome and popcorn is served.
Summer Storytime, Tues. July 28th, 10:30 am – This week: I’m a Hero!  Join us for our summer storytimes.  We read stories, do feltboard, fingerplays, sing songs and make a fun craft.  All are welcome.
Decorate Superhero Cupcakes and Games 9-12 year old Activity Hour, Tues. July 28th, 6:30-7:30 pm - This week:  Decorate Superhero cupcakes and games.  We’ll play games, win prizes and talk about what you are reading.

Make-It! Weds. July 29th 4:00-5:00 pm (ages 8 & up) – Drop-in to knit, draw build or just create your own project.  We will have creative projects for you to make as well.
Music on the Lawn, “Ben Rudnick & Friends”, Weds. July 29th at 6:30-7:30 pm – 1Award-winning, high-energy upbeat acoustic music for everyone.  Come hear some bluegrass, country, rock & original tunes.  This program is sponsored by The Friends of the Durham Public Library. Held rain or shine.
Giant Bubbles & Chalk-In! All ages. Thurs. July 30th at 10:30 am – Come and make some giant bubbles and chalk pictures in the parking lot.  In case of rain we will make a bubble/chalk craft in the storytime room.  All ages and all are welcome.
6-8 year old Activity Hour, Thurs. July 30th 3:00-4:00 pm – This week:  Superhero Cookies and Games!  Come and decorate some superhero cookies and play some fun games!  We’ll also talk about what you are reading.
Young Adult Superhero Movie Night, “Ironman”, Thurs. July 30th at 6:00 pm – Join us for our YA Movie and have some popcorn.
Jungle Jim Giant Balloons and Superhero Training Finale Celebration!  Fri. July 31st at 10:30 am. – Join us in celebrating your summer reading accomplishments.  Jungle Jim is a talented and interactive, super fun, balloon-making guru for all ages.  He will astound you with his mix of tricks, audience participation and humor.  Prize books, reading certificates, and Bagel Works Prizes will be handed out.  Cake will also be served.  This event is for all ages and will be held in the Oyster River Room.

Also, Trivia Question of the Week, Guessing Jar, Hero Wall and Superhero Training!
Book Donation Week July 27-August 1 Please donate gently used books and DVD's.  All donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Calling all gardeners! The library Rain Garden mass planting is July 21st.  In preparation volunteer gardeners are needed to weed, July 13-20.Thank you to the following weeders! Mary Bartsch, Rikki Cargill, Charlotte Ramsey, Ann Windsor, Nancy Shieb, Joan Drapeau, Mary Lou Campbell, Trang Triff, Beth Pescosolido, Carolyn Dupont, Jill Lockhardt and Lori Lavac.  Contact Ann, annwindsor@comcast.net with questions/or schedule a day or time that works for you.
In the Gallery Featured during the month of July, 2015 NH Art Association Interns: Emily Webber, Danielle Antico and McKenzie Davidson. Visit the DPL Gallery located on the second floor.
Beach Reads   - By request, the Friends of the Library are offering pocketbook "Beach Reads" for sale in the Library cafe.
Win $300 in Photography Contest   - Need a camera to participate in the photo contest?  Inquire at the circulation desk and check out a camera. DPL is hosting a photography contest, sponsored by a Durham resident.  Contestants chronicle Durham, in a series of 7 photos that express Durham’s character. Contest rules & applicaton found on the library website http://durhampubliclibrary.org
Technology Help - The library offers help for people who need assistance using technology, such as computers, iPads and phones. Call us to check on the availability of our volunteers at 868-6699 or email us at durhampl@gmail.com.
Join the Durham Public Library Birthday Book Club.  Celebrate a child’s birthday in a unique way with a gift of a book to the library.  Talk to the Children’s Librarian at the children’s desk for more details.

Check out the Durham Public Library website for more information.

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
1968 -  A swan arrived on the Mill Pond, was christened Alice, and became the pet of the town. A mate, Hamilton, was obtained. Broods of cygnets have been produced but only one survived. Flying to Portsmouth for open water, they have always returned for Town Meeting day.

Have a very nice weekend.

Todd

Todd I. Selig, Administrator

Town of Durham, NH

T:  603-868-5571    F:  603-868-5572

tselig@ci.durham.nh.us    http://www.ci.durham.nh.us

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