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NEWS & HAPPENINGS...
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An American Flag flies in Durham. Courtesy Todd Selig
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All Town Offices will be closed in observance of the Independence Day holiday on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. Please see the holiday refuse and recycling pick up schedule below.
While you enjoy the upcoming Independence Day weekend, take a few minutes to view Durham’s promotional video highlighting aspects of what makes Durham such a terrific place to live, work, and play HERE.
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REFUSE & RECYCLING SCHEDULE
The Transfer Station and Recycling Center will also be CLOSED on Tuesday, July 4th. There will be regular curbside collection on Monday, July 3rd, however there will be NO curbside trash and recycling collection on July 4th. It will push one day forward for the rest of the week (Tuesday’s route will be picked up on Wednesday, Wednesday on Thursday, etc). NO commercial recycling on Friday, July 7th.
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NO FIREWORKS CELEBRATION FOR DURHAM
In 2014, the Town of Durham was notified by the Durham-Great Bay Rotary Club that it would no longer be able to organize the annual July 4th fireworks and celebration in town. However, there are a number of surrounding communities that will have July 4th festivities and fireworks displays. To view a list of those communities providing fireworks displays with dates and times, click HERE.
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PASSING OF PERRY BRYANT
On Sunday, June 25, 2017, longtime Durham landlord and businessman Perry Robert Bryant passed away unexpectedly. We offer our condolences to Perry's family during this difficult time.
To view Perry's obituary, published in today's Foster's/Seacoast Online, click HERE.
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NH DIVISION OF HISTORIC RESOURCES PROVIDES NH SITE EVALUATION COMMITTEE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING EVERSOURCE SEACOAST RELIABILITY PROJECT
The NH Division of Historic Resources (NHDHR) has provided a letter to the NH Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) concerning historic impacts associated with the Eversource Seacoast Reliabilty Project (SRP). In a letter dated June 20, 2017, the NHDHR indicates it has determined that no significant archaeological (underground) sites will be affected by the SRP. The NHDHR has also reviewed above-ground studies and sites along the route of the proposed project and has determined that the undertaking has the potential to affect eleven (11) properties listed or determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Potential adverse impacts were possible to the following properties in Durham:
Durham Point Historic District, Durham – Adverse Effect
Newmarket and Bennett Roads Farms HD, Durham – Adverse Effect
View the June 20th letter from NHDHR to the SEC in its entirety HERE.
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NHDOT INSTALLS GIANT ORANGE SIGNAGE ALONG RT 108 APPROACHING RT. 4 ON RAMP AS PART OF SPAULDING TURNPIKE PROJECT
As part of its effort to warn travelers of potential traffic delays as part of the Spaulding Turnpike Project, the NH Department of Transportation has installed very large orange signage in Durham and elsewhere. These signs have been installed and funded by the NHDOT along the state right-of-way. The NHDOT will pay for the electricity. The signs are not subject to local zoning regulations addressing signage. Upon completion of the Spaulding Turnpike Project, which is estimated to be in 2019, the signs are scheduled to be removed by NHDOT.
Learn more about the Spaulding Turnpike Project HERE.
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USNH ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF UPCOMING UNH PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH PROCESS
The University System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees announced last week the members of the search committee that will be working over the next several months to help select the successor to University of New Hampshire President Mark W. Huddleston.
President Huddleston announced last month that he will retire from the presidency as of June 30, 2018. He has served as UNH president since 2007 and is the longest-serving president in the university’s 150-year history.
The following individuals to the search committee:
- John Small, Search Committee Chair, USNH Trustee and Vice Chair of the Board
- Ted Dey, Search Committee Vice Chair, USNH Trustee
- Kass Ardinger, USNH Trustee
- Jamie Burnett, USNH Trustee
- Todd Leach, Chancellor, USNH
- Heidi Bostic, Dean, College of Liberal Arts, Professor of French, UNH
- Kevan Carpenter, Director, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences Technical Service Center, UNH
- Pat Closson, Incoming President, UNH Alumni Association Board of Directors
- Rick Cote, Professor and Chair, Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences and Agriculture
- Lucy Hodder, Director of Health Law and Policy Programs, UNH School of Law and Institute for Health Policy and Practice, CHHS
- Dan Innis, Chair, UNH Faculty Senate and Professor, Hospitality Management and Marketing, Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics
- Charlie French, Team Leader, UNH Cooperative Extension
- Brian McCabe, Incoming Chair, UNH Foundation Board of Directors
- Melinda Negron-Gonzales, Program Coordinator, Politics and Society Program, UNH Manchester
- Tim Riley, Board Chair
- Carley Rotenberg, Student Body President, UNH Student Senate
- Jamie Nolan, Associate Vice President for Community, Equity, and Diversity, UNH
- Chris Sand, Senior Business Services Assistant, Facilities Business Service Center, UNH
- Nate Stafford, External Affairs Officer, UNH Graduate Student Senate
- Palligarnai Vasudevan, Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Professor of Chemical Engineering, CEPS, UNH
- Stan Waddell, Chief Information Officer, UNH
The University System indicates the composition of the committee conforms to the trustees’ practice of including representatives of the principal stakeholder groups comprising the university campuses.
“We will be working as a team to listen to the constituency groups regarding what they hope to see in the next UNH president to draft a ‘challenge profile’ to use as part of the search,” said John Small, chair of the search committee. “We will follow an aggressive schedule, but will not trade speed for quality as we search for someone who has a vision for UNH and a passion for higher learning, advanced research and service to the state.”
The challenge profile, position announcement, and other pertinent information will be posted on the UNH web site over the coming weeks.
The search committee will review and interview candidates and then make final recommendations to USNH Board of Trustees. Following approval by the board, the new president will take office as soon as he or she is available after June 30, 2018.
USNH has let Durham know that there will be an opportunity as part of the selection process for representatives from the host community to provide feedback to the search committee on local priorities for the University’s next president.
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DURHAM/UNH JACKSON’S LANDING AGREEMENT EXECUTED
The Jackson's Landing Agreement governs the University of New Hampshire's use of the crew boat house at the Town-owned Jackson's Landing recreational area on Old Piscataqua Road, Durham, NH. View the newly executed agreement HERE.
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TOWN COUNCIL TO RECEIVE A PRESENTATION ON PERMACULTURE on July 3rd
Planner Steve Whitman will be providing the Town Council with an interesting presentation regarding the topic of permaculture. Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted and thoughtful observation rather than protracted and thoughtless labor; and of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system. How can one integrate this approach into a downtown built environment? Steve Whitman will give the Council food for thought on Monday evening, July 3rd, during the Council meeting as a special presentation item.
View information about the Vaughn Mall permaculture project in Portsmouth HERE.
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PLEASE PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOGS - It's the right thing to do!.
Unfortunately, there are many examples along our roadways and sidewalks where dog owners either chose not to pick up after their pets, or do but then leave the plastic bag containing fecal matter on the side of the road, the sidewalk, or on the edge of someone else's private property making for a very unpleasant situation.
Please be considerate. Pick up after your pet and dispose of the fecal matter appropriately.
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The barn under construction at Wagon Hill Farm in Durham. Courtesy Todd Selig
WORK SLOWLY PROCEEDING ON BARN AT WAGON HILL FARM – With 20/20 hind site, it is now clear there was confusion over what was going to happen with the barn project.
The Barn and Carriage House at Wagon Hill Farm were in poor condition when the Town purchased the 139-acre Wagon Hill Farm in 1989. Over the past 28 years the Public Works Department has made several band aid repairs to both structures, the most notable one being the jacking up of the barn roof ridge beam and installing new center support beams. DPW also cabled together the north and south end walls to pull in/ plumb these walls to eliminate them from buckling. The project that is moving forward involved demolishing/dismantling/removing all the rotted, cracked, and poor conditioned wood, and salvaging and recutting all the structural timbers and recreating from photographs all historic features such as the 3-hole toilet.
DPW met with the Town's Historic District/Heritage Commission twice and reviewed aspects of the project. DPW Director Mike Lynch presented the project to the Council on April 17th with the expressed intent of ensuring everyone was aware of the scope of the project.
Unfortunately, only after the barn was taken down, it became clear that the terminology utilized by various people involved with the project was not sufficiently clear. The Public Works Department used the words “take down” and “disassemble” the barn, not the word “demolish.” When complete, the disassembly looked a lot like a project that was demolished.
In February of this year, Mike Lynch met with the Heritage Commission about the barn, which is not within the historic district), to bring the commission up to date on the proposal and to address concerns the board might have had. Mike Lynch described the project at the meeting. The minutes from February capture this discussion.
". . . He [Mike Lynch] said they would like to take the structure down while saving the historic features of the barn and replace it with a structure the same, size and height with a new concrete foundation. Mr. Lynch said they would then like to utilize the barn as a community asset. He noted that at one point the barn was repaired to keep the sides from bowing; however, that included installing cables to stabilize the barn which keeps the second floor from being utilized. Mr. Lynch said there are Town Departments that would like to utilize the barn for activities occurring at the property. Mr. Lynch referred to a portion of a 1995 report discussing the facilities at Wagon Hill Farm. Mr. Lynch displayed photos of the structure and noted that they will retain any historic features of the barn and reuse them; as well as reuse any timber that can be reused. He said that they have utilized the services of Mark Smith from Madbury, who is a Post and Frame timber and barn restoration expert, to determine what needs to be done to repair the barn. . . ."
There were subsequent requests received by Director Lynch from various parties interested in Durham’s history to preserve and reuse aspects of the structure as part of the project. Mike followed through per those very thoughtful requests and has ensured these aspects were preserved. Location of the door was also subsequently discussed with the Heritage Commission at a later meeting.
Had the Heritage Commission and others in town fully understood that the barn was going to be entirely taken down to the ground with the stone foundation removed, the board would have endeavored to provide significantly more guidance and recommendations concerning the project.
Administrator Selig is very unhappy that somehow there was miscommunication between DPW and the Heritage Commission despite everyone's best efforts and the conversations that took place. The overt intent of sending Dir. Lynch to meet with the Heritage Commission was exactly the opposite -- to ensure DPW was actively considering and working to address concerns and valuable input the commission might have had.
At this point, it is unfortunately water over the dam. The structure has been taken down as Director Lynch indicated it would be in February. The reusable aspects of the barn have been stored and will be reused in the rebuilt and refurbished structure. Mike Lynch is confident we will have a very handsome result, with reuse of identified historic aspects of the old barn as well as those beams that were not rendered unstable by insects, and at long last a more usable structure for dry storage and other potential value added uses at WHF.
At the upcoming meeting of the Heritage Commission/Historic District Commission scheduled for July 6th, there will be discussion concerning what went wrong and how to improve the communication process moving forward such that historic structures where demolition is considered are flagged and discussed by the commission with full understanding by the parties of what is intended. The hard work and dedication of the members of the Heritage/Historic District Commission and our staff at DPW are much appreciated!
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Kenny Young
YOUNG’S RESTAURANT FEATURED ON NH CHRONICLE
Young's Restaurant is a mainstay on Main Street in Durham and may be celebrating it’s 100 years in business but NH Chronicle learns they're moving with the times. View the segment HERE.
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SEEKING SWAP SHOP VOLUNTEERS
The Swap Shop at the Transfer Station, a Town favorite hot spot generously organized by a handful of volunteers, is desperately seeking additional volunteers.
Any help is welcome, interested parties can contact Jane at 868-7598. Thank you!
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PUBLIC FORUM PLANNED ON POTENTIAL OPTIONS FOR UPGRADING CEDAR POINT ROAD, POTENTIALLY FROM GRAVEL TO PAVEMENT
A public informational Meeting regarding the potential upgrading of the gravel portion of Cedar Point Road will be held @ 7:00pm, July 11, 2017 at the Durham Town Hall, 8 Newmarket Road in the Town Council Chambers.
Over the past several years the Town has received many inquiries, including petitions with multiple signatures, requesting that Durham pave all or certain parts of Cedar Point Road and address drainage issues. This meeting will focus on some of the challenges accompanied with installation of asphalt paving on Cedar Point Road, as well as possible options for moving forward.
The meeting will include a review of items such as right-of-way topics, drainage easements, utilities, driveways, possible tree removals, fences, landscaping, and stonewalls. Other topics of discussion will be surveying and roadway layout requirements along with construction methods. The discussion will include a rendering of what the roadway might look like once completed.
For questions/comments regarding this topic, please e-mail Public Works Director Mike Lynch at mlynch@ci.durham.nh.us or phone him at (603) 868-5578.
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DURHAM FARMERS’ MARKET OPEN MONDAY AFTERNOONS AT JACKSON’S LANDING
The Seacoast Growers Association is operating the Durham Farmers’ Market on Mondays at Jackson’s Landing, 10 Old Piscataqua Road, from 2:15 – 6 PM. The season officially opened June 5th.
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The yellow barn on Dover Rd. along Stone Quarry Drive is scheduled to be refurbished as part of the Riverwoods Project. Courtesy Planning Dept.
HERITAGE COMMISSION HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ALTERATIONS TO YELLOW BARN AT 56 DOVER ROAD AS PART OF RIVERWOODS PROJECT AT STONE QUARRY DRIVE
This Thursday, July 6, the Durham Heritage Commission will hold a public hearing on proposed alterations to the barn at 56 Dover Road (the yellow barn is situated on the right side of Route 108 heading toward Dover just past the westbound off ramp for Route 4). See the attached renderings. The alterations are to accommodate a marketing center for the Riverwoods senior care facility proposed for the adjacent lots on Stone Quarry Drive. A site plan for the marketing center is now being reviewed by the Planning Board. The Heritage Commission may send nonbinding comments on the barn design to the Planning Board, at its option. Neither the Heritage Commission nor the Planning Board have architectural review authority in this zoning district (OR) but can pass on suggestions to the applicant. The public hearing this Thursday will start shortly after 7:00 pm and be held in Town Council Chambers. You can also email comments to the Town Planner at mbehrendt@ci.durham.nh.us.
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TRANSFER STATION CONTAINER FOR THE COLLECTION OF TORN AND TATTERED AMERICAN FLAGS
The town Transfer Station now has a container, provided by the VFW, for the collection of worn, tattered, and faded flags for proper and respectful disposal by the VFW or American Legion. The container is located at the attendant's shack and will allow residents a means to properly dispose of flags.
The U.S. Flag code states that, “the flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” Thus, when a flag is torn and tattered beyond repair, it’s time for it to be retired and replaced with a new flag.
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FUTURE LAND USE FORUM FINAL SUMMARY
The community held a Future Land Use Forum on Saturday, May 13, as part of the master plan process. The town has just received the final summary from facilitator Peggy Kieschnick. The summary will be used to help write the Future Land Use Chapter. The forum was a highly successful event with over 100 participants. It is gratifying to see in the comments from citizens so much appreciation for Durham’s special character.
View the Final Summary and the Answers to Questions Regarding Preservation and Change HERE.
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Ellen Snyder (Ibis Wildlife Consulting and Durham’s Land Stewardship Coordinator) holds one of many very large invasive wild parsnip that she has pulled at the Oyster River Forest during the past three summers. Courtesy Mike Bald
DURHAM LAND STEWARDSHIP SUBCOMMITTEE WEEKLY REPORT (from Land Stewardship Coordinator Ellen Snyder) -- Persistence and Patience Needed to Control the Pesky Parsnip, by Ellen Snyder, Durham Land Stewardship Coordinator
For the past three summers, Vermont consultant Mike Bald (GotWeeds?) and I have pulled thousands of stems of wild parsnip in the field at Durham’s Oyster River Forest. Although not on New Hampshire’s prohibited plant list, wild parsnip is invasive and produces a sap that can cause burns to the skin in the presence of sunlight. In some cases, the burns are similar to second-degree sunburns, and can cause painful rashes and blisters. The good news is that parsnip sap is unlike poison ivy, which is an oil, so it won’t linger on clothes, pets, or equipment.
Native to Eurasia, wild parsnip-- Pastinaca sativa--has a long taproot and was the original source of parsnip cultivars grown in gardens. It escaped cultivation in the United States and is now widespread in some places. Wild parsnip is a biennial. The first year it develops a rosette of low growing leaves, that resemble large celery tops. In year two it sprouts a hollow, grooved flower stalk that grows 2-5 feet or more. By mid-summer the branched stalk bears umbels of small yellow flowers that produce many large, flat, oval seeds before the entire stalk turns brown in late summer.
Since parsnip has a caustic sap and grows among dense vegetation waist high or higher, it takes careful measures to remove each plant. We dress in pants, long-sleeved shirt, rubber boots, long kitchen gloves, and hat—all better to protect skin from contact with parsnip sap and other potential hazards: poison ivy, ticks, hornet nests, and thorny bushes. Besides the myriad skin hazards, one might encounter woodchuck holes, extreme heat, barbed wire, and other tripping hazards. We carry our gear—water, snacks, lunch, flagging, Technu, towel, notebook—in white five gallon buckets. Other tools include a potato fork or narrow shovel for prying out tough taproots. Each parsnip is carefully and slowly pulled out of the ground, roots and all. Flowering parsnip, once pulled, will still develop seed, so all pulled plants are piled in just a few places to avoid seed spread.
During the next few weeks I will be back in the field at the Oyster River Forest pulling parsnip. As said by Mike Bald, “working with invasive plants requires vigilance, persistence, patience, education, respect, cooperation, and humility.” In collaboration with The Stewardship Network: New England we are hosting a wild parsnip training on Wednesday, July 19th from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Oyster River Forest. This is an advanced training and participants must come prepared with proper gear. For more information or if you find wild parsnip elsewhere in the Durham area, please contact ellensnyder1@gmail.com.
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PROPERTY TAX BILLS
The property tax warrant for the 1st half 2017 property taxes has been approved and the bills have been mailed out, due Wednesday, July 5th.
As always, if residents are unable to pay the entire amount by the due date, it is to their advantage to pay as much as they can and as often as they need. This will decrease the amount of interest that will accrue.
Questions and concerns should be addressed to the Town Clerk-Tax Collector's Office at 603-868-5577.
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TAXPAYER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS - LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOMEOWNERS PROPERTY TAX RELIEF
The Low & Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief program was designed to lessen the economic burden of the State Education Property Tax on certain at-risk taxpayers.
An eligible applicant for the Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief is a person who is:
- Single with adjusted gross income equal to or less than $20,000; or
- Married or head of NH household with adjusted gross income less than or equal to $40,000; and
- Owns a homestead subject to the State Education Property Tax; and
- Has resided in that homestead on April 1 of the year for which the claim is made.
Applications for the Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief are accepted only during the statutory filing period - after May 1, but no later than June 30. The law allows 120 days for processing from the date of receipt of your completed application.
For more information, please contact the Department of Revenue Administration at (603) 230-5920 or visit the webpage HERE.
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Inside the Durham Historic Museum
DURHAM HISTORIC ASSOCIATION HOSTS "SUMMER SATURDAYS AT THE MUSEUM"
The Durham Historic Association is hosting “Summer Saturdays at the Museum," where every Saturday afternoon 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. throughout the summer residents may explore Durham’s history in eight chronological periods from the 17th century to the present in air-conditioned comfort. The museum is located on the second floor of the old brick Town Hall/District Court building at the traffic light on the corner.
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LAMPREY RIVER ADVISORY COMMITTEE SUMMER NEWSLETTER
The Lamprey River Advisory Committee has published its 2017 summer newsletter which is available for viewing HERE.
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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. View past meetings on DCAT On Demand.
Town Council - Monday, July 3, 2017
Historic District Commission - Thursday, July 6, 2017
All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library for checkout and viewing.
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DCAT CABLE CHANNEL 22
If you were unable to attend the Durham Memorial Day Parade, not to worry, DCAT 22 volunteer, Phil Kincade was there and recorded all for your viewing pleasure. You can view multiple ways. Saturday & Sunday at 9:00 AM & 5:30 PM – DCAT On Demand and on the Town of Durham’s website.
Total run time: 23:00
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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.
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TOWN OF DURHAM FACEBOOK AND TWITTER ACCOUNTS
Did you know that the Town has a Facebook & Twitter account and frequently posts Durham & UNH news, happenings, and articles of interest in our area and the seacoast?
Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.
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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 camp out at WHF. Courtesy Parks & Recreation Department
What a great start to summer for Durham Parks & Recreation!! Over the past week, we have enjoyed the Family Camp Out at Wagon Hill Farm, Wicked Wacky Lab Week, Wicked Cool Vet School and Stargazing at Wagon Hill Farm. Many thanks to all who have joined us for these great programs!
Wicked Wacky Lab Week. Courtesy Parks & Recreation Department
Summer Day Camps!
Durham Parks & Recreation currently has limited openings in the flowing summer camps and trips. If you’re interested in registering for on of our great camps or trips, please contact the Recreation Office at (603) 817-4074 or at: durhamrec.recdesk.com.
August 4th
-Full Day Friday Field Trip-White Lake State Park
August 11th
-Squam Lake Science Center
August 21st-25
-Adventure Paddle Camp (full day, M-F)
-Rocket Science Camp (full day, M-F)
Guitar & Ukulele Lessons-Tuesdays, July 11th-August 15th
Playing music with others is an important part of getting better at an instrument, yet this is often the hardest thing for people to do. The Durham Guitar Group provides an opportunity to play songs with other people in a relaxed atmosphere. The goal of the group is to have fun while also getting better at the guitar. The songs we play will be very straightforward. There is no need to be overly concerned with your ability level. Alternate fingerings will be given for those who are just starting out.
Lessons: Register online at durhamrec.recdesk.com.
Beginner Ukulele- Ages 14+. No experience necessary. 4:00-4:50pm
Beginner Guitar- Ages 14+. No experience necessary. 5:00 -5:50pm
Adult Guitar- Ages 18+. Some experience necessary. 6:15-7:15pm
All participants must bring their own instrument.
Adult Trips
Durham Parks & Recreation is excited to offer a variety of adult trips this summer! We will be traveling in our 15-passenger van (summer lease) for all trips. Please visit durhamrec.recdesk.com for a full list of trips and details.
Upcoming Events-Save The Date!!
DPR SUMMER EVENTS:
Music By The Bay Summer Concert- Thursday, July 13th, 6:00-8:00pm at Wagon Hill Farm. Grab a blanket or chair, pack a picnic dinner, gather friends, and enjoy some great live music by the Bay, featuring Amanda McCarthy. Participation is FREE! Parking is available in the orchard. Bug spray recommended.
Picnic In The Park with The Little Red Wagon- Thursday, July 20th, 5:45pm. Pack a picnic dinner and bring a blanket or chair to Jackson’s Landing Playground for an evening of entertainment and fun. Enjoy a theater performance “Fabled” by The Little Red Wagon, and then enjoy time on the playground with friends! Performance begins at 6pm. Participation is FREE.
Music on Main Summer Block Party- Thursday, August 3rd, 6:00-8:00pm. Join us on Main Street for an evening of family fun and live music featuring FLING. A portion of Main Street will be closed for crafts and activities. Several of the Downtown businesses join in on the fun as well with sweet treats and special deals. Participation is FREE.
Durham Day at Wagon Hill Farm- Saturday, September 16th, 12:30-3:30pm. Free community BBQ, boat tours, informational booths, family activities, live music & more! Participation is FREE.
Stargazing at WHF. Courtesy Parks & Recreation Department
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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Durham Bike & Sports is offering 3 group rides. Tuesdays starting July 11, 5:45pm Women’s Ride. Wednesdays starting July 5, 5:45pm Mt Bike Ride for 13-18 year olds. Free Maintenance check and lube. Thursdays starting July 7, 5:45 pm Coed Road Ride, approximately 10-12 miles (as a start) at a 15-17 mph pace Depending on group. Questions 397-5140. Facebook Durham Bike & Sports
UNH Summer Youth Programs – Some programs are still open for enrollment. Check the learnforlife.unh.edu website for more information.
St. George's Church has raised beds available in its community garden, located on the rear corner of the property behind the parking lot. There are four, 4 x 8 beds ($20) and three, 4 x 4 beds ($10). The annual fee covers water and loam. Contact the church office, 603-868-2785 or email officestg@comcast.net.
MainStreet Makery $5 Drop in Craft. Summer Tumblers. Decorate your summer tumbler and enjoy using it with the lid to keep bugs out of your drink. Hours: Tues. thru Fri. 10AM-6PM, Sat., 10AM-4PM.
One World Language School currently accepting students to join language program that begins in October 2017. Its mission is to make foreign language learning accessible at a young age, starting as early as 5 years old. Primary languages taught include French, Chinese, German, and Spanish. Space limited to 8 students per class. Classes held after school at OR Middle School and Moharimet Elementary. Contact Pranav Dadarwala at 207-370-8398 or email pranav@oneworldlanguageschool.org
University of New Hampshire Celebrity Series Upcoming Events. View the schedule of events HERE. Tickets can be purchased on line HERE. or by calling the Box Office at 603-862-7222(PCAC). Hours: Mon-Fri, 12 - 5PM as well as one hour before each event.
UNH Museum of Art Upcoming Events. View schedule of events HERE.
UNH MUB Summer Series. The MUB Summer Series is back throughout July and into August and it is all FREE! Movies every Wednesday night, an outdoor movie, and a daytime carnival. Check out the online schedule/poster for all the dates, times, and information HERE.
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Music on the Library Lawn, Fiddling Thompsons perform on Weds. July 5th at 6:30 pm
DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
The library will be closed on Tuesday, July 4th in observance of The Fourth of July Holiday. We will re-open on Weds. July 5th at 10:00 am. Happy 4th of July!
Children’s and Young Adult Programs:
“Build a Better World” Summer Reading Program 2nd week!
YA Try It Time! (Middle & High Schoolers) This week: Paper Airplane Challenge! Monday, July 3rd 4-5 pm – Come and try our paper airplane challenge. How high can you throw it? How far? Make your own or use ours. This is held in the YA room and is for middle and high school students. Come and learn about this fun technology!
Family Movie: "Trolls"! Monday, July 3rd at 6:00 pm - Join us for our first summer reading family movie "Trolls". This movie is shown in the Oyster River Room upstairs. Popcorn is served and all are welcome!
Team Art! This week: Squeegee Painting! Wednesday, June 28th 4-5 pm - Come and create an art piece to display in the library! This week: Squeegee Painting! This is an all ages program held in the storytime/craft room.
SUMMER MUSIC ON THE LIBRARY LAWN! This week: Fiddling Thompsons, Wednesday July 5th, 6:30 pm
Thursday Drop-In Program! This week: Letter Writing, Stamps and Pen Pals! Thursday, July 6th at 10:30 am – Come and write an old-fashioned letter. Learn about pen pals. All ages and all are welcome!
Summer Reading 6-8 year old group! This week: Friendship Bracelets! Thursday, July 6th 3-4 pm - Join us in the storytime/craft room if you are 6-8 years old for our fun summer reading group. We will hear some stories, play some games and do a craft/activity. This week we are all about friendship. We will also talk about what you are reading.
Family Game Night! Thursday, July 6th 6:30-7:30 pm - Join us upstairs in the Oyster River Room for Family Board Game Night. We will have new and old board games set up for all ages to play. Come and learn some new ones and play some favorites. All ages and all are welcome!
Summer Storytime! This week: Robots! Tuesday, July 11th at 10:30 am - Join us for summer storytime! This week: Construction! We will hear stories, sing fun songs, do fingerplays, feltboard and make a fun craft. All are welcome!
Tech Tuesday (9-12 year olds)! Tuesday, July 11th 6:30-7:30 pm - Join us upstairs in the community room for Tech Tuesday if you are 9-12 years of age. We will try out some tech items such as; ozobots, makey-makey, stop motion and see a 3-D printer. Don't miss it!
Thursday, July 13, 10:30 a.m. Madbury Town Hall– All ages Wildlife Encounters with the Durham, Lee and Madbury Libraries. Come and meet animals and learn about them.
Friday July 28, 10:30 a.m. at the Durham Library – All ages Finale Celebration with talented performer and juggler, Steve Corning! Join us in celebrating your summer reading accomplishments. Steve Corning’s show will astound you with his contortions, juggling and more. This show is tremendous fun. A special thank-you to the Friends of the Durham Public Library for all their support. Prize books, reading certificates, and Bagel Works Prize will be handed out. Cake will also be served. A big thank-you to the The Bagel Works, The Sea Dogs, Dunkin Donuts, The Candy Bar, Fro-Zone, Hayden Sports, Young’s Restaurant, Franz’s Food, Water Country, Canobie Lake Park, Water Country, The Candy Bar, Subway of Durham, Wildcat Pizza, Golick’s, Durham House of Pizza, The Juicery, Pauly’s Pocket and other local businesses for their prize donations.
Registration continues for our fun 5 week summer reading program. The theme this year is “Build a Better World!” Our program runs from June 26th through July 28th. When you register you will receive a packet including your reading logs, calendars, some gifts and a fun bag! Keep track of your reading minutes and have them checked once a week to earn a prize of the week. You will receive a new book, and prizes at the end, as well as a reading certificate! Also add to our visual display in the library.
Also, Trivia Question of the Week, Guessing Jar, and Weekly Challenges!
Check out our website, www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more information.
Adult Programs:
SUMMER MUSIC ON THE LIBRARY LAWN! Wednesday, July 5, 6:30 pm - Ryan and Brennish Thomson, "The Fiddling Thomsons" The Fiddling Thomsons are award-winning fiddlers extraordinaire, who have performed across the U.S., England and in China. Their repertoire consists of many styles - including Appalachian, Celtic and Cajun - and a wide assortment of folk instruments. Come enjoy the lively tunes of this talented father-son duo. All concerts are held rain (indoors) or shine (on the lawn). Bring blankets or chairs if you like. Bring dinner! These free concerts are brought to you through the generous sponsorship of the Friends of the Durham Public Library. Upcoming: July 12 Ben Baldwin Trio July 19 Joel Cage, acoustic singer-songwriter July 26 Marvel Prone
"Build a Better World" Adult Summer Reading Program Starting Monday June 26 - Why should kids have all the fun? For five weeks starting June 26, there will be a weekly raffle at the table across from the front desk for patrons 18 years and older. Fill out your entry correctly and you have the chance to win a prize from one of our generous local businesses. Week two's prize is a gift certificate to Solsistar! Thank you, Solsistar!
The Friends of the Durham Public Library's Adult Summer Read - The Mill on the Floss (1864) by George Eliot. All are welcome and copies to keep for the summer are available at the Library desk. The discussion will be in September, facilitated by Jennifer Lee. If you wish to receive some background and biographical information by email during the summer, send Jennifer your email at Jennifer.greatlakes@gmail.com by June 21.
Rosalind Revilock-Frost Fiber Artist Works displayed in the gallery through July 29th. For more information on the artist, go to http://www.rosalindart.com/
NOTE TO KNITTERS - Oyster River Knitters will not meet in July and August. We will resume on Tuesday September 5.
MUSEUM PASSES - Many of our patrons aren't aware of a wonderful perk of having a Durham Library card - free or discounted passes to 12 different museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the New Hampshire Children's Museum, and, recently added, beautiful Bedrock Gardens in Lee. All are available through the generosity of the Friends of the Durham Public Library. For more information, go to http://www.durhampubliclibrary.org/museum.asp
The library offers help for people who need assistance using technology: computers, iPads & cell phones, eReaders (Nook, Kindle, etc.) Call to check on availability of the volunteers and set up an appointment. 868-6699 or email durhampl@gmail.com
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HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL - A Brief History of Durham, NH 1600 - 1976 (A little volume that was the Heritage Project of the Durham Historic Association Bicentennial celebration)
Preface - "Since before God made the first little green apples, oysters have probably been growin in the Oyster Rive; and some of the largest and juiciest to be found anywhere in the world are still growing here today. The following vignettes from rollicking history of Durham town on the Oyster River are therefore presented between the shells of an oyster."
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1625 - The forests abounded with game, which provided food. Fur-bearing animals proved a valuable asset as barter with England. Beaver pelts were most in demand, but bear, muskrat, mink, rabbit and fox were exported. Trading with neighboring Indians brought furs from inland areas.
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Have a safe and fun 4th of July!
Todd
Todd I. Selig, Administrator
Town of Durham, NH
T: 603-868-5571
tselig@ci.durham.nh.us
Website: https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/
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