Friday Updates - June 7, 2013

NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...

Friday, June 7, 2013

Durham resident Sam Hewitt in Bennington, Kansas on May 28th. Sam is traveling with a group of meteorology students and a professor from SUNY Oswego doing research on tornadoes. This was the first tornado they encountered and it was classified as EF-4. Courtesy Jim Hewitt

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Several residents have inquired this week about whether any baby swans or "cygnets,"have been spotted on the Mill Pond, particularly because of a recent sighting of a twenty-pound snapping turtle crossing Route 108 toward the pond that would no doubt enjoy nothing more than to devour swan eggs. The update from highly confidential close sources is that there are no cygnets...but, the female swan continues to sit on the nest!

There are, however, a few families of mallard ducklings and a family of Canada goslings plus…one busy beaver, 1 muskrat, 1 mink , 3 heron, 1 seagull, 3 cormorants, 1 eagle or osprey, and a few very large turtles.

COUNCIL ADOPTS 2013-2014 GOALS

At its meeting on June 3rd, the Town Council adopted goals for the coming year. As in the past, these goals are intended to be reflective of Town aspirations over the next 1-3 year timeframe.

It is our hope that all of the Town’s various boards, committees, and commissions will review the list and work to incorporate these key elements into their own work plans.

Standards of Performance

Embrace openness in the conduct of public business.
Encourage all town boards, committees, and commissions to align their efforts with the Council goals, and to collaborate and communicate more frequently with each other and with the community at large.

Overall Strategy

Pursue long-term economic and environmental sustainability and resiliency, anticipating the community’s and the region’s future needs through a framework that formally integrates the consideration of multiple elements including society, ecology, economics, transportation, agriculture, recreation, food and drinking water, climate, and energy resources.
Continue to explore collaborative efforts with UNH to enhance mutual intellectual, cultural, environmental, and economic benefits, as well as community-building opportunities.
Revitalize Durham’s commercial core to expand the tax base and enhance the sense of community while maintaining our small town character and cultural history and by weaving natural processes into the built environment for their environmental, social, and aesthetic benefits. Emphasis should be placed on “smart growth”, increasing commercial opportunities and consumer choices, and enhancing the town’s taxable base through economic development projects that fit with the character and goals of the community.

Key Objectives

Regain the integrity of Durham’s traditional family neighborhoods.
Identify definitive sites and develop a plan for key public facilities to meet the present and future needs of the community.
Complete measurable progress as part of the rolling update of the 2000 Master Plan by mid-2014. Encourage public workshops and joint sessions as necessary between key boards and committees to better integrate their efforts and create a unified document.
Strengthen the community by supporting an array of recreational, artistic, and educational opportunities, and by celebrating and sustaining Durham’s history and natural setting and initiatives that promote public transportation options, including safe walking and biking.
Improve access to and integration of select town data to aid in the planning and delivery of Town services.
Identify, support the preservation of, and promote structures of historic significance.

DURHAM’S PROMOTIONAL VIDEO – SPREAD THE GOOD WORD ABOUT DURHAM!

In the summer of 2009, the Town of Durham produced a short promotional video highlighting the many attributes which make Durham a fantastic place to live, work, and play as part of our economic development efforts to broaden the local tax base. The film was forwarded to local realtors, placed on the home page of the Town website, showcased on Channel 22-DCAT, premiered to the Governor and Executive Council, and has been utilized by UNH as part of its orientation for new students. The promotional video is still relevant today. If you know of people or prospective businesses interested in Durham, please send them the link at https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/community/durhams-promotional-video.

NOW AVAILABLE! – 2013 POOL PASS VOUCHERS

The “target” opening date for the 2013 UNH outdoor swimming pool season is Saturday, June 15, 2013. Pool pass vouchers are now available at the Town Hall, Town Clerk’s Office, 15 Newmarket Road. The Town Clerk’s Office is open 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, Monday-Friday.

There are pool vouchers available only for Durham youths ages 4-17 and senior citizens 62 years or over to receive a $45.00 discount off the full price of a season pass. Vouchers are issued on a first-come first-served basis. Vouchers must be picked up BEFORE purchasing a pool pass, which are sold at the Front Service Desk at the Hamel Student Recreation Center, located next to the Whittemore Center on the UNH campus. Passes will go on sale Monday, June 3, 2013.

For more information regarding hours of operation for the Hamel Recreation Center, rental rates, group rates, policies and regulations, pool programs, Mendum’s Pond programs, or the Hamel Recreation Center facility and programs, please call the UNH Campus Recreation Department at 862-2031 or visit their website at http://campusrec.unh.edu/.

Happy Market owner, John Jin, stands next to a display of the various products he carries that are imported from various Eastern Asian countries.

HAPPY MARKET (THE NEW ASIAN MARKET) OPENS ON JENKINS COURT

Happy Market has opened at 8 Jenkins Court (the former What a Croc location) and brings authentic Asian foods to residents and students of Durham and the University. The majority of the store’s products are imported form China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and other Eastern Asian countries. The fresh produce is grown in the US in farms operated by Asian immigrates. Happy Market offers a wide range of foods from rice to ready to eat dumplings and buns.

UNH OUTDOOR POOL SCHEDULED TO OPEN JUNE 22

The outdoor pool at the University of New Hampshire is scheduled to open for the season Saturday, June 22, 2013. The opening was delayed one week to accommodate necessary maintenance and repairs.

The additional week is needed to make modifications to the current drain, which is not in compliance with a recently revised federal law. The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act requires an anti-entrapment system with emergency shut off to be part of the drain.

The University is eager to open the pool for the season, especially given the recent stretch of hot and humid days, but safety is a priority. Once the repair work is complete UNH Campus Recreation will begin to fill the pool with the goal of a June 22 opening.

Proposed rendering of the new Town Hall at 8 Newmarket Road.

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION APPROVES NEW TOWN HALL DESIGN

The property at 8 Newmarket Road was most recently used as a bank, with commercial offices on the second floor. The Town purchased the property and is planning to expand the building for use as the new Town Hall. The Historic District Commission held a public hearing on the new Town Hall design proposal at its meeting on Thursday, June 6, 2013, and after deliberation approved the application submitted by the Town with the following generally described modifications (derived from Mr. Selig’s notes, not from HDC minutes which are not yet available):

Replace existing front entry double door with a single door with sidelights to better reflect the Federal Style of architecture;
Replace the existing front facade windows and the and Mill Pond Road façade windows on the existing building with proper windows designed to be more architecturally appropriate and specific to the Federal style;
Change the large front arched entryway windows on proposed front door of central addition to resemble a single pain of glass without mullions;
Use a flat paint finish with no texture on the Mill Pond Road side exterior stairwell covering from basement;
The dramatic ground to roofline window system overlooking the Mill Pond area to the rear of the building to be replaced with a more traditional large window and brick application.

The project will now be submitted to the Planning Board for advisory consultation pursuant to RSA 674:54,II.

ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF JASON CLEARY OBTAINS EXECUTIVE FIRE OFFICER DESIGNATION

Durham Assistant Fire Chief Jason Cleary is among a select group of fire personnel who will add three additional letters to their name having completed the Executive Fire Officer Program (EFOP). The program is offered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) US Fire Administration’s (USFA) National Fire Academy (NFA). On Feb. 8 the academy announced Cleary had successfully completed the four year program, which includes annual weeks in residency and training as well as a written Applied Research Project spanning various topics.

For more information, view this week’s article in Foster’s Daily Democrat .

WHAT DOES OSHA UNDERTAKE TO MONITOR SAFETY ISSUES ON CONSTRUCTION SITES VERSUS DURHAM CODE/FIRE ENFORCEMENT?

Over the course of the last week there was press coverage in the Foster’s Daily Democrat zeroing in on safety violations on construction sites around NH, one of which was in Durham.

Generally speaking, while Durham’s Code Enforcement and Fire Departments do keep an eye on safety issues and are concerned about them to ensure compliance with the codes that the Town enforces, jurisdiction and manpower for the kinds of issues noted in last week’s Foster’s article are relegated to U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and other appropriate state and Federal agencies.

This is not to suggest that the Durham Code and Fire Department’s do not work to educate contractors on safety issues -- they do. But our staff is not on a job site each and every day. In fact, there can sometimes be several days or even weeks between inspections. We generally conduct inspections when there is something ready to inspect. During the interim, it is the responsibility of the owner of the project and the owner's contractors to maintain safe conditions. If they do not, OSHA and other state and Federal agencies that focus specifically on workplace safety items take action. There are some contractors, for example, that OSHA follows across the country due to past violations.

Everyone who enters a construction site is responsible for his or her own personal safety, along with the others on site. Personal protection equipment and clothing, etc. is each worker’s responsibility, other than specialty equipment. If a worker thinks something is not just right or safe, it probably isn’t and they should report it. Their employer, the Subcontractor, is also responsible per their contractual obligations to follow the rules. Unfortunately, in lean economic times and on nonunion jobs with no shop stewards responsible for working conditions, the system can be haphazard and driven by low bidding subcontractors, inexperienced supervision, tight profit margins, and many times … subcontractors using piece workers that get paid by production, not hourly. They are motivated to produce, not necessarily to think before acting.

OSHA and NH Dept. of Labor track all major jobs and make routine site inspections or review employer records. They will typically watch the site for a period of time observing from a distance, photographing concerns or violations. Then they enter the site and identify themselves and proceed with enforcement/education efforts.

The Concord, NH OSHA office can be contacted directly at (603) 225-1629.

DURHAM/LEE TOWN BOUNDARY PERAMBULATION

State statute speaks to the need for communities to “perambulate” their town boundaries on a consistent cycle. To this end, representative from the towns of Lee and Durham will be checking boundary markers on the afternoon of July 8th, weather permitting, with an exact time to be determined as we get closer to the date. Residents who might have an interest in participating can contact Administrative Assistant Jennie Berry at jberry@ci.durham.nh.us.

DURHAM RECEIVES $12,000 GRANT FOR WORK ON HISTORIC RESOURCES CHAPTER OF MASTER PLAN

We were notified this week that Durham was selected to receive a $12,000 matching grant from the NH Division of Historical Resources for the historic resources chapter/component of the Master Plan (Durham is contributing an $8,000 match for a $20,000 project). A thank you is extended to Dir. of Planning & Community Development Michael Behrendt and resident Andrea Bodo for their work in this effort.

DURHAM RESIDENT LESLIE PASTERNACK’S NEW PLAY DEALING WITH MILITARY BRAIN INJURIES

Durham resident Leslie Pasternack became involved last year with the state's Commission on PTSD/TBI to gather information from NH vets about traumatic brain injuries they may have sustained during combat. This year her theatre company, ACT ONE, has produced a play called MAKE SURE IT'S ME about the effects of IED-related Traumatic Brain Injury on combat veterans and their families.

The play opened last weekend at the West End Studio Theatre in Portsmouth and had a great reception. MAKE SURE IT'S ME will have ten more performances on June 7, 8, 9, 21, 22, and 23. Tickets are free for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

To reserve tickets, please call (603) 300-2986 or visit http://www.actonenh.org/.

For more information about the play, including links to media coverage, visit http://lesliepasternack.com/

You can also email Leslie at leslie.pasternack@gmail.com for more details about the production and our outreach efforts to New Hampshire's veterans.

Oyster River Middle school students waiting to board the morning AMTRAK train for their field trip to Boston this week. Courtesy John Carroll

TOWN OFFICES CLOSED FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY

The Town Offices will be closed in observance of the Independence Day holiday on Thursday, July 4, 2013. The Administrator's Office will also be closed on Friday, July 5, 2013. All other offices will reopen for regular business hours on Friday, July 5th at 8:00 AM.

ANNUAL JULY 4TH CELEBRATION

The Rotary Club of Durham-Great Bay is again proud to hold the annual July 4th Celebration at Cowell Stadium on Thursday evening, July 4th, starting at 6:00 PM, with a rain date of Friday, July 5th. There will be a number of activities before the fireworks display. Come enjoy and celebrate with us the founding of our great nation!

FARMERS' MARKET EVERY MONDAY, 2:15 - 6:00 PM, THRU OCTOBER 7TH

The Farmers' Market organized by the Seacoast Growers Association is located in Durham at the Town Office lot located at 15 Newmarket Road just behind the Town Offices. The market will run every Monday from 2:15 - 6:00 PM, rain or shine, until October 7th.

DOG LICENSE RENEWAL

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 us, and you no longer have the dog, you will need to notify us as we have no other way to obtain this information.

BOAT REGISTRATIONS CAN NOW BE DONE AT TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE

The Town Clerk’s office is now able to register boats. Bring you renewal notice to the town clerk’s office and save the time of mailing or the trip to DMV!

PROPERTY TAX AND WATER/SEWER BILLS

Property tax bills were mailed out to property owners on Wednesday, May 29th, and are due Monday, July 1st. Water/Sewer bills will be mailed out on Monday, June 10th, and are due Wednesday, July 10th.

Just a reminder, the envelope included with the bill is addressed to our “lock box” location in Manchester. The advantage of the lock box service is quicker processing of payments, however, payments may still be mailed to or dropped off at the Town Clerk's Office.

New compost bins available at the Durham Town Office courtesy of the Newmarket Conservation Commission.

COMPOST BIN, TURNER, AND RAIN BARREL AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

The compost bin, turner, and rain barrel pictured above are on display in the foyer of the Durham Town Hall. Individuals interested in ordering these items may do so by contacting Fred Pearson at 603-659-3296 or cell # 603-674-9212. Composter: $47.00; Turner: $18.00; Rain Barrel: $62.00. To view more information on these items, click HERE.

LOW AND MODERATE INCOME TAX RELIEF PROGRAM

The State of New Hampshire Low & Moderate Income Tax Relief Program has begun with applications being accepted until June 30, 2013. To access the application form, click HERE. Applications may also be obtained from the Town Assessor's office. Once completed, they must be mailed to:

New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration

Document Processing Division

PO Box 299

Concord, NH 03302-0299

FREE WOOD CHIPS

Durham Public Works has left three dump truck loads of wood chips in the parking area at 48 Woodridge Road (the first lot on the left after you turn off Mill Road onto Woodridge). Please help yourself.

Lamprey River - Feedback is requested from Durham residents regarding the draft Lamprey River Management Plan.

DRAFT LAMPREY RIVER MANAGEMENT PLAN - COMMENTS REQUESTED

The Lamprey River Advisory Committee has updated its Management Plan and is soliciting comments from Town government and community members.

Comments are requested by June 15th and can be emailed to Suzanne Petersen at spetersen.lrac@comcast.net, submitted by phone to Sharon Meeker at 603-659-5441, or mailed in using the review of draft/comment pages provided with a copy of the draft Management Plan located in the lobby at the Durham Town Hall.

To view the draft Management Plan and complete a comment form for submission, click HERE.

DURHAM HISTORIC ASSOCIATION ANNUAL PICNIC

Pack your picnic supper basket and join the Durham Historic Association for its Annual Picnic on Tuesday, June 25th from 5PM-7PM at the home of David and Catherine Hills at 135 Piscataqua Road, the driveway on the left before the Emery Farm stand when heading toward Portsmouth from Durham. Following the picnic David will talk on the history of the family home. Parking is on the premises and carpooling is encouraged. Be sure to bring your chairs and blankets. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a lovely summer evening in a pastoral setting at one of New Hampshire's oldest farms. It is also a fine time to become a member of the Durham Historic Association Inc., the oldest, continuously operating historical society in NH. Individual membership $25, family membership $40.

AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION WORKSHOP

"SAFE OPTIONS FOR PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT IN HOME GARDENS", a free workshop on Wednesday, June 19th from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in the Town Council Chambers of the Durham Town Office. The workshop will be led by Dr. Cheryl Smith, UNH Cooperative Extension Specialist for Plant Health.

For more information and to register for the workshops, please contact Agricultural Commission Chair Theresa Walker at theresawalker@comcast.net, 603-659-7226. Information is also available on the Agricultural Commission website at http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/bcc.

Library Director Tom Madden multi-tasking in the main stairwell. Courtesy Walter Rous

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Rain and cool temperatures bracketed a mid-week of sun and moderate temperatures. As is typical for New England, if you don’t like the weather today, just wait 24 hours.

Work on the exterior of the library included erecting the light poles, wall pacs (surface mounted lights with a sharp cut off to control light spread) and EBU’s (emergency battery units also known as emergency lights). The painters did a bit more work on the exterior as weather permitted.

On the interior, the carpenters worked on the trim at the bow window, in the Café, Local History Room and the Friend’s Room as well as the trim in egress Stair #2. Shelving in the Crafts Room and the computer desks in the Young Adult Room were also installed. All the plumbing fixtures have been installed and the waterlines and valves have been tagged. The tags are tied to a schedule which allows a person to know what each line and valve is for. The split air conditioning units have been installed in the electric room and the DCAT/Tech Closet to keep those spaces from overheating. The electricians have nearly completed all of the light fixture installation and data and phone lines are being run. The sprinkler systems were pressure tested and both the wet and dry systems are good to go (or not unless we really need them to!).

As the flooring begins to go down, the different rooms begin to reflect their individuality. The concrete slab has given way to linoleum in the Crafts Room and Kitchen, tile in the toilet rooms and carpet in the Young Adult Room and Pre-Function Balcony. The building is looking very nice, indeed.

Lights have been hung in the south-facing light well seen from the balcony. Courtesy Walter Rous

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.

Integrated Waste Mgt. Advisory Committee - Monday, June 10, 2013 (7:00 AM). To view agenda and other information, click HERE.

Agricultural Commission - Monday, June 10, 2013. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.

Zoning Board of Adjustment - Tuesday, June 11, 2013. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.

Planning Board - Wednesday, June 12, 2013. To view agenda and other information, click HERE.

Conservation Commission - Thursday, June 13, 2013. 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.

GREAT BAY ROWING

As the weather warms, the days lengthen, and bodies emerge from winter layers, there’s no better time to try – or return to – the sport of rowing. Great Bay Rowing, a nonprofit community rowing organization based in Durham, greets the summer with opportunities for beginning and experienced rowers to get out onto the beautiful Oyster River and Great Bay.

Great Bay Rowing offers opportunities for sweep rowing (in boats of four or eight rowers; each rower has one oar) or sculling (each rower has two oars) in their fleet of rowing shells. Programs for both introductory and experienced rowers will be offered in camps throughout the summer as well as ongoing rowing opportunities. For more information, click HERE or visit the GBR web site at http://greatbayrowing.org/Home.html

DURHAM HOST FAMILIES NEEDED FOR INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS
The New England Colonials International Basketball Club is looking for Durham area families to host our 2013 International Colonials players during the team’s June 26-27 visit to Durham.

This unique team will bring together 11 players from 11 countries this summer for a three-week basketball tour of New England. Players are 16 and 17 and they are all highly recommended to us by their club or school coaches overseas. Many play for their national teams and all speak English. Hosting assignments will be for two nights.

Countries represented this summer will be Austria, Brazil, England, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Serbia, and Sweden.

If you would like to welcome a young player from overseas to your home in June, please call Scott Bryson at 508-734-5660, or send an email to necolonials@aol.com.

To learn more about our nonprofit, all-volunteer program, visit http://www.newenglandcolonials.net/home.htm

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF WEEKLY "FRIDAY UPDATES"
The deadline for submissions of items for the weekly "Friday Updates" is Thursday each week. It is requested that submissions for upcoming events be provided closer to the actual event date. Please send information for inclusion in the "Friday Updates" to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us.

Durham Parks & Recreation is proud to introduce its new logo, designed by Durham resident Megan Sievert!

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.

ORHS Art Teacher Maria Rosi plays a tune for her students on the public piano located in front of the Candy Bar downtown Durham. Courtesy Stefanie Frazee

DOWNTOWN PUBLIC PIANO PROJECT AND CELEBRATION: Please join Durham Parks & Recreation and The Candy Bar as we welcome our newest addition to the downtown experience! On Thursday afternoon, the public piano made its short journey from Oyster River High School to its new home in front of the Candy Bar. ORHS art students spent the last month designing and creating the portrait displayed on the front, top, and sides. Once they completed the artwork, they placed the piano in the hallway. During its short stay at the school, it became a source of excitement for students, faculty, and visitors alike. In fact, it made such an impression on the students that they have already planned to bring in (and keep) another piano!

The project is similar to those seen in Hanover and Littleton, New Hampshire, and aims at promoting public art as well as enhancing a sense of community. Karen Larson, owner of the Candy Bar, first brought the idea to the Town in the beginning of March. From there, it was shared and discussed throughout the community. In just a few short months, the project has gained overwhelming attention and support.

Parks & Recreation is proud to be a part of this exciting program, and we look forward to seeing you this Sunday, June 9th @ 12:30PM – The Candy Bar for a short celebration, introduction, and light refreshments!

Bliss Hill Band at WHF

MUSIC BY THE BAY SUMMER CONCERT SERIES - BLISS HILL BAND: Saturday, June 27, 2013, 7:30 PM at Wagon Hill Farm. Free to the public. Bring chairs and picnics for family fun! http://www.bliss4.net/

STORYTELLING AROUND THE FIRE: Wednesday, June 26, 2013, 6:30 PM, Durham Town Landing parking lot - Durham Parks & Rec presents Michael Lang, storyteller and owner of The Coyote's Inkwell at Wagon Hill Farm, sharing folktales, fables, and his own original stories around a bonfire.. Free to the public. Bring family and chairs!

MAD SCIENCE SUMMER CAMP: Durham Parks & Rec and Mad Science have teamed up to offer:

Rockin' Rockets & Fantastic Flight - Jul 29-Aug 2, 2013; 9AM - 3PM, $250, for ages 7 to 12 years. Fantastic Flight will allow campers to build many different flying devices from balloon copter and kites to rockets. Learn about navigation tools and see how Newton's Laws of Motion help explain how things move and how rockets fly!

Secret Agent Lab - Aug 5-Aug 9, 2013, 9AM - 3:30 PM, $250, for ages 7 to 12 years. Look out 007. The Mad Science Secret Agent Lab is in session! From decoding messages to metal detectors and night vision, you will get a chance to check out cool spy equipment and even create your own edible message in a hands-on look at the science that spies use! For more information and to register, click HERE.

ADVENTURE PADDLE CAMP: Parks & Recreation is teaming up with Seven Rivers Paddling to offer kids kayaking camps this summer! We are offering a series of week-long sessions for kids ages 6-8 and 9-13. Each session will guide the participants through basic paddling techniques; balance; self rescue skills; wildlife exploration; and conservation topics. For more information, please visit Seven Rivers Paddling on FB, or email: sevenriverspaddling@gmail.com

JOIN ANY CLASS, ANYTIME! For more information regarding any of the classes or events offered by Parks and Recreation, visit the P&R web site at https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/boc_parksrec.

YOGA: Mondays: 5:45AM and 5PM; Tuesdays: 7:15PM; Thursdays: 6:00AM. What to expect: Yoga is a series of physical poses which promote good posture, alleviate health problems, reduce stress, and make the spine supple. Yoga is often used as both an exercise and a form of physical therapy. Cost is only $40 for 8 sessions! Couples Yoga coming soon! Find out more HERE.

BOOT CAMP, Wed/Fri, 7AM

PILATES, Mon 9AM, Wed 6:30 PM (ORMS Multipurpose Room), Sat 10AM (ORMS Multipurpose Room)

ZUMBA - Mon/Wed 5:30 PM, Sat 9AM (All held at ORMS Multipurpose Room)

STRENGTH & STRETCH - Wed/Fri 8AM

TAI CHI (Beginner/Advanced) - Fri 4-5:30 PM. Find out more HERE.

TAI CHI (Moving for Better Balance) - Tue/Thu 9-10AM

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

Music By the Bay Summer Concert Series - June, July, August 2013 at Wagon Hill Farm. (Join us for the series kickoff on June 27th from 6-8 PM with BLISS!)
Durham Day - Saturday, September 21, 2013 at Wagon Hill Farm (Rain Date: Sunday, September 22nd)

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

UNH Museum of Art Fine Art Fund-raising Auction - Saturday, June 8, 2013, 5-7:00 PM in Paul Creative Arts Center. Original drawings, prints and paintings by selected well-known northern New England artists will be up for bid and outright sale at Rose Moon, a fundraiser for the Museum of Art, University of New Hampshire. Prints in the portfolio and artworks to be auctioned may be viewed online at http://www.unh.edu/moa/. Advance reservations are recommended: $50 for Museum of Art members, $60 non-members, $65 at the door. Reservations may be made by phone 603/862-3713 or online at http://www.unh.edu/moa/.

ORMS Jazz Band at Portsmouth Music Hall, Saturday, June 15, 2013, 7PM. Tickets: $15, general admission, and are available at The Music Hall Box Office, 28 Chestnut Street, Portsmouth. For more information: 603-436-2400, http://www.themusichall.org/ or email silentfilmnight@gmail.com.

Bobcat Bolt/Oyster River Festival: Saturday, June 22, 2013, Oyster River High School, 9AM: Bobcat Bolt 5k/10k run/walk; 10:25AM: Kids fun run; 11AM-1:30PM: Oyster River Festival; 8:30PM: Board for Portsmouth Isles of Shoals Steamship Company Cruise. For more information, click HERE and HERE.

St. George's Episcopal Church in Durham community garden plots available. The raised beds are located in a sunny area behind the church. $20 for 4'x8' beds for the growing season and $10 for 4'x4' beds. Only a handful of beds remain. Please contact georgesgardens@comcast.net or call the Church office, 868-2785 to obtain further information and to complete a garden contract.

Oyster River Summer Camps 2013, July 9-August 9. Click HERE for registration information and form.

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Come learn about the Peace Corps! Wednesday, June 12th at 6:00 p.m. - Find out more about the exciting opportunities all over the world. Rob Orton will tell us about his own experience in Costa Rica. The Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960, when then Senator John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. From that inspiration grew an agency of the federal government devoted to world peace and friendship. Since that time, 210,000+ Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 139 host countries to work on issues ranging from AIDS education to information technology and environmental preservation. Today's Peace Corps is more vital than ever, working in emerging and essential areas such as information technology and business development, and contributing to the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Peace Corps Volunteers continue to help countless individuals who want to build a better life for themselves, their children, and their communities.

Register for our fun 5 week summer reading program starting June 11th. The theme this year is “Dig Into Reading!”. Our program runs from June 25th through July 26th. 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. We hope to be at the new library after July 16th (49 Madbury Road)! Some of the fun events planned:

Tuesdays, June 25, July 2, 16, 23, 10:30 a.m. – All ages storytimes (preschool) – Dig Into Reading Themes! Stories, fingerplays, songs, feltboard and a craft!

Tuesdays, June 25, July 2, 16, 23, 6:30 p.m. (9-12 yr old group) – Wii Night/Game Nights, and decorate cupcakes. We will also share what we’re reading. Win prizes!

Thursdays, June 27, July 18, 25, 3:00-4:00 p.m. (6-8 yr. old group) – Bugs/Ant Farms, Legos, Rocks, archeology, fairy houses. We will hear stories, play games, do puzzles, crafts and share what we are reading.

Thursdays, June 27, July 18, 25, 4:00-5:00 p.m. (young adult writing group) – Like to write? Join this writing group and add your writing to the Durham Library blog “Write Away”! You will become your own editor and post to our blog. Write book reviews, movie, play reviews, travel logs, poetry, song lyrics, short stories, more….!

Friday, June 28, 10:30 a.m. at the ORHS Multi-purpose room. – Summer Reading kick-off celebration for all ages with the Durham, Lee and Madbury Libraries featuring Mike Bent! Mike is a talented magician/all around performer. Don’t miss this fun event.

Wednesday, June 26, 6:30 p.m. All ages Family night with the Durham Recreation Department – Michael Lang Storyteller at Jackson’s Landing with a Bonfire following! Don’t miss this fun joint program at Jackson’s Landing with the Durham Rec Department!

Wednesday, July 10, 6:30 p.m. – All ages Family night joint program with the Durham Recreation Department – Nature Walk at the Jackson’s Landing Trail! Meet at Jackson Landing and take a nature walk with a Durham Rec Department Naturalist. We will make a craft afterward. Dress for a hike and wear bug spray! Will happen rain or shine. All are welcome!

Thursday, July 11, 10:30 a.m. ORHS Multi-purpose room – All ages Wildlife Encounters with the Durham, Lee and Madbury Libraries. Come and meet animals and learn about them.

Wednesday, July 17, 6:30 p.m. – All ages Family night –– Center for Wildlife from York, Maine will visit with their burrowing animals/diggers! Meet these animals and learn about the Center!

Thursday, July 18, 6:00-8:00 p.m. (ages 12 and up) – Marek Bennett Comic Workshop. This is a joint library program with the Durham, Lee and Madbury Libraries at the Durham Library. Sign-ups required.

Wednesday, July 24, 6:30 p.m. – All ages Family night – NH Children’s Museum Visit , Fish Aren’t Afraid of the Dark! Learn about why sea animals glow and make a glowing fish art activity!

Friday July 26, 10:30 a.m. at the Durham Library – All ages Finale Celebration with Wayne From Maine, Musician, with the Durham and Madbury Libraries! Join us in celebrating your summer reading accomplishments. Wayne from Maine is a talented and interactive musician for all ages. He will have everyone on their feet moving to his music. Wayne from Maine’s performance is generously sponsored by the Byrne Foundation, CHILIS, the Cogswell Benevolent Trust, the NH Library Association, the NH State Library and the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. 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, Pauly’s Pockets, The Candy Bar, Hayden Sports, Young’s Restaurant, Froyo World, Durham House of Pizza, Wildcat Pizza, The Stratham Fair, the Durham Market, the Chinese Market, Franz’s Food, Water Country and other local businesses for their prize donations.

Check out our website www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more info.

FROM "DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE A HISTORY - 1900-1985"

"Education and Religion - Music has always been an important part of the worship service, and many well-trained professionals have directed the choir over the years. Two university professors, Robert Manton and Irving Bartley, were organists as well as directors. Mrs. Eileen Keesey followed them as organist, and Mrs. Meredyth Jones as choir director. Mrs. Audrey Havsky was choir director from the late 1970s to 1984, at which time she assumed the dual role of organist and director. Mrs. Marion Craig, Miss Ann Wright, and Mrs. Ann Flentje also served as organists.

By 1966 it had become evident that the Skinner organ, which had been built in 1924, had deteriorated and that, although it could be repaired, it would be more satisfactory to get a new organ. A committee formed to study this matter, after consulting seven organ builders, recommended an organ built by the distinguished European firm of Reiger Orgelbau of Schwarzach/Vorarlberg, Austria. The sanctuary was completely renovated to accommodate the Rieger organ, and on April 25, 1976, the organ and sanctuary were dedicated." Published in 1985 by the Durham Historic Association.

Have a very nice weekend.

Todd

Todd I. Selig, Administrator

Town of Durham, New Hampshire

T: 603-868-5571 F: 603-868-5572

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

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