Friday Updates - March 29, 2024

Friday, March 29, 2024

A panoramic view of Wagon Hill Farm. Courtesy, Chuck Maranhas

Easter is this Sunday, March 31. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, Easter, or Resurrection Day, is the principal festival of the Christian church, which celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his Crucifixion. The earliest recorded observance of an Easter celebration comes from the 2nd century, though the commemoration of Jesus’ Resurrection probably occurred earlier.

The English word Easter, which parallels the German word Ostern, is of uncertain origin. One view, expounded by the Venerable Bede in the 8th century, was that it derived from Eostre, or Eostrae, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility.

The Durham Egg Hunt is tomorrow, March 30th. See below for details.

VEHICLE BREAK-IN AT WAGON HILL FARM – Two cameras installed in parking lot area as deterrent.

Unfortunately, there was a car broken into this past week at Wagon Hill Farm. The police department in response has placed two remote cellular cameras there to hopefully deter this type of activity. The cameras are visible if someone was to look closely. As such, the Town wanted to let the public know why the cameras were put in place. While Wagon Hill Farm is a safe and welcoming environment, it is recommended that people lock their cars as a precaution when enjoying the property.  

DURHAM RANKED AS #4 BEST COLLEGE TOWN IN THE NORTHEAST

RentCafe.com recently ranked the best college towns in the U.S. across 12 different metrics to assist aspiring college students in making well-informed decisions about their educational paths.  

Here’s what they found: 

• In the regional context, Durham takes the 4th spot among the best college towns in the Northeast.
• Cities with highly educated residents, access to natural amenities, and with good air quality rose to the top.  
• Durham takes the 9th place nationally among cities with highly educated residents, as 75% of its population holds a higher education degree.  

Click HERE to see the full study, including the methodology.

RentCafe.com is a nationwide apartment search website and a part of Yardi. Their original research is regularly featured in the media, including CNBC, The New York Times, Apartment Therapy, Domino Magazine, House Beautiful and Architectural Digest, just to mention a few.

Based upon feedback from several downtown businesses, the Town’s parking team was recently able to discuss the present downtown parking situation.  After much conversation and discussion, the group decided a number of changes were appropriate to implement on a pilot basis given changing customer trends downtown and the existence of the large new 66 Main Street municipal parking lot, funded largely by TIF dollars, which is now the primary Business Parking Permit area, thereby freeing up many spaces within the Petteebrook Road parking lot and other spaces downtown. Town have also noted changing parking demand patterns post the COVID 19 pandemic. This pilot program will enable the Town to survey downtown parking demand in late-April/May 2024, and again next fall in October/November 2024, allowing us to revisit as needed thereafter.  

The Pilot changes outlined below will be implemented when new signage is available and meter reprogramming can be undertaken, likely by mid-April, if not sooner. We’re working to fast-track the changes:

• Free parking to be available after 5 PM, M-F, along the NE side of Main Street between Pettee Brook Lane and Madbury Road (where the current 1-hr. free spaces are located immediately in front of downtown businesses), and within the Store 24/Sammy’s/Tedeschi/Ravi Lot (to be renamed the Bobcat Corner Lot).
• Free parking to be available Saturdays (Sunday free parking is already available) within Store 24/Sammy’s/Tedeschi/Ravi Lot (to be renamed Bobcat Corner Lot).
• The 66 Main St. Business Parking Permit lot will be opened for free general parking after 5 PM, M-F, and on weekends. (Note, overnight parking is not allowed anywhere downtown.)
• The addition of several additional 15-minute free parking spaces will be installed within the downtown core as follows to support local businesses:
• 1 additional spot to serve Sweetened Memories on Pettee Brook Lane. First spot past the entrance into the Permit Lot.  
• 1 additional spot to serve Aroma Joes, Subway, and the bank on Main St. There is the 1 single spot between Aroma Joes and the M&T Bank exit that is between the two pay stations in the area.  
• For 2 additional spots to serve mid-Main St. downtown area, we’re looking at the two spots right next to the two universally accessible spots in front of Breaking New Grounds and immediately diagonal to Clark’s.  

Again, staff will revisit once the fall 2024 UNH semester gets under way to gauge effectiveness and/or whether new problems are created.  These changes in pilot form also anticipate parking displacement along Madbury Road from Pettee Brook Lane to Garrison as a result of the Phase I water/sewer/complete streets DPW work that will commence in late spring/summer.

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATION INTO ZOOM BOMBERS WHO MADE ANTI-SEMITIC COMMENTS AT APRIL 4th COUNCIL MEETING DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS RELATIVE TO CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION

Through their investigation, the Durham Police Department staff learned that two people who signed onto the April 4th Town Council meeting via Zoom likely used false names and provided no further identification such as addresses or telephone numbers. 

Police learned that the suspects used an IP address that came back to New York through a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which are used to mask identities and go through a number of internet servers to change the location where the information is coming from. The Internet Service Providers (ISO) were identified as originating from Milan, Italy and Panama City, Panama. Foreign countries do not and will not respond to a subpoena from the United States. Even if they did, the department doubts that the suspects who are responsible used their correct names, addresses, or phone numbers. 

As it stands now, the department has suspended the investigation as it has resulted in dead ends.

DURHAM RESIDENTS SOUGHT TO FILL VACANCIES ON THE STRAFFORD REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

Durham is seeking three local residents to represent the town as Commissioners on the Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC). The role of SRPC Commissioners is to provide local and regional perspective on a wide range of issues impacting life in southeast New Hampshire. Commissioners oversee and guide SRPC in fulfillment of three distinct responsibilities:

1. As a Regional Planning Commission with a focus on municipal and regional land use and environmental planning;
2. The Policy Committee, which oversees federally required transportation programs; and
3. The Board of Directors for the Economic Development District.

Commission meetings occur on the third Friday of every month at 9:00 am, at the SRPC office in Rochester. Meetings always have a virtual option. Meeting agendas rotate between the three “hats” that SRPC wears. There are quarterly “field trips” to visit important projects or efforts in-person.

Visit the Strafford Regional Planning Commission website for more information: https://strafford.org/. If you would like to apply to become a Commissioner, please email Karen Edwards at kedwards@ci.durham.nh.us.

UNH ISSUES RFI FOR THE EDGE AT UNH: AN INNOVATION NEIGHBORHOOD

The Town and UNH have been talking for several years about the future development of The Edge at West End into a mixed-use innovation neighborhood concept. The Edge is envisioned for about 60 acres on Old Concord Road/Main Street near the Durham/Lee boundary, behind the U.S. Forestry Service building in the vicinity of West Edge parking lot.

The amount of new construction versus repurposing existing buildings and the sequencing of construction hasn’t been determined yet. As part of that process, UNH has been working with a real estate advisor to help them sort through how it’s possible to bring the plan to fruition and how to evaluate those choices.

The full build-out will likely take about 20 years, with the hope of initial construction starting within three years. At least 1,000 people, and likely many more, are likely to populate The Edge at any one time as residents, workers, researchers, private industry professionals, and visitors.

Last year at this time, UNH had estimated a possible $1 billion in economic impact over a 10-year period involving sponsored research, royalties, construction, job creation, start-up jobs, and local and state tax revenue.

The assessed property value of private industry co-located at The Edge would be fully taxable, creating synergies and partnerships for UNH undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty members, revenue flow for the university itself, and much needed new property tax revenue for the Town of Durham. In addition, the prospect of The Edge hosting a residential component, combined with an influx of new workers within large private industries there, would expand the potential customer base for our local downtown businesses, particularly Durham’s local restaurants. 

An RFI issued this week by UNH reads as follows: 

Summary: The EDGE at UNH is a transformational opportunity to build an active neighborhood of innovation on the University of New Hampshire's western edge, within steps of the UNH campus core. Entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and established professionals will mingle and collaborate in this lively new district with eclectic restaurants, office buildings, hotel, research facilities, housing, shops, and other amenities. The EDGE at UNH will be a live-work-play environment where academic and industry collaborators bring new technologies and products from idea to marketplace, generating economic value and job creation.  

The purpose of, "The EDGE at UNH: Request for Information (RFI)," is to share information about The EDGE at UNH with interested and experienced parties such as real estate brokers, development and construction companies, architects, advisors, and many others. UNH and its advisors are seeking to gather general information, recommendations, and shared experience from innovation communities that have been successfully planned and implemented across the country in a similar setting.  Responses are due by the third week in April.

Durham Resident Eleanor Lonske has painted all of the Durham landmarks above. She then created this 34"x36" poster of all of the paintings (see how many sites you recognize!). The poster is available for sale in the Town Clerk's office for $50 by either cash or check. The proceeds from the sale go to the Durham Historical & Cultural Resource Trust.

Many in Durham are reporting that they have been pulling ticks off their pets and themselves after they go outside. The warmer winter means that ticks are emerging earlier as snow melts. Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist, has said health officials have been getting reports of ticks showing up.

He indicates there's typically a peak in Lyme disease infections, which are caused by tick bites, in the summer. However, the data shows that tick bite visits to emergency departments usually start in March, followed by a big spike in April or May.

The Town of Durham is excited to announce the return of the Top Dog raffle. This raffle was created to motivate and remind dog owners to license their pets every year by April 30. Residents automatically register for the Top Dog raffle when they obtain a dog license before April 30. The winner of the Top Dog raffle will receive a gift basket donated by the town clerk and their dog’s biography will be featured in the Durham Friday Update. Your dog could be the next Top Dog! 

Dog licenses are available in the Durham Town Clerk-Tax Collector’s office. Durham offers dog licensing online HERE. All dogs must have a valid rabies vaccination to obtain a license, which may be uploaded online or emailed to rdeane@ci.durham.nh.us . Residents may also come into Town Hall to get a dog license during the clerk’s hours on Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm.

RULES & REGULATIONS

• Contestants will automatically be entered into the raffle when they register their dog(s) before April 30 (only open to Durham residents).
• Residents who DO NOT want to be included in the raffle may opt out by writing, calling, or emailing the clerk’s office.
• Contestants must be 18 or older and be the owner of the dog on file with the clerk’s office. Town of Durham employees and elected officials are not eligible.
• The contestant must have a 2024 Town of Durham dog license by April 30. A current rabies vaccination will be required to obtain the license.
• The raffle winner may submit a digital photo and brief biography of their dog. Photos of the 2024 raffle winner’s dog will be included in the Durham Friday Update.
• The winner will be drawn at random by clerk’s office in May 2024.

The Granite State’s black bears are emerging from their winter dens and beginning to actively search for any available food sources.

With the arrival of spring, it’s recommended that Durham residents be both proactive and responsible by taking down bird feeders no later than April 1. 

Backyard farmers should protect poultry, livestock, and bees with electric fencing, being sure to remember these fencing needs when picking up new chicks this spring.

Additionally, residents can help prevent the attraction of bears by securing dumpsters and garbage cans and storing grills, pet food, and animal feeds indoors. The easiest way to solve bear–human conflicts is to prevent them in the first place—please do your part to help protect New Hampshire’s bears.

Bears have an extremely acute sense of smell, long memories, and high intelligence. If bears are not rewarded with food in neighborhoods, they do not continue to frequent those locations.

For more information on how to avoid run-ins with bears, click HERE.

DID YOU KNOW?  - Stop Using Single-Use Plastics

You can make a significant sustainable difference by changing just one thing when you go to the grocery store. 

Start today with one of these actions.  

Make it a habit.  

When you’re ready, add another! 

• Keep cloth bags in your vehicle or near your exit door so they are handy for groceries or any other shopping. Each reusable bag saves 500 single-use plastic bags per year! 
• Take reusable mesh bags to the grocery store or farmers’ market to hold unwrapped produce. At home, reuse a plastic bread bag or reusable cloth VeggieBag to store vegetables. 
• Buy in bulk when you can to avoid excess packaging.
• Make your own drinks with frozen juice, powders or teas.

Help put an end to single-use plastics!

Source: Dover Plastic Reduction Group  

Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee.

Not sure if an item can be recycled? Check here: www.Recyclesmartma.org

PUBLIC WORKS WINTER MAINTENANCE UPDATE

Despite the vernal equinox occurring last week, Durham Public Works’ Snow and Ice Control Team contended with its first emergency winter weather response in nearly a month last weekend!

A strong coastal storm blossomed as the result of phasing Northern and Southern stream energies, conveying deep moisture into New England. Heavy snowfall during the morning hours Saturday in Durham transitioned to chilly rain for most of the day as temperatures at UNH’s reporting station hovered between 32- and 33-degrees Fahrenheit. Durham Public Works timed the end of precipitation Saturday evening and responded with an application of de-icing materials to avoid an overnight flash freeze.

This storm response marks the first for Durham Public Works during an astronomical Spring since March 23, 2020. The Department is closely monitoring global forecast models for another potentially robust storm system during the middle of next week. The potential multi-day precipitation event will bring renewed risks of accumulating snow to New England. 

LINDA H. HOLLISTER SWAP SHOP RE-OPENS ON SATURDAY, APRIL 6th

The Linda H. Hollister Swap Shop (Swap Shop) will be opening for the season on Saturday, April 6th, 2024! Durham Public Works and Swap Shop Volunteers would like to remind residents that the Swap Shop does not accept certain items. While we would like to keep reusable items out of the waste stream and the landfill, indoor storage space is limited, and other safety concerns must be considered.

When entering the Transfer Station, it is mandatory to stop and check-in with one of the Attendants to review the items you wish to donate to the Swap Shop. The Attendant(s) will evaluate each item(s) based on the criteria below to determine if it will be accepted. A bulky waste coupon may be required in situations where the item(s) is not accepted. We encourage residents to discuss other options for donating their goods with the attendants and Swap Shop Volunteers.

A reminder that users of the Swap Shop are encouraged to remain at the facility for no longer than thirty (30) minutes during any one visit to allow other residents an opportunity to view and take items. The following is a list of items that are not accepted at the Swap Shop:

• Dirty, moldy or stained items. Stained fabrics may go into the Ecosmith Textile Recycling bin.
• Broken, non-functioning or items missing pieces (a chair without a leg, desk without a drawer or drawer knobs, etc..)
• Boxes full of unsorted items (unless approved by a Transfer Station Attendant or Swap Shop Volunteer.)
• Upholstered furniture (mattresses, box springs, chairs, couches, headboards, pillows, etc.).
• Electronic items (all of which require an electronic coupon for disposal): Refrigerators, Dehumidifiers, Air Conditioners, Other items containing a refrigerant, Televisions, Computer Monitors
• Construction materials of any kind (wood, shingles, sheetrock, insulation, etc.)
• Concrete, bricks, stone, solid fill.
• Appliances larger than a microwave (appliances containing refrigerant that have an electronic coupon will be considered for donation).
• Hazardous Materials or Chemicals (oils, gas, diesel, kerosene, propane, oxygen, mercury containing items, etc.)
• Food, beverages, cosmetics
• Textbooks, dated manuals, reference books (can be recycled using the Discover Books bin)
• Skies, ski boots, snow boards
• Child safety equipment (car seats, helmets)
• Weapons
• Broken glass (including glass from picture frames)
• Clothing and shoes (Use the Salvation Army bin for clothing and shoes in good condition. The Ecosmith bins for these and any stained bedding, towels, fabric stuffed animals, etc.)

DURHAM ROADWAYS POSTED FOR RESTRICTED WEIGHT LIMITS

Durham Public Works would like to remind residents and contractors that unless specifically permitted by the written directive of the Public Works Director, it is unlawful for any person, partnership or corporation to haul, transport or cause to be transported by vehicle with a gross weight over six (6) tons any material over the following Class V roads from 12:01 am on March 15th through 11:59 pm on April 30th:

1) Back River Road – From US 4 to Madbury Town Line

2) Bagdad Road – From Canney Road to NH 108

3) Bay Road – From Newmarket Town Line extending to Durham Point Road

4) Bennett Road – From Packers Falls Road extending to NH 108

5) Canney Road – From Madbury Town Line extending to NH 108

6) Dame Road – From Newmarket Town Line extending to Bay Road

7) Durham Point Road – From Bay Road extending to 100 Durham Point Road

8) Emerson Road – From Bagdad Road to Madbury Road

9) Longmarsh Road – From NH 108 extending to Durham Point Road

10) Mill Road – From Packers Falls Road extending to Woodridge Road

11) Packers Falls Road – From Newmarket Town Line to Lee Town Line

12) Watson Road – From Back River Road to terminus

13) Wednesday Hill Road – From Packers Falls Road extending to Lee Town Line

14) Winecellar Road – From Longmarsh Road extending to terminus

15) Wiswall Road – From Packers Falls Road extending to Lee Town Line

Durham Public Works and its contractor, Severino Construction, Inc. will begin the culvert improvement portion of the Madbury Road Complete Streets Project this Spring. This phase will begin with a rehabilitation and slope extension of the reinforced concrete pipe which carries Littlehale Creek under Madbury Road followed by the replacement of the compromised stone box culvert which carries Littlehale Creek under Edgewood Road.

The Department met with affected residents during a neighborhood meeting this week on Edgewood Road. The informational session provided an opportunity for the impacted residents to learn more about the project and ask questions of the Durham Public Works Team prior to the project commencing to ensure a smooth and successful construction process. 

An alternating one-way traffic pattern with temporary signalization on Madbury Road can be expected and an approximately three-month road closure of Edgewood Road in the immediate vicinity of the culvert will occur to complete this work.

Construction on the Madbury Road portion is tentatively scheduled to occur from late April to middle May and from middle May to the end of August on Edgewood Road.

Durham Public Works completed improvements to the Lee Well Water Production Facility this week. An epoxy membrane was applied to the floor on the pump side of the facility along with a fresh coat of paint on the piping manifold. Extended material lead times and contractor availability extended this project over two years. During that time frame, nearly every component of the approximately 40-year-old facility was overhauled or replaced including the following:

• Full renovation of the roof structure, soffit vents, trim, and gable siding.
• Replacement of all pumping equipment including chemical treatments to break down and dissolve mineral deposits within the well casing and screen structures to reestablish well pumping and specific capacity.
• New bulk chemical storage tanks were installed.
• Replacement of the near-well piping manifold and appurtenances.
• Installation of a variable frequency drive unit to power the well pump.
• Replacement of the obsolete programmable logic controller.
• Replacement of the chemical analyzing equipment.
• Exterior and interior painting.
• Installation of an epoxy membrane to the floors and chemical containment areas.
• New overhead lighting and electrical outlets.
• Installation of a security system.

A portion of the funding for this project was obtained through the American Rescue Plan Act’s Infrastructure Bill.

Great work, DPW!

As part of the Fiscal Year 2024 budgeting process, the Durham Town Council endorsed a recommendation by the Administrator, Durham Public Works, and the Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee, to eliminate the curbside collection portion of Durham Public Works’ Bulky Waste Program. This decision, in part, was made to further align with the Town’s sustainability goals and promote the reduction of municipal solid waste materials sent to our landfills. Further, because of increased program and project responsibilities, Durham Public Works no longer has the capacity to conduct this program.

This resource-intensive program resulted in 116 tons of material sent to the landfill in 2023 alone, which represented 6% of the total material sent to the landfill by the Town of Durham and consumed 400 hours of staff time. This program change will allow Durham Public Works to redeploy these resources for projects this Spring that would normally require contracted assistance and funding. 

In lieu of this program, Durham Public Works will offer an annual bulky waste coupon to each residential property. This coupon, which is now available at the Durham Public Works Offices Only, located at 100 Stone Quarry Drive, will allow the property owner to dispose of up to one dump trailer sized load of bulky waste per year free of charge and at their convenience during normal public open hours at the Raymond A. LaRoche Sr. Transfer Station and Recycling Center. Property owners with smaller vehicles will be eligible to make multiple trips during the same day equivalent to a dump trailer sized load utilizing the coupon to dispose of their materials. (A thank you to resident Dick Lord for his good suggestion.) As they have in the past, certain electronics and refrigerant containing devices would still require a $15 sticker for disposal.

DURHAM PUBLIC WORKS SEEKS SEASONAL LABORERS - A great summer opportunity for Oyster River students 18 years of age and older.

The Public Works Department is seeking several highly motivated team members to join an exceptional team of Public Works professionals to serve in the role of Part-Time Seasonal Laborer.

The successful candidates will assist the Operations Manager and Buildings and Grounds Supervisor in completing routine public works projects such as landscaping, park and facility maintenance, and road maintenance.

The salary for these part-time, seasonal positions is $16-18/hr, depending upon qualifications. These 40 hour/week positions run from May-August and normal work hours are 7:00am – 3:30pm, Monday – Friday.

The successful candidates must be 18 years of age and have a valid driver’s license or may be 16 or 17 years of age with signed parental permission. Experience with small engine operation, including lawn mowers, string trimmers, and leaf blowers is desired.

Applications are available at Durham Public Works or online at www.ci.durham.nh.us/jobs.

Please submit applications to Durham Public Works, Attn: Shannon Shaw, Assistant to the Public Works Director, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham, NH 03824 or by email to sshaw@ci.durham.nh.us.

OFFICER PAM DONLEY REPRESENTS NEW HAMPSHIRE'S FIRST FEMALE BIATHLON TEAM AT US ARMY NATIONAL GUARD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Officer Pam Donley, a fourteen-year veteran of the Durham Police Department, left full-time employment in 2018 to work with the New Hampshire National Guard. Pam has remained in a part-time status with the department since that departure and is routinely filling shifts and helping with overtime and details. In February of this year, Pam led a team of three other National Guard women in the 48th Annual Chief National Guard Bureau Biathlon Championships held in Solider Hollow Nordic Center. This was the first full team of women to ever compete on behalf of the New Hampshire National Guard. Pam is currently a Captain in the National Guard and is assigned as the secretary to the general staff at Joint Forces Headquarters.  For more information on the biathlon, click HERE.

This week Problem Oriented Police (POP) Officer Erik Burke attended a career fair at Plymouth State University. This is just one of many efforts of recruiting the Durham Police Department is in engaged in. Officer Burke met many candidates who were excited to discuss opportunities and the nuances of how to apply and become a police officer.  

Recruiting new police officers and firefighters has become much more challenging over the last two years. Wages for these important public safety professions necessary to attract and retain high quality applicants have increased substantially and towns/cities are in overt competition with one another to fill vacant positions.

Please join the Town in welcoming Firefighter Evan Crafts back to the Durham Fire Department.

Evan rejoined the Department effective March 11, 2024 and has been assigned to D shift. Evan fills the firefighter vacancy which was created as a result of the retirement of Firefighter Scott Campbell in August 2023.

Firefighter Crafts comes with previous fire and rescue experience from Durham, Brentwood, and the Newmarket Fire Departments. Evan resides in Brentwood, NH. He attended the Lakes Region Community College in Laconia, NH for Fire Science and is currently an AEMT. 

If you see Evan around town, please feel free to say hello and welcome him back to our community!  

The Durham Professional Firefighters Local #2253 would like to introduce Smokey the Fire Dog. Smokey will give short tips on Fire Safety, weekly so Parents and guardians can generate conversation with their children about Fire Safety. Keep an eye out in the weekly updates These small questions and tips are a great way for you as a Parent to teach your kids about Fire Safety, the more they know the safer they will be.

WEEK #13

You should away close your door when you go to bed.

A closed door keeps smoke and heat out of a room if there is a fire. Here is a link to explain more information.  For more information, click HERE.

NEWS FROM THE OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT

WMUR Visits ORCSD Schools

On Tuesday, March 19, WMUR Meteorologist Matt Hoenig visited Mast Way School's 3rd grade students, and on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, WMUR News Reporter Kelly O'Brien visited Oyster River Middle School 8th grade students to capture a presentation given by University of New Hampshire (UNH) Associate Professor Amy Keesee about the April 8 solar eclipse.

Moharimet School Spring Musical: Finding Nemo Jr.

The public is warmly welcome to attend Moharimet's 4th grade spring musical on Thursday, April 4, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at the Oyster River High School Auditorium (55 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824). Open seating, no tickets required.

E-Waste Collection April 8-19

ORCSD schools will be collecting electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) between April 8-19. Details about where to drop-off and a list of eligible items may be viewed HERE.

Mast Way Spring Musical: Willy Wonka Jr.

The public is warmly welcome to attend Mast Way's 3rd and 4th grade spring musical on Thursday, April 11, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Oyster River High School Auditorium (55 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824). Open seating, no tickets required.

Save the Date: April 11 Community Dinner

The ORCSD Sustainability Committee will be hosting a community dinner on Thursday, April 11, 5:00-6:30 p.m. at the Oyster River High School. The dinner will be followed by a musical performance of Mast Way students in the auditorium. Dinner cost: $10 per adult or $25 per family (a family includes up to 2 adults and children living within the same household). A sign-up document will be made available next week. Kindly RSVP HERE by Tuesday April 9.

Moharimet Pancake Breakfast April 13

The public is invited to attend Moharimet's 20th edition of its famous Pancake Breakfast this coming April 13, 8:00 - 11:30 a.m. Suggested donations: $6 per person or $20 per family. At Moharimet School gymnasium (11 Lee Rd, Madbury, NH 03823)

Reduced Plastic Lunch Day April 16

On Tuesday, April 16, the ORCSD Sustainability Committee will be hosting a reduced plastic day and join school cafeterias across the US in a nationwide initiative to reduce single-use plastics. On April 16 lunches will be served with limited single-use plastic foodware and packaging. Students who bring their own lunch to school are invited to participate by bringing a lunch free of single-use plastic packaging.

UNH HOSTS THE NOSSRAT YASSINI POETRY FESTIVAL

The Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival, taking place April 12-14, 2024. While this event is taking place on the UNH campus (95 Main Street), it is a community-wide event, free and open to all in Durham and beyond. For more information, click HERE. The Festival was just named one of the top 30 spring festivals by the Boston Globe (click HERE if you have a Boston Globe subscription)