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 NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...
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Friday, May 15, 2016
Durham's Historic District in full bloom! Courtesy Craig Stevens
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Today is Friday the 13th. Spring has finally sprung.
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JOIN THE DURHAM HISTORIC ASSOCIATION'S JUNE 5TH PICNIC
Pack up a picnic supper on June 5th and head out to Durham Point for the annual picnic of the DHA at Mathes Garrison Farm, home of Nancy and Malcolm Sandberg at 15 Langley Rd.
The Greek Revival farmhouse built in 1861 by Jacob Mathes sits near the site of 17th century Mathes Garrison overlooking the Oyster River and Little Bay.
Arrive at 5PM to set up your lawn chairs or picnic blanket and enjoy the history of this area.
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NH RETIREMENT SYSTEM PROJECTS MANDATED INCREASES FOR TOWNS/CITIES/SCHOOLS | Lower Assumed Rate of Return Projected to Increase Future Public Employer Retirement Rates
On Tuesday the New Hampshire Retirement System (NHRS) Board of Trustees voted to adopt revised actuarial assumptions based on the recent five-year experience study conducted by its con- sulting actuary. In a related vote, the Board approved a reduction of the retirement system's investment assumption, lowering the assumed rate of investment return from 7.75 percent to 7.25 percent. These new assumptions, which according to the system better reflect actual and anticipated experience, will be used in the valuation to set employer contribution rates for the period from July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2019.
Of all the assumptions used to estimate the cost of the pension plan, such as demographic and mortality assumptions, none has a larger effect on public employer (towns, cities, school district) contributions than the assumed rate of return. This is because investment earnings account for a majority of the system's revenues.
When the system assumes it will receive less money from investment returns, the result is an increase in employer contribution rates in order to ensure that the system remains actuarially sound in accordance with Part I, Article 36-a of the New Hampshire Constitution.
While the NHRS Board will not officially vote until the fall on the rates to be effective July 1, 2017, preliminary projections from the actuary indicate the following increases from current rates.
These rates are shown per $100 of pensionable compensation:
Current Rates Projected Rates % Increase
Employees (towns/cities) 11.17% 11.38% 1.88%
Teachers 15.67% 17.36% 10.78%
Police 26.38% 29.43% 11.56%
Fire 29.16% 31.89% 9.36%
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The Juicery/The Soupery has opened in downtown Durham this week. The grand opening is Saturday, May 14th! Courtesy Todd Selig
THE JUICERY/THE SOUPERY OPENING in DURHAM -- SATURDAY, May 14th
Boston, Portsmouth, Pease, and now ... Durham! The Juicery/The Soupery is opening on Main Street in Mark Henderson's beautiful new building. The grand opening is Saturday, May 14th.
To learn more about The Juicery click HERE.
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UNH OUTDOOR POOL PROJECT MOVING ALONG ON SCHEDULE
The UNH Outdoor Pool project is going very well, on time and within budget. The current estimated completion date is August 22, 2016. UNH feels confident that the new facility will be open by this date and is working hard to better the schedule if possible.
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Representatives from UNH, Durham, and Eversource met this week to discuss aspects of the Seacoast Reliability Project that will traverse portions of Durham within existing utility rights-of-way. Courtesy Todd Selig
DURHAM, UNH, AND EVERSOURCE OFFICIALS MET TO DISCUSS SEACOAST RELIABILITY PROJECT | Over 30 meetings held on project during last year.
Durham and UNH officials are taking time to work with Eversource to review the recent voluminous filing for the company’s Seacoast Reliability Project.
The project consists of an approximately 13-mile long transmission line, within the communities of Madbury, Durham, Newington, and Portsmouth. It utilizes a combination of overhead, underground, and underwater line design. In Durham, the project utilizes existing Eversource Rights-of-Way where distribution lines now exist.
Eversource filed its application for a Certificate of Site and Facility with the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) for the Seacoast Reliability Project (SRP), a new 115-kilovolt transmission line connecting substations in Madbury and Portsmouth. The SRP is part of a suite of projects that have been developed by Eversource to support the reliable delivery of electric power, in order to meet the Seacoast region’s current demand and support future economic growth.
The Independent System Operator of New England (ISO-NE) has identified additional transmission capacity as an important need in the Seacoast region.
Eversource has provided an open letter to the community dated April 28, 2016 in regard to the Seacoast Reliabilty Project. To view the letter, click HERE.
Before construction can begin, the project must receive a Certificate of Site and Facility from the SEC. The SEC has up to 14 months to review the application and determine whether to issue the Certificate.
Eversource completed an initial round of Public Information Sessions last year, in advance of the SEC filing, as well as an additional session with Durham residents at the Town Hall and a subsequent bus tour of the route with interested residents, and will host another round of public information sessions in Strafford and Rockingham Counties within 45 days of the SEC deeming the application to be complete. Additional public hearings will be hosted by the SEC within 90 days of that determination.
These events will provide an opportunity for members of the public to register questions or comments with the SEC regarding the project.
Durham and UNH officials have worked together in engaging with Eversource since last year’s forums. More than 30 meetings have taken place involving Durham, UNH, and Eversource officials resulting in numerous modifications to the project in order to address local concerns and priorities.
The easiest way for residents to view information about the project would be through the Eversource project website. This link will take residents directly to the Eversource web page and then under the SEC application section there's a link to the SEC's website where the entire electronic application is posted.
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Taking advantage of the nice weather, the Town is undertaking lightpole painting within the Historic District this week. Courtesy Craig Stevens
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BIKE/WALK TO WORK DAY IS MAY 20TH
The Seacoast’s 14th Annual Bike/Walk to Work Day is Friday May 20th. Join fellow bikers/walkers in front of New Hampshire Hall from 7:00-9:00am on Friday, May 20 for a FREE breakfast for Durham/UNH community members biking or walking to work or school that day. Ten other breakfasts are also happening throughout the region.
The week of May 16th-20th will also see the 10th Annual Seacoast Corporate Commuter Challenge. Interested individuals can sign up workplace, and rally their co-workers to bike or walk for one day, a couple days, or all week. Four size categories for small (1-15 employees), medium sized (16-199 employees), large (200-999 employees), and extra-huge (1000+ employee) workplaces. If you work at UNH, be sure to select “University of New Hampshire” as your Team affiliation for the Challenge.
For more info on Seacoast Bike/Walk to Work Day or to volunteer to help out email Durham resident Scott Bogle.
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Illustration of a sharrow. Courtesy bikecleveland.org
WHAT IS A SHARROW?
Durham has marked many roadways leading toward our downtown with sharrow symbols but not everyone knows what they are or mean.
A “sharrow” or shared-lane marking is a street marking installed at locations in the United States and other countries. This marking is placed in the center of a travel lane to indicate that a bicyclist may use the full lane.
Shared-lane markings are used to:
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Assist bicyclists with lateral positioning in lanes that are too narrow for a motor vehicle and a bicycle to travel side by side within the same traffic lane;
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Alert motorists of the lateral location bicyclists are likely to occupy within the traveled way;
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Encourage safe passing of bicyclists by motorists;
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Reduce the incidence of wrong-way bicycling; and
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Assist bicyclists with lateral positioning in a shared lane with on-street parallel parking in order to reduce the chance of a bicyclist’s impacting the open door of a parked vehicle.
In terms of specific examples here in town, Durham has a sharrow on Garrison Avenue between Madbury Road and Main Street, as well as one on Main Street in front of Libby’s and on Bagdad Road. UNH also has several sharrows on campus.
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MILL PLAZA REDEVELOPMENT PRESENTATION POSTPONED
The presentation to the Planning Board on the Mill Plaza redevelopment is postponed from the May 11 meeting to the June 8 meeting. The applicant is still working on revising the plans for the project. Revised plans are expected to be submitted to the Town by May 25. Once received, the plans will be posted on the Town's website.
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A much larger "No Thru Truck Traffic" sign will be installed at the intersection of Mill Pond Rd. and Rt. 108 by Town Hall next week. Courtesy Todd Selig
LARGE "NO THRU TRUCK TRAFFIC" SIGN TO BE INSTALLED MONDAY BY TOWN HALL TO ALLEVIATE ONGOING THRU TRUCK VIOLATIONS TRAVERSING FACULTY ROAD
Based upon repeated complaints regarding commercial truck traffic from residents on Faculty Road, the Public Works Department will replace the current small black and white "No Thru Truck Traffic" sign (pictured above on the corner to the right of the silver SUV at the intersection of Mill Pond Rd. and Rt. 108) next week. The new sign will bright, very large, and located in the center of Mill Road. The Public Works and Police Departents will monitor placement after temporary installation sometime on Monday to potentially plan for a more permanent configuration in this general location.
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Newly elected UNH Student Leaders attended Monday's Town Council meeting to introduce themselves to the board. From left are: Jonathan Dean, Student Body President; Jason Rubinstein, Student Body Vice President; and the External Affairs Chairperson. Courtesy Todd Selig
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FROM THE SUPERVISORS OF THE CHECKLIST
The New Hampshire State Primary is September 13. In New Hampshire, anyone who is registered to vote may do so in a Primary (unlike in some other states) but must vote the party with which they are registered (Republicans vote for Republican candidates, Democrats vote for Democratic candidates).
Undeclared voters may pick the ballot they wish to use. The Supervisors are sure that most residents who wish to be Undeclared or in a party different from the one they voted for in February have done so, some residents have not done that yet..
May 31 is the last day party affiliations can be changed before the Primary.
The Supervisors believe they have made all of the changes that have been requested so far, but urge residents to check to make sure they are where they want to be. A new (as of April 26) checklist has been posted at the Town Hall and at the Durham Post Office (in the room with the mail boxes). Don’t be disappointed in September!
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Durham DPW staff restriping the downtown crosswalks this week with the long-awaited springlike weather. Courtesy Craig Stevens
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NH SENATE APPROVES ELECTRONIC VOTER CHECK-IN, E-POLL | Attention now turns to NH House.
The NH Senate voted 15-9 on Thursday to authorize the pilot project for electronic voter check-in (E-Poll).
This is a win for the pilot communities - Durham, Manchester, and Hooksett — that are interested in testing this electronic system system for full implementation at a later date for the entire state.
There was, and is, strong opposition to this bill, and the Senate vote was the result of a very determined effort by many legislators from both parties, many local officials, and a number of interested groups.
The battle in the House will be even more difficult. The procedural status is this: the pilot project is now included in HB 1534, and it goes back to the House, which can concur and let the bill pass as is, “non-concur” and let the bill die, or non-concur and request a committee of conference.
The House Election Law Committee will recommend one of those three options, and the full House will vote on that recommendation next Wednesday, May 18.
The NH Municipal Association (NHMA) is asking representatives in the NH House to concur with the Senate’s version of HB 1534.
There are many benefits of the electronic check-in system: it is anticipated to dramatically reduce waiting lines, reduce the possibility of voter fraud, shorten the process for same-day registration, and eliminate weeks (or, in some cases, months) of post-election data entry. Running a pilot project in three municipalities at the state primary and general elections this fall will enable election officials to see how the system works and identify any potential problems, in advance of legislation next year to allow usage statewide. That is why the project has support from the City and Town Clerks Association, the League of Women Voters, and America Votes, as well as from NHMA—and why the chairs of both the Republican and Democratic state parties have sent letters strongly supporting it.
At a hastily arranged forum in Concord earlier this week, Alexander Schwarzmann, a computer science professor from the University of Connecticut, discussed his concerns with electronic check-in systems. Essentially, he stated that there is no such system that cannot be hacked, and therefore they are not reliable, and will not be any time in the foreseeable future.
At the same time, thirty-nine states currently are using these systems with no serious problems, regardless of one professor’s concerns. There is probably no computer system in the world that cannot be hacked—in many cases with much more serious consequences than the hacking of a voter check-in system—yet, as the NHMA has noted, they are used for everything from watches to nuclear weaponry.
One of the theoretical risks Professor Schwarzmann cited is that a person could attach a phony magnetic strip to her/his driver’s license that would enable her/him to check in as any random voter on the checklist who has not yet voted. After voting, s/he could get back in the line and check in as a different random voter, and keep doing this all day. Someone in the audience pointed out the rather obvious facts that: (1) it is likely that anyone who votes and then gets back in the check-in line would be noticed by local election officials; and (2) the driver’s license contains not only a magnetic strip but a name, and the ballot clerk will notice that the name on the license does not match the name that shows up on the computer! One might also wonder whether someone who is smart enough and resourceful enough to hack the system in this manner would be foolish enough to take the risk.
Opponents of HB 1534 have stated that they do not oppose the idea, but that there is not enough time to test the system before the September primary, and the pilot project should wait instead until the 2017 municipal elections, some six months later.
If the pilot is to move forward, it behooves Durham to be part of it now or a year from now because we have unique challenges at the polls here with literally 3,000+ same day registrations by UNH students desiring to exercise their constitutional right to vote. We want to ensure our concerns help shape the process such that it is workable for our unique circumstances — as well as those in Plymouth, Keene, Manchester, Ringe, and other communities with colleges.
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A typical residential septic system and its interface with the Great Bay. Courtesy SRPC
SEPTIC SYSTEM WORKSHOP SCHEDULED FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS ON MAY 14TH | Is Your Septic System Working As It Should for your home and the watershed?
If you do not receive a sewer bill from the town, your property utilizes a private septic system.
According to the Great Bay Nitrogen Non-Point Study (June, 2014), the Oyster River Watershed is among one of the highest nitrogen yields (pounds per acre per year) in the coastal watershed area. It should be noted, that the model used to predict the non-point source (non-wastewater treatment plant) nitrogen load to the estuary estimated that nearly 30% of the nitrogen was attributed to private septic systems.
In response, and in concert with the Town of Durham’s own efforts, the Strafford Regional Planning Commission is partnering up with the Lamprey River Advisory Committee and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services to co-host a workshop on Saturday, May 14, 2016 from 10AM-12:00PM at the Durham Public Library focusing on septic systems. No registration is required. There is no cost for the program.
Almost all homeowners could use a refresher course concerning their septic system.
Learn:
- Basic septic system 101
- How a septic system works
- How to make them last longer
- Myth v. reality
- Regional and NH perspectives
- Latest technology and pollutant removal
- Q&A session with septic system professionals and experts
While parents are learning about septic systems, children of all ages can attend the Library’s STEAM (Science, Technonoly, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Saturday Family Program held in the storytime/craft room. The theme is planting, water, and watersheds. The children’s program runs from 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM. Children ages 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
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ORMS students learning about climate change recently at the Middle School. Courtesy UNH Cooperative Extension
HOW IS CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTING NH TOWNS & WHAT CAN WE DO? | Learn from 5th grade students of Oyster River Middle School on May 25th!
Fifth Graders of Oyster River Middle School have been learning about climate change from their teachers and from experts at Strafford Regional Planning, UNH Cooperative Extension, and NH Sea Grant. In April, students learned from these experts about the differences between climate and weather, the changes we are seeing and can expect in the future, and what NH communities can and are already doing to plan with climate change in mind. Students recorded what they have learned onto posters in response to questions about climate change.
For parents, community leaders, and residents of Durham, Lee, and Madbury.
May 25, 2016, 6:00-7:30PM @ Durham Public Library
Light refreshments provided.
Please arrive at 5:45. Program begins at 6:00.
What to expect:
- Learn about local climate change
- Hear what area communities are doing to plan for climate change
- Tour posters presented by students
- Provide input on what communities can do
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William Kandle busking for a cause in Bicentennial Park on Main St. Courtesy Michael Kandle
ORMS 7th GRADER BUSKING ON MAIN STREET | "Pay it Forward"
William Kandle, 7th grader at ORMS, will be busking with his classical guitar in the corner of Main Street and Mill Road during May and early June. This is part of his school project called "Pay It Forward". Donations are welcome and will be given in full to the SPCA in Stratham, NH, a charity close to William's heart.
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DURHAM RECEIVES MASTER PLAN OF YEAR AWARD FROM NH ASSOCIATION OF STATE PLANNERS
Durham’s recently adopted Master Plan was selected by the New Hampshire Planners Association as the Plan of the Year. The Town and Strafford Regional Planning Commission (our master plan consultant) submitted a joint application to NHPA for the award.
Our application was selected in a tie for first place along with the City of Dover’s downtown transportation plan.
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GREATER DURHAM COMMUNITY INVITED TO 25TH ANNUAL LEE CHURCH CONGREGATIONAL PLANT SALE - May 13the and 14th
The 25th Annual Lee Church Congregational Plant Sale, Fri., May 13, 2016, 4:00-7:00 PM and Sat., May 14, 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon. Perennials, trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, and shade plants will be offered. Most plants grown locally to thrive in our zone.
Master Gardeners available daily to answer gardening questions. Join us for a Church Supper during Friday evening for beef stew, macaroni & cheese, salad bar, dessert & beverages from 5:00-7:00 PM. Gluten Free options (beef stew, salad, biscuits, dessert). Brunch available on Saturday starting at 8 AM.
Visit leechurch.org to view a list of sale plants. Or call the church at (603) 659-2861 before the sale.
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THOMPSON FOREST VISIT BY SENATOR AYOTTE NOW AVAILABLE ON DCAT ON DEMAND
Congressional funding re-authorization was approved for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program. LWCF funds were used in part to preserve the Thompson Forest parcel. To acknowledge the congressional re-authorization, US Senator Kelly Ayotte visited the Thompson Forest in Durham located along Wednesday Hill Road near the corner of Packers Falls Road (by the gate to the pump station) for a brief ceremony. The late Shirley Thompson's daughter Kim Laughton, and son-in-law Richard Laughton, attended the event. This ceremony was recorded by DCAT 22 Studios and is now available for your viewing pleasure on Cable Channel 22: Saturday & Sunday at 3:00 PM, and on DCAT On Demand. Just click on the DCAT Studios folder. Total run time: 16 minutes
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS IN MAY
In May, the Town Council will meet on Monday, May 9th and Monday, 23rd instead of its usual 1st and 3rd Mondays.
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TOWN OFFICES CLOSED ON MONDAY, MAY 30, 2016 FOR MEMORIAL DAY
All Durham Town offices will be closed on Monday, May 30, 2016, in observance of Memorial Day. All Town offices will reopen for regular business on Tuesday, May 31, 2016.
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Transfer Station and Refuse/Recycling Schedule Changes for the Memorial Day Holiday
NO CURBSIDE COLLECTION ON MON 5/30/16 - Delayed one day all week. Monday collection on Tuesday, Tuesday collection on Wednesday, etc.
TRANSFER STATION CLOSED SAT 5/28/16
NO COMMERCIAL COLLECTION ON FRI 6/3/16.
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MEMORIAL DAY TRANSFER & RECYCLING STATION SCHEDULE!
Reminder of the Transfer Station and refuse/recycling schedule changes for the holiday; Town offices will be closed on Monday, May 30, 2016. *NO CURBSIDE COLLECTION ON MONDAY- DELAYED ONE DAY ALL WEEK- MON COLLECTION ON TUES, TUES ON WED, ETC. *TRANSFER STATION CLOSED SAT 5/28/16 *NO COMMERCIAL COLLECTION ON FRI 6/3/16.
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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. Click on the meetings listed below to view agendas and other information.
Economic Development Committee - Tuesday, May 17, 2016 @ 8 AM
All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library for checkout and viewing.
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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.
2016 Memorial Day Parade
On Monday, May 30th the Town of Durham will have a parade honoring our veterans beginning 10:00am at Mill Pond Road. Immediately following the welcoming announcement, we will proceed down Mill Pond Road, and turn left onto Newmarket Road. From there, we’ll make another left onto Dover Road/Main Street, toward downtown and Memorial Park, where the second ceremony will take place. There will be live music, musket salute, invocation, and other special announcements.
For those interested in participating in the parade, please fill out our Parade Participant Registration Form (under forms & documents) and return back to Parks & Recreation by May 25th.
Discover Durham’s Trails
Durham Conservation Commission, Parks & Recreation and the Land Stewardship Committee are offering once a month guided treks for community members to get to know the trails and recreational spaces in Durham. These treks will take place the third Sunday of each month at 10am. Participation is FREE!
Sunday, May 15th: Spruce Hole Bog at 10am- Parking available at Oyster River Forest off Packers Falls Road
Volunteers Wanted
Are you interested in being a Field Trip Leader to lead or co-lead a trek for Discover Durham’s Trails? We would love to have you!! Please contact the Parks & Recreation Department for more details on this volunteer position.
After School Mountain Bike Club- Tuesdays & Thursdays beginning Thursday, May 19th-Thursday, June 9th. After school until 5pm. Bikes will be transported by DPR from ORMS to Madbury Town Hall each session. Bus # 29 will be available to transport middle school students after school to Madbury Town Hall. Min. of 6. Max of 8.
Restorative Yoga Workshop- Sunday, May 15th
Restorative Yoga Workshops will take place the 3rd Sunday of each month at the Parks & Recreation building from 6:00-7:30pm. Restorative yoga is a practice of letting go to find stillness. It is about being rather than doing. It is the perfect balance to our hurry up, to-do-list lives. Restorative yoga is perfect for releasing stress, renewing the spirit, and building new energy. It’s a good complement to a more active yoga practice and an excellent antidote to stress. These workshops are for all students who seek the benefits of a very relaxing, gentle, and restorative practice.
No prior yoga experience is required. Students are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and to bring their own bolster or a pillow to the workshops. All other props will be available on site.
Come for one, or come for all. Drop-ins welcome.
The cost is $15 per workshop.
All workshops are held at the Durham Recreation Building.
INSTRUCTOR: Colleen Kendall-Piel
2016 Summer Day Camps with Durham Parks & Recreation
Durham Parks and Recreation is offering nine exciting weeks of Summer Day Camps beginning June 27th- August 26th 2016!
Full or half day options available along with a five-week partnership camp with ORCSD Camp R.E.A.C.H. DPR provides an afternoon camp option to each of their morning camp sessions! Camp R.E.A.C.H. will run weekly from July 11th-August 12th Monday- Thursday with an optional Friday Field Trip. Scheduled trips include, Jenness Beach, Water Country, an Island Kayak Adventure, Blitz Air Park & Mini Golf, and Hampton Beach & Ice Cream!!!
DPR also has some great fun-filled and educational camp options before the July 11th start of Camp R.E.A.C.H. and after R.E.A.C.H concludes on August 12th. Campers can look forward to Wicked Gross Science Camp, Super Hero Physics Camp, an Adventure Paddle Camp, Extreme Earth Camp, Youth Yoga Camps and Wicked Cool Med. School Camp!!
Registration is open for any of our camp weeks!
Stargazing At Wagon Hill Farm
Durham Parks & Recreation and UNH Astronomer John Gianforte - The SkyGuy, have teamed up to offer Stargazing at Wagon Hill Farm! We will be offering an interactive stargazing workshop on the second Saturday of each month beginning in May. Participants can join us in the orchard at Wagon Hill Farm where we will view the moon, Jupiter, constellations, and more! In the case of inclement weather, join us at Churchill Rink! $10/person, $20/family. Please pre-register with Durham Parks & Recreation by Thursday of each listed stargazing dates.
Stargazing Dates & Times
Saturday, June 11th- 8:45-9:45pm
Saturday, July 9th- 9:00-10:00pm
FREE Balance Workshop with Sally Baker, PT
Better balance prevents falls and injuries.Join Sally Ann Baker PT from Durham Physical Therapy as she shows you easy balance exercises, which will help restore some of the flexibility, and strength you remember.
As we get older, falling can result in more than the bruises we might have experienced in our youth; it can rob us of our independence. Every year thousands of older people experience broken hips and head injuries. Don’t join this group!
Join Sally Thursdays at 12pm at the Durham Recreation Parks & Recreation building located in the old court house on 2 Dover Road, for a half hour of fun, gentle, preventive exercise, a no sweat approach, which will arm you against the uneven surfaces.
Call the Durham Parks & Recreation at 817- 4074 or email at recreation@ci.durham.nh.us for more information about this FREE recurring program. Pre-registration is not necessary for participation.
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The annual Letter Carriers Food Drive will be held on Saturday, May 14th. See more information below.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Durham Post Office Letter Carriers 24th Annual Food Drive, Saturday, May 14, 2016. Residents are asked to leave non-perishable canned and boxed food out by their mailboxes and their letter carrier will pick it up when they deliver mail. All donations will help stock local panties in town and are greatly appreciated.
TimberNook Enchanted Evening, Saturday, May 21, 2016, 5 - 8PM, Moharimet Elementary School, Madbury NH. Ages 5-10 years old, $35/child. Call 603-868-1335.
ORHS Presents Footloose The Musical, Thursday, May 26 - Sunday, May 29, 2016. Presented with great music, dancing, and singing by the ORHS Student Players. Ticket information available soon.
Annual Plant Sale - Hosted by Strafford County Master Gardeners Association, Sunday, May 29, 2016, 10AM - 2PM, Durham Town Hall parking lot, 8 Newmarket Road. Large variety of perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, and trees available at discounted prices. Master gardeners available to answer questions. Contact Traci Bisson, tracibisson@metrocast.net.
Growing Places Timbernook Enchanted Evening - April vacation week for school age children. Two exciting summer camps. New before school program.
UNH Summer Camps taking Registrations. Camps are offered for all ages, and in areas such as STEM learning, the Arts, Academic Enrichment, Athletics, and Recreational programs.
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Armida Geiger from the Durham Public Library talks with the Town Council on Monday night about the upcoming Ole Time Auto Event scheduled for Sat., June 4th, from 1 AM - 1 PM. Courtesy Todd Selig
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DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Children’s and Young Adult Programs:
S.T.E.A.M. Program, Sat. May 14th, 10:30-11:30am. This week: Planting, Water & Watersheds! Join us every Saturday for S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) activities in the Storytime/Craftroom. All ages welcome! Next Week, Sat. May 21st – Ice Cube Painting!
Oyster River High School Spring Poetry Night, Weds. May 18 6:00 pm - Join us for a creative night of poetry readings and enjoy light refreshments. The new Oyster River Poet Laureate will be announced! All are welcome.
Game Afternoon (ages 10 & up) Monday May 16th, 2:45-4:00 pm – This week: PicWits! Last one of the school year. Join us for board games, snack and prizes. All are welcome!
Storytimes! Tues. May 17th and Thurs. May 19th 10:30am, This week’s theme: Turtles! Join us for stories, finger-plays, felt board, songs and a craft. Last week of regularly scheduled storytimes until our fun summer reading program. Check out our calendar soon for details.
Baby-Lapsit, Wed. May 18th 10:30-11:30am - For children & their care-givers, infancy to age 2. Songs, stories, movement, rhymes & socializing afterward. Last one of the school year.
Lego Club (K-4th grade) on Thurs. May 19th 3:30-4:30pm, Theme: Lego Bingo & Games! –Like to build Legos? Join us to do Lego challenges and build cool structures. Last one of the school year.
Homeschoolers Group, Fri. May 20th 10:30am, Theme: Summer and Vacations! – Join us for books, games puzzles and a fun craft. Last regularly scheduled meeting.
Children's Summer Reading REGISTRATION Begins Monday. June 13 - On your mark, Get Set...READ! Register at the Children's Desk Ages 2-12
The library now has two Kindles for kids to check out and two Kindles for Young Adults to check out. The kids Kindles are loaded with lots of great books, apps and videos while the YA Kindles have favorite YA titles to check out. See the Children’s/YA Librarian at the Children’s desk to check one out.
Reminder: Patch club will be stopping as of May 31st and begin again on Sept. 1st. Join the Reading Patch Club! Ages 2-12 years - Earn patches and a tote bag for hours that you read! Program sponsored by The Friends of the Durham Public Library.
Adult Programs:
Get Pumped - Septic Systems ,Sat. May 14, 10am - Lamprey Rivers Advisory Committee & Strafford Regional Planning Commission will discuss how septic systems work and inexpensive ways to make them last as long as possible. Septic system professionals will be available to answer technical questions and provide information about new technologies. Contact Armida 603-590-1117
CPR/AED class , Tues. May 17, 6 pm - McGregor Memorial EMS offers CPR/AED class for adult, child and infant. $20 Contact Sean Madden, McGregor Memorial EMS 603-862-3674. Register http://cprsafe.org
Durham Garden Club Tues. May 17, 6:30 pm - Gardener, Donna Simpson will share photos and experiences from two beautiful California Gardens: Filoli Garden, a 600-acre estate in Woodside, and San Francisco Botanical Garden.
Friends' Book Discussion, Thurs. May 26, 10:30 - Please join the Friends' book discussion: May 26, 10:30, facilitated by Jennifer Lee, of three short stories from the collection After Rain by William Trevor: The Piano Tuner's Wives, Widows and the title story. All are welcome. Your copy awaits.
Oyster River ASD Friends Tues. May 31, 6:30 pm - The Autism Perspective Guests Chris Suosso & David Koenig share life experiences & describe how to make life easier for people on the spectrum by discussing solutions that worked for them and in part by explaining to people who are neurotypical, their perspectives and how they experience the world. Informative for professionals that work with adolescents & adults with ASD. Contact Julie jsmithnh@icloud.com
Ole Time Auto Event Sat. June 4, 2016 10am-1pm -Just a month away. DPL's first Auto Show! New additions to the cars on display:1976 MG B and 1957 Porsche Coupe 356 A-TI. Contact Armida 603-590-1117 or ageiger@ci.durham.nh.us
Liberty Mutual Volunteers Perform Spring Cleaning at DPL - On Monday May 2, 15 volunteers from Liberty Mutual Insurance, in cooperation with Durham Public Works, cleaned up the library grounds. Between them, they raked, weeded, removed brush and litter, bark mulched, loamed, and seeded the property where needed. The result of their efforts is a groomed landscape that makes the library all the more attractive. We sincerely thank the folks from Liberty Mutual for volunteering their time and energy on behalf of the DPL.
Durham Photo Contest: July 4, 2015 through July 4, 2016 - $300 Cash Prize for the Winner! Contest is sponsored by a Durham resident, to capture the beauty, character, and identity of Durham using seven photographs that express Durham’s character.
MUSEUM PASSES -- The Friends of the DPL sponsor passes to twelve different museums. Try the Portland Museum of Art, 45 minutes away in historic Portland, Maine. Free admission to general and special exhibits for two adults and six children. Pick up the reserved museum pass at the circulation desk.
Visit the Library for more information.
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Statue of Gen. John Stark at U.S. Capitol Courtesy Todd Selig
SOME NH HISTORY - GEN. JOHN STARK & THE ORIGIN OF "LIVE FREE OR DIE"
This week Dir. of Planning Michael Behrendt passed along some good information from New Hampshire Icons - 50 Classic Symbols of the Granite State, by Jennifer Smith-Mayo and Matthew P. Mayo:
[Gen. John Stark] fought in the French and Indian War, but is most renowned for his activity in Revolutionary War battles, among them the Siege of Boston and the Battle of Bunker Hill. Between soldiering excursions, he fathered eleven children with his wife, Elizabeth "Molly" Stark. In 1777, as a brigadier general of the New Hampshire militia, Stark's men won the pivotal Battle of Bennington, where he famously rallied them by saying, "There are your enemies, the
Red Coats and the Tories. They are ours, or this night Molly Stark sleeps a widow!"
In 1809 . . . General Stark sent a letter to a gathering of his fellow Bennington Battle veterans, which he closed with the words, "Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils."
It took until 1945, but the state of New Hampshire adopted the paraphrased slogan, "Live free or die," as its state motto, now considered the most striking and memorable of all official state mottos . . .
In 1971, the New Hampshire legislature voted to replace the word "Scenic" on the state's license plates with Stark's bold motto . . .."
Residents may not know that relatives of General Stark live in Durham, today -- Mica Stark and his family. Gen. Stark was Mica's Great Uncle.
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Have a very nice weekend.
Todd
Todd I. Selig, Administrator
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