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 NEWS AND HAPPENINGS ...
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Friday, February 27, 2015
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Wagon Hill Farm. Courtesy Todd Selig
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New Hampshire Public Radio reports that February in New Hampshire could go down in the record books as one of the coldest in Concord since weather observers started keeping records in 1869. Temperatures in February have averaged 11.3 degrees below normal for the month so far in the state's capital. It hasn't risen above freezing since February 10. The coldest February on record so far in Concord is 1934, when the average temperature for the month was 12 degrees.
The record for the coldest temperature in Concord is 37 degrees below zero, set on February 16, 1943.
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2014 Durham Town Report - Cover photography courtesy DCAT Studios
Design/production by Design Point Studio, Salisbury, NH
PRINTED VERSION OF 2014 DURHAM ANNUAL REPORT AVAILABLE AT TOWN OFFICE
The printed version of the 2014 Town of Durham Annual Report is ready to be picked up by interested residents/taxpayers at the Town Clerk-Tax Collector's Office. Copies are also available at the Durham Public Library. As in the past, the report is also available on the Town web site for easy access to any and all.
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PARKING FOR SLEDDING AT WAGON HILL FARM – Parking on Route 4 is Not Permitted for Safety Reasons
If residents are planning to go sledding at Wagon Hill Farm (WHF), please be sure to park within the Wagon Hill Farm property itself, as opposed to along Route 4. There is no parking allowed on Route 4 for safety reasons.
In addition, Emery Farm is open this winter. If the parking lot at Wagon Hill Farm is full, residents may want to check with Emery Farm concerning whether they can park there.
The Town is NOT planning to plow the lower WHF orchard this year as doing so is particularly challenging with uneven ground and numerous rock outcroppings causing annual damage to both the Town’s plows and the natural landscape. With the additional parking Durham has created along the long entry drive leading into WHF, Administrator Selig is hopeful parking should be adequate.
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Wagon Hill Farm. Courtesy Todd Selig
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ICE DAMS
Durham resident and Energy Committee member Steve Weglarz, Jr. has prepared an interesting article concerning ice dams. Steve owns and operates Advanced Building Analysis, an industry leader of energy analysis, diagnostic, and verification services in Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. To read his article, click HERE.
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AD HOC ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN COMMITTEE
The Planning Board adopted Architectural Standards as part of the Site Plan Regulations several years ago. The standards apply to all development in the five core zoning districts. Periodically, the Planning Board will appoint an ad hoc architectural design committee to work with Michael Behrendt, Durham Town Planner, in reviewing a specific project. The committee provides comments and suggestions on the project to the Planning Board and may work with the applicant and their architect, as well, when the applicant chooses to meet with the committee. If you would like to be considered at such time that the Planning Board might appoint its next committee, please send an email to Michael at mbehrendt@ci.durham.nh.us with your name and information about any background that you might have in design, architecture, or related topics. No specific background is required other than having a good eye for design in general.
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Farmhouse at Wagon Hill Farm. Courtesy Todd Selig
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2015 DOG TAGS
Although dog licenses do not have to be renewed until April, our 2015 tags are available now for early renewal. If you are in the Town Clerk’s office on other business you may choose to register your dog early and have one less thing to worry about later.
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2015 MARCH TOWN AND SCHOOL ELECTIONS - MARCH 10, 2015
The 2015 Town Election will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at the Oyster River High School. Polling hours are from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Voters will park in reserved spaces along the front of the school and use the Multipurpose Room entrance. To view the official ballot, click HERE.
To view the questionnaires completed by the candidates listed below that have filed for Durham elected offices, click HERE. This information may also be found on the front page of the Town's web site, www.ci.durham.nh.us, under "Featured Articles".
Town Council (three, 3-yr terms): Firoze E. Katrak, Kenneth (Kenny) Rotner, James Lawson
Library Board of Trustees (two, 3-yr terms): Nancy Webb
Moderator (one, 2-yr term): Christopher T. Regan
Supervisors of the Checklist (one, 1-yr term): Deborah Hirsch Mayer
Trustees of the Trust Funds (one, 3-yr term): Michael H. Everngam, Peter Stanhope
Trustees of the Trust Funds (one, 2-yr term): William Cote
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The following is a list of individuals that have filed for the ORCSD elected offices:
Allen Howland – Durham
Maria Barth - Lee
Daniel Klein – Madbury
Richard Laughton - Moderator
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TOWN ELECTION - ABSENTEE BALLOTS
The Town Election will be held on March 10, 2015, at Oyster River High School from 7:00am – 7:00pm.
Absentee ballots for both the Town and School are now available at the Town Clerk's Office. Ballot request forms are available at the Town Clerk's Office. Ballots can also be requested in writing. Written requests for ballots should include: the election for which you are requesting the absentee ballot, your printed name, signature, home address, mailing address if applicable and the reason for your absence.
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Wagon Hill Farm waterfront. Courtesy Todd Selig
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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
Town Council - Monday, March 2, 2015
Trustees of the Trust Funds - Wednesday, March 4, 2015 (10:30 AM - Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room)
Historic District/Heritage Commission - Thursday, March 5, 2015
All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library for checkout and viewing.
VIDEO ON DEMAND: Meetings can also be viewed via Video on Demand. Interested viewers can access the streaming site from the Town’s website at http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/ by clicking the DCAT on demand logo, or directly at http://dcat.pegcentral.com/.
Durham Public Library Board of Trustees meeting schedule.
DCAT Programming Schedule.
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DCAT CABLE CHANNEL 22
DCAT is Live Streaming
Please join DCAT for any of our regularly scheduled meetings live-streamed directly to the device of your choice . It’s easy, all you have to do is go to: live-stream.com and follow the prompts to set up your live stream account. You’ll receive email updates as to when the meeting will be held and the start time. All you have to do is click and watch. Live-stream works on any PC (just remember to update your Adobe Flash player), Apple or Android device. Please contact dcat@ci.durham.nh.us with any questions.
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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.
For the latest information about programs and events, visit: Durham Parks & Recreation Online
View weekly calendar and class descriptions HERE.
Coyote Club – NEW Session Starts March 9th. Find out more HERE.
Why take a fitness class with Durham Parks & Recreation?
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Convenient location - Drop in to most classes for only $10!
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Fits your schedule - Classes available Monday through Saturday!
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Quality - Classes instructed by certified, local, and passionate instructors!
Bootcamp: An hour of POWER! Total body cardio and strength workout to start your day off right.
Tai Ji Quan - Moving For Better Balance: This world-renowned balance training program combines Tai Ji Quan movements with therapy and function exercises to keep you on your feet and moving.
Pilates: Improve your flexibility, gain core strength, and overall body tone. All in one hour!
Zumba: A dynamic, easy to follow, cardio dance fitness class. We do hip-hop, salsa, flamenco, bollywood, and so much more! You don't need experience, just jump in and join the party!
Yoga: Allow your mind, body, and spirit to connect through meditation and movement.
Strength & Stretch: Improve your bone density and balance with a total body strengthening session, followed by stretching to improve flexibility.
Yoga for Active Adults (55+): Quiet your mind, reduce stress, and learn relaxation techniques. Designed for every ability level.
Tai Chi Advanced: Combination of Tai Ji Quan movements and therapeutic exercise to keep your body active. Designed for participants with Tai Chi experience.
Save the Date:
21st Annual Egg Hunt - March 28th - 11AM & Town Landing
Camp REACH Registration - Opens April 13th
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Jill Crosbie will join the Durham Garden Club to discuss vertical gardening on Tuesday, March 24th.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Riverwalk, hosted by Oyster River Watershed Association, Saturday, Feb 28, 2015, 9AM - 12 Noon. For more details about this event, click HERE.
Farm Style Breakfast, Sunday, Mar 8, 2015, 8AM-12:00 Noon, Jeremiah Smith Grange Hall, 1 Lee Hook Road, Lee, sponsored by the Strafford County Farm Bureau and Lee and Durham Agricultural Commissions and featuring locally sourced food from producers in the area. Funds raised will help support the Strafford County Farm Bureau's Youth in Agriculture grant program. Tickets may be reserved ahead of time up until March 7th and payment can be made at the door. Reserved tickets: $8/adults - $5/ kids, or pay at the door: $10/adults - $7/kids. To reserve your tickets, email Theresa Walker of the Durham Agricultural Commission at theresawalker@comcast.net or call Theresa at 659-7226.
Local Preach-in on Climate Change, Sunday, Mar 8, 2015, 12:00 Noon, Lee Church Congregational. Light refreshments provided.
Durham Garden Club, Tuesday, Mar 24, 2015, Durham Public Library. Featuring presentation by Jill Crosbie: “Getting a Fresh Perspective with Vertical Gardening”. Social time and refreshments at 6:30 PM; presentation begins at 7:15 PM. Public is welcome to attend. Questions, contact Sheila McCurdy, 603-659-5623, russheila@comcast.net
Growing Places Summer Camp Programs - Growing Places, a non profit early education and youth recreation agency, offers two different camp programs for children: Camp Cowabunga for children ages 5-10. Arts and crafts, active games, and lots of time outside enjoying the summer. Registration opens Mar 16th.
TimberNook for children ages 5-12. An innovative nature-based developmental program designed to foster creativity, imagination, and independent play. Registration now open. For more information or to register, call 603-868-1335 or visit http://growingplacesnh.org/
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THE DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEES INVITE YOU!
The New Hampshire Library Trustees Association is honoring Doug Bencks with the 2014 "Trustee of the Year" award in recognition of Doug's service, dedication, leadership and expertise throughout the process of securing and building our new library.
Doug and his fellow Trustees wish to share this celebration with all of you within the community as it is also a reflection of the hard work and contributions of many that helped to build this special community space.
Please come celebrate with us as we recognize Doug for all of his contributions to the library with a dessert reception and brief program, Thursday March 5, 7-8:30pm at the Durham Public Library. Please RSVP to dpltrusteesnh@gmail.com.
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DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
The Library has added two new genealogy databases. Research your family history using Heritage Quest Online and Ancestry.com. For more information, click HERE.
Game Afternoon: ages 10 & up, Mon., March 2nd at 2:45 p.m. - This week’s game is: "Ticket to Ride”.
Young Adult Writing Group (ages 10 & up), Monday, March 2nd, 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Like to write? Join us for this fun monthly writing group. We do writing exercises, talk about your writing, and post your writing to the library blog “Write Away”. All are welcome.
Storytime, Tues. March 3rd at 10:30 a.m. They will be about “Ducks”! We read stories, do fingerplays, feltboard and a craft. Please note: No Storytime on Thurs. March 5th. The Children’s Department is at a conference to get ready for the fun summer reading program “There’s a Hero in Every Story”.
Oyster River Knitters, Tuesday March 3rd, 7:00-9:00 p.m. – All are welcome to join the Oyster River Knitters.
Writer's Response, Thursday March 5th 6-8 pm - Writer's Response - A forum to share passion for writing. Some published, some already writing, others just starting out. What unifies the Writer's Response is a passion for writing, feeding on each others enthusiasm, energy and ideas.1st and 3rd Thursday monthly from 6-8 pm. Contact Armida Geiger, mailto:ageiger@ci.durham.nh.us
An Art Student’s Vision of Italy in the gallery upstairs - Please visit the new exhibit in the gallery upstairs: Shannon Malley, An Art Student's Vision of Italy. Shannon graduated from UNH in 2011 with degree in Studio Art. She painted landscapes of Italian countryside and villages on her trip in 2010, when visiting Italy in the summer. All her paintings were made on locations, capturing the broad countrysides in natural beauty or streets and parks in different parts of the day. Come to see her memories of Ascoli Piceno, Italy.
Friends of the Durham Library Meeting, Weds. March 4th 1:00 p.m. – All are welcome for the monthly meeting.
Knitting Club for 3rd-5th graders! Will begin again on Weds. March 4th for an 8 week session from 4-5 p.m. - Come and learn to knit. Space is limited. Sign-up at the Children’s desk.
Alzheimer’s Café, Fri. March 6th, 10:30-12:00 p.m. – We welcome dementia patients still residing in their own homes, to come with their caregivers for support and respite with others. This program is free and open to the public. Held in the Durham Public Library Café.
Friends Book Discussion, Tues. March 31st at 10:30 am - Please join Jennifer Lee in the community room, as she facilitates the Friends' book discussion of Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. Your copy awaits you.
Baby Lap-sit (ages 2 & under with care-giver) begins Weds. March 4th at 10:30 a.m. – Join us for stories, movement, songs, fingerplays and fun. There is a time to socialize afterwards. Registration required for this 8 week session. Sign-up at the Children’s desk.
Homeschooler’s Activity Hour, Fri., March 6th at 10:30 a.m. and we will talk about “Dr. Seuss”! This group is geared toward home-schooler’s, but all are welcome.
Lego Club will meet again on Thurs. March 12th at 3:45 p.m. and the theme will be “Lego Mazes”! No Lego Club on Thurs. March 5th.
Family Storytime: “Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!!” Saturday March 7th 10:30 -11:30 am -There will be Dr. Seuss stories, craft and birthday cake! Next week, Sat. March 14th 10:30: “Eat Your Veggies!” Family Storytime.
Acoustic Open Mic Night Weds. March 11th, 6:30-8:00 pm - Come to listen, come to perform. The hootmeisters are Peg Chaffee and Cheryl Sager of "Nice and Naughty" fame. Food, drink and live music. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Durham Public Library.
Celebrate Ireland on St. Pat’s Day Tues. March 17th, 6:30-8:30 pm - Fun filled evening "Ireland Style" Beginning with live music by Ti Crossman. Enjoy authentic Irish treats while you Journey to Ireland with Michael Behrendt as your tour guide! Michael's presentation begins at 7 pm. He will discuss the history, culture and architecture of Ireland, including Northern Ireland. No registration needed. Oh the "Luck of the Irish" DPL is lucky to have a great local musician, quality bakers and a tour guide traveler!
McGregor Memorial First Aid Course, Tues. March 7th, 6:00-8:00 pm - Visit cprsafe.org for information and to register. Fee is $20.00
Patch Club: reading incentive program for ages 2-12 years. Sign-up at the Children’s Desk!
Tales for Tails: Read to a trained therapy dog K-4th grade - sign-up at the Children’s desk. We have two new dogs, North and Ozzie! This is a great way for your child to gain confidence in reading!
Join the Durham Public Library Birthday Book Club. Celebrate a child’s birthday in a unique way with a gift of a book to the library. Talk to the Children’s Librarian at the children’s desk for more details.
Youth Book Groups:
Raccoon Readers 2nd-4th grade. Monthly book group. Tues. March 3rd 6-7PM. This month's book is "Hiding Out at the Pancake Palace" by Nan Marino. We talk about books, do puzzles, play some games and make a craft.
Bookeaters Middle School Book Group. Meets Wed. April 8th 2:45-4PM This month's book is "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein. Walk from the Middle School. Ruth Wharton-McDonald is the facilitator. All are welcome and pizza is served. Books are available at the library.
Libros Lovers, Monthly High School book group. Meets Wed. 2:45-4:00PM. April 15th. This month’s book is “The Sun God’s Heir” by local author, Elliott Baker. Elliot will visit the group this month and talk about writing and his book.
Upcoming:
3/19 Adult Writer’s Response 6:00 pm
3/21 Northeastern Ballet performs scenes “Beauty & the Beast” 10:30 am
3/21 Family Movie “Box Trolls” 2:00 pm
3/24 Durham Garden Club 6:30 pm
3/26 A NH Moose Mystery 7:00 pm
3/31 PJ Storytime 6:30 pm
Visit the DPL website www.durhampubliclibrary.org for more information.
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FROM "HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL - A BRIEF HISTORY OF DURHAM, NH, 1600 - 1976 written by Philip A. Wilcox and members of the Durham Historic Association
1922 - The Fire Department was organized when Ed Getchell called a meeting of Town and College authorities. The College agreed to furnish housing but the cost of equipment and pay for call firemen were shared equally. Call firemen held weekly drills to increase their efficiency.
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