“FRIDAY UPDATES”

Friday, November 19, 2010

Linda L. Ekdahl – In Memoriam

August 9, 1943 – November 17, 2010

38 years of service to the Town of Durham

Durham- Linda L. Ekdahl, 67, of Meadow Road, died November 17, 2010 at the Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Dover, after a period of failing health. For the last three years she has resided at Dover Rehabilitation & Living Center.

Born August 9, 1943 in Manchester, NH she was the daughter of Conrad S. and Lillian I. (Smith) Ekdahl. She was a 1961 graduate of Manchester Central High School.

In 1966 Linda received her Bachelor of Science degree from UNH Whittemore School of Business. While attending UNH, Linda worked part-time for Durham’s Town Clerk and Tax Collector Phyllis Rochfort. Upon graduating from UNH Linda began working full-time as the Town’s Deputy Town Clerk and Tax Collector until Ms. Rochfort’s retirement in 1969. In 1969 Linda ran for the offices of Town Clerk and Tax Collector and won her first term in both positions. Later these positions became combined into the elected position of Town Clerk-Tax Collector. Linda faithfully served the residents of Durham in that position until her retirement in 2004.

While serving as Durham’s Town Clerk-Tax Collector, Linda was a dedicated and active member of both the New Hampshire Town Clerks and Tax Collectors Association, where she volunteered many hours in the positions of President, as well as Secretary/Treasurer for the Tax Collectors Association. She also served in the Durham Chapter of the American Red Cross as a Service Chairman, was actively involved with the Salvation Army, and was an active member of the Durham Historic Association. Linda worked the Channel 11 Auction as a volunteer at Pick Up and Pay for many years.

Over the years, Linda made many contributions, not only to the Town of Durham but her alma mater, the University of New Hampshire. She served as UNH Class Secretary and Treasurer for the Seacoast Alumni Association from 1992-2004, receiving an Alumni Meritorious Service Award in 1993. Linda was an avid supporter of Wildcats Hockey and Football teams, attending every game she could. She was also a member of the UNH Folk Club.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, November 20, 2010 from 12 noon-2:00 p.m. at the Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home, 77 Exeter Street, Newmarket. A funeral will follow at 2 p.m. with Rev. Larry Brickner-Wood officiating.

A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, November 22nd, at 11:00 a.m. at the Durham Cemetery.

Rather than flowers memorials may be made to the Durham Public Library, 7 Mill Road, Unit H, Durham, NH 03824 or the Cocheco Valley Humane Society, 262 County Farm Road, Dover, NH 03820.

Visit www.kentandpelczarfh.com to sign an online guestbook.

In recognition of Linda’s nearly four decades of service to the citizens of Durham, the American flag at the Town Office will be lowered to half mast on Monday.

TOWN OFFICES CLOSED FOR LINDA EKDAHL’S GRAVESIDE SERVICE

The Town offices will be closed on Monday, November 22, 2010 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM during the graveside service for former Town Clerk-Tax Collector Linda L. Ekdahl.

NO “FRIDAY UPDATES” PUBLICATION THANKSGIVING WEEK

There will be no publication of “Friday Updates” next week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The next edition of “Friday Updates” will be sent on Friday, December 3, 2010.

TOWN OFFICES CLOSED FOR Thanksgiving Holiday

All Town Offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and Friday, November 25 and 26, 2010. All offices will reopen for business on Monday, November 29^th at 8:00 AM. There will be no refuse and recycling collection on Thursday, November 25^th.  Thursday’s route will be PICKED UP ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26^TH INSTEAD.  Remember all items need to be out by 7am as always.  There will be no commercial recycling pickup next Friday.    

Light up Durham – IT’S ON FOR DECEMBER 5TH!

We are pleased to report that the Seacoast Repertory Theatre will be co-sponsoring the annual Light Up Durham celebration with the Town on Sunday, December 5 at 6 PM on Main Street across from Memorial Park in downtown Durham.  Cast members of The Rep's mainstage show, A Christmas Carol, and the youth production of Madeline's Christmas will perform musical selections.  There will also be holiday performances by The Rep's Teen Chorus and Black Box Theater Company.  Friends of the Durham Public Library will have baked goods available. 

Smith Chapel by Nick Isaak

IT’S HERE! THE 2010 DURHAM BUSINESS ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL HOLIDAY ORNAMENT

Beautifully rendered by Durham resident and architect Nick Isaak, these limited-edition ceramic ornaments depict Smith Chapel.

Available now at Town Hall, Durham Marketplace, Hayden Sports, Federal Savings Bank, Town & Campus, Emery Farm, and                   People’s United Bank (Newmarket Road & Main Street branches); $20.00 each, $5.00 of which goes toward chapel restoration.  

Student Housing Development Proposed for Technology Drive

The Birmingham, Alabama-based Capstone Development went before the Durham Planning Board last month and presented a conceptual site plan for a neighborhood-style housing development with various-sized three, four and five-bedroom cottages and multiunit buildings for a total of approximately 630 bedrooms. The development would be located off Technology Drive, between Goss Manufacturing and the Durham Cemetery.  To view a Foster's article on the project, go to http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101115/GJNEWS_01/711159961/-1/FOSNEWS.

PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy)

As reported last week, the Town of Durham is the first in the state to pass an ordinance that allows the town to provide loans to homeowners for energy efficiency projects.  The program is called PACE, for Property Assessed Clean Energy, and has the backing of the White House.  It allows homeowners to pay off the loans through an additional assessment to their property taxes.  To hear a New Hampshire Public Radio piece on the effort, go to http://www.nhpr.org/durham-starts-energy-efficiency-loan-program-despite-problems.

BOX TOPS AND LABELS FOR EDUCATION

Moharimet, Mast Way and the Middle School earn points for each Label for Education submitted. The points are then used to “buy” school materials out of their catalog. There is currently a little black collection box in the Durham Library’s Children’s Area to collect Box Tops and Labels for Education from community members.  All Box Tops and Labels for Education collected in the library collection box will be split equally between the 3 schools.  For more information, click HERE or contact Kristin Carpenter at Kristin.carpenter@unh.edu.

Four Loko and youth

Four Loco is a caffeinated, alcoholic energy drink that has malt liquor as its base. It is produced by Phusion Projects LLC of Chicago, Illinois under the name Drink Four Brewing Company.  Interesting from a college community aspect, the drink was developed by three alumni of Ohio State University.  The name “Four" is derived from the drink's four main ingredients of alcohol, caffeine, taurine and guarana and also contains carbonated water, sugar and of course the obligatory natural and artificial flavoring.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention website states that caffeine can mask the depressant effects of alcohol. ”Drinkers who consume alcohol mixed with energy drinks are (three) times more likely to binge drink (based on breath alcohol levels) than drinkers who do not report mixing alcohol with energy drinks," according to the CDC.  Additionally, the FDA has started an investigation into the safety and legality of alcoholic beverages that contain added caffeine, according to their website. To read more, visit http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2010/11/15/20101115mesa-four-loko-crash-abrk.html#ixzz15k0pdzzc

Churchill Rink at Jackson’s Landing

The Churchill rink will hold a Holiday Skate on Saturday, December 11^th from 7-8:30 pm.  There will be no charge for this event.  The rink will be closed on Thursday, November 25^th, for Thanksgiving and also on Saturday December 25^th, for Christmas. 

Durham Public Library Programs and Events

Preschool Storytime Tues. Nov. 23rd at 10:30 a.m. - This week: Thanksgiving! Join us for stories, fingerplays, songs, feltboard and a craft.  No storytime this Thursday the library is closed for Thanksgiving.  Storytime for Tues. Nov. 30th and Thurs. Dec. 2nd will be Bears and Stuffed Animals!

Week of Thanksgiving hours at the library. - The library will close at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24th.  We’re closed all day Thursday, Nov. 25th and Friday, Nov. 26th.  We reopen Saturday, Nov. 27th at 10 a.m.

Pajama Storytime Tues. Nov. 30th, 6:30 p.m. - Join ORPP and the Durham Library for this fun night time storytime. Wear your pajamas. This month we are having a teddy bear/stuffed animal sleepover at the library. Bring a bear or stuffed animal that you would like to have sleepover at the library. We will hear bear/stuffed animal stories and make a craft. Animals can be picked up the next morning in the children's room.

Racoon Readers Book Club (2nd-4th Graders), Tues. Dec. 7th, 6:00-7:00 p.m. - Join the Raccoon Readers Book Club for 2nd-4th graders. This month you can read either "The Name of this Book is Secret" by Pseudonymous Bosch or "The Calder Game" by Blue Balliett.  Your choice.  Join us to talk about the books, authors, play some games and make a craft.

Russian Nesting Doll Painting Workshop and Storytelling with Marina Forbes, Sat. Dec. 11th, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Join us for this fun family event. Families with Children and Adults can register to paint Russian Nesting Dolls. At 10:30 Marina will tell us the Russian Folklore of Nesting Dolls (all are welcome), then interested Families can stay and purchase and paint Nesting Dolls ranging in price from $10.00 to $55.00.Marina demonstrates step by step how to paint the dolls and provides paints and brushes. Registration recommended but walk-ins are also welcome.

Living Berry Christmas Ornament Workshop, Weds. Dec. 8th, 6:30-7:30 p.m. -Call us (868-6699) to reserve a spot in this Free Workshop.  Materials and instruction provided by Ruth Moore. Go home with a glass ornament filled with partridge berries that will live for many months.

The patch program, the library’s reading incentive program for children aged 2-12 years, has started. Children earn patches for minutes read or being read to as well as a Durham Library book bag. If new to the program, stop by and register.

Registration for Tales for tails. Have a young reader who could use some non-judgmental encouragement for reading aloud? A Delta Therapy dog is waiting for your child. Sign up now at the library for a 3 week session starting in December, there is still a slot with a dog open.  New sign-ups for a 6 week session in January will start in December.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

§ Thu., Fri., Sat., Nov 18^th, 19^th, and 20^th, 7:00 PM - Oyster River High School presents Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons”. Tells the story of a man who hastily sold defective airplane parts to the Army, which caused the crafts to crash, killing 21 men. His crime, which he long had deflected by blaming his business partner, comes back to light as his son plans to wed the partner's daughter. Tickets: $8.00/adults; $5.00/students.

§ Saturday, November 20^th, 9:00 AM-2:00 PM, Mast Way Elementary School – 3^rd Annual Mast Way Holiday Bazaar. Jewelry and apparel to crafts and homemade pies. The PTO will be selling a variety of refreshments and offering a relaxing spot to sit and enjoy your food. Pre-made soups will be available ready to eat and take home for dinner. Kids will stay busy with face painting or a craft activity.

§ Saturday, November 20^th, Lee Church Congregational – Holiday Festival.  Will begin at 7:30 AM with “Breakfast With Santa” at the Lee Safety Complex on George Bennett Road followed by a ride with Santa in a horse drawn wagon. Shopping at the Lee Church Congregational, Route 155, Lee, is from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. 

§ Saturday, December 4^th, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Unitarian Universalist – Holiday Fair

§ Saturday, December 4^th, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Community Church of Durham – Holiday Fair.

§ Sat., Dec 11^th, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM, UNH MUB Food Court – Second Annual Gingerbread House Event sponsored by On Belay. Supplies will be provided; however, all are welcome to bring their own candy, etc. for decorating. Entry cost is $10 per team. For more information on the organization visit www.on-belay.org, or contact Ruth Abelmann, ruth.abelmann@unh.edu., with questions.

§ Thursday, January 13, 2011, 4:45 PM, Community Church of Durham – Winter Ballet Classes. For more information contact the Great Bay Academy of Dance at 603-433-4200 or visit www.gbadance.com.

Weekly Police Arrest Report

Week – 14                                         8 UNH (57%)             6 Other (43%)

*2010/11 Academic Year – 422     240 UNH (57%)         182 Other (43%)

Calendar Year – 848                        489 UNH (58%)         359 Other (42%)

*This data represents the 2010/11 Academic year report which began August 27th when UNH dormitories officially opened and students begin arriving in Durham.

Historical data for the same week

	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Week	26	21	12	13	16	14
Academic Year	589	416	340	402	477	422
Calendar Year	1148	919	906	917	1023	848

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels.

Todd

Todd I. Selig, Administrator
Town of Durham
15 Newmarket Road
Durham, New Hampshire 03824
Tel (603) 868-5571
Fax (603) 868-5572
tselig@ci.durham.nh.us
www.ci.durham.nh.us

The Town of Durham has developed a list server. The server provides interested individuals with updates and announcements concerning the community. Individuals interested in subscribing should send an email to Town_of_Durham@ci.durham.nh.us and type the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.