Nelson Grapevine August 2011 by Gordon Peery

GRAPEVINE-2 News for Nelson and Munsonville

August 2011

School & Old Home Day Issue

OFF THE BEATEN PATH: BEYOND SILVER LAKE By Katherine Schillemat “No matter how intently one studies the hundred little dramas of the woods and meadows, one can never learn all the salient facts about any one of them.” Aldo Leopold ince December, Al Stoops and I have chosen to follow our whims rather than the established trails in Nelson to discover the hidden flora and fauna and beauty of our precious hill town. O u r l a t e s t exploration began on Silver Lake at the bo at lan d in g in Harrisville. We traveled by canoe along the eastern shoreline. Our first wildlife sighting was a great blue heron perched on the stone steps of someone’s lakefront. Our next sighting was an early highlight: a bald Sucker Brook eagle! We supposed that it was either one of the pair of eagles from Nubanusit Lake or that it might be from some previous year’s brood: perhaps a new eagle trying to establish a nesting site on Silver Lake. I thought that I saw some sort of nesting material in its beak as it landed in one of the taller pine trees along the shore. The eagle was well camouflaged

in the foliage and impossible to find again until it flew away. When we travel by canoe, we follow the inlets of wetlands and lakes as far as we can to see what we might discover in the still side waters. In this instance we were not disappointed as we found several spotted salamander egg masses in the pools. These salamander larvae are unlikely to survive to adulthood. The pools are connected to the lake so fish will take a heavy toll on the eggs and immerging larvae. Nonetheless the egg masses were there. A few may mature and return years from now to breed in this precarious spot. W e left t h e canoe in one of the pools to exp lore along the small stream that flows into the n o rtheast corner of Silver Lake. We were searching for the different kinds of salamanders that live in and around the stream. Along the way, we observed six types of ferns: cinnamon, interrupted, bracken, hay scented, Christmas and royal. Different fern species proliferate in the in the Nelson woodlands and it was exciting to find so many in a small patch of land. (continued on page 9)

Volume 28, No. 2

OLD HOME DAY SPEAKERS T a ke a Wa lk o n th e Wild Sid e By Julio Razquin o matter what the season, Nelson’s oldest residents, its wildlife, can be seen and heard. We often take for granted the presence of our furry and feathered neighbors, but they are there. From bears, to bobcats, coyotes, and birds of all kinds; these are the long-time residents whom have shared this land with humans for countless years. Today, some of the encounters between wildlife and humans can prove to be quite tragic, as I am sure we all can attest to through the almost daily sight of animals on our roads that have met undignified ends. As we continue to encroach on our neighbors’ environment, and road traffic increases, such events are becoming more frequent. Already the odds are stacked against our wild neighbors as disease, climate change, (continued on page 3)

NELSON Old Home Days

Old Home Sunday will be on August 7 this year, starting off the week of fun events, The big all day festivities of Old Home Day are on , Saturday, August 13. See schedules on pages 6 & 7.

NELSON ANNUAL ROADSIDE CLEANUP Satu rd ay , Au g u s t 6th h e N elso n C o n ser v a t io n Commission is again sponsoring the annual Roadside Clean Up on Saturday, August 6th, so that our town will look its best for Old Home Week. Pick up your trash bags, gloves and water at Clean Up Central in front of the Rodham Library from 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon and sign up for the section of road you want to detrash. This is a rain or shine event. If it rains, come anyway to pick up your stuff and wait until the sun comes out! Our reward will be a cleaner town and another 400 daffodil bulbs in the fall from New Hampshire the Beautiful which sponsors the event. With the help of many residents and visitors more than 6,000 daffodils have been planted in town so far!

and the at Town Offices. The Committee wants to share both the challenges and the opportunities facing us as a town, so that there can be as much fruitful discussion as possible before the 2012 Town Meeting. During the tour, the TBC will point out the specific concerns of the buildings: • wet ground and deteriorating supports under the Town Hall • the 2nd floor of the School House and the Library Basement -unusable by the public because of ADA compliance • the various furnace and insulation issues • and many more fascinating issues The goal is to share information and field questions and ideas so that the TBC can best serve you, the residents of Nelson. Town Buildings Committee 2011-2012 Warren Hammock Bud French Rob Germeroth Tom Buttrick Lisa Sieverts

P le a s e jo in th is c o m m u n ity p ro je c t.

TOWN BUILDINGS COMMITTEE OFFERING TOURS ast year, the Town Buildings Committee (TBC) brought a warrant article to Town Meeting that generated quite a bit of discussion, to say the least. In order to get ready for the 2012 Town Meeting, the TBC invites everyone to join a “walk-thru” of the Village buildings: the School House, the Town Hall, and the Library. There will be at least two tour dates: Friday, August 19 at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, August 20 at 10:00 a.m. Each tour will follow the same route so please choose only one date. More dates will be scheduled as needed. Please contact Lisa Sieverts at lsievert@yahoo.com or 603-762-0235 to reserve your spot. In addition, sign-up sheets will be available at Old Home Day

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NELSON OLD HOME WEEK BEAN SUPPER he Nelson Congregational Church will be hosting a Community Ham n Bean Supper, Wednesday, August 10, 2011. The dinner will take place at Nelson Congregational Church and there will be two seatings at 5:00 p.m. and at 5:45 p.m. The menu includes: ham, old fashioned baked beans, coleslaw, rolls, and homemade pies. Prices are: Adults $8.00. Children under 10 - $5.00 The Ham & Bean Supper helps support the Chapel-By-The-Lake and the Nelson Congregational Church. This is a real community effort!

Looking for some fun getting to know your neighbors? Come to the annual Ham n Bean Supper p ie b a kin g e v e n t at the Nelson Congregational church. We are accepting donations of the following items: A UGUST 2011

Sugar Fresh blue berries Crisp and Tart apples Aluminum pie tins Or just bring a fresh baked pie! Please call Joy Birdsey at 847-9533 o r em a il h er a t o r pjbirdsmith@gmail.com for donation amounts. All ingredients should be at the Nelson Congregational Church by Sunday night, August 7th. Thank-you in advance for your generosity!

LADIES AID SCHOLARSHIP he Nelson Ladies Aid has awarded a $500.00 scholarship every year since 1971. It is awarded to a former Nelson School student who is graduating from high school and going on to higher education. The fund was established largely from money earned by the annual Ladies Aid sale as well as by donations. This year the scholarship was presented to Caitlyn Schillemat. Caitlyn will attend Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, VA, this fall. She plans to major in music following her longtime interest in performing in musicals at Keene High School and with the Moving Company. Caitlyn has also entertained us with her beautiful voice at music programs at our town hall. Good luck Caitlyn!

LEGAL CLINIC elson residents should know that there is a low-cost legal clinic open in Keene now. It is run by the non-profit organization, Community Legal Services. Appointments are scheduled for Fridays only. You can get help with a case or with paperwork, make a will or deed, and more. See more info at: www.nhcommunitylegal.com o r c a ll o u r frien dly staff a t 1-888-696-3393

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Wendy Hall with her friend, Artemis

OLD HOME DAY SPEAKERS (continued from page 1) and shrinking habitats deliver sometimes irreversible blows. But in spite of all that is against them, there are many people who are striving to make a difference. I first met Deb Gode when my cat was struck by a car. Cracker, my orange tabby and companion of 11 years, seemed to have used up all nine lives in one shot. Unconscious, his head swollen, and with an injury to his leg, I was told that it was a long shot, and to be prepared for the worst. After a few days, Cracker snapped out of it and began to try and right himself after hearing his name. Deb’s expertise and love for animals had made all the difference, and in the months and years to follow, I came to learn more about Deb’s boundless devotion to animals. It seemed that every time I drove an injured animal found by the side of the road to the vet, these always wound up in the same place… Deb Gode and Irene Ruth run the Winchester Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Together, and with nothing more to rely on than their own resources and the generosity of others, they run a very impressive organization, right in their basements and backyards. I visited Deb not long ago, and after bottle-feeding three hungry tiny raccoons, she gave me a tour of the center. Considering that the entire operation is run on a shoestring budget, I was stunned by the obvious and incredible attention to detail and the care. Robins, chipmunks, possums, raccoons, skunks, and more… All receiving care and medical attention, round the clock. G RAPEVINE -2

Deb once recounted the story to me of how she crawled in a small culvert to capture a wounded bobcat, but I think it is best I let her tell you that story herself. When I contacted Deb to invite her to be the guest speaker at our Old Home Days event, she agreed immediately. But what I didn’t expect was for her to invite along a fellow wildlife rehabilitator and friend from New York, Wendy Hall. W endy is another incredible ex am p le o f ded ic a t io n an d commitment to wildlife. Wendy runs the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge and Rehabilitation Center in Wilmington, NY. They have a website which is chock-full of images and in fo r m a t io n a b o u t t h e i r w o r k : www.adirondackwildlife.org. Wendy will be bringing some wild guests with her to assist in her presentation, which I am sure will prove to be quite the thrill for adults and children alike. Deb and Wendy together will speak about our wild neighbors, their adventures, and their ongoing efforts as wildlife rehabilitators.

CARNIVALCOPIA ome to our Carnivalcopia on Monday August 8 th, from 10 - 2 at The Nelson School. This Old Home Week Event is geared towards children ages 4 - 10, but all are welcome to come play a variety of games at different stations (e.g. bean bag toss, sponge throw, cookie walk). Stations will be run by Nelson School Alumni and Friends. Earn tickets to trade in for small new/gently used prizes Admission is Free Additional volunteers & prizes are still needed. Please contact Cindy Benner at cbennerpersonal@gmail.com or call at 357-2274

CONTRA DANCE AUGUST 6TH

NELSON SCHOOL 6TH GRADE GRADUATES special Nelson contra dance, is taking place on the First Saturday of the month this August only (the Second Saturday is Nelson’s Old Home Day). Thanks to an anonymous benefactor who supports the idea of Old Home Week as the time when families get together, the cost of this dance is only $2 per person. The dance begins at 8:00 p.m. and continues until about 11:00 p.m. Dudley and Jacqueline Laufman, usually joined by a plethora of their excellent musician friends, bring us back to the flavor of the last generation, when the young Dudley spearheaded the contra dance revival and made Nelson the contra dance capital of the world. Old timers will bask in the rugged charm of Dudley’s calling. New dancers should come and experience this living legend.

A Here are the Nelson School sixth grade graduates on their class trip to Boston. They went on a Duck Tour, ate lunch at Quincy Market, visited the aquarium, viewed a 3D IMax movie on sharks, and dined at the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner. All in all, it was a wonderful day! They will be among the first students to attend Keene’s new Middle School. A UGUST 2011

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AUGUST 16 - 7:30 pm Featuring the Session V Faculty Francois Couperin, Pieces en concert • • T U ESD AY EVEN IN GS, 7:30 P M , AP P LE H ILL C O N C ER T B AR N Perfo rm ance space is wheelchair accessible. Box office telephone: 603-847-3371; 800-472-6677 Website: www.applehill.org AUGUST 2 - 7:30 pm Featuring the Session IV Faculty

Max Zeugner, bass Yi-heng Yang, piano

Benjamin Britten, Phantasy Quartet • • • •

Pamela Epple, oboe Netta Hadari, violin Kate Vincent, viola Katie Schlaikjer, cello

Gabriel Faure, Piano Quintet in C minor, Op. 115

G.F. Handel, Arias, HMV 205 and 210 • • • •

Frank Kelley, tenor Vanessa Holroyd, flute John Steinmetz, bassoon Jean Schneider, harpsichord

• • • • •

Gabriela Diaz, violin Cornelia Schwartz, violin Kate Vincent, viola Rupert Thompson, cello Yi-heng Yang, piano

Ralph Vaughn Williams, Blake Songs

AUGUST 23 - 7:30 pm

BIRDS, BATS, AND BUTTERFLIES

• •

Final Summer Concert Featuring the Dirt Road Ensemble, Leonard Matczynski, conductor

Keeping Common Wildlife Common

Frank Kelley, tenor Jesse Holstein, violin

Steve Reich, Different Trains, for string quartet and pre-recorded tape

Gerald Finzi, Romance in G Major

The Apple Hill String Quartet: • Elise Kuder, violin • Sarah Kim, violin • Mike Kelley, viola • Rupert Thompson, cello

J.S. Bach, Concert for Three Violins in D Major, BWV 1064

AUGUST 9 - 7:30 pm

Dmitri Shostakovich, Duo for Two Violins

Young Artist Fellowship Concert – The Arneis String Quartet

• • •

Apple Hill's Young Artist Fellowship Program brings together advanced young instrumentalists for a rigorous and exciting 14-day chamber music and teaching experience. The program includes intensive study with the artist faculty at Apple Hill, teaching support and practice help for regular workshop participants, and one public performance. This year’s young artist recipients are the Arneis String Quartet, formed at Boston University. They are coached and mentored this summer by Apple Hill’s director Lenny Matczynski and Mike Kelley, violist of the Apple Hill String Quartet.

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• • •

Sarah Kim, violin Carol Cubberley, violin Ealain MacMullin, piano

Josh Addison, violin Zachary Addison, violin Dan Sedgwick, piano

n Thursday, August 4th, at 7:00 PM in the Nelson Town Hall Steve Roberge, Cheshire County Forrester, will present a slide-illustrated program: Birds, Bats, and Butterflies: Keeping Common Wildlife Common. Learn cool animal facts and find out about how the diverse mix of habitats in our region support these species. This program is sponsored by the Nelson Conservation Commission.

Traditional Appalachian Tunes Young violinists from the Nelson School/Apple Hill Strings Program Sarah Kim, instructor Dessert and International Folk Dancing, Hoffman Auditorium David Sherman, instructor and caller

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All good music resembles something. Good music stirs by its mysterious resemblance to the objects and feelings which motivated it. ~ Jean Cocteau

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CHURCH NEWS N e ls o n C o n g re g a tio n a l C h u rc h n June 25 and 26 we celebrated Dawn Garrett-Larson’s 10 years of m in istry with Nelson Congregational Church. On Saturday there was a picnic, with music and Morris Dancing, to which the entire community was invited. On Sunday there was a special service and the congregation presented Dawn with a hanging quilt with a tree of life pattern that more than 30 people put their hand and talents to. We then shared a wonderful cake during coffee hour. Our congratulations to Dawn, the Nelson Congregational Church, and the community of Nelson on 10 years of bringing faith and community together. May there be many more. The Nelson Ladies Aid Scholarship was presented to Caitlyn Schillemat on June 15 at the Awards night at Keene High School. Congratulations to Caitlyn. She will be attending Southern Virginia University to pursue her interests in music and working with children. Although the group does not meet formally any more, they are able to continue giving a $500 scholarship to a senior each year. We have proudly presented approximately 20 KHS seniors with a scholarship over the years. If you would like to contribute to the scholarship fund please contact Bert Wingerson 847-9945. Old Home Sunday kicks off Old Home Week on Sunday, August 7, with worship at 9:30 a.m. Rev. Peter Howe will lead worship while Dawn is at her family reunion. Please come and share this special service with us. August 10, a combined church effort: NCC & Chapel-by-the-Lake will sponsor a community Ham & Bean supper $8 adults, $5 children under 10. See details under Old Home Week elsewhere in this issue (page 2). The Nelson Church Old Home Day Chicken BBQ will be on August 13 at Noon. A full dinner will be $9 full dinner

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$6 for a ¼ chicken. Menu to include ½ chicken, potato salad, corn on the cob, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, rolls, drink. This is the best chicken BBQ in the county - probably in NH - so don’t miss out. September 4th will be the last Ice Cream Social and Nelson Town Band Concert for the season. It will be at 3:00 p.m. $5 for two scoops, $4 for one scoop and all the toppings of your choice C h a p e l-b y - th e - La ke e welcome our new full-time pastor, Rev. Allen Mark. We will be helping members of the Nelson Congregational Church with the community supper on Wednesday, August 10 during Old Home Week. See details elsewhere in this issue. Worship services are at 10:00 a.m. with Bible Study following the Worship service. Knitting Club meets Thursday’s from 10:00 a.m. – Noon. For more information and to confirm meeting dates, call 446-7857 or 847-3231 Also on Sunday August 21 during the usual 10am worship service guests Ann & John Nelson and be presenting music by Fanny Crosby an American hymn writer and poetess. Ann will perform solos and the congregation will be invited to join in on some of the Crosby Hymns. All are welcome to come to this special summer service. Join us every Saturday morning 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. for coffee, muffins and good conversation. Visit our website at: www.chapelbythelakeumc.org

OHD CHICKEN BARBECUE ugust 13th is Old Home Day with the traditional fun and festivities. We invite you to begin the day with volunteering to ready the Old Fashioned Chicken Barbecue! The Old Home Day Committee needs volunteers to help put up signs around town the week before (Friday the 5th), and then even more to help out in the morning of the Chicken Barbecue. If you can make potato salad, you are needed Friday evening, the 12th at the Nelson Congregational Church! If you can help at the BBQ pit, you are needed at 8:00 am on Saturday, the 13th on the Town Common! Or, if you can help serve and clean up, we need you as early as 8:00 am on Saturday as well! Donations of food items will be very welcomed. * Charcoal for the BBQ Pit * Lighter fluid for the charcoal * Celery * Butter and Butter patties * Vinegar * Salt * Onions * Mayonnaise * Lots of red potatoes (we need a total of 70 lbs) * Fresh corn-on-the-cob (we need 5 bushels) * Tomatoes & Cucumbers (about 50 lbs of each) * 6 cases of assorted sodas * 3 cases of bottled drinking water

You may drop items off at the church or send an email to Joy Birdsey or call her at 847-9533

You have been here forever working and living. The blood of your flesh is the depth of the earth you till, the peak of the barn you built. The blood of your flesh are the children you've raised. The milk and eggs are collected, the hay is in the barn. The blueberries and the trout and the frogs are at the pond. Here by the love and the toil of the children and the grandfathers of Nelson, we are the children and the grandfathers of Nelson. And we are thankful. When we come back we wonder at the time we have missed searching. We come back to the simple quiet and wonder why everywhere else feels the need to be so noisy. -Owen Iselin

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NELSON OLD HOME WEEK SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Saturday, August 6 Ne ls o n Cle an u p Day

Wednesday, August 10 Ham & B e an Su p p e r

Nelson Town Hall 9:00 a.m. Meet at Nelson Town Hall to start trash pickup and pretty up the town before Old Home Days. (See page 2 for more information)

Nelson Congregational Church 5:00 p.m. & 5:45 p.m. Ham, baked beans, rolls, coleslaw, homemade pies. Adults - $8.00; children under 10 - $5.00.

Du d le y & Jac q u e lin e Lau fm an

Nelson Town Hall 6:30 p.m. You'll meet all sorts of snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, and even alligators! Come to the Town Hall and enjoy an exciting, fun-filled time of discovery in the wonderful world of reptiles! free and open to the public

Nelson Town Hall 8:00 p.m. A wonderful new tradition before Old Home Days actually begin. (See page 3 for more information)

Sunday, August 7, Old Home Days Begin

Re p tile s o n th e Mo v e

Thursday, August 11

O ld Ho m e We e k Ch u rc h Se rv ic e Nelson Congregational Church 9:30 a.m. Old Home Sunday will be celebrated at the Nelson Congregational Church. People are invited to bring vases of flowers from their gardens to decorate the sanctuary.

T ra ils C o m m itte e H ike Nelson Town Hall 5:30 p.m. A moderate hike sponsored by the Trails Committee. Meet at the Town Hall.

Mo n ad n o c k Mu s ic

Monday, August 8 Carn iv alc o p ia Nelson School 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Geared towards children ages 4 - 10, but all are welcome. Come to our carnivalcopia and play a variety of games at different stations (e.g. bean bag toss, sponge throw, cookie walk)

Co n tra-Dan c e Nelson Town Hall 8:00 p.m. This has been a weekly event, rain or shine, summer or snow, for many, many years. No experience necessary, just the will to have fun. If you’re not a dancer come to hear the great live music. Admission is just $3.00 per person.

Tuesday, August 9 Sto ry tim e at th e Lib rary Olivia Rodham Memorial Library 4:00 p.m. The last place we’re traveling to is South America. It’s going to be a fun, rainforest adventure!

Ap p le Hill Ev e n in g Co n c e rt Apple Hill Music Center 7:30 p.m. Concert Young Artist Fellowship – The Arneis String Quartet This year’s young artist recipients are the Arneis String Quartet, formed at Boston University. They are coached and mentored this summer by Apple Hill’s director Lenny Matczynski and Mike Kelley, violist of the Apple Hill String Quartet.

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Nelson Congregational Church 7:30 p.m. William Grant Still: Four Indigenous Portraits for flute and string quartet Yu-Hui Chang: Binge Delirium for solo percussion W. A. Mozart: String Quartet in B-flat, K. 458 Tony Arnold, soprano; Gerry Itzkoff, David Fulmer, violin; Jonathan Bagg, viola; Stephanie Fong, viola; Rafael Popper-Keizer, cello; Laura Gilbert, flute; Jacob Greenberg, piano; Doug Perkins, percussion; 2011 Duke Composition Fellow: Bryan Christian Free concert -- Open to the public

Friday, August 12 Cap tu re Th e Flag Nelson Ball Fields 5:30 p.m. Come One Come All to Nelson Old Home Week's All ages. Call Maureen Lord for more information 827-3646

Pre -s ale B o o k Sale Nelson Town Hall 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Come browse at your leisure before the crowds on Saturday. All proceeds benefit the library. Town of Nelson Residents only, please. No dealers.

Mo v ie Nig h t Nelson Town Common Dusk (8:00?) Join your friends for a movie on the Common. Bring your own lawn chairs and snacks (and bug spray). Rain Location: Safety building

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N ELSON O LD H OME DAY, SATURDAY , AUGUST 13 O ld Ho m e Day Gam e s Town Common

9:00 a.m.

Possibly the last bastion of amateur excellence in American sports. Foot races, frog-jumping, tug of war, egg toss, and more.

Rac e s Town Common

9:00 a.m.

Bike race (helmets required) and Nelson Marathon. Please note that the races start at 9:00 a.m.

O ld Ho m e Day Lu n c h e o n / B arb e c u e an d To w n B an d Nelson Congregational Church Lawn Old Home Day Association Meeting

Noon 1:15 p.m.

One of the summer’s best barbecues, accompanied by the N e ls o n T o w n B a n d – and a chance to visit with friends and neighbors. Capped by awards for the day’s game contestants and a very brief rundown of the business side of Old Home Day. Barbecue: $9.00 for a half chicken, $5.00 for a quarter chicken.

Ch airs Remember to bring your own lawn chairs to Old Home Day. You’ll be much more comfortable while eating lunch and watching the festivities.

O ld Ho m e Day Sp e ake r B o o k Sale Town Hall

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Thousands of great (and once-great) books on every imaginable subject – priced to move! Get there early for best selection and to beat the dealers. Dollar a bag sale at 12 noon. All proceeds benefit Olivia Rodham Library.

On the Church Lawn 1:30 p.m. Speakers: Deb Gody, wildlife rehabilitator, and Wendy Hall, from the Adirondack Wildlife Organization. See article on p a g e 1.

Wate rb all Mackenzie’s Field

So ftb all Gam e

Make A Craft Library

9:00 a.m. til 1:00 p.m.

The library will be open with a craft table for children to make and take. Come in and relax, read, use a computer and cool off.

*Don’t forget to collect your fro g s on Friday for Saturday’s games.*

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2:30 p.m.

Bring your A-game and a towel (or two or three)! All the youth in town like this event. Most years it’s girls against the boys!

Eagle Field

3:00 p.m.

For those with energy left to give, here’s a chance to test your skills with and against Nelson’s formidable ball-playing talent. Bring a cooler, a glove, and pick a side.

Ne ls o n Fo lks Co n c e rt Nelson Town Hall

7:00 p.m.

Join your friends for an evening of wonderful music played by your talented Nelson neighbors or folks strong Nelson Connections, organized by Geoff Williams. Always an enjoyable and varied show.

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carousing humor. It’s colorful, earthy, and salty, too.” Time: 7:00 PM Admission: Free Info Phone: 603-847-3214 Info Email: library@townofnelson.com Info URL: http://www.townofnelson.com

POETRY READING WITH DUDLEY LAUFMAN he Monadnock Folklore Society and the Olivia Rodham Memorial Library jointly present poet and contra dance caller Dudley Laufman on Thursday, August 18th at 7:00 PM at the Nelson Town Hall. Dudley Laufman is the winner of both a National Heritage Fellowship Award and the NH Governor’s Folk Heritage Award for his contribution to preserving the traditional music and dance calling associated with New England Contra Dancing. The poems in his latest book, Sh e P lu m b N e d , Sh e M o re ’n P lu m b , arerooted in the stories told by certain colorful and eccentric characters who lived in the Monadnock Region of Southwestern New Hampshire. Laufman was 16 years old when he began collecting these stories. His words capture the dry sense of humor typical of this breed of Yankee. Rebecca Rule, in the Concord Monitor, said “This is hunting and fishing humor. It’s drinking and

RESOURCE SHARING COMMITTEE UPDATE riginally formed in the Fall of 2010, as a result of the Nelson C o m m u n it y F o r u m , t h e Resource Sharing Committee is made up of Nelson residents who are interested in finding ways to lower our taxes and make town government more e ff ic ie n t b y c o - o p e r a t in g w it h neighboring towns. Areas for investigation were identified at the Forum as: Fire and Police Departments, transfer station, Highway Departm ent, Town Administration and schools. Other areas such as fuel and electricity have since been identified and more no doubt will be suggested. The committee has met monthly and even weekly when useful. Preliminary interviews have been conducted with Nelson’s Fire and Police Chiefs, our Road Agent and our Administrative

PARENT YOUTH MEDIATION AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS OF NELSON ometimes holidays and vacations are not as peaceful as you had hoped. If your family spends these times fighting instead of enjoying each other, mediation may be helpful to you. Cheshire Mediation in Keene provides free parent/youth mediation services to all families in Cheshire County. Call Kate Kerman at 357-9673 for more information, or visit us online at www.cheshiremediation.org

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Assistant. We have met with our Selectmen and have met with and are working closely with our sister committee in Harrisville. More in-depth interviews are in process. Currently, talks with a wholesale energy management company show promise of both savings in electricity bills for residents and a commission paid to the Town of Nelson. Please read the information at the end of this update*. And finally, can savings for households be found through use of Harrisville’s transfer station? At present, some of us pay haulers and some of us pay to use Keene’s facility. Harrisville is considering the ramifications to their town if Nelson residents were to be invited to recycle and dump trash there. One factor in their decision is the number of Nelson residents who might be interested if Harrisville were to accommodate us. E-mail Russ Thomas at russindawoods@gmail.com if you are interested in our further pursuit of this possibility with Harrisville.

*Electric Power Savings aury Collins decided to research savings that might be available for electric rates. He contacted the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and they suggested that he contact Resident Power (http://www.ResidentPower.com). Resident Power has been offering savings to towns and industry, but just recently is extending that savings to individual customers. Some towns in the state are already utilizing this service for their municipal accounts. But the added bonus is that for each individual or homeowner who signs up to save from 5-15% on the delivery part of their bill, the town gets a commission from that homeowner’s account. Seems like a win/win situation. Maury will leave more information at the Nelson Library. Please also call him at home (8473321) if you have questions.

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vegetation-free and soft underfoot. The stream flows in peaceful, pleasing (continued from page 1) patterns over and around the ledge. We found m ore dusky salam anders, in the Nelson woodlands and it was including a dusky larvae with visible gills. exciting to find so many in a small patch We also found a porcupine clawed tree, of land. and evidence of animals digging in the To find salamanders, one must be forest floor to find some underground willing to look under logs, branches, and treat. rocks. Finding salamanders is only half Our return to the boat landing along the battle. The salamanders are fast and the western shore was not without blend in well with their surroundings. interest. At one sheltered cove, we They are hard to catch and hold; encountered a swarm of gnats. They however, we were successful, in catching were not biting so we purposely allowed and keeping four different kinds of ourselves to be engulfed in the swarm. salamanders: the two-lined, the dusky, The collective buzz was like a song as the the red backed and a very small red eft. gnats coated our arms and legs. We took pictures of all the salamanders At one of the islands we stopped for together. It was interesting to observe at lunch and a swim. A large flat boulder close range the differences between these served as chair, table and dock. small amphibians. Swimming offered an opportunity to observe fishing spiders lurking on the face of a b o u l d e r hanging over the water. We wondered aloud how these arachnids catch fish and how big their prey is. Our final push to the la n d in g w a s capped off by a n o t h e r sighting of the bald eagle, this tim e soarin g over the lake. Salamanders shown are a red eft, a dusky salamander, a redback The eagle was salamander, and a two-lined salamander. driven away by a smaller bird, Returning to the canoe, we followed undoubtedly protecting its nest, and the northern shoreline to the Sucker soared out of sight. Brook wetland area. I have observed Through all of our adventures, our turtles in the past in this area, so we were curiosity is constantly piqued. The more hopeful that we might see turtles this we observe, the more we wonder how day. No turtles this day, but we did see and why. We returned to the boat a Canada Geese family and found some landing filled with the pleasure of our fish eggs (we think) clinging in strands to discoveries, but thirsty for the next the submerged vegetation. adventure. What new mystery will our Al and I abandoned the canoe to little hill town offer up to nourish our explore Sucker Brook, another stream appetite for the natural world? that feeds into Silver Lake. We had found a treasure! This brook flows through a hemlock forest with many boulders and ledge down to the stream ed ge. The ground is relatively

BEATEN PATH

G RAPEVINE -2

A UGUST 2011

LIBRARY NEWS from Kris Finnegan B o o k Sa le n Saturday the 13th, 9 a.m. to 12:00 noon, come to the book sale at the town hall. Come early to pick up some good reads for the year. At noon there will be a dollar-a-bag sale of the remaining books. Also on sale will be canvas book bags with the center of Nelson emblazoned on the front. Memberships to the Friends of the Library can be purchased at the book sale too . N o te : The Library will continue to accept book donations right up until the day before the Book Sale. We also ask that people do not donate old textbooks, reference books, i.e. old encyclopedias, out of date computer manuals, or books in poor condition. We just have to take them to recycling because they don't sell. All other books gladly accepted!!

• Sto ry tim e a t th e Lib ra ry Tuesday, August 9, 4pm~ The last place we’re traveling to is South America. It’s going to be a fun, rainforest adventure! Our slideshow will take us down the Amazon River. We’ll read a Jan Brett book about rainforest animals, create unique boa constrictors, and play an exciting game! • R e p tile s o n th e M o v e Wednesday, August 10 at 6:30 pm So, get ready to hear plenty of... O-o-o-o! Ah-a-a-a! E-e-eek! Ugh! and Wow! when R e p t ile s o n th e M o v e comes to visit. You'll meet all sorts of snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, and even alligators! Come to the Town Hall and enjoy an exciting, fun-filled time of discovery in the wonderful world of reptiles! This program is supported in part by a grant from the NH State Library & donations from the Bryne Foundation, CHILIS, Cogswell Benevolent Trust, & the NH Library Association. This show is free & open to the public. Please let us know ahead of time for the need of a sign language interpreter. • D u d le y La u fm a n P o e try R e a d in g August 18th, Thursday evening 7:00pm “She Plumb Ned, She More'n Plumb” Dudley Laufman reading poetry from his new book. (See more info on page 8.) P AGE 9

LOCAL SERVICES & CLASSIFIEDS For Sale C u s to m Wo o d e n Jig s a w P u zzle s From your artwork, photos, prints, etc. Call David Beffa-Negrini at Fool's G old®, 827-9825 o r em ail: info@foolsgoldpuzzles.com Gra n ite La ke M a p le P ro d u c ts - Pure NH Maple syrup by Nick Barrett, 66 Old Towne Road, Nelson, NH, 03457. 603-847-3457. Email: granitelakemapleproducts@ yahoo.com. N e ls o n g ro w n y a rn , fle e c e and roving from our flock of Romney sheep. Also available are knitting kits and finished products: scarves, hats, mittens, blankets, etc. Call Susan Weaver 847-9763 H id d e n B irc h Fa rm - Chevon (Goat Meat) raised on our farm, choice of cuts; meat chickens & Thanksgiving Turkeys. Farm fresh eggs; Livestock Fence installation - 96 Nubanusit Rd - Tiger & G igi Batch elder 827-2950; www.hiddenbirchfarm.com Personal Services Sh ia ts u I s B a c k! Compassionate, excellent body work. Healing for all ages. 30+ years experience. Carol Raynsford 847-3443. T a le n te d y o u n g w o m a n will help you with your childcare needs, office needs, clerical needs, housecleaning needs, or other miscellaneous projects. Call Gwyneth Tolman 827-4194

Fo r R e n t – Granite Lake summer cottage. Call Mable Bergeron, (603) 363-8086.

Ga rd e n in g , cleaning, animal care. Organic vegetables in season and cut flowers - Barbara Fraser, 847-9555.

Fo r R e n t – Seasonal Cottage right on Granite Lake Call 603-847-3277 or 304-594-3539

Ga rd e n in g , pretty, manicured lawns, spring and fall clean-up, brush & chainsaw work Owen Iselin- 933-0680.

Art Le s s o n s - for children and adults. Watercolor, oil, composition, and drawing. Summer/Fall. Beginner thru advanced instruction. Marylise Reilly Fajal, 847-3382 or 355-7337.

SP C o m m Sta rp o w e r - Home TV and Satellite Systems, High Speed Internet access, 2-w ay R adio , So un d R e in f o r c e m e n t , H o m e T h e a t r e w w w .ST A R P O W E R -satellite.tv o r wildjimwilder@aol.com.

N e w En g la n d Artis a n s Stu d io - Visit our online studio where crafts people and artisans throughout New England have the opportunity to present their creations: www.neartisansstudio.com Building, etc. Eth a n T o lm a n - Excavating, bulldozer, truck, loader/tractor work. Field, driveways, building, moving. Years of experience. 827-3414 N e w h o m e s , decks, kitchens, and baths - Remodeling our specialty. Nubanusit Building and Remodeling. Ron Trudelle, 827-3251. Exc a v a tio n - Septic Systems, Driveways, Site work, and Foundations, Trucking, Plowing and Sanding: Phil Hamilton 847-3288 Ad d itio n s , renovations, remodeling, barns, - Steven Reilly. 847-3382 or 3557337.

Other C re a tiv e We b Site s for Creative People Center Pond Communications www.centerpond.com

R e s id e n tia l P a in te rs - Interior, exterior. Experienced, reasonable, reliable. Heidi Tompkins and Tal Gregory. 847-0000

H a rris v ille C h i ld r e n ' s C e n t e r year-round programs for children 6 weeks to 6 years old. 827-3905.

G W Fra s e r & So n s , Tractor & Excavator Service. Post holes to complete site work. No job to small. Free estimates. 25 years experience. Greg Fraser - 603-731-0808

Writin g Le s s o n s -Will teach you, child or adult, to write better than you do now. Ph.D. Tufts, taught writing at Tufts and Harvard Extension. Elizabeth Chapman Hewitt. 847-3118 or 401-2666

GRAPEVINE -2

Home Services

Music Gu ita r I n s tru c tio n - Beginner through advanced instruction in folk, blues, and jazz styles. Liza Constable, 847-3067. M u s ic f o r w e d d in g s and other occasions - New England country dance music, folk, blues, jazz. Nat Hewitt & Liza Constable, 847-3067. M u n s o n v ille Au d io Location & Studio Recording / Sound Reinforcement. Pro-grade mixing, high resolution digital recording, microphones & signal processing coupled to custom monitor mixes and an extremely powerful yet well mannered FOH sound system. High quality recordings expertly mixed, mastered & made ready for distribution. D em o recordings a specialty. 603 499-2904 Web: www.MunsonvilleAudio.Com EMail: CJLeake@MunsonvilleAudio.Com M u s ic Le s s o n s - Banjo, Bass, Electric Guitar and Acoustic Guitar. Rock and Roll, Bluegrass, Country Western, Folk. All levels. Ages 12 to 112. Teaching music for 20+ years. Jonathan Smith 827-3036

***Note: Grapevine ads are free to local residents. Please inform us if you need to change or delete an ad. Thanks.

R u b b is h re m o v a l Granite Lake Services, Ed Schillemat, 847-3290.

AUGUST 2011

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NELSON WILDLIFE

BAKED ZITI DINNER he Chapel by the Lake will be having a Baked Ziti dinner on Saturday, August 6, at 6:00 p.m. The menu will also include salad, garlic bread, coleslaw, watermelon, cake, and beverages. The cost is $8 adults, $4 ages 3-10, under 3 free.

T A Snowberry Clearwing moth, Hemaris diffinis, visiting a Beauty Bush, Kolkwitzia amabilis, in May.

TOWN OF NELSON WEBSITE ave you visited the Town of Nelson website lately or at all? This site has all the latest news and stories of Nelson as they happen. Our webmaster, Gordon Peery and Candyce Fulford of Moving In Step keep the information flowing and up-todate. You will find hours for offices, calendar items, link to the Nelson School website, and other appropriate links. Visit today! You will be back again when you see the quantity and quality of the information.

H NEXT ISSUE he next issue of the Grapevine-2 will be published in November. We will be looking for pictures, essays, and other items that have to do with the Holidays and the yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s end. We always welcome stories, poems, news items, and event listings related to Nelson. You m ay email submissions (preferred) to elizabeth48@earthlink.net or mail them to Elizabeth Williams, 75 Log Cabin Road, Nelson, NH, 03457. Please have items to Beth no later than November 1. If you have questions you may call Beth at 847-9064.

But what is the difference between literature and journalism?/ ...Journalism is unreadable and literature is not read. That is all. - Oscar Wilde

"Man is not made for society, but society is made for man. No institution can be good which does not tend to improve the individual." - Margaret Fuller

G RAPEVINE -2

http://www.townofnelson.com

G RA PEVINE -2 Grapevine-2 is a quarterly newsletter serving the Nelson/Munsonville community and is sponsored by the Nelson Congregational Church. It is made possible mostly by voluntary donations from readers, with some supplementary assistance from the church. Should donations exceed costs, the surplus goes to the church. Contributions of articles, ideas, photos, or art are always welcome. To contact the Grapevine-2, call Elizabeth Williams (Beth) at 847-9064, or email to: elizabeth48@earthlink.net, or snailmail to: Grapevine-2 75 Log Cabin Road Nelson, NH 03457 Grapevine-2 Committee& Friends: Hope Lothrop Kelly French Bert Wingerson Beth Williams Susan Hansel

A UGUST 2011

A Nelson Directory Emergency (Mutual Aid) . . . . . . . . . . 911 All fire, illness, and accident calls Selectmen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 847-0047 Old Brick Schoolhouse; Tuesday, 9 a.m. - 12 noon Wednesday, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Wednesday, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Meeting Thursday, 9 a.m. - 12 noon Mike Blaudshun (chair), Margaret Schillemat, Warren Hammack Town Clerk/Tax Collector . . . . 847-9043 Old Brick Schoolhouse, Tuesday, 9 a.m.-12 noon, Wednesday, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. - 12 noon Teri Upton - Town Clerk(Notary Public) Edith Notman - Deputy Town Clerk Town Administrative Asst. . . . . 847-0047 Joan Bosely Planning Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . 847-9082 Old Brick Schoolhouse 2 nd Thursday, 7 p.m. David Voymas, Chair Zoning Board-Adjustment . . . . 847-3403 Old Brick Schoolhouse 1 st Tuesday, 7 p.m. Richard Popovic Chair Highway Department . . . . . . . . 847-9705 Mike Tarr, at Town Barn Fire Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 847-9045 Rick Lothrop Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352-1291 Richard Pratt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chief Building Sexton . . . . . . . . . . . . . 933-0680 Owen Iselin State Representatives, District 24: Anne S. Cartwright Tara A. Sad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lucy Weber State Senator, District 7 & 8: Andy Sanborn Supervisors of the Checklist . . . 847-3206 Betsey Church, Chair, Susan Peery, Carol Newcombe Olivia Rodham Memorial Library . . . . . . . . . . 847-3214 Kris Finnegan, Librarian HOURS Monday 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Tues, Wed, Thurs 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Nelson School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 847-3408 School Board - 2 nd Wednesday, 4 p.m. at Nelson School Kelly French, Mike Cornog, Betsy Street Conservation Commission . . . . 847-9995 Bud French, Chair Youth Groups: Cub Scouts Boy Scouts, Rich Crow . . . . . . . 827-3521 The Grapevine- 2 is printed by our friends at Red Ball Press at Keene State College, Keene, NH

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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Nelson, NH 03457 Permit No. 101

830 Nelson Road Nelson, NH 03457

Address Service Requested

MORE SERVICES & SUMMER CLASSIFIEDS T H E M ILL YO GA ST U D IO Studio 10 - Mill #6 Harrisville, NH Summer Classes June 15 - August 28. For more information: Kathleen Vetter 827-3549 or MillYogaStudio@gmail.com

B a b y s ittin g - Responsible teen looking to help out Nelson parents with babysitting services this summer. Contact Paige Brnger at 847-3403.

Su m m e r Rid in g Le s s o n s Ho rs e m an s h ip Day Cam p Call for more information Kathy Blaudschun - 847-9082

Fo r Sa le : O ld T o w n C a n o e – Wood Canvas Guide model Sale of canoe to benefit the Nelson Library. Old Town 1971 16’ Old Town Guide model canoe for sale for $2,000. In exceptionally good condition, always stored indoors. Now costs $7,600 new. (http://www.oldtowncanoe.com/can oes/classic_wood/guide_16.html). All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Olivia Rodham Memorial Library in Nelson, NH. Please call the library at 603-847-3214 for more information or to see the canoe. Library Hours - Monday 10:00 1:00, Tues, Wed, Thurs 3:00 - 7:00, Saturday 10:00 - 1:00, or call after hours and leave a message.

M u s ic Le s s o n s - Allison Aldrich & Hunt Smith. Voice, Fiddle, Guitar, Ukulele, 5 String Banjo, Mandolin, Recorder, Beginning Piano, Accordion, Concertina, Flute A relaxed, friendly atmosphere where you can learn to sing or play the instrument you have always wanted to master. Call: 603-209-3304 Email: huntandallison@gmail.com www.huntandallison.net Nelson, NH

R e c y c lin g - I can take #1 & #2 plastic (no tops), glass, tin, aluminum; all commingled. Don’t put recyclables in the trash. Let me take them away. Trevor King 313-6446