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NCH|LRH battle erupts

As tension and temperaments flare over recent news of litigation between North Country Healthcare and Littleton Regional Healthcare, the future of health services in the North Country of NH remains uncertain. Both parties have sued each other over the February news of LRH's intent to depart the NCH group of Critical Access Hospitals in Grafton and Coos counties.

On Wednesday, GNTV received an internal memo from Gail Clark, Director of Development, Marketing & Community Relations at Littleton Regional Healthcare. Clark often sends us press releases that help inform the public of the events and activities. They often include news of events occurring at the Hospital and within their organization. The internal memo was addressed to LRH staff . It was a response to the recent article placed in the Littleton Courier. The focus was in regards to the recent litigation between the healthcare organizations.

In turn, on Thursday, we received a statement from James Patry, Systems Director, Marketing at Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin. The statement from North Country Healthcare outlined their position on the subject. In the opening lines, Patry states "We welcome the intervention of the New Hampshire State Attorney General on Littleton Regional Hospital’s (LRH) intention to withdraw affiliation with North Country Healthcare (NCH)." Review of documents While speaking briefly today with Tara Giles, the Littleton Courier reporter that penned the article LRH's split from NCH prompts litigation that LRH called into question, she stated that the two lawsuits have just under 1000 pages combined of documentation outlining how each party feels the other is in the wrong. With no immediate solution in the near future, access to certain services not currently available at the remaining NCH group of hospitals remains unclear. Currently, users of each hospital have access to the network of services provided under the single healthcare system implemented under the NCH umbrella. If the removal of LRH from NCH also means the removal of critical services from the affiliation, the ease of access to these services for patients at the remaining NCH locations remains in flux. Listed below are the the statements from each entity we were asked to publish. We welcome your feedback in the comments section below. Littleton Regional Healthcare May 8, 2019 Dear LRH Team, Littleton Regional Healthcare is disappointed in the misleading statements made in a recent press release issued by North Country Healthcare and reported in the media (“LRH’s split from NCHC prompts litigation,” Littleton Courier, May 8, 2019). We believe the press release misrepresents important aspects of LRH’s contractual right to withdraw from NCH. North Country Healthcare was formed as a result of an Affiliation Agreement among Littleton Regional Healthcare, Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin, Weeks Medical Center in Lancaster, and Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook, following an extensive negotiation process and a review by the New Hampshire Director of Charitable Trusts. Affiliation Agreement The Affiliation Agreement includes a contractual right for any of the four hospitals to withdraw from the affiliation, without any need to give cause or to justify its decision to withdraw. However, that withdrawal right can be exercised only during the 90-day period following the third anniversary of the affiliation; that is, between April 1 and June 30 of this year. Failure to provide notice during this limited 90-day period would result in permanent affiliation. During the negotiations leading up to the affiliation, each of the four hospitals insisted on the right to withdraw without a showing of cause. This issue was fully aired and discussed in public meetings held in connection with the approval of the affiliation. In the words of NCH’s legal counsel at the time, the participating hospitals insisted on the right to withdraw without cause because requiring a showing of cause “would very likely lead to prolonged disputes with a hospital which had expressed its desire not to be part of the Affiliation.” LRH Review After a careful review by our Board of Trustees about the effectiveness of the Affiliation to date, and of LRH’s future strategic opportunities, our Board determined that the interests of the greater Littleton community would best be served by LRH’s withdrawal from the affiliation. Following the February 18 vote of LRH’s Board to withdraw, LRH provided NCH with “pre-notice” of our intent to give a formal withdrawal notice after April 1. Immediately, LRH was met with repeated threats of litigation. In accordance with the Affiliation Agreement, on April 4, LRH gave formal notice to NCH and the other hospitals of our decision to withdraw. Unfortunately, NCH and the three Coos County hospitals have refused to accept LRH’s decision to exercise its contractual right to withdraw. All attempts by LRH management and Trustees to work with NCH on an orderly withdrawal plan not only were refused, but were met with threats of litigation. LRH was left with no choice but to ask the court simply to enforce our clear contractual right to withdraw. Sadly, NCH and the other hospitals responded by suing not only LRH, but also individual members of LRH’s management and Board of Trustees. LRH does not believe the position of NCH and the other hospitals is well founded. Out of respect for the ongoing court process, LRH will not comment further on the details of the pending litigation. However, contrary to the impressions that NCH attempted to create in its press release, LRH is confident that we have acted responsibly and in accordance with our rights, using the process to which each hospital previously agreed in the Affiliation Agreement. North Country Healthcare Statement from North Country Healthcare – May, 2019 We welcome the intervention of the New Hampshire State Attorney General on Littleton Regional Hospital’s (LRH) intention to withdraw affiliation with North Country Healthcare (NCH). The process to create NCH was open and public, and any proposed changes to its structure should also be transparent, intentional and public. We will participate fully and honor the results of an open and public process. Our Hospitals worked cooperatively for two years to hold community forums, create a business plan, and get approval from the New Hampshire State Attorney General to affiliate in 2016. Notice Served In late February 2019, Littleton Regional Hospital (LRH) served notice of their intention to withdraw from their affiliation with North Country Healthcare and took legal actions in order to accelerate that withdrawal to pursue “new opportunities.” This violated our Affiliation Agreement (to which all NCH members are legally bound). Our Agreement clearly states that an accelerated or alternative withdrawal process is not allowed. The terms of the Agreement were specifically designed so all parties would follow a fair and equitable negotiation process that would allow enough time to smoothly unwind the integration that has taken place over the last several years.  For that reason, NCH is disappointed that LRH has taken their dispute to the courts and chose not to follow the agreed-upon departure guidelines. These guidelines include a 4-month period for review and negotiation.  After they approached us with their intention to leave, we recommended holding a meeting of the LRH and NCH Boards in the interest of resolving this issue with open and transparent communication. LRH opted not to participate, and then filed suit. Suit / Counter-suit In light of that LRH lawsuit, North County Healthcare filed a counter-suit in Coös County Court against Littleton Regional Hospital for failing to live up to our affiliation agreement, negotiating in bad faith, and taking unilateral actions that go against the spirit of collaboration of our Affiliates in providing improved, efficiently-delivered healthcare to the citizens of the North Country. The Affiliation of Androscoggin Valley Hospital, Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, Weeks Medical Center and LRH began in 2014 under the premise that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and by working together, we could improve the delivery of healthcare to the North Country – and we have. All Hospitals worked cooperatively for two years to hold community forums, create a business plan, and obtain approval from the New Hampshire State Attorney General to affiliate in 2016. In early 2018, NCH was pleased to add North Country Home Health and Hospice to the affiliation, and provide even more resources to our integrated healthcare system. Dispute resolution NCH will continue to work towards dispute resolution, and we hope to engage LRH in transparent and productive discussions, towards the goal of continued collaborative healthcare in the North Country. We continue to respect and value LRH’s leadership within the Affiliation, and their substantial contributions to the health of the region’s communities.     Every day, our employees and medical staff strive to serve families across the North Country. We are proud of what we are accomplishing, and we care deeply about the communities we serve. That is what drives us. The actions of LRH will not deter us from our Mission: to assure consistent, high quality, accessible, and integrated healthcare across the communities we serve. To that end, we will continue to work with the State of New Hampshire to advocate for the communities that rely on NCH and the valuable integrated healthcare solution it offers. No matter where this path leads, we will use that vision to guide us. Read the full article

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Lancaster fire ruled

Live stream of the blaze reached 12k views A mid-day fire last Saturday destroyed most of the second floor of the old Lancaster True Value/Radio Shack building in Lancaster, New Hampshire. Granite North Television was on scene and streamed much of the beginning stages of the fire live to our Facebook account. The replay of the live video is available here. I had a chance to catch up with Chief Randy Flynn, Asst. Chief Ted Joubert and Asst. Chief Mike Kopp at the Lancaster Fire Department earlier today. During the conversation, the firemen confirmed that the building still was connected to heat and electrical systems, though this was not listed as a cause of the blaze. The State Fire Marshall was on scene Saturday and according to Chief Flynn "They determined that it was undetermined".

According to Kopp, point of origin was near the rear of the building, and made it's way up into the second floor of the abandoned structure. Upon arrival to the scene the team began their initial attack on the rear side of the building. "We quickly realized that the fire was too dug in and regrouped" said Kopp. With good firefighting ability they were able to contain the fire damage to the second floor of the two story building. Training opportunity Though the structure would have been an easy one to let burn completely in a controlled burn, they were able to work with their crew and use the event as an opportunity to develop the skills of those involved. With an abandoned building, far enough from other structures, and with no immediate risk of injury to citizens, a fire such as this can serve as an opportunity for units to train "in the moment" and under relatively controlled conditions.

The origin of the blaze is said to have been near the back of the structure.

Support from the region

In speaking with the firefighters, though "no fire is a good fire" there was a positive response from the team on how they handled the event. They were able to maintain control of the fire, keeping it to the first alarm, due to the timely response of the supporting crews. The mutual aid of Groveton, Strafford Hollow, Whitefield, Jefferson helped on scene, with Lunnenburg and Dalton arriving to cover the station. Chief Flynn, Assistant Chief Kopp, and Assistant Chief Joubert all expressed gratitude for the assistance on the high profile burn. "Mid-Day on a weekend before Christmas. With the large crowd of locals on site...that's hard." said Kopp. Referring to the high visibility of the crew as they worked the scene and battled the blaze.

The fire was contained and most of the burn was on the second floor of the abandoned building. Lancaster Fire Department is currently seeking new members to assist their other volunteer members. If you're interested in joining the team as an EMS or Firefighter, or just an interest in helping, please contact them. The Fire department can be reached at 603-788-3221 or by email at [email protected]. Read the full article

#FacebookVideo #fire #Lancaster #LiveStream

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Citizen & Volunteer of the Year

Littleton Area Chamber of Commerce Now Accepting Nominations for Citizen of the Year & Volunteer of the Year Beginning with its Annual Meeting in January 1969, the Chamber began recognizing the outstanding contributions to community life by an individual and presenting them with the Citizen of the Year Award. A nominee for Citizen of the Year should be an individual with exemplary vision, pride, and commitment to the betterment of society or someone who has performed unselfish acts for their town and its citizens or has an exemplary record of personal service. Each year since 2017 the Chamber has also bestowed the Volunteer of the Year award to an outstanding and dedicated volunteer in the Littleton area. A nominee for Volunteer of the Year should be a current volunteer at one or multiple organizations who works tirelessly to enhance their community and the lives of others through selfless dedication to the organization and the people it serves. Nominees for either award should live and/or volunteer within the 50-mile member service radius of the Littleton Area Chamber of Commerce but do not need to be a member or associated with a member organization. Nominations are being accepted online at littletonareachamber.com. The nomination deadline is Friday, December 21, 2018, at 4 pm. The awards will be presented at the 97th Annual Meeting & Dinner on Thursday, January 24, 2019, at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel. For more information, please contact the Littleton Area Chamber of Commerce at 603-444-6561 or [email protected] About LACC The Littleton Area Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization, our mission is to promote economic development in the Littleton area by attracting and growing local business, providing valuable resources to our membership and branding the area for tourists and relocation. Read the full article

#annualdinner #citizenoftheyearaward #LACC #LittletonAreaChamber #LittletonAreaChamberofCommerce #PRPost #volunteeroftheyearaward

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31st Annual Christmas Caring Tree

31st Annual Christmas Caring Tree In an effort to help underprivileged children in our North County community have a magical holiday, Ammonoosuc Community Health Services and Littleton Regional Healthcare is supporting the 31st Annual “Christmas Caring Tree Project.” This project is a joint community effort. It includes support from Ammonoosuc Community Health Services and Littleton Regional Healthcare. As well as Garnet Hill, Littleton Area Rotary Club members, Passumpsic Savings Bank, and the Boys and Girls Club of the North Country. The Caring Tree The Caring Trees will be located in the lower atrium of Littleton Regional Healthcare outside the cafeteria and in the lobby of the Medical Office Building. It will be decorated with tags identifying children in need by first name, age, sex, and size. The tag will also include each child’s wish to make their holiday season a special one. LRH invites community members to choose a tag from the tree and purchase a special gift to make each child’s wish come true. Gifts Info Unwrapped gifts, including the tag/label, should be delivered to the Boys and Girls Club in Lisbon, N.H. by Friday, December 7, 2018. Gail Clark, director of marketing and community relations at Littleton Regional Healthcare stated, “This project is very important to families in Littleton and surrounding towns. It would not be possible without Amy Venezia who leads the initiative for Ammonoosuc Community Health Services. Littleton Regional Healthcare, along with other area businesses, share the gift tags with employees and community members of children who will enjoy a gift on Christmas day. More than 300 generous supporters select tags and purchase gifts for all of the children." Anyone interested in selecting a gift tag should stop by LRH. If you are in need or know someone in need of help this holiday season, please call Amy Venezia at 603.444.8245. If you would like LRH to put aside gift tags for you to support the Caring Tree, please call 603.444.9304. Read the full article

#Christmas #LittletonRegionalHealthcare #LittletonRegionalHospital #LRH #PRPost

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6th Annual Holiday Craft Fair

LRH Hosts Holiday Craft Fair Littleton Regional Healthcare will host its 6th Annual LRH Holiday Craft Fair. The fair will be held at the LRH campus in the Medical Office Building. It will be free and open to the public on Saturday, December 1, 2018, from 9 am – 2 pm. Event Details More than 50 crafters will be on hand with a variety of crafts to choose from. Some crafters will be coming as far away as Manchester, NH. Items that will be on display and on sale include pottery, jewelry, wooden laser cut jewelry and crafts. Other items will include glassware, primitive house décor, ornaments, knit and crocheted items, handwoven baskets, leather, and handmade items, soaps, quilted items and more. There is NO entrance fee to attend! They ask that all vendors make a donation of a gift for a spectacular raffle. The raffle will be held at the end of the event. Raffle tickets can be purchased on the day of the event for $5 for one and $10 for three tickets. Winners do not need to be at the drawing as LRH will follow up with winners the Monday following the Fair. Family Support Team Proceeds from the event support the Family Support Team at LRH. The Family Support Team provides support to the families and loved ones of our patients in two very distinct ways. First, in-hospital support is provided by volunteers who serve as a quiet presence for families to lean on, and who help orient loved-ones to our facility, assist the family in accessing resources and serve as a family liaison to the clinical staff. Secondly, Family Support Team volunteers help coordinate bereavement resources for families experiencing a loss at our facility, including providing survivors with information about support groups and other community resources to help with their grief. Questions can be directed to 603.444.9304. Read the full article

#familysupportteam #holidaycraftfair #LittletonRegionalHealthcare #LRH

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WMSI’s Makers on the Move

WMSI’s Moving to Littleton Starting from humble roots in Bethlehem, White Mountain Science, Inc. (WMSI) is now solidifying those deepening roots further. They will transplant this month into the heart of New Hampshire’s north country, up the road in Littleton. The newly remodeled 23 Ammonoosuc building, nestled on the banks of its namesake river, will be the new home base of WMSI’s engineering feats and creative problem-solving. They will share the building with several other local businesses, including the Littleton Studio School and Lyengar Yoga North. WMSI has grown steadily in its north country reach since it’s 2013 inception. This exciting grant-funded move comes as their programs continue to sprawl throughout the region. WMSI’s footprint will be much larger in its new home. It will include multiple dedicated classroom spaces, an outside space for sunny day programming, and an exciting new Makerspace.

WMSI's Programs At the core of all of WMSI’s programs is the maker culture. It is the idea and firm belief that anyone can design and create--whether that be a computer program, a game, a robot, or a piece of furniture--for themselves, either from scratch or through tinkering with existing designs and the right tools. The innovative tools are certainly coming along for the ride. 3D printers, laser cutters, wood CNC machines, electronics, and more will fill the new Makerspace. This will give a perfect platform for creation, engineering, tinkering, and future programming. Seeking to expand on their current base of after-school STEM programs, in-house camps, and teacher professional development, WMSI will have extended capability to thrive in this larger space. This will increase the availability of these valuable programs to local students, teachers, and the public. Summer Camps will receive a big boost next year. Campers will have the opportunity to spread out. Spaces will be specifically designed for engineering and creative problem solving with coding, robotics, game design, data, movie-making, and animation. In bringing this expanded programming to the Littleton area, WMSI hopes to solidify and bolster its connection with the local community, which has always been a core value within its mission. Community Support There is perhaps no better example of the support WMSI has garnered from the local community than its relationship with the Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network (WREN). Their support and assistance to this point has been of vital importance to WMSI and its thriving mission. It’s because of the support of organizations like WREN and the Tillotson Foundation that WMSI is so firmly tied into the local community. The move to Littleton will present an opportunity to strengthen those community bonds further as they soar to new heights. WMSI is excited for this new step in exciting North Country students and adults about engineering, design, and creative problem-solving. About WMSI White Mountain Science, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit that believes in education both inside, and outside the classroom. They believe that by providing these Summer Camps and after-school workshops on STEAM education, they will be building the future Engineers, Scientists, Explorers and Designers of the next generation. For more information, contact [email protected] or visit whitemountainscience.org. Read the full article

#littleton #NorthCountry #PRPost #whitemountainscienceinc #wmsi

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Healthcare Security and Safety Week

LRH to Host Healthcare Security and Safety Week From October 7 - 13, 2018, Littleton Regional Healthcare would like to recognize our security team for the role they play in ensuring that the safety of patients, visitors, and staff. This week also consists of Healthcare Security and Safety Officer Appreciation Day on October 10, 2018. The International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) plays a major role in celebrating and acknowledging the importance of security. We thank our security team for their commitment to LRH and the care they provide for us. The security team consists of full time, part time, and per diem staff who are here at LRH 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our Security Supervisor, Brad Sargent, has done an outstanding job at building the team and leading them to success in demonstrating proper procedures. We are grateful to have a team with such dedication. For more information about Healthcare Security and Safety Week, visit the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS). You can also contact LRH and ask for the Security Department at [phone]. Read the full article

#healthcaresecurityandsafetyweek #LittletonRegionalHealthcare #LRH #PRPost #safety

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New Alpine Practice Manager

The Alpine Clinic Appoints New Practice Manager The Alpine Clinic is pleased to announce the appointment of Rick H. Senn, Practice Manager who will oversee the activities at five Alpine Clinic locations including Franconia, Littleton, Plymouth, North Conway and physical therapy in Franconia. About Rick. H. Senn

Rick H. Senn, Practice Manager Senn graduated from the University of Missouri, Columbia. He received his Bachelor’s degree in general studies with a focus on health service management, community development, and geography. He comes to Littleton Regional Healthcare with more than 20 years in practice management and administration. Most recently, Senn served as practice director at the Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital – Surgical and Specialty Care Clinics. There he managed multiple surgical practice specialties and pain management. Prior, he served as practice manager of operations at Mercy Medical Group in St Louis, MO. He was also practice manager at SSM Medical Group in St Louis, MO. Senn looks forward to working with the physicians, providers, and staff at The Alpine Clinic to serve patients and their families throughout the communities we serve. Senn brings a strong background in physician practice management which will lend itself to patient satisfaction and outstanding care. For additional information about The Alpine Clinic, please call 603.823.8600. Read the full article

#LittletonRegionalHealthcare #PRPost #thealpineclinic

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Gallery at WREN 2019 Season

2019 Season Call for Art, With a Focus on Emerging Artists 2019 marks the 25th anniversary of WREN. A nationally recognized nonprofit in Bethlehem, WREN provides education, resources, and opportunity for rural small businesses. They also enhance the vibrancy and economic vitality of the North Country. To celebrate this milestone anniversary, the 2019 Season at the Gallery will feature exhibits that pair "legacy" and "emerging" artists. "Legacy" artists are those who have featured prominently in WREN's history. "Emerging" those up-and-coming members whose artistic vision represents the next generation of rural artists. Fine artists and artisans are encouraged to apply for a month-long show in the 2019 Season. The show will be held in the premier fine arts gallery in the North Country of New Hampshire. The Gallery serves as a programmatic extension of WREN. The gallery supports the organization’s mission to improve lives and livelihoods through economic, educational, personal, and community development. More than just a place for accomplished artists to exhibit their art, the gallery works with each artist to provide the necessary business tools needed for growth. Applications for the 2019 Season can be found online at www.wrenworks.org/gallery and are due on October 15. There is no application fee, and notifications will be made by mid November. To learn more about the Season and to apply, please visit the website for the online application form or email [email protected]. In addition to the monthly juried exhibits, the 2019 Season will continue to feature the gallery’s popular open-call member shows. They take place in April and December. They also provide additional opportunities to celebrate the remarkable diversity and talent in our midst.

The Gallery at WREN The Gallery at WREN sets the standard for fine art galleries in the North Country. Established in 2001, the Gallery serves as a cultural outlet for the creative expression of a community. The public can gather to enjoy, learn about and appreciate art. Open year-round, the Gallery presents a new show each month. They feature local and regional artists who have been carefully selected by a juried committee, along with two popular open-call group shows for WREN members. The Gallery was a catalyst for Bethlehem, NH’s First Friday events on Main Street. In addition to monthly Meet the Artist receptions during First Friday, the Gallery hosts a variety of events throughout the year including artist talks, demonstrations, slideshows, and workshops, all aimed at directly engaging people with art and art-making. About WREN WREN is a nationally recognized not-for-profit that provides and supports strategies for entrepreneurial businesses, access to markets, Main Street revitalization, and rural economic development. WREN inspires possibilities, creates opportunities, and builds connections and is dedicated to bringing rural people together to realize better lives and livelihoods by providing resources, education, and opportunity. For further information, visit www.wrenworks.org.

Read the full article

#Bethlehem #PRPost #thegalleryatwren #WREN

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Sugar Hill Fire-Rescue Annual Open House

Sugar Hill Fire-Rescue to Host Annual Open House Chief Allan Clark of the Sugar Hill Fire-Rescue advises that on Saturday, October 6th from 11 AM to 2 PM the Sugar Hill Fire Department will be holding an Open House for all those interested in attending. Chief Clark advises, “This is one of the ways the firefighters thank the community for their support and it provides an opportunity for those who attend to view our wonderful equipment, ask questions, and obtain fire prevention information.” The event will have activities for children including using a live fire hose. This year children will have the opportunity to put out a house fire.

What to Expect The department’s apparatus and specialized equipment will be on display and firefighters will be available to demonstrate the equipment. Firefighters will be available to discuss what it is like to be a firefighter and the challenges that they face. The Sugar Hill Police Department will be present with information and handouts. The Franconia Life Squad will have members in attendance to offer free health screenings. The Pemigewasset Valley Search & Rescue Team will also be present and will provide HikeSafe information as well as demonstrate the rescue equipment they use. The Open House is intended for all ages. There will be special activities for children as part of the department’s Fire Prevention Week activities. The department will provide a free lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs and chili including the Chief’s famous chowder.  All are invited and you do not need to be a resident to attend. Sugar Hill Fire Captain Brinson Ireland practices ventilation techniques at a recent training session. Read the full article

#firepreventionweek #hikesafe #SugarHill #sugarhillpolicedepartment

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2018 Gathering of the Jack-o-Lanterns

Seasonal attraction explodes in size (Documentary Video on the event below)

It's that time of year again. As the last day of September rolls past us, and the leaves continue to turn and "fall", we once again revisit some of the amazing cultural experiences that bless our region - Zombie Parades and rivers of pumpkins! The 2018 Gathering of the Jack-o-Lanterns, the annual event started by Dave harkless of Littleton Bike and Fitness, is set to be held on Saturday, October 27th. Over the years the town has seen the event grow from a small idea, to a cultural attaction, bringing in thousands of people for the display. What started as an idea during the aftermath of a hurricane, the event has expanded each season to bring more activities, opportunities, and excitement to Littleton, and surrounding towns. This year the events include the annual Zombie walk/Parade, the pumpkin display along the covered bridge and a festival style food court complete with midway style events, food trucks and activites. Topping it all off is the Littleton PD/FD sponsored/monitored bonfire. Sponsored now by the Littleton Area Chamber of Commerce, the complete list of scheduled activities and times are located here:

2018 Schedule Of Events

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26 Noon–5pm (Thursday, Friday, & Saturday) – Pumpkins that have already been carved may be dropped off at Littleton Bike & Fitness. Candles will be provided. 6pm – Annual Boofest at the Colonial Theater in Bethlehem featuring Marko The Magician. More information at bethlehemevents.org 7pm – 11pm – Live Music & Costume Party at The Loading Dock featuring Mad Cat Habitat $10 – All ages – Doors @ 6:30p. This night will be a diverse musical offering to the realms of hallowed out pumpkins. Not to be missed! Visit theloadingdocknh.com for more information SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 10am–12pm – Annual Littleton Police Department Halloween Festival at Littleton High School for grades K–6. Pumpkin carving contest, bouncy houses, Home Depot kids build kits, face painting, donuts and cider. Participants are encouraged to bring a ready-to-carve pumpkin (scooped out); there will be a limited number of pumpkins available on a first-come, first-served basis. 11am -6pm – Deep Earth Arts Open House They’ll be opening their new studio space at 97 Main Street for an Open House celebration! Come by to check out our new space and all the different retail offerings we have. Josh will be offering 20-minute readings for $20 starting at 2 pm and we’ll be there right up until the Gathering of the Jack o’Lanterns begins at 6 pm! Noon–2pm – Chili Cook-off at the Littleton Food Co-op. Visit littletoncoop.com for more information 1pm – 4pm – Become a Zombie for the evening’s festivities and Zombie Walk! Stop by Aylakai on Main Street. You bring your costume they’ll help with the makeup. 2pm–4pm – Downtown Trick-or-Treat on Main St. and Mill St. Look for “Welcome Trick or Treaters” signs in participating shop windows. No Sign, No Treats! 3pm–9pm – Rock climbing, trampoline bungee jumping, basketball, and duck pond with Vertical Entertainment. Glow-in-the-dark novelties will also be available. Tickets $5-7 per activity. 3pm–9pm – Food Trucks Fill up with delicious food from local vendors and food trucks located along Riverglen Lane. 3pm–6pm – The Pumpkin Patch Hangout at the First Congregational Church. Warm food and kid-friendly activities available. Visit 1stconglittleton.org for more information. 5pm – Zombie Walk All Zombies are encouraged to meet at Aylakai on Main Street for the ghoulish infestation of the Riverwalk Area. 5pm–8pm – Snacks & Treats at the Littleton Senior Center including a variety of delicious baked goods, warm beverages and more! 6pm–9pm – The Haunted Organ at the Riverglen Gazebo Presented by Dick Alberini. 6pm–9pm – Gathering of the Jack‘O’Lanterns. View hundreds of pumpkins carved by members of the community, illuminating the Ammonoosuc River. Enjoy a bonfire built and lit by the Littleton Volunteer Fire Department. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28 12:00pm – Zombie Run/Walk to benefit Parker Mountain Trails – Sponsored by Littleton Bike & Fitness, Parker Mountain Trails & Littleton Parks & Recreation. Stay tuned for more details! Documentary on the Event And for a deep look at the 2017 festival, the history of the event, and interviews with organizers, participants, and supporters, have a look at the video created last year for Granite North TV (Then LATV) by local production company Phlume Media: https://vimeo.com/277921067 Read the full article

#chamberofcommerce #community #Festival #Halloween #jack-o-lanterns #littleton

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Mill Street Construction Update

The construction crew has completed the new storm drain system from the Mill St. parking lot through Ammonoosuc St. They will continue down Saranac St. On Monday October 1st another crew will start removing the old road base materials and installing new gravels in the Mill St. parking lot. There will be a lot of equipment and dump trucks moving through this area so they can complete this section as quickly as possible. We ask that you spread the word and please during the day try to avoid the parking area. The parking lot will open at the end of the day but we ask that cars are moved out of this area by 7 AM at the latest if parking overnight. The less that the contractor has to deal with parked cars, the faster this process will go. For any businesses having deliveries, we will accommodate delivery trucks to come through this area. We thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time. The contractor is hoping to have this area paved by the second or third week of October. Read the full article

#construction #littleton #MillStreet #PRPost

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Community Field Day, Today, Sept 30th

NCSC to host Recovery & Community Field Day

The North Country Serenity Center (NCSC) will host its Recovery & Community Field Day on Sunday, September 30. From 1 PM to 7 PM enjoy games, raffles, a dunk tank, and even a Cornhole Tournament with 50/50 prize! Winners of the tournament will get half of the proceeds, while the other half will go to the Serenity Center. To enter the tournament, it's a $20 registration fee for teams of two. Music and BBQ will also be provided throughout the day. At the end of the evening, join the closing ceremony, which will be a candlelight vigil hosted by The Addicts Mom. The Recovery & Community Field Day will be held at Apthorp Common, 23 Tamarac Street in Littleton. For questions or to register, contact Doris at [phone] or [email protected]. About NCSC The mission of NCSC is to educate, support and guide individuals, families and the community affected by substance misuse disorder and help them discover paths to recovery. We are a non-profit recovery community organization providing peer recovery support services to empower and support individuals looking to initiate and sustain a program of recovery. Read the full article

#apthorpcommon #family-friendly #fieldday #littleton #NCSC #PRPost

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Working the Layers opens Oct 5th

The Gallery at WREN presents works by Nancy E. Adams and Martha Elmes On Friday, October 5, from 5 PM - 7PM, the Gallery at WREN presents the opening reception of Working the Layers. The reception features two artists who work in layered mediums to achieve reflections of the world around us. Nancy E. Adams is a mixed-medium encaustic artist who manipulates hand-dyed cotton to mimic colorful sunrises, sunsets, and ocean storms. Martha Elmes is a paper artist, printer, and painter who layers and arranges her mediums to create imaginative, winsome, and provocative pieces. Both artists invite viewers to spend time with their works. They hope viewers contemplate not just the product, but also the process of creating art. The opening reception is part of the monthly First Friday events in Bethlehem. Which includes exhibits at 42 Maple Contemporary Art Center, Maia Papaya, and Rek•Lis Brewery. After the reception, Working the Layers will be on display in the Gallery at WREN during the month of October. The Gallery is open daily from 10 AM - 5PM. Working the Layers is generously sponsored by Cherry Blossom Floral Design of Littleton, NH, who is a long-time supporter of WREN and WREN artists. About Martha Elmes Martha Elmes is an artist and art educator with a BA from St. Lawrence University and a MA in Arts and Education from Lesley University. Elmes is a longtime Adjunct Art Faculty at Lyndon State College and past resident at the Vermont Studio Center. After teaching Art in area schools for over 40 years, she is now a paper artist, printer, and painter. Elmes has exhibited in many Vermont galleries, including Burlington's Flynn Theater for Discover Jazz commemorating Miles Davis and the music of "Bitches Brew", and the "Arts Connects" Juried show at Catamount Arts. She has work in galleries in New Orleans on Royal Street, New Hampshire, and Vermont. About Nancy E. Adams Nancy E. Adams is a mixed-media encaustic artist who blends her interests in photography and fiber arts with the luminous quality of beeswax to create dreamlike seascapes and landscapes. Her technique of manipulating hand-dyed cotton contrasts with the more traditional process wherein color is achieved through the use of colored encaustic medium. Recurring ocean and mountain themes predominate and are a reflection of the artist's New England heritage. Adams enjoyed a 25-year horticultural career with UNH Cooperative Extension before pursuing her artistic talents full time. Adams established Studio 25 in 2004 as a NH fiber arts studio dedicated to creating functional art - scarves, handbags and fashion accessories. That same year, she became a juried member of the League of NH Craftsmen (LNHC). Her work can be seen at LNHC retail stores, Exeter Fine Crafts, at WREN, and on her website: www.studio25nh.com.

About the Gallery at WREN The Gallery at WREN sets the standard for fine art galleries in the North Country. Established in 2001, the Gallery serves as a cultural outlet for the creative expression of a community. It's a place where the public can gather to enjoy, learn about and appreciate art. Open year-round, the Gallery presents a new show each month. It features local and regional artists who have been carefully selected by a juried committee. Along with two popular open-call group shows for WREN members. The Gallery was a catalyst for Bethlehem, NH’s First Friday events on Main Street. In addition to monthly Meet the Artist receptions during First Friday, the Gallery hosts a variety of events throughout the year. This includes artist talks, demonstrations, slideshows, and workshops. All are aimed at directly engaging people with art and art-making. About WREN WREN is a nationally recognized not-for-profit that provides and supports strategies for entrepreneurial development, access to markets, Main Street revitalization, and rural economic development. WREN inspires possibilities, creates opportunities, and builds connection through community and is dedicated to bringing rural people together to realize better lives and livelihoods by providing resources, education, and opportunity. For further information, visit www.wrenworks.org. Read the full article

#Bethlehem #Gallery #PRPost #thegalleryatwren #WREN

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River District Construction Update

New Sewer System Work Completed With the exception of a few very minor items, the construction of the new sewer system is complete. The new system consists of approximately 3,000 linear feet of new sewer pipe to replace the previously failing system. All of the residences and businesses throughout the corridor have been connected to the new system. "We knew that the construction of the sewer would be the most complex aspect of the entire job and it has gone better than we could have imagined." - Colin Dinsmore the Lead Engineer, HEB Engineers As can be expected with 50+ year old clay pipes, many of the existing pipes had significant damage. The damage allowed groundwater to infiltrate and cause excessive amounts of flow to the Town’s wastewater treatment facility. With the completion of the new sewer system, there will already be benefits as the amount of flow to the treatment facility should be decreasing Minor Setbacks In general, sewer construction has gone very well. There have been only a few things that have slowed the contractor down during the sewer construction phase: The section of sewer between the Curran Foot Bridge and Ammonoosuc Street was very deep, This required stackable trench boxes to keep the workers safe. This section was the deepest in the entire project and was over ten feet deep. In order to not disrupt the sewer service for residents and businesses, the existing sewer had to be left in working order until most of the new sewer was installed. This made installing some of the new sewer difficult because the old sewer pipes were made out of clay and are very fragile. The new sewer is located very close to the old sewer, so extra caution had to be made to not damage the existing pipes. Also, the existing sewer manholes were completely made out of brick and crumble easily. In addition, there were several times that the contractor had to utilize large pumps in order to bypass the sewer so that connections could be made between the new sewer and existing sewer systems. In the parking lot by the covered bridge, an old foundation was found and needed to be removed in order to install the new sewer. Also, several large rocks/boulders needed to be either ripped out or hammered for removal. An old rock retaining wall or foundation was discovered that ran almost the entire length of the Mill St. Parking lot. The contractor has done a great job of working through these unforeseen issues and staying on track. Upcoming Work Scheduled The contractor will soon begin installing the new drainage system. They will start at the Bank parking lot and move west (towards Saranac Street). Then a second crew will start box cutting the existing roadway and installing new gravel in order to pave the parking lot between the Bank and Mill Street. It is anticipated that this work will be completed and the first course of pavement will be installed around the second week of October. After work on the east end is completed, the construction crews will backtrack and begin roadway reconstruction efforts on Saranac Street and the western end of Ammonoosuc Street. Remaining Work Construction is on track to have the majority of work completed this year. The new utility systems will be completed and operational. The new lighting is anticipated to be installed and operational. The goal is to have all the roadways and sidewalks reconstructed with the first course of pavement installed before winter shuts down construction operations. Construction will resume in the spring of 2019 to complete the outstanding tasks. Those tasks are anticipated to include landscaping, top course of pavement and pavement striping. Substantial completion is anticipated to be around the second week in May 2019. Read the full article

#Ammonoosuc #community #construction #littleton #Saranac #sewerproject #update

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Child Passenger Safety Week

Child Passenger Safety Week is September 23-29 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is sponsoring Child Passenger Safety Week September 23 - 29. This is a time to stop and ensure that our children are safe while on the roads. It’s really important to double check that you set up your child’s car seat correctly. Nearly half are not. Littleton Regional Healthcare offers a car seat inspection station at its Sauter Birthing Suite. To schedule an inspection, you may call 603-444-9567. Child safety seats are not just for very young children. Starting January 1, 2014, New Hampshire law (RSA265:107-a) requires that its children ride in an appropriate safety seat until they are 7 years old or 57 inches tall (whichever comes first). When is a child ready for just a seat belt? Here are the requirements: Your child must be able to set all the way back against the vehicle seat. Your child’s knees must bend comfortably at the edge of the vehicle seat. The seatbelt must cross the shoulder between the neck and the arm. The lap belt must be as low as possible and touch the thighs. The child must stay seated like this for the whole trip. If you answered “no” to any of these, your child is not ready for a seatbelt.  Vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death in children. More than one out of three (1/3) of those children were not buckled at all. Do your part in keeping our children safe. For more information, point your browser to the NHTSA webpages at https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats. Read the full article

#childsafetyweek #LittletonRegionalHealthcare #nhtsa #PRPost

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Littleton Regional Recruiting New Volunteers

LRH Volunteer Department Recruiting Additional Volunteers Charron Sundman, Interim Volunteer Director at Littleton Regional Healthcare, is looking for approximately 20 new volunteers. According to Sundman, “Though we currently have a large and vibrant group of volunteers, there are always areas that we can do an even better job of customer service for our patients and the hospital staff.” Research shows that volunteering just three hours a week is a wonderful way to keep healthy. Feeling needed and helping others is a great way to give back to your community. “Knowing that you have made a patient’s day a little bit brighter is a wonderful feeling”, notes Sundman. Volunteer Needs

Currently, they are looking for men and women who can volunteer for three hours once or twice a week. They are also looking for home-schooled high school students. Particularly, individuals who are available between the hours of 9 AM - Noon or 1 PM - 4 PM once a week. New volunteers get to choose the day and time that best fits their schedule. They will be trained by current volunteers. Volunteering opportunities that are especially needed at the moment include greeting patients and visitors at one of their six volunteer desks located throughout the hospital and medical office building. They include the Front Desk at the main entrance to the hospital, the volunteer desk in the Same Day Surgery waiting room, the reception desks in the Upper and Lower Atrium of the medical office building and the volunteer desk at the main entrance to the medical office building. The hospital’s gift shop is also looking for new volunteers to staff two locations. First, in the shop located in the hospital. Also at the gift cart in the main lobby of the medical office building. More Information For more information and to receive an application packet, please contact Charron Sundman by phone at 603.444.9207 or by email at [email protected]. Volunteering at LRH offers you the opportunity to make new friends. It also give individuals a chance to help patients and their families. Volunteers assist with many tasks including navigation throughout the hospital and medical office building. Sundman suggests that if you have been thinking about volunteering at Littleton Regional Healthcare, this is the perfect time to call and find out more about the program. You too can become a member of their fantastic team of volunteers who make a real difference at LRH.

Read the full article

#LittletonRegionalHealthcare #PRPost #volunteer