COMMUNITY NEWS - First Congregational Church of ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
COMMUNITY NEWS
April—May 2022
Published by: Kensington Congregational Church
Worship Services: Sundays at 10 AM
108 Amesbury Road, Kensington, NH 03833 Secretary: Lisa Perrault
Church phone: 772-5821 Office Hours: Call for appointment
Church email: KCC1737@yahoo.com Newsletter editor: Pam Schwotzer 772-6660
Pastor: Reverend G. Jeffrey MacDonald Newsletter email: kensingtoncommunitynews@gmail.com
Website: kensingtonnhchurch.com Community News is also available on our website
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Meghan Gross, President
Greetings friends and neighbors!
As you’ve probably all seen
while driving through town, the
windows on the North School
have been removed for restora-
tion by NH window restoration
specialist, Arch Weathers. We
would like to give our sincere
thanks to those of you who have
donated to this special project. APPLE BLOSSOM ARTS AND CRAFT FAIR
Your contributions help us to Save the date: Saturday, May 21, 2022 from 9-3
maintain the schoolhouse and Kensington Congregational Church
preserve this important piece of 108 Amesbury Rd. in Kensington, NH
Kensington history for the com-
munity. Some of the donors were
members of the last graduating Spring brings sunny days, picnics, graduations, birthdays and wed-
class at the North School in dings. Are you looking for the perfect gift? Come see what is of-
1952, seen to the right. Do you fered by local artisans, crafters and bakers! Tables will be both in-
see any of your family members side and outside. Tickets for free horse rides and an antique carriage
or friends here?? We’d love to display will also be available.
hear their story! Continental breakfast and full luncheon fare will be served. There
This year, we look forward to will be a perennial plant sale for all you flower gardeners. Take a
welcoming the 4th graders at the chance at the apple blossom tree; you might be the lucky one to se-
North School again for a presen- lect a $100 Walmart gift certificate. Also the famous KCC pies will
tation from a former student who be on sale. A display of apple blossom pictures colored by Kensing-
(Historical, cont’d on p. 3) ton kids will add flair to the springtime atmosphere. (See elsewhere
in this issue for more info on that!)
NEXT DEADLINE In conjunction with the fair there will be a food and
Our next issue is our summer staples drive to help those in need in our community.
issue, covering June, July & Attention Crafters and Artisans: There are still some
August 2022. Submissions are arts and crafts tables available. Please contact the church 603-772-
due to us by Friday, May 13, 5821 or email at: kcc1737@yahoo.com, and you will be put in
2022. See the back cover for contact with the coordinator.
how to get your news to us.
10 (Palm Sunday). More details in need
will be posted on our website: • Religious education for
kensingtonnhchurch.com. children
• A day care or preschool
Easter sunrise service is a program \
favorite Kensington tradition. It • Supports for seniors to prevent
happens outdoors at the highest loneliness
point in town: 42 Stumpfield Road. • Community discussion forums
This year, we gather at 5:30 AM, to seek solutions to common
and worship starts at 5:45 AM problems
on April 17th. . If it’s bad weather, • Settings to discuss the Bible
we’ll still begin at 5:45 but the and ways to apply its insights
location will be moved to in daily life
Kensington Church, 108 • Support groups for people
Amesbury Road. coping with loss, addiction or
Our main Easter service with common challenges
joyous music will be at 10:00 at • A café where folks could hang
the church. I hope you’ll join us out, sip coffee and chat
and bring friends as we celebrate • Space for local artists to
Interim Minister’s Corner
the holiest day of the year. connect and/or display their
By the Rev. Jeff MacDonald
work
Kensington Church Helps Then 11:30am on April 24, we
• Or something else…
have another treat in store when
Neighbors Connect
Kensington native and UNH senior If you send me your ideas for what
Spring is here (woot!), and Sawyer Rogers provides a unique would help the people of our town
Kensington Congregation Church window into our community. For flourish in new ways, I’ll share
wants to help you connect with his college thesis, Sawyer them with other church leaders.
your neighbors as the weather gets conducted historical research and We can’t do everything, of course,
more hospitable. Let me tell you surveyed residents to find out the but we can make relevant
what’s in the works and also seek state and nature of social capital contributions in partnership with
your input. What would you love (community/people resources) in you, our neighbors. Please send me
to see the church doing to help Kensington. His presentation will your thoughts:
folks in town connect? go over trust between neighbors, revjeffkensington@gmail.com.
First, a few highlights: involvement in community
organizations, voter turnout, KCC IS HYBRID! Join us 10AM
Coffee hour is back. This means activity at the KCC and so much Sundays in person or through
our lively 10 AM worship service more from 1945 to today. Zoom at bit.ly/KCCworship.
is followed by refreshments,
laughter & fellowship. Coffee hour Soon we’ll be planting our Giving
provides a casual opportunity to Garden at Crow’s Feat Farm.
meet neighbors of all generations What we grow there will help feed
and feel more connected to the hungry in our area. Drop me a TOWN CLERK
Kensington. line (my email is below) if you’d Sarah Wiggin
like to be part of this fun gardening
Conversation about being ministry, and I’ll share more info Please license your
human and Christian spirituality with you. dogs by April 30th. Renewals can
happens every Monday. We be done online through the town
gather at 4:30 for social time; Looking ahead, I’d welcome your website as long as the rabies is up
begin the session at 4:45 with a input. Kensington Church is doing to date. Any new dogs need to be
short video; then discuss and research this year to rediscover done in person and show proof of
adjourn by 6:00. This goes until who lives in Kensington and current rabies certificate. If you
mid-May, so jump in anytime. what’s needed to help them have any questions or updates for
Location is hybrid: in person at flourish. Which types of offerings your animals that need to be made,
108 Amesbury Road and online at would you love to see from the please call me at 603-772-5423 x
bit.ly/KCCworship. church? For example: 1.
Holy Week services begin April • Mission projects to help locals
Page 2
(Historical, cont’d from p. 1) hours when our volunteers are at
Lastly, the Historical Society has work, and four new EMTs will
is in the photograph with this arti- been actively seeking a space to make a big difference.
cle! The students will come for display historic agricultural equip-
their annual field trip this spring ment and other memorabilia from As we move into spring, we start
and we are delighted to host their Kensington. A generous donation seeing more calls for brush fires.
visit in-person again. from the Evans family has put us in Please remember to call us for a
a position to create a really interest- burn permit, or use the online per-
We will be hosting our annual
ing exhibit for the community if we mit system, and check fire condi-
Yard Sale again this year on Au-
can find a space! If you or anyone tions and restrictions before you
gust 12, 13, and 14. This is our
you know has a space that we can burn. All fires should be attended
main fundraising event and pro-
use to display our growing collec- at all times, and thoroughly extin-
ceeds go toward the maintenance
tion, please reach out to us. Barns guished when done. When you set
of the North School and other spe-
and outbuildings are preferable! your clocks forward, we hope you
cial projects that the Historical
Society has planned. The sale will We can be reached on our new In- checked that smoke detectors and
stagram page CO detectors are working and
be one weekend only this year,
(@kensingtonhxsociety) and on have fresh batteries. If not, it’s a
but we will be at the schoolhouse
Facebook; or via email at kensing- good time to check now! If you
every Saturday morning in July to
tonhxsociety@gmail.com. We hope need help with these, call the non-
collect and price items, presale
to hear from you! emergency number at 603-772-
items, and to show you around the
5751.
schoolhouse! If you see the
“Open” sign out front, please stop KENSINGTON FIRE & RESCUE We are still recruiting for new
in to have a look around, intro- Ben Cole members! If you’re interested in
duce yourself, or donate or buy serving your community as part of
items! Please think of us during Please join us in thanking our for- a great team, contact Chief True or
your “spring cleaning” and donate mer Deputy Chief, Jason Greene, any member of the department, or
items (no clothing or electronics) who has stepped down from his drop by the station on any Tuesday
to our sale by calling Frank Whit- officer role to focus on a new job, night. We provide all the training
temore (603-867-4458) or Lor- while continuing to serve as a fire- you need.
raine O’Keefe (603-772-1179). fighter/EMT. We are grateful for
all of the experience he continues Finally, thank you to the commu-
Furniture, tools, and local memo-
to share. We are also proud to an- nity for supporting our warrant
rabilia are popular items with buy-
nounce the promotions of Scott articles this spring. We are hopeful
ers at the sale!
MacDougall to Deputy Chief, John that our grant application will be
We will also be participating in Lebel to Captain, and Ben Cole to successful, and we will be able to
the Congregational Church’s Ap- Lieutenant. acquire a new ambulance without
ple Blossom Festival on May 21 asking for additional funds from
and will have raffle baskets with Our first quarter was busy, includ- the taxpayers. Hopefully we will
local items up for grabs! Please ing fighting a 9-alarm fire in Salis- have good news to share in the
come say hello. bury, multiple carbon monoxide next issue!
calls, and various medical emer-
Now we’d like to ask for your gencies. It has been a busy start to (Right) At
help. We’ve created a short sur- Salisbury 9
the year in formal training as well, alarm fire;
vey to help us identify how we with Chris Hamel passing his EMT (Below)
can serve the community better. exams (congratulations!), and Jess Cleaning off
Please take 5 minutes of your time Minghella, Joshua Zani-Conklin, the salt
to fill out the survey online: and Tim Estey starting EMT class.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/ These EMT certifications are criti-
r/DVGS2S8 . Links can also be cal for the town, allowing us to im-
found on our Facebook page. Pa- prove patient care, and run our am-
per copies of the survey can be bulance more reliably without rely-
filled out at the library (just give ing on mutual aid, as state regula-
to Susie or Dana!). The survey tions require at least two EMTs to
will be open until April 15. We’d transport a patient. This can be a
really appreciate your feedback! challenge for us during daytime
Page 3
A Walk on the Wild hawk)—but they are also capable herons and osprey in the beaver
(life) Side of catching healthy and injured ponds there and eagles often
prey with their huge and powerful commandeer such nests as a
George W. Gavutis, Jr. talons. platform to build their own on—
sometimes weighing well over a
She fed for about ten minutes
before lifting off and landing in the thousand pounds.
The Eagle Has Landed
top of a large nearby pine tree. Deer by the Dozen—and a Half
Last column I wrote about
“Roadkill Offerings” –the After cleaning her beak and feet, I knew our deer population had
placement on our frozen ponds, of she winged of to the north, over been increasing, based on the
Cottage Hill. damage to our vegetable gardens
unfortunate wildlife that failed to
and Christmas tree plantation—but
survive attempts to cross our Two days later, I heard a raven
it was still very unusual to see
increasingly busy roads. This time squawking and looked up to see
more than a half-dozen does and
of year I am able to remove some “my” eagle swooping back in from
their fawns-of-the-year at any one
of them before other scavenging the north with a raven in hot
time. The day after a 12’’ snow in
species also get hit while trying to pursuit. It was soon joined by an
early March, a couple hours before
make a meal of the casualties. angry mob including our resident
dark, I noticed several deer coming
The large opossum I placed on the pair of red-tailed hawks and some
from Horse Hill walk out on the
ice had been pretty-well picked crows. I called to Sandra and a
pond ice and begin browsing on
clean by the numerous species I family friend who happened to be
shrubs around the edge. It was a bit
mentioned, after just a few days— visiting, and they were delighted
early for them to be emerging—but
but I was still hoping that we might and privileged to be able to witness
they acted hungry. They looked in
be lucky enough to get a bald the spectacle. The eagle almost
good shape for late winter and had
eagle. landed a couple times, but maybe
probably already been feeding on
because the pickings looked too
The next day, as I glanced up at the emerging sprouts of skunk
thin on the remains of the possum,
the ponds from reading in my cabbages, marsh marigolds
she gave in and soared off to the
observatory, I saw a very large (cowslips) and pussy willows in
south towards the Merrimack
bird, larger than a vulture, busily the swamps before the snow
River.
feeding on what little remained of covered them up again.
the “possum”. I grabbed my Since then, a friend who does a lot
Then I noticed a steady line of
binoculars and saw that my wish of bicycling very early in the
other deer following them—and I
had been granted. There it was, a morning, before the traffic gets
began to count—although I may
beautiful adult female bald eagle. heavy, has brought us a couple of
have missed some earlier. My final
That symbol of our country had intact cottontails which the red-
tally was eighteen, and by then
completely disappeared from NH tailed hawks have promptly
they were scattered over all the
as a nesting species, back in the consumed.
ponds and dikes. There were a
middle of the last century—thanks Our son Greg photographed an couple good-sized adult does and
to the prolific use of DDT and adult eagle a couple months ago, perhaps one medium-sized, antler-
other noxious pesticides. The flying over, carrying a gray less buck, but the majority
eagles and other “top of the food squirrel and landing in a large tree appeared to be fawns from last
chain” avian species were saved near the former Prescott house. May or June. One however was
from extinction by our banning of Because of all the adult eagle much smaller and was trying
those poisons and the initiation of sightings in the vicinity of Wild unsuccessfully to get some of the
concerted efforts by conservation Pasture, North and Drinkwater others to play with it as it jumped
groups and agencies, to save them. Roads in recent years, I believe and frolicked about while the rest
The eagles have now been there is a good chance that there is ignored it and fed on. Its apparent
removed from the endangered a nest waiting to be discovered mother was pretty small and had a
species list and have proliferated somewhere nearby in the wetlands pronounced limp in a front leg, but
so well that we now have of either the Great Meadows, The otherwise appeared healthy. There
numerous successfully nesting Cove or the Taylor River had been at least three deer hit by
pairs here in the seacoast area. Headwaters, where I used to spend vehicles on our stretch of South
They are mostly “scavengers”, a great deal of time exploring in Road during the late fall and early
often stealing fish caught by their my younger years. There were winter. A doe and fawn were
more adept cousins the osprey (fish always the large nests of great blue
(Wildlife, cont’d on p. 5)
Page 4
traveling east along Winkley immigrants, and organized labor.
(Wildlife, cont’d. from p. 4) Brook here—probably part of that David Vermette, author of A
among them and died there same herd. Distinct Alien Race, will explore
together. They were donated to an Maple Season the history of this so-called
appreciative family by the police The season has been abnormally “Second Klan” and the conflict
or NH Fish and Game. “normal” this year, as far as between it and New England’s
starting dates, sap flow and sugar Franco-Americans.
It is not unusual for a seven or
eight month old doe-fawn to get content go. As I write this column Tuesday, April 19th at 7 PM —
bred late in the deer rut in on March 12th though, the Jane Oneail: Landscape as Art
December or January, and not give temperatures are expected to (in conjunction with the East
birth until the late summer, mostly run above normal here for Kingston Public Library). Join us
explaining the one prancing around the next couple weeks so the for a virtual art talk! In the 1960s
on our pond, It is lucky that we had seacoast season may be ending and 70s, artists like Robert
such an easy winter, for it and its early. Smithson, Nancy Holt, and Ana
limping mother would most likely Most of our snow is gone, as is Mendietta began the revolutionary
been coyote or bobcat fodder in a most of our frost in the ground-- practice of making art using
deep-snow winter. As the daylight and hopefully so is our “mud materials from the natural world.
faded the herd appeared to be season”. The rivers and brooks are Learn more about the inspiration
drifting off towards the southwest, mostly ice-free and the outlets and for the movement and get insight
probably heading for some of the inlets of ponds are opening fast. into the works of several leading
shredded brush and saplings that The first of our wood ducks, artists, including Andy
had been mowed down along the hooded mergansers and mallards Goldsworthy.
high-tension power lines coming are arriving and I flushed a Jane Oneail curates and delivers art
from the Seabrook plant, until woodcock a couple days ago. I appreciation programs to audiences
some of the snow melted. The next expect we will be hearing peepers throughout New England and
morning revealed that they had and wood frogs with-in a week— beyond. Jane holds a master’s in
first fed heavily on the buds from which always means the end of our Art History from Boston
the apple trees I had just pruned maple season here. University and a master’s in
and not yet moved to a brush pile. Education from Harvard
That area was all tracked-up, University. A New Hampshire
looking like a barnyard. Then there KENSINGTON PUBLIC native, she has worked at some of
was not a single fresh deer track or LIBRARY the state's most esteemed cultural
sighting here for the next few days. Susan Gilbert, Director institutions, including the League
In a winter with deep snow, most Spring events: All events are of New Hampshire Craftsmen,
of our local deer migrate up to six virtual unless otherwise noted. where she served as Executive
miles to “wintering deer yards” Director, and the Currier Museum
southwest of here in brushy and Wednesday, April 6th at 9-10AM. of Art, where she held the role of
Atlantic white cedar, swamps. A Book club at the Farm at Senior Educator.
couple years ago, a friend of mine Eastman’s Corner. Join us to Wednesday, April 27th at 7 PM—
counted fifty deer in March, in the discuss The Language of Flowers Sawyer Rogers: The State and
large fields south of the former by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. No sign Nature of Social Capital in
location of the East Kingston Post up necessary, grab a coffee Kensington, NH. Sawyer Rogers
Office, heading this way. A day of downstairs at the farm and come conducted historical research and
so later I saw at least a dozen upstairs to talk about the book. surveyed residents to find out the
state and nature of social capital
Wednesday, April 13th at 7 PM -- (community/people resources) in
David Vermette. The Ku Klux Kensington. His presentation will
Klan in New England in the cover trust between neighbors,
1920s. In the mid-1920s, there involvement in community
were a half million members of the organizations, voter turnout,
Ku Klux Klan in New England, activity at the library and so much
including New Hampshire. In more from 1945 to today.
addition to people of color, it
targeted Catholics, Jews, (Library, cont’d. on p. 6)
Page 5
(Library, cont’d. from p. 5) LIBRARY BOOK CLUB meets We will have multiple copies of
th Tuesday evenings at 6:30 both books and audiobooks for you
Wednesday, May 4 at 7 PM— A
Garden for Pollinators & (hopefully outside!) to check out.
Wildlife: Natural Landscaping for April 26th –This is How it Always Both are also available on Hoopla
a Better Yard with Vikki Brown. Is by Laurie Frankel. Claude is to stream.
Your yard and community can five years old, the youngest of five
HOUSEBOUND? Don’t forget!
provide critical habitat for birds, brothers, and loves peanut butter
If you can’t get out on your own,
bees and other wildlife. With a few sandwiches. He also loves wearing
we will make every effort to
simple changes to your a dress, and dreams of being a
deliver books, DVDs, etc. to your
landscaping practices, you can: princess. When he grows up,
home. Just call us.
• Increase wildlife variety, Claude says, he wants to be a girl.
including birds, in your yard Rosie and Penn want Claude to be
• Decrease time spent on whoever Claude wants to be.
They’re just not sure they’re ready The Farm at Eastman’s Corner
mowing and other yard chores Amanda Casey, Store Manager
• Reduce or eliminate watering to share that with the world. Soon
the entire family is keeping As our friends and neighbors, we
st
Tuesday, May 31 at 7 PM— Claude’s secret. Until one day it wanted to share our anticipation
Your Children don’t want it--- explodes. and elation for what The Farm
What can I do? You hear it every Laurie Frankel's This Is How It has in store this spring!
day. And it’s happening all over Always Is is a novel about Opening in May, we will have
America. In this session Mike will revelations, transformations, fairy transformed one of our green-
give you 15 Tip & Strategies tales, and family. And it’s about houses into The Garden Room;
designed not only to help you deal the ways this is how it always is: an inspiring and unique new eat-
with your “Stuff”, but hopefully Change is always hard and ing and gathering space. Some of
help you make some good money miraculous and hard again, our ideas for using The Garden
when selling it. parenting is always a leap into the Room are jazz brunch Sundays,
FOR KIDS: In-person Storytime unknown with crossed fingers and monthly wine tastings, evening
returned March 8th. Join Ms. full hearts, children grow but not workshops, kids events and
Kristin and friends in the always according to plan. And more! Our hope is that this new
Children's room Tuesday mornings families with secrets don’t get to space will serve as a warm and
at 10:30 AM, for stories, songs, keep them forever. welcoming place to gather, con-
and crafts. May 24th (one week early due to nect, and simply enjoy your fa-
event at Library). the Boston vorite Farm foods as family,
After school programs are also friends, and community. The
returning this Spring, for K-5 Girl by Anita Diamant. Anita
Diamant’s “vivid, affectionate Garden Room’s greenhouse will
students. Some of the activities also feature an array of specialty
will include Chess, Lego portrait of American
womanhood” (Los Angeles Times), cut-flowers – a beautiful and
Challenges, and art projects. The most welcome addition to our
after-school programs will be held follows the life of one woman,
Addie Baum, through a period of Farm.
the first three Thursdays of the
Month, including three early dramatic change. Addie is The Watch our Facebook page at fa-
release days. Students may sign up Boston Girl, the spirited daughter cebook.com/eastmanscorner or
for one program, and can be put on of an immigrant Jewish family, sign up for our newsletter at east-
the waiting list for any additional born in 1900 to parents who were manscorner.com to stay in the
programs he/she may be interested unprepared for America and its loop on updates on this exciting
in. There will be an 8-person limit effect on their three daughters. new space. And stop by The
for each program. Growing up in the North End of Farm to check out our new grab-
Boston, then a teeming and-go food offerings, daily
The Children's room is also busy multicultural neighborhood, sandwich and soup specials, and
preparing for this year's Summer Addie’s intelligence and curiosity fresh Kensington-grown produce
Reading Program. The theme this take her to a world her parents – like our spring tomato crop
year is "Oceans of Possibilities". can’t imagine—a world of short now on our shelves!
Stay tuned for more details in the skirts, movies, celebrity culture,
coming weeks. and new opportunities for women.
Page 6
KENSINGTON have been reading a just right and the importance of health and
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL book. Myles said, “a just right exercise. Our former P. E. teacher,
Crowned Hawk book is just right for you.” The Mrs. Spinosa, assembled some
Reporters kindergarteners also have been winter events for the second
having a lot of fun! Henry said graders to participate in. Here is
Our Crowned Hawk they have been making slushies. what Mrs. Lawler’s class has to
Reporters in fourth Keiran said they are having snow say about their favorite part of the
grade are excited to share with you fights. Kindergarten has been Olympics learning: “My favorite
all the great learning happening at amazing! Tune in next time for part was seeing how good they had
Kensington Elementary School so more amazing articles! to be.” (The training.)-Galen. “My
far this year! They interviewed favorite part was learning about
staff and students to be able to 1st Grade, by Calvin
Ms. Pender’s 1st graders are speed skating.”-Clare.
share with you some highlights.
Enjoy! getting taught so well by their Students have been loading so
teacher. (Great job, Ms. Pender!) much knowledge into their brains
Kindergarten, by Emma They are doing place value and
Kindergarten has been very busy! reading. In fact, some of them
They have been planning their were helpful enough to give some
snow celebration of learning. They quotes! These include, from Ben,
have been learning how real life “In place value, I love separating
snowflakes form. Mrs.Greenwood the tens and the ones.” From JoJo,
says: “I am so proud of my “I love math. A LOT.” From
students! They spoke clearly and Oliver, “I love math, because
articulated their thoughts and ideas doing the equations is fun.” From
about snow successfully at our Brody, “I like learning to read.”
recent celebration of learning From AJ, “I like to read because
program. Way to go, my happy reading is good for learning.”
campers!” From Maddy, “Finding cool facts
in reading is awesome.” And last,
but not least, from Emerson, “I 100th day of school celebration
love reading because it is SUPER
fun.” In addition, these great kids these past few weeks. These
have been reading a bunch of talented, hard workers have been
books, such as Animal Eyes, If learning about things such as
You Give A Mouse A Cookie, and Groundhog Day, and Presidents’
so many more. Wow. Well, the 1st Day. They also celebrated many
graders sure have been busy. Hope events such as the one hundredth
you liked reading about the KES ! day of school, Valentine’s Day,
st graders! Tune in for the next and twos-day- 2/22/22. Many fun
paper! activities on that day focused on
Grade 2, by Guinevere the number two. By far the favorite
Mrs. Lawler and Mrs. Mosher’s were “Guess Who’s 2?!” Where
Snow learning celebration the second graders brought in
talented, hardworking second
The kindergarteners have been graders have been on a learning pictures of themselves when they
being meteorologists and telling us spree! Second graders been very were two and everybody else had
the temperature, and if we go busy learning about the February to guess who it was. They also
outside for recess. “You learn a lot Winter Olympics. This year, they enjoyed wearing a special pin that
about the weather”, stated one of took the opportunity to learn about said, “I was in second grade on
the amazing students, Bennett. For all the difficult yet awe-inspiring Twosday 2-22-22”. Not everyone
math, they're learning subtraction. events. They weren't only learning can say they were in second grade
Myles says, “subtraction is when about the Olympics, but the that day! Here is what Mrs.
you take away from numbers” and characteristics the athletes have: Mosher’s class learned from some
he is absolutely right! Our friend determination, hard work, of these activities such as
Brenner said, “we are learning perseverance, good sportsmanship, (School, cont’d. on p. 8)
about winter history.” They also
Page 7
(School, cont’d. from p. 7) Grade 4, by Payton Every year, students at KES
Presidents’ Day, and Groundhog Mrs.Curley's fourth graders have “travel” to another country! This
Day: (I learned) “That Abraham been learning away! Mrs. Curley year the kids of KES have been
Lincoln and George Washington said, “Fourth grade students are learning about Spain, with the help
fought in different wars.”- finishing up their learning about of Isabel and Galen. We continued
Elizabeth. “I learned that a the U.S regions. They have done a to learn about Spain from the
groundhog comes out and if it sees fantastic job learning about the 2020/2021 school year when their
its shadow there's six more weeks geography, science and culture older brother Gabriel was in school
of winter.”-Nick. The second across the country through hands- with us. We had so many delicious
graders are getting smarter every on learning.” Calvin said, “what I taste-it Tuesdays, so many
day now. liked about Knex is they are fun amazing lessons, and the best
yet engaging and we are getting ending ceremony ever! Some of
Thank you for taking your time to
ready for a big surprise project.” the things that we learned about
read about these amazing kids. I
Raia said, “I loved Kieran’s (a include a special ham that they
hope you enjoyed hearing about
fellow classmate ) presentation on serve only on special occasions,
the fun activities they’ve been
wildfires. She said it was engaging we learned about Miguel
participating in and I’m excited to
and allowed her to learn about how Cervantes, his trusty (fictional)
make another article for you guys
to help animals and people. She knight, Don Quixote, and Don
(and girls) to enjoy. Have an
learned that when he lived in Quixote’s squire, Sancho Panza.
amazing day!
Oregon, he could not open the During the ending ceremony we all
Grade 3, by Jacob and Raia window in the summer. During our shared a few facts that we learned.
Mrs. Culver and Mrs. Cole's learning about the West region, we We also listened to a book reading
students have been working very learned about all the states of Goodnight Moon, in Spanish
hard! Both classes are doing including Alaska and the oil it has and in English. In PE we learned a
African American Writing and as a resource. We read “To Drill or game called Bomba, where you
division. We have some quotes Not To Drill” and respectfully pass a ball while someone counts
from these topics from students: shared our opinions. Mrs. Curley down from 30. At 1, the counter
Parker said “I like to learn division said, “I am excited to see where yelled BOMBA! And the person
in groups, it makes it a fun way of their curiosity takes us next.” with the ball was out. The trick
learning!” Tula said, “I like was that the people that got out just
Grade 5, by Chloe
learning math, reading and arrays sat down where they were formerly
Ms.D’Agostino’s 5th grade class
in math.” Now we have a TON of standing, causing the person with
has been learning about the Oregon
African American quotes from the the ball to step over the people to
trail. Ms. D’Agostino said, "It is so
third graders: Vivi said “I like to
fun to watch history come alive as
report to my class and to learn
the fifth graders pioneer through to
about what other people are
the West." When I interviewed
reporting” Violet said “I like
students, they had a lot to say.
learning about John Lewis. He
Teagan said, "I like working with
preached to his chickens.” Violet
other fifth graders and working
also did a diagram about John
together with them." Claire said
Lewis. Kendall and Mila said they
that she liked going outside and
are learning about typing and
dressing up. Izzy said, "I liked that
Black History month. Kendall did
we got to do fun stuff outside."
a diorama on Simone Biles and
Oliver said that the open fire that
Mila did a diagram on Ruby
they did was cool. Evan said he
Bridges. Now we have a quote
learned how they (people on the
from both third grade teachers:
Oregon trail) travel and what food Cultural Passport Celebration
Mrs. Culver’s students want to tell
they eat. He also said that he likes
you their favorite phrase Mrs.
their clothes, how they made butter pass it to the next person who's
Culver says “hold the phone, Joan”
and what the kids played with. 5th standing up. Chase shared, “I
Mrs. Cole said “the students in
grade has learned a lot about the really liked learning more Spanish
3Co have been working hard and
Oregon trail. than I already know!” Lucy said,
make me proud”. These are
amazing third graders, we can’t “My favorite part was chanting for
Cultural Passport Program, by
wait to report again! (School, cont’d. on p. 9)
Calvin and Payton
Page 8
(School, cont’d. from p. 8) HERITAGE COMMISSION
Lynne Monroe
Ms Curley to run from the
teachers dressed as bulls.” Em- With the approach of spring, the Heritage Commission has been even
ma shared, “My favorite part more active. They hosted guests from the Stratham Heritage Commission
was taste-it Tuesday. I especial- on February 23rd and had a field trip to the Eastman House on March 10th.
ly liked the chips with the ham The discussion with the Stratham Heritage Commission was lively and
flavor on them.” We did and inspiring. If you’re interested in more details, you can read the minutes
learned a lot of amazing stuff in of the meeting on the town website. Lynne Monroe, chair, will be
Cultural Passports. I hope you meeting with Planning Board on the 16th to discuss working them on the
enjoyed reading this! Thanks upcoming Master Plan, and recruiting a new Planning Board
for reading! representative for the Heritage Commission.
SPECIAL NOTICE!! Speaking of which, we are looking for a new alternate member for the
Jump Rope Show, by Gwyn- Commission. If you have an interest in the historic architectural
eth resources and rural landscapes that define the character of the town,
Anyone is invited to the Sky please email us KensingtonHeritageCommission@Comcast.net or call
High Skippers Jump Rope show Lynne Monroe 603-778-1799.
at the Cooperative Middle The field trip to the Eastman House was a highlight to
School! It will be on April 6 at be sure. The new owner, Joan McCarthy, invited the
6pm. Commission because she is interested in learning all
First the kindergarteners will about what turned out to be a quirky and very old
show their skills. Then first house. The house had been brought to this sight on
grade shows their skills and Moulton Ridge Road in pieces from Shaw’s Hill.
then second grade shows their Steven Mallory was able to analyze the building on the
skills and then they all do Cot- spot and lead a tour, pointing out all manner of
ton Eyed interesting details that might otherwise have been
Arched chimney missed. He was able to deduce the age of the various
Joe. They will they jump rope base suggesting components from the quarry marks on the granite
and then they all do freestyle that it was built foundation stones to the rose-headed nails in the
together. after 1800. fireplace surround. It was a fascinating afternoon. We
Then it is time for the older kids will keep in touch to help the owners as they make
so first the third graders will do hard decisions about its future
all their super cool skills then
Here’s some information on the Eastman House from the Architectural
fourth grade will do their skills
Survey of Kensington:
and then fifth grade has a lot of
cool skills. “The house on Moulton Ridge Road occupied by the Eastman family
since 1901 (N56), was originally the Sherburne house, built ca. 1730, and
The show is very fun to watch
was reportedly moved to its present site ca. 1830 (Library House Files).
and attend! If you want to see
Notable is its orientation to the south, away from the road. It has low
amazing jumpers, please come!
eaves, very small windows, and narrow entry characteristic of this early
You don't have to have a grand-
period.”
son/granddaughter or son/
daughter in the show so anyone And from Sawyer’s History of Kensington:
is welcome to come. (N56) Blake-Hodgdon-Rowell-Kimball-Eastman, George and Carrie
Go have fun, enjoy the show, Eastman. “Moses Blake, Jr. bought this tract from Davie Sanborn in
come to see all of our hard- 1744. Blake sold land and buildings to David Green in 1754 and built on
working jumpers. They are so the other end of the farm. Green sold before 1762 to Israel Hodgdon of
good because of our best coach Dover, a Quaker. His son Caleb and his grandson Hanson (both in
ever, Mrs. Spinosa! Revolution) lived there. Edmond Rowell of Newton bought in 1830.
The buildings burned before he moved in and he bought from John W.
Shaw the old Sherburn house and moved it here. Thomas Kimball
bought in 1860 and sold around 1885. Mr. Eastman came here in 1901
(Heritage, cont’d. on p. 10)
Page 9
(Heritage, cont’d. from p. 9)
ATTENTION KENSINGTON KIDS!!!
and bought in 1903.”
A spring fair is coming to Ken-
Alan Tuthill brought a wonderful document called, “Reminiscences of sington on Saturday, May 21 —
a Farmer’s Boy Fifty Years Ago” by Capt. E. M. Shaw, Reprinted the Apple Blossom Arts and
from the Exeter News-Letter, October 13, 1899. It describes the house Crafts Fair.
having been moved from Shaw’s Hill. “This house is now nearly
double the size of what it formerly was. On the lower floor was a How would you like to help us
room about 14 feet square, used as a dining room, sitting room, and decorate the fair? The robin and
parlor.” The Commission got out their tapes and there it was! Just as apple blossom picture that you see
written 200 years ago. There was more of the same in this writing all on p.11 can be colored with cray-
offering an exceptional picture of how the house came to be where it ons, markers or paint. You can
is now. make additions to the picture too.
(examples: cow, person, house,
(Above) Heritage etc.).
Commission at
south facing side Then you can mail it to us at 108
away from the Amesbury Rd., or bring it to the
road. Houses church any Sunday 11am-
were often orient- 12:30pm, or Thursday or Friday,
ed to the south to May 19th or 20th, between 1-4pm,
take advantage of at the latest. We will post all the
passive solar en- Owner Joan McCarthy admissions.
ergy (Below) explaining some of the
North side facing issues with the house. Can you imagine what a great art
Moulton Ridge display we’ll have? Questions?
Rd. Contact the church at 603-772-
5821.
SPRING AT ALNOBA
Sandra Fogwell, Director of Events
Love Alnoba’s artwork? From 4PM to 7PM on Thursday April 7th, you could meet one of the artists who
helped create it. Sculptor Deb Todd Wheeler, creator of Alnoba’s Engagement/Shelter Walking Path, will be
coming to Alnoba for an immersive introduction to “sound collecting”, a form of deep listening that helps
inspire her creative process. Tickets are $40 and the event will include time to enjoy a glass of wine from the
cash bar and explore Alnoba’s art and grounds.
Dreaming of writing that memoir or novel? Aspiring storytellers will love our May 5th writing workshop with
award-winning author Adrea Peters. The event is 4PM to 7PM. Tickets are $50 and include a free copy of
Adrea’s “The Science of Story” workbook. Beginners welcome!
Those passionate about the fight for a healthier planet will want to join Alnoba’s Environmental Leadership
Day from 9:30 to 2:30 on May 10th for a chance to learn from, meet and get inspired by some of the top
environmental leaders in our region. Tickets are $25 and include lunch and a tour of Alnoba’s art.
And we are very excited to announce that we will be hosting internationally renowned sculptor Andy
Goldsworthy at Alnoba on May 12th from 4PM to 7PM. Grab a glass of wine, explore the grounds and then
enjoy a talk and meet and greet with the artist. Tickets are $50.
We are also offering weekly yoga classes with Lenny Willis every Tuesday at 9AM for $25, with all proceeds
donated to Sawyer Park. There’s also a half-day yoga and meditation workshop with Manny Muros at 9AM on
April 16th for $40 – but tickets are selling out fast!
Our regular art tours, meditation walks and nature walks will be ongoing throughout May and June. It’s a
beautiful time of year to visit Alnoba. See the new Alan Houser sculptures we added last summer, or try to spot
the Purple Trillium that graces our forests in springtime.
Book for all these events and see a full calendar of what’s happening at Alnoba.org/events.
Page 10Page 11
TOWN BOARD MEETINGS
Town Meetings are usually held at Town Hall but confirm with Board
Chair.
Selectmen: 1st & 3rd Monday, 6:30pm RECREATION & SOCIAL
Recreation: 2nd Thursday, 7pm COMMITTEE
Jessica Minghella
Conservation: 2nd Tuesday, 7:30pm
The KRSC is happy to
Planning: 3rd Wednesday, 7pm announce registration is
Zoning Board of Adjustment: 1st Tuesday, as needed, 7:30pm now open for Summer
Camp and plans for the
Heritage Commission: 4th Wednesday, 7pm
Old Home Days event
Trails Committee: 4th Thursday, 7pm are underway! Meetings
have been moved to the
2nd Thursday of each
month, 5pm at town
KES PTO NEWS hall, come join in on the
Stay tuned for the 2nd fun!!!
Annual Crowned Hawk
Classic 5K and Fun Run
in early June!
HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR NEWSLETTER
Community News is a labor of love in so many ways, published by the Kensington Congregational Church to
both reach out into our community and to bring the community together. Although we have a great deal of
volunteer help with layout, folding, stickering and labeling it for mailing – THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!
– other costs are beyond our control.
Printing 5 issues a year costs us $3700. Mailing 730 copies to every Kensington household (and to some who
live away but still want to keep in touch with Kensington) costs us $765 per year.
We appreciate those who have subscribed in the past to help us cover some of these costs. We are asking
again, if you look forward to reading the newsletter, if you appreciate getting news of town committees and
groups and happenings, please consider a donation for 2022 to help us continue publishing this newsletter.
Your support, both through your comments and through your donations, means a great deal to us!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
I wish to support Community News at the following level:
Friend (up to $25) $ ____________ Neighbor (up to $75) $ ____________
Community (up to $150) $ _____________ Kensington (over $150) $_____________
Your Name: ___________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________
We love hearing from you: ______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Checks should be payable to: Kensington Congregational Church
108 Amesbury Rd.
Kensington, NH 03833
Page 12Worship
Sundays
APRIL
10:00 am
2022
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2
3 4 5 Alnoba 6 7 8 9
Worship KCC study Yoga 9am KPL Book Alnoba Art
4:45 Club @ The 4pm
10:00 KPL Story Farm 9am
time 10:30
Selectmen
KES Jump rope
Meet 6:30
ZBA 7:30pm Show 6pm
10 Palm 11 12 Alnoba 13 14 15 16
Sunday Prayer Shawl Yoga 9am
Worship 2:30 KPL program Rec Com. 7pm
KPL Story 7pm
10:00 KCC study time 10:30
4:45
Cabinet Conservation
7:30pm
17 Easter 18 19 Alnoba 20 21 22 23
Worship KCC study Yoga 9am Planning 7pm
4:45
10:00
KPL Story
Sunrise Selectmen time 10:30
5:30am Meet 6:30 KPL pro-
gram 7pm
24 25 26 Alnoba 27 28 29 30
Worship KCC study Yoga 9am Heritage 7pm Trails 7pm Last day to
4:45 license dogs
10:00 KPL program
KPL Story
Sawyer 7pm
time 10:30
Rogers
11:30am KPL Book
Club 6:30pm
Page 13Worship
Sundays
MAY
10:00 am
2022
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 Alnoba Yo- 4 5 66 7
KCC study ga 9am KPL program Alnoba Writ-
4:45 7pm ing 4pm
KPL Story
Selectmen time 10:30
Meet 6:30
ZBA 7:30pm
8 9 10 Alnoba 11 12 13 14
Worship Yoga 9am Alnoba Sculp-
KCC study Alnoba Lead- tor 4pm
10AM ership 9:30
4:45
KPL Story Rec Com.
time 10:30 7pm
Conservation
7:30pm
15 16 Alnoba 17 Alnoba 18 19 20 21
Worship Yoga 9am Yoga 9am Planning 7pm Apple
10AM Blossom
Selectmen KPL Story
Meet 6:30
Fair
time 10:30
22 23 24 Alnoba 25 26 27 28
Worship Yoga 9am Heritage 7pm Trails 7pm
10AM
KPL Story
time 10:30
KPL Book
Club 6:30pm
29 30 31 Alnoba
Worship Yoga 9am
10AM
KPL Story
time 10:30
KPL program
Page 14Easter Flowers Order Form 2022
Flowers will decorate our sanctuary on Easter Sunday, April 17th, and may be taken home after the
service.
I would like to order _______ Easter Lilies @ $9.00 each
_______ Tulips at $8.00 each
____ I wish to take the plants home
____ I would like plants taken to shut-ins
Please circle the appropriate choice below as you wish it to appear in our bulletin:
In memory/honor of: ____________________________
In memory/honor of: ____________________________
In memory/honor of: ____________________________
In memory/honor of: ____________________________
By: Name_____________________________
Phone ____________________________
Please return this order form to the church by April 10 th, with a check payable to the Ken-
sington Congregational Church or give to one of the following Flower Committee members:
Marian Kimball, 772-3858 Kathy Powers, 772-3667
Bonnie Rosencrantz 772-6857 Della Boswell 772-9007
DON’T FORGET EARTH DAY!
What are your plans for Earth Day? Friday, April 22nd, is the day – what will you do? Jane Goodall says, “You
cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a differ-
ence and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.”
The first official U.S. observance of Earth Day was celebrated in 1970. Exceeding all expectations, 20 million
Americans participated in that first Earth Day. Today, many cities extend Earth Day celebrations for an entire
week to increase awareness of recycling and better energy efficient communities.
Kensington has observed Earth Day over the past few years with a town-wide clean-up – each of us going
down our own street or through our neighborhood to pick up the roadside litter – plastics, cans and bottles -
revealed when the snow cover is gone. It’s a good feeling to clean up our streets this way!
Other ideas:
• Perform a household energy audit. Turn off devices like laptops that are left on 24/7
(which accounts for 5-10% of residential energy use per year!) You can save an aver-
age $100 on your electric bill annually. Around the house, replace old bulbs with long-
er-lasting, more energy-efficient ones.
• Not ready to take the plunge into solar energy just yet? Look for solar-powered porch
or entryway lights you can easily install yourself outside. For even more energy sav-
ings, look for motion-sensor solar lights that are only activated when you approach an
exit or entryway.
• Start a backyard compost pile and begin recycling coffee grounds, egg shells, and scraps of food to decom-
pose and to ultimately enrich your garden for the upcoming growing season.
REDUCE—REUSE—RECYCLE!
Page 15COMMUNITY NEWS Postage Paid
Non-Profit
Kensington Congregational Church
Exeter, NH
108 Amesbury Road
Permit 106
Kensington, NH 03833
COMMUNITY NEWS is published by the Kensington Congregational Church and
mailed to all houses in Kensington.
If you or anyone you know has been overlooked, or if your address is incorrect,
call 772-5821 and tell us all About it.
The next issue will cover June, July & August, 2022.
Submissions due Friday, May 13, 2022.
THE DEADLINE IS FIRM.
(Earlier submissions gratefully accepted!)
Call Pam at 772-6660 with ideas, information, suggestions or news.
Articles, stories, pictures can be dropped off at Kensington UCC Church, or emailed
to kensingtoncommunitynews@gmail.com.You can also read
