February 24th Select Board Newsletter
Dear Stratham Residents,
Please read below for news and notes from the Town of Stratham. In this edition:
- Voter Information Night
- Clerk's Corner
- Stratham School District Meeting
- Board and Commission Openings
- Stratham Historical Society Scholarship Applications Available
- Two Upcoming Stratham Historical Society Programs
- Veterans Memorial Garden Applications
- Transportation Assistance for Seacoast Citizens
Please remind your neighbors about this resource for keeping on top of information from the Town. To sign-up for these updates and other notifications, please visit this section on our website and check the "Select Board" box under News and Announcements.
The Select Board
Michael Houghton, Chairman Allison Knab, Vice-Chair Joe Anderson
VOTER INFORMATION NIGHT - March 7th
Mark your calendars! Wiggin Memorial Library will be hosting Voter Information Night on Tuesday, March 7th in the Municipal Center, Room A, at 6:30pm. Come out and meet the candidates running for the Town and School District and learn about the topics being voted on at the Election (3/14) and Town Meeting (3/18). Check for updates to the Town Meeting 2023 page (and this newsletter) as we add our Voter Information Guide and other materials in preparation for Town Meeting.
CLERK'S CORNER
The Supervisors of the Checklist will be in session at the Stratham Municipal Center, 10 Bunker Hill Ave., on Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 11:00 am to 11:30 am to accept voter registrations and changes to the checklist.
If registering to vote, residents will be asked to provide a photo ID (ex. driver's license), proof of residency (ex. piece of mail or signed lease), and proof of citizenship (ex. birth certificate or US passport). If you do not have acceptable documentation, you will be provided with affidavits attesting to all of the above.
Reminder! The Stratham School District Meeting will be on Monday, March 6 at 6 pm at Stratham Memorial School, 39 Gifford Farm Road.
BOARD AND COMMISSION OPENINGS
The Town Meeting marks the end of 2023 terms on our Boards and Commissions. At this time, we currently have openings listed here, including the Trail Management Advisory Committee, Zoning Board, Conservation Commission and Planning Board. Meanwhile, if you have an interest in getting involved in any Board or Commission, we encourage you to call (or visit) the Town Administrator's office at 603-772-7391 ext. 187 so we can connect you with a staff person or current board member who can answer your questions.
STRATHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY - SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
Applications are being accepted for Stratham Historical Society’s Winfield Foote Scholarships. Detailed instructions as to eligibility, application forms, deadlines, list of required documents and method of submission may be found on the Stratham Historical Society’s Scholarship page. Any questions may be left on the voicemail at (937) 478-0125, well in advance of the deadline. To date, the Winfield L. Foote Scholarships for Academic Excellence program has awarded over $110,000.
"IRELAND'S GREAT FAMINE IN IRISH-AMERICAN HISTORY: MEMORY AND MEANING"
Wednesday, March 1, 6:00-7:00 pm, Wiggin Memorial Library Zoom Programs made possible by a grant from NH Humanities.
Ireland’s Great Famine arguably represents the cornerstone event in Irish-American immigrant history. The episode that began with the failure of successive potato crops in the mid-19th century mobilized an epic transatlantic voyage undertaken by almost two million Irish. This Famine floodtide duly transformed Irish immigrant settlement and the ethnic identity in America over the next century and beyond. Combining contemporary accounts with compelling illustrations and images, this presentation tracks the enduring impact of the Great Hunger and its ongoing significance within America’s Irish community. The course of Famine memory is also explored, from the shadowy public silences over much of the 20th century to the vibrant wellsprings of remembrance and commemoration today. As the presentation reveals, the Famine’s emotional inheritance continues to shape the ethnic identity and what it means to be Irish-American today.
Advance registration is required at the Library's Event Calendar or by this direct link
NEW ENGLAND LIGHTHOUSES AND THE PEOPLE WHO KEPT THEM
Monday, March 13, 7:00—8:00 pm, Morgera Meeting Room, Stratham Firehouse
Everyone knows that there's "something about lighthouses" that gives them broad appeal, but their vital role in our history and culture is little appreciated. Our early nation was built on maritime economy, and lighthouses were part of the system that made that possible. Due to automation, traditional lighthouse keeping is a way of life that has faded into the past. Jeremy D'Entremont tells the history of New England's historic and picturesque lighthouses primarily focusing on the colorful and dramatic stories of lighthouse keepers and their families. The snow date for this program is March 20, 2023. Read more here. This program is a joint presentation of Stratham Historical Society and Wiggin Memorial Library, made possible by a grant from New Hampshire Humanities.
VETERANS MEMORIAL GARDEN APPLICATIONS
Stratham’s Veterans Memorial Garden at Stratham Hill Park includes bricks honoring Stratham veterans and granite obelisks honoring those who left their homes in Stratham to serve during wartime. Use this link for the application and the policy. Forms are also available from the Town Clerk.
Applications for inclusion in the Garden by Memorial Day are due by March 15.
TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE FOR SEACOAST CITIZENS
Need a ride or looking to be a volunteer driver? If you are 55+ years old or are an adult with a medical disability that prevents you from driving, you qualify to be a TASC passenger. If you need this service, you must fill out a registration form here. The only restriction regarding ride destinations is finding a willing volunteer driver. Want to become a volunteer driver? Drivers make an immediate and positive impact on every passenger with life sustaining and life enriching rides! You choose the rides you give, how often you’ll drive and the area you prefer and the route you take. Fill out the application here. For further information visit the TASC website or call 603-926-9026.
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