Greenland Grapevine A Community Newsletter for the Town of Greenland NH Vol. 8 Issue 4 Winter 2014 “Remembrance Park” Rededicated By Wally Berg The morning of 11 November 2014 broke Kelly Ayotte’s office, presented a memo- bright and clear over the beautiful town rial flag that was recently flown over the of Greenland NH. The temperature was Capitol in Washington DC. When the a brisk 40 degrees, but it was forecasted Memorial Flag was raised by members of to reach the mid-fifties by midday. It was Greenland’s Scout Troop 158, a musket a wonderful day to rededicate “Remem- salute was fired by the 1st Newmarket brance Park,” the town’s memorial park Colonial Militia. The squad of six was dedicated to those who have and who indeed handsome in their colonial are serving. The official rededication uniforms. ceremony began promptly on the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month The keynote address was given by Pam to remember and honor the armistice The flag was raised, and the newly refurbished cannons were fired during the Tucker, Greenland’s District Representa- rededication ceremonies at Remembrance Park. Photos by John Hirtle signing that ended World War I, now a tive in the NH House of Representatives. national holiday called “Veterans Day.” Mr. Forrest then recognized the Van Etten family members present, and read A citizens’ veterans’ committee embarked Mr. Hudson Van Etten’s Medal of Honor last fall on an ambitious project to upgrade citation from the Spanish American War. and renovate the existing Remembrance Reverend Weaver concluded the formal Park located on Post Road. The objective part of the program with a benediction. was to research and honor our colonial ancestors who fought for our freedoms Concluding program remarks were made during our nation’s formative years, by Wallace Berg (WWII veteran), which provide a public monument for a Medal included some historical “snap shots” of Honor Recipient buried within our ongoing and cannot be easily completed presented the colors, and the Pledge of from his notes on a few of Greenland’s borders, and, lastly, provide an inscription without the assistance of those who live Allegiance was rendered by all. Reverend other WWII veterans. These included monument for those presently serving here! Dan Weaver of Greenland’s United nurse Ruth Ladd with General Patton and for those future generations who will Methodist Church gave the invocation, (Normandy), Calvin Wilder, firebombing serve. To meet these needs, new dedica- A flawless program was conducted by and the National Anthem was sung by (Tokyo), Paul Donovan, (D-Day, Cher- tory stones were needed. No veterans’ Kevin Forrest, Vaughan Morgan, and a very young man of 10 years, Mr. Ryan bourg radar), and Everett Bennett, (only names have been added since the end other members of the committee. After Menter, who frequently sings with the US Artic Battle), etc. The concluding of the Vietnam War, almost 40 years opening remarks, a USN Honor Guard Pease Greeters when they welcome the PARK Continued on Page 2 • ago. The research to find these names is from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard troops. Mr. Bud Fitch, from US Senator Christmas Fair Set for December 6 Making Greenland a By Heidi Duncanson and Karen Mason The Community Congregational Better Place to Live! Church will hold its annual Christmas By Lorraine Barrows Fair on Saturday, December 6 from 9 Greenland women’s club celebrates A sampling of these projects include the a.m. to 2 p.m. at its Parish House, 44 activities and projects that make Green- following: Post Road/Rte. 151 in Greenland. land a better place to live! • Donations and support of non-profits It’s rumored that Santa will arrive • Annual Pie and Crafts Festival—As and good works—The club’s funds are before the lunch hour. His schedule is this issue of the Grapevine is completed, spent fulfilling needs in the community being closely monitored by the Green- the Greenland Women’s Club is cele- and in the Seacoast area. Projects vary land Volunteer Firemen who will escort brating another successful completion from year to year and have included him to the Fair. of its major fundraising event for the buying and filling book bags for needy year. The annual pie sale and craft fair, students, monthly donations to area Lunch is your choice: the traditional held at the Greenland School on the food banks, assistance to Greenland roast turkey sandwich with gravy over Sunday before Thanksgiving, brings Eagle Scout projects, funds for local toast, tasty tomato soup with a grilled together skilled artisans, expert bakers, students to participate in Arts in Reach cheese sandwich, or chunks-of-meat and hungry shoppers ready to buy their and self-development programs, home- chili and fresh cornbread. Enjoy coffee Barbara Hazzard and her granddaughter Brittney run the holiday pies and shop for the holidays. less relief and soup kitchen assistance, or tea with a dessert from the baked This year’s fair date saw shoppers from among many others. goods table. annual Cookie Walk, one of the highlights of the Greenland all around the area picking up their Community Congregational Church pie orders, feasting on tasty soups and • Citizen of the Year—Each year the There is no admission for this commu- Christmas Fair, set for December 6, quiches, filling their shopping bags with Greenland Women’s Club recognizes an nity holiday event that will feature 2014. unique hand-crafted gifts and greeting outstanding member of the community, two floors of merchandise and activ- friends and neighbors over a delicious after seeking nominations throughout ities including a Cookie Walk with leaders in 1706. The church’s sanctuary piece of pie. All the proceeds from this the town. This year the club recognized hundreds of homemade cookies, a Cake at 10 Post Road was built 258 years ago lively event fund the work of the club Sheila Pratt. A lifelong resident of Walk (new this year), handcrafted items and is a familiar landmark at the corner throughout the coming year. Congrat- Greenland, Ms. Pratt was a teacher at made by the church’s Women’s Alliance of Route 151 and Portsmouth Avenue. ulations to the committee chairs and Greenland Public School for 40 years. and others, gifts created by Greenland’s The steeple was recently rebuilt and their members who worked efficiently An active member of the Pease Greeters, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, a repainted as part of a Capital Campaign and well to bring another year’s event to she also serves as the coordinator of jewelry table, gourmet foods, and the that will also improve handicap access fruition! The funds generated through events at the school’s annual Veterans’ ever-popular “Nearly New Room” and safety at the church’s Parish House. the event will be used to continue the offering second-hand bargains galore. Women’s Club’s work in the community. LIVE Continued on Page 3 • Also new this year, there will be Byers Sunday services are held at 10 a.m., led Choice holiday figurines in the lower by Rev. Robert Fellows, with Sunday level. School and childcare available. The Greenland Grapevine Bulk Rate church is also a founding congregation PO Box 296 Postage PAID The fair’s huge Silent Auction will of Seacoast Family Promise, runs a Greenland, NH 03840 Permit #1 be the center of the event featuring weekly food pantry, and is involved in a artwork, handmade items, restaurant number of local, national, and interna- Greenland, NH 03840 gift certificates, passes to area attrac- tional mission efforts. tions, gift baskets, and more. For more information about the CCC RESIDENT / BOX HOLDER Community Congregational Church, Christmas Fair, contact the church at a member of the United Church of 603-436-8336 or visit www.communi- GREENLAND, NH 03840 Christ, was founded by Greenland town tychurchofgreenland.org. PARK FROM PAGE 1 event was the firing of both cannons, recently refurbished About Greenland by “Powder Coating Alternatives” of Greenland. These cannons were originally designed and fabricated by Green- Grapevine land residents Harlan Pratt (deceased) and Nat Hazen. The cannons are half scale, six-pounder replicas. Real cannons, as found on colonial war ships, could fire a ball three Our Mission inches in diameter, or “grape-shot,” up to 1500 yards with To improve the quality of life in Greenland by devastating effect. The new carriages were made by master informing you of news, events, updates, and craftsmen, who do similar work on the USS Constitution. opportunities within Greenland so each of us The oak carriages, crafted and finished by these craftsmen, can be a part of the community. are truly works of art. Committee Members Because of the project, there is now city water on site and ► available—eventually, to the entire park location; presently Nancy Bassett - Secretary, Content Manager only the memorial area has water. Having water made Above, Ryan Menter sings the National Anthem; below, ► Trudie Bergeron - Director, Copy Editor possible the installation of a sprinkler system, which works the 1st Newmarket Colonial Militia hold a musket ► automatically. The observable result has been a lush green salute for the raising of the flag. Bottom, Pam Tucker Barbara Fleming - Proofreader turf, made possible by contractor Hydro Seeding. Other addresses the attendees. Photos by John Hirtle ► Bette Hirtle - Proofreader Greenland contractors provided essential heavy equipment, soil and fill material, plumbing expertise, photography, ► John Hirtle - Layout / Advertising graphic arts assistance, shop carpentry, and catering. This ► was civic participation at its finest. The Greenland Scout Karen Mason - Proofreader troop cleaned and polished the existing monuments, then ► Karen Johnson - Director, Copy Editor made a significant contribution to the ceremony.