Hampstead Town Newsletter - 11/14/2021

Hampstead School District

Youth Vaccine Clinic - November 16th (must register by November 15th)
The South Central Public Health Network is coordinating COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics in the region for students/youth 5-18 years of age only. All children under 18 years of age, must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Registration for these clinics are online only. Walk-ins are not permitted. Vaccine supplies are limited. Please register early.
 
11/16/2021, 4pm-8pm: Regional Students Vaccine Clinic at Hampstead Central School, 21 Emerson Ave. in coordination with the Hampstead School District. The last day to register is Monday, November 15 by noon. CLINIC CODE: HRS1351
 
11/20/2021, 9am - 1pm: Regional Students Vaccine Clinic at Pinkerton Academy Field House, 32 N. Main St. Derry. The last day to register is Friday, November 19 by noon. CLINIC CODE: PRS1351
 
To view the reference guides and fact sheets which must be reviewed before registration, as well as the link to register for the clinics, please visit https://sites.google.com/hampsteadschools.net/covid19/home/students-clinic
  
Strategic Planning
The Hampstead School District is currently engaged in the strategic planning process. The goal of this work is to develop a strategic plan that provides vision, creates priorities and prepares our students for the future. A critical component of this work is gathering feedback from all community stakeholders. We are asking for parents to take a few minutes to provide input using an online tool known as ThoughtExchange. A link to the Exchange can be found at:  https://tejoin.com/scroll/899294941

Our next School Board meeting will be on 11/23/21 at 7:00pm at the Middle School cafeteria.

Reminder: All school board meetings will be livestreamed on the HSD channel on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtrHv9UP1RTjFc_6CORYKmQ 

Hampstead Library

Pavilion Project
After consulting with building contractors and town officials, the Hampstead Public Library Board of Trustees plans to build a 20 x 40 ft. shingle-roofed, pavilion (similar to Ordway Park) on the front lawn to facilitate outdoor programs and events. The proposed structure will be wheelchair-accessible and equipped with electricity and wireless internet connection. 

We need your help. The Library Pavilion Project will be funded entirely by grants and donations from community members like you. To kick-off this massive fundraising effort, the Hampstead Public Library is asking the public to sponsor a commemorative brick to be incorporated into the finished walkway linking the new pavilion to the parking lot.

Bricks can be purchased to commemorate a loved one, celebrate a birth or special event, publicize a business or highlight your club or organization. Inscribed with your personal message each brick purchased supports our ongoing mission to enrich present lives, encourage lifelong learning, and prepare for our ever-changing future. To order a brick, please go to https://www.fundraisingbrick.com/online-orders/hampstead/ 

Sweets & Treats Recipe Exchange
On Friday, November 19 at 3pm the Library will host a recipe exchange. This event is a great way to find a new recipe for the holiday season. RSVP via the Events Calendar on HampsteadLibrary.org or call 603-329-6411. Drop-off your favorite dessert recipe in advance at the front desk or email it to jwatt@HampsteadLibrary.org. We’ll make copies to share with others. The day of the event, you have the option to bring samples of your treats, packaged in individual serving-size baggies, for other participants to take home. Attendees will leave with recipes and samples. If you are interested but unable to attend the event, let us know and we’ll be sure to save a recipe for you.

StoryWalk Week
StoryWalk® Week 2021 takes place from November 15 to November 19. It’s a celebration of fresh air, exercise, and books. The Hampstead Public Library is happy to join the merriment with its permanent new StoryWalk® which was installed on the front lawn. Visitors are invited to experience the story at their own pace. Kids and adults are welcome any time! The first book on display is BIG DANCE, written and illustrated by Aoife Greenham. Along with the book page, there are questions and activity suggestions at each post.

National Day of Giving
Tuesday, November 30 is the National Day of Giving. The Hampstead Public Library celebrates by giving a free book and treat to everyone who visits that day. It is the Trustees’ and staff’s way of thanking the community for its continued patronage and support. Visit the Library and receive a gift while supplies last. In the early evening, there is a free event with Financial Advisor Chris Adams, from Edward Jones in Hampstead.

Thanksgiving Hours
For Thanksgiving weekend the Library closes at 5pm on Wednesday, November 24, and is closed for the remainder of the weekend. It reopens at 9am on Monday, November 29. Be sure to stock-up on books, movies, magazines, and museum passes by Wednesday afternoon. All online services are always available.

December Preview
The Hampstead Public Library has Polar Express events for families planned for Saturday, December 4 with sessions at 9:30am and 12:30pm. Before the holidays, come learn how to make the most of your phone’s camera in a Cell Phone Photography Class with Eva McDermott on Tuesday, December 7 at 6:30 pm. Friday, December 10, is Weather Tea time with special guest speaker Barry Burbank. Registration is required for all these events. Space is limited, so be sure to sign-up well in advance via the Events Calendar on HampsteadLibrary.org or call 603-329-6411. More details for December events are coming soon.

Check out the group events that happen at the library!

• The Spinners and Knitters group meets the second Saturday of each month from 10am to 12pm. It is comprised mainly of knitters and spinners, who create their own yarn on spinning wheels. However, all needle-workers are welcome to join.
• Bridge Club has returned to the Library on Mondays, starting at 1 pm. Players of all levels are welcome. Come meet old friends or make new ones. Please note: no instruction is given, and the club does not meet on weeks where there is a Monday holiday.

Stay in touch with the Hampstead Public Library and be notified of upcoming events! 

Click here to sign up for the Library newsletter

Hampstead Conservation Commission

Hampstead Trail System Hunting Advisory
Please be aware that hunting could take place on our trail system between now and mid-December. For safety, please wear blaze orange on yourself and your dog(s) during this period.

The Conservation Commission has established rules for our conservation land that indicate hunting is not allowed on most of our properties. However, the land is not properly posted to prevent hunting, so legally, hunting can occur on our conservation land. Also, large parts of the trail system are on privately owned conservation land, and our rules don't apply there. Having said all this, most hunters will avoid places with a lot of human activity, but you never know.

For deer hunting, archery season is 9/15 - 12/15, muzzleloader season 10/30 - 11/9, and shotgun season 11/10 - 12/5.

For turkey hunting, archery is 9/15 - 12/15 and shotgun is 10/11 - 10/17.

Please be safe out there.

West Road Conservation Area 5k Loop
Thanks to Ethan Charles and Boy Scout Troop 33 Hampstead, the Hampstead Conservation Commission is pleased to introduce the "Hampstead Community 5k Cross Country Route". Ethan implemented this 5k route in the West Road Conservation Area as part of his Eagle Scout project. The route starts/finishes at the West Road parking lot and is marked on the trails with posts with 5k text, directional arrows, and mile markers. It will help users of the trails easily navigate a longer route through the various trails. The downloadable "Western - Complete" map has been updated to include the 5k course and a new map called "Western - 5k" has a zoomed in view and written trail descriptions. Both maps are GPS enabled and compatible with Avenza and can be downloaded here: https://www.hampsteadnh.us/conservation-commission/pages/trail-maps

QR codes and download directions are also available for both maps at the West Road trailhead.

Let's all give a big thank you to Ethan and Boy Scout Troop 33 for this great new addition for the Hampstead community!

Nathan Roux Eagle Scout Project
The Hampstead Conservation Commission would like to thank Nathan Roux and Boy Scout Troop 33 Hampstead for the new picnic table and two benches that were added in the Darby Brook Conservation Area on the east side of town as part of Nathan's Eagle Scout Project. The benches are located at the Hadley Road and Golden Meadow Road trailheads so will be great for preparing for an outing. The picnic table is at the end of a new, short spur trail off of the Skunk2 trail on the Duston Parcel. It is perfectly located for a destination picnic and is at the top of a hill for seasonal views (great views right now since the leaves are gone)! The benches, picnic table, and new spur trail are all marked on the updated map available here: https://www.hampsteadnh.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif661/f/uploads/hampsteadnheasternconservationland_0.pdf
 

Hampstead Recreation Committee

Turkey Trot
The Hampstead Turkey Trot sign ups are open. Please click on the following link to sign up online: https://runsignup.com/Race/NH/Hampstead/HampsteadTurkeyTrot 

Sign ups received after November 1st or on the day of the event will not receive a 2021 Turkey Trot t-shirt. Please note that t-shirt and bib pick-up will be on Tuesday, November 23rd between 6pm and 7:30pm at the Meeting House.

For more information on the event: https://sites.google.com/site/recreationhampstead/events-lessons/turkey-trot 

Questions? Please email: hampsteadrec@gmail.com

Senior Citizens Holiday “Pick Up” Dinner - Saturday, December 4th
Sign ups are open for the Holiday Senior dinner. Deadline to sign up is November 17th*.

Hampstead Recreation Commission will be holding a drive-thru holiday dinner again this year.  While we know this isn't the same as our traditional Senior Holiday Dinner, we are looking forward to providing a nice meal to enjoy. Guests will drive around the back of St. Anne's Parish and pick up meals between 12:00 and 1:00pm on Saturday December 4th. You will pull up behind St. Annes and your meal of cheese and crackers, turkey, potatoes, gravy, stuffing, vegetable, cranberry sauce, roll and a delicious dessert will be brought out to you (you will not need to leave your car).

To sign up for your free dinner, please email hampsteadrec@gmail.com Email is the preferred method of contact. However, if you need to call, the number is 603-329-4200 x112. Please leave names of all attending, phone number and street address.

*Important Note: You must be a Hampstead Resident to attend/participate in the scenario dinner. Please bring your driver's license.  

Senior Socials
Senior Coffee socials are held on the fourth Thursday of each month at the meeting house from 9:15am-11:45am. You do not need to sign up ahead of time, just come and enjoy coffee, snacks and conversation.
(Note: There will be no Coffee Social in November)
 

Hampstead Patriotic Committee

Thank you to everyone who joined us this year for our Veteran’s Day celebration. During this service, awards were presented:

The VFW Voice of Democracy Contest: Alexandrine Lacasse
The Patriots Pen Contest: 1st place Kyah Luther , 2nd place was awarded to Aidan Jones. 

Congratulations to all. All of them will be entered into the next round.

A quilt made by Stitched with Love was presented to Harold Essegian in honor of his service. The quilt was also embroidered with Harold's personal information. Thank you Stitched with Love! Thank you for your service Harold!

On December 18th, there will be a Wreaths Across America ceremony held outside of Town Hall at noon. Please join us! To learn more about this national program, please visit https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/
 

Hampstead Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

If you have served on foreign soil, you may be eligible to join the Hampstead VFW Post.  If you are interested, contact the Post Commander Howie Steadman at 603-329-4288.
 

Hampstead Fire Department

Do you have your burning permit?
A reminder to all that no fire shall be kindled without obtaining a written permit. To obtain a permit, please stop by the fire station. Permit issuance hours are 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.  With the exception of a rainy day, no burning will be allowed before 5:00 p.m.

Click here to print Burning Permit Application.

On the day you wish to burn, you will call the station first to check if it is a “permitted burn day” per NH Forests & Lands, then you will give your permit number.

If you have any further questions regarding permits, please feel free to call (603) 329-6006 or stop by the station. For more information https://www.hampsteadnh.us/fire-department/pages/burning-permits

Hampstead Trash & Recycling

Household Hazardous Waste
Waste Oil, car batteries and thermostats are collected at the Town Garage on the first and third Saturdays of the month 8 am to 1 pm. 

Delayed Trash Pickup
Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 25   
Pick-ups scheduled for Thursday, November 25th will be conducted on Friday, November 26th.
 

Have you heard about the Swap Shop? 
A great place to drop off items in good condition and to pick up a new treasure. The last swap shop day to browse/pick up items is Saturday, November 20th from 10am to 12pm. After that, the shop will close for the winter. See you in the spring! Located at the Transfer Station - 311 Kent Farm Rd, Hampstead, NH

For more details and list of what’s accepted please visit https://www.hampsteadnh.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif661/f/news/swap_shop_flye...

Looking for details on bulk item disposal? Need a vehicle sticker for the Transfer station? Get the answers to these questions and more online: https://www.hampsteadnh.us/recycling-waste-disposal

Hampstead Code Enforcement Office

As a reminder to those Residents of Hampstead citizens living in zoned residential areas (basically any non-recreational, non-mobile home, and non-commercial area of the town):

Cargo trailers are prohibited for a period of more than three weeks, except by a special exception from the Board of Adjustment. The long-term use of a cargo trailer shall not be detrimental to the neighborhood.

The definition of a cargo trailer is: A metal structure, with or without wheels, that is normally intended to carry cargo on the road, rail, and/or sea. (Adopted - 3/13/2007)

Any questions should be directed to the town Code Enforcement office: https://www.hampsteadnh.us/building-health-code-enforcement

Upcoming Meetings and Events

You can see any upcoming committee meetings and events on the town calendar at https://www.hampsteadnh.us/calendar

Share your News!

Want to contribute your town committee or department information for publication in the next newsletter? Contact the Communication Committee by visiting: https://www.hampsteadnh.us/communication-committee

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If you would like to sign up for the Town Newsletter, please visit https://www.hampsteadnh.us/subscribe and check off the box next to "Communication Committee" in the "News or Announcement" section.