Grange awards coming up

Around Town with Dick Patten

Happy Easter and Passover to everyone!

I was told by a friend that this year and next year 2011 are the only years in which Easter for Christian World and Orthodox (Russian, Greek) and Passover will be celebrated together. This won't happen again until 500 years from now.

Pineconia Grange # 322 will hold their annual Community Awards Night on Monday, April 19 at 7 p.m. at Dame School, in the auditorium. This is open to the public. The Grange's awards night is part of the annual nationwide observance of Grange Month. The Grange will honor the Outstanding Police Officer, Firefighter, Educator, Citizen, and in addition will honor individuals who do Public Service, Legislative, Civic, Youth, Pioneer, and Legend. There will be refreshments served following the meeting. The Boy Scouts Troop 90 and Cub Scout 90 both sponsored by the Grange will present the colors and lead in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Grange recently presented new dictionaries to third grade students in the following
Schools: Concord Elementary Schools, Dunbarton Elementary School, Concord Christian School, Shaker Road, and Saint John's Regional School.
The next project for the members are the two traffic islands at the intersection of Airport and Loudon roads. The Grange is in need of mulch to cover the area. However, due to the cost, the Grange is unable to purchase it. If a landscaper could help by donating mulch for this project, it would be greatly appreciated. The Grange would like to be active in the community, however more members are needed, and the involvement in the Christmas Parade, Christmas Tree Lighting, Banners, plaques for Community Awards, support for the Child and Family Services Group Home, the list goes on and on. Please let me know if you can help, 496-2917. The next meeting will be in May.

Speaking of donations being needed, the annual Fourth of July Celebration at Memorial Field is tentatively scheduled for July 4th. However, the committee needs to raise another $5,000 dollars to pay for police protection, cleanup at the field, music by Nevers' Band, and more. Please contact David Gill at Concord Recreation Department at 225-8690 for information. All checks should be made out to the Fourth of July Celebration and sent to David Gill. As I stated last year, we can't lose our Independence Day celebration. We have lost so many holiday traditions in our city, let's not lose this one.

Bishop Brady High School will have a Spring Open House on Saturday, April 17 at 10 a.m. The school is located at 25 Columbus Ave. Bishop Brady is a Roman Catholic, college preparatory, co-educational high school, founded upon the values of faith, learning, and service. In partnership with families and the greater community, Bishop Brady instills a desire in students to engage in service to others and challenges them to rise above the expected in the pursuit of excellence. Please call 224-7419 for information.

Clean-up day at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church is Saturday, April 17 starting at 8 a.m. Breakfast refreshments will be served with Father Peter agreeing to have hot dogs and hamburgers for those who work to noontime. Please bring gloves, and rakes to help clean the grounds and gardens.

The 6th annual Youth IHM Charity Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, September 4th at Loudon Country Club. The price remains at $100 per golfer or $400 for a team of four players. Please call Paul and Diane Cantin at 223-9999 for more information.

Speaking of events, it is going to be a very tough year and if we can help by donating any amount it will be easier. The 59th annual Concord Christmas Parade will be held Saturday, Nov. 20, with a start date tentative of 9:30 a.m. The Christmas Tree Lighting now in its 24th year will be held the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 26, with activities starting at 4 p.m. Again, donations are going to be needed, although organizers won't be sending out requests until August. This will be my 39th year with the parade and 34th year with the Christmas scene at the plaza and 24th of organizing an event to light the lights. I am also concerned about the possibility of people having to pay for parking until they leave.

Watch out for the detours this week at Exit 14, I-93, Bridge Street or now known as Loudon Road. This will take a while so be patient and please follow the signs.

Happy Birthday to my aunt Irene Spaulding who resides on Heights Road. She has lived on the Heights all her life. I know she has seen so many changes.