Letters
Region
Abstract Paintings & Tribal Masks Exhibition At New Hampshire Antique Co-Op
Now on view through May 31, 2020
Congregational Church Stays Connected
During the suspension of in-person activities in light of the Covid-19 situation, the Congregational Church of Amherst, UCC has a variety of ways for members and others to connect with church programs. This is especially important during April as Holy Week and Easter are on the horizon.
The most up-to-date information about church activities can be found on the church’s website (ccamherst.org) or by calling the church office at 673-3231. Sunday services are broadcast on FacebookLive and recorded for later on-line viewing. Services are followed by a Virtual Fellowship Hour. Links for these and other events can be found on the website.
The church’s Facebook page is another source of information, including updates and video messages from the pastors. Pastors Maureen Frescott and Kate Kennedy are available to provide pastoral care during this time, and the church welcomes community members to connect with this loving, serving, open and affirming community of faith.
Emergency Post ~ March 20, 2020
Schools
Brief Update from the Joint Facilities Advisory Committee
Moving Forward, Together
The Joint Facilities Advisory Committee would like to extend a sincere thank you to voters in the SAU 39 district for supporting the Amherst and Souhegan Cooperative School District Operating Budgets and Expendable Maintenance Trust Fund Warrant Articles.
The JFAC met, virtually, on March 26th to begin planning for the future. While we do not know when we will be back in our school buildings, we know that we will return one day. We remain committed to moving Amherst forward with a comprehensive plan for our public-school infrastructure needs.
Next Steps:
• The Amherst and Souhegan Cooperative school districts will begin to fund their long-range capital maintenance plans, implementing scheduled repairs and system updates, on a timeline that levels the tax impact. *It is important to note that in the Amherst School District no major capital expenditures are scheduled until 2024. This timeline allows for the budgeted and approved Amherst School District architectural and engineering study to be completed first.
• Projects outlined in the Souhegan 2.0 proposed renovation plan are currently under review and specific items are being prioritized for completion.
• The SAU has reached out to architects, Lavalle Brensinger, to begin the approved architectural and engineering study of the facilities in the Amherst School District.
The Joint Facilities Advisory Committee will continue to work in conjunction with SAU 39 leadership and staff to ensure this work moves forward expeditiously and to communicate findings with the community.
Finally, we would like to welcome Ms. Stephanie Grund, Souhegan Cooperative School Board member, to our committee. Thank you, Mr. David Chen and Ms. Laura Taylor, for your service to the committee last fall.
*The Joint Facilities Advisory Committee meeting dates and login information (for virtual meetings) are located on the SAU 39 website www.sau39.org
A Maker Response to the COVID-19 Challenges
What is Amherst Makerspace Doing?
Amherst Makerspace volunteers are currently working on several initiatives to produce PPE (personal protective equipment), including a collaboration with local nursing staff to 3D print protective masks. At this time, all of our 3D printers are being dedicated to this project. If you have a 3D printer and PLA or PETG filament, please join us in printing as many of these masks as you can.
Makers in the Amherst area: Amherst Makerspace will provide all non-3D printed components (though we will accept donations of the supplies listed below). Please email makerspace@sau39.org to coordinate dropping-off printed components. Our makerspace is volunteer-run and there is no guarantee that someone will be present to receive masks. Please reach out ahead of time to make arrangements.
Makers outside of Amherst NH: We are amazed by the wide responses we are receiving. If you are NOT in the Amherst area, please do not try to ship us masks. There is no guarantee when they will arrive and the need is urgent nationwide. Please coordinate as much as possible with your local healthcare facilities. Google search for makerspaces in your area if you want to connect with others. We will continue to post project updates and guidelines here.
A note on safety: We are collaborating with healthcare professionals and other makers to develop open-source personal protective equipment; however, we caution that these items have not been tested or approved for medical use by any relevant authorities. Amherst Makerspace makes no guarantees that these masks will prevent transmission of COVID-19. Please continue to adhere to current CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19 and use open source PPE at your own risk.
Additionally, Amherst Makerspace is not selling PPE. We are donating masks to local healthcare facilities who specifically request equipment. We will accept donations to offset the cost of purchasing supplies and running our operation. The Amherst Rec department has setup a program to donate to the effort https://amherstnh.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29038. Additionally, if you have unused N95 masks at home, please contact your local healthcare facility to make a donation.
• Mask Design
• Assembly: In this video, a member of the Lowell Makers’ assembles a mask and narrates the process.
Clark-Wilkins Kindergarten Registration 2020-2021
Online registration for 2020-2021 incoming kindergarten students is currently available on our website at https://www.sau39.org/cw. Please follow the quick link to register your student for our full day program.
If you have any questions, please email Terry April at tapril@sau39.org, or by phone at Clark School, 673-2343 X3101.
Kindergarten students must be 5 years old by 9/30/20.
WEBERTORIAL
WEBERTORIAL
Yoga Therapy from Home
“Now, more than ever, people are looking for healthy ways to ease the effects of stress on both body and mind. Therapeutic yoga offers many tools for the ups and downs of life,” says Michelle Folan, owner of Simple Soul Yoga in Amherst. For the past twelve years, Michelle has shared the benefits of yoga with a vast audience. Her students include individuals with chronic pain, limited mobility, recovery, anxiety, depression, and other stress-related conditions.
Within the new parameters of Covid-19, she now provides remote lessons via Zoom or FaceTime for individuals and families, and also offers typical group classes via
Michelle Wilson Folan
Comprehensive Yoga Therapist
Zoom for students who are looking for a low-impact way to stay fit and peaceful while staying at home. “For the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of normalcy,” commented a woman from Hollis who participated in her group class last Tuesday. Other participants nodded in agreement, and added that it was a great way to calm down and take care of themselves in an unpredictable world.To sign up or learn more about the classes and programs Michelle offers, visit her Simple Soul Yoga page on Facebook, her website at www.simplesoulyoga.com or contact her at: 603.769.1491, email: Michelle@simplesoulyoga.com
Members of the Souhegan High School Jazz Ensemble joined the Doug Olsen Latin Jazz Quintet along with jazz ensembles from Windham HS, Alvirne HS and Amherst Middle School at Jazz Night on Feb. 7.
(L to R): Max Hogan (Keyboard), Conrad Koch, Will Upton, Adam Horrocks (guitar), Jeremy Klapka, Siraj Husainy, Liam Schick, Zealand Broadley (Drum Set), Hyrum Coleman, Vin Hargreaves, Franklin Weiss, Andrew Rosse, Andrew Coleman, Merlyn Zimmerman
Souhegan High's Jazz Ensembles Entertains
Students in the News
