Candia News : fundraiser

Congregational Church needs a new roof

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:32:00 GMT

BY TOBY HENRY

Organizers say they’re looking forward to an upcoming fundraiser that will help them put a new top on one of the most well-known buildings in town.

Located on High Street (Route 27) at an area that some call “Candia’s other Four Corners” -- the junction of South Road, Route 27 and Healey Road -- the Candia Congregational Church is one of the oldest buildings in town still in daily use.

Trustee Lynn Yule said the building dates to the 1830s and was built to replace a 1760sera building that formerly stood where the town Soldiers Monument is today, but that building was destroyed by a fire in January 1838.

According to historical accounts, it took the 19th century Candia residents only 10 months to build the church that still stands there today. The building is also neighbors with two other historical structures, the Fitts Museum and the old Smyth Library building. But church trustee Nancy Malone said the past few decades have taken their toll on the tall building’s roof, and some shingles can now be seen eroding and peeling even from a distant street-level vantage point.

To help repair the damage, Malone said officials have drawn up a re-shingling plan that is expected to cost around $60,000, and one of the first fundraisers for the event has been scheduled for the end of the month. Malone and others are calling on local residents to gather together “those things that are just hanging around” for the upcoming community yard sale on Aug. 30.

“It certainly needs to be done, because we want to preserve the church we have now,” Yule said.

The yard sale will take place at the church from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a rain date slated for Sept. 6. Tables are available for $15 each and applicants can send their checks to the church at Candia Congregational Church, 1 South Road, P.O. Box 62, Candia, N.H. 03034.

For more information or to donate items for the sale, contact Malone at 587-0065.

Fundraising begins for new playground

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:32:00 GMT

BY TOBY HENRY

Selectmen gave the thumbs-up on July 29 for a plan put forward by school officials to raise money for a new playground for area students.

Jim Lewis, Henry Moore Elementary School assistant principal, told the board that right now, students have to make do with a playground that essentially consists of a swing-set, a slide and bark mulch. There were approximately 450 kindergarten through eighth-grade students at the school last year, and Lewis said he’d like to see a new, modern playground for his students.

He said parents and students recently put together an example of a new playground, and he said that Massachusetts-based builder O’Brien and Sons has come up with a $70,000 design. He added that the design includes popular new “wish-bone” and “corkscrew” slides seen in many area parks, and school officials hope to get help from local businesses in an upcoming fundraising endeavor.

“Our goal is not to come to the town for one penny,” he said. Instead of taxpayer funding, Lewis said officials have planned events on Oct. 3 and 4 that they hope will raise all or most of the money they will need to build the playground.

A spaghetti dinner has been scheduled at the school for Oct. 2, and the following morning, a 5-kilometer road race will also help raise money.

Lewis said the plan is to raise money primarily through the entrance fees and corporate sponsorships of runners, and the race has been scheduled for a Saturday morning, so as not to interrupt the weekday business traffic in town. He asked for the board to give their endorsement to the race, and board members appeared enthusiastic about the event.

Selectman Chairman Fred Kelley said the fundraiser is something that he is “definitely in favor” of, adding that he has already discussed the issue with Police Chief Michael McGillen. Selectman Richard Lazott moved to approve the request, stating that “the effort is commendable,” and the board gave its unanimous approval.

School Board member Ingrid Byrd, who was at the meeting as a member of the public, said she favored the fundraising approach, especially during a time of tight finances. She also commended Lewis for taking an active role in the project. “You have to give Jim a lot of credit for sticking around in the summer, and he doesn’t even live in Candia,” she said. “Anything we can do to help pay for things is a good idea.”

Historic statue rededicated after restoration

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:37:00 GMT

By JENN McDOWELL

Four girls from Candia finally saw their long-term community service project come to fruition with the rededication of the restored Civil War monument on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Becky Petrin, Alicia Frazier, and sisters Erin and Megan Smith, now eighth-graders at Moore School, began the restoration project four years ago by collecting pocket change.

“We saw an article in the paper about how the monument was being destroyed, and we figured that wasn’t right,” said Erin Smith.

She added that the project was started to raise awareness in Candia about preserving historical markers and to get the community involved in something they would work on together.

“Nobody seemed to be doing anything about it, and we thought maybe if we start, then others would follow along and help,” Erin Smith said.

The girls placed collection jars around the school, town hall, library and other places around town, raising a few hundred dollars.

That’s when Dan Meehan, state commander of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, a national organization devoted to Civil War education and monument preservation, got involved.

The Sons had just finished restoring the Civil War monument in Raymond, and Meehan contacted Karen Smith, mother of two of the girls, about how the Sons could help with Candia’s project.

Meehan, a Rochester firefighter, was able to obtain two grants to help fund the project, a $10,000 state Moose grant and a $500 grant from the national Sons office.

The rest of the funding was obtained through fundraising, donations, and a warrant article passed last year to get the total $23,000 needed to restore the monument to its former glory.

Meehan said those working on the project tried to get as much money as possible without going to the town for help.

“When we go to do a project, our first thing is that we want to raise all the money. We don’t want to raise taxes,” he said.

He also got in contact with the Smithsonian Museum’s Save Outdoor Sculpture campaign. They sent Rika Smith McNally, a conservator, to restore the monument.

McNally came to Candia and did studies on the monument to determine what needed to be repaired and what materials it was composed of. The brim on the soldier’s hat was missing, as well as his thumb, and the rifle was also in disrepair. All of those items were fabricated and welded to the monument.

“When you look at the monument now, it looks brand new,” Meehan said.

Megan Smith said the project got a lot of support from the community, and the girls felt honored to be the ones who got the ball rolling.

Seeing the monument rededicated was a special moment for them, she added. “We were just so proud that we were the ones who started this and finally got it done after four years,” she said.

Meehan commended the four girls for sticking together on the project.

“For them to take pride in their town and their monument, it was phenomenal,” he said.

Miss Seacoast to sell baked goods at Old Home Day

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 18:57:00 GMT

Chantel McCabe, Miss Seacoast, will host a Great American Bake Sale to help feed kids in need in New Hampshire at Candia Old Home Day on Saturday, Aug. 18.

Chantel was recently crowned Miss Seacoast in the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program, which is part of the Miss America Scholarship Program. She will host a bake sale at Candia Old Home Day in an effort to raise money for the Share Our Strength Program, which helps to feed hungry children in America.

She is also collecting desperately needed items for the Candia Food Pantry, which include spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, tomato paste, cereal, peanut butter, jellies and jams, pancake mix, pancake syrup, toilet paper, Kleenex, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, paper towels, hand lotion, shaving cream, after shave and body powder.

Everyone is invited to come by, drop off some items and buy some cupcakes, brownies, cookies and more while helping a great cause.