Appalachian Trail Meeting Held In Norwich

Norwich — Members of the public are invited to learn about the management of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and its adjoining corridor during a meeting on Wednesday from 6:30-8 p.m., at the Montshire Museum Community Room, 1 Montshire Road in Norwich.

At the meeting, Hawk Metheny, The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s regional director, and other Conservancy staff will present information on trail management and answer questions along with representatives from Green Mountain National Forest and Green Mountain Club.

Woodstock Library Starts Fundraising For Audio-Visual Room

Woodstock — The Friends of the Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock are spearheading a fundraising effort to finance a new audio-visual community room at the library.

“The audio visual room will provide many opportunities for the library to interact with the Woodstock community as a home away from home and in ways that will enhance the social, cultural and educational lives of our community,” Peggy Fraser, President of Friends of the Norman Williams Public Library said in a news release.

To kick-start fundraising the Friends of the Library will donate $6,000. The organization also started a giving tree located near the library’s front desk to encourage the public to donate. In addition, donations will be accepted during the library’s Holiday Tea event, taking place at the library from 1-4 p.m. on Werdnesday. During that free event, guest speaker Ellen Stimson, author of Mud Season, will showcase her latest book, An Old Fashioned Christmas.

“It’s an opportunity to come out, enjoy holiday cheer, and donate to a fabulous cause,” said Gina McAllister, who is helping to organize the event.

The new community room will be equipped with a high-quality sound system, a large-screen and projection system, and an assistive listening system, which will help the hearing impaired to fully participate in and enjoy library presentations. The room will be available for a variety of community uses, including learning-lab courses, computer-skills training, technology classes and student group meetings. The large-screen capability will also enable the library to offer film screenings, and improved lighting, sound and projection capabilities will allow the library to more effectively partner with the Woodstock Community Television Network to tape and broadcast programs.

The project is expected to cost $20,000.

“I hope our new Community Room will attract a wide variety of businesses and nonprofit groups to our library for their future conferences and meetings,” said Amanda Merk, executive director of the library.

CCBA Staff Awarded Certificates of Merit

Lebanon — Three staff members of the Carter Community Building Association fitness center in Lebanon will receive certificates of merit from the American Red Cross for their part in saving the life of a client who had a heart attack at the center.

Program Director Marie Derosier, Personal Training Coordinator Alena Pardoe and Member Services Coordinator Denise Holden used their first-aid training to save Dave Kelty, of Grafton, last February.

The three women will be presented with their certificates of merit — the highest award given by the American Red Cross — during a ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Friday at the CCBA Witherell Recreation Center, 1 Taylor St., Lebanon.

Orange East Senior Center Seeks Board Members

Bradford — The Orange East Senior Center, which serves senior citizens in the towns of Bradford, Corinth, Fairlee, Newbury, Topsham, and West Fairlee, is looking for board members to represent Newbury and West Fairlee.

The center is lead by a board of directors with two representatives from each town who help oversee services and engage in fundraising. The board meets monthly. Anyone who is interested in participating should contact Victoria Chaffee at 802-222-4782.

N.H. Adds Public Forums On Changes to Medicaid

Concord — New Hampshire health officials are planning more public meetings to explain changes to the state’s expanded Medicaid program.

The state Department of Health and Human Services has been holding forums around the state, and recently scheduled several more.

The program previously used Medicaid funds to purchase private health plans for low-income residents, but in reauthorizing the program for another five years, lawmakers decided to change its structure to a more cost-effective managed care model. The plan also imposes new work requirements on enrollees and use 5 percent of liquor revenues to cover the state’s cost as federal funding decreases.

The next forum is on Jan. 7 in Concord. Others will be held later in January in Colebrook, Laconia, Littleton, Claremont, Portsmouth and Keene.

— Staff and wire reports