I cut out the editorial cartoon Hero’s Welcome by Canadian artist Pia Guerra that was published in Thursday’s paper. I think it was the first time in 83 years of living that my eyes filled with tears as I truly felt the power of that graphic. Even thinking of it now makes me sad.
Maybe the fact that my husband was a high school math teacher and I was the school head’s secretary made the situation feel closer, but we are parents, too. From any perspective, it’s brilliant and heartbreaking.
Schools should be safe havens for kids and for teachers. Any guns on school property belong in the hands of the assigned law enforcement person, period.
Elizabeth Klingler
New London
As part of my job as Lebanon’s energy and facilities manager, which I started in January, I’ve been working with the Lebanon Energy Advisory Council to promote weatherization. There are just a few days left to get involved in Weatherize Lebanon — sign up before Saturday to be eligible for the program’s perks.
The program is run by a team of volunteers from Lebanon, with support from Vital Communities and NHSaves. Our Weatherize partner contractors are offering highly reduced $100 home energy audits and energy improvement quotes for residents in our city. Those who sign a contract with one of our partner contractors by May 31 will be eligible to win up to $500 toward the cost of their home energy project, in addition to any NHSaves rebates they may be eligible for.
This is a great opportunity to learn what it would take to make your home more comfortable (in the cold of winter and during the dog days of summer) and save money on your energy bills. Often homeowners pay upward of $400 for a comprehensive energy audit.
Contrary to popular belief, most weatherization projects focus on air sealing and insulation, not expensive new windows. And some of these improvements can be undertaken by the homeowners themselves. According to NHSaves, the average weatherization project results in an average of 20 percent energy savings and costs around $6,000.
I encourage all Lebanon homeowners to sign up to get more information from the Lebanon volunteer team. Most every home could benefit from basic energy efficiency improvements, and an opportunity to get professional advice from trusted contractors doesn’t come along every day. Take your comfort and energy bills into your own hands.
Sign up before Saturday at VitalCommunities.org/Weatherize. Also feel free to contact me at Tad.Montgomery@lebcity.com or program coordinator Lynn Garfield at lynngarfield17@gmail.com
Tad Montgomery
Lebanon
What an extraordinary week as we witnessed two of our neighboring Upper Valley communities adopt Town Meeting resolutions to transition to a 100 percent renewable energy future. Congratulations, Cornish and Plainfield. In a time of regressive and obstreperous national policy, it is local leadership that is empowering action to a stronger, healthier, more reliable energy future.
Local action will be the focus at a public forum, “Achieving 100% Renewable Energy: First Steps,” hosted by the Sustainable Hanover Energy Committee on Wednesday, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the R.W. Black Center. The forum will report to the Hanover community on the work that has been accomplished since voters elected to transition to 100 percent renewables last May.
Doors will open at 6:30 for poster exhibits and networking with Energy Committee members. Meet neighbors on the Hanover Neighborhood Action Group to exchange ideas about the path to 100 percent renewables. The program begins at 7 p.m. Keynote speaker is Dan Kalafatas, founder and chairman of 3Degrees. Hanover town officials will present their plan to increase solar capacity and reduce energy consumption, and explain the community solar zoning amendment, which will require voter approval at Town Meeting in May. The Energy Committee will report on its initiatives.
Since Hanover’s Ready for 100 vote, we have seen exciting movement toward greater efficiency and cleaner energy in every segment of our community. We expect there are many other achievements that have not come to our attention. We look forward to the learning about your successes.
Yolanda Baumgartner and Marjorie Rogalski
Co-Chairs, Sustainable Hanover Committee
The Hartford Historical Society would like to clarify several issues that have arisen as we continue to raise funds and accept donations to pursue the much-needed expansion of our society.
We are anticipating the purchase of the historic Horace Pease House, the former Elks Lodge facility in Hartford Village. The Hartford Historical Society is a nonprofit organization but would be required to pay property taxes on the portion of the facility that would provide rental income and not on the portion used by the society for offices, exhibits, programs the museum, etc. The Elks facility is completely serviced with a sprinkler system, which was required when the addition was built in the 1980s. There are numerous grants available to assist in the renovation and preservation of the Horace Pease House once the building is owned by the historical society.
Volunteers are welcome and much-appreciated to keep our offices, museum and exhibits open to the public and to assist with our special functions and activities. Visitors are always welcome to the Garipay House. We are open during the winter on Thursday and Friday mornings and by appointment. For questions and additional information, please leave a message at 802-296-3132 or by email at info@hartfordhistoricalsociety.com.
Judy Barwood
Hartford Historical Society
As Christians participate in their annual Palm Sunday celebrations, I am struck by details of that original event in Jerusalem many years ago. Through one gate into the holy city entered Pontius Pilate, an arrogant and mean authoritarian who wanted a show of force so that no one would question his power. Simultaneously, through another gate into the city, came another, much less dramatic procession led by a humble Jewish teacher and preacher mounted on a donkey, which was a symbol of peace and nonviolence. A dramatic collision between two very different ways of life and sets of values.
These days, I am astounded to read about our president’s desire to have a grand military parade in Washington, D.C., possibly in November. I hope someone will organize a counter-parade, maybe featuring some humble teacher riding on a donkey. If it happens, I hope that alternative parade attracts more attention than the pomp and circumstance of our 21st century American version of Pontius Pilate.
John Morris
Topsham