For 30 and a half years Linda Jakubowicz has been the smiling face that has greeted people as they have walked into the doors of Troy Elementary School and been the pleasant voice that responded if they called on the phone.  She knows our grand old school building inside and out and there isn’t a day that goes by that you don’t hear someone saying, “I’ll go ask Linda.”  On December 30th, she will answer her last phone call, and lock the doors of the school behind her for the last time.  Troy school would like to thank Linda for her years of dedicated service and wish her well in her retirement.

If you listen carefully you can hear the excitement brewing in the halls of Troy School.

On Thursday, December 1st the PTO is holding a Gamewright Game Night from 6-7 PM.  Games from Gamewright will be available for playing and ordering.  Rumor has it that a big, jolly man in a red suit will be hanging about the Town common on Sunday December 4th.  Students are encouraged to bring canned goods or non-perishable food items to donate to Helping Hand enjoy a bonfire and sing Christmas Carols while they wait for his big arrival.  Thanks to the PTO for coordinating this event with the town.  Monday, December 5th is our next early release day.  MRMS-MRHS students will be dismissed at 11:30 and Troy School students will be dismissed at 12:30.

The Monadnock Regional School District’s final budget paperwork was sent in the state late this year and for good reason.  The Board’s auditors wanted to double check all our calculations and confirm the amount of our surplus as accurate.  It turns out that the final amount is a little over $920,000.  This amount is a surplus from the 2010 – 2011 school year and must be returned to the taxpayers by statute. I think it is worth noting that much of this surplus is due to the outstanding efforts of our Business Manager in rectifying prior billing errors between districts in the former SAU 38 where our money was given to Winchester and Hinsdale as well as outstanding efforts on the part of our Special Ed Department to make sure our billings are correct and that we obtain the reimbursements to which we are legally entitled.

The Christmas story is a love story between mankind and God.  Many people have bad feelings about the Bible, probably because they have never read it or understood it.  A lot of people think it's a bunch of rules you can't follow or that God is some kind of cop up on a cloud ready to pounce on you if you do anything wrong.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  God did set rules for us to live by.  Some of them are even incorporated into our laws today.  However, the Bible is full of love and is the greatest love story ever given to mankind.  The most famous love statement from God remains written in the hearts of mankind— "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life"  Isn't this the kind of God that you want to know?  If so, I urge you to seek him today as the shepherds and wise men did during the Christmas season.

“finding beauty in the common…”

Suzanne Cullen has opened her first shop in Troy at the historic Whitney Store building next to the library.  She displays a large collection of antiques, vintage and gently used furniture, home décor and gifts, covering several rooms in the house at 2 South Main Street.

Suzanne has been a hospice nurse in Massachusetts.  She and her husband, Carl Ostrander, have five grown daughters, and live in New Ipswich.  The reason Suzanne chose to open her shop at this time stems from something she learned from her patients – “If you have a dream, then act on it now.  Don’t wait.”  It has been her dream and goal to offer an alternative to high prices.

Collecting has been a hobby since she was a child.  The shop is filled with items that recently filled their garage!  She has an eye for items that have been gently cared for, have a history or special craftsmanship.  If items need a little tender loving care, she helps them to endure.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving, now the holiday season is off to a full start.  Are you ready?  The seniors filled several boxes with items for nursing homes.  Thanks to all who so generously donated the items.  They really appreciate all that is given.
    Our December meeting will be our Christmas dinner and sing-a-long of Christmas Carols.  Dinner will be held at noon December 21st at east Hill Farm.  If you have not signed up for the dinner please call Lucille and let her know.
    Remember to attend our buffet breakfast the first Saturday of the month at Kimball Hall from 7—10 AM.  Great place to meet up with your friends and family and wish them all a Merry Christmas.  Cost is still $5 for adults and $3.50 for children.  A great price for all that is offered.  If you have never tried it, plan to attend ...you’ll be glad you did.

K. Clarke, myself and Brian Doerpholz (from Fitzwilliam, invited as a consultant), met with the selectmen recently to discuss the merits of establishing an Agricultural Commission in Troy.  This meeting was for the purpose of obtaining permission to proceed or not to proceed with the activity.  The selectmen having approved our requesT we will be organizing a committee to gather information, lay out plans, hold one or more public meetings during the next year before presenting it to the voters at the 2013 Town Meting,  If you would like to be a part of this committee contact me at 242-7745 or K. Clarke at 242-3573.

Thank you to all who participated in our Oktoberfest and Growers dinners held here this fall.  Both events were attended by many and the silent auction at the Growers dinner was a huge success, with many agricultural items and paintings up for bid.  Thank you to the New Hampshire Young Farmers and Ranchers for all their hard work. 

The Holiday season is fast approaching.  Kick it off by participating in the 7th annual Currier & Ives Cookie tour.  It will be running from 11 AM—4 PM on Saturday, December 10.  There are currently 15 stops that will bring you to Fitzwilliam, Jaffrey, Rindge, Troy, Marlborough, Peterborough, and Swanzey.  Tickets are $10.00 per person, and good for all locations.  The ticket includes a homemade cookie and refreshment at each stop, as well as recipe cards for the treats offered.  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Helping Hand, a non-profit organization that provides clothing and food to Troy and Fitzwilliam residents in need.  Get out and visit our local businesses to see how they decorate for Christmas and also what they have to offer throughout the year.