Please be sure to scroll to the bottom of this week’s news to read the letter from our former Superintendent Keith Pfeifer. It was a pleasure to work with Keith. He always kept us informed about upcoming meetings and events. His work was much appreciated.

Don’t forget to sponsor teams for the Prouty

The 31^st annual Prouty is July 13 and 14 and it’s not too late to sponsor someone or a team in the event.

The Grantham Mountaineers Prouty Team again has cyclists, walkers and rowers participating To be a sponsor, visit the Prouty website at www.TheProuty.org and follow the instructions, or contact Susan Mattson at 863-0746 or susancmattson@gmail.com; or Merle Schotanus at 863-2293 or schot@comcast.net.

Lebanon Crew (which includes many Grantham students) is also participating this year. In addition, for every individual donation made to the Friends of Lebanon Crew for the Prouty, Chicago Soft, Ltd. will make a matching donation (up to $500) to Lebanon Crew. If you would like to make a donation to Friends of Lebanon Crew’s Prouty team, use the link below. You can make it as a general team donation or choose a team member that you know here. 

The final hike in the Sunapee Ragged Kearsarge Greenway series will be held next weekend. July 14 (Sat) "The Road Less Traveled Trip" Hike to the Pillsbury/Sunapee Highlands in Goshen and Newbury. We will be hiking the Goshen Historical Society trail to the historic Franklin Pierce lead mine, then continuing on to the highlands along an infrequently used path until intersecting the Sunapee State Park snowmobile trails, finally joining the Five Summers Trail to the Monadnock/Sunapee Greenway and terminating at Lucia’s Lookout. 6+- miles M/D. Tom Lawton telawton@yahoo.com  477-1995.

Don’t forget to bring water, lunch or a snack and hiking poles if you want. Call or email the hike leader at least the day before to find out details of the hike - where to meet and times. That way you’ll be on a list to be notified if there is a cancellation. Enjoy your summer!

The Honeymooners quartet is back beginning at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 18 at The Center at Eastman. This fun group features Grantham’s Dan & Gayle Signor and Norwich, VT’s Lisa & Chris Henderson singing doo-wop, barbershop, gospel and show tunes a cappella. The program is free and open to the public.

Climbing all 67 of New England’s 4,000 footers

Nancy Sporborg and her friend Pat Piper started walking the sidewalks of Keene and ended up climbing 67 of the 4,000-footers in New England. Come hear them speak about their adventures beginning at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 25 at The Center at Eastman. The program, which is presented by the Dunbar Free Library and the Eastman Community Association, is free and open to the public.

NOTE: Nancy Sporburg is the creator of the Keene Pumpkin Festival and the author of It's Not About The Hike. 

The Grantham Athletic Department is holding a soccer camp in conjunction with Premier Soccer Academy of New Hampshire of Bedford. This is a great way for your player to have fun while improving their soccer skills! The program runs July 30-Aug. 6 at the Grantham Recreation Park on Shedd Road. It is open to boys and girls of all ages. Times and costs vary by program chosen.

Log on to Athletic Department page at Town of Grantham website (www.granthamnh.net) for complete information and registration info. You can also contact Marsha Googins at 667-1303 or athletics@granthamnh.net.

Reminders

• Grantham United Methodist Church worship service at 9 a.m. each Sunday, with Pastor Patricia Williams. Everyone is welcome to attend.

• The Grantham Food Pantry at 65 Roses in Rum Brook Plaza is open for food pick up from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, visit www.granthamfoodpantry.org or call Caitlin at 603-361-2604. Donations of non-perishable food, toiletry and baby items can be dropped off at the Dunbar Free Library and Grantham Town Hall. Cash donations go to the Grantham Community Crisis Fund.

I would like to thank the Grantham Community for your kindness and support during my tenure as Superintendent of Schools. I would also like to thank those in the Town of Grantham offices who have been a pleasure to work with and who we have cooperated with to provide services to Grantham residents. By working together with the town, we have achieved a lot.

Most of all, I would like to thank the people of Grantham for your support of the school. The Grantham Village School is a wonderful place to grow and learn. The 2008-09 building committee did a great job of creating a school that is a dynamic place to learn. It is efficient to run and a colorful place for the young children of Grantham. The Grantham Village School has a good staff who cares about kids.

Working cooperatively with our school board and the boards of Lebanon and Plainfield, we were able to develop a new Area Agreement. This agreement not only makes financial sense, it makes educational sense. The Lebanon Middle School and Lebanon High School will continue to prepare Grantham students for the complex world they will enter. This year, as in the past two years, Grantham students have continued to thrive and win many awards for their academic performance in Lebanon.

I would like to thank the Grantham School Board and the chair, Jeff Walla. Jeff has been a driving force in running the school district in a transparent and efficient manner.

I wish everyone well in the future. Public education continues to be important in preparing our students for the complex and global world they will enter. Once again, thank you for your support.