Cool off

MILFORD -The Wadleigh Memorial Library opened as a cooling center Tuesday through Thursday this week during the heat wave, from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Rides to election

MILFORD – The Souhegan Valley Rides bus service, known as “The Blue Bus,” will provide rides to local voting locations on Sept. 11, for the primary elelctions. Passengers must be pre-registered and call to schedule a ride by Wednesday Sept. 5.

In keeping with the mission of the Souhegan Valley Transportation Collaborative, the priority will continue to be given to rides for healthcare appointments on election day. Additionally, priority is given for rides requested by senior citizens and residents living with a disability. Other residents may use the service as space and the daily schedule allow.

Pre-registered passengers are encouraged to call and request a ride if needed. SVTC works closely with their partners at the Nashua Transit System, and together they make every effort to accommodate requests within the limits of the service’s operating hours and available resources.

Souhegan Valley Rides is a curb-to-curb, dial-a-ride bus service available to residents of Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Milford, Mont Vernon and Wilton. The service is available Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., including travel time to and from the garage in Nashua. Rides are available within and between the six towns, and to and from Nashua. The first morning trip to Nashua will arrive no earlier that 10 a.m. and the last pick-ups to return home will leave Nashua no later than 4 p.m.

Passengers should schedule their appointments and plans around these times. Riders are asked to pay $2 each way. A free bus pass program, solely funded by donations, is available for eligible residents who cannot afford the bus fare.

Pre-registration is required and applications are available by calling 880-0100 ext 1 and on SVTC’s website at www.SouheganValleyRides.org. For more information please call 880-0100 ext 1 or visit www.SouheganValleyRides.org.

Bridge closing

MILFORD – Selectmen last week voted to close the bridge on Hartshorn Mill Road. The bridge is red-listed by the state Department of Transportation, which means the town would have some liability. It would be very expensive to rebuild, fire trucks and ambulances can not use it because of its low weight limit, and there are only a few houses that would be affected, said officials.

Selectman Paul Dargie was the lone dissenter, saying people who live along the road, which extends from Joslin Road to Hartshorn Pond and parallels Route 13, will make dangerous U-turns when they want to head north on 13.

There are two bridges on the road, but the town is not concerned about the one closest to the dam, said town administrator Mark Bender.

Quilt raffle

MILFORD – Members of the Southern New Hampshire Branch of the American Association of University Women will be selling raffle tickets for a patriotic quilt from noon until 3 p.m. during the Milford Labor Day Parade on Monday, Sept. 3. They will be in front of the Town Hall. Proceeds from sales go toward scholarships for local young women planning to pursue STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Math) careers after college.

The quilt was originally given to WWII veteran Tom Gouvalaris while he was in respite care at the VA Hospital in Manchester. At the time, he was the oldest veteran in the hospital and the second oldest living veteran in New Hampshire. The quilt was donated by his daughter. Ann Howe. a long time member of AAUW.

The patriotic quilt, measuring approximately 5 x 6 feet, was completed in 2007 by The Material Girls in Conway. (The provenance is attached to the back of the quilt.) The star-burst patterns are framed by prints of American flags. There are 500 tickets for sale. One ticket is $5; five tickets $20.

The quilt drawing will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 4, at 10 a.m. at the Amherst Police Station. (Need not be present to win.)

Those interested in purchasing raffle tickets directly or in learning more about the organization contact Susan Hoover at susnhoover@aol.comor 603-213-6601.

Pancakes

MILFORD – For the 50th consecutive year, the Milford Rotary will host its annual Pancake Breakfast to benefit the communities of the Souhegan Valley. This year’s breakfast will be held in the new gymnasium at the Souhegan Valley Boys and Girls Club, 56 Mont Vernon St, from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday Sept. 9. The Milford Rotary serves the communities of Amherst, Milford, Mont Vernon, and Wilton, donating thousands of dollars annually in the form of grants to various local and international charities, as well as providing thousands of dollars in annual scholarships to the students of Milford High School, Souhegan High School, and Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative High School.

See any Milford Rotarian for tickets or show up at the door for a suggested donation of $5 per person. Kids eat free.

Correction

The story in the Aug. 23 Cabinet about Rev. Dr. Stephanie Rutt and the Tree of Life Church incorrectly said she is the author of an anthology, “Conversations from the Pulpit: Engaging Islam and Countering Anti-Muslim Bias.” Rutt is the author of the essay, “The Shaykh and the Preacher,” which was selected for inclusion in the anthology, edited by Celene Ibrahim, her former Islamic studies professor at Andover Newton.