Testimonials

Please enjoy these stories about projects
funded by The Tamworth Foundation

Tamworth Education & Enrichment Project, 2023

Thanks to funding from the Tamworth Foundation, in the fall of 2023 Green Mountain Conservation Group collaborated with the K.A. Brett School, Cook Memorial Library, Chocorua Public Library, the Radon Library program, and members of the community to deliver three programs that provided environmental education opportunities for school-aged children as well as the general public.

The first project was an environmental education program for 25 fifth graders to take part in hands-on environmental science through the Volunteer Biological Assessment Program (VBAP). Students gained experience as citizen scientists and collected valuable data, followed protocols, used scientific methods to explore the Bearcamp River, and presented their findings to the community.

Students gathering data from the Bearcamp River. Photo by Tara Schroeder.

As in the past two years, evidence of microplastics was found by students at each of the six VBAP sites in the Ossipee Watershed that were sampled. The water quality score at the Bearcamp River was found to be “Good” in 2023 based on the macroinvertebrates found. For the complete water quality report for 2023, visit www.gmcg.org.

Students created a trifold display that was presented at the Annual VBAP Community Presentation in November at Sandwich Central School. They also helped to design the t-shirts that all of the students received for participating in the program.

Tamworth VBAP display, made by the students. Photo by Tara Schroeder

The second project accomplished with support from the Tamworth Foundation involved establishing the Radon Library program at the Cook Memorial Library to provide education and access to radon testing for library patrons and local residents. GMCG teamed up with RadonLibrary.com to provide free hand-held, electronic radon detectors to Cook Memorial Library to promote radon awareness and help residents measure the amount of radon gas in their homes.

Through the program, the Airthings Corentium Home Radon Detector and instructions for its use are loaned to library borrowers for a period of two weeks with the possibility of extending the term depending on the results of the sampling process for another two weeks. GMCG created a testing kit that includes the radon detector, instructions for testing, a fact sheet about radon, and an easy-to-understand action plan to assist the borrower in taking remediation steps should they obtain elevated test results.

Flyers about the program were also posted in the library, and a variety of press releases, promotion on social media and in GMCG’s newsletter highlighted the program and the Tamworth Foundation’s support. Tamworth is now listed at www.radonlibrary.com as one of the towns participating in the program.

Karen Payne, GMCG Education Committee, Amy Carter, Children's Librarian, Cook Memorial Library,
Karen McCall of Tamworth & GMCG member, Katie McCarthy, GMCG Education Committee.
Photo courtesy GMCG.

The third project involved initiating the Sponsor-a-Book program for the town libraries to provide Tamworth children with opportunities to learn about conservation and natural resource protection through exemplary children’s books which were previously unavailable in their local libraries. A total of 25 books were purchased for the Cook Memorial and Chocorua Public Libraries and delivered in November.

Many thanks to the Tamworth Foundation for their support of these valuable programs for our community!

Tamworth Traditional Music & Dance Grant

Tamworth is home to the second oldest continuously held traditional dance in the State of New Hampshire. There is a rich tradition of dancing and dance music in our town, continuously supported by the Tamworth Outing Club (TOC) since its founding in 1935.

In the fall of 2023, TOC proposed a wide-ranging series of programs intended to improve and enhance the awareness, participation, skills, and appreciation needed to maintain Tamworth’s music and dance tradition. Our town’s dances have a strong reputation throughout the region for welcoming participants of all ages and abilities, providing enjoyment and inclusion for both dancers and musicians. But these traditions do not thrive unless both musicians and dancers are nurtured and supported.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Tamworth Foundation, this is happening!

Launching in October 2023 and scheduled to continue through May 2024, TOC has collaborated with both professionals and volunteers to offer free and enriching programs for all ages and abilities in both music and dance. Every program has been a huge success!

Jacqueline Laufman (standing) and Beverly Woods (seated at keyboard) work with musicians at one of the
Tamworth Traditional Music & Dance 'tune learning sessions' in January 2024. Photo by Amy Berrier

Tune Learning Sessions at the Tamworth Town House

Eight monthly sessions, from October through May, led by caller/fiddler Jacqueline Laufman and caller/multi-instrumentalist Beverly Woods. These sessions have attracted a loyal following of musicians, many of whom are new to playing traditional New England dance music. All tunes taught at these sessions are archived as both sheet music and audio files at: https://beverlywoods.net/tamworth/

A big band! Photo by Amy Berrier

Band Craft Sessions at the Tamworth Town House

Three sessions, held in November, December, and January, introduced musicians to various aspects of playing in a dance band with others. Led by Beverly Woods and Shana Aisenberg, these sessions covered band etiquette, finding rhythm and “groove,” and arranging and harmony within a band. As noted above, many of the participating musicians put what they learned into practice, playing at several Tamworth dances.

Brett School student, Rkyer Hullstrung, leads dancers through the Virginia Reel at the January 8 Family Dance.
Photo by Jennifer McHone Villalobos

Traditional Dancing at the Brett School

Jacqueline Laufman, accompanied by an intrepid group of musicians – including Brett School music teacher, Noah Smith – spent a day in early January at the Brett School. She taught four daytime classes for grades 3-6, guiding the children through various dance formations, including square, circles, and the Virginia Reel. Although none of the children had ever danced before, they took to this experience with enthusiasm and joy. Several of the students brought their friends and families to the evening Family Dance where a rollicking time was had by all and student Rkyer Hullstrung stepped up to the mic and called a perfect rendition of the Virginia Reel. What a show-stopper!

New Year's Eve dance, 12-31-23. Photo by Thad Berrier

FREE Second Saturday Dances, with instruction

Thanks to grant funding from the Tamworth Foundation, TOC was able to offer free admission to its Second Saturday dances in December, January and coming up in March. Anyone new to dancing was invited to come early and learn or review dance steps from 7-7:30. All comers joined hands on the dance floor from 7:30-10, swinging and sashaying around the hall to wonderful live music and calling.

A beautiful mural displayed at the Transfer Station

The Tamworth Transfer Station is one of the busiest places in town. Most of us visit it frequently! This year, thanks to a generous donation from the Tamworth Foundation, Brett School students were able to create a beautiful mural to display at the transfer station. The idea for the mural came from the Tamworth Recycling Project and the Arts Council of Tamworth, but it took support from the Tamworth Foundation to turn the idea into an actual work of art.

The mural, designed by the students and their art teacher Angela Driscoll, celebrates the natural beauty, historic landmarks, and wildlife in Tamworth. Children thought about ways to help protect natural resources through recycling and reducing waste and incorporated their ideas into the artwork. Community volunteers also had a role and helped paint the background for the mural. Next time you are at the transfer station, take a moment and savor the student ideas! ~Ellen Farnum, Transfer Station Improvement Committee Secretary

Willie Farnum and Dick Lennon, Tamworth Recycling Project Members, admiring the new mural
at the Tamworth Transfer Station. Photo by Ellen Farnum

Critically, Creatively, Expansively

I love that the Tamworth Foundation encourages and trusts local organizations to think critically, creatively, expansively about what programs and projects will benefit the people of Tamworth. We've received grant support for such a variety of projects: outdoor music performances, a summer STEM program for kids, a prototype of a mobile library, and a local history internship, to name a few recently funded projects. Chances are that if you visit or use the resources of the Cook Memorial Library, your experience will be improved by projects funded by a Tamworth Foundation grant. ~Mary Cronin, Director, Cook Memorial Library, Tamworth

Riverside Serenade behind the Cook Memorial Library, September 4, 2021, with music
by the White Mountain Ceili Band. Photo by Mary Cronin

Summer Day Camp for local children

The Bearcamp Center for Sustainable Community does good works in the heart of Carroll County, NH, especially to address food insecurity, out-of-school education programming, and elder initiatives.

A team of experienced educators and teen assistants run a two-month summer day camp for area children. The Tamworth Foundation funds scholarships for students from Tamworth. Below are some words from parents expressing gratitude for this great summer opportunity for their children.

All photos by camp staff.

• I was surprised at how excited they were about fishing, campfires, field games and fairy houses…. So many activities to keep them engaged and having fun. As a parent, I can’t tell you how nice it was to pick up my children every day with smiling faces. I run my own little business right here in town, and I’m not sure how I could have made ends meet this summer without the help of this camp. To the Tamworth Foundation and all other donors, thank you for making this possible.

• Being a single parent is hard enough on the parent and sometimes it’s harder on the kids. The necessity only aspect of life happens and sometimes there is no money for extras. Camp would be one of those extras. Because of your donation my child was able to have an experience at summer camp this year rather than hearing about that experience from her friends. We greatly appreciate that the chance for her to go was given to her as she wouldn't have been able to go otherwise.

• He got to pick the topics that interested him which just means he is more involved because it is something he wants to do. He learned so much about fishing and building. He made friends and did amazing, and I think the small groups and clear directions helped him a lot. He looked forward to this camp each day when he went. And had a blast. I would also love to thank all the counselors and leaders who gave up their summer to work with these kids and who had patience and did an amazing job throughout the summer.

• My son is already talking about the activities he wants to do next year that he really enjoyed this year. For him, being able to see his school friends has been really special. For me, knowing he was able to have fun and be outdoors while his father and I worked definitely reduced family stress. Summer can be so hard for working parents — the summer camps around here are priced out of reach for most local families.

• What was offered this year was amazing. It was my kids' first camp experience and they loved it! I knew they were happy and safe while learning social skills and playing with and making new friends. From a financial perspective, the assistance made it possible for them to attend. The generosity was above and beyond, and we are very thankful.

• The girls had a blast and are sad it is over. It gave them someplace fun to go while their Dad and I worked. They enjoyed the different activities like fishing, horseback riding, wood shop and crafts! Thank you all for taking care of our kiddos this summer!

• My 6-year-old knew just a few other kids by sight when I dropped her off on Monday morning. By the time I picked her up, she had two new best friends and they all were clamoring for a play date. Camp was clearly structured to keep kids playing and learning but also to give them space and time to be kids together. Thank you, Lianne and the TCS crew!

First Annual Silas Berrier Memorial
Seek the Joy Comedy Night

The Tamworth Foundation believed in plans for the First Annual Silas Berrier Memorial Seek the Joy Comedy Night, held on August 22, 2022. In the spring of 2022, the Tamworth-based community group, STJ Productions, partnered with Northern Human Services to raise funds and awareness towards improving support for Tamworth individuals and families grappling with mental health challenges. A generous Tamworth Foundation “seed money” grant to Northern Human Services gave STJ Productions the ability to produce a very professional event, providing us in our first year the financial ability to pay for radio and print media advertising, along with event material design and printing, including stunning posters, event programs, and tickets.

The First Annual Seek the Joy Comedy Night was a sold-out success! Performers and attendees alike were caught up in the upbeat magic of an evening that not only showcased three very funny comedians, but also what a community can do when it comes together. Thanks to the Foundation grant in 2022, the Second Annual STJ Comedy Night, to be held on August 22, 2023, will be financially self-sustaining. ~ Amy Berrier