LACONIA — Nomination packets are now available for the Annette P. Schmitt Unsung Hero Award,
presented by Granite United Way.
This award honors an individual who has shown a long-standing commitment to children and families in Belknap County through behind-the-scenes activities without any expectation of recognition. Eligible candidates include those who volunteer on behalf of children and families or non-volunteer individuals who provide exceptional service to children and families beyond the scope of their employment.
The 2013 recipient will be announced by Retired Family Court and Special Justice Willard Martin in late spring.
The winner will receive an individual award and his or her name will be engraved on a plaque that hangs in the local United Way office. Additionally, a donation will be made to a charity chosen by the winner.
"This award is designed to acknowledge the efforts of Belknap County residents who go the extra mile in
bringing positive changes to the lives of children and families," says Judge Martin.
The Schmitt Unsung Hero Award honors New Hampshire resident, the late Annette P. Schmitt, who left a
generous bequest to support programs and projects that improve the lives of children and families in Belknap County and the State. Over the past several years this fund has been the primary resource for sustaining a number of comprehensive systemic changes in Belknap County and Carroll Counties.
Over the past years, previous winners of the Schmitt Unsung Hero Award have included Warren Sommers
and Doug Whittum (Laconia), Jean and John Provencal (Gilmanton), Leo Sanfacon (Gilford), and the late
Dave Tryon (Tilton), Dawn McCartney (Barnstead), Paul Plimpton (Belmont). Last year Janet Brough, also
of Laconia, was surprised as she was taking minutes at the Laconia School Board meeting, where she is
employed by SAU 30.
Nomination Forms are available at Granite United Way website, www.lruw.org, or by calling Kathy Calvin at 527-9182. Completed nomination forms are due by Friday, March 29.

GILFORD — Hurricane Sandy dealt an incredible blow to the East Coast. Many people are still trying to clean up from this and the storms that have followed. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is usually one of the first relief organizations on the ground during the aftermath of these disasters.
On March 24 the First United Methodist Church will be assembling cleaning buckets to send to UMCOR for hurricane relief. At 5:30 p.m. on that day, we will have a potluck supper and then assemble the buckets. Anyone who wants to help can join us.
For those who would like to join in this project, donations of goods or cash can be dropped off at the First United Methodist Church at 18 Wesley Way, (RT 11A) in Gilford.
Following is a list of what is needed for the buckets.
— Cleaning Buckets, 5 gallon buckets with resealable lid. Buckets from fast food restaurants or bakeries can be used if washed and cleaned. Do not use buckets that have stored chemicals such as paint or pool cleaner.Advertisements on the outside are acceptable.
— Liquid laundry detergent - 25 oz. or 50 oz. bottles only
— Liquid household cleaner - 12‐16 oz. liquid cleaner that can be mixed with water. No spray cleaners
— Dish soap - 16‐28 oz bottle any brand
— Air freshener - aerosol or pump
— Insect repellant spray - 6‐14 oz. aerosol or spray pump with protective cover
— Scrub brushes - plastic or wooden handle. No toilet-bowl brushes, kitchen or dish brushes
— Cleaning wipes - handi wipes or reusable wipes. No terry cleaning towels
— Sponges - no cellulose sponges due to mold issue
— Scouring pads - no Brillo, SOS pads or any kind that will rust
— Clothespins
— Clothes line - 50 ft. or 100 ft. cotton or plastic.
— 24 roll 30-45 gallon size heavy duty trash bags
— Dust masks
— Disposable waterproof gloves - rubber or latex
— Work gloves - cotton or leather, leather palms necessary

LACONIA — The Belknap County Commission's and the Belknap County Convention's joint meetings are very much in the news of late, and LRPA-TV is there. Not only are their meetings being reported on the front page, but letters to the editor critical of one side or the other are finding space on the inside pages as well. And LRPA-TV is there to report on television what all the fuss is about.
This past Monday's meeting was described in the press as "stormy." Many elected officials took center stage at various points in the meeting to become actors commanding attention in a show that is turning out to be a fascinating regional drama. And LRPA-TV has it all on tape.
The broadcast times for the three-hour meeting on Channel 26 are 4 p.m.. on Saturday and 8 a.m. on Sunday. Subsequent re-plays next week can be learned by going to for the program times.