Outreach to the Community
The Pelham NH Council on Aging is community oriented and provides funding and support to:
- Moderate the “Meet the Candidates Event”
- Support the activities of Pelham Community Spirit
- Sponsor families via the Pelham Good Neighbor Fund
- Provide college scholarships to Pelham High school graduates
- Partner with Enterprise Bank to offer a free community shredding event
- Thank First Responders & town employees for their service to Pelham via a pizza luncheon
- And more….
Pelham High School Scholarship:
Is your grandchild graduating from Pelham High School? The Pelham Council on Aging sponsors a Pelham High School Scholarship of $1,000 scholarship for a deserving graduating PHS senior, who is pursuing higher education. Applications, which are due by April 19th, 2024, are available by contacting the COA, downloading the form below, or by contacting the Pelham High School guidance department. Scholarships are awarded in June at the annual Pelham High School Academic and Scholarship Awards Program.
William McDevitt Distinguished Citizen Award:
The Distinguished Citizen Award recognizes and honors individuals who have devoted significant time and energy to improve the community’s quality of life and have provided leadership to assist others in becoming involved in the community. The COA makes the award annually at the Spring Fling Dinner/Dance held every May. Nominations for the Distinguished Citizen Award must be submitted to the COA by May 3rd, 2024. Nomination forms may be obtained by contacting the COA or by downloading the form below.
Recognizing Emergency Responders:
Every year the Council on Aging recognizes the good works of Pelham emergency responders and town employees by providing and delivering a pizza lunch to many employees, typically in the month of February. If you would like to support this effort, please email Al Steward to help deliver the pizza lunch and/or make a donation to fund the event.
Paper Shredding Day:
The COA partners with a local paper shredding service to help customers shred their personal documents such as old banking statements, pay stubs, and medical records. Shredding items with personal information, like your social security number, is now a simple step to help prevent identity theft! The Paper Shredding Day is typically held in late July at Hobbs Community Center from 9 am – 12 pm. No sign up is needed. Limit of 10 boxes of material/ person. Paper only please and no binders. Paper clips, staples and elastics are acceptable. This event is sponsored by the COA and Enterprise Bank.
Meet the Candidates Event:
Every year, typically the first or second week in March* the COA sponsors an event held at the Pelham town hall to provide voters an opportunity to meet local candidates for Select and Planning Board, Budget and School Committees. This event is televised on Pelham cable TV. *Check out our Events page for the current date of the event.
Sponsoring Programs at Hobbs Community Center:
While Pelham boasts a fairly lively community center catering to approximately 1,000 individuals, the Hobbs Community Center serves only 20% of Pelham’s older adult population. Just as our children require sports and recreational activities, older individuals also benefit from access to engaging recreational, social, cultural, and educational programs to maintain their well-being and active participation in our community. The Council on Aging (COA) actively advocates for the development of new programs and activities for older adults, supporting these endeavors by recruiting and training volunteers who contribute over 10,000 hours of volunteer assistance each year. Furthermore, the COA subsidizes various programs at the Hobbs Community Center and community trips. Everyone is welcome to sign up for these activities, but people who are not members of the COA are charged 15% more than people who are COA members.
In addition to this support, the COA publishes a bi-monthly newsletter that highlights the activities and services available at the Hobbs Community Center, while also providing valuable information for older adults. This newsletter is distributed via email to all COA members, and printed copies can be found at the Center and various locations throughout the community. For further details regarding activities and services at the Hobbs Community Center, please visit their website at https://www.pelhamweb.com/hobbs-community-center
COA Sponsored 1st Annual Pickleball Tournament – October 2023
The Community Thrift Store:
The Community Thrift Store has been serving the needs of the local community for the past 20 years. It is run by an all volunteer staff, under the management of volunteer, Sue DiFranco. The Thrift Store volunteers are dedicated to providing high quality, gently used, clothing and household items for low prices. Donations are greatly appreciated. To make a donation to the store, please call the Community Thrift Store Manager, at the number below, to arrange a drop off time. 100% of the proceeds fund COA sponsored programs.
Volunteers Needed for the Pelham Community Thrift Store: What do volunteers do? Help display Thrift Store items, assist in cleaning the Thrift Store daily, serve customers with a friendly smile and complete sales transactions. If you are available and interested in volunteering with a fun team of people, please contact Thrift Store Volunteer Manager Sue DiFranco at 603-508-7157.
Friendly Walking Trails
Embarking on a journey through the woodlands of Pelham, NH unveils a tapestry of natural wonders, inviting both seasoned hikers and casual strollers alike to discover the tranquility and beauty that lies within. For those seeking a respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, these five easy walks in the woods present an ideal escape into the heart of nature.
Five Easy Walks in the Pelham NH Woods
The Wolven Conservation Area, a 23-acre haven on Currier Road, beckons with its well-maintained trails meandering through a symphony of native plants, ferns, and field habitat. Picture yourself immersed in the enchanting greenery, accompanied by the subtle rustle of leaves beneath your feet, as three resting benches invite you to pause and savor the serenity.
Venture to the Little Island Pond Conservation Area, a pocket of paradise at the end of Nature’s Way, where less than a mile of trails wind through the watershed of Little Island Pond. The Orange Trail loop, an easy, picturesque stroll in the woods, promises moments of blissful connection with nature.
The Costa Conservation Area, nestled on Frontier Drive, unfolds its charm with the White Trail—a 1.25-mile woodland walk. Follow the directional signs, immersing yourself in the beauty of the surroundings, and then return to the parking lot, revitalized by the therapeutic embrace of nature.
Discover the historic Merriam Farm Conservation Area on Mammoth Road, where a 1.6-mile trail winds through the woods along the edge of a stunning 15-acre field habitat. Envision the chorus of birds and other species thriving in this former working farm, as the trail leads you to a peaceful sitting bench at Beaver Brook.
For those yearning for a touch of adventure, the Gumpus Pond Conservation Area unveils its Blue Trail Loop—a one-mile journey through beaver ponds teeming with wildlife. Considered an easy to medium difficulty trail, this route is a haven for nature photographers, offering several viewing benches strategically placed for moments of quiet contemplation and observation.
Annual Holiday Party & Spring Fling Dinner/Dance:
The COA sponsors two large dinner/dance events annually. These events include a sit-down meal at Lenzi’s in Dracut, MA and dancing to the music of D.J., Tommy Demers. Typically the events include 50/50 raffles. The Spring Fling is held in May and the Holiday Party is held in December. Tickets are on sale to the public several months before the event. $35/person for COA members; $45/person for non-members.
