Reunite with your Exeter AREA Junior High Friends & Faculty!

Exeter Area Junior High School Reunion

Saturday, June 23^rd, 7-9pm

Spread the word! Squamscott Community Commons is hosting a reunion event in the old "Cafetorium" in honor of the years of service the Exeter AREA Junior High School building has provided to our community. Enjoy music, dancing and refreshments provided by area restaurants. Tickets are $5 and are available at the door. Many thanks to our SST students who designed the invitation and promotional signage for this event: Emme Brown, Entina Boungnavong, Katelyn Jones, Drew Neville, Matt Coffey, Bob Bailey (SST teacher), Heather Hill.

EAJS: History & Memories
Prompted by the impending “departure” of their old building, several Exeter AREA Jr. High retired teachers are writing a history of the school. Last fall they began searching old records and newspapers for information about the 30 year period (1967-1998) when the area’s 6th, 7th, and 8th graders attended the yellow brick building on Linden Street.

Expected to be ready for the Holidays (nice gift!), the book will track not only the school’s history but also be filled with pictures and memories supplied by students. Squamscott Community Commons helped create a alumni survey on the SCC website which has been very popular with the students.

The June 23 Reunion at EAJHS, sponsored by SCC, will be yet another way for students to provide information for the book. It is expected that book orders will first be taken at the Reunion.

Many local businesses with EAJHS connections have been asked for modest contributions to offset publications costs. With that assistance, the book should cost no more than $10 per copy. The book, still lacking a title, will be published right here in Exeter by Publishing Works, Inc.

EAJHS educators involved in the project include:

Thomas Meehan, Florence Condran, Charlotte Taylor, Peter Smith, Lin Roy, Eileen Cunniffe, Bob Graves, Dana Wyman, Donna Cronin, Anne McLaughlin, Sia Corroon McKenna, Kenneth Berry, Jane Chisholm, Jeff Hillier and Blanche Bailey.

‘Da Vinci Code’ Author Donates One Million Dollars (to us!)

EXETER, NH: Bestselling author Dan Brown and his wife Blythe have contributed $1,000,000 towards the creation of Squamscott Community Commons, a multi-tenant non-profit “green” community center to be built in Exeter, New Hampshire. The Commons will house a full-facility YMCA and agencies that provide programs and services in health and wellness, arts, culture, nutrition, childcare and recreation, and will function as a crossroads for residents of all ages and economic levels throughout the Squamscott region.

“Having grown up in Exeter, I’m excited about the prospect of this important new addition to our community,” said Brown. “Squamscott Community Commons will create a model of collaboration that will have far reaching social value for the Seacoast area. The Common’s impact on public health and wellness will span every economic and social boundary. Blythe and I hope that the community can make this valuable project a reality.”

Carter W. Siegel, Squamscott Community Commons Board Chair commented on the importance that the literary couple’s support has meant to the organization: “The generous donation made by the Browns has empowered The Commons to build a solid framework on which to move the project forward. Our organization cannot only purchase the property needed, but also retain the staff, architect, builder and professional consulting required. With this gift, the seacoast community will benefit from having a professionally run organization that will ensure that the vision for this community center is achieved. I am honored to be associated with such a dedicated group and humbled by the confidence that the Browns have shown through their tremendous display of support.”

The proposed 80,000 square foot facility is currently under design with architect Joel Bargmann, AIA, LEED of Bargmann, Hendrie + Archetype of Boston, MA. Harvey Construction of Bedford, NH has been retained as the construction manager. Participating agencies include Exeter Center for Creative Arts (ECCA), Great Bay Kids Company, Richie McFarland Children’s Center, Rockingham Community Action, St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry, SeaCare Health Services, and Southern District/YMCA Camp Lincoln. The integrated and sustainable green design of the new community center will enhance the tenant agencies’ capacity and reduce their long-term operating costs. Through independent and cooperative effort, the agencies will be able to maximize the quality and efficiency of the programs and services offered to regional community residents. Projected completion of the project is mid-2009.

Big Plans! Big News! May 10th Event

Squamscott Community Commons Designs Unveiled!

Join us on Thursday May 10 at 7pm at the Thomas Meehan Performing Arts Center at the Cooperative Middle School in Stratham.

Joel Bargmann, AIA, LEED, of Bargmann, Hendrie + Archetype, Barbra Batshakom of The Green Roundtable and team will be presenting the conceptual designs and sustainable energy options for our new 80,000+/- square foot community center. There will also be a special announcement regarding an exciting development in the project. PLEASE pass this to all of your friends in the seacoast! It’s a great opportunity to learn about the project. This presentation is free to the public. For further information, contact Loretta at loretta@squamscott.org or 603-778-4722.