News Archive
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This page highlights activities of the Strafford Town Democrats. We hope you'll join us in outreach, community education, fundraising events and more. All are welcome!
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In October 2023, the committee heard from members who attended the state Democratic Party convention this fall. They took part in training for engaging voters and heard inspiring speakers looking ahead to the 2024 elections. A highlight was recognition of Strafford County Democratic Chair Walter King and his wife Cora, who were honored with the 2023 Chris Pappas award. Their vibrant leadership at the county level has benefited our committee and Democrats county-wide.
2023 Summer Raffle Winners: Our deepest thanks to everyone who entered our 2023 raffle, our most successful fundraiser ever! Your support helps us boost our local Democratic candidates in Strafford and Barrington in a big way! Congratulations to our winners:
- Stand-up Paddle Board - Laurie Moreno, Strafford, NH
- Romantic "Escape" at Sugar Hill Inn in Franconia - Naomi Kornhauser, Durham, NH
- Kriya Touch Massage and Bodywork Session - Sharon Omand, Strafford, NH
- Dinner at the Governor’s Inn - Deb O'Connor, Strafford, NH
- Elegant Blueberry Gift Basket - Linda Rhodes, Durham, NH
Farewell, Shirley: We note with sadness the passing of longtime committee member Shirley Brownell. She and her late husband Bob were fierce Democrats. Shirley went tirelessly door to door in Strafford (at age 90!) for Hillary Clinton. How she wanted to see a woman president! The committee filled a table at Shirley's memorial at the Grange Hall in August of 2023.
Committee Officers Elected for 2023-2025: A big thanks goes out to our dedicated committee officers: Chair Elizabeth Callahan, Vice-Chair Sharon Omand, Secretary Irene Grand, Treasurer Carol Perry, and Delegate Bob Perry. Their willingness to serve in leadership roles makes the work of our committee possible.
Democratic Team Spirit at 2022 Poll Visibility
Strafford County Chair Walter King (center) at our visibility at the polls in November 2022.
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New committee tee shirts!
$15 while they last! A big thanks to Heath Howard and Rollande Merz for their work on the project. |
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2022 Raffle Winners: Thanks to everyone who supported our 2022 Summer Raffle. Here are the lucky winners:
- Hand-crafted corn hole game - Phil Auger
- $100 Irving gas card - Mary-Ellen Breton
- $100 Hannaford card - Mary-Ellen Breton
- Kriya Touch Massage - Phil Auger
- Home/garden basket with Trivac Leaf Blower - Bethany Garboski
- Elegant blueberry gift basket - Cyndy Duffy
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2022 Blueberry Festival: Thanks to all who supported our 2022 Blueberry Festival. It was an honor to have Congressman Chris Pappas there. His remarks reminded us of the urgency of the times. There is no question: If we want to see positive change, we need to elect more Democrats to the State House and Congress. Working together, we can make that happen.
Blueberry Bake-off winners: Mary Lou Tracy took top honors in the Adult Baker category with her Blueberry Rhubarb Bars. Second place went to Chris Bane’s Mini Blueberry Cheesecakes. Joan Joffres’ Charlotte with Blueberry took third. Among Bakers 12 and Under, first place went to Addison Bethke’s Blueberry Squares, an original recipe. Maite Jacquart’s delicious Berry Blue Star Tarts came in a close second. A big thanks to all the cooks who supported us by entering the bake-off! |
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Ranked Choice Voting in the Spotlight: In January of 2022, the committee heard a presentation from Tiani Coleman of NH Ranked Choice Voting to learn about this approach to voting, now in use in Maine and other places. It could help our elections more accurately reflect the will of the voters. Two bills about Ranked Choice Voting (HB 1264 and HB 1482) are under consideration in the NH State Legislature in 2022.
Learn how ranked choice voting works.
Learn how ranked choice voting works.
Interim Caucus Selects Committee Officers (Update): In October 2021, the committee held an interim caucus to fill two open committee positions. Congratulations to our new officers, Secretary Irene Grand and Delegate-at-Large Bob Perry.
Inspiration from Carol Shea-Porter: We enjoyed a virtual visit during the fall of 2021 from former Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, who emphasized the need for compassion, empathy, and persistence in reaching out to persuadable people in the year ahead. "It's you and me and the people whose paths we cross," she said. "This is the necessary hard work of changing our state and country."
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Successful Blueberry Bake Sale - Summer 2021
As pandemic concerns eased with the introduction of life-saving vaccines, the committee joined with the Strafford community and hosted a blueberry bake sale as part of the Historical Society's summer Bicentennial event at the Waldron Store. It was a beautiful day, and wonderful to be together in person again. It was also an opportunity to sell tickets for our sizzling summer raffle, held online. |
Visit from the County Chair: In the spring of 2021, the committee had a virtual visit from Walter King, Chair of the Strafford County Democrats. The County Democratic Executive Committee has 12 members, giving individual towns better representation. Heath Howard of Strafford is serving on the county committee and is working more closely with towns to target their needs. Walter reported some good news: the Town of Strafford had an outstanding Democratic turnout at the last election. We registered more voters and exceeded an 88% turnout for our party, one of the three highest in Strafford County. But he reminded us that we still have work to do reaching undeclared voters. Walter commended the committee's efforts and is enthusiastic about our work for 2022.
Thank you, Bob! All of us on the committee want to express our deep appreciation to Bob Perry for his dedicated leadership over more than 16 years. Bob stepped down as Committee Chair in March of 2021. He remains a Delegate at Large for the committee. Thank you, Bob, for a job well done - and for continuing to be a part of our work. While enjoying his well-deserved "retirement," Bob is actively involved at the state level in protecting our right to vote and following other key issues. We appreciate getting his updates at our monthly meetings.
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Beach Cleanup - Community Service Day:
In 2021, dedicated committee members turned out to clean up the Strafford Town Beach. Look at that mountain of pine needles and other debris we hauled out of Bow Lake! This day of community action by the Strafford Town Democrats made a big improvement on one of the town's key recreational assets, the peaceful beauty of Bow Lake. This team effort put our community spirit into action. We had fun, too! Good work, all! |
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Committee Officers Elected for 2021-2022: Our biennial Committee Caucus was held in March of 2021, and the following committee members were elected to serve as officers: Elizabeth Callahan, Chair; Sharon Omand, Vice Chair; and Carol Perry, Treasurer. Tara Bickford Bailey will serve as our recording secretary. Thanks to these dedicated members for taking leadership roles in the work of this committee. In August, an interim caucus was held to fill two open positions: Irene Grand was elected Secretary; Bob Perry will serve as the committee's Delegate-at-large. Elections are held in odd-numbered years, and officers serve two-year terms. All registered Democrats in Strafford are eligible to vote in committee elections.
Brian Beihl of Open Democracy Action met with our committee virtually in 2021, teaching us how to use the General Court website to register support of or opposition to bills in the Legislature. Thanks to new online access put in place because of the pandemic, this is now easier than ever before. You can also sign up to testify or submit written testimony. A few tips:
To watch Brian's presentation, select the following link and enter the passcode ChWq1H+V from the Zoom screen. Watch Brian Beihl explain how to register your views on State Legislation.
- Views (pro or con) must be submitted at least an hour before the committee hearing starts.
- You can submit comments as soon as the committee meeting is scheduled. All you need is the date of the hearing and the name of the committee.
- Registering your views is important even if bills seem likely to not go the way you are hoping they will. Recent legislation has generated thousands of comments. While this does not always change the outcome, it can definitely get the attention of some legislators.
To watch Brian's presentation, select the following link and enter the passcode ChWq1H+V from the Zoom screen. Watch Brian Beihl explain how to register your views on State Legislation.
2020 Presidential Election Day Visibility - Town Hall
Thanks to all of you who weathered the cold and wind to hold signs last November. You were remarkable!
Bob & Carol Perry outside the Strafford Post Office.
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The US Mail Is Not for Sale!
At our September 2020 meeting, Janice Kelble, the legislative and political grassroots coordinator for the American Postal Workers Union, gave us an inside look at how the Trump Administration actively worked to keep the US Postal Service from carrying out its mission. Critical mail sorting equipment was taken out of service, hours and staff reduced, and more. All for the stated purpose of undermining public confidence in voting by mail in the fall election. |
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Black Lives Matter Peaceful protests throughout the region in 2020 supported the Black Lives Matter movement. |
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Heath Howard with his custom corn-hole boards.
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Corn Hole Raffle 2020 Inspired by Young Democrat
In the pandemic summer of 2020, the committee held an online raffle in place of our traditional summer blueberry bake-off. The raffle was a big success, raising much-needed support for state and local Democratic candidates. Prizes included handcrafted corn-hole boards, a blueberry gift basket, and a family fun basket. We want to express our deep appreciation to everyone who entered our raffle! Your support was truly amazing! Special thanks to our local sponsor, Berrybogg Farms. Read more about Heath Howard, the remarkable young Democrat who inspired this fundraiser. |
Understanding the School Funding & Property Tax Connection:
In March 2020, our committee hosted a School Funding & Property Tax presentation by Attorney Andru Volinsky, then a member of NH Executive Council. Mr. Volinsky was the lead attorney in the landmark Claremont school funding case. He made presentations throughout the state with the goal of informing New Hampshire citizens about the current school funding system and the inequities it imposes on students, property taxpayers, and the economies of many local communities. Watch the full presentation here.
In March 2020, our committee hosted a School Funding & Property Tax presentation by Attorney Andru Volinsky, then a member of NH Executive Council. Mr. Volinsky was the lead attorney in the landmark Claremont school funding case. He made presentations throughout the state with the goal of informing New Hampshire citizens about the current school funding system and the inequities it imposes on students, property taxpayers, and the economies of many local communities. Watch the full presentation here.
"Dark Money" Screening Raises Awareness
In October 2019, a robust discussion took place after the Committee's screening of the Sundance award-winning documentary, "Dark Money." Thanks to everyone for the great turnout!
Described as " a political thriller, this film examines one of the greatest present threats to American democracy: the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections and elected officials. DARK MONEY uncovers the shocking and vital truth of how American elections are bought and sold. View the movie trailer here.
Team Effort on the 2018 Midterms
Here we are with Field Organizer Max during the New Hampshire Democratic Party's Combined Campaign in 2018. From left, Shirley Brownell, Town Chair Bob Perry, Max, Carol Perry, and Rollande Merz at the Hill Library. Max's enthusiasm - along with many dedicated volunteers - contributed to a record turnout in the midterm election in New Hampshire.
Here we are with Field Organizer Max during the New Hampshire Democratic Party's Combined Campaign in 2018. From left, Shirley Brownell, Town Chair Bob Perry, Max, Carol Perry, and Rollande Merz at the Hill Library. Max's enthusiasm - along with many dedicated volunteers - contributed to a record turnout in the midterm election in New Hampshire.
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Farewell, Roger and Jo:
Strafford Town Democrats gathered in October 2018 for a pot luck dinner at the home of longtime members Roger and Josephine Mumper, who have since moved to Seabrook. Thanks for all your help and support over the years, Roger and Jo! We miss you! |
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Blueberry Festival Success - 2018 & 2019: Thanks to everyone who supported our Blueberry Festival at the Waldron Store. Guests included many Democratic candidates. The town's best blueberry cooks were recognized. And fabulous raffle baskets were awarded to many lucky winners. Special thanks to our sponsor, Berrybogg Farms of Strafford.
See more photos of the festival. |
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Hosting Candidate Visits
To help inform local voters, the Strafford Town Democrats invited 2018 Congressional candidates to speak at our meetings. There were 11 candidates running in the Democratic Primary for Congress that year! Our guests from among these Congressional hopefuls included Deaglan McEachern (gray shirt), speaking to the committee at a meeting at the Hill Library in May. The Committee also hosted candidate Mindi Messmer. Chris Pappas won the nomination and was elected to Congress for the first time that year.
To help inform local voters, the Strafford Town Democrats invited 2018 Congressional candidates to speak at our meetings. There were 11 candidates running in the Democratic Primary for Congress that year! Our guests from among these Congressional hopefuls included Deaglan McEachern (gray shirt), speaking to the committee at a meeting at the Hill Library in May. The Committee also hosted candidate Mindi Messmer. Chris Pappas won the nomination and was elected to Congress for the first time that year.
