Nutfield News

23/07/2025

Every bed we build and deliver becomes part of a family’s story. While we love when families can pay beds forward to other kids in need, we understand that each family’s situation is unique. Sometimes our beds serve families in ways beyond just providing a place to sleep - and that’s okay.

We serve every child and family without judgment, meeting them exactly where they are. 🛌✨

Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a volunteer and donor powered nonprofit with 350+ chapters in the United States, Canada, Bermuda and the Bahamas. We lovingly build + deliver twin beds/bunks for kids ages 3-17, at no cost to families.

🛏️ APPLY FOR A BED: shpbeds.org/apply

🤲 DONATE: shpbeds.org/make-donation

❤️ VOLUNTEER: shpbeds.org/volunteer

🗺️ LOCATIONS: shpbeds.org/chapters

🛠️ PARTNER: shpbeds.org/sponsor-build

✨ START A CHAPTER: shpbeds.org/start

🇨🇦 CANADA: shpbeds.ca

📷 Sleep in Heavenly Peace - NY, Buffalo

23/07/2025

Road Paving Work,
On North Main Street, Derry, begins on or about on Monday, July 28, 2025

Send a message to learn more

23/07/2025

23/07/2025

Yesterday, the Derry Village Rotary Club had the pleasure of welcoming Doug Rathburn, IT Director for the Town of Derry, to our meeting. Doug gave a fascinating overview of how cybersecurity has changed over the years—from a time when each town department operated in isolation, to today's interconnected systems that are more efficient but also more vulnerable.

He talked about the evolution of cyber threats, which have gone from simple annoyances that might require you to repurchase software, to highly sophisticated phishing schemes designed to infiltrate entire networks.

Doug also shared some helpful advice for protecting ourselves at home. He emphasized the importance of using strong, unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and staying alert to suspicious emails or links.

We’re grateful to Doug for taking the time to speak with us and helping us all become a little more cyber-savvy!

23/07/2025

23/07/2025

23/07/2025

The Greater Derry Arts Council is raising money to replace the curtain at the Derry Opera House. This curtain has seen much better days, and we would love to help them get their goal of $30,000. Let's keep Derry's downtown active with plays, musicals and the arts alive and well!

Link for donations is in the first comment.

23/07/2025

22/07/2025

Grants for 21st Century Community Learning Centers Released

Allows summer learning programs, before- and after-school programs, to continue

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Education (USED) released to New Hampshire more than $6.5 million in 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding for the current federal and education fiscal year.“We appreciate that the administration recognizes the good work of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers on behalf of the children. The release of $6,548,640 to support these centers is an important step to ensuring that students throughout the state receive important academic enrichment opportunities through before- and after-school programs, as well as summer learning programs,” said Frank Edelblut, education commissioner. “We know that these grants will be used to reinforce and complement what is already taking place in the classroom, while also offering support to families.”

The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers program is a federal program funded under Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act; Title IV, Part B was one of several federal education grants recently under review by USED. The program offers out-of-school academic enrichment opportunities for students attending high-poverty or low-performing schools, and is designed to help students meet state and local academic standards in reading and math. New Hampshire’s award of $6,548,640 is slightly less than its award last year of $6,615,398. Through the program, 19 school districts and communities have typically been served, which has included about 53 sites and 34 grants. Many of the schools are located within Manchester and Nashua.“

The Nashua School District is pleased with the restoration of Title IV, Part B funding. This critical grant allows us to continue offering high-quality before- and after-school programming for our at-risk students. Our 21st Century program provides safe, supportive environments where students receive academic assistance, engage in enrichment activities, and build strong connections with caring adults,” said Superintendent Mario Andrade of the Nashua School District. “Without this funding, many of our students would face additional barriers to success, including limited access to academic support and safe after-school options.”

Send a message to learn more

21/07/2025

Outstanding Player of the Year in Connecticut with Ties to Derry

When he was five years old, he got kicked off the T-Ball team in Black Rock, Connecticut, because he hit too hard. Sent to Little League younger than legal, he couldn’t play in all the games. He was the only Freshman to earn a varsity letter at Brien McMahan High School in Norwalk. And so it has been for sixteen year old junior Sam Castro, who was just named to the Connecticut All Star Team, Best Short Stop in the State, Connecticut High School Player of the Year and McMahan’s Scholar Athlete.

Proving that hard work pays off, Castro has been a member of the “ Club House” baseball club for five years, playing in tournaments from Atlanta, Georgia, where he is now, to Long Island, New York and practicing almost every day. He just finished his Junior year at McMahon with a 475 batting average. He heads to Hamdon Hall Prep School in New Haven, to get an extra year of high school to hone his skills. His sights are on the majors and seeing Pinkerton’s Liam Doyle lead Tennessee in the college Super Bowl, with a high draft pick on the horizon has been exciting for him.

Castro is the son of Pinkerton grad Lisa Branley, 1990, and husband Aaron. He is the grandson of former Gilbert Hood baseball coach and PE teacher Kevin Branley and Red Star Twirler Coach and South Range School retired teacher, Gina Branley Hutchinson. Castro’s great grandfather and uncle coached baseball for decades in Newport, NH

21/07/2025

Robert “Rob” A. Benedetto, 67, of Derry, NH passed away on April 9, 2025, peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones. For seven months, he courageously fought cancer, and lived life to the fullest, up until the end. Rob visited with many relatives and friends, at home up to the day he passed. He was at peace and smiling, after passing. Rob had been speaking and seeing his pre-deceased loved ones for days. He also kept saying, “I want to go home” and that he did.

Rob was born in Wi******er, Massachusetts on November 23, 1957, to parents Anthony and Rosella (Vittozzi) Benedetto. He has lived in Derry since 1987, previously living in Wakefield, MA. Rob grew up in Wakefield, a town he cherished, where numerous members of his extended family lived nearby.

Rob was the first born of five children. The family’s Italian heritage was well celebrated. Rob graduated from Wakefield High School in 1975. During high school and beyond he worked multiple trucking and construction jobs. Rob obtained an Electronics Technician Certificate and worked at Western Electric as a telecommunications electronics tester.

Years later, Rob left Western Electric/AT&T (where he met his wife Cathy) and went back to his roots in Construction. He was a Heavy Equipment Operator for the rest of his career, working for multiple companies, usually due to advancements. Rob’s last position was as a Backhoe Operator within the Gas Division of Feeney Brothers Utilities, of Dorchester Ma. Rob mostly worked in Northern Massachusetts and Southern NH. He really enjoyed being an “Operator” and making friends over the years. Rob was still working, up until his diagnosis.

Rob loved his family and home. He enjoyed football, news, politics, finances, food, Westerns, movies, riding his Harley Davidson, going to the beach, and traveling with his nephews and friends internationally. His favorite place was “Home.” His grandchildren brought him much joy! Rob was a Parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Derry, where his family resided over the decades.

He is survived, by his wife of 38 years, Catherine (Caron) Benedetto of Derry NH, one daughter, Robin A. Fennell and her husband, Darrell Fennell Jr., who are currently residing in Wichita, KS, four grandchildren, with a fifth expected soon, one son, Anthony R. Benedetto of Tarpon Springs, FL, one brother, George P. Benedetto of Manchester, NH, one sister, Paula L. Russell of Safety Harbor, FL, as well as several nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces. Rob was pre-deceased by his parents Anthony and Rosella and siblings: Anthony D. Benedetto and Susan J. Benedetto.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday July 26, 2025 at 10:00am at the Lazarus Center for Healing Shrine (aka St. Florence), 47 Butler Ave., Wakefield MA. 01880. Following the Mass there will be a Celebration of Life at Crystal Community Club, 77 Preston St, Wakefield, MA

21/07/2025

Carol M. Whittier, 70, of Derry, NH, died Monday July 14, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer in the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH. She was born on April 13, 1955 in Lackawanna County, PA, a daughter of the late James and Ruth (Carroll) Loomis. Carol had been a resident of Derry for the past 37 years, formerly living in Haverhill, MA. She was a graduate of Salem High School in Salem, NH. Carol had been employed in the office for Burton Wire & Cable in Hooksett, NH. She enjoyed going to car shows and had been a member and former president of the Gate City Corvette Club. Carol enjoyed watching all her grandchildren's sports games.

She is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Alan Whittier of Derry; two sons, Steven Michaud and wife Stephanie, and Fred Whittier and partner Amy and son Lincoln; three granddaughters, Kennedy Michaud, Ryleigh Michaud, and Alexis Whittier; two brothers, Paul Loomis and wife Eileen, and Michael Loomis; and her sister, Jean Conway and husband Noel; many nephews; great nephews and a great niece.

Calling hours were held on Thursday, July 17th from 5 - 7pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry, NH. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 10:00am in the funeral home, followed by burial in Forest Hill Cemetery in E. Derry. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Community Hospice House, 210 Naticook Rd., Merrimack, NH 03054.