Andover

A Memorial Service will be held in remembrance of Jim Bodwell on Saturday, Dec. 22, at 11 a.m. at the Calvary Bible Church with Pastor Ken Wagstaff officiating.

Town residents will be interested in the following announcements: The Transfer Station will be closed on Christmas Day, but open for an extended hour on Saturday, Dec. 29, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 30, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be regular hours on New Year's Day. The Town Office will be closed on Christmas and New Year's Day. The Selectman's meeting and workshop will be held Wednesday, Dec. 26, at 9 a.m. at the Town Office, and there will be no Selectman's meeting New Year's week.

Be advised of the Town Report deadlines. Citizen and committee generated Warrant Articles or Ordinance proposals need to be submitted to the Selectboard for their consideration and vote on or before Jan. 15. Committee and organization reports must be submitted on or before Jan. 31, 2013. The Selectmen are accepting citizen suggestions for the 2013 Town Report Cover. Please send your photo to the Town Office or via e-mail to: andover@megalink.net.

Dog owners are reminded that licenses are due Dec. 31, 2012. A late fee of $25 per dog will be in effect on Jan. 1. Bring proof of rabies vaccination and neutering or spaying.

Nomination papers for one Selectman, Assessor and Overseer of the Poor position and one School Committee person are available at the Town Office beginning Dec. 26.

For those who deal with Cabin Fever or want to get rid of some of the Christmas add-on pounds, the Andover Fitness Club meets on Mondays and Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 5 p.m. at the Andover Elementary School Gym. The programs include Zumba, kick boxing and other cardio workouts. If those times don't work for you, Denise Hurd will be leading the Walk Away the Pounds with Leslie Sanson program Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. It's local and it's free and who can beat that?

Don and Nancy Wardwell wish to thank everyone for the many cards, prayers and words of sympathy shown them because of the tragic death of their dear grandson, Joshua Wardwell. The kindness of the community has meant the world to them.

The Andover Food Pantry distributed Christmas boxes and gifts for area children on Tuesday of this week between the snowflakes. Thanks to all the people who donated to the pantry or who took “stars” from the wreath at the Red Hen or the tree at the First Congregational Church. Because of your generosity there will be lots of smiles on Christmas morning.

The annual Candle Lighting service at the First Congregational Church will take place on Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, at 7 p.m. followed by a reception in the CEB. Come sing carols and enjoy this traditional celebration.

The tragedy in Newtown is on everyone's mind and especially difficult to deal with at this season of joy called Christmas. As a nation we need to do something about guns in this country which has the worst record for these kinds of incidents in the world. There's a quote out there that goes something like this: “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to say nothing.” We are those good people and we need to do something about that and many other less than ideal situations in our society.