Lisa Hayes, Administrative Assistant at DTC, and her family spent part of Thanksgiving Day greeting and thanking troops at Pease. The Pease Greeters welcome troops passing through Pease International Airport on their way to, or from, Afghanistan or Iraq, or any other areas of conflict in any part of the world. The Pease Greeters also provide care packages to the Troops during their “down time” at Pease. Supplies to assemble care packages for the Troops are running low. If you would like to contribute to the Pease Greeters, DTC is serving as a drop off spot. Click here for a list of items http://peasegreeters.org/pdf/care_package_items.pdf. For more information on the Pease Greeters or to make a cash donation visit http://peasegreeters.org/.

Karen Baillargeon, Paralegal at DTC, is an active member and Treasurer of The Exeter Lions Club, serving the towns of Exeter, Brentwood, East Kingston, Kensington, Newfields and Stratham. The Lions Club are sponsoring several events this Holiday season. The Lions Club has partnered with Rockingham Nutrition Meals on Wheels progam to purchase gifts and everyday items for 10 seniors. The packages will be assembled at DTC’s office on December 6. On December 15, the Lions will be distributing 60 food baskets to individuals through-out the area. Finally, the Lions Club is selling raffle tickets for a $500 gas card. The drawing will take place December 15. Watch for the Lions Club float at the Exeter Holiday Parade on December 1!! For more information on the Exeter Lions Club go to http://exeter.nhlions.org/.

DTC is proud to have assisted the Trustees of Gilman Park, a beautiful park bordered on three sides by the Exeter River, in their transfer of the property to the Town of Exeter. The story is a long one, and begins in 1892 when Daniel and Minnie Gilman deeded their property to five Trustees to hold it and maintain it as a park for Exeter residents, forever. For over a hundred years, a succession of Trustees did just that. When liability concerns, and a lack of liquid funds, forced the Trustees to consider alternatives to the Gilman’s trust, they turned to DTC partner Charlie Tucker. Working with associate Kate Miller, they guided the Trustees through a Town meeting vote in 2008, whereby the Town agreed to accept the property for a dollar, through negotiations with the Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire, which now holds a conservation easement on the property, and through a successful cy pres petition in the Probate Court, to get permission from the Court to transfer the park to the Town. The closing occurred September 19, 2012, at DTC’s office on Water Street in Exeter, capped by Trustee Joanna Pellerin’s toast with sparkling wine to the Trustees, the Land Trust, the Town and DTC. “It was a really satisfying conclusion to a really long process,” said Attorney Kate Miller. “The Trustees achieved their goals, and the residents of Exeter will continue to have this beautiful park. I was proud to be part of it.” For further information on DTC’s work for charitable organizations, see our Charitable & Other Non-Profit Organizations Practice Group. For more on the Gilman Park Trustees’ story, see http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20121009-NEWS-210090368.

In recognition of Law Day 2012, Attorneys Kate Miller, Rob Ciandella and Chris Boldt collectively taught classes to several hundred students over the course of several days.   This year’s theme was “No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom”.   “I find it humbling to teach high school students, but it is a great service initiative by the NH Bar Association,” says Attorney Miller.  “I have done this for several years now, and the students always ask incredible, insightful questions.”  For more information on the program go to www.nhbar.org.