By Nathan Duke
Staff Writer

The Candia Heritage Commission has plans to "jazz up" the town's weathered Civil War memorial statue.

Members of the commission discussed a number of ways to raise money for the monument at their meeting on Thursday, April 14, including a fundraiser concert with Central High School's jazz band.

Though plans are still in the development stage, the commission suggested the concert take place at either the CYAA building or at Moore School. Commission member and Selectmen Chairman Clark Thyng said the school would be an ideal location, for both reasons of space and better acoustics.

"If you put 200 people in the CYAA building, it looks like no one is there," he said. "If you put 150 people in the school, it seems packed."

The commission recommended the concert take place near the end of the school year, perhaps late May. Commission member Ed Fowler said he has talked with Central High music director Ed Sterling, who said the band would enjoy the opportunity to play for the town. Sterling owns the Stephen Clay Homestead, where the statue is located.

Though Moore School typically requires fees for the use of its facilities, commission members agreed they could apply for use as a community event, said Heritage Commission member Jon Godfrey.

The monument was offered to the town in 1892 by Gov. Frederick Smyth and was dedicated on Oct. 13, 1893.

Around Halloween 2004, the statue was found vandalized with a shattered musket. Damage was appraised and the cost to refurbish is $22,350. On April 13, the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War hosted the "Life of a New Hampshire Soldier During the Civil War," in order to raise money for the monument's restoration.

Central High School's jazz band is not the only group to assist in raising money for the monument in upcoming months. On July 23, the Fitts Museum, the Candia Historical Society, the Candia Woman's Club and the Heritage Commission will join forces for the Civil War Bivouac Day.

Members of the groups will set up a camp identical to a real Civil War camp and cook food for town residents.

"They will be in full dresswool uniforms - in late July," said Thyng. "It'll be pretty tough for them."

Thyng will also be working with Camp 5 Cub Scout den on a service project to erect a sign with a 5-foot-tall silhouette of a Springfield rifle in order to keep track of the money raised for the Civil War monument. Whenever a $1,000 increment is raised, a marking will be made on the silhouette, allowing the public to see how close they are to the goal of $22,350.

"It will hold up to the elements - the elements being vandals," said Thyng. "If we can have it up by June, I'll be a very happy den assistant."

Other commission plans
Though a number of events relating to the Civil War monument were given the go-ahead at the commission meeting, town barn tours were temporarily tabled.

"Between the large jazz concert and the event in July, as well as our involvement in other elements of town life, maybe we are all spreading ourselves a little thin," said Thyng. "The barn tours are a great idea, but maybe we should have them in the fall or at a time when not as much is going on."

The commission is currently making reappointments for the next three-year term and looking for alternates.

For those interested in becoming a commission member, send a letter to the town offices or attend the next commission meeting, which will take place on May 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Terms for commission Chairman Jon Godfrey and alternate Mac Higgins have expired and both said they wish to be reappointed. However, Howard Swain said he would not spend another three-year term on the commission.