🌱 Patch AM: Amherst native returns to Rose Parade with a trumpet and a mission

Greetings Amherst! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Amherst native returns to Rose Parade with a trumpet and a mission
• Amherst and Nashua communities mourn attorney David K. Pinsonneault

Also on today's calendar: New Year's Eve Roaring 1920's Gatsby Dinner, Dancing & Jazz and 1 more event.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 41 and low of 33 degrees.
• Friday: Windy with rain, temps: high: 57, low: 25.
• Saturday: Much colder, with a high of 35 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• RSU 21 band director to march into 2026 with appearance in Rose Parade (seacoastonline.com) — A nationally recognized band director who grew up in Amherst is preparing to march and play trumpet in the 2026 Rose Parade. Laurie Ellis, now teaching in Kennebunk, Maine, credits her Amherst childhood and a borrowed “clunker” trumpet for launching a lifelong music career that’s taken her from the Macy’s Parade to Pasadena while inspiring generations of students.
   

• David K. Pinsonneault (nashuatelegraph.com) — Amherst residents are mourning longtime community member and attorney David K. Pinsonneault, who passed away December 11 at age 74. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he practiced law for over 40 years, served Nashua’s Rotary and Public Library, and cherished family time at Newfound Lake. Visiting hours are December 19 in Nashua, with a funeral Mass December 20 in Merrimack.
   

📸 Around Amherst

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Amherst

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Sunday December 21

• Christmas Murder Mystery Dinner Party (LaBelle Winery- Amherst, NH)
  LaBelle Winery Amherst Event Center, 345 State Rte 101, Amherst
  11:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 19

• Bubbly Babies
  Amherst Town Library , 14 Main Street , Amherst
  10:00 am
• Postpartum Support Group
  Amherst Town Library , 14 Main Street , Amherst
  10:30 am

Wednesday December 31

• New Year's Eve Roaring 1920's Gatsby Dinner, Dancing & Jazz
  LaBelle Winery Amherst Event Center , 345 State Rte 101 , Amherst
  7:45 pm

📣 Amherst Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 18

• Wrestling at Pelham
  Merrimack Middle School , 31 Madeline Bennett Lane , Merrimack
  4:00 pm
• JMUES Winter Concert
  Mastricola Upper Elementary School , 26 Baboosic Lake Road , Merrimack
  6:00 pm
• Fantasy Book Club
  Whipple Free Library , 67 Mont Vernon Rd , New Boston
  6:00 pm
• Public Hearing-Ethics Committee Charter Amendment
  Matthew Thornton Room , 8 Baboosic Lake Rd , Merrimack
  7:00 pm
• Public Hearing-Split the Town Clerk/Tax Collector Position into 2 Positions
  Merrimack Town Clerk , 8 Baboosic Lake Rd , Merrimack
  7:00 pm
• Town Council meeting
  Town of Merrimack , 8 Baboosic Lake Rd , Merrimack
  7:00 pm

Friday December 19

• Kingswood Girls Varsity Basketball @ Milford
  Milford High School , 100 West St , Milford
  6:30 pm
• Teen Night (gr. 7-12)
  Whipple Free Library , 67 Mont Vernon Rd , New Boston
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Amherst PatchAM possible:

• The NP Edge, LLC Medical/Psychiatry/Wellness Practice — (603) 670-6593
  Jennifer Limongiello, PhD, FNP, PMHNP-BC
• Blackdog Design/Build/Remodel — (603) 769-3344
  Nashua’s Trusted Home Remodeling Experts
• FloorMe! — (603) 886-9129
  Your Local Flooring Experts in Nashua, NH

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

🪧 Patch Classifieds

• Full Size NH Grown Christmas Trees @ Maggies Munchies Milford
  Stop by 589 Elm St Milford, NH and pick up your Christmas tree at Maggie's Munchies Milford Location! Have a New England Hot Cocoa & Cookie while... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Taskrabbit posted a job opening for Cleaner (Taskrabbit) in Amherst. Apply here.
• LongHorn Steakhouse posted a job opening for Line Cook in Amherst. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Amherst here.

🗞 Nearby News

Merrimack

• How Much Does It Cost to Stop Being Poor in America? (goodmenproject.com)
• New Boston man faces felony, multiple charges after high speed pursuit ending in Bedford crash (unionleader.com)
• Federal legislation would recognize cancer work hazard for firefighters (wmur.com)

Ok Amherst! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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