What Does Your Dad Mean to You?

As Father's Day approaches, consider honoring the men most influential in your life by sharing their stories in Local Voices on Bedford Patch.

Father's Day is right around the corner, and the sale signs and circulars are everywhere promoting gifts like ties, electronics and other gadgets for Dad.  But this year Patch invites you to gift your father, stepfather, uncle, grandfather or any other man that has been influential in your life with a unique tribute: share his story. What are some of your fondest memories with Dad? What advice has he offered you that has helped you the most over the course of your life?  Why is he so special to you? Why does he deserve recognition?  (You can also take the opportunity to brag on your husband about what makes him an amazing father.) Tell us about your Dad and share photos through our free Local Voices blogging section.  Then you can surprise…

• Photos (1)

5 Easy, Clean and Funny April Fools' Jokes

Pulling a prank on someone can be done easily with these five April Fool's Day tips.

Editor's note: Thanks to a member of our Patch family in Murrieta, Ca. for these great ideas. Perhaps you were the one who thought for weeks about the best and most elaborate schemes to fool your friends or family on April 1. Or perhaps you were the one who took advantage of the day and ran around shouting “April Fools” to every little thing.  No matter your fooling style, one thing is for sure:  the good-natured pranks of the day bring out the kid in all of us, regardless of age. In honor of April Fool’s Day, here are five fun and easy pranks to pull wherever you are, including some of our own and some we have rounded up for you: 1.) Prank your spouse or even your children during your morning routine. Ladies, tell your husband when he …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (2)

Lilly Stoktin

5:24 pm on Monday, April 1, 2013

that one is weird   more ›

LETTER: Don't Forget the Election Next Week

Bedford Town Clerk offers reminder, tips for upcoming local election.

Don’t let the lack of political signs around town fool you … there is a local election on Tuesday, March 12. The polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. and will take place at the Bedford High School Gymnasium at 47 Nashua Road. If you would like to vote absentee, you can vote at the Town Office Building during normal business hours until Monday, March 11 at 5 p.m. If you prefer to vote by mail, download the application from our website and mail it in. A ballot will be sent to you. If you have requested a ballot already and would like to drop it off at the Town Office building, they will be accepted up until 5 p.m., Monday March 11. If you would like to mail your ballot back they will be accepted with a March 12 postmark date. Follow…

• Photos (1)

Should Boy Scouts Lift Ban on Gay Membership?

Proposed policy shift would be decided by local governing councils.

The Boy Scouts of America may reconsider changing its standing policy currently banning gay youth and leaders from its organization, USA Today reports today. The call for a shift in the organization's long-standing policy comes after local chapters and some members of the national board called for reconsideration. The proposed new policy, if approved during next week's national board meeting, would allow decisions to be made locally by the 290 governing councils and 116,000 sponsoring religious and civic groups. You can read the full story here. What is your opinion on this proposed policy change? Feel free to leave a comment below.

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

What Does Your Paycheck Look Like Post Fiscal Cliff?

People making $50,000 a year who are paid twice each month are now taking home $42 less in their paychecks.

Two weeks after Congress averted the Fiscal Cliff, Bedford-area residents have undoubtedly seen the effect of the loss of the payroll tax cut in their paychecks. If you make $50,000 a year, you are now paying about $1,000 more in federal taxes, according to CBS. For those who are paid twice each month, that amounts to about $42 less per paycheck or $84 less per month. The Wall Street Journal has a calculator to determine how much more in taxes you are now paying a year based on your salary. How do you feel about your paycheck following the Fiscal Cliff deal?

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

LETTER: I Will Not Seek Reelection as School District Moderator

Ryk Bullock explains why his priorities have changed since losing his Town Moderator position last spring.

To the Editor: Inasmuch as our election season is soon upon us, I am taking this opportunity to formally inform my constituents that I will not be seeking reelection as School District Moderator. The background of my decision is quite simple, after co-founding BEDFORD POSITIVELY last May it became apparent that if BEDFORD POSITIVELY was to matriculate as we envisioned, that anyone associated with the project should not have any allegiance to any particular entity, more specifically the Town or School District in order to maintain our goal of impartiality. So based on that fact and discovering how much enjoyment I was deriving personally from BEDFORD POSITIVELY and also watching BEDFORD POSITIVELY's contribution to the well being of our …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

The Granite View

Voters Had Right to Know About State Rep's Criminal Past

Columnist says Stacie Laughton's decision to resign "shows a respect for the voters that was lacking during her campaign."

I have always believed that politics should be viewed as a type of community service, a path by which to help make the world in which we and future generations live a better place. I believe deeply that politicians should be true public servants, but too often our elected representatives disappoint us, putting power above the people and placing their own self-interests ahead of their elected duties. It is a non-partisan fact that politicians will sometimes do stupid, or worse, criminal, things and must be held accountable for those actions. When Rep. Todd Akin, R-MO, made a stupid statement about “legitimate rape,” I called him stupid and said he should resign. He didn’t, but his comments were public and the voters in his district were …

•  94 Comments
• Photos (1)

The Granite View

Today's Politicians Can Learn from Rudman

Columnist says the former NH Senator showed leadership on difficult issues in difficult times.

Former New Hampshire Senator Warren Rudman passed away this week at the age of 82 from complications related to lymphoma. His loss is being memorialized in papers across the country, including the New York Times, the Washington Post and many others. Rudman became an impressive presence in Washington during his two terms as Senator, serving from 1980-1993. Rudman was aggressive and confrontational at times, but was also known and respected for his willingness to work across the aisle on big issues and small and he played an important role in American history during his years in Washington. Rudman was a vocal critic of President Reagan during the Iran-Contra hearings. He served on the Senate Ethics Eommittee and led the investigation of the …

•  9 Comments
• Photos (1)

Jennifer Horn

2:17 am on Monday, November 26, 2012

Washington Post - Nov. 20, 2012 "The Gramm–Rudman–Hollings Act was designed to trim the federal deficit, but it ultimately didn’t work, despite their best efforts."   more ›

The Granite View

Saluting Our Veterans

Columnist thanks all those who protect our nation.

The timing of this column did not allow for a salute to our military on Veterans Day, but I am a believer in saying thank you, so I will not allow the vagaries of a calendar to get in the way. We live in a nation that is seriously divided.  he results of our most recent elections certainly reflect that, with just over 2 percent of the vote between winner and loser. It seems that our political divisions run deeper each day, but I have always believed that good people can come together for a higher purpose in spite of political differences, and our men and women in uniform are the most extraordinary example of that. As a mother, I have always been profoundly grateful that there is a fighting force ready and willing to place themselves …

•  11 Comments
• Photos (1)

Proud Conservative

10:52 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

Registration is there if we ever need to call on citizens to serve. It's a guarantee of sorts that we will not be short of troops if the need arises. Since we cannot predict the future, it's better to be prepared than to be caught unprepared to defend the country. Will citizens voluntarily respond to an attack on our country? Some will. Some won't. And I wouldn't be so sure that the number …   more ›