Making Plymouth an Even Better Community

What makes Plymouth a great place to live, work, and play? While many suggested hiking, skiing and other outdoor activities, Patti Beiderman, owner of Beiderman's Pub & Deli said, "It's the close knit community that makes this a wonderful place to live." Her main dream for Plymouth? "Find a way to have recent grads stay in the area, and I would love to see a parking garage." 

Dr. Thad Guldbrandsen, PSU's Vice Provost of Research and Engagement along with newly appointed Service Learning Coordinator at PSU, Jessica "Jess" Dutille hosted dozens of business owners, leaders, and members of the PSU campus to inspire collaboration between the PSU campus community and the Plymouth community at large. "It is very exciting!" Jess Dutille said when asked about the goal of the forum adding, "Through this conversation, we hope to bring the community together and inspire new ways of working together." Joining Pemi Youth Center in 2005 as the Executive Director, PSU Alumni Jess Dutille also became an adjunct faculty member for PSU's College of Business Administration in 2006. Her love of community and teaching were the perfect combination for Plymouth State, Granite United Way, and Pemi Youth Center to combine in a unique partnership forming the position of Service Learning Coordinator in PSU's Office of Research and Engagement. 

Dozens of business owners, community leaders and PSU students and faculty joined Monday for the first part of "Community Conversations" at the PSU Welcome Center and Ice-Arena. Upon arrival the guests were greeted by PSU student members of the Service Learning Initiative Team, separated to smaller groups and matched with a student.  Among those present were Ken Evans of Plymouth Rotary, Kelly Beebee of Meredith Village Savings Bank, Kris Hering of Spear Memorial Hospital and Steve Barba, PSU's Executive Director University Relations, just to name a few. 

Opening the ceremonies, Jack Terrill of Granite State United Way (GSUW) passionately discussed United Way's interest in the greater Plymouth area.  Jack stated, "Granite State United Way will be a partner in the Plymouth community forever," adding, "This is only the beginning. We are making a substantial investment into Whole Village Family Resource Center and our commitment to the service learning coordinator position." Each group was given a series of questions to discuss in roundtable format. When asked about PSU and its student's involvement within the community, Paula Ferenc, Program Director of Circle Program, said, "The students are a great resource as mentors for our youth. They can show young people that there are many options for them, and that college really is an option, even if they are the first generation to attend." Yet, when looking at the barriers, Ferenc stated, "The Plymouth region has a large amount of students on the free and reduced lunch programs and they are not able to be served if they are outside the town lines of Plymouth.  We need to have transportation for the PSU students to go out to the outlying areas, Rumney, Thornton, Campton and work in internships with these young people." 

While fielding the question of what makes the Plymouth area a great place to live, work, and play, Scott Stephens, Executive Director of the Plymouth Reg. Chamber of Commerce, says, "Plymouth is the hub for the community at large.  I have lived in college towns all my life and that is why I moved here. The culture, amenities, and intellectual community among the faculty and students are a major draw." When asked what he believed Plymouth looks like at its best, he stated, "It's the collaboration. When someone needs help, we pull together in community support. Look at our Christmas parade. How many communities have a Christmas parade and attract the crowds that we do?"

When asked what the students of the Service Learning Team hoped from the forum, Monica McKeon, PSU Junior, said, "We are hoping that by bringing the layers of different people together, non-profits, schools, community members and businesses, we can show that PSU students are engaged and do care about our extended community. We want to strengthen the relationship between PSU and its community partners and for the community to see that we (PSU students) are an untapped resource that can be utilized to fill gaps in the community." 

Wrapping up Monday, Jess Dutille thanked everyone for the energy brought to the community conversation. "The dynamic conversations held today are amazing. This is only the beginning," Dutille said. A wrap up meeting will be held on May 19^th 12-2pm at Whole Village Resource Center.