Barbara Stadtmiller

by Lynne Ober

Energetic, bubbly, full of life come to mind when you try to describe Barb, a life-long Pelham resident, who is looking for her own home in Pelham and hopes to remain in Pelham forever. "It’s such a neat town," she enthuses.

Barb went to St. Anselm’s College where she majored in Philosophy. "I started out in Politics. I wanted to be a lobbyist. I wanted to go out and do things and help people," she laughs. Along the way she discovered how interesting the courses were in the Philosophy Department and switched majors.

Although she graduated, her college career isn’t over – not by a long shot. She wants to earn a Masters in Library Science and is investigating the program at Simmons College in Boston.

"I’ve been volunteering in the library since I was ten," she recalled. "Even when I was in high school I volunteered six or ten hours a week."

Barb has been a Trustee of the Trust Fund for the past three years in Pelham and hopes to be re-elected to another term. "It was my project to get everything straightened out. We needed to know where every penny was and what we were doing." To get that done she partnered with the staff at Citizen’s Bank. "They were wonderful and have wonderful software." Acknowledging that she likes working with things that are a challenge, Barb said, "This was fun. There’s still lots to do and I’m hoping to be able to continue the work."

She was elected to the Pelham Budget Committee last year and has just completed her first year. "I got to see a lot of different views of the town. This was a great way to meet people. I got to know the guys who work on the cemeteries, for example," she smiled.

Barbara learned the ins and outs of the municipal budget. "It’s so different, but I love doing things where I can say ‘everything I know has nothing to do with that’. It makes is such a fun challenge." At the end of her first year she has great respect for the various department heads. "They really do their work and are so careful because everyone knows we don’t like to spend money in Pelham."

Barb admits that she likes carrying on her family tradition of helping the town. "My mom has been a wonderful influence. All my family has been involved in the Town and I feel like I’m carrying on that tradition."

This year Barb has been working at Pelham Memorial School in the library – what else? She loves it. "I get to work with the kids, track circulation, process the books – everything." As part of every work day, she works with three groups of students who are in study hall. "They come in for math help or to find a book for a book report. We have really great kids."

Barb has been involved with the Pelham Theater Community Group and sits on their Board of Directors. "I’m helping them with money and with whatever they need." She was the director for the successful production of "It’s a Wonderful Life" and is helping get ready for this spring’s offering of "You Have the Right to Remain Dead."

Barb is ready and willing to help anyone anytime. She was recently a dealer at the Texas Hold ‘em Poker Tournaments that raised money for the Sherburne Hall Committee.

While she was in school, Barb painted. "I did both water colors and oils. Right now I don’t have studio space, but if I get my own house, I’d like to get back into painting."

"Music is a wonderful expression of ourselves," Barb laughed so it’s not surprising to discover that she’s played bongo drums and the tambourine in a band. "I love music. My brother currently plays trumpet at the high school."

If you attended the Pelham Deliberative Sessions this year, you might have observed Barb knitting away as she listened to the opinions being voiced. "I love yarn. I love to knit. I’m an avid knitter who always has lots of projects going."

This year she’s been helping with the Yarn Club at Pelham Memorial School. "I’ve been learning to crochet with the kids," she laughs. The Yarn Club has learned how to make granny squares and is in the process of making baby blankets to donate to Elliott Hospital.

Barb has tried many sports. She played soccer and tennis and while in college was the goalie for the Floor Hockey Team. "I was quite the sight with my pads and stick," she laughs. "I need to find a new sport now that I’m not in school." With that thought in mind, Barb recently tried snowboarding. The jury is still out as to whether this will be her new sport or not.

She also played on the Pelham Memorial School faculty and staff basketball team that played against the Girls B-basketball team. "I need to practice – a lot – before I play again, but I had tons of fun."

With all of her enthusiasm and happiness, Barb has a sunny outlook. "I tell people. I wake up and ask am I happy? Am I fulfilled? If no, I try to make myself that way. So many people seem to be afraid of being happy. That’s not going to be me."

This local treasure plans to continue to be involved in her town. If you know of a house for sale that she might like, give her a call. She wants to stay around. Have you met Barbara Stadtmiller?