The weather was quite something in May and early June, with so much water and a chill in the air. Leaves and buds stayed tight a little longer than usual, with hope for the overdue light and warmth. Finally, a few days of sun allowed both nature and eager gardeners to get to work creating some New England Spring beauty.

June 3rd Community Breakfast Café at the Lyme Center Vestry.

At CommunityCare of Lyme, we’ve had our own weeks of somewhat quiet transition, as brighter, clearer days are emerging. We’re energized by a burst of activity. The May Our Hour gathering included some new friends and lovely, rich conversation (plus healthy and tasty snacks). The Happy Feet foot clinic was a joy to host, as clients positively twinkled out of the office after their experience. Clinics will continue the 4th Thursday of each month. Chef Bruce Balch and team served quite a feast at the June Community Breakfast Café. Huge thanks to all the volunteers and donors that made that happy morning possible!

We love that Lyme knitters enjoy the CCL Living Room twice a month, and we were delighted to provide a comfortable and productive space for a strategic planning meeting of the Upper Valley Community Nursing Project. Our partnership continues to grow with the Lyme Parish Nurses, who hold office hours at CCL every Tuesday. Together, we help individuals and families navigate health and life challenges; connect neighbors with meals, rides, friendly visits, and social gatherings; and provide opportunities health and wellness education. The nurses and CCL are so grateful for the individuals and organizations in Lyme who make those service possible, including programs of both churches, Those Guys, the school, library, and many others.

The CCL Board is delighted to announce the establishment of The CCL Jenks Fund, in memory of Jim Jenks and Ethan Jenks, and in honor of Patty Jenks. The fund will enable our Director (now Patty) to help community members with small but urgent financial needs.

We are looking forward to a summer of love and laughter, with so much beauty around us, outside and in. When the days are steamy, please drink lots of water, and come visit us in the cool CCL Living room on Tuesday mornings or Thursday afternoons. Call if you’d like to enjoy the comfy space at some other time.

Although the reasons for requesting help are not usually celebratory, those involved in responding to the requests, as well as those being helped, find themselves truly uplifted. And it turns out there’s been a lot of uplifting! Including those who have trusted us with a call for help, plus volunteers, contributors, and event attendees, those involved in some way with CCL number over 700. It is a wonderful feeling to know that one way or the other we have made an impact our Lyme family. We are looking forward to so much more.

Please know that you are warmly welcomed and strongly encouraged to join in the fun, rich, and rewarding work. Do you like to visit with neighbors? Would you like to discuss being part of the board? Do you have a skill to teach others or experience to share? Do you like to write, design, or take photos? Are you passionate about community health? Are you an organizer? Are you seeking an internship opportunity? … the list is endless! And as our operations depend on financial generosity, we must add: Will you consider a donation as our fiscal year ends?

Stop by our office hours, or you can submit this form, call us at 795-0603, send us an email, mail us a note, post on our Facebook page, catch us in town, or schedule a time for a chat. We’d like to see you.To make a donation, send a check to CCL at PO Box 127, Lyme, NH 03777 or go to cclyme.org/donate.