CCL Weekly Update – 11/20/2020

Generosity, everywhere we look.

Keeping Thanksgiving traditions, during this unprecedented time.
It’s not surprising that Lyme and neighbors in nearby communities are pulling out all the stops to help make Thanksgiving special for everyone. That’s what we do, right? This year, however, there’s something extra-special in the air. It’s showing in creative approaches to gathering while most of us can’t be together, and in preparations for a feast, when most of us can’t look forward that grand spread on an extended table.

If you’re still not sure what food you’ll be enjoying next week, you might take a look at the wide range of Thanksgiving Meal choices you have. Just pulling together the list was inspiring! There are take-out options for full meals, prepared side dishes, and everything you need to make your own meal, including free and by-donation offerings in all categories. Most of the providers have made it very easy to order and safe to pick up. CommunityCare of Lyme will help you with your choice or deliver what you need, and we are here with the Jenks Fund and Lyme Food Pantry if money’s short right now. As always, if you or someone you know could use some support, contact us at 795-0603 or help@cclyme.org.

We’d like to highlight with special gratitude Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lebanon, preparing for take-out or delivering over 2,000 meals across the Upper Valley, including to Lyme. Anyone may place an order by calling 603-448-6575.

Generosity is evident not only in the “givers and doers” — the growers, roasters, bakers, delivery volunteers, those making calls or writing notes to neighbors and friends, patient computer experts helping us “Zoom”, teachers, donors, coordinators, emergency response teams, and other healthcare heros — but also in the open, trusting hearts of those generously accepting the offerings of others … some for the first time. Gifts lie in both the giving and the receiving, and it’s never seemed clearer than it does right now. Quoting one neighbor who reached out looking for a way to share the meal she plans to prepare, after being connected with a very grateful recipient of her bounty: “Yay! This will add meaning to our Thanksgiving since we have no family coming.” 

Recognizing with gratitude two generous people.
The very special Michael Hinsley, whose extraordinary, caring contributions to emergency response in Lyme and across the Upper Valley are known to most of us, and have been experienced directly by too many of us, retired this week from his position as Deputy Fire Chief in Hanover. He will be missed in that roll. There’s so much more to come, and we wish you the very best, Michael! We look forward to what’s next. 

With gratitude and respect, we remember Brinson Weeks, father of Bill and grandfather of Tanner, Atticus, Savannah, Scout, Joplin, and Hoke. Brinson’s generous donations of furnishings and supplies are the heart of the warm and functional CommunityCare of Lyme office space. We offer sincere condolences to Brinson’s family. We look forward to welcoming all of you to our special space when it is safe.

Masks matter … and now are mandated in New Hampshire.
Yesterday, Governor Sununu signed an emergency order instituting a statewide mask mandate, as 529 new cases were announced. The mandate goes into effect today, and will remain in effect through January 15th. Most of us have understood that wearing a mouth and nose covering protects others, and not just ourselves. It is a generous act during this pandemic. We are grateful that the state of New Hampshire now supports making the “right” decision to care for one another. If you need a mask or a facial shield, please contact us.

Our safe, healthy, loving community is a result of generous acts on the part of every one of us, as we share and care, trust and receive.

With Love,  Patty & Martha

Patty Jenks

Martha Tecca

603-795-0603 (CCL office)
help@cclyme.org
www.cclyme.org

Don’t forget: 

We are here. Every Day. 

Reach out when you or someone you care about needs a hand. If you could use information, help, a listening ear or ways to make someone else feel really good, contact us at 603-795-0603 or help@CCLyme.org. We partner with organizations and generous volunteers to connect you with just the right resources and opportunities to get involved: Deliveries or errands. Groceries or meals. Handy help around home. Holiday ideas and cheer. A little help problem-solving. You name it.

The Lyme Organizations and Services Directory.

Here’s the link! We appreciate the interest and those who’ve helped to spread the word, since the link was removed from the bottom of Lyme Listserv messages earlier this year. We’ll also add it to the bottom of all of our own messages. This is a searchable, online, frequently-updated listing of individuals, organizations, and businesses serving Lyme. We welcome listings of services provided by Lyme community members and those serving Lyme, with a Lyme referral. We do our best to keep up with changes and depend on reports of needed edits from those listed and their users. Contact directory@cclyme.org to suggest changes. Thanks!

The Lyme Food Pantry will be open on Tuesday. 

At 1pm, all are welcome to our “Farmers Market” display of Willing Hands produce. You can order a food package at 795-0603, or stop by. We will have special holiday offerings and safe distribution of food as the weather turns cold. Your ideas and requests are most welcome!

If you are a school family with concerns for your own or fellow families, we’d like to help.

This quick form allows you to consider and share your situation, needs you may have, and ways you may help others. Complete it if you like, or just reach out by email or phone. If you could use help getting through the day or weeks, call 603-795-0603. Together, we’ll work through the pieces and come up with a way to make it work for you.

Coming up this week: 

Please be extra-careful about keeping yourself and others safe and healthy. As now mandated, wear an appropriate mouth and nose covering when you are in public. Keep a safe distance. Stay home if you are sick at all. And please be kind, as you encourage others to practice safe behaviors. ❤️ ?.

Check out the Lyme Events Calendar online. Please let us know about other things you think we should share. Following are just a few highlights. See the end of this listing for our sources and more great resources to learn about all kinds of events.

Don’t miss:

  • Monday (11/23):
    Grab & Go Curbside Take Out Meals*, 12-12:30pm at the Upper Valley Senior Center in Lebanon. All Welcome. No age limit. $3 suggested cost per meal.
  • Friday (11/27):
    Fairlee’s Free Food Friday,* 10:15-10:45am, drive by the south side of the Fairlee Town Hall. This is a new route, to continue through the winter.

*NOTE: For any event that’s not online, please be prepared with a mask and clean hands or clean gloves.

Save the date:

We are here for you.
When you seek information, help, or ways to help others, contact us.

The Lyme Community Help Line:
call 795-0603 or email Help@CCLyme.org

Lyme Food Pantry or prepared meals. Deliveries or errands. Help around home. You name it.

Click here to check out the Lyme Events Calendar
Things are happening!