CCL Weekly Update – 3/26/2021

“Tenderness, hesitantly, reach toward the earth …”

Early Spring
by Maria Rilke

Harshness vanished. A sudden softness
has replaced the meadows’ wintry grey.
Little rivulets of water changed
their singing accents. Tendernesses,

hesitantly, reach toward the earth
from space, and country lanes are showing
these unexpected subtle risings
that find expression in the empty trees.

Thank you to Stephanie Carney, for sharing this hopeful poem.

One year. One whole year of forced changes. Changes for our well-being and our safety. Social restrictions isolated us yet protected us. Masks hid us yet made it so we could have a presence in places outside our homes. Changes can be hard. 

And, while the harshness hasn’t vanished, here we are in our little corner of the world, being diligent and thoughtful – and tender – in our efforts to get us all to a place of good health. 

Along this travelled way from March 2020 to March 2021, we have been blessed with innumerable generous people who have – and continue to – enable our ability to carry on. Neighborhood captains check in, neighbors run errands, teachers teach, CCL and others coordinate safe and meaningful gatherings, the Lyme Food Pantry offers food and meals to everyone, our Emergency Management Team keeps us well informed, and so many of us are working very hard to be patient and grateful. And spring is revealing signs of new life all around us! 

We are very fortunate to have each other through all this. We have worked together, turning a real bummer situation into a positive, supportive effort. Hang in there just a little longer. Think tender thoughts. We’ll get through this, together.

May we share the “unexpected subtle risings” of early spring, in our hearts and in our community.

Sending support & love from our neighborhood to yours,
Patty

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

News and Notes:

We are here. Every day. 603-795-0603 or help@cclyme.org.

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, in Lyme and in nearby communities: Deliveries or errands. Groceries or meals. Health and wellbeing boosts. Handy help around home. Ways to stay warm and connected. A little help problem-solving. Tech support. You name it.

Vaccination update.

Next week, everyone in NH 16 or older will be eligible for vaccination! The governor’s emergency order for masking, distancing, and limited gathering sizes has been extended. If you’re newly eligible, the scheduling system has changed, but you access it in the same way: go to vaccines.nh.gov and register. You will be sent a link and instructions to schedule your appointment. 

Margaret Caudill-Slosberg (“EOC Lyme” on the Listserv) continues to keep us informed. If you have yet to be vaccinated, watch for her emails. Call 603-795-0603 or email help@cclyme.org if you have questions or need any help getting – or getting to – your appointment. We’re in touch with Margaret and regional vaccination planning teams. 

“The Beauty of Birds” – Now on (virtual) display!

The Beauty of Birds is a virtual art exhibition where the subject of each work is birds, with students from the Lyme School also sharing fabulous artwork based on their habitats. We are very excited about all the works we’ve received both in our open category, and through our Lyme School collaboration. More details are at cclyme.org/birds, The Beauty of Birds page on the CCL website.

Important Dates:

  • Virtual exhibit: NOW through 4/15. Two pages of exhibits are live now on Matt Brown Fine Art’s website. The open exhibit, with submissions from across the community, and works by Lyme School students. 
  • Vote by 4/4 at 11:59PM  for the work from each (fun) category that best demonstrates that category: You can read more here and submit your votes here . 
  • Zoom Award celebration: Wed. 4/7 at 6pm. All welcome. Details to come!

Still have questions? Email shelby@cclyme.org or call 802-468-7776. 

It’s time to talk about the birds and the bears …

Thanks to the Lyme Conservation Commission for sharing: NH Fish & Game is reminding anyone who feeds wild birds to take down your feeders by April 1st. The onset of increasingly mild weather will cause bears to be more active. As they emerge from hibernation, finding food sources will be foremost on their minds, and bird feeders provide an irresistible lure. 

Visit this NH Fish & Game web page for a full rundown of steps you can take to discourage unwanted bear visits.

NEW! Monday’s Menu 

Recipes for quick, fun and healthy weeknight meals. Click here to read this week’s recipe, “Banana Berry Oatmeal Bars” submitted by Anna Pippin, MSHN. Thank you to those who have emailed us to say you’ve given this recipe a try already! We’d love to hear from you when you make this recipe. 

Would you like to submit a recipe for Monday’s Menu? Please contact shelby@cclyme.org.

Wellness Wednesdays

Tips and resources to support and encourage wellness in all aspects of our lives. Click here to read this week’s post “Caring for your ‘Outside’”, by Ghislaine DeMatteo, owner of DeLeon Day Spa and Wellness Center.  

You’ll be able to watch this new initiative grow on our website at cclyme.org/wellness-wednesdays.  If you have a wellness tip or resource you would like to share, please contact shelby@cclyme.org.

March Craftiness – Finals Bracket!

We’re doing our own version of March Madness, highlighting popular crafts in brackets going head-to-head for your votes! This week we continue March Craftiness with our Final Round. You can submit your votes by clicking here, votes are due Sunday with our Final results being posted Monday. At the time of this posting, we have a VERY close race in our Finals so please vote! Please read more here, and help choose the victorious craft! 

Coming up: 

You can find events and fun activities to enjoy virtually, outside, or following Covid-safe protocols. Check out the Lyme Events Calendar, the Valley News Calendar, or the Aging Resource Center  for ideas. The calendars include lots of free and by-donation food and meals every week.

This week, don’t miss:

  • Friday (3/26): FIRST EVENING OF PASSOVER – Chag Pesach Sameach!
  • Tuesday (3/30) at 1pm: Lyme Food Pantry Fresh Produce and Staples Pick-up or Delivery. We are now located at Lyme Congregational Church. All who ask can receive a box of non-perishable items and fresh produce from Willing Hands, Pete & Gerry’s Eggs, and the USDA. Gift cards for other groceries and prepared meals are available. Boxes of food may be ordered ahead, and if we’re asked for something special we’ll do our best to make it available. There is plenty. Contact us at 795-0603 or help@cclyme.org.
  • Sunday (4/4): EASTER: We will share some local Easter service opportunities next week.

Save the Date:

Check out the Lyme Events Calendar for a full listing of upcoming events selected for Lyme and neighboring communities.

Calendar information is gathered from multiple sources, including:

Lyme and other local listservs
Lyme Library Calendar
Lyme Community and Church Newsletter
Lyme School Events Listing
Town of Lyme Website
Daybreak Upper Valley daily newsletter Click to subscribe
Valley News online calendar
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Aging Resource Center

Please share any additions or edits to calendar items, so that we can include them in the online calendar.

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

Connection to resources you need now to stay active, involved, and well.
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!