CCL Weekly Update – 3/3/2022
On Sour Cherry Jam
These last few weeks have proven to be very stressful for a variety of reasons. Whether it’s seeing updates on the news, managing stressors in my personal life or seeing the increasing gas prices I’ve found myself more overwhelmed.
Fortunately, with the support of friends and family I was able to enjoy a meal at one of my favorite restaurants for brunch this week. In feeling a change to my normal order might be a good thing, we opted for ordering a jam sampler: Apricot, Rose and Sour Cherry made up the assortment. Apricot proved a bit too sweet for me. Rose was interesting, a bit like a jam version of my grandmother’s potpourri. Sour Cherry though was delightful! Despite the name, it proved to be a lovely balance of sweet and sour. Served with a piece of toast it was a wonderful surprise for the senses. After ordering the jam sampler, and walking around town a bit we stopped by the store and purchased a jar of the sour cherry jam.
Why am I sharing this? Honestly, that’s a great question!
For me, trying something slightly different than I might normally and really taking a moment to stop and notice it brought me some calm and contentment – even if only for a moment. Buying the jar of Sour Cherry Jam was just a reminder to myself to stop, to breathe and to choose to appreciate the delightful little moments that catch me by surprise.
This week, I hope you’re able to take a pause, and mindfully enjoy a simple and delightful moment in time. As we all have so much weighing on us, I hope you discover your sour cherry jam.
I hope you’re able to take a pause, and mindfully enjoy a simple and delightful moment in time.
“Home” by Carl Sandburg – 1878-1967
Here is a thing my heart wishes the world had more of:
I heard it in the air of one night when I listened
To a mother singing softly to a child restless and angry
in the darkness.This poem is in the public domain. From https://poets.org/poem/home-1
News and Notes:
We could use your input!
Insider’s Guide to Lyme. CommunityCare of Lyme is working to create an online resource and printable document for all neighbors – a Lymie’s guide to the area. We’d love your feedback on your favorite places for good food and good fun! It will only take a few moments of your time, and the impact for all of our neighbors is priceless! We will have working drafts available for you to peruse at Town Meeting. It’s a work in progress and your feedback is immensely appreciated as we refine what is most useful and engaging in an “Insider’s Guide to Lyme”.
March is …
When our days get longer! Daylight savings time ends on Sunday, March 13th at 2am. How will you plan to enjoy more time in the sun? ???
National Craft Month. Last year we celebrated National Craft Month with our own take on the NCAA’s March Madness brackets with our own March Craftiness brackets, and based on your votes last year’s “Spring into Crafting” winner was: Knitting! You can review our 2021 brackets here.
This year we celebrate National Craft Month by revamping our sweet 16 brackets. Please vote here to let us know which 16 crafts you would like to see make the cut. Votes are due each Monday by noon.
Town Meetings.
Lyme School District Meeting. TONIGHT. Thursday, March 3, 2022 at 6pm in the Lyme School gymnasium.
Masking information: “The school’s policy of asking all persons to wear a mask while inside the building is still in effect and is supported by the latest CDC guidelines, for Grafton County is still listed as in a High state for community transmission. Accommodations for those who cannot wear a mask will be provided. The room will be set up for social distancing.” From Listserv post by Bill Waste, Moderator – Lyme School District.
Lyme Town Meeting. Tuesday – March 8, 2022 from 7am – 7pm at the Lyme School gymnasium.
“Town Meeting consists of two parts: Official Ballot voting for Town and School District officers, and the Business Meeting to discuss, debate and vote on Town Warrant articles. Here are the details for 2022:
Official Ballot Voting 7am – 7pm – This is “Article 1” on the official Town Warrant. Voting occurs by secret ballot from. You must be a Lyme resident and registered voter in order to vote (same-day registration information below). Official Ballot voting will take place at the West end of the Gym/Community Room. Voters will enter the school through the main entrance, then down the hall to enter the gym through the second door (by the climbing wall). Signs will guide you. You will check in with a ballot clerk, show your photo ID, receive two ballots (one for Town officers, one for School District officers), vote, then return your ballots to the check-out table and ballot boxes. After voting, you will leave the Gym the same way you came in.
Business Meeting beginning at 9am – This will be an in-person gathering to discuss, debate and vote on Articles 2-16 on the official Town Warrant. The meeting will take place in the main portion of the Gym/Community Room. You must be a Lyme resident and registered voter in order to participate and vote (same-day registration information below). You will enter the school through the main door, then into the gym. You will check in with the ballot clerks and receive your Yes-No voting cards. You do NOT need to present a photo ID to check in for the Business Meeting (ONLY for Official Ballot voting).
Same-Day Voter Registration – The Supervisors of the Checklist will be in session at Town Meeting to register Lyme residents who have not yet registered to vote. The Supervisor’s table will be in the entrance lobby, just inside the main door to the school. You will need to present a photo ID and proof of Lyme residency. https://sos.nh.gov/elections/voters/register-to-vote/at-the-polls-on-election-day/
Masking and COVID Precautions – Plans for Town Meeting are informed by information provided by both the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the NH Department of Health and Human Services (COVID-19 Pandemic, Update #57 – Updated Face Mask and COVID-19 Guidance). By the CDC criteria at this time, COVID infections in our area remain high. Given the available information and guidance, the Lyme election team has decided to strongly recommend wearing a face mask during Town Meeting. Please consider the health and safety of all of our neighbors when deciding whether or not to wear a mask. Other logistics for the Business meeting:
- Chairs in the Gym will be arranged to enable social distancing.
- The Lyme Congregational Church is providing several HEPA filter units, which will be placed around the Gym.
- We will limit announcements and other business to keep the meeting as short as possible.
- There will be no food or beverage service, and no staffed info tables inside school.
- The Lyme Foundation WILL present the “Lyme Citizen of the Year” award.
Absentee Ballots – Voters may request an absentee ballot for the “Official Ballot” portion of Town Meeting. Please contact the Town Clerk’s office (603-795-2535) to request an absentee ballot. For voting on Articles 2 – 16, you must be present at the Business Meeting on March 8th in order to vote.
We ask for your cooperation, consideration and patience as we work together to conduct the Town’s business in a civil, respectful and safe manner. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, March 8th.”
From a Listserv post by: Kevin Peterson, Town Moderator, Judy Brotman, Select Board Chair, Patty Jenks, Town Clerk, and Margaret Caudill-Slosberg, Emergency Management Director.
Weekly health and well-being tips, resources, and recipes …
Monday’s Menu. For a bit of comfort on a cold night, try the traditional Holiday dish of Classic French Canadian Tourtière. If you have an original recipe OR a recipe you have adapted that you would love to share please email me at shelby@cclyme.org Click here to see all the Monday’s Menu recipes.
Wellness Wednesday. This month, in the midst of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we are sharing two NPR articles as resources for you to review to care for both yourself and the people of Ukraine. Please click here to review this week’s Wellness Wednesday post. See all Wellness Wednesday posts here.
If you have a wellness topic you would like to share about OR would love to learn more about, please contact shelby@cclyme.org.
Orford Senior Center March Newsletter
Our partner organization, Orford Senior Center (serving Lyme), has shared their March Menu here and the March Newsletter here. They offer programs, weekly Grab ‘n Go meals, daily Meals on Wheels home delivered meals, and more. Please review their website here for the most up-to date information.
Covid Update
For up-to-date information on testing, vaccines, and more in New Hampshire, visit www.covid19.nh.gov.
Testing. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. Next week, all households will be able to order 4 more. The tests are completely free. Please use this link: https://www.covidtests.gov/ They’ll ship as supplies are available. There are other sources of test kits. If you have extra tests that you might like to share, please contact Lyme’s Emergency Management Director, Margaret Caudill-Slosberg, at lymeeoc@lymenh.gov or CCL by responding to this email or by calling 603-795-0603.
Vaccination. Overall, the best protection for the vast majority of us continues to be vaccination – either initial dose(s) or a booster, if you’re eligible. Seek your doctor’s advice if you have any questions about how the current recommendations affect you. At Vaccines.gov, you can search for vaccination locations and make an appointment. You can also schedule directly with retailers, such as Walmart and CVS. New sites and new practices are happening all the time.
Stay safe: Let’s all do our best to stay safe and keep others safe, while lifting spirits with healthy ways to stay active and involved. As mandates are lifted, keep your mask along to wear it inside when requested or when safe distancing isn’t possible.
Contact CCL if you would like help navigating the system or have questions, and we’ll do our best to get you the most up-to-date answers and help you may need. Email help@cclyme.org or call 603-795-0603.
Extending a Warm Upper Valley Welcome
Help is needed now with rides, opportunities to practice English, and completing paperwork (applications. If you would like to be involved with our new Afghan neighbors in Lyme, Hanover, and other Upper Valley locations, please contact Martha Tecca (martha.tecca@gmail.com, 603-795-0603). She helps coordinate the Lyme/Upper Valley Neighborhood Support Team, partnering with Ascentria Care Services, a state resettlement office. CCL launched the Welcome Fund to help. Donations to the CCL Welcome Fund support Afghan evacuees in Lyme and across the Upper Valley, and others displaced by challenging circumstances. Go to cclyme.org/donate or mail a check to CCL at PO Box 127 Lyme, NH 03768. Please note that your donation is for the Welcome Fund.
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 bring someone else joy, contact us at 603-795-0603 or help@CCLyme.org. Our phone is answered every day, usually in person. Our welcoming living room in the Lyme Center Academy is a terrific place to relax, read, visit with friends, or meet with a CCL team member. It is now open often during the week and by appointment. Give us a call to confirm times. Be in touch, any time. You’ll reach a friendly voice, a little (or a lot of) help, and creative, safe ways to be involved.
Coming up:
There is a LOT going on out there! Check out the Lyme Events Calendar (a selection of events from lots of calendars), the Valley News Calendar (especially for all kinds of arts in the area, but lots more), Lyme organizations (see several links at the end of this message) or the Aging Resource Center for ideas.
Lyme is happening!
We are pleased to pass on news shared by Lyme organizations.
- Collaborative programs between CCL & Matt Brown Fine Art.
- Sunday, March 13, 5pm, hosted by CCL on Zoom: “Bringing to Life Danjuro VIII, Woodblock Prints by Utagawa Kunisada” Curious about all of Matt’s fuss over these woodblock prints of 170 years ago? Curious what we have put together at the MBFA gallery in downtown Lyme? This will be an arm-chair travel time to a world very different from our own. Including a video tour of the show in the gallery, a presentation of some of the show’s print highlights, and a discussion re-imagining the kabuki theater world of Edo Japan in the 19th century, we will aim to explore the dramatic potentials of these color woodblock printed sheets, designs printed from carved wood-blocks, the same way I make my own woodblock prints today. Please register here.
- Sunday, March 27, 5 pm, a Zoom discussion hosted by CCL: “The Energy Theory of Color”, a Printmaker and Professor Dialogue. Printmaker Matt Brown and Professor of Psychology Ming Meng will engage in a Zoom dialogue describing their ongoing work exploring their mutually invented color theory – a meet-up of the differing outlooks of scientist and artist seeking to describe aspects of visual thinking. Register here.
- Meeting of Post 80, The American Legion. March 9th at 6pm in the Conant Meeting Room at the Converse Free Library. All members and veterans are encouraged to attend. We will be accepting new members as well. To join, please bring a copy of your discharge papers. We will verify eligibility and return your papers. For more information, contact Richard C. Pond, Jr., Adjutant, at 603-277-9448 or post80adjutant@gmail.com
- Post Pond Ice Rink. Be sure to check the Listserv for updates on the rink’s status as it relates to weather and maintenance. What complicated weather we’ve had for ice maintenance! If you missed The ice rink maintenance crew’s Listserv post, review it here.
- Lyme Congregational Church. Sunday worship is at 10:30am. Bring a mask. ALL WELCOME! Go to lymecc.org for more information.
- Lyme Food Pantry. CCL hosts every Tuesday at 1pm at Lyme Congregational Church. Call ahead to let us know what you’d like, or just stop by. DELIVERY AVAILABLE.
- Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with the Food Pantry – Tuesday, March 15 – The food pantry team will be distributing corned beef and fixings for an Irish boiled dinner. As we say at the Food Pantry, “Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day”. Let us help you celebrate. Order your corned beef and cabbage by March 11th and we may even help you with a few recipes.
- FREE Reiki with Stephanie Carney at the CCL office. Weekly. Wednesdays at noon. To make an appointment contact Stephanie at carney.steph@gmail.com or by phone at 603-795-2419. Learn more here.
- “Second Saturday” Saturday, March 12 Lyme Historians’. Visit with Lyme native Gary Dimick 11:00 – noon, at the Churchill-Melvin House, 15 Main St. Hot drinks and warm conversation!
- Those Guys. First Wednesday monthly meeting. An informal Lyme service organization. For more information and to join in, email Those.Guys.of.Lyme@Gmail.com.
- Happy Feet Clinic. CCL hosts three Thursdays a month at the Lyme Center Academy Building. Appointment required. Expert foot care with nurse Susan Hannah Rose. Call 802-296-1112 0r email nancyallison23@gmail.com to schedule a time. *Please be aware, there is a wait list at this time. We would be glad to add you, though it may be some time before we can book an appointment with Susan. We’re happy to help you explore options in the meantime.
- Lyme Library. Please visit the library website for current information on hours and programs.
*NOTE: For any event that’s not online, please be prepared with a mask and clean hands. Safety guidance, and hosts’ comfort continues to evolve.
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.
Just a chat. You name it.
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