CCL Weekly Update – 4/21/2022
On rainbows…
Driving to the CommunityCare of Lyme Living Room on Tuesday morning proved to be an adventure! The rain could not decide whether to stop or pour, and the sun wasn’t sure whether it wanted to come out and play. Despite the stormy weather, the drive to the CCL Living Room was beautiful for several reasons. There was a beautiful rainbow that lasted only a moment. It ended on the far-side of the road in a series of tall pine trees. The lighting was just right but only for a moment; it would have been entirely possible to have missed the beauty of the morning rainbow entirely. I’m grateful I noticed it.
… and branches …
Further along in the drive there was a series of downed branches blocking the road. I was moved by the beauty of community, when several drivers pulled over and jumped out of their cars without hesitation. They all worked together to begin clearing the branches on both sides of the road. It was clearly not a planned act of community service, yet there was no hesitation from any of the volunteers who cleared the street so all could safely pass. It was a moving way to begin a stormy Tuesday morning. If you happen to be one of the people who so selflessly jumped out of your car to clear the road: Thank you!
If you stop and notice, there are beautiful things to be grateful for, even during the storm.
News and Notes:
Lyme’s Day of Service and Green Up Day – May 7th! SIGN UP NOW.
There are lots of great outdoor projects at neighbors’ homes and, together, we can clean-up every road in Lyme! CCL is partnering with the Lyme Conservation Commission for Lyme’s Day of Service and Green Up Day. We will feel the spirit of community! As always, we’re paying attention to everyone’s safety. Of course, there will be refreshments! Now is the time to sign up.
Click here to help complete neighbors’ projects Click here to help Green Up Lyme roads
Do you or someone you know have a project that could use some generous helping hands? Do you have questions or suggestions? Please contact shelby@cclyme.org or 802-468-7776.
April is…
Stress Awareness Month. All month, we’ll be offering tips, resources, and opportunities to shed some stress together. You’ll see a few of those items below, in this week’s Wellness Wednesday, and in the “Coming Up” section below. NEW! We have launched a Self-Care webpage at CCLyme.org, where you can explore resources, upcoming events, and programs related to self-care for your well-being. Click here to check it out, and be in touch with suggestions as the page evolves.
Humor Month. Did you know that laughter is one way to reduce stress, and offers several other health benefits? You can watch a brief overview from the Mayo Clinic to learn more about the health benefits of laughter here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqGnsTK41-o. Turns out the phrase “laughter is the best medicine” has some truth!
This week’s joke of the week comes from GoodHouseKeeping.com:
Why does it take pirates a long time to learn the alphabet?
… because they spend years at C.
If you have a joke to share, contact shelby@cclyme.org or 603-795-0603. We’d love to laugh with you!
National Garden Month. Consider engaging with Lyme Gardeners, an informal group of gardening enthusiasts from Lyme and surrounding communities. Lyme Gardeners was “born” in 2007, continuing all these years mainly for the pleasure of visiting gardens (Pardon My Garden, or PMG). PMGs are usually weekly, from May into the fall. Our Lyme Gardener listserv functions to ask questions, share information about gardens and plants, ask “what is this?”, and to schedule and remind subscribers of PMG visits. To subscribe to the Lyme Gardeners listserv, send a blank email to: Lyme-gardeners-subscribe@lists.vitalcommunities.org
Pardon My Garden visits start next month. Everyone is always welcome.
Questions? Email anne.baird@gmail.com
Weekly health and well-being tips, resources, and recipes …
Monday’s Menu. If you’re looking for a Middle Eastern comfort food to enjoy with friends, family and neighbors during Ramadan, or anytime, then consider giving Melissa Mueller’s Lentils and Rice with Fried Onions (Mujadarrah) a try on Allrecipes.com! This easy to make dish combines lentils, rice, yogurt or sour cream, and fried onions. Tasty. Simple. Savory. Enjoy this week’s post here.
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 week Caroline Borowy, NASM- CPT of the Upper Valley Aquatic Center’s PALS For Life program, has submitted a post on the Importance of Core Exercise. Caroline discusses the reasons core exercise is important, and also offers pointers on how to correctly engage your core muscles with four different exercises. Enjoy this week’s post 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. See all Wellness Wednesday posts here.
Orford Senior Center April and May Newsletters
Our partner organization, Orford Senior Center (serving Lyme), has shared their April Menu here, and the April Newsletter here. Please review their website here for the most up-to date information. They offer programs, weekly Grab ‘n Go meals, daily Meals on Wheels home delivered meals, and more. As you plan for next month, you can view the May Newsletter and Inserts here.
Aging Resource Center (ARC) April Newsletter
The Dartmouth Aging Resource Center, is offering an ongoing series of virtual programs. With a variety of offerings, there is sure to be something you’ll enjoy! See their April programs here. Note that the Self-Care Sampler for Family Care Partners 6-week Zoom series begins next week.
Covid Update
Vaccination. The best protection for most of us continues to be vaccination. Thanks Lyme EOC and UV Public Health Council for another free, walk-up vaccine clinic in Lyme yesterday! Whether it’s your first or second dose or a booster, at Vaccines.gov you can search for vaccination locations and make an appointment. It’s quick and easy!
Testing. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 FREE at-home COVID-19 tests (This is a 2nd offer!) Please use this link: https://www.covidtests.gov/ They’ll ship as supplies are available.
For up-to-date information on testing, vaccines, and more in New Hampshire, visit www.covid19.nh.gov. Note that Upper Valley locations in Vermont can also serve NH residents.
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
Financial support is needed! Donations to the CCL Welcome Fund support Afghan evacuees 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.
Get involved! Our new neighbors appreciate help with rides, opportunities to practice English, occasional meals, and simple, warm connection with neighbors. Thanks to so many who have been a part of the welcome so far. If you would like to join in, 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.
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 Monday through Thursday from 9am – 11am, and by appointment. 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:
Check out the Lyme Events Calendar, the Valley News Calendar, Lyme organizations (see several links at the end of this message) or the Aging Resource Center for more ideas.
We are pleased to pass on news shared by Lyme organizations.
This Week
- TODAY Thursday, April 21, 2:15-3:15pm – Lyme Chess Club returns to the Library!
7 sessions, April 21 to June 2 in the library’s Meeting Room. ALL AGES ARE WELCOME! RSVP, as space is limited to 12 participants per session: greenwaypaintings@gmail.com - Saturday, April 22 – EARTH DAY. Plant a tree, shop at a local farmers market, prepare your gardens, breathe the clean Upper Valley air. Let’s be aware and take care of our environment.
- Tuesday, April 26, 8:45am-4pm – “Time to Care” Virtual Summit, Creating a Care Culture Across Generations, Communities & Systems. A Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging event. All are welcome to attend. Registration closes Friday, April 22nd. Register here. This is a wonderful program with information and inspiration for our lives and our community! If you would like to join and the fee is a challenge, please contact us at 603-795-0603 help@cclyme.org. CommunityCare of Lyme is pleased to support your participation.
- Tuesday, April 26 at 1pm – Lyme Food Pantry CCL hosts the distribution every Tuesday at Lyme Congregational Church. Call ahead to order, or just stop by. DELIVERY AVAILABLE.
- Wednesday, April 27th – Bingo at the Orford Senior Center. Please call to make your reservation: 603-353-9107 or email enickles@gcscc.org. All participants must sign in and sign out; masks optional. Contact CCL if you could use a ride. Also Wednesdays, May 11, 18,& 25.
- Wednesday, April 27th – FREE Reiki with Stephanie Carney at the CCL office. Weekly, starting at noon. To make an appointment contact carney.steph@gmail.com or call 603-795-2419.
- Tuesday April 26, 1pm – Utility Club Meeting at the Lyme Congregational Church. There will be a business meeting at 1pm and speaker, Henry Homemeyer, will talk about gardening.
- Thursday, April 27, 7-8pm – Stress Awareness Month Feature Program, via Zoom, with Samuel Standard, PhD. We will learn about the physiological impacts of stress, along with how to utilize stress reduction strategies. During this session, we’ll learn and practice various stress reduction techniques, including those you can use at home, work, or school. For more information please contact shelby@cclyme.org/603-795-0603. To register for this program, please click here.
Save the date!
- May the Fourth Be With You Star Wars Celebration! Wednesday, May 4, 3-7pm Converse Free Library offers programs and a Star Wars movie. Cosponsored with CommunityCare of Lyme. More details to come!
- Lyme’s Day of Service and Green Up Day. Saturday, May 7. Could you use a hand this year for a Day of Service Project? Could you lend a hand this year to a neighbor? Might you help clean up a road in town? “Many hands make light work!” Contact us at info@cclyme.org or 603-795-0603. Or sign up now! Projects for neighbors, Road clean up. More info here.
- Mindful Photography Gathering. Sunday, May 22 4-5:30pm (Postponed from 4/14). The focus is on noticing the world around you by thoughtfully capturing a limited number of photos as opposed to a regular photo shoot where the objective might be to capture hundreds. Bring whatever camera you have- your smartphone, a point & shoot, a DSLR, or mirrorless. Shelby and Stephanie of CommunityCare of Lyme will be your hosts. Open to all levels. Meeting at the CommunityCare of Lyme Office. Email shelby@cclyme.org or call 603-795-0603 for more information. Please register by Friday, May 20th at noon to help us plan.
*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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