CCL Weekly Update – 5/14/2021
Arranging the arrangements …
There are so many moving parts in these hills and valleys lately! It feels like with the closure of a very long and dreary winter, our cocoons are shed and the activities are beginning a big swirl around us. Beautiful, hopeful, and, well, A LOT. If you’ve been reading our weekly messages, THANK YOU! … and you’ll know of what we speak.
Of importance at the moment are this coming Saturday’s Town and School District meetings. This may be a first: they’ll be held on the Common under a big tent, which by the end of today will be up. You won’t have any trouble finding the action Saturday. The Town meeting begins at 9am, with many of the traditional moments of honor and recognition. The gathering will be safe. Please wear a mask … and bring your patience, as our moderator and team work to manage new and somewhat challenging logistics. If you need a ride in order to attend the meeting, please call us at 795-0603.
Additionally, for your enjoyment and involvement in activities that make you feel good, our team has been busy! CCL’s Manager of Program Development, Shelby Wood, and Manager of Outreach, Debbie Whitaker, have been doing amazing things with events such as Our Hour, Painting with Pastels, Poetry Night, Wellness Wednesdays, Monday’s Menu, and Happy Feet Clinics, to name a few. Did you see this week’s post featuring a rescue donkey? You can read more about it and click on the link to see the videos in the “It’s a big month …” section below. Feedback on the expanded programming and outreach has been positive and appreciative, and we are fortunate to have this energy within the community as we continue our efforts to collaborate and provide support.
Next week, we are delighted to be hosting our first in-person gathering since an extra-warm November moment allowed us to meet outside for Our Hour. On Wednesday the 19th at 4:30pm, outside the Lyme Center Academy Building, we’ll be sharing stories of mothers and mothering, and enjoying flowers and refreshments together. More on that below, too!
Please do remember we are always available to hear from you, help as we can, and care as we do! Never hesitate to call the 795-0603 number. There’s always a friend to answer and a family to help.
Looking forward to being with many of you on the Lyme Common on Saturday!
News and Notes:
Covid Vaccination Updates.
Vaccinations can now be scheduled for everyone 12 years and older! Parental consent is required for those under 18, and valid proof of identification is required for everyone. For those who don’t have a driver’s license, a birth certificate or a passport is needed. Getting as many of us as possible vaccinated remains the single most important way to allow us to transition to a safe, new “normal”. If you haven’t yet, go to vaccines.nh.gov and register to be vaccinated. You may also call 211.
CDC says, in most settings, vaccinated individuals do not need to be masked! This is a great relief for most of us. However, not everyone has chosen to, and not everyone is able to receive the vaccination, and it can be inappropriate (out of respect for privacy) to ask about vaccination status. Please continue to carry your masks and respect households and establishments that require mask wearing.
Margaret Caudill-Slosberg (“EOC Lyme” on the Listserv) continues to keep us informed as guidance and conditions evolve. Watch for her posts. Call 603-795-0603 or email help@cclyme.org if you have questions or need any help getting – or getting to – your vaccination appointment.
It’s a big month for special celebrations!
Older Americans Month 2021 – “Communities of Strength”. Every May, the Administration for Community Living leads our nation’s observance of Older Americans Month. Click here to read about the nationwide initiative. CommunityCare of Lyme is delighted that the theme speaks to the heart of our work, and we are celebrating by sharing uplifting stories and special opportunities each week. Please click here for this week’s CCL post, highlighting two fitness phenoms who inspire people of all ages. Please enjoy! Also, there’s a lot to support our “communities of strength” in the Lyme Events Calendar. Do you have an inspiring story of community you’d like to share? Please email shelby@cclyme.org.
ALSO National Physical Fitness & Sports Month AND Get Caught Reading Month! CommunityCare of Lyme is connecting these dots by posting a book-inspired sport or a sport that inspired a book each week. This week we highlight Running with Sherman by Christopher McDougall, an account inspired by both Chris’ love of running and his rescue donkey, Sherman! In an unpredictable sport with unexpected challenges, Chris and Sherman bond and take the long haul from Pennsylvania to Colorado to try burro racing. Personally, I loved this book and think I may have smiled the whole time I was reading it. Read this week’s post here. If you have suggestions for books inspired by sports, or sports inspired by books, Shelby would love to hear from you! Email shelby@cclyme.org.
Weekly health and well-being tips, resources, and recipes …
Monday’s Menu. Click here to read this week’s recipe, Sweet Potato and Bean Enchilada Casserole, from Anna Pippin, MSHN. Anna says, This sweet potato and bean casserole is made with layers of salsa, beans, sweet potatoes, zucchini and onions, and lots of delicious spices! Top it off with your favorite toppings such as cilantro, avocado, more salsa. or shredded cheese. This casserole is quick and easy to put together, healthy, filling, and delicious. Click here to see all the Monday’s Menu recipes.
Wellness Wednesday. Click here for this week’s post, “Why I Write Songs” by Jennifer Voelker. Jennifer is a community member and contributing writer. A HUGE thank you to Jennifer for allowing us permission to share one of her songs along with our post, so please be sure to give it a listen! See all the Wellness Wednesday posts at cclyme.org/wellness-wednesdays.
If you have a wellness tip or healthful recipe you would like to share, please contact shelby@cclyme.org.
Happy Feet Clinic
Now three Thursdays a month at Lyme Congregational Church. Appointments are required. Home visits are also available. Susan Hanna Rose, RN, provides expert therapeutic foot care. Contact Debbie Whitaker debbie@cclyme.org , 802-727-0284 for more information or to schedule an appointment. All are welcome!
Lyme Scholarship Applications
College students from Lyme, or students having close ties to the Lyme community, may apply for Lyme scholarships for undergraduate study by requesting an application from Bill Murphy by email, by phone at 795-2287, or by mail at 40 Preston Road. A common application is used by The Lyme Foundation’s William and Justine Griffith Fund, The Lyme Utility Club, The Nichols Family Scholarship Fund, The LCC Women’s Fellowship, The Alice B. Thayer Scholarship Fund, The Al Pomeroy Scholarship Fund, and The Lyme Educational Assistance Fund. The deadline for submitting applications is May 25, 2021, and interviews will be held on June 21, 22, and 23 with grants being made shortly thereafter. Last year the committee was able to award over $36,000.
Those Guys Tent Rentals – Lyme residents have priority through May 20th
Those Guys will once again be renting their tents for this coming outdoor season. As always, funds raised through this effort are distributed to community organizations. This post includes all the details. You might click the link and bookmark it for future reference.
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. You’ll reach a friendly voice, a little (or a lot of) help, and creative, safe ways to be involved.
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: Vaccination support. Trusted “handy” helpers for small jobs (reasonable rates or at no cost). Volunteers for deliveries, errands, technology support, and more. Food. Jenks Fund help with special “little things” to ease your mind or lift the spirits. You name it. And you can join in, in so many ways.
Coming up:
Things are opening up! You can find events and fun activities to enjoy, following Covid-safe protocols. Check out the Lyme Events Calendar, the Valley News Calendar, or the Aging Resource Center for ideas. There are lots of free and by-donation food and meals options every week.
This week, don’t miss:
- Saturday (5/15) at 9am: Business portion of the annual Town Meeting on the Town Common, when all other articles will be considered and traditional observances held.
- Tuesday (5/18) at 1pm: Lyme Food Pantry Fresh Produce and Staples Pick-up or Delivery at Lyme Congregational Church. Farmers market style fresh produce from Willing Hands, Pete & Gerry’s Eggs, and local bakers. All who ask can receive a box of non-perishable items. Gift cards for other groceries and prepared meals are also 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.
- Wednesday (5/19) at 4:30pm: “May Flowers and Mothers” in person safe gathering outside the Lyme Academy Building. Please wear your masks! Bring your stories, ideas, memories, poems, appreciation. If you can, bring flowers (even one!) We will collaboratively create floral arrangements to celebrate our shared experience. We plan to have light refreshments. Please RSVP to debbie@cclyme.org or call 802-727-0284.You may also RSVP for this event by completing our registration from here. Please RSVP by Sunday, May 16.
Save the Date:
- Saturday (5/29): Lots going on about town! The Utility Club Plant Sale is back! On the Common, beginning at 8am. Lyme Center Village Yard Sale, outside homes and the vestry in Lyme Center, organized by Lyme Center Ladies Aid. At lease one other big yard sale will also be happening (stay tuned.) Lyme Historians reopens the museum and barn, with exhibits including “Lyme in the 1920s – Were we roaring, or not?” (mostly not), Abenaki artifacts, and barn exhibits of woodworking, logging and farming implements. 12-3pm.
- Saturday (9/25): The Lyme Health & Wellness Fair. Planning is just underway!
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.
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