CCL Weekly Update – 9/10/2021

Living the life … and recognizing (again) it’s changed.

Hasn’t it? We’re hyper-aware of health conditions. We’re back to masking, back to monitoring … back. I feel like I’m going backwards, as we navigate this oncoming surge of Covid conscientiousness and the confusion that comes with changing – and varied – guidance.

Being aware protects us. Being diligent is exhausting. Going backwards is annoying!

But, like before, we’ll do this. I tell my Covid-fried brain that I have done this before and I can do it again. I remind myself that there are many things in life like this … we don’t have to like it, we just need to do it.

I try not to let this latest burden of grief that I’m feeling be a slide backwards prohibiting the slow crawl back up and out.

I am so thankful for the Lyme Covid Response Team who have regrouped to keep us all informed and able to collectively get the crawl going forward again … and hopefully it will be more than a crawl! A lot of careful planning by capable leaders is making sure that the school, businesses, and community services and gatherings are safe. There are some simple warm get togethers and special events coming up, as you’ll see below. 

Sending appreciation to everyone who lives life with respect, patience, and hope during these trying times.

With Love,  Patty

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

News and Notes:

Remembering 9-11

As we think about our current challenges, we also recognize that Saturday is the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that destroyed thousands of lives and forever changed our collective understanding of our place in the world. We became aware of an enormous and unsettling threat, and we also experienced the extraordinary, heroic efforts of first responders, families, and others at all levels who have worked to ensure our safety and comfort and to strive for peace. There are many commemorations, including those at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City and here in Lyme, conducted by the Lyme Fire Department, beginning at 8:46am. Please see Lyme Fire Deputy Chief Aaron Rich’s Lyme Listserv post at 12:45pm today (Friday) for details about that observance.  We send loving thoughts to all whose hearts are heavy with the memory of this devastating day.

COVID-19 Update. 

Grafton and all neighboring NH and VT counties are at a high transmission level. And, with the release of new data about Covid transmission and health impacts, there’s a swirl of confusing “news” (varied interpretations of the reports) and varied, changing guidance from respected sources. 

What hasn’t changed: Vaccination is the best way to ensure your own safety and that of your loved ones and the community. If you haven’t been vaccinated yet (and over 12 years of age) or if you are eligible for a booster, because you are immunocompromised, now is a great time to get your shot. It is easy. To find the best location for you, go to www.vaccines.gov. Also, masks, distancing, and hand washing help prevent the spread of the virus.

Mask mandates and requests are in place at businesses and in towns across the region (and across the country.) Please respect businesses, organizations, and friends who may ask you to wear a mask or limit inside gathering. With changing regulations, owners are making difficult decisions in order to keep staff and customers safe and well, and individuals are doing their best to stay healthy for those they love.

Contact CCL if you 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.

NEW!! 9/25 Community Market is happening!

Thanks to the Boy Scouts’ collaboration and service, there will be a Community Market alongside the Health & Wellness Fair! For the first time since 2019, we’ll be able to enjoy Lyme’s traditional last Saturday of the month summer community and flea market. Find (or share!) new-to-you treasures, local crafts, food, plants, and more! Please spread the word with friends and neighbors.

If you are interested in being a vendor at the community market, we would love to hear from you! Please contact info@cclyme.org or 603-795-0603. Spots will be available on a first come, first served basis, with a 9am advertised opening. We suggest a $20 donation for a community market space. Spaces are approximately 20’ wide, allowing room for a canopy, table, chairs, and room to display items and comfortable space between participants. All proceeds will be shared between the Boy Scouts, who have generously offered to help with set up, and CommunityCare of Lyme, to support ongoing community programming. 

September is National Preparedness Month

National Preparedness Month (NPM) is an observance by the US government’s Ready campaign, to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The 2021 theme is “Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.” Each week this month, we’ll share Ready.gov’s tips on a different aspect of preparedness for individuals, families and communities. The Lyme Emergency Operations Center team is there to help, and will be represented at the Lyme Health & Wellness Fair on September 25th to share more preparedness guidance and resources.

Week 2, September 5-11: Build a Kit

Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in your home. Don’t forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly. Update your kits and supplies based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control.

  • Create or update your emergency supplies with this list: www.ready.gov/kit
  • Make sure your emergency kit is ready to go in case you need evacuate. Include:
    • Enough food and water to last several days.
    • Medication, face masks and disinfectant for everyone in your household.
    • Pet supplies.
  • When building a kit, people with disabilities should consider the items they use daily, as well as life-sustaining items. www.ready.gov/disability
  • Have medication for at least three days in your emergency supplies.
  • Check the expiration date on your emergency supplies, and replace any old items. 
  • Get the kids involved in building their own emergency kit: www.ready.gov/kids/build-a-kit
  • Kids bored? We can help. Check out our online Ready Kids Build A Kit game: www.ready.gov/kids/games 
  • Include your child’s favorite stuffed animals, board games, books or music in their emergency kit to comfort them in a disaster.

Weekly health and well-being tips, resources, and recipes …

Monday’s Menu. This week’s Monday’s Menu is Cucumber Melon Salad with Feta. A light, seasonal salad submitted by Anna Pippin, MSHN. Anna states, “This dish made mostly with melon and cucumbers makes it an incredibly hydrating and refreshing salad! Add in the feta, mint leaves, and fresh lime juice, and you have yourself a sweet and savory, healthy, and delicious salad!” Click here to see all the Monday’s Menu recipes.

Wellness Wednesday. As school returns to session for the academic year, this week local singer/songwriter Jennifer Voelker shares her new song “Drive” about her experience dropping her son off for his first year of college. A poignant, reflective piece on the experience of parenting, of transitions and changes. Jenny was gracious enough to give permission to share her music, and as part of Wellness Wednesday we think her songs may be helpful and relatable to others too.  See all Wellness Wednesday posts here. 

If you have a wellness tip or a healthy recipe you would like to share, please contact shelby@cclyme.org.

Those Guys Tent Rentals!

Those Guys are still renting their tents! As always, funds raised through this effort are distributed to community organizations. This post includes all the details.

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.

Fall Fun is Happening!

Here are just a few of the many fun happenings around the Upper Valley in the next few weeks. 

If you have a fall event you would like listed please email shelby@cclyme.org 

Save the Date:

  • Saturday (9/25): The Lyme Health & Wellness Fair, Community Market, Lyme Historians Barn Talk and Tour, and Lyme Fest, on the Common. It’s going to be a BIG DAY in Lyme! Please reach out to Shelby@cclyme.org if you’d like to learn more or be a part of it.
  • Sunday (10/17): CCL Blue Jeans and Bluegrass Community Appreciation Celebration, 3-7pm at the Ramsdens’ barn on Breck Hill. Dan Freihofer and the Dinosaurs will play! Jeff Snelling is roasting a pig! LOTS more to come.

*NOTE: For any in person event or gathering, 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.