CCL Weekly Update – 9/4/2020
What a beautiful weekend in front of us, friends!
It looks as if Mother Nature will be beckoning us to enjoy this end-of-summer weekend with some special time in the sun and the breeze and the cool, starry nights. Mountains, ponds, fields, rivers, lush gardens, and friendly yards encourage us to take a break, to breathe in that air, to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us and will sustain us. And we need that right now!
The extraordinary stress of this pandemic has taken its toll. For all of the “silver linings” that we notice – and there are many – there is real loss. This week, many in Lyme mourn Jackson Sweet, a loved one, classmate, and extended family member who died by suicide on Sunday, August 30th. It is deeply sad. May the sunny day provide a warm hug to those who will be remembering him together tomorrow. We share prayers and comforting thoughts with those who mourn Jackson, and all who are missing cherished ones. We wish for you a sense of hope amidst the sadness, with a future blessed by gifts and memories of your special people.
More often, our losses have been less concrete, and perhaps even less permanent, but they all have taken something from us. Since March, we’ve seen a full spectrum of losses, but quite a stunning array of unexpected goodness too. It’s quite a backdrop as we enter a fall and school year like no other.
Let’s remember the promise of the newness that comes during this season. We get back to learning and get down to business, as the earth is releasing its bounty and preparing for its season of rest … big transitions in every direction. All this, after a summer filled, for many of us, with strategizing and planning and not a little worrying. School staff and parents have been hard at work ensuring that our children will get back in the classroom safely, with creative approaches to provide the best education possible, and flexibility to respond to the changes we are sure to experience. Despite the questions that are still unanswered and the challenges that remain, there really is so much to look forward to as the Lyme School opens up next week.
During the Lyme Covid Response Team meeting this week, Brad Choyt, Crossroads Academy Head of School, reported on their first few days being back to school. The planning and preparation had done its job. It was a good start! You could hear the uplift in Brad’s voice as he described the joy of being together with the children, their spirit a “tonic.” Of course! Such an encouraging and hopeful reminder.
Please have a wonderful weekend, exploring all there is to do around us. One special opportunity TODAY (Friday) is to help Willing Hands glean cherry tomatoes and kale at Cedar Circle Farm at 1:30pm. Click on the link to sign up or call Sara Cavin (sara@willinghands.org, office: (802) 698-0265, mobile: (802) 233-5875). If today doesn’t work, you’ll find other opportunities this weekend and later this month.
As always, there’s more information below this note. Please give it a look … and reach out if you need us.
This Labor Day weekend, let’s be sure to make some of that “labor” calming our minds, counting our blessings, finding joy … filling our hearts and replenishing our energy for what’s ahead.
Just for fun:
Online jigsaw puzzles
Here’s a link from our friends at Aging in Hartland. (You don’t need to consider yourself to be “aging” to enjoy them!) Artist Cynthia Crawford, who also sells “real” puzzles, shares her photos, paintings, and photo-paintings online as puzzles. You get to choose how many pieces to try. Click on the link, then scroll down to choose an image. When it pops up, click the puzzle link at the bottom and get started!
Don’t forget:
Mask Up, Lyme.
Mine’s for You, Yours is for Me … Let’s keep the virus out of Lyme and stay safe for school (and so much more we’re eager to get back to normal.) There’s now a Select Board resolution to wear masks in Lyme. If you need masks, call CommunityCare of Lyme at 795-0603 or email help@cclyme.org.
Support our school and families.
Consider how you might contribute to making the school year safer, healthier, easier – just a little bit better – for somebody whose life is pretty darned complicated this crazy fall. (There are a lot of “somebodies.”) Look out for requests from the school, PTO, or individual parents. If you see the request, they’re inviting YOU. It’s a huge help to busy organizers when you respond directly and don’t wait for the personal call. Email pto@lymeschool.org to offer your help. You can also call us at 795-0603 to discuss ideas. We hope to help bring out broad, intergenerational community support. Now’s the time, Lyme.
We are here for you.
When you seek information, help, or ways to help others, contact us.
Call 795-0603 or email help@CCLyme.org
Lyme Food Pantry or prepared meals. Deliveries or errands. Help around home. Masks. You name it.
If you are a school family with concerns for your own or fellow families, we’d like to help. This form allows you to share your situation, needs you may have, and ways you may help others. Complete it if you like, or just reach out by email or phone.
Coming up this next week:
More and more is opening up for us to enjoy – both out “in the world” and from home. As you start getting out and about, please be thoughtful about how to keep yourself and others safe and healthy. Wear a mask when you are in public. Continue to keep a safe distance. Stay home if you are sick at all. Check out the growing listing of events on the Lyme Events Calendar online. We invite you to let us know about other things you think we should share. Following are just a few highlights.
Don’t miss:
- Friday (9/4):
Fairlee’s Free Food Friday Produce Shelf,* 10-11am (or as long as it lasts) on the Fairlee Town Common.
Be Willing Hands! Help Glean at Cedar Circle Farm.*, 1:30pm. Click the link to learn more and sign up.
- Saturday (9/5):
Norwich Farmers Market* open 9am-1pm.
Homemade Pie Sale at Orford Congregational Church,9-11am or until pies are gone. Blueberry, raspberry, pecan, and strawberry-rhubarb. To order a pie (and guarantee your choice), call before September 2, 802-785-2827 or text 434-906-3832.
- Monday (9/7) LABOR DAY:
VegiCare Drop-off, 8am-4pm at the horsesheds next to Lyme Congregational Church.
- Tuesday (9/8) PRIMARY ELECTION DAY:
Primary Voting*, 7am-7pm at the Lyme School.
Our Hour*, 10:30am outside the Lyme Academy Building. It should be a beautiful day to catch up, in a safe and distanced way. If you can’t visit on Tuesday, do call to say hello. We miss you! Call us at 603-795-0603.
Willing Hands Produce and Food Pantry Package Pick-up*, 1pm at the Lyme Food Pantry Lyme School drive up. We will also deliver. Please pre-order at 795-0603 or help@cclyme.org.
Lyme Sound Off against Covid!, 7pm.
- Wednesday (9/9):
Grab & Go Curbside Take Out Meals*, 12-12:30pm at the Upper Valley Senior Center. All Welcome. $3 suggested cost per meal.
- Friday (9/11):
Fairlee’s Free Food Friday Produce Shelf,* 10-11am (or as long as it lasts) on the Fairlee Town Common.
- Saturday (9/12):
Norwich Farmers Market* open 9am-1pm.
*NOTE: For any event that’s not online, please be prepared with a mask and clean hands or clean gloves.
Leave A Comment