CCL Weekly Update – 3/31/22
When two wrongs don’t make a right…
Considering all the hype around this Sunday’s Oscar Awards ceremony it seemed timely to explore the notion that two wrongs don’t make a right. Lots of articles and posts have been in support of either party, however the reality is that both parties were wrong. If you missed all the drama, you’re not alone. There’s currently a meme going around saying the only reason people know the Oscars happened is because Will Smith slapped Chris Rock. So what happened? Chris Rock made a joke, in very poor taste, about Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair. Jada has alopecia, and as you might guess it’s a sensitive topic. Will Smith then got up on stage and slapped Chris Rock across the face, sat down and continued yelling and swearing at Chris Rock from the audience. You’re sure to see images of celebrities’ faces in the audience as this occurred, there are many memes and gifs going around about this right now.
So what’s the point? The point is a joke made in poor taste is hurtful and reminds me of the old saying, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it.” There are so many ways to be funny, and to target someone’s looks is not one of them. You never know when the look is not by choice.
Will Smith also is guilty of a series of poor choices. While people are arguing he did it to defend his wife, the fact is that there are a lot of ways to stand up for someone without resorting to violence. There are many ways to demonstrate disapproval without physical force. He also took away Jada’s agency to choose how to respond to the hurtful words. For someone who speaks about wanting to be a role model by choosing not to swear in his lyrics, Will certainly disappointed this weekend.
Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone makes errors in judgment. In this situation both men and the offended woman are celebrities, so the behaviors and the ongoing responses are very public. While I can only speak for myself in saying I believe they were both wrong in the decisions they made on Sunday, I do view this as a learning opportunity. It is an opportunity for dialogue about how the choices we make impact others, how to cope in stressful situations and that ultimately the only things we can control are our own choices and corresponding actions.
… the Oscars
News and Notes:
Come visit us!
Starting in April, we will have regular weekly office hours at the Lyme Center Academy Building Mondays through Thursdays 9-11am. Please give us a call or send us an email to schedule an appointment outside of these open office hours. We’d love to meet with you! 603-795-0603 / info@cclyme.org
AEDs in the Lyme community
Aaron Rich, Lyme Fire Chief, shared an update, including the locations of AEDs in Lyme, on the Lyme Listserv Wednesday, March 30th. Thank you, Aaron for this important information! Read the message.
Your “insider” input, Please!
Insider’s Guide to Lyme. We’re working to create a Lymie’s guide to the area, as a resource for all neighbors. We’d love to know your favorite places for good food and good fun! Click on the link to share your tips. It will be great to learn from one another, especially as things have changed so much over the last couple of years. The guide will be continually updated, so this is just a starting point.
The guide will also include a list of organizations and resources. If you are an organization with information or images to include (of course, with citation) or to be referenced, please give us a call. It is a work in progress, and your input will help create a helpful and fun “Insider’s Guide to Lyme”.
March-ing forward …
Our days are longer! How have you been enjoying more time in the sun? 🌞🌞🌞
It’s National Craft Month. Our take on March Madness, “March Craftiness”, with new brackets for 2022 is wrapping up! You can see the current standings and vote here. What is the most inspiring craft?
“The Energy Theory of Color” – If you missed it, view the recordings here. On Sunday, March 27th, CCL hosted a fascinating Zoom conversation with Matt Brown of Matt Brown Fine Art (MBFA) and scientist Ming Meng. The presentation and dialog between Matt and Ming, and the discussion with those gathered on Zoom are available as separate recordings.
Women’s History Month. Each week we’ve shared a poem by a female poet. The National Women’s History Alliance Women’s History Month 2022 theme is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope”. (www.history.com/topics/holidays/womens-history-month) Here’s our final offering:
“The Spring Has Many Silences” by Laura Riding Jackson (1901-1991)
The spring has many sounds:
Roller skates grind the pavement to noisy dust.
Birds chop the still air into small melodies.
The wind forgets to be the weather for a time
And whispers old advice for summer.
The sea stretches itself
And gently creaks and cracks its bones….The spring has many silences:
Buds are mysteriously unbound
With a discreet significance,
And buds say nothing.There are things that even the wind will not betray.
Earth puts her finger to her lips
And muffles there her quiet, quick activity….Do not wonder at me
That I am hushed
This April night beside you.The spring has many silences.
This poem is in the public domain. Published in Poem-a-Day on March 27, 2022, by the Academy of American Poets. https://poets.org/poem/spring-has-many-silences
There are so many influential women who have helped shape our history and so many healing, hopeful voices. If you would like to learn about the origins of Women’s History Month, or explore influential women throughout history here are resources you might consider:
www.history.com/topics/holidays/womens-history-month
edsitement.neh.gov/teachers-guides/womens-history-united- fostates
www.archives.gov/news/topics/womens-history
www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/womens-history-month.htm
www.ushmm.org/information/exhibitions/online-exhibitions/special-focus/womens-history-month
April is Stress Awareness Month
Are you aware that there’s some stress out there? We are too! This April, we’ll be offering lots of tips, resources, and opportunities to shed some stress together. You’ll see a few of those items below, in this week’s Wellness Wednesday, the highlighted Aging Resource Center series for family care partners, and more in the “Coming Up” section below.
Weekly health and well-being tips, resources, and recipes …
Monday’s Menu. If, like me, you find yourself missing The Great British Bake Off®, let’s try a recipe from the show together! With my sweet tooth, and love for anything raspberry this caught my attention immediately: Pear & Raspberry Crumble. The post also has a link for metric to US conversions.
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. As we welcome April, we also welcome Stress Awareness Month. This week’s Wellness Wednesday we explore the value of exercise as an adaptive coping strategy for stress reduction. There are many ways to be physically active that have the same effect on alleviating symptoms of stress. Read this week’s Wellness Wednesday post: Exercise for Stress Reduction.
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 April Newsletter
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
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.
ARC Program Highlight: Self-Care Sampler for Family Care Partners a 6-week Zoom series. Thursdays, April 28 to June 2, 2022 10am to 11:30am Deadra Ashton, M.Div., BCC
Caring for someone you love can sometimes be lonely and exhausting – but it doesn’t always have to be that way. In this class you will meet others who are walking the same path.
Together we will explore concrete ways to replenish energy and lift spirits through supportive conversations and a variety of self-care practices:
- Mindfulness
- Mindful Drawing
- Finding Strength and Balance through Movement
- Health Prevention and Promotion
This 6-week virtual program was created for family caregivers to provide a variety of evidence-based self-care practices. These practices can help improve mental and physical health by relieving stress. Sessions will take place once a week for 90 minutes. Each will start with a centering exercise and focus on a new form of self-care.
This class is part of a research project. If you choose to participate you will be asked to:
- Complete a pre and post survey about your level of stress
- Commit to attending all 6 class sessions
For more information or to sign up, please call (603) 653-3460 or email Annaliese.E.Volckaert@hitchcock.org
This program is sponsored by a generous grant from CIGNA Civic Affairs and Community Engagement. You will receive a zoom link for the program 60 minutes before the class is scheduled.
Covid Update
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. At Vaccines.gov, you can search for vaccination locations and make an appointment. It’s quick and easy these days.
The State’s fixed vaccine sites are closing March 31rst (TODAY).
From Margaret Caudill-Slosbert, Lyme’s Emergency Management Director from a Listserv post on 3/26:
“We may be able to have another Lyme Vaccine Clinic on April 20th but it depends on the state approving funding. Will announce on Listserv if we do.
It remains to be seen if a second booster is approved for those over 50 in next several weeks as was announced later in the week.”
From Margaret Caudill-Slosbert, Lyme’s Emergency Management Director from a Listserv post on 3/31:
“I have been advised that second booster is available from the fixed state site in Claremont that will be closing after today. It’s supposed to be open until 7pm. Can’t guarantee this info but several of you have written me with an interest in this and it should be accurate.
https://www.on-sitemedservices.com/claremont”
Testing. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. All households can 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.
For up-to-date information on testing, vaccines, and more in New Hampshire, visit www.covid19.nh.gov.
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
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. Financial support is needed, and the needs will grow as more evacuees are welcomed to our shores. 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 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:
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.
We are pleased to pass on news shared by Lyme organizations.
Lyme is happening: This Week!
- Food Pantry CCL hosts the food distribution every Tuesday at 1pm at Lyme Congregational Church. Call ahead to let us know what you’d like, or just stop by. DELIVERY AVAILABLE.
- Foot 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 nancylallison23@gmail.com to schedule a time. *There is a waitlist. An appointment may be several weeks out. Once you’re scheduled, we will let you know if there’s an unexpected opening sooner. We’re happy to help you explore options in the meantime.
- Lyme Parish Nurses. Hosting a group discussion regarding Aging and Memory Loss:What is normal/not normal, on Monday 4/4/2022 from 1-2pm at the Lyme Congregational Church.
- 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.
Lyme is happening: Please save the date!
- Our Hour. Please join us on Tuesday, April 12th from 10:30-11:30am for warm conversation – and stress relief – with friends new and old. All are welcome! Please email shelby@cclyme.org or call 802-468-7776 with any questions.
- Mindful Photography Gathering. April is Stress Awareness Month. To practice ways to reduce stress Shelby and Stephanie of CommunityCare of Lyme will be offering a mindful photography gathering on April 14th at 5:30pm. Bring whatever camera you have- your smartphone, a point & shoot, a DSLR or mirror less. Open to all levels. Location TBD based upon weather. Email shelby@cclyme.org for more information.
- Stress Awareness Month program with Samuel Standard, PhD. April 27 from 7pm – 8pm via Zoom. We will learn about the physiological impacts of stress along with how to utilize stress reduction strategies. For more information please contact shelby@cclyme.org/ 603-795-0603. To register for this program, please click here.
- Lyme’s Day of Service and Green Up Day – Saturday, May 7th. More information to come! Could you use a hand this year for a Day of Service Project? Could you lend a hand this year to a neighbor? Would you like to be involved in the planning process? We’d love to hear from you! info@cclyme.org / 603-795-0603. “Many hands make light work!”
*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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