CCL Weekly Update – 5/26/22

… there is work to be done …

“In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal.
In every heart, there is the power to do it. – Marianne Williamson” 

With heavy hearts we reflect upon the state of our Nation. Following this week’s school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas, many stressful emotions have arisen: sadness, despair, anger, frustration, anxiety. In the wake of another traumatic week, we encourage you to remember that our care for one another, in community, is the strongest assurance of our ongoing well-being and resilience when any among us experience unthinkable harms.

We are grateful for those who share their time and skills and love with one another, directly or through CommunityCare of Lyme or other service organizations. Your neighborly care for one another and for loved ones helps foster community resilience and the power to heal. As we have engaged in volunteer outreach and had many conversations over the past few weeks, it is clear how many of us care for loved ones across generations. Whether you’re helping with your own children, grandchildren, parents, or other family and friends, we see you. We are grateful for all the ways you contribute. If you are a recipient of love and support, we are grateful for your openness and trust. It is through this community of strong interconnectedness that we find the path toward healing.

If you need a friendly ear, we are here for you.

… there are wounds to heal …

And we are together in community.

 

With love and great hope,
With love and great hope, The CommunityCare of Lyme Team
603-795-0603
info@cclyme.org

News and Notes:

Current help requests

A few neighbors would love a hand with spring projects. This week’s Project List:  Stacking Firewood. Cleaning rust stains from a bathroom. A small garden / weeding project. If you can help in the next several days, on your , please let us know at help@cclyme.org or call 603-795-0603.

We will be training new Lyme Food Pantry volunteers in the next two weeks. Reply to this email or contact the Food Pantry Coordinator, Kathy (603-795-0603 /email if you’d like to join the team.

Memorial Day 

The CommunityCare of Lyme office is closed for Memorial Day. We are still available by phone or email at 603-795-0603 / help@cclyme.org. Enjoy time with friends, family and neighbors!

The Lyme School Needs YOU

Let’s help the Lyme School staff and students finish out the year on a strong note! We ask you to consider using your gifts as a substitute teacher.

How the process works:

Complete an application by emailing the administrative assistant,  Amanda Perry.

Connect with Janet Mitchell in the Business Office.

Once you are a vetted sub, Amanda Perry, administrative assistant, contacts substitutes if there is a teacher or educational assistant out. She tries to confirm subs as early as possible. The earliest she typically calls people in the morning is around 6:00 am and this is only when we have an unexpected absence.

Subs arrive at school between 7:30 and 8:00 am.

Pick up lesson plans and a schedule from Amanda in the office. She makes sure you know where to go and other school routines are explained in the sub plans. Teachers also include class lists and other details in their plans.

Covid update

There are many active Covid cases in Lyme and neighboring communities. 

Please Stay safe: Let’s all do our best to stay safe and keep others safe. As the wisest ones have always said, “we don’t know what we don’t know.” And when we don’t know where the nasty virus is, we use our old tricks of masking, staying a safe distance, and washing our hands. Though mandates are lifted, please keep your mask along to wear it inside when requested or when safe distancing isn’t possible.

Vaccination. The best protection for most of us continues to be vaccination. For a first or second dose or a booster, at Vaccines.gov it’s quick and easy to search for vaccine locations and make an appointment.

Testing. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 8 FREE  at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests (This is a 3rd offer!) Please use this link: https://www.covidtests.gov/ They’ll ship as supplies are available. See last week’s Wellness Wednesday post for more testing resources and other Covid safety links and programs

Quarantine. The CDC website quarantine/isolation calculator allows you to enter details about your situation and helps you make a quick call about how long you should stay away from others, based on the CDC’s published guidelines. This will be most helpful if your symptoms are past. The Lyme Parish Nurses are able to help if you have quarantine or other questions about staying safe and healthy. Call 603-795-2850 x 3, or email lymeparishnurse@gmail.com. They respond to messages within 24 hours.

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.

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.

May is …

Mental Health Awareness Month. Visit our NEW Self-Care webpage at CCLyme.org for ways to care for yourself and reduce stress. The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month is “Together for Mental Health”. Learn more at NAMI’s website here.

Being together – even by phone – makes a difference in our mental health. If you’d like to make friendly visits or calls to neighbors, let us know.

Older Americans Month. The Administration for Community Living’s (ACL.gov) 2022 theme is “Age My Way”.  We’ll explore Aging in Community and many options and choices for your best experience. We’ll gather for conversations among neighbors and share partner organizations’ programs. Be sure to look at our upcoming events, for more information.

Dartmouth Aging Resource Center (“ARC”, throughout the Lyme Events Calendar) has an amazing array of programs, activities, and supports. Here’s a link to this week’s ARC newsletter. You can subscribe.

See the Orford Senior Center (serving Lyme) Use the following links for more information: June newsletter; menu; book club; Europe part 1; Europe part 2.    They offer programs – now including on-site bingo! – weekly Grab ‘n Go meals, daily home delivered meals, and more.

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

Monday’s Menu. Try this week’s recipe – Indian-Spiced Lentils with Spinach and Rhubarb from the Editors of Vegetarian Times. It’s a tasty option to celebrate local, seasonal produce.

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. A double feature this week on Qi Gong. Read about the practice from Dr. Angela Santavicca here. Learn more about a free offering from the Utility Club 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

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.

Those Guys Tent Rentals!

Those Guys are renting their tents for this outdoor season. As always, funds raised through this effort are distributed to community organizations. This post includes all the details. We are extremely grateful for Those Guys’ support. What a crew!

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

Please check the Listserv or call the event organizer. Due to the community spread of Covid, things are changing regularly. 

  • This weekend, May 27-29. White River Indy Film Festival. Check the event site for individual events and times.
  • Monday, May 30th. Memorial Day. CommunityCare of Lyme office is closed, as we honor the memory of those who gave their lives in service. We will be available by phone or email at 603-795-0603 or help@cclyme.org.
  • Tuesday, May 31st. Lyme Scholarship Application Deadline. For an application, email Bill Murphy at WNMurphy38@gmail.com.
  • Tuesday, May 31st.  Lyme Food Pantry at 1pm CCL hosts the distribution every Tuesday at Lyme Congregational Church. Call ahead to order, or just stop by. DELIVERY AVAILABLE.
  • Tuesday, May 31st. Pardon my Garden Lyme Gardeners weekly visits to local gardens. This week at the home of Susan Edwards, in Hanover. Click the event link for address and details about the program. Questions about Lyme Gardeners? Please contact Anne Baird.
  • Wednesday, June 1. Those Guys Breakfast. Email Jim Mason or Michael Whitman for more information or to join up!
  • Wednesday, June 1. Bingo at the Orford Senior Center 9-10:30am. 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.  Beginning June 8 Bingo will be moved to Thursdays from 9-10:30am with a “Grab & Stay meal” option.
  • Wednesday, May 25th. FREE Reiki with Stephanie Carney at the CCL office. Weekly, starting at noon. For an appointment contact carney.steph@gmail.com or call 603-795-2419.
  • Thursday, June 2. Grab-N-Go Meal. (Delivery available) at Orford Senior Center 11- 11:30am.

Save the date! 

  • Monday, July 18th. Lawn Party Luncheon 11am – 1pm at the Teccas’ home in Orford. Join CommunityCare of Lyme and the Orford Senior Center for our annual community gathering overlooking the beautiful Connecticut River. Would you like to help with food or logistics? We have fun! Contact shelby@cclyme.org or call 603- 795-0603. 
  • Saturday, August 6th. Thai Dinner fundraiser. Paphanh and generous volunteers prepare an amazing meal, with proceeds to CommunityCare of Lyme and the Lyme Congregational Church.
  • Saturday, September 24th. 2022 Lyme Health and Wellness Fair. A big day!! Lots more to come.

All of these events require many helping hands. If you would love to volunteer,
or be a part of an event planning committee please contact
shelby@cclyme.org / 802-468-7776.
Thank you for your consideration!

*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 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.