CCL Weekly Update – 8/11/22

Astonishing generosity …

Throughout the last few weeks, an astonishing array of folks collaborated and communicated in an effort to bring friends and neighbors together for a gathering to enjoy a special Thai dinner prepared by our own Paphanh Sithavady and Khanty Sengpany to raise money in support of the community by funding the work of CommunityCare of Lyme and Lyme Congregational Church. Paphanh, who has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Lyme and her hometown in Laos since arriving in Lyme as a refugee 40 years ago, was impatient to help after a couple of years where a big event had not been possible. She encouraged big promotion of the meal and hoped to feed 200 people. Over 340 people responded to our invitation; and despite the hot, hazy day of summer, this past Saturday was anything but lazy (… maybe a little crazy)! 

Paphanh took on her own gargantuan task of organizing and preparing the meal, and also inspired dozens of community members to become part of the production and serving of almost twice as many meals as planned. The gracious generosity of diners and volunteers, and the patience amidst the heat and a challenging and evolving set of logistics were testaments to the strength of the community and the many gifts we share. Truly astonishing, especially during times which have been so trying for so many.

If you click on this link, you’ll find event photos and a heartfelt thank you from Shelby Wood, CommunityCare of Lyme’s Manager of Volunteer Participation, who was instrumental in pulling all the important components together to make this event possible. Shelby’s message speaks for itself. My message here is to acknowledge her amazing efforts and add my thanks to everyone who shared time, efforts, energies and resources to make the dinner a great success. Please enjoy Shelby’s recap and Stephanie’s great pictures!

The impressive gathering and participation in the Thai dinner is a hard-to-miss sign of community energy, love, and support during this (still) trying time. Look around, and you’ll notice so much kindness and hard work being devoted to friends, neighbors, and the broader community every single day – pouring forth in a constant stream or perhaps an sweet trickle of astonishing generosity from both those who have been part of Lyme for decades and those who are diving in, fresh and new to the family.

It’s also hard not to notice the sadness, lingering and sometimes sudden loss, loneliness, financial strain, and other life challenges all around. To all of those who are experiencing trying times, we offer our love and most sincere offer of a hand or a listening ear – help in any form you would accept and appreciate. Remember that it is also generous to share your heaviness and to allow others to open their hearts to you.

May you experience the generosity that will feed your needs, today and every day.   

With appreciation for your love and support, 

Patty Jenks, Chief Community Advocate
603-795-0603 (CCL office)
Patty@cclyme.org
www.cclyme.org

News and Notes:

Current help requests

This week’s highlight: Rides! If you have occasional time to help neighbors with rides, will you please reach out to help@cclyme.org or 603-795-0603. We could use some additional members of the transportation team to respond to an increasing number of requests. Thank you in advance!

CommunityCare of Lyme Office Hours

The CCL Office and Living Room are open Monday through Thursday, 9-11am and by appointment. Please stop by to join us in our cool space for warm conversation. We’d love to see you! If you need us outside of our scheduled hours, call the Help Line (603-795-0603). If you have to leave a message, we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. For emergencies, always dial 911.

August is …

Family Fun Month and Eat Local Month. As we welcome August, it’s hard not to feel this summer has been flying by. It seemed we just celebrated the end of the school year, and now we’re back to school shopping. As we gear up for the school year transition, how and where are you and your family spending your time together? 

How are you having fun this summer? Where will you ‘eat local’ this month? We would love to hear from you! shelby@cclyme.org (Pictures for sharing are highly encouraged!) 

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

Monday’s Menu. If you’re a fan of something cold, sweet, tropical and tasty, you might enjoy this week’s Monday’ Menu recipe: Pineapple Whip from Megan Gilmore.

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. This week we explore the benefits of accountability buddies. They are an integral part in finding success working toward shared or similar goals. A personal “thank you” to my own accountability buddies!  You can read this week’s Wellness Wednesday post 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. 

Aging in Community

Building an Aging in Community Team. Join in! As we journey together into a new and Covid-influenced world, we are in the process of re-convening and reimagining the “Aging in Place” committee which was central to the founding of CommunityCare of Lyme in 2014. Understanding that intergenerational involvement is critical, we also recognize the need to focus on the special concerns, needs – and unique capacity – as we age in our communities. Do you have ideas, or would you like to join as we define and form this collaboration of organizations and individuals? Please contact Martha Tecca by replying to this email or directly at martha@cclyme.org or 603-443-0283. 

Grafton County ServiceLink the region’s aging and disability resource center. Highlighted in a previous Wellness Wednesday post, they maintain a large resource list and offer caregiver support, classes and personal help to understand Medicare, assistance completing housing applications, and more! ServiceLink is a trusted referral – a tremendous help to many neighbors. Contact the Grafton County office in Lebanon at 603-448-1558, or email mplatt-russell@gcscc.org. Visit their website to learn more.

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!

The Orford Senior Center (serving Orford and Lyme) has lots going on: on-site bingo, followed by a meal! Weekly Grab ‘n Go and daily home delivered meals. Link for more information including August’s newsletter, menu,  special events, and ongoing Grafton County Senior Citizens Council activities. Contact the OSC coordinator at 603-353-9107 to learn more or to sign up for meals or activities.

Extending a warm Upper Valley welcome

The Upper Valley Neighborhood Support Team is helping with the welcome and support of Afghan evacuees and, recently, a Cuban family. There are lots of ways to join in the welcome! 

Financial support is needed. Childcare needs are great, even with extraordinary babycare volunteers and friendly play dates. With driver’s licenses nearly in hand, the family and the men will both be in need of car insurance. Donations to the CCL Welcome Fund support Afghan evacuees and others displaced by challenging circumstances. Go to cclyme.org/welcome-fund to learn more or donate online; or mail a check to CCL Welcome Fund at PO Box 127 Lyme, NH 03768. Thank you!

Orford Open Air Market

Saturdays, 9am-noon on the Common in Orford. What an impressive start up this has been! It’s an open air market that’s an opportunity for people in the area to conveniently shop and support local small businesses that provide local produce, meats, cheese, jams, pickles, baked goods, fine crafts, and much, much more! If you’re an artisan, farmer, gardener, soap maker, honey harvester, baker, or have another product or message to share, please join in! Click here to learn more and see the growing list of participating sellers. Email Cara Dyke for an application or more information Orfordopenairmarket@gmail.com, 603-236-2899.

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! 

Coming up: 

Check out the Community 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. 

Specials This Week

Please check the Listserv or call the event organizer for confirmation, as things are changing regularly. 

  • Wednesday, August 17th. Family Night – Pirate Scavenger Hunt 5:30-7pm at Converse Free Library. More info on the Library Website here or call 603-795-4622.

Ongoing

  • Tuesdays at 1pm. 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 afternoons. Pardon my Garden Lyme Gardeners visit local gardens. NO VISIT ON AUGUST 16th. Questions about Lyme Gardeners? Contact Anne Baird.
  • Wednesday afternoons. Reiki with Stephanie Carney in the CCL Living Room. For a complimentary appointment, contact carney.steph@gmail.com or 603-795-2419.
  • Wednesdays 11am-2pm, Saturdays 10am-1pm. Lyme Historians Exhibit Trains: Transportation, Trade, & Toys. At the Historians Museum.
  • Thursdays. Happy Feet Clinic with Susan Hanna Rose, RN, at the CCL Offices in the Lyme Center Academy Building. Therapeutic foot care, including certified diabetic foot care. Regular visits are $20. Initial or extended visits are $25. The Jenks Fund can help with fees. Appointments are required. Home visits are available for those who are homebound. Please call Nurse Susan at (802) 222-4196 for information or to make or change an appointment. If you leave a message, she’ll call back.

Save the date! 

  • Saturday, September 24th. 2022 Lyme Health and Wellness Fair. A big day with lots more to come. Visit our page for the most up to date information: new community partners, demos and prizes will continue to be added! If you would like to participate in the Health & Wellness Fair, let us know: info@cclyme.org 

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!

Check out the Community 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.