Students for a Sustainable Future (SSF) at Lebanon High School (LHS) was founded in 2000 by Jared Duval, a junior who wanted to inspire his fellow students to work on global warming, composting, and recycling efforts, among other environmental issues. As a senior, Jared successfully led a campaign to prevent a 56,000-square foot supermarket and 302-space parking lot from being built on a wetland adjacent to the school. For his efforts, Jared was awarded the prestigious Brower Youth Award for Environmental Leadership by the Earth Island Institute’s New Leaders Initiative. The award website describes the youth activism that caught their attention: “After a nine-month campaign that involved circulating a petition, recruiting volunteers, letter-writing, canvassing, and frequent attendance at local zoning board meetings, the city planning board narrowly voted to prevent the project.”

Georgia Gaffney and Mallory Eshbaugh, collecting recycling at Lebanon High School as part of an SSF initiative.

After high school, Jared pursued degrees in economics and policy, and authored a book, Next Generation Democracy: What the Open Source Revolution Means for Power, Politics, and Change. Twenty-five years later, SSF is still an active club at Lebanon High School, and Jared is the executive director of Vermont’s Energy Action Network – a non-profit that brings together businesses, non-profits, academic institutions, utilities, and government officials to advance data-driven renewable energy initiatives in Vermont. Jared recently received the VT Community Foundation Con Hogan Award for public service for his work. He reflects on the motivation the awards have provided for his continued work on energy issues: “For me, the awards are a positive affirmation for work that is often lonely or contained to a small group. To know that the work is valued by others is just further encouragement to keep providing evidence-based information to help ground and advance climate and energy work.”

Jared speaks of his time at LHS with admiration for his teachers and fellow students. “Nothing is successful unless it’s a team effort, and a lot of other students were involved, including Allison Rogers Furbish, who went on to work for Vital Communities for a time. Joanna Winchester and Sara Vogel were also very involved. A lot of people committed time and effort to it.” SSF was built on the initial efforts of Allison, who started the recycling program and spearheaded other events, including hosting speakers and attending trainings like the Youth Environmental Summit. Eventually, the students got connected to the Sierra Club and their youth training programs.

Jared Duval, founder of Students for a Sustainable Future and Lebanon High School class of 2001 graduate. (VT Community Foundation)

A big factor in launching Students for a Sustainable Future was the support of now-retired biology teacher, Mary Maxfield. Jared notes that there was a moment of disconnect between what the students were learning about the value of wetlands for water quality, biodiversity, and wildlife habitat, and the proposal for the large grocery store project on the wetland site. Much of the work SSF did in 2000-2001 was attending Zoning and Planning Board meetings around the proposed project and trying to prevent it from going forward. “An important realization back then that has stayed with me is the power of organizing not just for students but also by students.” Jared notes that groups like SSF allow students to have a direct voice and can be organized in a way that feels right to them rather than being told what to do. “Having teachers like Mrs. Maxfield, who was there primarily to listen and provide support, was really valuable. When the issues feel big and overwhelming, having an avenue to address them in a way that resonates with students is empowering.”

Current LHS student and SSF member Georgia Gaffney is a junior who got involved in the club for the first time this year. “I really care about the climate, and I wanted to find a way to be involved that wasn’t too big of a commitment, and that I could do during the school day,” she says.

SSF has about 20-25 students participating, and is primarily involved in recycling efforts. “Every Friday during our advisory period, we help the janitors by emptying the recycling bins around the school,” Georgia explains. We found that people were throwing liquids into the bins, so we started a campaign with announcements, posters, and signs to educate everyone on how to recycle correctly.”

The group is also planting trees in the school courtyard and applied for a grant to purchase them. SSF is receiving guidance from the Lebanon Tree Advisory Board on tree selection and planting.

The efforts of SSF mirror the goals of another volunteer group in the city – Sustainable Lebanon – which is working on actions related to pollinator health, plastic waste reduction, and energy conservation. Jon Chaffee leads the group’s efforts and has high hopes for more LHS student involvement in environmental activism. “Sustainable Lebanon would love to see more young people getting active about ways that our customary lifestyle affects the environment,” he says. “Choices like buying plastic, driving a gas car, and putting pesticides on the lawn are opportunities for behavior change and education.” Sustainable Lebanon volunteers held a styrofoam collection event in April during a spring snowstorm, with 275 people showing up to drop off foam packaging for recycling.

Mariana Utell, Mallory Eshbaugh, and Peyton Rutherford collecting
recycling at Lebanon High School.

Past SSF projects have included a composting program in the high school cafeteria, a school garden, and a plastic free lunch day event. The compost stations in the cafeteria allowed students to sort food scraps from their trash and recycling in an efficient way. The stations were designed by the Applied Engineering class, built by the Wood Technology class, and painted by art students. Four 32-gallon totes of food scraps are collected each week, for a total of 4,608 gallons of food scraps each year. The scraps were picked up by a Vermont compost farmer, who then left empty totes. Previously, these scraps went into the trash, and were hauled away to the Lebanon landfill.

The school garden started out with three 4’ x 10’ raised beds, with additional beds recently added. Garlic, onions, carrots, beets, kale, spinach, herbs, were grown and harvested by SSF students, washed, and delivered to the cafeteria kitchen staff once a week. Senior students served as garden interns, working to build the garden, maintain the vegetables, harvest the crops, and work with elementary school students. The plastic free lunch day encouraged the school community to go plastic free for one day to reduce single use plastic waste.

According to Georgia, SSF has plans for future projects to support its mission. “We’re growing, and I’m excited for the future,” she says. “I think the group of senior girls we have will provide some solid leadership to the club. Next year, we plan to do a trash clean up and activities around Earth Day, and one thing I‘m really passionate about is the threat of oil drilling in our national parks.” Georgia is leaning toward studying political science after graduation.

As far as her inspiration for getting involved in SSF, Georgia cites her love of the Upper Valley area and Lebanon in particular. “I love where I live. It’s a great community to grow up in and people really love Lebanon,” she says. “I like growing up in a small town environment, and I really appreciate the city’s efforts to support sustainability and also arts and culture.”

When long-time community garden champion, Pat McGovern, chooses a cause to support, she goes all in. Whether it’s promoting the abundance of local foods, raising awareness about harmful chemicals in turf and landscape management, or spearheading a campaign to increase pollinator and native plant habitats, Pat has a unique gift for effecting positive change in her community.

It should come as no surprise that these three initiatives are closely related – pollinators support our local food supply (as much as 90% in some regions of the world) and research has shown that the use of pesticides in food production, gardening, and landscaping can be harmful to pollinators, which in turn can threaten our food supply. Pollinators are also challenged by shrinking habitat from develop-

ment pressure, invasive plant species, and extreme weather events.

Recently, Pat’s efforts in pollinator conservation were recognized by the VT Center for Ecostudies with their Community Scientist of the Year Award. Pat explains, “The VT Center for Ecostudies had an iNaturalist focus on pollinators at the Canillas Community Garden and on the Mascoma River Greenway. It was valuable for me because I started to learn more about the vast varieties of pollinators and it enhanced my enjoyment of this work.”

For Pat and her fellow pollinator and native plant enthusiasts, creating new pollinator habitats in Lebanon has become a high priority. More than 15 new pollinator gardens have been created since 2009, when Pat began designing and planting one pesticide-free pollinator garden after another. Many of the gardens are along the Mascoma River Greenway (MRG), and are designated with a ‘Pollinator Pathway’ sign. Pat notes that the goal of the project is multi-faceted. “We want the gardens to be attractive to both people and pollinators. Our goal is not just aesthetics but a life-sustaining system.”  Indeed, in the height of summer, users of the Greenway can be treated to beautiful blooms of bee balm, milkweed, aster, goldenrod, black-eyed susan, coneflower, and other pollinator-friendly plants. For those who stop to look closely and listen carefully, the all-important pollinators will soon appear.

Canillas pollinator garden in Lebanon

Many of the plants in the pollinator gardens are native to the Northeast, and that’s important because of a concept known as co-evolution, in which two different species evolve together for their mutual survival. A good example is the monarch butterfly and the native milkweed plant, the only plant the monarch caterpillar eats because it has evolved over billions of years to become tolerant of the toxic nature of the plant.

What’s involved in creating an ideal pollinator habitat? According to UNH Extension, pollinators are species that move pollen from one flower to another, fertilizing plants and allowing them to reproduce. Wild bees, butterflies, moths, birds, bats, wasps, and beetles all play a role in ecosystem health. These species require a variety of native plants for optimal nutrition, a water source, and shelter for breeding and rest from their pollinating journeys. Three season bloom is also important for pollinators, varying the shapes and colors of the flowers to accommodate pollinators who are attracted to specific plants. Pollinators benefit from a plant’s seed heads through the winter, taking shelter in plant stems and leaf litter, so holding off on fall clean up supports their habitat needs.

By all accounts, the pollinators in Lebanon are happy and so is Pat. “I am particularly pleased with the MRG Overpass Garden near APD this year – it is so alive with pollinators! The activity level and the variety of insects has been so satisfying. And, I have had to remove apples from the apple trees – there are too many for these young trees.”

Pat celebrates the partners involved in helping to purchase and plant flowers, shrubs, and trees for the city’s pollinator gardens. In particular, Upper Valley Apple Corps, whose volunteers have planted almost 20 fruit trees and shrubs, and the Robert F. Church Charitable Trust for funding plant purchases. Lebanon Mayor Tim McNamara’s Dartmouth Class of 1989 pollinator project has plantings at the Lebanon airport, recycling facility, and other sites, and Paul Coats of the Recreation, Arts & Parks Department, has provided unwavering support since the beginning of the project and has spearheaded the planting of dozens of trees in West Lebanon’s Westboro Park. The Upper Valley Rugby Club volunteers at the Greenway Pocket Park, and Sustainable Lebanon’s ‘Green the Ground’ initiative supports biodiversity throughout the city.

Paul credits these volunteers and organizations with advancing plant biodiversity in the city. “We try to be supportive of the people dedicated to these projects. When folks like Pat McGovern and Barbara Slaiby (Colburn Park Pollinator Garden) ask to do additional plantings, we want to make that happen. We want to take care of the administrative stuff for them so they can get their hands in the soil.”

Susan Johnson, gardener for the Recreation, Arts & Parks Department, and Lynn Fisher, a volunteer for the MRG Pocket Park, have contributed to the pollinator pathway efforts as well. Lynn is a lifelong student of native plants and animals. “There’s uncalculated value in planting native species – those same plants around which the web of native insects and birds have evolved. My (lofty!) goal is to get 70% of the garden to be native species, so that even the least-adaptable native insects have dining options, to restore a more diverse and resilient ecosystem.” For her part, Susan hopes garden visitors will adapt to the natural pollinator garden look over time. “Pollinator-friendly gardens have a style that people may not be used to. I’m hoping more exposure and education will help expand what people consider beautiful. Seeing insects buzzing all over the plants is a type of beauty.”

Upper Valley Rugby Club volunteers at Lebanon’s Greenway Pocket Park

What does the future hold for Lebanon’s pollinators? With plans moving forward to extend the Mascoma River Greenway toward the Powerhouse Mall, the future is rich with opportunities for new pollinator gardens. Pat McGovern, aka the ‘Queen Bee of Pollinator Pathways’, and her friends are ready!

To learn about Lebanon’s many pollinator gardens, their specific plants, and who maintains them, visit the Google Earth map at tinyurl.com/MRGPollinatorPathway. To join the Pollinator Pathway Project, contact the Lebanon Recreation, Arts & Parks Department, 603-448-5121.

Dipak Niroula is an award-winning social entrepreneur, published author, and an active community volunteer whose journey from his home country of Nepal to Lebanon, NH is an inspiring and compelling story.

Growing up in an impoverished Nepalese village as the eldest of six children, Dipak had to walk four hours both ways to get to elementary school. After his father led a community effort to build a school in their village, all of the local children then had the opportunity to receive an education, subsequently lifting them out of poverty through education. Dipak was the first in his family and community to graduate from high school, and these early life experiences inspired him to commit to a lifetime of helping other vulnerable children and families, particularly in the rural areas of Nepal.

Dashain Celebration with Dartmouth Students and parents (2023)

In 2011, while still living in Nepal, Dipak and his wife, Sharmila Karki, co-founded Better Life Social Organization (BLSO Nepal) to realize their dream of making a difference in people’s lives, especially for children. The active non-profit offers a diverse array of services to fund its work, including education consulting, travel tours, and homestays. Despite a few setbacks along the way, today, BLSO Nepal helps nearly 200 children in rural Nepal, providing education, healthcare, school uniforms, snacks, stationery, books, and clean drinking water. Dipak is pleased with the work BLSO Nepal is doing. “One thing I’m particularly proud of is how BLSO Nepal has responded to emergencies. During the 2015 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic, we rallied hundreds of volunteers to provide critical support. We worked side by side with local residents, government officials, schoolteachers, and social activists. Even with limited resources, our team showed incredible resilience and dedication.” Dipak has been recognized with awards by several international organizations including Lions Club International, Tumbewa Municipal Offices in Nepal, and the National Cultural Heritage Development Society.

Dipak Niroula (right) volunteering with the Rotary
Club of Lebanon to clean up the Mascoma River.

It was during a family vacation to the U.S. in 2015, the same year as the Nepal earthquake, that Dipak and his family received some shocking news. Dipak explains, “We faced a life-altering event. The devastating earthquake that struck Nepal while we were here resulted in the complete loss of my travel company, education consultancy, homestay, and children’s organization. Our home in Nepal was also severely damaged.” Fortunately, the U.S. government granted the family Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and the Niroulas began rebuilding their lives and establishing community connections in Lebanon. “My family and I have adjusted remarkably well to life here in Lebanon. The scenic beauty of the New Hampshire landscape, with its rolling hills and lush forests, evokes memories of our homeland, and has made our transition much smoother.”

Dipak and his family pivoted and became active members of the Lebanon community, continuing their passion for lifting up those in need by developing personal and professional relationships in the Upper Valley, and rebuilding BLSO Nepal remotely. “It’s been so heartwarming to see our kids thriving in the Lebanon schools, even being recognized as exemplary students.” The  Niroulas are grateful for the warm neighborhood welcome they’ve received, as well as the peaceful and safe environment in Lebanon. “We’ve found a perfect balance here – a community that allows us to maintain connections to our Nepali culture while fully participating in American life,” Dipak adds. “The supportive environment, combined with the diverse opportunities available, has not only eased our adjustment but has also opened new horizons for our family’s future.”

Over their time here, the Niroulas have come to appreciate the diverse nature of the Upper Valley and the broader American landscape, and are now working on becoming permanent residents of the U.S. by obtaining a green card. “My long-term goal in pursuing a U.S. green card is to achieve stability and make a significant contribution to the community. I also want to pursue career advancements and educational opportunities that are currently limited due to my temporary status,” Dipak explains.

Dipak Niroula enjoying a moment with a dog brought by visitors to Cardigan Mountain (2024)

In Lebanon as well as in southern New Hampshire, there are thriving Nepali communities that help the Niroulas stay connected to their Nepali culture while becoming fully immersed in a new American community. “We’ve gotten involved with groups like the NH Nepali Community, the International Nepalese Literature Society, and the NH Center for Nonprofits. Having friends who share our cultural background has provided a sense of belonging while also allowing us to introduce our American neighbors to our rich heritage,” says Dipak. The Niroulas join with their friends to cook traditional Nepali dishes, organize sports events, and annually host a local  Dashain (15 day Nepali cultural and religious celebration) for Dartmouth students and area Nepalese families. “This celebration creates a nurturing and supportive environment, helping us all feel cherished and connected to our cultural heritage during this profoundly meaningful festival,” Dipak says.

Traditional Nepali food and fun include momo (dumplings) and dal bhat (lentil soup with rice), traditional music and dance with instruments like the madal (drum), and intricate art like thangka paintings. According to Dipak, a celebration of faith, including Hinduism and Buddhism, is central to the Dashain. “By blending Nepali and American traditions, we strengthen our community and create meaningful connections. Celebrating and sharing these experiences with everyone is incredibly rewarding,” he says.

One of the local organizations Sharmila and Dipak have become involved with is the Rotary Club of Lebanon, participating in events like the Mascoma River clean-up and distributing books and school supplies to elementary school students. “It was wonderful to see the smiles on the children’s faces. It really drove home how important community support is for education,” recalls Dipak. Marilyn Bedell, former president and current secretary of the Rotary Club of Lebanon, is enthusiastic about the Niroulas’ participation, particularly from an international diversity perspective. “Both Dipak and Sharmila have demonstrated remarkable resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of marginalized communities in Nepal, and have collaborated on various projects involving disease prevention and treatment,” she says. “Having Dipak and Sharmila involved has educated us about their home country and its traditions and the challenges that have faced Nepal since the earthquake.” Dipak highlights one memorable project that involved providing 200 families with water filters: “It was amazing to see how such a simple thing could make such a big difference in people’s lives. Clean water is something many of us take for granted, but for these families, it was life-changing,” he recalls. For their part, Dipak and Sharmila are grateful for their Rotary Club connections as well. “It honestly feels like family. They’ve been so supportive, not just of our projects, but of us personally,” they say. “Our daughter, Aavarika, has grown up with the club, and it warms my heart to see how much everyone cares for her.”

Helping young people in Nepal find safe opportunities for work and travel is another one of Dipak’s passions. Seeing the struggles of young people when they traveled to other countries not knowing the culture or language, Dipak set about writing two guides that have been widely distributed by the government of Nepal and other organizations. “My books cover everything from language basics to cultural tips, safety information, and advice on managing money abroad,” Dipak explains. “I also wanted to warn people about the risks of human trafficking and give them practical ways to stay safe.” The books helped design Nepal’s mandatory pre-departure orientation program for migrant workers, and the Ministry of Labor presented Dipak with an appreciation certificate for his work. “Writing these books and seeing how they’ve helped people has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It’s amazing to think that something I wrote at my desk in Nepal has gone on to help so many of my fellow Nepalis as they set out to work abroad.”

The Niroula family before coming to the U.S.A.

As to what’s ahead for Dipak and his family, the priority is achieving green card status to open up opportunities for education, federal aid, and business development. There are constraints on realizing the full potential of developing BLSO USA, but giving up is not in Dipak’s nature. “With a green card, I could dedicate more time to developing local programs without the constant worry about visa restrictions, and build stronger, long-term relationships with community partners and donors. It’s exciting to think about the possibilities,” he says. “We’ve seen firsthand how much of a difference this kind of work can make, and we’re really looking forward to bringing that same spirit of support and advocacy to our new home here in the U.S.”

Dipak’s enduring mission of helping others has shaped his life philosophy as well as his life’s work. “These projects have taught me so much about the power of community and working together. Whether it’s cleaning up a local river or helping families across the world, it’s all about making a difference, one step at a time,” he says. “I want the readers of the Lebanon Times to know that helping yourself, your family, and your community can make a huge difference. By caring for others and supporting those in need, we create positive change that extends beyond our own lives.”

For more information or to volunteer with BLSO, contact Dipak Niroula at niroulainfo@gmail.com.

As an Enfield native, Nicole Ford Burley has a special connection to the Upper Valley and its history. With a background in medieval art history and research administration, Nicole is well-positioned to serve as the Lebanon city historian, chair of the City’s Heritage Commission, and curator for the Lebanon Historical Society. Nicole’s volunteer and professional roles converged recently to inform the writing of her first book, Images of America: Lebanon (Arcadia Publishing, 2023), now available online through the Lebanon Historical Society website, at the Lebanon libraries, and at local bookstores.

William Bliss (1815–1853; standing at left) moved to Lebanon at the age of 7 and enrolled at West Point at 14. He was chief of
staff to Maj. Gen. Zachary Taylor (seated) and became Taylor’s private secretary after the general became president of the United States in 1849. William Bliss was a talented linguist able to read 13 languages, and he taught mathematics at West Point. He fought in the Mexican-American War and participated in the forced displacement of the Cherokee people. Bliss died of yellow fever at the age of 37, and the US Army named the El Paso military post Fort Bliss in his honor.

Surrounded by iconic cultural and academic institutions such as Dartmouth College, the Enfield Shaker Museum, the Cornish Colony, and St. Gaudens National Historic Park, Lebanon’s history and relevance in the Upper Valley might be easy to overlook. However, Lebanon’s location along the Mascoma River was significant for the Western Abenaki Indians, who lived close to the land for farming, fishing, and traveling the land and waterways in all seasons. The arrival of European settlers eventually served to position Lebanon and West Lebanon as centers for agriculture, commerce, and industry. This pattern continues today with Lebanon steadily earning livability, recreation, and business-friendly accolades since 2008 when Forbes magazine ranked the City as the #1 least vulnerable town in America, and Bizjournals named Lebanon a Top ‘Dreamtown’.

Writing a book about Lebanon’s history wasn’t exactly on Nicole’s agenda when she and her family returned to Lebanon after a decade of living and working in the Boston area. Getting involved in the Lebanon community was a priority for Nicole, and the book opportunity naturally arose in alignment with her appointment as the City Historian. With a young child, the time commitment required over the year of writing the book was a challenge, but not the biggest one.

“The hardest part of writing the book was paring down which images to include,” says Nicole. “Nearly all the images came from the Historical Society’s vast collection.”

Working within strict guidelines set by the publisher, it was a little tricky to pull the correct images to tell Lebanon’s story spanning more than 10,000 years. “I really wanted a narrative shape to the book,” she adds. “Picking the right images to tell that story was challenging. There were many images I wanted to include, but they didn’t fit into the final structure of the book.”

In researching images housed in other collections, Nicole was surprised by the quality of the available images and the generosity and enthusiasm of the organizations she contacted. “I worked with the Vermont Historical Society and they provided a wonderful portrait of Ammi Burnham Young.” Young was a Lebanon-born architect who designed the First Congregational Church in Lebanon and went on to design custom houses and courthouses around the country, as well as many Dartmouth buildings and the Second Vermont State House. Nicole continues, “I received a fantastic image of Phineas Gage from Dominic Hall, the curator at the Warren Anatomical Museum at Harvard.” Gage is still considered a medical marvel for having an iron rod driven through his skull and surviving for many years.

The time period covered in the book was Nicole’s decision. “It was really important for me to capture Lebanon’s history even before the Western Abenaki people settled here. I leaned on images of the natural features of Lebanon, as well as maps, for that component.”

The book’s timeline begins around 11,000 BC when the first humans came to the area. “Images of Lebanon’s pre-history are more like place settings, and they build a foundation for 10,000 years of history.” For the first Abenaki settlement, Nicole obtained an impressive image from the Archives de la Ville de Montréal of an early Abenaki couple. There are a total of 204 different photographs in the book, each with a well-researched caption contributing to Lebanon’s story. “I am at the point now where I can look at the book from an evaluation perspective. I’m quite happy with how it turned out, but it could have been twice as long. I could easily do another book with an entirely different set of topics.”

Writing the book deepened Nicole’s understanding of Lebanon’s history. “It required me to think about all the different facets of Lebanon’s history, and in particular the architectural and building history, and it also reinforced my understanding of how neighborhood-focused Lebanon has historically been. I also had to expand my thinking about the City’s recreation and athletic history.” Historically, like many Upper Valley towns, Lebanon was made up of village centers (Lebanon and West Lebanon) and surrounding regions like Hardy Hill and Poverty Lane. “An entire history could be done about each neighborhood,” says Nicole.

It was important to make sure West Lebanon was well represented, according to Nicole. “It’s natural to focus on Colburn Park and the center of the city. In the Mascoma and the Mills chapter, I included references to the Connecticut River, and I tried to include as many of the geographic areas as possible. West Lebanon could still have its own book!”

In her day job, Nicole manages research grants as the senior manager of research administration for the Institute of Human Development and Social Change at New York University. She has also worked with biomedical engineers and in cancer research, and is currently focused on education and working with students in inner-city schools. “One of the most exciting projects we’re working on is supporting a version of Sesame Street in Arabic,” says Nicole.

Writing the book fit well with Nicole’s professional training. “I knew I wanted to do it right away, but it was incredibly ambitious. I discussed the idea with the Historical Society because the majority of the photos were coming from our collection. The group felt that we had such a great collection, so why not share it.”

Nicole credits her predecessors at the Historical Society with setting up and maintaining strong organizational systems for the papers and artifacts in the society’s collection. “Previous curators and custodians have done a great job,” says Nicole. “Robert Leavitt (a previous long-time City Historian) was before my time being involved in Lebanon’s history, but he wrote extensive reports on houses and scribbled notes on tiny slips of paper to remind himself to come back and expand on different aspects.” Nicole first came across Robert Leavitt as a college student. “The most inspirational thing about him was that his commitment to Lebanon’s history was transcendent. You can’t touch anything in Lebanon’s history without encountering him. I try to have that same level of commitment.”

One of Nicole’s primary interests is the history of individual buildings. “I love looking at the photos of buildings throughout different eras – when a building was built, how it has changed. The most common request we get is from people who have just purchased a house and want to know more about it.” Nicole and her Historical Society colleagues look through the Society’s document collections and deeds, researching previous owners and other information related to the house to share.

Community support for the book has been gratifying following a successful launch party in September. “I’ve been blown away by how many people have expressed interest and enthusiasm for the book. We sold 115 copies at the launch and the Historical Society inventory was completely sold out.” The publisher takes care of supplying the major vendors and author appearances at local bookstores.

Nicole hopes the book will have a positive impact. “My major hope is that people will develop a better understanding about Lebanon’s history. I wanted it to be readable for people with as many interests and perspectives as possible.”

For more information or to get involved in volunteering with the Lebanon Historical Society, contact Nicole Ford Burley nicole.ford.burley@gmail.com.

As long as humans have roamed the earth, we’ve been coming together around common interests. We’ve formed groups of all kinds – tribes, guilds, coalitions, communities, associations, and clubs, to name a few. At last count, the online database – Cause IQ – listed almost 32,000 community service clubs and organizations in the United States. This year, the Rotary Club of Lebanon is celebrating 100 years of community service, as it steadfastly maintains the Rotary tradition of “Service Above Self” while continuing to find ways to adapt to our changing times.

Fellowship, service projects, and leadership development are deeply embedded in the club’s priorities, and always have been. Bruce Pacht, a Rotary Club of Lebanon member since 1976, points to the emergence of a sense of social responsibility and caring for one another as a catalyst for the founding of many service organizations in the early 1900’s – Boys Scouts, Red Cross, Rotary and Lions Clubs among them. “The purpose of Rotary was then – and still is – based on four points: the development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; high ethical standards in business and professions; service in personal, business, and community life; and the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace,” says Pacht. This sentiment is echoed by club member Ron Michaud, who is active in international projects. “Community service has been very important to me both professionally and in my private life,” Michaud says. “Rotary’s focus on positive community spirit and enhancing people’s lives happens in a very dramatic and sometimes hidden way.”

The club has chosen to develop a new kind of park called “Harmony Park,” located on the walking mall in downtown Lebanon. The park features colorful bells, chimes, drums, and other outdoor musical instruments accessible to all. According to current club president Ed Friedman, Harmony Park is wonderfully aligned with Rotary’s mission. “It’s Rotary’s gift to the City. We’re a group of like-minded people trying to do the best in our community and worldwide,” he says.

A common thread among many groups like Rotary is the importance of building friendships and actively working on projects that serve humanity and the environment – both locally and globally. Rotary International is one of the few service organizations that has withstood the test of time, enduring plagues, wars, depression, recession, and other global and domestic disasters across its 118 year history.

Rotary was originally founded with four members in 1905 by Chicago attorney Paul Harris, who was looking for business and social connections in his new home town that mirrored his upbringing in Wallingford, VT. Today’s Rotary International has more than 1.4 million members worldwide, with 36,000 clubs operating in 200 countries. Rich in tradition, yet responsive to societal trends, Rotary International recently added “protecting the environment” to its areas of focus which also include promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, supporting education, and growing local economies. The organization is seeing growth in Asia and India, where new wealth and young people are merging to continue practicing the Rotary service ethic, while clubs based in the U.S. are strategizing on how to attract the next generation. Hybrid meetings, e-clubs, partnerships, a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, global exchanges, and clubs for young emerging leaders are evolving in various forms throughout the world. The latest evolutionary milestone was the 2022 installation of the first female president of Rotary International, a communications executive from Canada. Today, regardless of how volunteers identify, all are welcome to join, and international virtual fellowships have been formed including “Empowering Women”, “LGBTQ & Friends”, and “Young Rotarians”, along with “Peace Fellows”, “Urban Gardening”, and about 100 other special interest fellowships.

Marilyn Bedell, a long-time member, past Rotary Club of Lebanon president, and past district governor (regional oversight of 41 clubs) notes that the Lebanon club has worked with numerous local and regional partners to achieve its goals. “We’ve done flu shot clinics with the Public Health Council of the Upper Valley and projects with the LISTEN Center. Environmental projects like polystyrene recycling with Sustainable Lebanon and trail and river clean ups with the Lebanon Conservation Commission have been very successful. Our service trips to El Salvador with Epilogos Charities address our international service goals,” she says.

One of the signature projects falling under the new environmental protection focus is the Mascoma River Clean Up, held every other year along the length of the river in the City. For more than a decade, volunteers working on foot and in canoes have removed trash and debris from the river in collaboration with the Conservation Commission and City departments. An unusual array of items has been discovered over the years, including car tires, a farm tractor tire, and a boiler. Ernst Oidtmann, a retired physician, clean up coordinator, and member of the Conservation Commission reports in the club newsletter that 30 participants turned out for the most recent clean up. “We had four Rotaractors (18-30 year old Rotarians) from the Rotary Club of Hanover, many members of the Lebanon Conservation Commission, and City Manager and fellow Rotarian, Shaun Mulholland,” he says. “The good news is that the river continues to be less littered than when we started this service project long ago.”

A testimony to the evolving nature of Rotary is shared by veteran member of 50 years, Steve Whitman. “Interact (high school volunteers) and Rotaract is where I think the future is,” he says. “If we can get students involved in community service we can ease the pressure on the teachers and build the next generation of club members.” Rotarian Joy Gobin, who coordinates the eight-year-old Lebanon High School Rotary Interact Club, says, “We try to mirror the goals and activities of Rotary. It doesn’t make sense in our world today to stay in your own lane, because resources are so thin, so you have to look at the big picture. There is more engagement by the students because they have a voice in how to give their time.” Interact club members have initiated a 24/7 food pantry at LISTEN, collaborated with The Haven to knit 200 hats, gloves, scarves to donate to those in need, and raised funds to support girls’ education in Ecuador. 

Incoming President David Crandall has designs for revitalizing the club as well. “We want to keep Rotary vibrant and engaged through community projects like Harmony Park,” he says. When Crandall moved to the Upper Valley four years ago, he looked at joining a few civic organizations so he could meet new people. “I went to a Rotary lunch,” he remembers. “The people were so friendly and I was impressed at how organized it was, and that people really cared about being in Rotary. You feel like you’re doing good work and most importantly it’s enjoyable.”

As chair of the 100th Anniversary Committee, Crandall notes that 2023 is a big year for Rotary. The committee looked at a dozen different projects working with the City’s Recreation, Arts & Parks director Paul Coats and the City Council to honor the anniversary and give back to the community. In the end, because of the club’s musical history (long-time music teacher Doris Mollica played the piano at club meetings), the Harmony Park concept was selected.

The “magic” of Rotary is to identify a compelling cause and gather volunteers to take action to get things done. Internationally, Rotary is focused on eradicating polio in partnership with national and international foundations through improved sanitation and vaccines. The initiative began in the Philippines in 1978 with millions of child immunizations. The results of this global focus is that worldwide, polio cases have now dropped by 99%.

Locally, Rotary magic shows up in a full calendar of events and projects according to board member and Community Service Committee chair Bruce Bergeron. “The Community Service Committee is what got me involved in Rotary 30 years ago,” he says. “At the time, I wasn’t thinking about all the other avenues of service that Rotary offered in particular, because I wanted to get involved in my own community.” Project highlights include giving a personalized book to every 1st grader (as one child told a Rotarian, “this is blowing my mind!”), sending local youth to the Rotary Youth Leadership Assembly, developing several parks throughout the City, and international projects to build houses, eradicate guinea worm disease, and provide clean water and enhanced food production.

Rotarian Marilyn Bedell expresses the question of many service club leaders in today’s digital age: “How can Rotary become the service club of choice for the next generation?” Her advice: “Don’t think you have to commit to joining Rotary when you first start coming. You can have a wonderful time connecting with a great group of people, and then decide.” Bedell would not have had the risk-taking experiences, joys, adventures, and ability to create change in herself if not for Rotary International, she says. “We are really trying to educate ourselves about how our club can innovate and inspire the next generation as we keep evolving over time,” she added. Bedell tells the story of a local Nepalese couple who supported their daughter’s attendance at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awakening program and now the young woman is a dynamic member of the community.

Today’s Rotary members suggest that the next generation needs networking and human connection just as much as they all did when searching for a way to get involved in their community. It stands to reason that the timeless human need of coming together for the betterment of others is still relevant, even in the digital age.

When career educators Jennifer and Carl Chambers first met in New York City twenty years ago, they shared a passion for an experiential style of teaching and for life’s great adventures. These mutual interests eventually led to their marriage and a move to the Upper Valley to continue their teaching careers in both public and private school settings – Jennifer in music and Carl in English and administration. Now the couple is dedicating themselves to an exciting new venture – realizing their dream of opening their own school on the mall in Lebanon this fall.

The New England School of the Arts (NESA) will offer an integrated curriculum of science, technology, engineering, math, languages, physical education, and humanities, all with an arts focus. After decades of experience spent refining their educational philosophy, Jennifer and Carl have settled on a collaborative, project-based model of education that offers students a highly successful and meaningful learning experience. By partnering with existing arts organizations and businesses in Lebanon and around the Upper Valley, the pair plan to create a community-based campus and learning lab, where students can receive an arts-focused education and give back to the community as well.

The choice to settle NESA in Lebanon was inspired by the many non-profit arts organizations located in the downtown area which offered the opportunity for collaborative alliances, as well as the welcoming support of the City’s Arts & Culture Commission. “The organizations and the City couldn’t have been more welcoming to us,” says Jennifer. “We’ve felt welcomed by the private school community too, and to have access to visiting artists and other programs will be a wonderful opportunity for the students.” Jennifer also credits John Hochreiter, whose family owns the space above the Women’s Health Resource Center where NESA will be based, for fully supporting the mission and vision of the school and helping with fundraising strategies.

What does project-based learning look like? According to the Buck Institute for Education – a national non-profit providing professional development, research, and conferences – project-based learning offers students real-life experiences such as engaging with local organizations, faculty, and fellow students on personally meaningful projects. Jennifer notes that co-creating the curriculum with students and faculty is a cornerstone of the NESA philosophy, and collaborative projects and experiences rule the day. “When kids are making connections to real-world authentic experiences and are able to connect one subject to another, they come to discover why an area of learning is important to their life,” Carl says. “We want to convey that the arts can bring joy to their lives. We want to provide student choice and student voice.”

Starting a school from scratch is a lot of work, but rewarding at the same time. “It’s a process and a labor of love, and definitely a grassroots effort,” Jennifer says. “We have learned a lot of things like website design and programming, and we’ve been hosting open houses and parent nights, meeting with different organizations and partners, and speaking at schools.”

NESA board chair Amy Good – a 32-year veteran educator and learning specialist – is excited about supporting the new school. “Jenny Chambers is a force of nature,” she says. “As soon as she made a decision to start NESA, I was right behind her. This is going to offer students an educational experience I wish my kids could have had. I have lots of faith in the other board members and we have support from a number of arts advocates and education philanthropists.”

Jennifer notes, “The number one thing that sets us apart from a public school system is our ability to meet the physical, emotional, and intellectual needs of our students. While I’m a big supporter of public schools, the system has been around for decades, and it’s hard to repair because the system is entrenched. Often, transformative leaders try to impact public school systems but they don’t last long. We can evolve our curriculum and have the capacity to be nimble in responding to student’s needs and interests.”

Another feature of project-based learning is the classroom layout, which will be less conventional with furniture arranged in circles and gathering spaces for collaborative work and less time spent listening to lectures. Local arts organizations will potentially provide performance space and supplemental classrooms.

Carl – who will serve as head of school while Jennifer will serve as associate head of school – says that the curriculum is a living, breathing document within state guidelines, and it will evolve to be aligned with a lab school culture. Amy Good looks forward to the magic that will be created by working together with NESA’s fellow educators and supporters.“When we connect education requirements with the things that make us light up, it’s less stressful and feels more like an opportunity for the students to follow their particular interests,” Good says. “Emerging from the pandemic, we need to find a way to make sure our children’s mental health, happiness and well-being is cared for.”

Carl and Jennifer hope that NESA will add to the growing arts scene in the Upper Valley and expand focused arts education to interested students from as far away as they want to travel.  “We expect to reach students within 30-60 miles, and want to give students who have school choice an opportunity to attend a school like ours,” Carl says. The school will have the capacity for 150 students, but Jennifer and Carl plan to start small and grow slowly to maintain the integrity of the school’s vision, so the current enrollment goal is 30 students. A robust fundraising effort is underway to help students defray tuition costs if needed. Already, the Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation has contributed $30,000 outright, and is offering another $50,000 in matching funds.

NESA is currently taking applications for both students and faculty members. Jennifer and Carl emphasize that teachers must have a passion for working with students, embrace a collaborative and experiential learning culture, and be comfortable with making mistakes as a component of a progressive educational model. In studying other arts-focused schools around the country like the Chicago Arts Academy, Interlochen Arts Academy, Art Student League in New York City, and The New School for Social Research, Jenny and Carl have incorporated various elements into their ‘City As School’ vision such as a student centered learning environment and hiring top notch faculty.

Jenny emphasizes that a high quality education is possible within a ‘low stakes’ environment. “Everything doesn’t have to be graded,” she says. “We’re aiming for immersion in the subject and a calm learning environment. Peers working together is more powerful than listening to a lecture.” Class placement will be determined with a portfolio submission. “We’re looking for kind human beings who want to be part of a team, and we’ll also provide opportunities for students who want to explore the ‘high stakes’ world of the arts professions by preparing them for auditions and other real world experiences necessary to succeed in an arts career,” Jennifer says. NESA will operate under the same state guidelines as a public high school and students will attend full-time. Students from other schools may be able to take specific classes as capacity allows.

Jennifer and Carl are both passionate educators, and as artists in their own right, hold the belief that the “arts make life worth living.” From their early days as educators in New York to discovering their mutual love for helping students take risks, grow, and thrive together, the pair  are poised to make the New England School of the Arts a fantastic new addition to Lebanon and its arts scene.

Over her 35-year career serving the citizens of Lebanon, Deputy City Manager Paula Maville has held many different positions, including the top job of acting city manager. Currently the longest-serving employee with the City, Paula has developed a reputation over her tenure for not only fair and ethical leadership, but also for being a trusted mentor and expert practical problem solver. Now, the lifelong Lebanon resident is embarking on a new chapter – retirement from civic leadership – and is reflecting on her decades long service to the City.

“Looking at that life balance is the way to put it. It’s something that I can afford to do, and after 35 years, I want to take a look at other possibilities until I retire completely from working,” says Paula. “Working for the City has been like having a second family for a lot of years.”

It is a rare individual these days who chooses to stay with one organization over their entire career. Paula started working for the City in 1986 in the planning office as a temporary clerk/typist shortly after graduating from Lebanon High School. “I was only supposed to be there for a few short months to help the City’s zoning & planning administrator Carmella Hennessey. The position became permanent, and then I held several different jobs until 2008 when I transferred to the City manager’s Office,” says Paula.

During her first two decades, Paula worked in the planning, zoning, and building departments, and filled in at the human services office. She worked in the Department of Public Works supporting the engineering, water, waste water, and assessing departments, and had a short stint in the finance department processing payroll. Vicki Lee, the City’s finance director recalls Paula’s contributions, “I’ve worked with Paula for 16 years. Her work ethic, honesty, her attention to detail, her dedication and achievements can never be matched. It won’t be the same here without her.”

Paula reflects, “I feel grateful that I was provided with a lot of opportunity to work with people who recognized all of my skills and abilities and allowed me the opportunity to be part of bigger discussions to sit down and evaluate and help problem solve.” Paula’s broad range of skills and proficiencies have been both finely tuned and expanded over the years. “I’m very much a process person. I can find efficiencies and create systems and processes to make things more efficient. I’m not satisfied with a situation because that’s the way it’s always been done. When I can see a better way, I share that, and I challenge authority.”

Paula has consistently made improvements in systems and procedures wherever she worked, particularly in her role as the executive assistant to the city manager. “When I came to the city manager’s office, within the first three months I changed everything – how agendas were developed, how information was gathered. Eventually, I was promoted to assistant to the city manager, and I took on additional administrative leadership duties. Then the position of deputy city manager was created for me by then city manager Gregg Lewis.” Paula attended Franklin Pierce University while working full time and raising her teen-aged son, and graduated in 2015 with a degree in Management, which enhanced her already considerable business and leadership skills, and met the education requirements for her position.

Paula’s multi-tasking skills were put to use when she served in two executive positions at once during the City’s budget season – interim city manager, a position she held for almost two years, as well as deputy city manager. “I was given an opportunity by the city council to think about whether being the city manager was something I wanted to do on a permanent basis. When I arrived at the decision that it wasn’t and we went into the recruitment process, that was when I felt I could take a breath knowing that my decision had been made and that I was going to be a good support for the incoming city manager.”

Paula’s current and former colleagues call out her communication, organization, and leadership skills. Melanie McDonough, the City’s chief innovation officer, considers Paula an exceptional communicator. “Paula is not just a leader but a team player. She trusts people to do their jobs without micromanaging. She offers honest praise openly, acknowledging and crediting the work others have done. Paula was already qualified with a Ph.D. in the school of life before she earned her degree through smarts, grit, and the ability to manage many things at once.”

Tina Stearns, formerly the executive assistant during Paula’s time as the acting city manager and now finance & administrative services director for the town of Hanover recalls Paula’s work ethic. “Titles never got in the way when work needed to be done. She rolled up her sleeves and did what was necessary to accomplish the end result. Paula is a level-headed thinker and her leadership skills are something I greatly admire.” And Kelly Crate, administrative services manager notes, “Paula helped me find my footing in the municipality sector over 22 years ago and from day one she has been my mentor, always challenging me and giving me the confidence to learn and grow professionally. Her work ethic and ability to problem solve will forever have a lasting impact and has changed our workplace and community for the better.”

City Manager Shaun Mulholland and Mayor Tim McNamara echo the staff’s sentiments. “Paula oversees the planning and human services departments now, and I don’t think it can be stated enough – she produces a lot of work every day and is just as committed as ever. She can get any problem, and solve it effectively. People like that are rare,” says Shaun. “Paula also has good credibility among the staff and excels at coaching and mentoring new leaders because she has come up through the ranks. She is a living example of how you can start in an organization and move up through persistence and willingness to learn.” Mayor Tim McNamara has known Paula since the ’80s during his tenure with engineering firm T & M Associates. “She was invaluable to the planning office. I was always impressed, and still am, with her depth of knowledge, professionalism, and clear devotion to the City as a public servant. It’s her day-to-day devotion to civic duty that sets her apart, and she takes great pride in her role as a civic representative. Her input and perspective are always appreciated.”

Among Paula’s many accomplishments have been co-designing the Lebanon Citizen’s Academy to educate residents on how their city works, and overseeing a process to look at how city operations like financial processes and other operations can be made more efficient. She also convened a team to implement a long-overdue update of the City’s personnel policy. Says Paula, “I’ve always been boots on the ground. I’m definitely collaborative, and I appreciate everyone’s perspective on things. I’ll ask questions to the point where I think there needs to be a statement. I would rather that people work with me than for me.”

For her part, Paula is grateful for the mentors she had early in her career in the planning department, particularly retired zoning administrator Carmela Hennessy. “Coming from where I came, I would not be able to do what I did if I didn’t have people who empowered me. When you can find that and build confidence around that, you see things happen that you might not have expected. A group of women I have worked with all came together and had a necklace designed for me. Inscribed on the back it says, ‘Our Anchor.’ I cherish that. It really made me feel that I have had an impact, and to remember to be responsible and mindful of your impact.”

Kelly Crate sums up the Paula Maville legacy. “It’s impossible to have just one thing to admire about Paula, she has so many great qualities. She is caring, strong, loyal, honest, hardworking, determined, smart, compassionate, has an outstanding work ethic, and has the ability to change things and make a difference for her coworkers and the community.”

What’s in store after retirement for Paula? If City officials have their way, she’ll return to the City in a part-time role, perhaps as a special project manager or technical advisor, but she has ideas, too. “Ideally, I’d like to have my own business helping people organize their spaces and perhaps meal planning/shopping/time management. Helping busy families in organizing their spaces and time, and simplifying their lives.” Sounds like a perfect transition for the City’s retiring expert problem solver.

A Few Words About Paula

“It is difficult to pick just one thing that I admire about Paula as I have never met anyone of her capacity. She has the ability to make everyone who is within her circle feel like they can accomplish anything. A group of us who worked closely with Paula considered her our “Anchor” as she will always tell you like it is. If you have an issue and want it sugar-coated, don’t ask Paula for her advice. She will always tell you like it is.” ~ Tina Stearns, Hanover finance & administrative services director

“Paula truly is such a selfless person I feel so blessed to have had the privilege to not only work with her but to also have her for a very dear friend. She has such a caring nature and is always there for everyone and willing to lend a helping hand and sometimes give some “not subtle” advice but that is what we love about her.” ~ Kelly Crate, Lebanon administrative services manager

“Everything about Paula is so exemplary, I wish there were multiple Paulas.” ~ Lebanon city manager Shaun Mulholland

“Many public servants view their jobs as a stepping stone, and are primarily devoted to their careers. Paula has been primarily devoted to the City then her career. Everything she does is done well.” ~ Lebanon mayor Tim McNamara

“She cares deeply about the public experience and has worked tirelessly to provide professional, friendly, and informative communication through our online platforms, which is often the first experience residents and visitors have with City services. Wherever there is clear communication on the website, there is Paula.” ~ Lebanon chief innovation officer Melanie McDonough

Community master plans provide a unique vision for what residents and public officials would like for their towns and cities over a multi-year time frame. Master plans also help guide local decision-making in areas like land use, energy, conservation, recreation, housing & transportation, business, and cultural and historic resources, among other topics. Lebanon, like many communities around New Hampshire, is revising the 2012 master plan using a dynamic new approach of working on a few chapters each year.

This year, the Natural Resources and Energy chapters are being updated as opposed to rewritten, says Planning & Development Director David Brooks. “Some communities do their master plan this way, taking a chapter or two each year, which affords a rolling cycle of updates. The 2012 master plan was prepared for an 18 year time period which is much longer than normal. We’re trying to do an update for the process rather than re-writing all of the chapters.”

These chapters were selected for updates because there are existing citizen groups – the Conservation Commission and the Energy Advisory Committee – that are very active and engaged with residents and can easily host public meetings to work on the updates. David explains that each committee is charged with going through the actions & strategies from 10 years ago, and highlighting the ones that are completely done, in progress, or should not be pursued. “The full chapter will then be updated to reflect what’s already been done, where we are now, and what the focus will be for the future,” says David. “We also asked the committees to take a look at the vision for their chapters to see if it is still relevant.”

The Conservation Commission has updated the Natural Resources chapter to include climate adaptation and mitigation, and recently approved an Open Space Plan in March. ‘Wild About Lebanon,’ a collaboration with the Upper Valley Land Trust to explore conservation lands, has recently been revived as a result of a recommendation in the 2012 plan. The overall goal of the chapter is to promote a balance between protecting natural resources, economic growth, and quality of life for residents.

The Energy Chapter is still under review by the Energy Advisory Committee, and includes strategies and actions pertaining to energy efficient buildings, the City’s use of renewable energy, and converting street lights to more energy efficient models, which is an ongoing project. In addition, residents can receive a property tax exemption for implementing renewable energy projects.

This first round will serve as a template for how the remaining chapters will be updated. “This first round is being used to create a process that can be replicated in future years. All of the committee meetings are public meetings, and we encourage residents and business owners to attend and share their opinions and ideas.” A survey and public outreach process to study the current vision statement is likely to occur in the near future.

While the process is still being formulated, public input is an important component of the master plan update, notes David. “At the end of the process, the planning board will adopt these two chapters at a public meeting.”

So consider becoming involved in the master plan process by attending a meeting and sharing your ideas, either in person or virtually. A complete meeting schedule is available on the City’s website.

The concept of a natural burial as an environmentally friendly option in private and public cemeteries is becoming increasingly popular throughout the country, primarily for its minimal environmental impact, simplicity, and lower cost to the consumer. Historically, natural burials were the norm until modern funeral practices like embalming, caskets made from exotic wood, and non-biodegradable cement vaults evolved shortly after the Civil War in response to the desire to preserve soldiers’ remains until they were returned home to their families. Today, with more than 350 green burial cemeteries in the United States, natural burial practices are making a comeback, and municipal officials and consumers are evolving in their understanding of the benefits and management needs of natural burials.

In Lebanon, natural burial advocates are doing their part to provide helpful education and research on the subject, and many have been working with the Lebanon Board of Cemetery Trustees, City Council, and City staff since 2019 to arrive at a workable solution to the natural burial question.

There are a range of options to consider, but many communities opt for what’s known as a hybrid cemetery to accommodate natural burials, according to Lee Webster, Executive Director of New Hampshire Funeral Resources, Education & Advocacy and Vice Chair for Education for Green Burial Council International. Lee is one of the nation’s foremost experts on natural burials and lives in New Hampshire. “Hybrid cemeteries are usually municipal,” says Lee. “Natural cemeteries are generally owned and operated by consumers and vary from state to state. Then there are conservation cemeteries which permit burials in a natural setting, connecting people to the land in a different way than conventional cemeteries.” New Hampshire currently has approximately 11 cemeteries that support natural burials, and several Upper Valley towns are evaluating the practice, according to Lee.

According to Paula Maville, Lebanon’s Deputy City Manager, the City has been exercising due diligence in evaluating the natural burial option. “We want to meet the objectives of the advocates who want the change while at the same time respecting the staff in their need to evaluate the maintenance implications.” Among the considerations are determining designated areas for natural burials, grave depth, equipment requirements, and providing equity in the burial process in terms of fees and the City’s role. “There are lots of things to consider, and a lot to learn,” says Paula.

For their part, natural burial supporters are hopeful the City’s considered evaluation will bring about a fair resolution. Judith Bush and Rainie Kelly have been attending Lebanon Board of Cemetery Trustees and City Council meetings, sharing information, and contributing to the process of revising the ordinance that governs burial practices in Lebanon since the conversation began. Says Rainie, “The City Council is supportive and tasked the staff with evaluating the process. From my perspective this is all about good problem solving and Yankee ingenuity. My hope is that Lebanon residents will soon have the option to return to the more environmentally benign practices of our forebears.”

Judith Bush agrees. “We appreciate the support and interest of the City Council in listening to our perspective. It’s aligned with the City’s environmental statements and that’s important to us too.” Progress is being made, says Judith. “One issue that has been resolved is the location. There is agreement now that the West Lebanon Cemetery should be an option along with Old Pine Tree Cemetery, which has a hilly landscape.” There is also a commitment to use a rigid burial container rather than just a shroud covering, which is the practice in many countries.

The Lebanon Board of Cemetery Trustees has been gathering information about natural burials from a number of sources, including working with Lee Webster. Board Chair Tony Palazzo is a retired research agronomist who keenly understands soil composition. Tony considers Lebanon soils ideal for natural burials because they have good drainage. “We got advice from the Cemetery Sexton in Montpelier, which helped to answer questions about winter burials, staff roles, and using smaller equipment. We want to be thoughtful about how to implement this to make sure it’s a sustainable option.” Board Co-Chair Caitlyn Hauke, who succeeded Lee Webster as the President of the Board of Directors of the Green Burial Council International, thinks that natural burials will likely be a small fraction of the annual burials in the City. “At this point the City Council understands that residents have an interest in natural burials, and they want to support that, while making sure the staff impacts are considered.” Caitlyn expects the ordinance language to be finalized by the City Council sometime in March.

City Councilor Devin Wilkie thinks the process to consider natural burial has been thorough and informative. “From the data and the information that has been given to the City Council, the process seems doable. From a personal perspective I’m thrilled that this is something we’ve been able to have really constructive and thoughtful discussion about, and that City staff and the advocates are working together to bring this sustainable and ecologically friendly approach for burials to Lebanon.”

As the natural burial movement continues to grow, new resources are being made available, such as the Green Burial Masterclass created by Lee Webster and offered in partnership with the education organization Redesigning the End. The course explores best practices informed by science, conservation, cemetery operations, and religious and cultural concerns. Lee sees this development as a reflection of more and more consumers making their voices heard. “Pioneers have been starting cemeteries and making them work. Growth is big, and demand is increasing.”

For Lebanon natural burial pioneers and City officials, the time spent learning about this new, yet old way of putting loved ones to rest seems to have been well spent.

When a small but committed group of ‘Founding Mothers’ started WISE 50 years ago as a women’s career and parenting resource center – email, floppy disks, and pocket calculators had just been invented. Also in 1971, women could not own credit cards or purchase property. And the concept of gender-based violence was not part of any community conversation: it would take decades for this to change. Yet the pioneering WISE founders began hearing and believing women’s stories of sexual and domestic violence at home and at work and took the courageous step to act on those stories. Fifty years later, the next generation of WISE staff, volunteers, and board members is still providing a haven for people who suffer from gender-based violence, offering support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

How does an organization successfully sustain this kind of challenging and important work for 50 years? According to long time Executive Director Peggy O’Neil, WISE has continued to evolve with the times, and is fueled by the remarkable dedication and commitment of everyone involved in the organization. “Fifty years is a long time, and one reason for our staying power is that the most amazing people come together – donors, volunteers, survivors, staff, board members – to address this issue and try to make a difference. From the 70s to 2021, people in very difficult situations have reached out and they know they can trust us with their stories.” 

Past Board Chair and WISE strategic advisor Lizann Peyton echoes Peggy’s sentiments. “One reason WISE is so successful is that the staff and board have always thought powerfully about changing systems. WISE leads systems innovation throughout the Upper Valley, partnering with critical organizations beyond its own direct services, working with schools, courts, health care providers, human service agencies, businesses, and others. WISE understands what it takes to help people feel safe and secure.”

Working from an empowerment-based model which promotes resilience and positions the person seeking help as the primary decision-maker, WISE works closely with community organizations to create consistent responses to validate women’s experiences. Lizann remembers a time when public and institutional awareness was not so coordinated. “When I joined the board in 1993, it was difficult to recruit board members and harder to find funding support. The more public awareness was raised, the more people came to WISE for services. WISE has been good about promoting the success stories, and that has changed the dialogue to show that there is a way to talk about these issues as a community. It creates a virtuous cycle – the more you succeed, the more the community supports and comes to WISE as a leader.”  

In the early 90s, WISE staff engaged with local hospitals to provide an advocate to speak in confidence with people who went to the hospital after experiencing trauma. This outreach served to elevate the public and institutional perceptions of the value of the services available at WISE. Board member and past President Jenny Williams says WISE has done pioneering work with police departments as well, and that collaborative relationships with community institutions have been a vital part of raising community awareness. “The organization has become very proactive – at least half of our job is prevention. We have the WISE training courses that anyone can apply to take part in. It helps explain why gender-based violence exists, and we can educate adult community members through the basic training course (a screening process applies). The next level of the training prepares volunteers to serve on the crisis hotline,” explains Jenny. WISE also has five ‘co-locations’ around the Upper Valley to expand accessibility to services.

Another shining example of a positive impact on community systems is the presence of WISE educators in grades K-12 in Upper Valley schools through the Prevention and Education Program. Explains Peggy, “We have had educators in the schools for three decades. We’re a small community, so you see young people who you worked with in middle school, and they tell a story about the educator helping them, a family member, or a friend who benefited from the experience.” High school students also report incorporating the learning into their peer group conversations, social groups, and communities. Lizann notes, “The program also teaches kids to understand the language and that helps them and others to navigate real-life situations. We have seen a shift in how boys and men are engaging in the conversation about gender-violence.” Jenny echoes the far-reaching success of the education program. “One of the beautiful things about the education program is how the students engage in asking tough questions. When I sat in on a class at Hanover High School, the topic was consent, and Kate (educator) gave the students a forum where they weren’t going to be criticized. I think this can be very powerful for girls and boys.”

What does the future hold for WISE? With the current reality of a solid organizational structure and financial stability, the team at WISE can take the time to focus on long-range planning. Both Jenny and Lizann, credit Peggy’s enduring leadership in allowing WISE to grow, change, and adapt, and in supporting a leadership team and board that remain committed to the cause. “In this line of work, there seems to be a lot of turnover, but many members of the board and leadership team at WISE have been there for a long time. Peggy has a rare combination of relational skills and being an organized and strategic thinker,” says Jenny.

Because WISE has continually adapted to the Upper Valley community’s needs and perceptions, the organization has developed a broad array of services to achieve its ambitious mission: “leading the Upper Valley to end gender-based violence through survivor-centered advocacy, prevention, education, and mobilization for social change.” 

“The work we’re doing is ongoing,” says Peggy. “We have to plan pretty far out for impact. We are still concerned with fundraising, but we have a strong foundation that gives us the ability to take some deep breaths and do important long-term planning. Twenty-five years from now I hope to see WISE continue to have successful leadership transitions both with the staff and the board.” 

And fortunately for the Upper Valley, the WISE team has the capacity and dedication to continue its commitment to progressive leadership in the challenging realm of gender-based violence prevention for at least the next 50 years. 

For more information about WISE and its programs, visit their website, http://www.wiseuv.org or call 603-448-5922. The crisis hotline number is 866-348-WISE available 24 hours a day.