Residents at Wheelock Terrace in Hanover, NH, were in for a special treat in early May when the sounds of brass and woodwinds wafted through the outside air, bringing a fleeting pause to the accompanying distress of the 2020 pandemic.

The music was generated by seven out of over 60 members of the Upper Valley Community Band (UVCB) in the parking lot of the assisted living facility. The musicians, playing instruments including clarinets, trumpet, trombone, and tuba, entertained the residents with polka, waltzes, and ragtime favorites.

“We’re glad we could work with the UVCB to give residents a safe opportunity to spend time outside their homes and enjoy a swing of music therapy in this refreshing outdoor scenery.”… Read More

“But we are strong, each in our own purpose, and we are all stronger together.”

During the Covid-19 Pandemic, there hasn’t been an individual in the entire world who has not been affected. Fear has enveloped us all regardless of age or status, but no other group stands directly in the path of this invisible monster than senior citizens. When the pandemic was announced, it was made crystal clear that the elderly were among the greatest at risk for suffering the worst of the virus’ negative health effects.

How did the elder community react? The residents at the picturesque Quail Hollow Senior Living Community in West Lebanon, consisting of 50 condominiums and three apartment complexes that are nestled in a wooded area teaming with wildlife, had their world turned upside down.… Read More

You may or may not believe in Angels, but, if you live in the Upper Valley or most locations in Northern New England, you may want to reconsider. After 25 years of dedicated service, the Dartmouth Hitchcock Advanced Response Team (DHART) launched into a new decade saving lives and transporting patients. The following quote could best describe its heroic deeds: “Angels coming to the rescue against all harm.”

Just what is DHART? It is the critical care transport team for the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC). The crews are composed of critical care transport nurses, critical care paramedics and respiratory care practitioners.… Read More

Growing up in farm country, having foods, particularly produce, go directly from the garden to the dinner table seemed natural to me. If some fruit or vegetable did not come from our gardens, surely a neighbor’s farmstand carried it. Sure, all of our foods weren’t local, and the grocery store was a weekly stop, but having regular access to local foods was common.

In recent decades, we have experienced a revival in the interest among consumers of obtaining foods directly, or indirectly, from local farmers. For a variety of reasons, including product freshness, nutritional value, supporting local farms and businesses, or knowing how and where one’s food is produced, many consumers are active in finding their food products from local sources.… Read More

Remember the old saying from the ’70s, “Think Globally, Act Locally”? Nothing could be a truer description of Pat McGovern – Lebanon resident, environmental activist, and cofounder of the Canillas Community Garden, the Upper Valley Localvore movement, and numerous community and environmental action blogs.

Years ahead of the current and ever-present climate-change conversation, Pat has been advocating for the proper care and feeding of soil, air, water, trees, plants, and humans for decades. A woman of deep wisdom, broad intellect, and a lifetime of taking right action for people and the planet, Pat has inspired newcomers as well as longtime residents to join her in taking small steps to affect positive change.… Read More

Shyrl’s Diner Remains Revered

When all you residents of this region conduct your daily, hectic routines in this super fast-paced world, do you ever think back about the pure joys of returning to Grandma’s for a hearty breakfast or lunch? It is reassuring to know those days are alive and well right here in the Lebanon region.

Shyrl’s Diner is located at 31 Main Street in West Lebanon and has been there for 15 years. In that time, it has become a haven for delicious home-cooked food, friendship, family values, affordable prices and a big warm hug on the way out!… Read More

Two new options developing in Lebanon

Some New Hampshire residents will soon be able to access a unique living situation in the upcoming year as a result of two new financial campaigns designed to provide affordable housing for adults with special needs. Visions for Creative Housing Solutions and Travis’ House, Inc. have projected to raise $1.2 million combined – with Visions at $800,000 and Travis’ at $400,000 – to purchase and renovate new facilities that are safe and reasonably priced.

“This is an exciting project filled with much potential for serving many high functioning individuals with special needs throughout the Upper Valley,” said Kim Stone, founder and board president for Travis’ House, Inc.… Read More

Preparing for the Future

The City of Lebanon was incorporated July 4, 1761 when it held the status of a town back then. It became established as the City of Lebanon in 1958. The original Carter Community Building (CCB) was opened October 14th 1919 and will have its 100th birthday celebration this October. The CCBA building was added on September 7, 1987 and today both have become an intricate part of Lebanon’s history.

The CCBA (Carter Community Building Association) has been hosting a summer celebration for the milestone and will add an event entitled “A Tasteful Evening” on September 7th, 2019 followed by another ceremony on October 14 to honor the original CCB building.… Read More

For the past 3 years, Carline Roberge and her husband Balvin have been offering take-out Haitian and Jamaican specialty foods and Haitian art next door to the former Hirsch’s clothing store. Together, they own and operate Karibbean Coffee Shop, sharing delicious authentic Caribbean dishes at the shop and in season at the Lebanon Farmers’ Market. The regularly changing menu takes you clear to the Caribbean with oxtail, curry goat, pork griot (chunks of citrus marinated pork shoulder with Scotch bonnet chiles), and Caribbean beverages and side dishes.

So how did Carline, a native Haitian, and her family land in Lebanon, bringing with them the spicy flavors of the Caribbean?… Read More

When J. Barrie Sellers received a call in 1974 from an old Sheffield University friend, Ivor Hawkes, inviting him to come to New Hampshire from his job at Terrametrics in Colorado, he jumped at the opportunity to co-found a new company for the manufacture and sale of vibrating wire devices. Though the company the two men (along with a third, mathematician David Wright) established on Parkhurst Street lasted only three years, Barrie’s subsequent project, GEOKON, has survived and thrived, and is this year expanding its modest footprint on Spencer Street with a new office complex currently being constructed across the road from their current location.… Read More