One dominant common theme that links the people who make the Lebanon community so vital and prosperous is a shared love for the history of this beautiful city, combined with looking ahead to building a bright future. Perhaps no other quote covers it better than this: “If we don’t care about our past, we cannot hope for the future.” – Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

Chet Clem serves as President of Lyme Properties which acquired the old West Lebanon library and blended its complete restoration with the development of the River Park Project. By completing that task, they honored Lebanon’s past while ensuring controlled future growth.… Read More

The Connecticut River sparkles in the Sunday morning sunshine as members of Cancer Recovery Through Rowing (CReW) lift their sculls from the water at the Kendall Riverfront Park in Hanover after the final outing of the August session. CReW is part of the Upper Valley Rowing Foundation’s slate of programs, including the Lebanon Middle & High School Crew, a Masters team, and a variety of learn-to-row community rowing programs. Throughout the month of August, CReW coaches and participants ventured onto the river to learn to row, and to discover renewed strength and energy amidst their challenges with cancer.

The CReW program was founded in 2019.… Read More

Long before Mink became famous, naturalist Mary Holland had the privilege of accidentally encountering and spending time with this enchanting bear. Named after the nearby Mink Brook tributary to the Connecticut River, Mink was beautiful and courageous, having spent most of her 30 years at the mercy of humans whose ultimate decisions guided her destiny until her untimely death in August 2020. During the time we came to know her, she not only exhibited her charisma as an individual but, also her goodness as a mother, leaving behind many offspring, several of whom continue to live in the Hanover/Lebanon area.

Seen often about town or its outskirts, this black bear became a local symbol of confidence and strength, agility and authority.… Read More

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