Editor’s Note: The following article was inspired in part by an annual tradition in my hometown hosted by our own historical society, which we call a “ghost walk”. Every October, our community and historical society come together to bring stories of town residents from our past to life again, with the help of some amazing volunteer actors. Dressed in period clothing and standing near their respective headstones (in a different local cemetery each year), the “ghosts” tell the tales of the lives they once lived, embellished with some fun comparisons to the modern-day.

Lebanon, too, has its own amazing history full of vibrant individuals, and as this article highlights, sometimes the stories from lesser-known, “simple” folk can be some of the most interesting, and they’ve played a great role in the development of our communities. When inspiration strikes, Lebanon takes action, and so, it’s my pleasure to give you something to look forward to for next October: keep an eye out for more information on a Ghost Walk with the Lebanon Historical Society!

Many of Lebanon’s modern residents are familiar with the most famous of Lebanon’s historic residents: renowned neuroscience subject Phineas Gage, founder of Mormonism Joseph Smith, or Senator Norris Cotton. However, Lebanon’s history is full of individuals who, in their day, would have been known to all their contemporaries – but today, their names are largely forgotten. In this article, I’d like to introduce four such Lebanonians, and offer a snapshot of their lives and contributions to the town that they called home.

Elbridge Thompson, c. 1898

Elbridge Thompson

If you were in Lebanon looking for a fine hat, a new cloak, or repairs to your fur coat between 1863 and 1928, your first stop might have been E. H. Thompson’s millinery (hat-making) shop. Conveniently located next to the town hall on the site where Dutille’s stands today, Elbridge Thompson’s shop was a Lebanon institution for 65 years – but not so great an institution as Elbridge himself.

Born in Lebanon in 1840, Elbridge was the older brother of the more famous Brigadier General, John Milton Thompson. Elbridge went into millinery early, and by 1868, he had already established a shop facing Colburn Park. Though he held a lifelong passion for hats and clothing, continuing to repair fur garments into his 90th year, Elbridge was a man of many interests. For 60 years, he served as the choirmaster of the Lebanon Methodist Church and taught singing lessons. When the new Methodist chapel in East Lebanon was dedicated in 1893, Elbridge’s musical arrangements accompanied the event. In 1925, the 85-year-old Elbridge performed his first vocal solo at a church fundraiser.

Elbridge was a lifelong member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was, as his obituary reported, “active in all civic affairs and intensely interested in the welfare of the town.” Elbridge passed away in 1931 at the age of 91, and his gravestone can be seen at the School Street Cemetery.

Harriet Nickerson Thompson

While you’re visiting Elbridge’s burial site, you may wish to say hello to his wife, Harriet Nickerson Thompson. Harriet was born in South Dennis, Massachusetts, in 1846, the daughter of a sea captain. She traveled the 200 miles to Lebanon to attend the Tilden Ladies’ Seminary on Seminary Hill in 1866, which is how she met Elbridge. They married in 1870.

Harriet was a central figure in numerous community organizations: she founded the Twelfth Night Club – a women’s civic group – and hosted the first meeting of the Lebanon Mothers’ Club. She was also a writer; after an overseas tour with her sister’s family in 1884, Harriet compiled a series of 50 travel guides to various European cities. In 1890, she published From the Thames to the Trossachs, a book about traveling through England for readers to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes.

Harriet’s extensive travel and research informed her civic work, and she regularly gave talks and lectures throughout New Hampshire and Vermont. She was the guest speaker at the 1889 dedication of Lebanon’s new town library; she lectured the Enfield Shakers about the sights of Washington, D.C.; in Hartford, she spoke about the slums and missions of Boston; and in Royalton, she spoke about the abolition movement. Harriet died in 1915 at the age of 68, and is buried next to her husband in School Street Cemetery.

Napoleon Jette

While you were visiting Elbridge Thompson’s shop for a new hat in 1922, you may also have visited Napoleon Jette’s store for new shoes. Like Harriet, Napoleon wasn’t a Lebanon native; he was born to a farming family in Sherbrooke, Quebec, in 1874. Napoleon moved to Lebanon at the age of 18, and married a fellow Quebec native, Albina LaLiberte, in 1895. Albina’s father William was a cobbler, and Napoleon joined him in the shoe business, first operating shops on North Park Street and Hanover Street, and then constructing his own commercial block – the Jette Block – at 55 Hanover Street in 1921.

Napoleon ran his cobbler shop for decades, maintaining a reputation as one of the best shoemakers in the region. Upon his retirement in 1939, Napoleon passed his store on to his son Ted, who carried on the business for several more decades. Napoleon’s retirement from the shoe business, however, signaled merely a change in direction; in 1940, he was elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives.

Napoleon and Albina had 14 children. 11 of their children and 26 of their grandchildren attended the Sacred Heart School, and from the school’s 1909 founding until 1961, there was always a Jette in the classroom. Napoleon died in 1948, six years after Albina, but many of their descendants still live in and around Lebanon.

Constant Storrs

Another notable Lebanon family is the Storrs family, who were among the first European colonists to settle in Lebanon. Even within this notable family, however, Constant Storrs stands out. Constant was born in Mansfield, Connecticut, in 1752, the fifth of eight children. Before following his older brother Nathaniel to Lebanon in the late 1770s, Constant served in the Revolutionary War, ultimately rising to the rank of Colonel, producing and maintaining wheels as a wheelwright in the Continental Army.

Nathaniel had moved to Lebanon in 1769, settling on the King’s Highway on top of what is now Storrs Hill. Constant joined him a decade later, and quickly became a central figure in the town’s development. He was part of the committee to construct a new meeting house in 1792, and in 1804, Constant, Elisha Payne, and Russell Freeman formed a corporation to create the Fourth New Hampshire Turnpike, connecting Lebanon with Boscawen and the central part of the state. At the same time, Constant was busy helping to found Lebanon’s first library, the Lebanon Social Library.

Back on Storrs Hill, Constant managed his farm and a small gristmill or sawmill. Aside from the usual produce and livestock, Constant also cultivated an apple orchard. Writing many decades later, Charles Downs recalled Constant’s grove: “If in the center village and vicinity, go by all means to Constant Storrs, for he has the largest orchard in town, six acres.” Constant died in 1828, leaving four sons to carry on his legacy.

Our History

Though perhaps less flashy than their more famous compatriots, the lives and contributions of these four Lebanonians were significant parts of Lebanon’s history, the echoes of which can still be felt today. I hope you’ll think of Elbridge, Harriet, Napoleon, and Constant as you travel on Route 4, visit the shops in the Jette Block, don a fancy hat, or daydream about traveling overseas.

Here in the Upper Valley, we are very lucky to have access to a wide range of resources, especially those that are found in unexpected places. The Lebanon Libraries are of course known for the literary resources that they offer, but now, the library has also become a destination for those who are most in need within our community.

A partnership between Dartmouth Health and Lebanon Public Libraries transpired from a direct need that the library staff found themselves facing on three separate occasions, during which a series of drug overdoses occurred outside of the library building. Both libraries – Lebanon Library and Kilton Library – are located near a frequently used Advanced Transit bus stop, so when these incidents arose, library staff didn’t know how to best handle the situation in this public setting.

Lauren Chambers, the senior community health partnership coordinator for Dartmouth Health, stepped in to train library staff firsthand on how to respond to a drug overdose situation. Chambers, who works with community partners to increase awareness of and access to substance use disorder services, puts a focus on care for affected individuals from prevention through recovery.

There were no fatalities during the incidents at the Lebanon Library, and EMTs and Lebanon Police responded quickly to the scene, though one victim suffered a fatal overdose during a later incident. After the incidents, library director Amy Lappin prioritized giving library staff the opportunity to receive firsthand training from Chambers. Training included demonstrations for the administration of a life-saving medication, known as “Narcan”, in the form of a nasal spray. Once administered, Narcan does nothing to further harm the victim of a drug overdose.

The library staff welcomed the training, and Lappin emphasized that the Narcan administration process is surprisingly, “so simple!” Chambers has returned to the library twice for staff training sessions, and now Lebanon Public Libraries will provide regular opioid-overdose response training, available for both new and long-term staff.

Narcan, the brand name for the medication Naloxone, is commonly used to reverse or significantly reduce the effects of opioids on the human body. The effect of Narcan, which helps counter shallow breathing, is felt within roughly two minutes of its administration. The medication blocks the effects of opioids for up to 90 minutes, and multiple doses may be required afterward. Usually, the victim is shocked and they are not thinking rationally when they come back into consciousness.

In one instance that Lappin witnessed, a man who appeared dead and who was administered Narcan by EMTs simply got up from the scene and got on his bus, refusing further medical treatment. Now both libraries offer ‘Naloxboxes’ provided by Dartmouth Health, which provide the medication publicly and discreetly with no questions asked. Basic hygiene kits are also available, provided by UVGEAR – another organization that supplies donation-based items like tents, deodorant, socks, wipes, and sleeping bags at no cost for the growing number of unhoused individuals in need within our community.

“People are hurting…addiction is definitely an issue here,” Lappin said. “We want to help however we can. Libraries are about providing whatever resources our community needs and so we do that. There is just a huge need for a variety of things and we are trying to do our part to help people.” The library is now installing lockers on their facilities for access to essential supplies available 24/7, including access to a porta potty located outside of the building.

This program, with funding from the NH Dept. of Health and Human Services and Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services (BDAS), provides vital resources for the community, helping to equip at-risk or concerned individuals with critical tools that can save lives. “People can and do recover when they are connected with the appropriate care and resources and have a support network in place,” Chambers said. “By installing Naloxboxes in community spaces – visible to all – it sends the clear message that the community, businesses, or organizations care about its residents and patrons and feel strongly that providing access to this life-saving tool is critically important.”

“The drug epidemic is real, and people need help regardless of what somebody in the community thinks about that,” Lappin said. “Nobody wants to watch somebody die in front of them. The overdoses that the librarians and I had to witness, it’s a horrific thing to watch and it’s even more horrific to feel helpless in it.”

Lebanon Public Libraries and Dartmouth Health make it a point to be present as a resource for the community in ways that are needed the most. Whether checking out a library book, taking the bus, or accessing a life-saving tool such as Narcan, the libraries serve a variety of needs within our community, without a hint of judgement.

It’s easy to imagine a time when silver, streamlined diners speckled the granite landscape – but it seems only a few of these American relics remain open in Vermont and New Hampshire today. It’s one reason why there’s been so much buzz around the “For Sale” sign outside the Four Aces Diner in West Lebanon. The question on everyone’s mind seems to be: will it remain open? And, if so, will it stay the same diner we know and love?

Although the diner was likely named for the 1950s pop quartet – The Four Aces – its history is summed up by the contemporary singer-songwriter, Martin Sexton. In his song “Diner,” Sexton sings: “They were made back in Worcester, MA, of aluminum, and Bakelite, and glass.” Look up the famed Worcester Lunch Car Co. on Wikipedia and you’ll see “4 Aces Diner” listed as one of at least four lunch wagons that made their way up the East Coast to New Hampshire in the 1940s and ’50s. Although camouflaged by a red clapboard exterior, the Four Aces is – in fact – Worcester diner car #837, dating back to 1952.

“They towed them in next to factories, so the factory workers could go in, have something to eat, and get out in a half hour. That’s what they were designed for,” Four Aces co-owner Steven Shorey says, who provides me with his own brief history of the diner as we sit in a cozy booth with his sister and fellow Four Aces co-owner, Leann Briggs, on a snowy Friday afternoon in January.

“All the cooking was done out front of these diners originally, and it’s hard to find someone who can do that,” Shorey says. “It’s a lot of people, and a lot of mouths to feed.” Hiring and retaining line cooks is something Shorey and Briggs know a thing or two about. Shorey has owned the Four Aces for thirty-four years and has managed the diner alongside Briggs for over fifteen of those years.

The Stewart family – whose name appears on the original diner blueprints before it was built – owned the Four Aces Diner when it first opened on December 6, 1952 at the corner of Main Street and Dana Street in West Lebanon, New Hampshire. It remained at that location for thirty-two years before moving down the hill to its current location in 1986. In celebration of the diner’s 70th birthday this past December, Shorey and Briggs sold hamburgers and hotdogs at their original ’50s price point. Q106 (“The Valley’s Best Rock”) held a live broadcast of the event until noon, and WCAX showed up to gather footage for their evening news.

After its initial run, Dot Gomez, of Lebanon, purchased the diner in 1965 and began her successful twenty-year operation, ending in ’85. Shortly thereafter, Shorey purchased the property in ’89 for around $150,000. He had an interest in the food and beverage industry dating back to 1963, when he was twelve years old and working as a busboy at the former Montshire Restaurant on Route 10 in West Lebanon. Shorey continued to work locally at the Hotel Coolidge and the former Howard Johnson’s restaurant, both in White River Junction. He also spent a brief period of time in Florida running resorts. Other than that, he and Briggs have lived most of their lives in Lebanon.

Briggs became involved with the diner when it reopened on Mother’s Day in 1991. “On my first day here,” she recounts, “I went home crying. I was never coming back to this place.” Briggs explains that they ran out of food and one of the grills caught on fire. “It was just a horrible day,” she says, then adds, “By the time my husband and kids came for lunch, the only thing left to feed my youngest son was a peanut butter and orange marmalade sandwich!” After the unexpectedly busy opening day – having served 50 customers without even advertising – Shorey and Briggs spent the rest of the night baking pies in preparation for the next day’s customers.

After five years, Rick Clark ran the diner from 1998-2007. By the time 2010 rolled around, Shorey was planning to sell the property, but realized the business would be worth more if it remained open, so he and Briggs once again opened its doors without much fanfare, but to great success. “Actually,” says Shorey, “this last time we reopened, we did 130 just unlocking the door!”

I comment that someone could probably make a movie about the Four Aces. “Every day is different,” the pair says. “You never know what to expect.”

That being said, there’s something about ‘the American diner’ that feels predictable in an unpredictable world, holding iconic sway in Americana imagery. From Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks to the famous booth in the popular ’90’s sitcom Seinfeld, diners are as familiar as they are familial, especially in small, close-knit communities like Lebanon. Named one of Yankee Magazine’s “15 Best Diners in New England” in 2022, Four Aces embodies the image of the quintessential American diner, from the way it looks to the comfort food it serves.

Shorey explains that Monday through Friday at the diner tends to beckon more of a blue-collar crowd. “It’s a lot of construction people,” he says. “We have contacts with an electric company, Liberty Facilities, so when the power goes out, we feed ‘em.” Given recent widespread power outages in the Lebanon area back in December, it’s heartening to imagine electric workers stopping in for a warm meal and hot coffee to ease the demands of their profession at such a time.

The diner, which has always held strong ties with Dartmouth College, hosts large numbers of students on the weekends. “They all eat here,” Shorey says. “It’s been that way for 70 years, and now grandfathers who went to Dartmouth bring their grandkids in to feed them, too.”

Indeed, weekends are very popular at Four Aces, bringing in close to 500 people a day. “What’s totally amazing to me,” Shorey explains, “is that we get below-zero weather here and people will wait for an hour outside to get in! Every weekend we have a line around the corner. Every single weekend. Even in the cold.” “It’s a right of passage,” Briggs adds. 

There was a time in the early days when Shorey and Briggs knew their regular customers by name, but since the diner’s popularity continues to grow, it’s not so easy to keep them straight, unless you’re part of the 7 am crowd. “If you come in here at seven in the morning, you’ll see all these stools fill right up with the same people every day,” Briggs says. “In fact, the other day, (our customer) Dave didn’t come down and the girls were all worried about him because he’s been working on his generator…and he’s an 80-year-old guy. The girls were all like, ‘Where’s Dave?!’and when the other guys came in, they’d ask, ‘Have you talked to Dave? Is he okay?’”

I can imagine this scene on an early weekday morning. The interior – worn but familiar – with tiled floors, stainless steel contrasting dark wooden booths, and built-in coat hooks covered in heavy winter coats. The red and white stools along the counter, and kitschy American memorabilia lining the shelves that combine with an unmistakable greasy diner smell mixed with black coffee and the constant, bustling hum of servers and customers interacting. It all plays out over a backdrop of oldies tunes – songs waitresses sing along to. It cradles a person.

It’s easy to understand how significant moments in the lives of Upper Valley residents take place here. As if on cue, a group starts singing “Happy Birthday” during our interview. Briggs smiles and says, “There are a lot of people who say, ‘Oh, we had our first date here!’”

While Shorey has had to make some changes to the diner over the years – like shields that have been installed between the booths since the pandemic – he’s been careful that any alterations remain faithful to its original design. Other than that, not much about its interior has changed in 70 years. “A lot of people have asked to buy the memorabilia, but it’s not for sale. Elvis is popular,” Shorey says, referring to a bust of the famed rock ‘n’ roll icon that sits next to a small, pink Cadillac on a shelf above the booths. I imagine the porcelain bust of Elvis longing for a peanut butter, sliced banana and crisp bacon sandwich, and wonder if “The Elvis” will ever appear on the Four Aces menu. It could serve as a consolation prize for visitors after finding out they can’t take the figure home with them.

According to my own informal poll, popular menu items at the Four Aces include the Eggs Benedict. One friend told me, “I don’t care who buys the place as long as they keep the Florentine on the menu!” Everyone seems to have their favorites, but during my recent visit, I opted for two eggs over easy with wheat toast and potatoes. A classic combo: the only surprise were some sassy spices in the potatoes, which I enjoyed if only because I knew I wouldn’t be able to replicate them in my own kitchen.

For $1.2 million, the Four Aces kitchen could be my own. Shorey asks if I have my checkbook. “I’ve got the keys in the closet!” he says. But, when I ask about potential buyers, Shorey holds his cards slightly close to his vest while sharing that there has been considerable interest from a number of prospects. “But, I don’t know what they’re looking for,” he says. “Are they gonna change it? Get rid of the diner? I hope not. We don’t want it to go away.” Shorey goes on to explain, “Until you put it up for sale, you don’t realize how important you are in the community.” When I ask what would happen if they don’t receive an offer, Shorey replies, “I guess we haven’t thought of that…”

For now, they’re still operating. Shorey explains, “There are repairs and things we need to do. It’s a turnkey operation, so everything goes with it.” This could include fifteen employees, which in today’s job market is a win for any new owner.

I was lucky enough to meet two of the waitresses at the counter, Tina and Kim, and enjoyed talking with them about music, specifically a Billy Joel song we were singing along to. “That your phone, hon?” Kim asks, reminding me not to forget my cell phone. I feel swallowed up by kindness when strangers take care of me in this way. This is the vibe to expect at Four Aces. In fact, when I arrived, I immediately saw friends in one of the first booths I glanced toward. Friends who don’t mind if you scoot in next to them for a quick chat, and of course I should have known that would happen. Even on a slower day amidst snowy weather, the Four Aces is still a popular destination.

Shorey tells me about some customers who left the diner recently because they claimed it was too busy and they were feeling claustrophobic. As the mastermind behind the quotes posted above the counter and sprinkled around the diner, Shorey had the perfect response, “Nobody comes here anymore. It’s too crowded!” He turns to Briggs and asks, “Who am I quoting?” Briggs replies, “Is that Yogi Berra? It sounds like him.”

One quote I notice in particular is by Marilyn Monroe. It’s posted at the end of the diner on the door leading to the kitchen and it goes, “Ever notice that ‘what the hell’ is always the right decision?” I can’t help but wonder if this is the overarching attitude in the whole process of listing the property for sale. “I’m already basically retired,” Shorey says. “And I want to be retired!” Briggs replies. From where I’m sitting, they deserve a rest. It’s been a long, successful run, and while everyone seems to want the place to remain open another 70 years, we might just need to consult one of the many magic 8 balls located throughout the diner and give it a good shake.

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.

The word nurse is defined by Webster as ‘a person trained for the sick or infirm, especially in a hospital’. While that may define, what nurses do, it does not explain who they are. Nurses are your friend, there to hold your hand. Nurses are your parent, there to assure you that all will be okay. Nurses are a companion, there to listen and fulfill even the smallest requests. Nurses fill the role of any person you need, at the very instant when you are at the greatest and worst moments of life. So, during Nurse Appreciation Week, we would like to take a moment to honor those who are there for us, our nurses here in the Upper Valley.

Meet Kerry Keazer, RN
Lebanon, NH

Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital
Assistant Nurse Manager on the Medical Surgical Unit

Why did you become a nurse?
I became a nurse in 2011. The best part of being a nurse:  All of it!  I love the staff, helping patients, multi-tasking, leadership, and the sense of fulfillment I have at the end of the day

What is the best part of your job?
After so many years as a nurse, I have a lot of stories.   For my patients, I really enjoy bringing calm and comfort to the patients and their families during end-of-life care.  It’s something we all pride ourselves on here, and I am diligent in making that transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved.

What is the most heartwarming/uplifting story you have from being a nurse?
For nurses, the most heartwarming aspect is seeing new nurses I’ve trained to be “great nurses” practicing patient care.  Imparting knowledge and skills is so important to helping them be the best they can be.  I absolutely love it! 

The word nurse is defined by Webster as ‘a person trained for the sick or infirm, especially in a hospital’. While that may define, what nurses do, it does not explain who they are. Nurses are your friend, there to hold your hand. Nurses are your parent, there to assure you that all will be okay. Nurses are a companion, there to listen and fulfill even the smallest requests. Nurses fill the role of any person you need, at the very instant when you are at the greatest and worst moments of life. So, during Nurse Appreciation Week, we would like to take a moment to honor those who are there for us, our nurses here in the Upper Valley.

Meet Tamera Dubuque, RN
Lebanon, NH

Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital
Geriatric Case Manager in the Primary Care Clinic

Why did you become a nurse?

About 10 years ago I was very unhappy with my job.  My husband took me out to dinner one night to try and cheer me up, and out of the blue asked if I had ever thought of becoming a nurse.  It was like he was reading my mind because I had been researching the best way to do just that!  Becoming a nurse is something I said I would do when I was 7 years old after being in the hospitalized after a car accident.  At that age I was scared staying in the hospital by myself, but my nurse made all the difference.  I remember thinking I wanted to be able to help people in that same way one day.  So after starting my family and trying a couple of other careers, I decided it was time to go back to school and become a nurse.  I was blessed to have the support of my family, who allowed me to work crazy shifts as an LNA while going to school.  It wasn’t always easy, but becoming a nurse has been one of the best decisions of my life.

What is the best part of your job?

I love a lot of things about my job!  But the best part of my job is when I see that my clinical/professional knowledge has benefited my patient’s by helping them achieve the best outcome and/or their desired outcome.  I also really enjoy working at a small community hospital that supports the community I live in.

What is the most heartwarming/uplifting story you have from being a nurse?

There are so many wonderful people in this community I have had the privilege of taking care of it is hard to think of one story.  I often find that my personal and professional worlds collide working in such a small community; especially a community in which my husband was raised in.  I just know that I always learn something from each patient experience, and I hope that I am giving them the same in return.

The word nurse is defined by Webster as ‘a person trained for the sick or infirm, especially in a hospital’. While that may define, what nurses do, it does not explain who they are. Nurses are your friend, there to hold your hand. Nurses are your parent, there to assure you that all will be okay. Nurses are a companion, there to listen and fulfill even the smallest requests. Nurses fill the role of any person you need, at the very instant when you are at the greatest and worst moments of life. So, during Nurse Appreciation Week, we would like to take a moment to honor those who are there for us, our nurses here in the Upper Valley.

Meet Justin Harris BSN, RN
Lebanon, NH

Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital
Emergency Department

Why did you become a nurse?
Because I like people and I like the body.

What is the best part of your job?
Being part of streamlining and improving efficiencies in health care all while providing good customer service.

What is the most heartwarming/uplifting story you have from being a nurse?
I worked at an app based telehealth solution.  The best part was sending out hand written Christmas cards to all our customers and hearing back the positive responses.

Zachary Brock touches up the Little Free Library in Colburn Park

You may have noticed some new structures pop up around town—filled with great reads that are free to anyone who walks by.

While we’ve had public libraries here in Lebanon since 1802, the newest ones never close and don’t even require a library card. These Little Free Libraries are both beautiful and functional, allowing Lebanon residents to pass on what they don’t need and find a new treasure while they are there. The idea is to “take a book, return a book,” but there are no requirements or due dates on these shelves, no e-readers or digital copies; just free and easy access to books in public locations.

The Little Free Libraries were installed in four places throughout the city: at the Kilton Library, in Colburn Park, in Riverside Park on Glen Road, and at the Upper Valley Senior Center. These locations were specifically chosen because they have high foot traffic and are easily accessible by many people, including commuters, children, and seniors.

The Little Free Library movement started in a front yard in Wisconsin in 2009, when founder Todd Bol installed a tiny red schoolhouse dedicated to his mother and filled it with books. He was inspired by traveling libraries, coffee shop book swaps, and Andrew Carnegie’s support of free public libraries (including our own Lebanon Public Library).

Bol formed a nonprofit and caught the attention of the national media two years later, when the idea went viral. The mission of the Little Free Libraries is to promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide, and to build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity, and wisdom across generations.

Today, our Little Free Libraries in Lebanon stand proud among an estimated 40,000 worldwide and over 40 others here in New Hampshire, sharing millions of books annually. Other locations in New Hampshire include Grafton, Claremont, Meredith, Littleton, and Hampton. These Little Free Libraries offer a simple, free, and face-to-face way to build social interactions, increase literacy, and encourage a love of books in communities around the world.

This project was truly a community collaboration, with funding for the project coming from the Riverside Rotary and the Lebanon Public Libraries Board of Trustees. Lebanon Public Libraries Director Sean Fleming, IT Librarian Chuck McAndrew, and Trustee Laura Barrett advocated for the idea to become a reality. Local architect and West Lebanon resident Zachary Brock designed the libraries and worked on the construction with Bob Stone, also a West Lebanon resident.

West Lebanon residents Zachary Brock and Bob Stone were instrumental in creating the Lebanon Little Free Libraries

One of the most unique features of the Little Free Libraries is the laser-cut aluminum signs adorning the sides of the boxes. Designer Matt Young created the plan for the signs, and volunteers from Hypertherm donated the materials, labor, and used their lasers to create the artful signs. In addition, Lebanon Paint & Decorating donated the paint, and Jeff White from Harvey Building Products volunteered to work on the roofs of the structures.

Careful thought and consideration went into the design of the libraries. Since they are located on public land, they meet Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines for handicap accessibility. The handles and top shelves are located at a height where they can be reached by someone in a wheelchair. Every box is placed next to a hard surface, like a sidewalk or a pavilion, so that anyone in a wheelchair or power chair could roll up next to any of the boxes. In addition, because of the lower height of the library installations, the roof was designed so that no parts of the roof would stick out at eye level for standing adults. The Little Free Libraries were truly designed with everyone in mind.

Bob Stone worked with architect Zachary Brock to construct and install the libraries. Working evenings, weekends, and during school vacations, they began construction in March and finished the installations in August. Bob said, “Within 30 minutes of installation, the first one was filled up with book donations. We shared photos on Facebook, and there was a social media explosion as people got excited about the libraries—it was amazing how quickly the community began to utilize them. It’s fun and convenient, and I can take my three-year-old son ‘shopping’ for a new book whenever we walk by. It was a tiny way that I could give back to the library that does so much for our family and our city.”

Lebanon Public Libraries Director Sean Fleming said that the response from the city has been wonderful. “Soon after installation, someone pulled up on a bike and said, ‘You should have done this a long time ago!’ He told me that he catches the bus early in the morning, before the library opens, and now he can grab a book to read on his ride. The Little Free Library allows us to offer access 24/7, which is something we never could have done otherwise. We are literally putting books in people’s hands when we weren’t able to before.”

Fleming said, “This is one of the projects I’ve loved the most since I started working here in Lebanon. I became a librarian to be a part of the community—it’s why I love my job. Through this project I’ve seen so many connections being made and I got to see so many people be proud of the great work they’ve done. It’s why I do what I do.”

As a community initiative, our new Little Free Libraries will thrive best with the help and support of Lebanon residents. It’s easy to participate and support this new program not just by using the Little Free Libraries, but also supplying them with books of your own. Donations can be brought directly to any of the four Little Free Libraries, or you can donate up to two boxes at either the Lebanon Library or the Kilton Library. Kids’ books are especially in demand in Colburn Park and Riverside Park, but all donations are appreciated.