On a brisk, clear fall afternoon, a group of 32 Mount Lebanon Elementary School students huddled up on the playground after practice. On the count of three, they burst into their group motto: “You don’t have to win the race, you just have to be in the race!”

The students, along with their coaches  –  Donna Soucy, Nina D’Cruze, Jon Grobe and Alan Palmer  –  formed Mount Leb’s Finding our Stride team this fall. The nonprofit afterschool program partners with more than 30 schools throughout the Upper Valley (including Hanover Street School) to help kids get active and develop positive traits like resilience and empathy.

“They encourage the kids to run and be active,” Principal Katie Roach said of the coaches at Mount Lebanon. “They play collaborative games and teach social skills to the kids about acceptance, trying hard things, not giving up, and supporting your teammates!”

Finding our Stride is one of the many ways that Lebanon School District students, with the support of their families and our dedicated staff, embody our Vision of a Learner. We are dedicated to educating students who are effective and collaborative communicators, critical and creative thinkers, responsible local and global citizens, and empathetic and resilient individuals.

This vision is the foundation of our Strategic Plan, which we detailed in the last edition of the Lebanon Times. As we approach the halfway point of the school year, here are some of the many ways we are taking action on this plan for guiding our growth as a school community.

Hanover Street School Map Making

Effective and Collaborative Communication

Every Thursday, a group of about 10 Lebanon Middle School students gather after school in the band room for Podcast Club. Last year, the inaugural season of the LMS Podcast featured more than 20 episodes, covering a wide range of topics and a few featuring special guests such as PTO members, school district staff and area leaders.

“Students have liked the idea that they can talk about almost any topic, and learn about different topics they may not be as familiar with,” said Christian Terry, LMS music teacher and the club’s moderator.

Students often talk about their favorite movies, books, sports, or current trends, but recent topics also have included lessons on friendship, what students think their lives will be like in 20 years and what a world without screens would be like.

“Students who might not find their voice in the classroom or on the sports field have an opportunity to do so through this co-curricular activity,” Mr. Terry said.

During a recording session in late October, students also said they like working with the technical equipment used to record the podcast. They added that they are developing public speaking and conversation skills through the club.

“The big takeaway is hearing others’ perspectives, having healthy debate, turn-taking, and listening skills,” Mr. Terry said.

All episodes of the LMS Podcast are available at www.youtube.com/@LMSPodcast/videos.

Lebanon Middle School Podcast

Critical and Creative Thinking

Fourth graders at Hanover Street School started the school year with a project that combined social studies and art to help them better understand New Hampshire’s landscape. Each student created a 3D map that ultimately will go on the cover of books students are creating throughout the year showcasing the state’s history.

The project started with sketches of the landscape around Hanover Street School, then moved on to labeling and coloring 2D maps of New Hampshire that highlighted important geological features and landmarks across the state before building a clay model of the state’s landscape. Their next step was casting their models with plaster, which was a great outdoor activity. They wrapped up their project by painting their plaster maps.

Students said they loved the hands-on project, and the sensory experience of working with the clay and plaster. The experience of making their 3D maps allowed them to develop a deeper understanding of the changing elevations across the state. The details they included were unique to each student. For instance, some used color to distinguish the varying elevations. No matter the approach, though, students said the project helped them learn creatively.

Responsible Local and Global Citizenship

Mount Lebanon School Finding our Stride

For one Tuesday in late October, 128 Lebanon High School students stepped out of their daily routine, and into the community. They spread to 24 sites throughout the Upper Valley for the school’s annual Day of Work.

The event’s history stretches back more than 20 years, and serves as a fundraiser for the Student Council’s grant fund, which supports co-curricular activities throughout the school.

Groups of students volunteer to help with projects at homes throughout the community, like raking leaves, prepping for winter or moving furniture. Residents who sign up for these services pay by donating to the school.

“It’s a good way to give back to the community because they do so much to help us,” sophomore Claire MacMartin said.

This year, juniors and LHS Council members Mikko Andres and Ian Danen-Lucier returned to the same West Lebanon house where they helped at last year’s Day of Work. The homeowner even called them over the summer to help with some additional yard work.

“It helps build a relationship between students and the community,” Andres said.

LHS Paraeducator Bradley Cantlin, the Council advisor, added, “I think Day of Work is really about the connections they make in the community. That’s really valuable.”

Empathetic and Resilient Individuals

Back at Mount Lebanon School, on the last day of Finding our Stride’s fall season, students are reflecting on the goals they set at the beginning of the program: get better and stronger, set their own pace, build stamina and perseverance.

Their coaches asked, “If we couldn’t do it, what did you tell yourself, or your friends?”

“You can do it,” one student exclaimed. Another chimed in, “Don’t give up, you’ve got this!” While another runner added, “You’re doing a good job!”

After the pep talk, the group took off on a roughly quarter-mile run through the West Lebanon neighborhood surrounding the school. Students who finished first stayed and cheered on their teammates until the very last person crossed the finish line.

“We want students to develop positive feelings about physical activity and perseverance,” Coach Soucy said. “And also, we just want it to be really fun.”

A few days later, many of the students participated in the CHaD Hero race in Hanover, raising money for Dartmouth Health Children’s and the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (CHaD).

Across all of its schools, the Finding our Stride program was the top fundraiser for the event, collecting more than $60,000 in donations and helping the event surpass $1 million for the first time in its 20-year history.

Corinne Alfeld

After moving from Silver Spring, Maryland, to West Lebanon in 2021, Corinne Alfeld and her husband, Greg Ericksen, wanted to get involved in the community and learn more about their local government. The Lebanon Citizens Academy provided the perfect solution.

© Christopher Johnson

“Because New England states are run so differently from other states I’ve lived in, and because I was interested in how a small city operates, I jumped at the chance to participate in the Lebanon Citizens Academy,” said Alfeld. “After the first session, I was so excited about what I was learning that I convinced my husband to attend, as well.”

Participants met weekly to learn about different city departments, such as City Management, Library Services, Public Safety, and Recreation and Parks Services.

“It was a great group of people, mostly long-time residents but some newcomers, and a range of ages,” said Alfeld. “The employees of the City of Lebanon were all so knowledgeable about their areas. The expertise of the water management staff was especially impressive! And did you know that Lebanon has 99 miles of roads to upkeep?”

“I feel really lucky to live in a place with such dedicated city employees, who keep everything running smoothly,” Alfeld said. “Residents sometimes complain about things, but they don’t know how much work—including budgeting, planning, and implementation—goes into it. I remind myself of that every time I see road work or hydrant flushing going on around the city.”

© Christopher Johnson

Alfeld emphasized the importance of showing up to each session. “There is so much to learn, and the staff takes time to prepare and be there after hours to provide detailed information about what they do and how they help your city,” she said. “The second piece of advice is to ask questions! Sometimes the most interesting parts of the session were the staff’s answers to participant questions.”

After completing the 2024 Citizens Academy, Alfeld joined the West Lebanon Revitalization Committee in 2025, which has recently focused on repairs to the pipes, roads, and sidewalks on South Main Street. City residents are welcome to attend any of the various Lebanon committee meetings virtually or in person. A calendar and information about meeting access can be found at lebanonnh.gov/1359/Lebanon-Live-Meetings.

Andrew Faunce

Andrew volunteers for the city in many capacities in his retirement

Andrew Faunce was already involved in the local community in several ways when he enrolled in the Lebanon Citizens Academy, a series of educational, hands-on courses that provides residents with insight into city departments and civic affairs. He volunteers and is a member of the board at AVA Gallery and Art Center, he is chair of the Lebanon Planning Board, and he serves on the Lebanon Housing Task Force and the West Lebanon Revitalization Advisory Committee. “On my retirement, I became invested in volunteering for the city in any capacity that I can,” he said.

His participation in the Lebanon Citizens Academy gave him an even greater appreciation for how the local city government operates. “It really introduced me to how much a relatively small set of city staff does on behalf of the residents,” he said. “I have a tremendous respect for what’s offered here.”

Some of the highlights his cohort experienced included meeting with the Police Department and learning about the K-9 Unit, operating a fire hose and participating in a mock live fire drill with the Fire Department, and visiting the Solid Waste and Recycling Facility and creating a mini landfill out of clay, stones, sand and water.

© Christopher Johnson

In addition to learning about city operations, he also gained a better understanding of the people on the municipal team.

“There’s lots of ways that folks can not only learn about the departments, but also experience the sorts of things that the folks that work in those departments get to experience, and it just gives you a new perspective on some of your neighbors,” he said.

He noted that the Citizens Academy is a good way to learn more about issues affecting residents and to make contacts to check in with later on. “It’s an advantage of being in a relatively small community, where you can get to know the people that are making the decisions that affect your experience,” he said.

Faunce’s advice for other Lebanon residents considering the Citizens Academy? “If you’ve heard about it and are on the fence about it, by all means apply for it, commit to it,” he said. “It’s a really great experience.”

More information about joining the 2026 Citizens Academy can be found at lebanonnh.gov/220/About-Citizens-Academy.

On a warm sunny weeknight in August, a crowd of people gather at the horseshoe pits at Riverside Community Park on Glen Road in West Lebanon. Some people have folding lawn chairs, and others wield long metal hooks for picking up shoes. An enclosed bulletin board houses the weekly team lineup with each player’s average and total shoes thrown, scoresheets, and the club’s bylaws. The pitching platforms in the pits face each other, 40 feet apart. Each has a metal stake surrounded by sandy soil, a wooden backboard, and a cement slab. Laughter, cheers, and the clanking sounds of metal on metal ring out as horseshoes hit the stakes.

Everyone is relaxed and conversational. Sayward “Shep” Shepard, the league’s vice president, said his favorite part about the league is the camaraderie. “We’re friends for many, many years and when something happens with one of our members, whether it be the member or a family of the member, we all pitch in if we can,” he said. “We go to funerals. We step up and support the people we enjoy being with.”

“We’re like one big, happy family,” said Tom Schwarz, the league’s president.

“On top of the camaraderie, which I agree with you on, is the fact that we make jokes across the pits all night long,” added Rick Paul, the league’s secretary. “Because we all realized, yeah, do we want to play well? Do we get angry when we don’t play well? But in the end, we all have to go to work, we all have families, we all have that. And it’s just a game. Everybody shakes hands after a game.”

Why horseshoes?

The four offi cers of the league: (left to right) Shep, Tom Schwarz, Rick Paul, Foster Moodie

“Why not?” said Shep.

“Back in the day when we started, it was the only sport where you could get together like this. Cornhole wasn’t a thing. They were outlawing lawn darts,” said Rick. “I started playing at the age of 11 in my hometown of Belmont. When I came up here, right out of college, I met Shep and we started throwing in the White River league. That was 1985. A lot of us have been throwing a long time.”

The league has six teams of four people each, plus eight subs. The players bring their own horseshoes. “Everybody pretty much has their own shoes that they prefer to play with,” said Shep. Traditional-style horseshoes are flat on one side with three cleats on the other side, and are thrown through the air like a frisbee. Flip-style horseshoes have a reverse center “thumb cleat” and two end cleats, and are tossed end-over-end.

A game consists of 50 shoes thrown by two players and a match consists of four games, so each player throws 100 shoes total. Teams play in a round-robin format throughout the season. The league plays by National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (NHPA) rules, unless they have incorporated changes into the league’s bylaws. Players shoot from 40 feet (the distance between stakes), with a few exceptions. Women can choose to shoot from 30 feet, as can players over the age of 65 or those who have a medical exemption.

Finding a Home in Lebanon

Many league members volunteered their time and skills to help build and prepare the horseshoe pits area (with Lebanon Rec’s permission) at Riverside Community Park.

The sign at Riverside Park says “Home of the Upper Valley Horseshoe League,” but since moving from White River Junction to Lebanon in the 1990s, the official name of the group is now the Lebanon Horseshoe League. Established in 1979, the league met at different venues, including Storrs Hill Ski Area, until it found its home at Riverside Park in 2002.

Shep said league members pitched in to build the horseshoe pit area in the park. “Lebanon Rec wanted to utilize this area, but they also wanted to put a skate park in,” said Shep. “So, I went to the town and talked to Lebanon Rec and I told them let me have the place and we’ll build it and we’ll take care of it.”

League members built the pits and volunteered to install lights and the cables to power them. “We had a lot of different occupations [among the players],” he said. “We had electricians, we had concrete guys, backhoe operators. We dug the ditches, ran all the wires out along there.”

Building Community

The league meets every week from the first Wednesday in May to the last Wednesday in August. They hold an end-of-year banquet with awards for the top two finishing teams, top high average players, top ladies’ average players, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, and the Art King Sportsperson of the Year.

The league currently has 24 regular shooters and eight to 10 subs. Anyone over the age of 16 can join the league. Most new members are recruited by word of mouth, but the league also has a social media committee that is working to bring more awareness to the league.

“We’d have a losing battle to cornhole,” said Rick. “Cornhole, I mean, you don’t have to throw metal objects, and instead of throwing from 30 or 40 feet, you throw from 27 feet.”

“It’s a family sport,” added Tom.

Shep credits the league’s sense of community with improving players’ skills. “The thing with players that are new to the league, it has some psychological effect, I think, because as people get more comfortable with the people they’re playing and the game – regardless of whether they’ve played the game for years – it’s getting used to the people,” he said. “And everybody gets along great. And once somebody gets along with people well, their numbers start going up.”

“What we’d like to instill in people’s minds is that this is a camaraderie,” said Shep. “Everybody gets along. It’s a well-controlled game and everybody’s welcome. [Ages] 16 and up, men, women. We’d like to fill up the horseshoe pits.”

Half a century ago in the 1970s, Lebanon’s annual charitable Thanksgiving Meal began. Run by Sacred Heart Catholic Church, this Thanksgiving service tradition has been providing roughly 800 to 1000 meals each year of late to the elderly of Lebanon. For several years, the meal count was over 2,000, delivering to personal residences throughout the far reaches of the region on Thanksgiving Day, without question.

Hands and hearts from organizations and families across the Upper Valley make this high-yield service feat possible

Volunteer chefs, students, parish members, area citizens, and financial donors from throughout the Upper Valley provide essential contributions – making it a cross-community act of service.

Len Angelli, a career-long Cardigan Mountain School (CMS) educator, was tapped to direct the process 17 years ago. “Father William Kaliyadan invited me to attend a committee meeting on the Thanksgiving Meal,” he recounts. “The meeting begins, and suddenly Fr. William announces that I am the Director –  in perpetuity.”

Angelli has not looked back. In recent years, 30-40 volunteers have worked behind the scenes on-site – on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday as able; others for a whole week. Some years over a hundred volunteers pitched in altogether.  Angelli himself puts in a sizable amount of hours weeks and months before – while others are still dipping toes into ocean tides and diving into pools.

John Pomeroy, the Volunteer Coordinator for the last several years, takes the entire week off from work. Pomeroy is also the Grand Knight for the Lebanon council of the Knights of Columbus, a global community service organization charged with caring for families in crisis and the elderly. Pomeroy is one of many Knights who volunteer for the Thanksgiving Meal annually, and in many other charitable capacities in Lebanon. The Upper Valley’s four area Knights councils altogether contribute tens of thousands of dollars annually to Upper Valley food banks and Lebanon-based agencies supporting families in crisis. In the state of New Hampshire overall, Knights councils contribute millions annually to charities serving children, families, and the elderly.

John Pomeroy, Volunteer Coordinator of the Thanksgiving Meal for 3 years and Grand Knight of the Lebanon Knights of Columbus council, a global community service organization.

Pomeroy, a citizen of Lebanon for 14 years, is a network engineer by day, developing blueprint schematics for the crews of Consolidated who lay fiber optic cable.  A military kid to a career Marine Corps officer pilot, Pomeroy has lived on both the West and East Coasts of the United States. He also served in the Marines. “Our Lebanon council volunteers throughout the year wherever we are needed. The Thanksgiving Meal program is certainly a well-oiled machine,” he describes. “An incredible system.”

He paints a picture of chefs at Dartmouth Health, Alice Peck Day, Kimball Union Academy and CMS preparing and delivering food back to Sacred Heart. Innumerable restaurants, grocery stores, banks, and families give hefty sums and provisions. Pomeroy’s three children attend Lebanon public schools. Depending on one’s experience in the military and with parenting, life post-military as a father and community service leader has been more peaceful. He knows first hand it takes a village to raise kids – and take care of the elderly.

“Roughly 60% of the volunteers are not from the Sacred Heart parish,” he notes. Pomeroy is quick to pay tribute to the employees at Dartmouth Health and Alice Peck Day who read the posted flyers and call in to volunteer each year; to Paul, a local mail delivery driver, who volunteers annually; and to Jorge, a volunteer who, for years, created the vast driving routes for all meal deliveries.  Lastly, Angelli credits Father Charles Pawlowski, who pastors at Sacred Heart, whom Angelli describes as “my rock.” Fr. Pawlowski also serves as Executive Director behind the scenes, shaping the program’s direction and vision.

This coming-together demonstrates love in action, a full unity of hands giving to bodies and hearts most in need.

Len Angelli has directed the Thanksgiving Community Meal for 17 years running.

Ryan Sinclair, who along with Angelli, has been a career-long educator at CMS, brings a dozen young men annually to volunteer. These international students of ages 11-15 under Sinclair’s own program, develop hands quick to serve others less fortunate.

How do Angelli and Sinclair culminate the high-intensity week of Thanksgiving orchestrating a large scale food operation and mentoring youth on leading by serving?

By sitting down with their international students over a traditional Thanksgiving meal in a home setting –  perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime chance for kids who might soon be returning abroad following boarding school.

After the two educators finish sharing this time-honored American tradition, they start a campfire for the boys.

A campfire on Thanksgiving…?

Why not?

Sinclair is no stranger to crafting memorable experiences for youth. He watched his own parents devote themselves to teaching as well. Sinclair arrived in the Upper Valley in the autumn of 1998 to study at Dartmouth and played Division I hockey as a forward. Originally from a small town in northern Ontario, Sinclair became close with his Dartmouth teammates, many also Canadians. Four years later, Sinclair graduated with an Ivy League degree and a season under his belt studying in South Africa. But he refused to join his best friends in New York City, Boston, or San Francisco where high-yield corporate careers beckoned. This regardless of the scale of that track’s possibilities, a path reserved for elite higher education all-stars, considered by many the penultimate opportunity, nearly guaranteeing an elite lifestyle.

Where does he stand today on this choice?  “I feel genuinely happy,” reflects Sinclair. Sinclair has lived on the boarding school campus in Canaan with his wife, Sarah, and two pre-teen boys for all but two years of their marriage. Early on in their relationship, the couple spent those two years out of the Upper Valley in Grenoble, France to obtain his MBA, funded by a Rotary scholarship.

Though rooted here throughout his adult years, Sinclair has explored across 70 countries. During the much awaited summer holidays when other educators are catching their breath and families are packing for vacations or camp, Sinclair packs his passport and kisses his family farewell. Since 2009 he has directed his own month-long operation that has grown by leaps and bounds: a South African service and cultural exploration trip; also through his brain-child program, Ivy Leader.

Ivy Leader’s international students wrap up their volunteering experience with a home-style Thanksgiving experience… and a campfire.

His program’s students safari one week and serve young children in disadvantaged schools the next.

So serving in Lebanon is the tip of the iceberg for these “future leaders” that Sinclair mentors; Serving in Lebanon one season and in South Africa another— as though the limits of one’s impact are but a mental construct.

Seven years back, Sinclair received the Distinguished Class of ‘02 Award by Dartmouth College, in recognition of service to others.

Altogether, Sacred Heart parish members, international middle schoolers, and other volunteers come out in large numbers to spend hundreds of hours dicing, baking, packaging, and cleaning. One full day is devoted to simply roasting, deboning, and packaging turkey. Calls used to be put out to Catholic church parishioners from Lebanon to Enfield and Canaan and beyond to take home a turkey from Sacred Heart to bake and bring back – or to provide a homemade pie – or three.  “We used to make homemade stuffing and pies, too,” Angelli remembers.

Because Sacred Heart’s food delivery service was stretched beyond capacity for several years running, it became necessary to streamline the process. As such, the program began soliciting donations of baked goods and rolls. Angelli also began using donations to purchase pre-made mashed potatoes and squash.

Still, how is this grand-scaled operation feasible? “A refrigerated food truck rests outside Sacred Heart for a full week,” Angelli shares. Various mechanical systems can make refrigeration possible while a vehicle engine remains off. Now, senior centers throughout Lebanon and West Lebanon receive an abundant meal of mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, squash, desserts, rolls, and main course items.

Though Angelli organizes and directs the bulk of this colossal operation himself over a four month stretch, a bedrock of parish members and community members return annually. Altogether, he recognizes, “we at Sacred Heart couldn’t do it without the full community’s support.”

Note: Sacred Heart Catholic Church is always looking for volunteers and donations. Please contact Len Angelli at mailto:langelli@cardigan.org to support the cause financially or logistically, as an individual, family, organization, or business.

Many people reach a point in their lives when it becomes difficult to meet new people. Thankfully, Upper Valley Ultimate has been remedying this problem for decades by providing a third space to play Ultimate Frisbee. To clarify, “…in social theory, a ‘third space’ refers to a place, separate from home (first space) and work (second space), where people gather to socialize, relax, and build community. It’s a neutral ground for informal interactions, fostering a sense of belonging and connection.” (AI search summary) At Sachem Field in West Lebanon, over thirty people meet at 6pm on a Monday to throw the disc in a friendly pick-up game.

Becca Bates, a current Enfield resident who grew up in Lebanon, first found the group around two decades ago. She was looking for a place to meet friends and saw an ad in the paper for a co-ed Ultimate Frisbee league. When she asked if she could play, the group said yes, but she wasn’t sure if she was “in” until all of the players went to the Salt Hill Pub after the game. After ordering a Pabst Blue Ribbon in front of one of the regular players, she knew she was when someone said, “You’re a frisbee person if you’re ordering a PBR.”

It’s important to note – preferring specific adult beverages has never been necessary in attending the Upper Valley Ultimate group, as the group is welcoming to all. Attendees range from 16 years old to those in their 70s, though most are more centered around the middle of that age range. Though there are several residents from Lebanon and the surrounding Upper Valley area, some players drive over an hour to play, such as some from St. Johnsbury. Part of the reason for this is simple. Although other areas in the region have pickup games, this is one of the most well-attended groups, so there are always enough people to play.

Over the years, Bates has seen the group transform with a few different organizers, and even ran it herself for a few years. After COVID, she stopped running it, and now it is a committee-run group. A group of four sets up communication through emails and a Discord server, coordinating all sorts of logistics.

Beyond pick-up games, the Upper Valley Ultimate group hosts an additional league night during the summer. Teams are internally constructed within the group with co-ed teams of equal gender-mixing. One of the coordinators’ hardest jobs is making sure teams are balanced effectively for fair play. The latest summer league that just finished had four teams. Team names are typically constructed based on a theme, and this year’s was medieval professions: the Bladesmiths, the Shepherds, the Town Criers, and the Jesters.

Finals trophy – top and underside – the years reveal how far back the summer league goes.

Despite the league being a bit more involved, all games exude a casual hangout feel. Two Lebanon residents, Jeffy Wang and Lily Frappier, are two new attendees standing on the sidelines for the first time. When asked if they’ve ever played Ultimate Frisbee before, Frappier says she “played a little in high school” and Wang says, “I’ve thrown a disc before. Does that count?” Their lack of experience doesn’t seem to intimidate them either, as they each eagerly wait for their turn to play.

They both found out about the group from Adam Jones, an engineer and current Lebanon resident here on work rotation. Originally from London, England, he played Ultimate Frisbee regularly there, and he was shocked he could keep it up in Lebanon, NH. He found out about it from the Upper Valley Ultimate Facebook page and said it helped him meet other people in the area when he moved here this May.

Upper Valley Ultimate attendees stress that the group is for everyone, and a unique aspect of the sport that furthers this outlook is “the spirit of the game,” something that has, over time, been written directly into the rulebook. The gist is that players are encouraged to respect each other on the field, and games have no referees. Instead, when a foul is called, both players talk out the call and have to agree on its legitimacy, making it completely self-regulated. The rule furthers the inclusivity and community aspect of the sport.

In the last four years, the group found another way to be more inclusive by creating and running a separate women and nonbinary players’ night. The intention was for it to be a space for new players that was less intimidating. Originally, the group held practices and drills to increase the skills of these players, but this made it difficult for those who couldn’t make it every week. Eventually, coordinators shifted it to a separate pick-up night.

Though Sachem Field is perfect during the summer, fall makes the area less viable due to several school teams needing it for games. This is when the Upper Valley Ultimate group moves down to one night a week. Though still able to utilize the field for a time in the fall, when the weather turns, they meet inside and whittle down their games to a four-on-four player structure.

One of the greatest challenges the group has is spreading the word about the group. Though there are several returning members, a great deal of the members are transient, including students and medical residents at Dartmouth Hitchcock. Flyers have been utilized in the past, but most come to know about the group through the over 400-follower Upper Valley Ultimate Facebook page. The group is always looking for more players. Those interested can simply show up to a pickup game held on Monday or Wednesday at Sachem Field or reach out to the Facebook group for more information.

If you’re someone who’s looking for a way to be outside more frequently and meet new people, the Upper Valley Ultimate group is here for you. Whether you’re athletically inclined or not, the group stresses they’ve always been more about community-building than anything else. Though many argue about the vanishing “third space,” when you look around Sachem Field, you’ll find Upper Valley Ultimate is keeping it alive as those from all walks of life gather to play a friendly, casual game together.

Free concerts at the library? Hearing live music may not be what you first expect while checking out the latest Stephen King or fantasy romance tale, but the Kilton Public Library and the Upper Valley Music Center (UVMC) are working together to bring music education and appreciation to the Lebanon area with varied events for all ages every month.

The two entities started working together around COVID when the library was interested in hosting daytime summer concerts outside at their facility, and the UVMC was happy to oblige. Erin Smith, the education director at UVMC and one of the main people responsible for the work involved in this partnership, expressed that one of the greatest aspects of the collaboration is “making music education accessible to the whole community.” She expressed that having free programs in the library, where free programming for the community is the norm, has become a great way to do that.

After these initial concerts with the Kilton Public Library, both organizations were able to work toward making music appreciation and education more accessible. Because of patron interest, the UVMC received a grant to increase the types of programming they were able to provide. After the library and the UVMC conducted surveys, they were able to provide more participatory events with this funding. Whether they bring down guest program leaders such as the Burlington Taiko Group or utilize the various talented educators at their facility, the UVMC strives to provide the community with the music education they’re looking for. Though some events are still held outside, a good deal of them now occur in the community room inside the library.

One successful recent participatory event was a drum circle headed by percussion instructor Christian Terry. The first event took place in July, and Terry had ten people, spanning from ages 4 to those in their 70s, each with varied musical ability. Terry explained that one of his favorite things about this specific outreach event is that anyone can do it, even if they don’t have a strong music background. After holding another larger drum circle in August with mostly different attendees, he expressed that another exciting aspect is that every drum circle is different. Everyone “shar[es] in this moment that will never happen again,” which makes the experience only more powerful.

Draa Hobbs, a jazz guitar instructor at UVMC, also had a lot to say about unique music moments. In addition to being scheduled to play an upcoming concert with John Stowell this September, he expressed how under-represented jazz is in the surrounding community, partially due to it being an improvised art form. To help remedy this, he held a well-attended workshop at the library a little while ago, where he taught guitarists how to improvise. He expressed how one of the hardest aspects in running a workshop like this is to make sure everyone learns something from the instruction, especially when there is such a wide range of skill levels. Despite the challenges, Hobbs believes the outreach is worth it because “it’s crucial to keep putting…a great music [genre] in front of an audience,” as well as “continue to interest younger people in a very interesting art form.”

Even when events seem more passive, like a concert, the music educators at the UVMC still impart music history and appreciation to the Lebanon community. Take Faith Goodness, a flutist who led a recent concert on August 18th. Goodness expressed how, in her latest concert at the Kilton Public Library, she focused on more “modern playing” techniques in classical music, from “flutter-tonguing,” along with “multiphonics,” “overtones,” and even singing while she plays flute. Throughout, Goodness took time in between pieces to cue listeners into what they were about to hear, as well as talk about the history of each piece that she was playing. Selecting works from the Baroque period to the modern era, she worked to encapsulate an entire primer of flute classical music history.

It’s not just educators who perform. In the past, a group of students from the UVMC came to the library to perform music set to picture books. These experiences illustrate some of the values incorporated by major programs at the UVMC, including Music Together and the Suzuki method, which encourage the strengthening of musical bonds between parents and children and within their larger surrounding communities. Benjamin Van Vliet, the UVMC’s Executive Director, expressed that one of his favorite aspects of the events was that the Kilton Library keeps the community room doors open, and it’s “so fun to see people wander into these experiences. Sometimes, it’s a little kid dragging their parent along, but sometimes, it’s an adult just going for a book that gets sidetracked and curious.”

In outreach like this, sometimes the impact can be greater than ever imagined. Erin Smith shared one incredible example, where the UVMC worked with the Kilton Public Library to put on a couple of jam sessions where musicians with any instrument or ability level were invited to participate in playing New England fiddle tunes. The attending group enjoyed the accessibility and welcoming nature of these events so much that they continue to run similar events, even though the UVMC is no longer involved in hosting them.

Whether you want to learn more about different genres, participate in music events regardless of your skill level, or simply hear great music, the Kilton Public Library and Upper Valley Music Center have their Lebanon residents covered as they continue to make music more accessible to everyone.

Spring may have gotten off to a dry and dusty start, but the April sunshine was perfect weather for fans of the Rusty Berrings Skate Park at West Lebanon’s Riverside Community Park. As the sun chases away the last of the chill, adults, teens, young children, and families make use of what’s become a regional hub for a supportive and generous culture.

“We’ve been here four times this week,” says Cassandra Rossing, corralling four kids, all wearing helmets and ready for action. “It’s a really great community.” Her husband Michael agrees and adds, “It’s one of the nicest free public parks I’ve ever been to.”

The Rossing family

The concrete ramps and steel rails host an eclectic crew: adults Marcus and Brian practice their 50-50 grinds and frontside noseslides while a beanied teen named Gray works on ollieing onto a ledge. When asked about photos, Marcus laughs: “so long as you don’t mind them all being of me falling.” Another teen, Jacob, offers to demonstrate wheelies, then crosses the length of the park on his bike – using only the rear wheel. Smaller children do laps on scooters while their adults sit at picnic tables.

“It’s a great culture,” says Jess Morin, alternately watching the kids play and arbitrating disputes about exactly whose scooter belongs to whom. She’s brought her family up from Cornish for the afternoon to use the park. Last year, her daughter, then brand new to skateboarding, was frustrated and getting ready to leave when a group of anonymous teens showed up. One in particular offered some free lessons: “She actually strapped her up in her own brand new equipment,” Morin says, “and she taught her for like 45 minutes.” She didn’t get the good Samaritan’s name, but it really shaped her perceptions of the park and the kind of people that use it. “It was a real ‘restore my faith in humanity’ moment.”

Brian practicing his “50-50 grind”

It’s a story that gets to the heart of the culture of the park, which itself wouldn’t exist without the generosity of the community – especially that of the Kirschner family, who, in memory of their son Tyler, raised much of the funding to make the park into what it is today. In fact, the park’s name, “Rusty Berrings”, was – in the fashion of skateboarding greats Birdman, Ragdoll, and Wee Man – Tyler Kirschner’s skateboarding nickname. When it came time to upgrade and revitalize the park from the old wooden ramps into something new, the family acted as the skate park’s “angels,” according to Paul Coats, director of Recreation, Arts, and Parks for the City of Lebanon.

That culture of generosity also extends to our relationship with our neighboring communities. “It’s a regional park,” says Coats. “People from neighboring towns are coming to Lebanon to skate – and that’s the way it should be. Just as much as people in Lebanon are going to other towns to do other things. There’s not really a beach in Lebanon at [Mascoma] Lake, so people are typically going to Enfield to do that, or they’re getting in the Connecticut River via Hanover or Hartford’s waterfront. They’re going to other communities for the dog parks because Lebanon doesn’t have that. So it’s good to see a regional approach to a lot of the recreation that happens – and we get the skate park.”

It isn’t just Lebanon’s neighbors coming to use the park. For anything close to the same experience, skaters have to travel as far afield as Burlington, Manchester, and Nashua, which probably explains why it’s the city’s most used “non-programmed” park. “We put a lot of kids in Civic Park and Eldridge Park,” Coats says, “because we have sports being played there. Colburn Park is mostly a pass-through park…but Riverside Park, as far as people seeking recreation, that’s where they’re going.”

Marcus practicing his “frontslide noseslide”

As the sun goes down the park lights up, its hours extended by the relatively recent addition of lighting to help out in the shoulder seasons. Despite all the people still using it, Rusty Berrings Skate Park isn’t even “finished” – if a living park can ever be considered really done. The most recent addition was some beginner areas, but there are plans for more expansions. Ideally, they’d like to pave the floor of the pavilion (“We’re not trying to make the pavilion skatable,” Coats says, laughing, “but they will skate in there.”) and there are plans for the addition of another “bowl” as well, not to mention the planned extension of the Mascoma River Greenway to connect the park with the Powerhouse Mall, Miracle Mile and parts beyond.

Watching everyone from kids to adults use it together, it’s clear that Rusty Berrings Skate Park is a place for all – from first-timers to four-day-a-week families, more seasoned skaters to those new to the sport. It’s more than just a community resource –  it’s a home for a culture, one with generosity and support at its heart.

Any kind souls wishing to donate toward additions to the park can contact the nonprofit Friends of Lebanon Recreation, Arts, and Parks (FoLRAP): friendsoflebrec.org.

Teenager Jacob Hoisington demonstrating a wheelie

Every year, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation hosts its largest national fundraising event – Great Strides. Nearly 300 walkathons take place across the country to raise money for research, increase awareness, and support the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis (CF). On May 4th, Lebanon held its 37th annual Great Strides walkathon, bringing together children and adults with CF, their families, friends, community members, care teams from Dartmouth, corporate sponsors like Vertex, and many local supporters at the CCBA Pavilion.

Before the event, I spoke with Lisa O’Connor, executive director of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Nashua, NH. She shared the following on behalf of the CF community:

“Great Strides provides an opportunity for family, friends, students, and colleagues to come together and strengthen the bond of the cystic fibrosis community. The event recognizes the many journeys people with CF face and the work that still needs to be done for those waiting for their transformative treatments – and ultimately, a cure.”

Although there is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis, significant progress has been made in treatments and medications that have transformed the lives of many with CF. These walkathons are vital to sustaining the fundraising necessary to keep that progress going.

At the Lebanon event, I had the privilege of speaking with several members of the CF community – and I quickly discovered a common thread among them: Robert Plante.

Madison Culver, CF walkathon participant, and Robert Plante at the 2025 Great Strides Walkathon in Lebanon.

Robert is the honorary chairman of the Upper Valley Great Strides walkathon and a beloved figure in the CF community. Full of passion, kindness, and commitment, Robert has been involved with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for all 37 years of the Lebanon walkathon. Over that time, he has walked more than 7,500 miles, raised over $300,000, and inspired countless others.

His dedication began with his best friend from childhood, Doug Jones, who was diagnosed with and later passed away from CF. Since then, Robert has poured his heart into raising awareness and funds for CF research.

“I’m dedicated to cystic fibrosis research… and I’m going to be for the rest of my life,” he told me. “I love children – they’re my loving angels. All of them.”

One of Robert’s longtime friends and supporters, Bill D’Amico, traveled from Colorado to attend this year’s walkathon. The two met through the Best Buddies program, and this year, they’re celebrating 25 years of friendship. This was Bill’s sixth year participating in Lebanon’s walk and supporting Robert’s team.

“It’s beyond a community… they have a kinship with each other that you can’t help but feel – it’s so endearing,” Bill said. “CF is a very elusive disease. And while they’ve made great strides, there’s still no cure. Events like this make a real difference.”

I also spoke with Paula Garvey, whose daughter, Rosie, was diagnosed with CF at just two weeks old. Since then, Paula has become deeply involved in the CF community. She serves on both the Cystic Fibrosis Patient & Family Advisory Council and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – Northern New England Chapter. She met Robert through her work and developed a strong connection with him.

Paula emphasized the importance of Great Strides events – not only for raising funds, but also for bringing people together.

“We used to always have a team – neighbors, Rosie’s friends, her Girl Scout troop. It was a wonderful way to unite people,” she recalled. “Now, the walks are more important than ever. We have to keep up the momentum.”

Thanks to ongoing support and medical advances, her daughter is now thriving – living independently, working full-time, and pursuing a master’s degree in public health.

Another touching conversation was with Lynn Freeman, a CF nurse specialist with 40 years of experience. Her journey with CF began early in her nursing career, and she’s seen firsthand how dramatically things have changed.

“I fell in love with kids with cystic fibrosis,” she said. “They had this amazing sense of humor, energy, and courage.”

Lynn reflected on the game-changing impact of new treatments called modulators:

“When those started coming out and we saw how fast people improved, it was stunning,” she said. “It’s because of the tireless work of the CF Foundation and everyone who walks, bikes, skis, or donates.”

Best buddies, Robert Plante and Bill D’Amico, who met and connected through the Best Buddies program 25 years ago.

Lynn also stressed that CF care requires a team: doctors, nurses, social workers – all working in sync. Her bond with Robert is also special – she cared for his best friend Doug at Dartmouth and remained in contact with him until the end of his life.

One of the most powerful stories came from Madison Culver, who was diagnosed with CF at 18 months old. Her brother, also born with CF, tragically passed away at age four from CF and cancer. Madison was told she wouldn’t live past 19, couldn’t become a nurse, and couldn’t have children. She has defied all those expectations.

Now 32 years old, Madison spent 10 years as an ICU nurse and is now a full-time primary care nurse – and a mom.

“It’s wild to see how different my life looks from what we expected,” she said. “I just started saving for retirement – something I never thought I’d do.”

“CF impacts every aspect of your life. It’s an invisible illness, and there’s a lot of silent fighting that happens. But without the CF Foundation and Great Strides –and the millions they’ve poured into research and treatment – I wouldn’t be here.”

I also had the privilege of speaking with a mom whose 10-year-old daughter was diagnosed with CF at birth. The early years were rough, but a new medication has been life-changing.

“She’s been so healthy since then. She’s super active, into all the sports – it’s made a world of difference,” the mother said.

These stories moved me deeply. The strength, determination, and love within this community are undeniable – and incredibly inspiring.

Here’s to the continuation of critical research, the walkathons that fuel it, and the incredible individuals and families who make it all possible. To the CF community in Lebanon: you’ve gained a new supporter. I’ll be there next year – hopefully alongside some of you, dear readers.

When Lisa Green’s house started reaching capacity with the many jigsaw puzzles she had finished and even more that she still wanted to put together, she decided it was time to share her passion with others. In launching the Upper Valley Jigsaw Puzzle Exchange Meetup group in 2018, Lisa thought other puzzle enthusiasts might have their own puzzles to share and exchange. Shortly after it began, the group took off and now consists of 170 members, coming from around the Upper Valley and beyond to swap puzzles every two months at the Kilton Library in West Lebanon.

Meetup is an online platform founded in 2002, designed to connect people in person and virtually through similar hobbies and interests. Inspired by the book Bowling Alone, which highlighted society’s lack of connection and community, Meetup has grown to include more than 35 million users, with 225,000 Meetup groups in 180 countries.

Lisa Green’s Puzzle Collection

Lisa explains her motivation for starting the Meetup group. “I have loved puzzles ever since I was a little kid. it was a favorite pastime, and there was always [a puzzle] on the dining room table.” Lisa explains that for hard core “puzzlers”, it’s unusual to do a jigsaw puzzle more than once. “Once you’ve done a puzzle once, you don’t want to do it again. And puzzles are expensive, so I decided to start a group for others to bring all the puzzles they wanted to trade.”

The Upper Valley Jigsaw Puzzle Exchange Meetup group has members who like all kinds of styles of puzzling, says Lisa. “I don’t like anything that’s too challenging like solid colors, but we have some members who do 5,000 piece puzzles, working on them for months.”

Lisa’s personal puzzling strategy is well thought out. “I don’t go over 1,000 pieces because my dining room table can’t accommodate anything bigger. Sometimes I’ll find a 500 piece puzzle I like, and my son and I can do those in an hour or two.” Lisa and her son Patrick are working on a White Mountain Puzzles brand art puzzle now that has beautiful exterior and interior scenes. “I love to do puzzles with my 33-year-old son. He’s a developmentally disabled young man and he’s very good at them.” Lisa and Patrick have plenty of puzzles to practice on at home, with more than 50 puzzles in their “puzzle closet”.  “I’m whittling the pile down each year,” Lisa says. “Puzzles are artwork because they’re so beautiful or have sentimental value as a gift from a family member.”

Patrick and Lisa puzzling

In the last few years, Lisa and Patrick have entered and won some puzzle contests. One might not think of puzzling as a competitive sport, but in fact, speed puzzling competitions are held all over the world. There are annual conferences with competitions (US Jigsaw Puzzle Association, World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships), and dozens of state and local competitions. For puzzle designers, there’s “Puzzle Parley”, a national group that celebrates the art and history of wooden puzzles meeting in a different city each year to showcase their craft. International wooden puzzle manufacturer, Stave Puzzles, in Norwich, VT, known as the “Rolls Royce of Puzzles”, has hosted puzzling competitions featuring their signature “trick puzzles”, presumably impossible to solve.

Locally, there are several puzzling parties to choose from, often hosted by libraries. In Enfield, a church hosts an annual competition inviting six-person teams to finish the same puzzle at speed. “After the event, there’s a turkey dinner that smells so good while we’re puzzling,” Lisa notes. “Whoever finishes their puzzle first wins the top place in line to eat.”

For her part, Lisa loves the calming effect of puzzling. “In this day and age, there’s so much going on and everyone’s stressed out. Puzzling occupies your mind, it’s like you’re in a meditative state. It keeps your mind sharp and engaged and you don’t think about your worries – you’re just having fun.” For now, Lisa will keep working on her puzzle closet, filling the trunk of her car with puzzles to share at upcoming exchanges.

To learn more about the exchange, search under “groups” on Meetup.com for “Upper Valley Jigsaw Puzzle Exchange”, and start clearing out your own stash of puzzles.

Community efforts met with passion and purpose during the Covered Bridges Half Marathon (CBHM) on June 1st. This annual marathon helps support local non-profit organizations through their fundraising efforts with a 13.1 mile road race that travels through Pomfret, Woodstock, and Quechee.

The five non-profits – which include WISE, The Family Place, Willing Hands, Positive Tracks, and David’s House – partner with CBHM with a goal to help raise funds for their programs and spread awareness about the services they offer to the community. All the non-profit teams work together to support each other in a true collaborative effort, and CBHM also gives money to multiple youth groups who volunteer their time at the race.

I gained insight into the details of organizing the event, as well as the impact it has on the Upper Valley community, by speaking with Mike Silverman, one of the CBHM co-race directors. He was introduced to the CBHM 25 years ago, and now he and co-race director Nancy Nutile-McMenemy partner together to organize the race each year. Mike’s history and passion for community involvement, paired with his love of outdoor activities and working with the Upper Valley community, make him an inspiring leader.

“What makes [CBHM] more special, I think, is that people come from all over. It isn’t just NH and VT, and they see the perfect setting of VT…They come through a valley, they go through a town, and they follow a river.”

There is a lot of planning involved in the race, including safety, gathering supplies, water stations, communication, traffic control, parking, and of course, local musicians who play music at different check points to help keep the energy up! It is also imperative that organizers take into consideration the impact on local businesses and churches and remain mindful when planning and organizing.

One of the challenges Mike acknowledged is finding enough volunteers, as they often have to find new ones to replace those who have moved on. Parking is also a big challenge, especially when the race is over, and people are trying to leave. “The exit is your last impression,” he explains, and he wants the community to feel a sense of appreciation for the event and look forward to the next year.

For Lebanon-based non-profit organization WISE, this was their 10th year partnering with CBHM. I spoke with WISE director, Betsy Kohl, as well as with Susan Dicken, a Lebanon resident who volunteers for the crisis line, is a WISE staff member, and manages the WISE Team.

“For us, it’s a great touchpoint in the community, and honestly, across America,” Susan shared. “The majority of our team is local, but some do come from all over, so it does help share what WISE is to a great number of folks we would have never connected with before.”

She said the most rewarding thing for her is seeing the excitement of the WISE Team runners, some of whom return every year to run. It’s especially heartwarming for her to see students who grew up with WISE in their schools decide to run for their team.

Betsy explained that this event raises “a significant amount of donations. But for us, it’s about participating in this community event with our community partners…it’s a fun way to bring people together; it offers that peer-to-peer fundraising opportunity, and it builds awareness of our issues, and that’s really, for us, what’s most important.” Susan added, “It’s a gorgeous course and the energy is so fun. They have built up such a great community around it.”

Izzy Kotlowitz & Sarah Wagner, friends and CBHM runners on the WISE team

CBHM runners, Izzy Kotlowitz and Sarah Wagner, have been running together for the WISE team for five years. They share a passion for running and being involved in their community. They are both from the Upper Valley and have personal connections with WISE, explaining that this is one way they can give back to the community they grew up in.

Izzy was inspired to get involved when she interned at WISE with the parent of a childhood friend who had previously participated in the race. In 2019, Izzy and her mother signed up to run for the WISE Team. It’s a very welcoming and energizing way to get involved with WISE,” Izzy said. “It’s a great way to give some time and some care.”

Sarah shared her interest in running marathons and in supporting local non-profit organizations. “I also just ran the New York marathon…I love to run,” she said, noting that her favorite thing about running is that it is one way in which to show up for yourself and your community.

What excites Izzy about the Covered Bridges Half Marathon is that “the run is like planting little seeds.” When you see runners, some of whom do not know each other well, it normalizes everything when they all come together. “This is one little thing we can put some energy into…the running and the friendship…and raising money for WISE.”

Sarah thinks that the marathon is a wonderful opportunity to spread the word about WISE so people can “be aware of it so they can support it.”

Whether an athlete or someone who just loves to run, the most important thing is the passion behind the purpose. The Covered Bridges Half Marathon is a community event made possible by the creative and thoughtful minds of those who organize it, the 600 volunteers who participated and contributed, and the surrounding community.

When speaking to those who have never run a half marathon before, Izzy explained, “You can go as slow and steady as you want. And people will cheer for you and it’s beautiful.” Racing on behalf of a local non-profit supports individuals and the entire organization, and “feeds right back into the people.”