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Valley Courier

Artist and animal welfare advocate Cari Jansen has, with her partner Garret Sands, turned Spruce Ledge Tree Farm into a working farm and a place for creativity to flourish.

Photo courtesy of Cari Jansen

Cari Jansen: I Think That I Shall Never See...

Published Jan. 20, 2021 08:30 a.m.

It happens every year after the holidays are over: What to do with the tree?

Valley Courier

As vice president for programs and operations at the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, Thayer Talbott has seen the community step up to help neighbors in need during the pandemic. Photo courtesy of Thayer Talbott

Thayer Talbott: It’s All About Community

Published Jan. 13, 2021 08:30 a.m.

Thayer Talbott gets to do something special at work: Give away money.

Valley Courier

Chester cheerleader Mandy Carroll is helping the merchants’ group spread the word about the “magical, creative” town through T-shirts, Instagram, and the Internet.

Photo courtesy of Mandy Carroll

Mandy Carroll: The Merchant of Chester

Published Jan. 06, 2021 08:30 a.m.

Mandy Carroll says she should have seen it all coming at the beginning on 2020 when she was asked to design the T-shirt for Chester Rotary’s Four on the Fourth race.

Valley Courier

A self-described Chester cheerleader, Carol LeWitt is one of the local stakeholders behind the Chester Leadership Fund. Photo courtesy of Carol LeWitt

Carol LeWitt: An Opening to the Future

Published Dec. 23, 2020 08:30 a.m.

Closing down in the face of COVID-19 was an unexpected problem. Opening up once again, though most welcome, has its challenges, too. And it is those challenges to which Carol LeWitt has been devoting time and energy.

Valley Courier

Retired banker Jack Frost is deeply invested in making the local community a better place, particularly for those with developmental challenges. Photo by Rita Christopher/The Courier

Jack Frost: Help is on the Way

Published Dec. 16, 2020 08:30 a.m.

When Jack Frost retired five years ago, he changed his business card. In his professional career, it read Banker. In retirement, he changed it to read Helper. When people ask him what that means, his answer is succinct: “I help.”

Valley Courier

In a year when a personal touch has often been missing, Margaret Morgan is ensuring those who receive a Christmas dinner from the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries also receive a gift bag intended to make an extra connection.

Photo by Rita Christopher/The Courier

Margaret Morgan: Better to Give

Published Dec. 09, 2020 08:30 a.m.

It’s the time for gifts—not only the gifts on Santa’s list but the things that come without asking: calendars in all sizes, decals from groups that recipients supported, embossed pencils from different organizations.

Valley Courier

Ivoryton’s Josh Harp is one of the volunteers behind the annual Ivoryton Illuminations celebration, which will continue to light up the green this year, though without the traditional kickoff event. Photo courtesy of Josh Harp

Josh Harp: Flip the Light Switch

Published Dec. 02, 2020 08:30 a.m.

Josh Harp is the volunteer who climbs the ladder to put up the holiday lights for the Illuminations show on the Ivoryton Green. And why is that?

Valley Courier

Essex Garden Club Vice President Dagmar Miller is putting her floral decorating experience to work for the club as it prepares for its annual sale of holiday table decorations on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 27 and 28. Photo by Rita Christopher/The Courier

Dagmar Miller: Flower Girl

Published Nov. 25, 2020 08:30 a.m.

Dagmar Miller knows the truism of the season: If this is Thanksgiving, it is time to decorate for Christmas.

Valley Courier

Camp Hazen’s Carolyn Learned is helping helm the Take a Chance on Chester raffle, which concludes on Sunday, Dec. 13. Photo by Rita Christopher/The Courier

Carolyn Learned: A Chance Worth Taking

Published Nov. 18, 2020 08:30 a.m.

Carolyn Learned would like you to take a chance—not just any chance, but a chance on Chester. And this chance and not really so chancy; it’s designed to be a winner all the way around.

Valley Courier

Middlesex Habitat for Humanity has a strong ally in Essex’s Clara Miller.

Photo by Rita Christopher/The Courier

Clara Miller: Home Sweet Home

Published Nov. 11, 2020 08:30 a.m.

Let’s start this story with a quiz about the Wizard of Oz: What does Dorothy say when she wakes up in her bed in Kansas after her adventures in the land of Oz? Remember? It’s “There’s no place like home!”

Valley Courier

Deep River’s Linalynn Schmelzer is intent on bringing dance to unexpected stages.

Photo courtesy of Linalynn Schmelzer

Linalynn Schmelzer: Shall We Dance?

Published Nov. 04, 2020 08:30 a.m.

You can dance in a ballroom, on a stage, or even at a high school prom, but that’s not where Linalynn Schmelzer was dancing.

Valley Courier

Though the pandemic required some unforeseen adaptations, Tula McDougal has opened an ice cream shop in chester with her daughter Christiana Barabe. Photo by Rita Christopher/The Courier

Tula McDougal: The Sweet Life

Published Oct. 28, 2020 08:30 a.m.

Here’s an easy question: What’s the most popular ice cream flavor? Yes, it’s vanilla, says Tula McDougal, who with her daughter Christiana Barabe has recently opened Honeycone, an ice cream shop on Chester’s Main Street.

Valley Courier

Anonymously helping neighbors in need is on way Colin Bennett likes to give back to the Deep River community. Photo courtesy of Colin Bennett

Colin Bennett: It’s All About Community

Published Oct. 21, 2020 08:30 a.m.

When he needed a used refrigerator, Colin Bennett did what any media savvy Gen-Xer would do: He put the word out of Facebook.

Valley Courier

Behind the desk at the Essex Library, Child and Teen Librarian Christina Carpino is working to assist patrons despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic.

Photo courtesy of Christina Carpino

Christine Carpino: Never Too Young for a Good Book?

Published Oct. 14, 2020 08:30 a.m.

A good book lingers in the memory. Christina Carpino, the new children and teen librarian at the Essex Library, knows that

Valley Courier

As part of Camp Hazen YMCA’s efforts to keep kids safe and engaged when COVID protocols kept them out of the classroom, Nicole Fauteux was there to help students from nine different school districts stay on task. Photo courtesy of Nicole Fauteux

Nicole Fauteux: No More Back to School

Published Oct. 07, 2020 08:30 a.m.

It’s coming to an end, but Nicole Fauteux has spent the fall doing something she never anticipated, going back to school. At 27 and a graduate of the University of New Haven, Nicky thought she was all done, but not only did Nicky go back to school, she went back as far as elementary school.

Valley Courier

Essex pediatrician Marybeth Ellison specializes in special-needs patients, a community that is facing even greater challenges in this time of pandemic.

Photo courtesy of Marybeth Ellison

Marybeth Ellison: Advocating for Children

Published Sep. 30, 2020 08:30 a.m.

Marybeth Ellison is worried. Yes, yes, everybody is worried these days, but her worry has a particular focus: children with special needs. Marybeth is a pediatrician in Essex specializing in children with developmental challenges.

Valley Courier

Connecticut River Museum’s new executive director, Jennifer Carlson, comes to Essex from the Wyck Historic House and Garden in Philadelphia.

Photo by Rita Christopher/The Courier

Jennifer Carlson: Days at the Museum

Published Sep. 23, 2020 08:30 a.m.

Jennifer Carlson is about to do something for the second time this year that most people shudder to think about doing once. She and her husband Ben are packing up again for another move in less than 12 months.

Valley Courier

When outdoor tennis season winds down, Kevin Joyce switches gear (and strategy) by shifting to paddle tennis. Photo by Rita Christopher/The Courier

Kevin Joyce: Paddle Tennis Anyone?

Published Sep. 16, 2020 08:30 a.m.

Do what your physician recommends: exercise. But how to do it in the era of COVID-19, especially with warm weather dissolving into fall and winter? Kevin Joyce has a suggestion. Play paddle tennis.

Valley Courier

Though Charlene Voyce is relatively new to Deep River, she’s committed to the town. She actually joined the community as a volunteer at The Nest before becoming a resident.

Photo courtesy of Charlene Voyce

Charlene Voyce: Lighting the Night

Published Sep. 09, 2020 08:30 a.m.

Once it was so simple nobody thought about it. Now it is one of the questions COVID-19 makes us grapple with every day: how to connect with people?

Valley Courier

While the COVID-19 pandemic may have put the brakes on the traditional Boston Marathon, Loriann Mancuso will complete the race locally, her fourth marathon with the Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, as the beneficiary. Photo courtesy of Loriann Mancuso

Loriann Mancuso: On the Run

Published Sep. 02, 2020 08:30 a.m.

Loriann Mancuso is running the Boston Marathon—in Essex and Old Saybrook.

Valley Courier

Chester’s Chris Groat is the Chris in Chris’ Dogs, which has been busy all through pandemic and power outages at its spot by the Deep River-Essex border. Photo by Rita Christopher/The Courier

Chris Groat: Going to the Dogs

Published Aug. 26, 2020 08:30 a.m.

President Franklin Roosevelt served them to the King and Queen of England on their only visit to the United States in 1939.

Valley Courier

After growing disenchanted with the corporate grind, Matt Resnisky went all-in on a former hobby: coffee roasting. His Deep River Roasters has been a full-time endeavor for two years. Photo courtesy of Matt Resnisky

Matt Resnisky: The Brew that is True

Published Aug. 19, 2020 08:30 a.m.

What would you use a stove-top popcorn popper for? Think beyond the obvious here.

Valley Courier

Amy Zupan and Tuck are regulars on the Essex waterfront, where Amy manages the Essex Island Marina. Photo courtesy of Amy Zupan

Amy Zupan: A Watery Tale

Published Aug. 12, 2020 08:30 a.m.

Amy Zupan was surprised. She thought, given the particular challenges of this summer, that activity at the Safe Harbor Marina at Essex Island would be slower than usual. Amy is the manager at Essex Island.

Valley Courier

Though the COVID pandemic has wrought havoc on summer plans, summer day camp is still going strong at Camp Hazen YMCA in Chester, which means Food Services Director Alex Welch and his kitchen crew are busy feeding healthy meals to their young charges. Photo courtesy of Camp Hazen YMCA

Alex Welch: Food, Glorious Food

Published Aug. 05, 2020 08:30 a.m.

Now, here is some real news: Kids are not only eating Brussels sprouts, they are even asking for seconds—at least at Camp Hazen YMCA in Chester.

Valley Courier

As president of the Goodspeed Musicals Board of Trustees, Hila Rosen is helping to shape the regional treasure during a time of uncertainty. Photo by Rita Christopher/The Courier

Hila Rosen: Expecting the Unexpected

Published July 29, 2020 08:30 a.m.

To say that this year has not turned out the way Hila Rosen expected it to is an understatement. Still, it is the place to begin.

Valley Courier

Coping with stress is a challenge in the best of times. Licensed counselor Samantha Steinmacher knows these are not the best of times, but she has some excellent ideas to share. Photo courtesy of Samantha Steinmacher

Samantha Steinmacher: Did You Say Stress?

Published July 22, 2020 08:30 a.m.

Samantha Steinmacher knows stress. In fact, stress is her business and with all the complications of COVID-19, stress has not been in short supply.

Valley Courier

Through her role as vice president of the Chester Library Board of Trustees, Karin Badger has helped foster the metamorphosis of the 100-plus-year-old facility while it has been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Photo courtesy of Karin Badger

Karin Badger: Re-Decoration Day

Published July 15, 2020 08:30 a.m.

It’s a familiar decorating story: Paint the ceiling and the walls look so drab, you decide to paint them, too.

Valley Courier

After 50 years serving as a volunteer firefighter, John Divis remains an active member of the Chester Hose Company. Photo courtesy of John Divis

John Divis: Where’s the Fire?

Published July 08, 2020 08:30 a.m.

John Divis didn’t want to, but he has had to change his Monday night schedule.

Valley Courier

Given the opportunity to help expand the community’s—and his own—understanding of climate change, Mike Long jumped aboard with the Sustainable Essex group.

Photo courtesy of Mike Long

Mike Long: The Long and Short of It

Published July 01, 2020 08:30 a.m.

When Mike Long learned about Sustainable Essex, he had no hesitation. He knew he wanted to be involved.

Valley Courier

Through his role as vice-chair of the Chester Park & Recreation Commission, John Williams is working to improve the amenities for all ages at North Quarter Park. Photo courtesy of John Williams

John Williams: Par for the Course

Published June 24, 2020 08:30 a.m.

What does a park look like in your mind’s eye: a playscape for youngsters to climb all over, maybe a basketball court for teens, or, if you live in Chester, a nine-hole disc golf course?

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