News

Honoring Melvin O. Clark

On January 11, 2018 Melvin O. Clark was honored by Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice (LSRVNA) at a “We Honor Veterans” ceremony in his Cornish home. Members of the LSRVNA caregiving staff acknowledged Mr. Clark for his service in the Army National Guard, where he voluntarily enlisted in 1953. With his son, Alan J. Clark, and grandson, Cullen A. Clark by his side Mr. Clark was presented with a plaque and pin honoring his service, as well as a commemorative memory book to help document stories, facts and special life moments. At the time of his final Honorable Discharge (“awarded as a testimony of honest and faithful service”) in 1961, Mr. Clark was a Corporal Grade E4 in the 4th Howitzer Battalion of the 197th Artillery based in New Hampshire. In addition to being a skilled marksman, Mr. Clark drove a Howitzer tank. Son, Alan, recalls how much his father loved driving the Howitzer and was reportedly seen chasing an occasional wayward deer or driving through a river just to see if he could get to the other side. Rumor has it that he was also usually the first in line for dinner!

Threads of Hope

Lake Sunapee VNA will offer a new seven-week bereavement support program called “Threads of Hope” beginning on January 17th in Claremont. Choose the afternoon series at Valley Regional Hospital or the evening series at TLC Family Resource Center. This free program will center around a little book with very large healing potential as participants journey through 12 questions asked by many grieving people and learn to respond to these questions in helpful ways. And you will keep the book!

In an effort to encourage more open discussion about end-of-life decisions, Summercrest will be holding two free documentary screenings for the community in partnership with Lake Sunapee VNA.

Year-End Giving: Many ways to give…many ways to help

Because Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice is a non-profit organization, tax deductible donations are accepted … and needed … in order to fulfill our mission. With many ways to give, here are a few:

On November 9, 2017 Richard Lounder of Lempster was honored at a “We Honor Veterans” ceremony in his home, offered by Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice to patients who served in the military. LSRVNA became a national “We Honor Veterans” Partner in 2011, the first home care agency in New Hampshire to do so. As such, the agency has made a commitment to train staff and volunteers to better meet the unique needs of home care and hospice patients who are veterans. With family members by his side, Mr. Lounder was presented with a “We Honor Veterans” certificate, pin and memory book.

Be a Sponsor of the Kids’ Christmas Project

Once again, Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice (LSRVNA) is coordinating the Kearsarge Community Kids’ Christmas Project, and there are two ways you can help bring joy during the holidays by supporting local families in need:

• Make a cash donation to help fulfill the wish lists of area children and families this year by mailing a check payable to LSRVNA Elf Fund to: LSRVNA, PO Box 2209, New London, NH 03257.
• Adopt a family and fulfill their wish list.

For more information or to help in either of these ways, call the “Elf Line” at 603-526-4077 ext. 356 by November 17.

In addition to its ongoing bereavement support groups, Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice (LSRVNA) has planned two special programs for the holidays. One is a two-part informational and learning program on how to handle the holidays after a loss. The other is the annual “Time of Remembrance” celebration to remember and honor the lives of loved ones lost.

Share your thoughts about the health of our region!

As part of its 2017 Community Health Needs Assessment, Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice invites you to attend one of its Community Health Forums, being held to help identify and address the health needs of our community.

The Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice annual summer party will be held on Tuesday, September 12th at 5:30 p.m. at the New London Historical Society and will feature tapas (yummy small-plate selections from area chefs), a sangria bar, music and more.

Embrace a New Chapter in Your Life

If you are a woman grieving the loss of a spouse or significant other, “Widow to Widow” may be just what you need to help embrace a new chapter in your life. This ongoing bereavement support group meets on the first Monday of each month from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Lake Sunapee VNA, and participants may attend as much or as little as they like.