Blooms are abundant as spring unfurls itself in the Monadnock region. I am always eager to visit the shaded woodsy spot on our road where the lady slippers blossom each May, and to take in the scent of peak lilac season. Hopefully, overnight frosts are behind us, and tender garden plantings can find themselves a haven in this rocky New Hampshire soil.
The weather has pleasantly warmed and the landscapes grow more colorful with each passing day. Though I find that between biting bugs, pesky ticks and one rather intimidating water snake collecting tolls at the Converse Meadow bridge, I’m not always eager to go outdoors.
Fortunately, good folks over in Rindge have been giving plenty of reasons to brave the bugs and enjoy the fresh air. The Rindge Department of Public Works, for instance, has been out at the common sprucing up the grounds in preparation for Memorial Day events. Thank you to them for their hard work mowing raking, and beautifying our town after the messy winter we had.
These freshly groomed grounds also made an ideal setting for prom pictures recently. The gazebo was a perfect spot to capture those magical prom memories on camera while the spring rains came down.
Soon, on June 17, community members will gather again on our lovely common for the Ingalls Memorial Library’s summer reading kickoff event. More on that event soon.
There is also a new and exciting reason to visit the rail trail in Rindge. Caring citizens have built and registered a little free library, which has been installed on the stretch of the trail just behind Emma’s 321 Pub. Bring a book or two to leave for your neighbor, take a few home, and enjoy a nice stroll on the trail while you’re there (though maybe bring your bug spray!).
Get outdoors on June 3 by checking out the Rindgetownwide yard sale, sponsored by the Advent Lutheran Church, and the annual plant sale and spring fling hosted by the Rindge Woman’s Club. This event is an opportunity to hold your own sale, to cruise our town looking for that previously owned something you just need to have or to buy fresh plants and support our valuable woman’s club. Visit Advent Lutheran Church on June 3 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to purchase a map, browse vendors, shop the plant sale and more. Call 603-899-3095 with questions.
And lastly, when you need a break from the bugs or you’re feeling a little shy around any critters you might find out and about, considering hopping on to your computer to donate to a local organization through the NH Gives Campaign. This 24-hour fundraising event begins at 5 p.m. on June 6 and ends at 5 p.m. on June 7, and will benefit New Hampshire nonprofit organizations.
The Ingalls 1894 Association is participating this year, and gifts donated through NH Gives will benefit future generations of Ingalls Memorial Library patrons. The Ingalls 1894 Association has a mission to “ensure continued public access to books and other informational resources by raising money for, and otherwise assisting with, the design and construction of an addition to, and/or renovation of the Ingalls Memorial Library.” Learn more about their mission or to donate at nhgives.org/organizations/ingalls-1894-association.
The Cathedral of the Pines is also participating in the NH Gives Campaign. According to their NH Gives campaign page, the Cathedral of the Pines is “a national memorial dedicated to the memory and honor of all Americans who serve the nation in search of peace.” This year, the Cathedral of the Pines is hoping to raise funds to finance the final renovations of the Hilltop House at the Cathedral. Visit nhgives.org/organizations/cathedral-of-the-pines to learn more or make a donation during NH Gives.
Enjoy this beautiful spring, readers, over in Rindge!
To share your stories, contact me at rindgecommcorr@yahoo.com.