News: December 2021

December Report

Winter indoor sports came into full swing in December, with K, 3/4 and 5/6 basketball over at the Marion Cross School gym.  Games will be playing off site in Tracy Hall and in towns with similar COVID 19 protocols to ours.  We re-instated our COVID volunteers for the indoor sessions; they are tasked with running water/mask breaks, ensuring that masks are worn properly by all participants, and that our Code of Conduct is followed.  This allows our volunteer coaching teams to focus on their plans and sessions without burdening them with additional tasks.

Norwich Recreation Afternoons ran through December 22^nd, and is currently paused until post-holiday testing results are in. 

We partnered with the Marion Cross PTO in hanging pine boughs on the fence on Tuesday, December 21^st.  This was our second event with the PTO.  They donated the pine boughs this year.  On the same day, we set up and filled the ice rink with the help of Adam Moore (DPW), Meghan Kellieher (MCS parent), Bernard Haskell (Norwich resident), Matt Swett, Peter Orner and the Norwich Fire Dept.  Huge thanks, as always, to the Water Dept..   The Hoser team is growing, but we still have several days when our volunteers cannot commit to grooming.  Adam Moore will serve as our backup Hoser during days when his B&G duties allow.  We have given him a set of grooming equipment that will be stored at the DPW so that storage is not an issue during the school day.

Huntley Meadows grooming – Bob Fisken as found an issue with the snowmobile used to the groom the snow at Huntley.  He ordered the parts and has repaired the machine again.  We do not have a guarantee that the snowmobile will make it through another year, but at least we have been able to start grooming on time.  

Nordic Trail – the Upper Valley Land Trust has initiated the contract with Allied Construction to groom the nordic trail, which spans the farm road from Turnpike Road to Beaver Meadow, with loops inside Brookmead Conservation Area and around the perimeter of Parcel 5.   We are planning to host 3 Nordic at Night events with UVLT, and they will host a fat biking event.
The Buildings & Grounds crew helped to continue the inventory count.  We have donated as much equipment as we can, and ordered shirts necessary to get through our basketball season.  We will have to purchase 2 sets of lacrosse equipment, but we otherwise look to be in good shape for any items that are not already considered ‘high turnover’ or single-use (balls, paints, etc).
Our nordic equipment has benefited 5 families this season, and we still have a few more sets of skis coming in.  We did keep a few pairs of our better condition skates for loan.

Creative Workforce Solutions, the state run organization who provided two summer staff members this year, called with another potential employee for Rec.  I plan to meet him sometime in the new year to find out if he is a good fit.  The organization work with teens who are looking for an alternate path into career exploration. 

Dartmouth’s Social Impact Practicum will be working with Rec on a complete redesign of our logo, signage and color scheme.  I met with the Director earlier in the month, and it sounds like an exciting project, working with the Neurology students to create designs and using Dartmouth’s technology to see which ones match with our vision.