What to Do is the title of an essay that Tim Martin wrote in response to the series of programs addressing issues of aging presented by the Quechee Lakes Community Affairs Committee (CAC) to the Quechee Lakes Landowners Association (QLLA) and the Upper Valley community. These programs were designed to help families and individuals make informed decisions and to plan ahead for those “life’s transitions” as we age. Programs addressed such topics as estate and financial planning, health care and advance directives, local resources in support of seniors and their families, and what you need to know if you want to stay at home.… Read More

I  met Bambi Koeniger with an email exchange about harvesting produce from the Quechee Community Garden. She and husband John were away and their tomatoes were abundant and very ripe. I had taken on the job of assuring that excess produce gets to The Haven—the homeless shelter and food bank in White River Junction. She asked that I go ahead and pick those tomatoes. I learned that she had been the primary Haven deliverer the year before and that her connection was even closer. The Haven is located next to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and the two organizations often work together.… Read More

In German, berg means “mountain.” Does that mean Howard Trachtenberg was fated to love mountains? Those who know this cheerful man may well think so. In his home, at once cozy and sun-filled, that he designed, he leads the way to a comfortable study. The walls are lined with mementos such as a pastel portrait—obviously the gift of a friend—of Howard knee-deep in a brook, with fly-casting paraphernalia and a huge grin.

To celebrate his years of work and enjoyment at Quechee’s ski hill, where he and some of his colleagues founded and developed a ski patrol, family and friends donated a weather station to honor Trachtenberg’s 80th birthday.… Read More

Although we all might wish otherwise, the Nuestra Senora de Atocha is not a fine Spanish restaurant found in White River Junction. No, it is the name of a very old sailing ship, which was part of a treasure fleet that sailed from Havana in September of 1622. September, by the way, is the height of hurricane season in the Caribbean. In retrospect perhaps the captains should have known better but the conditions were perfect on September 4 and there was no weather channel to consult. What could go wrong? They all thought. The decision was made to set sail for Spain.… Read More

It’s such a good idea, someone must be doing it,” Hartford’s Sonja Hakala told her brother Mark. He had been skimming an AARP magazine and found an article about people donating small quilts for Alzheimer’s patients. Their own mother lay in bed, too weak from Parkinson’s disease to move under the full-size quilt Sonja had made for her—but what about a lap quilt? “You could do this, Sone,” her brother said. And she did.

Sonja is known as a fountain of ideas, both of projects and of how to accomplish them. She’s written and produced books on publishing, and she works helping authors develop and publish their books.… Read More

He did it without a hitch. Paul Luti in his 72nd year conquered his own golf challenge of “71 at 71,” and surpassed that goal by playing 91 holes in one day on the Quechee’s Lakeland and Highland courses. His effort had an added benefit for his favorite charity CHAD (The Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock). “It was the easiest effort to raise an amazing $12,442,” he says. Luti used Facebook, and emails to friends and family, word-of-mouth to communicate his mission and offer some interesting ways to donate. Pledges based on holes played, number of birdies, pars and sandies were some of the choices.… Read More

If you live in Quechee, you might have seen Tom Jenkins in his Quechee Pro Shop uniform. He and brother, Will, have worked for the golf program for the past several years. On July 1, Tom donned a new uniform as he headed to Plebe Summer at the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland. Once he completes this rigorous six-week introduction to life at one of our outstanding military service academies, he will be dressed in an official USNA Midshipman’s uniform.

The USNA website describes Plebe Summer as a demanding orientation that begins four years of preparation of midshipmen to become naval officers.… Read More

Monica Collise, Garden Division Manager at Chippers, Inc., has grown up working in gardens. Her family runs a floral business in southern New Hampshire, near Concord, and Monica started helping as early as she could – even running her own small vegetable stand in the summer!

As she grew older, she began to help out more with the flower gar – dens, too. It was of little surprise to anyone around her when she chose to go to college and study an earth sci – ence; although she did stray a bit from the family’s “earth” focus and studied geology instead.… Read More

Growing up in Cleveland, both Susan Miller and her husband Jim had never heard of The Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family Program. It wasn’t until they moved to Quechee, and spoke to some of their neighbors that they were introduced to the program. It was initially Jim’s idea to become a host. It had been a lifetime goal of his to help inner-city children. Susan and Jim, along with their two daughters Caroline and Christine, first signed up to host in 2010 for two weeks and since then, they have welcomed Erykah, of the Bronx, back every summer.

The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income neighborhoods since 1877.… Read More

Quechee is home to some of the most dynamic people you will ever meet. Some are retired after impressive careers with business, government or non-profits. Some have poured their energies into raising children. Many now donate their time and considerable talents to local organizations in need of assistance. Having experienced executives joining local Boards means the world to small (or even major) non-profits, and many Quechee residents engage in on their feet volunteering as well. The most consistent comment they make on their involvement is something along the lines of “I get so much out of it.”

John Ferney learned about volunteering from watching his mother.… Read More