Recent happenings have me thinking about neighboring Jaffrey. About community and connection. About relationships and outreach. About the potential when people come together.
One brisk, bright morning late last month, I was able to join the Fridays For Future climate strike in downtown Jaffrey. I’d been moved by the passionate calls for climate action by many locals, including Megan Wheeler and Patricia Martin, and wanted to find out more about the Jaffrey Climate Initiative. And though I was a bit uneasy about just showing up in Jaffrey early that Friday morning, not sure of what to expect and being outside the comfort zone of my own town, I was excited about what I might learn and the people I might meet.
As folks of all ages and from all across the region arrived, I soon found that this was a welcoming, hopeful, and upbeat gathering. Homemade signs promoting the care of our planet were shared by all, and I made new acquaintances from Jaffrey and from Rindge. I also happened upon familiar faces who had come out to advocate for Earth, and a vivacious group of Franklin Pierce University students led spirited cheering as morning commuters honked their support. Crossing the border that day was a great decision. It was heartening to be with such a positive group over in Jaffrey, all with the common goal of taking care of our planet.
A week or so after the climate strike, I was in downtown Jaffrey again and just as inspired by the people around me. The chamber of commerce was holding its after-hours gathering, and I was attending as a member of the Jaffrey-Rindge MLK Committee. My nervous feelings of being the outsider from over in Rindge returned, but were swiftly quieted by the many kind and welcoming people I met. It was a heartwarming evening as the members and attendees gathered to honor Jaffrey’s Marc Tieger for his 50 years of business service to the region. It was very moving to hear Tieger, and others, speak to the meaningful impact that so many in Jaffrey have had on their community and beyond, including the recent organized collection of donated goods for people of war-stricken Ukraine.
Spending this time in Jaffrey gave me a renewed appreciation for their active community, and for the important connection we share as neighboring towns. Geographically speaking, Jaffrey is in fact just that — a neighbor. And while physically juxtaposed to one another, Jaffrey and Rindge share more than just a town line. Valuable community organizations and committees straddle this region, with membership from both towns, and others, often represented. And of course, there is the very meaningful link we have in the Jaffrey-Rindge School District, where many young people from both towns come together for a first time as sixth-grade learners and go on to be lifelong friends. In so many ways the Jaffrey-Rindge relationship is a valuable one, with both communities having so much to offer.
Interesting local family activities? A friendly exchange with a neighbor? Or a special milestone to share about? Reach out and connect with me at rindgecommcorr@yahoo.com.
The Monadnock Ledger-Transcript is continuing to seek community correspondents for our towns. If interested, send an email to editor Bill Fonda at bfonda@ledgertranscript.com.