To many people, town development and town conservation would seem to be two ends of a spectrum. Development implies making more of something, whether it be housing, infrastructure, or commercial opportunity. Conservation sounds like preservation: putting the brakes on change so that natural resources and heritage won’t be lost.

In Norwich, one process flows into the other, and back again. We can see this in the history of two town organizations: the Norwich Development Association and the Norwich Conservation Commission.

The Norwich Development Association was formed in 1943 by a group of citizens who wanted to ensure that local children would have a place to swim and to receive swimming lessons. Article 2 of their bylaws named this, but left an opening for further work: “…development and operation of a swimming pool…and promoting or maintaining recreational facilities, or any other improvements for the general welfare, benefit, and beauty of the Town of Norwich.” They were given land along the Charles Brown Brook by Della and Angus MacAulay. Abbie, Fred, and Paul Metcalf donated a strip of land adjacent to the spot planned for a pool, and a dam was built to contain water seasonally. It opened with great fanfare on July 4, 1944, with food, games, music, and speechifying.

Sketch of Gile Mountain tower by Conservation
Commissioner Anne Foley

Over the following years, the Norwich Development Association received annual appropriations from the Town to ensure upkeep and lifeguarding services. In the 1950s, other projects were taken up: running a ski tow on the site of what is now part of Hillside Cemetery, and creating the skating rink on the Town Green. These were both focused on affordable recreation for youth. In 1957, an elementary student’s season ticket for the ski tow cost $3, while a single afternoon use was 25 cents. The ski tow closed in the late 1950s due to high maintenance costs, complicated by uncertain snowfall.

Clearly, development meant creating safe and affordable recreation opportunities for the younger generation. But when development – in the sense of commercial or residential encroachment on forested land – was perceived as a threat to the “general welfare, benefit and beauty “of the town, the Association took action.  They purchased 50 acres around the summit of Gile Mountain in 1968, and created a permanently revolving conservation fund for “easements or options in the Town’s interest” in 1969. In the same year, Maurice Aldrich donated additional land adjacent to the Norwich Pool to the Norwich Development Association.

Building Bat Boxes at Milt Frye Conservation Area

This additional concern for preserving undeveloped land was reflected in their name change in 1972 to the Norwich Recreation and Conservation Council. But two years later, the work was split between two bodies. While the Norwich Recreation and Conservation Council continued to plan recreational activities, the urgency of conservation, with new awareness of threats to our environment, prompted the town to take action. At the 1974 town meeting, the Selectboard was asked to create a Conservation Commission with seven members, the first such commission in the state. This group was to implement the conservation aims of the 1974 town plan, to conserve “open spaces and other lands, waters, and flora and fauna.” They formed five sub-committees: Land Acquisition, Conservation Economics, Education, Natural Resources Inventory, and the Administration and Maintenance of town lands. In the same year, they proposed a bill to the Vermont State House to encourage more Vermont towns to create such commissions. It is notable that those founding members of the Conservation Commission, some of whom had served on the original Norwich Development Association, were ahead of their time in valuing the beautifully “undeveloped’ land around us. Foremost among these far-sighted leaders was Bill Ballard, whose concern for endangered flora led to conservation efforts of bogs and wetlands.

Skating on the town green ca. 1950

The early years of the Conservation Commission saw a variety of activities. A long-term inventory of natural resources began. Books and magazines were purchased for the elementary school library. A public forum entitled “Growth: Who Pays?” was held. A town-wide tree planting project, as well as special plantings around Tracy Hall were accomplished. The Commission took part in a weekly radio program called “Environmental Insight” at Dartmouth College.

Through the 1990s and 2000s, the Commission continued to educate school children and adults. Some serious fundraising efforts resulted in a healthy Conservation Trust Fund. Continuing inventories of natural resources, of wetlands, and of Norwich special places gave direction to potential land acquisition. Much effort was given to planning and developing trails and trail networks on conserved land. Notably, in 1996, Bill Ballard led a hike down the trail that would bear his name (though he argued vigorously for calling it the “Al Converse and Pete Richardson Trail”, because they led the work parties that marked the final trail).

Norwich Pool Opening 1944

Today, 50 years after its founding, the Norwich Conservation Commission has changed some of its structure. There are now nine members and two subcommittees: the Trails Committee and the Milt Frye Nature Area Committee.  The conservation of land continues. New land acquisition projects include the Arnold tract near Norfolk Lake Road and the Woody Adams Forest adjacent to the Gile Mountain Tract. The Schmidt Bog, home to the showy lady slippers so dear to Bill Ballard’s heart, has had boardwalks built. In the Milt Frye Nature Area near the Marion Cross School, work is underway to eradicate invasives while expanding the diversity of native wildflowers. As the Emerald Ash Borer makes its way into our area, plans are being made for treatment options for the town’s ash trees.

A wealth of educational articles can be found on the Conservation Commission’s website. There, you can find information on living alongside our local fauna, such as bears, bees, deer, beavers. Our waterways, insect threats and benefits, and dealing with native and invasive plants are described.

According to a 2003 article by Henry Homeyer in Dartmouth Alumni Magazine, Bill Ballard is reputed to have said, “This world was made beautiful, but it’s being made less beautiful by people who don’t understand the importance of beauty.” I wonder whether it was his words in the founding document of the Norwich Development Association that spoke of “the general welfare, benefit, and beauty of the Town of Norwich.” We are so grateful to the Norwich Conservation Commission for 50 years of carrying on his legacy for preserving and conserving the beauty of our town. Happy 50th birthday!

Relentless determination: Two words that tell the story of Billy Bender’s journey to the Paris Olympic Games.

When Bender, who hails from Norwich, and his pair partner, Oliver Bub, didn’t initially make the United States men’s eight Olympic crew, they didn’t give up. They teamed up for the men’s pair, and the rest is history.

“It’s easy to go home, but it’s the guys who refuse to give up who eventually make the team,” said Bender. “For every athlete, no matter how good you are, there are going to be times when you’re feeling pretty confident about yourself, and there are going to be times when you’re questioning if you’re good enough or if you’re going to make it.

“The guys who make the team and stay on the team for a long time are the guys who never stop doubting themselves.”

After finishing fifth in the pair at the 2023 World Rowing Championships to qualify the U.S. boat for the Olympics, Bender had his sights set on making sure he would be going to Paris. He turned his focus to Olympic training instead of competing with the Dartmouth College men’s heavyweight rowing team.

“At that point, it wasn’t even a question if [the Olympics] were possible,” said Bender’s head coach at Dartmouth, Wyatt Allen, who also coached Bender and Bub for the 2024 Olympics. “Billy had made the grand final in arguably one of the most competitive events in the world, so it was pretty easy to say you’re doing the right thing. There’s no way you don’t chase this dream.”

Even though Bender and Bub never raced together at Dartmouth – they missed each other by one year – they have plenty of racing experience together with the California Rowing Club.

Oliver Bub and Billy Bender

Countless hours of training came down to the Olympic trials in April. In the final, Bender and Bub stood fourth, but they surged ahead over the final 1,000 meters, finishing with the top time of 6:54.64 – almost three seconds ahead of second place.

“It’s really unusual that you get two guys coming out of the same college program who fit in a small boat together and are able to generate the speed you need to win Olympic trials,” said Allen.

Bender was Paris bound. “In the weeks after we won trials, there was a little bit of disbelief that we would be going to the Olympics,” said Bender. “It was all coming really fast, but then it’s right back into your routine. Just because it’s an Olympic year, it doesn’t change your training.”

Bender and Bub’s training featured a stop in Hanover during the week of Dartmouth’s Commencement in early June.

“It was a nice moment of closure to watch my class graduate and celebrate them,” said Bender.

Bender, who will return to Dartmouth in 2024-25 to finish his degree and compete with the Big Green, then traveled to Princeton, New Jersey with the U.S. team before the entire team headed to Italy for training prior to Paris. Bender and Bub went on to finish fourth in the B final (10th overall).

“We are very different athletes in our physical capabilities,” said Bub. “Hopefully, he feels like he can learn some things from me, and I know I definitely learn a lot from him. The difference between us allows us to see things from the other’s point of view. It also leads to really good training; we bounce ideas off each other.

“And we both move the pair pretty well too.”

It all started when a few medical professionals hosted a community conversation, and someone asked the question, “Where do the homeless get their healthcare?” – a question that had not been at the front of everyone’s minds.

Over thirty years later, Good Neighbor Health Clinic (GNHC) is a shining example of what happens when a community comes together to address a problem for the better of everyone. Located in White River Junction, Vermont, it began with the hard work of two founders and their wives’ incredible support and resilience, eventually blossoming into a multi-decade legacy of good quality, affordable healthcare. For over 32 years, GNHC has been providing medical and dental care for free to people of the Upper Valley, all thanks to their volunteers.

You might know Paul and Wendy Manganiello of Norwich; their work and desire to do more for others has created an incredible space where over 327 volunteers have dedicated thousands of hours to make free care possible over the years. It was an idea hatched from Paul and Peter Mason’s friendship, and a drive to make real change happen here at home in our community.

Wendy and Paul have been integral members of the Norwich community, witnessing and contributing to its growth and development over the years. Their journey began in 1979, when they moved from Georgia to West Lebanon, eventually settling in Norwich in 1984. From the outset, they were drawn to the town’s strong sense of community, particularly through the local school system, which helped them form lasting friendships and integrate into the fabric of the Norwich way of life.

Tonya Gammel, GNHC treasurer

One of the couple’s notable local contributions has been their involvement in the Good Neighbor Health Clinic. Their commitment to the clinic dates back to the 1980s, when a seminar on homelessness in the Upper Valley revealed a pressing need for community support services in the area. This realization spurred the formation of the Upper Valley Interfaith Homeless Coalition – a collaborative effort among local churches to provide temporary shelter and support for the homeless.

Paul’s medical background and Wendy’s dedication to social justice played crucial roles in these initiatives. They were instrumental in organizing and supporting the clinic, which provided essential healthcare services to those in need. Over the years, their efforts, along with those of numerous volunteers and community members, have transformed GNHC into a cornerstone of the local healthcare system.

The success of these community projects is a testament to the unwavering support from Norwich volunteers. According to Wendy and Paul, the town’s residents have consistently stepped up, offering their time, skills, and resources to ensure the well-being of their neighbors. This collective effort underscores the idea that community improvement is not the work of a few, but the result of many minds coming together with a shared vision and purpose. The Manganiello’s emphasize that their story is not just about their contributions, but about the power of community collaboration. They highlight the importance of recognizing the many volunteers and leaders who have dedicated themselves to GNHC’s mission over the years. These individuals have shown incredible dedication, often making personal sacrifices to support the clinic’s growth and sustainability.

Reflecting on their journey, Wendy and Paul express deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve and the remarkable people they have met along the way. With the incredible amount of non-profits in the Upper Valley, it is important to note how many people make these organizations successful. Consider the GNHC treasurer, Tonya Gammel – also a Norwich resident, who has found a use for her skills and work ethic to be applied to the non-profit setting and takes great pride in making sure the important things happen.

For two decades, Tonya Gammell has embraced the tight-knit community of Norwich, finding inspiration in its collective spirit. Joining the GNHC board six years ago, she continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing community health through her involvement and financial expertise.

Through GNHC, Tonya has gained insight into the challenges facing residents and the dedication of volunteers striving to overcome them. Balancing her board duties with a full-time career at Hypertherm and other community engagements, Tonya exemplifies Norwich’s spirit of giving back. Beyond her work with GNHC, she is passionate about fostering civic engagement, particularly among the next generation. Her journey from initial hesitance to active advocacy underscores the transformative power of individual commitment to community well-being.

Patty Monahan, Norwich community
member and GNHC Board member

As Norwich continues to evolve, Tonya’s dedication serves as a beacon, inspiring others to join in the effort to build a healthier, more vibrant community. In her tireless advocacy and unwavering support, Tonya embodies the essence of community unity and compassion that defines Norwich’s character.

Patty Monahan, VP of Senior Treasury and Municipal Services at Mascoma Bank and fellow community member of Norwich, also serves at GNHC on the Board, and you might find her in the community passing out information about the work that the clinic does to help spread the word.

The many good people of Norwich help form the Upper Valley community and have made lasting contributions to what Good Neighbor Health Clinic has become. Thank you, Norwich community, for your support of our work and for embodying what it means to be a “Good Neighbor”!

~ Elizabeth Austin, MHA, on Behalf of Good Neighbor Health Clinic

Baseball, known widely as America’s favorite pastime, is a game of fine adjustments and failures. Even for professional athletes, getting a hit three times in ten tries is considered a success. Baseball is a sport where one truly has to love the game to stay in it; there can be frustrating and repetitive moments from the beginning to the end of a player’s career, but there are also plenty of rewards.

NBA player, Abe Rojansky, at bat

The baseball parents here in Norwich have witnessed that phenomenon firsthand. The Norwich Baseball Association (NBA), created in 2017 by Rob Kramer and now run by President Michael Costa and fellow Norwich Baseball Association board members, ensures that kids in Norwich between ages 8-12 will have the opportunity to play, improve, and learn to love the game of baseball now and in the future.

With a season beginning in early spring and practices and games running through fall, Norwich’s Cal Ripken teams are able to participate in baseball opportunities throughout most of the year. In the spring, two to three 10U (ages 8-10) and two 12U (ages 10-12) Norwich teams play against other local teams in the Upper Valley’s Cal Ripken League, like Hanover, Lebanon, and Hartford. As a part of the all-star program in the summer, teams practice and play against each other for a two-week period, and two teams (one 10U and one 12U) are selected to play in the Vermont Cal Ripken State Tournament. A more relaxed summer baseball season runs from early July to mid-late August, when rising 3rd graders are typically introduced to the program. In the fall, the NBA prepares for the next spring season with weekly practices and games. Each year, between 40-60 kids participate in the Norwich Baseball Association program.

NBA president Michael Costa and two young Norwich baseball players

For Costa and other board members, as well as the coaches, a critical concept that the Norwich Baseball Association imparts on their teams is “player development over wins and losses,” Costa says. From the start of the season, practices are built around emphasizing good physical habits like stretching, throwing technique, base running, and more. Coaches also teach their players about the importance of good sportsmanship and being a good teammate – skills that will stick with them well beyond the baseball diamond. The coaches also challenge the players, making sure that, despite their young ages, these passionate and talented athletes are giving it their all while developing self-confidence.

“You have to really love the sport of baseball,” explains Costa. “I always tell my players, when they see a curveball for the first time, that the process of figuring out how to hit a curveball will show how much they actually love the sport.”

Weston Dyke catching

While these skills and tweaks take time to learn and improve upon, especially for younger players who are newly introduced to the sport of baseball, Costa says that seeing his players get over hurdles and demonstrate the skills they’ve been practicing is one of the best parts of his involvement with the Norwich Baseball Association.

“Sometimes it doesn’t [seem] like the kids are improving, but then they’ll make a play we had worked on in practice during the games,” remarks Costa with a hint of satisfaction.

An emphasis on teaching the fundamentals of baseball, as well as the evident time and effort put into making the NBA possible, all stems from the fact that the people involved in organizing the association are avid baseball lovers themselves. Costa was born into a baseball family, with his childhood often consumed by the sound of Red Sox radio broadcasts. “My grandfather taught my dad how to play baseball, and my dad taught me, so it’s been passed down the family,” he says. With fond memories of famous Red Sox moments – like the Dave Roberts steal in the 2004 ALC (American League Championship), which Costa considers his favorite Red Sox moment – Costa is someone who can talk about baseball for hours on end. His love for baseball extends to his work with the association between practices, schedules, and even jerseys that he pitches in to meticulously plan out.

Christopher Coughlin coaching Norwich baseball

Another vital component of the Norwich Baseball Association are parent-volunteers. As Costa puts it, “None of the magic in youth sports happens without parents putting in effort.” Aside from encouraging players to focus on baseball outside of NBA-led practices and games, which Costa says is essential for the improvement of young baseball athletes, parents often help in other ways as well. Recently, NBA parents Mara Child and Lucy Rojansky, along with other parents and the board, organized a Fenway Park trip for the whole NBA community. The NBA, being a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, can do its own fundraising, and Child, seeing an opportunity that the Red Sox advertised, took the initiative to contact them, which led to both a fundraising and an educational opportunity for the NBA, allowing kids, family, and friends to enjoy a professional baseball game at one of the oldest baseball stadiums in the country. As part of the program with the Red Sox, the NBA raised around 16-1700 dollars by reselling tickets. At Fenway, the NBA players were also able to run around on the field and take pictures, making for a forgettable experience.

Like Costa, Child also grew up in a baseball family. She grew up in New Hampshire, watching and listening to Red Sox games, with distinct memories of her grandmother listening to the Red Sox broadcasts frequently and keeping her own scorebooks. After moving to Seattle with her husband, Child and her family watched Mariners games as well. When the family moved back to the Upper Valley two years ago, they became involved in the NBA, with her husband coaching (Child has made a few coaching cameos as well) and her son playing.

As a parent, Child says the NBA is a good way for her kid to connect with other players his age, but also a good way for her to connect with other baseball-inclined families.

“The Norwich Baseball Association is a great way to meet new families and build community, not just in Norwich, but also in towns across the Upper Valley,” she adds.

Norwich players of all ages celebrating Youth Sports Day at Fenway Park. ((Photos seen first in Demo Sofronas’ newsletter,
“About Norwich”, used with permission from aboutnorwich.substack.com.)

The NBA isn’t the only opportunity for kids to play baseball in the Upper Valley. The Upper Valley Ambush, organized by Brian Melzer, provides an opportunity for more competitive baseball in the Upper Valley. With 12U and 14U teams, Upper Valley Ambush plays in the New England Select League, which showcases some of the best youth teams across New England. Costa, who will coach one of the teams next spring, says that the Ambush allows kids to experience competitive, challenging, and travel-team-style baseball at a young age.

The Ambush also has another benefit to Upper Valley youth baseball, according to Costa.

“Upper Valley Ambush allows kids in the Upper Valley to experience travel baseball without the need to travel to Concord or Manchester to find travel baseball teams like the Concord Cannons or the New Hampshire Bobcats, like one used to have to do,” he says. Because the Ambush includes a 14U team, some games are played on a major-league-sized field, with 40′ vs. 60′ pitching mounds, 60′ vs. 90′ base paths, and overall bigger outfields, which is often a big jump for players who are used to a smaller setup. Costa explains that this is why the fundamentals of baseball are so important to learn at a young age when practicing.

Costa hopes to keep the Norwich Baseball Association going strong even after this batch of athletes moves on to the next stage of their baseball careers. “Our goal is to make this whole process sustainable so that the next group of parents who take over the program don’t have to start from scratch,” he says.

Mia Tesone and Etta Regan at Fenway Park.

The Norwich Baseball Association has always been an organization passed down among parents. When founder Rob Kramer was in charge, Costa often helped out, noticing Kramer’s dedication to making quality youth baseball available to Norwich youths. Costa, now president of the association’s board, continues to try to imitate that same rigor, along with the rest of the board, coaches, and parents, who are all essential parts of the organization to keep it running smoothly.

A strong youth baseball program has many benefits that impact beyond the players and their families. At the high school level, many of the players who are on the team start off at programs such as the Norwich Baseball Association. In the case of Hanover High School, a good number of the players in the high school program played baseball in Norwich at some point. Having a strong program like the NBA ensures that the future of baseball for youth in Norwich and beyond will be rewarding in the upcoming years.

As summer turns into fall, be ready to see young baseball players in Norwich donning their navy blue jerseys as they begin their fall season. Play ball!

*****

All photos on this page except for last 2 by Kata Sasvari

In April of this year, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) welcomed a new executive director, Alden Smith. Having moved to Norwich in 2022, Smith has been working to be the leader that VINS needs, while he, his wife, Missy, and their three children continue to settle into their home on Church Street.

Smith directed the Mountain School of Milton Academy in Vershire for two decades, so he and his family have lived in the Upper Valley for a long time. Smith described Vershire as a “remote, beautiful place” and a wonderful community for his children. However, he and Missy made the decision to move to Norwich in order to give their children, who are now 9, 13 and 15 years old, closer access to their various passions. Whether it was piano lessons or soccer practice, the remote location of Vershire ultimately made it more difficult for them to commute their children to the many opportunities found in the Upper Valley.

Alden Smith and his family enjoying the Norwich Town Forest

When Smith left the Mountain School, he didn’t know what his next career step would be. They spent their first year living in Norwich, unsure of whether or not they would be able to stay, but that didn’t keep them from falling in love with the vibrant community. “We traveled and interviewed all over the east, looking for new jobs and places to live, and we never found anywhere as wonderful as the neighborhood we live in right now, in Norwich,” Smith explains.

They found their new community in Norwich to be an intersection of access to both the arts and the natural world. Smith and his family love the trails, the farmers’ market, the wildlife, and the walkable nature of Norwich. Smith recalls that “the first Halloween shocked and delighted us.” After living thirty minutes from the nearest stoplight in Vershire, moving to Church Street put the family smack in the middle of the Norwich community. He remembers the trick or treaters coming to his door in droves, and how wonderful it was to host guests and be welcomed into the neighborhood.

VINS executive director Alden Smith admires a barn owl perched on the arm of a handler.

While Smith says the “walkable, bikeable access to community” was one of the highlights of his initial experience moving to Norwich, he also cited the connection to nature as part of the reason his family chose to make Norwich their home. He calls the slice of woods behind their home a “pocket of serenity.”

Norwich resident Alden Smith, the new Executive
Director of the Vermont Institute of Natural Science.

“In some ways, it’s been surprising how many wild places exist down valley in Norwich, which I used to think of as a population center,” Smith says. While he misses the deep forests of Vershire, he’s finding that Norwich has more in common with his previous home than he had first thought. He and his family have been enjoying harvesting mushrooms, hiking, and biking in the woods so far over the past two years.

Smith also enjoys bow hunting, which has been one way that he’s gotten familiar with the woods of Norwich since moving here. He acknowledged that being a hunter might seem to be in tension with his conservation work at VINS, but he views his hunting as a conservation effort in itself: “While Norwich is diverse and healthy, an overpopulation of deer is not good for biodiversity.”

So, despite their extensive job search, the Smith family hoped a job opportunity would emerge in the Upper Valley. Smith’s position at VINS provided a perfect opportunity for them to stay in Norwich.

Smith has been settling in well as the new executive director of VINS, applying the nonprofit management skills he learned at the Mountain School – a semester program for juniors located on a farm with a focus on connecting to nature and to each other. He was drawn to VINS by its mission to inspire people to care for the natural world. Living and promoting this mission, he says, requires simply that he be the “most authentic version” of himself.

Alden and his daughter Ellicott harvest morel mushrooms in the
Upper Valley woods

He finds the work fun and restorative. “Even if I’m having a bad day in the office, I can go visit the snowy owls or climb the canopy tower and look out on the Ottauquechee River,” he explains. For Smith, VINS is an extraordinary place to work and learn, and he feels lucky to have found his “work home” there.

While his long-term goal is to expand the impact that VINS has in the community, Smith remarked that he’s taking it slow and learning from all that VINS has to offer. “Right now, we are launching a strategic planning process that taps into deep wisdom within the organization,” he says. The next steps that Smith envisions for VINS hearken back to its origin story: in 1970, VINS founders David and Sally Laughlin led an effort to clean up the then-polluted Ottauquechee River and continued their conservation efforts from there, resulting in the creation of VINS in 1972. “We’re really interested in circling back to that original vision, especially the ways that clean water connects and heals us,” Smith says.

Smith thinks of this story each time he climbs to the top of the canopy tower. “I look down at the Ottauquechee River, which is about two football fields away and 100 feet below, and I can see down through that clean river to the stones at the bottom,” he explains. Smith views this clarity of water both as a testament to the Laughlins’ vision and as a call to continue the effort to heal and protect the Upper Valley.

Alden and his son, Alden Hopkins, in the Norwich woods on
Youth Hunting Weekend

So Smith’s priority is to apply the rich history of VINS to the needs of the present. “We give people an opportunity to see what is present but often invisible in nature,” he says. From locking eyes with a Golden Eagle to walking through the top of the tree canopy, visitors discover unique perspectives on the natural world. Smith hopes that the community is inspired by these experiences to take action and protect the environment. He acknowledges that VINS would not exist without the community. VINS is supported by a devoted group of volunteers, many of whom have been with VINS for decades, and the institute welcomes new volunteers every year. Local schools and camps visit VINS, giving them the opportunity to educate young people, and the nonprofit relies on funding from many people and organizations throughout the Upper Valley.

“We’re grateful at VINS to do the work we do, and to help the Upper Valley be a healthier place to live and learn,” Smith says.