Each year, volunteers for the Norwich Wood Bee spend a fall day cutting, splitting, and stacking wood to ensure those in need will have heat for the winter. This year, the program had about 10 volunteers come out to a woodlot on Beaver Meadow Road in Norwich on October 11. Participants were encouraged to bring wood splitters, wheelbarrows, and refreshments for an active day outdoors. They spent four to five hours moving wood to splitters, transferring the split wood to a shed, and stacking it.

Eric Friets, director of the Norwich Wood Bee, started as a volunteer on the fall work days and then took over coordinating the program in 2020. “We run entirely on volunteers,” he said. “All of our effort goes into firewood that keeps people warm.”

Those who need wood for the season can make requests through the Norwich town office or Upper Valley Haven.

Nancy Griffin, service coordinator with Upper Valley Haven, has been working with the Norwich Wood Bee for several years. She fields requests from people who request wood and shares them with Friets for the Wood Bee.

“They’re wonderful,” said Griffin. “They make the difference for a lot of families and individuals. Most people heat with something extra to save money, and they have been amazing.”

Friets said one of the unique aspects of the program is that it is very informal. They don’t have a charter or founding document, a budget, or a requirement for recipients to complete any forms or show proof of income.

“I love the efficiency of the aid,” said Friets. “How easy it is for recipients to contact us and how easy it is for us to get them wood. It’s simple and efficient in terms of impact.”

“This is just something very kind that’s being done that’s very useful, with no paperwork except for directions for where they’re going,” Griffin said. “That’s another wonderful thing, that we can do things just out of kindness. People don’t call here unless they’re in need. I think it’s really incredible that it exists.”

The Norwich Wood Bee typically holds one work day each fall that is open to anyone who would like to volunteer. Friets said occasionally a local organization or company will sponsor its employees for a volunteer day, or a youth group will participate.

The town provides the Norwich Wood Bee with trees that have fallen or were cut down along roads. Sometimes local residents who have trees taken down on their property donate it to the program. “Once we had someone who was doing some logging on their land offer us a whole truckload,” Friets said.

Between eight and 12 families from Norwich and surrounding communities will receive firewood this year. “He also delivers, to the hardest places in the world to get to sometimes,” said Griffin. “Which I really appreciate.”

Because the wood is not kiln-dried, the program can only deliver wood to homes in a 50-mile radius within Vermont to comply with Vermont forestry regulations.

Griffin has concerns about an increased need for fuel assistance this winter, as families continue to struggle with housing, food demand, and increasing costs. “The middle class is getting squeezed. Everything has gotten so much more expensive,” she said. “The community is really stepping up, though. Everywhere, you’re seeing people trying to fill in gaps for people, which is really nice. Vermont’s kind of like that, I think. It’s a great state to live in.”

Demo Sofronas attended the 2025 volunteer day and shared the experience through his About Norwich Substack newsletter. He described it as “a day that was filled with lots of activity and people were busy, energetic, and actually excited to be there to assist in this very worthwhile cause.”

Friets said he enjoys the physical aspect of the work day, as well as providing warmth for others in the community. “It’s good exercise, and I like to work outside,” he said. “I’ve really come to enjoy talking to the recipients that I see every year. This year, one of our long-time regular clients had called to make arrangements and then called back and said somebody had given them a cord of wood unexpectedly so they called to cancel to make sure someone else could get that wood.”

Friets gets the word out through the Norwich Listserv and emails to volunteers. Community members who would like to volunteer can contact the Norwich Wood Bee through the town office or Upper Valley Haven.

“Volunteers really make things happen,” said Griffin. “We couldn’t survive here without our volunteers. There’s so much talent in the Upper Valley and so much thoughtfulness. It makes you happy to be here, and grateful to be here.”

Sitting in his favorite chair – the same one he uses for songwriting — in his backyard in New Orleans, independent singer-songwriter Hans Williams seems at ease as he reflects on the past year. Recently, on October 18th, he put on a show with his band in Hanover, NH, and afterward, he introduced his bandmates to his Norwich community by pressing cider with his neighbors. It’s here that Williams expresses something poignant — the first of many things — when he says that the Upper Valley is “a unique, special community…you can tell someone that, but it takes growing up there…to get a sense of that.”

Hans Wiilliams at a recent Bragg Hill Cider
pressing.c

Though the Norwich transplant now lives in New Orleans, this community mindset plays a significant role in Williams’ life. The musician shares a split-up multi-family house with a few other local musicians, including his producer, long-time collaborator, and once-Norwich resident Phin Choukas. This space has become an artist’s domain, brimming with creative energy as each works on their projects. Together, these musicians have created a small, tight-knit community, like the one Williams grew up with in Norwich. Together, they share wins and losses as they work toward success in a difficult industry.

Thankfully, Williams is in a good place. He lives comfortably off his earnings from streaming, partially due to his continued independence from music labels. He expresses that he is both grateful for the opportunity and lucky, knowing full well that some of his other colleagues must work all year to earn a meager salary on the road. However, this opportunity has allowed Williams to focus wholeheartedly on his art. Though Williams has a laid-back manner of speaking, when it comes to his craft, the musician expresses somber, spiritual, and ambitious reflections about his work: “There’s this gap between what I like to listen to and what I’m capable of making, and I really want to make something that’s going to last as far as my taste.” In other words, he wants to pen songs he never tires of playing.

Hans at Austin City Limits Festival: Austin, TX, Oct 12, 2025.

To do this, Williams revisits his favorite seat outside regularly. Often beginning with a chord progression or a series of notes, he jams on it and works out a melody line. As he nails that down, Williams sings words and phrases that come to his mind. Then, later, he digs deeper to see if these improvisational lyrics are a signal from his subconscious of something more affecting. Often, they become signals to process complex emotions, especially when it comes to traumatic events.

Hans playing at a Tuck’s Rock Dojo show ca: 2014

Lately, ’70s British folk music (Nick Drake, John Martyn, Fairport Convention, Pentangle) has become an inspiration for him in this regard. Although Williams expresses that extensive inspiration comes from his parents’ taste in music (Al Green, Steely Dan, Tracy Chapman), he has had British folk musician John Martyn’s 1973 release Solid Air in his solid rotation. Inspired by Martyn’s visit to a colleague, folk legend Nick Drake, the record became an accidental tribute to him when Drake would commit suicide via depressants a year later. Similarly, Williams processed and coped with the tragedy of being a first responder to his roommate’s suicide with his 2020 hit, “Body On My Shoulders.” Understandably, the event still lurks in Williams’ mind, and as time goes on, he finds himself returning to it in new ways. He says the event is still top of mind and may make its way into more of his work.

Not all Williams’ work is this dark. Earlier this year, he released the soul-funk adjacent “Hold My Love,” a tune about love, apologies, and making up. However, both this song and “Body On My Shoulder” establish a common theme in Williams’ work: his ability to speak to the human spirit. Williams is the first to say he does not know exactly what made him so successful on streaming, as Spotify’s algorithm works its magic outside his knowledge. However, it is clear Williams is tapping into something that resonates with listeners. Last year, when he toured his 2024 release More Than One Way Home, he was able to meet his audience, and through conversations, he saw firsthand how listeners had taken to heart the songs he had written. Sometimes, they were in ways he had not originally intended, but still, it seemed Williams spoke directly to their soul. It illustrates another example of the singer-songwriter’s focus on community, woven into both his work and his approach to his surrounding listenership.

When asked how growing up in Norwich influenced him, Williams expressed that Norwich’s community was vital in shaping who he is. He said that when it comes to Norwich, you become attuned to this way of thinking by living there. “You don’t really choose who your friends are. You kind of have to make nice with everyone.” One of his bandmates commented on it when they were recently pressing cider in Norwich, “I get why you love community so much, because you have such a strong one here.”

Williams’ Norwich upbringing, which stressed the importance of community, along with his serious approach to his craft and relatability, all most likely play a factor in his success. It’s clear the musician’s roots are carved deep in his work. Whatever project we see next from the successful singer-songwriter, it would not be unlikely to expect a little bit of Norwich to be present. Whether that element ends up front and personal or buried beneath the surface, listeners will have to wait and see.

Neighbors on Bragg Hill pressing cider

Mary Stevens, APRN, is Norwich’s Community Nurse. Our town, community members and the Byrne foundation have generously supported this integral service. What exactly is a Community Nurse and what exactly does Mary do?

Healthcare is evolving and complicated, making it easy for important pieces to fall through the cracks. People are encouraged to do more and more for themselves and for some, this can be a challenge. The Community Nurse bridges the gap between the medical environment and people’s lives in their own homes.

Mary offers assessments. She visits people in their homes and helps them figure out what services and equipment would make life easier and safer.

Mary will follow up with people who live with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and congestive heart failure and make sure they understand their medications and how and when to take them. She communicates with healthcare providers and sometimes accompanies people to medical appointments. Her own background as a Nurse Practitioner adds to her effectiveness in this role.

We have community members who are discharged from the hospital after a bout with pneumonia or after a hip replacement. There can be a wide gap between discharge instructions delivered in the hospital and the reality at home. Mary visits and makes sure that recovery is on the right track and that people have the correct equipment and know how to use it.

We have several elders in our community who don’t have family close by. Mary offers home visits  and communicates with family members. As is true in the larger world, Mary increasingly encounters people living independently in Norwich, who are  also living with dementia. This is one of the biggest challenges for people who are aging in place.

Mary has a lifelong association with the Upper Valley, having grown up here herself, and has lived in Norwich for almost ten years. Mary began her career in medicine as a paramedic, attended nursing school and worked as a nurse in the emergency room. She then pursued her Advanced Practice  degree, becoming  a Nurse Practitioner. Locally, she worked at Dick’s House and Good Neighbor Health Clinic before becoming Norwich’s Community Nurse.

To reach the Norwich Community Nurse, call (802) 281-2722; Email: mailto:norwichnursevt@gmail.com. Phone messages and emails are checked daily.

When you think of what makes a house a home, what comes to mind? If anyone in the Upper Valley region has a deep, rich understanding of this, it is Ann Shriver Sargent.

Ann is a visionary, who, for many years, has blended her love of the natural world, her appreciation for local craftsmanship, and deep sense of family and community, with her passion for and expertise in design. She is the owner of Sargent Design Company in Norwich, VT, where she and her husband, David, live. Her story is rich, meaningful, and inspirational. For Ann, a home is so much more than the contents within. It encompasses not only the thought that goes into the design and aesthetics, but also the intention of creating a unique space where each detail, each piece within the home reflects a personal story. It is also a reflection of the craftsmen and local artisans in the community who come together to help bring the vision to life. It is not only a home, but a gathering place, a warm invitation to friends and family.

Ann in her kitchen
A guest

In November, Ann was inducted into the New England Design Hall of Fame, a very high achievement recognizing individuals and businesses in New England’s residential design industry. Ann was recognized for her design work as well as for her contributions to and influences in the look and feel of New England homes and resorts. “This is a huge honor.  There’s a lot of people I have admired over the years that have received this honor, so it feels really humbling and gratifying,” said Ann.  Though her work is deeply interwoven into the landscape and history of New England, it can be admired across other areas of the country, as well.

When Ann and her family moved to Norwich in 1972, she fell in love with the area. “It was a wonderful time to be in the Upper Valley because back to nature was a big movement,” she explained. She described how seeing the local crafts and handmade items made homes more personal and told the narrative of someone’s life. This resonated deeply with her. “I loved the way it made you feel, to be in spaces like that. I absorbed those feelings over time.” This would become the heart and philosophy of her work, to create intentional and meaningful spaces for people and their stories.

At a young age, Ann developed a love for horses, which later led to her joining the The Root District Riding Club. It was there she met David, who later became her husband. Ann and David shared a deep appreciation for creative design, but also for land and family. David’s roots are deeply embedded in Norwich, his family having owned land there for many years.

After some time, Ann and David moved to Gloucester, MA where they lived in and took care of a 1739 home that had been in David’s family and is currently part of the Cape Ann Museum. The two eventually bought the house and made it their home. Living in such a space where fine craftsmanship was seen throughout, such as the architectural details, the hand blocked wall paper, and delicately carved woodwork, Ann developed an interest in how personal touches, history, and stories create a warmth and depth to a home. That “house really seeped into my sense of scale and comfort,” she explained. “I love how antiques and things that show the touch of the craftsman’s hand make a space feel.”

Ann studied art history in college, simultaneously narrowing in on her interest in architecture, which was heavily influenced during her travels through Paris. Later she took on an internship that led her to accept a position in a design showroom in Boston. And from there her career took off. Her husband, working as a graphic designer, also shared an interest in design work that led him into the field of architectural design. Their shared  passion for family, community, and their aligning careers naturally evolved into their collaboration on many projects over the years.

Their love and ties to Norwich brought them to purchase land and build a home across from David’s family’s land, now part of a land trust. Over a 40-year span of time, each of David’s siblings purchased the adjoining properties, ultimately creating a family compound.  Ann shared, “each home has its own personality. When you feel a person’s space, you know who they are.”

When thinking of Ann’s connection to the natural world, her appreciation for craftsmanship, her interest in family, community, and comfort, it is apparent what is at the heart of Ann’s design work. She shared that her intent in designing homes is to focus on “houses with hospitality in mind. It’s about creating something comforting for the people in it and their guests, with enough personal expression to feel like them.”

Congratulations, Ann, for the well-deserved recognition for your design work. It is a testament to the passion and care that is at the heart of your philosophy in creating homes for people, not only in the Upper Valley, but beyond.

So, what makes a house a home? It is the personal expression of someone’s life, the community that contributes to the story and history through fine craftsmanship and skill, and the designer who beautifully orchestrates – and ultimately creates – the complete vision.

It’s been a busy two years since The Norwich Community Collaborative (NCC) purchased the historic Norwich Grange Hall. With the simple and powerful mission to restore and reintroduce the hall as a vibrant gathering place for the future, the NCC has been hard at work to raise the vital funds and begin the building restoration.

Lars Blackmore’s photo of angels in 2011.

The organization has moved quickly, with the goal to open up the Norwich Grange Hall as a home for essential community activities and services that benefit the people of Norwich and the Upper Valley by Spring 2027. To date, the NCC has raised over $1.3 million for this multi-phase project, allowing for work to begin on the building’s main block this fall. An additional $450,000 is needed to complete the project and make the building fully ADA accessible, $150,000 of which is expected to come from local donors, with the remainder pursued through pending grants.

To help raise this final amount, the NCC is looking to a familiar group, alumni and friends of the beloved Norwich pageant, to help launch the final fundraising effort.

Introducing: The Angel Fund

2023 pageant.

To help ensure the Grange continues to serve Norwich for generations to come, the NCC proudly introduces The Angel Fund. This special campaign honors one of Norwich’s most beloved traditions: the annual Norwich Pageant, where each December, angels gather on the porch of the Grange to watch from ‘on high’.

A tradition that started in 1961, Norwich high school seniors play the roles in this nativity parade, which travels from Tracy Hall to the Norwich Inn and stops at the Grange, bringing neighbors together in a heartwarming display of unity and joy.

The angels on the porch represent more than a performance; they are a symbol of hope, care, and togetherness, just like the Grange Hall itself.

Reconnecting Pageant Players with Norwich

The NCC hopes to inspire all past pageant members, their families, and friends to give what they can during this campaign and, in doing so, reconnect with the Norwich community. Intending to raise $10,000 through The Angel Fund, the NCC aims to support essential maintenance and improvements during this final phase. The Angel Fund campaign starts on Thanksgiving Day and will conclude at the Norwich Pageant on December 19.

Whether you grew up here, live here now, or simply carry warm memories of the Grange and the Pageant, a donation to The Angel Fund will help restore the Norwich Grange Hall into a vibrant, welcoming place for potlucks, performances, meetings, and memories for years to come.

Donate to the Angel Fund here: norwichgrangehall.org/angelfund.