The Grapevine

Family & Community Resource Center

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Parents of Teens

If you are a parent to a teen, are you amazed at how things are so different nowadays?

Are you concerned about things like how to keep your teen safe and responsible using social media and other technology? Do you think about how to prepare your teen for life away from home?

One of the biggest challenges in raising a teen could be the fact that we were once teens ourselves. We may have memories of trying to fit in, being bullied, dealing with alcohol and drugs, relationships with our parents, and strong emotions that felt out of control.  We can get all tied up with worries about what might happen to our teens based on what happened to us. Sometimes we make decisions about how we parent based on not wanting to do things like our parents did. No wonder this seems so hard!

Consider the following: What if you parented your teens based on what you value as a family? If truth is a family value then you can talk to your teen about truth and you model it yourself. What do you value for your family and how can that be a foundation for parenting? Listening is the key! There are a variety of opportunities to listen to your teens about their lives and what is important to them.  Listening can be hard when we have so many ideas and life experiences that we think might help them. Listening supports our connection with them and also lets them know that we trust their ability to work through things that matter to them. Consider that if they are 16 years old, they could be living on their own by age 18 – either in their own apartment or in school. It is important to support their ability to solve their own problems and make well thought out decisions. 

We often hear from parents that they love to connect with other parents who are facing the same challenges and learn from one another. Join us for Parents of Teens! for five virtual gatherings via Zoom on the second Wednesday of each month from 7:00 to 8:30 pm New starting date of October 19th. This program is FREE and topics will be chosen by the parents who attend. 
Email info@grapevinenh.org or call 588-2620 to register.

On Going Back to School (whatever “school” looks like for your family)

By Grapevine Staff Member, Carol Lunan (Carol is our Director of Family Supports and Services and in addition to her role as parent, has been teaching and supporting children and families for a long time!)

When my children were young, thinking about going back to school tended to be complicated. I love summer, so it was always a challenge to let go. I enjoyed having less routine and doing whatever we wanted to do, like swimming, playing in the woods, kayaking… you know.  But as school time approached my kids were usually ready to see their friends again and establish some routine in their days. These transitional times can hold so many different challenges and positive changes for everyone…. even if all of you have been doing it for years. As a parent, it can be hard to hold all of this at the same time.  There are some things that I think are important to keep in mind as you prepare for this new season.

  • Consider some things that help you and your children prepare and make the transition easier. Prepare a homework station with your child, buy school supplies, get haircuts, prepare for fall clothing. You probably do many of these things already. It helps them to get ready.
  • Make sure the kids are part of the process. How this happens will depend on their age. It can be as simple as talking to a 10 year old about the type of back-to-school haircut they want to get and where/when they want to go. A four year old can help to create a snack list and help buy the items on the list. The key is to give them some ownership of the process. Find a parent of a child the same age as yours and talk about the possibilities. 
  • Consider and establish routines that help make the transition smoother. Get everything ready the night before. Teach your child to pack their own snack the night before, lay out clothes for the next day, talk about what helps them after a long day at school and prep for that, for example: taking a bath, having a snack ready, spending time outside, anything that supports the transition from school to home.
  • Help them find ways to know they are stressed and then how to reduce that stress. HERE is a link to an article with some fun breathing exercises for children (and us.)
  • Listen, listen, listen. Give your children the opportunity to talk about whatever is happening for them, and let go of the idea that you need to fix it! 
  • Plan to spend time with the family. Consider family dinners, share a special treat after dinner, have a family campfire, play a game together, whatever works for your family.
  • Remember that even if your family has started the school year many times over the years, for some children and parents this can be a stressful time, for others they begin with their arms wide open!! This transition will look different for each family and so will what you need to make it a gentle one.

If you are looking for more parenting support and connection including group and one to one settings, contact us.

Family Friendly Hikes

Every spring our Grapevine parents talk about local hikes that are close to home and child friendly. Here is what Carol Lunan, our Family Support Director, has to offer on the subject:

There is a hike in Greenfield that I have done many times over the years with my children, North Pack Monadnock, which is part of the Wapack Trail.

The summit is a 1.5-mile hike and is fairly easy, especially at the beginning. About a half hour into the hike, halfway to the summit, there are some boulders to climb over and then some flat ledges and a wonderful open view. There were days when we would stop there, eat lunch, and sometimes pick and eat blueberries later in the season. The trip from there is a bit more challenging but if your family is up for it, it is an amazing view at the top.

Another wonderful hike to do with small children that offers great views is The Gregg Trail and Dutton Brook Trail combo, also in Greenfield and near Crotched Mountain Rehab Center. The entire 1.9-mile loop is handicapped-accessible, which means you can take strollers for tired toddlers!

There is a great book by Joe Adamowicz called “The New Hiking the Monadnock Region: 44 Nature Walk and Day-Hikes in the Heart of New England.” It is a great resource for families. We have also hiked Shieling Forest, Skatutakee Mountain, Pitcher Mountain, and several others. The kids love exploring these trails and finding wilderness surprises along the way!

Kinship Navigator Program

Nationwide, 7.8 million children are being raised by grandparents or other relative caregivers. Here is what our resident Kinship Navigator, Rosemary Nugent, has to say about the program:

Although I wear many hats, “blogger” isn’t one of them, so bear with me! My name is Rosemary Nugent and the most important hat, which I wear with pride, is that of “Mimi” to our 13-year-old grandson. My husband and I have been raising him since birth and we are what is known as a “grandfamily” or kinship caregivers. A kinship caregiver can be a grandparent, an aunt, uncle, or really any family relative caring for a child.

I work at the Grapevine as the Kinship Navigator, assisting other kinship families. My role has become very important in this day and age. Unless you are a part of it you would have no idea how prevalent it has become. As Kinship Navigator, I help other kinship families work through all of the unknowns – medical insurance, financial assistance, paperwork for resources, court filings, respite care, and child care.

I think the most important resource I can give is moral support from one who has been on the path from the beginning. I make weekly check-in calls to see how the families are doing and have formed close relationships. Through the program, we were able to get full scholarships for five children to attend camp this summer and assist with food, gas, clothing, and other essentials.


If you know anyone who might benefit from this program, please call the Grapevine or contact us.

All Day Adventures: a family survival guide for days out and about with the family

Art Time

Days out with the family can be fun, rewarding adventures that build lasting memories for parents and children alike. They can also be stressful and leave everyone in tears! We have put together a list of things to keep in mind for a full day out and about. Whether you’re on vacation, staycation or even long car rides, we think these ideas will help you tip the balance in favor of fun and happy memories . . .

  1. No one leaves hungry! Making sure everyone’s bellies are full is key to starting out any adventure on the right foot.
  2. It seems obvious, but we have all been there. We leave the house and then it happens 10 minutes later- “I have to use the bathroom.” No one leaves home without using the bathroom.
  3. Pack snacks for the road. A snack is your friend. Any questions?
  4. Think about what activities you have planned. Are they outdoors, indoors, do they require good hiking shoes or rain coats? Make sure everyone is dressed for the activities of choice! You may want to pack some back up clothes just in case!
  5. Know where to go along your travels if someone needs a rest stop, a movement break or even quiet time. Some activities can be overwhelming and we just need a little break from the business of what’s going on.
  6. Plan your activities in family friendly environments (especially those of you with young kids).
  7. Check out the atmosphere in local restaurants.
  8. Know the environment and type of event you plan on attending.
  9. Locate where the public restrooms are- or even bring a mini potty! (It’s a tried and true tool used by families for many years!)
  10. Bring a small first aid kit. Cuts and scrapes are not uncommon on family adventures. From skinned knees in parking lots to bee stings while blueberry picking, a first aid kit with bandaids, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads and a sting swabs can be very helpful!

Are you looking for a test run for your family? Come out to the Black Fly Art Show at The Grapevine this Saturday at 10AM! Follow that up with more art right down the road in Peterborough for the annual Children in the Arts event!

Annual Review 2020/21

The year 2021 has ushered in a sense of hope and slow, but steady, return to normalcy. While we navigate our lives with some lingering uncertainty, we move forward with the hope that things will get better and take comfort in the support of our family, friends, neighbors and community. 

Despite the improvements, many people continue to face very challenging and uncertain circumstances. In the face of these stresses, The Grapevine remains a steady ship, continuing to provide high quality programming and services for our families and community. We are incredibly grateful and proud of our ability to have remained open and accessible throughout the past year, with little change to our programs and services. In fact, our reach has increased as a result of COVID, with more programs offered in both online and in-person formats.  During the 20/21 program year, we offered over 500 hours of online programming between our child, family, and Avenue A teen programs, in addition to the in-person programs we run!

We remain committed to our goal of bringing forth resources, education and training focused on Mental Health and Suicide Response and Prevention. In March, we partnered with the Tuttle Library to host a program on childhood depression and welcomed local author Irene Buchine, who has personal experience with this issue. In June, we hosted nationally recognized author and therapist Lynn Lyons, who presented a program on dealing with childhood (and our own) anxieties amidst the pandemic. And, two of our staff are now trained to offer NAMI New Hampshire’s Connect Program in Suicide Prevention. This will allow us to continue building the network of gatekeepers in our community, who know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a person at risk of suicide. 

This past year, we served over 1,200 individuals, representing 14 towns in our region.  We stay true to our mission to promote the health and well-being of our community through support, education and the sharing of resources by providing core family and community support and programs while responding to changing needs. Your volunteer and financial support makes this work possible, including programs such as our Better Beginnings groups for parents and children, online support groups, Learning Vine Preschool, Avenue A Teen Center, Home Visiting, Kinship Support for Relative Caregivers and so much more.  Your donation also supports services such as our Community Wood Bank, Information and Referral Services, and Community Tool Lending Shed, which make a true difference for people in times of need. Whatever you can give, we are truly grateful.  Below please find our 2020-21 Year in Review, including personal testimonials.

Best wishes for a healthy and peaceful holiday season,

Melissa Gallagher                                                                     Rosemary Novotny

Executive Director                                                                   Chair, Board of Directors   

Kate Carnaroli & Family

Kate and her family came to the Grapevine in 2018, after hearing about the Better Beginnings program from a friend. She was looking for a place to go where her boys, Parker (now 5), and Kaleb (now 3), could socialize and meet other children. Kate shares that the boys have grown very comfortable at the Grapevine, “They love it and always ask if it’s Tuesday,” she laughs, “I say the group is for them but really, it’s for me!” Kate says she didn’t realize how beneficial being a part of a parent group would be. “I love having the time to talk, vent and learn from other parents and to know that everything I say is confidential and isn’t going to be shared outside of the group. Having this program helps us reset and creates a better flow to our day.”

And now that her son Parker is 5, he has graduated to the Grapevine’s Learning Vine preschool. Kate loves that it is an outdoor based program. “I think he learns better that way, actually. In addition, both of the boys are still in a playgroup together, and I see them working together and how good it is for them.” And as a volunteer parent, Kate has helped with several Grapevine events and is looking forward to getting more involved. She is also excited about the opportunities at Avenue A Teen Center for her stepdaughter, who is 12. Kate sums it up by sharing, “The Grapevine seems to have checked all the boxes for the things our family needs right now!”

Stephanie & Mikala Mackesy

Mikala Mackesy’s first introduction to the Grapevine was at the age of four in our Learning Vine Preschool. She remembers the “wonderful Miss Carol ‘’ and hours of fun outdoor play, circle time, and her favorite—sing time with parents. It’s not often that teenagers talk of preschool with such enthusiasm. For Mikala, Learning Vine Preschool was a formative experience, or as she puts it “such a happy place.” Her mother, Stephanie, was part of the parent cooperative preschool, and says that working with Carol Lunan was “incredible.”

Years later, Mikala came back to The Grapevine as a 6th grader, as a member of our Avenue A Club afterschool program. She remembers making crafts with Arlene and feeling like it was a great place to unwind after the school day. At an Avenue A summer cooking program, Mikala’s world expanded. “I met my best friend at Avenue A! It’s hard to top that!” Throughout the years Stephanie has remained connected with The Grapevine through programs such as Guiding Good Choices for parents of pre-teens. Stephanie says she gathered ideas and information that she’s applied to parenting a teenager. “When Mikala became involved with Avenue A, it opened up so much for my daughter. She loves it there.” Over the years, Mikala has participated in Avenue A’s Creative Writing Club, art group, and other teen programs. Mikala describes Avenue A as “A place for everybody. Everybody has a place there. Everyone belongs.” Stephanie adds, “The Grapevine and Avenue A are safe places for children to be. That’s very important to us.”

Focus on Mental Health

The Grapevine recognizes the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our community and families. Social Isolation, financial hardship, and changes in family and home circumstances have affected our mental health and well being. This past year we continued to shine a light on mental health awareness and bring information and resources to our community.

In March, in partnership with James A. Tuttle Library, we welcomed local author Irene Buchine to a Zoom presentation and discussion on Childhood Depression. Irene related this to her book, Celia and the Boy, a poignant story of a boy hiding under a staircase and the girl who tries to reach him. In June, we welcomed renowned Childhood Anxiety expert and therapist Lynn Lyons who presented on childhood anxiety and the impact of the pandemic on children and parents. Over 60 people attended this session and were given time to ask questions of Lynn on managing challenging behaviors and stressful situations at home.

We have also heard from parents and teens that finding a mental health counselor or therapist can be challenging and frustrating. People seeking this support in our region will often encounter barriers such as waitlists and lack of insurance coverage. With financial support from the NH Charitable Foundation, The Grapevine initiated a pilot effort this year in partnership with The River Center to bring mental health providers together to share information and resources. We have begun to identify gaps in services, as well as connect providers to one another so that people might access services more quickly.

This year two Grapevine staff members were qualified as trainers in the NAMI Connect Program Suicide Prevention training. We now have the ability to offer this “gatekeeper” training to anyone in our region who wishes to understand the signs and symptoms of a person at risk of suicide and what they can do to prevent it. As an organization, we are committed to promoting mental health and suicide prevention awareness across our region.

In Honor and Memory 

We wish to thank the following families for requesting donations to the Grapevine in

memory of the loss of recent loved ones: 

Lisa Swarbrick & Family of Francestown in memory of James Swarbrick 

Carol Lunan & Family of Francestown in memory of John Lunan 

The Hennessy Family of Antrim in memory of Anne Hennessy 

The Beauchamp Family of Antrim in memory of Mike Beauchamp 

We are also grateful for the generosity of the Elders of the recently closed Francestown Community Church, who selected the Grapevine as a benefactor of their remaining church funds. 

There are many ways to give to your community and the Grapevine! Consider donations of time, goods, and services like these incredible local businesses and groups: Antrim Bennington Lions Club – Antrim 

Recreation Department – Antrim Elementary School – James A. Tuttle Library – Edmunds Ace Hardware – Eversource – Larry Schwartz with PHC Financial – Great Brook Middle School – Lemire & Sons – Monadnock Paper Mill – MoonRivers Technology Group, LLC – Ragdoll Animations – AND THE MANY VOLUNTEERS involved with our Community Wood Bank, Community Tool Shed and Avenue A Teen + Community Center! 

Thank you to our Board of Directors: Tom Badgely, Dottie Bauer, Rick Edmunds, Rosemary Novotny, Kim Fletcher, Diane Yeo and Kathleen Robbins. 

Thank you to our staff: Sarah Beaumont, Paula Coombs, Amy Doyle, Melissa Gallagher, Michelle Heath, Andrea Jurewich, Carol Lunan, Nancy Macalaster, Rosemary Nugent, Jacqueline Roland, Erica Snyder, Lisa Swarbrick & Arlene Soule; and a special thanks to our marketing consultants Tonya Dreher & Liz Swan 

Farewell and thank you to our Community Resource Coordinator, Mackenzie Nichols. She is replaced by Erica Snyder. We also welcome our new staff member Andrea Jurewich. 

For a full listing of Grapevine supports and services, please visit our website at grapevinenh.org