Why we amble…

The Ammonoosuc Amble – celebrating community for 25 years!

It’s hard to believe, but its been a quarter of a century since Ammonoosuc Health Service’s premier fundraising event – the Ammonoosuc Amble– has begun. What started as a small fundraiser has now grown to become one of the region’s signature races, hosting nearly 250 people on its five-mile course through picturesque Franconia and Bethlehem, NH and raising approximately $10-$15,000 each year.

At this year’s event, held April 28th, we hosted 92 runners, 92 walkers and 30 kids, and raised just under $10,000 between registration, the raffle and sponsorships. The “Amble” as it’s affectionately referred to, has benefited a variety of health and wellness initiatives over the years. Since 2015, funds have gone directly to ACHS’ Miles for Smiles program which provides financial assistance to patients who need dental assistance and are unable to afford it – patients such as J.B. from North Haverhill, NH.

Proceeds from Miles for Smiles benefit patients like J.B.
A few years ago, J.B. was diagnosed with debilitating asthma, which impacted her ability to work full-time. As a result, her medical and household bills began to mount. She found herself in a position, where she just couldn’t make ends meet. She also had a painful issue with her tooth and her car needed an essential repair. She had to decide, fix her car or her tooth?

Fortunately, because she qualified for ACHS’ sliding fee, she didn’t have to choose. ACHS was able to fix her tooth without breaking the bank and J.B. was able to get the care she desperately needed. Today, she is back to work and has the confidence to smile again.

In 2016, ACHS Oral & Dental Health Center saw over 1,100 patients – 37% of them had no dental insurance. With the help of the Miles for Smiles program ACHS was able to provide over $400,000 in sliding dental fees, which went directly to patients. Proceeds from the Ammonoosuc Amble help support this fund.

“The Ammonoosuc Amble has really grown”, said Michelle Routhier, who has worked for ACHS for the past 20 years and participates at the registration table at the Amble. “It has been amazing to see more and more people come, and so cool to see many of the same people year after year.”

“Folks from all around head to the Amble!”
Perhaps it’s because the Amble coincides with start of spring that folks from around the region turn out for the event. After a long winter, it’s time to stretch those legs, meet with friends and get some fresh air! Participants come from all around New England as far north as British Colombia, Canada and as far as Cape Cod in the south. The event also hosts all ages and levels of abilities. One runner, Aubriella Murray from Vermont, has been running the Amble for several years with her dad. In 2016, at nine years old, she beat her personal best completing the five-mile race in 48:48. The run is sanctioned by US Track & Field (USATF) and for many, the uphill race through Franconia is no easy challenge. “Those hills are a doozy” said race director Bruce Brekke.

Bruce, who has been the race director for nearly a decade keeps things running smoothly and organized at the event. The race is open to runners and walkers and there is also a ¼ mile kids fun run. “There’s really something for everyone.”, he said. “You can walk or run. There’s great food. Super prizes and terrific community camaraderie.”

This year’s Ammonoosuc Amble’s 25th Anniversary was sponsored by Consolidated Communications, local banks and dozens of area businesses and organizations. The winning runners and walkers were as follows:

Winning racers

• Men’s First Place Runner – Anthony Pifari at 29:39.3
• Women’s Runner – Meagan Boucher at 30:35.2
• Men’s Walker – Charles Coy at 1:05:09.3
• Women’s Walker – Pam Palmer at 1:00:29

Jill Kimball and Carol Hemenway along with members of ACHS Board of Directors coordinated this year’s event. “It takes a village”, Jill said. “We have oodles of organizers from work and the community who help out with everything from food (there’s a free lunch), to auction prizes and fundraising. We could not have had such a successful event without them.”

2018 Ammonoosuc Amble Female Race winner Meagan Boucher

For more information on the Ammonoosuc Amble, visit the event’s Facebook page. Check out this year’s photos courtesy of Dayna Flumerfelt photography.

Photos Courtesy of Dayna Flumerfelt photography

It seems you can’t read the news without hearing about the increase in ticks and tick-borne illnesses in our region. This year will likely bring another banner year of ticks and their diseases to the state. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2016 New Hampshire had the tenth highest instances of tick-born illness (13,710) in the nation. Diseases such as Lyme, Anaplasmosis and B. miyamotoi are caused by North American ticks such as the black-legged or deer tick. These diseases, if left unchecked can cause bacterial infections and multiple health problems including, muscle and joint problems, fatigue, fevers and headaches. Long-term effects to those infected can be devastating and debilitating.

What’s causing the increase in ticks? Experts note several reasons:

• Changing climates – ticks are now flourishing in areas once thought to be too cold, even coming back to life even when frozen to -10 degrees.
• Evolving land usage – more clear-cut land means more scrub areas which cater to mice and deer, the perfect hosts for ticks.
• More encroaching suburbs – diminishing natural areas bring more deer closer to neighborhoods and nearer to humans.
• Change in bird patterns – with the warming climate, new species of birds arrive to our areas and the ticks carried by them land in our own backyards.
• Big Acorn years – Last year was a banner year for acorns which means more mice… and more ticks.

Despite the increase in these pesky creatures, it is still safe to be outside enjoying nature. All it takes is to use caution when hiking, walking the dog or just hanging out in the back yard.

Here are a few easy tips to help keep ticks away:

• Wear Light colored clothing when outdoors or hiking. This will help you see the ticks before they attach.
• Wear long pants and tuck your socks into your pant leg.
• Spray your clothes with DEET insect repellent before you hike
• Stay on marked trails
• Check for ticks on yourself and your pets

When you return home, be sure to do a thorough tick check on your entire body, your child’s and your pet’s. Ticks tend to crawl up and look for warm places to latch on. Pay close attention to the areas with creases or where fabric and body intersect. If you do find a tick remove it immediately. The sooner you can get it off your body, the less chance it will have to infect you or your loved one. If you do find a tick, don’t panic. Remove the tick right away.

To remove the tick:

Use tweezers and pinch the tick as close to the skin as possible, pull straight up with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or wiggle. If the head or mouth part remains it is ok. Just remove as much as you can easily and clean the area with antiseptic. In a few days the spot will dry out and the remaining parts will fall away.

Lyme disease is unlikely if the tick is attached for a short time

According to the Mayo clinic, Lyme infection is unlikely if the tick is attached for less than 36 to 48 hours. Not all ticks carry Lyme or other diseases, and not all people who are bitten will get ill. Call your provider if you notice symptoms 3-30 days after your tick bite such as a bulls-eye type rash radiating from the bite area. Or if you have a fever, headaches or lethargy that won’t seem to go away. Your provider may test you for Lyme or other diseases and treat you with antibiotics.

 
 
Caption: Some people who have Lyme disease will have a red, bull’s eye rash. Others will not. Photo courtesy of WebMD
Caption: The black-legged or “deer” tick is the carrier of Lyme disease. In its larva stage it is the size of a poppy seed. Photo courtesy of the CDC.
Caption: You can still enjoy being outdoors – wear proper attire and check yourself for ticks. Photo courtesy of www.tickencounter.org

Learn more about ticks

State and local agencies work together to ensure…

Warren-Wentworth Food Pantry receives new freezer after storm damage

Last July, a series of heavy storm cells produced torrential rains and hurricane-force winds in the White Mountains region. As a result, the Baker river in Warren surged over its banks and caused massive flooding to the Warren Wentworth Food Pantry (WWFP). Walls and floors were destroyed, dry goods lost, and refrigerator and freezers shorted out.

Volunteers rally and area non-profits chip in!

Volunteers quickly rallied to move the pantry to a temporary location at the Warren town hall while the Warren Ambulance service (owners of the building) made repairs. Over 287 volunteer hours were put in to ensure folks in the area could still receive essential food!

Ammonoosuc Community Health Services who operates a health care clinic in Warren, helped pay for repairs to the refrigerators. Local non-profits hosted a can drive to replace the dry goods and All-Saint’s church in Littleton donated $250. Nancy Malone, the Coos County RSVP Director at Tri-County Community Action Program worked with Paul Hatch and Dave Vaillancourt from NH Department of Homeland Security to secure funds from the NH Safe Disaster Fund. On Friday, May 10th they presented the pantry with a $1,300 gift card to Home Depot to secure a new freezer and shelving!

Linda Flagg, the pantry’s directory was thrilled. “This truly was a combined community effort!” she said. “The new freezer will hold essential meat and frozen items for the pantry year-round. We are so grateful to all who helped us recover from the storm.” The WWFP pantry is a staple in the area providing essential food and dry goods to nearly 1,900 individuals and families in the region.

For more information on the Warren-Wentworth Food Pantry, or to donate please visit www.ammonoosuc.org. Ammonoosuc Community Health Services, Inc. is the fiscal agent for the Warren-Wentworth Food Pantry.

Photo Caption: State and local agencies worked together to help the Warren-Wentworth Food Pantry recover from last year’s summer storms. Representatives from the State of NH, Tri County Cap and Ammonoosuc Community Health Services join volunteers from the Warren-Wentworth Food Pantry.