Page 8 - NLL - OCT2026

Page 8
NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM
October 2026
By William nieman
This summer, Mark Dionne, representing the Tapply Thomp- son Community Center, applied for a grant available from the New Hampshire Humanities or- ganization and the Community Development Finance Authority. The grant would award $3000 to the successful applicant as well as a “Community Conversation Se- ries,” facilitated by New Hamp- shire Humanities. To help secure the award, Les Dion, TTCC Di- rector, committed the Center to hosting the series. Cristina Good- win, Bristol Town Administrator, conveyed the town’s interest as well. New Hampshire Human- ities responded favorably, and the first “Conversation” was held in the TTCC gym the afternoon of September 12th. This writer was in attendance
Upon arrival at the gym, I was pleased to see an appetizing offering of food and water bot- tles. I soon learned that the fare would be necessary sustenance for the energetic brainstorming
Bristol Has a Conversation
that lay ahead for those in atten- dance.
At 1 p.m., the facilitator from NHH, a reassuring and engag- ing man, Simohamed Defaa (he revealed with pride a Moroccan lineage), introduced the partici- pants to what we were going to be doing. We would be formulat- ing a modest, doable project to improve our Bristol community. Simohamed primed our thinking by asking several questions such as “What do you like about Bris- tol? Why have you chosen Bris- tol as your home?” There were plenty of eager responses about the natural beauty, the welcom- ing nature of residents, and the evident spirit of collaboration. I was surprised when Simohamed looked at me and asked my opin- ion. I had not raised my hand, so I asked how he divined my inter- est in sharing some thoughts. He said simply that I looked like I wanted to say something. I guess as an experienced presenter, he knew his audience. My contribu- tion was simply a reflection that I
Simohamed introduces the attendees to the task at hand.
had written stories about dozens of area residents who were not only friendly but who conveyed caring and kindness. After the introductory convocation, those attending “broke out” into prob- lem-solving teams.
Following the facilitator’s sug- gestion that we join a team of people we didn’t know, I sat down at a table near the gym stage. Cindy (our NHH facilitator) sat on my left. Going clockwise... Alysa, Ben, Bill, Les, Cheryl, Sue and Scott surrounded the rest of the table. We began brain- storming Bristol’s promise and problems, its needs and possible solutions.
As I recall, Cheryl began by sharing insights about Bristol’s challenges, especially the empty stores that should be filled by re- tailers (not service providers). We soon turned to the lack of afford- able housing, especially for young families. It was noted, lamenta- bly, that Bristol had a high rate of young natives who move away from their hometown, not
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