High school students from across the North Country are invited to the first-ever North Country Youth Coalition meeting — a youth-led space to connect, share ideas, and create real change. Students will work in teams during a Shark Tank–style pitch challenge to design...
Hub Happenings in the Groveton / Lancaster / Littleton Region
Previous Events
Back to the 80’s, Forward Together
Whitefield’s 3rd Annual 80’s Day showed the power of nostalgia, connection, and the staying power of community, alongside a summer filled with music, dancing, and new leaders stepping up. Nostalgia gave us common ground: music, laughter, and plenty of “remember...
The Power of Yes
Sometimes, the biggest changes in a community don’t start with a plan or a meeting. They start with one simple word: yes. When someone says yes to trying something new, it creates ripples. One yes turns into another, and suddenly, what seemed small begins to reshape a...
Freeze the Water Bring the People
Neighbors in Whitefield were thrilled when the famous ice rink on the Common was brought back to life this winter! The rink has become a tradition and a sense of pride for residents. However, due to weather and volunteer scarcity, the Common sat iceless for many...
Latin Beats and Eats: A Celebration of Culture, Community, and Connection
This year’s Latin Beats and Eats event was something truly special. We gathered at The Loading Dock in Littleton, where people from 10 different Latin countries came together to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the sounds of merengue and bachata, delicious food,...
From Neighborly Chat to Community Success
A serendipitous meeting with a North Country neighbor led to the beginning of our Homestead Classes in Groveton. A question we begin with here at the Hub is "Did a neighbor ask for it?" In this case the answer is yes! Kayla Leighton a young homesteader and farmer...
Coffee on the Common
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Kick Up Your Boots: Country Line Dance Nights Return to Lancaster!
Hosted at the Lancaster Motel every other Wednesday, this event doesn't disappoint. It’s a fantastic evening of music, dance, and camaraderie. The best part? It's entirely free! But here's the twist, all donations go towards Cigars for Warriors. Leading the way and...
Hunters Moon Family Fun Night – October 28
This was a concerted effort between the Hub, Granite Guild, and the Northumberland Fire and Police Departments. The Ghostbusters were on hand yet again, with a screening of The Afterlife, next to a bonfire with music and free food! The event was well received by...
80’s Field Day-Whitefield
This neighbor-led event not only revitalized the park but also showcased the spirit of unity at the heart of the Community Builders Hub. On July 22nd at Highland Park in Whitefield, the community came alive for...
The Magic of Letting Go
Lately, I keep coming back to one thing: when we trust young people, really trust them, something shifts.
In late December, the Spartans on a Mission (SOAM), a group of 9th–12th graders, had no plan other than to simply show up at the Country Village Nursing Home in Lancaster. After we arrived, I looked over at some of our theatre students and asked if they were up to sing some holiday songs. They didn’t hesitate and began with Halleluiah. It was beautiful.
As they sang, residents started coming from all directions of the building to hear them. Some were being pushed in wheelchairs. Some were held up by a nurse as they made their way down the long hallway. At one moment I looked over at a gentleman next to me in a wheelchair and he was crying pretty hard, which of course made me cry.
Music bridged an intergenerational community. It was clear that many people are hungry for beauty, not just services. That song created a moment of pure connection, and I’m sure the tears weren’t out of sadness but rather feeling seen and cared for.
Stepping back and letting the teenagers run the afternoon how they wanted was absolutely perfect. Their leadership is growing the more trust and ownership they are given.
Our SOAM crew has also been working with the North Country Health Consortium (NCHC) on a region-wide youth summit. They are incredibly stoked to be entrusted with creating the entire event. We’ve linked in the crew from Youth Leadership Through Adventure (YLTA) for support as well. It’s been amazing to see the adults give up the reins and watch the work as it naturally unfolds.
At our last SOAM meeting, I noticed how the quieter students spoke up more when being led by their peers, creating a genuine sense of teamwork.
“Ok, so we have our list of ice breakers, does anyone want to chime in on which they like best?” said one student.
It wasn’t a millisecond later when other student voices started chiming in. The adults in the room remained quiet as the students mapped out their plan.
In Whitefield, the Ice Rink Crew (IRC) continues to thrive. New neighbors have stepped up to help with flooding, shoveling, hanging lights, and even plowing. The crew added a Nordic track over at the park for xc skiing, and it’s being utilized by new downhill skiers to get their sea legs ready too.
The IRC is now planning the town’s first Winter Carnival in decades. The town is buzzing with excitement. It’s all hands-on deck, with more neighbors coming out of the woodwork to help.
Leroy and Timmy, both 6 years old and residents of Whitefield, had this to say about the work they’ve been a part of along with their parents:
“I like making a difference and helping the little community,” said Timmy. His twin Leroy said, “I like working and helping build the community.” Both boys were grinning ear to ear as they spoke.
This is what happens when we stop controlling the moment and start believing in the people inside of it.