The River Center - Blog

Rio Giveaway!

10/7/2024

Thank you for scanning the QR code in the water bottle stuffed with swag from The River Center! Because you took the time to do so, you will have a chance to win one of 2 of our beloved Rio stuffies! Just leave your name and email address in the entry form below. For extra points, leave a comment to this blog post telling us what you are going to be for Halloween!

The giveaway ends at 12 AM on October 31, 2024. If you win, we will contact you via the information you provide. You must be able to pick up your Rio at The River Center Monday-Thursday between 9 am to 2 pm.

Make Connections and Learn This Fall

9/20/2024

You are at home, your older children are at school and it’s either only you and/or you and your younger child. Maybe you are an empty-nester or never-nester and while you have your own activities, you crave something more. Maybe you want something that will tickle the brain, give you the opportunity to think about parenting, money, yourself, differently. Enter The River Center’s Fall 2024 Program Line-Up.

August is National Family Fun Month

8/22/2024

August is National Family Fun Month, and here in the Monadnock Region we have plenty of opportunities for that! I lead the Mini Explorers group during the school year and co-lead the summertime Families, Forests, and Farms program with Kelli Tourgee at the River Center so while we’ve been able to show families new places to roam, we’ve had discussions about various activities they like to do in the summer that keep connected and active. Whether you are looking for a fun day to stay cool, some family games and activities to do together, or some backyard fun, here are some of these ideas and local activities.

Say Goodbye to Tax Time Surprises with a Paycheck Checkup

8/7/2024

As site coordinator of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program at The River Center, I have seen filers come away, reeling from the shock of large tax bills. Perhaps they didn’t understand their paystubs or tax liability. Maybe they had life changes such as a new child, divorce, or more jobs. These unwelcome tax time surprises could have been avoided by doing a paycheck checkup.

The struggles you can't see

7/15/2024

Every year, in July, we celebrate The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) being signed into law. For many July 26, 1990 was a catalyst for slow change. Change that is still being forged today, 34 years later.

Today there is a much higher level of respect for disabled individuals. That is, if you can see their disability. If you see someone walking around assisted by a cane with a red tip, you can assume some level of vision challenges. If you see someone in a wheelchair, you can assume they have mobility challenges.

school's out, summer plans

6/18/2024

Schools out, summer is upon us, and a common question is what are your plans for the summer?
Perhaps you are planning a wonderful week’s vacation on the coast. Or in the mountains. Or at a favorite campground. Or you will be visiting family. Or exploring a faraway place. Or maybe you are going on a road trip to a national park.

You might be more athletically inclined. Your plans involve hiking Mt. Washington, or whitewater rafting, ziplining over a gorge, or biking the Kancamagus.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

5/24/2024

The warming, flowering month of May is when the season truly changes here in the Monadnock region. Our community comes alive again; watching neighbors on long walks, children on bicycles, friends dining al fresco, and gardeners hard at work. The Children and the Arts festival marks the unofficial kickoff to these seasonal activities.

Volunteer Spotlight: Suzanne Robinson

4/29/2024

Suzanne Robinson is not only an engineer, an outdoorswoman, a master puzzler, numbers guru, and people person, but she is also a vital part of our Tax and Money Coaching programs here at The River Center.

Suzanne’s passion for helping people with their financial health comes from her father’s involvement with his local AARP, where he volunteered to help folks with their taxes for several years.

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month. So let’s talk about the wonderful gift of volunteers.

4/24/2024

Yesterday The River Center’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program ended for 2024. This year 11 IRS certified volunteer tax preparers completed over 325 tax returns at The River Center. An additional 10 volunteers acted as greeters for each tax session, welcoming taxpayers, explaining the process to them, and making sure they have everything needed to meet with the tax preparers. This program could not happen without these wonderful volunteers. We are so grateful to them all.

Welcome to March

3/15/2024

As I write the sun is shining and the sky is clear and blue. Hard to realize that one year ago our region had three feet of snow in the middle of March.
Welcome to March. My husband informed me early in our relationship in Bangor (Maine) that “where I come from, March is a spring month.” Despite this Connecticut boy’s observation, we opted to get married at the end of March in Bangor. That year, there was a New England-wide snowstorm that was actually called Snowstorm Nelson.