The River Center

Getting to know The River Center: Kelli

4/15/2025

As the new Executive Director of The River Center, I am amazed everyday by the awesome crew I am so lucky to work with. This is the first of what I hope will be many opportunities for you to hear directly from our staff and truly understand what The River Center means to them and to this community.

In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, I’d like to highlight Kelli Tourgee, our Home Visitor/Parent Educator. Kelli has served in this role at The River Center for 27 years. Over the years, we’ve received countless affirmations of her work and her unique ability to meet families where they are, helping create positive change and outcomes.

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Greetings from the New Executive Director

3/18/2025

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As I embark on my new journey as executive director of The River Center, I am honored to write my first View from the River. In preparation, I have read much of Margaret Nelson's past writing, and I find myself sharing the sentiments she expressed in her inaugural column. 

What can I contribute to impact this community, and how can I write effectively for the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript when I don’t consider myself a writer?

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Signing Off: Reflections On Retirement

2/21/2025

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You may have heard that I am retiring. Yup. It’s true.

Heather McKernan kept trying to get me to write a column back in 2011. I had never considered myself a writer, wasn’t confident I had anything to say, and kept putting her off. Then one day I realized I did think I might have something to say and so it began. My first column was in the fall of 2011.

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Surviving the Winter with Enthusiasm

1/21/2025

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I hear a lot of folks complaining about the winter. They object to the cold, shoveling the snow, ice, and darkness for starters.

I remember the winter my oldest was 2 ½ years old and her sister was a newborn. We lived in a cabin in the woods, 1 ½ miles from the nearest neighbor. I was suffering from a tad bit of cabin fever. The baby must have been napping at the time and I wanted/ needed to get outside.

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Time to Relax and Pay Attention

12/18/2024

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December is filled with traditions, events, and expectations. The season can bring some challenges. I find that I can overreact, get worked up about getting things accomplished, place too much importance on things of little importance, and in many other ways be a little over the top.

I was making cookies the other day. My mother-in-law’s cream cheese cookies- yes, mostly butter and cream cheese with some flour to hold it together.

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Thankfulness

11/19/2024

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I have been thinking about thankfulness- tis the season. But more than just because we celebrate Thanksgiving this month. I have been thinking about thankfulness as a healthy and helpful way to approach life.

For instance, I had a routine health screening recently. I won’t go into specifics, except to say, that the preparation for this screening is not pleasant. Nuff said. But I kept reminding myself that I am grateful for screenings.

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Transitions

10/22/2024

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“Are you ready to put away the kayaks?” Dave has been asking. I have been silent. No, not really. I don’t want to put away the kayaks. That will mean kayak season is over for the year. On the other hand, it is chilly out there. Do I really want to go kayaking now?? No, not really.

William Bridges wrote a book, Transitions, in the 1980’s. He tells us that every transition begins at the end.

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Rio Giveaway!

10/7/2024

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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.

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Make Connections and Learn This Fall

9/20/2024

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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.

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August is National Family Fun Month

8/22/2024

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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.