ALLISON HARMON HEALTH & HAPPINESS DRIVE

Many of you might know Allison Harmon and her wonderful Norwich and Lebanon Farmers Market booth, Farmstand No. 6. For many years, many of us have visited Allison's booth, purchased her wonderful farm-grown perennials and annuals, or picked up a pint of her freshly picked raspberries, her homemade salsa, a bouquet of her homegrown flowers or one of her handmade twig wreaths wrapped in dried flowers. Many Upper Valley gardens feature her wonderful flowering perennials we have all purchased over the years. Countless gardeners have relied on her helpful advice and have benefitted from the wonderful conversations she initiates. And, if you have a dog, Allison has always had dog biscuits at the ready. Ever the welcoming farmer, Allison has anchored the southwest corner of the Norwich Market for many years. And some may remember her amazing holiday wreaths and centerpieces she sold every year at the holiday market at Tracy Hall before COVID sidetracked so many of us.

In late January of this year, Allison became seriously ill. She has spent many weeks in and out of DHMC and has endured more than a dozen surgeries over the past five months. As of this writing, Allison is once again hospitalized. Throughout it all, she has remained cheerful and upbeat but those of us who love her are concerned about her future. As an independent, hard-working solo farmer, she has now lost her ability to generate an income. Her wonderful farm and greenhouses in Pike are empty and her old farmhouse misses her, as do her two beloved Siamese kitties, Cicero and Calypso. Neighbors and friends have moved in to help but the lack of an income means bills are going unpaid.

A group of Allison's Norwich Farmers Market customers has decided to organize a fundraiser to help our dear friend and plant whisperer. Funds will help Allison pay her property tax bill, her utility bills, defray the cost of wood she uses to heat her hot water and home, and offset some of the medical costs she has incurred that were not covered by her health insurance. Please consider helping us help Allison Harmon. She deserves to know just how much she is loved and missed.

NOTE- if you prefer to donate by check, please write the check to Allison Harmon and send it to Susie Hastings, 53 Lyme Road, Apt 11, Hanover, NH 03755.