Cavendish Update 11/1/24: Winter Preparedness/News/Events

Please note the following:

• Cavendish is under a fire ban as is most of the state.  

• Singleton’s is closed until Sunday for floor repair.

• Fall Back on Sunday as we return to standard time. Set clocks back one hour and check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and other devices.

• Saturday is the community celebration of Dia de los Muertos at the Cavendish Library see the events section for more information. 

11/1/24

1.    Winter Preparedness

2.    Proctorsville Ghost Walk

3.    Cavendish Related News

4.    Events Calendar

1.WINTER PREPAREDNESS: In keeping with Vermont’s Winter Preparedness Week, below is information to help keep you informed and safe:

Register for VT Alert: Register for VT Alert @ VTALERT.gov to receive personalized alerts via phone, text or email about emergencies, including weather, that may affect Cavendish and/or other parts of the state.

For Current Cavendish Information: Cavendish VT Facebook page will post important updates as received. The Cavendish Update provides weekly updates, daily in the event of an emergency, directly to your e-mail account. If you are not registered for this free service, click here to register.

Area Shelter: The Cavendish shelter, located at the Cavendish Baptist Church-2258 Main St., is the town’s warming shelter when it’s needed. Opening and closing information about the shelter is posted to the Cavendish Facebook page.

Vermont Winter Weather Central:  Includes Plow Finder, road conditions and much more.

Need Fuel or other types of assistance: Black River Good Neighbors Services (BRGNS) Administers Meals on Wheels, food shelf, Financial Aid, heating assistance, housing, utilities, thrift store and furniture store.  Located at  37B Main Street, Ludlow. Call (802) 228-3663. The thrift store operates 10-4 Monday through Saturday, Food Shelf Monday-Friday 10-3; Furniture store, located at 105 Main St. Friday & Saturday from 10-4.

Make Sure heating vents are clear of snow or other obstructions

Maintain your generator: Keep your generator in good working order. It should be located outside, away from open windows, doors, or air intakes.

Maintain snowblowers and other equipment used for snow removal.

Power Outages: In the event of a power outage, if you see a downed line, leave it alone and call your power company. Also call them if you loose power. Make sure your pipes are insulated. If your pipes freeze, know where the water shut off is and never use a blow torch or other open flame to thaw the pipes out. A hair dryer is one safe way to take care of the problem.

Never use an “improvised” heat source like grill or oven as they can be fire or carbon monoxide hazards.

Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from any heat source.

Check on your neighbors in the event of a storm or an extended cold period.

Be prepared. Have a well-stocked Winter Home Emergency Supply Kit that includes flashlights, portable radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, bottled water and non-perishable food.

For more winter tips, check Vermont’s Winter Safety page.

2. PROCTORSVILLE GHOST WALK: Proctorsville village is home to Vermont’s most haunted inn. One house includes a ghost in the deed, while the fire department is periodically visited by “Homer.” Learn more about these and other eerie tales at the Proctorsville Ghost Walk.

On November 10 (Sunday), the Cavendish Historical Society will be sponsoring the Proctorsville Ghost Walk. Meet at the Proctorsville War Memorial, which is at the intersection of route 131 and Depot Street in Proctorsville. Wear comfortable shoes and dress weather appropriate.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated. For more information please call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com

3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Robert Singleton: Robert Singleton, 76, of Cavendish, Vt., died peacefully at his home. Robert proudly served in the U.S. Navy as a medic and hospital corpsman during the Vietnam War. A remembrance of his life will be held at the couple’s home on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 2-5 p.m. Military honors will be at 4:30 p.m. The address is 2702 Brook Road.

• Stewart Schmidt (1936-2024): Know to many as Stew, and the ref for many a local soccer game, Stew died on Oct. 24 at his home in Proctorsville. He was one of the eight founding members of the Vermont Soccer Officials Association (VSOA) and the Vermont chapter of the National College Soccer Referees Association, serving as president of both organizations. Stew officiated for over 50 years and was recognized with induction into the Vermont Principals Association Hall of Fame in 2014. Stew was also a teacher at Black River High School for 35 years.

• GM boys soccer’s is the finals for the state championship: Congratulations to the Green Mountain Union High School boys soccer team on making it to the state finals for Division III. The championship game is Saturday, Nov. 2, 4 pm at Rutland High School.

• CHS Newsletter now on-line: The fall newsletter of the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) is now available at their blog. It includes upcoming events as well as interesting Cavendish history.

• The Cavendish Vampire: CHS annual Halloween story is now available at the CHS blog.

• Local Author Visit: Jonathan Otto from Saxton’s River will be presenting his book “Child of the Wild: animal families in portraits & poems.” Book one in a five book series, this book includes fun facts about animals, engaging poems, STEM learning, family themes, and more. Jonathan will read an excerpt from his book and follow with a group poem activity. This event takes place on November 7 (Thursday), 6 pm at the Cavendish Library, 573 Main St. Proctorsville.

• Brush fire in Ludlow burns 16.5 acres; fire crews continue to work fire today 

• Flood Wall being installed in front of Shaw’s: The construction in front of Shaw’s in Ludlow is for a flood wall.

• Amtrak service for Chester and Ludlow?  The 2025 Vermont Rail Plan, which is currently being updated. The plan sets goals for both intercity passenger rail through Amtrak as well as the freight rail system. If you would like to see rail service in Chester and Ludlow, file comments by Friday, Nov. 8 in time for the fall meeting of the Vermont Rail Advisory Council on Nov. 12. To access the Vermont Rail Plan Comment Form, click here.  

4. EVENTS

NOVEMBER 2 (SATURDAY):  Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead): Starts 3:30 pm at the Cavendish Library, 573 Main St. Proctorsville. Workshop from 3-5:30 Pot luck supper follows

NOVEMBER 3 (SUNDAY): Fall back to standard time. Day lights savings ends. Set clocks back one hour and use this as a time to check smoke and radon detectors.

NOVEMBER 5 (TUESDAY): Election Day. Cavendish voting takes place at the Proctorsville Fire Hall from 10-7. FMI: 802-226-7291.

NOVEMBER 7 (THURSDAY): Local Author Jonathan Otto will be speaking at the Cavendish Library at 6 pm.

NOVEMBER 10 (SUNDAY): Proctorsville Ghost Walk. Meet at 2 pm in front of the Proctorsville War Memorial. This event is free and open to the public.

NOVEMBER 11 (MONDAY): Veteran’s Day Town Office closed.

NOVEMBER 14 (THURSDAY): The Cavendish Library presents “The Life and Legacy of Nicholas Black elk, Holy Man of the Lakota.” Damien Costello will be the speaker, who specializes in the intersection of Catholic theology, indigenous spiritual traditions and colonial history. FMI: Amy McMullen 802-226-7503 or CavendishLibrary573@gmail.com

NOVEMBER 22-24 (FRIDAY-SUNDAY): Ski Swap at Jackson Gore. Hours Friday 4-7 pm; Saturday 9-5; and Sunday 9-1

NOVEMBER 28 (THURSDAY): HAPPY THANKSGIVING Town Office Closed

NOVEMBER 29 (FRIDAY): Town office closed for Thanksgiving break.

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Cavendish Update 10/25/24: SB Mtg/Election Info/News/Events

READ THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST NEWS

10/25/24

1.    Cavendish Select Board Meeting

2.    General Election Information

3.    Walkers and cyclists take note

4.    Cavendish Related News

5.    Events Calendar

1. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 10/21/24: : The video of Monday’s select board (SB) meeting is posted Okemo Valley website. https://okemovalley.tv Unapproved Minutes are available at the town’s website.

Approved:

• To submit an application for a grant to conduct the Road Erosion Inventory (REI), which needs to be completed by October 2027. The goal of REI is to establish baseline conditions of road segments and evaluate implementation efforts. The cost will be $10,820, of which the town will be responsible for a 15% match.

• The name Sunset Lane for the new private road off of Prior Road

• Change the November SB meeting date to 11/18/24 

Discussed

• General Election: Diane McNamara, Town Clerk, provided an update on the General Election that takes place on Tuesday Nov. See item 2 below.

• Municipal Energy Resilience Grant Update: The town used an initial grant of $4,000 to assess town buildings and has submitted a grant for over $307,000 for upgrades to town office, waste water treatment etc. The purpose of these state grants are to increase energy resilience, reduce energy use and operating costs, and curb greenhouse gas emissions. Many towns are submitting grants so the likelihood of receiving funds is questionable at best.

• Flood Resilience Study Update: A request for proposals (RFP) has been issued by Mount Ascutney Regional Commission (MARC) as follows: MARC in cooperation with the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission ( “TRORC”) and the Towns of Plymouth, Ludlow, and Cavendish, Vermont, invite qualified firms to submit proposals for the development of a flood resilience study along the mainstem of the Black River and its major tributaries as it flows through the Towns of Plymouth, Ludlow and Cavendish. The goal of this project is to both update and expand upon those past assessments and plans to develop a comprehensive flood resilience for the Black River corridor with the towns seeking mitigation strategies; floodplain restoration; berm removal; floodwater storage; bridge/culvert upsizing; dam removal; dam rehabilitation; river corridor easements; stormwater management and drainage improvements; structural elevation or floodproofing; and buyouts. Proposals are due Nov. 15 with a project completion date of 12/31/25. Funding and the town’s portion of payment will be discussed following the RFP process.  

In addition to this RFP, Cavendish has submitted a grant for the $90 million the state received from the Government for flood mitigation. Greven Field is one of the proposed projects. While it is hoped that Cavendish does receive funding, many towns are applying for these funds.

• ARPA Funds: With the deadline of Dec. 31 rapidly approaching, the SB needs final cost estimates of proposed projects, such as replacing water meters, decisions can be finalized at the November meeting. Betty McEnaney, on behalf of her husband Bruce who is town sexton but currently out of town, requested funds to help repair stones in the various cemeteries. The board can adopt a Resolution about the general manner in which funds will be spent, allowing time in 2025 to finalize specifics.

• Town Managers Contract: Town manager, Rick Chambers, signed his contract as part of the meeting.

• Dangerous/Derelict Building Update: The Depot St. project has been completed. The owners at 1323 Main St. have replied to Chambers’ letter, stating that there plan is to remove the building in question.

• Proctor Cemetery Access: Chambers did not think the access was blocked, though there is no signage.

• Managers Report: Chambers informed the board that he continues to work with FEMA and hopes to have this project completed in the next two weeks. Have $500,000 in projects approved for funding but are still working on the remaining $1.5 million balance. Property owners with delinquent water bills, who have not contacted the town office to develop payment agreements, need to do as in the near future, disconnections will begin.

• Lack of Cell Service in the Villages: SB member Shannon Devereux discussed the lack of cell service from Downers Four Corners through Proctorsville.

2. GENERAL ELECTION INFORMATION: Ballots have been mailed to all registered Cavendish voters. If you have not received yours, or you want to register to vote, call or stop by the town office, or go to the polls on election day. The number is 802-226-7291. You can also obtain a ballot at the polls.

Cavendish’s polling place is the Proctorsville Fire Dept., which will be open from 10-7 on Nov. 5. Ballots can be mailed back using the envelope provided or dropped off at the Town Office.  Please read all instructions carefully before returning your ballot.

If you plan to vote in person please bring the ballot you received in the mail – if you do not bring your ballot you will be required to sign an Affidavit of No Ballot Cast before being issued a new ballot.

Local candidates for Justice of the Peace are on the back side of the ballot. Only write in names of people who would be willing to serve. Please do not include joke names since those need to be hand counted, which takes a lot of time.

The Board of Civil Authority will process absentee ballots early on Oct 30 (Wednesday) from 9 am until finished. The last day to request an absentee ballot is Nov. 4 by 5 pm at the Town Office.

Firearms are not allowed in polling places. If you carry, please leave them in your vehicle.

            The Town Office is closed on election day.

3. WALKERS AND CYCLISTS TAKE NOTE: It's been brought to our attention that some cyclists and walkers are putting themselves in harm’s way by not observing basic safety measures. Walkers please pay attention to traffic; walk on the sidewalk whenever possible; walk single file and remember that motorist might not see. Do not walk with your back to oncoming traffic; wear dark colors, especially at night; or listen to loud music or look at your phone. For more information, click here. The rules of the road for cyclists are as follows: follow the law as you have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers; be predictable-use turn signals and don’t swerve in and out around parked cars; ride where people can see you with  reflectors on your bike and wearing bright clothes; stay alert for what drivers and walkers might be doing and be on the lookout for things like pot holes and road debris; and make sure your bike is in good working order. For more information, click here.

4. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Spanish Conversation Group Forming at the Cavendish Library: Do you speak Spanish? Would you like to converse with others in Spanish? Join us to meet and speak Spanish with others in the community on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 5 pm at the Cavendish Library. This is an initial meeting and subsequent meeting days and times will be determined based upon participant interest and availability.  Spanish fluency is required. FMI: 802-226-7503

• GM board votes to preview restructuring proposal, overriding superintendent’s schedule: I n a bid to moderate reaction to an administration-generated restructuring plan for the three schools within the Green Mountain Unified School District, TRSU Superintendent Layne Millington said he would not reveal the plan until the next GM board  meeting, on Thursday Nov. 21. But, following Cavendish board representative Kate Lamphere’s request, the board voted 6-3 to have the plan released to its members 12 hours ahead of that meeting with the promise that they would not divulge it to the public. Millington has provided hints to the plan including that it would cost money and may involve a bond next year or a higher school budget for one year depending on the tax rate. He also said there were a number of variations to discuss. He also said that the plan would not involve moving the sixth grade to Green Mountain High, but that the plan does include putting a pre-school at Cavendish Town Elementary and adding a pre-school playground. Chester Telegraph

• Tree Planting at CTES: Tree planting took place at CTES on Monday 10/21. The type of trees planted from left to right on the CTES school yard are as follows: 3 male Autumn Gold Ginkgoes; a Red Maple by the flagpole; a Magnolia and then 3 Adirondack Crab Apple Trees. Two purple lilacs are in the first parking area. The red maple tree was planted in the spot where Riley's Tree stood. It was chosen and placed there specifically to be dedicated to Stephen Plunkard, who passed away a year ago on the 21st. It was the Plunkard family that purchased and planted Riley's Tree many years ago.

• No one injured, two condos destroyed in fire on Okemo Mountain: Chester Telegraph 

• Big Pops Sandwich Shop Opens Friday in Ludlow: Opening with their full food menu, Big Pops-located at 57 Pond Street-opens this Friday. Hours are 6-6.

5. EVENTS

OCTOBER 25 (FRIDAY): Gill Home Haunted Walk. They are currently seeking donations of candy, which can be dropped off at the business office, nurses station, or donation bin located in the lobby.

OCTOBER 26 (SATURDAY) History of the Invasives: Knotweed. 2 pm at the Cavendish Library, 573 Main St. Proctorsville. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807.

OCTOBER 29 (TUESDAY): Spanish Conversation Group meets at the Cavendish Library at 5 pm. FMI: 802/226-7503.

OCTOBER 31 (THURSDAY): HAPPY HALLOWEEN Trunk or Treat  Benson’s Chevrolet, 25 Pond St. Ludlow 5-7 pm

NOVEMBER 2 (SATURDAY):  Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead): Starts 3:30 pm at the Cavendish Library, 573 Main St. Proctorsville. Workshop from 3-5:30 Pot luck supper follows

NOVEMBER 3 (SUNDAY): Fall back to standard time. Day lights savings ends. Set clocks back one hour and use this as a time to check smoke and radon detectors.

NOVEMBER 5 (TUESDAY): Election Day. Cavendish voting takes place at the Proctorsville Fire Hall from 10-7. FMI: 802-226-7291.

NOVEMBER 10 (SUNDAY): Proctorsville Ghost Walk. Meet at 2 pm in front of the Proctorsville War Memorial. This event is free and open to the public.

NOVEMBER 11 (MONDAY): Veteran’s Day Town Office closed.

NOVEMBER 14 (THURSDAY): The Cavendish Library presents “The Life and Legacy of Nicholas Black elk, Holy Man of the Lakota.” Damien Costello will be the speaker, who specializes in the intersection of Catholic theology, indigenous spiritual traditions and colonial history. FMI: Amy McMullen 802-226-7503 or CavendishLibrary573@gmail.com

NOVEMBER 22-24 (FRIDAY-SUNDAY): Ski Swap at Jackson Gore. Hours Friday 4-7 pm; Saturday 9-5; and Sunday 9-1

NOVEMBER 28 (THURSDAY): HAPPY THANKSGIVING Town Office Closed

NOVEMBER 29 (FRIDAY): Town office closed for Thanksgiving break.

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Cavendish Update 10/18/24: Local Jobs/DOD/News/Events

Cavendish stage coach

READ THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST NEWS

10/18/24

1.    Dia de los muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration

2.    Communitree Project Takes Root at CTES

3.    Local Job Opportunities

4.    Cavendish Related News

5.    Events Calendar

1. DIA DE LOS MUERTOS (DAY OF THE DEAD) CELEBRATION: A. two day holiday, most associated with Mexican communities, Dia de los Muertos is a time to reunite the living and the dead. Families and communities create “ofrendas” (altar) to honor those that have passed and to encourage their return at this time of year. Far from a dark and somber occasion, it is a celebration filled with good food, laughter, memories and fun.

On November 2 (Saturday), the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) will be hosting a Dia de los Muertos celebration at the Cavendish Library, 573 Main St. Proctorsville.  From 3:30-5:30 there will be a workshop to create items for the community ofrenda including: papel picado (paper cuts); paper flowers; tin ornaments; mask making; vase/candle holders; “sugar skulls” and more. A pot luck supper will take place immediately following the workshops from 5:30-7 pm.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations welcomed and appreciated. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807.

2. COMMUNITREE PROJECT TAKES ROOT AT CTES: On Monday, October 21st there’ll be a lot more activity on our school grounds than there would be usually. There’s been a small, quiet community project in the works for months, and it will be taking root early next week.

Two Cavendish Fletcher Community Library board members planted the seed after a micro burst took out the two trees in the school yard last Fall. The project branched out from there as the Library Board, CTES and GMUSD administrators, the Cavendish Town Office Crew, the Cavendish Streetscapes Committee and local landscape architect, Tim Calabrese, climbed on board. 

On Monday, eight trees and a lilac bush will be planted across the front of the school yard by Skyline Nursery & Garden Center in Springfield, VT. All the fore mentioned organizations have been tapped to help fund this tremendous community project.

The crown of the project is that each of the trees will be planted in honor or in memory of a Cavendish community member who was/ has been dedicated to improving our Cavendish community in the past through their hard work and volunteerism. Details on that part of the project will be logged in down the road.

3. LOCAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES: The following jobs are available locally:

• Stepping Stones Preschool: Looking for part time help. Call 802/226-7760

• Shaw’s: The Ludlow store is hiring all positions (full time and part time) including Department Management. Shaw’s will be hosting a career fair today, Friday Oct. 18 from 1-5 at the Shaw’s Supermarket 213 Main St. Ludlow.

• Okemo: Job Fair on Saturday Oct. 19 from 10-2 Stop by The Bull. Check out the full list of positions here https://bit.ly/39PtL0W

• Okemo Valley Job Opportunities

4. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Are you free this coming Saturday afternoon? Black River Action Team (BRAT) is in need of 10 volunteers to lend a hand in Cavendish, planting willow and dogwood stakes on a streambank. We'll work from 1PM till we're done, all supplies will be provided including work gloves. If available for an hour or three, e-mail blackrivercleanup@gmail.com

• Podcast about William Cavendish Taped in Cavendish: In order to gain the support of wealthy patrons, when dividing up Vermont land into townships, Governor Wentworth would name them after important people of the day. One such person was William Cavendish. He never wanted to be Prime Minister, but in 1756, Britain was in crisis:  France was winning the Seven Years' War, the Newcastle government had collapsed, and George II was in a panic. He needed someone to hold the country steady until a more permanent government could be formed. That man was William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire. Click here for the podcast about Cavendish, that was recently taped at the Cavendish Pointe.

• Singleton’s Closing to Replace the Floor: The Singleton Family posted the following: We are thankful for our floors that have served us for three generations, but it is time for an update. We will be closing October 28, 29, 30th & November 4, 5 & 6th. We will be replacing the floor in increments allowing us to re open for the weekends. Thank you for understanding! We can't wait for you to see them.

• Report says Vermont is spending at least $400M more than needed on education, but it’s not that simple: To actually implement the report’s model, the education system in Vermont would need to look very different, with fewer teachers and larger schools. Among all states, Vermont is one of the top spenders, spending the fifth most per student on education in fiscal year 2022, according to national data. If the report’s model, grounded in academic literature on education best practices, is followed, its authors said “student achievement in Vermont would substantially improve and the cost of education could be reduced.” The idiosyncrasies of the state’s education system — namely small schools — would likely prevent Vermont from quickly implementing the report’s model. VT Digger

5. EVENTS

OCTOBER 19 (SATURDAY): The Cavendish Baptist Church Taco dinner and a screening of “The Forgotten” on Oct. 19 (Saturday) as a fundraiser for their shelter work. The dinner starts at 6 pm and includes three tacos, dessert and a drink. The film starts at 7 pm. Dinner is $10 and popcorn for the movie is $1.

OCTOBER 21 (MONDAY): Cavendish Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Town Office. The Agenda is available online.

OCTOBER 25 (FRIDAY): Gill Home Haunted Walk. They are currently seeking donations of candy, which can be dropped off at the business office, nurses station, or donation bin located in the lobby.

OCTOBER 26 (SATURDAY) History of the Invasives: Knotweed. 2 pm at the Cavendish Library, 573 Main St. Proctorsville. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807.

OCTOBER 31 (THURSDAY): HAPPY HALLOWEEN

-       Trunk or Treat  Benson’s Chevrolet, 25 Pond St. Ludlow 5-7 pm

NOVEMBER 2 (SATURDAY):  Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead): Starts 3:30 pm at the Cavendish Library, 573 Main St. Proctorsville. Workshop from 3-5:30 Pot luck supper follows

NOVEMBER 5 (TUESDAY): Election Day. Cavendish voting takes place at the Proctorsville Fire Hall from 10-7. FMI: 802-226-7291.

NOVEMBER 10 (SUNDAY): Proctorsville Ghost Walk. Meet at 2 pm in front of the Proctorsville War Memorial. This event is free and open to the public.

NOVEMBER 11 (MONDAY): Veteran’s Day Town Office closed.

NOVEMBER 22-24 (FRIDAY-SUNDAY): Ski Swap at Jackson Gore. Hours Friday 4-7 pm; Saturday 9-5; and Sunday 9-1

NOVEMBER 28 (THURSDAY): HAPPY THANKSGIVING Town Office Closed

NOVEMBER 29 (FRIDAY): Town office closed for Thanksgiving break.

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Cavendish Update 10/11/24: News/Events

READ THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST NEWS

At tomorrow’s Cider Days in Mt. Holly, the Black River Valley Resources (BRVR) group will be giving out free “Go Kits” to people in Cavendish, Ludlow, Mt. Holly and Plymouth. They will be based at the Mt. Holly fire station. The purpose of the kit is to help households be prepared in the event of an emergency. If you have not picked up a kit and would like one, please e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com and we will arrange to get one to you. Please specify the number of people in your household.

Doing Yard Work? Remember DON’T PITCH IN THE DITCH! Keeping our ditches free of debris reduces flooding and risks to property and roads.

10/11/24

1.    Malcolm Macmillan (MAC), author of “An Odd Kind of Fame” dies at 95

2.    CHS Plant Workshop: The Invasives

3.    Cavendish Related News

4.    Events Calendar

1. MALCOLM MACMILLAN (MAC) DIES AT 95: Mac, the author of “An Odd Kind of Fame,” has been one of the leading scholars on Phineas Gage. He was also the reason Cavendish marked the 150th anniversary of the Gage accident with a town celebration that brought in people from all over the world .

According to Stacia Spaulding, one of the organizers of this event I need to give credit where credit is due. There would not have been a 150th Anniversary Phineas Gage Celebration in 1998 if not for Mac. He sent an e-mail in 1996 and mentioned that the anniversary was approaching and suggested that Cavendish might do something to commemorate the occasion.

Mac is the one who came up with idea for the bronze plaque that now sits on the Town Green in Cavendish. He worked tirelessly with the designer, Dr. Ross Bastiaan (a periodontist and designer of more than 200 plaques) in Australia, for many many months and raised all of the funds to cover its cost. In fact, the plaque was cast by the Arrow Foundry in Australia. 

Mac presented a lecture entitled "Restoring Phineas Gage: A 150th Retrospective" in the Stone Church on Sunday morning of the anniversary weekend, as well as gave a short speech at the plaque's unveiling a short time later.

We exchanged dozens and dozens (maybe hundreds) of e-mails during those many months leading up to the 150th Anniversary. And we exchanged Christmas cards more years than not since then. Mac remained passionate about Gage right up until his death at age 95.

2. CHS PLANT WORKSHOP: THE INVASIVES: When Japanese knotweed is mentioned, people often cringe and tell tales of how it’s taken over parts of their yard and is impossible to kill. However, it’s long been part of traditional medicine in Asia for centuries as a treatment for such ailments as inflammation, infections, skin burns and most recently Lyme Disease.  

While knotweed was brought to the Americas in the 1800s as an ornamental plant, other plants that had medicinal properties were brought to the Americas by the colonists. In addition, the “seed trade” was big business, with middle and upper class landowner buying plants from around the world to study in their backyards.

On October 26 (Saturday), the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) will host their third workshop on plants, this time focusing on the invasives. This talk will feature garlic mustard, plantain, barberry, eucalyptus, ragweed and other plants that were introduced or traveled with settlers. We’ll be exploring plants that can do damage to existing ecosystems yet also offer medicine.

The workshop will take place at the Cavendish Town Library, 573 Main St. Proctorsville starting at 2 pm. Dr. Charis Boke, a member of the Dartmouth College faculty in anthropology,  will once again be speaking. Boke is currently writing "Poison, Power, and Possibility: Building Relations with Medicinal" which will explore the poetics, politics, and practices of contemporary herbalists in North America, leaning on ethnographic research, botanical histories, and lived experience to examine what it takes to remedy what ails us. Dr. Boke was involved in helping with the Benjamin Rush Medicinal Garden at the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia. 

For more information, please call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com

3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Jerry D. Szawerda: It is with sadness and condolences to his family, that we note the passing of Jerry Szawerda, who, in retirement became the bus driver for CTES. His daughter, Amy Jones, a teacher at the school, encouraged her Dad to take the job, which he came to love.

• Fundraising Dinner and Film: The Cavendish Baptist Church is hosting a Taco dinner and a screening of “The Forgotten” on Oct. 19 (Saturday) as a fundraiser for their shelter work. The dinner starts at 6 pm and includes three tacos, dessert and a drink. The film starts at 7 pm. Dinner is $10 and popcorn for the movie is $1.

• Restructuring Plan for Two Rivers Supervisory Union: On Oct 7, the TRSU Superintendent issued a restructuring plan for TRSU, which includes the Green Mountain Unified School District (GMUSD) as well as the Ludlow Mt Holly District. Included among the recommendations for Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES) are: supporting or maintaining enrollment-the school currently has 61 full time students; establishing a preschool at CTES, which could potentially serve all of the towns in the GMUSD; and all students from Baltimore and those in Andover living closest to Cavendish would attend CTES. Also recommended in the restructuring plan is to merge the two districts so there is just the TRSU and consolidating the four Pre K-6thelementary schools into one modern, centralized school. The plan did not mention Green Mountain Union High School. An open forum was held on Oct. 8th so the community could voice their opinion about the proposed plan. The restructuring plan can be read by clicking here.

• First a lockdown drill, then a real lockdown at GMUHS as Chester Police investigate threat Chester Telegraph 

• Springfield Hospital financial health improves as it seek path to future service: Despite a forecast to the contrary outlined in a recent healthcare consultant’s report, Springfield Hospital is proud to report that, year to date, we have a $2.4 million improvement over fiscal year 2023. Springfield Hospital CEO Robert S.Adcock has written a letter to the community about the future of the hospital. We want to communicate to our employees, medical staff, and the communities we serve that the recommendations are just that — recommendations, options to consider. We do not believe the recommendations are reflective of the wants and needs of the communities we serve — nor do they accomplish the goal of equitable and affordable access to care.

4. EVENTS

OCTOBER 13 (SUNDAY) Last Sunday the Museum is open for the 2024 season.

OCTOBER 14 (MONDAY): Indigenous Peoples Day. Town office closed

OCTOBER 19 (SATURDAY): The Cavendish Baptist Church Taco dinner and a screening of “The Forgotten” on Oct. 19 (Saturday) as a fundraiser for their shelter work. The dinner starts at 6 pm and includes three tacos, dessert and a drink. The film starts at 7 pm. Dinner is $10 and popcorn for the movie is $1.

OCTOBER 21 (MONDAY): Cavendish Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Town Office.

OCTOBER 25 (FRIDAY): Gill Home Haunted Walk. They are currently seeking donations of candy, which can be dropped off at the business office, nurses station, or donation bin located in the lobby.

OCTOBER 26 (SATURDAY) History of the Invasives: Knotweed. 2 pm at the Cavendish Library, 573 Main St. Proctorsville. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807.

OCTOBER 31 (THURSDAY): HAPPY HALLOWEEN

-       Trunk or Treat  Benson’s Chevrolet, 25 Pond St. Ludlow 5-7 pm

NOVEMBER 2 (SATURDAY):  Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead): Starts 3:30 pm at the Cavendish Library, 573 Main St. Proctorsville. Workshop from 3-5:30 Pot luck supper follows

NOVEMBER 5 (TUESDAY): Election Day. Cavendish voting takes place at the Proctorsville Fire Hall from 10-7. FMI: 802-226-7291. 

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