Cavendish Update 12/20/24: Services/Survey/News/Events

CAVENDISH CONNECTS LINKS:  CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE  cavendishconnects.bsky.social or www.cavendishconnects.com

The Transfer Station will be closed on Wednesday, December 25, for the Christmas holiday. It will be open from noon to 5:00 on Wednesday, January 1st, New Year’s Day, and open regular hours on the weekends Saturdays 8:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sundays 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Cavendish Fire Dept. still has trees and wreaths and will be selling over the weekend. 

And for those wanting to track Santa’s progress, it begins on Dec. 24 at the NORAD website.

12/20/24

1.    Area Christmas Services

2.    MARC Comprehensive Safety Action Plan Survey

3.    Cavendish Related News

4.    Events Calendar

 

1. AREA CHRISTMAS SERVICES

Dec. 24 (Tuesday)

• St. James Methodist Church Proctorsville, 3 pm, downstairs

•  Annunciation Catholic Church Ludlow  4:30 pm

• United Church of Christ, Ludlow 6 pm

• Ludlow Baptist Church, Ludlow Green 6:30 pm

• Cavendish Baptist Church 7 pm

Dec. 25 (Wednesday): Annunciation Catholic Church Ludlow 9 am

 

2. MARC COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY ACTION PLAN SURVEY: Last year our Regional Planning Commission, the Mount Ascutney Regional Commission (MARC), was awarded a Federal grant from US DOT to develop a comprehensive safety action plan with a goal and strategies to get to zero deaths on all MARC roadways for all road users. As part of this effort, MARC collected data on serious and fatal injuries on roadways in our region which you can see here: StoryMap.

They want to hear from you! MARC would like to know what the data doesn’t show, which is when and where you feel unsafe on MARC roadways. Please fill out the following Survey: MARC SS4A Input Tool

 3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Fletcher Farm School Becomes Create Together: Responding to the creative and educational needs of area residents, the Fletcher Farm School for the Arts & Crafts announces its transformation into Create Together. The nonprofit organization will offer year-round creative experiences in professionally equipped studios. The official open date is pending final permit approvals. For more information about Create Together’s programming and community initiatives, visit their website. Like their Facebook page to learn more about classes as they become available. VT Journal

• Vermont commission on public education shies away from offering cost-saving ideas: The Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont approved its preliminary findings on Monday without making any recommendations about how to contain costs in the short term.  Despite being tasked with producing “preliminary findings and recommendations, including short-term cost containment considerations” by Dec. 15, the commission decided not to include a slate of money-saving proposals directly in its report. The commission ultimately voted 8-3 to adopt the preliminary report, deciding to link to — but not include — the list of cost-containment proposals. The preliminary report provides an interesting overview of education in VT including: Since FY20, statewide expenditures increased from 1.88 billion to 2.23 billion or an 18.5% increase; between 2003-2004, overall enrollment in K-12 decreased by 21.5%; nationally, VT has the highest per pupil cost and while students rank highly for reading, and about average for math, performances have been trending down over time.   VT Digger

• Singletons open charming new children’s boutique in Ludlow VT Journal

 

4. EVENTS

DECEMBER 25 (WEDNESDAY): MERRY CHRISTMAS

DECEMBER 25 (WEDNESDAY)-JANUARY 2 (THURSDAY) : HAPPY HANUKKAH

DECEMBER 26 (THURSDAY)-JANUARY 1 (WEDNESDAY): HAPPY KWANZAA

DECEMBER 31 (TUESDAY): New Year’s Eve

JANUARY 1 (WEDNESDAY): HAPPY 2025

JANUARY 20 (MONDAY): Martin Luther King Day. Town Office closed

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Cavendish Update 12/13/24: SB Mtging/News/Events

CAVENDISH CONNECTS LINKS:  CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE  cavendishconnects.bsky.social or www.cavendishconnects.com

Saturday (Dec. 14): Holiday Fiesta at the Cavendish Library 10-Noon. Celebrate the holidays by making different type of ornaments. Lots of treats as well. Suitable for all ages, free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Cavendish Historical Society thanks in part to a grant from the Cavendish Community Fund.

 

12/13/24

1.    Cavendish Select Board Meeting

2.    Cavendish Related News

3.    Events Calendar

 

1. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 12/9/24: The video of Monday’s select board (SB) meeting is posted at the Okemo Valley website. Unapproved Minutes will be available at the Town Website.

Approved

• New Planning Commission Member: Ed Dottavio appointed to the Cavendish Planning Commission

• State of Vermont Land Acquisition (Lord State Forest): Support 137 acres off of East Rd, Susannah Johnson Lane, owned by Peiter van Schaik, to be gifted by the property owner Pieter van Schaik to the state’s Land Acquisition program, part of the Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation. With significant ecological value, it will be available for public use. The town will be reimbursed for lost property taxes.

• Vision Zero Resolution Adopted: Mount Ascutney Regional Commission (MARC), was awarded a Federal grant from US DOT to develop a comprehensive safety action plan with a goal and strategies to get to zero deaths on all MARC roadways for all road users by 2040. As part of this effort, MARC collected data on serious and fatal injuries on roadways in our region Mount Ascutney Safety Action Plan

• ARPA Allocations: Adopted the resolution for the remaining funds of approximately $175,000 to be moved into general funds in accordance with ARP regs.

• Budget Meeting: Set a date for Dec. 30 (Monday): 6-8 pm

Discussed

• Welcome to Cavendish Sign: Replacing the sign on the border of Cavendish/Ludlow is being explored but nothing can be done until spring.

• Changing Town Clerk & Town Treasurer from Elected Position: With more demands being placed on these positions, a discussion is needed so voters can decide on town meeting day whether these should remain elected positions or if they should be appointed. The latter would allow someone outside of town, and with qualifications, to fill positions. This will be further discussed at upcoming SB meetings.

•  Flood Resilience Study Funding:  The final figure for the study is $75,000. There is no grant for this. If Cavendish and Ludlow each come up with $10,000, MARC will make up the difference. The $10,000 could be split between two budget years and there is some funds to cover this cost.

• Thanks to town crew: After the first snow fall, the town was down two trucks but they were able to manage. They are now back up to four trucks.

• Water Meters: Have signed a contract is with EJ Prescott $154,000 (ARPA funds were used) for new meters to be installed for municipal water users. These meters are very accurate and will record every drop of water. Installation will begin in January and should be completed within the year. Some people may see a change in their bill based on accurate usage.

• Letter regarding Fire Dept. Mergers: Mike Ripley requested that the letter Stu Lindberg sent to the SB members be included in the minutes of the meeting. Fire Depts are not under the SB’s jurisdiction, so the SB can’t take any action. Lindberg’s letter, a version of which appeared in the local papers, recommends the mergers of the Cavendish and Proctorsville Fire Departments into a municipal fire district.  

• Town Informational Meeting: Mike Ripley started the discussion about moving town meeting day to a Saturday to get better participation. This will now be an informational meeting as all voting takes place by Australian Ballot.

 

2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Benson’s Hosting Toys for Tots: Benson’s Chevrolet at 25 Pond Street in Ludlow is the collection site for Toys for Tots. Drop off unwrapped toys until December 23.

• Green Mountain’s Soccer Coach Jake Walker named 2024 Coach of the Year

• Golden Stage Inn OVRCC Member of the Month

• Mountain Munchkins Opening in Ludlow: The grand opening of Mountain Munchkins a children’s boutique will offer clothing sizes newborn- 7 years, Jellycat stuffed animals, and of course toys too. Come see us this Saturday 10-7. 116 Main Street, Ludlow VT

 

3. EVENTS

DECEMBER 14 (SATURDAY): The Cavendish Historical Society will be hosting a Holiday Fiesta at the Cavendish Library, made possible by a grant from the Cavendish Community Fund. From 10-noon come and make a variety of decorations using paper from old hymnals, magnets and more. FMI: 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com

-       Ludlow Farmer’s Market 10-4 at the Ludlow Community Center

DECEMBER 15 (SUNDAY): Christmas Party at Fox Run, 12-4. Free Buffet, gifts for kids sponsored by Four Square Hospitality. FMI: ray@foursquarehospitalityvt.com

DECEMBER 25 (WEDNESDAY): MERRY CHRISTMAS

DECEMBER 25 (WEDNESDAY)-JANUARY 2 (THURSDAY) : HAPPY HANUKKAH

DECEMBER 26 (THURSDAY)-JANUARY 1 (WEDNESDAY): HAPPY KWANZAA

DECEMBER 31 (TUESDAY): New Year’s Eve

JANUARY 1 (WEDNESDAY): HAPPY 2025

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Cavendish Update 12/6/24: Scam/News/Events

CAVENDISH CONNECTS LINKS:  CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE  cavendishconnects.bsky.social or WEBSITE

Tree lighting and Carol Sing tonight, Friday, 5:30 pm at CTES. Hot chocolate and refreshments. This will be followed by a walk to Svec Park for the lighting of the Proctorsville Green Tree. 

Tomorrow, Saturday Dec. 7, is the Stuff a Fire Truck in front of Singleton’s to benefit the food shelf @ BRGNS. 

Saturday & Sunday is the INNdulgence Tour. See the Events section for more information on Stuff a Truck and INNdulgence Tour.

 

12/6/24

1.    Scam Alert from the AG’s Office

2.    Cavendish Related News

3.    Events Calendar

 

1. SCAM ALERT FROM THE AG’S OFFICE: Scammers are posing as local law enforcement, calling to say you supposedly missed jury duty. They demand payment of a fine and ask for your sensitive personal information. Hang up to protect yourself and your money from scammers! Always take steps to verify the legitimacy of unknown callers by using publicly available contact information, not information provided by scammers.  Report scams to the VT Attorney General's Consumer Assistance Program at ago.vermont.gov/cap or 1-800-649-2424. For more information about this scam and scam prevention resources go to the CAP Connection blog.

 

2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

 Interim Future of Education report set to raise many options, but not recommendations: Instead the commission will give its “preliminary findings” to the General Assembly on the Dec. 20 and that report will feature a chart containing more than two dozen potential policy actions. Those actions could possibly have the effect of solving or ameliorating problems with the education system and the way it’s funded. But the commission is saying that it has not had the time nor the necessary data to look deeply enough into them to make recommendations that would have near-term effects in containing costs. Chester Telegraph

 Vermont’s tax department projects 5.9% property tax increase next year: Vermonters can expect a 5.9% average increase in education property taxes next year absent major changes, according to a forecast from the Vermont Department of Taxes. The news arrived Monday in the form of the “Dec. 1 letter,” an annual projection required by law that represents the first public-facing estimate of expected education property taxes for the fiscal year starting July 2025. It relies on data from the state Agency of Education and local school districts, which are already engaged in their budget-making processes, and is produced in collaboration with the Vermont Legislative Joint Fiscal Office. VT Digger

• Gov. Scott says he's working on a plan for flat property taxes to 'hold taxpayers harmless' in 2025 VT Public

 How Has Vail’s acquisition of Vermont Ski areas impacted locals? Brave Little State VP

 

3. EVENTS

DECEMBER 7 (SATURDAY): Stuff a Fire Truck. The food drive will take place in two locations; PFD will be at Singleton’s and Ludlow will be at Shaw’s. Donations will be accepted from 9-5, with all proceeds benefitting the Black River Good Neighbors Service’s Food Shelf. BRGNS needs the following: Mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, soup, coffee, sugar, pasta, pasta sauce, cereal, shampoo (regular bottles over sample size), soap (bars), dish detergent, and toothpaste.

DECEMBER 7-8 (SATURDAY-SUNDAY): A self-guided tour of up to 10 historic inns located across the Okemo Valley, including Proctorsville’s Golden Stage Inn. Each will be uniquely decorated for the holidays and treats will be on offer to make the experience truly INNdulgent. The cost is a $20 per person donation ($15 early-bird) with all proceeds donated to a local charity. The open-house will run from 12pm to 5pm each day. FMI: INNdulgence Facebook page ; Golden Stage Inn (802)-226-7744 / innkeeper@goldenstageinn.com

DECEMBER 8 (SUNDAY): Children’s Christmas Party at the American Legion  Post 36, 133 Main St., Ludlow from 10:30-Noon. Please call/text Tammi to sign up by December 1st 802-376-9165.

DECEMBER 9 (MONDAY): Cavendish Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office.

DECEMBER 14 (SATURDAY): The Cavendish Historical Society will be hosting a Holiday Fiesta at the Cavendish Library, made possible by a grant from the Cavendish Community Fund. From 10-noon come and make a variety of decorations using paper from old hymnals, magnets and more. Maren Muter will be on hand with her amazing chocolate. FMI: 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com

-       Ludlow Farmer’s Market 10-4 at the Ludlow Community Center

DECEMBER 15 (SUNDAY): Christmas Party at Fox Run, 12-4. Free Buffet, gifts for kids sponsored by Four Square Hospitality. FMI: ray@foursquarehospitalityvt.com

DECEMBER 25 (WEDNESDAY): MERRY CHRISTMAS

DECEMBER 25 (WEDNESDAY)-JANUARY 2 (THURSDAY) : HAPPY HANUKKAH

DECEMBER 26 (THURSDAY)-JANUARY 1 (WEDNESDAY): HAPPY KWANZAA

DECEMBER 31 (TUESDAY): New Year’s Eve

JANUARY 1 (WEDNESDAY): HAPPY 2025

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 11/29/24: News/Events

CAVENDISH CONNECTS LINKS:  CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE  cavendishconnects.bsky.social or www.cavendishconnects.com

11/29/24

1.    Holiday Fiesta

2.    Cavendish’s Green Holiday Guide

3.    Cavendish Related News

4.    Events Calendar

 

1. HOLIDAY FIESTA: On December 14 (Saturday), from 10-noon, the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) will be hosting a “holiday fiesta” at the Cavendish Library, 573 Main St., Proctorsville,  thanks to a grant from the Cavendish Community Fund.

Historical societies often have old books they aren’t sure what to do with. CHS is no exception. However, it turns out they make beautiful ornaments. Using pages from old hymnals, you can make a variety of ornaments, from angels, bird,  paper chains, stars and more. Other projects and treats will be on hand to explore, enjoy and taste, including a pinata for children.

This event is free and open to the public. All materials provided with projects suitable for different ages. In the event of severe weather, please check the Cavendish VT Facebook page for updates. For more information: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807.

 

2. CAVENDISH’S GREEN HOLIDAY GUIDE: Thanksgiving ushers in the holiday season, complete with gift buying, tree decorating and lots of cooking and eating. Below are some tips on keeping the holidays “green” and even save you some in the process.

 

Shop locally. Ludlow Farmer’s Market is Dec. 14, 9-5 at the Ludlow Community Center. Lots of area artists, including Mason House Pottery from Cavendish, will be set up.

The Holiday Fiesta also takes place on Dec. 14 (Saturday) from 10-noon at the Cavendish Library (see item1 above). You can make your own beautiful selection of ornaments and other objects, which can be given as gifts or used to decorate your home and tree.

Check out Black River Good Neighbors Services (BRGNS) Thrift and Furniture Stores in Ludlow. They have a wide range of gently used items, including some brand new, for a fraction of the cost.

Consider a gift certificate to one of Cavendish’s businesses or non-profits. Use the Cavendish Business Directory to help in making the right selection.

Minimize food waste/compost:. Food waste is the #1 material going to landfills each day. Start by buying and making only what you need. Try new ways to use your leftovers. Add any scraps to your compost. The Cavendish Transfer Station accepts compost. Please follow the Transfer Station guidelines.

Switch to LED holiday lighting/recycle E-Waste. LED lighting strands use around 80 percent less electricity than regular holiday lights. Be sure to plug your LED lights into indoor and outdoor timers to further save on electricity costs. You can recycle burnt out lights, batteries and other “dead” electronics at the Cavendish Transfer Station’s E-waste building.

Wrapping paper and cards that can be recycled: There are lots of ways to make your own wrapping paper from newspaper, fabric scraps, or simple brown craft paper. The same goes for cards. Keep in mind if purchasing cards and gift wrap, non-metallic paper and cards can be recycled at the Transfer Station as can cardboard boxes. The following cannot: Ribbons, bows, twine and anything that’s long and string; shiny Christmas cards printed on photo paper; those with metallic embossing, glitter; or metallic, glitter, velvety flocking wrapping paper.

Plastic bags can be recycled, just not at the Transfer Station. The following plastic bag items can be recycled at various local stores- grocery bags, bread bags, case overwrap, dry cleaning bags, newspaper sleeves, ice bags, wood pellet bags, Ziploc & other re-sealable bags, produce bags, bubble wrap, salt bags, and cereal bags. All materials must be clean, dry and free of food residue. The following local stores participate in the Trex recycling program: Market Basket, Hannaford, Price Chopper, Shaw’s, Target, and Whole Foods.

Recycling Christmas Trees, Wreaths etc.: Real trees, wreaths and greenery are biodegradable, which means that can be easily reused or recycled for mulch and other purposes. Never burn your Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove. Pines, firs and other evergreens have a high content of flammable turpentine oils.  Burning the tree may contribute to creosote buildup and risk a chimney fire.

After you've removed the tinsel, lights and decorations consider the following:

• Take it to the Cavendish Transfer Station during normal business hours.

 • Cut it up for mulch in your garden or a neighbors.

 • Set it up for the birds. Spread small branches with margarine or peanut butter and dip in birdseed.

 • Even if you live on a small property, you can place your old Christmas tree at the edge of your yard. This makes a small wintertime wildlife habitat for rabbits, birds, and squirrels. Some may even build their nests in the pine boughs!

 • Cut up and save for an outdoor fire pit. Never use for indoor fires.

 • Make a sachet with the tree’s needles and store in various rooms in your house that could use a Christmas pick me up.

 • Large branches have a natural curve. Because of this, they can be stacked to save perennial flowers including, but not limited to, rose roots and berries. This will help protect these tender plants during this winter's icy storms! Can also use them for indoor plants.

 • Cut off boughs and lay them over perennial beds to protect them from snow and reduce frost heaving.

The Cavendish Transfer Station is open Wednesday and Saturday from 8-5 and on Sunday from 10-5. As at any other time of the year: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

 

3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• INNdulgence Tour: This is an incredible, not to be missed experience where guests can enjoy a self-guided tour of up to 10 historic inns located across the Okemo Valley, including Proctorsville’s Golden Stage Inn. Each will be uniquely decorated for the holidays and treats will be on offer to make the experience truly INNdulgent. The cost is a $20 per person donation ($15 early-bird) with all proceeds donated to a local charity. The open-house will run from 12pm to 5pm each day. FMI: INNdulgence Facebook page ; Golden Stage Inn (802)-226-7744 / innkeeper@goldenstageinn.com

• School restructuring options include modular classes at CAES, pre-school at CTES Chester Telegraph

• Cavendish Volunteer Fire Department Tree & Wreath Sale: CVFD has trees and wreaths on sale. Trees are $60 and up  and $15 for plain wreaths and $25 for decorated ones. In addition to the weekend sales, you can also purchase during the week 9-4. Supplies are limited so shop early.

 

4. EVENTS

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

DECEMBER 2 (MONDAY)-DECEMBER 4 (WEDNESDAY): Scholastic Book Fair at the Cavendish Library. Public Hours Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9-5. INNdulgence Facebook page ; Golden Stage Inn (802)-226-7744 / innkeeper@goldenstageinn.com

DECEMBER 7 (SATURDAY)-DECEMBER 8(SUNDAY): INNdulgence Tour 12-5 each day. FMI:

DECEMBER 7 (SATURDAY): Stuff a Fire Truck. The food drive will take place in two locations; PFD will be at Singleton’s and Ludlow will be at Shaw’s. Donations will be accepted from 9-5, with all proceeds benefitting the Black River Good Neighbors Service’s Food Shelf. BRGNS needs the following: Mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, soup, coffee, sugar, pasta, pasta sauce, cereal, shampoo (regular bottles over sample size), soap (bars), dish detergent, and toothpaste.

DECEMBER 8 (SUNDAY): Children’s Christmas Party at the American Legion  Post 36, 133 Main St., Ludlow from 10:30-Noon. Please call/text Tammi to sign up by December 1st 802-376-9165.

DECEMBER 14 (SATURDAY): The Cavendish Historical Society will be hosting a Holiday Fiesta at the Cavendish Library, made possible by a grant from the Cavendish Community Fund. From 10-noon come and make a variety of decorations using paper from old hymnals, magnets and more. FMI: 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com

-       Ludlow Farmer’s Market 10-4 at the Ludlow Community Center

DECEMBER 15 (SUNDAY): Christmas Party at Fox Run, 12-4. Free Buffet, gifts for kids sponsored by Four Square Hospitality. FMI: ray@foursquarehospitalityvt.com

DECEMBER 25: MERRY CHRISTMAS

DECEMBER 25-JANUARY 2 : HAPPY HANUKKAH

DECEMBER 26-JANUARY 1: HAPPY KWANZAA

DECEMBER 31: New Years Eve.

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS