Cavendish Update 11/6/15 News/TDS/Solar/Events

CTES 6th graders observing the Tin Smith at Sturbridge Village. 

11/6/15 Cavendish Update Contains:
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Cavendish Telecommunications Update: TDS
3. Coolidge Solar Power Project Public Information Meeting Nov 16
4. 2nd Annual Cavendish Abundance Swap is a month away
5. Holiday Food Applications are Due by December First
6. Annual Ski and Snowboard Swap Nov. 20-22
7. Turkey Bingo at CTES: Nov. 13
8. Cavendish Tapestry Project
9. Events
 
1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
Trunk & Treat Winners: By popular vote, first place winners of Cavendish’s first ever Halloween Truck or Treat was Jess and Joseph Arnold for their amazing castle. Second place went to the Hugh’s family for their “Pumpkin Patch.” Thanks to all those who helped to make two new Halloween activities for Cavendish-the Greven Haunted Trail and Trunk or Treat- so successful.
 
Keep Cars Locked and No Valuables in the Car: In the last several weeks there have been reports of “larceny from motor vehicle,” primarily along Main Street. Locking your car and leaving nothing visible deters break ins.
 
Cavendish Man Wanted for Gas Theft: Rutland State Police and Fair Haven Police Department are investigating a series of gas drive-offs in the West Rutland and Fair Haven areas.  Investigation suggests that the same male was driving a white 2004 Ford pick-up with Vermont Truck Registration 231A531 on November 1, 2015 at 2:54 p.m. when gas was most recently pumped at the West Rutland Stewart's then left without attempting to pay.   This vehicle is registered to Stephen M. Couillard, 29 of Cavendish, VT. State Police are looking to locate Mr. Couillard and/or the truck's operator.  Video surveillance shows that this truck has been filled several times in the area without any attempt to pay for gas.  Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Vermont State Police at 802-773-9101.  Information can also be submitted anonymously online at www.vtips.info or text "CRIMES" (274637) to Keyword: VTIPS
 
Cavendish Included on 11 Wacky Day Trips Before the Snow Flies: Seeing the town where Phineas Gage was injured is listed as number 5 on the list of places to visit in Vermont if you would like extend Halloween for a few more weeks and avoid the Christmas obsessed. Stowe Today  
 
Habitat for Humanity-Greater Springfield Area Bean Soup Fundraiser: Creating affordable homes in Springfield and surrounding towns, including Cavendish, the specially packaged bean soup of Habitat for Humanity-Greater Springfield area are being sold at Crow's Bakery, the Village Clipper and Singleton's. Stop by and pick up a bag this week as they're only $3.50 a piece. "Like" them on Facebook to learn more about what they are doing, how you can be involved and/or benefit from the services they provide. 
 
2. CAVENDISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS UPDATE: TDS
On October 30, the Cavendish Telecommunications Committee met with representatives from TDS about upcoming changes. In February, when Scott Brooks of TDS, meet with the Select Board, he explained that a new line would be added so that Proctorsville and Perkinsville would no longer be sharing the same bandwidth line. That plan has since been changed and the new one is to establish a 10G “ring” for those being served from the Proctorsville Central Office (PCO)-Main Street in Proctorsville (about 350 customers). This is a Calix E7 fiber system, similar to the one being used in NH, where 1G service is now available to homes.
 
TDS’ 10G network is the “backbone network” that connects TDS markets to each other, to data centers, and to the Internet.  The infrastructure is being installed in order to facilitate fiber to the home down the road, as well as to increase current connectivity to the 350 customers being served by the PCO. If you are paying for 15 Mbgs, you should start receiving it and not the lower speeds reported in the recent Speed Test Survey. While it is hoped that those customers on the “spur lines,” (Twenty Mile Stream, Chubb Hill, Center Road etc.), will see improved service, as the bandwidth bottleneck in the PCO will be significantly improve, this is not guaranteed.
 
Installation of the  E7 system should be completed in the next 30 days.  However, it is unclear when fiber to the home, built over the copper system would be available to the Cavendish TDS customer. According to TDS, the 10G ring approach is an excellent one- not a “Band-Aid” but rather an investment in new equipment, which ultimately will not only improve connectivity but also set the stage for much faster speeds.
 
3. SOLAR POWER PROJECT PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING 
On Monday, November 16, the Ludlow Select Board will hold a public information meeting at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall Auditorium, located at 37 Depot Street in Ludlow, VT to hear a presentation by Ranger Solar LLC regarding the proposed “Coolidge Solar Project.”
 
The proposed Coolidge Solar Project will be up to a 20 MW of solar generation consisting of up to 95,000 solar photovoltaic panels installed in linear arrays on both sides of Barker Road on lands referred to as the “Barker Farm” near the intersection with Nelson Road and Quent Phelan Road. The lines needed to connect the solar project to the VELCO station cross Cavendish land, which automatically gives the town “party” status.
 
The community is encouraged to attend to further their understanding of the proposed project and discuss its ramifications for our region.
 
Representatives from Ranger Solar as well as the Vermont League of Cities & Towns will be available to hear public comment and respond to questions. CooIt is anticipated that formal application by Ranger Solar LLC will be made to the Vermont Public Service Board later in November.
 
Additional information provided by Ranger Solar, the Vermont League of Cities & Towns and others is available at the Town of Ludlow Administrative office.
 
4. 2ND ANNUAL ABUNDANCE SWAP A MONTH AWAY
Even with the change back to standard time, the 60-degree days of the past week aren’t exactly the reminder that Thanksgiving is less than three weeks away and that the Abundance Swap is a month from today’s post.
 
There were lots of wonderful presents that people picked up for friends, families and even themselves at last year’s Abundance Swap so we’re expecting even more amazing things this year. The rules are simple:
• Pick 3-5 items in your home, shop or office that someone would enjoy as a gift. These should be in really good shape and of quality, meaning it’s well made and likely to be valued by someone. Children are encouraged to bring gently used toys they may have outgrown or no longer use.
• Bring them to the Cavendish Town Elementary School on Saturday morning, December 5, starting at 9:30 am.
• Drop off your items, enjoy a visit with your neighbors and the Cavendish Connects team, as well as share the stories of what you are bringing to the swap.
• From 10-11:30, select presents for someone on your holiday giving list (it can be you). 
 
Need some help in sorting out what to bring to the swap? Check out the post we did on the KonMari Method for tidying. 
 
FMI: 226-7807 or cavendishconnect@gmail.com
 
5. HOLIDAY FOOD APPLICATIONS ARE DUE DECEMBER 1ST 
The staff of Black River Good Neighbor Services has announced that they are accepting applications for the 2015 Holiday food basket program. They ask that completed applications be submitted by December 1, 2015.
 
Anyone living in Ludlow, Proctorsville, Cavendish, Mount Holly, Belmont or Plymouth who believes that they qualify need only stop by Black River Good Neighbor’s Food Shelf and Thrift Store at 37B Main Street in Ludlow to pick up an application. Applicants can also download the application on-line from the BRGNS website.
 
Even if a family or an individual received a food basket in past years, they must complete a new application this year. It is an easy process and we are here to help. Those people who are unable to get to the store may call Audrey Bridge, executive director, at 802-228-3663 for assistance.
 
6. ANNUAL SKI & SNOWBOARD SWAP NOV 20-22 
Here’s a great opportunity to purchase new and pre-owned ski and snowboard equipment, clothing and accessories at great prices! All proceeds benefit Okemo Mountain School (OMS), which some Cavendish students attend. Sellers keep 75 percent of the selling price and OMS receives 25 percent. Drop off gear to sell Nov. 14, 15 and 18; 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. in the Sitting Bull at Okemo Mountain. The sale takes place at the Base Lodge Okemo Mountain as follows: Nov. 20, 4 to 7 p.m.; Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Nov. 22, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Call (802) 228-1513 for more information. 
 
7. TURKEY BINGO AT CTES: NOV. 13
Everyone needs a turkey for Thanksgiving. Win one, or other great prizes, at the annual Cavendish Town Elementary School’s PTO Turkey Bingo on Nov. 13 from 6-8 pm in the multi purpose room. Pizza by the slice will be on sale.
 
8. CAVENDISH TAPESTRY PROJECT
The Cavendish Tapestry Project (a project of Fiber Arts in Vermont) wishes to thank the Cavendish Community Fund and the Fletcher Farm Foundation for recent grants to fund parts of this community-weaving project.  A generous grant from CCF enabled a purchase of a portable tapestry loom and other weaving tools.  The grant from Fletcher Farm Foundation will allow us to offer a low cost workshop by a nationally known tapestry artist in June.  Thank you both so much for supporting this effort.
 
A community tapestry is a piece of art that is designed and woven by residents. Suggestions for the design will come from community members.  The theme is Cavendish, Center of the Universe!  If you have an idea for a design, a picture or a paragraph, please send them to The Cavendish Tapestry Project @FAVT. PO Box 166 Proctorsville, VT 05153.  Deadline is early December.  Check out our Facebook page, Cavendish tapestry, or write us at cavendishtapestryproject@gmail.com.
 
9. EVENTS
Upcoming events for Cavendish include:
• Nov. 7 (Saturday):  Scouting Salute to Veterans Day Parade, Ludlow, 11 am; Cavendish Library’s Book Jam featuring author Archer Mayor 1 pm at the Cavendish Library; Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department’s Spaghetti Dinner, 5-7 pm at CTES
 
• Nov. 9 (Monday): Cavendish Select Board meeting, agenda posted to The Dish when received.
 
For more information on this and other events, go to the Cavendish Connects November Calendar.  For regional events, check out the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce Calendar.