Cavendish Update 8/11/17 Eclipse/Telecommunications/News/Events
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8/11/17 Cavendish Update
1. Cavendish Telecommunications -Cell
2. Cavendish Related News
3. Cavendish Historical Society-Solar Eclipse Workshops
4. Concert Series-Gully Boys
5. Live Authentically Wellness Course
6. Events
1. CAVENDISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS-CELL: The Cavendish Telecommunications Committee has focused on seeing that high speed Internet is available throughout the town, so we are pleased that Comcast has recently received a $300,000 grant from the state of Vermont to expand their broadband services here. The Committee is aware of how poor cellular service is in certain parts of town, but it also recognizes that the technology is to build devices that rely on wireless technology and not cell towers. Therefore, the better the Internet connectivity, the more likely your cell service will improve at home.
Recently we asked the state’s cellular specialist, Corey Chase, a series of questions about WiFi calling. Below are his comments:
WiFi Calling is a feature on many cellular phones. This service allows the phone to connect to the cellular carrier over the Internet (using any WiFi connection) instead of over the carrier’s own wireless network. To use this technology, a consumer must have a device that supports the WiFi Calling feature, and the carrier must support the service as well. Most modern smart phones support WiFi calling. It appears that Verizon and AT&T support WiFi calling.
US Cellular has something called WiFi Now app, That app helps consumers connect to WiFi networks around the country. US Cellular apparently keeps a list of public WiFi hotspots (like schools and libraries) and other private WiFi hotspots that need a password. I believe that this app searches for any of these apps and connects to WiFi for the consumer, without their having to manually switch to WiFi and connect to the network. Frankly I don’t think that this would be particularly helpful for many Vermont consumers. In most rural areas Vermonter’s already know where WiFi is available (at schools, libraries, coffee shops, etc). This app is particularly geared for consumers who are visiting new areas and want their phone to switch to WiFi so that they can get lots of data without burning through their US Cellular data caps.
There are significant privacy issues with this app, as with WiFi Calling, that consumers might want to consider.
Even if the cellular carrier or the consumer’s smart phone do not support WiFi Calling, there are many other options for placing telephone calls over WiFi. For instance, the popular Vonage service has an app that can be installed on a cell phone that lets consumers place calls over any data network, including the cell data network or WiFi. Comcast also has a similar app.
I personally use Google Voice service. This free service from Google provides consumers with a phone number and no-charge inbound calling. Outbound calls to the US are free, and outbound calls to other countries are inexpensive. You can use Google Voice from a computer, or you can install the Google Hangouts app on a smartphone and use it over cellular data or WiFi.
2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
Nate Rose Acting Head of the Cavendish Municipal Water Department: Randy Shimp, Cavendish’s chief of the Water Department, was in a car accident over a week ago in Ludlow. Nate Rose is currently the acting head. He or town manager Brendan McNamara should be contacted if there is an issue with town water.
Black River Good Neighbor Solicits Donations for Fall Sale: Black River Good Neighbor Services will hold its annual fall rummage sale Friday-Saturday, September 22-23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday September 24, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. This year they need donations of housewares, furniture, and winter clothing. Please bring small items such as housewares and clothing to the thrift store at 37B Main Street in Ludlow. For larger items such as furniture please call 802-228-3663 to arrange a drop-off time at Fletcher Farm. If you are unable to drop off a furniture donation, our volunteers may be able pick it up if arrangements are made in advance. The rummage sale will be held at Fletcher Farm, 611 Route 103 S in Ludlow on the above dates. Please mark your calendar and come explore the many unique bargains.
Phone Scam Targets GMP Customers: Green Mountain Power says scammers are calling Vermonters with a familiar threat -- their power will be shut off unless they pay up within 15 minutes by calling a toll free number. But GMP says it never demands payment like that. The utility is working with the Attorney General to crack down on these scams. Some tips if you get one of these calls -- Do not provide payment or other personal information, don't call the number back, and report it to the Attorney General's Consumer Assistance line -- 800.649.2424
HomeGoods, Pet Smart Coming to W. Lebanon: The stores will be in the vacant Shaw’s building. The development company that oversees the Upper Valley Plaza in West Lebanon, N.H. plans to subdivide the property.
Obtain Lifetime National Park Pass By Aug. 27: The senior pass, available to people 62 and older, allows the pass holder and a carload of companions to enter any of 2,000 National Park Service sites throughout the country, including the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park in Woodstock and St. Gaudens in Enfield, NH, for free. The cost of the lifetime pass will increase from $10 to $80 on Aug. 27. The increase, though dramatic, is the first hike in more than 20 years. When Congress first established the senior pass in 1974, they were free, and remained that way until 1994, when the $10 price tag was fixed. Because of the order backlogs, those who purchase a pass online might not get their pass in the mail for months, but will be able to use their receipt to gain admission during the interim.
3. CHS UPDATE-SOLAR ECLIPSE WORKSHOP: On Aug. 20 (Sunday), the Cavendish Historical Society will hold a workshop from 2-4 pm at the Museum (1951 Main St. Cavendish) where you can make pinhole viewers and learn more about the solar eclipse. On Aug. 21 (Monday), from 1:30 to 3:00 CHS will have various devices set up in front of the Museum so people can safely view the eclipse, which will be about 70% in our area.
The Summer Scribbler II, CHS’s newsletter, is now available at the CHS blog. It includes some interesting articles on the new “Redfield Proctor” as well as our holiday focus this view on Polish heritage in Cavendish.
The best tasting organic blueberries are ripe for the picking at Bruce and Betty McEnaney’s place on Miner Rd. Half of the proceeds of the blue berry picking-only $3 a pound-goes to the Cavendish Town Elementary School’s 6th grade trip to Sturbridge Village. Betty has provided the following directions- Smokeshire Road off 103 for 2 miles and then left up the hill at the sign. House at the end of the road. Berries are off to the left. Picking equipment on the porch. Organic berries $3.00 a pound.
4. CONCERT SERIES 8/16/17 Yankee Chank: Please note that due to rain, both The Gully Boys and Chris Kleeman concerts have been rescheduled as follows: Chris Kleeman Aug. 23; The Gully Boys, Aug. 30.
The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association in conjunction with the Town, features Yankee Chank, with Cavendish’s Bob Naess on fiddle, at the August 16th Wednesday concert at 5:30 p.m. on the Proctorsville Green. Please note that this concert will start half an hour earlier than other concerts in the series.
Yankee Chank is a Vermont group that performs traditional Cajun music from the heart of southwest Louisiana. The French-speaking people of eastern Canada, our immediate neighbor to the north, were the inspiration for the southern Cajuns and thereby inspired Yankee Chank. The band has been performing both Cajun and Zydeco music around Vermont and beyond, using fiddle, accordion, guitar and bass since 1996. The band’s performances offer a distinctive immersion into this unique regional music.
For more information please call Robin at 226-7736. In case of rain, please check the Cavendish Facebook page for further information.
5. LIVE AUTHENTICALLY WELLNESS COURSE: Are you looking for a change or wanting to make your dreams a reality? Feeling stressed? Never seem to have enough time? Make real and lasting changes to live your life, your way in the unique and powerful Live Authentically course. Discover your inner potential and gain insight into the big questions in life such as "Who am I?" "What am I here to do?" "What's stopping me?" and "How can I create the life I want?" Creativity in the classroom will be inspired by using collage, journaling and more as we explore topics that include communication, personality, values, strengths, time, stress, money, life purpose and goals. You will complete the course with a new awareness of who you are, intention statements of what you intend to do and be and an action plan designed to implement your new vision of yourself. The program will be set up with guidelines that encourage personal growth and wellness in a safe and confidential environment. Come and join us and get to know your true self at dG’s Bodyworks in Proctorsville, Saturdays, September 9th - November 18th, 2017 from 9:00am – 12:00pm.
Or create your own private group and course instructor and Proctorsville resident Martha Mott will facilitate this genuinely transformative process in the comfort of your own home or business.
To register, contact Martha Mott at martha@liveauthentically.org or 802-356-5984. For more information, go to www.liveauthentically.org.
6. EVENTS
AUGUST 14 (Monday): Select Board Meeting. Will be aired on Comcast channel 10 on August 18. The agenda will be posted to The Dish as soon as it’s received.
AUGUST 16 (WEDNESDAY): Concert on the Green, 6 pm, Proctorsville Green featuring Yankee Chank. Free and open to the public.
AUGUST 20 (SUNDAY): Solar Eclipse Workshop at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum 2-4. Free and open to the public. FMI: 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com
For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.