Cavendish Update 11/26/21: Ghost Walk/News/Events
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WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM 1 PM TODAY TO 1 PM TOMORROW. 2-7 inches of snow and high winds possible. Christmas trees and wreaths are now on sale at the Cavendish Fire Dept.
Town Office is closed today.
11/26/21
1. Cavendish Info
2. Proctorsville Christmas Ghost Walk
3. Covid update
4. Events
1. CAVENDISH INFO
• GMUSD 11/18 Meeting: Two Rivers Supervisory Union (TRSU)Superintendent, Lauren Fierman, stated at the Nov. 18 Green Mountain Unified School District (GMUSD) meeting that schools will not organize a snow sports programs this year. The exception would be schools with volunteer groups for such purposes, such as the one at the Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES). However, Jarrod Harper posted the following comment, As the coordinator of the program, I'm not sure where this news is coming from. We are still trying to determine if it is possible to have the program. There are many things still to be decided. One of which is the busing situation. Very disappointed about the lack of communication.
Cavendish Library is making a new budget request for $40,000 to cover costs associated with two full days of programming for students. CTES has not contributed to the librarian’s salary for 24 years and it’s time for the school to “pay its fair share.” VT Journal
• In towns with no zoning, reopened Supreme Court decision has big implications for Act 250: A recent decision issued by the Vermont Supreme Court would change the way Act 250, Vermont’s sweeping land use and development law, functions in towns without zoning and subdivision regulations. If it stands, the decision related to a proposed stone quarry in Cavendish would exempt certain commercial and industrial projects that Act 250 has historically covered, reversing the way the act has been administered for 50 years. VT Digger
• BRGN Holiday Gift Program: Applications for Black River Good Neighbor Services’ (BRGN) Christmas Holiday Gift Program available at the Thrift Store, Food Shelf and website are due by Dec. 1. FMI 802-228-3663.
• Scholastic Book Fair/Party at Cavendish Library: On December 4 (Saturday) from 1-2 pm, the Cavendish Library will be holding a pirate party for the annual book fair. There will be games, prizes and of course shopping.
• Holiday Gourmet Gift Baskets-Cavendish Green Mountain Snow Fleas: The Cavendish Green Mountain Snow Fleas Snowmobile Club will be selling Holiday Gourmet Gift Baskets on Saturday, Dec. 4th from 9 am to 2 pm at Singleton’s. Priced at $50, the retail value of the baskets is $120. Some of the items in the baskets: Hot Cocoa Bombs, Gourmet Chocolate Pretzel Rods, Godiva bars, VT maple syrup, gourmet popcorn, Dilly Beans from Pam’s Delights, Merba Cookies, Sahale Snacks, Biscotti, Wafer cookies, Blake Hill Preserves, Drew’s Salsa, Deep River Chips, Peeled Organic dried fruit snacks, Harry & David Moose Munch, pretzels, Jerky sticks, Lizzie’s Kitchen Spices, a candle, and a gift certificate to one of two local restaurants. Wrapped in cellophane with a bow, they make great gifts for family, friends, or co-workers. Baskets are limited. Contact Frank and Patty Companik (203-710-7358) or (patricia.companik@sbcglobal.net) if you would like to reserve a basket for pick up on Dec. 4th.
• Okemo Opens Today: Note that early season terrain is best suited for intermediate and advanced skiers and riders.
• Okemo Valley Women’s Club Tree of Remembrance
• RT 100 is now open: Work will resume next construction season on the bridge near Plymouth Notch. For now, there are no detours.
• Dollar Tree hikes prices 25%. Most items will cost $1.25
2. PROCTORSVILLE CHRISTMAS GHOST WALK: In 2020, the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) had to cancel their planned ghost walk. In its place, was "A Christmas Eve Ghost Story" featuring both the Golden Stage Inn and its various ghosts as well as some of the local spirits. The story is available on-line at the CHS blog.
On Dec. 12 (Sunday), the 2021 Proctorsville Christmas Ghost Walk begins in front of the Proctorsville War Memorial on Route 131 (close to the intersection of 131 and Depot St) at 7 PM. The tour proceeds down Depot St., and ends at the Golden Stage Inn, where there will be a bonfire. What better place, and way, to learn about one of the most haunted inns in New England.
The tour is free and open to the public, but donations are appreciated. This is an easy walk. Please dress according to the weather and bring a flashlight. FMI: 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com
3.COVID UPDATE: For local information on testing, vaccinations, boosters, notifying contacts as well as other local resources, please see the Cavendish COVID-19 Resource Guide.
WEEKLY DATA: In spite of the Governor and his team providing statistics about how VT is leading the nation for vaccinations, lowest hospitalizations etc., Covid remains widespread and at best it will stay at this level or increase in the coming weeks. Currently, VT ranks 11th in the country for rate of new cases.
Cavendish & Surrounding Towns: Cavendish had 4 new cases this past week (61 total); Ludlow 7 new cases (140 total); Chester 13 (233 total) and Springfield 67 (714 total). Town data is reported on Friday, but is not expected this week due to the holiday weekend.
Schools: The VT Dept of Health’s school report for Nov. 23, reports CTES had no new case in the past week. However, we are aware of 2 new cases associated with the school, bringing the actual number to at least 4. Ludlow Elementary had 1 new cases for a total of 8 cases, while Chester Andover Elementary had 2 new cases (12 total). GMUHS was listed as having 1 new case for the same time period (3 total). There were 281 cases last week in Vermont schools and 2,060 cases since the start of the school year. The Nov. 15 vaccine clinic at CTES, resulted in 37 students being vaccinated, with 45 vaccines given that day. GMUHS currently has 61% of its students vaccinated.
State: Tuesday’s Modeling shows that VT’s new case have increased by 4% over the last 7 days and increased 20% over the last 14 days. Week-over-week testing remained stable, with 7-day average increasing 16% this week. The seven day seropositivity rate (the number of tests that are positive) has decreased from a high of 4.4% to 3.8%.
The not fully vaccinated case rate has increased 11.3% in the last 7 days while the fully vaccinated rate has decreased 1.3% for the same period. Hospitalizations of the not fully vaccinated has increased 25% in the last 7 days while the fully vaccinated admission rate has decreased 23% for the same time period.
Over the last 7 days, cases have increased by 1% for ages 0-24 (highest incidence group is the 5-11 year olds); 13 % for ages 25 -49; and 4% for ages 50-64. The. 65+ age cohort, continuing the trend from the week prior, has decreased by 14% this past week. Overall VT cases trended toward the lower end of last week’s forecast.
No data is being provided over the Thanksgiving holiday. According to the state website, On Monday, Nov. 29, case counts for each day from Wednesday, Nov. 24 through Sunday Nov. 28 will be reported, along with the cumulative case total. In the last three weeks, Vermont has seen an average of 400 cases per day from Wednesday to Sunday. Given these recent averages, case counts from these five days could add up to a total case count of 2,000, which would be reported on Monday. The last of reported data was Wednesday. To date, there have 48,120 cases of Covid in Vermont. Currently 64 people are in the hospital, with 17 in ICU. Six more deaths occurred in the past week, bringing the total to 406.
TESTING: In the past week, almost 10% of the state’s population, 70,000 people, were tested. Testing is being ramped up and it is anticipated that the availability of rapid antigen testing (RAT) will be quadrupled in December.
A new technology is being used called “Lamp Testing,” (Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification), which provides a molecular test that uses real-time loop-mediated amplification (LAMP) technology to detect the presence of the virus that causes COVID-19. It’s just as accurate as a PCR test and is still administered through a nasal swab. However, results come back in under an hour and they don’t have to go to a lab. These are being used in schools.
TOWNS CAN NOW ISSUE MASK MANDATES: The VT Legislature approved a bill on Monday that authorizes municipal governments to enact local masking ordinances. Governor Scott signed the bill on Tuesday morning. Local mask requirements can apply to “locations open to the public,” but leaves it to local leaders to define what those public locations should include. In Cavendish, mask mandates are in place for the school and library. The municipalities’ authority to institute mask mandates will expire on April 30, 2022. Brattleboro has already adopted the mask mandate. Other towns considering adoption include: Bennington, Burlington, East Montpelier, Montpelier, Waterbury, Wilmington and Winooski. It’s unclear how many towns and cities will avail themselves of their new powers. The Cavendish Select Board will have the option to discuss the issue of mask mandates for the town.
4. EVENTS
NOVEMBER 26 (FRIDAY): Town office closed
DECEMBER 4 (SATURDAY): Stuff a Fire Truck Food Drive for Black River Good Neighbors Food Shelf. From 9-5 at Shaw’s Parking Lot. This is being sponsored by Proctorsville and Ludlow Fire Departments.
- Cavendish Library Scholastic book fair and pirate party. 1-2 pm at the Library. Includes games, prizes and shopping.
- The Cavendish Green Mountain Snow Fleas Snowmobile Club will be selling Holiday Gourmet Gift Baskets on Saturday, Dec. 4th from 9 am to 2 pm at Singleton’s. Priced at $50, the retail value of the baskets is $120.
DECEMBER 12 (SUNDAY): Christmas Ghost Walk-Proctorsville. 7 pm, meet at the Proctorsville War Memorial. Free and open to the public. Donations welcomed. FMI: 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com
DECEMBER 23 (THURSDAY)-JANUARY 2 (SUNDAY): Schools holiday break
DECEMBER 24 (FRIDAY): Christmas Eve Town Office Closed
DECEMBER 25 (SATURDAY): MERRY CHRISTMAS
DECEMBER 31 (FRIDAY) New Year’s Eve Town Office Closed
JANUARY 17 (MONDAY): Martin Luther King’s Day Town Officer Closed
CA❤︎ENDSH VAXXING & MASKING TO PROTECT SELF & OTHERS
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