Cavendish Update 8/30/24: Academy Bldg/News/Events
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8/30/24
1. The Academy Building
2. Cavendish Library Upcoming Events
3. Cavendish Related News
4. Events Calendar
1. THE ACADEMY BUILDING: Located on the corner of 131 and High St., the Academy Building is the oldest building in Cavendish Village and it’s about to change owners. Between the “free” items and sales, many people have been stopping by, with some asking questions about the building.
Built in 1812, Salmon Dutton subscribed $7,500 (one third money and two thirds labor or materials) for building “Cavendish Academy”-the largest gift received during the fund drive for the school. Dutton, who is credited as the founder of Cavendish Village, was a universalist and not interested in paying a “preacher tax,” which was customary at the time. Instead he opted to pay for education.
The following is from the Fall 2020 Cavendish Historical Society newsletter, Recently we came across a copy of the Vermont Tribune from January 14, 1965, which featured the article, “Former Cavendish Academy, Vermont Educational Landmark, Overlooks Cavendish Park.” The building was almost torn down in 1965 when majority voters from Proctorsville turned down a proposal to buy the building, for removal, for a parking lot. The one and one half story Cavendish Academy building was for sale for $2500.
It is the fifth oldest academy in the state of Vermont having been incorporated October 26, 1792 at a session of the Vermont Legislature in Rutland. It is also the 24th oldest academy in New England. …The students roomed in the area…..Four terms were scheduled during the year, the Winter Term commencing on the second Wednesday of December; the Spring Term on the second Wednesday of March; Summer term, second Wednesday of June and the Fall Term, second Wednesday of September.
The Vermont Historical Society provided a catalogue of classes for the fall term of 1833. The courses of study contrast sharply with the current college preparatory programs at area high schools. The catalogue says ‘The course of study adopted in this Institution is designed to be both liberal and thorough. Students wishing to prepare for College, for teaching, or for business, may expect to find here every facility for pursuing their studies, afforded by any similar institution. In addition English education courses such as Latin and Greek, instruction was also provided in Mathematics, Bookkeeping, botany, geology, moral and intellectual philosophy, drawing, painting and calisthenics, French, Spanish and Italian.
In 1834, the enrollment at the Academy was 91 gentlemen and 56 ladies. However the school was closed in the 1850s and has served multiple purposes throughout the ensuing years including as a drill hall during the Civil War, Perkin’s Store, Masonic Lodge, the Cavendish Partnership (architectural firm) and most recently RB Marketing.
There will be a moving sale at the Academy Building on Saturday, Aug. 31 from 10-1.
2. CAVENDISH LIBRARY UPCOMING EVENTS:
August 31 (Saturday): E-Bike “Demo Day” try out various models of e-bikes and see which one might fit your needs and lifestyle at a “Demo Day” (as in “demonstration,” not “demolition”!) on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Cavendish Fletcher Community Library, 573 Main Street, Proctorsville from 9:00 AM to 12 Noon. All free! First come, first served, no appointments. Bring a helmet if you have one; if not, there are helmets to borrow. FMI: cavendishlibrary573@gmail.com
Until Sept. 4: The E-Bike Library is in Cavendish Try out an e-bike for free through the Upper Valley E-Bike Lending Library! The library will be in Cavendish Fletcher Community Library from now until Wednesday, September 4, 2024. Made possible with support from Lebanon Libraries. You can:
• Borrow an e-bike for two days to see how it works for everyday commutes and errands!
• Try out multiple models for short periods at a Demo Day!
• Go to https://vitalcommunities.org/uvell to learn more and make a reservation
The library consists of four e-bikes of assorted styles and retail costs, from “cargo e-bikes” that can haul groceries or kids to lighter-weight “commuter e-bikes.”
People can borrow and try these e-bikes FOR FREE to discover what e-bikes are really like and consider whether one could become part of their everyday lives. So far, more than a third of the people who have borrowed Library bikes said they plan to buy one of their own.
Sept 22 (Sunday) Dedication of Kate’s Corner-1pm: The Cavendish Fletcher Community Library will be dedicating Kate’s Corner, their new early literacy space, in loving memory of Kate Lorenz. Kate was a former student at Cavendish Town Elementary School. She was an early, enthusiastic and avid reader, a collector of children’s literature, a devoted preschool teacher, a lover and patron of libraries and an accomplished musician who passed away in July 2022 at the age of 42.
After Kate's death, the local Building for Books Fund donated $1000 in her memory to be used to create a special spot in the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library to honor her love and dedication to young children and to early literacy development. The Building for Books donation, along with numerous donations from her friends and family, has enabled the library to greatly expand its early literacy collection of books, hands on learning manipulatives and resources for parents and care givers.
Please join us to celebrate Kate’s life and to honor her for her contribution to the lives of young children and early literacy acquisition. Her wonderful uniqueness, deep love, caring dedication and her beautiful sparkle live on in Kate’s Corner at the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library on Main Street in Proctorsville!
3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
• It’s a Wrap-Last Water Testing Ends for the Season: Black River Action Team (BRAT) completed their last water testing for 2024 on Aug. 28 (Wednesday). Check connecticutriver.us for results from all your favorite swimming spots, to get a sense of the overall conditions of the water quality as far as bacteria levels go. Thank you to the sponsors: Tygart Mountain Sports, Diamond Reality; Greater Upper Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited; Green Mountain Fireplace Specialties; Vermont Co-Pack; Green Mountain Power; and Okemo Mountain Resort. A wonderful roster of dedicated volunteers makes this all happen! Kevin Barnes, Randy Wiggin and Mary Beth Maloney, Deb Harrison, George Thomson, Cam Abel, Jay Messing, and Sam McCoy and the Jeld-Wen Dippers - a huge "thank you" to each of you folks for your time, dedication, and mileage.
• Outer Limits has closed their doors: The Outer Limits Facebook page posted the following message this week, “Back in the fall of 2016 we settled on the idea of starting a brewery. Once we found the building, it was a done deal and the planning for Outer Limits began. A lot of time and hard work went into creating this special place. Over the years we’ve experienced high highs and low lows. Running a business is not for the faint of heart. We experienced a pandemic and a catastrophic flood BUT In between these major events we welcomed out of state regulars, people passing through, family and a local community we love deeply. So many smiles, laughs and good times were had.
Last year’s flood really took us for a spin and we’ve been trying to regain our footing ever since. After some time off and a whole lot of soul searching, we have decided to close our doors. It’s a bittersweet ending to a business we are so incredibly proud of, but for us, this is the right path forward. Thank you to everyone who made Outer Limits what it was. We feel so incredibly lucky that we got to share this experience with so many wonderful people. A special shoutout and thank you to our staff… some who were with us from day one. Each and every one of you made Outer Limits a place we truly enjoyed walking into every day. We are humbled by your hard work and dedication. You were the ultimate Dream Team. Endings are hard but we walk away feeling proud and accomplished. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Wesley & Taylor
• Vermont prepares for new Covid-19 vaccines after FDA approval: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a week ago that it has approved and authorized administration of a new Covid-19 vaccine formula, and Vermonters will soon be able to access those vaccinations at primary care offices and pharmacies in the state, according to the state Department of Health. VT Digger
• Need Finger Printing?: Are you in need of fingerprinting to work or volunteer at your local school, daycare, after school or mentorship program? Chester Police Department performs employment required fingerprint services, by appointment, during our open lobby hours: Monday - Friday 8am to 4pm (excluding holidays). Please give us a call during these hours to schedule an appointment: (802)875-2035). You must have a fingerprint authorization form, signed by the requesting agency, and a government issued form of ID (license, non-driver ID, etc.). There is a $35 fee which can be paid by check or exact cash. Everything is digital - no inky fingers!
4. EVENTS
AUGUST 31 (SATURDAY): Test drive an e-bike at the Cavendish Library from 9-noon.
SEPTEMBER 2 (MONDAY): Labor Day. Town Office Closed
SEPTEMBER 14 (SATURDAY): Vermont Golden Honey Festival at the Golden Stage Inn. 10-4 FMI: Honey Festival Facebook page
SEPTEMBER 15 (SUNDAY): Annual Phineas Gage Walk and Talk, 2 pm at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum. The talk portion will take place rain or shine. Wear comfortable shoes. The walk is a mile and a half of road surface.
SEPTEMBER 22 (SUNDAY): Dedication of Kate’s Corner at the Cavendish Library-in memory of Kate Lorenz, 1 pm at the library in Proctorsville.
SEPTEMBER 29 (SUNDAY): 2 PM, Cavendish Historical Society Museum. Plant Time: Herbs focusing on longevity (e.g. chaga) and the life cycle of medicinal plants. This will include a discussion of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s writing and use of plants like chaga and mandrake root (European variety). Dr. Charis Boke will again be one of the speakers
OCTOBER 13 (SUNDAY) Last Sunday the Museum is open for the 2024 season.
OCTOBER 14 (MONDAY): Indigenous Peoples Day. Town office closed
OCTOBER 26 (SATURDAY) History of the Invasives: Knotweed. 2 pm at the Cavendish Library, 573 Main St. Proctorsville
NOVEMBER 2 (SATURDAY): Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead): Starts 3 pm at the Cavendish Library, 573 Main St. Proctorsville. Workshop from 3-5:30 Pot luck supper follows.