Cavendish Update 7/3/20: Tag Sale/Help Wanted/News/Events

Normally decisive, Ed has a devil of a time selecting his mask for the day.

CHECK THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to see this page.

PLEASE NOTE CAVENDISH TRANSFER STATION IS CLOSED FOR THE 4TH OF JULY

7/3/20

1.Cavendish  Info

2. Town Wide Tag Sale

3. CHS: Epidemics & Pandemics

4. Help Wanted

5. Latest Spigot Turn: Covid-19 Update

6. Events

1. CAVENDISH INFO

• Black River Water Test Results: A trained BRAT volunteer collects samples from the various swimming holes on the Black River. Testing for bacteria is done by Endyne Labs in Lebanon NH and represents a snapshot of water quality at the moment of sample collection. This week water levels have tested higher than normal due to the heavy rain. Some are clearly not safe and others are borderline.  The EPAs limit for safe swimming is 235 Cfu. It is recommended to stay out of the water when it appears cloudy and within 24 hours of a heavy rain.

• Cavendish Gorge: 210 CFU

• Greven Field Proctorsville 308 CFU Unsafe

• Buttermilk Falls, Ludlow 178 CFU

• Little Ascutney RD, Weathersfield 488 CFU Unsafe

• Tolles Power Dam, Perkinsville 194 CFU

• Twenty Foot Hole, Reading VT: 461 CFU Unsafe

Thank you Black River Action Team and volunteers.

• Ludlow will have fireworks this year: Thanks to Imery Talc, there will be fireworks in Ludlow for the 4th of July. Viewing options are Pleasant View Cemetery, Fletcher Flats or East Hill Rd.

• Meals on Wheels drivers needed for the weekends: The Black River Valley Senior Center is indebted to Neal’s Restaurant in Proctorsville for providing weekend evening meals to 40 recipients of the weekday Meals On Wheels program. At this point we are in need of additional drivers, and we would appreciate any help that volunteers might be able to give us, either Saturday or Sunday evenings, or both days. If you are willing to help, please call the senior center at 802-228-7421.

• Blood Drive: American Legion, Monday July 20 12-5. To register or FMI: 800-733-2767 or www.redcrossblood.org

• July 15th Cavendish Concert on Svec Park with be Rick Davis Cavendish’s own Mark Huntley will be on drums. The band is famous for covers of Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers, among others. Concerts begin at 6pm. Masks are required as is social distancing.

• S. Vermont in a “crazy” Real Estate Sales Boom

•  Property Tax Rates Set for Average 3 cent rise as legislature passes Education funding bill.

• Feds: Vermont ‘needs intervention’ to meet special education law

• Scott allows vote-by-mail to become law, asks lawmakers for fix: Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said Thursday he's allowing a bill to allow mail in voting during the November presidential to become law without his signature.

2. TOWN WIDE TAG SALE: This has been the longest “cleaning season” ever.  You gotta do something when you are on “Stay at Home.” So now that you have clean cupboards, if you’re wondering what to do with the bags of “stuff” stashed in the garage, basement or attic, set up for the annual Cavendish Town Wide Tag Sale. As always, it’s the last Saturday in July- July 25 from 9-2.

If you would like your house listed, or want space on either of the town greens, call 802-226-7807 or e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com. Starting July 13, we will be posting vendor items for sale at the Cavendish VT Facebook page. Please send photos of items you are planning on selling to cavendishconnects@gmail.com One album per vendor.

All vendors and shoppers are required to wear masks, social distance of six feet or more, make frequent use of hand sanitizer stations and stay home if sick. Please observe the rules and help keep Cavendish safe.

For more information, check out the Tag Sale webpage. This will be updated as new vendors are added.

3. CHS-EPIDEMICS & PANDEMICS: The pandemic began in the East, sweeping through cities and towns, disrupting daily life and sowing fear and uncertainty throughout much of the known world. While this sounds like an apt description of today’s Covid-19 pandemic, it was actually talking about the Antonine Plague, possibly small pox or measles, which took place in the 2nd century.

Throughout human history, epidemics and pandemics have occurred time and again. Fear and the manners in which people respond is similar from one event to the next. History does have a way of repeating itself simply because these occurrences have the same common denominator-humans.

On Sunday July 12, at 2pm on the Museum grounds,  1955 Main St., the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) will be hosting a free talk on this topic, primarily focusing on the epidemics of the 20th and 21st century. Open to the public, all those who attend must wear a mask, social distance and adhere to other Covid prevention protocols. FMI: 802-227-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com

The CHS summer newsletter is now available at the Society’s blog and contains an interesting overview of the 1918 Flu pandemic and its impact on Cavendish.

4. HELP WANTED: Both of these positions are part time

• House Cleaning: Local cleaning service is looking for reliable help. FMI: 802-376-4178

• Thrift Store Worker: Black River Good Neighbor is looking for a thrift store worker. Inquire at register for an application. FMI 802-228-3663

5. THE LATEST SPIGOT TURN: Covid Related Info: On Tuesday, Dr. Fauci told members of congress that the number of infections and deaths from Covid-19, "it's going to be very disturbing. "When you have an outbreak in one part of the country, even though in other parts of the country they're doing well, they are vulnerable. We can't just focus on those areas that are having the surge. It puts the entire country at risk. We are now having 40-plus thousand new cases a day. I would not be surprised if we go up to 100,000 a day if this does not turn around." Wednesday and Thursday saw more than 50,000 new cases of Covid each day in the US.

In spite of rising numbers in pass weeks, VT’s incidence continues to remain low. Note that it’s not the actual numbers but the percentage of positive cases of those tested. With VT now testing more than 1,000 people a day, the state continues to be well below the 4% threshold and can continue to reopen.  

Regardless of low incidence and the VT Department of Health’s ability to “box in” recent outbreaks, the virus is out there. Please do your part this holiday weekend in keeping yourself and community safe by wearing a mask, distancing, washing hands and staying home if sick.

• Clusters/Outbreaks: There have been no new cases connected with outbreaks in Winooski and Fair Haven or the cluster in Windham since last week. On Tuesday, there were no new cases, in spite of over 1,000 tests being conducted. However, Thursday saw an increase of 17 new cases.  As of July 2, Vermont has had 1,227 cases with 56 deaths, There are two people in the hospital and Windsor County reports a total of 59 cases to date.

• Re Opening: Springfield Cinema 3, July 11; BRGN Thrift Store July 7

• Cancelled: The Big E; Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl; VT Lake Monsters Season

• Furloughed: 1,100 VT immigration employees

• Vermont lays out criteria for small business grants; portals open July 6

• Show Me the Money: How VT Lawmakers Spent $827 Million in Federal Aid By far the largest chunk of change will be distributed to the state's hard-hit health care sector. A total of $152 million in direct grants to businesses that experienced major revenue declines. The state's K-12 schools received an initial appropriation of $50 million (lawmakers expect to provide more in August), while the Vermont State Colleges System picked up $35 million and the University of Vermont $28 million. And organizations fighting homelessness received $48 million. Seven Days

• Scott signs partial budget and $600M Covid-19 Relief Package: The partial state spending bill, which Scott signed June 30, the day before the start of the new fiscal year, buys lawmakers and the governor time until September to put together a full budget for the next fiscal year. 

6. UPCOMING EVENTS:

JULY 3 (FRIDAY): Fireworks in Chester Citizens can park throughout the Legion lawn area and in other areas in town and see the fireworks.

JULY 4 (SATURDAY): HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. Firework displays: Ludlow Rutland over the VT State Fairgrounds 9:45-10:15. No parking on grounds so look for other viewing points.

• Cavendish Transfer Station Closed

JULY 7 (TUESDAY): Black River Good Neighbor thrift store reopens.

JULY 8 (WEDNESDAY): Gully Boys at Svec Park (Proctorsville Green) starting at 6 pm. Masks and social distancing are required. Concerts are free and open to the public. In the event of rain, check the Cavendish Facebook Page.

JULY 15 (WEDNESDAY): FEDERAL & VERMONT TAXES DUE

• Concert Svec Park 6 pm-Rick Davis with Cavendish’s Mark Huntley on drums. The band is famous for covers of Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers, among others. Covid Protocols Required

JULY 18 (SUNDAY): 2nd Sunday Series of the Cavendish Historical Society-Epidemics & Pandemics: How They Shape History. Talk at the CHS Museum, 1958 Main St., Cavendish, 2 pm. Will take place on the grounds.  Masks required along with social distancing.

JULY 20 (MONDAY): Blood Drive: American Legion, Monday July 20 12-5. To register or FMI: 800-733-2767 or www.redcrossblood.org

JULY 25 (SATURDAY): TOWN WIDE TAG SALE 9-2

AUGUST 10 (MONDAY): Absentee voter ballots due

AUGUST 11 (TUESDAY): VOTE! Primary Election

Stay CA❤︎ENDSH

Covers mouth & nose
   Always masks in public
     Vermonters keep each other safe
       Elbow coughs
         Never forgets to wash hands
          Disinfects common surfaces
            Is alert for symptoms
             Stays 6 feet apart
               Has respect for personal space

          Safe

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Immediate Job Opening

Cavendish housekeeping business looking for a part time worker. Must be reliable. Call 802-376-4178.

Cavendish Connects 6/26/20 Concerts Return/SB Mtg/News/Events

Gary’s mask was the story of his life by Jane Hart

CHECK THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to see this page.

6/26/20

1. Cavendish Select Board Meeting

2. Cavendish  Info

3. Cavendish Announces 2020 Summer Concert Series:

4. Latest Spigot Turn: Covid-19 Update

5. Events

1. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 6/16/20: Select Board meetings have been taking place via Zoom. Unapproved minutes for the most recent meeting are available at the Cavendish Municipal website

Items Discussed/Voted on

• Town office is now open to researchers who make appointments in advance.

• No organized softball or baseball via Cavendish rec, though the plan is to offer one-on-one sports clinics.

• Approved an “outside consumption permit” for Outer Limits Brewery and a first and third class liquor license for Neal’s Restaurant

• Approved Tim Calabrese filing a Cavendish Community Fund grant application for $1,000 for the Proctor Piper Hiking Trail

• Approved Green Mountain Power to draw plans for two options to install power at 2262 Cavendish Gulf Rd.

• Approved the Windsor County Sheriff’s contract for 2020-2021. Unchanged from last year, a sheriff will patrol in Cavendish 12 hours per week at an hourly rate of $55/hour and .60 per mile.

• Discussed the reopening of the Depot St. Bridge, which should be in approximately two weeks. Residents have been voicing concerns about speeding. Town Manager, Brendan McNamara said he could ask the Regional Planning Office to do a speed study once the bridge opens. He discovered that a “no thru truck ordinance” had been passed for Depot Street in 2008. A speed limit sign has been ordered. While a flashing light was suggested, McNamara thought it might bother nearby residents.

• Discussed and approved a motion to mail tax bills on August 15 and to collect the first quarter on Sept. 15.

• Approved the Town Highway Garage Construction Note with Mascoma Bank for 20 years at interest rate of 2.95% for the first five years.

• Former water operator Howard Pixley found a significant water leak across from Glimmerstone on the far side of the Black River.  The leaking valve was repaired and water production is now keeping up with demand. Chief Operator Randy Shimp has been out due to an accident and is now working remotely from home.

2. CAVENDISH INFO

• Vacation Bible School At Home Kits for Kids: At-Home summer fun for kids entering K-6th grade in Cavendish and surrounding communities! Each free kit contains an art project, science experiment, community service project and Bible lesson. You can do the activities on your own or while watching Facebook video demonstrations the week the kits are available. Sign up deadline is July 1. Sign up at https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLScZf01PLkgdy0BcPn…/viewform

• BRGNS to Reopen Thrift Stores: While Black River Good Neighbor Services has continued its food distribution throughout the pandemic, its thrift stores will reopen July 7th ( thrift store) and July 10th (furniture store). The thrift store will be open Tuesday through Saturday, while the food distribution will continue Monday through Friday. Shoppers must wear a mask , and use the hand sanitizing station at the entrance. Customers will be limited to assure social distancing. Dressing room are no longer available.  While food donations are accepted at any time, donations of clothing and household goods will only be accepted on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays starting July 7th. The donation sheds are locked and not in use; anyone with a donation must first call 802-228-3663 and must give their donation to an employee. No exceptions will be made to this rule. FMI: Audrey or Krey at 802-228-3663.

• Paw Lodge (formerly Cavendish Canine Camp) is enjoying puppy love in their new venture. 

• A Complex Equation: State issues rules that are not negotiable Part 2 on reopening schools in the Time of Covid-19

• Chipmunks abound due to acorns a plenty: A mild winter, and an abundance of acorns has increased the chipmunk population. VT Digger

• GMP solar net metering customers can now share their credits to help small businesses and nonprofits

• Primary Elections: The primary election is on Tuesday, Aug 11. While  polling sites will be open-in Cavendish, Proctorsville Fire Station, absentee ballots may be requested from town clerks (Diane McNamara) starting June 29, and need to be returned to town clerk by 5 pm on the Monday before the election or brought to the polls before 7 pm. Voters will need to pick one ballot - Republican, Democrat, or Progressive.

3.CAVENDISH SUMMER CONCERT SERIES CONTINUES: Please note, performers are just now being lined up so pencil in Wednesdays starting July 8. We’ll be posting information as soon as we receive it.

Now that outdoor gatherings are permitted, the town will present the annual summer music series for 2020 on Wednesday evenings starting July 8th at 6:00 pm. Wearing masks will be mandatory as will be physical distancing. The Green is large and the bands will be loud enough to be heard throughout, so please spread out and maintain distancing. Please don’t jeopardize these concerts – follow the rules!

This summer will begin with The Gully Boys, a professional rock/jam band from the Green Mountains. They present an amalgamation of style, sound, and personality that makes them unique, but with a comfortable familiarity. They like to mix up the playlist with originals and cover tunes from all genres. As Vermonters, they feel that music helps bring us all together, and helps to sustain our communities.

The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association will again coordinate the series. All concerts are free and open to the public, so grab your lawn chair, a picnic and a cold drink, and join your friends and neighbors to enjoy plenty of rollicking good music from the gazebo. Even better than a picnic; Murdock’s Restaurant and Outer Limits Brewery will each be serving food but you have to call ahead, so please support your local businesses.

The summer concert series has a long history in Proctorsville and many area residents reserve Wednesday evenings to listen to the live music. As always, the concerts will be held unless severe weather threatens. In case of rain, alternative plans will be announced on the Cavendish Facebook page. If you would like to help, we would like to hear from you. Call Robin at 226-7736 to volunteer or for more information on the concerts.

4.  THE LATEST SPIGOT TURN: Covid Related Info: As noted at Monday’s press conference, "We know the virus is still here. It didn't magically disappear," We need to remain vigilant until there is a vaccine or other treatment available to everyone." Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said the new trends, which include a growing number of young people testing positive for the virus, are due in-part to complacency. Levine urged Vermonters to not mistake new re-openings and improving summer weather as an invitation to leave behind precautions like face coverings and physical distancing. Given what’s happening in the rest of the country, it’s important that we follow the directives of our health officer.

• Clusters/Outbreaks: The Winooski outbreak had a total of 114 cases as of Wed., with only four new cases since June 21. An outbreak has started in a workplace in Fair Haven, VT, which has a total of at least 12 cases, but with expanded testing, it appears this number will most likely rise. A “cluster” of cases has taken place in a single family of less than 10 people in Windham County. In addition, three cases have occurred in three different correctional facilities among new admissions. In short, while Vermont continues to remain below the threshold of new cases per number of people tested, thereby allowing openings to continue, the virus is very much in the state and can spread very rapidly. As of Thursday, there have 1,191 cases of Covid in VT, with 56 deaths.   

• Expanding : Starting today, restaurants, entertainment venues and other hospitality businesses will be able to open their doors to more people- indoor establishments at 75 people and outdoor operations at 150 people, or 50% of their total capacity of approved fire safety occupancy.

• Permitted: Fire Works displays where social distancing can be followed

• Open: Goodman’s American Pie for take-out only. Hours are-Thursday-Monday from 12-8. Cavendish Concerts begin at Svec Park begin on July 8, 6 pm. Chester Pool.

• Suspended: Amtrak service to VT

• Closing: J.Crew in Hanover, NH

• Unemployment  Insurance Tax Relief for VT Employees: The Department of Labor will move to UI Tax Rate Schedule I, reducing individual employers’ UI tax rates on July 1, 2020. Employers’ tax rates vary according to their experience rating, which is based on UI claims charged to their account, total payroll and their ranking among all employers who contribute to UI. Schedule I decreases the upper and lower thresholds for these tax rates, as well as reducing the taxable wage base amount beginning January 1, 2021.

• Report: Rural Vermont, New Hampshire responded well to virus: A Dartmouth College report finds that health care systems, communities and social service organizations in rural parts of New Hampshire and Vermont have dealt well with the coronavirus and their efforts contributed to the low numbers of cases.  But the report issued this month and written by Elizabeth Carpenter-Song and Anne Sosin found the coronavirus has taken a financial toll on health care organizations in the region.

5. UPCOMING EVENTS:

JUNE 29 (MONDAY): Absentee ballots are available for voting in the Aug. 11 primary election

JULY 1 (WEDNESDAY): Vermont Plastic Bag and Food Scrap bans go into effect.

JULY 3 (FRIDAY): Fireworks in Chester Citizens can park throughout the Legion lawn area and in other areas in town

JULY 4 (SATURDAY): HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. Firework displays: Rutland over the VT State Fairgrounds 9:45-10:15. No parking on grounds so look for other viewing points.

JULY 8 (WEDNESDAY): Gully Boys at Svec Park (Proctorsville Green) starting at 6 pm. Masks and social distancing are required. Concerts are free and open to the public. In the event of rain, check the Cavendish Facebook Page.

JULY 15 (WEDNESDAY): FEDERAL & VERMONT TAXES DUE

• Concert Svec Park 6 pm

JULY 18 (SUNDAY): 2nd Sunday Series of the Cavendish Historical Society-Epidemics & Pandemics: How They Shape History. Talk at the CHS Museum, 1958 Main St., Cavendish, 2 pm. Will take place on the grounds.  Masks required along with social distancing.

AUGUST 10 (MONDAY): Absentee voter ballots due

AUGUST 11 (TUESDAY): VOTE! Primary Election

Have a Heart -stay home or 6 feet apart wearing a cloth mask or scarf.  

                        Stay healthy to protect yourself and Cavendish.

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 6/19/20: Bans-Plastic bags & food scraps/News/Covid

Thanks to telemedicine, Vincenza’s knee surgeon could warn her not to overdo. By Jane Hart

CHECK THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to see this page.

6/19/20

1. Cavendish Info

2. Latest Spigot Turn: Covid-19 Update

3. July 1: Food scrap & Plastic Bag Bans go into effect

4. Events

If you haven’t been doing tick checks lately, please do so as the little buggers are out and burrowing in. If you aren’t careful, you could end up with Lyme with your corona.

1. CAVENDISH INFO

• Public Swimming Holes Tested Well: Public swimming areas tested well from samples collected yesterday morning - all were below the EPA's upper limit for safe swimming: Greven Field in Proctorsville, Tolles Power Dam in Perkinsville, Twenty-foot Hole in Reading, Cavendish Gorge, and Buttermilk Falls in Ludlow. It's always advisable to stay out of water that has a cloudy or milky appearance, and for 24 hours after it has rained. Thank you Black River Action Team!

• CTES Graduation Live Streamed: For the first time Okemo Valley TV was able to live stream an event-in this case CTES’s 6th grade graduation- to their uTube channel, as well as to their public access stations on Comcast and Vtel. If you missed it, or want to watch it again, check out OVTV’s uTube site. The parade of students entering begins about 17 minutes in.

• Okemo Valley TV Annual Meeting & Awards Night: Okemo Valley TV will be holding its annual meeting and awards night on Thursday, June 25th, starting at 6:30 PM via Zoom teleconference. Instructions for joining the meeting will be distributed via email and to those who RSVP to Executive Director Patrick Cody. RSVPs are encouraged; anyone wishing to join the meeting should email Patrick at pcody@okemovalley.tv or call the station at 228-8808. The annual meeting will include a vote on the annual budget as well as the election of the Board of Directors. Voting for the election will be held electronically for a period f time prior to the meeting. Information and an electronic ballot are available on Okemo Valley TV’s  website (okemovalley.tv). Due to current physical distancing guidelines, paper ballots will not be distributed this year.

• Cavendish Summer Food Program: Free meals for kids at CTES from 10-11 M-F in the library. Contact Donna in the office if you would like to have your kids added to the list. 875-7758. Program starts Monday June 22. No deliveries, but Kata will keep everything chilled for you.

• Cavendish Streetscapes Beautify the Town

• Fletcher Farm School Announces Upcoming Classes: Fletcher Farm School will be offering on campus classes starting in July as well as remote learning options. Note that there is a discount for Cavendish residents who can provide proof of residency. FMI: 208-8770 or website

• Fletcher Memorial Library summer reading program

• Ludlow Community Garden Has 3 Additional Plots Available: Located at the back of the Fletcher Farm Foundation, plots are 10-by-10 plot in this all-organic fenced garden. The fee includes plot and tools, water, hoses, and mulch, which are provided to garden members. Several Vermont master gardeners who can provide great tips on preparing and getting the most out of your plot. The all-volunteer garden enjoys working together to maintain the overall area. FMI: Gary Macintyre at 802-228-7178 or gmac1025@gmail.com

• Five Cases of Covid at Claremont Nursing Home: Elm Wood Center, a nursing home on Route 120 in Claremont, has reported five cases of COVID-19, one in a resident and four in employees.

• SBAC scores mixed – but mostly declined – in 2019 math and English tests: Vermont’s standardized test scores (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium or SBAC) for 2019 in math and English were mixed – but generally trended downward – according to results released Monday by the Vermont Agency of Education. “This year’s Smarter Balanced scores reinforce trends that we’re already aware of,” Secretary of Education Dan French said in a statement. “While Vermont continues to perform well nationally, our performance has plateaued, our growth is stagnant and the percentage of our students achieving proficient scores is too low.” For individual school results use the Vermont Education Dashboard.

• Stowe, Okemo, Mt Snow Set to Open June 26th

2. THE LATEST SPIGOT TURN: Covid Related Info

• State of Emergency Extended to July 15: “To continue to manage this reality, the fact is the state of emergency must remain in place,” Gov. Scott said on Monday. “Remember the state of emergency is just a vehicle or mechanism to do all the things we need to do to manage our response.” With statewide testing of 1,000 or more a day, Vermont continues to be a low incidence state.

• Opening: VT campgrounds are allowed 100% occupancy. Two person outdoor visits will be allowed at nursing homes and other long term facilities by Father’s Day (June 21)  Drop in senior centers will also be opening in the near future. Note this does not apply to adult day care. New guidelines for nursing homes, residential care homes, assisted Living, therapeutic communities

• Remaining Closed: US/Canada border until July 21. Visits to inmates at Dept. of Correction facilities. Visits to patients suspected of having Covid-19.

• Guidelines Released for Reopening VT Schools: The 25 page document covers student and staff health, school day and facility operations as well as emotional health.

• Treating those who test positive for Covid: As of June 1, the VT Department of Health (VDH) provides those who test positive with a pulse oximeter. They can measure their oxygen level at home, making it possible to get help quicker and potentially shortening or eliminating the need for hospitalization.  VT Health Alert

• Sara Alert is a free, automated and secure reminder system to check for common symptoms of COVID-19. People who have tested positive for COVID-19, their close contacts, and people traveling or returning to Vermont can quickly and easily sign up for to receive free daily reminders to check themselves for symptoms by email, text or phone call. If symptoms are reported, the VDH will reach out to provide guidance and next steps. Sara Alert helps VDH teams contain the spread of COVID-19. Note, Sara Alert is not a contact tracing system. It is not GPS based, so it does not monitor your movements.

• Serology Testing: Due to the inadequacy of antibody testing in a small incidence state like VT, the health commissioner and his working group have determined they should not be used to decide if someone has immunity from the virus after getting it and that they should not determine how the state approaches infection control. The commissioner says he believes two or three percent of the Vermont population has been exposed to the virus.

• Outbreaks: Three additional cases of Covid-19 have been linked to the Winooski outbreak. However, their continue to be no deaths or hospitalizations associated with that event. This brings the total cases to 86. VT had its first Covid death since late May on Thursday, bringing the total number of deaths to 56. VDH has also confirmed that there have been no lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 connected to recent public protests. As of Thursday, there have been 1,135 confirmed cases of Covid, 2 are in hospital and 54,745 tests having been completed.

• FDA Pulls Emergency Approval of Hydroxychloroquine for Covid-19: The FDA has withdrawn its emergency authorization for the use of chloroquine phosphate and hydroxychloroquine sulfate in the fight against COVID-19. The agency said in a letter Monday that the drugs are "unlikely to be effective" as treatments for COVID-19. The FDA now says the drugs should not be used outside of clinical trials.

3. JULY 1-PLASTIC BAG BAN/FOOD SCRAP BAN: As of July 1, Vermont will ban the use of plastic bags as well as food scraps being discarded in the trash. Vermont has some of the strictest laws in the country, in part because the only landfill in the state is running out of room.

• Food Scrap Ban: Starting July 1, Vermonters must separate food scraps from the rest of their household trash. The Cavendish Transfer Station has compost bins in place for free community use. This has been available for several years now, so hopefully this will not be an issue for most people. To learn more about composting, including doing so at home, check out the VT Dept. of Environmental Conservation’s website

• Bring Your Own Bag (Plastic Bag Ban + Paper Bag Fee): According to the VT Dept. of Health (VDH), reusable bags are safe to use during the pandemic. Follow these COVID-19 tips for reusable bags and see Tips and FAQ for more information on safe use of reusable bags: Bag your own groceries; If a store has temporarily banned reusable bags, consider putting your groceries back into your cart and bag them at your car; Clean your bags regularly.

Shaw’s will be charging .10¢ per paper bag. If you are bringing your own bags, be prepared to bag your groceries. You can recycle your plastic bags at Shaw’s in Ludlow.  The bin is to your immediate right as you enter the main door.

4. UPCOMING EVENTS:

JUNE 19 (FRIDAY): Juneteenth on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrive in Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War was over and slavery in the US had been abolished. A mix of June and 19th, Juneteenth has become a day to commemorate the end of slavery in America. Despite the Emancipation Proclamation being issued more than two years earlier on Jan. 1, 1863, a lack of Union troops in Texas made the order difficult to enforce. On this day, 250,000 enslaved people were freed, and despite the message to stay and work for their owners, many now-former slaves left the state immediately and headed north or to nearby states in search of family members they’d been ripped apart from.

JUNE 21 (SUNDAY): Happy Father’s Day

JULY 1 (WEDNESDAY): Taxes due

• Vermont Plastic Bag Ban Begins

• Vermont law banning food scraps from the trash begins

JULY 3 (FRIDAY): Fireworks in Chester. Citizens can park throughout the Legion lawn area and in other areas in town and see the fireworks.

JULY 4 (SATURDAY): HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. Firework displays: Rutland over the VT State Fairgrounds 9:45-10:15. No parking on grounds so look for other viewing points.

Have a Heart -stay home or 6 feet apart wearing a cloth mask or scarf.  

                        Stay healthy to protect yourself and Cavendish.

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS