Cavendish Update 7/1/22: HHW/Headstones/Fireworks/News

VIEW THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST NEWS

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND.

Local fireworks displays are listed in the Events section.

7/1/22

1.    Cavendish Info

2.    Household Hazardous Waste

3.    Headstones & Perpetual Care in Cavendish Cemeteries

4.    Covid update

5.    Events

1.CAVENDISH INFO

• New Librarian for Cavendish Library: The Cavendish Fletcher Community Library board is pleased to announce a new librarian. Amy McMullen resides in Windsor, Vermont and has been the Children’s Librarian at the Hartland Public Library since 2005. She comes to us with not only library experience, but is well versed in town and school issues as Amy has also been the Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union School Board Chair for many years, and has served as  part time Town Clerk for the Town of Windsor since 2018. Amy starts work/orientation Tuesday, July 19th. She will work alongside current librarian Kata for several weeks before Kata starts her new job at the Chester Andover Elementary School Library. Amy will also be working with the TRSU and the Vermont Department of Education as she prepares to take over teaching the library curriculum at CTES in the fall.

• Thank you Kata: Whether it’s serving as the point person for the Everyone Eats Program, virtual story time, as well all the amazing community programming she has done (Dinner & a Movie, speakers, craft projects etc.), and that's just the tip of the iceberg, Kata has made a major difference in Cavendish, particularly during the dark times of Covid. We’re sad to see her leave for her new job in Chester but wish her the best. Her last day will be Thursday, August 11th. This is the same date as the annual End of Summer BBQ and Magic Show at 6:30. Stop by then, or any time the library is open, to wish Kata well and to meet the new librarian Amy McMullen

• Town of Cavendish Municipal Water System Report: The Town has published its consumer confidence report which offers a snapshot of Cavendish’s drinking water quality last year, from January through December 2021. It is available at the Town’s website.

• 1st Cavendish Summer Concerts begin July 6: Once again the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association kicks off the 2022 summer concert series with Gypsy Reel.  Held at Svec Park (Proctorsville) at 6 pm, the band plays Irish music and is well known to Cavendish audiences. Concerts are free and open to the public.  

• TRSU Sponsors Summer Meal Sites: Two Rivers Supervisory is sponsoring a summer meals site this year, and all children up to age 18 are invited to get the healthy food they need to stay active and have fun all summer long. Meals are provided on a first come, first served basis from June 27 through Aug. 12, there will be no meal service on Monday, July 4. Breakfast and lunch will be available at Chester-Andover Elementary School, 72 Main St. in Chester, and Ludlow Elementary School, 45 Main St. in Ludlow, from 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. for breakfast and 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. for lunch. Lunch will be available at Green Mountain High School, 716 VT-103 in Chester, from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Contact Andy Levesque at 802-875-4280 to request meals or make special arrangement for food or pickup.

• Cavendish Streetscapes News: Gardeners from the Cavendish Streetscapes Committee created fresh plantings along the Depot Street Bridge in Proctorsville, surrounding the gazebo and Svec Memorial. Also, thanks to the Cavendish and Proctorsville Fire Departments, flags are flying in both villages. Excitement is building for the Birds & Blooms fundraiser. If you would like to decorate a birdhouse, you can find a selection at the Village Clipper or have a go at making your own birdhouse or feeder. We can’t wait to share your creative endeavors on Saturday, July 30 at the annual Cavendish Tag Sale.

• Prices at the pump go up Friday as Vermont gas tax rises

• From child support to coyote hunting, new laws take effect Friday

2. HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE: No more 4-hour Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collections. And no more waiting in long lines. Instead, we have opened a seasonal HHW Depot to offer ​a more convenient way to dispose of bathroom cleaners, nail polish remover, paint, insecticides, chemical fertilizers, gasoline, etc.

We are open Tuesday and Thursday mornings (we can't find any weekend help at present) and closing at the end of September. Call Mary O'Brien at 802-674-9235 for an appointment and directions to the Depot. Cavendish and other member towns in the Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District only.  The cost is $10/car for up to 10 gallons of HHW (no charge for paint). Visit www.swwcswmd.orgfor a list of what we take and what we don’t.

3. HEADSTONES & PERPETUAL CARE IN CAVENDISH CEMETERIES: Like most cemeteries across the country, Cavendish has had a perpetual care fund in place for many years.  These monies generate income to cover maintenance in perpetuity, which includes grounds keeping, road repairs and general maintenance and upkeep of cemetery infrastructures. The funds are derived from sales of grave sites and are managed by the Cavendish Town Clerk.

NOTE: Cemetery maintenance does not include upkeep or repair of monuments, headstones and grave markers. While the Cavendish Historical Society’s Young Historians’ Preserve & Serve program includes grave stone cleaning, there are only a limited number of graves students can do each year.

If you have a stone(s) you want to clean in one of the Cavendish cemeteries, you can clean it yourself-using the Cemetery Conservators for United Standards (CCUS) or call a reputable company that follows CCUS. Please know the “don’ts” in headstone cleaning as there are more “don’ts” than “dos”. There are many products being promoted for quick grave stone cleaning that can ultimately damage a stone. Based on studies, the best product for cleaning is a D/2 Biological Solution. Biocidal cleaners which contain quaternary ammonium compounds, like D/2 Biological  Solution, Enviro Klean® BioWash®, Modec MDF-500 or other cleaners, are preferred products for cleaning marble headstones. DO NOT USE BLEACH.

If you are interested in cleaning graves other than your own family, or have other questions about Cavendish cemeteries, please contact the Cavendish Sexton Bruce McEnaney at 802-226-7667.

4.COVID UPDATE: For local information on testing, vaccinations, boosters, notifying contacts as well as other resources, including for Long Covid, please see the Cavendish COVID-19 Resource Guide.

TRSU SCHOOL NUMBERS: Only one case has been reported from June 17-June 20 at Chester/Andover Elementary. School is now out for the summer.

STATE: The current VT Dept of Health Weekly Report June 19 to June 25, reports statewide community levels as low. Essex is the only county reported to have medium Covid levels by the CDC.

With the close of PCR testing sites, the VT Dept of Health (VDH) is using other measures to determine how Covid is circulating in the state.

• New hospital admissions with Covid: 33 (decrease of 9 from previous week).

• Percent of staffed inpatients occupied with Covid: 1.47% (decrease from last week.)

• Emergency Dept Visits with Covid like illness: 3%, lowest percentage since March

• Deaths: 11 Covid related deaths have occurred in June, which is far fewer deaths than May, which had 32 deaths. In total, 683 Vermonters have died from Covid.

5. EVENTS

JULY 2 (SATURDAY): Fletcher Farm School Arts and Crafts summer festival.  Route 103 on the border of Proctorsville and Ludlow. 10-4 rain or shine. Admission is free.

JULY 3 (SUNDAY): Fireworks in Brownsville: Dusk, Ascutney Outdoors, 449 Ski Tow Rd.

JULY 4 (MONDAY): Happy 4th of July. Town Office Closed. Fireworks in our area will be as follows:

-       Ludlow 9:30 pm (All day events starting at 9 am Sugar House Location at Okemo Mountain Resort. All events are free)

-       Claremont 9:30 pm Monadnock Park, 190 Broad St.

-       Saxton’s River 4th of July day long activities

JULY 6 (WEDNESDAY): The Summer Concert series at Svec Park (Proctorsville Green) kicks off the concert series with the Irish band Gypsy Reel. Music starts at 6:00 pm on the Svec Memorial Green in Proctorsville. In case of rain, check the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association Facebook page for postponement and rescheduling information. All concerts are free and open to the public. For more information email CavendishCommunityConservation@gmail.com.

JULY 13 (WEDNESDAY): Summer concert series continues featuring Rick Davis and Friends. Music starts at 6:00 pm on the Svec Memorial Green in Proctorsville. In case of rain, check the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association Facebook page for postponement and rescheduling information. All concerts are free and open to the public. For more information email CavendishCommunityConservation@gmail.com.

JULY 20 (WEDNESDAY): Summer concert series continues featuring Morning Dudes, celebrating the repertoire of The Grateful Dead.  Music starts at 6:00 pm on the Svec Memorial Green in Proctorsville. In case of rain, check the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association Facebook page for postponement and rescheduling information. All concerts are free and open to the public. For more information email CavendishCommunityConservation@gmail.com.

JULY 27 (WEDNESDAY) Summer concert series continues featuring Sammy Blanchette..  Music starts at 6:00 pm on the Svec Memorial Green in Proctorsville. In case of rain, check the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association Facebook page for postponement and rescheduling information. All concerts are free and open to the public. For more information email CavendishCommunityConservation@gmail.com.

AUGUST 3 (WEDNESDAY: Summer concert series continues featuring Beecharmer, an acoustic duo from Wilder..  Music starts at 6:00 pm on the Svec Memorial Green in Proctorsville. In case of rain, check the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association Facebook page for postponement and rescheduling information. All concerts are free and open to the public. For more information email CavendishCommunityConservation@gmail.com.

AUGUST 10 (WEDNESDAY): Summer concert series concludes featuring The Gully Boys.  Music starts at 6:00 pm on the Svec Memorial Green in Proctorsville. In case of rain, check the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association Facebook page for postponement and rescheduling information. All concerts are free and open to the public. For more information email CavendishCommunityConservation@gmail.com.

JULY 30 (SATURDAY): Cavendish’s Annual Town Wide Tag Sale, 9-2.

 AUGUST 9 (TUESDAY): Statewide Primary. Town office Closed. Voting is from 10-7 at the Proctorsville Fire Dept.

AUGUST 15 (MONDAY): 1ST Quarter Property Taxes Due

AUGUST 31 (WEDNESDAY): First Day of School

SEPTEMBER 5 (MONDAY): Labor Day, Town Office Closed

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 6/24/22: Summer Concerts/Fire Works/News/Events

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6/24/22

1.    Cavendish Info

2.    Summer Concert Lineup

3.    Covid update

4.    Events

1. CAVENDISH INFO

• Jim Fisher 1954-2022: It is with deep sadness that we note the passing of Jim Fisher, who lived in Cavendish for many years and taught a number of our kids how to ski via the CTES Snow Sports program. Our condolences to his wife Cathy, his son Briland and his many friends and family.

• Manufacturer JELD-WEN lays off 80 employees in Windsor County: Caryn Klebba, head of global public relations for JELD-WEN, confirmed Thursday afternoon that the global manufacturer of doors and windows laid off 80 of the 192 employees at its Ludlow and Springfield facilities on Wednesday. It plans to lay off about 10 additional workers when the Springfield site closes, according to Klebba. VT Digger and The Chester Telegraph

• Public records search of Merrill files turns up no complaints related to alleged behavior: Following a Public Records Act request by The Chester Telegraph for access to all documents — including personnel files — related to any complaint or concern filed against former Green Mountain teacher Norm Merrill, the Two Rivers Supervisory Union has replied that a hand search of paper files and a 15-hour search of digital files did not turn up any pertinent documents. Chester Telegraph

• Cake Decorating Workshop: Decorate a small cake at the Cavendish Library on Tuesday, June 28 10-5:30. Due to limited supplies, please call and reserve a space 802-226-7503.

• Can you Decorate a Bird House? Cavendish Streetscapes is looking for people who would like to decorate birdhouses for the Birds & Blooms fundraiser that will be held on July 30th. If you’d like to participate, please stop by the Village Clipper and pick up a house and when complete, return it to the same place. Or make a bird house or feeder of your own or something that will relate to the theme of birds and flowers. All proceeds of the sale will go towards beautifying our community. FMI: mary.ormrod@icloud.com

• Primary Voting Starts Today: Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos announced that Friday, June 24 is the official start of early voting for the Vermont Statewide Primary Election, to be held on Tuesday, Aug. 9. A request for an early ballot can be made to the Town Clerk, Diane McNamara 802-226-7291 or in-person at the town office. You can also use the MyVoterPage All ballots must be received by the town clerk by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Aug. 9. In-person voting will be held on Tuesday Aug. 9 from 10-7 at the Proctorsville Fire Dept.

• Vermont Home Owners Assistance: Vermont Housing Finance Agency (HFA) is accepting applications for the Vermont Homeowner Assistance Program. Eligible homeowners who are behind on their housing expenses due to the pandemic can receive grants for assistance with mortgages, utilities (water/sewer, electricity, home heating), property taxes, and homeowner or condominium association fees. FMI:vermonthap.vhfa.org or call (833) 221-4208

2. SUMMER CONCERT LINEUP: The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association, on behalf of the Town of Cavendish, has announced the final lineup of bands that will play at the annual Summer Concert series in Proctorsville.

July 6: Gypsy Reel.

July 13: Rick Davis and Friends

July 20: Morning Dudes, celebrating the repertoire of The Grateful Dead.

July 27: Sammy Blanchette.

August 3: Beecharmer, an acoustic duo from Wilder

August 10: The Gully Boys

Music starts at 6:00 pm on the Svec Memorial Green in Proctorsville. In case of rain, check the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association Facebook page for postponement and rescheduling information. All concerts are free and open to the public. For more information email CavendishCommunityConservation@gmail.com.

3. COVID UPDATE: For local information on testing, vaccinations, boosters, notifying contacts as well as other resources, including for Long Covid, please see the Cavendish COVID-19 Resource Guide.

TRSU SCHOOL NUMBERS: Only one case has been reported from June 17-June 20 at Chester/Andover Elementary. School is now out for the summer.

STATE: The latest state report June 12-18th shows that Vermont Covid cases continue to drop. However, the actual number of cases is an unknown as many people use home tests and the state’s testing sites close on Saturday, June 25th. Therefore the indicators to monitor are hospitalizations, deaths and waste water monitoring sites.

Covid hospitalizations have dropped, remaining below 30 patients on Monday and Wednesday, the only days now being reported by the health department. New Covid hospitalizations have also fallen from their peak of about 15 per day in May to about five per day in recent weeks. While there were three additional deaths this past week, bringing the total to 10 cases for June, the state is on track to be lower than May, which had 32 deaths.

The CDC rates 11 counties, including Windsor County, as having “low” community levels while Bennington, Essex and Rutland have “medium” levels. Those who are high-risk, according to the CDC, should take preventive measures-such as masking in public-if they are in medium level counties.  

VACCINATION UPDATE: The CDC now recommends the COVID-19 vaccines for the youngest children, 6 months through 4 years old. Both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have been authorized. Most vaccines for this age group will be given at pediatricians’ offices and other health care practices. There will also be limited availability at pharmacies or pop-up-type clinics. If you have questions, reach out to your child’s health care provider. FMI:  healthvermont.gov/kidsvaccine.

4 .EVENTS

JUNE 28 (TUESDAY): Decorate a Cake at the Cavendish Library-10-5:30. FMI and to reserve a place: 802-226-7503

JULY 3 (SUNDAY): Fireworks in Brownsville: Dusk, Ascutney Outdoors, 449 Ski Tow Rd.

JULY 4 (MONDAY): Happy 4th of July. Town Office Closed. Fireworks in our area will be as follows:

-       Ludlow 9:30 pm (All day events starting at 9 am Sugar House Location at Okemo Mountain Resort. All events are free)

-       Claremont 9:30 pm Monadnock Park, 190 Broad St.

-       Saxton’s River 4th of July day long activities

JULY 6 (WEDNESDAY): The Summer Concert series at Svec Park (Proctorsville Green) kicks off the concert series with the Irish band Gypsy Reel. Concerts begin at 6 pm.

JULY 13 (WEDNESDAY): Summer concert series continues featuring Rick Davis and Friends. Concert begins at 6 pm.

JULY 20 (WEDNESDAY): Summer concert series continues featuring Morning Dudes, celebrating the repertoire of The Grateful Dead.  Concert begins at 6 pm.

JULY 27 (WEDNESDAY) Summer concert series continues featuring Sammy Blanchette..  Concert begins at 6 pm.

AUGUST 3 (WEDNESDAY: Summer concert series continues featuring Beecharmer, an acoustic duo from Wilder..  Concert begins at 6 pm.

AUGUST 10 (WEDNESDAY): Summer concert series concludes featuring The Gully Boys.  Concert begins at 6 pm.

JULY 30 (SATURDAY): Cavendish’s Annual Town Wide Tag Sale, 9-2.

 AUGUST 9 (TUESDAY): Statewide Primary. Town office Closed. Voting is from 10-7 at the Proctorsville Fire Dept.

AUGUST 15 (MONDAY): 1ST Quarter Property Taxes Due

SEPTEMBER 5 (MONDAY): Labor Day, Town Office Closed

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 6/17/22: Found/SB Mtg/News/Events

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The Cavendish Village Ghost Walk begins 8 pm in front of the CHS Museum tomorrow, Saturday, June 18th. Bring a flashlight and wear comfortable shoes.

Happy Father’s Day and Juneteenth!

6/17/22

1.    A Successful Search & Rescue

2.    Cavendish Select Board Meeting 6/13/17

3.    Cavendish Info

4.    Covid update

5.    Events

1. SUCCESSFUL SEARCH & RESCUE: Early Tuesday morning, an alert was sent out statewide that Donald Gurney of Springfield was missing and his truck was located at the end of Parker Hill Rd. in Cavendish.

While Search & Rescue was being organized out of the Cavendish Volunteer Fire Dept (CVFD), the town went about the business helping support the rescue effort in a variety of ways. Some spent days driving the back roads of Cavendish and Reading, hoping he might wander out. Others searched their property and neighbors. Many brought food and beverages to keep the searchers fed and hydrated.

There were approximately 50 searchers daily, plus neighbors and friends, working in Cavendish & Reading trying to locate Don. The crews included the Vermont State Police Search and Rescue Team, New England K9 Search and Rescue, Upper Valley Wilderness Search and Rescue, the Vermont Warden Service, Cavendish Fire Department, Reading Fire Department, Rescue Inc., Killington Search and Rescue, and a helicopter from the Vermont Army National Guard.

Donations  came pouring in for both humans and the canine team. Special thanks to the following businesses and organizations: Goodman's American Pie Pizza; Singleton's; Black River Good Neighbors; Black River Produce; Springfield Booster Club; Ludlow Rotary; W. Weathersfield Fire Dept; the Springfield Tech Center; Monkey Chews; Golden Stage Inn; 106 in Springfield; Ryan's Service Center in Springfield; Caton Place Campground and Winter View Farm. Special thinks to Becky Plunkard and her new neighbor Amy, who took 20 of the Everyone Eats Meals and created the most amazing dishes. The Cavendish edition of a bake contest using required ingredients. Here is her description of what they made, "My next door neighbor and I made a kind of Polynesian ham and rice casserole with ham, teriyaki, pineapple, rice, water chestnuts, and there oils scme corn and beans, then we took the carrots and sweet potatoes, added some butternut squash, cinnamon, brown sugar, butter and mixed then put marshmallows on top.” Yum.

A very special thank you to Neeko and his handler. Neeko is a Belgian Malinois and Don was his first “find.”

With the Search & Rescue operations successfully completely, -Don was found and transported to Springfield Hospital on Thursday afternoon-some are wondering what happened with donated items.  Since the Cavendish Shelter Program, CVFD and responding groups provided water and other supplies the first day, those organizations were restocked. The dog handlers are now set for their next search and rescue effort. Some of the searchers have been out for 14 straight days so they were thrilled to be restocked, and were encouraged to take food home to families who haven’t seen them for days.  Everything was either rehomed to the dedicated people who responded to the emergency, while other items are in storage ready for the next time they’re needed in town.

The searchers frequently commented about what an incredible town Cavendish is and how much they appreciated the food, drinks and support. As Donna Huge posted thank you to the Cavendish FD and community for all your support. With all three meals being served and the dog treats we could keep searching at full steam! Love, the dog team! (New England K9 Search and Rescue)

As most of us know, this isn’t our first rodeo and it won’t be our last. Cavendish knows how to get the job done. Hopefully we won’t need such a response anytime soon but it’s good to know what an incredible town we’re part of.

Missing Vermont man found alive after 3 days of searching

2. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 6/13/22: Unapproved minutes of Monday’s Select Board meeting are now on-line at the Municipal Website A video of the meeting is available at the Okemo Valley TV website.

Actions/Discussions

• Approved Andrea Garcia to the Proctorsville Fire Dept. Prudential Committee

-       Liquor License for Neal’s Restaurant

-       Proctorsville Fire Dept. holding a coin drop as part of the Town Wide Tag Sale-July 30 (Saturday) 9-2.

-       Changing the July SB meeting from July 11th to July 18th

• Review of Tarbell Hill Paving: 4 culverts have been replaced by the town crew. The lower portion of the road-131 to Chambers Rd-is in bad shape and will need extensive work, while the upper portion will require less. Bids should be available at the July SB meeting.

• The dirt pile has been removed from the former town garage site. The plan is to test the soil and restore water to the Cavendish Historical Society Museum. Fuel tanks will be moved to the new garage once school is out. The pole barns are being cleaned in preparation for relocation.

• Discussed the entrance to the Cavendish Village Cemetery, which has been damaged due to heavy equipment being used on the reestablish road next to the entrance. Town Manager, Brendan McNamara, has been in touch with the property owner and repairs will be made once the homeowner has completed his land clearing project.

• The highway crew is grading and putting chloride on the dirt roads. They will be hydroseeding some ditches starting on Felchville Gulf and Davis Roads.

• McNamara reports that he should have approval from Vtrans within the month to place the digital speed signs on 131. The speed test has yet to be completed. There is a new sheriff deputy in town doing speed patrols

• Junk yard ordinance was again discussed.

• The trackless broom has been fixed and is being used in Cavendish village but will be heading to Proctorsville soon.

• The Energy Committee is considering placing a bike rack at the Town Office.

3. CAVENDISH INFO

• Black River Water Testing: It is recommended to stay out of the water when it appears cloudy and within 24 hours of a heavy rain. Wednesday’s test results were well below the EPA’s limit for safe swimming of 235 CFU: Cavendish Gorge 30; Greven Field 79; Buttermilk Falls 15; Tolles Power Dam Perkinsville 41; Twenty Foot Hole Reading 10; West Hill Road Rec Pond, Ludlow 3. Thank you BRAT for this testing.

• Chris Quinn 1951-2022: It’s with sadness that we post the passing of beloved community member Chris Quinn. Please see her obituary for more information on her memorial on July 24th at Harwood Pavillion, Plymouth State Park in Plymouth, Vt. from 1-4 p.m. 

• Barbara L. LeMire, 1934-2022: Our condolences to Barb LeMire’s family and friends. Her obituary is available at the VT Journal.

• Judge denies Merrill motion for pre-trial release: Former Green Mountain Middle School teacher Norman Merrill will remain in jail after Federal District Judge Christina Reiss in Burlington held a hearing on his “motion to revoke detention order,” then denied it last Thursday. Chester Telegraph

• Vermont Everyone Eats extends beyond July 1: The Vermont Everyone Eats (VEE) program has been extended for 6-9 more months. The program will operate out of the Cavendish Town Library for the summer months. For more information on the program, to find out how to access local meals, or request the inclusion of a restaurant in this program, visit the Vermont Everyone Eats website.

• Vermont to launch 3-digit number for National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in July: On July 16, VT will join the rest of the country when it launches the 988 number to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.  VT Digger

• Morrow pulls out of Windsor Senate race Remaining contenders are from northern part of county: Just one week after formally announcing his run for the VT Senate to represent the Windsor District, Chris Morrow of Weston, former owner of Northshire Books in Manchester, has pulled out of the race. Chester Telegraph

4. COVID UPDATE: For local information on testing, vaccinations, boosters, notifying contacts as well as other resources, including for Long Covid, please see the Cavendish COVID-19 Resource Guide, which was updated this week.

TRSU SCHOOL NUMBERS: Cases have been reported from June 10-June 16 as follows: GMUHS-19; Chester/Andover Elementary-1; Ludlow Elementary-4; Mt Holly-4

STATE: Covid cases in VT are on the decline. There has only been one death in June and antivirals, for those who do contract Covid, are widely available.  In fact, health commissioner Mark Levine, believes the state is now in the endemic phase of the disease. “We have reached a new phase in the pandemic where the risk of severe disease and death is much lower,” said Vermont Human Services Secretary Jenney Samuelson.

State testing sites close June 25. According to the state, Vermonters are encouraged to pick up free take-home tests from these sites to keep at home and use if needed.. You can get up to four antigen test kits for each appointment, but only one LAMP (similar to PCR) per appointment. Take-home antigen tests meet many testing needs and will continue to be widely available at pharmacies around the state and at online retailers. If the tests are covered by your health insurance, you may be able to show your insurance card at the pharmacy counter and get test kits at no cost to you. Some health plans may require you to pay for the tests and then be reimbursed. Make sure you have ordered all three rounds of at-home tests from COVID.gov, which are mailed directly to you. You can also reach out to your health care provider or local pharmacy for other types of testing.

5. EVENTS

JUNE 17 (FRIDAY): GMUHS graduation 7 pm

JUNE 19 (SUNDAY): HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

-       Happy Juneteenth Learn more about the newest federal holiday by going to JUNETEENTH: A Celebration of Freedom & Resilience

JUNE 20 (MONDAY): Town office closed for Juneteenth

-       CTES Graduation, 6 pm

JUNE 21 (TUESDAY): Last day of school

-       1st Day of Summer Happy Solstice

JULY 4 (MONDAY): Happy 4th of July. Town Office Closed. Fireworks in our area will be as follows:

-       Ludlow 9:30 pm (All day events starting at 9 am Sugar House Location at Okemo Mountain Resort. All events are free)

JULY 6 (WEDNESDAY): The Summer Concert series at Svec Park (Proctorsville Green) kicks off the concert series with the Irish band Gypsy Reel. Concerts begin at 6 pm.

JULY 13 (WEDNESDAY): Summer concert series continues

JULY 30 (SATURDAY): Cavendish’s Annual Town Wide Tag Sale, 9-2.

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 6/10/22: Juneteenth/Ghost Walk/News/Events

VIEW THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST NEWS

6/10/22

1.    Cavendish Info

2.    Juneteenth

3.    Cavendish Village Ghost Walk

4.    Covid update

5.    Events

1. CAVENDISH INFO

• Black River Water Testing: Once again Black River Action Team (BRAT) is testing the water at popular recreational spots. Please note that what e-coli levels were on Wednesday, June 8, will be quite a bit higher this weekend due to the heavy rains. Samples are collected Wednesday morning all summer by a trained BRAT volunteer. Testing for bacteria is done by Endyne Labs in Lebanon NH; results are posted in time for the weekend, and represent a snapshot of water quality at the moment of sample collection. It is recommended to stay out of the water when it appears cloudy and within 24 hours of a heavy rain. The EPA’s limit for safe swimming is 235 CFU. All spots tested were well below the EPA’s limit on Wednesday: Cavendish Gorge 62; Greven Field 102; Buttermilk Falls 17; Tolles Power Dam Perkinsville 93; Twenty Foot Hole Reading 11; West Hill Road Rec Pond, Ludlow 5. Thank you BRAT for taking care of us and the river.

• Local Collaboration Hopes to Help Ukrainian Children: Dr. Linda Thomson is not just a nurse practitioner & clinical hypnotherapist; she’s also a children’s book author. Her ongoing series “Harry the Hypnopotamus” is a collection of stories aimed at helping kids cope with anxiety & stress. Together with illustrator Jane Hart, a Cavendish 2nd home owner and the mother of Chris Marks of Proctorsville, she has now completed her latest book in the series. This special edition of "Harry Goes to Save the Children" is aimed at helping children in Ukraine, and was brought into the Okemo Valley TV studio to create a multi-media version, which is being distributed overseas in a time of great need. Read in Ukrainian by Cavendish resident, Svetlana Phillips, with English text. Linda Thomson is the wife of former CTES principal George Thomson.

• Sharon Huntley has “left the building:” Sharon has recently moved from Cavendish to Maine. While we wish her the best, we’re going to miss her weekly news columns in the Vermont Journal. Read her letter to “Dear Faithful Readers.”

• If you bank at Berkshire: Vermont Berkshire Banks are experiencing staffing problems statewide. In order for the lobby and drive thru to be open, they need three employees at the Ludlow branch. For drive thru only, they need two and if there is only one employee available they will be closed. Efforts are being made to keep the drive thru open as much as possible. Expect a wait when you go.

• Morrow Announces Candidacy for Windsor Senate Seat

• Update on Suspicious Death in Springfield: An autopsy was performed Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington on the adult man found deceased Monday on Greeley Road in Springfield. The Vermont State Police has completed notification of next of kin and is able to identify the victim in this incident as Justin Gilliam, 38, of Springfield, Vt. The autopsy determined the cause of death to be a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death is a homicide. The investigation into this homicide remains active and ongoing. Police encourage anyone with information about this incident to call the Vermont State Police in Westminster at 802-722-4600, or submit a tip anonymously online .

• June Pride Events: Go to the June Pride Month Events blog post for events in VT and bordering towns.

• Strawberries! Sunday June 12th is opening day for strawberries at Wellwood Orchards in Perkinsville. Hours are 8 am until 6pm, 7 days a week. Cost $2.79/lb PYO and $6.25/quart freshly picked in store. Go into the store for containers and directions to the fields. All fruit must be weighed and paid after picking.

• Free admission to Vermont State Parks this weekend

• State seeks help evaluating new rainbow trout strain: The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VTF&W) is stocking a new strain of rainbow trout this spring and is looking for help from anglers to evaluate its performance. The trout is being stocked at Knapp Pond #1.

2. JUNETEENTH: The White House Proclamation on Juneteenth Observance, 2021, made Juneteenth our newest federal holiday,  On June 19, 1865 — nearly nine decades after our Nation’s founding, and more than 2 years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation — enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally received word that they were free from bondage.  As those who were formerly enslaved were recognized for the first time as citizens, Black Americans came to commemorate Juneteenth with celebrations across the country, building new lives and a new tradition that we honor today.  In its celebration of freedom, Juneteenth is a day that should be recognized by all Americans. And that is why I am proud to have consecrated Juneteenth as our newest national holiday.

While Monday, June 20th is a federal holiday, it’s a holiday that many know little about. Called the country’s “Second Independence Day,” learn more about it by going to the Cavendish Historical Society’s blog post JUNETEENTH: A Celebration of Freedom & Resilience

The CHS Museum offers a “hands on history” corner where visitors can make various items. In keeping with Juneteenth and the 4th of July, there are five pointed stars to make in one snip, along with confetti poppers and various coloring projects. The Museum is open to the public on Sundays from 2-4 pm, and at other times by calling 802-226-7807 or e-mailing margocaulfield@icloud.com

3. CAVENDISH VILLAGE GHOST WALK: While the Dutton House was relocated from the Cavendish Green to the Shelburne Museum, taking with it their ghostly occupants, there are plenty of spirits that seem to reside throughout the village. Thadeous, who missed his stop on the Underground Railroad, paces, but became protective of the family that lived in “his” house. A “visitor” likes to run up the stairs at the same time every night in another residence. Was the arsonist who set fire to many places in town, including the Fitton Mill, responsible for the blaze at what is today the town’s Museum?

On Saturday, June 18, the Cavendish Historical Society will be hosting a “ghost walk” of Cavendish Village, where “haunts” and places of “exceptional human experiences” will be visited. The tour begins at 8 p.m. in front of the CHS Museum, 1951 Main Street, Route 131 in Cavendish. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a flashlight.

4. COVID UPDATE: For local information on testing, vaccinations, boosters, notifying contacts as well as other resources, including for Long Covid, please see the Cavendish COVID-19 Resource Guide.

TRSU SCHOOL NUMBERS: Cases have been reported from June 3-June 9- GMUHS 14; Mt Holly 31; Ludlow Elem 1.

STATE: The Weekly Covid 19 Surveillance Report for May 29 to June 4 reports low statewide community levels, though Bennington continues to report a high number of cases and Windsor county is in the medium range. The weekly case count was 968 new cases, a decrease of over 500 from last week. There were 52 new admissions to hospital, also a decrease from the prior week.

5 . EVENTS

JUNE 11 (SATURDAY): GMUHS Alumni Parade 11 am, Chester

JUNE 13 (MONDAY): Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office

JUNE 17 (FRIDAY): GMUHS graduation 7 pm

JUNE 19 (SUNDAY): HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

-       Happy Juneteenth Learn more about the newest federal holiday by going to JUNETEENTH: A Celebration of Freedom & Resilience

JUNE 20 (MONDAY): Town office closed for Juneteenth

-       CTES Graduation, 6 pm

JUNE 21 (TUESDAY): Last day of school

-       1st Day of Summer Happy Solstice

JULY 4 (MONDAY): Happy 4th of July. Town Office Closed. Fireworks in our area will be as follows:

-       Ludlow 9:30 pm (All day events starting at 9 am Sugar House Location at Okemo Mountain Resort. All events are free)

JULY 6 (WEDNESDAY): The Summer Concert series at Svec Park (Proctorsville Green) the concert series kicks off with the Irish band Gypsy Reel. Concerts begin at 6 pm.

JULY 13 (WEDNESDAY): Summer concert series continues

JULY 30 (SATURDAY): Cavendish’s Annual Town Wide Tag Sale, 9-2.

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