Cavendish Update 9/4/26: HONEY FEST/Preparedness/News/Events

LINKS TO CAVENDISH CONNECTS:  Facebook Blue Sky or Website

HONEY FEST: Tomorrow is Honey Fest on the Proctorsville Green from 10:30-4. There will be 34 vendors offering a variety of products including honey, pottery, crafts, delicious baked goods and more along with live music. The Cavendish Historical Society will be there with their “taste of history,” the freebie table and some unique ideas for gift giving.  When the day ends, Murdock’s on the Green continues the party with Bees Knees cocktails, Hot Honey Chicken Thangs, Hot Honey Glazed Duck and Whipped Honey Cheesecake. The honey comes from their farm on East Road. Make a reservation by calling 802-554-0126. 

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9/4/26

1.    September is Preparedness Month

2.    Grand Opening of Fletcher Farm Trails

3.    Cavendish Related News

4.    Events Calendar

1. SEPTEMBER IS PREPAREDNESS MONTH: Just how prepared are you? Take Team Rubicon’s Quiz to find out. Below are tips for the first week in September:

• Register for Stop the Bleed Training at the Cavendish Fire Department on Sept. 19 (Saturday) 10-2. The ACS Stop the Bleed course teaches participants how to recognize life threatening bleeding and to act quickly and effectively to control it with three quick techniques. This training is free for Cavendish residents. To register contact Chief Nareau at 802-226-7790, puba0111@mail.com or stop by the station.

• Sign Up for VT Alert: VT-ALERT is used by state and local responders-Cavendish uses this system- to notify the public of emergencies.  Those include, but are not limited to, evacuation information, chemical spills, shelter-in-place alerts, severe weather advisories, boil water advisories, and roadway interruptions. Residents can tailor alerts to specific locations, types, and devices on which they receive notifications. Register by clicking here.

For the list of tips for 2026, as well as the Black River Valley Resources (BRVR) handout “Emergency Preparedness” click here.

2. GRAND OPENING OF FLETCHER FARM TRAILS: The new Fletcher Farm network  ( 611 Route 103) offers trails built for mountain biking that are also open to other non-motorized recreation, such as hiking, nature walks and cross-country skiing. This first three-mile phase includes beginner and kid-friendly trails as well as intermediate and advanced terrain.

The celebration begins at 10 a.m., with guided mountain bike rides from 10 a.m. to noon and sponsor tents on site. Visitors are encouraged to bring their bikes and explore the new trails.

At noon, OVT will hold an official ribbon cutting with the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce, with an opportunity to meet members of the OVT Board and representatives from the Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA). Pizza from Village Pizza in Ludlow and non-alcoholic beverages will follow.

The event is free and open to the local and visiting community. Come ride, explore the trails, meet the people who helped make the project possible, and celebrate an exciting new outdoor recreation resource for the Okemo Valley. FMI: info@okemovalleytrails.org.

3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• CHS Briefs: The Cavendish Historical Society’s (CHS) monthly news briefs are now available on-line and list upcoming events.

• Honoring Dolly Paton: Imagination Library available to Cavendish, Ludlow, Plymouth and Mt Holly children 0-5: Families can register for the program by going to the Fletcher Library in Ludlow or by mailing Ludlow Rotary Club PO Box 216, Ludlow VT 05149. Note that if you have more than one child in this age bracket, each child gets their own books and they will be different for each one. Privacy of children is strictly honored.

• GMUSD board hears disappointment in response to bullying: Chester Telegraph

4. EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 5 (SATURDAY): HONEY FEST Proctorsville Green

SEPTEMBER 7 (MONDAY): Labor Day, Legal Holiday. Town office closed

SEPTEMBER 12 (SATURDAY): The new Fletcher Farm network  ( 611 Route 103)  grand opening -offers trails built for mountain biking that are also open to other non-motorized recreation, such as hiking, nature walks and cross-country skiing. Begins at 10 am.

SEPTEMBER 13 (SUNDAY): Annual Phineas Gage Walk and Talk. Meet at the CHS Museum at 2 pm. The talk portion is first and takes place regardless of weather. Wear comfortable shoes. The site of the accident is ¾ of a mile from the Museum. FMI: 802-226-7808 or margocaulfield@icloud.com

SEPTEMBER 15 (MONDAY): Cavendish Select Board meeting, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office. Agenda will be posted to Facebook as soon as it becomes available.

SEPTEMBER 19 (SATURDAY): Free Stop the Bleed training at the Cavendish Fire Dept. 10-Noon. This training is free for Cavendish residents. To register contact Chief Nareau at 802-226-7790, puba0111@mail.com or stop by the station.

SEPTEMBER 20-26 (SUNDAY-SATURDAY): STORM WATER AWARENESS WEEK

SEPTEMBER 20 (SUNDAY): Cavendish Historical Society (CHS), Black River Action Team (BRAT) and Dr. Charis Boke of Dartmouth program on the Black River including its history, flood plains and a medicinal plant walk. Meet at the CHS Museum at 2 pm to car pool to Greven Field. In the event of rain, the full program will be held at the Museum.

SEPTEMBER 26 (SATURDAY): CULVERT CARE DAY

SEPTEMBER 27 (SUNDAY): 10 am. The Singing Men of Texas-West in concert at the Cavendish Baptist Church, 2258 Main St. Cavendish.

SEPTEMBER 25 (FRIDAY)- 26 (SATURDAY): Annual BRGN Fall Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farms.

OCTOBER 11 (SUNDAY): Last day the Cavendish Historical Society Museum is open for the season. 2-4 pm. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com 802-226-7807

OCTOBER 12 (MONDAY): Indigenous Peoples Day. Legal Holiday. Town Office closed

OCTOBER 31 (SATURDAY): HAPPY HALLOWEEN. Cavendish Historical Society’s Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) workshop at the Cavendish Library 10-noon. FMI: 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com

• Weathersfield Trunk or Treat 3:30-5:00 at Hoisington Field in Perkinsville, the site of the 18799 Schoolhouse.

NOVEMBER 3 (TUESDAY): VOTE. General Election. Polls are open 10-7 at the Proctorsville Fire Dept.

NOVERMBER 11 (WEDNESDAY): Veteran’s Day Town Office closed

NOVEMBER 26 (THURSDAY): HAPPY THANKSGIVING

NOVEMBER 27 (FRIDAY): Town office closed

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Preparedness 2026

September is National Preparedness Month. Throughout the month, Cavendish Connects is posting to their Facebook page and the weekly Cavendish Update, tips on being prepared should their be another flood, natural disaster or another event that could impact your property and/or your well being.

Cavendish is a member of Black River Valley Resources, (BRVR) the long term recovery group for the Okemo Valley, which includes the towns of Cavendish, Ludlow, Plymouth, Mt. Holly and the villages within those towns. BRVR has an excellent handout on emergency preparedness, which is available in PDF format by clicking here.

Tips are being added throughout the month to help you prepare.

Week of September 1

• Just how prepared are you? Take Team Rubicon’s preparedness quiz to find out.

• Sign Up for VT Alert: VT-ALERT is used by state and local responders-Cavendish uses this system- to notify the public of emergencies.  Those include, but are not limited to, evacuation information, chemical spills, shelter-in-place alerts, severe weather advisories, boil water advisories, and roadway interruptions. Residents can tailor alerts to specific locations, types, and devices on which they receive notifications.Register by clicking here.

• Register for Stop the Bleed Training at the Cavendish Fire Department on Sept. 19 (Saturday) 10-2. The ACS Stop the Bleed course teaches participants how to recognize life threatening bleeding and to act quickly and effectively to control it with three quick techniques. This training is free for Cavendish residents. To register contact Chief Nareau at 802-226-7790, puba0111@mail.com or stop by the station.

Cavendish Update 8/28/26: Water repair/Irene/News/Events

LINKS TO CAVENDISH CONNECTS:  Facebook Blue Sky or Website

8/28 (FRIDAY) WATER LINE REPAIR NEAR 425 MAIN STREET: The Town has scheduled a water line repair near 425 Main Street in Proctorsville on Friday August 28th. The repair is expected to take all day. The water will be impacted during this repair and service will be interrupted. This work could cause discoloration for a short period of time. If you experience discoloration, running your cold water will clear your line. Thank you for your patience on this needed leak repair. Rick Chambers Town Manager 802-226-7291 

TROPICAL STORM IRENE ANNIVERSARY: 15 years ago today, Irene swept through Vermont, dropping seven inches of rain in Cavendish causing considerable damage. 

BLACK RIVER WATER SAMPLING:  Bacteria levels in the swimming spots sampled are all safe. Keep in mind After heavy rains, stay out of any body of water for at least 48 hours to avoid the risk of getting sick from contaminated water. Swimming areas tested : Buttermilk Falls; Cavendish Gorge; Lakes Rescue & Pauline; Tolles Power Dam; Twenty Foot Hole;

8/28/26

1.    Annual Phineas Gage Walk & Talk

2.    Cavendish Related News

3.    Events Calendar

1. ANNUAL PHINEAS GAGE WALK & TALK: Whether you have or haven’t heard of Phineas Gage, the Cavendish Historical Society’s (CHS) Annual walk and talk is a great way to learn more about him. Gage was a railroad foreman who, on Sept. 13, 1848, had a tamping rod pass through his head as a result of a blasting accident. Thanks to Cavendish physician Dr. John Harlow, his story ushered in a new era in brain science.

Each year, on the Sunday closest to the anniversary of the accident, CHS hosts the Gage Walk and Talk. This year’s this event coincides with the exact date of the accident which occurred 178 years ago.

The talk begins at the CHS Museum, 1958 Main Street in Cavendish, at 2 p.m on Sunday Sept. 13. The walk follows and includes the location of the accident, Dr. Harlow’s home/surgery, and the boarding house where Gage stayed. We even have an exact replica of Gage’s skull.

The site of the accident is approximately three-quarters of a mile from the museum. Participants can stop at any time. It is recommended to wear comfortable walking shoes.

This program is free and open to the public. The talk takes place regardless of weather conditions. For more information, please call 802-226-7807 or email margocaulfield@icloud.com.

2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• “A MidSummer Night’s Salsa” draws hundreds to the streets of Proctorsville VT Journal

• Why Vermont’s housing shortage can’t be explained by population size alone: A majority of Vermont households — roughly 70% — contain just one or two people. In fact, the average number of people living in each year-round home in Vermont has been on a steady decline for decades. Vermont now has one of the nation’s smallest average household sizes: 2.2 people. VT Public

• ‘Watershed moment’: Vermont secures $92.7M and new restrictions for teens in Meta settlement VT Digger

3.EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 3 (TUESDAY): 6 pm. Birds are Dinosaurs, a VINS presentation at the Cavendish Library, 573 Main St. Proctorsville.  They will have live birds as part of the program. Free and open to the public. Free and open to the public.

SEPTEMBER 5 (SATURDAY): HONEY FEST Proctorsville Green

SEPTEMBER 7 (MONDAY): Labor Day, Legal Holiday. Town office closed

SEPTEMBER 13 (SUNDAY): Annual Phineas Gage Walk and Talk. Meet at the CHS Museum at 2 pm. The talk portion is first and takes place regardless of weather. Wear comfortable shoes. The site of the accident is ¾ of a mile from the Museum. FMI: 802-226-7808 or margocaulfield@icloud.com

SEPTEMBER 20-26 (SUNDAY-SATURDAY): STORM WATER AWARENESS WEEK

SEPTEMBER 20 (SUNDAY): Cavendish Historical Society (CHS), Black River Action Team (BRAT) and Dr. Charis Boke of Dartmouth program on the Black River including its history, flood plains and a medicinal plant walk. Meet at the CHS Museum at 2 pm to car pool to Greven Field. In the event of rain, the full program will be held at the Museum.

SEPTEMBER 25 (FRIDAY)- 26 (SATURDAY): Annual BRGN Fall Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farms.

OCTOBER 12 (MONDAY): Indigenous Peoples Day. Legal Holiday. Town Office closed

OCTOBER 31 (SATURDAY): HAPPY HALLOWEEN

NOVEMBER 3 (TUESDAY): VOTE. General Election. Polls are open 10-7 at the Proctorsville Fire Dept.

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Cavendish Update 8/21/26 News/Events

LINKS TO CAVENDISH CONNECTS:  Facebook Blue Sky or Website

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IS WEDNESDAY: Please drive carefully as students adjust to taking the bus. Note there is a $249 and 5 points on your license for passing a school bus in Vermont 

HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND: Ludlow Library Annual Book Sale: There is an early bird special from 3-6 today for an entry fee of $5. The sale runs from 9-3 on Saturday at the library 88 Main St. Ludlow.

Okemo Valley Women’s Club Yard & Bake Sale: Saturday, 9-2 at Okemo Mtn School, 53 Main St.

The Best of Vermont Summer Festival: Saturday & Sunday at Okemo Field from 11-5.

BLACK RIVER WATER SAMPLING:  Bacteria levels in the swimming spots sampled are safe. Keep in mind After heavy rains, stay out of any body of water for at least 48 hours to avoid the risk of getting sick from contaminated water. Swimming areas  regularly tested : Buttermilk Falls; Cavendish Gorge; Lakes Rescue & Pauline; Tolles Power Dam; Twenty Foot Hole;

8/21/26

1.    Cavendish Related News

2.    Events Calendar

1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Cavendish Planning Commission Minutes and Hearing: Minutes from the Cavendish Planning Commission’s August meeting are available at the Town’s website along with minutes from the hearing on the property on Power Plant Rd . The hearing discussed a proposal to construct a 5 lot subdivision with 4 house sites and one lot to remain vacant (the gravel pit). Two lots are accessed by Bates Rd and two by Power Plant Rd. Each will have its own septic and well. The Planning Commission has begun discussing revising the subdivision regulations.

• Green Mountain Care Board set modest rate increases for 2027 Vermont health insurance marketplace plans: This year’s rates represent efforts towards keeping premiums lower, while still aiming to account for insurers’ ability to pay out the costs of healthcare in Vermont. VT Digger

 • Birds are Dinosaurs Presentation: VINS will be at the Cavendish Library,  573 Main St. Proctorsville, on Sept. 3, 6 pm to discuss birds connection to dinosaurs. They will have live birds as part of the presentation. Free, open to the public and suitable for all ages.

• Millington pulls out of Washington Central superintendent race:  TRSU Superintendent Layne Millington has withdrawn his name from consideration for the superintendency of the Washington Central Unified Union School District,for which he was one of two finalists. Chester Telegraph

• Dartmouth study finds AI can help doctors sound more empathetic, but overdiagnoses and overtreats VT Public

• Vermont’s new car inspection rules ease up on brake rust, tire cracks and dashboard lights: The new rules, which go into effect Sept. 1, follow months of debate in the Statehouse over the rigor of Vermont’s inspection requirements, and related expenses for drivers. Legislation enacted in June directed the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles to fast-track changes to Vermont’s inspection manual, so that a vehicle “only requires failure of an inspection” when a condition “constitutes an immediate safety risk.” VT Publc

2.EVENTS

AUGUST 22-23 (SATURDAY-SUNDAY): Best of Vermont Summer Festival. Okemo Field, Route 103 & Bixby Rd. Ludlow

AUGUST 26 (WEDNESDAY): First day of school. Please drive carefully.

SEPTEMBER 3 (TUESDAY): 6 pm. Birds are Dinosaurs, a VINS presentation at the Cavendish Library, 573 Main St. Proctorsville.  They will have live birds as part of the program. Free and open to the public. Free and open to the public.

SEPTEMBER 5 (SATURDAY): HONEY FEST Proctorsville Green

SEPTEMBER 7 (MONDAY): Labor Day, Legal Holiday. Town office closed

SEPTEMBER 13 (SUNDAY): Annual Phineas Gage Walk and Talk. Meet at the CHS Museum at 2 pm. The talk portion is first and takes place regardless of weather. Wear comfortable shoes. The site of the accident is ¾ of a mile from the Museum. FMI: 802-226-7808 or margocaulfield@icloud.com

SEPTEMBER 20-26 (SUNDAY-SATURDAY): STORM WATER AWARENESS WEEK

SEPTEMBER 20 (SUNDAY): Cavendish Historical Society (CHS), Black River Action Team (BRAT) and Dr. Charis Boke of Dartmouth program on the Black River including its history, flood plains and a medicinal plant walk. Meet at the CHS Museum at 2 pm to car pool to Greven Field. In the event of rain, the full program will be held at the Museum.

SEPTEMBER 25 (FRIDAY)- 26 (SATURDAY): Annual BRGN Fall Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farms.

OCTOBER 12 (MONDAY): Indigenous Peoples Day. Legal Holiday. Town Office closed

OCTOBER 31 (SATURDAY): HAPPY HALLOWEEN

NOVEMBER 3 (TUESDAY): VOTE. General Election. Polls are open 10-7 at the Proctorsville Fire Dept.

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS