Cavendish Update 10/9/26: Rescue/Solzhenitsyn/News/Events
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TODAY (FRIDAY OCT 9): FLU VACCINE CLINIC 8-12 @ Ludlow Health Center. Note that flu is rapidly increasing and is much earlier this year, so a good idea to vaccinate early and not wait until the end of the month.
• FREE CONTRA DANCE: Sponsored by BRGNS 6-8 pm @ the Ludlow Community Center, 37 Main St. Ludlow. Celebrating the 4th year serving community meals. Open to the public.
SUNDAY (Oct 11): BRAT NEEDS VOLUNTEERS to help plant in the Fletcher Farm Foundation floodplain forest- field next to the Black River Rugby Pitch, across from Stepping Stones Preschool on Route 103 at the Ludlow/Cavendish town line. 10 AM until the planting is done. The more volunteers the quicker it will go. Please email if you think you can volunteer: blackrivercleanup@gmail.com
FALL INTO WINTER: 11-3 Okemo’s Annual Fall celebration 11-3 @ Jackson Gore. Cavendish Park Playground will have a booth there and will be selling bacelets the CTES 5/6th graders made to benefit the playground https://www.okemo.com/explore-the-resort/activities-and-events/signature-events/fall-into-winter.aspx
LAST DAY CHS MUSEUM IS OPEN FOR THE SEASON 2-4 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAVENDISH: October 12 marks the 265th anniversary of the creation of the Cavendish township.
10/9/26
1. Successful Search and Rescue
2. Solzhenitsyn in Vermont Exhibit
3. Cavendish Related News
4. Events Calendar
1. SUCCESSFUL SEARCH AND RESCUE: On Sunday, Pieter van Schaik, well known to those in Cavendish and beyond, was reported missing. At 83, he was on the trails of the Albert C. Lord State Forest, and his abutting land. When his friends couldn’t find him, the response was immediate with North Country Search Dogs on the scene along with the VT State Police, Cavendish and Proctorsville Fire Departments and community volunteers.
As the search ended after midnight, many left with heavy hearts, worried for Pieter’s safety. People on Tarbell Hill were leaving lights on and as one person posted, My porch light, porch door and house door is open and on and I've left blankets and pillows out. I'm so worried right now.
With the first teams out in the field, around 9 am, on Monday morning, word was quickly received that Pieter had been found by Peter Kolenda, retired fire chief of Ludlow, walking on Tarbell Hill.
Pieter explained that he walked around but as it became dark, he laid down and watched the moon. He remained, calm and at first light, he made his way out and onto a road. Surprisingly in good shape, he was transported to Springfield Hospital by ambulance as a precautionary measure and was released later that day.
The response to Pieter being found alive, was greeted with great joy. Teri McNamara went to her front porch on Depot St. and “rang the bell,” alerting her neighbors to the good news. North Country Search Dogs posted, Everyone gratefully returned to the local fire department where tables groaned with food, donated by locals. Cavendish has an amazing community that quickly rallies in times of crisis. We’ve benefited from their support on a previous search and were once again blown away by their organization and hospitality. Having food and hydration provided is like pouring fuel into the search engine. It makes for happy searchers, particularly when the four-legged searchers have their own section of the table dedicated to dog treats! So precious! Thank you to the local businesses and individuals who contributed.
Thank you to all those who volunteered, dropped off food and your prayers. Special thanks to the Cavendish Shelter, who housed the trackers and dogs Sunday night-they make it possible to house people when we need the extra help. To Juda Gross and Garrett Turco, thank you for helping to get the shelter ready. While we know you were willing to do more, it was a school night.
Many have asked how could Pieter have survived. For starters Pieter had food and extra clothing with him. He didn’t panic. While he didn’t have his cell phone with him, which would have helped, we can’t always rely on technology. It’s a good idea when hiking to have back up measures to your electronics-a whistle and mirror. Note that the Go Kits, which are available for free to those living in Cavendish, Ludlow, Plymouth and Mt. Holly at the Cavendish and Ludlow Libraries, contain a whistle.
2. SOLZHENITSYN IN VERMONT EXHIBIT: In celebration of the Russian writer, Soviet dissident and Nobel Laureate Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s who moved to Cavendish 50 years ago, the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS), in conjunction with the Cavendish Fletcher Memorial Library, is pleased to announce the exhibit “Solzhenitsyn in Vermont.” This exhibit was developed by the Vermont Historical Society in honor of Solzhenitsyn’s 100th birthday in 2018 and is currently on loan to CHS and the Library.
The Solzhenitsyn in Vermont exhibit celebrates the life and work of Russian novelist and historian Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, particularly his time living in Cavendish, Vermont and its influence on his life and work. Telling the story through photographs, quotes, and family memories, the exhibit includes 5 main exhibit panels, along with 4 timeline panels noting important moments from Solzhenitsyn’s life.
The exhibit is now on display at the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library, 753 Main St., Proctorsville until Dec. 5. In addition to the VHS display are the autographed books Solzhenitsyn donated to the town upon his return to Russia.
The library is open to the public Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 am-6 pm. For more information, or to arrange other times, call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com
3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
• Vermonters are unhappy with school performance and property taxes, poll finds: A majority of Vermonters are not happy with how the state’s schools have been performing. But those same people are also not ready to make changes to how the schools are funded. Those are some of the big takeaways from the latest Vermont Public poll. Statewide, only 43% of those polled said the quality of Vermont’s schools was excellent or good, while 50% rated them as fair or poor. VT Public
• Agenda for first meeting for Group 7 school merger study committee: The first meeting of the Group 7 school merger study committee will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday Oct. 13 at Bellows Falls Union High School, 406 High School Road, Westminster, Vt. and remotely via Zoom.
• Fossil fuel prices are up, and Vermonters are struggling to foot the bill: The price of fuel oil for home heat is up about $2 per gallon over this time last year.
4. EVENTS
OCTOBER -DECEMBER 5: Solzhenitsyn in Vermont Exhibit, Cavendish Library, 753 Main Street, Proctorsville. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 am-6 pm. FMI, or to arrange other times, call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com
OCTOBER 9 (FRIDAY): 6-8 pm Free Contra Dance to celebrate 4th year of serving community meals. Sponsored by Black River Good Neighbor Services (BRGNS) Ludlow Community Center, 37 Main St. Ludlow.
OCTOBER 10 (SATURDAY): Pet Vaccine Clinic 10-12 Springfield Humane Society, registration required. No walk-ins. Call 802-885-3997 to register.
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 21 (WEDNESDAY): 6 pm Cavendish Library, Understanding What is Most Ecologically Important in Cavendish with Jens Hilke, Conservation Planning Biologist Vermont Fish and Wildlife Dept. Learn to explore your parcel with Vermont Biofinder. Sponsered by CCCA
OCTOBER 24 (SATURDAY): Trunk or Treat 68 Town Office Road, Plymouth VT, 4-6 pm
OCTOBER 30 (FRIDAY): Bambino University’s 1st Trunk or Treat. Bring your vehicle, decorate your trunk. 6-8 pm, 2588 Route 103, Proctorsville VT. RSVP by Oct. 15th bambinouniversityvt@gmail.com
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
