Welcome to "The Dish", the blog of Cavendish Connects, a community web site for the town of Cavendish, Vermont.
The Dish features a round-up of local happenings and events in Cavendish, Vermont.
Have something noteworthy to share? Contact us at cavendishconnects@gmail.com; we would love to hear from you.
The Cavendish results of Tuesday's primary, August 9, are available in PDF format.
Of 1,074 registered voters, 248 (23%) voted in person and 17 (1%) by absentee ballot. Of the in-person voters, 140 (56%) voted democratic, 107 (43%) Republican and one Progressive (<1%). The first choice for the Democrats for Governor was Dunne, while the Republicans first choice was Lisman. See the Cavendish Dish
IF YOU COUNT ON CAVENDISH CONNECTS TO KEEP YOU INFORMED, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO COUNT ON YOU.
8/5/16 Cavendish Update
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Events
1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
Jillian Flinn Taking Over the Cavendish General Store (Minibees): It wont be long before the Cavendish General Store will once again be in operation. Known to many in town because she has grown up here, Jillian Flinn, who is a member of the Cavendish Select Board, is taking over the store. The Minibee’s sign has been replaced with “Bennett’s” until her sign “Jill’s Place” arrives. The opening is planned for August 8 and will offer groceries, lottery, deli and food. As she noted, “It will be crazy for a bit but hope everyone understands and will give me feedback. I want to give the customers what they want. So please help. Thanks!” Best of luck Jill.
CHS August Briefs Now Available: Learn what the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) has been doing this summer, and what’s being planned for August and beyond by going to the CHS Blog. Lots of pictures to enjoy.
Former CTES Teacher Eleanor French Has Died: Ms. French taught at Cavendish Town Elementary School for 34 years. She died on July 29th at her home in Springfield. Rutland Herald
GMP Scam Alert: Beware of scams! Customers are getting calls from someone saying they are from GMP, asking for personal information in order to get a deep discount connected to solar usage and the grid. If you get a suspicious call demanding personal information do not give it out! Call GMP at 888-835-4672. Stay safe!
GMP Customers Could See a Rate Increase This Fall: State regulators at the Department of Public Service have approved a rate increase for Green Mountain Power, the state's largest utility. If the increase is approved by a state board, electric bills would increase by about 0.93 percent starting in October. VPR
Genesis Healthcare Acquiring Springfield Health and Rehab: Genesis Healthcare, a Pennsylvania-based holding company with more than 500 nursing homes nationwide, has won approval from regulators for a $39-million deal to acquire the 102-bed Springfield Health and Rehabilitation Center and four other Vermont nursing homes. WCAX
Obama Signs National GMO Labeling Law Nullifying VT Law: President Barack Obama signed the federal GMO labeling law on Friday. The national law mandates that food manufacturers label most foods with GMO ingredients. It has been criticized by supporters of Vermont's law and others for allowing food manufacturers the option to use a scannable bar code instead of a text label. VPR
Claremont Radio Shack Closing: The Texas based company closed more than half of its 4,000 stores when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February 2015. The Claremont store is currently having a blow out inventory sale.
2. EVENTS
AUGUST 8 (Monday): Select Board Meeting Work Session, 6:30 pm at the Town Office. Town Treasurer requests Select Board to approve and sign Solar Bond Anticipation Note Renewal. Work session to discuss and establish various elements in the Town Manager recruitment process as a follow-up to the meeting with Abigail Friedman, Director of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns Municipal Assistance Center which took place on July 25th. This work meeting is anticipated to include executive session. The regular monthly meeting will take place on Monday, August 15.
AUGUST 9 (Tuesday): Primary Elections, 10-7 at Cavendish Town Elementary School
AUGUST 10 (Wednesday): Yankee Chank is the featured artist for the last Wednesday night Concert on the Proctorsville Green, which gets underway at 6 pm. Check Cavendish VT Facebook page in the event of rain.
For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.
IF YOU COUNT ON CAVENDISH CONNECTS TO KEEP YOU INFORMED, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO COUNT ON YOU.
TOWN WIDE TAG SALE SATURDAY JULY 30. The weather forecast couldn’t be better and the items for sale are incredible. Check the Cavendish VT Facebook for photo albums of sale items from the various vendors. The Cavendish Connects website has a list of vendors and what they are selling. Please note that we will not have maps this year since the sale is concentrated along Main Street (131), High Street in Cavendish, a few locations on Twenty Mile Stream and Depot St. in Proctorsville. Stop by the Cavendish Connects booth (Gazebo Proctorsville Green), say hello and please make a donation so we can continue to do what we do for the community.
7/29/16 Cavendish Update
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Blueberries Benefit You and the Cavendish Historical Society
3. Yankee Chank Ends the Proctorsville Concert Series on August 10th
4. Events
1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
A Day of Hope in Cavendish: On July 27, the youth group from Hope Church, King of Prussia, Pa, along with their chaperones, came to Cavendish for a day of service. They did everything from righting 60 grave stones in the Cavendish Cemetery, repairing and painting, hauling wood, removing old chicken coops and cleaning out and restoring a home that had been left damaged by tenants. They are now very familiar with the Cavendish Transfer Station. Their energy and spirit was both infectious and incredible. What a group of hard workers. A very special thank you to this group, their mentors and chaperones as well as to the Cavendish contingent that worked with them-Abe Gross, Cavendish Baptist Church, Bruce McEnaney, Carl Liener, Etienne Ting and Margo Caulfield. See them in action at the Cavendish VT Facebook page.
Proctorsville Resident Montesi Steps Down as Director of Music: Candace Montesi is wondering what she is going to do with her Sunday mornings beginning next month. With the exception of an occasional winter trip to Florida, the Proctorsville resident has been going to work every Sunday morning for the past 17 years as the director of music at the First Congregational Church in Springfield. Sunday, July 31 will be her last day, as Montesi retires from her duties as director and organist with a final celebration and brunch. Eagle Times
Second West Nile Virus Case Found in Windsor County: The Vermont Department of Health has notified Ludlow and other town health officers that the second case of West Nile Virus disease has been found in Windsor County. According to Ralph Pace, Ludlow Town Health Officer, the state-monitoring agency noted, "This latest case became ill in mid-July and, similar to the case from earlier in June, has the neuroinvasive form of the disease." The Message
Kleen Laundry Files for Bankruptcy: With services in Claremont, NH and the Upper Valley, Kleen Laundry has filed for bankruptcy protection, citing a “challenging time” with its primary commercial customer base — hospitals to which it provides linen and uniform cleaning services. Valley News
PT Farm Recalls Beef: PT Farm, LLC, a North Haverhill, N.H. establishment, is recalling approximately 8,800 pounds of raw beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced this week. Produced between June 6 and June 16, the beef was sold in VT and packaged under brand names Chestnut Farms, PT Farm, Miles Smith Farm and Robie Farm. USDA
VT Hunting Permits Doubled Due to Explosion in Deer Population: Vermont wildlife officials say there’s been an explosion of the deer population and they're taking steps to thin the herd. “Last winter was extremely mild,” wildlife biologist Scott Darling said. “As a matter of fact one of the most mild on record.” As a result, far more deer survived the season. Darling said that's why Vermont is nearly doubling the number of hunting licenses it's issuing this year. WPTZ
New VSP Dispatch System: State Police have to switch over to the new dispatch center in Westminster. The new $6.8 million dollar barracks opened last week, replacing the Rockingham center. State Police say they have tested the new system twice with an eight-hour and a 12-hour shift last month. This new PSAP center comes after public safety decided to consolidate dispatching into two locations in Westminster and Williston. State Police barracks in Rockingham and Brattleboro were closed last week and will be sold by the state. WCAX
2. BLUEBERRIES BENEFIT YOU AND CHS: Besides being sweet and wonderful, blueberries are associated with the following benefits: healthy bones; lowers blood pressure; wards off heart disease; prevents cancer; improves mental health, and fights wrinkles.
Once again, thanks to the generosity of Bruce and Betty McEnaney, half the proceeds from picking their organic blueberries, ($3 a pint) goes to the Cavendish Historical Society's (CHS) program at CTES. Last year the 6th grade spent the day at Sturbridge Village thanks to blueberry pickers.
Located at 354 Miner Rd, just over the Cavendish line in Chester off of Smokeshire (part of Cavendish at one time), lock in your GPS and head for some of the best blueberry picking ever.
3. YANKEE CHANK LAST CONCERT OF THE SEASON ON 8/10: The Town of Cavendish presents the last in its continuing series of Wednesday evening concerts on August 10th at 6:00 p.m. when Yankee Chank will appear on the Green in Proctorsville. Yankee Chank is a Vermont group that performs Cajun and Zydeco dance music from the heart of southwest Louisiana.
Wondering about the name? Yankee Chank is the Cajun term given to musicians and dancers from outside the area, with the “chank” part coming from the derogatory term for Cajun music-“chanky-chank.”
Band members-including Cavendish fiddler Bob Naess, have spent years playing in Louisiana as well as at festivals and concerts all over the country. In addition to fiddle, Yankee Chank includes bass (Mark Sustic), guitar (Jim Burns), drums (June Drucker) and accordion (Cannon LaBrie). This is some of the most danceable music around so don’t miss it.
This concert is sponsored by Black River Produce, the Fresh Connection. This is the last in a series of six concerts coordinated by the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association. All concerts are free and open to the public. Bring a blanket or a chair and a picnic dinner. Join with friends or make new ones. Please help continue this free Wednesday evening tradition in Cavendish. Everyone is welcome.
For more information please call Robin at 226-7736. In case of rain, please check the Cavendish Facebook page for further information.
4. EVENTS
JULY 30 (Saturday): TOWN WIDE TAG SALE 9-3.
AUGUST 3 (Wednesday): Chris Kleeman is the featured artist for the Wednesday night Concert on the Proctorsville Green, which gets underway at 6 pm. Check Cavendish VT Facebook page in the event of rain.
For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.
The Proctorsville Fire Department will once again have a BBQ on the Proctorsville Green as part of the Town Wide Tag Sale on July 30th.
IF YOU COUNT ON CAVENDISH CONNECTS TO KEEP YOU INFORMED, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO COUNT ON YOU.
7/22/16 Cavendish Update
1. Cavendish Related News
2. From Mini Bees to Long Wings- Cavendish Bids Farewell to Lori and Ted
3. Tag Sale: Posting Pictures of Sale Items
4. The Eerie Side Cavendish
5. GMUHS School Board Opening
6. Chris Kleeman Plays at 7/3/16 Concert on the Green
7. Events
1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
Stripping Continues on the Doors for the CHS Museum: Follow along with the progress being made in restoring doors for the Cavendish Historical Society Museum at the CHS blog. If you would like to help with the final stripping, painting or installation, please call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com
The VT Journal Launches New Website: The new website for the Vermont Journal is now available at http://vermontjournal.com
Congress Passes a GMO Law that Nullifies VT’s Law: The federal bill passed house and senate and is awaiting the President’s signature. It would require most processed foods with genetically engineered ingredients to carry either a text label, a symbol or an electronic code to be read by smart phones. VPR
With New Protections In Place, EB-5 Project At Okemo Allowed To Resume Soliciting Investors: An EB-5, foreign-investor funded project at Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow has been cleared to resume soliciting money from immigrant investors, and state regulators say the SouthFace Village at Okemo project has added a number of new investor protections. The SouthFace Village project is billed as a “four-season luxury home community” at Okemo Mountain Resort, and work on the project is already well underway. VPR
State Police Consolidate Rockingham, Brattleboro Barracks in New Westminster Facility: The Vermont State Police officially raised the flag at its new $6.2 million barracks in Westminster Thursday. The long-delayed 16,600-square-foot building represents the first time the police have consolidated two troops into a single facility. The staff members have been moving over to the new building over the last few days, and dispatch will be in service at the new building next week. VPR
2. FROM MINI BEES TO LONG WINGS: FAREWELL TO LORI & TED: As of Aug 1, Lori and Ted Brand of Minibees (a.k.a The Cavendish General Store) are moving to Florida, whose state insect is the Zebra Long Wing, a type of butterfly. Their contributions to the town-from the most delicious chocolate chip cookies to the Cavendish Survivor Contest-will be sorely missed.
On July 24, Sunday, from 2-5 pm, the community is hosting a farewell party for the Brands on the property next to the store. There will be a BBQ grill going, so bring a side dish, cold drinks to share or something for the grill. More importantly, bring your well wishes for our friends and neighbors on their new adventure.
If there is something specific you’d like to do, or need more information, please contact Jamie at 802-376-4178
3. TAG SALE: POSTING PICTURES OF SALE ITEMS: Do you have some interesting items for this year's tag sale? If so, send a picture plus where the item will be located during the sale to cavendishconnects@gmail.com. Starting today sale items will be posted to the Cavendish VT Facebook page.
4. THE EERIE SIDE OF CAVENDISH: So what places in Cavendish are haunted? Have you seen a ghost or had something strange happen to you? It may be summer, but the Cavendish Historical Society is compiling a list of "haunted spots" in Cavendish. There are a number of stories out there about the Dutton House, Wheelock Farm and the Golden Stage Inn. Can you add anything? E-mail stories to margocaulfield@icloud.com or call 802-226-7807
5. GMUHS SCHOOL BOARD OPENING: The Green Mountain Union High School Board (GMUHS) seeks a Cavendish Town resident interested in serving as a member of our own local school board. The term of this position will be until Town Meeting Election Day held on Tuesday, March 7, 2017. The Board meets regularly, the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 P.M. and others as necessary. Members may fulfill additional responsibilities including, but not limited to, board committees and possible service on the Two Rivers Supervisory Union Board.
Please submit a letter of interest to the Two Rivers Supervisory Union Board by Monday, August 29, 2016 addressed to:
Meg Alison Powden
TRSU Superintendent of Schools
609 VT Route 103 South
Ludlow, Vermont 05149
6. CHRIS KLEEMAN PLAYS AUG 3 CONCERT: On Wednesday, August 3rd at 6:00 p.m. the Vermont based master blues singer and legendary song stylist, Chris Kleeman will perform at the Cavendish summer music series on the green in Proctorsville.
A performer of great energy and focus, Chris is well known for his sparkling interpretive skills, bringing songs from across a broad spectrum to spice up an already simmering, soulful pot of music. He provides a unique opportunity to see and hear the real thing; an artist of high energy and gritty musical performance.
This is another in the continuing series of Wednesday evening public concerts that the town of Cavendish and the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association produce for all to enjoy. Relax in the grass on your blanket or favorite lawn chair – have a picnic or just listen to the music. Help keep the tradition alive and come to Proctorsville to enjoy a warm summer evening with your neighbors and friends in front of the gazebo.
This concert is sponsored by the Good Earth Landscape Co. and by the Golden Stage Inn, both of Proctorsville.
As always, the concerts are free and open to everyone. Rain dates will be announced on the Cavendish Facebook page. For more information please call Robin at 226-7736.
7. EVENTS
JULY 23 (Saturday): Weed wackers needed for lawn care at the lot next to the Cavendish Elementary School. Meet at the lot at 8 am.
JULY 24 (Sunday): Farewell party for Lori & Ted (Minibees) from 2-5 pm at the property adjacent to the store.
JULY 27 (Wednesday): Green Brothers Shoes is the featured artist for the Wednesday night Concert on the Proctorsville Green, which gets underway at 6 pm. Check Cavendish VT Facebook page in the event of rain.
For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.
