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

Cavendish Update 6/12/20: Grad Info/News/Events

In quarantine, Martin was very careful to remain gluten-free.

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

6/12/20

1. Cavendish Info

2. Latest Spigot Turn: Covid-19 Update

3. Events

To our Cavendish graduates: While this may not have been the last semester or graduation you planned, it’s still an important event and our community extends its congratulations. In some ways, we know you better than other years, thanks to the signs around town and  the Chester Telegraph’s Virtual Grad Walk. Tonight we have an opportunity to cheer on our CTES graduating class. Let’s line the streets and cheer them on. Parade route & times listed below.  Okemo Valley TV is now doing live broadcasts of events. You can watch, as it happens, the CTES graduation at their uTube Channel and broadcasting it on our Education / Gov't access channel (Comcast. 1086 / VTel 167)

1. CAVENDISH INFO

• Phyllis Bont Remembered: It is with deep sadness that we note the passing of Phyllis Bont on June 6. Our sympathies to Phyllis's family and friends. Phyllis was among the first woman included in the Cavendish Historical Society's "Cavendish Women You Should Know" series in March 2018. Not only was she one of the state's first nurse practitioners, but she had a second career as one of the founders of Six Loose Ladies, where she sold her weaving and taught others the craft.

• CTES Graduation/Parade Schedule: Tonight is the CTES 6th grade graduation. There will be a program for graduates and their families at 5 pm at the school. Around 6pm, a celebration parade begins at the school, proceeding west on Main Street. Making a loop around Svec Park, it will turn right from Depot St onto Main Street and proceed into Cavendish village. The parade will then make a left hand turn onto High St at the east end of the village. Once on High Street the parade will continue back to Main Street by the town office and proceed back to CTES where it will end. Everyone is invited and encouraged to line the route and recognize the graduating 6th graders as the move onto 7th grade at GMUHS next year.

• GMUSD Board Assigns a New Principal to CTES: In a move that once again goes against the open meeting rule, the GMUSD board met behind “closed doors” of an executive committee, decided to adopt a model proposed two years ago after Principal George Thomson retired. The Chester principal, Katherine Fogg, will now be principal of CTES and CAES, with an Assistant Principal of Kevin Kay serving the same two schools. The new Superintendent, Lauren Fierman, wants to see shared instructional processes in both schools. Learn more-GM School Board Names New CTES Principal with Insufficient Warning and GMUSD Reworks CTES Principal Structure in Executive Session

• SB Meeting Reschedules for June 16: Due to technical difficulties, the Cavendish  Select Board has been rescheduled for Tuesday, June 16 at 6:30.

• Cavendish Library’s Summer Reading Program: The theme of this year’s summer reading program is Outdoor Adventures- read, play and learn outside.  There are going to be several ways to participate in the program.  A large canopy called “Camp Wannareadalot” will be on the lawn in front of the library entrance where all programming will occur.  Adjacent to that will be a small “Campsite” with outdoor toys and activities. Various sanitary practices and social distancing will be required to participate in these activities.  The library is also erecting “story walks” throughout town.  There will be three of them in town, one on the Cavendish Green, one on the Proctorsville Green and one on the fence in front of the school.  Patrons may also complete the program from home with “take and make” activities. As usual there will be weekly activities, prize days and story times under the canopy. Please contact the library at 226-7503 to sign up your child.  This program is open to children age birth through 18.

• Lisai’s is now Smitty’s Chester Market. Lonnie Lisai and his wife Obe retired as of May 22, 2020, after almost 30 years of running the store. The community of Chester welcomes Smitty’s Chester Market in the location of longtime Lisai’s Chester Market.

2. THE LATEST SPIGOT TURN: Covid Related Info

• Testing recommended for anyone attending protests: The health department is encouraging people who have attended protests in the last couple of weeks to get tested. Testing sites can be found here: If protesting be “Covid-responsible,” wear a mask, physically distant and stay home if you are sick.

• Winooski cases are spreading: A community outbreak of Covid 19 in  Winooski, has 74 cases associated with it and has spread to Burlington. Patient zero, the originator of the community acquired virus, may never be known, but the age range is from 1-82, with only 1 in 5 showing symptoms, 44% are children and no one has been hospitalized as a result of the outbreak. Due to significant expansion in testing, it’s not surprising that more positive cases are being found. The rate of positive tests for VT is still very low, with the Burlington/Winooski area considerably higher. “Please continue to take the same precautions, we have been advising all along,” Dr. Levine notes. “Wear a face covering. Keep a six foot distance from others. Wash your hands a lot. And of course, if you’re feeling ill, stay home.” State Epidemiologist Patsy Kelso said the major difference between this outbreak and those earlier this year is the state’s ability to monitor and contain it.  “There was a lot more risk back then,” Kelso said. “Now we’ve got cases that we know are linked. We understand where they’re coming from, and we have capacity to do testing and contact tracing to make sure we’re continuing to box it in.”

• Case Count: 1,110 cases of Covid identified as of June 11. Vermont has seen a steady increase since June 4. There have been no new deaths since May 27 and there are now 3 people hospitalized.

• Now open: Effective June 8, inns, hotels and other lodging can book 50% of their rooms for guests or have 25 guests and staff on the property, whichever is larger. the limits don’t apply to stand-alone cabins, cottages and short-term rentals. Indoor dining will be allowed but limited to 25% of regular fire safety occupancy limits, or 10 customers and staff, whichever is greater. Bars cannot offer indoor drinking or dining. Quarantine is now exempt for those coming from a county in the Northeast with less than 400 cases per million population. For all other areas, 14 day quarantine continues to apply. As of June 15, this can be reduced to seven days if they test negative for Covid. Those traveling to Vermont, can learn more testing and state guidelines at the VT Dept. of Health’s (VDH) website. Organized low contact sports, with limitations, begin next week. ACCD guidelines

• Schools to open in the fall: Covid will still be with us, so school will be a bit different-temperature checks and answering questions will take place before a student can enter a school bus or classroom. All adults will be required to wear a mask, with it highly recommended for students. Precautions and safety measure guidelines will be issued next week. Remote learning will still be part of the picture, particularly if a school district needs to close due to an outbreak. Looks like snow days could also be a thing of the past thanks to remote learning.

• Emergency Order: Until the state is fully open, the emergency order, set to expire on June 15, will continue.

• What’s coming: Both Chester & Rutland will have fireworks for the 4th of July; Chester pool will open June 19; sports programs for kids are starting up; and Okemo Valley Golf opens June 26.

• Cancellations: Strolling of the heifers in Brattleboro; Chester Fall Festival; Claremont 4th of July fireworks

• Closing: J.C. Penny’s in W. Lebanon and Keene

• Opportunity for 2020 High School Grads: The J Warren & Lois McClure Foundation, in partnership with CCV, is proud to announce a graduation gift to Vermont's entire high school class of 2020 of one free course of their choosing at the Community College of Vermont this fall.

3. UPCOMING EVENTS:

JUNE 12 (FRIDAY): CTES graduating class will parade in Proctorsville/Cavendish at 6 pm. Please come and cheer them on.

JUNE 14 (SUNDAY): Visit to the Old Revolutionary Cemetery. Meet at the Museum at 2 PM. We will proceed to the Cemetery, which includes a short hike. Outside of the private Coffeen Cemetery, this is Cavendish’s oldest cemetery. If time permits, we will also visit the Coffeen Cemetery.

JUNE 16 (TUESDAY): Rescheduled Cavendish Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm via Zoom. Information on joining the meeting will be posted to Cavendish VT Facebook page and Cavendish Connects Calendar when received.

JUNE 21 (SUNDAY): Happy Father’s Day

JULY 1 (WEDNESDAY): Taxes due

• Vermont Plastic Bag Ban Begins.

JULY 3 (FRIDAY): Fireworks in Chester Citizens can park all over, 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

Cavendish Update 6/5/20 Tag Sale/News/Events

Josie couldn’t tell where the pandemic time went.

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

6/5/20

1. Cavendish Town Wide Tag Sale

2. Cavendish Info

3. Latest Spigot Turn: Covid-19 Update

4. Events

1. CAVENDISH TOWN WIDE TAG SALE: It’s been a while since we’ve talked about the annual town wide tag sale, but it’s still on for July 25 (Saturday) 9-2 pm. We know a lot of you have a fair amount to sell after all that cleaning you’ve been doing the last few months. If you would like a space on either of the village greens, or would like your site on the vendor list,  please e-mail cavendishconnets@gmail.com

Two weeks prior to the sale, if you e-mail photographs of items you’ll be selling, we will make an “album” for the Cavendish Facebook page, one per vendor, so people will know what’s where.

 Given our new normal with COVID, we need to be doing things a bit differently. For those setting up on the greens, you will need to be 12 feet apart from the next vendor. All vendors are responsible for making sure that people shopping at your booth are social distancing. Everyone needs to wear a mask. We are looking into getting masks to distribute that day for those who need them. FMI: Town Wide Tag Sale

2. CAVENDISH INFO

• Depot St Bridge: To the frustration of many, work stopped on the Bridge for about a week. However, it’s recently resumed and there is approximately three more weeks of work. No estimate yet on completion date.

• Cavendish Canine Now Paw Lodge: Cavendish Canine at 46 Winery Rd in Proctorsville has been sold to Kori Savage and Zachary Hall who have renamed it Paw Lodge and it is open for boarding, daycare and grooming 7 days a week. For information visit their website , e-mail info@pawlodgevt.com or 226-7297. Thank you Kori and Zachary for investing in Cavendish.

• Parade for CTES Grads: On June 12 (Friday), CTES graduates will parade through Proctorsville. Everyone is invited to show up and cheer them on! Let’s make it the celebration they deserve.

• CHS June News Briefs: The Cavendish Historical Society Museum will be open by appointment only this summer. They will be offering special programs the 2nd Sunday of every month. The first program is June 14 (Sunday): Visit to the Old Revolutionary Cemetery. Meet at the Museum at 2 PM. We will proceed to the Cemetery, which includes a short hike. Outside of the private Coffeen Cemetery, this is Cavendish’s oldest cemetery. If time permits, we will also visit the Coffeen Cemetery.  The June Briefs are now on-line. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807.

• TRSU Camp Go Wild is a Go

• Household Hazardous Waste Collection: The canceled household hazardous waste collection for towns, including Cavendish, in the Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District, has been rescheduled for June 30 from 2-6 pm at the Springfield Transfer station. The second and last collection of 2020 is scheduled for Tuesday, September, 15, same hours and location. These events are for District residents only. For a list of what to bring (and what not to bring), click here. If you need to properly dispose of HHW before then, "The Rutland County Solid Waste District has a permanent hazardous waste collection facility that is generally open year-round. Visit their website or call 802-775-7209
for more information." If you just have paint to recycle, and the cans are labeled and not leaking, you can bring them to a local participating retailer. Visit PaintCare Inc. Vermont for the closest location.

• Food Scraps July 1 What you will need to do: As of July 1, you will need to do one of the following with food scraps: Compost them in your backyard; Bring them to the Cavendish Transfer Station’s Food Scrap Container (it’s free); or pay someone to pick them up from your house.

• Emerald Ash Borer Season is Here: The destructive, invasive adult beetle has been identified in several Vermont towns, including Londonderry, and is expected to continue to move across the state, likely killing most ash trees in its path. Leave firewood at home when you go camping and purchase firewood at or near your campsite instead. If you are ordering wood for winter, ask your supplier to confirm that they have not moved untreated ash out of an infested area.

• Fletcher Memorial Library Announcement: Anyone with items belonging to FML – please return now only via our book drop in the rear. Do not leave them outside on the cement – if the drop is full, please try again. Do Not Ring the Doorbell as we cannot respond to returns – Social Distancing.  All items will be quarantined. On June 18th our catalog will accept patron holds with Curbside Pick-up beginning June 22nd. You will be notified your items are ready for you by phone or e-mail.  Begin browsing, see what we have. Many New Items have arrived and have been cataloged.  Please call the library as we are happy to assist you and answer any questions you may have. To Search the Catalog – go to www.fmlnews.org - click the Catamount picture or use the tab in the top left Menu. Sign in before you browse. If you need your card number please call us. Search for a title and then click on it. Be sure to scroll down the page to see what other titles surround the one you want. You may find another!

3. THE LATEST SPIGOT TURN: Covid Related Info Before we catch up on the latest press briefings, we need to address a myth that seems to be airborne, along with the virus. Sunshine, warm weather and fresh air do not kill the virus. Masking up, well- fitting cloth masks work stop the spread and yes there is data that backs this up. You can take my word for it, but better yet, read the article from Medscape.   And since we’re doing a bit of myth busting, note that Alcohol based hand sanitizers will not spark car fires, as has highly been reported on social media.

• Scott Asks Vermonters to Confront Racism: A large part of Monday’s press conference focused on the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd. Scott noted “We can fix this without waiting for a vaccine. It just takes us uniting to make this a better country for everyone. Because like the coronavirus, this is literally in our hands.” Recent events have accelerated the state plans to update police training as well as to implement the statewide task force addressing racial inequity. According to the VT Department of Health (VDH) Vermonters of African descent have the highest rates of Covid-19. Dr. Levine asks those participating in protests to practice physical distancing, wear mask and adhere to other prevention strategies. “In addressing and attempting to address the great ills in our society — systemic racism, historic injustice, mistreatment by authorities, and severe health inequities — we do not want to create a greater threat to public health by accelerating the spread of Covid,” Levine said. He noted again on Wednesday that protests of more than 25 people were not following social distancing guidelines.

• VT Tops 1,000 cases- Largest increase since April 9: Yesterday, VDH reported 36 new cases of Covid, of which 34 were from Winooski, VT. A source of the outbreak has not been identified. There are now 1,026 cases of Covid in VT as of June 4, with 52 being in Windsor County. There have been a total of 55 deaths, with none in the last week. There are currently no Covid patients in VT hospitals, though there are 13 hospitalized patients being tested for it.

• Now open: Indoor fitness centers and nail salons; residential summer camps (a blueprint for allowing wider tourism); VT Catholic churches

• What’s coming: The DMV will resume driver’s license testing next week. If numbers continue to remain low, inside dinning will be partially reopened. New measures for out of state visitors from low incidence areas are also being considered

• Masks Required : All Montpelier public businesses

• Cancellations: Burlington’s July 3 fireworks; Quechee Balloon Fest

• Closing K-Mart, W. Lebanon; Salt Hill Pub, Lebanon; Skinny Pancake, Hanover.

• How many out of staters have tested positive in VT?: VTDigger reached out to the Vermont Department of Health to find out the total number of out-of-staters that have tested positive for the virus-as of May 17, 81 people, or about 7% of cases, have tested positive.

• Non-union government employees and elected officials will not receive bonuses and raises in the next fiscal year

• “We don’t control the virus, the virus is controlling us,” The governor noted. “All we can do is mitigate it the best we can until there’s a vaccine in place.” .. “This has been a long, long three months and for those again who are impacted by this, that are on the brink of disaster in their businesses, and still unemployed, and have had their lives turned upside down. My heart goes out to them,” he said. “But we’re doing the best we can to make sure that we’re not putting ourselves in a position that would do harm to people in this state.”

• Labor Department Battles Unemployment Fraud: The beleaguered Vermont Department of Labor, which is still struggling to process some of the tens of thousands of unemployment claims generated by the Covid-19 crisis, is facing a new setback: a rash of fraudulent claims that Vermonters started reporting about three weeks ago. VT Digger

4. UPCOMING EVENTS:

JUNE 8 (MONDAY): Cavendish Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm

JUNE 12 (FRIDAY): CTES graduating class will parade in Proctorsville at 6 pm. Please come and cheer them on.

JUNE 14 (SUNDAY): Visit to the Old Revolutionary Cemetery. Meet at the Museum at 2 PM. We will proceed to the Cemetery, which includes a short hike. Outside of the private Coffeen Cemetery, this is Cavendish’s oldest cemetery. If time permits, we will also visit the Coffeen Cemetery.

JUNE 21 (SUNDAY): Happy Father’s Day

JUNE 30 (TUESDAY): Household hazardous waste collection 2-6 pm at the Springfield Transfer station.

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 5/29/20: CTES/RT 131/News

To Gene and Mollie’s relief, the virus did not affect daily broadcasts from Mars.

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

5/29/20

1. Use Caution on 131 Construction Area

2. Cavendish Info

3. Latest Spigot Turn: Covid-19 Update

4. Events

In spite of the forecast, the Cavendish Historical Society Plant Sale kicks off this evening with an Early Bird Special from 6-7 PM and will be held, in front of the Museum tomorrow from 9-noon. The sale takes place rain or shine. Plants love the rain, so they are happy campers waiting for you to take them home for planting. Please note that wearing a mask and social distancing are required of all shoppers.

1. USE CAUTION ON 131 IN CONSTRUCTION AREA: The following was posted to the Cavendish Facebook page by Jessica Gruber Farrar last evening: Please share, scared the heck out of us tonight and it happened to my sister on Sunday and another friend last Friday... Please, please, PLEASE be careful at the temporary construction lights on Route 131. We had a green light headed back towards Cavendish town and almost hit a car head on that must have gone through the red light. It is a very long light, but people need to be patient. This is the third time in 6 days that this has happened to someone I know. Thank goodness the truck had headlights on as that was the first thing we saw, during the day we may not have been so lucky.

 This is a long red light. Consequently, drivers, particularly those not familiar with 131,  proceed thinking it’s broken. There have been serious near misses noted by others, who confirmed Farrar’s comment. Please be patient or take another route.

2. CAVENDISH INFO: Remembering Birdman, Bill Jansak: It’s with deep sadness that we note the passing of Bill Jansak on May 21. Known to many as Birdman, his nickname reflected his love of the birds and other wild life. Whether he was fishing, cutting lawns, woodworking, working at the transfer station, or setting off fireworks, his trade mark cigar was either in his mouth or hand. He was a friend to many in Cavendish and will be greatly missed. June 3rd would have been his 60th birthday, so to honor his memory, wear a turkey feather (or whatever you have) that day.

• CTES Principal Beaupre to Leave at the end of June: Deb Beaupre announced on Wednesday, in an E mail to “Cavendish Town” that she had “to make some changes in my life for personal reasons and that means I can’t do this job the way I have been.” “I am saddened to think I won’t see you all again in person when this pandemic is over,” Beaupre wrote. “I am certain that the new superintendent will make excellent decisions about the future of the school which is not closing.” Chester Telegraph

• The Green Mountain Unified School District Board Meeting May 21: The GMUSD board voted a wage freeze for all positions along with other staffing changes. TRSU curriculum director Michael Eppolito is resigning at the end of this year. Planning for GMUHS high school graduation was discussed. FMI: Chester Telegraph VT Journal

• No restrictions on Cavendish Water Use: Now that the water leak has been taken care of, there are no restrictions on use of municipal water.

• Cavendish Select Board Minutes (unapproved) for May 11

• Notice of Grievance Hearings: Grievance Hearings will be held on Thursday, June 4th, 2020, via email, USPS mail, telephone and/or computer. Anyone wishing to grieve their property assessment should fill out an Application for Grievance, which can be downloaded and printed from the town website. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5967f43a893fc01de256c378/t/5ec55fe7fdf12d23b01129d1/1589993447858/grievance+app.pdf This application MUST be received at the Town Office by 3:00 p.m. on June 4th. Notice to Taxpayers FMI: Call the town office 226-7291

• Comcast will begin wiring the Northeast Section of Cavendish: Next week, those in the Tarbell Hill/Knapp Pond area will notice work crews preparing for Comcast service. Please use caution when driving in the area. The estimated date for completion is September.

• Okemo Valley TV Channels are Changing: Community Access channels are being changed to the following: VTel- 166 and 167; Comcast 1076 and 1086. You can subscribe to You Tube Okemo Valley TV and continue to use their website.

• Fletcher Farm School Offering Online Classes: June classes have been cancelled but classes in July and August are still being planned. The Young Artist Program has been cancelled. Online classes are available at their website.

• Chester Helping Hands CHH is a non-profit organization created to provide food assistance and spread kindness to our neighbors in the greater Chester area. Jason Tostrup, owner of the Free Range restaurant, and Chris Meyer, a Chester native, founded CHH to build community amidst “COVID Times.” CHH is a work in progress and currently offers free meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In March, CHH partnered with Katsiroubas Brothers of Boston  to offer affordable boxes of produce to people in the area, using our volunteer network. We are able to bring affordable fresh fruits and veggies straight from the distributer to the consumer at a time when access is difficult. Each box is $25/box, cash only. We will continue until markets return to some semblance of “normal.” FMI https://www.facebook.com/groups/850395942102222/

3. THE LATEST SPIGOT TURN: Covid Related Information for VT On Wednesday, the United States reached and surpassed 100,000 deaths from Covid-19. Please practice social distancing, wearing a mask, washing your hands and stay home when sick so that we don’t see that number double.

• Now open: With restrictions, the following are now open-Churches, hair salons, barbershops, dentists, outpatient medical services (alcohol & drug counselors, allied mental health professionals, naturopaths and others with limited physical contact with patients. Indications are that if the numbers continue in their current trajectory, indoor dining may soon be possible. Also expected to reopen soon are cleaning services and fitness centers.

• Cancellations: Summer County fairs and outdoor festivals are cancelled. When asked about the fall festivals-Chester’s Sale on the Green and the Peru Fair, the Governor said the decision would be made closer to the end of the summer. Also cancelled VT Fish & Wildlife Conservation Camps; Burton’s 2021 US Open & the Boston Marathon

• Faster but no so fast: With each turn of the spigot, there is a growing group of people saying “turn it faster. We don’t have a problem.” While it is true that VT has keep its cases very low, our neighbors on all sides are in part responsible for the slow opening. Quebec, Mass, NY and NH are all experiencing new cases and more deaths, and every county that borders VT is considered to be “spreading: with the exception of Coos County, in northern NH and Berkshire County in Mass.

• The state hit it’s goal of administering 1,000 Covid-19 tests per day over the weekend, but dropped back to 500 during the week.

• The numbers: After reporting zero Covid deaths in the last 11 days, Thursday saw another death. Wednesday & Thursday were the first two days of no hospitalized patients with confirmed Covid. There are approximately 17 in hospital awaiting test confirmation. As of Thursday, VT has had 974 positive cases with 55 deaths. In Windsor County, 51 cases of Covid have been reported to date. While Cavendish continues to show no cases, Ludlow has had 1-5 cases, with two deaths.

• Alternative care sites that were set up to treat the overflow of patients from Covid-19 are being dismantled, but can quickly be restored to operating conditions in the event of a surge.

• Realtors are reporting high interest in VT properties from non-residents, particularly in southern VT. This has been spurred by VT’s low incidence of Covid-19 combined with the increasing ability to telecommute, as well as proximity to major urban areas. Properties viewed virtually are selling in days with bids well over asking price. Scott viewed this as a positive, but recognizes that it will have an even bigger effect on housing issues for Vermonters. In Cavendish, where 71% of the property is already owned by non-residents, more increases could continue to impact declining school enrollments as there is a lack of year round rental housing.

• Today’s Press Conference Governor is expected to announce today that libraries, museums, and galleries will be able to open June 1st and will be required to follow the guidance set forth for retail establishments. Guidelines will be available at https://accd.vermont.gov/covid-19

• $300 million to bail out Vermont’s health care system, which has been crippled by the Covid-19 pandemic, has been proposed by Scott’s administration

• Scott has announced that he will seek re-election, but because of Covid-19, it will not be a normal campaign and wont begin until the Covid emergency order has been lifted.

• The re-opening of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will be discussed at Monday’s press conference.

4. UPCOMING EVENTS: Go to dgBody Works  for classes that are being posted via Facebook live. Take a new one, do an old one. Stay fit and healthy.

MAY 29 (FRIDAY): Early Bird Special for the Cavendish Historical Society Plant Sale 6-7 pm in front of the Museum. Masks required along with social distancing.

MAY 30 (SATURDAY): Cavendish Historical Society Plant Sale, 9-Noon in front of the Museum. Mask required along with social distancing.

-       Green Up Day.

JUNE 4 (THURSDAY): TRSU Board Meeting 6 pm via Zoom

JUNE 21 (SUNDAY): Happy Father’s Day

Food Drive Continues for BRGN: Through the end of May, Cavendish Connects and the Cavendish Baptist Church are sponsoring a food drive to help Black River Good Neighbors as they help many in the Okemo Valley. Drop off items  at the Cavendish Baptist Church. From the side of the building, enter the door closest to the parking lot-has a roof over the door-and leave donations in the designated box. Donations can also be left at the front door of BRGN (you will not be able to enter the building)  in Ludlow from 10-3, Monday-Friday.  If you prefer not to shop, you can donate at their website or send a check to BRGN 37 B Main St. Ludlow, VT 05149. Remember all items should be non-perishable and in date.

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