Cavendish Update 7/8/22: Water Testing/News/Events

READ THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST NEWS

Town Wide Tag Sale is just a few weeks away – July 30 (Saturday) 9-2. We will begin posting pictures of what people will be selling, and their locations, starting this weekend. If you would like space on one of the town greens, or your information posted, please e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com

7/8/22

1.    Black River Testing

2.    Cavendish Info

3.    Covid update

4.    Events

1. BLACK RIVER TESTING: Each Wednesday the Black River Action Team (BRAT) tests swimming holes on the Black River. This week Greven Field had an  E. coli level of 727 CFU.   This is significantly higher than the EPA’s 235 CFU limit for safe swimming. According to Kelly Stettner of BRAT, shallow water tends to warm up quickly and move slowly, good conditions for breeding bacteria.  Add in a steady 24-hour rain, washing in all kinds of "stuff," and it's no surprise that numbers were elevated across the board. Other spots on the Black River tested as follows:

• Cavendish Gorge 42 CFU

• Buttermilk Falls (Ludlow) 250 CFU

• West Hill Road Red (Ludlow) 44 CFU

• Tolles Power Dam (Perkinsville): 98 CFU

• Twenty Foot Hole (Reading): 47 CFU

It is recommended to stay out of the water when it appears cloudy and within 24 hours of a heavy rain.

2. CAVENDISH INFO

• Cavendish Curiosities: Three Strange But True Medical Oddities: Seven Days includes three Cavendish Curiosities in their June 29, 2022 publication-Phineas Gage; Nettie Stevens; and Alexis St. Martin.

• Cavendish Property Taxes: New property tax bills will be mailed out mid-July with the first quarter due on August 15.

• CCCA Presents Rick Davis and Friends: The July 13 (Wed) concert features Rick Davis, a staple of the VT ski scene, on his own and with the Davis Brothers Garage Band, since the 1970s, A cover band, they features songs of Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers. The concert begins at 6 pm at Svec Park (Proctorsville Green).

• Neal’s Restaurant: Last evening, Neal Baron posted to the Chester Helping Hands Facebook page, “I was blessed with the opportunity to pursue a dream. It’s what makes America so beautiful. I didn’t quite get it right this time. I will continue to apply the lessons learned. The team we had is what I treasure most. My employees are family. All of them. I hope they all know that. We created many magical evenings. It has been an honor to serve the public and be a part of creating a vision that all involved should forever be proud of.  Thank you to all who were a part of the experience. On to the next chapter. Neal’s has been a regular contributor to the “Everyone Eats” program.

• Chester Planning Commission moves toward regulating short-term rentals: With a growing number of homes in the area being used as short-term rentals booked through such organizations as Airbnb and VRBO, the question of whether such a use should be regulated and even restricted has become a hot topic for area select boards and planning commissions. On Tuesday night, Chester’s Planning Commission weighed in on the subject by considering a draft ordinance that would require such rentals to be registered and meet some health and safety standards. Chester Telegraph

• Okemo Valley Car Show and Cruise-In: The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce invites participants for the Second Annual Best of Vermont Summer Festival Car Show and Fifth Annual Benson’s Chevy Cruise-In. The car show, sponsored by Coldwell Banker Lifestyles Real Estate, is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 20 and Sunday, Aug. 21 in Ludlow, Vt. at the Okemo Field on Route 103. The cruise-in will be held the night before the festival on Friday evening Aug. 19 from 5–8 p.m. at Benson’s Chevrolet located at 25 Pond St. in Ludlow Village. Learn more and register at www.yourplaceinvermont.com/cars/.

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, which was updated this week. 

The current VT Dept of Health Weekly Report June 26 to July 2, reports statewide community levels as low, with two counties (Bennington & Rutland) reporting medium levels. There has been an uptick in hospitalizations this past week.

Now that the PCR testing sites are closed, the VT Dept of Health (VDH) is relying on hospitalizations and other measures to determine how the virus is spreading:

• New hospital admissions with Covid: 53 (increase from 33 last week).

• Percent of staffed inpatients occupied with Covid: 2.08% (increase from last week’s 1.47%.)

• Deaths: Five additional deaths in the last seven days, including three in July. Current total for VT is 687.

• Outbreaks: As of Tuesday, there were eight active outbreaks of Covid, including 5 long-term care facilities and one prison.

The BA.5 variant of Omicron, which was first detected in South Africa in February, with first cases in the US identified in April, is rapidly becoming the most common variant nationwide.  The World Health Organizations classifies it as a “variant of concern.” Highly contagious, with few mandates in place, and the variants ability to evade vaccines and prior Covid infections, Covid cases are increasing.

For those who become infected, symptoms don’t appear to be more aggressive than other Omicron strains. There have been fewer deaths and hospital admissions, as many millions of people are vaccinated or have antibodies, making the general immunity of the population higher than at the start of the pandemic.

The vaccines continue to protect against severe cases of illnesses, but as the time lengthens between vaccination/booster, protection is reduced.  If you are 50+ and/or immunocompromised, and your last boost was over six months ago, consider getting boosted again with the current vaccine to keep your protection strong.

For Vermonters having trouble getting at-home tests, please call the Health Department at 802-863-7200 to be connected to a resource near you.

Covid Reinfections Raise Risk Of Other Illness: Repeatedly catching Covid-19 appears to increase the chances that a person will face new and sometimes lasting health problems after their infection, according to the first study on the health risks of reinfection. The study, which is based on the health records of more than 5.6 million people treated in the VA Health System, found that, compared with those with just one Covid-19 infection, those with two or more documented infections had more than twice the risk of dying and three times the risk of being hospitalized within six months of their last infection. They also had higher risks for lung and heart problems, fatigue, digestive and kidney disorders, diabetes and neurologic problems.

4. EVENTS

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.

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

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

AUGUST 10 (WEDNESDAY): Summer concert series continues 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.

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 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

VIEW THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST NEWS

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

VIEW THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST NEWS

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.

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