Cavendish Update 5/30/25: Grievance Hearings/Volunteers/News/Events

CAVENDISH CONNECTS LINKS:  CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE  

cavendishconnects.bsky.social or www.cavendishconnects.com

Today is Cavendish’s Memorial Day celebration-10 am at CTES.  The BRGNS Rummage Sale takes place today and tomorrow from 10-3 at Fletcher Farms. 

Volunteers are needed to help on Saturday with the tree planting-creating a flood plain to help protect Proctorsville from flooding. See Item 1 below. 

Cavendish Historical Society Museum opens on Sunday 2-4 pm. This year’s “hands-on activity” is making patriotic paper carnations.

5/30/25

1.    Volunteers Needed for Flood Plain

2.    Grievance Day Notice for Cavendish Taxpayers

3.    Cavendish Related News

4.    Events Calendar

1. HELP PROTECT OUR TOWN: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR FLOOD PLAIN PLANTINGS:  In partnership with the Fletcher Farm Foundation,  Black River Action Team (BRAT) will be starting the process of planting native shrubs and trees on several acres,  across from Fletcher Farms, in preparation for a floodplain on the Black River, which will help reduce flooding in Proctorsville, Cavendish and Ludlow.

On Saturday, May 31,  the planting begins with 100 or so stems for this first round. Meet at 9 am. at  3645 Rte 103 - almost across from Fletcher Farm. Come learn more about the "Grow Resilience" campaign and be part of the excitement! Lend a hand for an hour or two as we remove some of the invasive plants and install the first wave of new native vegetation. Free BRAT T shirts. Bring sturdy shoes, a water bottle, a hat/sunscreen, and whatever insect protection you prefer (some non-DEET spray will be available for your clothing and for your skin, if you wish). 

A range of projects will be happening at this site for the coming months and years, with an emphasis on providing an area for the river to rise and spread out, slow down, and soak into the landscape during heavy rains. Additional long-term benefits being planned include low-maintenance paths for public use, guided walks around flora and fauna, workshops for seed harvesting and plant identification, arts & crafts activities, and more. FMI and to RSVP: Kelly Stettner of B.R.A.T. for more details and to let us know you're coming: blackrivercleanup@gmail.com or text your name to (802) 591-0101.

2. GRIEVANCE DAY NOTICE: Agreeably to the provisions of Title 32 Vermont Statutes Annotated, Section 4111, notice is hereby given that the undersigned parties, within and for the Town of Cavendish have this day completed the Abstract of Individual Lists of persons, co-partnerships, associations, and corporations owning taxable property in said town on the first day of April 2025; that they have this day lodged the same in the office of the Clerk of said town for the inspection of taxpayers; that on the 12th day of June, 2025 starting at 9:15 am, the Assessor will meet at 37 High Street, Cavendish, Vermont to hear grievances of persons, co-partnerships, associations or corporations aggrieved by any of their appraisals or by any of their acts as such Assessors, whose objections thereto in writing shall have been filed with them as prescribed by statute, and to make such corrections in said abstract as shall upon hearing or otherwise be determined by them; and that unless cause to the contrary be shown, the contents of said abstract will, for the year 2025, become the Grand List of said town and each person, co-partnership, association or corporation therein named.

If you wish to grieve you MUST submit a grievance in writing by 4:00 pm on June 11th, 2025.  Applications for Grievance can be emailed to Cavendish@nemrc.com or mailed to PO Box 126, Cavendish, VT  05142.  Please call 802-227-7383 for a grievance appointment.

3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Cavendish Streetscapes donates American flags: Cavendish Streetscapes volunteers delivered flags and poles to the Proctorsville and Cavendish Volunteer Fire Departments. Members of both fire departments donated their time, equipment and labor to install flags along Route 131 in the two villages. The flags symbolize the country’s history and hopes for the future.

• Red Cross Babysitting Training at CVFD: The Red Cross Babysitter Training is designed for youths 11 and up who are interested in babysitting. Topics include how to provide care infants and children; how to stay safe; what to do in an emergency; how to choose age-appropriate activities; and how to recognize and handle a variety of behaviors. Students will also learn the basics of starting a babysitting business. The course, to be held at the Cavendish Fire Station on Saturday June 14 from 9-1 to free to Cavendish residents. To sign up and/or learn more, call Chief Nareau 802-226-7790, email puba0111@mail.com or stop by the station.

• GM school board to hold special meeting to revisit board appointment, complaint Chester Telegraph

• ‘We need help’: While tallying recent assistance, Vermont officials consider a future without FEMAFor many Vermonters, summer’s return ushers in familiar fears of flooding. This year, that anxiety is complicated by a new concern surrounding federal changes to disaster relief programs that have helped the state in the recent past. State and local leaders worry about how reductions in staff and funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or the loss of the system altogether, may be felt in Vermont, in the near and long term.  VT Digger

4. EVENTS

MAY 30 (FRIDAY): Cavendish Memorial Day Celebration, 10 am Cavendish Town Elementary School

MAY 30-31 (FRIDAY-SATURDAY): BRGNS Annual Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farms off 103 10-3 each day.

MAY 31 (SATURDAY): Glacial History Walk at the Cavendish Gorge. Meet up is at 10 a.m. at the picnic area by the GMP Transfer station on Power Plant Road just off Route 131 in Cavendish. Starting at the sand and gravel pits we will view the Gorge from below, then walk up to the dam at the top of the Gorge. FMI: cavendishcommunityconservation@gmail.com or 802-417-5324

JUNE 1 (SUNDAY): The Cavendish Historical Society Museum opens 2-4 pm

JUNE 4 (WEDNESDAY): Living with Bears Talk at the Cavendish Library, 6 pm Free and Open to the Public. FMI: cavendishcommunityconservation@gmail.com or 802-417-5324

-       Hearing on Proposed Subdivision Regulations, Cavendish Town Office, 6pm. Also available by Zoom

JUNE 6 (FRIDAY): Proctorsville Market, village green 4-7 pm. Website

JUNE 8 (SUNDAY): Rescheduled Audbon Bird Walk, 8 am 731 Stevens Road off Greenbush in Cavendish. You can register for the June 8 event at cavendishcommunityconservation@gmail.com. FMI Robin at 802- 417-5324

JUNE 12 (THURSDAY): Grievance Day for Cavendish Taxpayers

JUNE 13 (FRIDAY): Proctorsville Market, village green 4-7 pm. Website

JUNE 14 (SATURDAY): Flag Day

-       Red Cross Babysitting Training 9-1 at the Cavendish Fire Station. This course is free to Cavendish residents 11 and up. To sign up and/or learn more, call Chief Nareau 802-226-7790, email puba0111@mail.com or stop by the station.

JUNE 15 (SUNDAY): Happy Father’s Day.

-       Cavendish Historical Society Walk and Talk on Cavendish Revolutionary Soldiers. The walk portion includes a trip to the Revolutionary War Cemetery. Program begins at 2 pm at the Museum. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com 802-226-7807.

JUNE 20 (FRIDAY): Proctorsville Market, village green 4-7 pm. Website

JUNE 21 (SATURDAY): Birds N Blooms, Proctorsville Green 10-2

JUNE 27 (FRIDAY): Proctorsville Market, village green 4-7 pm. Website

JULY 26 (SATURDAY): CAVENDISH TOWN WIDE TAGE SALE 9-2 pm. Website 

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 5/23/25: War Dead/Hearing/News/Events

CAVENDISH CONNECTS LINKS:  CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE  

cavendishconnects.bsky.social or www.cavendishconnects.com

The Cavendish Historical Society plant sale, starts this evening with the early bird special from 5-7 in front of the Museum and continues tomorrow, Saturday, May 24 from 9-noon. Please see the Cavendish VT Facebook page for any changes due to weather.

5/23/25

1.    Remembering Cavendish’s War Dead

2.    Subdivision Regulation Hearing

3.    Cavendish Community Fund Awards Grants

4.    Summer Youth Camps

5.    Cavendish Related News

6.    Events Calendar

1. REMEMBERING CAVENDISH’S WAR DEAD: Memorial Day (Monday, May 26) is when we remember those who died while in service to their country. Started as a Civil War remembrance, James A. Garfield, when he was an Ohio Congressman and a former Civil War Union General, stated at the commemoration of Arlington National Cemetery, We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke; but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.”

Revolutionary War: Soldiers who died in and around Cavendish, particularly on the Crown Point Road, were buried in the Coffeen and  Revolutionary cemeteries and in private graves.

Civil War: More soldiers died of disease during the Civil War than were killed in battle. Intestinal disorders such as diarrhea, typhoid fever, and dysentery were rampant in the camps, along with various types of fevers, measles, chicken pox, mumps, whooping cough, and small pox. Men who left their home towns for the first time were exposed to new diseases that they had no immunities against. A lack of sanitation and close quarters contributed to the spread of disease, and poor food, lack of shelter, and a lack of proper clothing increased their severity. In the field, a common cold could quickly become pneumonia. Army War College.

Of the 173 names appearing on the Cavendish civil war memorial: 14 died in battle/wounds, 1 in prison, 13 while in the service from disease; two were lost at sea; one was drown and one was missing in action.

Died from disease: Jesse Adams; Sylvanus S. Barnard; Thomas W. Demary; Henry C. Fletcher; Nathan Graves; Myron Hicks; Chancellor Paige; Otto Rimley; Michael Shannon; Charles Spaulding; George Taylor; William Webster; Henry P White

Died in Battle or from wounds: Joseph Ashley (Gettysburg); Zaccheus Blood (Winchester); Henry G. Fillebrown (Petersburg); John Quincy French (Wilderness); John L. Hemenway; Horace Needham (Petersburg); Wesley Sheldon (Cedar Creek); John Smith (Petersburg); Nicholas Smith (Spotsylvania); Matthew Stewart; George Wallis; James Webster (Cold Harbor); Luther Graves (Lee’s Mills); Merritt White

Lost on steamer “North America” off Cape Hatteras Hial W. Holden and Lowell B. Paine.

Other: George Smith: Drowned in Rio Grande River and Henry Spaulding died in Andersonville Prison; Charles Stockdale Missing in Action Crampton’s Gap

Spanish American War: Six men served with one, Ernest Grout, dying 

World War I: Fifty seven men and one woman enlisted. Four men died, George Dixon, Winthrop Hoyle, Truman McNulty and Francis Wallace. Winthrop Hoyle was 16 and died from nephritis in Rhode Island. The American Legion Wallace Mcnulty Holye Post was named in honor of these veterans.

World War II: 168 men and one woman served with seven men dying during the course of the war. Ted Berg, Harold Davy, Duane Hodge , Kenneth Hodge, Morris Percy, Edward Sherer Jr and H. Allen Spaulding.  

WWII was the last war in which a person from Cavendish died in service.  

Cavendish’s Memorial Day activities take place on Friday, May 30, starting at 10 am at the Cavendish Town Elementary School. The public is invited to attend.

Ludlow’s parade starts at 9 am on Monday, May 26.

2. SUBDIVISION REGULATION HEARING: The Cavendish Planning Commission will hold a public hearing regarding the Proposed Draft Subdivision Regulations on June 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM at the Cavendish Town Hall. Copies of the final draft are available at the Town Office or on the Town Website.

3. CAVENDISH COMMUNITY FUND AWARDS:  The Cavendish Community Fund has announced that it awarded four grants to organizations for different programs that will directly benefit Cavendish residents.

The first award was granted to Create Together at Fletcher Farm, the newly formed studio space for people to engage in new pursuits. The grant will help defray the cost to Cavendish residents to attend programs. The second grant will help the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library expand their collection of Spanish language books. The third award will help pay for the beautification of Proctorsville by Cavendish Streetscapes. In 2021 the Community Fund helped pay for flower boxes on the side rails of the new bridge on Depot Street. Those boxes were destroyed by vandals recently, so the Fund is helping to replace

the boxes. This grant will have lasting effects since these boxes will hold colorful flower displays for years to come. Finally, the Fund is helping the Walk and Talk committee of the CCCA for a presentation by The Mushroom Foragers, experienced wild mushroom guides to take us on a walk in the Cavendish woods to identify and learn about edible and medicinal mushrooms.

The Cavendish Community Fund has awarded grants since 2007 to local groups and individuals for programs of an educational, artistic or cultural nature. The next round of grants will be awarded in the fall and applications will be accepted at any time. For more information on the Fund or about applying for a grant, please visit their Facebook page or you can email cavendishcommunityfund@gmail.com.

4. YOUNG ARTIST SUMMER CAMPS: Create Together, formerly Fletcher Farm, is offering youth camps. Week I June 23-27 and Week 2 July 28-Aug. 2 are STEAM weeks. This camp integrates mathematics and scientific principles with artistic expression to help children discover the beauty of STEM through hands-on creative projects. Shakespeare Camp, August 11-16 and 18-22 is two weeks long for campers age 8-14. For Cavendish and Ludlow residents, thanks to the Fletcher Foundation, one workshop a year is 50% off. To learn more about both youth and adult programs, check out their website. Note there are youth scholarship funds on an as needed basis. If you have questions, e-mail kathryn@createtogethervt.org

5. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Rescheduled Audbon Walk:  The Cavendish Branch of the Mount Ascutney Audubon Society has rescheduled its popular annual Bird Walk to June 8 (Sunday) at 8 am 731 Stevens Road off Greenbush in Cavendish. Register for the event by e-mailing cavendishcommunityconservation@gmail.com. FMI: 802 417-5324. 

• News Analysis: More questions than answers to fill a school board seat: Chester Telegraph

• Editorial: Two boards too weak to make the right decisions Chester Telegraph

• Vermont’s largest provider of Section 8 housing subsidies will stop issuing new vouchers: Facing a reduction in federal funding, the Vermont State Housing Authority will stop issuing new rental assistance vouchers to low-income households on its lengthy waitlist, and has begun rescinding vouchers from about 50 Vermonters currently searching for an apartment to use them. VT Digger

6. EVENTS

MAY 23 (FRIDAY): Cavendish Historical Society Plant Sale (CHS)-early bird special 5-7 pm in front of the Museum

MAY 24 (SATURDAY): CHS Plant Sale 9-noon.

MAY 30-31 (FRIDAY-SATURDAY): BRGNS Annual Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farms off 103 10-3 each day.

MAY 31 (SATURDAY): Glacial History Walk at the Cavendish Gorge. Meet up is at 10 a.m. at the picnic area by the GMP Transfer station on Power Plant Road just off Route 131 in Cavendish. Starting at the sand and gravel pits we will view the Gorge from below, then walk up to the dam at the top of the Gorge. FMI: cavendishcommunityconservation@gmail.com or 802-417-5324

JUNE 1 (SUNDAY): The Cavendish Historical Society Museum opens 2-4 pm

JUNE 4 (WEDNESDAY): Living with Bears Talk at the Cavendish Library, 6 pm Free and Open to the Public. FMI: cavendishcommunityconservation@gmail.com or 802-417-5324

JUNE 6 (FRIDAY): Proctorsville Market, village green 4-7 pm. Website

JUNE 8 (SUNDAY): Rescheduled Audbon Bird Walk, 8 am 731 Stevens Road off Greenbush in Cavendish. Register at cavendishcommunityconservation@gmail.com. FMI Robin at 802 417-5324

JUNE 13 (FRIDAY): Proctorsville Market, village green 4-7 pm. Website

JUNE 20 (FRIDAY): Proctorsville Market, village green 4-7 pm. Website

JUNE 21 (SATURDAY): Birds N Blooms, Proctorsville Green 10-2

JUNE 27 (FRIDAY): Proctorsville Market, village green 4-7 pm. Website

JULY 26 (SATURDAY): CAVENDISH TOWN WIDE TAGE SALE 9-2 pm. Website

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 5/16/25: SB Mtg/Proc. Market/News/Events

CAVENDISH CONNECTS LINKS:  CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE  

cavendishconnects.bsky.social or www.cavendishconnects.com

5/16/25

1.    Cavendish Select Board Meeting 5/12/25

2.    Proctorsville Market on the Green

3.    Cavendish Related News

4.    Events Calendar

1.CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 5/12/25: The video of the Monday night’s select board (SB) meeting is available at the Okemo Valley TV Website. Unapproved minutes are at the Town Website.

Approved: The following items were approved by the SB.

• Use of the Village Green for CTES Graduation (6/16) and Birds and Blooms (6/21)

• 1st Class Liquor License for The Big Barn Farm (73 Depot Street)

• 1st Class Liquor License for Outer Limits Brewery (Proctorsville Village Green)

• Permission for the game warden to work with a trapper to remove a beaver on town property, which is in the old mill canal area in Proctorsville-runs behind houses on 131.

• Paving bid for Quent Phelan and Depot Street awarded to Fuller Paving for $226,302.00

Discussed

Brook Rd Road Water Issues: Joe Vullo has issues with road water run off on his property since Irene and wants it resolved. Vullo provided the SB with correspondence dating back to 2014. While he would like to give the board time to go over this material and discuss this at the June SB meeting, he is currently having issues with a lot of road debris. Rick Chambers, town manager, noted that the town doesn’t clear road debris from people’s properties.

Police Coverage: Ludlow Police Chief, Jeffrey Warfle, talked to the SB about what type of police coverage they were looking for. Several SB members said they would like five days a week and on call for off hours since they can’t rely on the state police to respond. There is a grant possibility (up to $125,000 towards a full time police officer) that is due in July, which could cover 75% of costs for the first three years. Chief Warfle will get back to the board with costs for on-call coverage only, full coverage and more information on the grant and who should apply. The board would like Chambers to obtain similar information from the Windsor Sheriff’s office, who currently provides four hours a week to the town. This will be on the June agenda.

Memorial Parade: The state will not give a permit to cross 103. The current option being considered is having the parade go to the Depot St. Bridge, and returning to the Village Green/War Memorial for the ceremony that is usually conducted in the cemetery.

Flushing: Hydrant flushing is underway. Letting taps run should clear brown/discolored water

Roads: Grading and adding more gravel is underway.

Gazebo Painted: Painting was needed for maintenance of the gazebo.Chambers has hired painters for $3,500

Culverts: Thanks to Culvert Crawlers- a program of Black River Action Team (BRAT) with assistance from Cavendish Connects and Dartmouth-along with property owners who are caring for culverts and ditches, made a difference in this past weekend’s rain storms in reducing flooding risks.

Emergency Application on Greven Field Grant: Application has been filed with VT Emergency Management to turn Greven Field into a flood plain with an acre of recreation space.

Planning Commission: Will have a June hearing on subdivision regs, which they have finalized. It will then go to the SB for final approval.

Water Meters: All of the water meters have arrived and are being installed. Chambers wants a letter to go to all property owners to let them know how sensitive these meters are and that a dripping faucet, or running toilet, will increase usage and therefore costs.

2. PROCTORSVILLE MARKET ON THE GREEN: The official start of summer is close at hand, and has many people thinking of lazy evenings enjoying a delicious meal on Murdock’s porch while listening to music or watching the changing light in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green). Starting June 6 there will be a new activity on the Green. Through mid Octorber, there will be a Farmers Market on Fridays from 4-7 pm.

Have a product you’d like to sell? While there is no vendor fee, registration and approval is required. Register at the Proctorsville Market website to secure a spot.

In addition to vendors, local organizations will be participating. The Cavendish Historical Society, as part of their celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence (2026) will be offering an opportunity to make various craft projects, free of charge, with a patriotic theme, e.g. pin wheels, garlands, bracelets and more. In September you can even try your hand at writing the Preamble to the Constitution with a quill pen.

Starting with the June 6th both the Cavendish Facebook page and the Update will provide information on vendors and activities you can expect as well as specials from Murdocks. Hope to see you there. FMI: info@superroasted.com 

3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Proctorsville welcomes Bambino University: Bambino University, an early childhood education center that first opened in April 2024, in Perkinsville, has moved its operations to Proctorsville and, as of April 21, welcomed students to a new, larger facility located near the Black River, at 2588 Route 103. VT Journal

• Join Cavendish Streetscapes to beautify the region Chester Telegraph

• Ludlow business owner begins 20-month term in federal prison: A prominent business owner in Ludlow reported to federal prison Friday to serve a 20-month sentence related to his role in a kickback scheme in New York. The surrender date for Troy Caruso  — originally scheduled for April 8 — has been extended twice due to requests for time to arrange accommodations for his businesses. Caruso, 57, was indicted and arrested in December 2023 for bribing a project manager working for a global, commercial real estate firm that occurred between February of 2021 to September of 2023. VT Digger

• VT Rite Aid Pharmacies: All of the Rite Aid stores in Vermont, including Springfield, Windsor and Rutland, are closing or will be sold. According to court documents, Rite Aid is actively trying to auction off rather than immediately shutter many of its locations, and it’s possible some or even all of the Vermont locations could remain open under the auspices of another pharmacy brand.  For now, Rite Aid has said, locations will stop taking on new retail inventory while transferring prescriptions to other nearby pharmacies when possible as the company attempts to sell off its assets.

• Trump administration yanks $5M funding for Vt. digital access program: The more than $5.3 million Digital Equity Capacity Grant helps Vermonters who are older, disabled, low-income, rural, veterans, minorities, or incarcerated to get online. Vermont Community Broadband Board says the grant was canceled last Friday and potentially impacts more than 95 percent of Vermonters. They say the letter they got from the feds says the program is unconstitutional because it has “racial preferences.” VCBB says they are working on what to do next. WCAX

• Walmart says it will hike some prices due to tariffs: On Thursday, Walmart CFO John David Rainey warned investors that even the retail giant known for its discounts will have to raise the prices of many items because of tariffs — despite a 90-day reprieve that lowered duties on Chinese imports to 30%. Goods from dozens of other countries face a 10% duty. CNBC

4. EVENTS

MAY 23 (FRIDAY): Cavendish Historical Society Plant Sale (CHS)-early bird special 5-7 pm in front of the Museum

MAY 24 (SATURDAY): CHS Plant Sale 9-noon.

MAY 30-31 (FRIDAY-SATURDAY): BRGNS Annual Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farms off 103 10-3 each day.

JUNE 1 (SUNDAY): The Cavendish Historical Society Museum opens 2-4 pm

JUNE 4 (WEDNESDAY): Living with Bears Talk at the Cavendish Library, 6 pm

JUNE 6 (FRIDAY): Proctorsville Market, village green 4-7 pm. Website

JUNE 21 (SATURDAY): Birds N Blooms, Proctorsville Green 10-2

JULY 26 (SATURDAY): CAVENDISH TOWN WIDE TAGE SALE 9-2 pm. Website

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 5/9/25: Local News/Events

CAVENDISH CONNECTS LINKS:  CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE  

cavendishconnects.bsky.social or www.cavendishconnects.com

A FLOOD WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR OUR AREA FROM 2 PM TODAY UNTIL SATURDAY AT 8 PM.  

Lots of activities on Saturday including the CCCA Audubon Bird Walk (items 1 below) at 8 am and the Cavendish Historical Society’s Paper Flower Workshop at 10 am at the Cavendish Library. Come make a beautiful bouquet for Mom and/or some patriotic flowers. Check the events section for more information.

5/9/25

1.    Help Aitana Shine at Nationals in June

2.    Upcoming Events from CCCA

3.    Cavendish Related News

4.    Events Calendar

1. HELP AITANA SHINE AT NATIONALS IN JUNE: Aitana Seville, a 7th grade student at GMUHS and a Cavendish resident (CTES 2024 alum), won 1st place in the Junior Division of the Vermont History Day as well as the Lost Mural and Little Jerusalem Prize for her paper "The Case of Mendez v. Westminster: How it Changed School Segregation and Civil Rights for Children of Mexican Descent." Aitana has qualified to go to Nationals in June!!! Aitana needs the community's help in order for her teacher, and one parent to attend Nationals with her. A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help with expenses like transportation, room, and board. Anything helps. If you would like to contribute and be a part of this educational adventure for Aitana, click here.

2. UPCOMING EVENTS FROM CCCA: The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association (CCCA) has the following upcoming events

• Audubon Bird Walk in Cavendish: On Saturday May 10 at 8 a.m. the Cavendish Branch of the Mount Ascutney Audubon Society will host its popular annual Bird Walk. Ken Cox will be our guide this year. He has a degree in fisheries biology and is a life long birder who has birded extensively over the years in the Northeast, Southeast and Southwest regions of the United States. He has also volunteered as a citizen scientist for the Vermont Center for Ecological Studies and the Audubon Society. The walk will start at 731 Stevens Road in Cavendish off Greenbush Road, through a wooded area and open fields. It is a moderate hike. Please be prepared with long pants, good walking shoes and whatever you deem necessary for warding off ticks. Bring your binoculars and your curiosity! You can register for the May 10 event at cavendishcommunityconservation@gmail.com. Once you register we will give you location and directions for the meet up point. 

• Glacial history walk at Cavendish Gorge: May 31 at 10 am Cheryl Cox, retired geologist and science educator will lead the walk and discussion. During this visit we will learn about the site’s formation and the glacial history of the area. Starting at the sand and gravel pits we will view the Gorge from below, then walk up to the dam at the top of the Gorge. Meet up is at 10 a.m. at the picnic area by the GMP Transfer station on Power Plant Road just off Route 131 in Cavendish. There is plenty of parking at the station as well as along the road. Be sure to wear shoes suitable for hiking on uneven terrain. In the event of rain, the walk will be postponed to the following Saturday, June 1 at the same time.

• Living with Bears: June 4 at 6 p.m. at the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library. Naturalist Tom Geider will present a program about bears in our environment and how to avoid conflicts. Bears are attracted to our properties by bird feeders, garbage cans and other attractants. We will learn more about how to manage these attractants to keep our bear population wild. Tom will also discuss human and wildlife conflicts in general and other services USDA Wildlife Services provides to the public. Tom Geider has been a Wildlife Specialist with USDA Wildlife Services since 2017. He currently works with the Vt. Fish and Wildlife Department focusing on mitigating human wildlife conflict, primarily for bear, but also for white tailed deer, turkeys and geese.

For more information for any of these programs contact Robin at cavendishcommunityconservation@gmail.com or call 802-417-5324.

3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Cavendish Historical Society’s Spring Newsletter: On April 17, 250 years ago, the first shots were fired that started the American Revolution. The spring issue of the Cavendish Historical Society’s newsletter contains a timeline on the events that led up to the Revolution and what was happening in Cavendish during that same time period.

• Cavendish Green Up Day: 68 people participated in Green Up Day, with many signing up in advance at the Town Office. Greening up continues until May 11, by stopping by the Town Office entry way-open 24/7 and picking up bags and a route. If you have any suggestions for next year’s Green Up Day please send them to us. You can contact Stephanie Knockenhaur, head of the Town’s Recreations department at 802- 384-0205, or Robin Timko of the CCCA at cavendishcommunityconservation@gmail.com.  

• Stormwater Master Planning : The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation: The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Clean Water Initiative Program has provided funding for the completion of a a Stormwater Master Plan (SWMP) for the Town of Cavendish, Vermont. Stormwater Master Planning is an assessment of a geographic area (sub watershed or town) to determine where stormwater pollution is generated and identify where it can be captured and removed efficiently by stormwater management practices that collect, store, infiltrate, and filter runoff that contains nutrient, sediment and/or other contaminant pollution from hard surfaces associated with developed areas. Click here to download “Stormwater Master Planning for the Town of Cavendish VT: Learn more about what is being done to improve water quality in Cavendish.

• Planning Commission Sub-Division Meeting: On April 23, the Cavendish Planning Commission held a Sub-Division Informational Meeting at the Proctorsville Fire Dept. Okemo Valley TV has posted the video of the meeting, which is less than an hour. Minutes from the meeting are available from the town’s website.

• Planning Commission’s May 7 Meeting: The Okemo Valley TV’s video of the May Cavendish Planning Commission meeting is now available on-line.

• Coming Soon from Cavendish Film Maker “Silent Cal:” Cavendish resident Claire McKey Berkman is hard at work shooting a new film about Calvin Coolidge. Learn more about this new venture by clicking here.

• BRGNS Rummage Sale: Black River Good Neighbors Service spring rummage sale is Friday May 30-Saturday May 31 from 10-3 at Fletcher Farms 611 Route 103. Great bargains await. FMI: 802-228-3663 or kkellingtonbrgns@gmail.com

• Green Mountain PreSchool Survey: Do you have a child who will be turning 3 or 4 years old by August 31, 2025? Are you interested in your child joining us for preschool for the 2025-2026 school year? Do you reside in the towns of Cavendish, Chester, Andover, or Baltimore? Do you have a child who will be turning 3 or 4 years old by August 31, 2025? Are you interested in your child joining us for preschool for the 2025-2026 school year? Please take the survey.

• Civilian Finger Printing: Are you in need of civilian fingerprinting to work or volunteer at your local school, daycare, after school or mentorship program? Chester Police Department performs employment required fingerprint services, by appointment. After you have received a Fingerprint Authorization Certificate from the requesting agency, please give us a call to schedule an appointment: (802)875-2035. Everything is digital - no inky fingers!

4. EVENTS

MAY 10 (SATURDAY): 10-noon. Paper flower workshop at the Cavendish Community Library in Proctorsville. This event is sponsored by the Cavendish Historical Society and is free and open to the public.

-       Quilt Mapping Recovery Ludlow Library 11-2. event information link

MAY 12 (MONDAY): Demystifying Healthcare in Our Region from 8:30-10 at the Ludlow Community Center, 37 Main St. Ludlow. Registration is requested but not required FMI: www.northstarfqhc.org/communityforum

MAY 30-31 (FRIDAY-SATURDAY): BRGNS Annual Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farms off 103 10-3 each day.

JUNE 4 (WEDNESDAY): Living with Bears Talk at the Cavendish Library, 6 pm

JULY 26 (SATURDAY): CAVENDISH TOWN WIDE TAGE SALE 9-2 pm. Website 

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