Cavendish Update 1/2/26: Traditions/News/Events

    LINKS TO CAVENDISH CONNECTS:  Facebook Blue Sky or Website

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Wondering what to do with your Christmas tree, strings of lights that no longer work, or have a present you know you’ll never use? Check out the Cavendish Green Holiday Guide for ways to recycle, repurpose and clean up after the holidays. And if you don’t have anyone to regift the present that’s not quite you, store it, as before you know it, we’ll be preparing for the 2026 (16th anniversary) of the Cavendish Town Wide Tag Sale on July 25th.

1/2/26

1.    Cavendish Christmas Tradition

2.    Cavendish Related News

3.    Events Calendar

1. CAVENDISH CHRISTMAS TRADITION: On Christmas Eve, Peggy Svec shared the following story about her husband, Rich, who was town manager of Cavendish for almost 30 years.

" Every Christmas Eve at around nine o’clock, he’d put on his Santa hat, grab his Czechoslovakian grandfather’s sleigh bells and climb into his pickup truck. Then for the next few hours, he’d drive through our two villages of Proctorsville and Cavendish and out along our winding, rural back roads. Throughout his travels, he’d ring those sleigh bells out the driver’s side window, no matter how cold it was, bellowing, “HO, HO, HO”, all along the way.

The endearing motivation for his Christmas Eve tradition was to give doubting youngsters one more year of believing and precious childhood, hopeful anticipation, as they nodded off to sleep. He also felt our “oldsters” might smile, remembering back to their youth when they believed and were filled with wide eyed wonder, innocent anticipation and childhood joy!

2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Respiratory Weekly Report: The health department’s Respiratory Illness Activity in Vermont reports Covid and flu concentrations in Ludlow waste water were rated “very low” for the week of 12/14-12/20, though higher numbers are expected in the next report due to the influx of tourists. The VT Department of Health has said Flu season is beginning to ramp up in Vermont as medical experts warn of what to expect in the new year following spikes in neighboring states, particularly in New York. This year’s flu strain is thought to be more virulent than previous years.

• Crime Watch: A car was broken into Christmas night in Cavendish village along Main St. The owner's Christmas presents were taken. Click here to learn ways to prevent car break ins.

• CHS Briefs: The Cavendish Historical Society January Briefs are now on-line and include a preliminary schedule of events for 2026.

• William Raveis Vermont Properties welcomes Brendan McNamara: Cavendish resident and former town manager of Cavendish and Ludlow, Brendan has become a realtor with Raveis. VT Journal

• Police release new details on Ludlow officer-involved shooting: Vermont troopers said a Ludlow police officer shot and injured a man at about 6:15 a.m. Thursday at the Fox Run Inn on Main Street, just outside of Ludlow’s downtown. WCAX

• Plans for Pot Belly Pub: The Pot Belly Pub in Ludlow was demolished on Tuesday, Dec. 16. The owners of the lot, Okemo5 LLC, have plans to construct a new 78-seat restaurant in this location, with two additional stories, which will contain one two-bedroom and one three-bedroom apartment on each floor.

• The Book Nook is Moving: The Book Nook in Ludlow is planning to move from Main St. to its new home 3 Lamare Square between January 19th and mid-February. They will be closed during this time.

• Cheaper meds and fewer ‘forever chemicals’: New Vermont laws take effect Jan. 1: This year’s list includes a ban on so-called “forever chemicals,” stricter campaign finance requirements, cheaper outpatient drugs and a higher minimum wage. VT Public

3.EVENTS

JANUARY 5 (MONDAY): Cavendish Select Board Budget meeting 6-8 pm at the Town Office

JANUARY 12 (MONDAY): Cavendish Select Board Monthly Meeting 6:30 pm at the Town Office.

JANUARY 19 (MONDAY): Martin Luther King’s Day, Legal Holiday

FEBRUARY 7 (SATURDAY): CHS workshop: Write an 18th Century Valentine. The workshop will include: writing with a “quill pen,” examples of letters written for Valentine’s Day, folding the letter and sealing it with wax. 1-2:30 at the Cavendish Library

FEBRUARY 14 (SATURDAY): Happy Valentine’s Day

FEBRUARY 15 (SUNDAY): Cavendish 3rd quarter taxes due. Note, you have until Monday Feb. 16 to make payments.

FEBRUARY 16 (MONDAY): President’s Day, Legal Holiday

FEBRUARY 28 (SATURDAY): CHS Workshop: In keeping with Black History Month, this workshop will include screening portions of Ken Burns’ American Revolution series on the role of black patriots,  the Ethiopian Army, and two Cavendish patriots-Peter Tumbo and Prince Robinson-who had been enslaved and made their way to Cavendish after the war. 1-2:30 pm at the Cavendish Library

MARCH 14 (SATURDAY): CHS Workshop- Celebrating Women’s History month, this workshop will discuss the role of women in the American Revolution and will include screening segments of the American Revolution series. This workshop will include a “taste of history,” where “Liberty Tea” will be served.

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Cavendish Update 12/19/25: SB Mtg/Wastewater/News

    LINKS TO CAVENDISH CONNECTS:  Facebook Blue Sky or Website

Saturday Dec. 20: Stuff a Fire Truck Food Drive takes place from 9-5 at Singleton’s in Proctorsville and Shaws Parking Lot in Ludlow to benefit the BRGNS Food Shelf. Thank you Proctorsville and Ludlow Fire Departments.

Just in time for the holidays, That’s Chocolate, made by Cavendish chocolatier Maren Muter, is now available at SuperRoasted, 73 Depot St. They are open Thursday-Sunday from 7 to 10ish. Heavy emphasis on the “ish.”

Christmas Trees and Greens sale continues at  Cavendish Fire Dept this weekend

Wood Fire Moisture Meters are available from the Ludlow Library

NORAD SANTA TRACKER: Begins on Dec. 24

12/19/25

1.    Cavendish Select Board Meeting

2.    Wastewater Testing

3.    Cavendish Related News

4.    Events Calendar

1. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 12/8/25: A video of December’s Select Board (SB) meeting is available at the Okemo Valley TV website and the unapproved minutes are at the town website.

Prior to the SB meeting, a public hearing was held on proposed subdivision regulations. Note that adoption of the regulations will most likely be on the ballot for March town meeting. Minutes from this meeting are available at the town website and a video of the meeting is available at the Okemo Valley Website. The Chester Telegraph has an article on the hearing as well.

Approved

• Liquor licenses for TreBar LLC, 73 Depot St. and special permit for Watson Wheeler Cider for an event at Singleton’s on Dec. 13

• Debra Norton to serve on the Proctorsville Fire Dept. Prudential Board

• Budget meetings on Mondays Dec. 22 (6 pm) and Jan.6 (6 pm) and at the regular January meeting-the 12th-at 6:30.

Discussed

• Act 181-Future Land Use (FLU) Maps:  Rick Chambers, town manager, explained that this Act was done in response to increase Vermont housing by easing Act 250 restrictions. Since Cavendish has no zoning, developers are subject to Act 250. Little has changed from the last time the FLU maps were updated for Cavendish (2022) except for the description of land use classes. Jason Rasmussen, from Mt. Ascutney Regional Commission (MARC), which is responsible for developing the FLU maps, said that Village Center Designations will not need to be renewed and he plans to have the map finalized by February for preliminary review by the State Land Use Board. Rasmussen suggested that the town may want to have a public meeting on the map. While the town website has a copy of the Proposed FLU it’s not easy to read and it’s recommended that people stop by the town office and look at the enlarged map.

Old Town Garage: As a result of the oil spill in 2023, testing continues, most recently last spring, to determine contaminate levels in the soil. Because of dry conditions, testing wasn’t done this fall but will be this coming spring.

Parking Ordinance: Chambers continued the discussion of Parking Ordinances, which only pertain to town roads and does not impact Route 131. The sheriff will not ticket cars unless there are no parking signs posted. The current winter parking ordinance can be amended to post no parking signs. Abandoned vehicles have their own set of rules, permitting them to be towed.

Town Clerk and Treasurer Positions: Diane McNamara has decided not to run for her current position as Town Clerk/Treasurer. Anyone interested in these positions needs to file a petition, with at least 10 signatures, by January 26, 2026. While McNamara currently holds both positions, it can be two separate people, and the current town auditor, Andy Amstutz, noted that the town treasurer position is a technical one. In the event no one opts to run for these positions, the SB can appoint someone. Chambers said those interested in the role of town clerk and treasurer should check the Vermont League of Cities and Towns website. Click here for Town Clerk and here for Treasurer

Manager’s Report: The first flashing radar speed sign was put up on Depot St. in Proctorsville and should blink when speeds exceed 36 MPH. The town has four more to put on Route 131, which will take place in the spring. Chambers has asked the state to fix the blinking school speed limit sign.

2. WASTEWATER TESTING: A lot of comments were made to the Cavendish VT Facebook posting of very high levels of COVID in Ludlow’s wastewater a week ago. There seems to be a lot of misinformation out there about why this is being done, what it means if levels are high and is this something new.

What is wastewater Surveillance: According to Vermont Rural Water Association Wastewater surveillance can identify the presence and estimate the amount of a pathogen in a population (sewershed) without relying on clinical data, such as from hospitals and laboratories. It compliments other types of public health data, often providing signals sooner than other surveillance systems. Data from a wastewater treatment facility represent people who live, work, play, or travel within a sewershed

Vermonters can now check levels and trends of common respiratory viruses detected in wastewater on a new dashboard. The viruses currently include Influenza A, the most common flu virus, and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.  Wastewater treatment facilities currently participating in the surveillance program are: Burlington– Main, Essex Junction, Middlebury, Montpelier, Ludlow, and South Burlington–Airport Parkway.  SARS-CoV-2 data will be added soon for Brattleboro, Milton, St. Albans, St. Johnsbury, and Springfield.

The dashboard shows virus levels (very low, low, moderate, high, very high) for a sewershed of interest or all sites combined. Trends over the last 28 days (decrease, stable, increase) are available for each sewershed. A graph shows levels over time while a map displays the sewershed selected.

The dashboard is intended for a general audience, with additional statistics and explanations available for those interested in understanding how the data are calculated.

The dashboard can be found on the Vermont Department of Health Respiratory Illness Activity website. Scroll down to “Wastewater Monitoring.”

How long has wastewater testing been around? In the 1940s, wastewater was tested to track for various diseases, particularly polio, in an effort to contain disease outbreaks in the US. Testing has significantly advanced since then and it can detect Covid virus before people have symptoms. Because nasal swab testing was limited during the early stages of the global spread of Covid, wastewater testing was suggested as a way to bypass some of the bottlenecks in the testing infrastructure and identify areas where outbreaks were just starting. It's basically an early warning device to help communities be aware when an infectious disease is present and to take measures to reduce its spread.

What does a very high level mean? A high level reading indicates that the virus is circulating within the community indicating the potential for increased risk of infection.

3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Respiratory Weekly Report: The health department’s Respiratory Illness Activity in Vermont reports Covid concentrations in Ludlow waste water have dropped from very high to low for the week of 12/7-12/12. As of Dec. 6, flu levels remain minimal in Vermont. If you are in need of masks or hand sanitizer these are available for free at the Cavendish Cares Closet next to the steps of the Cavendish Historical Society Museum.

• Cavendish Library Hours for the holidays: The library will be open as follows: Tuesday Dec. 23 9-6; Christmas Eve (Wednesday) 9-12; Tuesday 12/30 9-6; New Year’s Eve 9-2.

• Free online access to digitized copies of State of Vermont Public Records and Newspapers:Courtesy of the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration (VSARA) and our partners, Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com, Vermont residents have free online access to digitized copies of State of Vermont public records and newspapers of record in the state archives.

4. EVENTS

DECEMBER 20 (SATURDAY): Stuff a Fire Truck to benefit BRGNS food shelf Singleton’s in Proctorsville and Shaw’s Ludlow 9-5

DECEMBER 24 (WEDNESDAY): Christmas Eve NORAD Santa Tracker

DECEMBER 25 (THURSDAY): MERRY CHRISTMAS

DECEMBER 31 (WEDNESDAY): New Year’s Eve

JANUARY 1 (THURSDAY): HAPPY NEW YEAR

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Cavendish Update 12/12/25: News/Events

    LINKS TO CAVENDISH CONNECTS:  Facebook Blue Sky or Website

Saturday Dec. 13: Free Community Art Workshop at Fletcher Farm @ 9:30 am.

-       Holiday Artisan Show from 10-5 at the Ludlow Community Center. Cavendish’s Mason House Pottery will be there.  

Christmas Trees and Greens sale continues at  Cavendish Fire Dept this weekend

12/5/25

1.    Cavendish Related News

2.    Events Calendar

1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Respiratory Weekly Report: The health department’s Respiratory Illness Activity in Vermont reports Covid concentrations in Ludlow waste water have risen from moderate to very high as of 11/30-12/6. As of Nov. 29, flu levels remain minimal in Vermont. If you are in need of masks or hand sanitizer these are available for free at the Cavendish Cares Closet next to the steps of the Cavendish Historical Society Museum. Learn more about the importance of wastewater testing to public health by clicking here.

• Cavendish Planning Commission 12/3 meeting: Minutes are available from the Town’s Website and a recording of the meeting can be watched at the Okemo Valley TV website. The meeting focused on the proposed Sub Division Regs as well as the proposed Cavendish Land Use Map.

• Free Community Art Workshop: Enjoy fun-filled morning with friends, and family as you paint a mini masterpiece. This is the third in Create Together at Fletcher Farm’s monthly series of collaborative community events sponsored by the Arts and Social Cohesion Program, Vermont Community Foundation. The event is Dec. 13, 9:30 am at Fletcher Farm, 611 Rt. 103, This is open to all ages and abilities. RSVP to this event or register at createtogethervt.org/events to secure your seat!

• Thousands of Vermonters face skyrocketing premiums as Senate rejects health care subsidy extensions: Nearly 30,000 Vermonters who buy insurance through the open marketplace benefit from federal subsidies.  Without an extension, costs could double or even triple for some families. That method of buying insurance came online through the Affordable Care Act. The subsidies that came with it will now almost definitely expire at the end of the year. Democrats wanted to extend them. WCAX

• Chester Festival, long held on the Green, to move to Legion field: Due to increased attendance, security and safety the Fall Chester Festival on the Green will relocated to the American Legion Field off of Route 103 South. Chester Telegraph

2. EVENTS

DECEMBER 13 (SATURDAY): Free Community Art Workshop at Create Together at Fletcher Farm 9:30.

-       Holiday Market at Ludlow Community Center 10-5

DECEMBER 20 (SATURDAY): Stuff a Fire Truck to benefit BRGNS food shelf Singleton’s in Proctorsville and Shaw’s Ludlow 9-5

DECEMBER 24 (WEDNESDAY): Christmas Eve

DECEMBER 25 (THURSDAY): MERRY CHRISTMAS

DECEMBER 31 (WEDNESDAY): New Year’s Eve

JANUARY 1 (THURSDAY): HAPPY NEW YEAR

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Cavendish Update 12/5/25: Land use map/Shelter/News/Events

    LINKS TO CAVENDISH CONNECTS:  Facebook Blue Sky or Website

Jingle Jog 5 K Walk/Run: Enjoy a 5K walk or run to benefit Tedy’s team and Dana Farber Cancer Institute at the Ludlow Community Center. The event starts at 9 am with a Kids fun run (10 and under) at 9:15. Santa will be at the event and available for pictures after he is done cheering on all of the runners! This is meant for fun and friendly competition so dust off the sneakers and start the holiday season off healthy while making a difference! Adults $20, Children (12 and under) $10. Thank you Lisa Marks of Proctorsville for helping to organize this event. Hope to see you there.

The  Okemo Valley’s Annual INNdulgence Tour is Dec. 6 and 7 (Saturday and Sunday) and benefits the VT Food Shelf. For tickets and other information, check their website

Singleton’s Little Free Pantry: Outside Singleton’s is now a free panty-Leave what you can, take what you need.

The Cavendish Shelter Program needs your support! Please read item 1 and give what you can. We are an incredibly lucky town to have a shelter that can serve multiple functions and because of its location, it draws on resources from around the country during a town wide disaster.

12/5/25

1.    Support the Cavendish Shelter

2.    Proposed Cavendish Future Land Use Map

3.    Cavendish Related News

4.    Events Calendar

1.SUPPORT THE CAVENDISH SHELTER: On Giving Tuesday, the Cavendish Baptist Church (CBC) posted on their Facebook page a request for help and support. Many of our community, and in the Black River Valley, relied on the Town Shelter, which is housed at the CBC, during the 2023 floods. Between the thousands of meals prepared and delivered, a  free well stocked store available 24/7 for two weeks, housing, work crews, and an information hub, the town was incredibly supported by the shelter team.  Once the shelter was closed, this space then housed Mennonite work crews, for over two months, who came from around the country to help rebuild the homes and property of impacted families in Cavendish, Ludlow and surrounding towns.

Whatever the emergency, Cavendish has used this shelter many times since it was first established in 2012. And yes, during times of emergency, our community has given generously. All money given during a disaster, or for people with needs, goes through our Deacons Fund to help people affected. None of it goes to overhead expenses unless very specifically directed. We don’t put money aside for a “rainy day fund” when there are people, literally or figuratively, getting rained on. While money was coming in during the 2023 floods, it was going out just as fast to help Cavendish families get back on their feet.

Prior to COVID, there were five active churches in Cavendish, today there are only two (St. James and CBC). The forces that closed 4 of the 6 Churches in Cavendish are pressing on us too. In 2025, to meet the budget of $70,000, we had to take $32,000 more than expected out of the $250,000 of total monetary endowment we currently have. Our current level of support cannot continue to fund our current level of operations.

The request is simple, if we want to make sure the lights are on the next time the town has an emergency  (this winter we could see extended power outages) and people need to be fed/sheltered/clothed etc. we need to help support CBC now.

Help Keep the Lights On by donating via Pay Pal, where you can select your donation to go to either the Emergency Shelter Fund or Building Operations. If you prefer to pay by check, send it to the Cavendish Baptist Church, PO Box 425 Cavendish VT 05142. Checks should be payable to Cavendish Baptist Church, with Emergency Shelter/Building noted on the check.

2. CAVENDISH FUTURE LAND USE MAP: There have been concerns raised about the proposed Cavendish Future Land Use Map, being developed by Mt Ascutney Regional Commission (MARC). This will be on the agenda at Monday night's select board meeting. Be aware of the following:

• Act 181 of (2024) made changes to various laws related to land use, commercial development, and housing development such as: Encouraged smart-growth housing and shifted towards a location-based Act 250 jurisdiction model by adding temporary Interim Housing Exemptions through 2027. The Regional Planning Commissions have been tasked to create Future Land Use Maps (FLU maps) based on new standards through a public process with a focus on equity, climate resilience, mitigation and adaptation. The FLU maps must utilize consistent land use categories across the state. Four of the categories – Downtowns, Village Centers, Planned Growth Areas, and Village Areas – coordinate with the state designation and Act 250 jurisdictional areas.  

• The FLU does not impact current property owners but will impact developers.

• The Cavendish FLU being proposed-best to look at it at the town office as its readability varies by device used-is an update from MARC's 2022 map. Not a lot has changed, with the primary difference being in categories.

• MARC is soliciting input from the town and hopes to solidify it by Sept. 2026. Note that this is MARC's project so they have the final vote on it but there are plenty of ways to voice your opinion about the map.

To learn more about the FLU, check out MARC's webpage on this topic.

3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Respiratory Weekly Report: The health department’s Respiratory Illness Activity in Vermont reports Covid concentrations in Ludlow waste water have risen from very low to moderate as of Nov.29. As of Nov. 22, flu levels remain minimal in Vermont. If you are in need of masks or hand sanitizer these are available for free at the Cavendish Cares Closet next to the steps of the Cavendish Historical Society Museum.

• Upgrades at Singleton’s: Singleton’s in Proctorsville, closes at 2 pm on December 9 (Tuesday) and will remain closed on Dec. 10 (Wednesday) for kitchen floor replacement.

• Video featuring Proctor Piper Trail: It was a very wet and rainy morning when a Boston TV film crew came to Proctorsville to film a piece on the Proctor Piper Forest trail. Interviews were conducted with members of the Cavendish Association of Trails as well as the Cavendish Historical Society. Watch the video by clicking here.  

• CHS December Briefs: The December news briefs from the Cavendish Historical Society are now on-line.

• Green Mountain Preschool Has Openings: There is space for two more 3 or 4 year olds for the remainder of the 2025/2026 school year.  The preschool is located at CTES in Proctorsville. FMI: 802 (875-7758) or e-mail Hannah.nadeau@trsu.org

• Vt. property taxes set for another double-digit increase: Vermont’s Tax Department forecasts an average 12% property tax increase based on projections from two-thirds of preliminary school budgets. Per-pupil spending is up nearly $1,000 over last year, about a 7% jump. If the increase takes effect, Vermonters’ property taxes for education will have gone up nearly 41% over the past five years. The increases come as Vermont schools report declining enrollment and test scores.

• How the Dollar Store Industry Overcharges Cash strapped customers while promising low prices:The Guardian

4. EVENTS

DECEMBER 6-7 (SATURDAY-SUNDAY): The INNdulgence Tour

DECEMBER 8 (MONDAY): 2ND Public Hearing on Proposed Cavendish Sub Division Bylaws. 6 pm at the Cavendish Town Office.

-       Cavendish Select Board Meeting 6:30 pm at the Town Office. The agenda will be posted to the Cavendish VT Facebook page when it becomes available.

DECEMBER 20 (SATURDAY): Stuff a Fire Truck to benefit BRGNS food shelf Singleton’s in Proctorsville and Shaw’s Ludlow 9-5

DECEMBER 24 (WEDNESDAY): Christmas Eve

DECEMBER 25 (THURSDAY): MERRY CHRISTMAS

DECEMBER 31 (WEDNESDAY): New Year’s Eve

JANUARY 1 (THURSDAY): HAPPY NEW YEAR

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