Recycle Your Cavendish Christmas Tree

Trying to figure out what to do with your real Christmas tree now that the season is over? 

Real trees are biodegradable, which means that can be easily reused or recycled for mulch and other purposes. Never burn your Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove. Pines, firs and other evergreens have a high content of flammable turpentine oils.  Burning the tree may contribute to creosote buildup and risk a chimney fire.

According to Mary O’Brien of the Southern Windsor/Windham Solid Waste Management Christmas trees make excellent habitat for birds and other wildlife if left outside after the holidays. If you have land enough, leave your tree out to decay naturally over time. If you know anyone with goats, talk to them--goats love to eat Christmas trees!

 So after you've e moved the tinsel, lights and decorations consider the following:

• Take it to the Cavendish Transfer Station during normal business hours.

 • Cut it up for mulch in your garden or a neighbors. Needles dry quickly and decompose slowly, making them an excellent moisture- and mold-free mulch for ground-covering crops, such as strawberries, to rest on.

 • Save the a large base to support a large planter. Cut thin slabs off the trunk, sand them smooth, and apply a thin coat of polyurethane to keep the sap off tables and glassware.

 • Set it up for the birds. Spread small branches with margarine or peanut butter and dip in birdseed.

 • Even if you live on a small property, you can place your old Christmas tree at the edge of your yard. This makes a small wintertime wildlife habitat for rabbits, birds, and squirrels. Some may even build their nests in the pine boughs!

 • Cut up and save for an outdoor fire pit. Never use for indoor fires.

 • Make a sachet with the tree’s needles and store in various rooms in your house that could use a Christmas pick me up.

 • Large branches have a natural curve. Because of this, they can be stacked to save perennial flowers including, but not limited to, rose roots and berries. This will help protect these tender plants during this winter's icy storms! Can also use them for indoor plants.

 • Cut off boughs and lay them over perennial beds to protect them from snow and reduce frost heaving.

Cavendish Update 1/2/15 News/Events

                             Happy New Year from Cavendish Connects.

Ring in the New Year by pledging to support Cavendish Connects for 2015. 

 THE 1/2/15 EDITION OF THE CAVENDISH UPDATE

1. Cavendish Related News

2. Volunteers Needed for CTES Snow sports Program

3. Yankee Thrift-Avoid “Winter Skin”

2. Events

1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Christmas Shoebox Recipients: Many people in town participated in the Cavendish Baptist Church’s Christmas shoeboxes. It was recently learned that the shoeboxes went to the Ukraine  and to Columbia.  Thanks to all those who were able to help out this year.

• From the Vermont Journal

-       Greven Field’s New Ice Rink 

-       Black River Good Neighbors Fundraising Project 

 • VT Yankee Ends Operations: The nuclear plant stopped sending power to the New England electric grid at just after noon Monday, Dec. 29, after 42 years of producing electricity from Vernon. Bill Mohl, the president of Entergy Wholesale Commodities, said economic factors, especially related to the natural gas market in the Northeast, were the primary reason for the shutdown. VPR 

 • New Laws in Vermont Go into Effect: With the arrival of the new year, changes take place in various Vermont laws including a change in the minimum wage; liquid nicotine containers must be sold in child-resistant packaging; rifle season will now be required to run for at least 16 consecutive days; insurers cannot pay optometrists and ophthalmologists differently for the same service; and homeowners will pay second home property tax rates if they don't spend 183 days in-state. WCAX 

 • Okemo Debuts Junior Snowmobiling Track: The track is a specially designed course located at the base of Jackson Gore on Paleo Field. The terrain is mostly flat and kids can drive the mini version of a regular snowmobile with the gas on the right and brake on the left for 15 minutes, led by an adult riding a full-sized sled. Riders must be between the ages of 5 and 12, no taller than 5 feet 4 inches and weigh no more than 120 pounds. Helmets are required and provided for riders.  Each tour is $29 and reservations are recommended. FMI: 228-1600 or  on-line .

 2. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR CTES SNOW SPORTS PROGRAM: Snow sports On-Mountain Volunteers Needed: CTES's Okemo Ski and Snowboard program begins on Tuesday, January 6. We are in search of 4 more instructors on the mountain to make the program happen. If you know anyone who would be available from Noon-3:45 on Tuesdays to volunteer as an on-mountain instructor, please contact Jarrod Harper at jharper@velco.com or call him at 802-228-7925. Each time you volunteer, you earn a full day Sunday lift ticket.

 3. YANKEE THRIFT-AVOID “WINTER SKIN” : It’s now officially winter and with it comes dry cracked skin, lips etc. If you live in Vermont, you know about Bag Balm and the wonders it can do for your skin. However, there is a lot you can do to avoid “winter skin” then lathering on a thick coat of BB before going to bed. Learn more ways to protect against “Winter Skin” at The Dish. 

4. EVENTS: The Brendan Taaffee Concert is on January 4 (Sunday), while January 7 (Wednesday) is the return of the Cavendish Community Luncheon at noon, Gethsemane Church. For more information on these and other upcoming events, go to

• Cavendish Connects Calendar 

•  Okemo Valley Calendar 

Yankee Thrift-Avoid “Winter Skin”

It’s now officially winter, and with it comes dry cracked skin, lips etc. If you live in Vermont, you know about Bag Balm and the wonders it can do for your skin. However, there is a lot you can do to avoid “winter skin” then lathering on a thick coat of BB before going to bed.

• Limit baths and showers to 5 to 10 minutes and use warm rather than hot water. Go easy on the cleanser-a gentle body wash is better than bar soap.  Blot skin gently dry-no hard rubbing. Since ointments, creams and lotions work by trapping existing moisture in your skin, applying just after the bath, showering or hand washing is important. Whether you use lanolin (low risk) or some other cream or ointment, check out product safety and toxicity at the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep website

• Limit your affair with the wood stove: We all love to do it-stand with our back to the woodstove or fireplace. It feels soooo good, particularly if you just come in from the cold. However, doing it too long can add to dry skin problems. Truth is most of us will most likely avoid this recommendation of the American Academy of Dermatology. After all, we live where many night’s temps are below zero and they don’t.

• Hydrate you and your house: As one of our local runners noted, Water, water, and more water. I've tried a million things because of winter running and dry skin but drinking tons of water has always been the best fix. Humidifier for the house also helps

• Wear gloves outside and when washing or cleaning.

• Have the layer next to your skin be cotton or silk.

• Use hypoallergenic laundry detergent

• Replenish Your Skin from the Cupboard: It’s better to use a cream or ointment than a lotion, but dabbing on olive, grape seed or safflower oil works very well at keeping your skin smooth and flake free, and it’s considerably cheaper than the lotions and creams that most stores sell. Be sure to use food grade oils, and if you are in need of a scrub, just combine the oil with sugar. These oils also work well on your lips. Note-canola, corn and other vegetable oils should not be used as many are genetically modified. 

For more Yankee Thrift tips check out the Cavendish Connects Pinterest Board. 

Volunteers Needed For Snow Program at CTES

Are you in the area of Ludlow, VT?????? Snowsports On-Mountain Volunteers Needed: CTES's Okemo Ski and Snowboard program begins on Tuesday, January 6. We are in search of 4 more instructors on the mountain to make the program happen. If you know anyone who would be available from Noon-3:45 on Tuesdays to volunteer as an on-mountain instructor, please contact Jarrod Harper at jharper@velco.com or call him at 802-228-7925. Each time you volunteer, you earn a full day Sunday lift ticket.