Twenty Mile Stream Closed Friday Morning 8/7/15

Due to a collapsed culvert, Twenty Mile Stream Rd will be closed on Friday morning, Aug 7,  from 7-10 am between Heald and Quarry Roads. 

Cavendish Nature Preserve

Pieter van Schaik conducting hike on land that he is leaving in trust for future generations. 

On August 1, Pieter van Schaik led a group of nine people on a hike in Cavendish to view a blue heron rookery, unusual plants, stands of trees that have been untouched for over 150 years, and a ten acre beaver pond.

Starting in the 1980s, Pieter began obtaining land with the idea of sub dividing it into smaller lots, which could be sold off. Some of the parcels he acquired were part of the Kingsbury Farm and the Guica property. As time went by, Pieter fell in love the beauty and wildlife of what is today about 230 acres.

The land is being turned over to the State of Vermont and will ultimately be managed by VT Fish & Wildlife. In the interim, Pieter is conducting various research projects on plant species, such as Lady Slippers, and trying to create trails and an access point for canoes and kayaks so it is possible to explore the beaver pond and wetlands.

Lots of pictures were taken during the hike and are being posted to the Cavendish VT Facebook page.

If you are interested in learning more about this land and how you can be involved in its preservation, please contact Pieter at 802-226-7374 or 226-7303.

Photograph by Liz Bammarito

Beaver Pond, Liz Bammarito Photographer

Tree canopy by Bob Naess

Cherry Tree with evidence of "beaver snacking" by Bob Naess

Indian Pipe or corpse plant by Bob Naess

Heron nests-five were found on the hike by Bob Naess

Beaver Pond by Bob Naess

Getting Your VT Drivers License Renewed

Recently, various people in town have been caught up in the VT Driver’s License Renewal debacle. Basically, if you haven’t renewed your driver’s license since Jan. 2014, be prepared as it’s a lot more complicated for “security.”

To save squinting your eyes -Know that you have a 14 day grace period from your birthday. It’s in very fine print on your license.

You can renew, update or request a duplicate license by mail, however it will result in the issuance of a “Non-Real ID” compliant card-or “Privilege Card” rather than “License.” That means for things like boarding a plane, you can’t use your driver’s license and will have to have another form of accepted ID, such as a passport. Sooooo....

If you want a License, you’re going to need to show up at the DMV (Springfield and Rutland are closest) and have with you, in addition to the renewal application form, the following three items-and they will not take any substitutions-a good book is also helpful, or you can keep your Facebook friends entertained as they provide Wi-Fi

1. Original or certified copy of your Birth certificate or current passport

2. Social Security Card; or W-2 form or Social Security Administration 1099 form; or Non-Social Security Administration 1099 form; or pay stub with you name and Social Security number on it. Photocopies or faxes are not acceptable.

If you need a Social Security card, you need to go in person to the Social Security office-closest are Rutland or Keene, NH. There is no cost for the new card, but you will need to bring a copy or your birth certificate or current passport. This will be mailed to you and takes about 5 business days.

3. Proof of VT residency-Two pieces of mail with current name and street address.  If you use a PO Box, provide any two of the following:

• utility bill-must list service address;

• property tax bill with physical location;

• lease or landlord statements;

• Vermont EBT card or VT AIM identification card; Homeowners/renters insurance (policy/proof of claim).

If you reside with others and get no mail at your street address, you’ll need to complete the Vermont Residency Certification and submit with your application. 

It’s an all or nothing situation-if you have all three, you get your license. If an item is missing, you’ll receive a “Privilege card.” The good news is that if you do then find your birth certificate, or whatever item you’re missing, they will issue a license free of charge provided nothing else has changed.

When you receive your renewal notice-should arrive 30 days before your birthday-read the enclosed information carefully. Don’t bother calling the number provided. Along with brewing the first pot of coffee for the day, they must automatically take the phone off the hook as all you get is a busy signal no matter how many times you call. It’s really easier to just go to the DMV.

Cavendish Update 7/31/15 News/Events/Memoirs

We’ve been hearing how well the Town Wide Tag Sale was for many vendors. If you haven’t done so already, please show your support for Cavendish Connects and their sponsorship of this event by sending a donation today. SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS 
 
7/31/15 Cavendish Update Contains the Following:
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Tiemann Cavendish Memoirs: Chapter 21/Halloween
3. Harvest Time and Community Luncheon
4. Blue Heron Rookery Tour-Aug. 1
5. Events 
 
1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
Retired CTES School Teacher Honored by the Ludlow Rotary: Congratulations to Peggy Svec who received an award on Tuesday from the Ludlow Rotary recognizing her for her many contributions and years of service to the school children of Cavendish VT.
 
New 2nd Grade Teacher at CTES: Lindsay Turgeon is the new Grade 2 teacher at Cavendish Town Elementary School. Familiar to some Cavendish families from spending three summers working at Stepping Stones Preschool, she recently revised her Master or Education degree at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, in Elementary Education. In addition to her preschool experience, she spent 10 months student teaching and worked as paraprofessional in elementary classrooms in Western Massachusetts.
 
Cavendish Man Arrested for Cultivation of Marijuana: On 07/28/15, at approximately 0851 hours, Vermont State Police responded to a residence on Main Street in Cavendish after receiving a 911 hang up call. It was determined that Davis Albershardt committed the offense of domestic assault and was arrested for this. While investigating the incident, Troopers discovered several marijuana plants growing on the property. Albershardt was transported to the Rockingham State Police barracks for processing. He was issued a citation for Domestic Assault and Cultivation of Marijuana. Vermont State Police Press Release
 
Vermont Continues Its Slow Recovery from the Great Recession: Economists for the legislative and executive branches issued their biannual report on the state economy Monday. They say that Vermont is on pace to continue its slow recovery from the Great Recession. Lawmakers earlier this year approved a fiscal year 2016 general fund budget that assumes about 3 percent growth in state revenues. Economists say the state looks to be on track to meet those projections.  Vermont continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, though growth in personal income withholding taxes continues to stagnate. VPR 
 
CIEE Looking for VT Host Families: CIEE, the non-profit agency that coordinates foreign exchange students have a couple students coming to Vermont for the 2015-2016 high school year and need assistance in finding them good homes and families. The students include a 16 year boy from Spain, a 15 year old boy from South Korea and a 17 year old girl from Slovakia. If you are interested in being a host family, contact Virginia Doss VDoss@ciee.org
 
2. TIEMANN CAVENDISH MEMOIRS: CHAPTER 21/HALLOWEEN
In Chapter 21, fall has arrived along with the annual Halloween celebration at the Center Rd School. This week’s bonus feature includes another memory of Halloween at the school but at least a decade later. For the prelude and links to all of the chapters go to Coming to Vermont (Cavendish): Memoirs of Philip Tiemann.
 
3. HARVEST TIME AND COMMUNITY LUNCHEON 
Tuesday, Aug. 4, is the monthly community luncheon at Gethsemane Church’s Parish Hall, off Dept Street in Proctorsville. Meeting at noon, this luncheon will be Harvest time.  We are gathering in veggies from all our friends and plan to make stuffed peppers, stuffed eggplant and stuffed tomatoes, bean salads, bread from Crows Bakery and watermelon.  Please join us celebrating the bounty of summer. Suggested donation is $3.
 
4. BLUE HERON ROOKERY TOUR-AUG 1 
Pieter van Schaik is hosting a tour of a 4 nest heron rookery on Aug. 1, 9 am (rain or shine). Meet at his office, 2055 Main Street. It’s about a 10 minute walk from the parking area over gentle terrain to get to the rookery. There is also a patch of Rattlesnake Plantain orchids in bloom and a clump of Spotted Wintergreen, which are local but not that common.
 
5. Events
Upcoming Events This week
August 1 (Saturday): Blue Heron Rookery Tour, 9 am
August 4 (Tuesday): Community Luncheon at Gethsemane Church, noon
August 5 (Wednesday): Proctorsville Concert on the Green featuring Sarah Clanton, 6 pm
 
For more information on these and other events, go to the Cavendish Connects August Calendar. For regional events, check out the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce Calendar.