Do you like to sing? Cavendish Community Christmas Choir

Gethsemane Episcopal Church loves music and singing, as can be seen through out the winter as they host the Raise the Roof Concert series. Not having enough folks to form a choir on their own, they are extending an invitation to join them in forming a community Christmas choir that will sing a few special carols as a part of their Christmas Eve service-Dec. 24 (Thursday), 4 pm at the Church.

Jacob McLaughlin will be the organist and choir director for this service.  A rehearsal is scheduled for the Sunday before Christmas (December 20) at 12:30pm for those who are interested in joining this community Christmas choir.  This will be the only rehearsal and will last about 90 minutes.  The music will be familiar to many and fairly simple to learn.  

The Christmas Eve service will include a number of readings from scripture, mostly sections of the story of the birth of Jesus interspersed with related carols.  Some will be sung by the whole congregation and a few will be sung by the community choir.  Some of the service will be in candlelight, and will conclude with our traditional communion service (at which ALL are welcome).  There is no long sermon—and the service will last about an hour.

Todd McKee, the priest of Gethsemane, also notes, If there is a group of people who enjoy singing, the folks at Gethsemane are interested in organizing an ongoing community choir that could rehearse regularly in our space (we could pay a director with some grant money at first) and then the choir could share its music in various ways with the community and join us once in a while to provide some music in our church services.  If this appeals to you at all or if you have ideas related to this, please let me know.

 For more information, call Todd Mckee, 603-667-5458 or e-mail gethsemanechurchvt@gmail.com

Cavendish Update 12/4/15 News/Events/Donations

The Abundance Swap-Saturday, Dec. 5 at CTES in Proctorsville. Drop off starting at 9:30 (enjoy cookies and coffee while you wait) with the swap taking place from 10:00-11:30.

T’was the night before Christmas and all through the town
Not a creature was stirring, not even a hound;
The snow sparkled in the cold frosty air,
While chimney smoke floated from here to there;
The villagers were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of high speed Internet danced in their heads;
 
You’ll have to check out next week’s Update to see how this poem turns out. In the mean time, Cavendish Connects is doing it’s winter fundraising so that we can continue to provide the Update, Facebook, run surveys, and work with the state and the Telecommunications Committee in order to make “visions of high speed Internet” a reality. You can support Cavendish Connects by:
 
• Making a donation at the Abundance Swap on December 5 (9:30-11:30 at the school) 
• Mailing a check to Cavendish Connects, PO Box 3, Cavendish VT 05142 or clicking the Support Button and donating on-line. 
• Make a donation for an issue of the Cavendish Update in someone’s name
• Organize a fundraiser
 
12/4/15 Cavendish Update Contains:
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Events
 
1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
High Speed Chase in Cavendish: On Thursday, Dec.3, there was a high-speed chase of two men which started at the Cavendish Gulf Rd and 103 intersection. The vehicle was abandoned as they took off on foot. They were captured in the Black River Commons area off Route 131. More information will be posted to Facebook as it becomes available.
 
TDS Problems with E-mail: If you are using TDS webmail, you may be experiencing problems and periodically receiving an “HTTP Error Message 502.” Basically, this has nothing to do with your computer. It is a capacity issue on the part of TDS and they are unsure how long it will take to resolve it.
 
BRAT Appears in New Documentary: Thanks to a trio of Dartmouth College film students, the Black River Action Team now has a way to tell their story in video. After many trips to Springfield over a six-week period this fall, the students Alex Moushey, Katie Toal, and Lily Morrison assembled a ten-minute documentary outlining the BRAT's mission.  Picturesque scenes of the river are interspersed with footage of a half-dozen BRAT volunteers conducting a variety of projects, from water quality monitoring, and shopping cart retrieval, as well as an ongoing project learning about contamination and mitigation options at an old Brownfield site along the river, done in partnership with Springfield Regional Development Corporation. Soon to be aired on local-access television, the video can be viewed on YouTube. 
 
VT Attorney General Warns of Ongoing Credit Card Fraud: Attorney General Sorrell reminds consumers to take steps to protect themselves from being the victims of credit card theft and fraud. Data security breaches and credit card fraud continue to be a significant problem, causing millions of dollars in losses each year. Protection steps include: Using virus scanning software when shopping on-line; never purchase on-line using a public Wi-Fi network or library computer; never respond to an e-mail request or unsolicited phone call that asks for your password; check credit card statements; use credit freeze if purchasing a new car or house; check credit reports. If you see anything suspicious and are unsure what to do, contact the Consumer Assistance Program at (800) 649-2424 or (802) 656-3183. Press Release
 
2. EVENTS
Upcoming events include:
Dec. 5 (Saturday): ABUNDANCE SWAP 9:30-11:30 at CTES
• Fire Departments Tree Sale: Both Cavendish (9-5) and Proctorsville (9-4) are selling Christmas Trees
• 14th Annual Holiday Fair: Proctorsville Fire Dept, 9-3
 
Dec. 6 (Sunday): Christmas Tree Lighting, Proctorsville Green, 6 pm
 
For more information on this and other events, go to the Cavendish Connects December Calendar.  For regional events, check out the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce Calendar.

Cavendish Upate 11/27/15 News/Black Friday Options/Abundance/Fire Safety

 IF YOU ARE THANKFUL FOR THE WORK  CAVENDISH CONNECTS DOES TO KEEP YOU INFORMED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, PLEASE SHOW IT BY MAKING A DONATION TODAY!

                                            SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS 

11/27/15 Cavendish Update Contains:

1. Cavendish Related News
2. Opting for Cavendish Instead of Black Friday
3. 2nd Annual Cavendish Abundance Swap is Almost Here
4. Prevent Winter Fires
5. Proctorsville Fire Dept.’s Annual Tree and Greens Sale
6. Events

 1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
National Chain Applies to Buy VT Nursing Homes: A national nursing home chain that is facing U.S. Justice Department charges of fraud and inadequate staffing is seeking regulators’ approval for its purchase of five Vermont homes, including 102-bed Springfield Health and Rehabilitation Center in Springfield as well as homes in Bennington (100 beds), Berlin (141), Burlington (126) and St. Johnsbury (110). Valley News
 
DLS Amnesty Program Expands to Windsor County: Supporters of the program say people without licenses often can't get to work and therefore lose their jobs. They also can't get insurance, so if they're driving and crash, the other driver may end up paying. Those are a couple of reasons why Windsor County will now offer a Driver Restoration Day on December 11th.  For $25, an old suspension can be made good.  The DLS gone, you get your license back. Drivers with suspended licenses in Windsor County have a one-time chance to square things with the state. For more information about the program go to the State’s Driver Restoration Day.  WCAX
 
Utilities Reach Net Metering Cap on Customer Generated Power: Green Mountain Power says it is reaching the limit for net metering projects. The company has filed with the Vermont Public Service Board asking for a strategic limited expansion of net metering through 2016. The utility will continue to accept net metering applications for projects under 15 kilowatts. Typically those are rooftop or ground mounted solar systems for a single home or business. GMP wants to allow for a total of 7.5 megawatts of larger community solar projects, which will allow homes and businesses that can't site solar on their own properties to join together with landowners who can host a project. VPR
 
2. OPTING FOR CAVENDISH INSTEAD OF BLACK FRIDAY 
It’s only been in recent years that stores are opening on Thanksgiving to get a jump on the merchandizing mayhem that ushers in the holiday season. Really, does it make sense to short change the day celebrating what we’re thankful for to wait in long lines in order to trample people purchasing items that aren’t needed, necessary and possibly not affordable? Are the leisurely post Thanksgiving dinner activities of family games, stories etc. being replaced by pouring over circulars and strategizing the “great shop?”
 
There are many wonderful ways to enjoy and explore Cavendish where you spend little to nothing on Black Friday. Check out a list of options at The Dish.  The 2nd Annual Cavendish Abundance Swap on Dec. 5 see article 3, is also an excellent alternative.
 
3. 2nd ANNUAL CAVENDISH ABUNDANCE SWAP IS ALMOST HERE An alternative to Black Friday, and holiday shopping that creates unnecessary debt,  the Cavendish Abundance Swap is all about celebrating the bounty of the holiday season by giving and receiving.  It requires no money, expectations or demands on resources. Instead it’s an opportunity to let go of stuff that someone else might enjoy or appreciate rather than having it taking up space in your house. Need some help in this department? Check out the post on using the KonMari approach. 
 
How it works:
• Pick 3-5 items in your home, shop or office that someone would enjoy as a gift. These should be in really good shape and of quality, meaning it’s well made and likely to be valued by someone. Children are encouraged to bring gently used toys they may have outgrown or no longer use.
 
• Bring them to the Cavendish Town Elementary School on Saturday morning, December 5, starting at 9:30 am.
 
• Drop off your items, enjoy a visit with your neighbors and the Cavendish Connects team, as well as share the stories of what you are bringing to the swap. If you’d like to bring cookies to share, that would be great.
 
• From 10-11:30, select presents for someone on your holiday giving list (it can be you). 
 
FMI: 226-7807 or cavendishconnect@gmail.com
 
4.  PREVENT WINTER FIRES
With a little bit of effort and care we can keep our fire and rescue volunteers at home with their families and friends, not only during the holidays but throughout the winter. In Vermont heating equipment is the leading cause of homes fires followed by cooking fires. The leading factor contributing to home heating fires was failure to clean creosote from solid-fueled heating equipment chimneys. The Long cold Vermont winters put added stress on heating systems. Furthermore, higher fuel prices can force people to use alternative heating sources that may not be safe. An improperly installed and maintained heating appliance is dangerous and can result in carbon monoxide poisoning or be the source of a fire. 2014 Report of the State Fire Marshall
 
Wood Stove and Fireplaces

• Chimney inspected yearly and cleaned if necessary, especially if it hasn’t been cleaned for some time.
• Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire
• Stove should be burned hot twice a day for 15-30 minutes to reduce creosote build up
• Keep a glass or metal screen in front of fireplace openings
• Don’t use excessive amount of paper and never burn charcoal indoors
• Keep flammable materials away from woodstoves and fireplaces, including mantels.
• Before going to sleep make sure the fireplace fire is out. Never close dampers with hot ashes in the fireplace.
• Do not discard hot ashes inside or near the home. Place in a metal container outside and away from the house.

 
Download and read the U.S. Fire Administration Winter Fires Safety Tips for Home
 
5. PROCTORSVILLE FIRE DEPT ANNUAL TREE AND WREATH SALE The Proctorsville Fire Dept. will once again conduct their Annual Christmas Tree and Wreath sale the first two weekends in December (5 & 6, 12 & 13) from 9-4. Santa will be on hand from 10-12 on Saturday, Dec. 12, along with free coffee and donuts. Trees start at $30, Wreaths are $15, and Kissing Balls $35. Funds raised benefit the PFD’s Equipment fund.
 
PFD’s Junior program will be collected redeemable cans and bottles to benefit their program.
 
6. EVENTS
Upcoming events for Cavendish include:
• Nov. 27 (Friday): Town Office closed
• Dec 2 (Wednesday): Planning Commission Meeting
 
For more information on this and other events, go to the Cavendish Connects December Calendar.  For regional events, check out the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce Calendar.

Opting for Cavendish Instead of Black Friday

It’s only been in recent years that stores are opening on Thanksgiving to get a jump on the merchandizing mayhem that ushers in the holiday season. Really, does it make sense to short change the day celebrating what we’re thankful for to wait in long lines in order to trample people purchasing items that aren’t needed, necessary and possibly not affordable? Are the leisurely post Thanksgiving dinner activities of family games, stories etc. being replaced by pouring over circulars and strategizing the “great shop?”

Consider the following ways to “opt out” and enjoy Cavendish instead:

• Sleep in on Friday and enjoy some local treats for breakfast, such as Singleton’s  bacon or a trip to Crows Bakery, with family or friends. Have lunch, or even dinner, at Proctorsville owners’s American Pie  or Ludlow Cooking Company  in Ludlow.

• The 2nd Annual Abundance Swap is on Dec. 5, so use the KonMari Approach for finding those items you want to bring. 

• Participate in the Great Thanksgiving Listen Day: Record an interview with yourself or an elder by using the Story Corp App  and/or asking the following questions.

- What childhood was like

- Family traditions and how they started

- Vivid memories of school

- Courtship-how they/you met spouse/partner

- What piece of wisdom or advice they would like to share for future

Be sure to check out Researching Your Cavendish Roots

• Be in nature-use the trail at Greven Field for a leisurely hike or participate in one of the 5 K Trot it offs that are taking place in Ludlow and Springfield.

• Take a Danish Hygge Break

 • Relax

• For this year’s gift giving, think local:

-       Make a donation in a friends name to Cavendish Connects  and we’ll be sure to acknowledge your gift. You can even have an issue dedicated to them.

-       Donate to local organizations, such as the Cavendish Historical Society,  where one of their books or other items makes a treasured gift.

-       Give the gift of experience, such as a day of being pampered at The Castle’s Aveda Spa;  a class or two at Six Loose Ladies or Fletcher Farm; a night at The Golden Stage Inn ; dinner at The Castle; or make up a gift certificate of all sorts of fun things to do in Cavendish-hiking, biking, dinning, or relaxing.

-       Cavendish has lots of tasty treats, including being the home of Old Cavendish Products’ Monkey Chews and Fruitcakes.  Check out the Food and Drink section of Cavendish’s Pinterest board to learn more. 

-       Use the Cavendish Business Directory  to purchase gift certificates for goods and services.