Cavendish Update 9/30/16 News/Haunted/Events

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 9/30/16 Cavendish Update

1. Cavendish Related News

2. Cavendish: Creepy, Eerie and Haunted

3. Cavendish Community Luncheons

4. Tesla Batteries From GMP at Energy Fair

5. Events

 1.  CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Cavendish Civil War Memorial Cleaned: Thanks to the town crew, Bruce McEnaney, Svetlana and Kem Phillips,  Bill Jansak (Birdman) the Cavendish Historical Society, and Al Glidden the Civil War Memorial is now clean. No one seems to know the last time this was undertaken. For comparison, the Washington, D.C. Lincoln Memorial is power washed (no more than 300 psi) twice a year. The goal is to wash the Civil War Memorial at least every three years, but more if possible, in order to avoid the build up of mold, lichens etc. In assessing the condition of the monument, the effect of acid rain has been significant and “spalling” is occurring. Acid rain” speeds weathering, resulting in stones being permanently damaged, as it leaves a rough, pitted surface, making writing and art harder to distinguish. Don't expect to see a white monument as to obtain this you need to use chemicals that could further damage the stone. CHS follows the National Park Service’s guidelines for cleaning. Pictures of the cleaning are available at the Cavendish VT Facebook page.

Congratulations to Betty McEnaney Realtor of the Year: Betty McEnaney has been named the VR Realtor® of the Year. This award honors a Realtor® member who has demonstrated outstanding leadership as a real estate professional and as a member of their community. In 2003, Betty started The Goodwill Project with a commitment to donate 5 percent of every dollar earned to a non-profit that serves Vermonters. The recipients are selected by her buyers and sellers. To date, she has donated more than $125,000.” Betty’s civic service includes work with CPBR’s Sammy Pierce Scholarship Program, Green-Up Day, and the Cavendish Historical Society. She is a volunteer for the PanMass Challenge, a fundraising event that has raised more than $46 million to help support the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. She has also served as a director of the Cavendish Town Elementary School Board and the Green Mountain Union High School Board. She is a past director of the Okemo Chamber of Commerce, co-chair of the Building for Books fundraiser, which helped to built a community library in Cavendish. Press Release

Construction Update for the Gulf Rd Project 9/29/16: The contractor has continued to alternate between placing flowable along the project embankment and installing soil nails. Approximately 50% of the 75 nails have been installed. Soil nail installation activities will continue through next week. The 28-day closure period for this project is from September 9, 2016 thru October 6, 2016, and all project work will be complete by October 28, 2016. The project is located on Cavendish Gulf Road near Green Mountain Railroad Corporation milepost 21.059. The project work extends 100 feet along the railway embankment and Cavendish Gulf Road in Cavendish, VT. See Cavendish VT Facebook for pictures of the site.  If you have any questions regarding this project, call 802-324-5522.

Low Levels of Carcinogen Chromium-6 in New England Drinking Water: The carcinogen often referred to as the “Erin Brockovich chemical” is present in about two-thirds of the drinking water across the country, according to water testing data from the Environmental Protection Agency. Low levels of chromium-6 have been found in drinking water in New England, including in Vermont.  The federal government recognizes that even at low levels it can be harmful, but the EPA has not yet set an enforceable drinking water standard for states to follow. One challenge to treating drinking water in New England is it’s hard to tell where the chromium-6 is coming from. VPR

Vermont Snakes are on the Move: Fall marks the time when Vermont’s snakes may travel long distances to return to their den sites for the winter. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is asking people to keep an eye out for snakes while driving to avoid running them over and also to report any snake they see while out and about. These sightings will help to document the distribution of different snake species in Vermont. To send a report, go to vtherpatlas.org, or email Andrews directly at jandrews@middlebury.edu. Press release 

2. CAVENDISH: CREEPY, EERIE AND HAUNTED: For many years, the last day the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) Museum is open has been the society’s annual cemetery tour. This year, breaking with tradition, it will instead be an opportunity to learn about the creepier parts of Cavendish.  

Since the summer, CHS has been collecting stories about places that are believed to be haunted and/or have a creepy feel to them. Who knew that both the Proctorsville Fire Dept. and the Golden Stage Inn have “visitors” that go by the names of Homer and George respectively? Various people have described the unseen children that laugh and talk in what was once a classroom at the Duttonsville School.

At one time Woodstock had a medical school. In fact, Dr. Williams, the first doctor who administered care to Phineas Gage after his famous tamping rod accident, was a graduate. It wasn’t just their alumni that came to Cavendish but also medical students turned grave robbers who frequented the area-particularly the Twenty Mile Stream Cemetery. Seems they needed bodies for their anatomy lab.

On Sunday, October 9 from 2-4, at the Museum (1958 Main St, Cavendish) CHS will share the stories they’ve been collecting and look forward to hearing from members of the audience. This is a free event open to the public. FMI: 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com

3. CAVENDISH COMMUNITY LUNCHEONS: After a break for the summer, Gethsemane Church is once again providing a community luncheon. For October, it will be on Tuesday, Oct 4 noon at the Parish Hall off of Depot St. The menu is pork loin on braised red cabbage, carrots and potatoes with dessert.  All are welcome.  

4. TESLA BATTERIES FROM GMP AT ENERGY FAIR: At the Cavendish Energy Committee sponsored Energy Fair this Saturday, October 1st from 10am to 2pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School, there will representatives from a variety of public and private enterprises to talk to you about a variety of energy related topics, including solar.  Among those in attendance will be a rep that can discuss the new Tesla Batteries that GMP is offering.  

5. EVENTS

OCTOBER 1 (Saturday): Energy Fair 10-2 and Winter Close Swap 10-12 both at Cavendish Town Elementary School multi purpose and Arts rooms.

OCTOBER 4 (Tuesday): Community Luncheon, noon, Parish Hall Gethsemane Church off of Depot Street Proctorsville

For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar. 

Cavendish Update: 9/23/16 News/Hacks/Pickers/Events

IF YOU COUNT ON CAVENDISH CONNECTS TO KEEP YOU INFORMED, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO COUNT ON YOU.

                                          SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Follow Cavendish VT Facebook Page for up to date information.

 9/23/16 Cavendish Update

1. Cavendish Related News

2. Cavendish Life Hacks

3. American Pickers Looking for Locations

4. Okemo Job Fair

5. Events

1.  CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Cavendish Burglary: On 9/19/16 the State Police responded to the report of a burglary on Power Plant RD in the town of Cavendish. Investigation revealed that between the days 09/12/2016 and 09/19/2016 someone entered one of the Green Mountain Power buildingsand stole an assortment of hand tools (multiple socket sets, screw drivers, etc.) and 6 heavy-duty extension cords. If anyone observed any suspicious activity in the area please contact Trooper Soule at (802) 722-4600. VT State Police

Two Girls and a Bucket: Congratulations to Jamie Bigelow-Chadwick of Cavendish, who recently launched a non-toxic cleaning business. Check out their Facebook page  for more information.

State Considering Changes to FairPoint : The Maine Public Utilities Commission is considering a staff recommendation to fine FairPoint Communications for failing to meet the state’s telephone service quality metrics. A similar problem occurred in VT, and has a Memorandum of Understanding in return for FairPoint’s commitment to apply for federal funds to improve Internet service. Currently, the Public Service Board is considering a company request to drop telephone service quality standards for all Vermont FairPoint customers (the Northeast corner of Cavendish is covered by FairPoint) who have access to alternative wireline telephone service. The company says service quality requirements would remain in place for those customers with no alternative to FairPoint telephone service, but it is asking regulators to extend the time necessary to perform repairs from 24 hours to 48 hours.  VPR 

Sale of Rutland Herald and Times Argus Finalized: The sale of the Rutland Herald and Barre-Montpelier Times Argus has been finalized. The papers were purchased by Reade Brower and Chip Harris. VPR 

 AirBNB to Collect Taxes for VT Rentals: A new agreement between the Vermont Tax Department and Airbnb will change how the meals and rooms tax is collected when Vermonters rent out rooms or properties through the online platform. Under the agreement, Airbnb will begin collecting taxes Oct. 1 on behalf of those who rent out lodgings. VT Digger 

2. CAVENDISH LIFE HACKS: “Hack” a common term in the computing community, a “life hack”  now refers to a trick, shortcut or some way to make life easier while improving it- e.g. use a bread tab to hold your spot on a roll of tape. Check out 10 “life hacks” for Cavendish. From free entertainment to the best socks for winter, there are lots practical suggestions to consider. If you have additional tips, add them to the comment section. The Dish. 

3. AMERICAN PICKERS LOOKING FOR LOCATIONS: The Cavendish Historical Society was approached this week by representatives from the show “American Pickers,” -airs on the “History” channel- for locations in Vermont where they can “pick” in October. Please note they are looking for large, rare collections that are not open to the public- no store, malls, flea markets, museums, auctions, or businesses. 

Below is the press release from the show, along with how to get in touch with them if you or someone you know is interested in participating.  

Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz, and their team are excited to return to Vermont! They plan to film episodes of the hit series “American Pickers” throughout the region this fall. The show is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique ‘picking’ on History. The hit show follows Mike and Frank, two of the most skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find sizeable, unique collections and learn the interesting stories behind them.

  As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, Mike and Frank are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics. Along the way, the Pickers want to meet characters with remarkable and exceptional items.  The pair hopes to give historically significant objects a new lease on life, while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way.

 Mike and Frank have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something they’ve never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them. American Pickers is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasure. If you or someone you know has a large, private collection or accumulation of antiques that the Pickers can spend the better part of the day looking through, send us your name, phone number, location and description of the collection with photos to: americanpickers@cineflix.com or call 855-old-rust.

4. OKEMO JOB FAIR: For those looking for winter or volunteer positions, all of which get you a free season’s pass, the Okemo Job Fair is Saturday, Oct. 22 from 10-3 at the Clock Tower Base Lodge. FMI : www.okemo.com/employment

5. EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 23-25 (Friday-Sunday): Black River Good Neighbor Rummage Sale begins at 10 am at Fletcher Farm

SEPTEMBER 24-25 (Saturday-Sunday): Annual Autumn Round Up Antique Tractor & Gas Engine Show.

 For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar.  For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar. 

Cavendish Life Hacks to Simplify and Save

To make your life in Cavendish a bit easier, simpler and save money in the process, consider the following “life hacks:”

1   Free/Low Cost Entertainment

•    Libraries are a great source of free books (print and audio), movies, special activities (movie nights, book discussions, children’s programs) as well as offering free passes to local attractions etc. Residents and property owners can become patrons at the Cavendish Library  or the Fletcher Library in Ludlow for free. Through the Fletcher Library you can register to streamline free videos and magazines for your own personal use. Check that out at Movies-N-Mags. For other free streaming go to Top 25 Sites for Free Movies & TV Streaming Without Downloading. 

•    Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) and Cavendish Community and Conservation Association (CCCA)  offer a lot of free programs through out the year. CHS’s Museum is open on Sundays 2-4 pm from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. There’s always something new to see and they have special activities for kids. CCCA sponsors the free Wednesday night concert series on the Proctorsville Green for seven weeks during July and August.

•    National Parks Service Senior Pass Card: For a one time $10 fee, those 62 and up can register for a “senior pass”  that allows them and three guests to enter National Parks and Historic sites run by the National Park Service for free. The Senior Pass Card is available at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Park in Woodstock and St. Gaudens in Cornish, NH. It’s also available on-line, but that costs $20. However, it makes a good present for someone 62 and up.

•    Green Mountain Passport: Lifetime day entry passes are available to Vermont residents who are 62 or older and/or a veteran who has been honorably discharged from active duty. The fee is $2 and it’s available from your local town office clerk. 

•    Be an Usher and See Plays for Free: Being an usher at the Weston Playhouse and other theaters allows you to see plays for free. 

•    Enjoy the outdoors: There are plenty of places to hike, bike, boat, fish and hunt in and around Cavendish.  There is a half-mile trail at Greven Field (just off of 103 near the intersection of Dept Street and 103 in Proctorsville) that is easy for kids and parents. Knapp Pond offers boating and fishing, while the Black River is stocked and ready for fishermen. 

•    Check the Cavendish Connects Calendar for upcoming events, the Cavendish Connects Pinterest Board for nearby attractions. Cavendish VT Facebook page for daily activities, as well as the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce website. 

2   Skiing & Snowboarding on the Cheap

•    Work/Volunteer at Okemo in Exchange for Season Passes: There are any number of jobs at Okemo during the winter, some of which are volunteer, that have a free season’s pass as a perk. The more years you work, the more people in your family become eligible for a season’s pass. Depending on the job, there are lots of other perks including discounts on winter apparel, dinning and much more. Keep a look out for Okemo’s Job Fair or to their website for job opportunities.

•    Volunteer for the CTES Snow Sports Program: Held on Tuesday afternoons January through March, you get a lift ticket each time you volunteer, plus you have that afternoon for skiing and riding. Call 802-226-7758 for more information

•    Annual Ski Swap: Okemo Mountain School hosts a Ski Swap in November the weekend before Thanksgiving. Great prices on used equipment or last year’s products. Sale runs from Friday to Sunday. Check Okemo calendar for dates and times. 

•    Use VAST Trails for Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing. These trails are kept groomed by the Cavendish Green Mountain Snow Fleas. Check their website for trail map. 

• Marsh Billings Rockefeller: Lots of un groomed trails for snowshoeing and cross country skiing. 

3.     Education/Life Long Learning

• Paying for college: Check out the post from Cavendish Connects, which is updated several times a year Paying for College: Never too Soon or Too Late

• Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts has classes/workshops year round that are half price for Cavendish residents. You’ll need to get a voucher from the Town Office to show at the time of registration for classes.

• Vermont Adult Learning offers programs to help those 16 and over with necessary skills to obtain High school and employment. The closest office is in Springfield 802-546-0879

• Osher at Dartmouth: Life Long Learning. Prices vary based on number of sessions-4 or less ($40); 5-6 sessions ($60) and a full length course of 7-8 sessions ($80)  

4   Make your own Cleaning Products, which not only saves money, but also reduces indoor pollution, harsh chemicals, fragrances, colors and additives.

•    Dishwashing detergent: Put a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap in the detergent container cup and sprinkle baking soda over the bottom of the dishwasher or try  Homemade Dishwasher Detergent is a Real Thing

•    Clothes detergent: Which recipe you use depends on whether you want a liquid or powder detergent and what type of washing machine you have. Do a Google search “DIY clothes detergent” and you’ll be amazed at the number of recipes.

•    Cleaning products: You really only need a few ingredients-white vinegar, baking soda and a liquid soap. There are many recipes on different websites to try. To start, check out Non Toxic Home Cleaning. 

5   Recycling/Composting saves a bundle:

•    Cavendish Transfer Station has a variety of free ways to recycle, including zero sort recycling for bottles, cans, paper, certain plastics; metal bin; electronics; and clothing barn. 

•    Gently used clothes can go to Black River Good Neighbors in Ludlow.  The Fiber Barn at the Transfer Station will take clean and dry clothing regardless of their condition, shoes, clean and dry linens (including blankets sheets towels, curtains etc.), stuffed animals, belts, purses, hats, mittens, gloves, coats, socks. These items can be stained, ripped or torn must be clean and dry. Need help sorting? Try the KonMari approach. 

•    Home Composting: Lawn trimmings and food scraps can easily be composted, reducing what you take to the transfer station. Learn more about how to compost and low cost composters from the SWWCSWMD, which Cavendish is part of.

While you are recycling at the transfer station, check out what’s being tossed out. Might find something that will work perfectly for you. The more you appropriately recycle and compost the less you will have to pay in tipping fees at the transfer station.

6   Pay with cash instead of plastic. All of our stores take it and studies show you spend less when you purchase with cash.

7   Energy Savers

•    Switch light bulbs to LEDs

•    Air conditioning isn’t a necessity in VT but if you have it, raise the “default” summer temperature by five degrees. Reverse it in the winter, lower the temp five degrees.

•    Air dry clothes using a clothes line and/or drying racks. Not only does it save energy and money, clothes last longer.

•    If you do use a dryer, make your own wool balls to help clothes dry faster and keep garments soft. 

•    Insulate Your Outlets and Check your Refrigerator Seals

•    Grow Food, Not Lawns and save the headache of mowing while enjoying the benefits of veggies.

For more ways to save energy, rebates, products etc. check out Efficiency Vermont’s website. 

8   Winter Tips

•    Buy Darn Tough Socks. They’re made in Vermont and they really make good on their Lifetime Guarantee. Singleton’s carries them.

•    O’Keeffe’s Working Hands is ideal for dry hands and feet that crack and split. Better than Bag Balm as it’s not so greasy. Can use on your feet as well.

•    Use a Fuel Club  for significant savings on oil and propane. Note you will need good credit to be eligible for the club and you generally will need to pay at the time of delivery.

•    Check out Avoid “Winter Skin” 

•    More ideas at 56 Life Hacks to Help You Win at Winter 

9. Shopping

•    Twice a year Cavendish Connects offers its residents a great way to save money via the annual town wide tag sale that takes place on the last Saturday in July and the Abundance Swap the first Saturday in December. The Abundance Swap is a great way to clean out your house and get holiday gifts without spending a dime. Check out the KonMari approach to help prepare for both of these events.

•    Thrifting In and Around Cavendish

10. Practice Yankee Thrift-Use it up, Wear it Out, Make it Do or Do Without!

Crime Alert: Burglary

On 9/19/16 the State Police responded to the report of a burglary on Power Plant RD in the town of Cavendish. Investigation revealed that between the days 09/12/2016 and 09/19/2016 someone entered one of the Green Mountain Power buildingsand stole an assortment of hand tools (multiple socket sets, screw drivers, etc.) and 6 heavy duty extension cords. If anyone observed any suspicious activity in the area please contact Trooper Soule at (802) 722-4600.