College Planning/Semester Abroad/School Trips

The following information has been tailored for Cavendish students who wish to pursue college or post secondary education,  those in college who wish to do a semester abroad and high school students who would like to take advantage of school trips and exchange programs.

COLLEGE PLANNING: Go to Paying for College-Never too Soon or Too late for information that is regularly updated. Be aware that Vermont high school students can be earning free college credits. Each of the Vermont State Colleges hosts a full-year alternative to the senior year in high school. Students take standard college courses to complete their senior year of high school and their freshman year of college simultaneously—tuition free. Vermont Technical College hosts the Vermont Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), for students who have a strong academic record and are interested in math science and technology. FMI: Pathways for High School Students. By using opportunities outlined, college is very much within reach of Cavendish students. However, it does require planning and forethought. 

SEMESTER ABROAD/EXCHANGE PROGRAMS/FIELD TRIPS

School Sponsored Trip: School sponsored trips or exchange programs (such as going to France for several weeks) often hold group fundraisers, which can help reduce the overall cost. If you are organizing such fundraisers, consider activities such as sports tournaments (“five-a-side” soccer, Ping-Pong, dodge ball, basketball etc); 5k runs; bingo night; dinners; bottle drives; tag sale; pancake breakfasts; raffle; car wash; bake sales. Combining multi activities such as a car wash, bake and tag sale will yield better results than just one activity alone.

Study Abroad: If you are trying to raise money to pay for your semester abroad or an educational trip, consider the following:

• Lots of people are raising funds, so the more unique and creative your approach, as well as your fundraising objective, the easier it will be.

• Some colleges and universities offer scholarships for studying abroad, so start by checking with your college’s study abroad department as well as  your major/minor departments and professors to see if they know of any concentration-specific study abroad scholarships. FMI: How to Find Study Abroad Scholarships

• Create a blog, website or other social media site so people can learn more about your plans and how they can be involved.

• Link to a Crowd Funding site that you have set up. While Go Fund Me was first out of the block, they take 8% of whatever you raise. Consider alternative sites that are similar but take less. Check out Top 5 GoFundMe Alternatives or 5 Best GoFundMe Alternatives from Crowd Crux

• Develop your fund raising campaign letter/materials that:

- outlines the reasons why you want to study abroad or participate in a trip etc.

- describes the trip/semester

- specify needs-e.g. airfare, program fees, passport fees etc.

- explains what you are doing to raise money, timeframe you need to do it by

- provide details on how they can help-send money to an acct, donate on-line, hold a fundraiser for you, donate frequent flyer miles, let others know of your campaign etc.

Include URL(s) website, blog and/or social media site so they can follow your progress.

A good fundraising letter can be modified slightly and be sent to not only friends, family, colleagues, social media sites, but also area businesses. Be friendly, upbeat and thank them in advance for whatever support they can provide.

• Use the Cavendish Business Directory to contact area businesses that might be willing to sponsor you. Area restaurants have been known to earmark profits from desserts or specific dishes to help a student raise money for a trip. They will expect you to “advertise” that they are doing this.

• If you belong to a church, ask if they would be willing to hold a special collection for you. Be prepared to talk about what you are planning on doing, provide a display board, handouts and offer to do a special program after your return.

• If you belong to a sorority, fraternity or campus organization, see if they would be willing to hold a fundraiser for you.

• Create some unique fund raising activities that are funny and people will respond to. Try a "goat insurance" fundraising event that people can't resist because they can't stop laughing. Flyers are mailed to your friends, family, colleagues or whomever announcing that you will be raffling off a donated goat-substitute any item, such as a trunk full of zucchini in August.  For $10, a person can send in the names of three people.  Letters are then sent to those three people, telling them they have a chance to win a goat (or whatever you choose).  But, for $10 they can buy "insurance" to protect themselves from being entered in the raffle. On the specified date, anyone who hasn’t paid insurance will be offered an opportunity to opt out of the “goat” by making a donation of $25. Check out some other ideas. http://www.fundraising-ideas.org/DIY/pottyinsurance.htm

• Write a press release and send to local newspapers. Identify ways people can help you.

• Become the “Honey Do” person where you will do odd jobs, run errands, babysit, shovel snow, do yard work, cook, clean or whatever else is needed.

• Cavendish’s town wide tag sale -the last Saturday of July-is the place to set up a table on one of the village greens (register by e-mailing cavendishconnects@gmail.com) and sell gently used items, things you’ve made, including baked goods, and even consider having a mini raffle.

• In lieu of holiday and birthday gifts, request financial support for your trip.

• If you can make a craft item, such as jewelry, set up an Esty site or sell it off of your website. 

Cavendish Update 3/31/17 News/CCF Grant/Events

Rich Svec during Irene Recovery.

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

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 This Sunday is the retirement/thank you party for Rich Svec, 3-5 pm at Murdock’s on the Green (Proctorsville). Everyone is invited.

 3/21/17 Cavendish Update

1. Cavendish Related News

2. Cavendish Community Fund Accepting Grant Applications

3. Events

1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

McBride, Merin and Pollard Running for Green Mountain Union District: On March 21, the State Board of Education approved the Two Rivers Supervisory Union Act 46 Study Committee Report. On May 2, the town will vote whether we wish to be part of the Green Mountain Unified School District (GMUSD), which would include Andover, Baltimore, Cavendish, and Chester; and to vote for three candidates who would serve on the unified school board-there would no longer be a GM or CTES school board. To that end, Doug McBride and Fred Merin, both on the CTES board and Bruce Pollard, GM school board, are running for the new GMUSD board. Note that while the proposed plan has Cavendish students continuing to go to CTES and GM, there would be a change in that the school property would be transferred to the GMUSD. Learn more about ACT 46, by going to the Twin River Supervisory Union’s website or stopping by the Town Office and picking up a copy of “Two Rivers Supervisory Union Act 46 Study Committee Report.” The issue of Act 46 was discussed at length at Town Meeting. See the Dish for more information.

 • Music Rings Out Again in Cavendish Village: In 1976, a carillon system was installed in the Cavendish Baptist Church steeple to ring out music in memory of Chadwich James Stockman.  After a few lightning strikes over the years, a new system was needed.  Thanks to the ingenuity of Peter Kelleher, a new set up is now in place and is much less likely to attract lightening.  If you're in the village area, you'll be able to hear the music at 9:00, noon and 3:00 on weekdays and at noon and 3:00 on weekends. Watch the video

• Coolidge Solar Project Approved: State regulators have approved a massive Windsor County solar array that will be four times the size of any such project built in Vermont so far. The Coolidge Solar project, to be built in Ludlow and Cavendish, will be capable of producing 20 megawatts of power. The largest existing array in Vermont is just under 5 megawatts, according to state officials. In granting a certificate of public good, the board wrote that Coolidge Solar “will result in significant economic and environmental benefits for the state of Vermont.” “Furthermore, the evidence presented in this docket has convinced us that the proposed project can be constructed without undue adverse impacts on Vermont’s natural and built environment and without presenting a risk to health and safety,” board members wrote. Coolidge Solar power will be going out of state. Even though Green Mountain Power won’t be buying the array’s electricity, Coolidge Solar still will be using Vermont infrastructure. So the project’s state approval is contingent on the developer’s filing a final system impact study and allowing four weeks for its review by interested parties. VT Digger

• Impact of Proposed Budget Cuts on Meals on Wheels: According to the advocacy organization, Agewell Vermont, "70% of our Meals on Wheels funding comes from federal dollars through the older Americans Act, which clearly could put us at risk, should future cuts come to fruition." WCAX

• Proposed Budget Cuts Threaten After School Programs Across VT: The Trump administration wants to cut $9.2 billion, or 13.5 percent, from the Education Department’s budget. If Congress approves the cuts, after-school programs that help thousands of Vermont children would take a big hit. These are programs that offer supervision, tutoring and in some cases meals before and after school and during the summer. VPR

• House Votes 138-0 in Favor of New Tax Bill: The Vermont House has given its unanimous support to a tax bill that raises roughly $5 million in new revenue by implementing stronger enforcement efforts and without raising any existing taxes or fees. The bill also managed to accomplish Gov. Phil Scott's goal to balance next year's state budget without increasing any taxes or fees. The bill should raise additional money by stricter enforcement of a state law the requires consumers to pay the sales tax for online purchases. An agreement with internet sales giant Amazon to collect Vermont's sales tax will also yield the state around $8 million next year. VPR

• Take Down Bird Feeders on April 1: Vermont Fish and Wildlife recommends taking down all bird feeders by April 1. Warm spring weather and melting snow means bears will becoming out of their winter dens in search of food. The bears like suet and birdseed, particularly black oil sunflower seeds, officials said. Other sources of food that will attract the bears are pet food, barbecue grills, and garbage. Purposely feeding bears is illegal. Residents are advised to keep chicks and honeybees secure with an electric fence or other bear-proof measures, feed pets indoors, and store trash in a secure trash.

2. CAVENDISH COMMUNITY FUND ACCEPTING GRANT APPLICATIONS: The Cavendish Community Fund is now accepting grant applications for spring 2017 grant awards. The deadline for applying is May 19th. Applications that miss that date will be considered in the fall.

This is the tenth year in which the Fund has provided support for educational, artistic, or cultural programs, projects, or events that benefit the Cavendish community in some way. The Fund has helped finance plays, workshops, and classroom events. It has contributed to the renovation of library and classroom spaces for better learning environments. It helped the tropical Storm Irene recovery by supporting a fund raising concert. It helped clean gravestones, dig for archeological artifacts, conduct open studios, show films, coordinate summer concerts, organize health training, and more.

Last year the Fund made two grants. The first went for durable equipment to be used in STEM programming for local elementary school students through the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library. The second was paid to the Cavendish Community Theater for a holiday production of “It’s About Believing”, which was performed at the Gethsemane Church in Proctorsville. The grant covered direction, music, advertising, props and refreshments.

Grants are available for projects, programs or events that directly benefit the Cavendish community in some way. A panel of local citizens reviews the applications and recommends awards based on the quality and feasibility of each proposal. The number of grants and the amount of each depend on how many applications are received.

Application guidelines are available at the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association’s website under the Community Fund tab.  Hardcopies are also available at Crow’s Bakery in Proctorsville and at the Cavendish town office.

For further information on applying, on eligibility or on any other aspect of the grant program, or for help completing the application, please call Barbara Dickey at 226-7187 or Peter LaBelle at 226-7250.

3. EVENTS

APRIL 1 (SATURDAY): Maple Supper at Cavendish Baptist Church, 5:30-7L00 pm

APRIL 2 (SUNDAY): Thank you/Ret9rement Party for Rich Svec, 3-5 pm Murdock’s on the Green (Proctorsvillle). Community invited.

APRIL 4 (TUESDAY): Community Luncheon, noon, Gethsemane Church

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

Cavendish Update 3/24/17: SB Mtg/Pollards Thanks/News/Events

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 3/24/17 Cavendish Update

1. Select Board Meeting 3/13/17

2. Cavendish Related News

3. Thank you from the Pollards

4. 2017 Backyard Composter Sale

5. Local Girl Scout Cookie Sale This Weekend

6. Maple Supper April 1

7. Host an Exchange Student Next Year

8. Events

1. SB MEETING 3/13/3: Select board (SB) meetings are recorded by LPC-TV and are available at their website and on Comcast Television.  Written minutes are available at the town’s website.  The unapproved minutes for the March 13 are available in PDF Format. The following action was taken at the March 13 night’s meeting:

• As part of the SB’s Organizational meeting the following actions were agreed upon: Meetings will be at 6:30 PM the 2nd Monday of each month; “The VT Journal will be the paper of record; Robert Glidden will be chair, George Timko Vice Chair, Mike Ripley Clerk; Brendan McNamara town manager for a term of one year. With many of the positions remaining as listed in the current town report, the exceptions include Doris Eddy as health officer for 3 years and Mark Huntley as SB’s representative to the Planning Commission for one year. The number of Town Planning Commissioners was reduced from nine to seven members. Other information on officers is available the Cavendish Municpal website.

• Approved the “Fire Fighter Olympics” fundraiser proposed by Denise Gebroe of BG BodyWorks for the Proctorsville Green, provided that  the Town’s guidelines for use of a Town Green are adhered to. The event is planned for June 11 from 10-2

• Approved liquor licenses renewals for Inn at Glimmerstone Mansion; Brook Farm Vineyards, Table 19, Cavendish Pointe Hotel and Castle Hotel

• Town Manager and Asst Town Manager provided an update on the Town Garage: There is a fair amount of damaged asbestos wallboard that needs to be removed, which could be both slow and costly. There may also be vermiculite insulation, another hazardous material, in the concrete blocks of one section. Bruce McEnnaney, Asst Town Manager, stated that rebuilding the garage to it’s pre fire state is not advisable, since it wasn't meeting the current needs of the town crew. The two damaged trucks are still at S.G. Reeds being inspected and repaired. It is recommended that the new garage include an alarm system, which directly links to the fire department as well as a sprinkler system. Note: Next week clean up of oil and other debris resulting from the fire should begin.

• Discussed updating the Town Website

2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Security Breach at VT Dept. of Labor’s Joblink Website: A third party vendor, America’s Joblink Alliance, which operates a nationwide web-based database, notified the state this week that the job seeker service had been compromised by malicious software. This cyber security breach could impact close to 200,000 people as it is a “must use” site for those applying for a state job or unemployment benefits.  If you used Vermont Job Link since 2003, your data could be at at risk. The system has been fixed and is now secure. America’s Joblink Alliance is evaluating the scope of the breach. At this time, analysts do not known which accounts were compromised. Private information such as names and social security numbers could have been extracted. If you think you may be affected go to http://labor.vermont.gov/ WCAX

State Education Board OK’s TRSu RED Plan: On March 21, the VT State Board of Education gave its approval for a four-town vote on May 2. A yes vote by Andover, Cavendish and Chester would create the Green Mountain Unified District (GMUD), which would be comprised of Green Mountain High School, Chester-Andover Elementary and Cavendish Elementary and would be run by a single school board that would also be elected on May, 2. A no vote in any one of those towns would kill the proposal. A yes vote in Baltimore would add that town to the GMUD but is not necessary to form the district. A no vote by Baltimore means they will need to look for a merger partner.

Originally, the plan was to have the Twin Rivers Supervisory Union participating towns (Cavendish, Chester, Andover, Ludlow, & Mt. Holly) be part of the new district. This changed with the per pupil spending of Ludlow and Mount Holly schools being substantially higher than those of the other towns, and at that time, Ludlow’s unwillingness to close Black River. School taxes would have dramatically increased for Andover, Cavendish and Chester. The per pupil spending of a school is one of the largest determining factors for education tax rates.

Mount Holly and Ludlow voters will need to decide whether they want to dissolve U#39, closing Black River  and sending 7th-12th graders to Mill River. If both towns vote for the proposed plan - Black River will close, Mount Holly Elementary and Ludlow Elementary will stay open and 7th-12th grade students will attend Mill River. If either town votes against the proposed plan, a new plan will be needed.

The issue of Act 46 was discussed at length at Town Meeting. See the Dish for more information. Information for this article came from several sources including the Chester Telegraph.

Clean Sweep for Gross Kids at Lego Competition: The 2017 LEGO Contest took place on Saturday March 18 at the NewsBank Conference Center, in Chester.  This event was open to LEGOmaniacs Pre-K through Grade 8 and their families. Once again the Gross family of Cavendish entered in a number of categories and came out winners-Ephraim first place in the Pre-K division for Owls; Cyrus first place for third grade, with ATV with Treads; Stella first place for fifth grade with Still Life; and Isabelle second place in the Seventh-Eight Grade division for Isabelle’s Pet Center. A number of the 2017 exhibits will be on display at Chester’s Whiting Library until late April. Proceeds from the go to the children’s section at Chester’s Whiting Library. For pictures from the 2017 LEGO exhibits, visit www.stlukesepiscopalvt.org.

Congratulations to GM Iron Chefs: For the third year in a row, Green Mountain Union High School brought home awards from the Jr. Iron Chef Competition. Both middle school and high school teams brought home Local Lively awards, which is given to teams that best highlight Vermont Foods. Chester Telegraph

Sign Up for Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic for Cats and Rabbits: Springfield Humane Society is currently registering pets for their Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic on April 11. The costs are: Spay $50; $40 Neuter; Rabbits $5; Rabies vaccine (required unless proof of previous vaccine) $5; and Distemper $5 (highly recommended). Prepay for your spot by stopping in during open hours with cash or call and pay by debit or credit over the phone 802-885-3997! http://spfldhumane.org

3. THANK YOU FROM THE POLLARDS: Please note that the fundraiser for the Pollards and the Cavendish Library will be held March 24, regardless of weather. Looks like a wet evening, perfect for coming out for pasta and a very interesting quarter auction. Dinner is at 6 pm, with the auction to follow. For more information go to the CC calendar.

To the volunteer firemen and women of Proctorsville, Cavendish, Ludlow, Springfield, Chester, Reading, Weston, Mount Holly, Ascutney, Walpole, and Weathersfield who rallied to our house in the early hours of February 15th to fight our house fire we are eternally grateful. Through your efforts you were able to control an inferno and save our house. While there was much damage to our ell and barn, the interior of the house is basically intact. You were also able to rescue our cat from the burning barn where he had been sleeping while the structure was burning. We are amazed by the care with which you took the time to move paintings from walls, move furniture and other family items to avoid water damage. We would also like to thank the Red Cross, Black River Good Neighbors, the Cavendish Baptist Church, Gethsemane Church, and all the people from our community who have generously offered support to us, be it meals, donations to help us rebuild our house, clothes, furniture, kitchen appliances, or a helping hand. We are blessed to live in a community with such caring people.

Sincerely,

Bruce, PJ and Meade Pollard

Proctorsville, Vermont

4. 2017 BACKYARD COMPOSTER SALE: The Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District (SWWCSWMD) is currently accepting orders for "SoilSaver" brand composters. Its large capacity can serve a household of up to five people. The District gets a bulk discount and passes the savings on to residents. This year the price per composter is $40.00. Order form with check is due by Friday, April 7, 2017.

Also available for sale is the Sure-Close containers to help store and move kitchen scraps out to your composter. At $5 each, they're a bargain at twice the price. The Sure-Close pail is a beige and white plastic container with a 1.9 gallon capacity. It can sit on the kitchen counter or be mounted on a wall or under the sink

Order forms with checks for composter and./or Sure-Close container are available at the SWWCSWMD website. 

New this yearL The District is offering backyard composting workshops. If you attend a workshop, you can purchase one composter at the greatly discounted price of $25.00 (additional composters are $40). The workshops will be held at 5:30 p.m. on the following dates:

Rockingham Public Library - Wednesday, May 17

Windsor Public Library - Wednesday, June 7

Springfield Town Library - Thursday, June 8

Fletcher Memorial Library in Ludlow - Wednesday, June 14

The workshop presentation is about 45 minutes in length with time afterwards for questions and answers. Cat Buxton will teach the workshops. To sign up, call 674-9235 or email mobrien@swcrpc.org.

5. GIRL SCOUT COOKIES FOR SALE THIS WEEKEND: Local Girl Scout Troup 51406 will be selling cookies this weekend at Jill's Place on Saturday and Singleton's on Sunday from 11-3. You can pay by cash, check, and possibly debit/ credit cards.

6. MAPLE SUPPER: The Cavendish Baptist Church’s Helping Hand Class is sponsoring a maple supper on Saturday, April 1 from 5:30-7:00 at the church, 2258 Main Street in Cavendish. The menu will include: baked beans (sweetened with maple syrup); ham (with Raisin Sauce or pineapple); squash; coleslaw; pickles; homemade white and brown bread and doughnuts; decaf coffee tea, punch and maple sundaes. Tickets are $10 for adults; under 12 $5 and under 6 free. Take out meals are available. FMI: (802) 226-7724 after 9:00 a.m.

7. HOST AN EXCHANGE STUDENT NEXT YEAR: Next school year, local high schools will be welcoming students from the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program.  These students receive prestigious scholarships from the U.S. Department of State so that they can study in the U.S. Students are selected through a very competitive application process in which approximately 1 in every 40 applicants is selected to participate in the program.

The FLEX program was created from former Senator Bill Bradley's conviction that the best way to ensure long-lasting peace and understanding between the United States and the former Soviet countries (in Eastern Europe and Western Asia) is to enable young people from these countries to learn firsthand about the U.S. and Americans. The primary goal of FLEX is improving mutual understanding between our countries by allowing these young citizens to have the opportunity to observe and experience American life.

FLEX students come from many different countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine.

Can you open your hearts and home to one of these brave young students?  They will attend area high schools for the 17-18 school year, arriving in August.  FMI:  Kimberly at keckhardt08@gmail.com 

8. EVENTS

MARCH 24 (Friday): Spaghetti Dinner/Quarter Auction Benefit for Pollards/Library, 6 pm at the Cavendish Elementary School. For other ways to help the Pollards, check the Helping Pollards post.

MARCH 25 (Saturday): Girl Scout Cookies for sale in front of Jill’s Place in Cavendish 11-3

MARCH 26 (Sunday): Girl Scout Cookies for sale Singleton’s 11-3

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

Cavendish Update 3/17/17 Rabies/News/Events

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Top of the Mornin’ To Ya! Happy St. Patrick’s Day

 3/17/17 Cavendish Update

1. Health Alert! Rabid Animal in Cavendish

2. Cavendish Related News

3. Five-Week Chair Yoga Class in Proctorsville- March 21

4. Events

1. HEALTH ALERT!! RABID ANIMAL IN CAVENDISH: On Friday, March 10, the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) contacted the Town Office to alert the town that a rabid raccoon has been confirmed in Cavendish, and another in Shrewsbury. Please:

• Do not try to capture or handle a wild animal, strays or even baby animals.

• Report unknown or strangely behaving animals to the game warden that serves: Cavendish Timothy Carey 802-773-9101 or 802-259-9533

• Please have your pets vaccinated against rabies. Even cats that do not go outside should be vaccinated.

• Do not feed wild animals; use "clean design" bird feeders.

• Keep garbage, trash and recyclables in containers with tight fitting lids.

• Raccoon-proof your compost.

• Feed pets inside the house.

• Keep pets indoors at night. If they are out during the day, keep them on a leash or in a closed space. Pets that roam free are more likely to get rabies.

• Wear protective gloves when handling a pet that has been involved with a wild or stray animal.

• Do not feed wildlife or make them into pets.

Share this post with neighbors and friends, particularly those who may not be on-line.

2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Cavendish Man Charged with Aggravated Assault: On March 08, 2017 at 1:16 am Patrick Neher of Cavendish broke into the residence of Nathan Blodgett in Mt. Holly, attempted to cause caused serious bodily injury, and drove his truck into the residence’s attached porch. He is being held at the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility and is being charged for burglary, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and unlawful mischief. VSP

What Trump’s Budget Proposal Means for Vermont: The federal budget proposal released this week by the Trump administration makes some major changes to the way the federal government spends its money. Many of those changes could have big implications for Vermonters. Some of the new budget's changes, like increased military spending and an expanded budget for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, could mean increased business for Vermont’s defense contractors and new jobs and services at Veterans Affairs clinics in Vermont. Other changes would eliminate or reduce federal funds sent to Vermont to support a wide array of services and programs, from live poetry contests (the "Poetry Out Loud" competition is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts) to economic development grants in the Northeast Kingdom to heating assistance for low-income Vermonters. VPR

Head of VT Senate Readies for Special Session Due to Trump Cuts: The head of the Vermont Senate said Thursday he is making preliminary plans for a special session in the fall because of expected cuts in federal funding. Sen. Tim Ashe, D/P-Chittenden, said he has asked senators to “pencil in” time in the last two weeks of October. That would be shortly after the federal budget goes into effect Oct. 1, the start of the federal fiscal year. The Legislature typically adjourns in May. Ashe said the state would be “royally screwed” if the budget proposal the Trump administration unveiled Thursday is put into effect. Substantial cuts are suggested for environmental programs, labor and legal aid, among others. Some programs would be completely defunded, including the Community Development Block Grant program and the Low Income Heating Emergency Assistance Program. VT Digger

 New Vehicle Inspection Begins March 20: On March 20, paper-and-pencil vehicle inspections will be a thing of the past. All inspection stations are required to be online with the new Automated Vehicle Inspection Program (AVIP), or stop doing inspections. Tom Potvin, who owns Potvin’s North Hill in Ludlow and has been using the equipment for a month, calculates the electricity usage as well, since the components must stay plugged in, in the shop. He is also concerned about the risk of theft and extra cost for insurance. Potvin said he’ll charge $60 if it passes, but “I don’t feel I should charge a failed inspection at $60 and make them lose their money if they can’t get it fixed in 30 days. Some shops charge a single fee up front, pass or fail,” he added. VT Journal

3. FIVE-WEEK CHAIR YOGA CLASS IN PROCTORSVILLE –March 21: The next 5 Week Chair Yoga Class session will begin at 11:00 am on Tuesdays, March 21 through April 18, at DG Bodyworks located at 7 Depot Street, Proctorsville, VT. The cost for the 5 week session is $40 or you can drop in for $10. FMI: Lori Wright 603-401-8123 to register.

4. EVENTS

MARCH 17 (Friday): Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

• St. Patrick’s Day Potluck and Darts Tournament, 6 pm Cavendish Baptist Church

MARCH 21 (Tuesday): Welcome Spring! Claudine Langille, of Gypsy Reel, in concert with Robin Timko, 7 pm Crows Bakery. Cover charge is $8 at the door for music and your choice of Chocolate Guinness cake or Apple tart, coffee or tea. Since seating is limited, please RSVP by calling Crows Bakery at 226-7007.  For more information please call Robin Timko at 226-7007.

MARCH 24 (Friday): Spaghetti Dinner/Quarter Auction Benefit for Pollards/Library. For other ways to help the Pollards, check the Helping Pollards post.

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