Cavendish Update 5/5/17 Mother's Day/Job/ticks/News/Events

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 5/5/17 Cavendish Update

1. Cavendish Related News

2. Take Ticks Seriously

3. Help Wanted: Housekeeper

4. Shop Local for Mother’s Day

5. Bottle Drive to Benefit Girls on the Run

6. Events

1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Green Mountain Unified School District Voted in: With approximately 14% of registered voters participating, Cavendish, Chester, Andover and Baltimore, approved the Act 46 merger and formation of the Green Mountain Unified School District (GMUSD).   While Cavendish students will continue to go to Cavendish Town Elementary School and Green Mountain Union High School, the current CTES board will be dissolved and three representatives from Cavendish-Fred Marin, Doug McBride and Bruce Pollard-will serve on the GMUSD board. The 11 member board will include representatives from the other towns as follows: Joseph Fromberger Andover; Alison DesLauriers, Marilyn Mahusky, Jeff Hance, Erin Lamson, Deb Brown and one position to be filled by a write-in candidate Chester; and Kathy Muther Baltimore. Voting results were as follows: Andover 59 yes, 28 no; Baltimore-22 yes, 17 no; Cavendish-104 yes, 73 no; and Chester-244 yes, 44 no. The new board becomes effective on July 1, 2018.

 Congratulations Tate!: Tate Pellerin, an 11-year-old Cavendish resident, was named Vermont State Wrestling Champion for the fifth year in a row this season. He competes all over New England and became involved with wrestling in kindergarten, after meeting Todd Swisher, his coach, also from Cavendish. Since then, his love for competition wrestling has grown. Pellerin just crossed the 200-win mark this season, boasting 207 wins. He also plays football as a running back in Bellows Falls, and baseball as catcher and outfielder in Cavendish. Pellerin’s dream is to play football for Ohio State VT Journal

Cavendish Historical Society News Brief for May: The CHS blog contains the latest activities of the Historical Society and what you can expect in the next few months. Learn about the various renovations happening at the Museum and the Stone Church as well as the upcoming fundraiser at Circa 1810.

 Fighter Training Flights to Continue Through Mid-June: In the coming six weeks (May 1-June 14), the 104th Fighter Wing from the Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, Mass, will be conducting flight trainings that include Southern VT in their flight paths. Trainings will be from 9-5 during the week. Press Release

VT 100 One Lane Until May 15: Due to work on Bridge, traffic on Route 100 is down to one lane until May 15.

BRGNS To Hold Spring Rummage Sale: Black River Good Neighbor Services will hold its annual Spring Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farm, 611 Route 103 South in Ludlow on Friday and Saturday, May 19th and 20th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday May 21st from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The sale will feature clothing, housewares, books, linens, furniture and all manner of goods. “ BRGNS also runs a thrift store at 37B Main Street in Ludlow – behind the Ludlow Community Center.  Its programs serve Ludlow, Cavendish, Mount Holly and Plymouth. FMI or to volunteer, please call Audrey at 802-228-3663.

 2. TAKE TICKS SERIOUSLY: Cavendish residents are finding ticks on themselves and pets, which is not surprising as May and June are peak tick season in Vermont. The ongoing rain increases the number of ticks, increasing the risk of a tick bite In recent years, there has been a big upswing in people becoming infected with Lyme disease, as well as other tick borne illnesses. Take a few minutes and learn how to reduce your risks, the correct way to remove a tick and what to do ifyou’ve been bitten at the CC blog post Take Ticks Seriously.

 3. HELP WANTED: Golden Stage Inn is seeking a part time housekeeper to thoroughly clean guest rooms, bathrooms and common areas for our 8-room bed and breakfast in Proctorsville. Honesty, reliability, and attention to details are critical. Schedule is negotiable but weekends are a must. Housekeeping experience preferred. References required. Please contact Julie at (802) 226 7744 or innkeeper@goldenstageinn.com

 4. SHOP LOCAL FOR MOTHER’S DAY: Looking for the perfect gift for that Cavendish Mom, shop local:

• Fletcher Farm Craft School: Remember Cavendish residents get half off a class. You do need to stop by the town office for proof of town residency.

• Wine Tasting at Circa 1810: For the Mom that loves wine, take advantage of the Cavendish Historical Society wine tasting on May 15, which includes samplings of cheese, charcuterie and chocolate plates. Learn more at the CHS Website.

• Fitness class, massage or personal training session at DG Bodyworks in Proctorsville

• Spa day at The Castle’s Aveda Spa

• Hair cut at the Village Clipper

• Breakfast or lunch at Crow’s Bakery

• Dinner at Murdock’s on the Green. They will be having brunch on Mother’s Day

For additional ideas, check out the Cavendish Business Directory.

5. BOTTLE DRIVE TO BENEFIT GIRLS ON THE RUN : As part of the CTES’s “Girls on the Run,” the students are holding a bottle drive to raise money for the water bottle filling machine for the school.  The drive will be held on Monday, May 8 from 4-5. However, you can also drop bottles/cans off directly at the redemption center in Ludlow and say it is for Cavendish GOTR or you can leave the bottles at the school on Monday during the day, just let the office knowing you are doing so.  

6. EVENTS

MAY 6 (SATURDAY): Green Up Day, meet at the Proctorsville Green at 9 am for bags, gloves and route assignment. BBQ is at noon by the Gazebo.

• 6th Annual Kentucky Derby Gala to benefit LPC-TV 5-8 pm at Willie Dunn’s.

 MAY 8 (MONDAY): Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office.

• Bottle Drive for Girls on the Run-see article above

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

TAKE TICKS SERIOUSLY

Cavendish residents are reporting ticks on pets as well as themselves. May/June and Oct/Nov are peak tick seasons in Vermont. Since ticks carry serious diseases-Lyme, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan virus and Borrelia miyamotoi-it is important to protect yourself and your pets. 

How to protect yourself: Ticks can live in a variety of habitats, but they prefer wooded and bushy areas with high grass, brush and leaf litter. If you enter an area where ticks are likely to live, try to avoid direct contact with the surrounding vegetation. For instance, if you are hiking stay in the center of the trail where the grass is low and the underbrush is cut back. Ticks do not jump onto their hosts like fleas. They also do not drop down onto their hosts from leaves high above in trees.

• Protect your skin by wearing pants, long sleeves, and long socks. Tucking your pant legs into your socks and tucking your shirt into your pants can help keep ticks on off of your skin. Apply an insect repellent that contains 20-30% DEET on exposed skin and clothing. Do not spray repellent on skin that is covered by clothing. Apply permethrin to your clothes. Permethrin kills ticks on contact and remains protective through several washings. Do not use permethrin on skin. Make sure the repellent you use is registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  

 • Check for Ticks-Remove ticks from your clothes before going indoors. Put your clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes. The heat and dry conditions can kill blacklegged ticks .Check your body and your child’s body after being outdoors. Use a mirror to look at all parts of your body (armpits, behind ears, groin, etc.) and remove any ticks you find. Shower soon after you come inside.  

How to Remove a Tick: Remove the tick as soon as you discover it. Removing a tick the right away can help prevent tickborne diseases

1. Use fine-tipped tweezers, or one of the many available tick removal tools. Firmly grasp the tick close to the skin. Avoid touching the tick with your bare hands.

 2. With a steady motion, pull straight up until all parts of the tick are removed. Do not twist or jerk the tick. Do not be alarmed if the tick's mouthparts remain in the skin.

3. Dispose of a live tick by putting it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape or flushing it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with your fingers.

4. Wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Clean the tick bite with soap and water or use an antiseptic such as iodine scrub or rubbing alcohol.

Do not use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish, or any other products to remove a tick. These methods are not effective.

Protect Your Pets: Pets that go outdoors can bring ticks inside so check your pet each time they’ve been outside. Dogs are very susceptible to tick bites and tick borne diseases. Vaccines are not available for all the tick borne diseases so use a tick preventive product on your dog.

Tick bites on dogs may be hard to detect. Signs of tick borne disease may not appear for 7-21 days or longer after a tick bite, so watch your dog closely for changes in behavior or appetite if you suspect that your pet has been bitten by a tick.

 To reduce the chances that a tick will transmit disease to you or your pets:

• Check your pets for ticks daily, especially after they spend time outdoors.

• If you find a tick on your dog, remove it right away.

• Ask your veterinarian to conduct a tick check at each exam.

• Talk to your veterinarian about tickborne diseases in your area.

• Reduce tick habitat in your yard.

• Talk with your veterinarian about using tick preventives on your pet.

 Note: Cats are extremely sensitive to a variety of chemicals. Do not apply any insect acaricides or repellents to your cats without first consulting your veterinarian!

 For information on tick prevention in animals go the Centers For Disease Control website.

 If You Have a Tick Bite: Symptoms may begin as soon as three days after a tick bite, but can appear as long as 30 days after. Contact your health care provider if you develop a fever, headache, joint pain, muscle aches, fatigue or a rash soon after a tick bite.

 Antibiotics after a Tick Bite: In general, infectious disease specialists do not recommend routine use of antibiotics. However, health providers might offer patients a single dose if the following conditions are met:

• The tick can be identified as a nyphmal or adult blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis),

• The tick has been attached for 36 hours or more,

• The antibiotic can be given within 72 hours of tick removal,

• Antibiotics are not contraindicated, and

• Lyme disease is common in the area where the tick bite occurred. If you believe you picked up the tick anywhere in Vermont or neighboring states, this condition would be met.

 This type of treatment, called post-exposure prophylaxis, is not recommended as a way to prevent other tick borne diseases in Vermont such as anaplasmosis, babesiosis or ehrlichiosis

Learn more at the Vermont Health Department’s website Mosquito, Tick & Zoonotic Diseases.

Job Opening: PT Housekeeper

Golden Stage Inn is seeking a part time housekeeper to thoroughly clean guest rooms, bathrooms and common areas for our 8 room bed and breakfast in Proctorsville. Honesty, reliability, and attention to details are critical. Schedule is negotiable but weekends are a must. Housekeeping experience preferred. References required. Please contact Julie at (802) 226 7744 or innkeeper@goldenstageinn.com

Cavendish Update: 4/28/17 Act 46/News/Events

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

                                          SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

 This edition of the Cavendish Update is made possible, along with the special report on the Act 46 Meeting, by a generous contribution from Kem and Svetlana Phillips. Thank you!

 4/21/17 Cavendish Update

1. Act 46 Informational Meeting

2. Cavendish Related News

3. Job Opening

4. Cavendish Green Up Day Needs Your Help

5. Wine Tasking to Benefit the Cavendish Historical Society

6. Cavendish Community Fund Updates Its Image

7. Cavendish Spring Bird Walk Planned

8. Local Household Hazardous Waste Collections Coming Soon

9. Events

1. ACT 46 INFORMATIONAL MEETING: On Tuesday, representatives from the Act 46 committee and the Twin Rivers Supervisory Union, along with the Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES) board held an informational meeting to explain the special school vote to be held on May 2. While an in-depth report is available at The Dish,  the “take home point” of the meeting is that the state has mandated unified school districts (Act 46). It will happen one way or the other. Towns that do not become part of a unified district on their own, will be assigned to a district by the State Board of Education and suffer penalties, such as no longer receiving small school grants. Those that form unified districts are being offered incentives-e.g. tax breaks for the first four years.

The proposed plan, which has been approved by the state, is very similar to the old Windsor South West Supervisory Union, which would include the towns of Chester, Andover, Cavendish and Baltimore. Cavendish students will still go to CTES for K-6 and GMUHS for 7-12. The state’s high school choice program remains in effect and is not impacted by Act 46. The new board of the proposed unified district will set policies about choice for the lower grades. Children that are already attending other schools, having opted for a choice agreement, can continue to attend that school. 

As part of the Green Mountain Unified School District (GMUSD) there will be one board that serves all six schools (2 pre schools, 2 elementary and one high school). Cavendish would have 3 representatives to the board, Chester 6, Andover and Baltimore 1 each. This means that the CTES and GMUHS boards as they currently exist, would be dissolved.

Prior to the meeting, the CTES board voted in three resolutions: transfers the ground that the library sits on to the library board; transfers the land on which the municipal water tank sits to the town; removes the name "CTES" from the Building for Books banking account and replaces it with "Cavendish" and changes the tax identification number from the school's to the town's. As noted, these were “housekeeping issue” that were prudent to do before the proposed merger.

Many in attendance had questions and concerns, which were answered and are detailed in the report at The Dish. Those with further questions should contact Fred Marin fred.marin@trsu.org

Voting on May 2 (Tuesday) takes place from 9-7 at CTES. Voters will decide whether they wish to be part of the GMUSD. They will also select three board members to serve on the unified board. Those running for the unified district school board, all unopposed, are Fred Marin, Doug McBride, and Bruce Pollard

2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Students from GMUHS, Cavendish Elementary Rally for Planet: On Wednesday, April 12, students from GMUHS and CTES went to Montpelier to participate in the 2nd annual Rally for the Planet, organized by the Vermont Youth Lobby. There they joined about 1,400 other students from more than 50 Vermont schools. The Chester Telegraph

Cavendish Canine Camp Business of the Week: The VT Journal has a special focus this week on Cavendish Canine Camp, which offers boarding, exercise yards, indoor-outdoor kennels, and day care.

Ludlow Bridge 99 and Walker Bridge Construction: Walker Bridge will be the third bridge to be replaced this summer. There will be a pre-closure period of 14 days beginning Saturday, May 27. During this time traffic signs and message boards will be installed as well as a stone causeway in the river in order to remove the piers. One lane alternating traffic will be allowed during the pre-closure, estimate 10-minute wait periods. Full closure will be for 35 days beginning June 10. Vermont Journal

Country Creemee at Downers Four Corners Has Changed Hands: Renamed the Villagers Ice Cream Restaurant at Downers Four Corners, the popular summer eatery is now open for the season with new owners- Rob Westney and Jaime Wyman of Weathersfield Eagle Times

GMP Seeks to Raise Rates Nearly 5%: Green Mountain Power is asking Vermont regulators to approve a 4.98 percent rate increase for customers starting in January 2018. VPR

3. JOB OPENING: Brook Farm Vineyards of Proctorsville,  that includes Circa 1810 in Ludlow, is looking for a friendly and experienced tasting room staff member. This is a full time position. Primary duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Greet guests at the door in a warm and friendly manner. 

• Seats and presents menus to guests in a friendly, professional, and quick manner. 

• Pours flights of wine and educates customers about the wines they are drinking.

• Have an understanding of cash & credit transactions- Makes, confirms, cancels and edits reservations.

• Answers phone and answers questions concerning the menu and the tasting room. 

• Interacts with guests in and as they leave the restaurant to ensure positive tasting experience. 

• Take and fill orders. 

• Other duties as directed. 

The ideal candidate must posses the following:

*Must be able to work evenings, weekends and holidays, as needed.

* Must have a Certificate of First Class Seminar Attendance from Vermont Department of Liquor Control or be willing to get one.

• Excellent communication skills

• Team oriented

• Organizational skills 

• Able to multi-task 

• Punctual and reliable

• Ability to stand during entire shift 

For more information or to apply contact Jennifer McBride, Brook Farm Vineyards Jen@BrookFarmVineyards.com, or call 802-226-7152

4. CAVENDISH GREEN UP DAY NEEDS YOUR HELP: On May 6, Cavendish will join hundreds of communities throughout Vermont to support the 47-year-old tradition of picking up roadside trash accumulated over the previous winter.  Green Up Day is a fun volunteer opportunity that unites communities, raises environmental consciousness and results in litter-free roads and town spaces for us all.  

Come to the Proctorsville Green with a friend or family members on Saturday May 6 to pick up special green trash bags, protective gloves and your road assignment.  The big sweep begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at noon with a free town-sponsored barbecue on the Proctorsville Green.  Hot dogs and hamburgers will be on the grill and folks are invited to bring a side dish to share, though it's not required.  In case of rain, Green Up Day will be held on Saturday May 13.  FMI: Diane McNamara at the Town Office at 226-7292.  

5. WINE TASTING TO BENEFIT THE CAVENDISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY: Brook Farm Vineyards of Proctorsville is sponsoring a wine tasting, including cheese, chocolate and charcuterie plates, to benefit the Cavendish Historical Society on Monday, May 15 from 6:30 to 8:30. The cost is $35 a person and will take place at their Ludlow tasting room, Circa 1810, 116 Main St. Tickets can be purchased by stopping by Circa 1810 during business hours or sending a check, payable to Brook Farm Vineyards, to CHS, PO Box 472, Cavendish, VT 05142. This would make a great Mother’s Day present. FMI: 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com

6. CAVENDISH COMMUNITY FUND UPDATES ITS IMAGE: The Cavendish Community Fund has passed the ten-year mark and is now updating its image with a new logo. In 2007 the Fund began with donations from several supportive citizens to help build a closer and more cohesive Cavendish. Over ten years the Fund has distributed more than $31,000 in grants to enhance the quality of life in Cavendish. The projects, programs or events that the Fund considers are education in its broadest sense, cultural events, and promotion of the arts.

To celebrate its success and to better reflect its philosophy and goals the Fund has adopted the new logo as a representative of its beliefs. The Fund believes that the bonds of community are the source of dynamic and reciprocal social interaction. These interactions build a dense network of relationships that generates trust, which, in turn, provides the basis for collective problem solving in everyday life.

Community activities provide the opportunity to make new connections with others and, with each new opportunity for connection, to deepen the understanding of how to initiate and maintain new relationships with other local citizens who may be strangers. Activities and events that the Fund sponsors provide the venue for these opportunities to narrow the divide between groups with different interests and backgrounds.

FMI:  Barbara Dickey at 802-226-7187 or Peter LaBelle at 802-226-7250.

7. CAVENDISH SPRING BIRD WALK PLANNED: On Saturday, May 13th at 8 a.m. the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association will sponsor a spring bird walk. Attendees should meet at the corner of Twenty Mile Stream Road and Chapman Road in Proctorsville. Ken Cox, a retired fisheries biologist, will lead this year’s walk.

Ken is an expert birder, and a member of the Vermont Bird Records Committee (VBRC). Founded in 1980, the VBRC is composed of expert birders and ornithologists from Vermont and the New England seasonal editors of North American Birds. VBRC keeps the official Vermont Birds Checklist, which currently consists of 388 species representing 21 orders and 61 families of birds.

If you are interested in a fun spring walk and have an interest in the various birds that inhabit this part of New England, please join Mr. Cox and like-minded neighbors. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and be prepared to walk in woods and meadows. Anyone may attend, no reservation is required, and the event is free of charge.

This is the latest in the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association’s Walk and Talk Series of events.  The series is designed to present topics of general ecological interest to the public in the Cavendish area. For more information please contact Robin Timko at 226-7736.

8. LOCAL HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTIONS COMING SOON: The Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District is sponsoring free events for the collection and safe disposal of household hazardous wastes on Saturday, May 13 and Saturday, May 20.  Only residents and small businesses from Andover, Athens, Baltimore, Cavendish, Chester, Grafton, Ludlow, Plymouth, Reading, Rockingham, Springfield, Weathersfield, West Windsor, and Windsor may participate. Businesses must pre-register and will be charged for disposal costs.  The collections will be held at the Springfield Transfer Station from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on May 13 and at the Ludlow Transfer Station from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on May 20.  Bring in a mercury fever thermometer and receive a new digital fever thermometer.  For more information, call 674-9235 or visit www.vtsolidwastedistrict.org for a list of what to bring.

9. EVENTS

APRIL 29 (Saturday): Got Drugs? Turn in unused or expired medication for safe disposal.

• Opening Day for Baseball at Greven Field.

APRIL 30 (Sunday): Raise the Roof Concert-Maple Jam, 4 pm Gethsemane Church, Proctorsville, Cost $10.

MAY 2 (Tuesday): VOTING DAY. Polls are at CTES and are open from 9-7.

• Community Luncheon at Gethsemane Church Parish Hall, off Depot St. Proctorsville, noon. Luncheon will be lasagna, garlic rolls, salad and dessert.

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