Cavendish Resources for Addiction: Part I-Tobacco

Addiction is a major issue in 21st century American, and Cavendish is no exception. Those most often affected-family, friends and the person themselves-can struggle with little support, resources or understanding.  In order to address that in our town, Cavendish Connects is running a three part series (tobacco, alcohol & drugs), providing local resources, information and answering questions that people may have.

Part I: Tobacco: At $10 a pack, cigarettes are extremely expensive to say nothing of the negative health impacts to the smoker and to those they come in contact with (secondhand smoke). It’s a hard habit to break, but with support and the understanding that it can take many tries before successfully stopping, it can be done.

Vermont’s 802Quits provides free help in quitting

• Free gum, patches and lozenges, which are delivered to your home

• In Person Help: You can double your chances of success of quitting by getting in person support. Check the website for local Vermont Quit Partners.

• Quit Help by Phone 1-800-QUIT-Now

• Online Help Connect with former smokers and other trying to quit on-line.

• Quit on your own: Tips, tools and advice to help you quit on your own

Not Ready to Quit but know you need to do something? Second hand smoke is a very real concern, particularly for children, so if you aren’t ready to quit, consider the following:

•    Cut down on your smoking. To help you cut down, you can use a nicotine replacement therapy patch to help with the cravings and reduce withdrawal.
•    Stop smoking in your house or your car.
•    Ask family and friends to leave their smoke outside.
•    Don’t smoke when your children are present.
•    Make sure there is no smoking at your child’s day care.
•    Think of being around your children as “smoke-free zones” even when they are outside.

Is Secondhand Smoke a Real Thing? Yes! Secondhand smoke (SHS) has the same harmful chemicals that smokers inhale. There’s no safe level of exposure for secondhand smoke (SHS) and it can cause cancer of the lung, larynx, pharynx, nasal sinuses, brain, bladder, rectum, stomach and breast. It’s also possibly linked to the following cancers in children lymphoma, leukemia, liver and brain. Children who are around smokers are more likely to get sick, have more lung infections (bronchitis and pneumonia), are more likely to cough, wheeze, have shortness of breath, ear infections, and have increased asthma attacks and maybe even cause asthma. The reason that smoking has been banned in public places and at work is because the dangers of SHS are very real. All exposure to SHS is harmful. Learn more at Health Risks of Second Hand Smoke

What About Switching to E-Cigarettes: Also known as “vaping” E-cigarettes have not been approved by the FDA as a smoking cessation device. In fact, some people find it hard to quit smoking while they vape e-cigarettes, and end up using both products. However, it does appear that vaping is better than smoking cigarettes. Read more on e-cigarettes and other tobacco products from the Centers for Disease & Control and Prevention.

How Can I help Someone Quit? People trying to quit are more likely to do so if they feel supported. Below are some resources to help you be an advocate with out shaming or blaming them:

• How to Support Your Quitter

• Helping a Smoker Quit-Do’s and Don’ts

Why People Smoke: Smoking begins during the teen years for three primary reason-to fit in with friends; to look mature and to experiment. However, once they start, the nicotine in tobacco is highly addictive and it becomes a hard habit to break. Adult smoking is a bit more complex. Stress is a contributor, with smoking as a way to relax and calm down. Weight control is another reason given, since smokers on average weigh seven pounds less than non smokers. For some smoking gives them pleasure. They say it just makes them feel good.

If you have additional questions on this topic, e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com

WHERE TO WATCH THE GREAT AMERICAN SOLAR ECLIPSE

A total solar eclipse will occur next week, on August 21, and it will be the first one in 38 years to be visible from the mainland U.S.  No matter where you are in the US, you can see it. In Cavendish we can expect to see 70% of the solar eclipse.

 In preparation, on Aug. 20 (Sunday), the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) will hold a workshop from 2-4 pm at the Museum (1951 Main St.  Cavendish) where you can make pinhole viewers and learn more about the solar eclipse.

Please note that. NASA warns that sunglasses or homemade filters do not provide sufficient eye protection and can contribute to eye damage. Five manufacturers have certified their eclipse glasses, which meet NASA’s criteria:

• Have certification information with a designated ISO 12312-2 international standard

• Have the manufacturer’s name and address printed somewhere on them

• Are less than three years old and have no scratches or wrinkles

You can also go to the NASA website and download their pinhole template for free.

On Aug. 21 (Monday), from 1:15 to 3:00 (or later depending on interest) CHS will have various devices including glasses (thank you Kem Phillips for donating) which meet NASA standards, pinhole viewers and special welding mask, set up in front of the Museum so people can safely view the eclipse. Young children will need to use the pinhole viewers.

In other parts of the state, various astronomy groups are hosting viewing opportunities including:

• Green Mountain Astronomers will be hosting an eclipse day event at the Castleton University by the observatory. Estimate for Castleton is 1:23 first contact, 2:42 largest coverage, 3:55 last contact.

• Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium in St. Johnsbury

• ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center Burlington, VT

• Montshire Museum, Norwich, VT

Cavendish SB Agenda 8/14/17

Select Board Meeting, Monday, August 14th, 2017 in the Cavendish Town Office
Meeting Room at 6:30 pm
................................................................ AGENDA ................................................................
1. Call the meeting to order
2. Act upon minutes of the meetings of July 10th, 2017
3. Sign Orders
4. Adjust agenda
5. Hear Citizens
6. Select Board to review and act upon Request to Cater permits for the Inn at Glimmerstone
Mansion, LLC for the dates of September 9th, 16th, 23rd ,30th and October 14th , 2017.
7. Review and act upon Application for Special Event Permit for Caledonia Spirits Inc for the
Vermont Golden Honey Festival on September 9th, 2017. Permit will allow for 1 day sale of
alcoholic beverage during the festival.
8. Consider Letter of Interest from Doris Eddy regarding Justice of the Peace vacancy.
9. Board to discuss continued progress regarding the Town Garage Project and review bids for
demolition of existing building and fabrication of new steel structure.
10. Other Business.
11. Executive Session pertaining to: Employee Matter, Health Issue and Hardship Assistance
Request.
12. Adjourn.

Cavendish Update 8/11/17 Eclipse/Telecommunications/News/Events

Cavendish Connects celebrates its third anniversary this week. Show your support and appreciation by making a donation today so that we’ll be around for many more years.

8/11/17 Cavendish Update

1. Cavendish Telecommunications -Cell

2. Cavendish Related News

3. Cavendish Historical Society-Solar Eclipse Workshops

4. Concert Series-Gully Boys

5. Live Authentically Wellness Course

6. Events

1. CAVENDISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS-CELL: The Cavendish Telecommunications Committee has focused on seeing that high speed Internet is available throughout the town, so we are pleased that Comcast has recently received a $300,000 grant from the state of Vermont to expand their broadband services here. The Committee is aware of how poor cellular service is in certain parts of town, but it also recognizes that the technology is to build devices that rely on wireless technology and not cell towers. Therefore, the better the Internet connectivity, the more likely your cell service will improve at home.

Recently we asked the state’s cellular specialist, Corey Chase, a series of questions about WiFi calling. Below are his comments:

WiFi Calling is a feature on many cellular phones. This service allows the phone to connect to the cellular carrier over the Internet (using any WiFi connection) instead of over the carrier’s own wireless network.  To use this technology, a consumer must have a device that supports the WiFi Calling feature, and the carrier must support the service as well.  Most modern smart phones support WiFi calling. It appears that Verizon and AT&T support WiFi calling.

US Cellular has something called WiFi Now app, That app helps consumers connect to WiFi networks around the country.  US Cellular apparently keeps a list of public WiFi hotspots (like schools and libraries) and other private WiFi hotspots that need a password. I believe that this app searches for any of these apps and connects to WiFi for the consumer, without their having to manually switch to WiFi and connect to the network.  Frankly I don’t think that this would be particularly helpful for many Vermont consumers.  In most rural areas Vermonter’s already know where WiFi is available (at schools, libraries, coffee shops, etc).  This app is particularly geared for consumers who are visiting new areas and want their phone to switch to WiFi so that they can get lots of data without burning through their US Cellular data caps. 

 There are significant privacy issues with this app, as with WiFi Calling, that consumers might want to consider.

Even if the cellular carrier or the consumer’s smart phone do not support WiFi Calling, there are many other options for placing telephone calls over WiFi.  For instance, the popular Vonage service has an app that can be installed on a cell phone that lets consumers place calls over any data network, including the cell data network or WiFi. Comcast also has a similar app.

 I personally use Google Voice service.  This free service from Google provides consumers with a phone number and no-charge inbound calling.  Outbound calls to the US are free, and outbound calls to other countries are inexpensive.  You can use Google Voice from a computer, or you can install the Google Hangouts app on a smartphone and use it over cellular data or WiFi.

2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Nate Rose Acting Head of the Cavendish Municipal Water Department: Randy Shimp, Cavendish’s chief of the Water Department, was in a car accident over a week ago in Ludlow. Nate Rose is currently the acting head. He or town manager Brendan McNamara should be contacted if there is an issue with town water.

 Black River Good Neighbor Solicits Donations for Fall Sale: Black River Good Neighbor Services will hold its annual fall rummage sale Friday-Saturday, September 22-23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday September 24, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. This year they need donations of housewares, furniture, and winter clothing. Please bring small items such as housewares and clothing to the thrift store at 37B Main Street in Ludlow. For larger items such as furniture please call 802-228-3663 to arrange a drop-off time at Fletcher Farm. If you are unable to drop off a furniture donation, our volunteers may be able pick it up if arrangements are made in advance. The rummage sale will be held at Fletcher Farm, 611 Route 103 S in Ludlow on the above dates. Please mark your calendar and come explore the many unique bargains.

Phone Scam Targets GMP Customers: Green Mountain Power says scammers are calling Vermonters with a familiar threat -- their power will be shut off unless they pay up within 15 minutes by calling a toll free number. But GMP says it never demands payment like that. The utility is working with the Attorney General to crack down on these scams.  Some tips if you get one of these calls -- Do not provide payment or other personal information, don't call the number back, and report it to the Attorney General's Consumer Assistance line -- 800.649.2424

HomeGoods, Pet Smart Coming to W. Lebanon: The stores will be in the vacant Shaw’s building. The development company that oversees the Upper Valley Plaza in West Lebanon, N.H. plans to subdivide the property.

Obtain Lifetime National Park Pass By Aug. 27: The senior pass, available to people 62 and older, allows the pass holder and a carload of companions to enter any of 2,000 National Park Service sites throughout the country, including the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park in Woodstock and St. Gaudens in Enfield, NH, for free. The cost of the lifetime pass will increase from $10 to $80 on Aug. 27. The increase, though dramatic, is the first hike in more than 20 years. When Congress first established the senior pass in 1974, they were free, and remained that way until 1994, when the $10 price tag was fixed. Because of the order backlogs, those who purchase a pass online might not get their pass in the mail for months, but will be able to use their receipt to gain admission during the interim.

3. CHS UPDATE-SOLAR ECLIPSE WORKSHOP: On Aug. 20 (Sunday), the Cavendish Historical Society will hold a workshop from 2-4 pm at the Museum (1951 Main St.  Cavendish) where you can make pinhole viewers and learn more about the solar eclipse. On Aug. 21 (Monday), from 1:30 to 3:00 CHS will have various devices set up in front of the Museum so people can safely view the eclipse, which will be about 70% in our area.

The Summer Scribbler II, CHS’s newsletter, is now available at the CHS blog. It includes some interesting articles on the new “Redfield Proctor” as well as our holiday focus this view on Polish heritage in Cavendish.

The best tasting organic blueberries are ripe for the picking at Bruce and Betty McEnaney’s place on Miner Rd. Half of the proceeds of the blue berry picking-only $3 a pound-goes to the Cavendish Town Elementary School’s 6th grade trip to Sturbridge Village. Betty has provided the following directions- Smokeshire Road off 103 for 2 miles and then left up the hill at the sign. House at the end of the road. Berries are off to the left. Picking equipment on the porch. Organic berries $3.00 a pound.

 4. CONCERT SERIES 8/16/17 Yankee Chank: Please note that due to rain, both The Gully Boys and Chris Kleeman concerts have been rescheduled as follows: Chris Kleeman Aug. 23; The Gully Boys, Aug. 30.

The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association in conjunction with the Town, features Yankee Chank, with Cavendish’s Bob Naess on fiddle, at the August 16th Wednesday concert at 5:30 p.m. on the Proctorsville Green. Please note that this concert will start half an hour earlier than other concerts in the series.

Yankee Chank is a Vermont group that performs traditional Cajun music from the heart of southwest Louisiana. The French-speaking people of eastern Canada, our immediate neighbor to the north, were the inspiration for the southern Cajuns and thereby inspired Yankee Chank. The band has been performing both Cajun and Zydeco music around Vermont and beyond, using fiddle, accordion, guitar and bass since 1996. The band’s performances offer a distinctive immersion into this unique regional music.

For more information please call Robin at 226-7736. In case of rain, please check the Cavendish Facebook page for further information.

5. LIVE AUTHENTICALLY WELLNESS COURSE: Are you looking for a change or wanting to make your dreams a reality?  Feeling stressed?  Never seem to have enough time? Make real and lasting changes to live your life, your way in the unique and powerful Live Authentically course. Discover your inner potential and gain insight into the big questions in life such as "Who am I?" "What am I here to do?" "What's stopping me?" and "How can I create the life I want?" Creativity in the classroom will be inspired by using collage, journaling and more as we explore topics that include communication, personality, values, strengths, time, stress, money, life purpose and goals. You will complete the course with a new awareness of who you are, intention statements of what you intend to do and be and an action plan designed to implement your new vision of yourself. The program will be set up with guidelines that encourage personal growth and wellness in a safe and confidential environment. Come and join us and get to know your true self at dG’s Bodyworks in Proctorsville, Saturdays, September 9th - November 18th, 2017 from 9:00am – 12:00pm.

Or create your own private group and course instructor and Proctorsville resident Martha Mott will facilitate this genuinely transformative process in the comfort of your own home or business.

To register, contact Martha Mott at martha@liveauthentically.org or 802-356-5984. For more information, go to www.liveauthentically.org.

6. EVENTS

AUGUST 14 (Monday): Select Board Meeting. Will be aired on Comcast channel 10 on August 18. The agenda will be posted to The Dish as soon as it’s received.

 AUGUST 16 (WEDNESDAY): Concert on the Green, 6 pm, Proctorsville Green featuring Yankee Chank. Free and open to the public.

AUGUST 20 (SUNDAY): Solar Eclipse Workshop at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum 2-4. Free and open to the public. FMI: 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com

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