August 30, 2019

Events

August 30, 2019/ Cavendish Connects

As we remember the 8th anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene this week, please use this anniversary as a reminder to prepare for the coming hurricane season and winter. Check out the Cavendish Connects Emergency Preparedness webpage

CHECK THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to see this page.

8/30/19 Cavendish Update

1. Cavendish Related news

2. Annual Phineas Gage Walk & Talk

3. Events

1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Water Tests for the Black River: This is the last week water is tested on the Black River. Many thanks to Black River Action Team (BRAT) for providing this valuable service. Water testing was done on August 28 and all areas were safe. Specific results are as follows:

Cavendish Gorge:3 CFU (Safe)

Greven Field: 80 CFU (Safe)

Buttermilk Falls:1 CFU (Safe)

Little Ascutney: 166 CFU (Safe)

Tolles Power Dam: 29 CFU (Safe)

Where to Return Fallen Flags: If you happened to pick up one of the flags that have been flying on Main St, but fell during a recent storm, please drop it off at the Cavendish Library in Proctorsville.

CTES Multi-Purpose Room Dedicated to George Thomson: At the welcoming back to school breakfast at Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES) on Wednesday, Sept. 28, George Thomson, former principal, thought he was there to hand out certificates for the school's dedicated employees who had served the school for 18 or more years. Imagine George's surprise when the tables were turned and Deb Beaupre, CTES’s current principal, brought out the sign that dedicates the CTES multi-purpose room to Thomson. Beaupre did a great job in surprising George as well as the teachers and staff at CTES.

VT Golden Honey Festival: On Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., come check out the Vermont Golden Honey Festival – you’ll find big-time fun at this small-town festival. Local beekeepers, crafters, artists, and restaurants join together on the spacious lawns of Golden Stage Inn in Proctorsville to showcase their products, especially those featuring honey or the honeybee. The event is co-hosted with Goodman’s American Pie of Ludlow, Vt. Come check out their honey apple pizza baked in their onsite beehive oven pizza truck. It’s free admission, and there are activities for the kids. Some products from the vendors will be raffled off as well. All net proceeds from the festival are donated to a local nonprofit each year. This year, we’ll be donating to Windsor County Youth Services, an organization with residential programs for teens in both Ludlow and Proctorsville. Youth Services, an organization with residential programs for teens in both Ludlow and Proctorsville. FMI: Julie-Lynn Wood of Golden Stage Inn, 802-226-7744 or go to www.goldenstageinn.com. There are still a few spots open for vendors. VT Journal

Please Take the Okemo Valley TV Survey: Okemo Valley TV, the community access TV station, is conducting a brief survey about the local program offerings. The 10-question web-based survey is hosted on the basic, free-version of Survey Monkey. A link to it is available on the home page of the station’s website at www.okemovalley.tv. The survey is aimed at collecting data and feedback that will help direct some of the ways in which the programming is curated and presented on its various platforms. Programming is available for viewing on Okemo Valley TV’s two cable TV channels – on Comcast and VTel – as well as its website and YouTube channel. Press Release

Bruce Schmidt Returns to Okemo: Many in the area are celebrating the return of Bruce Schmidt as general manager of Okemo, a position he held for 14 or the 30 years he worked at Okemo. With Vail’s purchase of Okemo, Schmidt was reassigned as general manager to Mt. Sunapee in 2018. .

Springfield Hospital’s survival ‘virtually impossible’ without merger: The interim CEO of the financially strapped Springfield Hospital says its financial structure is unsustainable and its survival will be “virtually impossible” unless it merges with other hospitals in its region. The hospital is in merger talks with Mt. Ascutney Hospital in Windsor, and the Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont, New Hampshire, with the support of Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, which is already affiliated with the other two organizations. VT Digger

Regulators approve roughly 2.7% Green Mountain Power rate hike: The Vermont Public Utility Commission approved a roughly 2.7% rate increase by the state’s largest electric utility to go into effect in October. Green Mountain Power will calculate the precise rate after the regulatory board approved the company’s proposed increase of 2.92% Thursday, subject to making certain modifications recommended by the Department of Public Service. GMP customers will feel a bump this fall from a 5.43% rate hike approved last year — that hike went into effect but customers didn’t see the full increase on their bills because of a one-time windfall the utility gained from federal tax cuts that it returned to customers. There will also be line items on bills for tree trimming related to the emerald ash borer infestation and major storm recovery costs. VT Digger

2 ANNUAL PHINEAS GAGE WALK & TALK: Many know the story of Phineas Gage, the railroad foreman who sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), when a tamping rod went through his head during a blasting accident. They may even know of Dr. John Martyn Harlow, the Cavendish, VT physician who treated him and followed his recovery, thereby documenting the first case of TBI in the medical literature. Who many are unaware of is the doctor who trained Harlow at a time when few doctors washed their hands, bled patients and had little understanding of the brain.

Each year, the Cavendish Historical Society hosts the annual Phineas Gage Walk & Talk, to commemorate the event that took place on Sept. 13, 1848. On Sunday Sept. 8 at the CHS Museum, 1958 Main St. Cavendish, VT. The program begins at 2 pm at the Museum and includes a demonstration of how Gage’s brain was injured.. The walk follows presentation and includes the location of the accident, Dr. Harlow’s home/surgery, and the boarding house where Gage was taken after his injury.

This program is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com

3. EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 2 (MONDAY): Labor Day. Schools and Town Office closed

SEPTEMBER 8 (SUNDAY): Annual Phineas Gage Walk & Talk at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum, 1958 Main St. Cavendish at 2 pm. This is free and open to the public. FMI: 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com

SEPTEMBER 10 (TUESDAY): Cavendish Community Luncheon at Gethsemane Episcopal Church off of Depot Street in Proctorsville. Lunch begins at noon and all are welcome.

SEPTEMBER 14 (SATURDAY): VT Golden Honey Festival. 10-4 Part craft fair, part food festival, the VT Golden Honey Festival is a community favorite. Located on the lawn of the Golden Stage Inn, 399 Depot St. in Proctorsville. Proceeds of this event will benefit VT Coalition of Runaway and Homeless Youth (Ludlow and Proctorsville. For vendor and other information: vtgoldenhoneyfestival@gmail.com or 802-226-7744 (Julie).

SEPTEMBER 18 (WEDNESDAY): 2-6 Pm Hazardous Waste Collection at the Springfield Transfer Station. For a printable list of what to bring and what not to bring, click on the Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District. The next collections will be in the spring of 2020. FMI: 802- 674-9235

SEPTEMBER 20-21 (FRIDAY-SUNDAY): Black River Good Neighbor Services will hold its annual Fall Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farm, 611 Route 103 South in Ludlow on Friday and Saturday, September 20th and 21st, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday September 22nd, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. FMI: 802-228-3663, or BRGNS@gmail.com.

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

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

August 23, 2019

Cavendish Update 8/23/19 News/Events

August 23, 2019/ Cavendish Connects

CHECK THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to see this page.

8/23/19 Cavendish Update

1.Cavendish Related news

2. Hazardous Waste Collection

3. Wednesday Concert: Chris Kleeman

4. Events

1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Water Tests for the Black River: Water testing was done on August 2, before the Ludlow wastewater treatment facility experienced some sort of issue that prompted a discharge of 100,000 - 500,000 gallons of treated & undisinfected effluent into the river, just upstream from Greven Field. While the numbers on these charts are all below the 235 cfu 'safe swimming' limit, Black River Action Team (BRAT) suggests that people stay out of the river at Greven Field until Saturday if possible. Just to be on the safe side. Thank you BRAT for your continued dedication to the Black River and the safety of those who use it. Note that anything above 235 CFU is considered unsafe for recreational purposes. Specific results are as follows:

Cavendish Gorge:10 CFU (Safe)

Greven Field: 88 CFU (Safe)

Buttermilk Falls: 27 CFU (Safe)

Little Ascutney: 205 CFU (Safe)

Tolles Power Dam:59 CFU (Safe)

GMUSD BOARD LEARNS OF $189,000 DEFICIT: Budgeting was front and center at the Aug. 15 Green Mountain Unified School District board meeting, where the board learned that it would be starting the process with a deficit of more than $189,000. In the end, the board also decided to change the way it compiles its spending plan. The Chester Telegraph

Diocese of Burlington Accuses 40 Vermont Priests of Child Sex Abuse: Bishop Christopher J Coyne, who took over the Diocese of Burlington in January 2015, decided in October 2018 to join many other Dioceses across the nation to release the names of priests that had credible allegations of sexual abuse filed against them by victims who were under the age of 18 at the time of the incident. Sadly, priests affiliated with local churches, including Proctorsville, appear on this list. Half the priests listed served in Rutland County. The report did not say how many victims there were, and church officials said they would not be revealing that information. “Many abusers and their victims are deceased, so some might ask ‘Why engage in this process?’” the committee wrote. “Publication of a list may cause harm to the legacy of accused perpetrators, but the list also may offer some long-missed consolation to victims and their families and friends.” Church leaders acknowledge publicizing the list of priests could subject the diocese to more lawsuits. More than 50 accusers have won nearly $31.5 million in settlements in the past several decades. Their shared lawyer, Jerome O’Neill of Burlington, still has six cases pending in court. VT Digger

Soccer Coaches Needed at GMUHS: As per an email received from the athletic director, Green Mountain is in dire need of coaches for JV and Middle School boys' soccer teams. They are in danger of having their season canceled if no one steps up! If you are or someone you know is interested, PLEASE contact GMUHS! 802.875.2146 Ext. 5087.

VT Forgoes Federal Funding It Directs to Planned Parenthood: On Monday, Planned Parenthood bowed out of receiving federal funds. Several Vermont state bodies, including the Legislature, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Agency of Human Services, are working to ensure that Planned Parenthood retains the funds to operate. During the 2019 legislative session, the Legislature put money into a contingency fund; now, Planned Parenthood is making use of those emergency measures. Unless the nation changes its mind, Vermont will pass up the funds from here on out. The federal money in question is granted through Title X, a program that funds birth control and reproductive health services for low-income Americans. It helps consumers access screenings, contraception, and STD treatment. It does not pay for abortions. About 11,000 Vermonters a year have been served from Title X funds. VT Digger

You Must Be 21 to Purchase and Possess Tobacco Products in VT: As of Sept.,1, the new law goes into effect in Vermont. Those who purchase or possess tobacco products must be at least 21 years of age. Those wishing to stop using tobacco can get free help from the VT Health Department.

2. HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION: 9/18/19: There will be a household hazardous waste collection on Wednesday, September 18 at the Springfield Transfer Station, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. for residents of Andover, Athens, Baltimore, Cavendish, Chester, Grafton, Ludlow, Plymouth, Reading, Rockingham, Springfield, Weathersfield, West Windsor, and Windsor. Sponsored by the Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District and the host town. Call 674-9235 for more information or visit www.vtsolidwastedistrict.org for a list of what to bring and what not to bring.

3. CAVENDISH CONCERT: CHRIS KLEEMAN: The Cavendish Summer Concert series had some interference this summer from Mother Nature. Half of the shows were rained out. But the good news is that musicians are understanding and willing to accommodate by rescheduling, including local favorite Chris Kleeman.

Chris will now play at the Svec Memorial Green in Proctorsville on Wednesday, August 28th, weather permitting of course. Since sunset comes much earlier as August progresses, the show will begin earlier too, now scheduled for 5:00 pm. The show will be sponsored by Good Earth Landscaping.

In case of rain, please check the Cavendish Facebook page for cancellation or alternative arrangement information. FMI: Robin 802-226-7736.

4. EVENTS

AUGUST 25 (SUNDAY): Indian Stones Program at the Cavendish Historical Museum, 1958 Main St., Cavendish starting at 2 pm. This will include a trip to Reading to see the stones following the presentation. FMI: 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com

AUGUST 28 (WEDNESDAY): SCHOOLS OPEN-PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY

• Concert at the Proctorsville Green, 5:00. Free and Open to the public. Chris Kleeman (Blues guitar) sponsored by Good Earth Landscaping

SEPTEMBER 2 (MONDAY): Labor Day. Schools and Town Office closed

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

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

August 16, 2019

Cavendish Update 8/16/19: SB Mtg/Water Testing/Events/News

August 16, 2019/ Cavendish Connects

CHECK THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to see this page.

8/16/19 Cavendish Update

1. Cavendish Select Board Meeting 8/12/19

2. Cavendish Related news

3. Indian Stones Talk

4. Cavendish Streetscapes Fundraiser at Murdock’s

5. Wednesday Concert: Sullivan & Friends

6. Events

1.CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 8/12/19: Cavendish Select Board (SB) Meetings are videotaped by Okemo Valley TV and are available at their website. In addition, minutes are available at the Cavendish Municipal website and both the Chester Telegraph and VT Journal carry reports on this meeting.

The following actions were taken/discussed at the July 8th meeting:

• Cavendish Streetscapes presented a plaque, that will hang in the town office, that includes the names of those who are being honored with a flag in the villages of Cavendish & Proctorsville. The trees on Svec Memorial Park (Proctorsville Green) require pruning. It was agreed that the Tech Center should be asked to handle the pruning as they have done in other towns.

• Town Plan Hearing will be held on Nov. 12 at 5:30 pm. Vote takes place at Town Meeting in March.

• Regular SB meetings for Oct. and Nov. will be changed due to holidays. The new dates will be Oct. 15 (Tuesday) and Nov. 12 (Tuesday).

• The filtration media needs to be replaced in the municipal water system. Consequently, a water conservation notice will be issued immediately after Labor Day. While the water plant will be shut down during this time, there should be no break in service.

• Reviewed proposed wastewater ordinance. Aeration system replacement in the final lagoon has been completed, with the project fully operational by the end of September.

• The town continues to look for an Animal Control Officer. If interested contact the town manager Brendan McNamara at 802-226-7291

• Depot Street Bridge: Not sure the project will be completed this season.

2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Water Tests for the Black River: Water testing was done on August 14. All areas tested safe. Thank you BRAT for your continued dedication to the Black River and the safety of those who use it. Note that anything above 235 CFU is considered unsafe for recreational purposes. Specific results are as follows:

Cavendish Gorge: 22 CFU (Safe)

Greven Field: 172 CFU (Safe)

Buttermilk Falls: 25 CFU (safe)

Little Ascutney: 172 CFU (safe)

Tolles Power Dam:38 CFU (Safe)

GMP Phone Scam: Green Mountain Power customers, including some in Cavendish, are being subjected to scam calls. They threaten to cut off service within 30 minutes if payment isn’t immediately received. If you receive such a call, hang up immediately and report it to GMP at 888-835-4672. Also contact VT’s Attorney General’s office 800-649-2424 or 802-656-3183

Lead Test Results from Vt. Schools, Child Care Centers Available for Public to Search: The Scott administration has created a website to monitor the testing of lead levels in schools and child care centers. To date, five schools and 300 child care centers have been tested — and roughly 10% of the tested child care centers had at least one water source that exceeded legal limits, while every tested school had at least one water source above what's permitted. VPR

Claremont Standoff-Suspect Fired Hundreds of Shots: Police in Claremont, New Hampshire, say they have arrested a man who was holed up in a house firing shots out the window for nine hours on Thursday, Aug. 15. WCAX

Former Springfield Hospital CEO Sues Over Forced Resignation: he former chief executive officer of the troubled Springfield Hospital, who says he was a “scapegoat” for the financial meltdown at the organization late last year, has filed a lawsuit against some of its board members and administrators over his forced resignation. VT Digger

Phoenix Books Misty Valley to be sold, renamed Blair Books & More: Bookseller Vicki Thornton will purchase the store Thursday, Aug. 29m and will be renamed Blair Books & More. In addition to a curated selection of books for all ages, the store will offer locally crafted gifts, toiletries, and jewelry and will continue to carry premium greeting cards, stationery, puzzles, and literary-themed gifts. VT Journal

Amid Recession Fears, VT’s Not Insulated from National Economy: At the end of July, Vermont’s state economists said a recession looked unlikely in the next two years, as they projected a $56 million increase in state revenues. Two weeks later, the U.S. stock markets had their worst day of the year, and the dreaded inverted yield curve — an indicator that investors expect an economic downturn — sparked speculation of a pending recession. If the U.S. is hit by a recession, say economic experts, Vermont is likely to feel the full impact. State revenues could dip as the need for state services increases; the market for Vermont-made products could shrink; and demographic challenges would likely be exacerbated as workers seek jobs elsewhere. While economists say it’s impossible to predict what the economy will do globally or in Vermont, and investors hope stock markets will rebound from this week’s decline, there is cause for concern. VT Digger

3. INDIAN STONES TALK: How many times have you driven along route 106 and seen the “Indian Stones” sign? If you had a chance to examine the stones, you’d see that they describe the birth of a European descent child in 1754. While the Stones may be in Reading, the birth took place in Cavendish on what is today the Knapp Pond area.

On August 25 (Sunday), the Cavendish Historical Society will be presenting a talk on the story behind the Indian Stones, including the capture of the Johnson family by the Abenaki, their captivity and their lives afterwards.

What happened to this family that Susannah Johnson would later write in her autobiography, In justice to the Indians, I ought to remark, that they never treated me with cruelty, to a wanton degree; few people have survived a situation like mine, and few have fallen into the hands of savages, disposed to more lenity and patience. Modesty has ever been a characteristick of every savage tribe; a truth which my whole family will join to corroborate, to the extent of their knowledge. As they are aptly called the children of nature, those who have profited by refinement and education, ought to abate part of the prejudice, which prompts them to look with an eye of censure on this untutored race. Can it be said of civilized conquer|ors, that they, in the main, are willing to share with their prisoners, the last ration of food, when famine stares them in the face? Do they ever adopt an enemy, and salute him by the tender name of brother? And I am justified in doubting, whether if I had fallen into the hands of French soldiery, so much assiduity would have been shewn, to preserve my life. Note the text appears as written.

The talk begins at 2 pm at the CHS Museum 1958 Main St (Route 131) in Cavendish and will include a trip to see the stones. This event is free and open to the public. FMI: 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com

4. CAVENDISH STREETSCAPES FUNDRAISER DINNER AT MURDOCK’S: It’s hard to believe that summer is drawing to a close. However, it’s been a very productive one for Cavendish Streetscapes.

Thanks to our many generous donors, volunteers and helpful townspeople, Cavendish Streetscapes has successfully raised the flags in both villages and added as well as improved the gardens and landscaping at Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES) grounds and adjacent park, and Svec Memorial Park (Proctorsville Green).

To celebrate this summer’s accomplishments and to prepare for the season ahead, Murdock’s Restaurant in Proctorsville is hosting a fundraiser dinner on behalf of Cavendish Streetscapes on August 29 (Thursday) from 4-9 pm. A portion of the meal will go to future Cavendish Streetscapes projects.

5. CAVENDISH CONCERT: SULLIVAN & FRIENDS: The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association and the Town of Cavendish invite everyone to spend an evening having fun on the Svec Memorial Green in Proctorsville on Wednesday, August 21st, starting at 5:30:00 p.m. when the annual summer music series continues with the music of John Sullivan and Friends. Note that this concert starts a half hour earlier than previous concerts.

John Sullivan (of the John Sullivan Band) has been a regular part of the Vermont music scene, and one of the hottest bands in New England. The latest addition to the band is no stranger to Proctorsville – Mark Huntley will be on drums.

This concert is sponsored by DG Bodyworks of Proctorsville. As always, the concerts are free and open to everyone. Rain dates will be announced on the Cavendish Facebook page. For more information please call Robin at 226-7736.

6. EVENTS

AUGUST 17 (SATURDAY): The Annual Chrome & Craft Festival at the Fletcher Farm School for the Arts & Crafts on Route 103 in Ludlow. From 10-4 (rain or shine).

AUGUST 21 (WEDNESDAY): Concert at the Proctorsville Green, 5:30 pm. Free and open to the public. John Sullivan and Friends sponsored by DG Bodyworks. Note that this concert starts a half hour earlier than previous ones.

AUGUST 28 (WEDNESDAY): Concert at the Proctorsville Green, 5:00. Free and Open to the public. Chris Kleeman (Blues guitar) sponsored by Good Earth Landscaping

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

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

August 09, 2019

Cavendish Update 8/9/19 TDS/Property/News/Events

August 09, 2019/ Cavendish Connects

CHECK THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to see this page.

8/9/19 Cavendish Update

1.TDS Update

2. 71% of Cavendish Property Owned by Non-Residents

3. Cavendish Related news

4. Wednesday Concert: Yankee Chank

5. Events

1. TDS INTERNET UPDATE: We continue to follow up with Scott Brooks, Manager, State Government Affairs at TDS, about the implementation of TDS’s Connect America Funds (CAF) project in our area.

Fiber is being wired to the six cabinets that serve Cavendish and Proctorsville along with the central office (Tarbell Hill, Cavendish Pointe, Center Rd., Twenty Mile Stream, Cavendish Gulf Rd and Chubb Hill) it will be a copper over system to the home from the cabinet. If you are within the 3-mile zone of a cabinet (listed above) you will be able to receive 25/3M with slower speed plans still available.

The Tarbell Hill/Cavendish Pointe cabinets were upgraded two years ago and some subscribers, based on their location to the cabinet, are getting fast speeds. Below are updates on the other areas as of July 31:

• Twenty Mile Stream: Splicing was completed on July 17 and was sent to the deployment team on Monday, July 22. Anticipated completion date for installation is 30 days-end of August, beginning of September.

• Center Rd: The new cabinet has been placed but waiting on it being powered. Once powered, they can install the equipment and configure it. The estimated completion date is Nov/Dec.

• Gulf Rd: Currently with the deployment team, completion is slated for 30-60 days meaning late August to early October.

Read the full report at The Dish.

2. 71% OF CAVENDISH OWNED BY NON-RESIDENTS: An article in VT Digger reports that a real estate company study ranks Vermont as number 2 in the country for the number of vacation homes per capita, behind Maine and before New Hampshire. About 17% of the housing units in Vermont – around 58,500 — are vacation homes. The top three locations within the state for second home ownership were Greensboro with 81%, Quechee with 69% and Proctorsville with 45%.

According to Diane McNamara, Cavendish Town Clerk, the Cavendish Grand List shows that 71% of Cavendish’s property is owned by non-residents. Surrounding areas, appear to be even higher with reports of a 90/10 split in Ludlow and 80/20 in Plymouth. So what impact, if any does this have on Cavendish?

Note that not every property has a second home. Some owners may have land with no development, others will use it for AirBnB or other types of rentals and time shares are popular in various parts of the state.

According to the VT Digger article, second home ownership – and the online vacation rentals that often accompany it – is also seen as one of the reasons for Vermont’s high housing costs. The Vermont Housing Finance Agency says a shortage of available housing has allowed sellers and landlords to charge more, driving rental housing out of the reach of low-income Vermonters.

The average Vermont renter makes $13.40 an hour and can afford to spend about $700 per month on rent, according to a report published by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. But the average statewide fair market rent is much higher: $1,184 per month for a two-bedroom apartment and $945 per month for a one bedroom.

Not surprising, the housing shortage is particularly acute in resort areas and Cavendish is no exception. The impact can be seen in smaller school enrollments as young families can’t afford the rents.

One of Cavendish’s issues is the lack of telecommunications town wide. Through the various surveys Cavendish’s Telecommunications Committee has done on this topic, multiple second home owners have stated they’d move permanently to Cavendish but they require sufficient Internet speeds to run their business and/or telecommute. With surrounding towns, such as Chester and Springfield having fiber wired to their homes, thus having very fast speeds, Cavendish can’t compete.

3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

CVFD New Air Compressor Installed: Thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Cavendish Volunteer Fire Department, and all those who donated, the new air compressor has been installed at the fire house and once again is available for community use.

Cavendish resident starts Au Jus: The small community of Windsor got a new restaurant last week when Nate Rose and Josh Martin opened Au Jus at 131 Main Street. Rose and Martin, who are both in their thirties, had been working together in the kitchen of Neal's Restaurant & Bar in Proctorsville. One busy shift, Martin recalled, they looked at each other, and "Nate said to me, 'Why not do this for ourselves?'" Rose, who is a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute, lives in Cavendish. Menu items range from classic barbecue to New England regulars such as baked haddock and even a lobster roll. Seven Days

Green Mountain Care Board approves insurance price hike: Starting January 1st, 2020, more than 73,000 Vermonters will see a double-digit price hike in their health insurance. Green Mountain Care Board approved the increase. It approved a 12.4% price hike for Blue Cross Blue Shield Vermont, and MVP Health Care will get a 10.1% hike. Those increases are a little less than the insurers requested. VT Digger

Rabies Bait Drop Starts in VT Next Week: The annual effort to stop the spread of rabies among wild animals in Vermont kicks off next week.The state is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to distribute about 450,000 rabies vaccine packs in rural areas of nine Vermont counties. The bait will be dropped from planes or brought to residential areas by hand. The vaccine is a sweet-smelling oral bait that is attractive to raccoons and skunks. The bait packs are not poisonous, but officials ask that you don't touch them. If your pet eats a bait or a child brings one home, officials say call the Vermont Rabies Hotline at 1-800-4-RABIES or call the number printed on the bait. WCAX

4. CAVENDISH CONCERT: YANKEE CHANK The Town of Cavendish presents another in its continuing series of Wednesday evening concerts on August 14th at 6:00 p.m. when Yankee Chank will appear on the Svec Memorial Green in Proctorsville, weather permitting.

Yankee Chank is a Vermont group -fiddler Bob Naess is from Cavendish- 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.

As always, the concerts are free and open to everyone. Rain dates will be announced on the Cavendish Facebook page. For more information please call Robin at 226-7736.

5. EVENTS

AUGUST 10 (SATURDAY): The Cavendish Fletcher Community Library is pleased to invite the public to a Free BBQ at 6 pm. Hot Dogs and chips with all the fixin's will be offered. Tom Joyce, the magician will be performing and kids of all ages will be amazed! The winner of the summer reading program will be announced and the grand prize will be awarded.

AUGUST 11 (SUNDAY): Guided Walk to a Heron Rookery. See checkered Rattlesnake Orchids, Porcupine dens, maple sugar borers and more. Join Pieter van Shaik and Eric Krasnauskas on an easy terrain walk on Pieter’s proposed trail on conserved land in Cavendish. Meet at Crows Bakery at 9:15. RSVP to Robin at 226-7736. Call early as this free Walk and Talk, sponsored by CCCA is limited to 15 people.

AUGUST 14 (WEDNESDAY): Concert at the Proctorsville Green, 6 pm. Free and open to the public. Yankee Chank (Cajun/Zydeco dance band) sponsored by Murdocks

AUGUST 15 (THURSDAY): GMUSD board meeting, 6 pm. Chester Andover Elementary School Library. Agenda can be downloaded here.

AUGUST 17 (SATURDAY): The Annual Chrome & Craft Festival at the Fletcher Farm School for the Arts & Crafts on Route 103 in Ludlow. From 10-4 (rain or shine).

AUGUST 21 (WEDNESDAY): Concert at the Proctorsville Green, 6 pm. Free and open to the public. John Sullivan and Friends sponsored by DG Bodyworks.

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

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Blog | Cavendish, Vermont | Cavendish Connects

The Dish

Cavendish Update 8/30/19: Prepare/News/Events

Cavendish Update 8/23/19 News/Events

Cavendish Update 8/16/19: SB Mtg/Water Testing/Events/News

Cavendish Update 8/9/19 TDS/Property/News/Events

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