Cavendish Update 3/19/20: Taking Care of Our Corner of the World

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

3/19/20: Taking Care of Our Corner of the World

1.Just take care of your corner of the world

2. What’s Happened in the Last 24 Hours

3. Sanity Tip for the Day

4. Take a Break

5. Events

 It’s back to school today for our older students and grade schoolers will soon follow. Our educators have been working long hours to make on-line learning possible. Thank you! Let us know how much fun you’re having.

1. JUST TAKE CARE OF YOUR CORNER OF THE WORLD: Uncle Tony (Dr. Fauci) is telling us to “hunker down,” and we’re just about at full “hunker.”  The good news is that in countries that have implemented social distancing, such as China, it’s been very effective. So if somebody gives you the “we’re all going to get it,” have them step 12 feet away from you and not just 6.

Living in Vermont, we get “hunkering,” due to snow, power outages, wind, flooding and sometimes all of the above at once. However, this is going to be a longer “hunker” than normal. How long, we don’t know but there are two things we can do.

1.    Take care of yourself first. As the flight attendants always remind us to put oxygen masks on our self before helping anyone else-to function your best, you gotta be at your best. Did that sound too Oprahish? Second comes your family and nearest and dearest. Once you have that, help others as you can. If you can help or need help, call 226-7291 or 7292.

2.    We know about “cabin fever,” so the more ways we can help each other with this the better. Post ideas to Cavendish Facebook, or if you prefer send to cavendishconnect@gmail.com

2. CONNECTION OVER CONTAGION: Maybe more serious than the virus itself, is the fear and panic surrounding it. Both are highly contagious. Limit news, just so you get the jest of things, and focus more on talking to friends, family, neighbors by phone, Facetime, Skype, Facebook etc.

For our parents that are overseeing that kids are on-line (did you ever think you’d be saying, “you’re not spending enough time on your iPad?”) doing school work, we know it can be a challenge but it may also give you an opportunity to be a bit more hands on with your child’s education. Let us know how it’s working out.

We are now starting an “events” section of what’s going on virtually (and for free), so join in cause lots of us are going to be watching and doing.

 If you are feeling overly stressed, connect don’t disconnect. Let someone know. We’re all in this together and we’re making it work. You aren’t alone in worrying about finances, whether family and loved ones are okay, if you’re being a good parent, or if you can eat the last Oreo without getting caught. This will not last forever and remember, we’re all wired for resiliency. More on that one tomorrow.

 Before I forget, check out Item 5. Denise has posted her upcoming free on-line classes. She thinks the yoga class tonight is a must do. Thank you Denise, Kata and Lori. You are what makes Cavendish so incredible!

3.WHAT’S HAPPENED IN THE LAST 24 HOURS: New resource guide on-line at the Dish.

• And the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) has made yet another change to reporting data. It will be divided by residential status (VT or other) and they will no longer provide information about location. Heard the craziest rumor about various people being infected. Really? Just assume everyone has it, and act accordingly -from a distance of at least six feet. Anybody want to write a song about that.

• Special information for Cavendish Station Transfer Users: The Transfer station is open regular hours, 8-5 Wed and Sat, 10-5 Sun. Singleton's continues to sell transfer station tokens and you can write checks at the transfer station if they don't have tokens. You can also mail checks to the town office (PO Box 126, Cavendish VT 05142) and they’ll mail you tokens.

• You can delay tax payment for 90 days past the April 15th deadline!! Now that’s some great news because I know I haven’t gotten my taxes done for this year. However, you do need to file by April 15. Learn more.

• Medical/Dental non urgent appointments and procedures are being delayed. Hospitals are delaying non urgent elective procedures and dentists are asking that you only call for emergent situations. Call and talk to your providers about anything you might have selected or need done.

• Economic relief bills are working their way through Congress.

• VT Labor Dept. Adds an online option to make it easier to apply for unemployment claims. By phone: Full-Service Filing of Claims: 1-877-214-3330 (individuals should try this line first) Supplemental Initial Claim Intake: 1-888-807-7072. By internet:
Electronic Form for Initial Intake
Vermont Department of Labor

• Berkshire Bank announced it yesterday but expect it to be true of all banks. You can use ATMs, drive thru windows and on-line banking as usual, but branch lobbies will be closed to unscheduled walk-in customers. Call to make an appointment for in person banking.

• Really, what is this guy thinking! VT Man Charged After Falsely Claiming he Had Coronavirus.

• Darn Tough Socks has closed temporarily but Ben & Jerry’s is still cranking out your favorites.

• Fish & Wildlife would like you to take down bird feeders as the bears are out and about.

4. SANITY TIP FOR THE DAY: Exercising is always good, but right now it can be a life saver. Thanks to Denise of dgBodyworks you can work out with her and her team on-line. Walking outside is not only refreshing, but it will give you a whole new perspective. The one thing about Cavendish you can walk for miles and not see anyone, but for safety’s sake, if you do, don’t be a fool and remember the 6 foot rule. Yikes I need some better lines!

5. TAKE A BREAK: You can always go back to obsessing, but give yourself a break. Each post will now offer a “take a break” feature.

We’ve heard some of you were captivated by hunkering at the International Space Station, but today let’s go to Carnival in Rio.

There is no place like Rio for Carnival! The floats, samba, songs, music and more Wow! Just as New Orleans is known for Mardi Gras, Brazil has earned the distinction of being “The Greatest Show on Earth.” Enjoy the parade, it’s like nothing you’ll see anywhere but Rio.

6. UPCOMING EVENTS

3/19 (Thursday): dgBody Works These are Facebook Live Classes and free. Will be post to Cavendish Facebook page the next day

• 5 pm Barre with Kata

• 6 pm Yoga with Lori

3/20 (Friday): 7 am Boot Camp with Denise. dgBody Works These are Facebook Live Classes and free. Will be post to Cavendish Facebook page the next day

Be smart. Do your part. Stay home or 6 feet apart. 

                        Stay healthy to protect yourself and Cavendish.

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

In honor of back to school day, Jane Hart’s “Home schooling can be exhausting but worth it.”

Cavendish Resources 3/19/20

Cavendish Update 3/18/20: Yes the Transfer Station is Open

Maintain Social Distance by Jane Hart.

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

3/18/20: Yes the Transfer Station is Open Today

1.What’s Happened in the Last 24 Hours

2. Non Cavendish Resources to Help You

3. Sanity Tip for the Day

4. Hunkering Down at the International Space Station

1. WHAT’S HAPPENED IN THE LAST 24 HOURS: Does it seem like we are told one thing only to have it completely reversed in less than a day? Well that’s how fast things are changing and it’s definitely nerve wracking. I made myself a tad nuts yesterday trying to figure out why none of the numbers at the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) website were making sense, but they’ve straightened out that glitch. Now we know how many residents versus non-residents have tested positive. As of last night, 10 Vermonters have the virus along with 7 non-residents. Learn more.

If you have noticed some new art work on the Facebook page, it’s coming from our incredibly talented Jane Hart (Pets by Hart). For those of you who remember Irene, she did lots of wonderful art projects with the kids in the shelter. Jane is “doing her part, Staying home and making art!” Enjoy them and follow the recommendations she depicts.

Note to our Cavendish Second Home Owners: You are one of us and your health and safety matters. During Irene, you really helped us out and we’ll never forget it. We’re in a bit of a different situation now. Our health care resources are really limited, and are more designed for people with a broken bone than those who might require a ventilator. Since your doctors and specialists are where you regularly live, you’re better off hunkering down there, as you’ll ultimately get better care if you were to contract Covid-19. We want you in good shape for the summer season. However, if you do decide to come, please bring your own toilet paper, along with medical records as well as several months of any prescription meds you are taking. Remember social distancing is critical at this time and we do have people in quarantine.

• The Cavendish Resource List is now available in handout format at The Dish. Note that it includes a date at the top. We will be updating this weekly so you can stay current. We’ll let you know when it’s being updated.

• Both Crows Bakery (7-5) and Murdock’s (5-8) are doing take out. They’re working through the details and doing a terrific job. Picked up dinner at Murdock’s last night, and it smells wonderful. Good reminder that life goes on. We’re very lucky they’re doing this. Big shout out to American Pie in Ludlow, (Proc residents own it), thanks for displaying the Prevention Flyer.

• Dollar General (there is one in Chester) is dedicating its first shopping hour for seniors. Please take hand sanitizer with you and use it after opening doors, handling money, swiping a credit card, and wipe down cart handles. Most importantly, exercise social distancing and stand 6 feet away from other people, be it while standing in line or strolling the aisles. Finally, wave to friends. No handshakes or other physical contact.

• Kata Welch, of the Cavendish Library is doing read “a louds” at the Cavendish Library’s Facebook page. She’s currently reading “And Then There were None,” by Agatha Christie. Can’t wait for today’s installment. Thank you Kata!

• If you missed Denise’s, dg Bodyworks, class Monday night, it’s both at the dg Bodyworks Facebook page as well as Cavendish Facebook page. You’ll have to scroll down to see. Denise is offering another free class tonight, Wed, via Facebook Live at 7 pm tonight. Don’t miss it. Thank you Denise!!

• This almost falls into the “believe it or not” category given the issues we’ve had with Internet, however, thank you TDS for doing your bit. TDS Announces Free Broadband Access for New K-12, College Student Households and More For 60 Days

• Governor Phil Scott is tightening restrictions -All child care centers will be closed except those that serve children of "essential workers" including health care workers and emergency responders.

2. NON CAVENDISH RESOURCES TO HELP YOU: Now that we’re all realizing we’re going to be hunkering down here together-but apart-for some of us it means lost jobs and income.  Below are resources and thinks to check out, along with resources in other towns-like free sanitizer from the distillery in Windsor.

• WIC: You may now be eligible for nutrition programs designed to help in unexpected situations like this. WIC gives you access to healthy foods, nutrition education and counseling, and breastfeeding support. If you're pregnant, a caregiver or a parent with a child under five, consider WIC. text VTWIC to 855-1.

• 3Squares VT: call 855-855-6181, or text VFBSNAP to 85511.

• Meal Programs for Older Vermonters: People age 60 and older are especially encouraged to stay at home in order to protect themselves from COVID-19, but staying well-nourished is also critical. To help, you may be able to pick up meals to go or have meals delivered to your home. For more information, please call the Helpline at 1-800-585-2265.

• Sign up for VT unemployment: This has been a real challenge for people trying to get through on-line or by phone. Learn more.

• Sevca is now offering appointments by phone.

• Silo Distillery in Windsor is offering free hand sanitizer as are other distilleries in the state. Learn more about the product and the dates and hours of availability. You’ll need to bring your own containers. 

3. SANITY TIP FOR THE DAY: The news media has been designed to grab your attention. In short, it can make you terrified and will hook you in. Keep staring at the TV and the next thing you know, you’re a set of jumbled nerves and you missed Denise’s Facebook Live exercise class. Seriously, a news restricted diet is going to help you lose some of the jitters.

 4. HUNKERING DOWN AT THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION: And people are getting a bit twitchy thinking about all the time frames being given for “social distancing.” Made me think of what it must be like to live for a year at the International Space Station. This is a mesmerizing video of what it’s like. As a big fan of gravity, not so sure this would work well for me, but certainly wouldn’t mind a week there. Watch this mesmerizing video Departing Space Station Commander Provides Tour of the Orbital Laboratory.

                            Be smart. Do your part. Stay home or 6 feet apart. 

                        Stay healthy to protect yourself and Cavendish.

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update: 3/17/20 Happy St. Patrick's Day

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

3/17/20: Happy St. Patrick’s Day

1.Meet the Cavendish Covid-19 Team

2. What’s Happened in the Last 24 Hours

3. Volunteers Needed

4. A poem from Ireland this St. Pat’s Day

1.THE CAVENDISH COVID-19 TEAM: Yesterday was the first in person meeting of the Cavendish Covid-19 Team (CCT). We met outside in the parking lot of the town office standing more than six feet apart, and there are pictures on Facebook to prove it. The CCT includes, alphabetically:

• Margo Caulfield: That would be me-Cavendish Connects/Cavendish VT Facebook page

• Doris Eddy: Health Officer

• Bob Glidden: Town Emergency Coordinator, Deputy Chief Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Dept.

• Abe Gross: Cavendish Volunteer Fire Dept Chief, Pastor Cavendish Baptist

• Peter LaBelle: Black River Good Neighbor, Town Auditor

• Brendan McNamara, Town Manager

• Diane McNamara: Town Clerk, Treasurer

We’re in daily contact and meeting in person as needed, six feet apart and outside. I had hoped to have the Hunkering Down Resources Handout for you this AM, but the team has to approve it so we’ll have it up later today. In the meantime, we have updates under Item 2.

The town’s response is being coordinated out of the Town Office, which is fully staffed but closed to the public. In short folks-we got this! Take a deep breath and know that CCT is on the case.

2. WHAT’S HAPPENED IN THE LAST 24 HOURS: If it feels like we’re being shut down, and it’s making you feel a bit frightened or scared, that’s okay. Totally normal as our brains are wired for fear. A great device to keep the humans alive on the African savannah. However, it’s back firing in today’s society, where we are blasted 24/7 with some variation of “if it bleeds it leads.”  That would be like the early hunters and gatherers having to deal with a tiger ready to pounce on them continuously. We wouldn’t have made it as a species if that were the case. So hold on to the good in your life and let the fear go. Thinking there isn’t much good? Well thanks to social distancing, I can eat garlic and go to a meeting without offending anyone.

• Gotta give a shout out to Denise of dg Bodyworks. Not only did she do a drive by TPing-as one of our residents was without toilet paper yesterday, but she held a free Facebook live class at 7 pm last night!! You rock! Love our Cavendish Tough Girl.

• Cases are rising in Vermont and yesterday’s were all “community acquired.” In other words, they had no risk factors. If the account and the amount is of interest to you, read more, otherwise move on. Being obsessed by numbers can make you nuts. We know the virus is here and we have people in quarantine, but remember 80% of those will have very mild or no symptoms. That noted, don’t assume anyone is safe and practice the 4 S’s-Social Distancing; Soap & Sanitize; Stay Home; & Safely Cough. In a nut shell- Be smart. Do your part. Stay Home or 6 Feet Apart.

• Ludlow Ambulance has requested the following If you are currently self-quarantined. Put a note on your front door notifying first responders of your situation. If you need emergency services notify the dispatcher of the situation at the time of your initial call. Please do not show up at any emergency services building, your primary care office or the emergency department, please call first so we can be prepared for your arrival. And only utilize these services for life threatening illnesses or injury. We’ll work on a special snazzy sign that you can post.

• They would do this on St. Patrick’s Day. Really now. Just no respect. All bars and restaurants must close by 2 pm today. To Go and Delivery only. Fortunately, Murdock’s and American Pie are offering To Go Services. Murdock’s hours will be 5-8. Credit or debit cards only. Please call ahead to place your orders. (802) 554-0126. Singleton’s is kicking it old school- Place your order 8-7 by calling 802 226 7666. Your order will be ready within a half hour and you can pick it up at the back door.

• Canada is closing the border to non-Canadian citizens and permanent residents though it is leaving an exception for United States citizens. Land border points of entry, like those along the Vermont and Quebec border will remain open.

• Both Cavendish and Ludlow Libraries are closed. However, there is free Wi-Fi, no password required at either location. Cavendish has free books, movies in the entry way and special Busy Kits for kids.

• Black River (Ludlow area) has cancelled their Community Meals but will do deliveries.  Community Meal participants have been directed to call the Sr. Center if they would like a meal delivered. 228.7241

3. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We need volunteers who can help with a number of tasks including shopping, delivering items, making check in calls and more. If you can help, please call 226-7291. All volunteer coordination-if ya need it or can do it-will be out of the Town Office.

4. AN IRISH POEM: Will be posting some Irish music on Facebook to celebrate the day and hope you made some of Brenda’s mother’s Irish Soda Bread (recipe in yesterday’s Update). 

The following is from Brother Richard Hendrick, a Capuchin Franciscan living in Ireland, who wrote this poem about coronavirus.

Lockdown by Brother Richard: 

Yes there is fear.

Yes there is isolation.

Yes there is panic buying.

Yes there is sickness.

Yes there is even death.

But,

They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise

You can hear the birds again.

They say that after just a few weeks of quiet

The sky is no longer thick with fumes

But blue and grey and clear.

They say that in the streets of Assisi

People are singing to each other

across the empty squares,

keeping their windows open

so that those who are alone

may hear the sounds of family around them.

They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland

Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.

Today a young woman I know

is busy spreading fliers with her number

through the neighborhood

So that the elders may have someone to call on.

Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples

are preparing to welcome

and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary

All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting

All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way

All over the world people are waking up to a new reality

To how big we really are.

To how little control we really have.

To what really matters.

To Love.

So we pray and we remember that

Yes there is fear.

But there does not have to be hate.

Yes there is isolation.

But there does not have to be loneliness.

Yes there is panic buying.

But there does not have to be meanness.

Yes there is sickness.

But there does not have to be disease of the soul

Yes there is even death.

But there can always be a rebirth of love.

Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.

Today, breathe.

Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic

The birds are singing again

The sky is clearing,

Spring is coming,

And we are always encompassed by Love.

Open the windows of your soul

And though you may not be able

to touch across the empty square,

Sing

                            Be smart. Do your part. Stay home or 6 feet apart. 

                        Stay healthy to protect yourself and Cavendish.

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS