Cavendish Update 3/23/20 Monday! Monday!

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3/23/20: Monday, Monday

1. What’s Happened in the Last 24 Hours

2. Sanity Tip for the Day

3. Take a Break

4. Events

Well we’re on the roller coaster now. What a great community to be riding it with though! Yahee!.

Down & dirty-Stay home, kick back and get ready to do your bit by staying fit (with Denise, full week’s schedule below).  The Health Department is asking anyone who can stay home to do so, particularly those at highest risks-60+ and/or have a pre-existing condition. The longer we delay, the longer we stay, so do the right thing. Oh and please you can have all the TP you want but if there’s a run on chocolate, I’m taking names.

Oh yeah, and there’s this weather thing happening. Nature is pitching in this week to make sure you get the message to stay home. Please be sure to call neighbors and friends to check on them though. This can be a particularly tough time for anyone who is in quarantine. Oh, sorry kids. No more snow days now that remote learning is in place. Gee could that be one of the lasting changes from this pandemic-remote days instead of snow days?

1.WHAT’S HAPPENED IN THE LAST 24 HOURS:

• Important Notice-No burning: Fire Warden Roger Sheehan said there will be No burn permits issued. This is to eliminate the Fire Warden from having to go to someone’s property to inspect the pile to be burned. It will also eliminate added chances for firefighters to be called out for uncontrolled fires creating possible exposure issues for firefighters and working in close proximity to each other.

• Yup you can have a slice of Lyme with your Corona. Already receiving reports that the ticks are out and about. Stick to the roads and paths if you are out walking.

• So they’re bringing back the shag and ditchin’ the tats: All close contact businesses are ordered to close today. This includes salons, gyms, spas, fitness centers, tattoo parlors etc. Be sure to check out Jane Hart’s drawing just for that occasion, “Jill felt weird without her weekly mani-pedi.

• For those making masks, with the pattern we posted on Saturday, Dartmouth has already provide information about where to drop them off. DHMC has lots of press about this. so you might want to consider Springfield or Ascutney Hospitals as well as our first responders. Springfield is supposed to announce today what type of mask they’d like you to make. Will post to Facebook as soon as I hear.

• Vermont’s cases are rapidly rising, in part because of the breakout in Burlington. There are 8 cases in Windsor County now and 52 statewide.

• We’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Women use slightly more than a role of toilet paper a week, while men use slightly less. In short, based on scientific data, a family of two can make do with two for a week. Judge accordingly and buy what you need for two weeks at a time. There is no shortage in the supply chain, just people who think a toilet paper fortress is going to save them from Covid-19. Remember, no hoarding the chocolate!

• Substance abuse treatment providers and recovery centers around Vermont are now offering over-the-phone services and video sessions to increase social distancing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more

• Blood is needed. If you can donate contact the American Red Cross.

• GE to close Rutland plants for two days after worker tests positive for COVID-19:

• Solidarity at 8: The VT State Police have started #solidarity at 8-At 8 pm every day, go on your balcony or open your windows, and cheer for the health care workers on the front lines of this pandemic (or just spend a few moments in thought). #stayhome #flattenthecurve #sovid19

3 .SANITY TIP FOR THE DAY: You can only live in the moment you are in. Obsessing over “when will this end,” just makes it more challenging. When you start to obsess try a short yoga break with Kripalu-most are around 5 minutes.

4. TAKE A BREAK: We need a way to show our solidarity as a community, to one another, to our essential workers, who are going out every day to help protect us and to the world. Need your ideas about what we can make. Our town colors are green and white. Post them to Facebook or send them to cavendishconnects.com

5. UPCOMING EVENTS: Go to dgBody Works  for classes that are being posted via Facebook live. Take a new one, do an old one. Stay fit and healthy. Class schedule for the week and a quick note from Denise.

Monday 7 pm Bootcamp (Denise)

Wednesday 5:30 pm Barre (Kata)

Wednesday 7 pm Bootcamp (Denise)

Thursday 5:45 pm Meditation (Lori)

Thursday 6 pm Yoga for Healthy Bones (Lori)

Friday 7 am Bootcamp (Lori)

Saturday 8 am Yoga Pose of the Day (Lori)

Good for everyone to have a full week of movement planned.  I’m feeling great and ready to kick butt tonight!! Denise

The Longer you delay, the longer we stay

 Have a Heart -stay home or 6 feet apart. 

                        Stay healthy to protect yourself and Cavendish.

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 3/21/20: Weekend Report

She hunkers down. Norm Roosts by Jane Hart

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3/21/20: It’s the Weekend!

1. What’s Happened in the Last 24 Hours

2. Sanity Tip for the Day

3. Take a Break

4. Events

It’s Saturday and the amount of news you need to know about right now is slowing down. Much has been closed, reduced or cancelled in an effort to get the entire country into “hunker mode.” Yes Uncle Tony (Dr. Fauci) we’re doing what you told us and staying home and six feet apart.

Fortunately we live where we can walk in the woods and listen to the birds. Wonder if the song birds, bears and other animals are noticing that it’s not so noisy this spring? There’s less junk in the air and in general, good times in their world view.  

Unless there is something critical that happens today, no update tomorrow as I’m going to spend the weekend catching up on some needed housework. While you can’t see it, I can and it needs tending to.

A favor to ask. If you are keeping a journal, or are about to start one (highly recommend it), when this is over, can you donate a copy of it to the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS)?

I’ve been reading various CHS records about the town’s experiences during the war years. There are tips and tricks from 80 years ago that could help us today. It’s important to leave a legacy for future generations, as they too will deal with some version of this. Contrary to the shouting newscasters, “never before in the history….” Bull! The humans have been dealing with pandemics, natural disasters and worse since they first arrived.

Each of us has the responsibility to practice social distancing. If we all do it, we will significantly reduce the number of people who get sick. It’s up to each of us to be that difference so Show some heart and stay home or 6 feet apart. Want to understand why this works, read this article from Smithsonian Magazine.

1. WHAT’S HAPPENED IN THE LAST 24 HOURS:

• Request from Ludlow Ambulance Services: Stop hiking up Okemo Mountain and skiing down. Ski Patrol is no longer there and they don’t have the time or resources to collect your sorry ass if you fall and hurt yourself.

• VT Legislature will return to the Statehouse Next Week to Pass Covid-19 measures. This will include legislation to expand unemployment benefits and aid health care providers.

• If you have a sewing machine and want to make masks, this is a good pattern. Now this is real throwback to the war years when there were lots of posters that said, “Do your bit and knit.”

• Highway rest areas are now closed. There ain’t a porta pottie to piss in.

• Vermont’s cases are increasing and sadly there is an outbreak of Covid-19 at Burlington Health & Rehab.

• To help those in quarantine or self-isolating, the Cavendish Covid-19 Team (CCT) now has a wonderful group of volunteers to help with everything from shopping, picking up prescriptions and even doing that transfer run. To arrange for assistance, call 226-7291 or 7292, Monday-Friday, 9-5.

2 .SANITY TIP FOR THE DAY: If you’ve never tried journaling, this is the perfect time to start. Lots of research shows that it will make you feel a lot better, and you have no idea if you share a copy with the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) how many people you’ll touch for generations to come. We still read Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor from 161 to 180 AD. Somewhere along the line somebody decided to dress up his journals and call them “Meditations.”

No special supplies. A notebook, paper, whatever you have handy. Use markers pens, whatever inspires and just write down, sketch, cut and paste, what’s going on in your life. For best results try to do it daily. Some like to start the day with it, others end with it or do it over lunch. Your call.

3. TAKE A BREAK: Coloring is a good way to relax. Meaning “circle,” in Tibetan Buddhism, a mandala is an imaginary palace that is contemplated during meditation. Below are resources to help you get started.

• Print Mandala:  Free Mandalas to print

• Create a virtual mandala

• Mandalas Coloring pages

Google up patterns that you may enjoy. Lots and lots and lots of them to choose from.

4. UPCOMING EVENTS Go to dgBody Works  for classes that are being posted via Facebook live. Take a new one, do an old one. Stay fit and healthy.

                      Have a Heart -stay home or 6 feet apart. 

                        Stay healthy to protect yourself and Cavendish.

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 3/20/20

“In Ned’s case, working at home was anything but peaceful.” 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.

3/20/20: We’ve done this before

1. Was there ever a time in our history similar to now?

2. What’s Happened in the Last 24 Hours

3. Sanity Tip for the Day

4. Take a Break

5. Events

We’re coming up on the weekend so just a reminder that the town office is closed Saturday and Sunday.

1. WAS THERE EVER A TIME IN OUR HISTORY SIMILAR TO NOW?: Cavendish has certainly dealt with its fair share of disease over the years, but the Covid-19 epidemic reminds me most of the response mounted after Pearl Harbor was bombed.

Yes, the US knew what was going on in Europe, but they really hadn’t prepared, and a large part of the naval fleet was lost with Japan’s attack on December 7, 1941. Sound familiar? However, the Americans with their can do spirit, immediately went to work.

There were ships in the ocean, planes in the skies and troops on the ground. Everybody did their bit. Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of England would later comment, that among his first thoughts after the US declared war, was “We have won the war.”

That can do spirit is alive and well in Cavendish. Just amazing to see how the community is pulling together. People are volunteering to help those who need to remain at home, others are offering classes on-line and everyone is connecting on-line. Read the article at the Cavendish Historical Society blog.

2. WHAT’S HAPPENED IN THE LAST 24 HOURS: It is with sadness that we report that the Governor announced last evening Vermont’s first two deaths from Covid-19, with one of them being the Ludlow resident. As brother Richard noted in his poem “Lockdown” (Included in the Cavendish Update 3/17/20)

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

• Last evening, Cavendish’s state representative Annemarie Christensen called to talk about Covid-19 . She is on the House Committee on Health Care so consequently putting in very long days remotely from her home in Weathersfield. In addition to committee meetings and briefings, she also gets to conference call once a day with the Governor. Did I use this as an opportunity to advocate for what we need? Of course. She wants the community to know how impressed she was at the speed by which Cavendish hit the ground running. The legislature, while not meeting in Montpelier, is working to get legislation passed that can help those who have lost jobs, don’t have health care etc. However, her over riding message was straight forward, and she repeated again and again and again, “Just stay home.”

• While the headlines are screaming frightening statistics, there is also a growing number of stories on drugs that look like they could offer real benefit. Researchers Look to Old Drugs for a Possible Coronavirus Treatment that Might Just Work. While I’ve read some of the original research about how an anti-malaria drug is being used in other parts of the world, it’s interesting to see the reporting from business publications. Note Bayer has ramped up its production of the anti-malarial drug.

• Hey Millennials out there, listen up: This disease affects you too. New data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggests adults ages 20 to 44 have accounted for nearly 30% of U.S. COVID-19 cases, and 20% of related hospitalizations. After adding adults ages 45 to 54, the percentages swelled to nearly 50% and 40%, respectively. So none of us are immune to this, so do yourself and everybody else a favor and Be Smart and Do your Part. Stay home or 6 feet apart. Learn more.

• If you are in quarantine, Ludlow Ambulance has asked that you post a sign on your door so they can protect you and their staff. We’ve posted a sign that you can print and tape to the door at the Dish. If you don’t have a printer, call 226-7291 and someone in the town office can print one and mail it to you. Remember they’re only in during the week. 

• Best of luck to our parents who will be “homeschooling” all Cavendish students today. Thank you to our teachers who have worked very hard to make this possible. 

• Stores opening early for seniors/high risk customers: Market Basket-Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5:30-7; Shaw’s 7-8:30 on Tuesday and Thursdays. Stores hours for Shaw’s will be 7 am-8 pm Sunday through Saturday.

• Walmart is offering special shopping hours for seniors. From March 24 through April 28, Walmart stores will host an hour-long senior shopping event every Tuesday for customers aged 60 and older. This will start one hour before the store opens. Pharmacies and Vision Centers will also be open during this time. Learn more.

• If you are a Hallmark Christmas movie fan, they are marathoning these movies during self-quarantine. Starting Friday, March 20 at 12 p.m. ET/PT, Hallmark will air 27 original "Countdown to Christmas" holiday films from recent years ending at 6 pm with “Christmas in Rome.”

• No lines at the DMV!! They too have gone virtual, which is good news if you want to process registration and license renewals and various other services via online, by mail, or via telephone. Not so great if you need to take a driver’s test as in-person transactions like exams, trainings, and hearings will be postponed for the duration of the state of emergency. However, the Gov. has granted a 90 day extension for all license and registration renewals. You can reach the DMV at 888-998-3766 or www.dmv.vermont.gov/contact

3 .SANITY TIP FOR THE DAY: If thou are pained by any external thing, it is not the thing that disturbs thee, but thine own judgment about it. And it is in thy power to wipe out this judgment now. Marcus Aurelius Roman emperor from 161 to 180. One of the famous Stoic philosophers, he wrote daily, in what are now called his “Meditations.” His message was clear that it isn’t the event in and of itself that is problematic, it’s how we respond and how we choose to work with it. So consider how you can control yourself by staying calm and don’t panic. Focus on what you can do about the situation, e.g. in our current Covid-19 world, practice social distancing religiously. Don’t lose your cool and finally, look for the good. Every situation has one. Personally, I’m liking this social distancing thing cause nobody knows if I did the dishes, made the beds and best of all, no bra required.  Not a biggie for you guys, but the gals know what I’m talking about.

4. TAKE A BREAK: Have some of the veggies about to head south? No worries. Today’s take a break is all about preserving veggies in a simple brine solution that takes little effort.

Each fall, we take the 6th graders to Sturbridge Village. One of the things we learned is that as long as you kept your veggies soaking in the brine solution (they used a weight to make sure the veggies were well sunk) they would keep for a year with no refrigeration or canning. Yeah…Well that certainly made me realize that veggies I had put in brine and had in the refrigerator in a glass jar would definitely last a lot longer than the 3 weeks many recipes indicate. In fact, some of my tastiest veggies are the ones I forgot were in there. Here’s a link to get you started. And don’t limit yourself to just cucumbers. I “can” a wide variety including beets, carrots, cauliflower, radishes, string beans and more. Enjoy and let me know how they turn out.

5. UPCOMING EVENTS

3/20 (Friday): 7 am Boot Camp with Denise. dgBody Works Classes; https://www.facebook.com/dgbodyworks/ 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

Sign Posters to Alert Visitors

Ludlow Ambulance has asked that anyone who is in quarantine for Covid-19 be sure to note that on the door.