BEAT THE HEAT IN CAVENDISH

While high heat indexes, particularly if they are occurring for multiple days, can be serious for anyone, it’s particularly dangerous for those with chronic conditions, elders and children.

Be aware of signs of overheating: cramps, dizziness, fainting, headaches, heavy sweating, increased heart rate, nausea. Get help if you exhibit any of these signs.

Enjoy a long cool shower, a swim, use a cooling tie (neck cooler) and/or spray yourself with a squirt bottle that’s been refrigerated. As the water evaporates, it cools you.

Focus on keeping pulse points cool. These include: the inside of your wrists, the temple area, inside of elbows and knees, top of feet, inner ankle and neck. Holding something cold against these areas will make your whole body feel cooler.

While neck coolers are readily available on-line, these are easy to make. Click here for instructions. Rice pads, chilled in the freezer work. Use a clean sock or another fabric container. Fill it with rice and tie it off. Put it in the freezer for two hours. Rice retains cold for a long period of time so you can put on pulse points and/or run it over your sheets before bed.

-       The Black River is monitored weekly. One site is in Cavendish-the Cavendish Gorge. Water testing is done on Wednesdays, thanks to Black River Action Team (BRAT) with results usually available on Thursday. Results are posted at the swimming site, on the Cavendish VT Facebook page and in the Friday Cavendish Update

-       Vermont State Parks, with swimming (water is testing weekly) closest to Cavendish are Plymouth State Park and Wilgus.

-       Stoughton Pond Recreation Area near Perkinsville on North Springfield Lake is run by the federal government

-       Chester VT has a rec pool where lessons are available as well as adult swim. FMI 802 875-3603, 802-875-2173 or matt.mccarthy@chestervt.gov

Air conditioning is better than a fan. Don’t have one and can’t afford one? Make a makeshift air conditioner by putting ice in a shallow bowl in front of a fan. As the ice melts, it will cool you. Note this doesn’t work so well when it’s humid. When the AC is on keep windows, doors and fire place damper closed.

-       The Cavendish Library is air conditioned, so consider a reading break

-       Area restaurants are another option as are stores and retail outlets

-       The Cavendish Baptist Church basement is very cool and is opened when a cooling station is needed. Hours and other information will be posted to the Cavendish VT Facebook page when needed.

Take it easy. Avoid strenuous activities

Take steps to avoid the sun such as wearing a wide brimmed hat, using sunscreen (reapply if you are swimming), stay in the shade or use an umbrella,

Have sun blockers on windows to reduce sunlight in your house. Look for curtains and blinds that block the sun. You can find these at many stores, including places like Walmart. Open windows at night to draw in the cool air. In the morning, close windows and draw blinds to help keep the cool air in. When the temps outside are cooler than your house, open the windows. When the sun is out, close up before it heats up.

Eat Cool Foods. When possible avoid turning on the stove. Spicy foods can cool you down. Chili peppers contain capsaicin, which can make you sweat more. As the water evaporates it makes you feel cooler. Not surprising a lot of spicy salsa gets consumed in the summer. Salads and other light foods are perfect when the temps are high. Area restaurants are happy to provide in house dinning as well to go service.

-       Murdocks On the Green : Wed-Sat 5-8 pm. Indoor & outdoor dining as well as take out. Check their Facebook page for daily specials.

-       Outer Limits Brewery -  Open Wed-Sun. Hours are 3-8 Wed-Fri; 12-8 on Saturday and 12-6 on Sunday.

-       Singletons: Open Monday-Sunday 8 am-7 pm, click here for their menu. They have a wide array of prepared foods, including items that can be put right on the grill

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. As you lose water you can become dehydrated and your body temperature rises. Replacing fluids is essential to keeping cool.

Evaporative Coolers tend to work best when relative humidity is 60% or less; however, they can work in humid conditions when they are used in semi-outdoor settings (loading bays and docks, garages) or outdoors(sporting events, festivals). A personal air cooler or “mini air conditioner” is actually an evaporative cooler a.k.a. a swamp cooler, which pulls the warm air from your room and runs it through the cool water it has in its tank. That’s how it manages to decrease the overall heat in the room. We’ve asked locals about their experiences with the small units being advertised that are less than $100. Seems they are okay to cool one person, but don’t cool a room as advertised. More than one person noted they weren’t worth the money.

Avoid alcohol, caffeine and drinks with lots of sugar. They can cause you to become dehydrated.  Drink water instead.

Turn off appliances, computers etc. They can generate heat. If you are using a lap top, keep it off your lap. Skip the drying cycle on the dishwasher and leave the door open to let the dishes dry. Use appliances only when necessary and in the evening if possible, when the air is cooler. Instead of the dryer, hang clothes outside and even consider hand washing dishes. Use compact fluorescent bulbs as they not only save money, they give off less heat than standard incandescents.

Some extra tips:

• Read and watch movies about snow and cold temps.

• Check out the VT Department of Health’s tips from their page Hot weather and Health Impacts

Cavendish Update 6/4/21 Construction/Grievance/Water/

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

SLOW DOWN! There have been some close calls on the Cavendish backroads as motorists, avoiding the Route 131 construction, are going 50 MPH on roads meant for 35 MPH at best.

6/4/21

1.    Route 131/Bridge Construction June 7th

2.    Cavendish Info

3.    Trail Walk in Cavendish

4.    Covid update

 5.   Events

1. ROUTE 131 ROAD CONSTRUCTION/91 BRIDGE: Week of June 7th

RT 131: VTrans has provided a handout to help explain the Roadway Reclaim Project. It’s available on-line. It provides a timeline for the remainder of the project, the contact at VTrans, and answers the most frequent questions.

The contractor will continue grading the roadway and placing gravel on the pulverized subbase in order to shape the road to the new profile.  It is anticipated that roadway grading adjustments will be completed at the end of next week or early the following week. This process will involve graders and rollers. The second pass reclaim, with cement stabilization, will begin next week at Downers Corners and progress west. This work is expected to take approximately 3 weeks to complete. Expect long delays.

Exit 8 I91 Bridge (131 Impact): The removal process on the upper portions of Abutment 1 has been completed. Crews will begin forming and pouring the wingwall caps next week. Wing walls are adjacent to the abutments and act as retaining walls. The remaining lower portion of Abutment 2 and pier repair will continue into next week. Once this has been completed, concrete will be poured into repaired areas (see photo). The backwall portion of the expansion joint has been set in place and adjusted to grade. It will be cast into the backwall (using concrete) next week. The other half of the expansion joint (attached to the bridge deck) will be cast during the deck pour later in the summer. Crews are finalizing the deck forms this week and it is anticipated that they will begin installing the reinforcing steel (rebar) next week. Travel will be reduced to one lane of travel within the construction zone. Traffic has been switched to the crossovers on the interstate. This pattern will remain in place throughout the construction season, into the Fall.

2. CAVENDISH INFO

• Town of Cavendish: Notice to Tax Payers: On June 11th, starting at 9:30, the town listers will meet remotely to hear grievances. If you wish to grieve you must submit a grievance in writing by 4 pm on Thursday, June 10. Applications for Grievance can be emailed to Cavendish2021@nemrc.com or mailed to PO Box 126, Cavendish VT 05142. Grievance Applications are available by clicking here or they can be mailed by request. To arrange for a grievance appointment call 802-321-8025

• Proctorsville RC Track Opening Day: On Saturday June 5th 11am, the RC track will open to the public at Greven. Field in Proctorsville. The track is 1/10 scale. Burgers and hotdogs, drinks and chips will be for sale. All proceeds benefit the club for track maintenance. Bring any 1/10 scale truck you have. A few trucks will be available to try out if you don’t have a truck. The most important thing is to have some fun with family and friends and meet some good people from the community.

• BRAT Swimming Hole Checking: Once again Black River Action Team (BRAT) is testing local swimming holes every Wednesday. Results are posted to the Cavendish Facebook page and included in the Update. It is recommended that people stay out of the water for 24 hours after a heavy rain, and anytime the bacteria level is at or above 235 cfu. June 2, 2021 results are as follows:

-       Buttermilk Falls in Ludlow, sponsor Okemo Mountain Resort: 33 CFU

-       Cavendish Gorge in Cavendish, Green Mountain Power: 68 CFU

-       Greven Field in Cavendish, Betty McEnaney of TPW Realty: 308 (Unsafe)

-       Tolles Power Dam off Maple Street in Weathersfield, Endyne: 27 CFU

-        Twenty-Foot Hole on the North Branch in Reading 11 CFU

When visiting these or any Vermont waterway, please check the chart posted on-site to get a sense of the trends. Look for consistency in the numbers and stay out of the water for 24 hours after a heavy rain or any time it appears cloudy. Check all swimming holes around the region for historic as well as current conditions at the “Is It Clean?” website maintained by the Connecticut River Conservancy, .

• Do you have a Cavendish Village Ghost Story?: The Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) is collecting ghost stories about houses/properties in Cavendish village. We will be doing a Mid- Summer Night's eve ghost walk on June 19 (Saturday). Meet in front of the Museum at 8 pm. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a flashlight. Catch up on the latest from the Cavendish Historical Society by reading the June News Brief. Ghost stories can be e-mailed to margocaulfield@icloud.com or mailed to PO Box 472, Cavendish VT 05142

• GMUSD wrestles with April Meeting Backlash, Discuss CTES Schedule

• Local Area Summer of Pride Activities: List includes Rural Pride of Claremont and Windsor County, as well as the Upper Valley, Bennington, Rutland, Brattleboro and statewide organizations.

3. TRAIL WALK IN CAVENDISH: The Cavendish Association of Trails is holding a guided nature walk on Hardy Hill, an in-progress hiking trail located in Cavendish. The walk will take place on Saturday, June 12, starting at 10 a.m. hosted by the land owner, Pieter Van Schaik. Trail parking will be located at East Road and Susannah Johnson Lane in Cavendish, just west of Caton Place Campground. The walk will last about two hours and light refreshments will be served. Please reserve your spot by emailing erickrasnauskas@protonmail.com to say how many people will be walking.

Hardy Hill covers approximately 215 acres located on the east side of Cavendish and adjacent to the Lord State Forest. The long-term conservation goal for this land is to permanently conserve it through the State of Vermont. Before that happens though, the Cavendish Association of Trails is installing a trail network, much of it handicap accessible, that allows the public to access both the historic and natural features of the land. One of the primary features to explore on this walk is a large beaver pond, in which several great blue heron pairs have nested and who take up residence each year. The walk will also include the Upper Loop trail, which has several interesting specimens of orchid and lady slipper, as well as a large porcupine nest and a vernal pool. Binoculars are recommended for good viewing of the herons. Please wear tick protection and decent walking/hiking boots.

Coming soon is community hike of the new Proctor Piper trail system in the Proctorsville section of Cavendish. Date.. The Cavendish Association of Trails is part of the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association. For more information about CCCA please visit CavendishCCCA.org or email Cavendishcommunityconservation@gmail.com.

4. COVID UPDATE: Cavendish had no new Covid cases this past week and remains at 30 total. As of June 3, vaccinations of Cavendish residents 12+, with at least one dose, is listed as 51-60%, which is well below the state average of 78.5% (June 2). Vaccination rates in surrounding towns are as follows: Weathersfield 31-49%; Springfield 51-60%; Chester 71-80% and Ludlow 81-90%.

The much anticipated announcement that Vermont has reached the 80% mark for vaccinations, when the state will completely reopen, is projected to occur between June 7-11, depending on when the remaining 8,226 people are vaccinated.

 In the interim to reflect the change in the pandemic, the Governor is reducing press conferences to once a week on Tuesdays and data for new cases, hospitalizations and deaths will be limited to week days only. Vaccination information is provided Tuesday-Friday with town vaccination data posted on Thursdays and Town incidence data on Friday.

Vaccinations: Find the closest walk in clinics (no appointments necessary) on-line ; make an appointment for your free vaccine on-line or call 855-722-7878. The VDH Facebook page  also provides notifications of pop up and walk in clinics.

5. UPCOMING EVENTS:

JUNE 5 (SATURDAY): Opening Day for the RC Track at Greven Field, 10 am.

JUNE 7 (MONDAY): Annual meeting of Cavendish Fire District #2, 7 pm at the Cavendish Fire Hall.

JUNE 9 (WEDNESDAY): Free Walk in Vaccine clinic, 10-1 in the Okemo Marketplace Plaza (57 Pond St in Ludlow), Johnson & Johnson vaccine for those 18+

JUNE 11 (FRIDAY): Cavendish Grievance Day

JUNE 12 (SATURDAY): Guided Nature Walk on Hardy Hill in Cavendish. Hike begins at 10 am. Trail parking will be located at East Road and Susannah Johnson Lane in Cavendish, just west of Caton Place Campground. The walk will last about two hours, and light refreshments will be served. Reserve your spot by emailing erickrasnauskas@protonmail.com to say how many people will be walking. FMI: CavendishCCCA.org or email cavendishcommunityconservation@gmail.com

JUNE 14 (MONDAY): Cavendish Select Board meeting, 6:30 pm

-       Gift and Craft Shop opens at Fletcher Far for the season. The shop is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10-4. Crafters and artists who are also members of the society may enter their work into the shop for sale.

JUNE 15 (TUESDAY): Last day to pay Cavendish Property Taxes before delinquent fees apply

JUNE 17 (THURSDAY): Last day of school

JUNE 18 (FRIDAY): GMUHS Graduation-will be held outside

JUNE 19 (SATURDAY): Mid-Summer Night’s Eve Ghost Walk of Cavendish Village. Sponsored by the Cavendish Historical Society, meet at the CHS Museum on Main St. 131 at 8pm. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a flashlight. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807

JUNE 19-20 (SATURDAY-SUNDAY): Vermont Art Council’s Open Studio Weekend. Fletcher Farm School will be one of the spots.

JUNE 26 (SATURDAY): Birds in Bloom, market gathering of local art, decorated bird houses, and plants sponsored by Cavendish Streetscapes from Noon to 5 on the Proctorsville Green.

JULY 3 (SATURDAY): Fletcher Farm Craft Sale. Vendors and volunteers needed. FMI: Festival Director Sue Carey at SueSmyserCarey@hotmail.com.

JULY 4 (SUNDAY): HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

JULY 7 (WEDNESDAY): Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists Break Maids (glam-stomp music)

JULY 14 (WEDNESDAY): Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Yankee Chank (Cajun/Zydeco).

JULY 21 (WEDNESDAY): Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Silverbacks (blues and rock)

JULY 28 (WEDNESDAY): Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Rick Davis and friends

JULY 31 (SATURDAY): 11th Annual Cavendish Town Wide Tag Sale

AUGUST 4 (WEDNESDAY): Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Gypsy Reel (Irish/Celtic)

AUGUST 11 (WEDNESDAY):  Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Gully Boys (Rock/Jam)

AUGUST 21 (SATURDAY: Fletcher Farm Craft Sale. Vendors and volunteers needed. FMI: Festival Director Sue Carey at SueSmyserCarey@hotmail.com.

SEPT. 11 (SATURDAY): VT Golden Honey Festival 10-4 at the Golden Stage Inn, Proctorsville Depot St. Free

CA❤︎ENDSH VACCINATES TO PROTECT SELF & OTHERS

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Route 131-Roadway Reclaim Project

To help answer questions, and to have a better understanding of the Route 131 project, VTrans has provided the following handout on June 3, 2021.

ROUTE 131 CAVENDISH-WEATHERSFIELD

Roadway Reclaim Project

Overview: dRehabilitation of Vermont Route131 in Cavendish and Weathersfield, beginning at the intersection with Vermont Route 103 and extending easterly for 9 miles to the intersection with Vermont Route 106. This project also includes improvements to areas that sustained substantial damage as a result of Tropical Storm Irene.

Overview of the Reclaim Process: Full-depth reclamation of asphalt pavement, also referred to as FDR, is a rehabilitation method that involves recycling an existing asphalt pavement and its underlying layer(s) into a new base layer. The process begins with milling a desired depth of the existing asphalt surface, pulverizing the remaining asphalt pavement and a portion of underlying base, subbase, and/or subgrade, grading the roadway and adding gravel. Then a second reclaim pass is made, uniformly blending the roadway subbase and added gravel with an additional stabilizing material (such as cement) to provide an upgraded, homogeneous material. Finally, the stabilized material is compacted in place with rollers, and then the new roadway subbase is paved with one base layer of recycled asphalt pavement, an intermediate layer of asphalt pavement and a final(wearing course) layer. Pavement treatments may vary by project depending on traffic volumes and the types of traffic present (light, heavy, truck, etc..)

“Why do they use so much gravel?” The amount of gravel varies from project to project and is used for a variety of reasons. The primary use of additional gravel is to raise the road surface and adjust for banking in curves to meet current design standards for the posted speed. Gravel can also be used to supplement a lesser quality existing road base to provide a stronger internal structure that prolongs the life of the road.

“Why can’t the road be done in sections? Why does the whole length of the project have to be torn up?” In order to maintain the integrity of the subbase of the roadway, the entire length of the roadway must be done at the same time. Otherwise, the integrity of the roadway will be compromised at the “joint” of each section. Segmenting the roadway would also lead to longer project durations and higher costs as some operations take longer than others and could not be evenly staggered leading to additional mobilization.

“How long will the road be torn up?” The remaining work for this project is scheduled for completion in October of 2021. Remaining work includes:

•Adding gravel to the roadway subbase (June)

•Grading and correcting roadway elevation deficiencies (June)

•Second-pass reclaim (June-July)

•Paving of base courses of asphalt (Late June-July)

•Paving of the intermediate course of asphalt (Late July)

•Paving of the final (wearing) course of asphalt (mid-late August)

•Signage, roadway markings, guardrail and remaining project work (late August through October

“Who Should I contact if I have Questions?” Please contact Natalie Boyle, Public Information Consultant, with questions or concerns, to receive project updates and alerts, and to remain informed of the progress on the project and what to expect.

Contact Information: Natalie Boyle

                                    nboyle@eivtech.com

                                    802-855-3893

Area Summer of Pride 2021 Activities

Below are local resources where you can learn about Summer of Pride activities for 2021

• Rural Pride Claremont NH & Windsor VT Events will be held June 16 to Saturday June 19

• Upper Valley Rainbow Connection

• Bennington Summer of Pride 2021

• Rutland VT Summer of Pride 2021

• Pride Center of VT

• Outright VT: For GlBTQ youth ages 13-22

• Out in the Open: Based in Brattleboro

• LGBTQIA Alliance of Vermont

• VINE’s Vegan Challenge: Eat the Rainbow Month