Cavendish Update 8/13/21: SB Mtg/Construction/Covid/Events

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Heat Advisory continues today. Read Beat the Heat in Cavendish for ways to cool off.

8/13/21

1.    Cavendish Select Board Meeting 8/9/21

2.    RT 131 Construction/Bridge @ Exit 8 Update from VTrans 8/12/21

3.    Cavendish Info

4.    Covid update

5.    Events

1. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 8/9/21: The video of the Cavendish Select Board (SB) meeting is now available at the Okemo Valley TV website.

Depot Street: Speeding continues on Depot St. in Proctorsville. Recommend using radar traffic signs, which are very effective.

Junk Yard Ordinance: This ordinance, while valid, was adopted in 2006. Consequently, there are issues with the document as it’s now 15 years old and the community needs to be able to review it and provide input. At the Sept. SB meeting, an action plan for town wide review with implementation in spring 2022 will be discussed. Dwayne Warren, who recognizes his property on Main St. in Proctorsville will most likely be sited, stated that he wasn’t going to stand by and be singled out as he feels this was done to him in the past.

Proposal for paving of the parking lot adjacent to CTES. The TRSU has asked if the town would like the area in front of Bidgood Park, adjacent to the school, paved as they are in the process of paving the current school parking lot. The cost to the town would be $12,000. While the park is town property, the parking there is all associated with the school. A motion was not made.

Approved
• Catering Application for Sam’s Steakhouse @ 1589 Main Street, Cavendish for a one-time event.

• Renewal of Solar Bond note in the amount of $256,5000

• The issuing of a notice of compliance and a fine, under the Animal Control Ordinance, to a property owner on Rodgers Drive whose dogs have been a significant problem for years.

131 Paving Project update: There is a discrepancy between sidewalk and road in various locations, possibly as a result of elevation calculations error. The project may now be replacing side walk up to the Black River Commons and in the area near the Stone Church. Pavement is crumbling and/or has been eliminated in some locations by the project.. This is to be addressed with a plan going to town manager, Brendan McNamara, by the end of the week. See item 2 for the current update on the project including starting the work in Proctorsville next week.

Cavendish Gulf Rd Property: Sold at auction. Deed is transferred. Health violation has been rectified with the removal of the trash . There is an issue with the culvert on the driveway. Town will take care of this, at it could damage the Gulf Rd. A lean will be put on the house to recoup costs.

2. RT 131 CONSTRUCTION/BRIDGE @ EXIT 8 UPDATE-8/2/21: Please direct questions and concerns to Natalie Boyle at Vtrans802-855-3893 or nboyle@eivtech.com The updates below are from Vtrans:

Rt 131: Placement of curbing will continue next week. Guardrail work to continue next week. Roadway ditching operations will continue next week. Adjustments to drainage structures is scheduled to continue next week. Cold Planing (grinding of the top 2 inches of existing asphalt) in Proctorville is scheduled to begin next week. Alternating one-way traffic will be in effect in the vicinity of cold planing operations. Please expect delays.

Bridge @ Exit 8: South end approach work is completed and north end approach work should be finished this week. The second of three pours for F-Barrier to be done this week. F-Barrier is scheduled for completion next week. Formwork on the concrete rail on the south approach slab is scheduled for completion next week.

3. CAVENDISH INFO

• Black River Water Testing: Water testing on the Black River showed satisfactory levels on Wednesday, and is safe for recreating. Note that no water test was done on Buttermilk Falls It is recommended to stay out of the water for 24 hours after a heavy rain or any time it appears cloudy. Test results are posted to Is it Clean?

• TRSU board hears reopening plans, hires GM board member: Superintendent Lauren Fierman is recommending following the state guidance of masking required for elementary schools, with masking the first 10 days for GM and if 80% of the student population is vaccinated, masks would be optional for those vaccinated. Those who are not vaccinated must continue to wear a mask. Note that vaccinations are only available for those 12 and above. It will be up to each district make their own choice in this matter. There is no remote option for children this year though the Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative is providing classes to high school students. Chester Telegraph

• Cavendish Library Lego Club: A Lego club is coming to the Cavendish Library! Do you have Legos gathering dust in a corner? Please consider donating them to the library for this ongoing activity! FMI: 226-7503

• Vt. independent contractors, gig workers to lose unemployment benefits next month

• Vermont State Police warn about text scam for driver license renewal

4. COVID UPDATE: A Covid vaccine clinic is coming to Cavendish Volunteer Fire Dept. Sept. 19 (Thursday) 3-7pm Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson; Oct. 9 (Thursday) 3-7 pm 2nd dose of Pfizer. Vaccines are free.

 Cases are rising, along with clusters, hospitalizations and deaths. VT’s Health Commissioner, Dr. Mark Levine, recommends “Vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate.” On Tuesday, Levine said that 75% of those in the hospital were unvaccinated. Yesterday, Aug. 12, VT had 114 new cases (25,883 total cases), the highest one day total so far in the latest surge with 25 people hospitalized, including 8 in the ICU. There was an additional death, bringing the total for August to four (264 total deaths).

As of yesterday, 84.7% of Vermonters, age 12 + have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine.

VT Covid Cases in Children: For the month of August, ending on 8/11,  VT has seen 109 (16% of 674 total) new Covid cases among children too young to be vaccinated. As of Tuesday, no children were in the hospital.

FDA Authorizes Third Covid-19 Dose for People with Weakened Immunity. Last evening the FDA amended the emergency use authorization for both Pfizer and Moderna, to allow for an additional dose for certain immunocompromised people, specifically, solid organ transplant recipients or those who are diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise. The CDC estimates the population to be less than three percent of adults.

Masking: The CDC  recommends that anyone, regardless of vaccination status, who lives where “substantial” or “high” infection rates are occurring, should mask when indoors. According to the CDC’s Covid-19 Integrated County View map  all of the NH counties are now reporting “substantial:” or “high” number of cases.  In Vermont, the only county with “moderate” cases is Grand Isle. Windsor now has “substantial” cases.

Many towns, businesses, stores etc. are following the CDC guidance and requiring the wearing of masks indoors. If you are in need of cloth or surgical masks they are available for free at the CHS Cares Closet next to the Museum steps.

Mandated vaccines: UVM Health Network, all employees; Norwich University; VT state employees at certain locations (prisons, the Vermont Veterans’ Home and state-owned psychiatric facilities)

Note that Vermont no longer has an emergency order in place and the Governor has no plans to enact one. Consequently, while the state can offer guidance and make recommendations about masking and vaccination, they can’t enforce it.

Make vaccination a priority! School starts September 7 (Tuesday), vaccinated the 12-17 year old group with the Pfizer vaccine and have them protected by the start of school. Those 18+ can be vaccinated with one dose of the Johnson & Johnson, which provides protection after two weeks. Vaccination is available locally at the Rite Aid Pharmacy in Ludlow (228-8477) or Ludlow Health Center (226-8867). Pop up testing sites are listed at the state’s website.  

4. UPCOMING EVENTS:

AUGUST 14 (SATURDAY): 4-6 PM  Ice Cream Social at the Cavendish Library  A community get together. See the new layout of the library and get  to meet new people now residing in our area or even just to reacquaint with others we haven't  seen since the pandemic hit. Free and open to the public. FMI: 226-7503

AUGUST 15 (SUNDAY): What’s in the Cavendish Historical Society Museum’s Medicine Cabinet? Talk begins at 2 pm at the Museum and will feature Dan Churchill who worked at Pollard’s store compounding medicine from 8th-12th grades. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807. Please note that masking will be required regardless of vaccination status. Masks will be provided.

AUGUST 18 (WEDNESDAY): 7pm  Book Club Evening at the Cavendish Library. Discussion of Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu  Kawaguchi.  Books available at the library or electronically thru Hoopla. This is a free and open event. FMI: 226-7503

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

SEPTEMBER 7 (TUESDAY): First day of school.

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

            • 20th Anniversary of 9/11: Local remembrance by area fire departments. A march will begin at the Ludlow Fire Station at 12:30 pm and end at Veteran’s Park in Ludlow. A ceremony with guest speakers will take place at 1 pm with lunch to follow. This event remembers those who lost their lives that day as well as those who have died from complications from exposures sustained in rescue operations.

·      RiverSweep

SEPT. 12 (SUNDAY): Annual Phineas Gage Walk & Talk. Meet at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum at 2 pm. The tour is about 1 1/2 miles round trip. Walking shoes are recommended. Included in the tour is the site of the accident. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807

SEPTEMBER 19 (THURSDAY): Free COVID vaccination clinic at the Cavendish Fire Department from 3-7 pm. Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be administered. Vaccines are free

OCTOBER 3 (SUNDAY): Fitton-the Mill, the Firebug, and Everything in Between. Starting at 2 pm at the Museum, there will be a talk on the Fitton (Spring) Mill, the town that grew up around it-Fittonsville- and the man Robert “Firebug” Fitton who was responsible for its demise and lots of other property in the town of Cavendish. The talk will be following by a walk out to the site where the Mill, boarding house, and other structures once stood. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for walking on uneven terrain. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com 802-226-7807

OCTOBER 9 (THURSDAY): Free Covid Vaccine Clinic at the Cavendish Fire Dept. 3-7 pm Pfizer.

DECEMBER 12 (SUNDAY): Christmas Ghost Walk-Proctorsville. 7 pm, meet at the Proctorsville War Memorial. Free and open to the public. FMI: 802-226-7807.

Oct. 9 (Thursday) 3-7 pm 2nd dose of Pfizer.  

CA❤︎ENDSH VAXXING & MASKING TO PROTECT SELF & OTHERS

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Cavendish Update 8/6/21: Construction/Covid/News/Updates

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8/6/21

1.    RT 131 Construction/Bridge @ Exit 8 Update from VTrans 8/5/21

2.    Cavendish Info

3.    Pollard Teenage Pharmacist

4.    Covid update

5.    Events

1. RT 131 CONSTRUCTION/BRIDGE @ EXIT 8 UPDATE-8/5/21: Please direct questions and concerns to Natalie Boyle at Vtrans802-855-3893 or nboyle@eivtech.com The updates below are from Vtrans:

Rt 131: Placement of curbing will continue next week. The roadway has been paved with the intermediate course of asphalt and temporary markings have been placed. Traffic speeds have picked up with the smoother surfaces. Please be advised that the work zone speed reduction is still in place.  Guardrail work to continue next week. Roadway ditching operations will continue next week. Adjustments to drainage structures is scheduled to begin next week.

Bridge @ Exit 8: Approach work continues on the south end of the bridge, and has started on the north end of the bridge as well. Remaining F-barrier on the bridge is scheduled for installation next week. Next week crews will work on forming and placing the northern approach slab. Substructure repairs on the piers under the bridge will continue throughout the week next week. Formwork on the concrete rail on the south approach slab is tentatively scheduled for next week.

2. CAVENDISH INFO

• Fire in Proctorsville: In the early hours of Tuesday, Aug 3, there was a motor vehicle fire in front of the Pollard Block (7 Depot St). While it was brought under control quickly by the Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Dept., the cause of the fire is suspicious and being investigated by VT State Police. Anyone with any information is asked to contact PFD Chief Glidden at 226-7281 or contact VT State Police.

• Water Testing: Water testing on the Black River showed much lower levels of e-coli levels this Wednesday, and is safe for recreating. Note that there was a problem with the Cavendish Gorge sample and consequently, there is no data for that swimming hole this week. It is recommended to stay out of the water for 24 hours after a heavy rain or any time it appears cloudy. Test results are posted to Is it Clean?

• Concerts on the Green: Last concert on the Green is Aug. 11 and will feature Dr. Tom’s Band, a roots-rock band with a bit of jazz on the side. Concerts start at 6 at Svec Park (Proctorsville Green) with a rain location of Gethsemane Church, just off Depot St. Concerts are free and open to the public. Wearing masks at the concert and physical distancing are required for those who are not vaccinated. The Green is large and the band will be loud enough to be heard throughout, so please spread out and maintain distancing. Thank you CCCA, sponsors, and Sharon Huntley for another great concert season

3. POLLARDS TEENAGE PHARMACIST: The Pollard general store, operated in Proctorsville for approximately 100 years, selling a wide variety of products, including window shades, glazed windows, tobacco, sugar, medicines, footwear, shawls, rope, carpets, petroleum products, and food products.

Serving both humans and animals, Pollards provided a “compounding” pharmacy service, which made customized medications.

Dan Churchill, the owner of “Commercial Radio,” wanted to be a pharmacist as a kid. Around the age of 12-13, he started hanging out at Pollard’s Store and it wasn’t long before he was employed in the pharmacy department. The longer Dan worked for Park Pollard, the more he turned over the day to day operations to him.

The same year Dan headed off to college, 1955, Park Pollard died, and with it the pharmacy service.

While Park was able to become a pharmacist under the apprentice system, by 1948, the American Council on Education declared that the pharmacy degree should be a 6-year program. Without the funds for such an education, Dan had to opt for “plan B” and went into electrical engineering.

However, Dan never lost his interest in pharmacy and when given the opportunity by the Pollard family, he took part of the store’s apothecary section along with the books of prescriptions.

 On Sunday, August 15 at 2 pm, Dan will be speaking at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum, 1958 Main St (Route 131) in Cavendish about his experience being a teenage pharmacist at Pollard’s store. This program is free and open to the public. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807

4. COVID UPDATE: We received a lot of questions this week and have tried to answer as many as possible in today’s Update. Please keep in mind that as the virus changes, so does data, information and recommendations. Questions can be e-mailed to cavendishconnects@gmail.com.

Is the Delta Variant Responsible for Rises in Vermont Cases?: Yes. 93% of the state’s July samples were positive for the Delta variant.  

There were 282 cases in the past week compared to 171 in the previous one and from Aug. 2 (Monday)-Aug. 5 (Thursday) there have been 223 cases. Hospitalizations are now starting to rise and on Thursday, the state had rates similar to May-11 cases with 6 in the ICU. According to Tuesday state modeling report, the median age of unvaccinated infections in the last week is 30 years old. Cases are expected to rise and peak in the next 4-5 weeks, with 100 cases a day not being unusual by mid-month.

Vaccinations in VT have increased this past week by 14.6% over the last week,  with 84.1% of eligible Vermonters having started vaccination. There are 87,801 eligible Vermonters still unvaccinated.

How many VT cases are “breakthroughs?”: This term is used when people are fully vaccinated and test positive for the virus. A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation,  found that of 17,104 cases reported in VT from Jan 1 to July 14, 2021, 276 (1.6%) of these cases were among those that were fully vaccinated. Out of 905 hospitalizations for that same time period, 13 (1.4%) were among the vaccinated. However, the Delta variant has picked up speed since this study was done and as noted above, cases are rapidly rising.

A better understanding of  “breakthroughs” resulting from the Delta variant comes from a July 30 study from the CDC. Findings from 469 Covid-19 cases that occurred in Barnstable County, MA (includes Provincetown) between July 3 and July 17 found that roughly ¾ of those cases were among fully vaccinated people. While five were hospitalized, four of them were fully vaccinated. No deaths were reported.

How many people have died from the vaccine in the U.S? Over 339 million vaccine doses were given to 187.2 million people in the US as of July 19, 2021. The vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires vaccination providers to report any death after COVID-19 vaccination to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Only three 3 deaths appear to be linked to the blood clots that have occurred after the J & J vaccine. By comparison, as  of July 23, 2021, more than 610,000 deaths have been attributed to the virus in the US alone.

Why hasn’t the FDA changed the emergency use status of the mRN vaccines (Modernia & Pfizer) to approved? According to a Kaiser Family Foundation report, about 30% of unvaccinated people say they’re waiting for vaccines  to be fully approved by the FDA. As a starting point, the FDA doesn’t have the power to decide on its own to convert products from an emergency-use authorization to a full approval.” Instead, a company like Pfizer or Moderna must first request approval. Pfizer began that process by submitting a biologics license application to the FDA in May, and the agency granted it a priority review. Moderna kicked off the process in June. Reviewing those applications, called BLAs, will take time. On July 16, the FDA accepted Pfizer’s application “under priority review” meaning it will move faster than standard reviews which typically take at least 10 months. There are indications that Pfizer could be approved by Labor Day.

Why Should I vaccinate? According to Health Commissioner, Dr. Levine, “If you are not vaccinated, but could be, you're leaving yourself without protection to an often-serious illness that has actually killed 260 of our friends and loved ones. People who are not vaccinated are the biggest drivers of virus spread, which allows for more mutations like the Delta variant.” Note that the VT Medical Society supports mandated vaccines for all health care workers.  At least five hospitals Brattleboro Memorial, White River Junction VA Medical Center, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Southwestern Vermont Region, which offers care through Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, are requiring some or all of their employees to be vaccinated. VT Digger

What will happen with schools this fall?: The state is recommending in person school, five days per week, with universal masking for everyone, regardless of vaccination status. No physical distancing required. Once 80% of the eligible student population in a school (only applies to those 12 and up) has received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, the guidance for that school can be changed to masking only for un vaccinated individuals. VT’s guidelines differ from the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics, both of which call for universal mask mandate for everyone in school facilities. Education secretary, Dan French, said the national guidelines do not account for VT’s high vaccination rate. “Vermont is certainly not an island, but Vermonters know vaccines work, and that understanding needs to be factored into our decision making for schools.”

Does the CDC Mask Guidance Apply in VT?: The CDC  recommends that anyone, regardless of vaccination status, who lives where “substantial” or “high” infection rates are occurring, mask when indoors. The CDC’s Covid-19 Integrated County View map  identifies counties by low, moderate, substantial or high. In VT, no county is listed as having “low” cases. On Aug. 5, the following Vermont counties are at “substantial”: Bennington; Chittenden; Franklin; Grande Isle; and Orleans. In NH, Belknap; Cheshire; Grafton; Hillsborough; Rockingham; and Strafford are registering “substantial cases.” At this time, VT has no state COVID-19 restrictions or requirements for Vermonters or visitors to follow. Please note this could change in subsequent weeks and some stores and towns have reinstated indoor masking requirements. Masks Now Required in the Following Places Regardless of Vaccination Status: Cavendish Community Library; Ludlow Library Youth library (note the adult library requires those who are un vaccinated to mask); Hanover Coop; the town of Hanover; Dartmouth College; Home Depot

A Doomsday COVID Variant Worse Than Delta and Lambda May Be Coming, Scientists Say: Scientists keep underestimating the coronavirus.…. When the damage from Delta starts to subside, what other variants will be lurking just behind it to pull us back down again? The World Health Organization is already keeping an eye on several: Eta, which is now in several countries; Kappa, which arose in India; Iota, which first popped up in New York City—and especially Lambda, which has torn through Peru and shows signs of having unusual success in infecting fully vaccinated people, according to one early study. It has already spread to Argentina, Chile, Ecuador as well as Texas and South Carolina. Newsweek

Make vaccination a priority! School starts September 7 (Tuesday), that’s sufficient time to vaccinated the 12-17 year old group with the Pfizer vaccine and have them protected by the start of school. Those 18+ can be vaccinated with one dose of the Johnson & Johnson, which provides protection after two weeks. Vaccination is available locally at the Rite Aid Pharmacy in Ludlow (228-8477) or Ludlow Health Center (226-8867). Pop up testing sites are listed at the state’s website.

5. UPCOMING EVENTS:

AUGUST 9 (MONDAY): Cavendish Select Board meeting, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office.

AUGUST 11 (WEDNESDAY):  Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Dr. Tom’s Band (Roots/Rock). Rain location is Gethsemane Church, off Depot St.

AUGUST 12 (THURSDAY): 10-5   Pickle Day at the Cavendish Library.  Come on in and get pickled.  Looking for donations of vegetables or small glass jars that week. Free and open to the public. FMI: 226-7503

AUGUST 14 (SATURDAY): 4-6 PM  Ice Cream Social at the Cavendish Library  A community get together. See the new layout of the library and get  to meet new people now residing in our area or even just to reacquaint with others we haven't  seen since the pandemic hit. Free and open to the public. FMI: 226-7503

AUGUST 15 (SUNDAY): What’s in the Cavendish Historical Society Museum’s Medicine Cabinet? We’ve done a study of the potions, notions and medicines that have been in the Museum’s exhibit. Talk begins at 2 pm at the Museum and will feature Dan Churchill who worked at Pollard’s store compounding medicine from 8th-12th grades. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807.

AUGUST 18 (WEDNESDAY): 7pm  Book Club Evening at the Cavendish Library. Discussion of Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu  Kawaguchi.  Books available at the library or electronically thru Hoopla. This is a free and open event. FMI: 226-7503

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

SEPTEMBER 7 (TUESDAY): First day of school.

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

            • 20th Anniversary of 9/11: Local remembrance by area fire departments. A march will begin at the Ludlow Fire Station at 12:30 pm and end at Veteran’s Park in Ludlow. A ceremony with guest speakers will take place at 1 pm with lunch to follow. This event remembers those who lost their lives that day as well as those who have died from complications from exposures sustained in rescue operations.

·      RiverSweep

SEPT. 12 (SUNDAY): Annual Phineas Gage Walk & Talk. Meet at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum at 2 pm. The tour is about 1 1/2 miles round trip. Walking shoes are recommended. Included in the tour is the site of the accident. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807

OCTOBER 3 (SUNDAY): Fitton-the Mill, the Firebug, and Everything in Between. Starting at 2 pm at the Museum, there will be a talk on the Fitton (Spring) Mill, the town that grew up around it-Fittonsville- and the man Robert “Firebug” Fitton who was responsible for its demise and lots of other property in the town of Cavendish. The talk will be following by a walk out to the site where the Mill, boarding house, and other structures once stood. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for walking on uneven terrain. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com 802-226-7807

DECEMBER 12 (SUNDAY): Christmas Ghost Walk-Proctorsville. 7 pm, meet at the Proctorsville War Memorial. Free and open to the public. FMI: 802-226-7807.

CA❤︎ENDSH VACCINATES TO PROTECT SELF & OTHERS

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 7/30/21: Tag Sale/Covid/Construction

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

IT’S THE TOWN WIDE TAG SALE!!: July 31 (Saturday) from 9-2. Check out the on-line directory for whose selling what. It will be updated until 6 am on Saturday morning.

Stop by the Cavendish Connects/Cavendish Historical Society booth at the Gazebo on the Proctorsville Green and “tie dye” a mask.  Masks and hand sanitizer will be available. Please consider making a donation as there are costs associated with producing the Update and all the other services CC provides.

7/30/21

1.    RT 131 Construction/Bridge @ Exit 8 Update from VTrans 7/29

2.    Cavendish Info

3.    Covid update

4.    Events

1. RT 131 CONSTRUCTION/BRIDGE @ EXIT 8 UPDATE-7/29: Please direct questions and concerns to Natalie Boyle at Vtrans802-855-3893 or nboyle@eivtech.com The updates below are from Vtrans:

Rt 131: Placement of curbing is scheduled for completion this week. Paving of the intermediate (binder) course will continue throughout the week next week. Weather and surface conditions will affect the paving schedule. Roadway ditching operations will continue next week. Adjustments to drainage structures will begin next week.

Bridge @ Exit 8: Concrete F-rail was installed this week and is now will in its cure period for the next week.  Next week crews will work on forming and placing the northern approach slab.  Substructure repairs on the piers under the bridge will continue throughout the week next week. Formwork on the concrete rail on the south approach slab is tentatively scheduled for next week.

2. CAVENDISH INFO

• Water Testing: Given all the rain, it’s not surprising that several spots on the Black River are testing high for e-coli. Yesterday’s heavy rain and today’s forecast, doesn’t make for good swimming conditions on Saturday. It is recommended to stay out of the water for 24 hours after a heavy rain or any time it appears cloudy. Test results are posted to Is it Clean?

• Concerts on the Green: Everyone’s favorite Irish band, Gypsy Reel, will be playing on Aug. 4. There has been a change in performers for the Aug. 11 concert. Dr. Tom’s Band, will be playing instead of the Gully Boys. Dr. Tom’s is a roots-rock band with a bit of jazz on the side. Concerts start at 6 at Svec Park (Proctorsville Green) with a rain location of Gethsemane Church, just off Depot St. Concerts are free and open to the public. Wearing masks at the concert and physical distancing are only required for those who are not vaccinated. The Green is large and the band will be loud enough to be heard throughout, so please spread out and maintain distancing.

• Cavendish Historical Society News: The CHS newsletter for Summer 2021 is now on-line and lists upcoming events, including the next scheduled Ghost Walk.

• August Cavendish Library Events: The following events will be held at the Cavendish Library and are free and open to the public during August:

-       3rd (Tuesday): 10-5  Face Painting Day;

-       12th 10-5  Pickle Day  Looking for donations of vegetables or small glass jars that week;

-       14th 4-6 pm Ice Cream Social;

-       18th(Wednesday)  7pm  Book Club Evening. “Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu  Kawaguchi. 

 For more information, see the Events section below or call the library 226-7503

3. COVID UPDATE: The events of the past week appear as if public health officials are contradicting themselves yet again. In May, with increasing vaccination rates, low case counts and alpha being the primary variant, the CDC said those who were vaccinated didn’t need to mask. Further, they thought that the risk of vaccinated people contracting Covid was very low and if they did, it was unlikely they could transmit it to someone else.

On Tuesday, the CDC reversed its May policy and now recommends that vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the delta variant is surging (most places). Citing new information about the leading variant’s (Delta) ability to spread among vaccinated people, the CDC also recommended indoor masks for all teachers, staff, students and visitors at schools nationwide, regardless of vaccination status.

According to Dr. Fauci,  “The virus has changed. The recommendations and the discussion that we were having months ago, that the CDC was basing their recommendations on were dealing with what was called the Alpha variant, which is considerably different than the Delta variant. The Delta variant has a very unusual capability of spreading much more easily than the Alpha did. And the other data we’re having right now is that, when people get breakthrough infections, when they’re vaccinated and they get infected, even when they have a situation where they don’t have an advanced disease, they clearly can transmit it to other people.” Dr. Fauci on CDC’s Reimposed mask guidelines, vaccine requirements, and GOP Criticism.

What we know today about Delta variant, vaccinations, transmissions and the need for booster shots is going to change as this virus mutates. It requires flexible thinking and a willingness to adapt so we protect ourselves and others. Vaccines are still very protective, especially against hospitalization and death. But when it comes to getting an asymptomatic or mild case of COVID, they may not be quite as protective as they were against the earlier strains.

Breakthrough Covid symptoms appear to be associated with sneezing a lot, along with a headache, runny nose and sore throat. If you are experiencing symptoms, go to the Ludlow Health Center for a Covid test.

Cases continue to spiral upward in VT, with the Health Commissioner, Mark Levine stating this is now a “pandemic of the unvaccinated.” 

According to Tuesday’s report from the state Department of Financial Regulation, Commissioner Mike Pieciak noted, “About five weeks ago, Covid-19 cases started to rise in the United States; about four weeks ago, cases started to rise here in the Northeast; and then about three weeks ago, they started to rise here in Vermont, reminding us, again, that Vermont is not an island.” In the last two days alone, VT has had 66 new cases.

While the majority of cases are occurring in the un vaccinated, “breakthrough” cases are happening in VT. Fortunately, those vaccinated are at much lower risk for symptoms, hospitalizations and death. That said, a study published Wednesday in The New England Journal of Medicine where 1,497 vaccinated health care workers at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel were studied, 39 (2.6%) got infected despite their inoculations. Of those, seven (18%) developed symptoms that lasted at least six weeks, including headaches, muscle pain, loss of taste and smell and fatigue.

According to VT Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine, a special task force has been created to study public health protocols and the safety of students and teachers and should have a report ready for this coming week’s press conference, Aug. 3.

Pfizer Vaccine Protection Wanes After 6 Months: The July 28 preprint report of the study, which has not been peer reviewed, suggests a gradual "declining trend in vaccine efficacy" over 6 months after a two-dose regimen of the Pfizer vaccine. The study included more than 45,000 people worldwide. The study found that overall effectiveness fell from 96% to 84%. A third booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine increases neutralizing antibody levels against the Delta variant by more than five times compared to levels after a second dose in people aged 18 to 55 years. The immune response to the third dose appears even more robust ― more than 11 times higher than the response to second shot ― among people aged 65 to 85 years.

Make vaccination a priority! School starts September 7 (Tuesday), that’s sufficient time to vaccinated the 12-17 year old group with the Pfizer vaccine and have them protected by the start of school. Those 18+ can be vaccinated with one dose of the Johnson & Johnson, which provides protection after two weeks. Vaccination is available locally at the Rite Aid Pharmacy in Ludlow (228-8477) or Ludlow Health Center (226-8867). Pop up testing sites are listed at the state’s website.

4. UPCOMING EVENTS:

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

AUGUST 1 (SUNDAY): Trail hike on Hardy Hill. Begins at 10 am

AUGUST 3 (TUESDAY): 10-5  Face Painting Day at the Cavendish Library. Anyone that wants to change their image c'mon down! Free and open to the public. FMI: 226-7503

AUGUST 4 (WEDNESDAY): Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Gypsy Reel (Irish/Celtic). Rain location is Gethsemane Church, off Depot St.

AUGUST 11 (WEDNESDAY):  Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Dr. Tom’s Band (Roots/Rock). Rain location is Gethsemane Church, off Depot St.

AUGUST 12 (THURSDAY): 10-5   Pickle Day at the Cavendish Library.  Come on in and get pickled.  Looking for donations of vegetables or small glass jars that week. Free and open to the public. FMI: 226-7503

AUGUST 14 (SATURDAY): 4-6 PM  Ice Cream Social at the Cavendish Library  A community get together. See the new layout of the library and get  to meet new people now residing in our area or even just to reacquaint with others we haven't  seen since the pandemic hit. Free and open to the public. FMI: 226-7503

AUGUST 15 (SUNDAY): What’s in the Cavendish Historical Society Museum’s Medicine Cabinet? We’ve done a study of the potions, notions and medicines that have been in the Museum’s exhibit. Talk begins at 2 pm at the Museum and will feature Dan Churchill who worked at Pollard’s store compounding medicine from 8th-12th grades. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807.

AUGUST 18 (WEDNESDAY): 7 pm  Book Club Evening at the Cavendish Library. Discussion of “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” by Toshikazu  Kawaguchi.  Books available at the library or electronically thru Hoopla. This is a free and open event. FMI: 226-7503

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

SEPTEMBER 7 (TUESDAY): First day of school.

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

            • 20th Anniversary of 9/11

·      RiverSweep

SEPT. 12 (SUNDAY): Annual Phineas Gage Walk & Talk. Meet at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum at 2 pm. The tour is about 1 1/2 miles round trip. Walking shoes are recommended. Included in the tour is the site of the accident. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807

OCTOBER 3 (SUNDAY): Fitton-the Mill, the Firebug, and Everything in Between. Starting at 2 pm at the Museum, there will be a talk on the Fitton (Spring) Mill, the town that grew up around it-Fittonsville- and the man Robert “Firebug” Fitton who was responsible for its demise and lots of other property in the town of Cavendish. The talk will be following by a walk out to the site where the Mill, boarding house, and other structures once stood. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for walking on uneven terrain. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com 802-226-7807

DECEMBER 12 (SUNDAY): Christmas Ghost Walk-Proctorsville. 7 pm, meet at the Proctorsville War Memorial. Free and open to the public. FMI: 802-226-7807.

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Cavendish Update 7/23/21: Construction/Covid/News/Events

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

11TH TOWN WIDE TAG SALE: July 31 from 9-2. If you would like a spot on one of the greens, or you’d like to be listed in the on-line directory, please e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com or call 802-226-7807. Be sure to include items you’ll be selling to increase traffic to your booth. Space is free for Cavendish residents, property owners and businesses.  If you are setting up and would like a Facebook Album of items you are planning on selling, please e-mail pictures to the e-mail address above.  

7/23/21

1.    RT 131 Construction/Bridge @ Exit 8 Update from VTrans 7/22

2.    Cavendish Info

3.    Covid update

4.    Events 

1. RT 131 CONSTRUCTION/BRIDGE @ EXIT 8 UPDATE-7/22: Please direct questions and concerns to Natalie Boyle at Vtrans802-855-3893 or nboyle@eivtech.com The updates below are from Vtrans:

Rt 131: Cold mix paving (base layer of asphalt) has been completed. Paving of the intermediate course will continue for the next two weeks. Weather and surface conditions will affect the paving schedule. Roadway ditching operations will begin next week and continue throughout the week. Placement of curbing and adjustments to drainage structures will begin next week.

 Bridge @ Exit 8: The concrete pour for the southern approach slab for Bridge 30S has been completed.  Work has begun on the F-barrier safety rail on the bridge. The first sections of rail will be poured next week and then work on the northern approach to Bridge 30S will begin. Work on pier repairs along VT 131 will continue for at least one more week. Shoulder closures will be in place.

2. CAVENDISH INFO

• Concerts on the Green: Next up on July 28th is Rick Davis and Friends who will be followed by the Irish band, Gypsy Reel on Aug. 4. Concerts start at 6 at Svec Park (Proctorsville Green) with a rain location of Gethsemane Church, just off Depot St. Concerts are free and open to the public. Wearing masks at the concert and physical distancing are only required for those who are not vaccinated. The Green is large and the band will be loud enough to be heard throughout, so please spread out and maintain distancing.

• Trail Hike: The Cavendish Association of Trails invites you to a guided nature walk on Hardy Hill, a newly established hiking trail located in Cavendish. The walk will take place on Sunday, August 1st, starting at 10 a.m. hosted by the land owner, Pieter Van Schaik. Trail parking will be located at the intersection of 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. The hike includes a beaver pond, great blue herons nest. FMI: The Cavendish Association of Trails is part of the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association, CavendishCCCA.org or email Cavendishcommunityconservation@gmail.com.

• Canada to Allow nonessential travel starting Aug.9/US extends land border restrictions to Aug. 21: VT Digger

• VDH Warns about Blue Green Algae in lakes and streams and its impact on humans and pets:

3. COVID UPDATE: Covid continues to spiral upwards, due to the Delta variant and the unvaccinated, in VT, northern New England as well as the rest of the country.  While VT continues to lead the country on a number of markers-vaccinations, fewest rates of new cases, hospitalizations and deaths-new cases continue daily in the double digits. On July 22, there were 34 new cases bringing the state’s total to 24,647 and a test seropositivity of 1.2%. This is the highest one day total VT has had since May 20. Click here for this week’s modeling data.

 The Delta variant spreads a lot quicker than its predecessors. While older versions of the virus spread from one person to two or three others, the Delta variant is being spread from one person to six others. Those who are not vaccinated are more likely to develop severe disease doubling the odds for hospitalization and even death.  

The statistic “99.5% of all people dying from Covid-19 are unvaccinated” (July 16, 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) doesn’t appear to be sufficient to convince the 10% of adults 18 or older who say they are probably not or definitely not going to get a vaccine. In Vermont, there are still over 92,000 eligible Vermonters not vaccinated.

Those wishing to be vaccinated can do so locally at the Rite Aid Pharmacy in Ludlow (228-8477) or Ludlow Health Center (226-8867). Pop up testing sites are listed at the state’s website.

Visitors to Provincetown Advised to Get Tested for Covid-19: Following reports from Massachusetts health officials of more than 200 cases of COVID-19 in Provincetown this month, the Vermont Department of Health is urging people who recently traveled to the popular vacation spot to get tested for Covid-19.

Breakthrough cases: Wondering about the various Olympic athletes who are testing positive even though they were vaccinated? The estimates are low that vaccinated individuals will contract Covid, and if they do will have mild to no symptoms. However, these athletes are tested daily for Covid so it’s more likely they will pick up those who are asymptomatic. Read more on this topic Worried About Breakthrough Covid Cases? Here’s What to Know.

Castleton, NVU and VTC to require Covid-19 vaccines

Testing: As more opportunities to travel are becoming available, there is continued demand for testing. The Ludlow Health Center will provide Covid testing only for those with symptoms. Those needing a test for camp, travel, school, exposure (no symptoms) or work, will need to go to one of the state testing sites. The closest sites are Springfield, 51 Pearl St., Level 2, Mon-Wed. 8-11 am and Sat 8-noon; or Rutland Regional Medical Center Mon-Fri 9-10 and 4-5:2 pm and Sat. 10-11:50.

4. UPCOMING EVENTS:

JULY 27 (TUESDAY): Cavendish General Store Auction, 2 pm

JULY 28 (WEDNESDAY): Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Rick Davis and friends. Rain location is Gethsemane Church, off Depot St.

-       Streetscapes Dedication of the Depot Street Bridge, 4:30 pm at the bridge

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

AUGUST 1 (SUNDAY): Trail hike on Hardy Hill. Begins at 10 am http://www.cavendishconnects.com/calendar/2021/8/1/trail-walk-in-cavendish

AUGUST 4 (WEDNESDAY): Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Gypsy Reel (Irish/Celtic). Rain location is Gethsemane Church, off Depot St.

AUGUST 11 (WEDNESDAY):  Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Gully Boys (Rock/Jam). Rain location is Gethsemane Church, off Depot St.

AUGUST 15 (SUNDAY): What’s in the Cavendish Historical Society Museum’s Medicine Cabinet? We’ve done a study of the potions, notions and medicines that have been in the Museum’s exhibit. Talk begins at 2 pm at the Museum and will feature Dan Churchill who worked at Pollard’s store compounding medicine from 8th-12th grades. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807.

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

            • 20th Anniversary of 9/11; RiverSweep

SEPT. 12 (SUNDAY): Annual Phineas Gage Walk & Talk. Meet at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum at 2 pm. The tour is about 1 1/2 miles round trip. Walking shoes are recommended. Included in the tour is the site of the accident. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807

OCTOBER 3 (SUNDAY): Fitton-the Mill, the Firebug, and Everything in Between. Starting at 2 pm at the Museum, there will be a talk on the Fitton (Spring) Mill, the town that grew up around it-Fittonsville- and the man Robert “Firebug” Fitton who was responsible for its demise and lots of other property in the town of Cavendish. The talk will be following by a walk out to the site where the Mill, boarding house, and other structures once stood. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for walking on uneven terrain. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com 802-226-7807

DECEMBER 12 (SUNDAY): Christmas Ghost Walk-Proctorsville. 7 pm, meet at the Proctorsville War Memorial. Free and open to the public. FMI: 802-226-7807.

CA❤︎ENDSH VACCINATES TO PROTECT SELF & OTHERS

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS