Cavendish Update 11/5/21: Construction/News/Events

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                         FALL BACK TO STANDARD TIME SUNDAY

11/5//21

1.    Construction Update

2.    Cavendish Info

3.    Covid update

4.    Events

1. CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS 131: Update 11/4/21

The following information has been provided by VTrans, Please direct questions and concerns to Natalie Boyle at Vtrans 802-855-3893 or nboyle@eivtech.com.

The contractor continues to work on driveways. This will continue next week.Aggregate shoulder, driveway gravel back-up, and topsoil operations have been completed. Side road markings will be placed throughout next week. Miscellaneous activities will be occurring throughout the project to address punch list items on the contract.  Crews will continue roadway markings on side roads next week.

2. CAVENDISH INFO

• CVFD Tupperware Fundraiser: The Cavendish Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a Tupperware Fundraiser. Orders can be placed on line or visit the fire station for a one hour “Stop and Shop” November 18 (Thursday) from 5-6 pm. FMI: Rebecca Nareau 802-226-7790

• Green Mountain boys come from behind to beat Vergennes in soccer semis: GMUHS boys varsity soccer team is headed to its third straight state championship final on Saturday. They play Enosburg at the Maxfield Sports Complex in Hartford. Chester Telegraph

• Ludlow’s retail cannabis voted down Tuesday VT Journal

• VT’s Regular Deer Season Nov. 13-28

• Target Opens in W. Lebanon: Target opens its newest location on Nov. 7 (Sunday) in W. Lebanon.

• Vermont to raise minimum wage next year: Starting Jan. 1, the state’s minimum wage will be $12.55 an hour. That’s an increase of $0.80 from $11.75. This change also affects tipped employees. The tipped minimum wage will increase from $5.88 to $6.28 per hour.

 

3. COVID UPDATE: Weekly data on community cases showed 2 new cases for Cavendish (54 total); 7 for Ludlow (130 total); 11 Chester (214) and Springfield 37 (622 total). CTES & GMUHS had no cases this past week according to Tuesday’s report from the VT Dept. of Health. As of Nov. 1, there were 153 cases last week in Vermont schools and 1,284 since the start of the school year. 

HIGHEST ONE DAY TOTAL:  Tuesday’s Modeling has been overshadowed by the single highest day number of new cases that have been reported since the pandemic. Yesterday, 478 new cases were reported. This is not a data glitch. This brings the seven day daily average to 247 new cases, with a seven day seropositivity testing rate of 3.2%. This is up from last week’s 2.7%

Governor Scott issued a press release late yesterday stating, ..with roughly 126,000 Vermonters still unvaccinated, we continue to see cases increase, which is leading to more hospitalizations and deaths than we want to see. Today, we reported 487 new cases out of over 18,000 tests completed, which is the 2nd highest number of tests we’ve ever done. It is important to note that this test positivity rate of 2.7% is about what we’ve been seeing on average. But we do have to consider the impact this case count could have on our hospital capacity in the coming weeks. If we stayed at this level of cases, based on our current hospitalization rate, there is potential to see the number of people currently hospitalized increase to over 80, which would be a significant strain on the system.

Invoking a state of emergency is unnecessary at this time, but we need Vermonters to think about what they can do to protect those at risk of hospitalization and deaths… Today’s numbers could be driven by Halloween and other gatherings, so gather wisely: Other prevention measures  recommended included vaccination; masking, indoors regardless of your vaccination status; gather outside whenever possible; test; and stay home when sick.

The Governor has a clear message for the unvaccinated, The simple fact is, this pandemic is being driven by the unvaccinated, including 53,000 eligible adults. The three lowest vaccinated counties account for 25% of today’s cases, yet they only make up 10% of our state population. Unvaccinated Vermonters are up to 5 times as likely to contract COVID in Vermont and they account for 70-85% of our hospitalizations and ICU stays. Unvaccinated adults are directly contributing to the strain on our hospital capacity. Enough is enough, it’s time to step up and get vaccinated – something over 90% of your fellow Vermont adults have done. Press Release

The number of cases is now at 41,254 with 380 deaths. Of the 55 people currently in the hospital, 19 are in the ICU.

VACCINES FOR CHILDREN: With the approval of the reduced dose Pfizer vaccine for those 5-11 years of age ( approximately 44,000 children), registration began on Wednesday. By 4pm, over 10,000 children had been registered, which is about a quarter of the state’s population in this age category. The goal is to vaccinate as many kids as possible before the holidays.

There will be a vaccination clinic for 5-11 year olds at Cavendish Town Elementary School on Monday Nov. 15th. If you are interested in having your child vaccinated, register online. or call 855-722-7878.

Doses at pediatricians’ offices should be available by mid-November.

To answer parents questions about the vaccine, the VT Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is holding a series of Zoom forums on Nov. 8th, 10th, 16th, 18th, 22nd, 30th, Dec.2nd, 6th, 8th, 12th and 15th.  All forums will be held from 7-8 pm. Click here to obtain Zoom information.

To learn more about vaccines for children, and to make an appointment, go to the VT Dept. of Health website. You can make an appointment on line or call 855-722-7878.

 GET A BOOSTER/VACCINE: Locally boosters are available at Rite Aid-register at their website and the  Ludlow Health Center 802-228-8867. First, second and booster doses are available at walk-in Vaccine Clinics.   Be sure to note the “vaccine type” column. You can register through the state website or by calling 855-722-7878.

 LITERATURE/NEWS REVIEW

Vermont’s Early Success in Battling COVID-19 Could Be Helping to Drive Today’s Surge

COVID-19 Vaccines Provide 5 Times the Protection of Natural Immunity

4. EVENTS

NOVEMBER 6 (SATURDAY): CTES Parent Teacher Group is sponsoring Trunk or Treat at Greven Field from 4:30-7. This is a Halloween fundraiser for the Cavendish Playground Fund. Event also includes: Snack Shack, Bonfire and Spooky Path.  Line up at CTES at 4:30 to follow the Fire Truck to Greven

** All trunks must be parked on Greven starting at 4pm.

** Plan on parking your vehicle at CTES, or on Depot Street.

** There will be snacks for sale at the field. All money raised will go to the new playground at CTES.

** If you can donate firewood that would be greatly appreciated. Contact Miranda McNamara at 802-952-8565.

** We still need many more volunteers to help make this event successful.

** More trunks are welcome. Sign up with Denise Hughes or at ctesptg@gmail.com

Interested in setting up a car or have a question, e-mail CTESPTG@gmail.com

NOVEMBER 7 (SUNDAY): FALL BACK. Set clocks back one hour and check batteries in smoke and radon protectors.

NOVEMBER 11 (THURSDAY): VETERAN’S DAY Town Office Closed

NOVEMBER 13 (SATURDAY)-28 (SUNDAY): Deer Season

NOVEMBER 15 (MONDAY): 2nd Quarter Property Taxes Due

-       CTES School vaccination clinic for children 5-11

NOVEMBER 18 (THURSDAY): Cavendish Volunteer Fire Department’s “Stop and Shop” Tupperware sale from 5-6 pm. FMI: Rebecca Nareau 802-226-7790

NOVEMBER 19 -21 (FRIDAY-SUNDAY):Okemo Ski & Swap, Round House at Jackson Gore Inn. Friday 4-7 pm; Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 9-1.

NOVEMBER 25 (THURSDAY): HAPPY THANKSGIVING Town Office Closed

NOVEMBER 26 (FRIDAY): Town Office closed

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 VAXXING & MASKING TO PROTECT SELF & OTHERS

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 10/29/21: SB Mtg/Construction/Halloween/News

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

Trunk or Treat at Greven Field has been moved to Nov. 6

10/29//21

1.    Cavendish Select Board Meeting 10/18/21

2.    Construction Update

3.    Cavendish Info

4.    Local Halloween Activities

5.    Covid update

6.    Events

1. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 10/18/21 :A video of the meeting is available at the Okemo Valley TV website. Unapproved minutes from the monthly select board (SB) meeting are available at the Cavendish Municipal website and the VT Journal filed a report on the meeting.

Action Taken

• Approved opening a new checking account with  Berkshire Bank for the receipt and disbursement of all ARPA Funds.

• Appointed Bruce McEnaney to the Planning Commission

• Accepted with regret the resignation of Cavendish Fire Warden Roger Sheehan. The board appointed Chris Marks to take his place.

Items discussed

• Route 131 Construction: See the latest construction information, item 2, below

• Cavendish Library Status: The relationship between the Town and Library arose when Sullivan & Powers accounting firm conducted an audit of the Town accounts and recommended looking into how the library/town funds were handled. The Town owns the Library building, but due to Act 46, the land on which the building sits was leased to the town for $1 for 99 years. Town manager, Brendan McNamara recommended that the SB needs to draft a document outlining the relationship between the town and library, which then could be reviewed by the town’s attorney.

• Junk Yard Ordinance: While the town has had a junk yard ordinance since 2006, it’s seldom been enforced. The SB agreed that it needs to be a fair process where all property is assessed. McNamara will check with the VT City of Leagues and Towns (VCLT) to see how other towns are handling this issue.

• Budget Process and Appropriation Requests: There was agreement that the board would not require in-person presentations for external appropriations, similar to last year.

2. CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS 131 & 100: On Monday, several driveways in Cavendish village were in the process of being removed by a disgruntled sub-contractor, who justified his actions saying he hadn’t been paid.  Thanks to the swift intervention of the town manager, Brendan McNamara, this was stopped and impacted areas were repaired the next day. According to Natalie Boyle of VTrans, Things should be settled down by now, and the driveways will all be done correctly going forward.

While not directly related to the 131 project, that same evening, a tractor trailer over turned on 131 near Chubb Hill. A combination of rain and slick conditions contributed to the accident.

VTrans Update on 131 for 10/28: Mainline paving and side road paving has been completed. The contractor continues to work on driveways. This will continue next week. The contractor will be working on aggregate shoulders, driveway gravel back-up, and topsoil next week.  Main line pavement markings have been placed. Sideroad markings will be placed throughout next week. Miscellaneous activities will be occurring throughout the project to address punch list items on the contract.  

Route 100 culverts replacement project is now projected to be completed by Saturday, Nov. 27, according to VTrans.. Temporary pavement will be used with re pavement taking place during the 2022 construction season.

Please direct questions and concerns to Natalie Boyle at Vtrans 802-855-3893 or nboyle@eivtech.com.

3. CAVENDISH INFO

• GMUSD votes 7-2 to stop using Native American logo: While the board voted to remove the mascot, the name “Chieftains” will remain. This meeting can be watched at Okemo Valley TV or read The Chester Telegraph report.

• GM board calls for more precise costs on $18M of $28M proposal

• GM Soccer Team Look Solid for Playoff Runs

• Fuel Assistance, Medicare Open Enrollment at Senior Solutions

4. LOCAL HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES

Friday- 29th: The Gill Odd Fellows Home will be hosting a Haunted Forest Walk Friday from 5-6 p.m. There is a suggested monetary donation or a nonperishable food item for the Black River Good Neighbor Food Shelf.

-       Wright Construction Hard Hat Spooktacular! Hard Hats and Candy will be given away for free all day (8am-4pm) to kids from our community. Come take a picture in front of our massive Halloween hay display, meet the team, and start the candy haul early at 31 Station Road in Mount Holly, Vermont.

-       Trunk or Treat, 407 pm at the Riverside Middle School, 13 Fairground Rd, Springfield

Saturday-30th: Due to the expected rain, the CTES PTG Trunk or Treat has been moved to Nov. 6

-       5th annual Trunk or Treat sponsored by the Weathersfield Proctor Library. Vehicle set up starts at 2 pm with treating from 3-5 pm at the Hosington Field, Perkinsville (on the ground of the 1879 Schoolhouse).

Sunday 31st: HAPPY HALLOWEEN. Trick or treating at the Cavendish Post Office (5 pm while supplies last), Cavendish Fire Dept (starting at 3 pm), Cavendish Baptist Church (starting at 5:00) and Proctorsville Fire Dept (starting at 4:30)

-       Ludlow Trunk or Treat, Benson’s Chevrolet, 25 Pond St 4:30-6:30. Park on the north side of the building to begin the tour.

-       Creepy Hollow Yard Haunt & Haunt Trail, 1571 Gravelin RD., Weathersfield 5:30-10:00

-       Claremont Trunk or Treat 2-4 pm, Monadnock Park, 190 Broad St.

-       Joe Citro author of “Not Yet Dead,” will be speaking and reading tales at Chester’s First Universalist Parish in the Stone Village, 7 pm This is free and open to the public. FMI: 802-875-3400.

November 6th (Saturday) CTES Parent Teacher Group is sponsoring Trunk or Treat at Greven Field from 4:30-7. This is a Halloween fundraiser for the Cavendish Playground Fund. Event also includes: Snack Shack, Bonfire and Spooky Path.  Line up at CTES at 4:30 to follow the Fire Truck to Greven

** All trunks must be parked on Greven starting at 4pm.

** Plan on parking your vehicle at CTES, or on Depot Street.

** There will be snacks for sale at the field. All money raised will go to the new playground at CTES.

** If you can donate firewood that would be greatly appreciated. Contact Miranda McNamara at 802-952-8565.

** We still need many more volunteers to help make this event successful.

** More trunks are welcome. Sign up with Denise Hughes or at ctesptg@gmail.com

Interested in setting up a car or have a question, e-mail CTESPTG@gmail.com

5. COVID UPDATE: Cavendish had the single biggest one week increase in Covid since town data has been provided-6 new cases for a total of 52. Ludlow had 2 new cases (123 total); Chester 23 new cases (203 total) and Springfield 35 for 585 total. CTES & GMUHS  have had no cases this past week according to Tuesday’s report from the VT Dept. of Health. As of Oct. 25, there were 131 cases last week in Vermont schools and 1,125 since the start of the school year. 

Vermont lawmakers, health care workers, teachers and others have been pressuring the Governor to declare a state of emergency, so that mask mandates and other measures can be put in place to stop the spread of the Delta variant. At Tuesday’s press conference, Gov. Scott pointed out that Covid-19 isn’t going to go away and we need to figure out how to deal with it, instead of constantly living in a state of emergency.

Health Commissioner, Dr. Mark Levine stated that the strategy for stopping Covid 19  is to: vaccinate/booster; mask; test; stay home when sick; and if you do contract Covid, requesting monoclonal antibodies. The latter can decrease hospitalizations and progression to severe disease and death for patients with mild to moderate Covid-19.

BOOSTER SHOT/VACCINES: The roll out of booster shots for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, which began on Oct., 22, has been problematic. Hopefully the kinks are worked out by now. We’ve heard various complaints with some finding it easiest to go to Walmart’s Pharmacy or to one of the vaccine clinics.

Locally boosters are available at Rite Aid, though you will need to register at their website . The Ludlow Health Center is now offering boosters. Call 802-228-8867. First, second and booster doses are available at walk-in Vaccine Clinics.  Be sure to note the “vaccine type” column.  Starting November 1 (Monday) you can register through the state website or by calling 855-722-7878.

Mix N Match- choose a booster vaccine that is a different brand than the one initially received-is available. Note that the Moderna booster dose is a half dose. Booster shots are free.

Anyone 18 and up who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least 2 months ago is eligible for a booster. While there are qualifiers for the Moderna and Pfizer boosters, most people 18 or older, who received their second dose at least 6 months ago, are eligible either through their job, underlying medical conditions, age (65+) or BIPOC (Black, Indigenous or a person of color).

This week the FDA Advisory Panel approved the Pfizer vaccine for children 5-11. The final decision from the FDA and Centers for Disease Control is expected next week, with vaccines becoming available for this age group as early as next week. Moderna’s vaccine for children will be up for approval soon, as it has proven highly effective. Note that pediatric doses are not the same as for adults.

BY THE NUMBERS: Tuesday’s Modeling shows cases have decreased by15% over the last 7 days and have decreased 7% over the last 14 days. Testing has continue to increase with the 7-day average increasing 6% this week. The not fully vaccinated case rate has increased 9% in the last 7 days while the fully vaccinated rate has decreased 2% during the same period.

The latest numbers from mid-September until mid-October show newborns to 11-year-olds had the highest rate of infection, 43 cases per 10,000. The next highest group is 12 to 29-year-olds at just under 31 cases per 10,000. Adults between 20 to 59 years old had 29.5 cases per 100,000 with those 60 years and older having 18.3 cases per 100,000.

As of 10/28, Vermont has had 39,559 cases, with 360 deaths, 100 of which are attributed to the Delta variant. Percentage of seven day positive cases from testing has dropped from 3% as of 10/21 to 2.7% on 10/28. While cases appear to be decreasing, we’ve seen that multiple times throughout the Delta variant, where they go down one week and spike to all-time highs the next week. In fact, yesterday, VT again reported over 300 cases for the day.

LITERATURE/NEWS REVIEW

• Vermont officials relax guidelines for contact tracing in schools

• VT Winter sports guidance allows unvaccinated athletes to play

• Immunocompromised may need a fourth Covid-19 shot, CDC says

• Cheap antidepressant shows promise treating early COVID-19

6. EVENTS

OCTOBER 29 (FRIDAY): See Item 4

OCTOBER 30 (SATURDAY): See Item 4

OCTOBER 31 (SUNDAY): HAPPY HALLOWEEN. Trick or treating will take place in both villages of Cavendish.

NOVEMBER 6 (SATURDAY): Fairy Tale family event at the Cavendish Library featuring George Thomson at 1 pm. A fun and free event for the whole family with games, prizes and, of course, books!

-       Trunk or Treat Greven Field see item 4

NOVEMBER 7 (SUNDAY): FALL BACK. Set clocks back one hour and check batteries in smoke and radon protectors.

NOVEMBER 11 (THURSDAY): VETERAN’S DAY Town Office Closed

NOVEMBER 15 (MONDAY): 2nd Quarter Property Taxes Due

NOVEMBER 19 -21 (FRIDAY-SUNDAY):Okemo Ski & Swap, Round House at Jackson Gore Inn. Friday 4-7 pm; Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 9-1.

NOVEMBER 25 (THURSDAY): HAPPY THANKSGIVING Town Office Closed

NOVEMBER 26 (FRIDAY): Town Office closed

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 VAXXING & MASKING TO PROTECT SELF & OTHERS

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Local Halloween Activities

Friday- 29th: The Gill Odd Fellows Home will be hosting a Haunted Forest Walk Friday from 5-6 p.m. There is a suggested monetary donation or a nonperishable food item, which will go to the Black River Good Neighbor Food Shelf.

-       Wright Construction Hard Hat Spooktacular! Hard Hats and Candy will be given away for free all day (8am-4pm) to kids from our community. Come take a picture in front of our massive Halloween hay display, meet the team, and start the candy haul early at 31 Station Road in Mount Holly, Vermont.

-       Trunk or Treat, 407 pm at the Riverside Middle School, 13 Fairground Rd, Springfield

Saturday-30th: Due to the expected rain, the CTES PTG Trunk or Treat has been moved to Nov. 6

-       5th annual Trunk or Treat sponsored by the Weathersfield Proctor Library. Vehicle set up starts at 2 pm with treating from 3-5 pm at the Hosington Field, Perkinsville (on the ground of the 1879 Schoolhouse).

Sunday 31st: HAPPY HALLOWEEN. Trick or treating at the Cavendish Post Office, Cavendish Fire Dept (starting at 3 pm), Cavendish Baptist Church (starting at 4:30) and Proctorsville Fire Dept (starting at 4:30)

-       Ludlow Trunk or Treat, Benson’s Chevrolet, 25 Pond St 4:30-6:30. Park on the north side of the building to begin the tour.

-       Creepy Hollow Yard Haunt & Haunt Trail, 1571 Gravelin RD., Weathersfield 5:30-10:00

-       Claremont Trunk or Treat 2-4 pm, Monadnock Park, 190 Broad St.

-       Joe Citro author of “No Yet Dead,” will be speaking and reading tales at Chester’s First Universalist Parish in the Stone Village, 7 pm This is free and open to the public. FMI: 802-875-3400.

November 6th: CTES Parent Teacher Group is sponsoring Trunk or Treat at Greven Field from 4:30-7. This is a Halloween fundraiser for the Cavendish Playground Fund. Event also includes: Snack Shack, Bonfire and Spooky Path.  Line up at CTES at 4:30 to follow the Fire Truck to Greven

** All trunks must be parked on Greven starting at 4pm.

** Plan on parking your vehicle at CTES, or on Depot Street.

** There will be snacks for sale at the field. All money raised will go to the new playground at CTES.

** If you can donate firewood that would be greatly appreciated. Contact Miranda McNamara at 802-952-8565.

** We still need many more volunteers to help make this event successful.

** More trunks are welcome. Sign up with Denise Hughes or at ctesptg@gmail.com

Interested in setting up a car or have a question, e-mail CTESPTG@gmail.com

Cavendish Update 10/22/21: 131 Construction/Halloween/Grant/News

Stephanie, the massage therapist/injury prevention specialist, provides relief to a 131 construction worker y

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

Starting Sunday (10/24) all local calls require that you dial 10-digits (area code + telephone number).

10/22//21

1.    Construction Update for 131

2.    Cavendish Info

3.    CCF Accepting applications for fall grants

4.    Covid update

5.    Events

1. CONSTRUCTION UPDATE FOR 131: Please direct questions and concerns to Natalie Boyle at Vtrans802-855-3893 or nboyle@eivtech.com. This update is from Vtrans on 10/21/21: Mainline paving and side road paving has been completed. The contractor continues to work on driveways. This will continue next week. The contractor will be working on aggregate shoulders, driveway gravel back-up, and topsoil next week.  Permanent Pavement markings are scheduled for next week.  Miscellaneous activities will be occurring throughout the project to address punch list items on the contract. Rumble strip installation has been completed.

2. CAVENDISH INFO

• Correction Cavendish Trunk or Treat: Please note that this event will be held at Greven Field and not the school as posted last week.

• Green Mountain Union HS Mascot Forum: GMUHS is the only school in Vermont still using an Indian symbol mascot, an Indian wearing a war bonnet. This type of head dresses was typically worn by male leaders of a few of the Plains Indian tribes, On Oct. 14, the GM board provided a forum via zoom for the community to voice their opinions on the name “Chieftains” as well as the mascot. The over-riding sentiment was to change the mascot. The term Chieftain denotes the leader of a clan or tribe, and several people suggested that the name remain but the mascot be changed. For others the name was an issue as well, since it is tied to the mascot. Two views were presented by indigenous peoples, Abenaki elder and chair of the VT Commission on Native American Affairs, Carol McGranahn spoke against it while Nicolas Willis of the Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) spoke in favor of it. While it was pointed out that the NAGA does not speak for the Abenaki tribe, Willis was quick to note that NAGA represents the individual Indians and not the tribal perspective. Interestingly, no one mentioned that the mascot is male nor that most of the northern European clan chiefs were men, neither of which reflects the diversity of the GM student body. It is up to the Green Mountain Supervsiory Union board to make the decision to keep or change the schools mascot and/or slogan. The Forum can be seen at the Okemo Valley TV website 

• Gill Home Haunted Walk: The Gill Odd Fellows Home will be hosting a Haunted Forest Walk Friday, Oct. 29, from 5-6 p.m. There is a suggested monetary donation or a nonperishable food item, which will go to the Black River Good Neighbor Food Shelf. Volunteers are needed to help with the haunted walk as well candy donations. FMI: Aggie or Ralph  802-228-6858

Area Halloween Events appear in the Events Section below.

3. CCF ACCEPTING APPLICATION FOR FALL GRANTS : The Cavendish Community Fund (CCF) is accepting grant applications for fall 2021 awards. The Fund will consider applications filed anytime, but will only award grants this fall to those who file by November 1st. An application can be made by e-mail or on paper.

The application can be made by letter that describes the applicant, proposed project, and total project budget, including the grant requested. The application must describe how the project will benefit the people of Cavendish. Generally, grants do not exceed $1,000, but awards will depend on the number of applications received and the amounts requested.

FMI: Emai CavendishCommunityFund@gmail.com ; mail Cavendish Community Fund, P.O. Box 154, Proctorsville, VT 05153 or call Douglas McBride at 226-7142 or Peter LaBelle at 226-7250.

l

4. COVID UPDATE: Cavendish had another case of COVID last week bringing the town’s total cases to 46. Ludlow had 2 new cases (121 total), while Chester had 19 new cases (180 total) and Springfield 35 (550 total). There were no cases of Covid at  CTES or GMUHS according to Tuesday’s report from the VT Dept. of Health. As of Oct. 18, there were 125 cases last week in Vermont schools and 978 since the start of the school year. 

BOOSTER SHOT/VACCINES: With the approval of the boosters for Moderna and Pfizer by the FDA and the CDC, last night Vermont announced that as of 8 am today, the State is expanding its Covid-19 booster shot program to include the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Boosters are available through pharmacies or your healthcare provider, or starting on November 1, through the state registration system. Vermonters ages 18 and older may choose a booster vaccine that is a different brand than the one they initially received. Note that the Moderna booster dose is a half dose. Booster shots are free.

Anyone 18 and up who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least 2 months ago is eligible for a booster. While there are qualifiers for the Moderna and Pfizer boosters. Most people 18 or older, who received their second dose at least 6 months ago, are eligible either through their job, underlying medical conditions, age (65+) or BIPOC (Black, Indigenous or a person of color).

Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are available at the Rite Aid Pharmacy in Ludlow from 10-4 or from the Ludlow Health Center. Call to make an appointment Rite Aid 228-8477, LHC 228-8867. For other locations, check http://healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine. You can also call 855-722-7878.

 On Wednesday the White House unveiled its plans to vaccinate children 5-11.

What Scoot means by personal responsibility : Gov. Scott outlined what he meant by personal responsibility at Tuesday’s press conference, which basically focuses on being vaccinated. If you are choosing to not get vaccinated, it means understanding the risks to yourself, your friends and family and your community. The data is clear: By not getting vaccinated you are more likely to get sick from COVID and you are much more likely to spread it to others. At this point, there is no doubt that if you are unvaccinated, the virus will find you…. And I want to be very clear: If you’re one of the Vermonters who is never going to get vaccinated, it’s even more important that you do your part to avoid spreading COVID to someone who is at risk or putting your children in a position where they’re out sick from school. Because not getting vaccinated, taking no precautions at all, and carelessly exposing an elderly family member, neighbor, customer or patient is selfish and dangerous. Read the speech here.

BY THE NUMBERS: Tuesday’s Modeling showed that VT cases have increased 10% over the last 7 days and have increased 39% over the last 14 days. The not fully vaccinated case rate has increased 21% in the last 7 days while the fully vaccinated rate has increased 30% during the same period. The current case count is 38,090, with 351 deaths (34 for the month), with 43 people in the hospital, 11 of whom are in the ICU. The seven day seropositivity rate is 3%, down from 3.5% last week.

LITERATURE/NEWS REVIEW

• Individuals who are unvaccinated can expect to be reinfected with the coronavirus roughly every 16-17 months: The Yale study determined that natural immunity is somewhat short, and in a model where everyone has either been infected with COVID-19 or vaccinated against it, those who are unvaccinated can expect to be reinfected with the coronavirus roughly every 16-17 months.

5. EVENTS

OCTOBER 23 (SATURDAY): Got Drugs? Turn in unused or expired medications for safe disposal at multiple locations from 10-2. Permanent year round disposal sites include Ludlow and Springfield Police Depts. and Ludlow Pharmacy. Additional sites for one day include Chester Police and Weathersfield Transfer Station

OCTOBER 24 (SUNDAY): You must dial 10-digits (area code + telephone number) for all local calls.

OCTOBER 29 (FRIDAY): The Gill Odd Fellows Home Haunted Forest Walk from 5-6 p.m. There is a suggested monetary donation or a nonperishable food item, which will go to the Black River Good Neighbor Food Shelf.

-       Wright Construction Hard Hat Spooktacular! Hard Hats and Candy will be given away for free all day (8am-4pm) to kids from our community. Come take a picture in front of our massive Halloween hay display, meet the team, and start the candy haul early at 31 Station Road in Mount Holly, Vermont.

OCTOBER 30 (SATURDAY): CTES Parent Teacher Group is sponsoring Trunk or Treat at Greven Field from 4:30-7. This is a Halloween fundraiser for the Cavendish Playground Fund. Event also includes: Snack Shack, Bonfire and Spooky Path.  Interested in setting up a car or have a question, e-mail CTESPTG@gmail.com

-       5th annual Trunk or Treat sponsored by the Weathersfield Proctor Library. Vehicle set up starts at 2 pm with treating from 3-5 pm at the Hosington Field, Perkinsville (on the ground of the 1879 Schoolhouse).

OCTOBER 31 (SUNDAY): HAPPY HALLOWEEN. Trick or treat at the Cavendish Post Office, Cavendish Fire Dept (starting at 3 pm), Cavendish Baptist Church (starting at 4:30) and Proctorsville Fire Dept (starting at 4:30)

-       Ludlow Trunk or Treat, Benson’s Chevrolet, 25 Pond St 4:30-6:30. Park on the north side of the building to begin the tour.

-       Creepy Hollow Yard Haunt & Haunt Trail, 1571 Gravelin RD., Weathersfield 5:30-10:00

NOVEMBER 6 (SATURDAY): Fairy Tale family event at the Cavendish Library featuring George Thomson at 1 pm. A fun and free event for the whole family with games, prizes and, of course, books!

NOVEMBER 7 (SUNDAY): FALL BACK. Set clocks back one hour and check batteries in smoke alarms and other devices.

NOVEMBER 11 (THURSDAY): VETERAN’S DAY Town Office Closed

NOVEMBER 15 (MONDAY): 2nd Quarter Property Taxes Due

NOVEMBER 25 (THURSDAY): HAPPY THANKSGIVING Town Office Closed

NOVEMBER 26 (FRIDAY): Town Office closed

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 VAXXING & MASKING TO PROTECT SELF & OTHERS

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