Cavendish Update 8/21/09

This issue of the Cavendish Update is made possible by the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association (CCCA), a non-profit membership organization that is dedicated to the conservation of land and natural resources and to the preservation of historic sites within the context of sustainable economic growth. FMI: PO Box 605, Cavendish VT 05142 or 802-226-7736

The 8/21/09 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Cavendish Weekend Activities
3. Sustainable Cavendish: How much electricity are you using
4. Volunteers Needed for Young Historians Program
5. Six Loose Ladies Events in September
6. Free Household Hazardous Waste Collections
7. Green Corps Coming to Cavendish

1. Cavendish Related News
• Ludlow Doctor Accused of Prescription Abuse

• Two suitors prepared to bid on Eagle Times

• Ludlow police beef up DUI detection

2. Cavendish Weekend Activities
August 22 (Saturday): Fletcher Farms Arts and Craft show 10-4 pm at Fletcher Farm on Route 103.
• Cavendish Community Theater’s Production "All I Really Need to Know I Learned In Kindergarten,” 8 pm at the Cavendish Inn Barn on Main Street in Cavendish.

August 23 (Sunday): Duttonsville School Reunion. The Cavendish Historical Society will host a reunion and tour of the old school house, which is now the home and business of Dan Churchill. Opening remarks start at 1 pm with tours on the half hour. All are invited. FMI: 226-7807 or margoc@tds.net
• Cavendish Community Theater’s Production "All I Really Need to Know I Learned In Kindergarten,” 8 pm at the Cavendish Inn Barn on Main Street in Cavendish.

3. Sustainable Cavendish: How much electricity are you using?
If you are concerned about lowering your electric bills, a good place to start is understanding the amount of electricity the various devices in your home are using. Efficiency Vermont offers a free Watts Up Electric Meter for three weeks. It’s as simple as plugging the meter into a standard wall outlet. The Meter is now measuring the energy used by your appliance as well as recording the amount of time that the Meter has been plugged into the outlet. The length of time the appliance/Meter combination should remain plugged in will depend on what you wish to learn. Some information is available instantly, such as the outlet’s volts or the watts used by the appliance when it is operating For other information, such as the average cost of operating an appliance that cycles on and off (like refrigerators), it is best to leave the meter plugged in for 2 to 3 days.

To sign up for the program, and receive your free Watts Up Electric Meter for three weeks, go to the Efficiency Vermont website and sign up for the Meter Loan Program

4. Volunteers Needed for Young Historians Program
The Cavendish Historical Society, in conjunction with the Cavendish Town Elementary School and the Vermont Fiber Arts Society, is pleased to announce a Young Historians program for the Cavendish School in September for grades 3-6. This program is being funded in part by the Wendell M. Smith Foundation.
Meeting at least once a month, the program takes place for approximately a half hour on Wednesdays mid-day. Using the children’s recess time, provides an opportunity for all interested students to participate.
In keeping with the Historical Society’s theme of the 1930’s, the students will learn about the food, fiber arts, and day to day life from this period. They will also help to undercover the towns past, through oral histories and genealogy.
Volunteers are needed to help with all aspects of the program. People who are interested in volunteering, or want to learn more about the program, should call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margoc@tds.net

5. Six Loose Ladies Events in September
August 22 is tax-free day in Vermont. Come in that day and save 6% right off the bat by virtue of no tax. On top of that we’ll give you 15% off any nonconsignment item!

Mitten class (Sept. 10, 17, 24) 6:30-8 p.m.: Learn how to make warm, strong, cozy mittens for you or for gifts this year. Must be able to knit and purl. Tuition is $30 for FAVT members, $35 for nonmembers.

September 12 – come join us at the Calvin Coolidge historic site for a day of fiber fun. The cheese festival will be held that day and we will be joining the fun by knitting, crocheting, spinning, whatever. We would love to have you come sit with us for a spell and share what you’re making!

September 13, 11-1: Introduction to rug hooking. Not sure what rug hooking is all about or whether you’d like to be a hooker? Come to this class and get an overview of traditional rug hooking, punch needle rug hooking, and locker hooking. Learn what materials are used, the basics of each hooking method, and where to find materials and more information. Tuition is $10 for FAVT members, $15 for nonmembers.

September 26 (10-5): Mark your calendars for Alice Fogel’s recycled clothing class on Sept. 26. Alice’s class takes used clothes and makes great new fashions from them. Her class is being sponsored by the Cavendish Community Fund, a local fund established to encourage worthwhile endeavors in the community. Three scholarships will be awarded by lottery to full-time Cavendish residents. Tuition will otherwise be $20 for FAVT members, $25 for nonmembers.

September 27 (1-5): Seamless Wet Felting. Using hot, soapy water we will transform loose wool fleece into sturdy, seamless felt. You will learn how to create patterns of any size or shape while making a small, seamless purse, bowl or treasure pouch. See how to add surface designs, blend colors and embellish the finished product. Suitable for children aged 12 and up (with an adult). No experience required. Materials fee $15 payable to instructor on class day. Bring 2 old towels and dishwashing basin or large bowl. Optional – bring yarns or additional fibers to embellish your piece. Tuition is $30 for FAVT members, $35 for nonmembers.

Don’t forget our theme nights on Thursday evenings. We encourage fiber fanatics to come and join others of like-mindedness. The first Thursday night of each month features spinning – spinners are encouraged to come with their wheels or spindles and play together. Rug hookers are invited to ply their trade on the second Thursday. Quilters are more than welcome on the third Thursday. And knitters and crocheters can needle each other on the fourth Thursday. Of course, all fiber fanatics are welcome any Thursday night regardless of the theme.

Lastly, if you are a member of a knitting group, think about meeting here at Six Loose Ladies. If you call ahead to let us know your group is coming, we’ll give the club members a 15% discount on nonconsignment items purchased while they’re here!

6. Free Household Hazardous Waste Collections
On Saturday Sept. 12, the Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District will be holding a free collection of household hazardous waste at the Springfield Transfer Station and the Weathersfield Transfer Station from 9-noon.
• What to bring: Most substances with labels that say: Caustic, Toxic, Corrosive, Poison, Flammable, Warning

• From the Garden/Yard/House: insecticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, rodent killer, metal polish, pool chemicals, photography chemicals, flea powder, no-pest strips, toilet & drain cleaner, oven cleaner, mothballs, lighter fluid, bathroom cleaners, chemistry sets, arts & crafts supplies, bleaches, mercury thermometers & thermostats, rug cleaner

• From the Garage/Workbench: antifreeze, brake fluid, gasoline, transmission fluid, engine & radiator flusher, engine degreaser, carburetor cleaner, gas treatments, Xenon halogen headlight bulbs (blue-tinted), plastic fuel filters, rust proofers, wood preservatives, sealants, solvents, creosote, roofing tar, driveway sealer, muriatic acid, varnish, paint thinner, wood strippers and stains, lead- and oil-based paints. Properly drained metal fuel filters can be recycled with scrap metal.

• DO NOT bring latex paint, dry creosote, batteries, used motor oil, asbestos, radioactive material, empty containers, fireworks, tires, fluorescent bulbs or tubes, medical waste, or ammunition.
FMI: 802-674-9235 or www.vtsolidwastedistrict.org

7. Green Corps Coming to Cavendish
This coming week volunteers from the environmental group Green Corps will be coming to Cavendish to help work on the pressing issue of the renewal of the Vermont Yankee license. Green Corps mission is to train organizers, provide field support for today’s critical environmental campaigns, and graduate activists who possess the skills, temperament, and commitment to fight and win tomorrow’s environmental battles.

As part of its program with VPIRG Green Corps will help to create a plan to reach out to residents, businesses, and community leaders from Cavendish and Weathersfield and ask for their support for the shut down of Vermont Yankee.

One of the projects is to get the issue of decommissioning Vermont Yankee and promoting renewable energy into the local press. On Tuesday evening from 5:30-7PM people are invited to drop in at the Episcopal Church on Depot St. in Proctorsville (next to Crows Bakery) for potluck and a letter-to-the-editor writing blitz. On Wednesday morning at 11AM there will be a press conference in the Redfield Proctor room at the Cavendish Fletcher Memorial Library.

If you're not free at these times, but could help the organizers out during their stay (Sunday afternoon to Wednesday afternoon), please call Jessica Edgerly at 339-222-7196. FMI: Sara Stowell - 226-7439; Robin Timko - 226-7736; or Will Hunter - 226-7610.