CU: 12/18/09 Select Board/Cavendish Inn Closing/News

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 12/18/09 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Dec. 14 Select Board Meeting: Final Water Report
3. Cavendish Inn Closing
4. Give Mardi Gras for the Holidays

1. Cavendish Related News
Carob Snacks Recalled in Vermont

Commission Report: Consolidate School Districts

Poverty Line Drop Could Hurt Vermonters

Opportunities in Learning Gives Back to Communities

CTES’s Talented Youth

Ludlow Rotary Seeks Student Host Families

Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts Seeks Members


2. Select Board Meeting
LPC-TV tapes the select board meetings and can be seen on cable TV or on-line at the LPC-TV website www.lpctv.org. The following items were discussed at the Dec. 14 Select Board Meeting:

• Water Filtration Project Final Report: The system is running well. The manganese is now down to 0.02 mg/L, which is well below the standard of 0.05 mg/L. As such, Rich Svec, town manager, recommends that the school can stop using bottled water. Work is still being done on the volume of air in the lines. Some changes are being made to improve this condition, but it appears that some aspect of it will continue. Several weeks ago, because of power outages in the area due to high winds, the power was reset six times at the water filtration site. This caused considerably more air in the lines. New water bills are being mailed, which will reflect increases in costs. Svec hoped that the improved water quality would help ease the increased bills. Questions about the new pricing should be made to the town manager 226-7291.

• Budget: A number of organizations were present to discuss their request for funds. The board plans to try to maintain the $10,000 given to local organizations serving the town. The hope is to continue level funding. The following groups were present to discuss their programs: CT River Transit; Visiting Nurses and Hospice, LPC-TV, Council on Aging, Black River Senior Center, RSVP, and Black River Good Neighbor. A series of meetings have been set for January to deal with the town budget.

• Proctorsville Curb and Sidewalk Project Final Report: The project is complete. Several people noted concerns about the configuration in front of Six Loose Ladies.

• Loans for Home Energy Improvements: David Russell of Perkinsville talked to the board about becoming part of a three town project (Cavendish, Weathersfield and Ludlow) to provide low cost loans to homeowners interested in home energy improvements. The availability of funding to towns for this effort is part of legislation enacted this past spring. The town would be required to provide their share of administrative support for the program, as well as deal with anyone who wouldn’t pay back the loan. The issue for discussion is whether the March town meeting ballot should include the question whether the town should participate in this program. The Select Board voted to have the town’s Energy Committee review this issue and report back. A decision will need to be made by the end of January

For more information about existing Vermont low cost energy/weatherization loans for homeowners and businesses go to the following websites:
Energy Co-op of Vermont

Neighborhood Works Alliance of Vermont

Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA)

• Proctorsville Depot Street Bridge (# 58): Svec is in the process of obtaining Jersey Barriers for the bridge. Traffic will be one way across the bridge, going from Route 103 (Golden Stage Inn) to Route 131 (Six Loose Ladies). This measure is needed because in August, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VAT) sent a warning to the Town about the condition of the bridge. This letter stated that within 60 days of the posting of the letter, the Select Board needed to respond about which recommendation they would follow, properly barricade, control, and close the upstream half of the bridge to traffic based on the state’s recommendation; will properly repair and/or replace deteriorated t-beams and associated supporting seating area; will properly repair hole in deck near the pier. More information about the letter from VAT is available at www.cavendishvt.blogspot.com 9/18/09 post.

3. Cavendish Inn Closing
Tim Jefferson, owner of the Cavendish Inn, has announced that his Inn will be closing and auctioned off in January. Known to many as Glimmerstone, the Inn is listed on the State and National Registry of Historic Places.

In his remarks, at a farewell dinner Jefferson said, “ I want to thank all those who have supported our efforts over the years. I have enjoyed opening up the Inn to the community, and am hopeful that the Historic Glimmerstone will remain an important part of Cavendish.”

Because of the historic nature of the property, as well as the important role it has played within the community, there is an effort underway for local investors to purchase the building at the upcoming auction. Those who are interested in learning about this initiative should contact Will Hunter at ah@sover.net.

Built in 1845 by the manager of the Black River Manufacturing and Canal Company, the house was constructed of local quarried stone. While there have been many different owners, including Leon Gay, of the Gay Brothers Woolen Mills, Glimmerstone was converted into an Inn when Tim and his brother Peter Jefferson took it over in 2004.

After purchasing the Inn, the Jefferson brothers quickly became involved in the community. Tim has served on the board of a number of local organizations, and has offered the barn and Inn to the use of the community. The barn has been the home of the Cavendish Community Theater, while the Cavendish Historical Society and the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association (CCCA), have used the Inn and surrounding property for various events and dinners.

Those in attendance at the dinner recognized the significant contribution Jefferson and the Inn have made to the community. Dan Churchill, president of the Historical Society said, “We are certainly going to miss Tim. He has been a valuable member of this community, and has been most generous in sharing the Cavendish Inn. The Cavendish Historical Society will greatly miss Tim’s service as treasurer. We wish Tim good luck, and share his hope that the on-going Glimmerstone effort will be successful.”

As Robin Timko chair of the CCCA, noted, “Losing the Cavendish Inn, a welcoming center for so many neighbors, friends and community groups, is a great loss. But more than that, is my sadness at losing such a wonderful community member, who stepped forward to work with us shortly after moving here. In spite of difficulties, Tim has always shown a positive and cheerful face.”

4. Give Mardi Gras for the Holidays
On Sunday January 24, Yankee Chank, a Cajun and zydeco dance band, will be heating up the night in a Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) celebration at the dance hall on the second floor of Crows’ Corner bakery. This is a benefit for CCCA.

Yankee Chank features Cavendish’s own Bob Naess on fiddle. Naess has spent a lot of time in the bayous of Louisiana playing with various Cajun and Creole musicians. If you can get him to put his fiddle down, ask him to tell you what it’s like to play on the back of a flat bed truck as part of the traditional “Mardi Gras run” in Cajun Country. The run starts early on “fat Tuesday” as men and boys on horseback, masked decorated in traditional garb dating back to medieval times, ride through the countryside collecting items for a large community meal prepared by the women.

The dance is from 5:30-9 pm. Ticket pricing is as follows:
- $8 for adults and $5 for kids under 16, which includes a dance workshop (so no excuse not to dance).
- $30 per person for dinner and dance. Seating, which is limited, starts at 5 pm and is by ticket only.
- $12 per family interested in the family hour from 4:30 –5:30. This will feature a healthy snack, King Cake, drink and special activities.

Stop by Crows Corner Bakery in Proctorsville today and give someone, as well as yourself, a very special holiday gift of tickets to this event. Can’t get there today? Call 802-226-7007 or 226-7736 and reserve your tickets.

Yes, you can get your Mardi Gras beads-thrown by the band-but you have to show up for the dance. So stay warm this winter by dancing up a storm. Les Bone Temps Roulette! Let the good times roll.