The 11/26/10 Cavendish Update contains the following
1. Special Selectmen’s Meeting, Monday Nov. 29
2. Shop Cavendish for the Holidays
3. Favor Johnson’s Fruitcakes Now Made in Cavendish
4. New Concepts in Town Planning: Is it time to re-think how we plan?
5. Cavendish Events 11/26-11/30
1. Special Selectmen’s Meeting, Monday Nov. 29
The Selectmen will meet in executive session on Monday, Nov. 29 at 4:30 in an executive session regarding a legal matter (litigation). Beginning at 6:30 there will be a joint meeting with the Cavendish Board of Cemetery Commissioners. The meetings will take place at the Town Office in Cavendish.
2. Shop Cavendish for the Holidays
With today being “black Friday,” the beginning of the holiday shopping season, we are including a number of area businesses that have provided information about some of their holiday specials. If you are a Cavendish business and/or a resident, who owns a business, and have holiday specials you would like to share, please send information to margoc@tds.net by Wednesday Dec. 1 to be included in the next edition.
Holiday Fair: The 9th Annual Holiday Fair is from 9-3, on Saturday Nov. 27. All five of the local churches, the Cavendish Library, Historical Society, Cavendish Conservation and Community Association (CCCA), Proctorsville Fire Department and other groups will have booths set up at the Cavendish Elementary School. Each group will have unique gift items, foods, treats, raffles and much more. The Holy Name of Mary will once again provide lunch-a choice of delicious soups, chili, sandwiches and desserts. It’s a great place to do some shopping and catch up with friends.
Cavendish Game Birds: Order Quail and Pheasant on-line. The website also includes recipes
Crows Bakery: Once again, Crows will be offering their wonderful array of baked goods for the holidays - Pies - Cookie trays - Yule Logs ( a fantastic cake made to look like a fallen log, with meringue mushrooms and treats!) – Gingerbread men and decorated butter cookies including our famous Snowmen adorned with candy canes, chocolates, Swedish fish and more. Beautiful Bread wreaths to adorn your holiday table and seasonal bar cookies including Linzer bars and revel bars. All of us who work at Crows invite you to come and enjoy the fruits of our labor while you support your very own local bakery. Note that Crows also sells CCCA products including the 2011 Cavendish Calendar, note cards, Barn Poster and more. Crows Bakery and Opera House Cafe, located on Depot St. in Proctorsville is open from 6:30am to 6pm Monday through Saturday and 6:30 to 5pm on Sundays - serving great breakfasts and lunches every day.
Old Cavendish Products: Fruitcakes, Monkey Chews, Mustard and more. While Singleton’s carries some of their products, you can order on-line or call 1-800-536-7899. They have a note on their website that says they have limited quantities of their 40 oz fruitcakes and extremely limited quantities of 16 oz fruitcakes. If you want to ensure a fruitcake for the holidays, place your order today.
Singleton’s General Store: From clothing to special gourmet delicacies, this store seems to have it all. While you can take a virtual tour at their website, you will need to visit their Proctorsville store to make a purchase. Order a head for holiday meats and other treats. Call 226-7666.
Six Loose Ladies (Proctorsville Green): Gobble Up Savings Event Friday Nov. 26 only. From 10-6 there is 20% off all commercial yarns and supplies and 10% off books and patterns. FMI: 226-7373 or www.sixlooseladies.com
3. Favor Johnson’s Fruitcake Made in Cavendish
Every year at Christmas, Wilem Lange retells an all time favorite story “Favor Johnson” on Vermont Public Radio. It’s the story of a hound named Hercules, a flatlander doctor, who helps take care of him when he’s injured, and how this gift of friendship and Christmas resulted in Favor Johnson making fruitcakes for his town.
A few years ago, the Favor Johnson story became a book. This year, you can now enjoy one of Favor Johnson’s fruitcakes, as you listen or read to Lange retell the story. Old Cavendish Products is now offering the Favor Johnson’s Fruitcake, the perfect size for just one or two people. The Cavendish Historical Society will have the fruitcakes for sale on Saturday at the Holiday Fair. You can also purchase them directly from Old Cavendish Products or call 1-800-536-7899.
4. New Concepts in Town Planning: Is it time to re-think how we plan?
By Stephen Plunkard, FASKA, CNU, NCI Stephen Plunkard is a CCCA board member, and the following article appeared in the most recent edition of the CCCA newsletter.
I recently completed a course entitled The Principles of New Urbanism at the University of Miami’s School of Architecture. While I have been practicing town planning and landscape architecture for more than 40 years, this course gave me a new perspective on how we have planned our communities in the past, and why many of precepts of comprehensive planning have not been successful. I was particularly interested in this new way of thinking about planning and how it could relate to planning in Cavendish.
Living in the Village of Cavendish form ore than 30 years, I have become acutely aware that we have not focused on infilling the villages but instead have decided to promote conventional suburban development, which has resulted in low density sprawl. The sprawl that we have accommodated has gradually deteriorated what many people fiercely want to protect-the countryside and our rural environment. With few exceptions, our village centers have become places that you drive through rather than drive to. In 2005, Cavendish Proctorsville applied for and received from the state “Village Center Designation,” which is part of the state effort to avoid sprawl and keep villages contained. It also has incentives attached for the re-development of village buildings that strengthen the economic viability of villages. The recent upgrade of some of our sidewalks is an important first step in making the villages more walk able-we now need to focus on creating more places in the villages to walk to and from.
The history of land use planning in his country shows some of the reasons why it is not effective in the context of our villages. Land use planning regulations adopted at the beginning of the 20th century were based on the premise that cities and towns needed to exercise police power to protect public health, safety and welfare of its citizens. The regulations primarily dealt with fire protection issues and the separation of incompatible land uses. The separation of uses, or creation of single-use zones, created increased travel distances and made the use of public transportation less efficient and eventually obsolete. The net result of 20th century land use regulations has been sprawl. In the 1960s and 70’s there were a number of attempts to fix the system, including performance zoning and incentive based zoning. While many communities have attempted to fix the system with modifications to the system, they remain by and large dissatisfied with the quality of the places that conventional zoning has fostered.
In the 1980’s the Congress for the New Urbanism began developing alternatives to conventional zoning. The alternative approach began to look at communities more in terms of variations in scale and intensity of development than in differences in land uses. Many communities adopted these “form based codes” to encourage Traditional Neighborhood Development. This 21st Century approach land use regulation is summarized in the table below:
Conventional zoning vs. Form Based Codes (Source: Formed- Based Codes: A Guide for Planners, Urban Designers, Municipalities and Developers by Daniel G. Parolek, Karen Parolek, Paul C. Crawford, 2008 John Wiley and Sons)
Conventional (Proposed in the past in Cavendish) Auto-oriented, segregated land use principles
Form Based Codes Alternative: Mixed use, walk able, compact development oriented principles
Conventional: Organized around single use zones
Form Based Codes Alternative: Based on spatial organizing principles that identify and reinforce urban hierarchy, such as the rural to urban transect.
Conventional: Use is primary
Form Based Codes Alternative: Physical form and character are primary, with secondary attention to use
Conventional: Reactive to individual development proposals
Form Based Codes Alternative: Proactive community visioning
Conventional: Proscriptive regulations, regulating what is not permitted, as well as unpredictable numeric parameters, like density and floor area ratios.
Form Based Codes Alternative: Prescriptive regulations, describing what is required, such as build-to-lines and combined minimum and maximum building heights
Conventional: Regulations to create buildings
Form Based Codes Alternative: Regulations to create places
On at least two separate occasions in the past, grass roots efforts to adopt traditional zoning in Cavendish have failed. Is it time for the Planning Commission to investigate and propose new alternatives to conventional zoning? Do we need to be more proactive in emphasizing what we want rather that what we do not want? Doe we need to take a closer look at the village centers, and emphasize adaptive, mixed use and infill rather than single use zones? Should we think about connecting our villages with a safe alternative to cars-walking or cycling? Do we need to take a second look at the results of our land use policy of dispersal and the resulting devolution of our back roads and countryside? Have we become a victim of incremental change?
The vision is where we want to be, the plan is how we get there. Have we been developing plans without first developing the vision?
5. Cavendish Events 11/26-11/30
November 26 (Friday): Schools closed for Thanksgiving Recess
• Ludlow Library Closed
November 27 (Saturday): Holiday Fair, Cavendish Elementary School 9-3
• 2nd Annual Wine Tasting at Pleasant Valley Foods in Proctorsville (Black River Produce building) from 4-6 pm. 226-7336 www.pleasantvalleyfoodsvt.com
• Ludlow Library Closed
• Ludlow Winter Farmer’s Market, 9-1, Ludlow Masonic Lodge, 22 Buttermilk Falls Road (across the street from the entrance to Jackson Gore).
November 28 (Sunday): Last day of Vermont Deer Rifle Season
November 29 (Monday): Tween (ages 10-14) WII night at the Fletcher Library, 4-6:30 pm
• Special Select Board Meeting (see Item 1)
November 30 (Tuesday): Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist Class from 10:30-11:30. FMI: Anne Oakes (802)228-5236, Andrew Ohotnicky (802)228-5236 or Dot Ramsdell (802)226-7870 .
• Special School Board meeting at 5:30 to act on: Approval of Amendment to Teacher Bargaining Agreement. Finance Committee Meeting scheduled at 5:40 p.m. the same day. Draft 3 of a budget will be presented at that time.
Part of Cavendish Connects, the Cavendish, VT Blog archives the weekly e-mails, "Cavendish Update" and provides on-going information about current activities.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Local Programming Highlights on LPCTV
Below are programming notes from LPCTV, community TV for the Black River Valley, for the upcoming week. LPCTV is on local cable TV channels 8 and 10 in the Towns of Ludlow, Plymouth, Cavendish, and Mount Holly. Local shows can also be viewed online. Complete program schedule listings are also found on LPCTV’s website and can be seen on the TV Bulletin Board.
CHANNEL 8
Stalker Image Productions- Rail Jams Ludlow’s Stalker Image Productions is back at it again, with some early snowboard season crowd-pleasers. This week featuring two rail jam specials- “AJ’s Rail Jam” and “The Loft Rail Jam”, both from this Fall.
View from Ludlow: Ralph Pace delivers his article from The Mountain Times paper on camera, sharing news headlines and info on social events around Ludlow.
Okemo Valley- Your Place in Vermont: Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce Director Marji Graf is joined by new members and local business owners Ruxana Oosman, Frank Provance, and Tina Danyew.
CHANNEL 10
“GoE Green” at Ludlow Transfer Station: 4th grader Paige Kelley is recognized for her “Goe Green” idea, to help promote recycling in Ludlow.
Dartmouth Community Medical School: The new edition of the Dartmouth-produced lecture series premieres this week on Channel 10 with “Robotics”.
Local Government Meetings: Gavel-to-gavel coverage of the local meetings play each night at 7PM and repeat the following morning & afternoon. Here’s this week’s schedule: Ludlow Planning Cmsn. (on 12/1), Rutland-Windsor Supervisory Union (on 12/2 & 12/5), HUD: Housing in Vermont (12/3 & 12/6), Ludlow Selectboard (on 12/7).
CHANNEL 8
Stalker Image Productions- Rail Jams Ludlow’s Stalker Image Productions is back at it again, with some early snowboard season crowd-pleasers. This week featuring two rail jam specials- “AJ’s Rail Jam” and “The Loft Rail Jam”, both from this Fall.
View from Ludlow: Ralph Pace delivers his article from The Mountain Times paper on camera, sharing news headlines and info on social events around Ludlow.
Okemo Valley- Your Place in Vermont: Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce Director Marji Graf is joined by new members and local business owners Ruxana Oosman, Frank Provance, and Tina Danyew.
CHANNEL 10
“GoE Green” at Ludlow Transfer Station: 4th grader Paige Kelley is recognized for her “Goe Green” idea, to help promote recycling in Ludlow.
Dartmouth Community Medical School: The new edition of the Dartmouth-produced lecture series premieres this week on Channel 10 with “Robotics”.
Local Government Meetings: Gavel-to-gavel coverage of the local meetings play each night at 7PM and repeat the following morning & afternoon. Here’s this week’s schedule: Ludlow Planning Cmsn. (on 12/1), Rutland-Windsor Supervisory Union (on 12/2 & 12/5), HUD: Housing in Vermont (12/3 & 12/6), Ludlow Selectboard (on 12/7).
Friday, November 19, 2010
11/19/10 Cavendish Update: CTES/Fair/News/Events
The 11/19/10 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Cavendish Town Elementary School Board Meeting Nov. 16
2. 9th Annual Cavendish Holiday Fair Just Around the Corner
3. Cavendish Community Fund Announces Fall 2010 Grants
4. Small art wanted at the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library
5. Business Underwriting on LPCTV
6. Cavendish Related News
7. Cavendish Events 11/19-11/27/10
1. Cavendish Town Elementary School Board Meeting
At their regular scheduled monthly meeting, on November 16, the Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES) discussed the proposed budget for FY 11-12. As previously noted in the Oct. 15, 2010 Cavendish Update, as part of the Vermont Challenge for Change, as well as state budget cuts, the Cavendish school may be required to reduce their current budget by $80,000 to $100,000 for the coming year.
At this meeting, Principal, George Thomson, provided a revised draft budget, noting that nothing was set in stone, and depending on various ongoing discussions, modifications were most likely to be made. Since the board went into executive session for almost an hour with the teacher’s union representatives, it is anticipated that additional cuts will be announced at the next board meeting.
Thomson walked the board through the following possible budgetary reductions:
• Supplies and materials in most areas adjusted to represent a 2% reduction from last year.
• Program Aid salary and all benefits reduced by 2 hours per week. Assistants for 504/230/EST salaries and all benefits reduced by 2 hours per week.
• Salaries and all benefits reduced by 2 hours per week for one assistant
• Reduction of Head of Maintenance to .75 FTE and all benefits including insurance
• Elimination of one bus; reduction of personnel by one as well as all benefits; repairs and maintenance reduced by $2,500; vehicle insurance reduced by half ($661) and diesel fuel reduced by $2,000
• Salaries and all benefits reduced by .5 hours per week for both Director of Food Service and Assistant
A review of the proposed budget showed that the regular instruction budget (teachers) will go from $627, 915 for 2010-11 to $651,820 for 2011-12. The principal and administrative staff will continue to be level funded, as they have been since 08-09.
The 2010-11 Elementary School budget was $1,711,693. The proposed budget for 2011-12 is $1,705,054. Since the school’s “Voluntary 2% reduction” in education is about $26,358, an additional $25,440 needs to be cut to meet the states Challenge for Change.
A number of parents attending the meeting voiced concern about the discontinuation of a bus and the school’s policy of having children within a mile of the school not being eligible for bus service. The principal explained that they are tracking bus utilization and the current thinking is that one bus, plus designated pick up locations, could adequately handle getting the students to school.
Several members of the audience suggested a volunteer approach to addressing issues of families who might have problems with changes in bus scheduling. This could include a designated parent to wait with kids at pick up points, as well as parents that would be willing to come to school earlier so students could be dropped off before 7:30. It was also suggested that a community/school driven non-profit organization could help to raise needed funds for school programs.
The issue of “local control” was raised in view of the draft budget. Between state mandates, the union and the supervisory union, there is very little in the budget that the town has control over, other than voting for or against the budget itself. Board member Peter Gregg addressed this issue, saying that cuts in education spending need to come from the top. He explained that Vermont has more supervisory unions (64) than any other state. At this juncture, it is not mandatory for supervisory unions to consider merging and the supervisory unions will have until 2017 to decide if they want to consolidate. Gregg recommended that people write to their legislators about this, as well as their concerns over the “2% Voluntary Reduction.”
Several other issues were brought up during the course of the meeting.
Three of the teachers have petitioned the board to enroll their children in the school for the 2011-12 school year. Currently, four of their children are in attendance, and would increase to five next year. The board approved the request. This led to a discussion that because Cavendish has one class per grade, there is a need for diversity. Why isn’t the opportunity of choice available to all students, not just the teacher’s children, particularly since it’s available at the high school level? It was explained that it was up to towns and supervisory unions to set this type of policy. Further, the school choice available to CTES teachers was a benefit, with the idea being that by having their children at the school, the teachers would be able to spend more time there, as they would not have to leave to pick them up from babysitters etc.
Thomson read a resignation letter from Art Branton, the music teacher, who will be leaving at the end of the school year.
2. 9th Annual Cavendish Holiday Fair Just Around the Corner
The Cavendish Holiday Fair will once again take place the Saturday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 27) at the Cavendish Elementary School in Proctorsville from 9-3 . This is a great time to take a bit of Cavendish home for the holidays.
As always, there will be a number of special raffles. The Episcopal Church will have a lovely gingerbread house as well as a quilt. The Cavendish Historical Society, for the first time, will have a raffle-a quilt made by the artist Carolyn Van Tassel, which hung at Six Loose Ladies this past summer. Along with its annual book sale, the Cavendish Library is raffling off an iPod Touch. Of course, it wouldn’t be the Holiday Fair without the much anticipated “Tower of Chocolate” raffle by St. James Church.
A variety of delicious soups, chili, sandwiches and desserts will be for sale. There will be plenty of tables and chairs suitable for a visit with friends over a cup of coffee or lunch.
The Cavendish Conservation and Community Association (CCCA) will have their information table, where people can learn about their on-going efforts. They will be selling their spectacular 2011 community calendar featuring photos of Cavendish landscapes by community photographers, both amateur and professional. The Cavendish Historic Barns poster framed or unframed will also be on sale.
The Cavendish Historical Society is keeping the green in Christmas, and honoring their 1940s theme, by offering ornaments made out of recycled soda cans. They will have a “going out of business sale” for the last of their 1940’s Candy Store. In addition, look for old Cavendish photographs to buy, along with other historical items.
The Proctorsville Fire Department will once again be selling wreaths and greens.
3. Cavendish Community Fund Announces Fall 2010 Grants
The Cavendish Community Fund has announced that it awarded grants to four local organizations for community oriented educational and related projects. The Fund has distributed grants twice each year for the last four years and emphasizes community building as its primary consideration.
Two grants go to the Cavendish Town Elementary School. The first will pay for the seven-member Cuban band, Tivoli whose members will visit each of the school’s grades and introduce the children to the band instruments and teach basic Cuban songs, and then play a concert for the students and the community. The program adds a new facet to the music curriculum at the school and complements the Spanish classes too. The second award will go toward the creation of a Music Garden. This project, in conjunction with Donald Knaack, a.k.a. The Junkman, a world renowned, classically trained musician and environmentalist, will use objects collected by the community and recycle them in an imaginative and creative way to create a music sculpture as a community project.
Stepping Stones Pre-School was awarded a grant to purchase book bags for the school’s reading program. Parents can check out a bag of ten books to read to their preschool children and when they are done they can swap the bag for another bag with ten different books. Thus each pre-school child can be exposed to over five hundred books depending on the parents’ stamina. Another grant will pay for quilting materials for “Operation Cover-up” in which Cavendish residents led by Diane McNamara craft quilts for Vermont veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Sponsored by the local American Legion Post, Diane and friends plan to create and distribute these quilts throughout the state. Finally, the Fund will help sponsor “Playing with Shakespeare,” a cultural, educational, and community building workshop that will allow up to twenty Cavendish residents to explore live performance under the tutelage of professional actor Jamie Ward. The workshop builds on last year’s session in which participants studied the Bard for a weekend and then performed what they learned for a very appreciative full house. Mr. Ward will follow a similar format this year.
The CCF sponsors educational, cultural and artistic projects, programs or events to benefit the citizens and residents of Cavendish. Anyone can apply for a grant so long as the project meets the criteria published by CCF on its website, www.Cavendishccca.org. Application forms and instructions are found on the website. The application deadline for the next grant round will be announced in the spring.
4. Small art wanted at the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library
The Cavendish Fletcher Community Library is hosting its second annual group art show in December in the library's Redfield Proctor Room, and is looking for small pieces of art to display. The art should be no larger than 5X7, framed and can be in any media and on any theme. If you are interested in submitting a piece of art to the show, please contact Kata at 226-7503 for more information.
5. Business Underwriting on LPCTV
LPCTV, the Black River Valley's community TV station, is inviting local businesses to sign up as underwriters for 2011. Underwriting is a source of operating income that LPCTV counts on every year in its budget, and as Executive Director Patrick Cody explains, underwriting will "go a long way towards helping offset the increased expenses in our new facility". (LPCTV will be moving from its small office / studio in the Ludlow Elementary School to a much larger space in the newly-renovated community building behind the former Ludlow Armory). Cody says underwriting is "a low cost alternative to advertising", whereby local businesses make a tax-deductible donation towards to support local programming on LPCTV and in return, receive they publicity on LPCTV's cable TV channels (8 and 10) and its website (www.lpctv.org) every day for a year.
LPCTV would like to thank its 2010 underwriters: Wine & Cheese Depot, Timber Inn Motel, People's United Bank (formerly Chittenden Bank), LaValley Building Supply, CT River Transit / The Current, Wicked Good Pizza, The Book Nook, TDS Telecom, and Okemo Valley Storage, as well as its new underwriters The Mountain Times and Christopher's. Longtime underwriter Leslie Stuart of the Wine & Cheese Depot says "LPCTV plays a vital role in our community...taking the pulse of what is going on in our towns. There are so many talented people, young and old, involved in LPCTV's programming. (LPCTV) does a terrific job and I am happy to continue supporting them."
For more information on LPCTV's 2011 underwriting program or to become an underwriter, visit its website or call 228-8808.
6. Cavendish Related News
• VT Ranks #1 in Hunger: New numbers show that Vermont now ranks among the top hungriest states in the country. The USDA just released its annual report, which shows that 1 in 7 Vermont households don't have enough to eat. These figures are determined by census data on families' eating habits. According to the USDA's analysis, Vermont and Alabama are tied for the highest increase in household food insecurity over the past decade. Read article on-line
• Economist: Vermont Not out of the Woods: The New England Economic Partnership will be coming out with its bi-annual report Wednesday. Experts say the Great Recession will likely be the longest recession in U.S. history, but only the second most difficult downturn for Vermont's economy-- meaning there's still a long road of recovery ahead for Vermont. According to the economic outlook for Vermont, job recovery is still at a slower pace than originally thought. Job expansion is not expected to happen until the end of 2013. The bright side-- the state's overall unemployment rate is expected to still be among the lowest in New England through 2014. Read article on-line
7. Cavendish Events 11/19-11/27/10
November 19 (Friday): Ski Swap at Okemo FMI: 228-1401
• Parent Teacher Conference at GMUHS
• Annual Book fair at the Cavendish Library during regular Library Hours. Funds raised go towards children’s books for the library and classroom. FMI: 226-7503
November 20 (Saturday): Ski Swap at Okemo FMI: 228-1401
• Ludlow Winter Farmer’s Market, 9-1, Ludlow Masonic Lodge, 22 Buttermilk Falls Road (across the street from the entrance to Jackson Gore).
November 21 (Sunday): Ski Swap at Okemo FMI: 228-1401
• Facilitated Meditation from 4-5 pm. Please call Robin at 226-7736
November 22 (Monday): Tween (ages 10-14) WII night at the Fletcher Library, 4-6:30 pm
• Legislative Breakfast 8:30-10am at the Roundhouse of the Jackson Gore Inn. Speakers will be Vicki Tebbetts, Vice President, and Patricia Moulton Powden, VP of Public Affairs, of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. This promises to be an interesting year with budget deficits continuing, a new Administration, and new legislators. Sponsored by the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce, this is a good time to hear the Chamber’s top priorities and the general expectations for the upcoming session, and for them to hear from you. FMI: 802-228-5830.
November 23 (Tuesday): Autumn Story Hour at the Fletcher Library in Ludlow, 11 am, for kids 5 and under.
• Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist Class from 10:30-11:30. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Charlotte Snyder at (802) 226-7343.
November 24 (Wednesday): Schools closed for Thanksgiving Recess
• $5 a Bag Sale at Black River Good Neighbors Thrift Store in Ludlow
November 25 (Thursday): Happy Thanksgiving
• Turkey Trot-Toys for Tots Dorsey Park, Ludlow. Fundraiser, bring new unwrapped toys, money also accepted. FMI: Leslie 228-3176
• Library, schools, Town Office closed.
November 26 (Friday): Schools closed for Thanksgiving Recess
• Ludlow Library Closed
November 27 (Saturday): Holiday Fair, Cavendish Elementary School 9-3
• 2nd Annual Wine Tasting at Pleasant Valley Foods in Proctorsville (Black River Produce building) from 4-6 pm. 226-7336 www.pleasantvalleyfoodsvt.com
• Ludlow Library Closed
• Ludlow Winter Farmer’s Market, 9-1, Ludlow Masonic Lodge, 22 Buttermilk Falls Road (across the street from the entrance to Jackson Gore).
1. Cavendish Town Elementary School Board Meeting Nov. 16
2. 9th Annual Cavendish Holiday Fair Just Around the Corner
3. Cavendish Community Fund Announces Fall 2010 Grants
4. Small art wanted at the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library
5. Business Underwriting on LPCTV
6. Cavendish Related News
7. Cavendish Events 11/19-11/27/10
1. Cavendish Town Elementary School Board Meeting
At their regular scheduled monthly meeting, on November 16, the Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES) discussed the proposed budget for FY 11-12. As previously noted in the Oct. 15, 2010 Cavendish Update, as part of the Vermont Challenge for Change, as well as state budget cuts, the Cavendish school may be required to reduce their current budget by $80,000 to $100,000 for the coming year.
At this meeting, Principal, George Thomson, provided a revised draft budget, noting that nothing was set in stone, and depending on various ongoing discussions, modifications were most likely to be made. Since the board went into executive session for almost an hour with the teacher’s union representatives, it is anticipated that additional cuts will be announced at the next board meeting.
Thomson walked the board through the following possible budgetary reductions:
• Supplies and materials in most areas adjusted to represent a 2% reduction from last year.
• Program Aid salary and all benefits reduced by 2 hours per week. Assistants for 504/230/EST salaries and all benefits reduced by 2 hours per week.
• Salaries and all benefits reduced by 2 hours per week for one assistant
• Reduction of Head of Maintenance to .75 FTE and all benefits including insurance
• Elimination of one bus; reduction of personnel by one as well as all benefits; repairs and maintenance reduced by $2,500; vehicle insurance reduced by half ($661) and diesel fuel reduced by $2,000
• Salaries and all benefits reduced by .5 hours per week for both Director of Food Service and Assistant
A review of the proposed budget showed that the regular instruction budget (teachers) will go from $627, 915 for 2010-11 to $651,820 for 2011-12. The principal and administrative staff will continue to be level funded, as they have been since 08-09.
The 2010-11 Elementary School budget was $1,711,693. The proposed budget for 2011-12 is $1,705,054. Since the school’s “Voluntary 2% reduction” in education is about $26,358, an additional $25,440 needs to be cut to meet the states Challenge for Change.
A number of parents attending the meeting voiced concern about the discontinuation of a bus and the school’s policy of having children within a mile of the school not being eligible for bus service. The principal explained that they are tracking bus utilization and the current thinking is that one bus, plus designated pick up locations, could adequately handle getting the students to school.
Several members of the audience suggested a volunteer approach to addressing issues of families who might have problems with changes in bus scheduling. This could include a designated parent to wait with kids at pick up points, as well as parents that would be willing to come to school earlier so students could be dropped off before 7:30. It was also suggested that a community/school driven non-profit organization could help to raise needed funds for school programs.
The issue of “local control” was raised in view of the draft budget. Between state mandates, the union and the supervisory union, there is very little in the budget that the town has control over, other than voting for or against the budget itself. Board member Peter Gregg addressed this issue, saying that cuts in education spending need to come from the top. He explained that Vermont has more supervisory unions (64) than any other state. At this juncture, it is not mandatory for supervisory unions to consider merging and the supervisory unions will have until 2017 to decide if they want to consolidate. Gregg recommended that people write to their legislators about this, as well as their concerns over the “2% Voluntary Reduction.”
Several other issues were brought up during the course of the meeting.
Three of the teachers have petitioned the board to enroll their children in the school for the 2011-12 school year. Currently, four of their children are in attendance, and would increase to five next year. The board approved the request. This led to a discussion that because Cavendish has one class per grade, there is a need for diversity. Why isn’t the opportunity of choice available to all students, not just the teacher’s children, particularly since it’s available at the high school level? It was explained that it was up to towns and supervisory unions to set this type of policy. Further, the school choice available to CTES teachers was a benefit, with the idea being that by having their children at the school, the teachers would be able to spend more time there, as they would not have to leave to pick them up from babysitters etc.
Thomson read a resignation letter from Art Branton, the music teacher, who will be leaving at the end of the school year.
2. 9th Annual Cavendish Holiday Fair Just Around the Corner
The Cavendish Holiday Fair will once again take place the Saturday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 27) at the Cavendish Elementary School in Proctorsville from 9-3 . This is a great time to take a bit of Cavendish home for the holidays.
As always, there will be a number of special raffles. The Episcopal Church will have a lovely gingerbread house as well as a quilt. The Cavendish Historical Society, for the first time, will have a raffle-a quilt made by the artist Carolyn Van Tassel, which hung at Six Loose Ladies this past summer. Along with its annual book sale, the Cavendish Library is raffling off an iPod Touch. Of course, it wouldn’t be the Holiday Fair without the much anticipated “Tower of Chocolate” raffle by St. James Church.
A variety of delicious soups, chili, sandwiches and desserts will be for sale. There will be plenty of tables and chairs suitable for a visit with friends over a cup of coffee or lunch.
The Cavendish Conservation and Community Association (CCCA) will have their information table, where people can learn about their on-going efforts. They will be selling their spectacular 2011 community calendar featuring photos of Cavendish landscapes by community photographers, both amateur and professional. The Cavendish Historic Barns poster framed or unframed will also be on sale.
The Cavendish Historical Society is keeping the green in Christmas, and honoring their 1940s theme, by offering ornaments made out of recycled soda cans. They will have a “going out of business sale” for the last of their 1940’s Candy Store. In addition, look for old Cavendish photographs to buy, along with other historical items.
The Proctorsville Fire Department will once again be selling wreaths and greens.
3. Cavendish Community Fund Announces Fall 2010 Grants
The Cavendish Community Fund has announced that it awarded grants to four local organizations for community oriented educational and related projects. The Fund has distributed grants twice each year for the last four years and emphasizes community building as its primary consideration.
Two grants go to the Cavendish Town Elementary School. The first will pay for the seven-member Cuban band, Tivoli whose members will visit each of the school’s grades and introduce the children to the band instruments and teach basic Cuban songs, and then play a concert for the students and the community. The program adds a new facet to the music curriculum at the school and complements the Spanish classes too. The second award will go toward the creation of a Music Garden. This project, in conjunction with Donald Knaack, a.k.a. The Junkman, a world renowned, classically trained musician and environmentalist, will use objects collected by the community and recycle them in an imaginative and creative way to create a music sculpture as a community project.
Stepping Stones Pre-School was awarded a grant to purchase book bags for the school’s reading program. Parents can check out a bag of ten books to read to their preschool children and when they are done they can swap the bag for another bag with ten different books. Thus each pre-school child can be exposed to over five hundred books depending on the parents’ stamina. Another grant will pay for quilting materials for “Operation Cover-up” in which Cavendish residents led by Diane McNamara craft quilts for Vermont veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Sponsored by the local American Legion Post, Diane and friends plan to create and distribute these quilts throughout the state. Finally, the Fund will help sponsor “Playing with Shakespeare,” a cultural, educational, and community building workshop that will allow up to twenty Cavendish residents to explore live performance under the tutelage of professional actor Jamie Ward. The workshop builds on last year’s session in which participants studied the Bard for a weekend and then performed what they learned for a very appreciative full house. Mr. Ward will follow a similar format this year.
The CCF sponsors educational, cultural and artistic projects, programs or events to benefit the citizens and residents of Cavendish. Anyone can apply for a grant so long as the project meets the criteria published by CCF on its website, www.Cavendishccca.org. Application forms and instructions are found on the website. The application deadline for the next grant round will be announced in the spring.
4. Small art wanted at the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library
The Cavendish Fletcher Community Library is hosting its second annual group art show in December in the library's Redfield Proctor Room, and is looking for small pieces of art to display. The art should be no larger than 5X7, framed and can be in any media and on any theme. If you are interested in submitting a piece of art to the show, please contact Kata at 226-7503 for more information.
5. Business Underwriting on LPCTV
LPCTV, the Black River Valley's community TV station, is inviting local businesses to sign up as underwriters for 2011. Underwriting is a source of operating income that LPCTV counts on every year in its budget, and as Executive Director Patrick Cody explains, underwriting will "go a long way towards helping offset the increased expenses in our new facility". (LPCTV will be moving from its small office / studio in the Ludlow Elementary School to a much larger space in the newly-renovated community building behind the former Ludlow Armory). Cody says underwriting is "a low cost alternative to advertising", whereby local businesses make a tax-deductible donation towards to support local programming on LPCTV and in return, receive they publicity on LPCTV's cable TV channels (8 and 10) and its website (www.lpctv.org) every day for a year.
LPCTV would like to thank its 2010 underwriters: Wine & Cheese Depot, Timber Inn Motel, People's United Bank (formerly Chittenden Bank), LaValley Building Supply, CT River Transit / The Current, Wicked Good Pizza, The Book Nook, TDS Telecom, and Okemo Valley Storage, as well as its new underwriters The Mountain Times and Christopher's. Longtime underwriter Leslie Stuart of the Wine & Cheese Depot says "LPCTV plays a vital role in our community...taking the pulse of what is going on in our towns. There are so many talented people, young and old, involved in LPCTV's programming. (LPCTV) does a terrific job and I am happy to continue supporting them."
For more information on LPCTV's 2011 underwriting program or to become an underwriter, visit its website or call 228-8808.
6. Cavendish Related News
• VT Ranks #1 in Hunger: New numbers show that Vermont now ranks among the top hungriest states in the country. The USDA just released its annual report, which shows that 1 in 7 Vermont households don't have enough to eat. These figures are determined by census data on families' eating habits. According to the USDA's analysis, Vermont and Alabama are tied for the highest increase in household food insecurity over the past decade. Read article on-line
• Economist: Vermont Not out of the Woods: The New England Economic Partnership will be coming out with its bi-annual report Wednesday. Experts say the Great Recession will likely be the longest recession in U.S. history, but only the second most difficult downturn for Vermont's economy-- meaning there's still a long road of recovery ahead for Vermont. According to the economic outlook for Vermont, job recovery is still at a slower pace than originally thought. Job expansion is not expected to happen until the end of 2013. The bright side-- the state's overall unemployment rate is expected to still be among the lowest in New England through 2014. Read article on-line
7. Cavendish Events 11/19-11/27/10
November 19 (Friday): Ski Swap at Okemo FMI: 228-1401
• Parent Teacher Conference at GMUHS
• Annual Book fair at the Cavendish Library during regular Library Hours. Funds raised go towards children’s books for the library and classroom. FMI: 226-7503
November 20 (Saturday): Ski Swap at Okemo FMI: 228-1401
• Ludlow Winter Farmer’s Market, 9-1, Ludlow Masonic Lodge, 22 Buttermilk Falls Road (across the street from the entrance to Jackson Gore).
November 21 (Sunday): Ski Swap at Okemo FMI: 228-1401
• Facilitated Meditation from 4-5 pm. Please call Robin at 226-7736
November 22 (Monday): Tween (ages 10-14) WII night at the Fletcher Library, 4-6:30 pm
• Legislative Breakfast 8:30-10am at the Roundhouse of the Jackson Gore Inn. Speakers will be Vicki Tebbetts, Vice President, and Patricia Moulton Powden, VP of Public Affairs, of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. This promises to be an interesting year with budget deficits continuing, a new Administration, and new legislators. Sponsored by the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce, this is a good time to hear the Chamber’s top priorities and the general expectations for the upcoming session, and for them to hear from you. FMI: 802-228-5830.
November 23 (Tuesday): Autumn Story Hour at the Fletcher Library in Ludlow, 11 am, for kids 5 and under.
• Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist Class from 10:30-11:30. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Charlotte Snyder at (802) 226-7343.
November 24 (Wednesday): Schools closed for Thanksgiving Recess
• $5 a Bag Sale at Black River Good Neighbors Thrift Store in Ludlow
November 25 (Thursday): Happy Thanksgiving
• Turkey Trot-Toys for Tots Dorsey Park, Ludlow. Fundraiser, bring new unwrapped toys, money also accepted. FMI: Leslie 228-3176
• Library, schools, Town Office closed.
November 26 (Friday): Schools closed for Thanksgiving Recess
• Ludlow Library Closed
November 27 (Saturday): Holiday Fair, Cavendish Elementary School 9-3
• 2nd Annual Wine Tasting at Pleasant Valley Foods in Proctorsville (Black River Produce building) from 4-6 pm. 226-7336 www.pleasantvalleyfoodsvt.com
• Ludlow Library Closed
• Ludlow Winter Farmer’s Market, 9-1, Ludlow Masonic Lodge, 22 Buttermilk Falls Road (across the street from the entrance to Jackson Gore).
Friday, November 12, 2010
Cavendish Update 11/12/10 SB Mtg/Classifieds/Events/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 11/12/10 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Select Board Meeting-Nov. 8
2. Bone Builders Class Comes to Cavendish
3. Cavendish School Snow Sports Program Sign Up
4. Classifieds
5. BRGNS Stuff a Bus December 4
6. Kiplinger: Vt. among worst states for retirement
7. Cavendish Events 11/12-11/19
1.Select Board Meeting Nov. 8
The following items were discussed at Monday’s Select Board Meeting:
A. Snowmobile Trail Crossings: Leon “Woodie” Woods went over the trail path for this year’s winter season. He asked for permission for local snowmobile residents on Mill Street in Cavendish, to use the road to access the VAST trail. The board agreed to try this for one year, stipulating that the access was only for the residents on Mill Street. Further, they would have to use a “spotter” in the underpass to ensure safety.
B. Basic Emergency Operations Plan Template: Jason Rassmussen, of the Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission, presented the Plan for Cavendish and requested that the board sign off on it, as it was already late in being given to Vermont Emergency Management. The document includes plans for handling various types of emergencies the town might experience-fire, flood, hazardous exposures, blizzards etc. The board voted to approve the plan but with the provision that Rich Svec, town manager, Rassmussen, and Dave Norton (Constable) would go through it and make changes. If the public is interested in receiving a copy, they should contact the town office. In addition, Rassmussen explained the latest activities of the Transportation Advisory Committee. VT Trans would like to eliminate two projects that have been on the list for a number of years, but require considerable funding. These include the Route 131 Chubb Hill Ledges and Route 103 Smithville project (area just before Ludlow).
C. Cemetery Commission: Cemetery Commissioner Gail Woods, Cemetery Commission Chairperson Kathy Rose and Sexton Leon “Woodie” Woods, requested that the Board include an article for the March Town Meeting, which would dissolve the current structure of the Cemetery Commission and put it under the Select Board. This was being requested because the current board is unable to function in a clear and cohesive manner. There is confusion over the role of Sexton, who has responsibility for overseeing the work of the cemetery crew, which are paid by the town, and whether it’s appropriate for people who work in the cemetery to hold a positions on the Commission. It was noted that a great deal of work was achieved this summer under the direction of the Sexton and in conjunction with the Cavendish Historical Society’s Cemetery Preservation volunteers. The board was reluctant to undertake any sort of action until they have heard from all five commissioners. A special combined meeting of the Select Board and Cemetery Commission has been set for Nov. 29.
D. Trustee of Public Funds: Ginny Garrow has submitted a letter of resignation from her post of Trustee of Public Funds. This was reluctantly accepted. There are suppose to be three Trustees of Public Funds, but with Garrow's resignation, along with Evelyn Turco’s, this would leave no Trustees. The Board approved Cheryl Liener as Trustee and have requested that Svec inquire if Garrow would continue to serve in this capacity as a new appointment has been made.
E. E-Vermont Application: The board voted to approve the submittal of the E-Vermont grant and will provide a letter of support. The e-Vermont Community Broadband Project is helping rural communities across Vermont optimize their use of broadband as a tool for economic development, education, social services, community connections, and civic engagement. A team of statewide partners will bring a variety of free services to selected applicants, including computers for elementary school classrooms, business advising, trainings and workshops for community members, library equipment, assistance in e-government and town website design, an online platform for community building, and other programs developed in response to specific local needs.
The e-Vermont Community Broadband Project is supported by a $2.5 million stimulus grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce with additional support from Vermont philanthropists, corporations and organizational partners (a full list can be found at www.e4vt.org).
The grant will be submitted on Nov. 17 and award notification will occur in December, with implementation beginning in January. The committee working on the application, is headed by Kata Welch, the librarian of the Cavendish Library.
F. Town Website: The Board agreed to hold on discussions of a town website until it is learned whether Cavendish has received the E-Vermont grant.
G. Chapman Street (Stone Church Way): At the October Select Board meeting, the board voted 3 in favor, 1 opposed and 1 abstaining, to classify Chapman Street (road is on the western side of the Stone Church and connects 103 to High Street) as a Class 4 road. Landowners abutting the property were to be informed of the decision and informed that in Spring 2011, the space would be graded and cars or other vehicles would no longer be permissible. Heather and Keith Frye, whose property is directly behind the Old Stone Church, addressed the board, saying that their research of town records gave no indication that this was ever considered a town road. The Select Board did not share their view on this and agreed to let the October meeting vote stand.
2. Bone Builders Class Comes to Cavendish
Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center announces a new Bone Builders Exercise class being held at the Cavendish Baptist Church on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30-11:30 AM. RSVP Bone Builders is a free, low impact weight-bearing exercise program intended to prevent and/or reverse osteoporosis. Bone Builders was designed by Miriam Nelson, PhD at Tufts University. Meeting twice weekly, Bone Builders helps enhance strength in bones, improves balance, and promotes an overall sense of well-being for the participant. We urge you to come see just how terrific this program really is!
If you would like to attend, or have any questions, please contact Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Charlotte Snyder at (802) 226-7343.
3. Cavendish School Snow Sports Program Sign Up
Students and volunteers interested in the Cavendish Elementary School’s snow sports program, should sign up on Nov. 17, 3-7 pm at the school’s Art’s Center room. This program allows Cavendish students to ski or snowboard on Tuesday afternoons starting in January for a very nominal fee. Volunteers receive a pass that allows them to ski that day, plus a complementary life ticket for another day. FMI: Lisa Ewalk 484-5323 or thecoswalds@aol.com or Karen McNamara 226-8024
4. Classifieds
The following items are free and available by calling Sara 226-7439. Please call as soon as possible, as items will be taken to the transfer station on Saturday.
• Wooden gate to keep toddlers in or out of next room. Good condition
• Plastic gate to keep toddlers in or out of next room. Good condition
• Child’s wooden chair. Okay condition
• Graco stroller netting, still in box
• Fisher Price adjustable basketball net. Okay condition
• Little bike – awesome for learning without training wheels (low to ground)..But somewhere in some box I have training wheels I might find come spring.
• Wine rack-a bit wobbly
• Two bar stools
• A Canon PIXMA MP130 photo all in one, still in box.
• UMAX Astra 2400S scanner.
• Brother MFC 4350 3 in 1 fax, printer copier.
For sale: Dream bike trailer. Carries two children up to 100 pounds. Barely used. Owner´s manual included. Fun way to transport your little ones in style. Has a cover to it for rain, bugs, etc. Call Sara 226-7439.
5. BRGNS Stuff a Bus December 4
Before we know it, the holiday season will be upon us. It is a time of year that marks significant need in our communities. This is a very busy time for Black River Good Neighbor Services, as this non profit local organization prepares to deliver gifts and a full holiday dinner complete with turkeys and all the fixings to those in need. It is estimated that over 145 families from the immediate and surrounding towns will be helped this holiday season
To help make this possible there is a planned “Stuff A Bus” on Saturday December 4th . This important food drive will take place at the Shaws Shopping Center parking lot in Ludlow from 10am until 4pm.
.
There are many ways to get involved with this year’s efforts. Volunteers are needed to sort food as it comes in, and countless other tasks are required to make sure everyone that needs help this winter gets it. Please call Audrey at the Thrift Store 228-3663 or stop by and visit 105 Main Street, to ask how you can get involved.
Thank you for your continued generous support of our local food shelf and holiday gift basket program. Every contribution makes a difference.
6. Kiplinger: Vt. among worst states for retirement
A new study shows Vermont is one of the most tax-unfriendly states for retirees. The report by Kiplinger.com ranks Vermont as the fourth worst state behind California, Rhode Island and New Jersey. The magazine points to Vermont's lack of tax exemptions on retirement income, the state's 9 percent rooms and meals tax and high property taxes as reasons not to retire in the Green Mountains. WCAX.com
7. Cavendish Events 11/12-11/19
November 13 (Saturday): Vermont’s rifle deer hunting season starts today and ends on Sunday Nov. 28. Vermont hunting licenses are available and cost $20 for residents and $90 for non-residents. They can be obtained through the Fish and Wildlife website or from license agents across the state, including Singleton’s in Proctorsville. FMI: 802/241-3700
November 15 (Monday): Annual Book fair at the Cavendish Library during regular Library Hours. Funds raised go towards children’s books for the library and classroom. FMI: 226-7503
• Tween (ages 10-14) WII night at the Fletcher Library, 4-6:30 pm
• Duncan Winton, Long Term Care Planning Specialist from Northern Benefits will talk to the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce about health care reform, 8:30 am conference room at The Cavendish Pointe. FMI: Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce
November 16 (Tuesday): Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist Class from 10:30-11:30. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Charlotte Snyder at (802) 226-7343.
November 16 (Tuesday): Annual Book fair at the Cavendish Library during regular Library Hours. Funds raised go towards children’s books for the library and classroom. FMI: 226-7503
• Fletcher Memorial Library Presents Linda Peck in “The Play’s the Thing” from 10:34 to noon. Ages 6 and under are invited to join in the community room as Linda engages children in performance and hands-on activities that will have them thinking, acting, playing and learning.
• Cavendish School Board Meeting, 5:30 at the School’s art room. This meeting will discuss budget cuts for the coming year. As noted in the October 15 Cavendish Update, http://cavendishvt.blogspot.com/2010/10/101510-cavendish-update-sb-mtgschool.html Cavendish Elementary School needs to reduce their current school year spending by $80,000 to $100,000 for the coming year.
November 17 (Wednesday): Annual Book fair at the Cavendish Library during regular Library Hours. Funds raised go towards children’s books for the library and classroom. FMI: 226-7503
• Collette Tours will be providing information on the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce "Travel with the Chamber" to Ireland May 1-10, 2011 at The Killarney at 5:30pm. FMI: Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce
November 18 (Thursday): Annual Book fair at the Cavendish Library during regular Library Hours. Funds raised go towards children’s books for the library and classroom. FMI: 226-7503
• Community Luncheon at 11:30 at St James United Methodist Church, Main Street, Proctorsville. This month we will be offering roast pork with fresh applesauce, scalloped potatoes, broccoli and hot rolls. We'll have cake and coffee for dessert, but if you'd prefer hot tea or a cold beverage we'll have that, too. Please come join us for a nice hot meal and lots of good conversation. Bring a friend to share the fun. A suggested donation of $3.00 for seniors or $4.50 for those under 60 years is always welcome to help defray the cost of the meal. We'll be looking for you!
• Sit & Knit" at the Six Loose Ladies yarn shop, Pollard Building, Proctorsville Green, 2:00 -9:00 PM. Open to knitters, spinners, crocheters, hookers. Free. FMI: 226-7373
• Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist Class from 10:30-11:30. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Charlotte Snyder at (802) 226-7343.
November 19 (Friday): Ski Swap at Okemo FMI: 228-1401
• Parent Teacher Conference at GMUHS
• Annual Book fair at the Cavendish Library during regular Library Hours. Funds raised go towards children’s books for the library and classroom. FMI: 226-7503
The 11/12/10 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Select Board Meeting-Nov. 8
2. Bone Builders Class Comes to Cavendish
3. Cavendish School Snow Sports Program Sign Up
4. Classifieds
5. BRGNS Stuff a Bus December 4
6. Kiplinger: Vt. among worst states for retirement
7. Cavendish Events 11/12-11/19
1.Select Board Meeting Nov. 8
The following items were discussed at Monday’s Select Board Meeting:
A. Snowmobile Trail Crossings: Leon “Woodie” Woods went over the trail path for this year’s winter season. He asked for permission for local snowmobile residents on Mill Street in Cavendish, to use the road to access the VAST trail. The board agreed to try this for one year, stipulating that the access was only for the residents on Mill Street. Further, they would have to use a “spotter” in the underpass to ensure safety.
B. Basic Emergency Operations Plan Template: Jason Rassmussen, of the Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission, presented the Plan for Cavendish and requested that the board sign off on it, as it was already late in being given to Vermont Emergency Management. The document includes plans for handling various types of emergencies the town might experience-fire, flood, hazardous exposures, blizzards etc. The board voted to approve the plan but with the provision that Rich Svec, town manager, Rassmussen, and Dave Norton (Constable) would go through it and make changes. If the public is interested in receiving a copy, they should contact the town office. In addition, Rassmussen explained the latest activities of the Transportation Advisory Committee. VT Trans would like to eliminate two projects that have been on the list for a number of years, but require considerable funding. These include the Route 131 Chubb Hill Ledges and Route 103 Smithville project (area just before Ludlow).
C. Cemetery Commission: Cemetery Commissioner Gail Woods, Cemetery Commission Chairperson Kathy Rose and Sexton Leon “Woodie” Woods, requested that the Board include an article for the March Town Meeting, which would dissolve the current structure of the Cemetery Commission and put it under the Select Board. This was being requested because the current board is unable to function in a clear and cohesive manner. There is confusion over the role of Sexton, who has responsibility for overseeing the work of the cemetery crew, which are paid by the town, and whether it’s appropriate for people who work in the cemetery to hold a positions on the Commission. It was noted that a great deal of work was achieved this summer under the direction of the Sexton and in conjunction with the Cavendish Historical Society’s Cemetery Preservation volunteers. The board was reluctant to undertake any sort of action until they have heard from all five commissioners. A special combined meeting of the Select Board and Cemetery Commission has been set for Nov. 29.
D. Trustee of Public Funds: Ginny Garrow has submitted a letter of resignation from her post of Trustee of Public Funds. This was reluctantly accepted. There are suppose to be three Trustees of Public Funds, but with Garrow's resignation, along with Evelyn Turco’s, this would leave no Trustees. The Board approved Cheryl Liener as Trustee and have requested that Svec inquire if Garrow would continue to serve in this capacity as a new appointment has been made.
E. E-Vermont Application: The board voted to approve the submittal of the E-Vermont grant and will provide a letter of support. The e-Vermont Community Broadband Project is helping rural communities across Vermont optimize their use of broadband as a tool for economic development, education, social services, community connections, and civic engagement. A team of statewide partners will bring a variety of free services to selected applicants, including computers for elementary school classrooms, business advising, trainings and workshops for community members, library equipment, assistance in e-government and town website design, an online platform for community building, and other programs developed in response to specific local needs.
The e-Vermont Community Broadband Project is supported by a $2.5 million stimulus grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce with additional support from Vermont philanthropists, corporations and organizational partners (a full list can be found at www.e4vt.org).
The grant will be submitted on Nov. 17 and award notification will occur in December, with implementation beginning in January. The committee working on the application, is headed by Kata Welch, the librarian of the Cavendish Library.
F. Town Website: The Board agreed to hold on discussions of a town website until it is learned whether Cavendish has received the E-Vermont grant.
G. Chapman Street (Stone Church Way): At the October Select Board meeting, the board voted 3 in favor, 1 opposed and 1 abstaining, to classify Chapman Street (road is on the western side of the Stone Church and connects 103 to High Street) as a Class 4 road. Landowners abutting the property were to be informed of the decision and informed that in Spring 2011, the space would be graded and cars or other vehicles would no longer be permissible. Heather and Keith Frye, whose property is directly behind the Old Stone Church, addressed the board, saying that their research of town records gave no indication that this was ever considered a town road. The Select Board did not share their view on this and agreed to let the October meeting vote stand.
2. Bone Builders Class Comes to Cavendish
Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center announces a new Bone Builders Exercise class being held at the Cavendish Baptist Church on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30-11:30 AM. RSVP Bone Builders is a free, low impact weight-bearing exercise program intended to prevent and/or reverse osteoporosis. Bone Builders was designed by Miriam Nelson, PhD at Tufts University. Meeting twice weekly, Bone Builders helps enhance strength in bones, improves balance, and promotes an overall sense of well-being for the participant. We urge you to come see just how terrific this program really is!
If you would like to attend, or have any questions, please contact Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Charlotte Snyder at (802) 226-7343.
3. Cavendish School Snow Sports Program Sign Up
Students and volunteers interested in the Cavendish Elementary School’s snow sports program, should sign up on Nov. 17, 3-7 pm at the school’s Art’s Center room. This program allows Cavendish students to ski or snowboard on Tuesday afternoons starting in January for a very nominal fee. Volunteers receive a pass that allows them to ski that day, plus a complementary life ticket for another day. FMI: Lisa Ewalk 484-5323 or thecoswalds@aol.com or Karen McNamara 226-8024
4. Classifieds
The following items are free and available by calling Sara 226-7439. Please call as soon as possible, as items will be taken to the transfer station on Saturday.
• Wooden gate to keep toddlers in or out of next room. Good condition
• Plastic gate to keep toddlers in or out of next room. Good condition
• Child’s wooden chair. Okay condition
• Graco stroller netting, still in box
• Fisher Price adjustable basketball net. Okay condition
• Little bike – awesome for learning without training wheels (low to ground)..But somewhere in some box I have training wheels I might find come spring.
• Wine rack-a bit wobbly
• Two bar stools
• A Canon PIXMA MP130 photo all in one, still in box.
• UMAX Astra 2400S scanner.
• Brother MFC 4350 3 in 1 fax, printer copier.
For sale: Dream bike trailer. Carries two children up to 100 pounds. Barely used. Owner´s manual included. Fun way to transport your little ones in style. Has a cover to it for rain, bugs, etc. Call Sara 226-7439.
5. BRGNS Stuff a Bus December 4
Before we know it, the holiday season will be upon us. It is a time of year that marks significant need in our communities. This is a very busy time for Black River Good Neighbor Services, as this non profit local organization prepares to deliver gifts and a full holiday dinner complete with turkeys and all the fixings to those in need. It is estimated that over 145 families from the immediate and surrounding towns will be helped this holiday season
To help make this possible there is a planned “Stuff A Bus” on Saturday December 4th . This important food drive will take place at the Shaws Shopping Center parking lot in Ludlow from 10am until 4pm.
.
There are many ways to get involved with this year’s efforts. Volunteers are needed to sort food as it comes in, and countless other tasks are required to make sure everyone that needs help this winter gets it. Please call Audrey at the Thrift Store 228-3663 or stop by and visit 105 Main Street, to ask how you can get involved.
Thank you for your continued generous support of our local food shelf and holiday gift basket program. Every contribution makes a difference.
6. Kiplinger: Vt. among worst states for retirement
A new study shows Vermont is one of the most tax-unfriendly states for retirees. The report by Kiplinger.com ranks Vermont as the fourth worst state behind California, Rhode Island and New Jersey. The magazine points to Vermont's lack of tax exemptions on retirement income, the state's 9 percent rooms and meals tax and high property taxes as reasons not to retire in the Green Mountains. WCAX.com
7. Cavendish Events 11/12-11/19
November 13 (Saturday): Vermont’s rifle deer hunting season starts today and ends on Sunday Nov. 28. Vermont hunting licenses are available and cost $20 for residents and $90 for non-residents. They can be obtained through the Fish and Wildlife website or from license agents across the state, including Singleton’s in Proctorsville. FMI: 802/241-3700
November 15 (Monday): Annual Book fair at the Cavendish Library during regular Library Hours. Funds raised go towards children’s books for the library and classroom. FMI: 226-7503
• Tween (ages 10-14) WII night at the Fletcher Library, 4-6:30 pm
• Duncan Winton, Long Term Care Planning Specialist from Northern Benefits will talk to the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce about health care reform, 8:30 am conference room at The Cavendish Pointe. FMI: Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce
November 16 (Tuesday): Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist Class from 10:30-11:30. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Charlotte Snyder at (802) 226-7343.
November 16 (Tuesday): Annual Book fair at the Cavendish Library during regular Library Hours. Funds raised go towards children’s books for the library and classroom. FMI: 226-7503
• Fletcher Memorial Library Presents Linda Peck in “The Play’s the Thing” from 10:34 to noon. Ages 6 and under are invited to join in the community room as Linda engages children in performance and hands-on activities that will have them thinking, acting, playing and learning.
• Cavendish School Board Meeting, 5:30 at the School’s art room. This meeting will discuss budget cuts for the coming year. As noted in the October 15 Cavendish Update, http://cavendishvt.blogspot.com/2010/10/101510-cavendish-update-sb-mtgschool.html Cavendish Elementary School needs to reduce their current school year spending by $80,000 to $100,000 for the coming year.
November 17 (Wednesday): Annual Book fair at the Cavendish Library during regular Library Hours. Funds raised go towards children’s books for the library and classroom. FMI: 226-7503
• Collette Tours will be providing information on the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce "Travel with the Chamber" to Ireland May 1-10, 2011 at The Killarney at 5:30pm. FMI: Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce
November 18 (Thursday): Annual Book fair at the Cavendish Library during regular Library Hours. Funds raised go towards children’s books for the library and classroom. FMI: 226-7503
• Community Luncheon at 11:30 at St James United Methodist Church, Main Street, Proctorsville. This month we will be offering roast pork with fresh applesauce, scalloped potatoes, broccoli and hot rolls. We'll have cake and coffee for dessert, but if you'd prefer hot tea or a cold beverage we'll have that, too. Please come join us for a nice hot meal and lots of good conversation. Bring a friend to share the fun. A suggested donation of $3.00 for seniors or $4.50 for those under 60 years is always welcome to help defray the cost of the meal. We'll be looking for you!
• Sit & Knit" at the Six Loose Ladies yarn shop, Pollard Building, Proctorsville Green, 2:00 -9:00 PM. Open to knitters, spinners, crocheters, hookers. Free. FMI: 226-7373
• Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist Class from 10:30-11:30. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Charlotte Snyder at (802) 226-7343.
November 19 (Friday): Ski Swap at Okemo FMI: 228-1401
• Parent Teacher Conference at GMUHS
• Annual Book fair at the Cavendish Library during regular Library Hours. Funds raised go towards children’s books for the library and classroom. FMI: 226-7503
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Select Board Agenda for 11/8/10
The Cavendish Select Board will meet on Nov. 8 (Monday), 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office. The Agenda will include the following:
• Leon “Woody” Woods present to review with the Board the request for winter 2010-11 snowmobile trail crossings
• Cemetery Commissioners Gail Woods and Kathy Rose and Cemetery Sexton Leon Woods present to discuss a matter of concern regarding Cavendish cemeteries with the Board of Selectmen and request for an article for the March 2011 Town Meeting.
• Jason Rassmussen of the Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission will be present to discuss a Basic Emergency Operations Plan template with the Board
• Consider resignation letter from Virginia Garrow regarding her post of Trustee of Public Funds
• Review the draft of E-Vermont application being readied for submission and consider letter of support for same
• Continuation of discussion regarding a town website and consideration of a draft RFP for procuring website services.
• Continuation of discussion (from last meeting) regarding TH #51 Chapman Street. A draft letter to the Agency of Transportation will be available for review.
• Discussion regarding schedule of FY 20011-12 budget preparation activities.
• Town Manager updates on various Town activities including: retirement of Highway Crew Member Ralph Strong; 20 Mile Stream resurfacing project work activities and finances; summary of activities to resolve the culvert/flooding problems in Proctorsville at Spaulding, Rota and Bartolotta properties; status of ambulance vehicle; Appraisal Update RFP; anticipated new truck delivery, etc.
• Other business
• Request for Executive Session by the Town manager for discussion of matters of current litigation (Coutu) and personnel matters
• Leon “Woody” Woods present to review with the Board the request for winter 2010-11 snowmobile trail crossings
• Cemetery Commissioners Gail Woods and Kathy Rose and Cemetery Sexton Leon Woods present to discuss a matter of concern regarding Cavendish cemeteries with the Board of Selectmen and request for an article for the March 2011 Town Meeting.
• Jason Rassmussen of the Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission will be present to discuss a Basic Emergency Operations Plan template with the Board
• Consider resignation letter from Virginia Garrow regarding her post of Trustee of Public Funds
• Review the draft of E-Vermont application being readied for submission and consider letter of support for same
• Continuation of discussion regarding a town website and consideration of a draft RFP for procuring website services.
• Continuation of discussion (from last meeting) regarding TH #51 Chapman Street. A draft letter to the Agency of Transportation will be available for review.
• Discussion regarding schedule of FY 20011-12 budget preparation activities.
• Town Manager updates on various Town activities including: retirement of Highway Crew Member Ralph Strong; 20 Mile Stream resurfacing project work activities and finances; summary of activities to resolve the culvert/flooding problems in Proctorsville at Spaulding, Rota and Bartolotta properties; status of ambulance vehicle; Appraisal Update RFP; anticipated new truck delivery, etc.
• Other business
• Request for Executive Session by the Town manager for discussion of matters of current litigation (Coutu) and personnel matters
Friday, November 5, 2010
11/5/10 Cavendish Update: Election Results/News/Events
This issue of the Cavendish Update is made possible by Patty Derr.
The 11/5/10 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Election Results for Cavendish
2. Matching Gift Challenge for Baptist Church Addition
3. Black River Good Neighbor Services Holiday Program Getting Underway
4. CVPS Seeks 8.3% Rate Increase
5. Cavendish Activities 11/5-11/12/10
1. Election Results for Cavendish
A little over 50% of Cavendish’s registered voters cast ballots on Tuesday. Considered to be an “average turnout” for a non presidential election, the results are listed below. Note that the first name that appears is the candidate that was elected by the state/county or district.
U. S. Senate: Leahy 281; Britton 194
U.S. Representative: Welch 282; Beaudry 210
Governor: Shumlin 226; Dubie 286
Lt. Governor: Scott 260; Howard 214
Sec. Of State: Condos 233; Gibbs 264
Auditor: Salmon 298; Hoffer 196
Attorney General: Sorrell 253; Toscano 207
Treasurer: Spaulding 455; Schram 25
State Senator (First three won): Campbell 197; Nitka 290; McCormick 183; McGovern 198; Holmes 188; Renauld 185
State Representative: Shand 277; Whittemore 242
Windsor County Assistant Judge (First two won): Anderson 211; Singer 222
Walker 252
Windsor County State’s Attorney: Sand 450
Windsor County Sheriff: Chamberlain 434
High Bailiff: Manley 374
Justice of the Peace (seven running unopposed): Phyllis Bont, Dan Churchill, Mark Huntley, Seymour Leven, Scott Ranney and Rolph Van Schaik
Vermont Constitutional Amendment: Vermonters voted 75% in favor, Cavendish voted no by 81.5%.
2. Matching Gift Challenge for Baptist Church Addition
For the past several years, the Cavendish Baptist Church has been working on an addition to their building. The addition includes an elevator, a handicap accessible restroom, a nursery room for babies and toddlers, and a pastor's office. One goal of this addition is to make the church more of an accessible community center for the people of Cavendish. Most of this work has been accomplished with volunteer labor and personal donations. Currently, $20,000 is all that is needed to complete the addition. Although outside donations have not been solicited in the past, a recent, unexpected gift challenge has led the church to reach out to the community.
An anonymous donor has generously issued a matching gift challenge to enable the church to complete the addition! The donor will match all donations made between now and the end of the year, dollar for dollar up to $10,000 so the church will have the $20,000 it needs to finish the project. This also includes matching gift pledges for January 2011. Gifts may be anonymous, honorary or memorial. Your tax-deductible gift at this time will make a big difference!
Gifts can be mailed to:
Cavendish Baptist Church
PO Box 425
Cavendish, VT 05142
Gifts can also be placed in the offering on Sundays during the 10:00am service. Please write “Elevator” on your check or offering envelope. For more information, please call (802) 226-7131.
3. Black River Good Neighbor Services Holiday Program Getting Underway
Black River Good Neighbor Services is now accepting applications for the 2010 Christmas Basket program. Anyone living in Ludlow, Proctorsville, Cavendish, Mount Holly or Plymouth who feels they qualify can stop by the shop at 105 Main Street, Ludlow, to pick up an application. For those unable to stop by, please call Audrey Bridge at 228-3663 for assistance. Families, which received a basket last year will receive a phone call from a BRGNS volunteer and do not need to make a new application this year. Completed applications must be submitted by December 1st, 2010.
Jim Fuller, President of the Board for BRGNS said “over 145 area families received baskets last year and believes the number will be higher this year”.
4. CVPS Seeks 8.3% Rate Increase
Central Vermont Public Service is asking the state’s Public Service board to authorize an 8.34% rate increase. If approved, the rate hike would take effect Jan 1, 2011. Customers who use 500 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month would see their monthly bills rise anywhere from $78 to $84. The increase is being requested due to rising power costs and service improvements. WCAX.com
5. Cavendish Activities 11/5-11/12/10
November 6 (Saturday): Pancake Breakfast at the Cavendish Elementary School to benefit the Sixth Grade Class trip to Keewaydin. Food will be served from 5-9 am in the CTES multipurpose room. Adults are $6 (13+years) & kids are $4. FMI: Robin Bebo-Long 226-7758
• Youth Hunting Day in Vermont
November 8 (Monday): Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Town Office. These meetings are televised on LPCTV. To check for airing times, or to watch the meetings on-line.
• Tween (ages 10-14) WII night at the Fletcher Library, 4-6:30 pm
November 10 (Wednesday): Chamber of Commerce Mixer at Jackson Gore 5:30-7:30 pm . FMI 228-5830
• $5 a Bag Sale at Black River Good Neighbors Thrift Store in Ludlow
• Snow Fleas Monthly Meeting 7-8:30 Pm at Ramsdell’s in Cavendish. FMI: Snow Fleas
November 11 (Thursday): No school GMUHS District In-service
• Sit & Knit" at the Six Loose Ladies yarn shop, Pollard Building, Proctorsville Green, 2:00 -9:00 PM. Open to knitters, spinners, crocheters, hookers. Free. FMI: 226-7373
• Autumn Story Hour at the Fletcher Library in Ludlow, 11 am, for kids 5 and under
The 11/5/10 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Election Results for Cavendish
2. Matching Gift Challenge for Baptist Church Addition
3. Black River Good Neighbor Services Holiday Program Getting Underway
4. CVPS Seeks 8.3% Rate Increase
5. Cavendish Activities 11/5-11/12/10
1. Election Results for Cavendish
A little over 50% of Cavendish’s registered voters cast ballots on Tuesday. Considered to be an “average turnout” for a non presidential election, the results are listed below. Note that the first name that appears is the candidate that was elected by the state/county or district.
U. S. Senate: Leahy 281; Britton 194
U.S. Representative: Welch 282; Beaudry 210
Governor: Shumlin 226; Dubie 286
Lt. Governor: Scott 260; Howard 214
Sec. Of State: Condos 233; Gibbs 264
Auditor: Salmon 298; Hoffer 196
Attorney General: Sorrell 253; Toscano 207
Treasurer: Spaulding 455; Schram 25
State Senator (First three won): Campbell 197; Nitka 290; McCormick 183; McGovern 198; Holmes 188; Renauld 185
State Representative: Shand 277; Whittemore 242
Windsor County Assistant Judge (First two won): Anderson 211; Singer 222
Walker 252
Windsor County State’s Attorney: Sand 450
Windsor County Sheriff: Chamberlain 434
High Bailiff: Manley 374
Justice of the Peace (seven running unopposed): Phyllis Bont, Dan Churchill, Mark Huntley, Seymour Leven, Scott Ranney and Rolph Van Schaik
Vermont Constitutional Amendment: Vermonters voted 75% in favor, Cavendish voted no by 81.5%.
2. Matching Gift Challenge for Baptist Church Addition
For the past several years, the Cavendish Baptist Church has been working on an addition to their building. The addition includes an elevator, a handicap accessible restroom, a nursery room for babies and toddlers, and a pastor's office. One goal of this addition is to make the church more of an accessible community center for the people of Cavendish. Most of this work has been accomplished with volunteer labor and personal donations. Currently, $20,000 is all that is needed to complete the addition. Although outside donations have not been solicited in the past, a recent, unexpected gift challenge has led the church to reach out to the community.
An anonymous donor has generously issued a matching gift challenge to enable the church to complete the addition! The donor will match all donations made between now and the end of the year, dollar for dollar up to $10,000 so the church will have the $20,000 it needs to finish the project. This also includes matching gift pledges for January 2011. Gifts may be anonymous, honorary or memorial. Your tax-deductible gift at this time will make a big difference!
Gifts can be mailed to:
Cavendish Baptist Church
PO Box 425
Cavendish, VT 05142
Gifts can also be placed in the offering on Sundays during the 10:00am service. Please write “Elevator” on your check or offering envelope. For more information, please call (802) 226-7131.
3. Black River Good Neighbor Services Holiday Program Getting Underway
Black River Good Neighbor Services is now accepting applications for the 2010 Christmas Basket program. Anyone living in Ludlow, Proctorsville, Cavendish, Mount Holly or Plymouth who feels they qualify can stop by the shop at 105 Main Street, Ludlow, to pick up an application. For those unable to stop by, please call Audrey Bridge at 228-3663 for assistance. Families, which received a basket last year will receive a phone call from a BRGNS volunteer and do not need to make a new application this year. Completed applications must be submitted by December 1st, 2010.
Jim Fuller, President of the Board for BRGNS said “over 145 area families received baskets last year and believes the number will be higher this year”.
4. CVPS Seeks 8.3% Rate Increase
Central Vermont Public Service is asking the state’s Public Service board to authorize an 8.34% rate increase. If approved, the rate hike would take effect Jan 1, 2011. Customers who use 500 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month would see their monthly bills rise anywhere from $78 to $84. The increase is being requested due to rising power costs and service improvements. WCAX.com
5. Cavendish Activities 11/5-11/12/10
November 6 (Saturday): Pancake Breakfast at the Cavendish Elementary School to benefit the Sixth Grade Class trip to Keewaydin. Food will be served from 5-9 am in the CTES multipurpose room. Adults are $6 (13+years) & kids are $4. FMI: Robin Bebo-Long 226-7758
• Youth Hunting Day in Vermont
November 8 (Monday): Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Town Office. These meetings are televised on LPCTV. To check for airing times, or to watch the meetings on-line.
• Tween (ages 10-14) WII night at the Fletcher Library, 4-6:30 pm
November 10 (Wednesday): Chamber of Commerce Mixer at Jackson Gore 5:30-7:30 pm . FMI 228-5830
• $5 a Bag Sale at Black River Good Neighbors Thrift Store in Ludlow
• Snow Fleas Monthly Meeting 7-8:30 Pm at Ramsdell’s in Cavendish. FMI: Snow Fleas
November 11 (Thursday): No school GMUHS District In-service
• Sit & Knit" at the Six Loose Ladies yarn shop, Pollard Building, Proctorsville Green, 2:00 -9:00 PM. Open to knitters, spinners, crocheters, hookers. Free. FMI: 226-7373
• Autumn Story Hour at the Fletcher Library in Ludlow, 11 am, for kids 5 and under
Monday, November 1, 2010
Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce November Newsletter
Great News! We have hired Danielle Lillard as our part-time marketing assistant. Danielle started on October 26 and will be working Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays from 8:30-4:30pm. Danielle and her family live in Mount Holly. She has her Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Marketing, from Castleton State College. She's worked for the SBA and volunteered in marketing research for "Click It or Ticket" campaign with the State of Vermont. She's worked at The Governors Inn in Ludlow and for Consumers Relocation Services in Londonderry. She knows our area and will be an asset to the Chamber. Please join me in welcoming Danielle to the team.
If you missed our 2010 Business Showcase, you can watch it now on LPC-TV.
Our 2011 "A Taste of Every Season from the Okemo Valley" dining calendar is available for purchase. These mouth-watering calendars are $20 each. This year we have chosen to give a portion of the proceeds to the River Valley Technical Center towards a scholarship for a student in the Okemo Valley who is looking to continue their education in the culinary or hospitality field. Purchasing a calendar is just one of the ways that shows you support the many programs that the Chamber offers throughout the year. This is a great holiday gift for both family and friends. 12 special recipes were submitted by your favorite restaurants in the Okemo Valley. Please support your chamber, our restaurants, and scholarship fund.
We offered two FREE programs in October in conjunction with the Vermont Small Business Development Center, e-vermont, and the TD Bank Charitable Foundation.
October 21st, Patrick Ripley, the e-vermont broadband specialist, presented a program to Ludlow businesses called 'Getting Your Business Online". October 21st, Debra Boudreau, presented a workshop called "Listening to Your Business" for Chester businesses. They were both well received and informative. The Chamber also wants to thank the Stone Hearth Inn & Tavern in Chester for hosting our Chamber mixer on October 13th.
November 10th is our mixer at Okemo's Jackson Gore Inn at 5:30-7:30pm. RSVP to the Chamber.
November 15th Duncan Winton, Long Term Care Planning Specialist from Northern Benefits will talk to us about Health Care Reform. 8:30am conference room at The Pointe. RSVP to the Chamber.
November 17th Collette Tours will be providing information on our next "Travel with the Chamber" to Ireland May 1-10, 2011 at The Killarney at 5:30pm. RSVP to the Chamber.
December 8 is our Annual meeting at The Fullerton Inn in Chester. Our guest speaker is either Commissioner Bruce Hyde or Deputy Commissioner Steve Cook from the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing. RSVP to the Chamber.
CALL TO ACTION:
We need more towns to submit their Top Ten Events to the Vermont Chamber. The contest is a process where an event's nominator fills out a comprehensive application form, and submits photos and other marketing material of the event. You can read more about the contest and download the information here (page down).
With those nominations as a guide, an independent panel of judges chooses the Top Ten. They do look at regional distribution of events, and the more submissions one has from a region certainly improves that region's chance of winning.
"If we could encourage more people from the Okemo Valley to submit event nominations, chances are that would increase the Okemo Valley's chances of hosting an event that is identified as a Top Ten. "
Chamber Mixers
Join us for our monthly Chamber Mixers on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Bring a door prize if you can.
All Mixers are from 5:30-7:30pm
If you missed our 2010 Business Showcase, you can watch it now on LPC-TV.
Our 2011 "A Taste of Every Season from the Okemo Valley" dining calendar is available for purchase. These mouth-watering calendars are $20 each. This year we have chosen to give a portion of the proceeds to the River Valley Technical Center towards a scholarship for a student in the Okemo Valley who is looking to continue their education in the culinary or hospitality field. Purchasing a calendar is just one of the ways that shows you support the many programs that the Chamber offers throughout the year. This is a great holiday gift for both family and friends. 12 special recipes were submitted by your favorite restaurants in the Okemo Valley. Please support your chamber, our restaurants, and scholarship fund.
We offered two FREE programs in October in conjunction with the Vermont Small Business Development Center, e-vermont, and the TD Bank Charitable Foundation.
October 21st, Patrick Ripley, the e-vermont broadband specialist, presented a program to Ludlow businesses called 'Getting Your Business Online". October 21st, Debra Boudreau, presented a workshop called "Listening to Your Business" for Chester businesses. They were both well received and informative. The Chamber also wants to thank the Stone Hearth Inn & Tavern in Chester for hosting our Chamber mixer on October 13th.
November 10th is our mixer at Okemo's Jackson Gore Inn at 5:30-7:30pm. RSVP to the Chamber.
November 15th Duncan Winton, Long Term Care Planning Specialist from Northern Benefits will talk to us about Health Care Reform. 8:30am conference room at The Pointe. RSVP to the Chamber.
November 17th Collette Tours will be providing information on our next "Travel with the Chamber" to Ireland May 1-10, 2011 at The Killarney at 5:30pm. RSVP to the Chamber.
December 8 is our Annual meeting at The Fullerton Inn in Chester. Our guest speaker is either Commissioner Bruce Hyde or Deputy Commissioner Steve Cook from the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing. RSVP to the Chamber.
CALL TO ACTION:
We need more towns to submit their Top Ten Events to the Vermont Chamber. The contest is a process where an event's nominator fills out a comprehensive application form, and submits photos and other marketing material of the event. You can read more about the contest and download the information here (page down).
With those nominations as a guide, an independent panel of judges chooses the Top Ten. They do look at regional distribution of events, and the more submissions one has from a region certainly improves that region's chance of winning.
"If we could encourage more people from the Okemo Valley to submit event nominations, chances are that would increase the Okemo Valley's chances of hosting an event that is identified as a Top Ten. "
Chamber Mixers
Join us for our monthly Chamber Mixers on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Bring a door prize if you can.
All Mixers are from 5:30-7:30pm
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