Friday, June 25, 2010

Cavendish Update 6/25/10 News/Classifieds/Needs/LPCTV

The 6/25/10 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Cavendish Theatre Looking for 1930 Items and Stage Managers
3. Cavendish Old Home Day is Almost Here
4. Popular Voting Continues for Calendar /Judges Have Judged Photo Contest
5. Classifieds
6. Yoga Classes in Cavendish
7. Cavendish Events 6/25-6/27
8. New Programming Highlights on LPCTV

1. Cavendish Related News
Free Concerts Set for Ludlow

Vermont Law Doubles Fines for Handicap Parking Spaces

2. Cavendish Theatre Looking for 1930 Items and Stage Managers
The Cavendish Community Theatre is looking to borrow any clothes that relate to the 1930's. For example, men's brimmed hats, hats for women, old-fashioned phone, dresses, aprons, etc. All will be returned cleaned and in good condition. These are need for our play in mid August but would like to gather props as soon as possible.

The Community Theatre is also looking for two Stage Managers to assist with the play, which will be held on August 14th and 15th. A “prompter” is needed to cue the actors if they forget their lines. The Backstage Manager makes sure actors are on stage at the right time.

For additional information, to loan items or interest in being a stage manager, contact Sandra Russo 226-7398.

3. Cavendish Old Home Day is Almost Here
Cavendish Old Home Day gets underway on July 3 (Saturday) with the annual plant sale at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum at 8:30 am. This plant sale was started back in the 1970s by Craig Rankin and continues in his memory. Rankin, a landscaper architect, believed that everyone should be able to afford good healthy plants. These truly are the lowest prices for a hosta short of “free.”

Since the 1940’s is the CHS theme for this year, stop in the Museum, after plant shopping, and see some of the interesting WWII memorabilia members of the community have donated for the season.

The weekend long activities continue at 10 am when the Cavendish Green opens with a number of different vendors, including area artist’s organizations, businesses, food vendors, and churches. There will be a chicken BBQ provided by the Cavendish Fire Department and a lot of activities for kids, among them a “bounce house” provided by the Cavendish Baptist Church.

In keeping with the 1940s theme, the Young Historian’s program of Cavendish Town Elementary School will be hosting a “1940s candy shop.” You can learn a lot of history through candy. Named after the surnames of the company founders Forrest Mars and Bruce Murrie, M & M’s were first produced in 1941 in Newark, New Jersey. During WWII, the candies were exclusively sold to the military. They had the distinct advantage of “melting in your mouth and not in your hand.” In 1948, the original cardboard packaging was replaced by the black cellophane packaging many are so familiar with.

Tootsie rolls were another favorite of the military and were standard issue in WWII field rations. This “hard to melt chocolate,” first introduced in 1896 was named for Clara “Tootsie” Hirshfield, the daughter of the manufacturer.

Rounding out the weekend is a Cavendish Quilt show at the Old Stone Church in Cavendish; opening July 3 at noon and going until 4 pm. Quilts featured are those from the Museums collection as well as ones that have been made in Cavendish. If you were in the first grade in 1976, you can see the bicentennial quilt you made that year. There are current quilters, such as Jackie Blanchard, Paulette Martel and Diane McNamara, who will have items in the exhibit as well as examples of community quilts made for weddings and babies. Several of the quilts date back to the 1800s. The Quilt Show can also be seen on July 4 from noon to 4 pm.

One of the highlights this year will be the announcing of the winners of the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association (CCCA) Cavendish Calendar Photography Contest. You can pre order your calendars at this time.

4. Popular Voting Continues for Calendar /Judges Have Judged Photo Contest
The judges met and determined first prizes for each of the three categories in the annual Cavendish Photo Contest. In making their decisions they looked at composition, definition and emotional impact. This year the first prize in the adult category goes to George Timko's Lupine and Lilies with runner up Mary McCallum's Taste of summer - the judges have also given honorable mention to Tim O'Donoghue for his photo of the Tiger Swallowtail on Lilacs and Amanda Gross for her photo of the moth Callosamia Promethea. In the age group 13 -18 1st prize goes to Seth Matlofsky for his Path of Serenity and ages 5 - 12 the first prize goes to Noelle Gignoux's Make a Wish. Congratulations all!

MEANWHILE popular voting continues for the 2011Calendar Competition with ballots and photos on display at Crows Bakery Friday and Sunday, Singleton's on Saturday, the Cavendish Fletcher Library Tuesday through Thursday and then for a final voting and viewing opportunity at Old Home Days, July 3rd on the Cavendish Green.

5. Classifieds
• In need of a stationary bike for 3-4 weeks (to loan or rent) for therapy, while recovering from knee surgery. Please contact Alan at 226-7331 or awregier@tds.net

• 1989 Volvo 4 door sedan, good condition, running $300. Call 226-7204.

6. Yoga Classes in Cavendish
Danielle Dulaney, a certified Kripalu teacher, is interested in knowing if there is interest in her organizing a yoga class(es) this summer. If so, please let her know days/times that would best meet your needs. FMI: 226-8055 or 802-353-3859 or danielledul@earthlink.net

7. Cavendish Events 6/25-6/27
June 25 (Friday): Farmer’s Market, Okemo Mountain School Campus on Main Street Ludlow 4-7 pm.

June 27 (Sunday): Cavendish Historical Society Museum is open 2-4 pm. FMI: margoc@tds.net 802-226-7807

8. New Programming Highlights on LPCTV
Here are some 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 video programming can also be viewed online at www.lpctv.org.

Complete program schedule listings are also found on LPCTV's website and can be seen on the TV Bulletin Board.

CHANNEL 8
• That Was the Week That Was: Ralph & Leo almost field a phone call during their live call-in show! The phone rang, but due to technical difficulties, the call was lost. This shouldn't deter anyone from trying to phone-in during the show. Keep the
calls coming- 228-8807 Thursday afternoons from 3 - 3:30. If you can't catch it live but still have a comment or question, email ralphcpace@gmail.com or find TW3 on Facebook and post a comment there!

• Prouty Century Ride & Challenge Walk: The Prouty is an annual bike ride & walking event through the Upper Valley of VT & NH, to benefit the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. This year's event will take place Saturday, July 10th.

• Okemo Valley- Your Place in Vermont Chamber Executive Director Marji Graf visits with guest, artist Lisa Curry Mair.

CHANNEL 10
• Brian Dubie Campaign Stop in Ludlow Lieutenant Governor & Republican candidate for Governor Brian Dubie stopped by Ludlow during a campaign stop sponsored by the VT Chamber of Commerce.

• Plymouth School Closing Interviews: As the life inside the Plymouth School comes to a close, the memories will live on. Principal Susan Hackett videotaped several outgoing students interviewing familiar faces at Plymouth School. School Graduations

• LPCTV continues to broadcast coverage of Class of 2010 graduations. DVD copies are available for purchase. Contact LPCTV for info!

• Local Government Meetings: This coming week will feature the Cavendish Town Elementary School, Ludlow Elementary School, Cavendish Selectboard, and the VT State Board of Education. Meetings play each night on Channel 10 at 7pm and repeat at midnight, 8am, and 2pm the following day. Daily lists of meeting broadcasts are available at www.lpctv.org.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Cavendish Update 6/18/10 SB Mtg/News/Events/

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 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Select Board Meeting June 14
2. Cavendish Related News
3. GMUHS Booster Club Scholarship Recipient
4. Cavendish Summer Music Series Announced
5. Summer Hours for the Cavendish Library
6. Local Response to Gulf Oil Spill
7. Cavendish Calendar Voting
8. Winston Churchill Artist of the Month at Cavendish Library
9. Cavendish Events 6/18-2/25

1. Select Board Meeting June 14
The following items were discussed at Monday night’s Select Board Meeting:

Police Coverage for Coming Year: Since the contract with the Windsor Sheriff’s ends on June 30, Rich Svec, town manager, prepared a report on the cost benefit of continuing with the current arrangement or going with the State Police from Rockingham. The cost for the Sheriff will remain the same at $41 per hour versus the State Police who estimated their average to be $53 an hour. While the State Police cost includes time for going to court, and this is an add on for the Sheriff, the final cost benefit analysis indicates that for the primary purpose of controlling traffic, the Sheriff’s was the best way to proceed. The board voted unanimously to continue the contract with the Sheriffs.

Constable: A final job description of the Constable position was agreed to by the board. While the board approved funds to ensure that the Constable, Seth Perry, receives vaccinations, they were not willing to approve funds for additional training given current budget constraints. However, several people will be checking to see if there is funding available from other sources for Perry to obtain training.

Delinquent Taxes: Even though notices have been posted in the paper, the tax sale scheduled for June 23 will not be needed. Those who were sufficiently delinquent to merit a tax sale have paid their taxes and arranged for payment schedules. With the start of the new fiscal year July 1, there is a potential for a tax sale at the end of August.

Chubb Hill: Svec informed the board that people have been inquiring about when the lower end of Chubb Hill Road will be finished. The town met with Donnie Davis to learn more about the project. In order to obtain a state permit, engineering drawings must be supplied and the road needs to be reconstructed to meet town and state specifications. The state is requiring a guardrail be installed and Davis is proposing that the rail be placed so that he can keep his stonewall. Whether the state will approve this is unknown. Svec recommended to the board that the town provide some help in moving dirt and other related activities in order to move the project along since the current approach to the Hill is a hazard. Concerns were raised by one select board member about the town’s responsibility when a property owner wants to move a road. The board agreed that policies around this issue need to be developed.

2. Cavendish Related News
Rutland Herald Adds New Formats for News

Okemo Chamber of Commerce Kicks Off Information Ambassador Program

Chester Bridge Work Expected to Impede Summer Tourism

Upper Valley Veterinarians Detect Increasing Cases of Lyme Disease

Seniors Qualify for Food Help

3. GMUHS Booster Club Scholarship Recipient
The Green Mountain Union High School Booster Club honors a student each year with a scholarship and gratitude for their dedication to community service in the school and community. The recipient chosen has also shown consistent leadership, school spirit, and high academic standards throughout her school career. The Booster Club is very pleased to announce that this year’s award went to Cavendish resident Kathryn Svec!

4. Cavendish Summer Music Series Announced
The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association has announced that the annual summer music series on the Proctorsville Green will be held again this year on Wednesday nights in July and August. Each concert will begin at 6:00 p.m. and all concerts are free and open to the public, so grab your lawn chair and a cold drink, and join your friends and neighbors to enjoy plenty of rollicking good music from the gazebo.

The lineup will begin on July 7th with the legendary Chris Kleeman and will continue on July 14th with On the Rocks, featuring members of Satin & Steel. Gypsy Reel will play on July 21st, then Dana & Susan Robinson will appear on July 28th, and Rick Redington on August 4th. The series will conclude on August 11th with Voodoo Alien Blues Band.

The summer concert series has a long history in Proctorsville and many area residents reserve Wednesday evenings to listen to the live music. This is the first time that CCCA has taken on the task of coordinating the events in the hope that this tradition can continue. If you would like to help, CCCA would like to hear from you. Call Robin at 226-7736 to volunteer. As always, the concerts will be held rain or shine, and will move to the Cavendish town elementary school in case of inclement weather.

5. Summer Hours for the Cavendish Library
The summer hours for the Cavendish Library go into effect June 21 (Monday). They are as follows: Tues, Wed, Thurs 9:00-6:30 and Saturday 12:00-4:00. The Fletcher Memorial Library in Ludlow, whose charter includes Cavendish residents, has the following hours: Monday: 10:00AM - 7:30PM Tuesday-Friday 10:00AM - 5:00PM and Saturday: 10:00AM - 1:00PM. Note that on the 1st Wednesday of each month, the Library hours are noon to 5 pm.

6. Local Response to Gulf Oil Spill
The Gulf oil spill has had a tremendous impact on people regardless of where they live. The devastation to wildlife, water, plants and humans - the fact that we know the legacy of this spill will continue for an unknown number of years and reap a complex harvest of troubles and grief - calls for a response.

There is a Cavendish effort underway for a group show in August at the Cavendish Library, which will reflect people’s feelings and thoughts about the spill, clean up efforts, environmental impact etc. If you are interested in participating in this show, you can submit a letter, a thought, a painting, collage, sculpture - any medium you choose to reflect your response to this situation. Whether your words/images celebrate the beauty of dolphins, pelicans, egrets, the bayous of the Delta or you choose to address BP, the President, the folks who live in the Delta - every expression is welcome.

A collage/poster of our work will be made and sent to politicians, officials and groups.

If you are interested in participating please contact Robin at 226-7736.

7. Cavendish Calendar Voting
The Photos for the 2011 Calendar Contest are matted, hanging and beautiful! Well done! to all the photographers big and small, experienced and beginner who submitted their work for next year's calendar. So come take a look and cast your vote on June 18 from 3-6 and on June 19 (Saturday) from 12-3 at the Cavendish Elementary School. Voting will continue with Photos exhibited at Crows Bakery throughout the following week and then travel to the Fletcher Memorial Library. Announcement of photographs for the 2011 calendar will take place at Old Home Day, July 3.

8. Winston Churchill Artist of the Month at Cavendish Library
Winston Churchill is the featured artist at the Cavendish Library for the month of June. Churchill was born on a farm in rural Vermont, and has never been far from the creatures, domestic and wild, that have been his models and the central focus of his life-long artistic passion. From boyhood drawing and painting of the birds and animals he loves, to whittling their likenesses in wood, Winston continued his evolution as an artist with the purchase of a set of professional carving tools. He enhanced his skills in the U.S. Navy, carving delicate and varied designs of ship insignia bas-relief into mahogany plaques, which were then cast in bronze.

Following his stint in the military, Winston Churchill began to establish himself as an engraver of world renown. Winston returned to Vermont a freelance artist imbued with the best of European techniques and centuries old traditions.

In the years that followed he furthered his reputation as one of the most talented and skilled engravers with the embellishment of the world's finest firearms crafted in the U.S., England and Italy. Sculpted and engraved with delicate scrollwork and the striking wildlife scenes that have been his passion since youth, each piece became a work of living beauty beneath his hands.

Since the firearms he engraves become, in effect, private museum pieces, most often locked away from public view, it has been the mediums of photography and the printed page here and abroad that have become his galleries of exhibition. His work has been featured in many books and America's finest sporting magazines. Churchill's skills with a camera have been indispensable in the publication and display of his work.

A collection of Winston’s photographs may be views in the Redfield Proctor Room in June during normal library hours.

9. Cavendish Events 6/18-2/25
June 18 (Friday): Farmer’s Market, Okemo Mountain School Campus on Main Street Ludlow 4-7 pm.
• GMUHS Graduation 7 pm at the school
• Voting for Cavendish Calendar 3-6 pm at Cavendish School. See article 7

June 19 (Saturday): Voting for Cavendish Calendar, noon-3 pm at the Cavendish School. See Article 7.

June 20 (Sunday): Cavendish Historical Society Museum is open 2-4 pm. FMI: margoc@tds.net 802-226-7807

June 21 (Monday): Summer hours for the Cavendish Library go into effect. See Article 5.

June 23 (Wednesday): Healthy Weight and Lifestyle Course begins at the Cavendish Elementary School, 6-9 Pm. FMI: Martha Mott at martimot@tds.net or 226-7092.

June 24 (Thursday): Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky is the June selection for the Fletcher Memorial Library’s Book Talk. Discussion will take place at 7 pm in the Community Room of Fletcher Memorial Library in Ludlow. All are welcome.

June 25 (Friday): Farmer’s Market, Okemo Mountain School Campus on Main Street Ludlow 4-7 pm.






-- 30 --

Friday, June 11, 2010

Cavendish Update 6/11/10 News/Websites/Events/SB Agenda

The 6/11/10 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Cavendish Community Organizations’ Websites
3. Cavendish Calendar Exhibit On Display
4. GMUHS Valedictorian From Cavendish
5. Make a Splash at the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library
6. Classifieds
7. Family Owned Colonial and Victorian Homes
8. Cavendish Events 6/11-6/18/Select Board Agenda

1. Cavendish Related News
Health Department: Don’t Touch Bats

Former Inn (Cavendish Inn) to be Private Residence

Fundraising Rummage Sale Deemed Success

Vermont Historic Sites Open for Free All Weekend

CVPS Bills to Drop a Little in July

Education Chief Says School Districts Will Need to Reduce Spending by $23 M in 2012


2. Cavendish Community Organizations’ Websites
Please note that the Cavendish Update Blog now contains a new feature “Cavendish Community Organizations.” The list has been expanded to include: non profit organizations based in Cavendish, schools, churches, community based organizations as well as agencies that serve the town. If you have an organization you would like to see included, please e-mail the website URL to margoc@tds.net

3. Cavendish Calendar Exhibit On Display
The entries for the Cavendish Calendar Competition will be on exhibit at the Cavendish school starting Tuesday June 15. Voting for favorite photos will be open to students and teachers through June 17. The general public can cast their votes on June 18 (Friday) from 3 - 6 pm and again on June 19 (Saturday) from noon to 3 pm. This year the photos will be exhibited in various locations and voting will continue, ending on Old Home Day June 3 (Saturday) on the Cavendish Green.

4. GMUHS Valedictorian From Cavendish
Jade Lily Ormrod-Leven is the Valedictorian for Green Mountain Union High School, class of 2010. Jade lives in Cavendish and is the daughter of Andrew Leven and Mary Ormrod. Her post graduation plans include a year of travel and then college at McGill University in Canada. Many people know her as the smiling face behind the Crows Corner Bakery counter on weekends, summer and holidays. Congratulations Jade!

5. Make a Splash at the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library
Sign ups for the 2010 Summer Reading Program are underway at the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library. The theme this year is “Make a Splash at Your Library” and will feature activities based upon water.

Participation is easy. Simply drop by the library to sign up, then read for 15 minutes 36 times. Once that is done, drop off the reading record and wait for the prize drawing. Of course there are a lot of great activities that you can do in the library that can be done along with the reading such as tie-dye day, henna tattoo day and drive in movie nights and the annual summer barbeque.

This program is available to readers of all ages and begins immediately. Please contact Kata at 226-7503 for more information and a schedule of events.

6. Classifieds
Cavendish house for rent-3 bedroom, 2 bath, $800 a month plus utilities. No smokers. Call 226-7204

7. Family Owned Colonial and Victorian Homes
Peggy Shinn, a freelance writer in Rutland, is writing a story for Vermont Life magazine about Colonial and Victorian homes and farms that are still owned by the same family that built them (or generally, any historic home -- not one built in the past 50 years). The story will talk about the homes/farms and families, and the struggles each family has encountered in keeping the properties in the family, as well as the solutions they have come up with. Do you know of any in your town that might fit the criteria? If so, please email her at pegm@highmeadow.com, or call (802) 786-0947. Deadline is September 20, 2010. The story will likely run in the Autumn 2011 issue of Vermont Life.

8. Cavendish Events 6/11-6/18/Select Board Agenda
June 11 (Friday): Farmer’s Market, Okemo Mountain School Campus on Main Street Ludlow 4-7 pm.

June 12 (Saturday): Vermont Days at all State Parks. Free admission to all Vermont State Parks, including Plymouth State Park on Echo Lake. See article 5 about the free passes available for check out at the Cavendish Library.
• GMUHS Alumni Day Parade Lineup is at 10 am.

June 13 (Sunday): Cavendish Historical Society Museum is open 2-4 pm. FMI: margoc@tds.net 802-226-7807

June 14 (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, go to www.lpctv.org. Agenda items include:
• Discuss police coverage for the forthcoming fiscal year. The Town Manager will have cost estimates for both the Windsor County Sheriff’s Department and the Vermont State Police. This discussion follows-up on topics considered at the May meeting.

• Continuation discussion (from April and May meetings) regarding the Cavendish constable position, the scope of duties, training and anticipated costs. Constable Seth Perry is anticipated to be present for this discussion.

• Town Manager to update the Board on delinquent tax collection activities.

• Discuss progress on realignment of lower Chubb Hill Road.

• Town Manager to review recent applications for highway grants with the Board, touching upon the 2010 paving program, bridge repair work, culvert and structure inventory update, roadside mowing, bridge and other highway related activities.

• Town Manager to provide updates on Water Project financing, the filtration plant, transfer station activities, energy grant activities, end of fiscal year finances, legal, truck purchase and other matters.

June 16 (Wednesday): “The Princess and the Frog” Matinee. 3 pm at the Fletcher Memorial Library in Ludlow. Free Popcorn. Rated PG. FMI: Megan 228-3517
• Cavendish Elementary School 6th grade graduation. On the Proctorsville Green weather permitting.

June 17 (Thursday): Last day of school!
• Community Luncheon at St. James Methodist Church, 11:30. This month celebrates the beginning of summer food - baked beans and franks, with coleslaw, hot rolls, and home-baked pies for dessert. Coffee, hot tea and lemonade will be offered as beverages. A suggested donation of $3.00 for seniors or $4.50 for those under 60 years of age is appreciated to help defray the cost of the meal. All are welcome.
• Lauren Potter will be speaking on Reiki as part of the Fletcher Memorial Library’s Third Thursday Program.

June 18 (Friday): Farmer’s Market, Okemo Mountain School Campus on Main Street Ludlow 4-7 pm.
• GMUHS Graduation 7 pm at the school

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

What Can We Pass On?

Because of my role with the Cavendish Historical Society, I’ve been in a unique position to study not only how people responded to the Great Depression in the 1930’s-that was the focus of the Society this past year- but am also collecting stories of how our town is being impacted by the current recession. In compiling the Business Directory for May 2010, I couldn’t help but notice how many small home based businesses are gone. Considering they are the backbone of our economy, that’s a very telling sign.

As co-director of Chronic Conditions Information Network, I spend quite a bit of time helping people deal with their respective health care crisis. The combination of the two roles has made me think a lot about our current situation.

Many are having a rough time. While the economic situation is a major contributing factor, so too is the aging of the “baby boomer” generation. It’s a “perfect storm” for frustration, anger, fear, anxiety and “just what is going to happen next?” You know it’s bad when NH Public Television is continually showing “Living through a Personal Crisis” almost round the clock as part of its current fundraising campaign.

I’ve been looking at things through a 1930’s lens. Interestingly, there was a study released in September 2009 that showed that longevity actually increased during the 1930’s. Why would that be when so many were without jobs and there were few public service agencies compared to today?

While there was no definitive answer, the authors guessed that it was more about the lifestyle of the era: people walked everywhere as they couldn’t afford a car (they got their 30 minutes of exercise every day).; alcohol and cigarettes were a luxury so these health negatives were significantly reduced; people slept in because they didn’t have a job to go to; little money was available for entertainment so people created their own fun; and gardens sprung up in everyone’s back yard, everyone went hunting and fishing, which ultimately resulting in people eating “whole foods” and not relying on “processed” items.

As the depression eased, and people returned to work, life expectancy decreased. Why? Again the authors can only guess. They think it related to the stress of working long hours in a new job.

In Cavendish, people didn’t have a lot to begin with. If you worked in the mills, you had the risk of being laid off, but you could still tend a garden, hunt and fish, which certainly made things a bit easier than if you lived in a city. If all else failed, there were the wild blackberries and raspberries of August. I’ve met more than one Vermonter who refuses to eat them because that constituted a large part of their diet in the 30s.

Life was hardly easy and there was even a “Hooverville,” shanty town, located near the old Fitton Mill area of Cavendish. People did what they could to help each other. Their ideas of renew, reuse and recycle make the best of our green living practices look like beginners. In short, trying to live a 30’s lifestyle today isn’t practical. However, we can learn from them just as future generations will learn from our experiences.

With that in mind, below is my take on thriving during these difficult times thanks to those people from Depression era Cavendish. What are your ideas? The more we collect, the more helpful it maybe to future generations.

Margo

1. Turn off the TV and computer and only listen or read the news for about a half hour each day. In the 30’s there was no TV or computer. Most of the folks in our town only had a chance to listen to a little bit of radio in the evening. If you were lucky to have electricity, and not have to hook the radio to a car battery, you could listen to “The Shadow Knows,” and the birth of the Big Band. Keep in mind that our news today has the philosophy of “If it bleeds, it leads.” The more frightening and upsetting the story, the more likely it will make headlines and the various TV programs will devote hours to it. You can make yourself nuts in short order on this stuff.

.2. Cook. Avoid the processed stuff and enjoy what’s appearing at our local farmer’s markets or from your garden. Share your extra with friends, family, and neighbors.

3. Walk or ride a bike. Leave the car at home whenever possible. If you want more exercise you can help the Historical Society with their Cemetery Preservation project by cleaning stones. You’ll get a good workout, learn some interesting history, and help the town at the same time.

4.. Invest in your friends and neighbors and create social opportunities. When I interviewed Sophie Snarski, a fiddler, who graduated from high school in 1933, she said she played three nights a week. There were “kitchen hops,” dances that rotated among the various farmers, plays, movies, and town dances that took place weekly. Because they weren’t competing with TV, Netflicks and various activities in other towns, people turned out for events. When I first asked Sophie about the 30’s, she talked a great deal about the good times they had and how much better the community was connected than today. It was only when I asked specific questions about the depression did she relate how strapped her family was for money. In this difficult era she created positive memories that have lasted her a lifetime.

5. Churches and the Grange played a major role in the lives of people in the 30’s. My take on that is join something. Those that belong to a church, Rotary or any other such group have a built in strong social network. If there is a problem, people know about it and can help. Having a spiritual belief-not necessarily a religion- is very important for most people. It helps to have a bigger picture to support you through the rough spots.

6. Do something enjoyable that engages you. It might be going to Six Loose Ladies on a Thursday night to work on knitting-again that social piece. However, anything that fully engages your mind, and gives your brain a break is going to make things a bit easier. Reducing cortisol (the stress hormone) levels in the brain is a real plus.

7. Hang out with people that make you laugh.

8. Less is more. Enjoy what you have and don’t obsess about what you don’t have. It’s not “stuff” that makes life worth living. Make time for the important things-a hot cup of tea with a friend on a cold winter morning; a hike up Hawk’s Mountain with your kids; a pot luck at a neighbors; helping an elderly neighbor with snow removal or putting in their garden; and watching for shooting stars on a warm August night.

9. We’re all connected. The more we obsess about world hunger, free Tibet, the BP oil spill (the 30’s also had the Dust Bowl), the lack of work or any other cause, and ignore the joys in our own community, the more challenging life becomes. The Buddhist concept of a mindfulness meditation on all centennial beings is a wonderful idea. Do it once a day for whatever time frame you can and let it go. If you can afford to send money or go to help, do it. Keep in mind that the more we work to generate joy and happiness in our own lives, the more it spreads among us and beyond.

10. My final point really comes from working for many years in AIDS and with people who are closing out their lives. Warren Buffett probably said it as well as anyone when he was asked to measure success, "When you get to my age, you'll measure your success in life by how many of the people you want to have love you actually do love you. That's the ultimate test of how you've lived your life."

Since I wrote this initial post, I would add one additional point, Be flexible and willing to change. Cavendish had to make a lot of adjustments in the 1930s, not only due to the economy, but also because the town was inudated with men from other parts of the country as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Some of these men stayed, married local women and helped the town grow in new directions.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Cavendish Update 6/4/10 News/Sexton/Glimmerstone/Events/LPC-TV

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 6/4/10 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Cavendish Related News
2. New Cavendish Sexton Appointed
3. Glimmerstone Sold at Auction
4. Do You Have a Projector the Library Could Borrow?
5. Plastic Soda Bottles Maybe Bottle Bombs
6. New Programming Highlights on LPCTV
7. Cavendish Events 6/4-6/11

1. Cavendish Related News
Texting While Driving Now Illegal in Vermont

VT Blue Cross to Repay $3 M: Retirement Package of $7M to Former CEO Excessive

Panel Looks at School Reform

2. New Cavendish Sexton Appointed
At this week’s Cemetery Commission meeting, Leon (Woodie) Woods was named sexton to replace Art Brigss, who died in May. Gail Woods was also named to the Cemetery Commission. Woodie also serves on the Water Board, while his wife Gail is on the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) Board. Both are involved with the Cavendish Snow Flies and are volunteers for the CHS Cemetery Preservation Project.

3. Glimmerstone Sold at Auction
Glimmerstone, most recently known as the Cavendish Inn, was sold at auction today for $477,000. Prior to the auction, the auctioneer, Tom Hirchak, explained that in a foreclosure auction, a minimum price needed to be reached, otherwise the creditor could purchase the property. He also explained that the taxes on the property, $37,000, had been paid through June 30, 2010. There were three people who were actively bidding.

The new owner is from Long Island and will be using the property as a second home.

4. Do You Have a Projector the Library Could Borrow?
The Cavendish Fletcher Community Library is looking to borrow an LCD projector for Drive in Movie nights this summer. If you have one that you are willing to lend the library, please contact Kata at 226-7503.

5. Plastic Soda Bottles Maybe Bottle Bombs
A subscriber to the Cavendish Update forwarded the following link to the Snopes website , which verifies that bottle bombs are being made out of soda bottles Drain-O and aluminum foil. At this time, there have been no reports of such a device in the area. The closest report of one is Methuen, Mass.

6. New 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. As always, complete program schedule listings can be found on LPCTV's website- www.lpctv.org - or by tuning into the TV Bulletin Board on channels
8 and 10.

CHANNEL 8
• Black River HS Baseball & Softball Games: Bruce Perry continues his coverage of Black River sports, following the playoffs for the baseball & softball teams. Games this week include the baseball team vs Arlington and BR softball vs Woodstock.

• Ludlow Memorial Day Celebration: Edited coverage of Ludlow's recent Memorial Day celebration, by LPCTV's DaveGuerrera.

• Democracy Now! The "largest public media collaboration in the U.S.", Democracy Now! is an hour-long daily independent news program that runs on Channel 8 from 6 – 7 Monday - Friday.

• Oscar Romero Celebration: This was an event held in recognition of the 30th anniversary of El Salvadoran Archbishop Romero's martyrdom, held at the Gethsemane Episcopal Church in Proctorsville. The event was coordinated by Sara Stowell and recorded on video by Sam Hensel-Hunter.

CHANNEL 10
• LES Memorial Day concert: LPCTV's camera was there, covering the recent concert from the Ludlow Elementary School, commemorating Memorial Day.

• Election Programming: Interview with Doug Racine Leo Graham interviews State Sen. Doug Racine, Democratic Candidate for Governor.

• Local Government Meetings: This coming week will feature the Plymouth Select board, Green Mountain Union HS Board, River Valley Tech Center Board, Ludlow Select board, and the Ludlow DRB. Meetings play each night on Channel 10 at 7pm and repeat at midnight, 8am, and 2pm the following day. Daily lists of meeting broadcasts are available at www.lpctv.org.

7. Cavendish Events 6/4-6/11
June 4 (Friday):Farmer’s Market, Okemo Mountain School Campus on Main Street Ludlow 4-7 pm.

June 5 (Saturday): SAT Exam at GMUHS

June 6 (Sunday): Cavendish Historical Society Museum is open 2-4 pm. FMI: margoc@tds.net 802-226-7807

June 7 (Monday): Water Board Meeting, 5 pm at the Cavendish Town Office

June 8 (Tuesday): Cavendish Elementary School Board Meeting.

June 9 (Wednesday): Toothfairy Matinee “You Can’t Handle the Tooth,” Fletcher Memorial Library, 3pm. Free Popcorn. Rated PG. FMI: Megan 228-3517

June 11 (Friday): Farmer’s Market, Okemo Mountain School Campus on Main Street Ludlow 4-7 pm.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Cavendish Update 6/1/10 Calendar/Web Directory/OHD/Passes

This issue of the Cavendish Update is made possible by the Cavendish Historical Society Blog

The 6/1/10 Cavendish Update Contains
1. June Cavendish Calendar
2. Cavendish Organizations Web Directory
3. Cavendish Old Home Day July 3
4. Free Passes from the Cavendish Library
5. Healthy Weight & Lifestyle Course
6. Red Barn Gallery Opens in Proctorsville

1. June Cavendish Calendar
June 1 (Tuesday): GMUHS Booster Club Meeting, 7 pm at the school

June 2 (Wednesday): AstroBoy Matinee, 3 pm at the Fletcher Memorial Library in Ludlow. Free popcorn. The film is rated PG. FMI: Megan 228-3517
• Planning Commission Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office

June 4 (Friday):Farmer’s Market, Okemo Mountain School Campus on Main Street Ludlow 4-7 pm.

June 5 (Saturday): SAT Exam at GMUHS

June 6 (Sunday): Cavendish Historical Society Museum is open 2-4 pm. FMI: margoc@tds.net 802-226-7807

June 7 (Monday): Water Board Meeting, 5 pm at the Cavendish Town Office

June 8 (Tuesday): Cavendish Elementary School Board Meeting.

June 9 (Wednesday): Toothfairy Matinee “You Can’t Handle the Tooth,” Fletcher Memorial Library, 3pm. Free Popcorn. Rated PG. FMI: Megan 228-3517

June 11 (Friday): Farmer’s Market, Okemo Mountain School Campus on Main Street Ludlow 4-7 pm.

June 12 (Saturday): Vermont Days at all State Parks. Free admission to all Vermont State Parks, including Plymouth State Park on Echo Lake. See article 3 below about the free passes available for check out at the Cavendish Library.
• GMUHS Alumni Day Parade Lineup is at 10 am.

June 13 (Sunday): Cavendish Historical Society Museum is open 2-4 pm. FMI: margoc@tds.net 802-226-7807

June 14 (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, go to www.lpctv.org.

June 16 (Wednesday): “The Princess and the Frog” Matinee. 3 pm at the Fletcher Memorial Library in Ludlow. Free Popcorn. Rated PG. FMI: Megan 228-3517
• Cavendish Elementary School 6th grade graduation. On the Proctorsville Green weather permitting.

June 17 (Thursday): Last day of school!
• Lauren Potter will be speaking on Reiki as part of the Fletcher Memorial Library’s Third Thursday Program.

June 18 (Friday): Farmer’s Market, Okemo Mountain School Campus on Main Street Ludlow 4-7 pm.
• GMUHS Graduation 7 pm at the school

June 20 (Sunday): Cavendish Historical Society Museum is open 2-4 pm. FMI: margoc@tds.net 802-226-7807

June 23 (Wednesday): Healthy Weight and Lifestyle Course begins at the Cavendish Elementary School, 6-9 Pm. FMI: Martha Mott at martimot@tds.net or 226-7092.

June 24 (Thursday): Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky is the June selection for the Fletcher Memorial Library’s Book Talk. Discussion will take place at 7 pm in the Community Room of Fletcher Memorial Library in Ludlow. All are welcome.

June 25 (Friday): Farmer’s Market, Okemo Mountain School Campus on Main Street Ludlow 4-7 pm.

June 27 (Sunday): Cavendish Historical Society Museum is open 2-4 pm. FMI: margoc@tds.net 802-226-7807

2. Cavendish Organizations Web Directory
If you would like your community organization included on this list, please e-mail the URL to margoc@tds.net

Many area businesses have websites. Updated lists are available at the Town Office and the Cavendish Library. A PDF version can be obtained by e-mailing margoc@tds.net

Bullet Proof Whitney’s Friends
Cavendish Baptist Church
Cavendish Community and Conservation Association
Cavendish Historical Society
Cavendish Historical Society Blog
Cavendish Library
Cavendish Library Blog
Cavendish Snow Fleas
Cavendish Transfer Station
Cavendish Town Elementary School
CTES Farm to School Program
Cavendish Update
Fiber Arts in Vermont
Fletcher Library
Green Mountain Union High School
Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce
Proctorsville Fire Dept

3. Cavendish Old Home Day July 3
Old Home Day takes place on July 3, starting at 8:30 am with the Plant Sale at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum on Main Street Cavendish. The Museum is focusing their exhibits on the 1940’s, with many members of the community providing items from the WWII era. There is also a list of WWII veterans from Cavendish. CHS is trying to compile as much information about the veterans as possible.

Activities on the Cavendish Town Green start at 10 am. A number of area artists, organizations and businesses will have booths. There will be activities for children, including a “bounce house.” The Cavendish Fire Department will be doing their chicken BBQ.

At noon, the Cavendish Quilt Show begins at the Old Stone Church, on Main Street a short distance from the Green. The will feature quilts from the Museum’s collection as well as ones made by or for Cavendish residents. The Quilt Show will continue on July 4 from noon to 4 pm.

For more information about Old Home Day, or to reserve booth space for your self, business or organization, please call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margoc@tds.net

4. Free Passes from the Cavendish Library
The Cavendish Fletcher Community Library has the following passes available for check out free of charge:
• The Vermont State Parks Pass- This pass allows up to eight people in one vehicle a day's free entry into any Vermont State Park.
• The Vermont State Historical Sites Pass- This pass allows up to eight people in one vehicle a day's free entry into any Vermont State Historical Site
• The Echo Pass- This pass allows up to two adults and three children into the Echo Science Center in Burlington for $3 per adult and $2 per child.

These passes circulate for three days. You may put a pass on hold, put not for a specific date. You must be a registered borrower age 18 years or older. A late fee will apply for passes turned in after their scheduled return date.

Want to know about new arrivals of books and CDs? Check out the Library’s website http://www.cavendishlibrary.org/ or stop by.

5. Healthy Weight & Lifestyle Course
Live Authentically – Healthy Weight & Lifestyle Course is a 30-hour playful course that is designed to help you to discover your inner potential and to gain insight into the big questions in life such as “Who am I? and “How can I create the life I want?” It will be held at the Cavendish Town Elementary School in Proctorsville, VT on Wednesday nights from 6:00-9:00 p.m. beginning June 23rd and ending September 1st. Fee is $300.

Creativity in the classroom will be inspired by using humor, games, collage, and journaling as we explore topics that include communication, values, strengths, personality, time, stress, money, intentions, and goals and how they relate to weight and living a healthy lifestyle. This course works well in combination with other weight loss programs such as Weight Watchers or Curves

You will complete the course with a new awareness of who you are, intention statements of what you intend to do and be, and an action plan designed to implement your new vision of yourself. The program will be set up with guidelines that encourage personal growth in a safe and confidential environment.

For other course offerings, more information, or to enroll, please contact Martha Mott at martimot@tds.net or 226-7092.

6. Red Barn Gallery Opens in Proctorsville
The following is an excerpt from the May 30 Rutland Herald article “Creative Impulses are Alive and Well in These Hills.” “George Davis opened the Red Barn Gallery on Route 131 in Proctorsville on Saturday. The space, previously used for storage, is exactly what the name says — a red barn — and Davis hopes it will become a home for local artists.

"We've created a co-op for the Okemo Valley arts community, and our concept is that the shop will be operated by the artists," Davis said. "The idea is when the artists are here operating the shop they will also be giving demonstrations, like Wendy is doing today."

Davis was referring to Wendy Lichtensteiger, who demonstrated her extraordinary woodcarving skills outside the barn. For 10 years, Lichtensteiger has taken reclaimed wood and shaped it into art.

"We have a transfer station here in town, and I'm the girl who's picking through the garbage," she said. She turns that garbage into realistic depictions of birds, fish and other wildlife, which can be seen at her website, www.interestingbird.com.”