Cavendish Update 2/1/11 Calendar/News/Events

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

The 2/1/11 Cavendish Update contains the following:
1. Town Elections
2. Cavendish Related News
3. Support for CTES Principal G. Thomson in His Penguin Plunge
4. CCCA Mardi Gras Benefit with Yankee Chank
5. CCCA to Hold Wildlife Corridor Presentation
6. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: What is it/18th Century Map
7. E-Books and Audio Book Service Available at Fletcher Library
8. Birdman of Alcatraz at Cavendish Film Series
9. Grass Fed Beef Available in Cavendish
10. February Cavendish Calendar

1. Town Elections
The petitioning for elected town and school governance positions has closed. All positions are running unopposed with the exception of the one-year term for Select Board. Four people are running for two positions: Dan Churchill, Ed Garrow, Peter Gregg and Scott Ranney.

2. Cavendish Related News
The flu is spreading in Vermont. State health officials are reporting widespread illness across the Vermont. That means at least half the state's five regions have laboratory-confirmed cases. That's a big jump from just a few weeks ago when Vermont was experiencing sporadic activity only. Health officials are encouraging people who have not yet been vaccinated to get their flu shots. They say it's not too late. Everyone six months and older is eligible. FMI: Dial 2-1-1 or go the Vt. Health Department website

Faith in Vermont State Government Declines: “Pulse of Vermont: Quality of Life Study 2010,” a 48-page document issued by the Vermont Business Roundtable, lays out the results of a telephone survey of 407 Vermonters conducted in 2010. Vermonters have relatively little faith in their state government, and significantly less than five years earlier, the survey finds. The institution that got the lowest marks was “government in Montpelier.” Only 15 percent of survey respondents possessed a great deal of confidence in state government, 4 percentage points lower than in a 2005 survey. Burlington Free Press

$4.8B Shumlin Budget Slashes Human Services Spending Gov. Peter Shumlin delivered a $4.8 billion budget plan to lawmakers Tuesday that was both harsh in the reductions he outlined for an array of human services and optimistic in the investments he proposed to create new opportunities for the future. To close the $176 million gap, Shumlin’s spending plan requires significant belt-tightening including $12 million in labor concessions, a $4.6 million reduction in mental health funding, $4.5 million in shrunken support for the elderly and disabled by $4.5 million and increased assessments on health care providers to raise $28 million. It also puts schools on notice that non-property tax support for education will decrease by $23 million — offset this year only by $19 million in federal funding. Still, Shumlin’s first budget also squeezes out money to launch initiatives the Democrat outlined in his campaign: He proposes $13 million over two years for broadband infrastructure to achieve his goal of a “statewide canopy” of telecommunications by 2013. He would end Catamount Health, a private insurance program subsidized by the state, and cover the 12,500 Vermonters now on the program under an expanded Vermont Health Access Program — a step toward the single-payer health care system he advocates. He calls for shuffling male and female inmates to different prisons to make more efficient use of the state’s facilities, reduce the number of inmates sent out of state and create savings that would be invested in services to reduce recidivism. Burlington Free Press

State’s Year-End Unemployment 5.8%: The seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate for 2010 trended down overall by 0.9 percentage point to 5.8 percent, the Vermont Department of Labor said Tuesday. The year-end rate in December was up 0.1 percent from November, however, representing the only increase in the rate for the year. The slight increase was preceded by five months of no change and six declines in the statewide unemployment rate. Burlington Free Press

3. Support for CTES Principal G. Thomson in His Penguin Plunge:
I am sitting inside on a cold winter day designing my outfit for the Penguin Plunge (benefit Vermont Special Olympics), which I am participating in on Sat. Feb 5 in Burlington. I am having fun thinking abut plunging into the frigid waters of Lake Champlain as the temps outside start moving towards sub zero numbers!. I am considering taking a scantily clothed body outside and rolling in the snow to condition my body! NOTICE: I said "considering." I'm not about to cut a whole in the ice on my lake! I have not yet reached my fund raising goal, so I though I would send out an appeal to all in case you thought you might help but hadn't had a chance to contribute yet. If you are interested and able you may write a check made out to Vermont Special Olympics and get it to me or go online to my web page http://www.firstgiving.com/georgethomson and contribute there. If you are not interested or able, warm thoughts sent my way on the 5th would be appreciated!! For sure, I will have photos of this adventure for my "Bucket List" book, which I shall share. Thanks, George O. Thomson

4. CCCA Mardi Gras Benefit with Yankee Chank
This year's Mardi Gras fundraiser will be Saturday March 5th. The CCCA will be selling the limited tickets during the month of February. Tickets are $40 a person and include the Cajun Buffet finger foods and Dancing with Bob Naess and his band Yankee Chank. There will be a prize for the Best Mask and masks for decorating will be handed out with the purchase of a ticket. The event will take place at Crows Bakery and Opera House Cafe with all activities on the ground floor. The winning tickets for the Mardi Gras raffle will be chosen at the dance. !st prize is a getaway vacation with a cash card good for dinner out. 2nd prize is a fabulous Pie Of The Month from Crows Bakery and the third prize is a Wine and Cheese basket with a selection of four quality wines, local cheeses and crackers. Tickets for the raffle and the Fundraiser are available at Crows Bakery or by calling Robin at 226-7736

5. CCCA to Hold Wildlife Corridor Presentation
The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association will host a presentation on Cavendish Wildlife Corridors by Forrest Hammond of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department on Thursday, February 3rd from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the meeting room at the Cavendish Town Offices, 126 High Street, Cavendish.

Mr. Hammond is Project Leader at the Fish and Wildlife Department for wild turkey and black bears and he will target his presentation to specific wildlife corridors in our area.

Corridor habitat is land that links larger areas of habitat within a landscape allowing for the movement, migration and dispersion of animals. Corridors are especially important for wide ranging animals such as bobcats, otters, bears and owls, but are also important for small creatures such as the spotted salamander. Creation and protection of corridor habitat reduces the negative impact of habitat fragmentation and population isolation.

Whether you are a hunter, a developer, a wildlife enthusiast or just plain interested in the animals that live in our woods, fields and waterways, this is sure to be an educational evening that will help you understand the principles of maintaining a healthy and diverse environment. All persons are invited and refreshments and homemade cookies will be served. For more information please call Robin Timko at 802-226-7736.

6. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: What is it/18th Century Map
Wonder what they call a 250th anniversary? It’s Semiquincentennial.

The Vermont Historical Society has acquired an important map from the conflict between New York and New Hampshire in the early 1770s over land that would later become Vermont. The map was drawn in 1771 by surveyor Benjamin Stevens to delineate plots of land in the town of Newbrook that had been parceled out to members of the gentry by Lt. Gov. Cadwallader Colden of New York. It's an example of New York's attempts to lay claim to land that was already granted by New Hampshire's governor, actions that eventually led to armed conflict in the disputed territory. FMI: WCAX

7. E-Books and Audio Book Service Available at Fletcher Library
Cavendish residents have free use of the Fletcher Library in Ludlow. E-books are now available at the Fletcher Library. The ebook collection will be accessed in the same place as our downloadable audio www.listenupvermont.org The opening collection will likely consist of a somewhere around 500 titles. The majority of the titles will be in the e-PUB or PDF format. The titles will be one copy, one user, just like your physical library. You may set your due date either 7 or 14 days. Your e-Books will not be accessible after that date. e-books are not downloadable using a library PC due to Digital Rights Management - you are able to download using your PC and our Wi-Fi.

A list of supported e-readers, help and tutorials are available at the Library’s website.

As a member of the Green Mountain Library Consortium (GMLC), Fletcher Memorial Library is pleased to offer Overdrive our downloadable audio book service through our website. This site provides thousands of titles with more added monthly! You will need your Fletcher Memorial Library Patron Number to download audiobooks. *Library staff will gladly furnish this. Please peruse the site as Overdrive requires you to download a small program. A list of supported players, help and tutorials are available on the site.

You can now connect with the Fletcher Memorial Library via Facebook.

8. Birdman of Alcatraz at Cavendish Film Series
Corrections is in the news almost daily. While being imprisoned is tough on inmates and their families, today’s conditions are radically different than those portrayed in the 1963 film classic Birdman of Alcatraz, part of the Black & White Nights film series in Cavendish. Burt Lancaster was nominated for his portrayal of the real-life Robert Stroud, a remorseless killer sentenced to a life of solitary confinement. He finds solace in raising birds, ultimately becoming a renowned expert on their behavior and diseases. Karl Malden plays the tough prison warden whose harsh theories on punishment inspire Stroud to make something of his life, and Thelma Ritter was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Stroud’s gritty but supportive mother. Lancaster shows us a tough and emotionally closed Stroud who finally achieves a level of humanity through his work that began by saving a wounded bird. Nominated for four Academy Awards, Birdman of Alcatraz is a powerful film about redemption.

It will be shown at 7:00 on Friday February 4th at Cavendish Elementary School on Rte. 131 in Proctorsville. Donations are welcome but not required, and there will be refreshments available. For more information call 226-7187.

9. Grass Fed Beef Available in Cavendish
Moonlite Meadows Farm, located in Cavendish, has grass fed beef for sale. All cuts. To purchase call 802-226-8077.

10. February Cavendish Calendar
February 1 (Tuesday): Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10:15-11:45. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Anne Oakes or Andrew Ohotnicky at (802)228-5236, or Dot Ramsdell at (802)226-7870

February 2 (Wednesday): Planning Commission Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Town Office

February 3 (Thursday): Cavendish Wildlife Corridors with Forrest Hammond of Vermont Fish and Wildlife, Cavendish Town Office, 6 -7:30 pm. See Item 5.
• Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10:15-11:45. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Anne Oakes or Andrew Ohotnicky at (802)228-5236, or Dot Ramsdell at (802)226-7870
• 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

February 4 (Friday): Black and White Film Series, Birdman of Alcatraz, 7 pm at the Cavendish Elementary School in Proctorsville. There are refreshments on hand and the evening is free, though donations are always welcome. FMI: 226-7497 or 226-7187.

February 7 (Monday): Cavendish 250th Anniversary Celebration Planning Meeting, 4 pm at the Cavendish Town Office.
• Annual Meeting of the Cavendish Fire District # 2 will be held at the Cavendish Town Office at 7:30 pm.
February 8 (Tuesday): Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10:15-11:45. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Anne Oakes or Andrew Ohotnicky at (802)228-5236, or Dot Ramsdell at (802)226-7870

February 9 (Wednesday): The February Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce Mixer will take place at The Message for the Week offices, 34 School Street, Chester, 5:30-7:30. FMI: 228-5830

February 10 (Thursday): Ludlow Winter Carnival. Events include: Ice Bocce, Ski & Snowboard Fashion Show, scavenger hunt, Snowmobile Poker Run, cross country ski & snowshoe fun race, Fireworks, Parade and post Fireworks bonfire, just to name a few. Nightly "early bird" rates available at participating restaurants and nightly Apres Ski parties. FMI: 228-7530 or http://www.yourplaceinvermont.com/lovin-ludlow-winter-carnival.html

• Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10:15-11:45. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Anne Oakes or Andrew Ohotnicky at (802)228-5236, or Dot Ramsdell at (802)226-7870
• 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

February 11 (Friday): Ludlow Winter Carnival. Events include: Ice Bocce, Ski & Snowboard Fashion Show, scavenger hunt, Snowmobile Poker Run, cross country ski & snowshoe fun race, Fireworks, Parade and post Fireworks bonfire, just to name a few. Nightly "early bird" rates available at participating restaurants and nightly Apres Ski parties. FMI: 228-7530 or http://www.yourplaceinvermont.com/lovin-ludlow-winter-carnival.html

February 12 (Saturday): Ludlow Winter Carnival. Events include: Ice Bocce, Ski & Snowboard Fashion Show, scavenger hunt, Snowmobile Poker Run, cross country ski & snowshoe fun race, Fireworks, Parade and post Fireworks bonfire, just to name a few. Nightly "early bird" rates available at participating restaurants and nightly Apres Ski parties. FMI: 228-7530 or http://www.yourplaceinvermont.com/lovin-ludlow-winter-carnival.html
• Black and White Film Series, Anatomy of a Murder, 7 pm at the Cavendish Elementary School in Proctorsville. There are refreshments on hand and the evening is free, though donations are always welcome. FMI: 226-7497 or 226-7187.

February 13 (Sunday): Ludlow Winter Carnival. Events include: Ice Bocce, Ski & Snowboard Fashion Show, scavenger hunt, Snowmobile Poker Run, cross country ski & snowshoe fun race, Fireworks, Parade and post Fireworks bonfire, just to name a few. Nightly "early bird" rates available at participating restaurants and nightly Apres Ski parties. FMI: 228-7530 or http://www.yourplaceinvermont.com/lovin-ludlow-winter-carnival.html

February 14 (Monday): Happy Valentine’s Day. Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm. This event is taped by LPC-TV and can be watched on Comcast cable channels or at the website.

February 15 (Tuesday): Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10:15-11:45. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Anne Oakes or Andrew Ohotnicky at (802)228-5236, or Dot Ramsdell at (802)226-7870

February 17 (Thursday): Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10:15-11:45. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Anne Oakes or Andrew Ohotnicky at (802)228-5236, or Dot Ramsdell at (802)226-7870

February 18 (Friday): Black and White Film Series, You Can’t Take it With You, 7 pm at the Cavendish Elementary School in Proctorsville. There are refreshments on hand and the evening is free, though donations are always welcome. FMI: 226-7497 or 226-7187.

February 21 (Monday): School Closed for Winter Recess

February 22 (Tuesday): School Closed for Winter Recess
• Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10:15-11:45. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Anne Oakes or Andrew Ohotnicky at (802)228-5236, or Dot Ramsdell at (802)226-7870

February 23 (Wednesday): School Closed for Winter Recess

February 24 (Thursday): School Closed for Winter Recess
• Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10:15-11:45. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Anne Oakes or Andrew Ohotnicky at (802)228-5236, or Dot Ramsdell at (802)226-7870
• 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

February 25 (Friday): School Closed for Winter Recess
• Black and White Film Series, All About Eve, 7 pm at the Cavendish Elementary School in Proctorsville. There are refreshments on hand and the evening is free, though donations are always welcome. FMI: 226-7497 or 226-7187.