Cavendish Update 2/11/11 News/Events/

The 2/11/11 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Cavendish Historical Society Newsletter On-line
3. Shakespeare in Need of a Few Good Men
4. Cavendish Semiquincentennial:: The Crown Point Road
5. Cavendish Events 2/11/11-2/19/11

1. Cavendish Related News
VT Census: South losing, north gaining population: The U.S. resident population includes the total number of people in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The resident population of the United States on April 1, 2010, was 308,745,538 an increase of 9.7 percent over the 281,421,906 counted during the 2000 Census. Vermont’s population, which increased by 2.8% for a total population of 625,741, is shifting from its earliest-established southern counties to its northern reaches, according to 2010 census figures released Thursday. The state’s southernmost counties of Bennington, Rutland, Windham and Windsor all recorded stagnant demographics or slight losses in the past decade, while their northern counterparts of Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Franklin, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans and Washington reported growth since the last official count in 2000. The U.S. Census Bureau expects to post all the Vermont data by the end of the week.

Free Radon Kits for Vermonters: The Vermont Department of Health is offering nearly 1,500 free radon test kits so people can test their homes for the colorless, odorless gas, which can cause lung cancer. Health officials say prolonged exposure to radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for Americans that don't smoke. They add that about one out of every eight Vermont homes has elevated radon levels. To get a free kit, visit -- http://healthvermont.gov/enviro/rad/radon.aspx

2. Cavendish Historical Society Newsletter On-line
The winter edition of the Cavendish Historical Society’s Newsletter “Scribbler II” is now available on-line.

3. Shakespeare in Need of a Few Good Men
The March weekend workshop called Playing With Shakespeare is in need of a few good men (or boys!). Jamie Ward, New York actor, teacher and lover of Shakespeare is returning to Proctorsville to lead participants through a fun weekend. Last April he led a group of twenty enthusiastic community members through a lively, educational, and very humorous weekend that culminated in an evening performance of skits, monologues and music. His freewheeling style of teaching has made him popular with school and community groups that learn to appreciate the richness of Shakespeare's language through theater games, music and improvisation. The list of participants is growing but we could use a few more male voices!

The weekend is made possible by a generous grant from the Cavendish Community Fund.

The workshop will take place at Gethsemane Episcopal Church on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, March 19-20, 1:00-5:00, with an evening program on the 20th. In order to participate you'll need a sense of humor, willingness to play with language, and a desire to learn about Shakespeare's work. No one need be a master of Shakespeare, little or no memorization is required. Anyone age eleven and up may join.

For more information or to sign up call Mary McCallum at 226-7497 or email marmac@tds.net

4. Cavendish Semiquincentennial:: The Crown Point Road
Built in 1759-60, during the French and Indian War, the Crown Point Road, a portion of which runs through Cavendish, was of great importance in the early history of Vermont. It was ordered constructed by General Jeffrey Amherst following his capture of the French forts at Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Its purpose was to connect the great stone fortress at Crown Point, then being built, with Fort No. 4, now Charlestown, New Hampshire. There was a suitable branch nearly straight west to Fort Ticonderoga.

This military road was of prime importance in the plans of General Amherst. The new fort at Crown Point was to be a strong point in the defense [and future development] of the colonies, and a jumping-off point in the campaign against the French in Canada. The new road to No. 4, then the northernmost outpost in the Connecticut River valley, would serve to bring much needed supplies to the fort at Crown Point, as well as troops from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

The road, though a poor one by today’s standards, was built well enough to serve its purpose. Portions of the road were graded, trees were cut, stumps removed, bridges and causeways were built, and corduroy sections were laid in swampy areas. Over this road, in the 1760 campaign, passed Colonial troops with supplies, munitions, cattle and sheep for the support of the army at Crown Point.

The Crown Point Road was again used for military purposes during the Revolution when troops and supplies were sent over the road from Fort No. 4 to support the American position at Ticonderoga.

But perhaps the road’s most lasting contribution to Vermont’s history was its use by settlers in the period between the French and Indian War and the Revolution. Note that Cavendish’s first settler, Coffeen, came during this time period. The road opened a large area of Vermont for settlement and, with the defeat of the French and the lessening danger from Indian raids, settlers were soon traveling the Crown Point Road and building their homes in the valleys and on the hillsides of Vermont.

The Crown Point Road of today has changed greatly. Much of the road has disappeared entirely, reclaimed by the forest. Other parts have been plowed under or bulldozed away to meet the needs of the expanding population of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Some sections of the road are marked and can be followed as trails, while other sections are barely discernible paths through the woods, marked only by the lilac-fringed cellar holes and stone walls of abandoned farms. A few short stretches of the old military road are still in use as town roads. Written by: Martin J. Howe, First President of the Crown Point Road Association.

For more history on the Crown Point Road, or to learn about upcoming hikes, go to the Crown Point Road Association website.

5. Cavendish Events 2/11/11-2/19/11
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.
• The Tri-Valley Poker Run, including sponsor Cavendish Green Mountain Snow Fleas, begins at 8:30 am at the following locations: Cook Shack in Cavendish, Ludlow’s Warming Hut, Plymouth Store, Gillman’s Camp in Shrewsbury or the Odd Fellows Hall in Belmont. Directions provided at each location. The Cavendish group will meet at 8 am at the Cook Shack and leave by 8:30 am. FMI: 802-259-2900 or http://cavendishsnowfleas.com/

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. Shop locally for treats for your sweetie!
• 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

• Community Luncheon at St. James Methodist Church in Proctorsville at 11:30 a.m. The menu includes meat loaf with mashed potatoes and gravy, peas and carrots and Paula's famous coleslaw. The RESPECT Club of CTES will be preparing a surprise dessert in honor of St Valentine's Day, plus coffee, hot tea or a fruit drink. A suggested donation of $3.00 for seniors or $4.50 for those under 60 years of age is appreciated.

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.