Cavendish Update 2/4/11 News/Events/Reminder

The 2/4/11 Cavendish Update Contains the Following:
1.Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department Reminder
2. Cavendish Related News
3. CCCA to Hold Town Meeting Information Forum in Cavendish
4. February Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
5.. Anatomy of a Murder in Cavendish Film Series
6. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: Governor Wentworth
7. Cavendish Events 2/4/11-2/11/11

1.Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department Reminder
With increasing amounts of snowfall, it is important to remove snow from around heating vents to prevent carbon monoxide build up in your home.

2. Cavendish Related News
Tuition to Rise 4% at VT State Colleges: Tuition for Vermont residents at Vermont State Colleges will go up 4 percent in the fall. The increase was approved by the board of trustees at a Thursday meeting in Montpelier. Fees, room and board rates will also go up 4 percent in most cases, but out-of-state undergraduates attending two of the four-year colleges will see higher tuition hikes — 5 percent at Johnson State and 7 percent at Castleton State. Burlington Free Press

Postal Service Considers More Post Office Closures: Last year, 500 post offices were closed down, and as many as 2,000 more could be shut down this year. The Wall Street Journal now reports the Postal Service is reviewing 1,600 other post offices as well. All are losing money and many are in small towns and rural areas. The Postal Service will need congressional approval to close offices, and Congress wants to cut spending, but local post offices are often considered sacred cows in Congress. They are the center of small towns, and the plan is likely to face opposition from local leaders. ABC News

Broadband appointment Promises Regulatory Change: Vermont may have to change its permitting and regulations so the Green Mountains can have broadband and cell service. That was the message from the leader of Connect Vermont. Karen Marshall was appointed by Governor Shumlin last week to lead his effort to improve the state's cell and broadband coverage. But, new towers and cables mean getting he necessary permits. The Governor and Marshall hinted the state may have to change regulations to speed up the process. WCAX

Punxsutawney Phil Predicts an Early Spring: The Groundhog Day celebration is rooted in a German superstition that says if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on Feb. 2, the Christian holiday of Candlemas, winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow was seen, legend said spring would come early. The country’s most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, did not cast a shadow thereby predicted an early spring this past Wednesday.

3. CCCA to Hold Town Meeting Information Forum in Cavendish
Continuing its tradition, the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association will hold an informational meeting for Cavendish voters one week before this year’s town meeting. The forum will be held on Tuesday, February 22nd at 7:00 p.m. at the Cavendish Town Elementary School on Main Street in Proctorsville. The forum will address all issues on the 2011 ballot, including both the town and the school proposed budgets, and town and school officials will be present to discuss each issue. Although there are few contested races on the ballot this year, any candidates who are present will be asked to make short statements and to answer voters’ questions. The meeting is open to all Cavendish citizens and residents. FMI: Robin Timko (802) 226-7736.

4. February Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
The Newsletter has been posted to the Cavendish Update blog

5. Anatomy of a Murder in Cavendish Film Series
Jimmy Stewart heads a gifted cast of Hollywood greats in the 1959 courtroom drama, Anatomy of a Murder, directed by Otto Preminger. Nominated for seven Oscars, the film follows a tense murder trial in which a small town defense lawyer, played by Stewart, defends a lieutenant in the army accused of murdering a bartender. The high-powered prosecutor, played by George C. Scott, is determined to get a conviction. Ben Gazzara plays the hotheaded lieutenant on trial and Lee Remick is cast as his beautiful wife who claims the she was raped by the bartender. Powerhouse performances, a clever plot and an atmospheric soundtrack by Duke Ellington won the film wide critical acclaim. While Ben-Hur swept the Academy Awards in 1959, Anatomy of a Murder has stood the test of time and still plays well, while Ben-Hur has become one of Hollywood’s epic relics.

Anatomy of a Murder will be shown on Friday February 11 at 7:00 at Cavendish Elementary School on Rte. 131 in Proctorsville. Films are free, donations welcome, and refreshments available.

6. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: Governor Wentworth
This week we take a closer look at Benning Wentworth, who played such an important role in Cavendish and Vermont history when, as Governor of New Hampshire, he issued (sold) 129 township charters in Vermont. Most of these charters were granted between 1761-1764, with nearly half occurring in 1761.

Benning Wentworth was the eldest son of Lt. Gov. John Wentworth and his wife, Sarah’s 14 children. John served as Governor of New Hampshire while it was still a province of Massachusetts. A 1719 graduate of Harvard. at a time when social position accounted more than academics, Benning graduated fifth in a class of 20 students. His college achievements were not academic, rather he was known for having set a college record of fines for broken windows and other damage caused by his various pranks.

After graduation at 18 years of age, Wentworth joined the family business of importing wines from Cadiz and other Spanish ports. For the next 15 years, he would spend considerable time in Spain, while his father and brothers tried to have New Hampshire constituted a separate colony.

In 1719, Benning married Abigail Ruck. They had several children, all of whom predeceased him. In 1732, he was elected to Massachusetts’s assembly, and ultimately served on the Governor’s Counsel. It took about nine years before the colony of New Hampshire gained its independence. Wentworth became the first Governor Wentworth’s siblings married into important seacoast families, making it easier for Benning to govern, since members of the Council and other office holders were often relatives or friends of relatives. On one journey to England, Benning lost a fortune at sea but as Governor he was able to re build his wealth, particularly through his practice of land grants.

He became very wealthy by the standards of the day and he built a large mansion in Portsmouth and a summer home on Lake Wentworth away from the seacoast. After his first wife died in 1755, he re married, in 1760 at age 64, his much younger housekeeper, Martha Hilton. This, plus growing annoyance with his administration, corruption, and taxes, forced his resignation in 1767. He died October 14, 1770 in Portsmouth.

You can visit Wenworth’s former home in Portsmouth, NH now called The Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion.

7. Cavendish Events 2/4/11-2/11/11
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
• The Cavendish Green Mountain Snow Fleas, Snow Mobile Club, will meet at 7 pm at the home of Gail and Leon Woods, 16 Parker Ave. Proctorsville. FMI: http://cavendishsnowfleas.com/

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