Cavendish Update 4/15/11 News/Events/Civil War

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 4/15/11 Cavendish Updates Contains the following:
1. Honoring Earth Day: CCCA’s Conservation Association
2. Cavendish Related News
3. Celebrating Earth Day 2011: A Billion Acts of Green
4. Cavendish Old Home Day: Booth Space Available
5. Cavendish Library Instituting New Policy on Fines
6. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: Civil War Era
7. Free Book Study for Personal Spiritual Growth
8. Live Authentically Wellness Course Offered in Cavendish
9. Cavendish Events for 4/15-4/22

1. Honoring Earth Day: CCCA’s Conservation Association
" Our goal is not just an environment of clean air and water and scenic beauty. The objective is an environment of decency, quality and mutual respect for all other human beings and all other living creatures." Governor Nelson, Founder of Earth Day.

The Conservation Association of the CCCA honors this earth day with a continued commitment to our environment here in Cavendish. We are rich in water, in meadows and forests. We still enjoy an abundance of wildlife, mammals, birds, insects, butterflies and fish. This year the CCCA will be hosting a series of talks and outdoor walks focusing on the wildlife we share our landscape with. We have already looked at the importance of wildlife corridors and bobcats and we look forward to an exploration of Beavers and wetland habitats on May 12th with wildlife biologist and Cavendish resident Tim O'Donoghue.

Further up the road there will be an early morning bird walk with a representative from the Audubon society, an insect and butterfly fest in August with a qualified specialist, a deer and moose presentation in September and a look at our black bears in November.

We are currently working on an interactive map for recording sightings of bear, moose, fisher cats and bobcats and we have a large actual map available where folks can mark sighting locations.

Building awareness, building appreciation is the scaffolding of good environmental stewardship and we hope you join us as we continue growing and learning. Our organization's Energy Committee continues working with the town on ways to improve efficiency in the town's infrastructure, go green and cut costs. Please never hesitate to contact us with questions or if you would like to participate in our work. FMI: Robin Timko - 226-7736; Tim O'Donoghue 226-7023; or Peter Labelle - 226-7250

2. Cavendish Related News
Rockingham Area Land Trust Votes to Dissolve: The Rockingham Area Community Land Trust membership has approved a plan to dissolve the organization, paving the way for Windham Housing Trust to take over most of the group’s properties in Windham and Windsor counties. The RACLT membership voted unanimously for the dissolution at the group’s annual meeting that was held Thursday night in Springfield. The Springfield-based affordable housing group, which owns and manages more than 500 units in Bellows Falls, Westminster, Athens and 17 other towns, including Cavendish, has been working on the plan for more than a year. Brattleboro Reformer

Radiation found in Montpelier Cow: The Environmental Protection Agency says it discovered trace amounts of Cesium-137, a by-product of nuclear fission, in the animal. State health officials do not believe the radioactivity is the result of recent fallout from the nuclear crisis in Japan. Officials with the Vermont Health Department tell the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus that trace amounts of the radioactive isotope have been detected in Vermont milk before.

Rankings Finds It’s Tough to Make a Living in VT: Vermont is one of the worst places in the country to make a living according to new income rankings compiled by MoneyRates.com. Vermont ranks 46th best of the 50 states, with an adjusted average income of just under $30,000. The adjusted figure takes into account state taxes, unemployment rates and cost of living. By comparison, Illinois is number one in the country at just under $42,000. New Hampshire is 24th at $35,000 and New York is 30th at $34,600. Money Rates

Is VT’s Ban on Texting While Driving Making a Difference?

Owners of Keen Cinemas will Run Springfield Theater: The movie theater in Springfield is rising from the ashes. It was destroyed in a block fire. But thanks to state and federal grants, the building is being rebuilt. Now, new tenants who own Keene Cinemas in Keene, N.H., have signed on to run the theater once it reopens. The theater is expected to open the first week of July. WCAX

2nd Nationwide Prescription Drug Take Back Day: On Saturday, April 30th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time, Drug Enforcement Administration and its partners will hold their second National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day at sites nationwide. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. In Vermont, the Windsor County Sheriff's Association is participating with drop off points that day throughout the county including the Springfield Police Station, 201 Clinton Street, Springfield, VT; Weathersfield Transfer Station, 5024 VT Route 106, Weathersfield, VT; Chester Police Department, 556 Elm Street, Chester, VT; and Ludlow Police Department, 19 West Hill Rd. For more information on the best way to get rid of medications you are no longer using, go to http://healingwhole.blogspot.com/2010/03/what-to-do-with-medications-you-are-no.html

3. Celebrating Earth Day 2011: A Billion Acts of Green
In recognition of the power of millions of individual actions, Earth Day 2011, April 22, will be organized around A Billion Acts of Green®: Personal, organizational and corporate pledges to live and act sustain ably. At over 45 million actions to date, A Billion Acts of Green® campaign – the largest environmental service campaign in the world. Do you know how much energy you use and how you compare to other people in the region, and the country? Take the Great Energy Challenge and find out. Since saving energy saves money, for some the best aspect of the “green movement,” check out 365 Ways to Save Energy in 2011. For Earth Day this year, select something to do and join in the Billion Acts of Green Campaign.

4. Cavendish Old Home Day: Booth Space Available
The Cavendish Historical Society’s Old Home Day Celebration will be on Saturday July 2. This will be a very special year since it’s the beginning of the town’s celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the town’s charter. If you are a Cavendish resident, second homeowner, school, church, business or organization and would like booth space, please reserve it now. Space is free, but does require registration. You will also need to supply your own booth/tent, chairs, and tables. If you will need power, please let us know in advance. You can reserve your space by calling 802-226-7807 or e-mailing margoc@tds.net

5. Cavendish Library Instituting New Policy on Fines
Effective May 1, 2011: In an attempt to keep costs down, the Board of Directors of the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library has instituted a new policy for unpaid fines / lost items.

Items that are more than 30 days overdue will be considered lost.

Effective immediately, any person / family / household with unpaid fines of more than $10.00 and/or lost items may no longer check-out material until all fines are paid and any items are returned, or the library is reimbursed for the cost of the items.

Patrons who have accrued $10.00 in fines or lost material’s will receive a letter from the Board informing them of the amount due and the titles of any lost items and the cost to replace them if not returned.

Students who need to use library materials but have unpaid fines and or lost items may, at the librarian’s discretion, use the materials in the library during class time, recess or after school.

6. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: Civil War Era
These posts are made possible by the Cavendish Historical Society and are archived at their blog.

On April 13, 1861 the first shots of the Civil War rang out with the firing on Fort Sumter in Charleston, SC. On April 15, President Lincoln appealed to the states for soldiers to suppress the rebellion. Whereas the laws of the United States have been for some time past and now are opposed and the execution thereof obstructed in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings or by the powers vested in the marshals by law:__Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, . . . hereby do call forth, the militia of the several States of the Union to the aggregate number of 75,000 in order to suppress said combinations and to cause the laws to be duly executed.__. . . I appeal to all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate, and aid this effort to maintain the honor, the integrity, and the existence of our National Union, and the perpetuity of popular government, and to redress wrongs already long enough endured."

Governor Erastus Fairbanks replied that Vermont would do its "full duty" to help preserve the Union. As you’ll see in the information below, at a Cavendish town meeting on April 30 of that year, Cavendish took up the matter of supporting the “Cavendish Light Infantry.” Governor Ryland Fletcher, who presided over the meeting was the 24th Governor of the state from 1856 to 1858.

Governor Fletcher was born in Cavendish. In addition to working on his father's farm, he taught in the district school during the winter months. At age eighteen, he joined the state militia, attaining the rank of Brigadier-General. In 1854 he was elected Lieutenant Governor as the nominee of the Whig, Free Soil, and Liberty Parties, and in 1855 he was reelected-this time on the Republican ticket with Governor Stephen Royce. In 1856, he undertook a successful campaign for governor as the Republican nominee, and he was reelected in 1857. Fletcher strongly favored biennial rather than annual gubernatorial elections and was a tireless worker in the anti-slavery and temperance causes. After leaving office, he served in the Vermont legislature and was a member of the State Constitutional Convention in 1870. Ryland Fletcher is buried in the Cavendish Cemetery on High Street.

Prior to the War, Cavendish became part of the eastern trunk of the Underground Railroad between Brattleboro and Montpelier. In 1857, famous abolitionist John Brown came to Cavendish in hopes of securing some of the $20,000 the Vermont Legislature had approved to support anti slavery settlements in Kansas. Although Fletcher was governor at this time, his request for funds was denied. An account of Brown’s visit in the May 7, 1869 edition of the Rutland Herald, was described as follows:

"... Hair closely cut, beard neatly shaven, tight, stiff stock around his neck, no collar, or dickey, closely fitting swallow-tailed coat ..." the newspaper described. "As soon as it was known that 'John Brown' was stopping in our village, all manifested a desire to see and hear the man ... Notice was given that he would meet the people at the school house, and at the appointed hour an audience assembled.

"We introduced the modest and unassuming old man ... He went on and told the tale of his struggles with the despotism of slavery ... We little thought then how soon 'John Brown's body' would be mouldering in the ground, but his soul was even at that hour 'marching on.'"

In the War of the Union. — The first action taken by the town in reference to the late civil war was at a town meeting held April 30, 1861, Governor Ryland Fletcher presiding. It was then voted to raise $2,000 to liquidate all obligations incurred by Captain Tuttle in raising the Cavendish Light Infantry, and to pay the board of the men and furnish support to their families. Another loan of $3,000 was authorized in August, 1862, to pay bounties for nine months' volunteers, and in November of the following year a bounty of $200 was offered for volunteers, which was subsequently increased to $300, and another loan of $4,000 negotiated. During the latter part of 1863 the bounty was increased to $500, to make it possible to fill the town quota, and the selectmen were authorized to raise $10,000 to pay the expense of future calls for volunteers. In January, 1865, another loan of $7,000 was made, and in 1867 $15,000 was borrowed to pay the balance of the war debt. From a compilation made by the Hon. Calvin French we give the following figures : Cavendish furnished to the armies of the Union twenty men in response to the first call for troops for three months' service. In the Second, Eleventh, Fourth, Seventh aud Fifth Vermont Regiments, forty-two men for three years' service. These volunteers received no bounties Forty-two men were furnished under the nine months call. For subsequent calls fifty-three men were furnished for three years, and thirty for one year, making a grand total of 187 volunteers furnished by the town, whose terms of service would amount to 3521^ years for one man. Of these 125 volunteers received bounties amounting to $43,550, the others being recruited before it was necessary to offer a bounty. As early as 1867 a movement was inaugurated to erect a soldiers' monument in Cavendish, but it was not successful. In May, 1883, the present secretary of war, Redfield Proctor, presented his native town with a fine white marble monument, suitably inscribed and surmounted with an eagle. The town at this time appropriated $1,000 to grade the lot and pay the expense of the dedication of the monument. History of Windsor County, edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich and Frank R. Holmes, 1891

7. Free Book Study for Personal Spiritual Growth
Have you ever wondered what your purpose was? Knowing the purpose for your life reduces stress, focuses your energy, simplifies decisions and gives meaning to your life. Cavendish Baptist Church will use the best-selling book “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren to explore the question “What on earth am I here for?” Books are free for all participants. The study will run for 40 days, beginning on April 25. Everyone is welcome to participate, even if you do not typically attend church. Regular services will incorporate the program, with special study times with Pastor Abraham during the week. The small study times range from 5:30 am on Fridays to the popular 7:00 pm Thursday Bible Hour. Select a time that works with your schedule. You can receive a detailed study schedule and more information by visiting www.cavendishbaptist.com or by calling (802) 226-7131.

8. Live Authentically Wellness Course Offered in Cavendish
The next Live Authentically wellness course will be held in Cavendish (site to be determined) on Monday mornings from 9:00-12:00 for 10 weeks beginning April 25, 2011. Create your own private group with 6 people or more and I will facilitate it in the privacy of your own home or business. On line courses and workshops are also available. The first day is free! If it works in your life, the course is $300 (that's only $10 per hour). For more information, check out Live Authentically on Facebook. To register, please contact Martha Mott martha@liveauthentically.org or 226-7848.

9. Cavendish Events for 4/15-4/22
April 15 (Friday): Last day of the Spring Bookfair at the Cavendish Library

April 16 (Saturday): Needle Felted Silk Scarf Class at Six Loose Ladies in Proctorsville, 1-4 pm. Sock Boot Camp (knitting socks on double pointed needles) 1-4pm FMI: 226-7373 or www.sixlooseladies.com

April 17 (Sunday): Facilitated Meditation - quieting the mind, being present with fear - from 4 to 5 with Robin Timko. 226-7736

April 18 (Monday): Schools closed for Spring Break
• The Cavendish Fletcher Community Library is sponsoring a trip to Barre to view the McKenney & Hall History of the Indian Tribes of North America books, which belong to the library. These books are kept in a climate-controlled vault at the Vermont Historical Society in Barre. Those wanting to go on the trip should meet in the library parking lot at 9:15. The cost of the trip is free, but patrons will be responsible for their own lunch. For more information, and to register for the trip, please contact Kata at 226-7503.

April 19 (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
• Schools closed for Spring Break

April 20 (Wednesday): Schools closed for Spring Break

April 21 (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
• 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
• Cavendish Historical Society Board Meeting, 3 pm at the Cavendish Library
• Community Luncheon at St. James Church in Proctorsville, 11:30 am. Easter Dinner comprised of baked ham with sweet potato casserole and green beans, Paula's great coleslaw and fresh hot rolls. We'll have an assortment of cookies for dessert this time, along with coffee or a fruit drink. A suggested donation of $3.00 for seniors or $4.50 for those under 60 years is appreciated to help defray the cost of the meal.
• Schools closed for Spring Break

April 22 (Friday): Schools closed for Spring Break
• Earth Day 2011: A Billion Acts of Green http://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2011
• Earth Day at the Fletcher Memorial Library, Ludlow. Activities include: Help Start A Library Garden by planting seeds in starter pots, Add a Wish to our Wishing Tree and hear the Earth Day wishes from others in the community, Guided Poetry Walk 2pm (Starts at the Library and goes through the village) "Poetry Gardens" Available to view 4/22 ~ 4/24, Earth day Story Time FMI: 228-3517