Cavendish Update 7/29/11 News/Aug Calendar/Events

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

The 7/29/11 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Post Your Excess Veggies to Facebook
3. Food Needed for Black River Good Neighbors Food Shelf
4. Cavendish Concert on the Green Continues with Gypsy Reel on Aug. 3
5. Internet Essentials: Providing Low Cost Computers and Internet
6. Jackie Hubbard is the Artist of the Month at the Cavendish Library for August
7. First Cavendish Historical Society Auction: Thank You
8. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: 18th Century Money
9. Crow Point Road Presentation at the Cavendish Historical Society
10. August Cavendish Calendar

1. Cavendish Related News
Giving Low Income Vermonters a Break on Their Electric Bill: The Vermont Public Service Board has given final approval for the establishment of an Energy Support Program (ESP) that will provide electric bill assistance to the low-income ratepayers of CVPS and GMP. Vermont is the only state in the Northern US without such a program, and AARP Vermont has been fighting for such an outcome for more than seven years now and formally petitioned the Board on this matter two years ago after the Vermont Legislature paved the way for action by the Board. Press Release

Cavendish Post Offices Not Slated to Close: The US Postal Service announced on Tuesday it is reviewing 3,700 retail locations across the country for possible closure. "Our customer's habits have made it clear that they no longer require a physical post office to conduct most of their postal business," said Donahoe. "The Postal Service of the future will be smaller, leaner and more competitive and it will continue to drive commerce, serve communities and deliver value." Neither Cavendish nor Proctorsville Post Offices are on the list, available on-line at

VT Leads Nation in Underage Drinking: Vermont tops the nation when it comes to underage drinking. That's according to a new survey being released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The report is based upon data collected in 2008 and 2009. More than 36 percent of 12-to-20-year-olds admitted drinking alcohol in the month the survey was conducted. Vermont teens are also near the top of the list for marijuana usage. Nearly 11 percent of Vermont teens admitted using the drug. The only state with a higher teen marijuana usage is Alaska. WCAX News

Debt Crisis: VT Ready for Worst: State Treasurer Beth Pearce says Vermont is as ready as it can be to ride out the repercussions if the federal government defaults on paying debt — should it come to that Tuesday. “We are analyzing our cash flow on a daily basis, and we do believe we have the short-term and medium-term liquidity to get us through a crisis,” Pearce said. Liquidity means access to cash to pay bills. Vermont expects to receive about $1.6 billion from the federal government over the course of the current budget year for dozens of programs, including Medicaid, which is subsidized health care for low-income residents, and transportation projects. Pearce said the state expects about $150 million from the federal government in August, including a $53 million payment for Medicaid on Aug. 1. Burlington Free Press

CAVENDISH’S FIRST TOWN WIDE TAG SALE JULY 30 9-3

2. Post Your Excess Veggies to Facebook
Gardens are starting to produce. So while you may have been waiting all summer for that first bite of zucchini from the garden, you might also be wondering what to do with the 20 extra ones on your counter. If you have extra produce, post it to the Cavendish Facebook page by just clicking on “like” and stating what you have and how people can contact you. Happy Gardening!

3. Food Needed for Black River Good Neighbors Food Shelf
There has been as unprecedented demand for food recently at the Black River Good Neighbor Services Food Shelf, the shelves are getting bare and there is an urgent need for food. Please go to http://cavendishvt.blogspot.com/2011/07/food-needed-for-black-river-good.html to learn how you can help.

4. Cavendish Concert on the Green Continues with Gypsy Reel on Aug. 3
The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association invites everyone to spend an evening having fun on the Proctorsville Green listening to the continuing summer music series on Wednesday, August 3rd at 6:00 p.m. when CCCA presents Gypsy Reel.

For over twenty years they have been acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Gypsy Reel, in their own words, is not a rock band that Celts, but a Celt band that rocks. They play high energy, stirring music rooted in the Celtic tradition but garnered from the whole world.

This will be the fourth of five concerts that are held on consecutive Wednesday nights in July and August. CCCA encourages all area residents and visitors to join their friends and neighbors in front of the gazebo on the green. Bring a blanket or a comfortable chair, have a picnic, or just layback and relax on the grass. It’s a fun way to enjoy the summer weather and either reconnect with old friends or make new ones.

As always, the concerts are free and open to the public.

5. Internet Essentials: Providing Low Cost Computers and Internet
Comcast has introduced a new program called Internet Essentials, that provides affordable home internet service for $9.95 plus tax a month, plus a low cost computer for $149.99 plus tax and free internet training. To qualify, the household must meet all of these criteria: be located where Comcast offers internet service; have at least one child receiving free school lunches through the National School Lunch Program; have not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days; does not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment. To apply, call 1855-8-INTERNET (1-855-846-8376) to request an application.

6. Jackie Hubbard is the Artist of the Month at the Cavendish Library for August
Jackie Hubbard has been painting for 40 years. She specializes in landscapes and has been painting a series of private homes by commission. Hubbard is inspired by the landscapes on the eastern seaboard. She loves the textures of the rocky coasts, the blue skies and the lush greens. She is interested in creating detail, yet remaining fresh in her approach. She has studied studio art in Ann Salthouse's workshops for several years. Hubbard has exhibited at the Rowayton Art Center, the Stamford Art Association, Stamford Senior Center Art Exhibits and the Ferguson Library in Stamford Connecticut. Hubbard is an active photographer and her works have been exhibited and also selected for the Cavendish Calendars. A selection of paintings and photographs by Ms. Hubbard are on display in the Redfield Proctor Room of the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library and
may be viewed during regular library open hours.

7. First Cavendish Historical Society Auction: Thank You
As part of Old Home Day this year, CHS held both a silent and live auction. It was not only a lot of fun, but money was raised to help with CHS expenses. A special note of thanks to Will Hunter, our auctioneer, as well as to the following who donated items for the auction: Old Cavendish Products, Inn at Glimmerstone, Therese and Hans Schrag, Gloria and Seymour Leven, Peter and Sandy Gregg, Winston Churchill, Mary McCallum, Candace Montessi, Lu Choiniere, Clare Murray, Six Loose Ladies, Judith Prescott, Heather Woodell, Bob Naess, Dan Churchill, Hunter Leigh Gallery, Richard Nye, Wallscapes (Roxie Davis), Singleton’s, Hancor, Goodman’s American Pie Pizza, Mary Ormrod, Etienne Ting, Ludlow Cooking Company, Village Clipper and Margo Caulfield

8. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: 18th Century Money
These posts are made possible by the Cavendish Historical Society and are archived at their blog.

While working on props for the Cavendish Chronicles II (August 27 and 28) the question came up about what the early settlers would have had for money. For a variety of reasons, money was almost always in short supply during the early colonial period. The lack of coins and currency forced the colonists to barter. The English leaders felt that colonial exports, such as animal skins, dried fish, and tobacco, should be paid for in English goods. Colonial exports would be accepted in return for an equal value of such goods as fabrics, window panes, pewter dishes, and mirrors. This barter arrangement - an exchange of goods or services without using money - seemed ideal to the British but was increasingly unpopular with the colonists, who preferred coin for their exports to gain more independence over their buying power. Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

According to Leslie V. Brock There was no colonial coinage nor did the sterling coin of Great Britain circulate in the colonies. Consequently, it was necessary for the colonies to amass a supply of coin through the medium of trade.

The money metal of the eighteenth century was silver, not gold. The chief coin of the colonies was the Spanish milled dollar (piece of eight), worth 4s. 6d. sterling. There were supplementary gold coins in circulation: the Johannes of Portugal, which circulated after 1722 and was worth 36s. sterling, and the Spanish Pistole, which was worth 12s. 2.8d. sterling, and had a substantial circulation in Virginia prior to the French and Indian War. The silver was chiefly derived from the West Indies trade. It was a saying in New England in the early eighteenth century that the "Fishery was then the NE Silver Mine."8 The gold came in as a result of trade with the south of Europe. The colonies retained the British monetary units: pounds, shillings, pence (1£ = 20s.; 1s. = 12d.). The foreign coins in circulation in the colonies had values placed upon them by the several colonial legislatures. They did not, however, long circulate at their sterling values. Either to retain their coin or to draw it from their neighbors, colonies raised the value at which it circulated within their boundaries. An upper limit to these values was set by the Proclamation of Queen Anne of 1704, which placed a maximum of six shillings on the Spanish milled dollar. Gold coins, however, were not within the scope of the proclamation. Throughout the colonial period, specie in the colonies tended to be in short supply.

9. Crow Point Road Presentation at the Cavendish Historical Society
With so many towns in Vermont celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the charter that created them, the Crown Point Road Association (CPRA) is reminding people that the reason for a number of the grants relates directly to early usage of the Crown Point Road. In 1759, the British government surveyed, constructed, and paid for Vermont's first interstate highway.
Named the Crown Point Road, it was built during the French and Indian War following England's defeat of French forces at Forts Carrilon and St. Frederic on Lake Champlain. Commanding General Jeffrey Amherst, wishing to continue the campaign into Canada, was in desperate need of fresh troops and supplies.

Because the established supply route from the Atlantic ports by way of Albany and Lake George was long and difficult, Amherst needed a more direct route.

For centuries past, Native Americans had followed the waterways leading from Canada to the coast. One of the most-traveled routes connected Lake Champlain and the Connecticut River following Otter Creek and the Black River. By a stroke of fortune this footpath led from Amherst’s strategic position at Crown Point, New York directly to an important military post, Fort No. 4 on the Connecticut River.

The General ordered his engineers to devise a plan to improve the route, and Captain John Stark, commanding Rogers Rangers, then cut and marked the road. The road construction was primitive but served its purpose for the remainder of the French and Indian War.

During the American Revolution, Colonial Militias, schooled by the British during the previous war, turned the tables on them and utilized the road to their own advantage, contributing to the ultimate British defeat.

With the arrival of peace, perhaps the greatest contribution of the Crown Point Road to Vermont history was as a conduit for the great influx of settlers coming to the (then) New Hampshire Grants to establish towns and homesteads.

Today, it is possible to walk or drive a car on many remaining sections of this ancient road, unique in American history.
As part of their outreach to towns celebrating this historic anniversary, CPRA is offering a slide show presentation of the road. The Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) is pleased to host Becky Tucker, Secretary of the CPRA on August 7 at 2pm at the CHS Museum on Main Street in Cavendish. FMI: 226-7807 or margoc@tds.net

10. August Cavendish Calendar
August 2 (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 Charlotte Snyder (802) 226-7343

August 3 (Wednesday): Planning Commission Meeting 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office,
• Gypsy Reel will be playing at 6 pm at the Proctorsville Green as part of the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association’s (CCCA) summer music series.

August 4 (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 Charlotte Snyder (802) 226-7343
• 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

August 5 (Friday): Ludlow Farmer’s Market. On the campus of Okemo Mountain School, 53 Main Street, 4-7 pm FMI: www.ludlowfarmersmarket.org

August 6 (Saturday): Drive in Movie Night at the Cavendish Library. Due to copyright issues, the name can’t be given, but it is the opposite of “Down.” Bring a snack. Screening begins at dusk.

August 7 (Sunday): Crown Point Road Association (CPRA) slide presentation on the Crown Point Rd, 2 pm at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum. FMI: 226-7807

August 8 (Monday): Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office. Agenda posted to blog www.cavendishvt.blogspot.com as soon as it is received. LPC-TV tapes meetings and makes them available on-line www.lpctv.org and Comcast Cable TV. Check the website www.lpctv.org for more information.

August 9 (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 Charlotte Snyder (802) 226-7343

August 10 (Wednesday): Cavendish Library’s Annual BBQ at 6 pm at the library, featuring Tom Joyce, Magic Man
• Voodoo Alien Blues will be playing at 6 pm at the Proctorsville Green as part of the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association’s (CCCA) summer music series.

August 11 (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 Charlotte Snyder (802) 226-7343
• 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
• Local fiddler Bob Naess and his Cajun/zydeco band will be playing in Chester, the Museum Green, at 6:30 pm. This is there only local performance this summer.

August 12 (Friday): Ludlow Farmer’s Market. On the campus of Okemo Mountain School, 53 Main Street, 4-7 pm FMI: www.ludlowfarmersmarket.org

August 13 (Saturday): Picnic on the Proctorsville Green at noon, celebrating religious freedom in our country. Sponsored by the five churches of Cavendish. This event is part of the Town’s 250th Anniversary celebration. For more information call 226-8199

August 15 (Monday): Coffee with the Chamber, a free continental breakfast at Java Baba’s sponsored by the Okemo Chamber of Commerce. The purpose is to share with each town what the Chamber is doing and receive feedback. FMI: 228-5830

August 16 (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 Charlotte Snyder (802) 226-7343

August 18 (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 Charlotte Snyder (802) 226-7343
• 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

August 19 (Friday): Ludlow Farmer’s Market. On the campus of Okemo Mountain School, 53 Main Street, 4-7 pm FMI: www.ludlowfarmersmarket.org

August 23 (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 Charlotte Snyder (802) 226-7343

August 25 (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 Charlotte Snyder (802) 226-7343
• 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

August 26 (Friday): Ludlow Farmer’s Market. On the campus of Okemo Mountain School, 53 Main Street, 4-7 pm FMI: www.ludlowfarmersmarket.org

August 27 (Saturday): Cavendish Chronicles: The Early Years

August 28 (Sunday): Early Settlers Tour of Cavendish. Meet at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum at 2 pm. FMI: 226-7807 or margoc@tds.net
• Cavendish Chronicles: The Early Years

August 29 (Monday): 7th grade orientation at GMUHS

August 30 (Tuesday): First Day of School