Cavendish Update 8/26/11 Hurricane Irene/News/Events

Information can also be posted on the Cavendish VT Facebook Page

The Cavendish Update Contains
1. Hurricane Irene: Vermonters Urged to Prepare
2. Cavendish Related News
3. Collection of Hazardous Wastes Sept.10:
4. Free Webinar from e4vt.org on Using Facebook to Build Community
5. CCCA: Presentation on Bees and Honey Making
6. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: Civil War Letters
7. Cavendish Activities

1. Hurricane Irene: Vermonters Urged to Prepare
High winds and heavy downpours could cause "extensive damage and power outages" in Vermont on Sunday, the state's utilities warned Thursday August 25 in a joint statement. "While all utilities are diligently preparing for the storm, customers should prepare for the possibility of being without power for several days, possibly even more, should the storm take a track for the worse," the statement said. The utilities said their forecasts include the threat of very high winds and flooding, which could cause significant power outages and structural damage across the state.” Utility crews are on standby and are bringing in outside contract crews to ensure a strong response if the storm brings significant problems," the statement read. "Government officials are also coordinating efforts to assure the necessary resources are available."

“Vermonters need to prepare for the possibility that Hurricane Irene hits our state,” Gov. Shumlin said. Topping the list, he said, is to monitor weather information from the National Weather Service, radio and TV broadcasts, print media, or Internet sources.

In addition, Vermont Emergency Management’s preparedness instructions include:
. Clearing your yard of toys, lawn furniture and other objects that could become dangerous if blown around in high winds.

. Stocking up on water, non-perishable food and other supplies to be able to shelter at homes for up to three days.

. Preparing for power outages by stockpiling flashlights and fresh batteries and a battery powered radio. If you have a generator, ensure that it is professionally installed and can be operated without causing a carbon monoxide hazard. Report outages to your electric utility. Be sure you have at least one phone that does not need electricity.

. If local officials order an evacuation, respond immediately. Plan your evacuation route ahead of time, one that brings you over high ground.

. Use text messaging to communicate with family and friends during a storm if possible, rather than cell phone calls. Texts use much less bandwidth than cell phone calls and messages are more likely to get through.

Gov. Shumlin said Department of Public Safety Commissioner Keith Flynn has ordered all necessary resources of his department to be directed toward preparation for the worst-case scenario for the storm. In addition, Vermont Emergency Management has arranged for staffing for the state Emergency Operations Center over the weekend should conditions warrant.

Learn more about Vermont’s Hurricane history.

In view of the forecast, the Cavendish Historical Society has rescheduled the “Settlers Tour,” for Sept. 25, also on a Sunday. If there are high winds, the Museum will also be closed. Cancellation of other events in Cavendish due to the storm will be posted to the Update blog www.cavendishvt.blogspot.com and the Cavendish VT Facebook page.

2. Cavendish Related News
Vermont Transparency Website Now Offers State Vendor Data: Vermont citizens and news media can now readily find out the names of vendors selling goods and services to state government, and the purpose and amounts of the transactions involved. The Vermont Transparency site (www.vttransparency.org) now allows viewers to quickly sort through over 121,000 vendor transactions occurring over the first three quarters of FY 2011 (through March 31, 2011). Press Release


New Website Provides Safe Rental Housing Guidelines: New website, Vermont Rental Housing Codes at www.rentalcodes.org, provides guidance on the health and safety standards that existing residential rental housing in Vermont must meet. It outlines the legal rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants throughout the rental process and explains the standards that municipalities and town health officers should enforce when inspecting rental housing. Press Release

VT Bear Hunting Season Starts Sept. 2: Running until Nov. 16, VT’s bear population has risen to more than 6,000 animals in recent years. The state tries to keep the bear population slightly lower than that. WCAX

Education Finance Hearing: Two public hearings are scheduled on Wednesday, September 7, 2011, to seek public input as part of the Picus and Associates’ evaluation of Vermont’s education finance system. The purpose of these hearings is to gain an understanding of the issues and concerns facing citizens and education stakeholders regarding the financing of K-12 education in Vermont. Individuals testifying at the hearings are asked to address three specific questions:
_ What do you think are the two or three major advantages or strengths of the current Vermont funding system?
_ What do you think are the two or three major shortcomings of the Vermont school funding system? For each, what recommendations do you have for improving the system?
_ What can the state do to create incentives for all schools to boost student achievement to higher levels? What three or four recommendations do you have that will improve student performance (at all levels and starting
points)? What are the funding implications of those suggestions? For locations and additional information, go to http://www.leg.state.vt.us/jfo/default.aspx

3. Collection of Hazardous Wastes Sept.10: The Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District is sponsoring collections for the safe disposal of household hazardous wastes on Saturday, September 10. Residents from Andover, Baltimore, Cavendish, Chester, Grafton, Ludlow, Plymouth, Reading, Rockingham, Springfield, Weathersfield, West Windsor, and Windsor may participate. Up to 10 gallons of hazardous materials are free. 11+ gallons are $4.00 each. Businesses must pre-register and will be charged for disposal costs. The collections will be held at the Springfield Transfer Station and at the Weathersfield Transfer Station from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Bring in a mercury thermometer and receive a new digital thermometer. For more information, call 674-9235 or click on www.vtsolidwastedistrict.org for a list of what to bring.

4. Free Webinar from e4vt.org on Using Facebook to Build Community: Want to know how to get your community, library, or social group connected using Facebook? Learn the essentials about using today’s top social media tool in a free online webinar presented by the e-Vermont Community Broadband Project. No registration is required. To attend Using Facebook to Build Community simply use your computer to log in at http://vscmymeeting.acrobat.com/evtwebinars/ (also linked at www.e4vt.org) on the date and time of your choice. Please note the same webinar is repeated 3 times for convenience: Monday, August 29th 6:00 – 6:30pm; Thursday September 8th 6:00- 6:30pm; Monday September 12th 6:00 – 6:30pm.

5. CCCA: Presentation on Bees and Honey Making
On Wednesday, August 31 at 6 pm, third generation bee keeper, Mike Benson, of Cuttingsville, VT, will give a presentation at Crows Bakery in Proctorsville, on the art of bee keeping and making honey. This is part of the Walk and Talk series presented by the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association (CCCA). FMI: Robin at 226-7736.

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

The journals and diaries of the Civil War era were often filled with short sentences about daily life. “Hot today. Moving out tomorrow.” It was in the letters that a great deal can be learned about how the soldiers lived and how their families coped with the war. One such example was written to Laura Blood Atherton of Cavendish, by her cousin Marcia Ann (Blood) Marsh of Ware dated March 6, 1863. Marsh writes to Atherton about her brother Henry Sumner Blood who was an assistant surgeon with the 57th Illinois Infantry Regiment.

“You wished to know the particulars. He enlisted into the service in Chicago, Illinois, 57th Regiment, in October. Soon after he was quite sick with a fever. I don’t think he had entirely recovered when he sailed for the field of battle, then living as they did on the boat, and the privations, camping out on the shore, want of suitable food, brought on the dysentery and quick consumption. He wrote to Charles the 24th of February after the battle at Fort Donelson, Tennessee. His Regiment was not in the warmest part of the engagement. He wrote the next day after the battle. He went out on the field and such as sight as met his eyes he never should forget. He could not describe it, he would tell us when he came home, which he thought would be in July, and the war would be over. The poor boy, how little he could see of the future. He said he was scarcely able then to hold up his head, but should keep round as long as he could, then he should go to the hospital and his rank would insure him good treatment. But he added: “Lord have mercy on the poor private-if you are out of the army, keep out. I never what hardships were before, but think I do now.” He went as assistant surgeon. This was the 24th of February and he died the 4th of March. He died at Fort Henry, near Fort Donelson. The young man that had the care of him after he took to his bed said he kept up good courage and was cheerful until the day before he died. He made no complaint. Called for nothing, and apparently suffered buy little. When he was first taken he told the Colonel if anything happened, he wanted his body sent to Ware. That was all he ever said about dying. He wrote that he and others were up with him all night trying to make him comfortable. He was wandering most of the time in the morning he asked to be raised up. He raised home on his arm, that most the last, he died without a struggle. The funeral was the 19th of March. He looked very natural, but very poor. That was a trying time. I thought how would Mother have survived it if her life had been spared, but I felt she was taken from the evil to come. Two weeks ago two young men were brought home. One was shot through the head at Newburn, the same month Henry died. The other died in the hospital last June. They were not seen, so it is all around me. Oh when will this war cease?” “Families of Cavendish” Vol 4 by Linda Welch page 57.

7. Cavendish Activities 8/26-8/31/11
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): The Cavendish Community Theatre is presenting an original play called Cavendish Chronicles II to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Cavendish Charter. The play has history, humor and music. The play will be held at The Cavendish Town Elementary School at 7:00PM. Admission is free. FMI: 226-7398.

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 DUE TO WEATHER, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHULDED TO SEPTEMBER 25.
• The Cavendish Community Theatre is presenting an original play called Cavendish Chronicles II to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Cavendish Charter. The play has history, humor and music. The play will be held at The Cavendish Town Elementary School at 7:00PM. Admission is free. For information contact 226-7398.

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

August 30 (Tuesday): First Day of School

August 31 (Wednesday): CCCA Presentation on Bees and Honey Making at Crows Bakery in Proctorsville, 6 pm. See article 5 above. FMI: Robin at 226-7736.