Cavendish Update 9/30/11 Irene/News/250th/Events

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

Information can also be posted on the Cavendish VT Facebook Page

The 9/30/11 Cavendish Update Contains the Following:
1. Irene Recovery Information
2. Cavendish Related News
3. We’re Still Here: Cavendish Celebrates its’ 250th Anniversary
4. Order your locally grown Thanksgiving Turkey
5. Gethsemane Episcopal Church
6. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: The 150th Anniversary
7. October Cavendish Calendar

1. Irene Recovery Information
An updated Recovery Information handout will be posted to this blog on Wednesday. The current one, available on-line (upper right hand corner link) , is available in print form at the town office. Note that the Ludlow Disaster Recovery Center (next to Cool Moose Café) will be closed on Sundays. The Center will now be open Monday through Saturday 8 am to 6 pm. You have until Oct. 31 to file for disaster assistance

2. Cavendish Related News
Cavendish Canyon Is on the Rise: Repairs to Route 131 are proceeding apace, thanks to help from Ohio National Guard soldiers who head home Sept. 26. The “Canyon” could be repaired by Thanksgiving, state Transportation officials say. Transportation workers from Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire, National guard troops from VT and Ohio and private contractors have filled in about 40,000 cubic yards of stone and soil and have around 30,000 left to haul in from quarries and gravel pits in Cavendish and surrounding towns. Valley News 9/24/11

Cavendish Canyon to be Repaired by Thanksgiving: The river is what led to all of the damage in Cavendish. More than 120 National Guardsmen are there to help fill in the pit, but it is going to take more than 7,000 trucks of fill before it is passable once again. WCAX

VT Tied for Biggest Drop in Household Income: At the peak of the recession in 2009 Vermont saw an unemployment rate of over 7 percent-- the highest in almost 20 years. Nationally there was a 2.2 percent drop in average household income to $50,000. In Vermont there was a 6.1 percent drop to $49,000 per household, meaning fewer people can afford their homes. WCAX

Gov Extends State Credit to Towns Affected by Irene: Possible Gas Tax hike: Vermont banks, the Vermont Municipal Bond Bank and the state Treasurer’s Office announced a financial assistance package to help ease the financial stress on municipalities as they rebuild over the coming year. The state will advance $24 million in payments that are already slated for town highway aid ($6.2 million), current use ($12.3 million) and payment in lieu of taxes ($5.8 million). The governor emphasized that he is loathe to increase taxes, and he acknowledged that local property taxpayers may be hit hard. He didn’t rule out a gas levy, saying it would be “irresponsible” to take anything off the table. Press Release

FEMA Housing Units Headed to VT: Displaced flood victims unable to find permanent shelters before winter could end up in mobile housing units provided by FEMA, state officials said Tuesday. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has already delivered 10 “park unit mobile homes” to a staging area in Springfield. Secretary of Commerce Lawrence Miller says additional units are at the ready if newly homeless residents cannot secure suitable shelter in advance of the cold season. Rutland Herald

Tree Disease May Dull Foliage: A tree disease called anthracnose that thrives in wet conditions may be adding a brown tinge to the start of Vermont’s beloved — and lucrative — foliage season. Rutland Herald

Public Hearings on Improving VT’s Environmental and Land Use Permitting Process: The purpose of the hearings is to hear from Vermonters about what works and what needs improvement in the ANR, Act 250 and municipal permitting and appeals processes. FMI, including locations, http://vtdigger.org/2011/09/29/public-hearings-on-permit-process/

Amtrack’s Vermonter Back Up and Running: Amtrak train "the Vermonter" will be back up and running this weekend. The train has been out of service as crews made upgrades to the route thanks to a $50 million federal grant. Damage from Tropical Storm Irene delayed work the project. But officials say the re-opening of the route was only pushed back 2 weeks. The Vermonter runs from Saint Albans to Washington, D.C. WCAX

CVPS Shareholders Vote for Merger: Shareholders of Central Vermont Public Service voted overwhelmingly to approve the sale of CVPS to Gaz-Metro, the Canadian company that already owns Green Mountain Power. WCAX

3. We’re Still Here: Cavendish Celebrates its’ 250th Anniversary
Please share this information with neighbors and friends who may not be on-line:

Like many parts of Vermont, on August 28, our town was abruptly changed. While the road damage and flooding made us an “island town,” so many came to our aid to not only reassure us that we were not alone, but to help us as we began the recovery process.

For ten days, the Cavendish Town Elementary School was our shelter. Over 85 individuals and families and 36 organizations and businesses, including Vermont Red Cross, Homeland Security and the National Guard brought food and water to sustain us and the tools to clean up our homes and businesses, as well as the equipment and talent to restore our roads. Approximately 120 people helped to keep the shelter going, and another 25 formed work crews to assist in restoring damaged property.

While we have a ways to go, we are definitely on the mend and are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the charter by King George III on Oct. 12, 1761. We’ve had to make some adjustments, but we’re here and we want to invite everyone, particularly all of you who helped us through those first 10 days. The events, listed below are free and open to everyone.

Oct 7 (Friday): Community Dance, 7 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School in Proctorsville. Yankee Chank will be playing a variety of music-contras and squares with Mark Sustic as caller (the dancing of our first settlers); and hot Cajun/Zydeco dance tunes. Given our recent situation, could it be any more fitting to have a Louisiana inspired dance band? Les Bon Temps Roulet! (Let the Good Times Roll)

Oct. 8 (Saturday): Parade on Depot Street in Proctorsville starts at 10 am. We may have an abbreviated parade, but it will be inspired. The grand marshal is Sandra Stearns historian and author of “Cavendish Hillside Farm 1939 to 1957.” A variety of activities will take place as the parade ends at the Proctorsville Green (alternative location is the school). Look for games from the 1700’s that people of all ages can enjoy, food, face painting and much more.

Oct. 9 (Sunday): The Proctorsville/Cavendish churches will be holding an open house/reception at their respective churches from noon until 2 pm. At 2 pm, the authors of “The Inventor’s Fortune Up for Grabs,” Suzanne Gay Beyer, granddaughter of Olin Gay and John S. Pfarr, will be talking about their book at Crows Bakery on Depot Street in Proctorsville. There is a very interesting connection between Cavendish and the popular wristwatch expansion bracelet. This is the iconic American story of the underdog coming from behind to prevail. Please note that the location may need to change if Crows Bakery is not fully operational by that Sunday. The school will be the alternative location.

Oct 10 (Monday): The churches will be sponsoring a pot luck supper at 5 pm at the Cavendish School in Proctorsville, followed by a discussion on the history of religion in Cavendish.

4. Order your locally grown Thanksgiving Turkey
Moonlite Meadows Farm (Tings) on East Road in Cavendish is now taking orders for turkeys being raised on their farm. To reserve yours, call 226-8077 or e-mail reddog168@gmail.com

5. Gethsemane Episcopal Church
As most know, Gethsemane Episcopal Church was heavily damaged by the flood. The following note from Rev. Bower relates information about what they are doing and their new website: Dear Members and Friends of Gethsemane Episcopal Church, Proctorsville VT: We continue to meet on Sundays to celebrate Holy Eucharist, at 9:45am, at St James Methodist Church, Main Street, Proctorsville. I hope to see you there next Sunday.

On this past Sunday afternoon we were invited to a Celebration of Holy Eucharist and Blessing of the Vineyard and harvest of Antonio Antinori in Proctorsville, at 2pm at Tony's vineyard on Twenty Mile Stream Road. Needless to say, the weather was perfect & the word 'Blessed' was uttered often. Thank you Tony for hosting us!

Also on Saturday, October 1, in honor of St Francis of Assisi, St James Methodist Church and Gethsemane Episcopal Church is offering “The Blessing of The Animals” on the Proctorsville Green. All are invited.

We now have a website to keep our congregation and the public updated on our reconstruction efforts and ongoing activities. Please visit us at www.gethsemaneproctorsville.com

Blessings and peace to you all
Richard +-- _The Very Rev. Richard A. Bower

6. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: The 150th Anniversary
These posts are made possible by the Cavendish Historical Society and are archived at their blog.

The 150th Anniversary of Cavendish celebration had to be rescheduled to August 1912, due to a smallpox epidemic. Angie Kingsbury wrote to her sister, Marietta, on August 16, 1912 about the parade and events:

I am sending a list of the floats etc. which was printed in the last Tribune. No. 1 was drawn by an ox team the man representing John Coffeen driving the oxen. One person was barefoot and they all looked rather dilapidated. The next to come along was two men riding oxen. They didn’t have any yokes or anything on. ..No. 4 was a man dressed as they did in colonial times-powdered hair, cocked hat & all the fixings-riding on horseback. He looked exactly like George Washington. …No. 5 was an old, old green wagon. No. 7 were men on horseback painted red. A float with evergreens on the bottom covered with cotton to represent snow & two Indians sitting beside an old iron kettle and a bower of evergreen….The Rebekah float, which took first prize, was all white. …The horsback riders were few & the bicycles weren’t so very wonderful. There were quite a few autos. Gay’s took first prize. That was all covered with green & flowers & some little girls around with one perched on the back of the seat holding pink lines that were hitched to the shield in front. Murdock’s was second prize & was draped with golden rod. Fletchters was third & was decorated with sunflowers. The horribles [people dressed in costume] were plentiful. ….Sandford Emery got first prize for being horrible. He drove a scrawny horse hitched to a dilapidated wagon the wheels didn’t go together very well and were patched up boards and he was rigged as an old fat woman, wore a mash(ed) and new fashioned hat and an old cotton dress & brown umbrella with the ribs all sticking out as a sunshade. He had a bundle in his arms for a baby & was labeled “votes for women.” …There were two lineal descendents of Capt. Coffeen there. A man & a woman. The woman made a fine speech. It didn’t take her more than two minutes. The man spoke quite a while… Rev. Hough read an original poem. There were more speakers…

Allen M. Fletcher was to give the closing address at this celebration, but since it was late and beginning to rain, he wisely made just a few short remarks. “Chubb Hill Farm and Cavendish, Vermont: A Family and Town History” by Barbara B. Kingsbury

Note that this Sunday is the last day the Cavendish Historical Society Museum will be open for the season. Come and see the 250th Historic Timeline.

7. October Cavendish Calendar
October 1 (Saturday): In honor of St Francis of Assisi, St James Methodist Church and Gethsemane Episcopal Church will offer the blessing of animals on the Proctorsville Green at 2pm. All are invited.
• Vermont Open Studio Weekend

October 2 (Sunday): Vermont Open Studio Weekend
• Last Sunday the Cavendish Historical Society Museum will be open 2-4 pm.

October 3 (Monday): Red Cross Blood Drive at the Ludlow Community Center 12:30-5:30 pm. Everyone donating blood in Oct. will have a chance to win a 7 Day cruise for 2 departing Boston to Bermuda on the Norwegian Dawn.

October 5 (Wednesday): Planning Commission Meeting 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office

October 6 (Thursday): Okemo Valley Chamber Golf Tournament Scramble format golf tournament, 18 holes with a cart, golfer goody bags, range balls, BBQ & cash bar. Closest to the pin and Longest Drive contests. Hole-in-one contest (WIN a New 2011 Chevrolet), and putting contest (win $5,000)! $85 per player, or $65 per player for OVGC members. Tee Box Sponsorships available. FMI: 228-7870
• 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

October 7 (Friday): We’re Still Here! Cavendish 250th Anniversary starts with a community dance, 7 pm at the Cavendish School. Contra and Square dances will be called by Mark Sustic. Yankee Chank will provide music and will include Cajun/Zydeco tunes. FMI: 226-7807

October 8 (Saturday): We’re Still Here! Cavendish 250th Anniversary. Parade 10 am on Depot Street ending at the Proctorsville Green where post parade activities will take place. Alternate location is the school following the Parade.

October 9 (Sunday): We’re Still Here! Cavendish 250th Anniversary Open house at Cavendish/Proctorsville Churches noon-2pm. Meet the authors of “Inventor’s Fortune Up for Grabs,” 2-4 pm at Crows Bakery on Depot Street. Alternative location is the school.

October 10 (Monday): Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office. Agenda posted to blog as soon as it is received. LPC-TV tapes meetings and makes them available on-line and Comcast Cable TV. Check the website for more information.
• We’re Still Here! Cavendish 250th Anniversary Pot luck summer and discussion of the history of religion in Cavendish, 5 pm at the school. Sponsored by the Cavendish/Proctorsville Churches.

October 13 (Thursday): 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

October 20 (Thursday): 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

October 22 (Saturday): The Helping Hand Class of the Cavendish Baptist Church is planning a Benefit Supper for the Cavendish Flood Victims. It will be held at the Church on Saturday from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. The menu will be Turkey and all the Trimmings, followed by Apple or Pumpkin Pie. Admission will be by donation. To assist, please call Barbara (802) 226-7724.

October 27 (Thursday): 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

October 31 (Monday): HAPPY HALLOWEEN