Cavendish Update 10/14/11 Irene/News/Etta Dean

Information can also be posted on the Cavendish VT Facebook Page

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 10/14/11 Cavendish Update Contains the Following:
1. Remembering Etta Dean
2. Irene Recovery Information/News/Resources
3. Thank You From the Proctorsville Fire Department
4. Thank you from Paula Parker
5. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: Cavendish, VT Poem
6. BRGNS Stick Season Social October 22nd at Bella Luna Ristorante
7. Upcoming Cavendish Activities 10/14-/10/22

1 Remembering Etta Dean
Many knew her by her car vanity plates “ETTA,” and others because she was one of Cavendish’s oldest residents. Etta E. (Harris) Dean, having just turned 96, died Oct. 10 at the Gill Odd Fellows Home in Ludlow. A funeral will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 1 pm at the Cavendish Baptist Church, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Proctorsville Fire Station in Proctorsville. All are welcome. Her obituary is on-line.

2. Irene Recovery Information/News/Resources
Congratulations to Craig and Jessie Goodman on re opening American Pie in Ludlow. Keep in mind that they do offer pizza for your freezer.

• FEMA Office in Ludlow Closed but SBA Open until 10/31/11: The FEMA office at the Disaster Recovery Center in Ludlow is now closed. However, the SBA office is still open until Halloween. You will need a FEMA number to file for an SBA low interest loan. You can obtain the number by using the phones at the Recovery Center or call

• Cavendish Baptist Church Supper on 10/22/11 to Benefit Flood Relief: 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, Oct. 22, 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.

• Extension for Disaster Unemployment: The US Department of Labor has approved Vermont’s request to extend the filing deadline for Individual Disaster Unemployment Assistance to November 21, 2011. The covered disaster assistance period continues to begin on August 27, 2011 and end on March 3, 2012. The first payable week remains week ending September 3, 2011. An individual must be continuously unemployed as a direct result of the disaster in order to continue to receive Disaster Unemployment Assistance. If eligible, he or she can collect benefits for the weeks during which they meet the necessary criteria. Individuals who experience temporary job loss as a result of the disaster and who do not qualify for State Unemployment Insurance Benefits, such as self-employed individuals, may also be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. FMI: www.labor.vermont.gov or call 1-877-214-3330

• Ludlow will Need $2 M for Repairs: According to Frank Heald, town manager, “The preliminary estimates for emergency and finished repairs is $1.8 million. We’re pushing half a million dollars out at this point,” Rutland Herald 10/8/11

• BRGN Offers Flood Relief: “BRGNS has adopted new procedures to deal with the extraordinary needs created as a result of Irene’s devastation”, BRGNS President Peter LaBelle said. “Even those whose property was not directly impacted by the flood but who may have lost employment due to it should contact BR GNS to see if they qualify for assistance.” FMI: 228-3663 Rutland Herald 10/7/11

• VT Crews Race the Clock to Rebuild: Planning that normally would develop over 10 years was condensed to six weeks. Construction work would normally take a year. A flurry of activity — involving some 3,600 workers from the state Agency of Transportation, Maine and New Hampshire state highway crews, National Guard units from Vermont to South Carolina and private contractors — reduced the number of state roads closed from 146 to six in the six weeks since the storm. In the first days following the storm, the race was on to reach stranded Vermonters. Now, the race is to restore roads before winter. The price tag: Somewhere between $500 million and $700 million, Transportation Secretary Brian Searles estimated. For perspective, it will exceed this year’s entire state transportation budget of $553 million. Burlington Free Press

• Tax Abatements for flood damaged homes helps owners but could hurt towns: Abatement is a longstanding legal process in Vermont that allows a local board to waive payment of all or part of an owner’s property taxes — both municipal and school taxes. The law allows abatement when a taxpayer faces “extraordinary circumstances that make it difficult for the taxpayer to meet his or her tax obligations,” according pamphlet on abatement published by the Office of the Secretary of State. The law says loss or destruction of property — from fires or floods, for example — could justify waiving tax payments. Burlington Free Press

• Shumlin Declares Oct. 22 VT’s Post-Irene Clean Up Day: The state will hold a Clean Up Day on Oct. 22. The Governor indicated it would become an annual event, the autumn version of Vermont’s springtime Green Up Day. Shumlin called on Vermonters to give assistance, send money or donate items to prepare the state and those affected by the flood for winter. “If we all lend a hand and do a little, it will mean a lot to those in need,” Shumlin said The state has created a website — www.vtcleanup.org — through which people can learn where help is needed. The state is encouraging Vermonters to provide assistance in three ways: by volunteering with flood cleanup efforts; by donating to flood relief funds; and by offering items such as clothing, furniture and appliances for donation to flood victims. Burlington Free Press

• Federal River Repair Fund for VT Faces Drought: Vermont officials are trying to repair stream banks left raw and vulnerable to further erosion following Tropical Storm Irene, but it’s unclear whether the state will get all the federal money it needs to do the work. The National Resources Conservation Service, which is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is low on money and officials who work for the NRCS in Vermont already have been told that certain projects won’t get funded. Rutland Herald 10/13/11

• State Waiting on Congress for Irene Aid: Forty-five days after flooding damaged hundreds of roads and brought down scores of bridges, officials say they still don’t know how much it will cost to fix the state’s transportation system, or who’s going to pay for it. Transportation Secretary Brian Searles has pegged preliminary damage estimates on the state system at $500 million, and municipal officials say the cost to repair Irene-related damage to town roads will be several hundred million dollars more. The final bill to Vermont taxpayers depends largely on an ongoing budget battle in Washington, D.C., where negotiations over transportation and disaster spending will determine the scope of federal aid available to states. Rutland Herald 10/13/11

3. Thank You From the Proctorsville Fire Department
The Proctorsville Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to thank a great many people who left their mark on our small town in the wake of the Hurricane Irene flooding.

As our First Captain Robert Glidden jr. put it, “You join the volunteer fire service expecting to help people, never looking for anything in return. But after a disaster like Irene, where you have so many people coming out to offer help in the way of cooking hot meals for the firefighters who spent so long away from their families, and our Nation’s Guardsmen coming in to deliver supplies and repair roads… it’s pretty powerful when those people step up to help you.”

In no particular order, we would like to thank:
• The people of Proctorsville, for your patience, care for one another, and for not letting the worst natural disaster in a century dampen your vigilant spirit;
• All the folks who cooked for the firefighters and for those in need, who volunteered at the CTES shelter, and who checked on their neighbors’ well-being;
• The contractors who are helping to repair all of the damage;
• And last but certainly not least, the National Guardsmen who have left their homes and families to come and work tirelessly on restoring roads and peace of mind to our community.

While the events during and after Irene have brought devastation to the entire Eastern United States, the impact on our community has been profound. It is because of all of the work and caring of the people mentioned in this letter that our town continues to exist, and we thank you.

Chief Robert Glidden And the Firefighters of the Proctorsville Vol Fire Dept.

4. Thank you from Paula Parker
This is a letter to thank many special people who worked so hard the first week after the tropical storm Irene left it's mark on our town and state. Just in our small section of Cavendish, there was major damage to our roads, especially Parker Hill Road, Old County Road, East Road, Brook Road, and Chubb Hill. We owe a huge thanks to the following people. Ken and Phyllis Emery, Wyatt McAllister, Chad Devereaux, Derek Gurney, Matt Palmer, Keith Varga and Cliff Johnson. With their machines, muscle and know-how, these people managed to create at least one lane of road down off this hill.

The firemen and others were checking on our welfare, delivering water and meals, directing traffic, etc. Jane, Ginny and Diane worked many extra hours at the town office answering the phones and keeping people informed. We saw Jeff Davis and Cliff Johnson still working when they were well past the point of exhaustion.

The Cavendish Homeworkers II Club happened to have a meeting at the Proctorsville Fire Department the day that Sgt. Stocker went home to God. We invited his fellow guardsmen to join us for lunch and hopefully eased their sorrow at least a small amount.

The people of Cavendish jumped in with both feet and went to work. Some we read about but most we didn't. I encourage everyone to write down their story and give it to the Historical Society. This is all part of the history of the town of Cavendish. I am proud of the people of the whole town of Cavendish. You did a good job. Thank you.

Paula Parker, Cavendish, VT

5. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: Cavendish, VT Poem
These posts are made possible by the Cavendish Historical Society and are archived at the CHS Blog.

At the Cavendish 250th Anniversary Celebration on Oct. 8, Grand Marshall, historian and author Sandy Stearns read the following poem, which she wrote in 1990. It’s a very good summary of almost 250 years of Cavendish history.

Cavendish, Vermont! How I love that name!
Of my birth or death, perhaps both the same.
You felt the first step I did make.
May it be here, my last I take.
Your history spans so many years.
You’ve sheltered hopes, dreams and tears.
The Black River flowed thru the Gorge.
Thru channels and drops it did forge,
Now as it did in ages old.
Such memories it does enfold.
Quiet were your hills many years ago.
While wild animals roamed, to and fro.
Brave Indians traveled over your lands,
Fished your rivers, walked your sands.
Came in 1754 with prisoners from Fort # 4.
And “Captive” Johnson was born in a shelter poor.
Five years later your woods were filled,
With British soldiers cutting thru your hills.
The Crown Point Road connected fort with fort,
To move troops, baggage and supplies of all sort.
Chartered by Benning Wentworth in 1761,
But no permanent settlement was then begun.
John Coffeen and his family came to this barren land,
In 1769, alone, alone no neighbors at hand.
While sparse was the company on that road.
Settling his land, Leonard Proctor in 1780 came.
In the village that still bears hi name.
Next year Salmon Dutton arrived in town,
Built his house in the village he found.
Gradually, gradually, more settlers came,
Established homes, farmed and hunted game.
Established government, schools and a meeting place.
Utilized, organized, filled and divided the space.
Worked together to build a town,
Using whatever talents were found.
Grist mills, saw mills, carpenters too,
Farmers, blacksmiths, inns so new.
Place to congregate and for neighbors to meet,
Bridges, cemeteries, churches and streets.
All that was needed to make a town so fine.
Over the years they worked, now it’s yours and mine.
The railroad was a fabulous thing.
Its engine puffed and its wheels would sing,
Connecting Cavendish to the world so fine.
You could go almost anywhere by 1849.
The 1927 flood, what a tragic time.
A chasm grew down lower Main Street line.
Seven houses were crushed and swept away.
But everyone lived to see a better day.
Remember the lives that stood on these hills!
Remember the voices ringing in the valley shrill !
Remember the trials and cares to make it great!

Cavendish, Vermont! My Town!! My State!!

6. BRGNS Stick Season Social October 22nd at Bella Luna Ristorante
Black River Good Neighbor Services is having its second annual Stick Season Social at Bella Luna on Saturday October 22nd at 6:00 p.m.. When asked what stick season is, Peter LaBelle, President of BRGNS’ Board said, “It’s the season with no leaves, no snow, no free concerts and not much to do – until now”. This is a fun fund raising dinner that will help BRGNS (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization) with operating costs so it can continue to help local people in need of food, rent, utilities & heat assistance.

The evening will include a cash bar and a terrific silent auction. There will be lots of raffle items too. Bella Luna will serve a lavish buffet followed by a Viennese Table loaded with luscious desserts. Tickets are $50 per person, including dinner, gratuities and tax. Tickets can be purchased at BRGNS Thrift Shop at 37B Main St, Peoples United Bank, the Book Nook, Berkshire Bank and The Wine & Cheese Depot, all located in Ludlow. You may call 802-228-3663. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are limited to the first 150 people, so please buy now.

7. Upcoming Cavendish Activities 10/14-/10/21
October 20 (Thursday): Community Luncheon in Proctorsville, 11:30 pm at St. James United Methodist Church, Main Street. This month’s menu will be spaghetti and meatballs with a tossed green salad and garlic bread, and the RESPECT Club helpers from the school will be surprising us with a dessert from their own kitchen. Drinks include coffee, hot tea or a cold beverage. A suggested donation of $4.00 for seniors or $5.50 for those under 60 years of age helps to cover the cost of this meal.
• 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