Cavendish Update 1/20/12 News/Events

Information can also be posted on the Cavendish VT Facebook Page

The 1/20/12 Cavendish Update Contains:
1. Cavendish Related News
2. CHS Museum Tree Comes Down
3. CHS Newsletter Available on-line
4. Meet Laura Ingalls Wilder at the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library
5. Freaky Fridays Come to BRGNS Thrift Shop
6. Cavendish Events 1/20-1/27

1. Cavendish Related News
Free snowmobiling Weekend in Northeast: Legally registered snowmobiles can roam trails in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine at no cost from January 27-29. WCAX

Health Dept Offers Free Radon Test Kits for Homeowners: Radon cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled but more Vermonters than ever before can find out if it exists in their homes. The Vermont Department of Health distributed 1,700 free radon test kits to homeowners last year and has more than 3,000 free kits to give away this year. “Radon causes lung cancer over a long period of time, and we know that about one in every eight Vermont homes has elevated levels of radon,” said Lori Cragin, a Health Department epidemiologist. The likelihood of a radon problem cannot be predicted by the style, age, or location of a home. All homes are at risk. You cannot know the radon level in a house without testing for it. Testing is easy. Open the kit immediately and leave it in place throughout a heating season, and then mail it back to the Health Department to get your results. Get a free kit by e-mailing radon@state.vt.us, or call 1-800-439-8550. Exposure to radon is preventable and fixable through proper venting techniques. If test results show high levels of radon in the air, a mitigation system can be installed at a cost of approximately $800-$2,000.

VT to receive $8.7 Million in Irene Recovery Assistance: Vermont will receive $6,300,000 for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) and $2,325,000 for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). Both programs are administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). EWP assists property owners, whose homes are threatened by flooded rivers, helping to stabilize stream banks and protect foundations and houses from further flood damage. EWP also provides resources for clearing log jams that threaten property and public infrastructure. ECP provides emergency funding and technical assistance for farmers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters. Press Release

Ladies First Expands Eligibility for VT Women: Any Vermont woman age 21 or older earning 250 percent of the poverty level or less can now receive free screening services through Ladies First. For example, a woman in a two-person household earning less than $36,775 a year can qualify. Uninsured women with a breast or cervical cancer or pre-cancerous condition can be referred by Ladies First to a special Medicaid program, Vermont ’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program, to receive full health insurance that covers the cost of their treatment. To apply or for more information call 1-800-508-2222 or go to www.LadiesFirstVt.org. For Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, please use Vermont Relay Service 711 and give our number: 1-800-508-2222. Press Release

VT Tops List for Risk for Embezzlement Loss: Vermont is at the top of the list when it comes to states that are at highest risk for loss due to embezzlement. “We have done this report for four years now and Vermont has been on the list of highest risk three out of the last four years. This year, topping the list,” Christopher T. Marquet, chief executive officer of Marquet International told the Burlington Free Press.

Drop in VT Revenues: The latest state economic numbers are in and they are lower than expected. Gov. Peter Shumlin met with the state emergency board Wednesday to go over new revenue forecasts for the state. In his budget address last week, Gov. Peter Shumlin proposed closing a $51 million general fund budget gap. Now the state needs to make up $9.3 million more, as revenue numbers are lower than expected. WCAX http://www.wcax.com/story/16549290/surprise-drop-in-vt-revenues
Judge Rules in Favor of VT Yankee: The battle over whether the state or the federal government has the authority to grant or deny licenses for nuclear plants landed in court last fall. And Thursday, Judge Garvin Murtha ruled in favor of Yankee's parent company, Entergy, saying the state is pre-empted by federal law from taking any action to close Yankee when its original license expires in March. WCAX

Okemo Skier Visits Down Over MLK Holiday: At Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow, skier visits over the MLK holiday were down 24 percent from last year, Okemo spokeswoman Bonnie MacPherson said in an email. Season-to-date, skier visits at the Ludlow resort are down 30 percent, she said. On the positive side, MacPherson said, lodging occupancy at the resort for last weekend was near 90 percent. Rutland Herald

2. Tree By the Museum Comes Down
After numerous discussions by the Cavendish Historical Society Board, it was agreed that the tree next to the Museum had to come down. Large limbs were falling off after every storm and because the center of the tree had rotted away, it was just a matter of time before a limb fell on utility wires or onto the roof of the Museum. Instead of biting our nails during storms worrying whether "this would be the one" that damaged the Museum or surrounding property, the board voted to have it removed. The tree was removed Wednesday January 18. We will miss it. However, board member Marc Miele has started exploring some landscaping ideas-quince, forsythia, lilac. If you have some suggestions, please let us know by e-mailing margoc@tds.net

3. CHS Newsletter Available on-line
The Cavendish Historical Society’s newsletter for Winter 2012 is now available on-line. It is also available in PDF format and in print. FMI: 226-7807 or margoc@tds.net

4. Meet Laura Ingalls Wilder at the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library
The Cavendish Fletcher Community Library is pleased to announce a visit from Laura Ingalls Wilder (portrayed by Melanie Stringer) for the students of the Cavendish Town Elementary School on Monday, January 23, 2012. The students who have been studying Laura Ingalls Wilder and the pioneer experience will meet with Ms. Stringer, ask questions and be able to handle period artifacts. This presentation was funded by a Green Mountain Festival Series Arts in Education Grant. FMI: Kata at 226-7503.

5. Freaky Fridays Come to BRGNS Thrift Shop
Black River Good Neighbors Thrift Shop is going to have freakishly low prices on items each 1st Friday of the month according to Audrey Bridge, Executive Director. Freaky Friday is Bridge’s brainchild and she said “we wanted to do something different from the past and this is a theme we can all have some fun with. Audrey said, “On the first Friday of each month many selected items in our store will be priced $1.00 each. Many of our patrons live on a fixed income and we would like to give them a chance at some freakishly good bargains! The deals at our thrift store are always great, we just want to make it even better for our loyal customers. And it’s important to remember all monies raised go to support the services we provide to the community. If you haven't visited our new location, don't delay, we have been there a year and it gets better every day.”

The Thrift Shop is located at 37B Main Street in Ludlow. BRGNS serves the communities of Ludlow, Belmont, Cavendish, Plymouth, Proctorsville and Mt. Holly. For more information please call Audrey at 802-228-3663.

6. Cavendish Events 1/20-1/27
January 21 (Saturday): Winter Farmers Market at the Ludlow Teen Center (Goodmans American Pie), Main Street Ludlow. FMI: www.ludlowfarmersmarket.com
• Kirigami Workshop with Cynthia Emedye at Fletcher Farm School. FMI: 228-8770 or info@fletcherfarm.org
• Watercolor Landscape Workshop with Robert O’Brien at Fletcher Farm School. FMI: 228-8770 or info@fletcherfarm.org
• Facilitated Meditation - 4 to 5pm free to all - Centering in the body, gentle and deep release of habitual tension in the body and mind and cultivation of presence. For more information call Robin at 226-7736.

January 22 (Sunday): Kirigami Workshop with Cynthia Emedye at Fletcher Farm School. FMI: 228-8770 or info@fletcherfarm.org
• Watercolor Landscape Workshop with Robert O’Brien at Fletcher Farm School. FMI: 228-8770 or info@fletcherfarm.org

January 23 (Monday): “Xin Nian Kuai Le” Happy Chinese New Year. It is the Year of the Water Dragon, which occurs once every 60 years.
• Laura Ingalls Wilder (portrayed by Melanie Stringer) will be at CTES.

January 24 (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, Dot Ramsdell at (802) 226-7870
• Book Discussion-“Julie & Julia” by Julie Powell at the Fletcher Memorial Library in Ludlow. Noon. Bring a sandwich. Beverages and desserts provided. FMI: 228-8921.

January 26 (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, 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
• Book Discussion-“West with the Night” by Beryl Markham, Fletcher Memorial Library, 7 pm. FMI: 228-8921

January 27 (Friday): The Cavendish Black and White Film Series returns with the Marx Brothers “A Night at the Opera.” 7:00 at the Cavendish Elementary School. The films are free, donations always welcome, and refreshments available. FMI: 226-7497.
• Shaw’s reopens in Ludlow.