Cavendish Update 2/3/12 Events/History/News/Classifieds

Information can also be posted on the Cavendish VT Facebook Page

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


The 2/3/12 Cavendish Update Contains the Following
1. Cavendish Related News
2. "Irene's Wake": CD & DVD and Benefits
3. Lancaster & Curtis in Cavendish Film Noir
4. Classifieds
5. Historical Society Annual Meeting and Screening of “Life in Windsor County”
6. Civil War History: Was Cavendish Part of the Underground Railroad?
7. February Calendar

1. Cavendish Related News
Groundhogs: Unreliable and Nasty to Boot: Even though our national ground hog saw his shadow on Feb. 2, predicting six more weeks of winter, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration analyzed the forecasts of groundhog prognosticators from 1988 to 2010 and concluded there was no correlation between predictions and the length of winter weather in a given year. The Valley News

No Contested Elections in Cavendish: Petitions to run for various town positions were due Jan. 30. As it stands, those that have submitted petitions will be elected as there is no one running in opposition to them. Vermont Today

Prisoners Sneak Pig into VT State Police Decal: Police, troopers, cops, the fuzz, and pigs; police officers are called a lot of names. Inmates apparently decided to use their creative sides, making sure that pigs made their way into the state seal for the first time since it was first designed more than three centuries ago. WCAX

Sundeaver Merges with Great Northern Solar Distribution: Energy Solutions Group Inc. (ESG), a Vermont-based provider of renewable energy products and services, says its solar products distribution arm, Sundeavor Inc., based in Proctorsville, Vt., has merged with Great Northern Solar Distribution (GNSD), based in Port Wing, Wis., and Duluth, Minn. Solar Industry

2. "Irene's Wake": CD & DVD and Benefits
At Mount Hollywood Studio in Belmont, more than twenty area musicians have recorded original songs written in response to Tropical Storm Irene. At LPCTV Community access television station in Ludlow, staff has been busy editing photos and videos of the historic and devastating event. The resulting CD and DVD are soon to be packaged together under the title "Irene's Wake" and released at two concerts in Ludlow, February 17th and 18th.

The keepsake will then be available at area retailers for $20. Proceeds of all sales will be split between the Vermont Flood Relief Fund and the non-profit LPCTV

Musicians and bands featured on the commemorative CD include Rick Redington and the Luv, Gypsy Reel, The Pleasants, Victor Paul and Guy Burlage of Seabird, Rick Davis, Dank & the Funksticks, and the Mount Holly Folk Club. “We’ve got rock, funk, folk, bluegrass…,” offered Mount Hollywood Studio's Rod Ferrell who has generously donated countless hours to the project. “It’s an eclectic assortment of good, original songs by some really talented Vermont musicians and songwriters.”

In addition to the CD, the commemorative package will include a DVD of photographs and videos of the storm, its damage, and its effect on Vermonters. The DVD will also feature video clips of recording sessions and interviews with the artists. Songs from the CD will be played on the DVD as well.

To celebrate the release of “Irene’s Wake”, five of the bands featured on the CD are gracing two stages in Ludlow, February 17th and 18th. Mark your calendars! On Friday, February 17th at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium: Gypsy Reel, The Pleasants, the Salt Ash Serenaders, along with members of the Mount Holly Folk Club and special guests will be performing from 7:00 – 8:30. In unison with the bands, there will also be a showing of the DVD which commemorates the historical flood as it effected our region. Admission is $10 at the door.

On Saturday, February 18th at the Outback Nightclub in Ludlow: the volume will be turned up a notch with Rick Redington and the Luv performing along with Dank & the Funkstix. Music start around 9:00. Admission is $10.

Proceeds from the sale of “Irene’s Wake” and related events will be shared between the Vermont Flood Relief Fund and LPCTV – which is currently raising funds for their new facility at the Ludlow Community Center Campus.

For more information, go to www.lpctv.org, or call 802-228-8808.

3. Lancaster & Curtis in Cavendish Film Noir
Greed and corruption in the worlds of journalism and celebrity are brilliantly portrayed in Sweet Smell of Success, a 1957 classic film starring Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis. The film will be shown on February 10 as part of the Cavendish Black & White Nights film series that runs every winter. In this gritty film noir J.J. Hunsecker, the most powerful newspaper columnist in New York, is determined to prevent his sister from marrying Steve Dallas, a jazz musician. He covertly employs Sidney Falco, an unscrupulous press agent, to break up the affair by any means possible. The film captures a time when newspapers ruled and a negative portrayal by a powerful columnist could make or break a career. Excellent performances by Lancaster as the columnist and Curtis as the sleazy Falco, give this old classic legs, and Curtis was nominated for an Academy Award for his strong performance.

The backdrop of old New York City, with its jazz clubs, hardboiled cops, weary cigarette girls, and crooked politicians, is practically a character in itself.

Sweet Smell of Success will be shown on February 10 at 7:00 p.m. at Cavendish Elementary School in Proctorsville. The film is free, donations welcome, and refreshments available. For further information call 226-7187.

4. Classifieds
ISO: Looking to buy a used kennel in good condition for a 20 pound dog. Please contact Wendy awregier@tds.net if you have one.

5. Historical Society Annual Meeting and Screening of “Life in Windsor County”
The Cavendish Historical Society is holding its annual meeting on February 12, 5 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School in Proctorsville. The evening will start with a pot luck supper and will include the screening of the documentary, Life in Windsor Count.” This is the seventh county documentary produced through collaboration between Johnson State College students, Professor Bill Doyle and Vince Franke of Peregrine Productions, LLC.

For this documentary, JSC student intern Matt Daubenspeck worked with Vince to interview 17 local residents, including CHS board member Bruce McEnaney, to hear their memories of Vermont’s biggest county covering events from its earliest settlers through the sheep craze, machine tool industry and stories of life in the first half of the 20th century. When blended with over 250 historical images, their stories provide new and unique insight into Windsor County’s past.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margoc@tds.net

6. Civil War History: Was Cavendish Part of the Underground Railroad?
If you ask many in town about whether the Underground Railroad (UGRR) went through Cavendish, you will hear stories of various houses on Tarbell Hill Rd., and Twenty Mile Stream as well as the Golden Stage Inn that had special hiding places for fugitive slaves. However, there is no documented proof of UGRR activities in this part of Vermont and in fact, according to “The Vermont Underground Railroad Survey Report,” by Ray zirblis, because Vermont was the first state to outlaw slavery, 50% of the documented escaped slaves spent a great deal of time in VT. They could safely live openly and many were brought here to work on farms.

So what about those rooms, secret tunnels and odd spaces in chimneys? Interestingly, Vermont has a very long history of smuggling, as early as 1812. Whether it was sneaking food to Canada or “rum running,” Vermonters had a variety of reasons for secret rooms. In Cavendish, there is documented proof that Glimmerstone was used in rum running during prohibition. Other spaces, such as the hidden chambers within hearths, had a specific purpose-smoking meats. A tunnel from a stream to a cellar, was very possible for operating a still, since VT had prohibition long before the rest of the country.

Cavendish has a very strong history of being anti slavery. While maybe not part of the UGRR, Cavendish and Vermont were definitely part of the “above ground” railroad. Many prominent Cavendish citizens, including Governor Ryland Fletcher, were staunch abolitionists. In fact the support was so strong for the abolitionist movement that the leading abolitionist of the day, John Brown, stayed in Proctorsville as he tried to raise money for his efforts in Kansas. Henry Bridge Atherton, a lawyer from Cavendish wrote to John Redparth, a biographer of John Brown of that visit, which appears on-line at the CHS blog.

There were former slaves that lived in Cavendish. According to Linda Welch, CHS genealogist and author of “Families of Cavendish,” who has the letters and correspondence of both Captains French and Atherton, these men brought slaves back to Cavendish as a result of the Civil War. A probate guardianship paper dated at Cavendish, 19 July, 1864, signed by Gilbert A. Davis, Register gives George B. French guardianship of “Arthur Lewis, a colored boy, apparently about fifteen years of age now residing in said Cavendish.” Lewis was rescued by George French in Virginia during the early years of the Civil War, and stayed with him at different headquarter stations as George’s Regiment fought the war. Lewis lived with the French family for many years, where he was taught to read and write. Excelling in the raising of thoroughbreds, he was a valued member of the family, paid for his work with wages, board and room. He married in Woodstock and had at least two children. Lewis did not join the French family when they moved to Nebraska, instead he remained in Woodstock.

Additional reading
The Underground Railroad in Vermont: Separating Legend from Reality

The Underground Railroad in Vermont: Tall Tale or True Adventure by Tom Calarco

7. February Calendar
February 3 (Friday): Cavendish Black & White Film Series features How Green was My Valley, 7 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School. The films are free, donations always welcome, and refreshments available. FMI: 226-7497.

February 4 (Saturday): Winter Farmers Market at the Ludlow Teen Center (Goodmans American Pie), Main Street Ludlow. FMI: www.ludlowfarmersmarket.com
• Landscape Weaving with Carolyn Scott at Fletcher Farm School. FMI: 228-8770 or info@fletcherfarm.org

February 5 (Sunday): Super Bowl Sunday
• Landscape Weaving with Carolyn Scott at Fletcher Farm School. FMI: 228-8770 or info@fletcherfarm.org

February 7 (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

February 8 (Wednesday): Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce Mixer 5:30-7:30 at the Inn at Weston, Route 100, Weston VT. FMI:228-5830

February 9 (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
• Ludlow Winter Carnival FMI: Liz 802-228-7530

February 10 (Friday): Mardi Gras party to benefit CCCA at Crows Bakery in Proctorsville. Features the Cajun/zydeco band Yankee Chank. Dinner and dancing gets underway at 6 pm. Tickets are $35 and are limited. FMI: 226-7736
• GMUHS Library Renovation Survey Due. The survey is available on-line.
• Ludlow Winter Carnival FMI: Liz 802-228-7530
• Cavendish Black & White Film Series features The Sweet Smell of Success, 7 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School. The films are free, donations always welcome, and refreshments available. FMI: 226-7497.

February 11 (Saturday): Winter Farmers Market at the Ludlow Teen Center (Goodmans American Pie), Main Street Ludlow. FMI: www.ludlowfarmersmarket.com
• Ludlow Winter Carnival FMI: Liz 802-228-7530
• Ribbon Work Pins with Cynthia at the Fletcher Farm School FMI: 228-8770 or info@fletcherfarm.org
• Felting Lamb to Lamb with Sue Carey at the Fletcher Farm School FMI: 228-8770 or info@fletcherfarm.org

February 12 (Sunday): Cavendish Historical Society Annual Meeting, 5 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School in Proctorsville. Includes a pot luck supper and screening of “Life in Windsor County.” All are welcome. FMI: 226-7807 or margoc@tds.net
• Ribbon Work Pins with Cynthia at the Fletcher Farm School FMI: 228-8770 or info@fletcherfarm.org
• Felting Lamb to Lamb with Sue Carey at the Fletcher Farm School FMI: 228-8770 or info@fletcherfarm.org

February 13 (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.

February 14 (Tuesday): HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
• 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

February 16 (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

February 17 (Friday): Cavendish Black & White Film Series features My ManGodfrey, 7 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School. The films are free, donations always welcome, and refreshments available. FMI: 226-7497.
• Gypsy Reel, The Pleasants, the Salt Ash Serenaders, along with members of the Mount Holly Folk Club and special guests will be performing from 7:00 – 8:30 at the Ludlow Auditorium. In unison with the bands, there will also be a showing of the DVD, Irene’s Wake, which commemorates the historical flood as it effected our region. Admission is $10 at the door.

February 18 (Saturday): Winter Farmers Market at the Ludlow Teen Center (Goodmans American Pie), Main Street Ludlow. FMI: www.ludlowfarmersmarket.com
• Felted hats are warm, comfortable to wear and VERY fashionable! Working with roving in your color choice, we will wet felt a hat using a resist, while also learning a bit about felt and how to handle it. We will start with a simple style that can be shaped into a variety of sophisticated and/or playful hats. You will be able to wear yours home. (Except it might still be a bit damp!) This class is beginner friendly. Instructor: Deborah Ellis; Members: $45 Non-members: $55. FMI: 802-226-7373 or visit www.sixlooseladies.com.
• Shaker Tape Chairs with Sandy Sherman at Fletcher Farms School. FMI: 228-8770 or info@fletcherfarm.org
• Rick Redington and the Luv will be performing along with Dank & the Funkstix. Music Outback Nightclub in Ludlow as part of the “Irene’s Wake” event. Music gets underway around 9:00. Admission is $10.

February 19 (Sunday): Learn all the elements needed to knit a sock on double pointed needles. You’ll be making a mini sock so you can complete all the sock elements during the class. This will give you the skills to make a full size pair. Materials Needed: Double pointed needles size 4 or 5, worsted weight yarn and a stitch marker Instructor: Anne Gottier FAVT Members: Free Non-members: Free. FMI: 802-226-7373 or visit www.sixlooseladies.com.
• Shaker Tape Chairs with Sandy Sherman at Fletcher Farms School. FMI: 228-8770 or info@fletcherfarm.org

February 20 (Monday): No school-Winter Recess
• Women on a tiny island known as Fair Isle, in the Shetland Islands, halfway between Scotland and Norway created their own designs for stranded color knitting. In this class you will knit a headband using a classic Fair Isle design. The headband will be knit in the round and you will learn the different ways of holding both strands of yarn. You must be comfortable casting on and knitting stockinet stitch. Materials Needed: Two Skeins of light worsted weight in contrasting colors, 16" US 3 circular needle, stitch markers Instructor: Suellen Slater; Members: $30 Non-members: $35 FMI: 802-226-7373 or www.sixlooseladies.com.

February 21 (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
• No school-Winter Recess

February 22 (Wednesday): No school-Winter Recess

February 23 (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
• No school-Winter Recess

February 24 (Friday): No school-Winter Recess
• Cavendish Black & White Film Series features Sunset Boulevard, 7 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School. The films are free, donations always welcome, and refreshments available. FMI: 226-7497.

February 25 (Saturday): Winter Farmers Market at the Ludlow Teen Center (Goodmans American Pie), Main Street Ludlow. FMI: www.ludlowfarmersmarket.com
• Pen & Ink/Mixed Media with Don Hofer at Fletcher Farms School. FMI: 228-8770 or info@fletcherfarm.org

February 26 (Sunday): Pen & Ink/Mixed Media with Don Hofer at Fletcher Farms School. FMI: 228-8770 or info@fletcherfarm.org

February 28 (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

February 29 (Wednesday): Happy Leap Year