Cavendish Update 87/6/12 News/Events/Calendar Winners

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.

The 7/6/12 Cavendish Update Contains the Following:
1. Cavendish Related News
2. CCCA Announces Calendar Photo Contest Winners
3. Lotions, Potions and Notions-18th through mid 19th Century Folk Cures
4. BRGN Furniture Donations Letter
5. Cavendish Civil War History: Civil War and WWII Writings
6. Cavendish Events 7/6-7/15

1. Cavendish Related News
State officials Say “Don’t Move Firewood!”: As we move into the height of the camping, vacationing, and barbequing season, The State of Vermont is urging residents to use local firewood. For the sake of forest health, wood should not be moved more than fifty miles from its point of origin. “Firewood can harbor harmful diseases or pests, which could spread when it is relocated,” according to State Survey Coordinator Emilie Inoue, with the Agency of Agriculture. Press Release

Low Flying Planes in VT Solves: Planes from the 143rd Airlift Wing based out of North Kingston, R.I. regularly fly low-level training flight, just 500 feet off the ground, in Vermont. However, the Air Guard is willing to adjust that route if they are causing any dismay to people on the ground. To comment on the flights, call Capt. Christopher Peloso at 401-267-3342. WCAX

2. CCCA Announces Calendar Photo Contest Winners
The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association has announced the winners of its 2013 calendar contest. Each year the organization solicits photographs taken by residents of Cavendish and Proctorsville. Photos are submitted in early June and are displayed for a month at various locations in town so that everyone has a chance to vote for their favorites. A panel of judges awards prizes for the photos with the most artistic merit, and the winners of the popular vote appear in the next calendar.

This year the judges awarded first prize in the adult category to Gail Verheyen for her picture entitled Blaze of Glory. First prize in the young adult category went to Seth Matlofsky for Waterfall, and the first prize in the children’s category was awarded to Emery Benoit for Spring Sunshine.

The picture voted Best in Show by popular vote was New Born Fawn by Robin Varga.

The photos that will grace the 2013 calendar are Main Street Winter by Andrew French, Snow Nautilus by Pieter Van Schaik, Blue Heron by Jillian Palmer, Lilacs for Lunch by Stacia Spaulding, Poppies by Christopher Wuttke, Lunch by Winston Churchill, New Born Fawn by Robin Varga, Early Morning Gold Finch by Tim O’Donoghue, Blaze of Glory by Gail Verheyen, Ice Bells by Hans Shrag, Waterfall by Seth Matlofsky and Nature Takes Over by Mary McCallum.

Runners up include Misty and Stubbs by Nancy Kelley, Happy Hen by Jen Leak, Nesting with Frosty by William Jansak, and Cavendish Vineyard by Anthony Antinori.

Calendars will be on display and for sale at various locations beginning in early November. Proceeds from the sale of the calendars helps support the initiatives and projects of the CCCA.

3. Lotions, Potions and Notions-18th through mid 19th Century Folk Cures
What did the founding families in Cavendish-Coffeen, Dutton and Proctor- have in common? The founders and their wives all lived well into old age, even by today’s standards. John Coffeen died at 75 and his wife at 94. Salmon Dutton was 80 and his wife Sarah was 83. Rounding out the group was Leonard Proctor who was 93 and his wife was 84 at the time of their passing. Interestingly, there was no doctor to treat the family, so what was their secret?

At the July 15 program, Lotions, Potions and Notions, the various health care practices from the late 1700’s through the Civil War will be discussed. Leading this workshop will be Margo Caulfield, Coordinator of the Cavendish Historical Society and Co-Director of Chronic Conditions Information Network.

According to Caulfield, “One of the things to notes about these early founders, they naturally lived nearly all of the Nine Principles of a Blue Zone.” Blue Zones refer to those parts of the world with the highest concentration of male centenarians. “The daily life of the early settlers would have naturally included exercise, a sense of belonging and community as well as a sense of purpose; strong family life; and a diet of whole foods.”

In addition to exploring the various herbs and practices of this era, dental care will also be demonstrated.

This free program will be held on Sunday July 15 at 2 pm at the Cavendish Historical Society on Main Street in Cavendish. FMI: 802-226-7807 or margoc@tds.net

4. BRGN Furniture Donations Letter
A little over a month ago Black River Good Neighbor Services opened a used furniture store in Ludlow. For over twenty five years BRGNS has served the community with a thrift store that depends on the generous donation of goods from the area, and we deeply appreciate all of the donations we receive.

The furniture store accepts donations of quality furniture, but only by previously arranged appointment. We cannot handle goods left outside of our property during the night or on days we are closed. Recently several items were abandoned outside the store. Before we were able to deal with them, it poured rain, rendering them useless. We had to call volunteers to come and haul it all to the transfer station – making work and costing us money that should be going to help those in need.

Again, the Board and staff of BRGNS are extremely grateful for all the support we receive from our kind and generous neighbors. We will continue spending the store profits on food and other programs to help those who are less fortunate in Ludlow, Belmont, Cavendish, Mt. Holly, Plymouth and Proctorsville. But it is important to remember that anyone with a potential furniture donation should first call 228-3663. We will advise whether or not we can use the items offered and we can arrange a mutually convenient time to donate.

With many thanks,

Peter LaBelle, President
BRGNS Board of Directors

5. Cavendish Civil War History: Civil War and WWII Writings
It has been interesting to read the writings from Cavendish enlisted personal who served in the Civil War and WWII. Jesse Adams was born in Cavendish and joined as a private in Co. “F:, 3rd Reg’t Vermont Volunteers, also known as the Hartford, VT Company. Under 18 years old when he enlisted, his father had to provide written permission. His first experience outside of his hometown, was being sent to Camp Baxter, a union training camp near St. Johnsbury. Ultimately, he died of disease at Camp Griffith, VA at the age of 19. His letters home were kept by his mother and some are available on-line.

Dear Father: I now take my pen in hand to let you know I get along. I arrived here safe and sound. We had not gone more than five miles before there was a row started by a fellow by the name of Miles, a member of our company. It began in fun in the first place. Miles and Jim Welch got to sparing and Jim gave him the worst of it and he quit and pitched on to Dick Abbott and they were clipping away smartly when the Capt. stepped between them and Miles pitched on to Capt. Tom [Seaver] and there was some smart work for about a minute when the Capt. caught him by the throat and brought him into a seat in a great hurry. ... When Ayers our drill master came up and tried to quiet him, it could not be done. He [Miles] told Ayers to kiss his damned ass, but instead he hit him in the eye and it stilled him for a minute.

Imogene Baxendale, born Imogene Demarius Morse, entered the war for a very different reason than Adams. As she writes in her diary, “I had wanted to serve Armed Forces from the first, but knowing Bob [her husband Robert Baxendale] could never get in, and Mother in failing health, I felt I was needed at home. But after our unexpected break [she and Baxendale divorced] came and I had tried every way I knew to bring us back together, loneliness drove me to it. “

Baxendale became a Red Cross Nurse, Nov 1, 1944 at Headquarters Mass Ave. Boston. She was sent to the Pacific theater in places such as Manilla, Okinawa, Nagasaki, Okazki, and Toyoko. As she writes in her diary, Nov.15-17, 1945-Went through final separation channels and at 6 pm on eve of my 38 birthday I saw last of duty for Uncle Sam and Al & I started for 208 W. Wilson Ave. Bellmore. I arrive home Thanksgiving eve by way of Boston. And Dec. 3 my Terminal Leave was over and I once more became a civilian with some Hard Knocks to show for my experience but something I wouldn’t missed for world.” Her arrival back in Cavendish must have created quite a stir. She writes, Said goodbye to folks Boston & returned to my own little nest in VT hills on Thanksgiving eve. Mother God bless her not knowing what day or what train I was coming on met every train. Erminie Pollard was on same train so took me home so mother didn’t know I had arrived so I put my bags on porch & went up street to meet her. I thought she was going to collapse on me when I walked up to her in dark & took her in my arms.

My next few weeks were spent not far from the fire side or Mother’s sight. My trunks & baggage finally all arrived and Dec 3 my terminal leave was over & I once more became and every day civilian. Never realized has so many friends. The Wallace McNulty Hoyle Legion Post # 4 have all ready made me a member before I returned.

Baxendale lived to be 84, dying from complications of pneumonia and heart failure at the Springfield Convalescent Center in Springfield, VT on 3 Nov., 1992. Her diary is now at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum, along with a transcript of the text completed by Sandra Stearns

For more information about Baxendale, go to the CHS Blog.

6. Cavendish Events 7/6-7/15
July 6 (Friday): Ludlow Farmer’s Market, 4-7 pm in front of Okemo Mountain School, 53 Main St.

July 7 (Saturday): Arts & Crafts Festival at Fletcher Farm School off of route 103. FMI: www.fletcherfarm.org or call 802-228-8770.

July 8 (Sunday): Cavendish Historical Society Museum Open 2-4 pm. Featuring flood exhibit and 250th Cavendish Historical Timeline. FMI: 226-7807 or margoc@tds.net
• Last day of Six Loose Ladies 4th of July Yarn Sale. FMI: 226-7373

July 9 (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.

July 10 (Tuesday): Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10-11:15. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, Charlotte Snyder at 226-7343 or Anne Oakes or Andrew Ohotnicky at (802) 228-5236, Dot Ramsdell at (802) 226-7870

July 11 (Wednesday): Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce Mixer, 5:30-7:30 at the WaterMusicArt Studio and Gallery and the Hugging Bear Inn. FMI 228-5830
• Blues singer and guitarist Chris Kleeman in concert on the Proctorsville Green at 6 pm. The Concert on the Green series is being coordinated by the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association. Tonight’s concert is sponsored by Good Earth Landscaping of Cavendish.

July 12 (Thursday): Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10-11:15. 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

July 13 (Friday): Ludlow Farmer’s Market, 4-7 pm in front of Okemo Mountain School, 53 Main St.

July 15 (Sunday): Lotions, Potions and Notions-18th through mid 19th Century Folk Cures: A free program at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum at 2 pm. Other exhibits at the Museum include: flood exhibit and 250th Cavendish Historical Timeline. FMI: 226-7807 or margoc@tds.net
• Author of “A Mighty Storm” at Crows Bakery, 6-8 pm, on Depot Street in Proctorsville. FMI: http://www.yourplaceinvermont.com/author-talk---proctorsville.html or 226-7007.