Friday, February 8, 2013

Cavendish Update 2/8/13 Kingsbury/News/Events


Information can also be posted on the Cavendish VT Facebook Page 

Note: A major snowstorm is expected through today and into Saturday. Schools, businesses, airlines, Amtrak and events have been cancelled. Call ahead before venturing out and use caution. Cavendish Emergency Preparedness Information is available on-line. 

The 2/8/13 Cavendish Update Contains the following information:
1. Paul Kingsbury (1920-2103)
2. Cavendish Related News
3. Cavendish Historical Society Winter Newsletter
4. Tracy and Hepburn Star in Classic Film
5. Raking Scatterings by Paul Kingsbury 1995 Black River Reporter
6. Cavendish Events 2/8-2/17

1. PAUL KINGSBURY (1920-2013)
It is with sadness that we report the passing of one of the stalwarts of the Cavendish community, Paul Kingsbury. Raised on Chubb Hill and the Kingsbury Farm, Paul's wife wrote the history of Cavendish, "Chubb Hill Farm and Cavendish, Vermont: A Family and Town History 1876-1960," while describing how life was for Paul and his ancestors.

Paul was a WWII veteran, being injured in action. A graduate of Houghton College, he received masters’ degrees from the University of Vermont and Cornell University.  With his wife, the former Barbara Burkholder, he was an agricultural missionary in Korea for the United Presbyterian Church. Retiring early, Paul and his wife returned to the family farm and became very involved in a variety of activities in Cavendish, including the Historical Society and the Cavendish Baptist Church. He also wrote a column for the “Black River Reporter.” In honor of his passing, one of his articles written in 1995 has been included-Item 5-in this post. Paul is survived by his wife and four daughters. His obituary is available on-line. 

Funeral services are today, Feb. 8, 10:30 am at the Cavendish Baptist Church on Main Street in Cavendish. 

For those who wish to write to Barbara Kingsbury, letters can be sent in care of Esther and Peter Sexton, 1310 Forrest St., Brookings, S Dakota 57006. Donations can be made in Paul's name to Heifer International.

2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
Cavendish Budget Down 1.2 percent: The Cavendish Select Board approved the town meeting warrant last week, which includes eight articles, according to Rich Svec, town manager. One of the more notable articles, according to Svec, is the 2014 proposed budget. At $1.24 million, the budget is a 1.2 percent decrease from this year’s $1.26 million budget. The cause for the decrease was attributed to a $6,000 surplus in the 2013 budget, Svec said. There is only one contested election this year. Three candidates — Amy Perry, Amanda Tyrrell and Scott Ranney — are vying for two, one-year School Board seats. Rutland Herald 

Town Meeting Will Decide on Stone Church: At the upcoming town meeting, Cavendish voters will decide whether to accept the deed of the Cavendish Universalist Church. The Cavendish Historical Society has been using the building under a lease agreement with the Quebec/Vermont Universalist Unitarian Church since the 1970’s. Owning the church outright will make it possible to obtain necessary funds to renovate and preserve this 1844 building. One of the intended purposes is to make it the permanent home of the Solzhenitsyn exhibit. Rutland Herald 

State’s Students Show Gains in Writing on NECAP Tests: Vermont’s elementary and middle-school students are showing improvement in their writing skills, but reading and math scores remain virtually unchanged, according to results from the New England Common Assessment Program released Wednesday. Proficiency in writing among high school students dipped from 48 percent to 46. GMUHS had proficiency of 74/73 for reading in 2012 and 2011 respectively. For the same time period, while high school math proficiency rose from 36 to 38 percent statewide, GMUHS went from 39 in 2011 to 31 percent in 2012. Rutland Herald 

Postal Service Says will end Saturday Mail Delivery: The Postal Service plans to drop Saturday delivery of first-class mail by August in its latest effort to cut costs after losing nearly $16 billion last fiscal year, the cash-strapped mail agency said on Wednesday. The plan would save about $2 billion a year. The mail agency will still deliver packages six days a week and will not change post office operating hours. "The Postal Service is advancing an important new approach to delivery that reflects the strong growth of our package business and responds to the financial realities resulting from America's changing mailing habits," Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said in a statement.

Popular Chamber Health Insurance Plan to End: A popular health insurance plan offered by Chambers Of Commerce is coming to an end and many local chambers are concerned that without the plan they may lose members. Under the Affordable Health Care Act, beginning on January 1, 2014, health insurance will be purchased through exchanges set up in states across the country. On that date, local Chambers Of Commerce in Vermont will no longer be able to offer a popular health insurance program known as VACE to their small business members. Currently about 17,000 Vermonters are insured through the chamber program. VPR 

Beware of Scam Flu Products: As the flu continues to make people sick—and even cause deaths—scammers are alive and well. These scammers sell their products with claims to prevent, treat or cure the flu, even though they have not been tested and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved them. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 

 



3. CAVENDISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY WINTER NEWSLETTER

The Cavendish Historical Society’s Winter Newsletter is now available on-line. 








4. TRACY & HEPBURN STAR IN CLASSIC FILM
The Black & White Nights films series in Proctorsville will feature an evening of romantic comedy when Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn team up in the 1952 romantic comedy PAT AND MIKE.  The seventh onscreen pairing of the two legends from Hollywood’s golden age has Hepburn playing Pat Pemberton, a brilliant athlete who is a natural at any sport except the art of dating.  Her domineering fiancée ruins her golf game until she meets her match in Mike Conovan, a feisty promoter played by Tracy.  Their growing mutual attraction lights the screen with the famous Tracy-Hepburn chemistry that drew dedicated audiences.  Directed by George Cukor, Pat And Mike received a nomination for Best Actress at the Golden Globes.  The film will be shown on Friday, February 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the new hall of the Gethsemane Episcopal Church on Depot St. in Proctorsville.  Admission is free but donations very much appreciated.  Come to the movies without having to drive far, enjoy homemade cookies and be part of the small band of classic film lovers.  Upcoming films in February are A Gentleman’s Agreement and The Artist.   For more information or in case of bad weather call 226-7187 or 226-7497.

5. RAKING SCATTERINGS BY PAUL KINGSBURY 1995 Black River Reporter

Since the mention of “creepers” here in February, I have been gratified to hear from at least four readers who have brought me up-to-date on this subject. Thank you all. I had not seen creepers for years. It is good to know that non-slippage devices for boots in winter are readily available. This shows me that my acquaintance with modern technology is somewhat lacking and that not only in regard to computers!

It seems that “creepers” are now called “ice treads,” and I have to admit that that world is much more meaningful than “creepers.” I am told that these helpful devices can be bought in Claremont, Chester and at the Vermont Country Store, and probably in lots of other places. Some, or all, of the ice treads have steel studs attached to an adjustable rubber strap, which fits around the shoe or boot. These would appear to be much more convenient and effective than the old creepers of long ago. You can carry them in pocket or purse, and slip them on your feet whenever you come to an icy place in the path. Surely here is an example of the inventive genius of human being, which can make life easier and safer. Such technology is good.

Sometimes we carry the overwhelming affect of technology, machinery, and gadgets on our daily lives. Perhaps we could say that technology is good when it helps us to be more human and humane, and when it reduces suffering or poverty, but bad when it merely reinforces our urge to get and to spend, with little regard to the needs of other people. Take motor vehicles for example.

In the cabbage growing hills of Korea our sympathy went out to low-income women who supplement their living by gathering the poor-quality Chinese cabbage from the fields after the good cabbage is harvested. The women carried heavy sacks of cabbage on their heads, walking for several miles to sell it in the market. If they were lucky a passing truck might give them a ride; if not, they walked to town. I have seen these sturdy women striding along with their huge loads, the sweat streaming down their faces. When trucks and busses became more plentiful some of their drudgery was relieved. Surely that is good.

But our cars sometimes separate us from other people.

In my grandfather’s day the farmers drove along the road with their horse-drawn wagons, passing neighbors plowing and haying in their fields beside the road. There would be a cheerful greeting and perhaps a longer conversation. Now we speed by in our cars and seldom stop at our neighbors.

This may be too dismal a picture of modern life. Of course there are many ways to be neighborly and friendly without a horse and buggy. John Harris’ weekly report on those who visit together at the morning coffee hour tells us of one way to relate to other people, even in our modern age of technology. The information highway should help people communicate with each other.

Better creepers are good, as are those kind people who told me about them.

6. CAVENDISH EVENTS 2/8-2/16
February 8 (Friday): BLACK AND WHITE FILM SERIES HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER. For more information call 226-7187 or 226-7497.

February 9 (Saturday): THE SIXTH GRADE BOTTLE DRIVE HAS BEEN CANCELLED AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED IN THE SPRING.
• The Annual CCCA benefit, Mardi Gras party. 6 pm at Crows Bakery in Proctorsville. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the year. Includes delicious food and the Cajun Band Yankee Chank. If tickets are sold out, come by at 8 pm for some Cajun dancing for a donation of your choice. FMI: 226-7736.
• Ludlow Winter Farmer’s Market, 9-1 at Inside Market at the corner of Main St. and Andover St. (Rt. 100 South) FMI: http://ludlowfarmersmarket.org/
 
February 11 (Monday): Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office. Agenda posted to blog www.cavendishvt.blogspot.com as soon as it is received. LPC-TV tapes meetings and makes them available on-line www.lpctv.org and Comcast Cable TV.

February 12 (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, or Anne Oakes or Andrew Ohotnicky at (802) 228-5236, Dot Ramsdell at (802) 226-7870

February 14 (Thursday): HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
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

February 15 (Friday): CTES PTO fundraiser-bake sale in front of Shaw’s and Singleton’s.

February 16 (Saturday): Ludlow Winter Farmer’s Market, 9-1 at Inside Market at the corner of Main St. and Andover St. (Rt. 100 South) FMI: http://ludlowfarmersmarket.org/





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