Weathersfield News July 29 #WeathersfieldVT #VT

Weathersfield News July 29, 2015

Nancy Nutile-McMenemy

photosbynanci@comcast.net

My hat goes off to the first responders in Weathersfield. Some were gathered last Saturday to celebrate the life of Patricia Daniels, a big supporter of our fire fighters, when the call went out for a motor vehicle accident on the interstate. The guys dropped everything and ran. By now you've heard this accident resulted in a fatality. I left the Center Meeting House and went to cover the Harpoon BBQ Championships in Windsor. Driving north on I-91 we saw that traffic was backed up past State Street as the State police and emergency personnel cleared that accident. We decided to play it safe and head home using Rte 5. As we got to the interstate overpass at Exit 8 we see another huge traffic back-up. This couldn't be from the single car interstate accident four hours earlier, could it? No, it was a separate accident involving a Subaru Forester and a Golden Cross ambulance.

The fire fighters from Ascutney and West Weathersfield were about to head home when this second call went out for an accident on Rte 131. They found themselves dealing with yet another horrific accident scene. The woman in the Subaru was trapped and unconscious and needed extracting. She was airlifted to Dartmouth Hitchcock.  I cannot even image the stress and sadness these guys must feel every time their pagers go off. My heart goes out to them and their families. Please hug and thank them if you see them around town.

More images from the accident: https://photosbynanci.smugmug.com/Rte-131-Accident/

Other events I covered this past weekend:
The S.O.A.K. finale and Epic Water Balloon Fight at Woodstock Middle/High School on Thursday afternoon.

More images from this event: https://photosbynanci.smugmug.com/VermontStandard/July-2015/SOAK-Party/

Bow Thayer performing a FREE Concert on the Lebanon NH green as part of the Front Porch Concert Series Thursday evening.

More images from the concert: https://photosbynanci.smugmug.com/BowThayer/2015/Front-Porch-Music/

The 15th Annual Harpoon NE BBQ Championships in Windsor Vt on Saturday.

More BBQ images: https://photosbynanci.smugmug.com/VermontStandard/July-2015/Harpoon-NE-BBQ-2015/

And David Bromberg and his Quintet at the Tupelo Music Hall NH in Londonderry NH on Sunday night.

More images from this concert: https://photosbynanci.smugmug.com/David-Bromberg/Quintet/

Now onto to the news...

News You Can Use

Your first property tax payment of FY 2015/2016 is due on Aug. 12.

Weathersfield School News-Act 46-The Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union has posted informational videos about Act 46 on their website: www.wsesu.net. In addition, more information may be found at: http://www.wsesu.net/act-46. Act 46 is new legislation which provides strong incentives for any supervisory union that decides to merge into a single district. This law requires districts with less than 900 students to merge by 2018. In fact, if the districts do not merge by that date, then the Secretary of Education is directed to submit a plan to the state board placing those isolated districts with another merged district. The public next meeting in Weathersfield will be Aug. 10 6:30 p.m. at the school.

Town Calendar of Events:

The Frippery is Coming. The Weathersfield Historical Society is hosting its annual Frippery on Aug. 1 at The Weathersfield Center Meeting House. Anyone wishing to donate can call Maureen for questions at 603-252-0936. This is always a fun event with lots of great things for sale to benefit the Historical Society.

A Second Connecticut River Sweep Aug. 9. 9 a.m.-noon. The flotilla leaves from North Star and arrives at Ashley’s Landing across from Weathersfield Bow. This is the flotilla's 16th year. (And the river is much better for it.) If you would like to get a little mucky, enjoy a lovely journey, and help the river and all who use it, contact Steve Aikenhead at steve@vermontel.net, or 802-263-5439. He can answer your questions and give you more details. Please contact him before Aug.1 so he knows who will be attending.

West Weathersfield 2nd Annual Five Alarm 5-K Trail Run/Walk-Saturday Aug. 22

 Event Details and Schedule http://www.active.com/perkinsville-vt-vt/running/trail-run-races/west-weathersfield-2nd-annual-five-alarm-5k-trail-run-walk-2015

Ongoing:

Weathersfield Hikes-Saturday, Aug. 1 9:30 a.m. Tucker Trail Lookout. From the green in Perkinsville we head up a road and a driveway and onto a wooded route that climbs to a fine southeastern view from the top of ledge. The difficulty is moderate to strenuous. The climb is steady, but the footing is good. The total distance is about 1.8 miles, up and back. Feel free to call Steve, hiking organizer, at 263-5439 with questions.

Weathersfield Proctor Library-The Summer Reading Program is in full swing. Saturday, Aug 1 10:30 a.m. Firefighter Hat Crafts; Saturday, Aug 8 6:30 p.m. Summer Reading Party and Super Hero Obstacle Course-Come and Save a Damsel or Damson from mortal peril! So put on your SUPER CAPE and Check Out some books! Let the Summer Reading Adventure Begin! The Trustees have rented a port-o-let until a new ADA accessible bathroom can be built to accommodate the library patrons.

Valley Court Diversion Programs-Volunteer are needed in Weathersfield/Springfield areas to work with low level offenders in the community. The organization embraces the principles of restorative justice. As a volunteer, you will hear participant's stories and help create a restorative contract with them. The group meets once a month at the Springfield Police Department, your commitment will require about 3 hours a month. Training is provided. For more information please visit our website at www.vcdp.org or call Maureen at 802-295-5078 #10.

Food Shelf The Weathersfield Food Shelf is located at 7303 Route 131 - the former "World of Discovery" daycare. Thanks to the generosity of their donors, the Weathersfield Food Shelf will now be open every Thursday from 4-5 p.m. 

Senior Exercise Program in Ascutney-FREE sponsored by RSPV- Wednesdays 10-11 a.m. in basement of Martin Memorial Hall, Route 5, Ascutney, VT. Classes are led by Geraldine Rudenfeldt. If interested call 674-5254 for more information.

Weathersfield Proctor Library, Hours: Wed 10-6 p.m.; Thurs & Fri noon-6 p.m.; Sat 9-1 p.m. Summer Reading Program "Super Heroes" begins Jun. 24, come in and sign up today! FREE Programs-FREE Computer Tutor - Fridays 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Do you want to learn how to use a computer? Sign up for email or Facebook or learn more about internet safety? Did you know the library offers downloadable eBooks and audiobooks? Sign up required. BYOL (bring your own laptop or smartphone if you have one).

Volunteers in Action (VIA) is looking for volunteer drivers. VIA is an organization that drives people to doctor's appointments, usually at Mt. Ascutney Hospital or DHMC and occasionally grocery missions. Your mileage is reimbursable.  Please call VIA at (802) 674-5971 ask for Martha or Scottie. 

Need to Find a Business in Weathersfield: http://www.weathersfielddirectory.org/

Have anything you want included in this news and events column-email Nancy at photosbynanci@comcast.net two weeks prior to your event.