Weathersfield News May 25 #WeathersfieldVT #VT

Weathersfield News May 23, 2016

Nancy Nutile-McMenemy

photosbynanci@comcast.net

As Memorial Day approaches I hope we all remember why we have a day off. While most people get ready for the first weekend of summer with BBQs,  garden planting,  and a freedom from work day, some folks gather to remember all the service people who fought bravely for our country during many wars. During your long weekend, stop for a few minutes and reflect on the real reason why we have this day set aside and what the real price of freedom is.

Last Wednesday, I was in the audience of "Good News From Around The World" a play written and performed by the folks at Zack's Place in Woodstock.

More images: https://photosbynanci.smugmug.com/Zacks-Place-Theater-/Good-News/

 Saw a great Boston Red Sox game on Sunday May 22. They beat the Cleveland Indians after what could be one of the best games I've ever witnessed. Big Papi, David Ortiz almost hit for the cycle with a single, two ground rule doubles and a home run.

More images: https://photosbynanci.smugmug.com/RedSox/2016/Indians-v-Sox-May-22

Weathersfield Select Board News: At their May 16 meeting Chair Daniel Boyer announced that the US flag on display in the front of the Town Office was donated to the Town by Congressman Peter Welch. The flag had been flown at the Capital in Washington for a day before coming to Weathersfield. Ascutney Volunteer Fire Department Chief Darrin Spaulding thanked everyone that helped out during the Yankee Village Motel Fire last month. Spaulding said that the fire reinforced the need for water in the village. The City of Claremont provided 100,000 gallons of (treated drinking) water during the fire. The Tenney Hill, Bow, and Heiser’s hydrants are all out of service and the departments had to get water from Wheeler Camp Road when Claremont could no longer provide it. He added that both the fuel and food budgets will be over-budget due to the fire.

Weathersfield School News-The school welcomed Jennifer Rousse and wished good luck to Erica Yuengling.  Rousse has accepted a paraprofessional position at WS to begin in the fall. Regular Education Paraprofessional, Yuengling, will be completing her teaching degree in FY 17 and will be on a one year leave of absence. Placement Letters Class lists for FY 17 went home with the children on Friday May 20. WS said good-bye to Kelly Harriman, who has been their AD for several years. The school also welcomed Stephen Lanoza who has accepted the Lead Cook position at WS for the FY 17 school year. After many years of dedicated service, Judy Sargent, Assistant to the Cook, has announced her retirement. Her last day of work is Jun. 14. Hannaford Helps Schools Program-WS belongs to the Hannaford Helps Program, when families shop, certain items count towards this program, the school that raises the most money each year gets a $1,000 check from Hannaford’s. Two Hannaford representatives came to school and awarded that check to WS school. For more information about WS, please contact Principal Oakman  jmoakman@wsesu.net or call at 674-5400.

Weathersfield Parks and Recreations-Announced its Guided Hikes. Contact Steve Aikenhead with questions stevea47@tds.net , 263-5439. Saturday, Jun. 18, 9:30 a.m.-The Ancient Hemlocks. This route is over fields and through the woods, up and down a logging road and over a rivulet or brook. The last half mile is up Little Canada Road, past the 1791 John Warner house. Dave Noake will welcome us there with a brief tour of the house. The trees are about 500 years old. Your guide will use a compass to find his way through one section – he’s confident. Total distance 2 miles. Sunday, Jul. 17, 11:30 a.m.-The Cabin. Following Swift’s Logging Road up to the crest of Pikes Peak ridge, then a trail through the woods to Grace’s skiing trail, and then by woodsy trail on to Steve’s cabin. There is a nice view there. We will linger – some food will be available. The distance to the cabin will feel like 2 miles, plus a short walk on the Center Road. There might be No Trespassing signs at the beginning of this hike, but we natives are sure they can’t mean us. We use the route many times.  If anyone is interested, the return from the cabin could go past Murderer’s Well, which was large enough for two bodies, but was used for only one. Its cellar hole is clearly visible. Add a mile. Let Steve know if you want to include the cellar hole route. Sunday, Aug. 14, 1:00 p.m.-Springweather, Stoughton Pond. This hike is to the pond and around it for those who wish. The route to the pond is mostly level – a couple of hills – and is just over 2 ½ miles. We will leave cars there to get back to Springweather.  Those who want to continue will go another 2 ½  miles around the pond, in part on the Crown Point Road, passing a 1760 marker stone and crossing Branch Brook. We stay on the Crown Point Road to return to cars. The loop is hilly, but not necessarily strenuous, depending on your opinion. Boots will come off for the crossing – a towel might be welcome. Hikers could skip the pond and brook, go out and back from Springweather, and therefore go 5 miles, or go out and back from Springweather including pond and brook: 7 ½ miles. Saturday, Aug. 20, 9:30 a.m.-Little Ascutney-Walking up to the ledges for provides a very nice view. In large part this terrain is strenuous. The hike includes a steady climb, then a dip, and then a steep ascent to get to the viewpoints. The parking lot is at 900 feet, and the summit of Little Ascutney is at 1709 feet. The hike probably will take over two hours. Saturday, Sept. 17, 9:30 a.m.-The Crash Site and Tucker Trail Lookout. From Gil Whittemore’s in Perkinsville we head up to the site of the 1947 crash of an army B-29 bomber. The difficulty is strenuous. The climb is steady, but the footing is good. On the way back we will go out and back to a viewpoint overlooking Perkinsville and the Black River Valley. The total distance is less than 3 miles.  This event is limited to 15 people. Gil will give participants a copy of Barbara Woodbury’s booklet containing accounts and photos of the tragedy. (Let me know if you already have one.) Dogs are not permitted. Saturday, Sept. 24, 9:30 a.m.-Perkinsville Lower Valley. The hike starts at the Grange and takes in the Lower Falls and the original site of Grout Cemetery. We will offer some historical commentary en route. There are river views and meadow views. The terrain is partly flat and partly of gentle slope. Distance will be optional, from 1.3 miles to 2.5 to 4.0. We’ll see what people want. The Historical Society hopes to do a similar hike with more detailed commentary. Our date might change so that we can join them. Saturday, Oct. 15, 9:30 a.m.-Cooks Pond Loop. This is a route on dirt road more than on trail. It is wooded, lovely in autumn colors. There are three beaver ponds along the trail and a framed view of Mt. Ascutney from the south end of Cooks Pond. Other mountain views occur at later points. Julia Lloyd Wright will be the hike leader. Difficulty: easy to moderate, with one longish incline. Distance: almost 3 miles. Saturday, Oct. 22, 5 p.m.-Ferry Road and the Connecticut River. This generally level route heads down shaded Ferry Road and into Skyline Nursery. Soon it follows the river, sometimes with views. The total length is about 2 miles. Carol Orth is the leader.

Get Out And About:

Grand Opening ADA Bathroom At the Weathersfield Proctor Library in Ascutney Thursday, May 26 5 p.m. Join the Trustees and Friends of Proctor Library as they officially open their new ADA Accessible Bathroom and Walkway. Refreshments will be served. Call 802.674.2863 for more information.

Weathersfield Elementary School Dates to Remember in Ascutney, May 27, 8:15-9:15 a.m. Memorial Day Assembly – Public Invited and Early Release Day, at 11:30 a.m. -students have lunch and leave school-curriculum afternoon for Teachers. May 30, noon in Perkinsville-Principal Oakman, BJ Esty and WS Students attend Memorial Day Service. Jun. 2, 3-4 p.m.-School Volunteers Tea and Thank You. Jun. 4, 2 p.m.-Annual Drama Production Rumpelstiltskin, Private Eye.  Jun. 6, 1 p.m.-Rumpelstiltskin, Private Eye, performance for grades K-8.  Jun. 6, 5:30-7 p.m.-Panther Cub Night for all Incoming Kindergarteners in the fall. Jun. 8, 5-6 p.m.-School Report Night and Pizza Supper. Jun. 10-Grade 8 Class Trip to Boston and Field Day for K-7. Jun. 13, 7 p.m. Grade 8 Graduation. Jun. 14, 11:30 a.m. Last Day of School for Students - Early Release Day.

Memorial Day Service in Perkinsville, Monday, May 30, noon on the Green. Memorial Day is a solemn day to remember and honor the selfless dedication of service members who have boldly stood in harm’s way carrying the torch of freedom fighting to protect our abundant way of life. Please come to the Perkinsville Green to recognize the men and women who have served us and have passed on. Veterans Memorial Committee  802-885-2221

3rd Annual Five Alarm 5K in Perkinsville, Saturday Jul. 30. This 5 K Trail Run or Walk benfites the West Weathersfield Volunteer Fire Department. The is at the Power Dam at the end of Maple Street in Perkinsville. Registration opens at 8 a.m., Kid Race at 9 a.m., 5K starts at 9:30 a.m. First, Second and Third places awarded to each age group. Register Online at http://www.active.com/perkinsville-vt/running/distance-running-races/3rd-annual-five-alarm-5k-2016?int=  or paper registration available at The West Weathersfield Volunteer Fire Dept.Or Contact Toshya at mainecutie94@hotmail.com, (603)322-3287. A chicken BBQ will be to follow at WWFD station.

Ongoing:

Friends of the 1879 Schoolhouse Work Days in Perkinsville. The following are volunteer work dates for the 1879 Schoolhouse-Jun. 4, 8 a.m.-4p.m. Saturday work party event with a huge manpower contribution from a Vermont/New Hampshire Men’s Community Service Organization. We will be working on interior and exterior finishing projects on both the ell and the main building. There will be work for all skill levels. Please call 802.263.5300.

Fridays Live Music Inn at Weathersfield in Perkinsville Friday nights at 5:30 p.m.- May 27-Chris Kleeman, Jun. 3-Ali T, Jun. 10-Eric Boedtker, Jun. 17-Draa Hobbs, Jun. 24-Johnny O, Jul. 1-Peter Neri, Jul. 8-Erik Boedtker.

Low Cost Cat Pay/Neuter Clinics in Springfield. Call Springfield Humane Society 802-885-3997 for an appointment. Clinic dates: May 31, Aug. 16, Sept. 13, Oct. 11 and Dec. 13. Weathersfield residents are reimbursed for cost of surgery up to $50, limit three (3) cats. Please bring SNAP form (available at the Town Office.)

Weathersfield Food Shelf is now open in the 1879 School in Perkinsville every Thursday from 2-3 p.m.  during the winter season.  In the event of inclement weather contact Weathersfield Town Office, 674-2626,  for information.

Yoga Tuesday nights, Weathersfield Town Hall in Ascutney practice Sivananda & Flow Yoga with Charlotte McIntyre from 5:30-6:30 p.m.. For info visit www.yogisites.com/yogawithcharlotte  or  email yogawithcharlotte7@gmail.com Claremont, NH The Ahimsa Yoga Center is located at 140 North Street, across from Barnes Park. To find out more about Ahimsa, please visit www.ahimsanh.com

Valley Court Diversion Programs-Volunteer are needed in Weathersfield/Springfield areas to work with low level offenders in the community. 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 802.281.5213.

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.

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.