Weathersfield Weekly Blog, May 16
News You Can Use
Weathersfield Parks and Recreation news: The Seventh Annual Hiking schedule for 2019 has been announced. Hikes include Old Roads of Weathersfield Bow, A bird hike, The B-29 Crash Site, Crown Point Road and more. Hikes will be posted below in the Ongoing Events section. You can also contact Steve at 802-263-5439 for more information or to get on his mailing list.
Weathersfield Historical Society news: The Weathersfield Historical Society has announced their annual “Frippery” August 10 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and August 11 8 a.m.-noon. This year’s Frippery will be held at the Claire Murray House 5357 Rte 5 in Ascutney (rather than the Center Meeting House). They are seeking gently used items (no clothing, appliances or electronics). For more information call Patti 802-263-9405 or Maureen 603-252-0936.
Get Out and About Events
Special Town Warrant-Town Voting-The informational meeting will be held on Monday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at the Weathersfield School. Voting by Australian ballot for the two money articles to provide fire services to the town will be on Tuesday, May 21 at Martin Memorial Hall from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.VAULT’s Open Studio Featured Artist in the Springfield May 25 and 26 from 10 to 5. Gallery at the VAULT on 68 Main St. Stop by Gallery at the VAULT May 25 noon to 4 p.m. to meet Potter, Andrew Berends There will be a special seconds sale of raku pottery the entire Open Studio Weekend. Raku is a 16th century Japanese firing process originally intended to produce ceremonial tea ware. It involves firing a piece to 1850 degrees, pulling it out of the kiln with tongs, then placing it in combustibles such as straw or sawdust. Because of the unique raku process, no two pieces will be the same. VAULT is right next door to the Copper Fox Restaurant, open from 11:30 to 2:30 and 5:30 to 9, Wednesday through Monday, so that includes Open Studio Weekend. Regular hours are Wednesday through Saturday 11 to 5 and Monday 11:30 to 2:30. Stop in to pick up your free Open Studio booklet. For VAULT’s full range of classes and exhibits see www.galleryvault.org. Open Studio Weekend is a statewide celebration of the visual arts and creative process, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to meet a wide variety of artists and craftspeople in their studios, some of which are only open to the public during this event. The Vermont Crafts Council is a non-profit organization serving the Vermont visual arts community. Open Studio Weekend is supported by the Vermont Arts Council and by the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing. See http://www.vermontcrafts.com
Lace Up for Laura Memorial 5k walk/run in Perkinsville Saturday, June 29 features two runs: an approximately ½ mile kids 12 and under fun run at 8:30 a.m. and 3.1mile (5km) race at 9:00 a.m. for all ages and abilities. The starts for both races will be located near the intersection of the Plains and Reservoir Roads. Proceeds from the Memorial run will benefit the Laura Cody McNaughton Memorial fund and its annual scholarship which will be awarded to a graduating senior who exemplifies Laura’s leadership and giving spirit, and, is pursuing further education and training in a field where these principles may be put into practice. Register now at www.laceupforlaura.com.
Some Daffodils before the snow came...
Music and Performances
Inn at Weathersfield Live Music Fridays in Perkinsville 7-9 p.m. May 17 Peter Neri, May 24 Ali T., May 31 Josh Hall.The Engine Room in White River Junction. May 11 Sean Ashby 8 p.m., May 18 TOGA Party 9 p.m., May 24 Karaoke Night 8 p.m., May 25 Gallimaufry of Vaudvibilly 7 p.m., May 30 River Roost Tap Takeover 5 p.m..
Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon NH. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. May 17 Dan Zanes and Claudia Eliaza-10 a.m.; May 17 April Verch Band-On Location; May 18 Who’s Bad; June 13 David Crosby and Sky Trails Band; June 16 Keb’ Mo’; June 20 Anoushka Shankar; June 23 Whose Live Anyway?.
Skinny Pancake in Hanover NH. May 18 Lydia Gray Quartet, June 26 Brooks Hubbard Band.
Windsor Station in Windsor. May 19 The Medicine Tribe 9:30 p.m., May 11 Jack in the Pulpit 9 p.m., May 18 Rear Defrosters 9 p.m., May 24 Binger 9 p.m., May 31 Derek and the Demons 9:30 p.m..
Weathersfield School Performances in Ascutney. Frozen, the play on Saturday, May 18 at 7 p.m. in the gym, with the school production for students on Monday, May 20 1 p.m., May 24 Memorial Day Assembly 8:15-9 a.m.
Ongoing Events
Food Assistance:
Ascutney Union Church Food Cupboard in Ascutney 5243 Route 5 Saturdays 9-10 a.m. call 802-674-2484.Weathersfield Food Shelf in Perkinsville. The 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 1-3 p.m. WFS is located in the 1879 Schoolhouse at 1862 Route 106 in Perkinsville. Donations of nonperishable food are always welcomed and may be dropped off at the facility during open hours or placed in the collection box at Martin Memorial Hall. For more information, call 802-263-5584 or email weathersfieldfoodshelf@gmail.com.
Rachel’s Kitchen in Windsor. Free breakfast 7-10 a.m. Mon-Fri at the Rachel Harlow Church 165 Main Street Windsor.
Windsor Community Dinners in Windsor. Wednesdays 5-6 p.m. at the American Legion Hall 4 Court Street, Windsor.
Veggie Van Go in Windsor. Free fresh produce provided by the Vermont Food Bank. 2nd Tuesday of the month 10-11 a.m. Mt. Ascutney Hospital 289 County Road, Windsor.
Hartland Food shelf in Hartland. 4 Corners UU Church Fridays 8-10 a.m.
Reading-West Windsor Food Shelf in Reading. Mondays 2-4 p.m. and Thursday 4-6 p.m. Stone School 3456 Tyson Rd, Reading.
Weathersfield Parks and Recreation Hikes: 2019 the 7th Annual Hike Schedule
Old Roads in Weathersfield Bow Sunday, June 2 2 p.m.Jeff Pelton leads the first hike. His description: “Park at the Baptist Church parking lot in Weathersfield Bow. We'll walk north to the old Lyman Tavern, later the Danforth Tavern, thence west along Old Bow Road, thence south along the backside of the pond to the Old Springfield Road. We follow the OSR until we're cut off by the Interstate and then retrace our steps back. At some point we will bear off on a logging road and loop back to the village. As this is a Historical Society walk, your "side-hill cronchers" will have to bear some historical blather here and there – Jeff”
Birding, Late May or early June:
Marianne Walsh is happy to lead a bird walk from Dana’s farm on the upper section of Bowen Hill Rd to the wetlands on the Springfield/Weathersfield town line on Skyline Drive. The walk would be during a weekday and would have to be early (6 a.m. would be best). Marianne walks this section a few times a week in spring, summer and fall. If interested, contact her at 802-885-9420 or mwalsh@vermontel.net. She can also tell you about an early morning walk on lovely conserved land across the river in New Hampshire. See the September 22nd hike below for some details about the area.
The B-29 Crash Site Saturday, June 15 9 a.m.
The difficulty of this wooded climb to the crash site is moderate to strenuous. The footing is good. About halfway up there is a fine southeastern view from the top of ledge. That distance is about a mile. Then we continue up almost another mile to the crash site. Barbara Woodbury’s account of the crash is available from the historical society.
The Ancient Hemlocks Saturday, June 22 9 a.m.
This route is over fields and through the woods, up and down a logging road and over a rivulet or brook, including the headwaters of Mill Brook. You won’t have to remove footwear. The last half mile is up Little Canada Road, past the 1791 John Warner house. If the owner is home, he enjoys giving a tour. The trees are about 500 years old. Your guide will use a compass to find his way through one section – he’s confident, despite an occasional debacle. Total distance 2 miles
Little Ascutney Saturday, July 13 9 a.m.
We will walk up to the ledges – very nice view – on a trail that in part is strenuous. There is first a steady climb, then a steep ascent, and then a steady climb. We will have gone from the parking lot at 900 feet to the summit of Little Ascutney at 1709 feet. The hike probably will take over two hours. It feels like 2 miles up.
Cathedral Rocks Saturday, July 20 9 a.m.
This hike is on wood roads. Its length has not been calculated, but it descends to the River Road (Route 10) from Stokes Road, which is just short of Wellwood Orchard. We will spot cars at the end of the hike for a ride back to Stokes. There is a nice view near the top of the descent. The rocks are very big. Two hours.
To the Cabin Sunday, July 28 11:30 a.m.
We follow Swift’s Logging Road up to the crest of Pikes Peak ridge. Then we follow a trail through the woods to Grace’s skiing trail and by a woodsy trail 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. Those who wish can do an extra walk to the well that held Herbert White’s body.
To the Power Dam, Perkinsville Lower Village Sunday, August 18 9 a.m.
We will start near the Stoughton Pond causeway. There is a meadow and then the river with a look at the old Branch Brook swimming hole and then the dam, aka the Tolles Dam. We will offer some historical commentary en-route and a map of the area. Copies of We Remember – a history of the Lower Village – will be available for $15.00. The route is generally flat with some gentle slopes. If the meadow is tall and is a concern, go near the rear of the line and the grass should be trampled for you.
Ferry Road and the Connecticut River Saturday, August 3 5 p.m.
This generally level route heads down shaded Ferry Road and into Skyline Nursery. Soon it follows the river, sometimes with views. At one point the remains of the huge Consul Jarvis sheep barn can be glimpsed. The total length is about 2 miles. Carol Orth is the leader.
Crown Point Road Saturday, September 14 9 a.m.
Currently the plan is to walk from Branch Brook Road past the 1759 marker stone that is one of the two original marker stones on the entire route across Vermont and then cross Branch Brook and head up to Plain Cemetery, where we will have left cars to take us back to Branch Brook Road. Distance: about 1.5 miles with some moderate climbing up to the cemetery. For a short walk turn at the brook. Possibly a different section of the CPR will be open by this time.
“Up On the Hill” on conserved land near Charlestown Sunday, September 22 2 p.m.
Marianne Walsh has been here and expects to join us. We will walk on trails by a river, though a forest and through meadows, and up the hill to a view of Ascutney. After looking at the map on the website, my guess is up to 3 miles of walking. Steve searched “Up On the Hill UVLT” and went to the website.
Ascutney Mountain Saturday, October 5 8 a.m.
We will go to the fire tower and the Brownsville Overlook. We will go up the Weathersfield Trail, but people wanting a less strenuous hike (.7 miles up) could drive up and meet us at the top, we hope. I expect to be in that shorter hike, but we’ll see how the knees are doing. We leave early because parking later is a problem.
Cooks Pond Loop Saturday, October 19 9:30 a.m.
This is a route on wooded dirt roads more than on trail. There is a lovely framed view of Mt. Ascutney from the south end of Cooks Pond. Other mountain views occur at later points. Difficulty: easy to moderate, with one longish incline. Distance: almost 3 miles.
Low cost spay/neuter clinics in Springfield. Springfield Humane Society is hosting low cost spay/neuter clinics in 2019: May 28, June 18, July 9, Aug. 13, Sept.24, Oct. 29, and Nov. 26 at the Springfield Humane Society, on Route 143. Cost is $50 for female cat and $40 for male cat. Weathersfield residents may be reimbursed up to $50 for the surgery with a limit of three pets per year. Get your SNAP form from the town office. Please call Springfield Humane Society for an appointment at 802-885-3997.
Senior Exercise Program in Ascutney: Free. Sponsored by RSVP. Mondays and Wednesdays 10-11 a.m. in basement of Martin Memorial Hall, Route 5, Ascutney. Classes are led by Sandy Lemois. If interested call 674-5254 for more information.
Twin State Depression Support Group in Weathersfield. Free peer-led Depression Support Groups to all, the 3rd Wednesday of each month, 6:30 pm, 5259 Route 5, Ascutney, VT (Martin Memorial Hall - downstairs) and the 4th Wednesday of each month, 6:30 pm, 7 Morgan Street, Springfield, VT (Turning Point) Both venues are accessible. TwinStateDepressionSupportGroup.org or on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TwinStateDSG/. More information call 802-795-0098
Have anything you want included in this news and events column? Email Nancy at photosbynanci@comcast.net two weeks prior to your event.