What To Do In and Around Weathersfield Vermont

Keep a lookout for Monarch Butterfly caterpillars on milkweed plants.

Adult Monarch butterflies that emerge from the pupa in early spring have a lifespan of 2 to 5 weeks. Monarchs that emerge in late summer survive throughout winter. Monarchs that emerge from the pupa in late summer and migrate south have a lifespan of eight to nine months.

Monarch butterflies begin as eggs and hatch as larvae. The larvae eat their eggshells and the milkweed plants around them. The larvae then become caterpillars. Caterpillars create cocoons and go into the pupa stage of their lives. Adult black, orange and white butterflies emerge from the cocoons. Monarch butterflies taste bad and are poisonous to predators. North American Monarchs migrate up to 3,000 miles; they are the only butterflies that travel such a distance.

Stage 1-During the months of February and March, the torpid monarch butterflies in the closing generation, come out of their hibernating state to search and find a mate. After this, they search for the ideal place for laying their eggs, by traveling to the east and the north. This initiates first stage and simultaneously, the New Year Generation for the monarch.

Stage 2-During March-April, you can see them laying their eggs on the milkweed plants, and in nearly four days, the hatching caterpillars or the larvae appear.

• Then the only job of the larvae is to eat and grow up.

• The caterpillar attains full adulthood in nearly a fortnight and unearths the right place for attachment to begin the course of transformation. It will connect itself to a twig or a leaf by silk and change over to a chrysalis.

• In about 10 days, you can see the larvae entering the Chrysalis stage. During this time, on looking from the outside, nothing seems to happen, but inside the chrysalis, the previous body elements of the caterpillar are going through an amazing conversion, called metamorphosis, to develop into stunning parts that go to make the emerging butterfly.

• The monarch, when it comes out from the pupa as a beautiful butterfly, will commence its journey to feed on flowers, simply enjoying its short life of just about 2-6 weeks. Unfortunately, this initial generation of monarch butterfly then dies after having laid eggs for the second generation.

Stage 3-During May-June, you can see the second generation of butterflies appearing, while the third generation completes a life cycle similar to the 1st generation, and dies in 15 to 50 days of becoming a stunning adult monarch butterfly

Stage 4-The 4th generation of this species of butterflies is slightly different from the earlier three generations. Taking birth in September –October, this generation precisely goes through the same progressions as the three others, but for one difference. The life of 4th generation goes beyond two to six weeks. Monarch butterflies belonging to 4th generation travel to the warmer Californian climates and Mexico and live for 180-240 days (six to eight months) until it is about time to begin the entire process once more. It is remarkable to note how monarch butterflies of four generations work out in a way that their population survives through the years without causing any ecological issue. They start developing to mate during February-March, the next spring, before laying their eggs. Thin and frayed during their hibernation and migration, they die at last.

Get Out and About

Friday, Sept. 13-ooohhh Friday the 13th!

-North Country Boil with Zero Gravity Craft Brewery at Brownsville Butcher and Pantry in West Windsor 5 pm.

-Ben Fuller on the Range at Crown Point Country Club in Springfield. 6 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 15

-Ben Fuller's Concert Event and Fundraiser in Proctorsville Sunday Sept. 15 1-5 p.m. at Neal's Restaurant and Bar.  With the release of Ben Fuller's brand new 3 track album, Spark, Ben will be returning to his home state of Vermont with his band from Nashville, TN to perform for the people who have been a part of the FULLER FAMILY since the very beginning.  Ben will be raising money for his new album that will be released in early 2020. The event will include a live auction with tons of great items to bid on including a 1-on-1 DINNER DATE with Ben Fuller All of Ben's new fall merchandise will be available including sweatshirts, koozies and  Come out and support our hometown country star. 

 Saturday, Sept. 21

-Community Potluck and BBQ in Brownsville Saturday Sept. 21 noon-3 p.m.. Brownsville Community Church is hosting a potluck and BBQ at Tribute Park on the Brownsville-Hartland RD. Family fun and games are planned. More info on their website.

-Steampunk Festival in Springfield. The Steampunk Society of Vermont is hosting their annual festival Saturday, Sept. 21 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 22 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Riverside Middle School in Springfield. More info and to purchase tickets visit Steampunk VT

-3rd Annual Rusty Berrings Skatepark Day at Riverside Community Park in Lebanon NH 1 p.m.

Saturday, Sept 28

-Pints for Paws: A Fundraiser for the Springfield Human Society at Trout River Brewing Company in Springfield VT 12 p.m.

Area Farmers’ Markets

Wednesday Market Hanover Area Market,  Dartmouth Green, Hanover NH June 12-Oct. 16 3-6 p.m. Schedule

Thursday Market Lebanon Farmers’ Market, Coburn Park Lebanon NH May 16-Sept.26 4-7 p.m. Schedule

Friday Market Hartland Farmers Market, Hartland Public Library Fields May 31-Sept. 27 4-7 p.m. Schedule

Saturday Markets Ascutney Village Farmer’s Market, 5585 US Route 5 Ascutney, Vt. May-Oct. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Schedule Norwich Farmers’ Market, 301 US Route 5 South, Norwich Vt. May-Oct., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Schedule

Music and Performances

ArtisTree in South Pomfret.  Music Theatre-"Souvenir" Aug. 29-Sept.14.

Crown Point Country Club in Springfield Friday Sept. 13 Ben Fuller on the Range. 6 p.m. Bring a blanket or camp chairs. $10 a person (No ATM on site) Food, beer and cocktails for sale. Positive ID.

Inn at Weathersfield Live Music Fridays in Perkinsville 7-9 p.m. Sept 6 Erik Boedtker, Sept. 13 Ali T, Sept. 20 Josh Hall, Sept. 27 J Michael Kelley.

The Engine Room in WRJ. Sept. 7 Back to the 80s DJ Davis 9 p.m.

Harpoon Riverbend Taps and Beer Garden in Windsor Sunday 5-8 p.m. Sept. 15 Green Mountain Roots noon.

Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon NH. Shows at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Sept. 13 Mike McDonald's Boston vs New York Comedypalooza Rumble, Sept. 14 Film Screening: The Kid; Sept. 15 Jonny Lang; Sept 17 A Night with janis Joplin; Sept. 26 Coig; Sept 28 Everyone in Harmony; Oct. 2 Lake Street Dive; Oct 5 An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories with Graham Nash; Oct 10 God Help Us! with Ed Asner; Oct. 13 David Sedais; Oct. 15 Bubblemania at 10 a.m.; Oct. 18 Melvin Seals and JGB; Oct. 20 Veronica Swift.

Skinny Pancake in Hanover, NH.  Sept. 7 Christine Malcolm Trio 7 p.m., Sept. 13 Oxford and Clark 7:30 p.m., Sept. 19 Out in the Valley, Sept. 20 Zach Nugent;s Fire on the Mountain 9 p.m., Sept. 28 Pete Francis (of Disptach) 9 p.m., 

Tuesday Acoustic Jams in White River Junction. Here In the Valley hosts Acoustic Jam Sessions every Tuesday night at 7 pm at The Filling Station Bar and Grill, 70 Gates St. WRJ. More info on FB Jam Sessions

Windsor Station in Windsor. Sept. 27 Cable Junction 9 p.m.

Area Races

Claremont Brewfest &5K in Claremont Saturday Sept. 21, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sixth Annual Claremont Brewfest & 5K music, local craft beer and food. Enjoy the outdoors to finish up summer with your family and friends! More Info

Harpoon Flannel 5K in Windsor, Sunday Sept. 22 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. The Harpoon Flannel 5k kicks off in Windsor, VT on Sunday, September 22nd, 2019 at 10:00 AM! Enjoy a scenic, foliage filled 5k course that starts and ends at Harpoon Brewery. Post-race, we'll have a flannel-themed party with fresh Harpoon beers, a light lunch provided by North Country Smokehouse, live music from the local band Hot Flannel, games and more! Grab your favorite flannel and join us as we celebrate all things fall!Net proceeds will go to The Friends of Norris Cotton Cancer Center. We are proud to partner with such a well-respected institution in the Upper Valley and look forward to raising much needed funds for cancer research and patient care at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.Sign up at https://www.harpoonflannel5k.com/

Vermont 50 Kids FREE Mountain Bike Rides In West Windsor Saturday Sept. 28 2 p.m.. VT 50 Kids FREE Fun Rides Registration is OPEN  Sign up ONLINE and save time on Saturday Bike check-in Noon-1:00 pm in the BIG TENT when you pick up your bib (s). More Info

Vermont 50 Kids FREE Trail Runs In West Windsor Saturday Sept. 28 2 p.m.. VT 50 Kids FREE Fun Runs Registration is OPEN Sign up ONLINE and save time on Saturday Run check-in Noon-1:00 pm in the BIG TENT when you pick up your bib (s). More Info

Vermont 50 Mountain Bike or Ultra Run in West Windsor Sunday Sept. 29, 6 am-6:30 p.m. The Vermont 50 mountain bike race is sold out but the ultra runs and 2-person bike relays are still open for the very popular race that benefits Vermont Adaptive. More Info

Lucy Mac 5K9 in West Windsor Sunday Oct. 6 9 a.m.-noon at Ascutney Outdoors and Trails. Run or walk, with or without your canine best friend, at the Lucy Mac 5K9 Proceeds support  the animals at Lucy Mackenzie! REGISTER ONLINE TODAY: (The first 50 participants to register will receive a free race-day t-shirt!) Registration Fees 5K – $25 1 Mile – $20 *Fees will increase for same-day registration.Prizes awarded to the top finishers in their age category More Info

Ongoing

The Rev. Dan Foster House, the museum of the Weathersfield Historical Society, is open for July and August on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 2 to 5 pm and Friday mornings from 9 to 12 pm. Admission is free and donations are welcome. 

Weathersfield Hikes  

The hikes are being organized under the auspices of Weathersfield Parks and Recreation. Well-behaved dogs are welcome. We expect a range of hiking speeds. Are you new to hiking? Wear footwear that is broken in and appropriate for our uneven trails. Hikers join us at their own risk. Feel free to call Steve, organizer, at 263-5439

Saturday, September 14th, 9:00 PM:  Crown Point Road 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.

Sunday, September 22nd, 2:00 PM:  “Up On the Hill” on conserved land near Charlestown 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. I searched “Up On the Hill UVLT” and went to the website. 

Saturday, October 5th, 8:00 AM:  Ascutney Mountain 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 I’ll see how the knees are doing. We leave early because parking later is a problem.  

Saturday, October 19th, 9:30 AM: Cooks Pond Loop 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. 

Volunteer Opportunity

The Vermont 50 Mountain Bike or Ultra Run is looking for volunteers to help
out at the race. Volunteers are need Thursday Sept. 26- Monday, Sept. 20. Lots of tasks available. Get a cool t-shirt and an invite tot eh Sunday post-race BBQ at Ascutney Outdoors! More Info

If you have an event you'd like listed please email it to: photosbynanci@comcast.com