Stay Safe, Stay Sane in Weathersfield Vermont April 27
Weathersfield, April 27, 2020
Our Stay At Home Order is still in place. And because of it Vermont is doing really well as far as COVID-19 cases and deaths. We are ALL doing our part to Stop The Spread, THANK YOU!
You can watch Governor Phil Scott Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 11 a.m. on WCAX for his updates.
Or visit this website: https://governor.vermont.gov/
or any of these websites
Vermont Agency of Human Services
Vermont Health Connect
Vermont Department of Health
National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI VT)
Crisis Resources
You are NOT Alone-HCRS
Health Care and Rehabilitation Services 24-hour crisis hotline 1-800-622-4235
Also check out Upper Valley Strong
Also check out Upper Valley Strong
Stay Safe and Stay Healthy friends and neighbors.
Remember to call or check in on your elderly neighbors, bring them some cheer from a proper social distance.
While I'm a bit frustrated with the "Quarantine Bakers" who have bought up all the Bread Machine Yeast and Flour (I've been making bread weekly for over 30 years) we're hanging in there.Remember to call or check in on your elderly neighbors, bring them some cheer from a proper social distance.
Pretty much life as usually here in rural Vermont. (Except no concerts, events or weddings to photograph and no Red Sox games to go to.) But I'm taking online Yoga, Belly Dancing, and Meditation classes-so that's kind of fun. And I'm watching many of my favorite artists/bands streaming LIVE trying to keep music in my life.
While We're Home...
I've been going through my photo archives and posting some of them here on this blog and on my social platforms.Currently, I'm introducing people to some of the amazing underwater animals that I've had the pleasure of photographing over my 25 years as a SCUBA diver. We dive mostly in and around the Caribbean Sea but by far our favorite island is Little Cayman in the British West Indies. Many of the photos I've been posting were taken there.
Like this Hawksbill Turtle. I've also introduced you to: Southern Stingray, Green Moray, and a Feather Star. Later this morning you'll meet a Caribbean Reef Shark.
WEATHERSFIELD LOCAL RESOURCE CENTER
A message from Brandon Gulnick, Weathersfield Town ManagerIf you or someone you know needs COVID-19 related assistance, such as obtaining groceries or other essential supplies, please visit the link to the left and fill out the "CLICK HERE FOR ASSISTANCE" form.
If you would like to sign up as a volunteer to assist vulnerable residents in our community who are self-quarantining to prevent COVID-19 or have been exposed to COVID-19, please visit the link to the left and fill out the "CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER" form.
New measures are in place to prevent the spread of the virus in our area. We are committed to a consistent, logical, and informed decision-making process.
We urge Weathersfield residents to play a role and use preventative measures to reduce the likelihood of spreading COVID-19 in our community.
Weathersfield's Martin Memorial Hall is currently closed to the public. We will be continuing business with changes to our operations. To prevent spreading the virus we are refraining from face-to-face interaction and have shifted to conducting Town business by phone or email. It is of upmost importance for our staff to be able to continue performing business to insure the availability of our services to you.
Our Office Administration will be available Monday-Thursday, 7:30am-5:30pm. Please contact us at 802-674-2626 or by email at weathersfield@weathersfield.org. We will be able to assist you with all Town related business quickly, including regular business that was conducted prior to this pandemic.
The Highway Department is currently working normal hours Monday-Thursday, 6am-4pm, however, new measures are in place to prevent spreading COVID-19, such as following workplace sanitizing guidelines that were put in place on March 20, 2020, restricting all outside visitors from the highway garage, and only allowing essential vendors within who must follow our emergency guidelines. All work and services will continue as planned.
The Weathersfield Solid Waste Facility remains open. Solid Waste Staff have been briefed on safety protocols as they relate to COVID-19. Protocols and procedures have been instituted for employee and public health and safety. Social distancing with staff has been implemented. To protect staff and residents, staff will not be opening doors or trunks, instead, you will be asked "how many bags of trash." Also, please hold your ticket for staff to punch. Staff will no longer be handling punch cards. If you see a staff member with a mask on, please understand that masks are being worn for their personal protection.
Other things to consider when managing your recycling include:
Bag ALL trash
Consolidate trips to the facility with other errands
Reduce frequency of trips to the facility
Consider using a private waste/recycling hauler
Tissues, paper towels, napkins, etc, are NOT recyclable. Please place these in your trash bag for disposal.
Please contact Ray Stapleton, Highway Superintendent if you have any questions or concerns regarding Highway or our Solid Waste Facility at highway@weathersfield.org.
The Town Clerk's Office will be open at the following times:
Monday: 9am-4pm
Tuesday: 9am-2pm
Wednesday: 9am-4pm
Thursday: 9am-5:30pm
Please contact the Town Clerk's Office by phone at 802-674-2626 if you have any question or by email at Deputyclerk@weathersfield.org or townclerk@weathersfield.org.
The Lister's Office will be open 11am-4pm Monday and Wednesday, 9am-4pm on Tuesday, and 9am-5pm on Thursday. The listers can be reached by email at Lister@weathersfield.org and by phone at 802-674-2626.
The Land Use Office will be available by email at jrasmussen@swcrpc.org. Please direct any questions or requests for appointments to Jason Rasmussen, Interim Land Use Administrator.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Stay at home when you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning items
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Weathersfield's Martin Memorial Hall is currently closed to the public. We will be continuing business with changes to our operations. To prevent spreading the virus we are refraining from face-to-face interaction and have shifted to conducting Town business by phone or email. It is of upmost importance for our staff to be able to continue performing business to insure the availability of our services to you.
Our Office Administration will be available Monday-Thursday, 7:30am-5:30pm. Please contact us at 802-674-2626 or by email at weathersfield@weathersfield.org. We will be able to assist you with all Town related business quickly, including regular business that was conducted prior to this pandemic.
The Highway Department is currently working normal hours Monday-Thursday, 6am-4pm, however, new measures are in place to prevent spreading COVID-19, such as following workplace sanitizing guidelines that were put in place on March 20, 2020, restricting all outside visitors from the highway garage, and only allowing essential vendors within who must follow our emergency guidelines. All work and services will continue as planned.
The Weathersfield Solid Waste Facility remains open. Solid Waste Staff have been briefed on safety protocols as they relate to COVID-19. Protocols and procedures have been instituted for employee and public health and safety. Social distancing with staff has been implemented. To protect staff and residents, staff will not be opening doors or trunks, instead, you will be asked "how many bags of trash." Also, please hold your ticket for staff to punch. Staff will no longer be handling punch cards. If you see a staff member with a mask on, please understand that masks are being worn for their personal protection.
Other things to consider when managing your recycling include:
Bag ALL trash
Consolidate trips to the facility with other errands
Reduce frequency of trips to the facility
Consider using a private waste/recycling hauler
Tissues, paper towels, napkins, etc, are NOT recyclable. Please place these in your trash bag for disposal.
Please contact Ray Stapleton, Highway Superintendent if you have any questions or concerns regarding Highway or our Solid Waste Facility at highway@weathersfield.org.
The Town Clerk's Office will be open at the following times:
Monday: 9am-4pm
Tuesday: 9am-2pm
Wednesday: 9am-4pm
Thursday: 9am-5:30pm
Please contact the Town Clerk's Office by phone at 802-674-2626 if you have any question or by email at Deputyclerk@weathersfield.org or townclerk@weathersfield.org.
The Lister's Office will be open 11am-4pm Monday and Wednesday, 9am-4pm on Tuesday, and 9am-5pm on Thursday. The listers can be reached by email at Lister@weathersfield.org and by phone at 802-674-2626.
The Land Use Office will be available by email at jrasmussen@swcrpc.org. Please direct any questions or requests for appointments to Jason Rasmussen, Interim Land Use Administrator.
Weathersfield Proctor Library on YouTube
Join the staff of our library for events on YouTube. You can check out story time with Glenna or Steve Reads. Phone (802)674-2863 or Email: weathersfieldproctorlibrary@gmail.com with questions.
Visit the library website for more information for borrow E-books or taking online classes (see below)
CLASSES Anyone
Over 500 Online Classes
https://vermontstate.universalclass.com/barcode-login.htm?enter+code Enter using your Weathersfield Proctor Library card number. Phone (802)674-2863 or Email: weathersfieldproctorlibrary@gmail.com with questions.Creativity in Quarantine
Artistree has compiled an ongoing list of "creativity in quarantine" art projects on their blog page: https://artistreevt.org/art-at-home-with-artistree.html or visit their YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/artistreevtArtistree Community Arts Center & Gallery/Purple Crayon Productions
2095 Pomfret Road/PO Box 158
South Pomfret, VT 05067
Yoga
Within Reach Yoga with Weathersfield's own Lisa GleesonWeekly Online Classes
Short 'n' Sweet from Head to Feet-Tuesdays 4:30-5:30 pm
Chair Yoga-Wednesdays 4:30-5:30 pm
Slow Flow, Rest + Restore-Saturdays, 9:00-10:00 am
More questions email lisa@withinreachyoga.com
LEARN TO MEDITATE - One Hour Sunday Online Class & Open House
May 3rd—May 31stSundays, 11 am to Noon with Shastri Donna Williams
For beginners and practitioners. This online open house is a great introduction to the Shambhala Buddhist teachings and an opportunity to connect with other practitioners. It features half an hour meditation practice with meditation instruction, followed by a talk by one of our senior teachers, and discussion period.
Attendance is free and open to the public.
A good class for both beginners and meditators.
Our classes usually have a bowl out for donations. I
f you would like to make a donation for the online class, you can do so on this link or by mailing a check to the address below the form https://whiteriver.shambhala.org/community/donate/
ALL WELCOME.
The class will be led by Shastri Donna Williams of the White River Shambhala Meditation Center.
There is no cost, but you need to register by emailing whiteriver@shambhala.info so that you can be sent the Zoom link before the class.
Insight (Mindfulness) Meditation
Gathering with others to practice mindfulness offers a respite from loneliness and the challenges of the world right now. For a bit of refuge, everyone is welcome to join Valley Insight’s meditation groups, which continue to meet during this time of social isolation in our Online Dharma
Hall.
Their sits include a period of sitting practice followed by discussion led by an experienced meditation teacher. Anyone with any level of experience in meditation can join their Monday and Tuesday sits. The Thursday sit is for more experienced meditators.
They use Zoom for their sits: it’s stable and easy to use and they haven’t encountered any problems with it. But because of reports about issues with Zoom, everyone who attends their sits must be invited by one of their teachers. Please email them at greetingsfromvalleyinsight@gmail.com if you wish to receive an invitation to a sit or if you have questions.
Monday: 5:30-7:00 pm. Led by Valley Insight Guiding Teacher Karen Summer.
Tuesday: 5:30-7:00 pm. Led by Peg Meyer.
Thursday: 11:00-12:30. Led by Senior Teacher Doreen Schweizer.
All events sponsored by Valley Insight Meditation Society. Admission by donation. For more information, contact Michael Stoner, greetingsfromvalleyinsight@gmail.com or (802) 649-7062.
Hall.
Their sits include a period of sitting practice followed by discussion led by an experienced meditation teacher. Anyone with any level of experience in meditation can join their Monday and Tuesday sits. The Thursday sit is for more experienced meditators.
They use Zoom for their sits: it’s stable and easy to use and they haven’t encountered any problems with it. But because of reports about issues with Zoom, everyone who attends their sits must be invited by one of their teachers. Please email them at greetingsfromvalleyinsight@gmail.com if you wish to receive an invitation to a sit or if you have questions.
Monday: 5:30-7:00 pm. Led by Valley Insight Guiding Teacher Karen Summer.
Tuesday: 5:30-7:00 pm. Led by Peg Meyer.
Thursday: 11:00-12:30. Led by Senior Teacher Doreen Schweizer.
All events sponsored by Valley Insight Meditation Society. Admission by donation. For more information, contact Michael Stoner, greetingsfromvalleyinsight@gmail.com or (802) 649-7062.
Zen on Zoom
Upper Valley Zen Center, "dedicated to the study and practice of Zen Buddhism; to understanding the nature of suffering and its resolution; and to acting on this insight to benefit everyday life." Everyone is welcome to join our Zen on Zoom sessions! Please go to uvzc.org to access the Zoom links for each session.Here is the schedule.
Informal Intro to Zen and discussion for newcomers, M/W/F 11:30 am to
12:30 pm.
Longer, more formal Sunday Zen practice,with chanting, dharma talk and Dokusan (meetings with a teacher) on Sunday mornings, 9 am to 11:15 am.
Morning practice, M/T/W/T/F, 7 to 7:45 am.
Tuesday afternoon practice, 4:30 to 6 pm.
Study Group (Diamond Sutra with commentary) Thursdays 7 to 8:30 pm.
Sunday Zen, this week 4/26 9-11:15 am. Topic: Clinging. Text: "The first step of Zen practice...is to manifest yourself as nothingness. The second step is to throw yourself completely into life and death, good and evil, beauty and ugliness."
They are grateful for donations-- they still have to pay rent and pay Zoom!
Donations may be made via their website, uvzc.org. Questions? Contact them at info@uvzc.org They hope to practice with you soon.
Tuesday afternoon practice, 4:30 to 6 pm.
Study Group (Diamond Sutra with commentary) Thursdays 7 to 8:30 pm.
Sunday Zen, this week 4/26 9-11:15 am. Topic: Clinging. Text: "The first step of Zen practice...is to manifest yourself as nothingness. The second step is to throw yourself completely into life and death, good and evil, beauty and ugliness."
They are grateful for donations-- they still have to pay rent and pay Zoom!
Donations may be made via their website, uvzc.org. Questions? Contact them at info@uvzc.org They hope to practice with you soon.
Music ONLINE Live
Follow your favorite artist(s) by signing up with Bandsintown. You can track artists and bands and will get messages when they schedule a "live" online/streaming show. Some charge a small fee but most are FREE.
Remember the music industry basically disappeared in early March and probably won't return until 2021. Most artists have a way to make a donation to them or purchase merchandise to help support them while we're all staying at home.
What to Do While I'm At Home-Use the Internet
Quarantine Baking
It's the NEW thing and the reason why us bread makers can't find yeast or bread flour anywhere.
Check out King Arthur Flour's YouTube Channel for some yummy recipes https://www.youtube.com/user/KingArthurFlour
Hook up your TV and travel the world!
Again, if you have a laptop or tablet or phone with a HDMI inlet and you have a TV that accepts HDMI plugs you can hook your device up to your TV and stream on your TV. If you have a smart TV you can plug in the links below and watch.
British Museum, London
This iconic museum located in the heart of London allows virtual visitors to tour the Great Court and discover the ancient Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies. You can also find hundreds of artifacts on the museum’s virtual tour.
Guggenheim Museum, New York
Don't want a long plane ride but want to visit Hawaii?
As we go through high-tensioned times, keeping yourself relaxed is as important as keeping yourself clean. With the help of Google Earth, users can take a tour of some of Hawaii’s beautiful landmarks, such as HawaiÊ»i Volcanoes National Park and Waikiki Beach.
We'll get through this together. We're all connected.
Like Opera-Check out the Met
The Met is running online operas-how cool is that and they are FREE. https://www.metopera.org/Virtually Visit World Class Museums
This iconic museum located in the heart of London allows virtual visitors to tour the Great Court and discover the ancient Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies. You can also find hundreds of artifacts on the museum’s virtual tour.
Guggenheim Museum, New York
Google’s Street View feature lets visitors tour the Guggenheim’s famous spiral staircase without ever leaving home. From there, you can discover incredible works of art from the Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Modern and Contemporary eras.
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
This famous American art museum features two online exhibits through Google. The first is an exhibit of American fashion from 1740 to 1895, including many renderings of clothes from the colonial and Revolutionary eras. The second is a collection of works from Dutch Baroque painter Johannes Vermeer.
Musée d’Orsay, Paris
Musée d’Orsay, Paris
You can virtually walk through this popular gallery that houses dozens of famous works from French artists who worked and lived between 1848 and 1914. Get a peek at artworks from Monet, Cézanne, and Gauguin, among others.
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul
One of Korea’s popular museums can be accessed from anywhere around the world. Google’s virtual tour takes you through six floors of Contemporary art from Korea and all over the globe.
Pergamon Museum, Berlin
Pergamon Museum, Berlin
As one of Germany’s largest museums, Pergamon has a lot to offer–even if you can’t physically be there. This historical museum is home to plenty of ancient artifacts including the Ishtar Gate of Babylon and, of course, the Pergamon Altar.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Explore the masterworks from the Dutch Golden Age, including works from Vermeer and Rembrandt. Google offers a Street View tour of this iconic museum, so you can feel as if you’re actually wandering its halls.
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
Anyone who is a fan of this tragic, ingenious painter can see his works up close (or, almost up close) by virtually visiting this museum – the largest collection of artworks by Vincent van Gogh, including over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and over 750 personal letters.
The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
European artworks from as far back as the 8th Century can be found in this California art museum. Take a Street View tour to discover a huge collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, manuscripts, and photographs.
Uffizi Gallery, Florence
Uffizi Gallery, Florence
This less well-known gallery houses the art collection of one of Florence, Italy’s most famous families, the de’Medicis. The building was designed by Giorgio Vasari in 1560 specifically for Cosimo I de’Medici, but anyone can wander its halls from anywhere in the world.
MASP, São Paulo
MASP, São Paulo
The Museu de Arte de São Paulo is a non-profit and Brazil’s first modern museum. Artworks placed on clear perspex frames make it seem like the artwork is hovering in midair. Take a virtual tour to experience the wondrous display for yourself.
National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City
National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City
Built in 1964, this museum is dedicated to the archaeology and history of Mexico’s pre-Hispanic heritage. There are 23 exhibit rooms filled with ancient artifacts, including some from the Mayan civilization.
Sadly, not all popular art museums and galleries could be included on Google Arts & Culture’s collection, but some museums are taking it upon themselves to offer online visits. According to Fast Company, the Louvre also offers virtual tours on its website.
To see more of Google Arts & Culture’s collection of museums, visit the collection’s website. There are thousands of museum Street Views on Google as well. Google Arts & Culture also has an online experience for exploring famous historic and cultural heritage sites.
Museums not your thing-How about the National parks?
For those who want to surround themselves with nature without the traveling and going-outside aspect of it all, national parks are also providing virtual tours of America’s most popular parks. Virtual visitors can travel through the trails of Yellowstone National Park, as well as the Yosemite National Park.
Sadly, not all popular art museums and galleries could be included on Google Arts & Culture’s collection, but some museums are taking it upon themselves to offer online visits. According to Fast Company, the Louvre also offers virtual tours on its website.
To see more of Google Arts & Culture’s collection of museums, visit the collection’s website. There are thousands of museum Street Views on Google as well. Google Arts & Culture also has an online experience for exploring famous historic and cultural heritage sites.
Museums not your thing-How about the National parks?
Explore national parks
For those who want to surround themselves with nature without the traveling and going-outside aspect of it all, national parks are also providing virtual tours of America’s most popular parks. Virtual visitors can travel through the trails of Yellowstone National Park, as well as the Yosemite National Park.Visit the zoo
Some people count on the company of a furry friend at home, but others rely on spaces on the outside world to view them. Thankfully, spaces like the San Diego Zoo, the Georgia Aquarium and the Monterey Bay Aquarium are offering live webcam viewings of pandas, penguins and beluga whales.
Don't want a long plane ride but want to visit Hawaii?
Take a trip to Hawaii
As we go through high-tensioned times, keeping yourself relaxed is as important as keeping yourself clean. With the help of Google Earth, users can take a tour of some of Hawaii’s beautiful landmarks, such as HawaiÊ»i Volcanoes National Park and Waikiki Beach.Have children at home
Check out this website: 100+ Indoor Activities
Order by Phone or Internet Take-Away
The Hanover Chamber put together this list of Curbside Restaurants: https://www.hanoverchamber.org/upper-valley-restaurants-delivery-curbside-pi
I would also add:
Exit Ate
Springfield Diner
I would also add:
Exit Ate
Springfield Diner
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 2-4 p.m. WFS is located in the 1879 Schoolhouse at 1862 Route 106 in Perkinsville. Donations of non-perishable 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.
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.