Stay Home, Stay Sane in Weathersfield Vermont May 11

Vermont COVID-19 Updates!

Vermont has expanded testing for individuals showing mild symptoms of COVID-19. 

All Vermonters with even mild symptoms are encouraged to contact their health care provider to get tested. This includes parents of children who have symptoms that could be related to COVID-19. Your provider will refer you to a hospital or health center near you that can perform the test at no cost. If you don’t have a health care provider, call 2-1 -1 to connect with a community or hospital-connected clinic.

CDC Self Checker Tool

Governor Phil Scott announces, on Friday, May 8, child care facilities and summer day camps may reopen under strict guidelines beginning June 1.

Governor Phil Scott announces Play Smart Play Safe on Wednesday, May 6. Read the Executive Order Addendum here.


Gov. Scott declared that Vermonters may "resume limited social interactions and gatherings of 10 or fewer, preferably in outdoor settings," as long as physical distancing is observed. Non-essential travel should still be limited, and anyone who leaves the state for more than a day for non-essential travel is still required to quarantine at home for 14 days. Starting May 6, low-contact outdoor rec facilities—ball fields, trail networks, golf courses, tennis courts and the like—can reopen.

Report Non-Compliance

Vermont has created an online reporting tool that allows people to tell on those that they suspect are violating Gov. Phil Scott's "Stay Home, Stay Safe" executive order.
The complaints are funneled to the Vermont State Police but can be assigned to other police agencies, depending on where the alleged violation took place.
State troopers are leaning toward education instead of ticketing. And cops in Burlington, home to the most complaints filed with 17, say they have yet to cite or arrest anyone for violating the governor's executive order.

When should you wear a cloth face covering?

As the state begins taking measured steps toward re-opening, we should make wearing cloth face coverings a habit to protect one another.
There are certain places Vermonters are now required to wear coverings over their nose and mouth including on public transportation, when visiting medical offices, and some other businesses or organizations.
Any time you're around other people, such as on a trip to the grocery store, pharmacy, or another business.

When don't you need one?

You don't need a face covering if you are walking or exercising outside and it's not too crowded. But bring one in case you encounter other people and stop to chat - Please use your best judgment. You don't need one at home unless someone is sick.

We all still need to stay at least 6 feet away from people, even when wearing a mask, practice good hand hygiene and follow the state's Stay Home, Stay Safe guidance.

The advice to wear cloth masks is based on data about how COVID-19 can spread before a person has any symptoms. Wearing a face mask may help keep people from spreading the virus.

Some people should never wear a mask, including children under the age of 2 and anyone who has trouble breathing or can't remove the mask without assistance.

Medical-grade mask supplies are needed for our health care workers and first responders. Please use cloth or other recommended face coverings for yourself and loved ones.

Find more information visit: https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid19.

For our full guidance on face masks, including how to make one, visit: https://www.healthvermont.gov/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/COVID-19-VDH-mask-guidance.pdf

Need to buy a face covering? Visit https://vem.vermont.gov/covid19/facecovering

You are NOT Alone-HCRS

Health Care and Rehabilitation Services 24-hour crisis hotline 1-800-622-4235

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.

In the Weird Photo Department

On one of our daily hikes last week we could see a bright orange blaze up the hill from us. We decided to inspect. And this is what we found. It wasn't spray paint it was bright orange mold/fungus on a hophornbeam tree.

Ostrya virginiana, the American hophornbeam, is a species of Ostrya native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to southern Manitoba and eastern Wyoming, southeast to northern Florida and southwest to eastern Texas. Populations from Mexico and Central America are also regarded as the same species, although some authors prefer to separate them as a distinct species, Ostrya guatemalensis. Other names include eastern hophornbeam, hardhack (in New England), ironwood, and leverwood.

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/artistreevt

Artistree Community Arts Center & Gallery/Purple Crayon Productions
2095 Pomfret Road/PO Box 158
South Pomfret, VT 05067

YOGA-WITHIN REACH YOGA

 Within Reach Yoga with Weathersfield's own Lisa Gleeson

Weekly Online Classes
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 31st
Sundays, 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.
Their classes usually have a bowl out for donations. If 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/

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.

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.


Music ONLINE Live


Follow your favorite artist(s) by signing up with BandsintownYou 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

Travel with a DC3 Aviation Museum of NH

Virtual World flights https://www.aviationmuseumofnh.org/worldflight/
This week Iceland to Glasgow.

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.

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


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

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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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-closed until further notice. Dang.
Inn at Weathersfield
Springfield Diner
Villagers Ice Cream


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.

We'll get through this together. We're all connected.
#StayatHomeSavesLives
#StopTheSpread

Nancy Nutile-McMenemy is an Upper Valley freelance photographer and writer who loves to attend concerts and local events in and around Weathersfield and the Upper Valley.

If you have anything you think I should post during our Stay At Home Time drop me an email: photosbynanci@comcast.com

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