Be Smart, Be Safe in Weathersfield, Vermont July 27

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Loon on Spectacle Pond, Enfield NH
If you love loons, check out my collections of Loon photos: https://photosbynanci.smugmug.com/Kayaking-Adventures/Loons/

Vermont COVID-19 Updates

Vermont Governor Issues Mandatory Mask Requirement

On Friday, July 24, Governor Phil Scott announced strengthened mask requirements in public places and congregate settings.

“Based on national and regional data on how the virus is spreading – and rather than waiting like other states have – I feel we need to act now to protect our gains, which have allowed us to reopen much of our economy,” said Governor Scott. “That’s why today I signed an Order, which will strengthen our current mask mandates, so that we do not take steps backwards and we can stay open into the fall as people move more of their interactions indoors,” Governor Scott added.

Effective Friday, August 1, 2020, the amendment requires all Vermonters to wear masks or cloth facial coverings any time it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of at least six feet with others from outside their household.

Those who are not required to use masks include those exercising outdoors, those under the age of 2, those with a medical or developmental condition that is complicated by a facial covering and those with difficulty breathing. Businesses and other entities may require customers to wear masks, including signage explaining mask requirements and denial of entry or service to those who decline to wear masks.

“Unfortunately, this issue has become polarized and, I’m still worried that a mandate will create unnecessary conflict and resistance,” Governor Scott said. “Attacking, shaming, and judging isn’t going to help; but understanding, educating, leading by example, meeting people where they are, and maybe a little kindness and understanding will,” Governor Scott encouraged.

Developed in consultation with the Vermont Department of Health (VDH), this amendment is critical to the state’s strategy to limit the spread of COVID-19 in anticipation of K-12 and college students returning to school, as well as the fall and winter recreation seasons.

To view the full amendment to the Executive Order, visit https://governor.vermont.gov/content/addendum-2-amended-and-restated-executive-order-no-01-20

Existing mask guidance that shall continue to apply includes:
Phased Restart Work Safe Guidance issued by the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD)
Safety and Health Guidance for Reopening Schools, Fall 2020 issued by the Agency of Education (AoE)
Health Guidance for Childcare and School Age Camps/Care issued by VDH, AoE and the Department of Children and Families (DCF)
Guidance to Healthcare Providers issued by VDH

Cross-State Travel Information

COVID-19 health information, guidance and case data, visit www.healthvermont.gov/covid19.
The Governor’s actions, visit governor.vermont.gov/covid19response.
The state’s modeling, visit dfr.vermont.gov/about-us/covid-19/modeling.


You are NOT Alone, Please Reach Out!

We're all stressed out and are wondering about the future. Don't go it alone.
In either VT or NH dial 211
To access a 24-hour Crisis Text Line people can text VT to 741741

This is a stressful time for everyone. Don't go it alone.
Health Care and Rehabilitation Services 24-hour crisis hotline 1-800-622-4235

HCRS Warm Line for people struggling with COVID-19 related stress and anxiety 1-800-917-1622

Headrest local crisis line 603-448-4400 and Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-8255

Also check out Upper Valley Strong

Be Smart, Stay Safe friends and neighbors.
Remember to call or check in on your elderly neighbors, bring them some cheer from a proper physical distance.


Paddle report

I went on two great paddles last week. 
Tuesday night, a couple of friends and I paddled Canaan Street Lake in Canaan NH. The beach was crowded but the lake was pretty empty so we had a very peaceful and cool paddle on that very hot afternoon and evening. 




On Friday, my friend Sharon and I paddled Spectacle Pond in Enfield NH. It didn't take long for the loons to find us.



Our paddles aren't just about loons. You can also see Great Blue Herons

And usually lots of ducks.

Kayaking and canoeing are great ways to de-stress while physical distancing, getting outdoors and getting some exercise.

Things to Do In and Around Weathersfield

August 1

Third Annual Touch a Truck in Ascutney

File photo 2018

Ascutney Market on Rte 5 is hosting their third annual Touch A Truck event 10 am - 2 pm.
Come and get a close look at the local Fire Department and emergency vehicles, and meet the people who operate them.
Ascutney, West Weathersfield, Windsor, Hartland, Proctorsville and North Walpole Fire Departments will be there, as well as Weathersfield PD with the cruiser, and S.G. Reed with the giant wrecker! 
File photo 2018

The grill will be going with Antonio cooking, also fresh lemonade, fresh veggies, flowers, homemade goodies, hand crafted items, wooden toys and whirligigs, and more. To be compliant: Masks appreciated and will be available if anyone needs one.


Outdoor Movie Theater in Reading

The Reading Recreation Commission and the Reading Public Library are showing the movie Hook on a big outdoor screen at Puddledock Park on August 1 at 7:30 pm, with a rain date of August 2.

To allow for social distancing, they are limiting the number of attendees to 50, and you must RSVP to ReadingVTRecreation@gmail.com to attend. When you do, please include the number of people who will be joining you.

Please wear a mask and stay socially distant from people not in your covid safe circle. Also, when you come, please bring a piece of paper with the names of the people in your party and your contact information. This will ease the sign in process.

They will also be roping off an area of the park a safe distance away for anyone at a higher risk.
Puddledock Park is next door to the Reading Public Library, which is at 717 VT Route 106.
Be sure to bring something to sit on, food, drink, and bug spray.
To RSVP or if you have any questions, contact the Rec at ReadingVTRecreation@gmail.com

On Going Things to Do

Weathersfield Hikes


The 8th Annual Weathersfield Hikes have been announced. They are being held under the auspices of Weathersfield Parks and Recreation. Well-behaved dogs are welcome. They expect a range of hiking speeds and abilities.
Reserve Your Spot on the Hikes
Contact Steve Aikenhead, at 263-5439 or stevea47@tds.net to reserve your spot on the hikes.

Are you new to hiking?
Wear footwear that is broken in and appropriate for our uneven trails. Hikers join at their own risk.

Questions?
Feel free to call Steve, organizer, at 263-5439 or stevea47@tds.net
Experienced hikers are also encouraged to ask questions or comment freely. 

COVID-19 Precautions
Please observe COVID-19 precautions: physical distancing, wearing masks etc.. If you don't feel well, please stay home.

The Hikes

Saturday, August 1, 9:00 AM: A Felchville Forest Walk 

Marianne Walsh leads this hike through beautiful forest on well-maintained logging roads. The distance is about 3.5 miles on moderate terrain. There is a nice view of Ascutney Mountain, but the main attraction is the forest. The previous owner, Fred Hunt, now deceased, was and is famous locally for this forest. The current owners welcome walkers. The location is off Tyson Road, and the property borders the Knapp Brook Wildlife Management Area.

Saturday, August 15, 9:00 AM: Little Ascutney

We will walk up to the ledges – very nice view – on a trail that in part is strenuous. There is first a long 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 1,709 feet. The hike probably will take over two hours. It feels like 2 miles up. 

Saturday, August 29, meet at Downers’ at 9:00 AM: Mt. Tom 

Don’t tell Mt. Tom, but this is a hill, not a mountain. The climb is 907’ to reach the summit at 1,357’. That climb, a little steep at first, is on a smooth carriage trail all the way up, passing the Pogue (Scottish for pond) on the way. The view of Woodstock in the valley below and of the surrounding area is lovely. Round trip of 4.6 miles. 

Saturday, September 5, 9:00 AM: “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 that we’ll do up to 3 miles of walking. I searched “Up on the Hill UVLT” and went to the website. 

Sunday, September 20, 5:00 PM: Ferry Road and the Connecticut River 

This generally level route with one steep descent 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.

September date to be announced, 8:30 AM: Windmill Hill, the Pinnacle

Rated as a moderate climb because of some uphill and some rocks to step over, this well-maintained loop of 3.8 miles goes through a forest to an excellent view at the top. There are informational markers along the way. The car ride from Ascutney Park and Ride will take about 40 minutes. 

Saturday, October 10, 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 long incline and a shorter one. Distance: almost 3 miles. 

Saturday, October 17, 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 might join that shorter climb. We leave early because parking later is a problem.   

Within Reach Yoga Under the Trees 


Weathersfield resident, Lisa Gleeson is hosting outdoor yoga classes under the trees at the Weathersfield Meeting House/Church on Saturdays.
View from my mat

Slow Flow, Rest + Restore Saturdays, 9:00-10:00 am 

She's also hosting a POP-UP CLASS-Yoga For Equestrians Thursday, July 30 5:30-6:30 p.m.
A class designed to nurture your hips! Gather at the grove at the Weathersfield Center Church/Meetinghouse grove and invite a balance of strength and mobility for a healthy range of motion which can ease lower back tension. We'll stretch our upper legs to release any stress held in your inner groin and thigh muscles, encouraging them to widen and drape more easily over your horse’s back. We'll stretch our spines and strengthen core muscles to gain stability and balance. 
Happy riders = happy horses! 
(PS - you don't have to be a horseback rider to enjoy this class! Happy hips are important for everyone!)

Email lisa@withinreachyoga.com to register or with any questions.

COST: $12 drop-in or one punch for those who have purchased punch passes.

Please bring your own mat, props (blocks or blanket/towel) and practice social distancing guidelines.

To stay in the loop for classes and locations, for questions, to register, or to subscribe to our newsletter, please email lisa@withinreachyoga.com. Follow her on facebook for class updates.

Learn to Meditate

Sundays, 11 am to Noon. 
Register before Sunday to get the link if you would like to be on the notification list. Or if you just want to try it once, email whiteriver@shambhala.info to request the zoom link.

Learn to Meditate Class and Dharma talk: 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.

If you would like to make a donation to the White River Shambhala Meditation Center for the online class, you can do so on this link to Paypal or by mailing a check to the White River Shambhala Center, PO Box 1254, WRJ, VT 05001.

ALL WELCOME. The class will be led by Shastri Donna Williams of the White River Shambhala Meditation Center.

Quechee Mini Golf

Quechee Mini Golf is now open. Enjoy their 18 hole championship course. Only $6 per person. Mini Golf is naturally socially distant and they are taking proper precautions to ensure everyone has a fun and safe time. Outdoor seating is available for munchies. Quechee Pizza Chef and Mini Golf Route 4 Quechee 802-296-6669 check out their Facebook 

Local Dining



Local favorites are re-opening for outside and limited inside dining.
Exit Ate is back at it with limited indoor seating (with AC) and outdoor seating. Greg is making homemade bread and potato chips and they now have a variety of salads for your quarantined BBQs: Potato Salad, Tuna Mac, Italian Pasta, and our delicious Cole Slaw.

Inn at Weathersfield-dine inside or outside Thursdays, fridays and Saturdays, call for a reservation 802-263-9217. They also offer a take away menu.

Springfield Diner-seating inside/outside daily 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Ice cream shop open Thursday-Sunday 1-7 pm. Please use ice cream shop entrance for ice cream. Daily specials.


Villagers Ice Cream Hours Noon-8:30 p.m. except Monday. 

The Hanover Chamber put together this list of Curbside Restaurants: https://www.hanoverchamber.org/upper-valley-restaurants-delivery-curbside-pi

Check to see if your favorite restaurant is open for outdoor and/or indoor dining. Most are requiring reservations so call ahead for their guidelines and business hours.


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.

Did you fill out your 2020 Census yet?

Have you filled out Your 2020 Census Questionnaire Yet?
It's so easy to do online, takes 5 minutes and you won't get a visit from a Census taker.
Do it NOW-CLICK HERE for the easy questionnaire.

Travel Plans this Summer?

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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