Be Smart, Be Safe in Weathersfield Vermont August 10

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Paddle Report

My friend and I hit the water again last week. This time we explored Eastman Pond in Grantham NH. It was our 22nd paddle together this season. Lots of ducks and turtles sunning themselves.
More photos


Photos Around the Yard-Hummingbirds

Saturday, after the pop-up thunderstorms, was a lazy summer day around our house. After a little yard work, I settled in on the porch to watch the hummingbirds visiting our  garden flowers and feeders.


While weeding I met a yellow garden spider. it's body was about 1-2 inches long and it was catching all the grasshoppers I was flushing out while pulling weeds.
More photos

Reminders

-Vermont Primary VOTE Tuesday August 11


Vermont State Primary: Weathersfield Memorial Hall, Downstairs, 5259 Route 5, every year on the 2nd Tuesday in August to vote for party nominations for State officials. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

General Election: Weathersfield Memorial Hall, Downstairs, 5259 Route 5 to vote for State officials and Justices of the Peace. To learn more about elections in Vermont go online to: https://www.sec.state.vt.us/electionshttps://www.sec.state.vt.us/elections

If you have any questions, please call the Weathersfield Town Clerk’s Office at 674-9500.

-Public Hearing Aug. 17-Perkinsville School ADA Ramp Project

The Town of Weathersfield received $40,000 from the State of Vermont for a grant under the Vermont Community Development Program. A public hearing will be held on August 17, 2020 at 7:00 p.m., to furnish information concerning the range of community development activities that have been undertaken under this program, and to give affected citizens the opportunity to examine a statement of the use of these funds.

The VCDP Funds received have been used to accomplish the following activities: Construction of an accessibility ramp to the Perkinsville Schoolhouse that is complaint with the Americans Disability Act (ADA) Standards.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic public safety measures issued by executive order of the Governor of Vermont regarding Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law and limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this public meeting will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. See www.HealthVermont.gov for more information on the Governor’s executive order.

To participate, members of the public may call in at the scheduled time of the meeting by using Phone Number: 646-749-3122 and Access Code: 837-211-861. Those who wish to watch the meeting may do so via TV at Comcast Channel “1087” and VTEL Channel “161” or online through “GoToMeeting: Live/ Real-time” at the scheduled meeting time. Specific information and the general guidelines for “GoToMeeting” remote participation on-line instructions can be found on the Weathersfield website by searching the website for “Guidance to Remote Meetings”. Information on this project may be obtained from and viewed by appointment by contacting Brandon Gulnick, at townmanager@weathersfield.org or by calling 802-674-2626. Should you require any special accommodations to view information or to participate, please detail that information when you contact Brandon Gulnick to ensure appropriate arrangements are made. For the hearing impaired please call (TTY) #1-800-253-0191.

Vermont COVID-19 Updates


For more information on:
COVID-19 health information, guidance and case data, visit www.healthvermont.gov/covid19.
The Governor’s actions, visit https://governor.vermont.gov/covid19response.
The state’s modeling, visit https://dfr.vermont.gov/about-us/covid-19/modeling.
Updated travel map August 7, 2020


Vermont Residents
Vermonters may travel outside of Vermont to counties across the Northeast including New England; New York; Pennsylvania; Ohio; New Jersey; Delaware; Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Virginia; and West Virginia that have a similar active COVID-19 caseload to Vermont (defined as less than 400 active cases per million) and return without quarantining if they do so in a personal vehicle.
Vermonters must remember to follow any travel restrictions and quarantine requirements for the states they plan to visit.

If they travel to a quarantine county or outside of the Northeast (including New England; New York; Pennsylvania; Ohio; New Jersey; Delaware; Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Virginia; and West Virginia), Vermonters will be required to quarantine in Vermont upon return. 
Non-Vermont Residents
Residents of other states who live in counties across the Northeast including New England; New York; Pennsylvania; Ohio; New Jersey; Delaware; Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Virginia; and West Virginia that have a similar active COVID-19 caseload to Vermont (defined as less than 400 active cases per million) may enter the state for leisure travel without quarantining if they do so in a personal vehicle.

Residents of other states who live in a quarantine county or are from any other state outside of the Northeast (including New England; New York; Pennsylvania; Ohio; New Jersey; Delaware; Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Virginia; and West Virginia), must follow quarantine guidelines:
  • Travelers arriving to Vermont in a personal vehicle, may complete either a 14-day quarantine or a 7-day quarantine followed by a negative test in their home state and enter Vermont without further quarantine restrictions.
  • Travelers arriving to Vermont via public transportation (plane, train, bus) or from further than a direct car ride would allow may complete either a 14-day quarantine or a 7-day quarantine followed by a negative test in a Vermont lodging establishment or with friends and family (travelers must stay in their quarantine location for the duration of quarantine other than to travel to and from a test site).
Read more about quarantining at the Vermont Department of Health website.

All out of state travelers utilizing lodging, camping and short-term rental properties in Vermont must sign and complete a Certificate of Compliance or affirm a compliance statement via a digital check box at the time of reservation and check-in to attest that they meet the quarantine requirement, have traveled from a county with similar active COVID-19 caseload per the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, or are an essential/authorized worker.

All out of state travelers are strongly encouraged to register with Sara Alert upon arrival to Vermont to get two weeks of daily reminders to check for common symptoms of COVID-19.
Essential Travel

Authorized Work Exemption: 
The State of Vermont currently allows those traveling to or from Vermont for authorized work, whether they are a Vermonter or a non-resident traveler, to enter Vermont without quarantining when:
Traveling to conduct authorized work; and

If the individual has not been in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, has not experienced COVID-19-like symptoms in the past 24 hours including a fever a fever above 100.4 F, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache or new loss of taste or smell.

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.

Town of Weathersfield Updates

Martin Memorial Hall Town Offices to be Open Monday-Friday effective on Monday, August 10, 2020.

New Hours

Monday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:00 a..m - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
 
The following departments will be open on Fridays:
Emergency Management
Front Office
Finance
Health Department
Human Resources
Land Use
Road Commissioner
Tax Collector
Town Manager
Water District

Call 802-274-2626 with questions or to schedule an appointment if these hours still don't work for your schedule.

School Updates

Superintendent Dr. David Baker, Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union, posted a letter to parents regarding school reopening on the Supervisory Union's website: Letter and Survey

There are three options for your child/children this fall
  • Send Your Child to School-you can send your child back to school in accordance with the reopening plan that we announced a few weeks ago. 
  • Remote Online Learning-you can choose to have your student remain fully remote. If you choose this option your child will be taught by a licensed teacher in our supervisory union, but not necessarily from your school. You will have to commit to this option for an entire semester. We will reevaluate in January. It would just be impossible from a staffing perspective for a student to go back and forth. For those who choose this option we will require a simple registration form to be filled out by a certain date. 
  • Homeschooling- this option is through the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE). A parent can apply for Home Study. The parent is responsible for the curriculum and the instruction. The AOE assesses the progress. The student(s) are no longer enrolled in our supervisory union. You can find the application and checklist at this link.
Be sure to fill out the School Survey #2  



COVID-19 Updates https://www.wsesu.net/supervisory-union/covid-19

Mask wearing for Children


Principal Oakman posted a "Social Story" about children and mask wearing. It can be viewed here: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1595976556/wsesunet/psbwhxb1mzbhjaj7zqho/MaskSocialStory.pdf

School Board Meets Aug. 11 and Sept. 8

 Weathersfield School Board Meeting Subscribe to Alerts
5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Weathersfield School, 135 Schoolhouse Rd, Ascutney, VT 05030, USA

Last Day for Donations-August 10
School Supply Drive for WSESU

Kids will be returning to school soon. 
Across our WSESU towns of Hartland, Weathersfield, Windsor, and West Windsor, hundreds of children qualify for free and reduced price school lunch. Their families will struggle to pay for much needed school supplies. Especially in the time of COVID, it’s important that each child have their own supplies and not share with other students.

Old South Church, Mt. Ascutney Hospital, and Sled Dog Disco (a Windsor-based group focused on building developmental assets in youth) are hosting a school supply drive on behalf of WSESU. 

Their goal is to raise $5,000 to purchase supplies for all 455 WSESU children who qualify for free or reduced price school lunch.

The schools have submitted their supply lists, now they need your help to raise the funds to purchase them.

  • A donation of $13 will cover supplies for one Elementary School student
  • A donation of $11 will cover supplies for one Middle School student
  • A donation of $10 will cover supplies for one High School student

Donations in any amount are welcome! 

Please make checks payable to “Old South Church” and put “School Supply Drive” on the memo line. Checks should be mailed to:
School Supply Drive c/o Mascoma Savings Bank
105 Main Street
Windsor, VT 05089

Please donate by August 10th 

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Food Drive


On Saturday, August 15, 8 a.m. to noon non-perishable, non expired food items will be collected at the Exit Ate Restaurant Parking Area. All items collected will be donated to the two food shelves in town.

Weathersfield Police, Ascutney and West Weathersfield Fire Departments should be on hand helping out.

Coronavirus precautions will be in place. Please call Lisa with questions 802-291-1475. Follow the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/719255545325772/

Ongoing Things to Do In and Around Weathersfield

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 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 

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.

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, Saturdays 10 a.m-2 p.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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