Be Smart, Be Safe in Weathersfield Vermont November 23 edition
I'm missing the ocean and traveling. You?
This day last year we were in Spain. One of our days there we traveled from Benalmádena, Málaga to Gibraltar. Our first stop was for photos at the Europa Point Lighthouse, also known as the Trinity Lighthouse at Europa Point and the Victoria Tower.
Next we drove through some of the many tunnels carved out of The Rock over the years arriving at St. Michael's Caves after some pretty narrow, twisty turning roads.
Read more on my travel blog: https://photosbynanci.blogspot.com/2019/12/gibraltar-yes-that-gibraltar.html
Hopefully, we'll be able to travel next fall. Iceland is on my list of next great adventures.
Meanwhile Happy Thanksgiving. It will look different from years past but be creative and we'll make it work!
By the way, what's your favorite food served at this annual harvest dinner?
Without a doubt-STUFFING is mine.
REMINDER-Weathersfield Food Shelf Holiday Hours
The Weathersfield Food Shelf located in the 1879 School House on Route 106 in Perkinsville is open the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 2-4 p.m.. The food shelf will be CLOSED Thanksgiving and Christmas-they will however, be OPEN Tuesday, Nov. 24 and Tuesday Dec. 22 from 2-4 p.m.
News You Can Use
The Weathersfield Food Shelf located in the 1879 School House on Route 106 in Perkinsville is open the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 2-4 p.m.. The food shelf will be CLOSED Thanksgiving and Christmas-they will however, be OPEN Tuesday, Nov. 24 and Tuesday Dec. 22 from 2-4 p.m.
News You Can Use
COVID in Weathersfield
By now you may have seen that the Vermont State Health Department is currently listing Weathersfield as having between 1-5 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
{They publish a map of COVID in our communities ,Weathersfield is now BLUE for March 5-Nov. 18 (1-5 cases)}.
If we thought we could escape this virus, then we thought wrong. This virus is everywhere. And it doesn't care if you think it doesn't exist; it can make you sick whether you believe it exists or not.
Have you seen the people on TV on ventilators before they die saying they didn't think it was real? Well, it is real.
What can you do to prevent getting it-limit your exposure to potentially infected people.
- Wear A Mask (this is not a political affiliation designation, it's a public health-your health safety measure)
- Stay 6 feet Away-assume everyone has been exposed but if you stay six feet away for under 15 minutes, you should be OK
- Avoid Crowds-the more people, the more potentially infected people you will encounter
- Wash Your Hands A LOT-remember your mom telling you this, it's a big DUH! Also try to avoid touching your face.
- Keep an EXPOSURE JOURNAL-when you leave your home "pod" keep track of where you go and who you saw and if you want to be proactive-how long were you with them.
Town COVID-19 Response
The Town of Weathersfield has created a Volunteer Network to help during these times of COVID-19.If you are at risk for being exposed to COVID-19 or are currently in quarantine or isolation due to a positive COVID-19 test, please click the link below and fill out the form. These forms are being monitored by Susanne Terrill who will connect you with a volunteer quickly.
CLICK HERE FOR ASSISTANCE
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the form please contact them and they will walk you through it.
Phone: (802) 674 - 2626
Email: weathersfield@weathersfield.org
CLICK HERE FOR ASSISTANCE
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the form please contact them and they will walk you through it.
Phone: (802) 674 - 2626
Email: weathersfield@weathersfield.org
COVID-19 Updates
National Data
Vermont Data
The Numbers
There were 2 new deaths, which now stand at 63, and 21 people with confirmed cases (up 4) are hospitalized.
Windsor County gained 21 cases over the weekend to stand at 179 for the pandemic, with 42 of those in the past 14 days. Orange County gained 36 cases and is now at 172 cumulatively, 122 of them reported in the past 14 days.
In town-by-town numbers reported Friday, Randolph added 9 cases over the previous week, Chelsea added 4, Hartford and Hartland each added 3, Windsor added 2, and Springfield added 1. Killington, Woodstock, Norwich, and Royalton remained where they've been.
All other Upper Valley towns in VT are in the 1-5 total-since-March category except W. Fairlee and Pomfret, which have had no cases.
The Governor’s actions, visit https://governor.vermont.gov/covid19response.
(The travel maps will be updated on Tuesdays)
November 17 Slideshow Link
The State of Vermont has suspended its leisure travel map and implemented a mandatory quarantine for anyone returning or traveling to Vermont.
COVID-19 health information, guidance and case data, visit www.healthvermont.gov/covid19.
Health Department Dashboard with current case map
Cases by Town Map
COVID-19 Testing sites and appointments
More info check accd.vermont.gov
K-12 Dashboard
Vermont College Dashboard Links
TRAVELING To/From VERMONT
The State of Vermont has suspended its leisure travel map and implemented a mandatory quarantine for anyone returning or traveling to Vermont.
Leisure Travel
Due to rising COVID-19 case counts across the Northeast, effective on November 10, 2020, the State of Vermont has suspended its leisure travel map and implemented a mandatory quarantine for anyone returning or traveling to Vermont.A regional map will continue to be maintained on the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and the Department of Financial Regulation websites for informational purposes only. The regional map will continue to be updated weekly on Tuesdays.
The regional map is populated with raw data from Johns Hopkins University and uses multiple factors to determine how many active cases are in each county.
Read the complete methodology for how active cases per million residents is being calculated. The aggregated data by county is also available.
Vermont and Non-Vermont Residents
The State of Vermont has suspended its leisure travel map and implemented a mandatory quarantine for anyone returning or traveling to Vermont.Anyone returning or traveling to Vermont must follow Vermont’s mandatory quarantine policy. Vermonters returning from an out-of-state trip must complete either a 14-day quarantine or a 7-day quarantine followed by a negative test.
Vermonters must remember to follow any travel restrictions and quarantine requirements for the states they plan to visit.
Residents of other states must adhere to the quarantine guidelines:
- Travelers arriving to Vermont in a personal vehicle must 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 who have not completed a pre-arrival quarantine must 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 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.
TRAVEL FAQS
Find answers to common questions about cross state travel.Essential Travel
People traveling for essential purposes, including work, do not need to quarantine. Essential travel includes:
- travel for personal safety,
- medical care, c
- are of others,
- parental shared custody,
- for food, beverage or medicine,
- to attend preK-12 school and college if commuting daily,
- or to perform work for businesses that are currently allowed to operate.
Persons should not travel to, from, or within Vermont if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or if they meet the criteria for needing to Isolate or Quarantine.
Guidance for Vermont Lodging Properties
Read the complete guidance for lodging and accommodations.New Hampshire COVID-19 Update
The Numbers
NH reported 527 positive test results on Friday, 493 Saturday, and 322 yesterday, bringing its total to 17,598.There were 6 new deaths, which now stand at 512; 117 people are hospitalized (up 19). The current caseload is at 4,199 (up 193).
Grafton County has 130 active cases (down 20), Sullivan has 69 (down 7), and Merrimack has 350 (up 24).
In town-by-town numbers, Newport is at 35 active cases (down 6), Hanover at 19 (down 1), Charlestown at 12 (no change), Claremont at 11 (no change) and Lebanon at 10 (down 1). Sunapee is at 6, while Canaan, New London, Haverhill, and Newbury have all dropped back into the 1-4 category, along with Warren, Dorchester, Orford, Enfield, Grantham, Goshen, Springfield, and Wilmot. Piermont, Lyme, and Plainfield are all off the list.
Nov 20 2020
Vermont Physician Groups Call on Vermonters to Prioritize their Communities and Protect Schools for our Children
MONTPELIER (November 18, 2020) – The American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter, Vermont Academy of Family Physicians and Vermont Medical Society join Governor Scott and the Vermont Department of Health in calling on Vermonters to refrain from any social gathering in order to protect and prioritize essential services like schools, child care, and health care as we see rates of community transmission of COVID-19 rise.
The new restriction on multi-household gatherings is based on epidemiology or systematic observations of how the virus is spreading in our communities. Since October 1, 71% of cases associated with an outbreak are linked to a private party or social gathering. Vermont is not seeing significant transmission in places where prevention policies are followed like schools and child care. That tells us that the prevention policies and mitigation strategies are working and effort should be placed on avoiding unnecessary gatherings so that essential services can remain open, including keeping kids in schools; adults in jobs; preventing infections; and minimizing deaths.
For families with children, this means cancelling playdates and other social gatherings. However, pods which have already been established for education or the care of children are allowable. This includes allowing carpooling for education/child care purposes and formal and informal child care. Safety measures like social distancing, handwashing and masking should be followed. The smaller the pod, the better. Activities should prioritize needs over wants.
Avoiding multi-household gatherings achieves two purposes:
1. It addresses the spaces and situations where we are seeing transmission of COVID-19 in Vermont
2. It limits activities that exacerbate inequities in favor of activities that address inequities like schools and childcare.
READ MORE
"Please do your part to keep COVID-19 out of the schools so we can keep our kids in school and our communities healthy" Oakman wrote.
Education Secretary Dan French said Friday the state is exploring whether to include questions about multi-household gatherings in the daily check staff and students must complete each day in order to attend in-person school. Those health checks currently require, for example, that students answer questions about whether they’ve recently traveled out of state. If they answer that they have, and the quarantine period hasn’t elapsed, they’re sent home.
Dartmouth COVID-19 Dashboard
Dartmouth updates this COVID-19 dashboard on Mondays and Thursdays. For more information on how Dartmouth is working to help keep our community safe, please visit our COVID-19 Information and Resources.
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
Town Clerk's Office OPEN by Appointment ONLY
The Town Clerk's office is open by appointment only for attorneys and title searchers. Please call 802-674-9500 for more information.
Upcoming Town Board and Committee Meetings
Conservation Commission November 26, December 24
Select Board December 7, 21
Select Board December 7, 21
Select Board Minutes:
School Updates
School Dates and Events
Stay up on all the school events visit: School Calendar
Change in Calendar
There will be no remote days on November 23 and 24th, they are now teacher in-service days.
No meals will be provided this week.
Remote Learning Dates:
Holiday Recess: December 24. 2020-January 4, 2021
School Board Meets Dec. 8
The school board meets from 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM at the Weathersfield School, 135 Schoolhouse Rd, Ascutney, VT.
A Message from Principal Oakman
Posted on the school website
Vermont Physician Groups Call on Vermonters to Prioritize their Communities and Protect Schools for our Children
MONTPELIER (November 18, 2020) – The American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter, Vermont Academy of Family Physicians and Vermont Medical Society join Governor Scott and the Vermont Department of Health in calling on Vermonters to refrain from any social gathering in order to protect and prioritize essential services like schools, child care, and health care as we see rates of community transmission of COVID-19 rise.
The new restriction on multi-household gatherings is based on epidemiology or systematic observations of how the virus is spreading in our communities. Since October 1, 71% of cases associated with an outbreak are linked to a private party or social gathering. Vermont is not seeing significant transmission in places where prevention policies are followed like schools and child care. That tells us that the prevention policies and mitigation strategies are working and effort should be placed on avoiding unnecessary gatherings so that essential services can remain open, including keeping kids in schools; adults in jobs; preventing infections; and minimizing deaths.
For families with children, this means cancelling playdates and other social gatherings. However, pods which have already been established for education or the care of children are allowable. This includes allowing carpooling for education/child care purposes and formal and informal child care. Safety measures like social distancing, handwashing and masking should be followed. The smaller the pod, the better. Activities should prioritize needs over wants.
Avoiding multi-household gatherings achieves two purposes:
1. It addresses the spaces and situations where we are seeing transmission of COVID-19 in Vermont
2. It limits activities that exacerbate inequities in favor of activities that address inequities like schools and childcare.
READ MORE
"Please do your part to keep COVID-19 out of the schools so we can keep our kids in school and our communities healthy" Oakman wrote.
"Schools aren’t necessarily in a good position to enforce the governor’s latest order", French said. "And their primary function is mostly to educate students and staff about the importance of compliance. But making students and staff answer those questions every day might nevertheless encourage greater compliance", he said.
“We’re aware of the issue and it’s something we’re working on,” he said.
Maybe more direction will be coming on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 11 a.m. at the Governor's COVID-19 press conference.
Within Reach Yoga Under the Trees
Slow Flow, Rest + Restore Saturdays, 9-10 am
(There will be no Saturday class on Nov. 28)
Special Class This ThursdayThursday, Nov.26 9-10 a.m. Lisa Gleeson of Within Reach Yoga is hosting a gathering through GOOGLE MEET.
She says "Don't let all that's going on stand in the way of your health, wellness and connection to this vibrant community. Let's gather together (virtually), count our blessings and start the holiday with intention!"
Lisa will be hosting a live streaming class designed to cultivate gratitude within ourselves and radiate metta (loving kindness).
This gentle class is FREE with a donation of any amount/goods/time to a non-profit that you feel is worthy. Email her where you donated/volunteered, and she'll send you a link to the class.
Please share with friends or family that might be interested - beginners welcome.
Email Lisa after you've made your donation.
Saturday Gentle Flow (no class Nov. 28)Weathersfield resident, Lisa Gleeson, Within Reach Yoga, is hosting online yoga classes on Saturdays via Google Meet.
Email lisa@withinreachyoga.com to register or with any questions.
COST: $12 drop-in or one punch for those who have purchased punch passes ($60).
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.
Slow Flow, Rest + Restore Saturdays, 9-10 am
(There will be no Saturday class on Nov. 28)Special Class This Thursday
Thursday, Nov.26 9-10 a.m. Lisa Gleeson of Within Reach Yoga is hosting a gathering through GOOGLE MEET. Lisa will be hosting a live streaming class designed to cultivate gratitude within ourselves and radiate metta (loving kindness).
This gentle class is FREE with a donation of any amount/goods/time to a non-profit that you feel is worthy. Email her where you donated/volunteered, and she'll send you a link to the class.
Please share with friends or family that might be interested - beginners welcome.
Email Lisa after you've made your donation.
Saturday Gentle Flow (no class Nov. 28)
Weathersfield resident, Lisa Gleeson, Within Reach Yoga, is hosting online yoga classes on Saturdays via Google Meet.
Email lisa@withinreachyoga.com to register or with any questions.
COST: $12 drop-in or one punch for those who have purchased punch passes ($60).
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 their page 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.
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 their page 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.
Zack's Place Annual Turkey Trot
Virtually This Year
T-shirt Artwork by Keegan Moriarty Zack's Place 2020 Virtual Turkey Trot Register now to support Zack's Place
The Zack's Place Turkey Trot is virtual this year. Organizers are hoping that the community will still get outside and trot on Thanksgiving Day to support Zack's Place, see other people trotting, feel good, burn calories and do something really great.
Zack's Place needs you more now than ever. They need your help raising the money to keep their programs going, so that when it is safe, they are ready to go, in person again. Please join them on Thanksgiving Day for the Zack's Place Virtual Turkey Trot!
To register now click here: Click Here to Register for the Zack's Place Turkey Trot
Visit Our Local Restaurants
Exit Ate is back at it with limited indoor seating 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-On break November 1, 2020. 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. Daily specials.
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. SEE HOLIDAY HOURS ABOVE 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.
Travel Plans this Fall and Winter?This map shows restrictions and guidelines to all 50 states and some parts of Canada.
Link: https://gds.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=2ec42826968d4d0980ccca0fbbfe0c7c&mc_cid=01b40a6b30&mc_eid=62773da223
Ascutney Union Church Food Cupboard in Ascutney 5243 Route 5 Saturdays 9-10 a.m. call 802-674-2484.
Weathersfield Food Shelf in Perkinsville. SEE HOLIDAY HOURS ABOVE 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.
Weathersfield Food Shelf in Perkinsville. SEE HOLIDAY HOURS ABOVE 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.
Travel Plans this Fall and Winter?
This map shows restrictions and guidelines to all 50 states and some parts of Canada.
Link: https://gds.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=2ec42826968d4d0980ccca0fbbfe0c7c&mc_cid=01b40a6b30&mc_eid=62773da223
Link: https://gds.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=2ec42826968d4d0980ccca0fbbfe0c7c&mc_cid=01b40a6b30&mc_eid=62773da223
We'll get through this together. We're all connected.
#StayatHomeSavesLives
#StopTheSpread
#MaskUpVermont
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 drop me an email: photosbynanci@comcast.com