Be Smart, Be Safe in Weathersfield Vermont December 7

-

 Mount Ascutney late Sunday afternoon
We didn't get quite the snow totals that were predicted but we sure had the winds. Friends in southern New Hampshire and western Massachusetts weren't quite so lucky.
The colors seemed muted on our Sunday hike but still eye catching.

And we spotted a little color to brighten our day.

Let Nature Nurture

Try to get outside for 30 minutes of fresh air each day, rain or shine. It's good for both physical and mental health.


You are NOT Alone, Please Reach Out!
Dial 2-1-1

We're all stressed out and are wondering about the future. Don't go it alone.
Text VT to 741741 to access a 24-hour Crisis Text Line 

UV COVID Relief

Mental Health Support for members of the Upper Valley impacted by Covid

15+ NH/VT psychotherapists are volunteering to provide free 30-minute telehealth or phone support appointments to people impacted by Covid in the Upper Valley!

Sign up for up to six 30 minute support sessions by going to the website below.
Book an appointment: www.UVCovidRelief.org

Support is available to *any member* of our Upper Valley community impacted
by Covid, including but not limited to:
- Retail and grocery workers
- Teachers and educational staff
- First responders
- All hospital employees
- Nursing home/home health aides
- Postal, UPS and FedEx workers
- Correctional officers
- Stay at home parents
- Elders in isolation
Any questions, email UVCovidRelief@gmail.com

Don't go it alone

Other Services

This is a stressful time for everyone. 
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.

Things to Do In and Around Weathersfield
(Safely and/or Online)

Caravanserai
16th Annual Raqs Salaam Dance Theater Showcase



Online- *Dec 11 - 13 *Dec 19 - 20 *Dec 26 - 27 
*Jan 2 - 3 *Jan 9 - 10
TICKETS and a special dinner discount offer .

This year's virtual 2-hour showcase is a studio fundraiser celebrating the dance and cultures of North Africa, the Middle East, Asia and beyond. 

Through colorful sojourns along the migration trail, you will be dazzled with dances from Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon (and Columbia!), as well as stops as far away as India and Russia. 

This family-friendly show is both educational and entertaining featuring Raqs Sharki (Belly Dance), as well as many folkloric/regional dance styles. 

See Russian Romany dance with skirts, Algerian Kabyle dance, Indian Bhangra, dance with veils, with fire and more! New England's Middle Eastern Band, Zaatar, will also be joining us, offering accompaniment with melodies from Lebanon, Egypt and Turkey. 

This year our show was filmed in over a dozen different locations** (see discount below) and represents a triumph of creativity, resilience and the human spirit. Relax as you "travel home" with us, and enjoy the fun, entertainment and celebration of our 16th year of shows!

* Opening weekend views Friday, 7 pm - Sunday, midnight with final purchase 8 pm Sunday. Subsequent weekends view Saturday noon - Sunday midnight, final purchase by 8 pm Sunday.

** Consider making this a full date night with Turkish take-out or in-house dining at the exquisite Tuckerbox restaurant (one of our filming locations!) in White River Junction, Vermont. If you bring your ticket receipt to Tuckerbox, you will receive 10% off your dinner order! You must present a full-priced ticket purchased for the weekend that you order Turkish food in order to receive 10% off.




Free Yoga Classes Dec 7-12

Join Upper Valley Yoga December 7—11 for many free livestream yoga classes.

Visit www.uppervalleyyoga.com/events to see the lineup, class descriptions and more information about how to signup for these classes so you can access the zoom links.
All are welcome!


Valley Improv: Zoom Games Workshop
Tuesday December 15th
7 - 7:45pm

Want to spice up your Zoom happy hours? 
Come to this free, interactive workshop by Valley Improv and learn some new improv games that you can play with friends, family, frenemies, and framily over the internet!

They'll teach some games and then play them. You'll also get a digital handout with descriptions of the games so you don't have to take notes.

Registration required so we can send you the Zoom link 24 hours ahead of time. So please fill out the brief form below to register.

Share the Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/f96Gv1Mv7
 Questions? Fill out our contact form: https://valleyimprov.com/#stayintouch


Winter Holiday Events

Dec. 4-15
Celebrate the holidays with music!


Upper Valley Music Center is celebrating the holidays online this year. 
Holiday Music Festival events are free and open to everyone. For the full detailed event schedule, click here.

Events Include:
Songs of the Season 
Caroling
Messiah Sing
Preparing to Hear Masterworks: Handel's Messiah
'Tis the Session

You will receive Zoom login instructions after you submit the online form. 

If you want to RSVP for Pocket Song Singers (Dec 8, 13, and/or 15) please click here. 
To RSVP for the UMASS Chamber Music Listening Party, click here.

Their Holiday Student Showcase will be broadcast on the web, YouTube, and Facebook Live- no RSVP required.

Revels North 

The Christmas Revels:
All Shall Be Well Again


"The Christmas Revels," a beloved holiday tradition for the whole family since 1975, is back, and like you’ve never seen it before. This holiday season, Revels North has produced a short animated film called "The Christmas Revels: All Shall Be Well Again." 

You can rent our film on Vimeo On Demand for $2.99, or purchase it for $9.99. Click here and watch it today!

Also, you can view "The Christmas Revels: All Shall Be Well Again" for free on CATV - Community Access Television, where it will be broadcast fifteen times through the end of the year, beginning Thanksgiving Day at 2:00pm. 

These broadcasts will be followed by a showing of the 2019 production of "The Christmas Revels: An English Celebration of the Winter Solstice," our first at Lebanon Opera House. For more information, please visit https://www.revelsnorth.org.

Finally, the film is available to purchase as a DVD. 

May "The Christmas Revels" bring joy, hope, and light to your holidays. Welcome Yule!
"The Christmas Revels: All Shall Be Well Again" is underwritten by Mascoma Bank.




Northern Stage Performs The Holiday Classic
"It's A Wonderful Life" on Vermont Public Radio


As a special gift to Vermonters this holiday season, Northern Stage has partnered with Vermont Public Radio to present a free one-time-only broadcast of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play on Saturday, December 12, at 3 p.m. 


More detail on my blog post: https://photosbynanci.blogspot.com/2020/11/northern-stage-performs-holiday-classic.html





Vermont Gov. Phil Scott announced #vtlightstheway holiday lights around the state. During Friday's COVID-19 update.

"In celebration of the coming holidays, I think it’s time to lift our spirits so I’m asking everyone to help Vermont Light the Way, not only in combating this crisis but to literally brighten our communities by decorating homes and businesses with holiday decorations and lights. Let’s get creative and show the world that Vermonters are here for each other, that we care about one another and that even through these dark and difficult times, Vermont Lights the Way.

Let’s make our streets and side roads special, lit up with decorations and lights all across the state. Some communities are already doing this and there may be others who are way ahead of us and I thank them"
Post your photos and tag them #vtlightstheway


Brownsville Community Church 2020 Holiday Happenings

The church is located at 66 Brownsville Hartland Rd, Brownsville

The Christmas Story - Live Nativity
Sunday, Dec. 13 4:30-6 p.m. 
On Sunday, December 13, the community will have the opportunity to enjoy a recorded narration of the Christmas story complete with Mary, Joseph, the crèche with baby Jesus, angels, wise men and shepherds while circling the church drive way.
As you enter the drive, you will be handed a pre-recorded CD by masked & gloved “ushers”. The story on the CD will coincide with what you see, will be interspersed with beautiful Christmas music and is something you can take home and enjoy year after year. 

Outdoor Christmas Eve Service
Thursday, Dec. 24 7 p.m. 
On Thursday, Dec. 24, there will be a Christmas Eve Service outside at Brownsville Community Church. The 7 p.m. service will include special music from guest, Ben Fuller, and more.

The service will also be live-streamed on the church’s FaceBook page at www.facebook.com/brownsvillecommunitychurch/.

More info. please email  bcchurchvt@gmail.com or visit the Brownsville Community Church at www.brownsvilleumc-vt.org and www.facebook.com/brownsvillecommunitychurch/

Rev. Christian Huebner, Pastor says All are Welcome.




Within Reach Yoga Under the Trees

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

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.



News You Can Use

COVID-19 in Our Communities



Friends and Neighbors, please be safe.
What you can do:
  • 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.
  • Stay Home if You Are Sick-even if you only feel a little "off"
  • 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 

National Data

Track the Vaccine Doses
Want to track the COVID-19 dose distribution?
Benjamin Renton, a senior at Middlebury College who has been tracking data during the pandemic, has launched a new dashboard using local news reports and press releases to track how many vaccine doses each state is being allocated.
The feds have cut way back on their initial promises and have no readily available public data effort like it on their own,  Renton updates his dashboard regularly as new information becomes available. Click Here to Track






Vermont Data

The Numbers


VT reported 125 new cases Friday, 117 on Saturday, and 120 yesterday, bringing its official total to 5,015, with 1,985 of those active (up 144 over the weekend). 
There were 4 new deaths, which now stand at 79, and 22 people with confirmed cases (down 7) are hospitalized. 

Windsor County gained 31 cases (69 over the past 14 days) to stand at 252 for the pandemic. Orange County gained 18 cases (with 72 over the past 14 days) and is now at 250 cumulatively. Town-by-town results released Friday cover the last two weeks: Hartford 16, Springfield 7 new cases, Windsor 5, Hartland and Norwich 4 each, Chelsea 3, Woodstock 2.

The Governor’s actions, visit https://governor.vermont.gov/covid19response.

The state’s modeling, visit https://dfr.vermont.gov/about-us/covid-19/modeling.
(The travel maps will be updated on Tuesdays)

December 1, 2020 Slideshow



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





More info check accd.vermont.gov

K-12 Dashboard




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. 
For more information about which businesses may operate and how they may operate, view the Work Safe Guidance. The current State of Emergency requires employers to use remote work and telework whenever possible to avoid unnecessary work travel. Businesses and employees must only travel for work related trips when absolutely necessary. Individuals engaged in a daily commute to and from their job are expressly exempt from the need to quarantine by Executive Order.

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.




The Numbers

NH reported 782 new cases on Friday, 457 on Saturday, and 656 yesterday; its official total is now 24,771. 
There were 20 new deaths over the weekend, bringing the total to 564, while 169 people are hospitalized (up 13). 
The current active caseload stands at 4,654 (up 312). 
Grafton County is at 119 active cases (down 2), Sullivan has 46 (down 3), and Merrimack has 623 (up 102). 
In town-by-town numbers, Hanover has 29 active cases (down 1, unclear whether this includes the latest Hanover Terrace figures), Newport has 16 (no change), Lebanon has 11 (up 1), Claremont is at 7 (down 3), and Grantham (up 1), Canaan has 7 (up 1), Newbury and New London each have 5. 

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.   Dashboard Link 

Town of Weathersfield



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


Select Board Meets: December 7, 21; January 4, 18.


There was a Select Board meeting on Monday, Nov.30. The agenda was posted Dec. 3 on the Town website the meeting package was posted on the 30th.


Select Board Minutes:

November 30 
At the November 16 meeting, the board was introduced to  Patrick Chilcott from Zero Based Budgeting. Mr. Chilcott who will be working as a budget coach for the upcoming budget season. 


Library Trustees
Minutes of November 19


Weathersfield School


School Dates and Events

Stay up on all the school events visit: School Calendar

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.

Remote-Only School Option

K-8 remote-only school option will be open to any in-person students who would like to join at the end of the semester. 

The last day of Semester 1 is January 22, 2021. The new semester begins January 25, 2021.

If you are thinking that you would like to remove your child(ren) from in-person school, please consider the following:
  • Does my child require support to stay focused and on task with school activities?
  • Does my child ask questions and ask for help easily when needed?
  • Is my household internet service reliable and robust?
  • Is there an adult available to help the child with learning questions, routines, and structure?

If you answered 'no' to any of these questions, then remote-only learning may be a challenge for your child. Please consider carefully.

In order to help us with our planning we ask that you send Principal Oakman and the remote-only coordinator (Angie Ladeau, aladeau@wsesu.net) an email that you want to make that transition for your child(ren). You will get an email with more information. 


Mrs. Berry Says Get Active

She has put together a few movement challenges for you and your family. She also brought back the Panther Challenge and this time lets get your whole family involved.

Week #2 Panther Challenge: How many HOPS on one foot can you do in 1 minutes time? Log your score via this Google Form by Tuesday Dec. 8. She’ll post the winners' names next week. 

Also, she has created a fitness activity calendar, which she will be sending out monthly. Participating in physical activity as a family creates lifelong memories.

Congrats to Week #1 Panther Challenge winners for the most jumping jacks in 1 minutes time were: 
Grades preK-4: Hailey F.; Grades 5-8: Olivia F. ;Adults: Bruce F. Great Job to everyone that submitted their scores.

Check out the December Fitness Activity Calendar here.

Visit Our Local Restaurants

Exit Ate 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. 
CLOSED Christmas-they will however, be OPEN Tuesday Dec. 22 from 2-4 p.m. 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


We'll get through this together. We're all connected.

Be Smart, Be Safe
#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 

Blog Archive

Show more