Be Smart, Be Safe in Weathersfield, Vermont. Dec. 28 edition

-
Rose-breasted Nuthatch


Before our snow melted away...

 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.



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

Virtual Family Science Workshops
Hosted by the Montshire Museum

Dec 28 at 10 AM  – Dec 31 at 2:30 PM
Fill your winter vacation with the joy of science!
Take part in 90-minute family workshops for children 6-12 years old and their caregivers. Specific workshops are designed for older children. Even extended families in multiple locations can participate!
Topics:
December 28th: Salty Science and Save that Box!
December 29th: Sink or Swim and Tesselations
December 30th: Upcycled Fashion and Pop-up Cards and Creations
December 31st: Mobiles and Ball Drop!





Words of Hope, Songs of Peace
An Interfaith New Year’s Eve Vesper Service with Julane Deener and the Peace Choir
Thursday, December 31, 4 pm
Greeting 2021 with Readings, Poetry, Reflection, Hymns and Songs. Featuring The Peace Choir – an interfaith collection of singers from near and far, dedicated to Singing for Peace on Planet Earth.

Rev. Mellen Kennedy & Rev. Robyn Carpenter will offer short reflections.
Sponsored by Springfield Unitarian Universalist Meetinghouse.
All welcome! Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6130779853 Contact: uuspringfieldvt@gmail.com

Caravanserai
16th Annual Raqs Salaam Dance Theater Showcase

Streaming Online
Jan 2 - 3, Jan 9 - 10
Each tickets allows viewing 
Saturday noon through Sunday midnight
final purchase by 8 pm Sunday
This virtual 2-hour showcase is a studio fundraiser celebrating the dance and cultures of North Africa, the Middle East, Asia and beyond. It's family-friendly and is both educational and entertaining featuring Raqs Sharki (Belly Dance), as well as many folkloric/regional dance styles-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.

The online video was filmed in over a dozen different locations and represents a triumph of creativity, resilience and the human spirit.

Your weekend ticket also includes a 10% off take-away at Tuckerbox restaurant (one of our filming locations!) in White River Junction, Vermont. (You must present a full-priced ticket purchased for the weekend that you order Turkish food in order to receive 10% off.)

Relax as you "travel home" with us, and enjoy the fun, entertainment and celebration of our 16th year of shows!



A Virtual Vermont Concert Venue-Forever Green


Vermont is a state of endless adventure, whether from a mountain top, a secluded lake, a vibrant downtown, or in the music that reverberates through its hills. We hope you enjoy FOREVERGREEN, a new adventure bringing the music of Vermont and the artists who have an affinity for the Green Mountain State directly to you. Let FOREVERGREEN be your entertainment for the night, your holiday season soundtrack, your après ski jam session, or just that relaxing vibe your hard-earned downtime deserves.
All shows will stream live at 7:00pm on Vermont Tourism YouTube and Facebook.



Online Classes

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.


AARP VT, Virtual Gentle Flow Yoga, 1/6/21

Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021
From 5:30pm to 6:30pm Eastern Time

Contact: AARP Vermont
Email: vtaarp@aarp.org
REGISTER
Join AARP VT and Sangha Studio for Gentle Flow Yoga, an accessible, all-levels class appropriate for students newer to the practice, those with injuries or limited mobility, students seeking a lower impact flow, and anyone who appreciates a slower, softer practice. Class will focus on connecting to the breath, releasing tension, and helping students to gently develop strength and flexibility. Variations will be given throughout class to accommodate students of all-levels.

All levels welcome. Beginners encouraged in this mixed-levels class.

Please note that AARP will email you the link to the Sangha Studio's online platform on which the event will be hosted (Zoom). Any information you share on that online platform will be governed by the privacy policy of Sangha Studio.

AARP VT Trivia Night w/ VT Historical Society, 1/7/21

Thursday, Jan 7, 2021
From 7pm to 8pm Eastern Time
Contact: AARP Vermont
Email: vtaarp@aarp.org

REGISTER

Do you know what a gore is, and how many of them in Vermont? How about the original name for Camel’s Hump? What’s the official state bird?

Test your wits while spending time with family and friends. You’ll compete against other teams for prizes and learn fun new facts about the Green Mountain state! Each month will feature a different Vermont-specific topic, with January being: Famous Vermonters.

PLEASE NOTE: when you log on to the Zoom link, if you want to play using the interactive game, you’ll need to have a phone, tablet, second computer, or really any kind of second internet-connected screen in order to log on to a website to submit your answers, in addition to the screen you’re using to watch the trivia program.

This event is led by the Vermont Historical Society. Please note that AARP will email you the link to the VT Historical Society online platform on which the event will be hosted (Zoom). Any information you share on that online platform will be governed by the privacy policy of VT Historical Society

Working At Home? Posture, Ergonomics and Workstations.

Wednesday, January 13 
Time 6pm in-person and online ZOOM with Upper Valley Aquatic Center and BE Fit Physical Therapy
Want to know a few key exercises to help your standing and sitting posture? Need some tips on setting up that home office to be more ergonomic? Come learn to improve strength and flexibility in order to decrease pain and increase your comfort with daily routines with BE Fit physical therapists. 

Please RSVP to confirm availability with BE Fit Physical Therapy 802-359-7400 or Info@BEFit-PT.com

AARP VT, Ask a Naturalist w/ Audubon Vermont,, 1/19/21

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2021
From 12pm to 1pm Eastern Time
Contact: AARP Vermont
Email: vtaarp@aarp.org

REGISTER
Ask a Naturalist: Winter in Vermont

Based on the new webinar series from Audubon Vermont, Birds of Vermont Museum, and the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas, this exciting program will bring naturalists to AARP Vermont to talk directly with you about what is happening outside. While we can talk generally amongst ourselves about what is exciting outside during our long, dark winters, this program will work best if you bring a question or two (tuning in to listen is also ok)!
Questions on migration, hibernation, winter, wildlife, etc are all welcome topics.

Please note that AARP will email you the link to the Audubon Vermont's online platform (Zoom) on which the event will be hosted. Any information you share on that online platform will be governed by the privacy policy of Audubon Vermont.

AARP VT, Virtual Winter Biking & Walking Workshop, 1/27/21

Wednesday, Jan 27, 2021
From 9am to 10am Eastern Time
Contact: AARP Vermont
Email: vtaarp@aarp.org

REGISTER

Join AARP Vermont and Local Motion for the first of two Virtual Winter Biking and Mobility sessions.
During the workshop, we will cover topics including:
  • the biggest challenges to biking and walking in the winter
  • discuss important gear for biking and walking
  • basic winter riding skills
  • how to stay safe walking/riding in the winter
  • recreational opportunities
  • what to do when the ride is done - taking care of your bike and your body
The second workshop will be held on February 10


News You Can Use

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

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

Upper Valley 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.

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

Northeast Region Data



Vermont Data

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

The state’s modeling, visit https://dfr.vermont.gov/about-us/covid-19/modeling.



Vermont COVID-19 Vaccine










UPDATE! For the period from December 23 – January 2, one household may gather with one other trusted household. That is a maximum of two households gathering during this period.


Staying home and with people you live with is still the lowest risk. Gathering with people you do not live with is not recommended for people who are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 or people who care for them.

If you do gather, the Health Department strongly encourages getting tested 7 days afterwards.
If you gather with anyone from out of state, everyone in both households must quarantine for 14 days, or 7 days with a negative test.


December 22 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


Town by Town Cases

 



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.

Vermont and Non-Vermont Residents-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.

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.

What is Essential Travel?

People traveling for essential purposes, including work, do not need to quarantine.
 Essential travel includes: 
  • travel for personal safety
  • medical care
  • care 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.


New Hampshire Data Dashboard





Travel Plans this 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

Town of Weathersfield



Open Elected Positions in Town
File before Jan. 25, 2021 at 5 PM

Signatures ARE NOT required, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but each candidate must sign a consent form to be put on the ballot for Town Meeting. March 2, 2021.

Upcoming Town Board and Committee Meetings


Minute posting: (2) Minutes of all public meetings shall be matters of public record, shall be kept by the clerk or secretary of the public body, and shall be available for inspection by any person and for purchase of copies at cost upon request after five calendar days from the date of any meeting. Meeting minutes shall be posted no later than five calendar days from the date of the meeting to a website, if one exists, that the public body maintains or has designated as the official website of the body. Except for draft minutes that have been substituted with updated minutes, posted minutes shall not be removed from the website sooner than one year from the date of the meeting for which the minutes were taken.

Select Board Meets: January 4, 18.

December 21 (minutes were not posted by press time Monday, Dec. 28 at 7:30 am)


Library Trustees
Minutes of November 19


Weathersfield School


School Dates and Events

Stay up on all the school events visit: School Calendar

In-Person Learning Dates: 
Week of Jan 11-in person class resumes

Remote Learning Dates:
Week of Jan 4 (see Supervisory Union update below)

Holidays/Breaks: 
December 24, 2020-January 4, 2021
MLK Day Jan. 12-school closed
Winter Recess-February 15-19
Spring Recess-April 12-16
Last Day of School (tentative) June 10

Remote Week January 4 – 8, 2021 will be a remote week. 

The reason is twofold, to use this time to quarantine from Christmas and to give students practice in the remote experience. In person teachers sent their remote schedules in November, (for the Nov. 30 remote week), so please plan to follow their daily remote schedule. 

Please know that the school takes attendance during remote times. If it is impossible for a child to attend a google meeting, they can still be counted as present if they are doing the work required. 

For more information, don’t hesitate to ask your child’s teacher. There will be no newsletter from the principal that week. 

Changes in Procedures

In light of weather changes upon us, the school is changing the way they do their pick up, drop off, and daily health checks. 

Starting January 11, drop off in the morning will be the same time and the drop off will follow the same pattern except the first few cars will come into the fire lane in front of the school, (no worries, BJ Esty will direct you), other cars to follow as this is the new drop off point. 

Grades K-8 will be using the front door for entrance and exit. There will be three health checkers outside asking the Covid questions as your child(ren) come inside the school. 

Once inside, they will be greeted by a number of adults who will check their temp and send them to a hand-washing station. 

From there, they will go to class. 

In the past several months, the school has had ZERO students come to school with a temperature or symptoms, (thanks to the watchful eyes of our parents), so it is unlikely that anyone will enter the building ill, but if it happens, the school will call their parents on their cell and ask them to return to school, while the student waits for them in our isolation room. 

The school has been successful in making sure the buses arrive after the drop offs every day, so the fire lane will be open for the buses to unload at 8:20 am. The end of the day will be similar. 

Students will board buses at 12:25 and when the three buses are gone, students will come to the front of the building when called, based on the parents/car line up. 

Students are still going outside several times a day, (unless the temperatures drop below 10 degrees). Please make sure they come to school with boots and warm clothing Students will remain in their classrooms on bitter cold days. 

School Board 

Meeting Dates:
Jan. 12
Feb. 9
March 9
April 13
The school board meets from 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM at the Weathersfield School, 135 Schoolhouse Rd, Ascutney, VT.

Supervisory Union Office


Dec. 4  Update-Winter Break Calendar Change
It is the administration's thinking that the Winter Break will be even more challenging with respect to multi-household gatherings. It will be more than impossible to ask families and staff to stay isolated during these upcoming Holidays. We certainly avoided any school/POD closures using this remote weeks after Thanksgiving. 

Therefore, in consultation with the administrative team, we have decided to modify the calendar for winter break. December 21 and 22 (formerly remote learning days) will now be in-person instruction. December 23 (formerly a remote learning day) will be a Staff Development Day (no school for students) for both faculty and support staff to allow time to prepare for another added remote week after the Winter Break. 

The week of January 4th will now be remote for all students. The state may issue a statewide order for remote instruction after the Winter Break, but we did not want to wait to see what they were going to do. Our families need to plan. We think this plan will support multi-household gatherings and family time around the Holidays. The revised calendar can be seen by clicking here.

Visit Our Local Restaurants

Exit Ate  Eat In or Take-Away
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.
Be sure to try some of Greg's Raisin Bread! It was delicious!

Inn at Weathersfield-On break beginning 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. 
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.


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 

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