Be Smart, Be Safe in Weathersfield, Vermont. February 22 edition.
The rocking horses at Kaskadenanc Nordic Ski Club at 3057 Weathersfield Center Road.
They are offering the use some XC ski gear to share, free of charge. If you need skis, boots, poles, or help getting started, email sfwhalen@live.com or call 263-5253 and ask for Sean. Otherwise, just come enjoy these trails any time, while they last.
Lots of fantastic scenes of Mt. Ascutney, wild animal tracks, and even a few newborn lambs along the trail. This is a free activity offered for the pleasure of the community by Kaskadenac Nordic Ski Club.
Park on any plowed area.
News You Can Use
Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballot-This Thursday
Please remember to request your absentee ballot by Thursday, February 25, 2021. Call the Town Clerks Office at 802-674-9500 to do this.All ballots must be returned by Tuesday, March 2, 2021.
Vermont State Officials Ease Restrictions on Long-term Care Facilities.
Residents of long-term care facilities will be allowed to participate in group dining and shared activities, have indoor visitors and can go to places like salons, Human Services Secretary Mike Smith said at the Governor's weekly press conference on Friday.
Residents’ vaccination status will be a part of , but not the only factor in, making decisions about whether someone can participate in social activities, Smith said. More guidance is expected on Tuesday.
About 93% of long-term care residents and 75% of staff have received at least the first dose of the vaccine, he said. Outbreaks at those facilities have dropped significantly since reaching a high point in December.
Dr. Mark Levine, commissioner of the Department of Health, said cases among Vermonters 75 and older have also dropped significantly in recent weeks.
Vermont Announces NEW Travel Guidelines
for People Fully Vaccinated.
Residents’ vaccination status will be a part of , but not the only factor in, making decisions about whether someone can participate in social activities, Smith said. More guidance is expected on Tuesday.
About 93% of long-term care residents and 75% of staff have received at least the first dose of the vaccine, he said. Outbreaks at those facilities have dropped significantly since reaching a high point in December.
Dr. Mark Levine, commissioner of the Department of Health, said cases among Vermonters 75 and older have also dropped significantly in recent weeks.
for People Fully Vaccinated.
Currently, the Health Department recommends that everyone, including people who had COVID-19, received a positive antibody test, or got the COVID-19 vaccine continue to follow the prevention steps to keep from getting or spreading COVID-19:
Stay home if you are sick.
Wash your hands often.
Keep your social circle small. At this time, your social circle should only include the people you live with.
Stay at least 6 feet away from people you don't live with.
Wear a mask anytime you are around people you don’t live with.
Vermonters Over 70 FloodPhone and Internet for Vaccination Appointments
A flood of Covid vaccine signups by Vermonters 70 and older caused long wait times and glitches in the state’s website last Tuesday.
Registration opened at 8:15 Tuesday morning. Within 15 minutes, the Vermont Department of Health received 7,000 calls to sign up. By late Tuesday afternoon, nearly 19,000 Vermonters, close to 60% of eligible people in that age group, had signed up for an appointment.
The state has offered three ways to sign up: Through the Department of Health, Walgreens and Kinney Drugs. By noon, Kinney Drugs was scheduling appointments more than five weeks out.
Some Vermonters reported technical glitches in online sign-ups; health department spokesperson Ben Truman said the state’s IT staff was working on the “complications.”
“Everyone will get scheduled, and there are enough appointments for all,” Health Commissioner Mark Levine assured people.
So far, about 78,000 Vermonters have received the vaccine, and about half of them have received both doses, Human Services Secretary Mike Smith said. Half of Vermonters 75 and older have received at least the first dose of the vaccine, including 850 homebound Vermonters who are vaccinated through home health agencies and emergency medical services.
VIRTUAL Informational Town Meeting
will be held on February 27 for Weathersfield Residents
This year's informational meetings will be held virtually. Follow the directions below or use your postcard to access the meeting online.
Weathersfield School Informational meetingThe School Informational Meeting will be held virtually using Google Meet beginning at 10 a.m. on Feb. 27: meet.google.com/ebi-bpnf-arq or join by phone 1-216-930-0581 (PIN 686-750-022#)
Town Informational Meeting
Town of Weathersfield will be holding Annual Town Meeting remotely on February 27, 2021 at 12:30 p.m..
Attendees may either join the meeting via phone by dialing 1-929-205-6099 and entering in Meeting ID # 542-595-4364 Passcode 8021 or by via computer by clicking on this link.
If you have any questions or concerns, or if you require training on attending virtual meetings, please do not hesitate to contact the Town Office and ask to speak with Olivia Savage, Principal Clerk, who will either schedule a meeting with you to bring you up to speed or walk you through the steps over the phone.
Town Informational Meeting
Town of Weathersfield will be holding Annual Town Meeting remotely on February 27, 2021 at 12:30 p.m..
Weathersfield Town Meeting
Australian Ballot Voting-March 2
Martin Memorial Hall
Town meeting will be held on March 2, 2021. Australian ballot voting will take place from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. at Martin Memorial Hall. You may vote in-person or by Mail-in-Ballot.
Please remember to request your absentee ballot by Thursday, February 25, 2021. Call the Town Clerks Office at 802-674-9500 to do this. All ballots must be returned by Tuesday, March 2, 2021.
Things to Do In and Around Weathersfield(Safely and/or Online)Classes, Workshops and Entertainment
LEBANON OPERA HOUSE PRESENTS
LOH on Location ONLINE Shows
LOH on Location: KeruBo
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23 • 6:00 PM
Live from Winooski (VT), Kenyan-born Afro-jazz singer uses her voice to heal and inspire.
GET FREE TICKETS
LOH on Location: Little Dylan & Stephen Hull
TUESDAY, MARCH 9 • 6:00 PM
Live from Racine (WI) with two fiery next-generation Midwestern blues musicians.
GET FREE TICKETS
LOH on Location: Michael Glabicki & Dirk Miller of Rusted Root
TUESDAY, MARCH 30 • 6:00 PM
Live from Pittsburgh (PA), reimagining the band’s polyrhythmic roots rock—including Send Me On My Way—in a stripped-down duo setting.
GET FREE TICKETS
LOH on Location: Zach Nugent
TUESDAY, APRIL 20 • 6:00 PM
Live from Barre (VT), soulful singer/guitarist pays tribute to the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band.
GET FREE TICKETS
Zoom Games with Valley Improv
February 25, 7-7:45 p.m.
Registration required via this link so we can send you the Zoom invite twenty-four hours ahead of time.
You can also share our Facebook invite!
Register now!
Mexican Culinary Experience Online Classes¡Buen Provecho! with Laura y Cecilia
Saturday, February 27: Mole de Olla – Traditional Mexican Beef StewSaturday, March 6: Mole Poblano – Mexico’s most famous mole sauce, originating in Puebla. Traditionally served over chicken
Saturday, March 20: Tacos al Pastor – Mexico’s most famous tacos of sliced marinated pork, served on corn tortillas with a garnish of pineapple, onion, and cilantro
Sign up online: https://forms.gle/sLitFpRQmN5FEEqC8
Mud Season Mystery: The Lodger
Presented by Northern Stage
April 14-May 2
Presented by Northern Stage
April 14-May 2
Closing out Northern Stage’s 2020-21 season, Mud Season Mystery: The Lodger will be performed live on Zoom starting April 14 through May 2, 2021. The performance schedule is Tuesday (beginning 4/20) and Wednesday at 7:30 PM, Thursday at 2:00 and 7:30 PM, Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday at
2:00 and 7:30 PM, and Sunday at 5 PM.
Tickets for The Lodger are $29, with a maximum of 40 participants per performance. For tickets, visit
northernstage.org, or call the Box Office directly at 802-296-7000.
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.
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.
Vermont Online Workshops
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Returns for 2021
in Ascutney, Vermont
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides in-person and virtual tax preparation to help anyone FREE of Charge, with special focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low-to-moderate incomes.All tax-aide volunteers are trained and are IRS-Certified every year to make sure they know about and understand the latest changes and additions to the tax code.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Tax-Aide has introduced some changes to the process; you will be instructed on these changes when you make your appointment. Call Tax-Aide in Ascutney 802-875-2418 on Tuesdays.
News You Can Use
COVID-19 in Our Communities
- 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.
Vermont COVID-19 Vaccination Update
70 Plus Vermonters are Eligible
ONLINE
The best way to make an appointment is through the Health Department’s website: healthvermont.gov/
These Days are Stressful-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 Covid15+ 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
Other Services
Weathersfield COVID-19 Response
The Town of Weathersfield has created a Volunteer Network to help during these times of COVID-19.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 COVID-19 Data
Tracking the COVID-19 Variants
The CDC has just gone live with a map tracking the known cases in the US of the three emerging coronavirus variants that have the world on edge: B.1.1.7 (the one known as the UK variant); the B.1.351 variant first seen in South Africa; and the P.1 variant first seen in Brazil. At the moment, there are cases of B.1.1.7 in NY, MA, and CT, but none reported so far in VT, NH, or ME. Note that the CDC says their numbers are based on sampling, and so "do not represent the total number" of cases that may be arising.CDC COVID-19 Worldwide Tracking Database Last Updated at (M/D/YYYY)2/8/2021, 6:22 AM
US COVID-19 Risk Levels
Realtime US COVID Risk Map
National Case Info.
Track the Vaccine Doses
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 106 new cases Friday, 123 on Saturday, and 129 yesterday, bringing it to a total case count of 14,493.There were 4 deaths over the weekend, which now stand at 197 all told. 38 people with confirmed cases are hospitalized (no change).
Windsor County gained 10 cases to stand at 1,012 for the pandemic, with 82 over the past 14 days. Orange County had 11 additional cases and stands at 492 cumulatively, with 31 cases over the past 14 days.
In town-by-town numbers reported late last week, Springfield added 20 new cases over the week before, Norwich gained 6, Killington and Chelsea each added 5, Hartford and Randolph each gained 3, and Woodstock, Cavendish, and Royalton each added 2.
Department of Health Vaccine Dashboard: https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/vaccine/covid-19-vaccine-dashboard
You can set up your account for vaccination at: https://vermont.force.com/events/s/selfregistration
More information at the Health Department’s website: healthvermont.gov/ MyVaccine.
The State of Vermont has suspended its leisure travel map and implemented a mandatory quarantine for anyone returning or traveling to Vermont.
Health Department Dashboard with current case map as of February 21
Town by Town Counts as of February 17
Weathersfield stands at 39 cases since last March 2020 for the second week in a row.
COVID-19 Testing sites and appointments
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.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.- 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
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
The Numbers
NH reported 379 new cases Friday, 396 on Saturday, and 267 yesterday for a cumulative total of 73,413.
There were 4 new deaths over the weekend, bringing the total to 1,154. 109 people are hospitalized (down 17).
The current active caseload stands at 2,940 (down 108). The state reports 258 active cases in Grafton County (up 32), 67 in Sullivan (no change), and 235 in Merrimack (up 10).
In town-by-town numbers, the state says Claremont has 42 active cases (up 3), Enfield has 10 (up at least 6), Lebanon has 9 (down 3), Newport has 8 (down 2), Charlestown has 6 (down 1), New London has 6 (up 1), and Canaan has 5 (up at least 1).
There were 4 new deaths over the weekend, bringing the total to 1,154. 109 people are hospitalized (down 17).
The current active caseload stands at 2,940 (down 108). The state reports 258 active cases in Grafton County (up 32), 67 in Sullivan (no change), and 235 in Merrimack (up 10).
In town-by-town numbers, the state says Claremont has 42 active cases (up 3), Enfield has 10 (up at least 6), Lebanon has 9 (down 3), Newport has 8 (down 2), Charlestown has 6 (down 1), New London has 6 (up 1), and Canaan has 5 (up at least 1).
Town of Weathersfield
It appears that the Select Board has an chronic ongoing problem of posting their minutes within the five days required by the Vermont Open Meeting Law.
I spoke with the Town Manager last week about a separate issue of the minutes being posted in WORD rather than PDF. Those changes were made last week. And the minutes are now back in PDF format. However, the Feb. 1 minutes posted are actually minutes from the January 26 meeting.
Vermont Open Meeting Law
Minute posting: 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.
Upcoming Town Board and Committee Meetings
Select Board Minutes: The minutes can now be found at https://www.weathersfieldvt.org/node/586/minutes *March 14
February 16-not posted by press time 2/22 8:30 a.m.
Weathersfield School
School Calendar
From The School Newsletter
Community Coffee Hour
3rd Grade Invention Convention
Get Ready for the Kids Heart Challenge
The school board meets from 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM at the Weathersfield School, 135 Schoolhouse Rd, Ascutney, VT.
Supervisory Union Office
Superintendent
Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union
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-Re-opening April 30, 2021Greg 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!
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.
WFS is located in the 1879 Schoolhouse at 1862 Route 106 in Perkinsville.
Open the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 2-4 p.m. COVID-19 policies are in place with groceries delivered to shoppers in their cars.
If you are in need of food and are unable to get to the facility during open hours, food will be delivered to your home.
Call the Weathersfield Town Office to be refereed to a volunteer, visit the Weathersfield Food Shelf Facebook page and leave a message or email weathersfieldfoodshelf@gmail.com
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 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
Weathersfield Food Shelf in Perkinsville.
WFS is located in the 1879 Schoolhouse at 1862 Route 106 in Perkinsville.
Open the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 2-4 p.m. COVID-19 policies are in place with groceries delivered to shoppers in their cars.
If you are in need of food and are unable to get to the facility during open hours, food will be delivered to your home.
Call the Weathersfield Town Office to be refereed to a volunteer, visit the Weathersfield Food Shelf Facebook page and leave a message or email weathersfieldfoodshelf@gmail.com
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.
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
If you have anything you think I should post drop me an email: photosbynanci@comcast.com