Weathersfield Weekly Blog, December 13 edition
Mount Ascutney before the rains came.
Happenings THIS Week and Weekend
Book talk with Howard Mansfield
Tuesday, Dec. 14th at 7:00 via a Zoom
Tuesday, Dec. 14th at 7:00 via a Zoom
This prolific writer has become well known in this area for his articles in Yankee Magazine, one of which was about Romaine Tenney. For this event he will be focusing on his latest book, Chasing Eden: A Book of Seekers, which has been described as follows:
In this remarkable book, Howard Mansfield re-mystifies the cold, hard land of the American northeast. He unearths parades of seekers---Shakers who love God and TV, divorced men who haunt the hiking huts of Mount Washington, Pocumtucks who paddle downstream to offer a mercy that will go unreturned. His prose is at turns arresting with its poignancy and laugh-out loud funny. —LULU MILLER, author of Why Fish Don’t Exist and co-host of “Radiolab”
This program is co-sponsored by the Weathersfield Historical Society and the Weathersfield Proctor Library.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84667965257?pwd=NjlPcE54MUM5V2hVUUd6djN6RjQ2Zz09
Meeting ID: 846 6796 5257
Passcode: Eden
This prolific writer has become well known in this area for his articles in Yankee Magazine, one of which was about Romaine Tenney. For this event he will be focusing on his latest book, Chasing Eden: A Book of Seekers, which has been described as follows:
In this remarkable book, Howard Mansfield re-mystifies the cold, hard land of the American northeast. He unearths parades of seekers---Shakers who love God and TV, divorced men who haunt the hiking huts of Mount Washington, Pocumtucks who paddle downstream to offer a mercy that will go unreturned. His prose is at turns arresting with its poignancy and laugh-out loud funny. —LULU MILLER, author of Why Fish Don’t Exist and co-host of “Radiolab”
This program is co-sponsored by the Weathersfield Historical Society and the Weathersfield Proctor Library.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84667965257?pwd=NjlPcE54MUM5V2hVUUd6djN6RjQ2Zz09
Meeting ID: 846 6796 5257
Passcode: Eden
Zack's Place Players present Beauty and the Beatz, Wednesday December 15, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. at the Woodstock Town Hall Theatre. The performance is free but donations are accepted. All Welcome.
Zack's Place Players present Beauty and the Beatz, Wednesday December 15, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. at the Woodstock Town Hall Theatre. The performance is free but donations are accepted. All Welcome.
Weathersfield Proctor Library hosts "A Visit with Santa"
Saturday, Dec. 18. 6-7 p.m.
Join the folks at the Weathersfield Proctor Library for A Visit with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 18 beginning at 6 p.m.. Bring the whole family. Children are welcome to attend in their PJs, slippers and robes.
Story Time start at 6 p.m.Santa Arrives at 6:30 p.m.
All ages are welcome. Light refreshments will be served. Call the library (802)-674-9876 for more information.
Saturday, Dec. 18. 6-7 p.m.
Join the folks at the Weathersfield Proctor Library for A Visit with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 18 beginning at 6 p.m.. Bring the whole family. Children are welcome to attend in their PJs, slippers and robes.
Story Time start at 6 p.m.
Santa Arrives at 6:30 p.m.
All ages are welcome. Light refreshments will be served. Call the library (802)-674-9876 for more information.
Brownsville 2021 Holiday Happenings Sunday, Dec 19
4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. Live Nativity & Christmas Pageant
4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. Live Nativity & Christmas Pageant
Brownsville Community Church & West Windsor Town Hall
Brownsville, Vermont
On Sunday, December 19 between 4:30 and 6:00, the community will have 3 opportunities to enjoy a narration of the Christmas story complete with Mary, Joseph, angels, wise men, shepherds and more acting in and around the manger at Tribute Park adjacent to the church. The story will be interspersed with beautiful Christmas songs sung by all.
Admission is free 19th. A free-will offering will be accepted at the church to help offset costs and COVID guidelines in place at the time will be adhered to. Thank you to the volunteers at Brownsville Community Church and volunteers in our community for making possible these Christmas events for all to enjoy.
The Brownsville Community Church is located on the Brownsville-Hartland Road, between Albert Bridge School and the West Windsor Town Hall. The Church phone number is 802-484-5944, the email address is bcchurchvt@gmail.com and you can visit the Brownsville Community Church at www.brownsvilleumc-vt.org.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
News You Can Use
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
Select Board Minutes Continue to Not Be Posted within 5 Days of Meeting-Violating the Vermont Open Meeting Laws
Select Board Minutes from the December 6, 2021 meeting are still not posted on Monday morning December 13. Vermont Open Meeting Law states-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.
This is a critical time of the year when Weathersfield residents need access to the meeting minutes to help them understand what is going into the budget to be voted on in March.
This is not the first time the board has failed to post the minutes within the five day time frame. There have been many such instances.
This reporter was assured by Town Manager Brandon Gulnik, via email, in March 2021 that this situation had been resolved. It has not.
In addition, as I have noted in my weekly blog since November 8, the Nov. 1, 2021 meeting minutes are listed as posted. However, the minutes attached to the link provided are minutes from the October 18, 2021 meeting. (The November 1 minutes ARE included in the November 15 meeting packet, but this does not fulfil the requirements of the Open Meeting Law)
Vermont reports record-setting 740 Covid cases and 3 more deaths
VT Digger's Erin Petenko reports that the Vermont Department of Health reported 740 new Covid-19 cases on Friday 12/10/2021, breaking the previous one-day case record by 100 cases.
The second-highest total occurred only five days ago, on Dec. 4. With the latest data included, the state’s seven-day case average rose to 482 cases per day, rebounding from a slight decline the state had reported for a few days in a row.
On Tuesday, state officials said Vermont appeared to be in the midst of a post-Thanksgiving surge driven by holiday gatherings. It’s now been just over two weeks since Thanksgiving, enough time for cases to incubate and for people to get tested.
While Friday’s data is based on a day with a lot of testing-16,700 tests conducted-it did not reach the previous one-day testing record of over 18,000. The seven-day positivity rate was 4.8%, one of the highest positivity rates Vermont has ever reported.
The second-highest total occurred only five days ago, on Dec. 4. With the latest data included, the state’s seven-day case average rose to 482 cases per day, rebounding from a slight decline the state had reported for a few days in a row.
On Tuesday, state officials said Vermont appeared to be in the midst of a post-Thanksgiving surge driven by holiday gatherings. It’s now been just over two weeks since Thanksgiving, enough time for cases to incubate and for people to get tested.
While Friday’s data is based on a day with a lot of testing-16,700 tests conducted-it did not reach the previous one-day testing record of over 18,000. The seven-day positivity rate was 4.8%, one of the highest positivity rates Vermont has ever reported.
Weathersfield has 20 new cases since last week.
Vermont doubles Covid-19 case total in less than 6 months
VT Digger's Erin Petenko is reporting that "In the few weeks since Vermont’s Covid-19 cases have surged from holiday gatherings and cooler weather, the state has hit a grim milestone: More cases have been reported during the Delta surge than across the entire pandemic before that point, according to Department of Health data.
Vermont has reported 29,800 cases during the five-month period from July 13 — when cases began to rise after a months long lull — through Dec. 9. By comparison, there had been 24,500 cases from the first days of the pandemic in March 2020 up until that point, covering more than 13 months.
The milestone harks back to the early days of the pandemic, when the state’s “doubling rate” — the period of time it took for the total number of cases to double — was a major factor in Vermont officials’ decisions on shutting down schools and businesses.
Although the “doubling rate” has increased recently, it remains better than it was in the first days of the pandemic. Still, the fact that Vermont’s cases have doubled in less than six months, when they were already in the tens of thousands, shows how devastating the Delta variant has been.
VT Digger's Erin Petenko is reporting that "In the few weeks since Vermont’s Covid-19 cases have surged from holiday gatherings and cooler weather, the state has hit a grim milestone: More cases have been reported during the Delta surge than across the entire pandemic before that point, according to Department of Health data.
Vermont has reported 29,800 cases during the five-month period from July 13 — when cases began to rise after a months long lull — through Dec. 9. By comparison, there had been 24,500 cases from the first days of the pandemic in March 2020 up until that point, covering more than 13 months.
The milestone harks back to the early days of the pandemic, when the state’s “doubling rate” — the period of time it took for the total number of cases to double — was a major factor in Vermont officials’ decisions on shutting down schools and businesses.
Although the “doubling rate” has increased recently, it remains better than it was in the first days of the pandemic. Still, the fact that Vermont’s cases have doubled in less than six months, when they were already in the tens of thousands, shows how devastating the Delta variant has been.
At a recent press conference, Mark Levine, commissioner of the Department of Health, said “we are now dealing with a much more infectious virus.”
“Each person who tests positive with the original strain of the virus infected only one or a couple of people. Now the variant is infecting three, four or five people,” he said. “To add to this, we were starting out with a larger number of cases.”
Vermont also dropped all Covid-19 restrictions on June 14, when 80% of Vermonters 12 and older, or 71% of the full population, had at least one dose of the vaccine.
The at-home test kits are antigen tests that use a self-administered nasal swab and return results within 15 minutes. Although they are slightly less accurate than the conventional PCR test, their high accuracy level, quick turnaround and ease of use have made them a commonly used tool in schools and health care settings.
Antigen tests have become increasingly available at pharmacies and local retailers, but demand for the tests has increased as well, causing complaints about a national shortage. President Joe Biden announced plans last week to begin reimbursing Americans for at-home tests in the coming weeks, but Scott’s reimbursement to Vermonters applies to tests from Dec. 1 onward.
Scott said he hopes to expand reimbursements to people without private insurance in the near future.
The governor’s office said in a Tuesday evening press release, “Although Vermont lacks authority to extend the emergency rule to self-insured plans, the State is encouraging those plans to voluntarily follow the rule in anticipation of new federal regulations recently announced by the Biden Administration.”
Mike Pieciak, head of the Department of Financial Regulation, said the ultimate goal was for Vermonters to be able to walk into pharmacies and get an at-home test for free.
| Dartmouth Hitchcock Returns to NO VISITORS Sadly, the news about COVID-19 this week isn’t much different from last week. New Hampshire and Vermont continue to see alarmingly high transmission rates of COVID-19 illness and hospitalizations. In fact, New Hampshire is the # 1 state in the country for new COVID-19 cases per capita and has the greatest number of unvaccinated people in New England. The current surge in community transmissions caused by the Delta variant and the discovery of the Omicron variant is a stark reminder that COVID-19 remains a serious threat to our communities. As a result of the high levels of community transmission, effective Friday, December 10, 2021, no visitors will be allowed at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (D-H) facilities, although caregivers will be allowed in very limited circumstances. Help DHMC in the battle against COVID-19 Throughout New Hampshire, hospitals are strained, and healthcare workers are exhausted. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health (D-HH) continues to work to provide the best care possible, but they need our help to relieve the current stress on our healthcare workers. The fact is that vaccines work to prevent serious illness and hospitalization from COVID-19. People who are vaccinated and boosted may also have protection against the newest variants. The majority of patients who are in their hospitals are critically ill from COVID-19 and they are not vaccinated. If you know someone who is not yet vaccinated, please encourage them to do so. Lastly, with the holidays upon us, D-H urges everyone to mask up and follow safety precautions. D-H in Lebanon is restricting visitors No visitors will be allowed for admitted inpatients or for outpatient appointments and procedures at D-H facilities in Lebanon. Caregivers will be allowed in very limited circumstances. A caregiver is a support person for a patient with a cognitive or physical disability. Caregivers must not have any symptoms of COVID-19, be on quarantine due to exposure to COVID-19 or travel, or have a diagnosis of COVID-19 in the last 10 days. View the revised visitor policy. D-H is closely evaluating the levels of COVID-19 in our community and will update the policy as needed. D-H remains committed to keeping our communities and their employees safe during the pandemic. They continue to screen all patients and visitors at the entrances, medical masks are now required and will be provided, and virtual visits are being used for patients with respiratory symptoms. Note that restrictions may vary at other Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health locations, based on levels of community spread. For outpatient appointments at D-H locations in the greater Concord, Manchester and Nashua areas, please visit our Dartmouth-Hitchcock Southern NH Visitor Policies web page. |
Town of Weathersfield
Weathersfield Police Blotter
Select Board
Select Board Minutes: The minutes can now be found at https://www.weathersfieldvt.org/node/586/minutes
Not sure if anyone has noticed, or not, but the minutes posted on the Town website have the Nov. 1, 2021 listed as posted. However, the minutes attached to the link provided are minutes from the October 18, 2021 meeting.
The November 1 minutes ARE included in the November 15 meeting packet.
All regular meetings are broadcasted live on Comcast channel 1087, VTEL Channel 161, and SAPA.org on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Selectboard Members
David Fuller Chair
Mike Todd Vice Chair
Kelly O'Brien Clerk
Joseph Jarvis Member
Paul Tillman Member
Select Board Meets 1st and 3rd Mondays of the Month 6:30 p.m. December 20
Meeting Minutes
December 6 (Not posted at press time Dec. 13 in violation of Vermont's Open Meeting law. )November 1 (Not posted at press time Nov. 8 in violation of Vermont's Open Meeting law. The posted minutes are from the October 18th meeting NOT Nov. 1)July 19 (posted on Monday, July 26 at 8:22 a.m. in violation of Vermont's Open Meeting law)April 19
April 5February 1
Select Board Minutes: The minutes can now be found at https://www.weathersfieldvt.org/node/586/minutes
Not sure if anyone has noticed, or not, but the minutes posted on the Town website have the Nov. 1, 2021 listed as posted.
However, the minutes attached to the link provided are minutes from the October 18, 2021 meeting.
The November 1 minutes ARE included in the November 15 meeting packet.
Selectboard Members
David Fuller Chair
Mike Todd Vice Chair
Kelly O'Brien Clerk
Joseph Jarvis Member
Paul Tillman Member
Select Board Meets 1st and 3rd Mondays of the Month 6:30 p.m.
December 20
Meeting Minutes
December 6 (Not posted at press time Dec. 13 in violation of Vermont's Open Meeting law. )
November 1 (Not posted at press time Nov. 8 in violation of Vermont's Open Meeting law. The posted minutes are from the October 18th meeting NOT Nov. 1)
July 19 (posted on Monday, July 26 at 8:22 a.m. in violation of Vermont's Open Meeting law)
April 19April 5February 1
*Vermont Open Meeting LawMinute 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.
Weathersfield School
No School December 23, 2021-January 4, 2022-Holiday Break
No School January 17, 2022
No School January 17, 2022
No School February 14-18, 2022 Winter Break
No School April 11-15, 2022 Spring Break
June 14, 2022-Tentative last Day of School
From Principal Brian:
We had some positive cases of Covid and if a student was possibly exposed to Covid, their families were notified. We were able to keep a large majority of students in school because of the test to stay. Students that had parent permission were able to get a test at school and were able to remain in school with a negative result. The students that were able to take advantage of the test to stay were students that were exposed at school. Please remember to check your email for updates regarding exposure and any necessary quarantining. If your student is absent from school, please make sure that you reach out to the teacher through email to get any missing work.
We will be having our second vaccination clinic on Monday, December 13th from 8 -12:00 pm. Please make sure that you fill out the necessary paperwork for your child to be vaccinated.
Just a reminder for snow rules for recess for students to play in the snow; in grades K-4, they need boots and snow pants, while students in grades 5-8 that is optional for them to have them on, but highly suggested.
Community Dinner Drive-Thru Dec. 14 4:30 p.m.
Our next school board meeting will be on Tuesday, December 14th at 6:00 PM.
Prior to the board meeting we will be doing a community dinner for our Weathersfield families. We will have a drive-thru dinner to pick up and enjoy at home.
Stop by on your way home starting at 4:30 PM and take home a dinner to enjoy with your family. A change in schedule is in the near future.
Early Release Date Changed from Dec. 17 to Dec. 22
On the original school calendar, Friday, December 17th is scheduled as an early release day. That day has been swapped with Wednesday, December 22nd as the new early release day.
Students will get out the normal dismissal time on the 17th and get out of school on the 22nd at 12:00 PM.
Meeting Agendas may be found HERE
Weathersfield School Board will meet on Tuesday, December 14 at 6:00 p.m.
Virtual Link: https://meet.google.com/nfo-qttm-bgg
January 11February 8March 8April 12May 10June 14
Location: 135 Schoolhouse RD Ascutney
School Board Meeting VIDEOSMeeting Minutes
COVID-19 Plan for School Year
The plan for returning students has been posted online for parents to review. LINK
Ski Vermont Fifth Grade Passport-Open to 6th Graders too!
Ski Vermont’s 5th Grade Passport provides 5th graders access to more than 90 days of skiing at participating ski areas. This year due to COVID, 6th graders are also invited to join the program this year. Alpine AND Cross Country Ski Areas participate in this pass.The Fifth Grade Passport is only $20.00!Information on Ski Vermont Fifth Grade Passport: https://skivermont.com/fifth-grade-passport
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at Jessica.Kischko@wsesu.net
Ski Vermont’s 5th Grade Passport provides 5th graders access to more than 90 days of skiing at participating ski areas. This year due to COVID, 6th graders are also invited to join the program this year.
Alpine AND Cross Country Ski Areas participate in this pass.
The Fifth Grade Passport is only $20.00!
Information on Ski Vermont Fifth Grade Passport: https://skivermont.com/fifth-grade-passport
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at Jessica.Kischko@wsesu.net
Dr. David Baker, Superintendent Update Dec. 3, 2021
Here are just a few of the latest updates:
1. Test To Stay: Great news! The test kits arrived and we have had several opportunities in each of our buildings to make this work. It is very time intensive and I want to thank the school nurses, volunteers, office staff, and administrators. We have been able to keep many students in school. Some parents ask if we can test both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated students. The guidance from the AOE and the VDH clearly states that only unvaccinated students need to be tested. We are going to follow that guidance for two reasons. First, the program is labor intensive and it is important to be as efficient as possible. Second, we have a limited number of test kits and we do not want to go beyond the recommended number as we implement the TTS program. If during the TTS process we should discover a positive Rapid Test, then we would certainly reconsider testing everyone. We want to make this work and we want our children safe.
To have your child be eligible for the TTS antigen-testing, you must first sign a consent form. This only has to be done once. It would really help the process if you could get those forms signed so we do not have to do it the day of testing. The schools have sent the forms home. There is also a website where parents and guardians can give consent for in-school (TTS) testing. Please note that this is SEPARATE from the surveillance testing consent you may have provided previously and will be used only for TTS testing. Please use this site (by clicking here) if you’d like to register your consent to have your unvaccinated student receive the rapid-result antigen (TTS) test if necessary. If you want to sign a paper copy, please contact your student's school.
2. Good News on Vaccinations: We had a successful kick-off at our pediatric vaccine clinics before vacation. Hartland vaccinated over 90 children between the ages of 5 and 11 on Thursday. The Mount Ascutney District vaccinated over 100 children, and Weathersfield vaccinated 50. We want to thank our partners at the Springfield Office of the VT Department of Health. We are also aware that many of our parents have secured the pediatric vaccine privately. If your student did get vaccinated privately, please let your school nurse know ASAP.
Please be reminded - This is a two-dose process. Reminder that the dates for the second Dose are as follows:
> Hartland from 9:00 AM to Noon on December 9th (2nd Dose);
> Weathersfield from 9:00 AM to Noon December 13th (2nd Dose);
> Windsor from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon on December 17th (2nd Dose).
You can register for these sites here. Enter your child as a dependent and register for your site.
PLEASE NOTE: This vaccination is totally voluntary. If you choose to have your student vaccinated at one of our schools, you must register your child. The information forms for the last vaccine clinic should suffice for the second dose. Just make sure you are registered and it is confirmed on the website.
3. High School Winter Athletics: Our COVID Athletic Handbook is now updated with new information for the winter. You can find it at this link. High school sports started on Monday, November 29th. Middle school (7 & 8) starts on Monday, December 6th. Elementary (grades K-6) will begin after the Holiday Break (January 5) if they are using our gymnasiums. Windsor has its own town gymnasium and may start their elementary program earlier. We have the same expectations for practices that we had last year - Arrive, Practice, and Leave. Students will have to be masked when in the building and there will be no public allowed in practice sessions or scrimmages. All athletic personnel have to be vaccinated. Players are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated but it is not a requirement. We will play a full schedule for all sports at the middle and high school levels. High school games will start in December. Middle school will start in January. We will follow the Home Team protocols when we travel. Home game protocols in our gym include masking at all times and arrive-play-leave. With respect to high school spectators, only home team spectators will be allowed. The number of home team fans will be limited. We will be allowing a high school student section that will be organized by our high school administrators. We will determine the middle school protocols for fans after the Holiday break. Coaches, administrators, and the Athletic Directors will have more specific information for each site as we get closer.
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
Fun Stuff
Opera North "All is Calm-The Christmas Truce of 1914"
This past weekend, for two shows only, Opera North presented "All is Calm". 
In some areas, men from both sides ventured into no man's land on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to mingle and exchange food and souvenirs and to sing Christmas Carols.
More photos: CLICK HERE
Things to Do In and Around Weathersfield
Get Outdoors, Entertainment, Classes, Workshops
Friday, December 24th 7 p.m.
Brownsville Community Church
Christmas Eve, at 7 p.m., there will be the Brownsville Community Church Candlelight Service. A free-will offering will be accepted at the church on Christmas Eve all of which will go to local non-profits.
COVID guidelines in place at the time will be adhered to. At the time of this writing, both inside and out - if you are fully vaccinated, masks are optional and the practice of social distancing is requested when & where possible. If you are not fully vaccinated, please wear a mask and social distance.
The Brownsville Community Church is located on the Brownsville-Hartland Road, between Albert Bridge School and the West Windsor Town Hall. The Church phone number is 802-484-5944, the email address is bcchurchvt@gmail.com and you can visit the Brownsville Community Church at www.brownsvilleumc-vt.org.
Enjoy the festivities and bring your friends, neighbors and family! ALL ARE WELCOME!
Christmas Eve, at 7 p.m., there will be the Brownsville Community Church Candlelight Service. A free-will offering will be accepted at the church on Christmas Eve all of which will go to local non-profits.
COVID guidelines in place at the time will be adhered to. At the time of this writing, both inside and out - if you are fully vaccinated, masks are optional and the practice of social distancing is requested when & where possible. If you are not fully vaccinated, please wear a mask and social distance.
The Brownsville Community Church is located on the Brownsville-Hartland Road, between Albert Bridge School and the West Windsor Town Hall. The Church phone number is 802-484-5944, the email address is bcchurchvt@gmail.com and you can visit the Brownsville Community Church at www.brownsvilleumc-vt.org.
Enjoy the festivities and bring your friends, neighbors and family! ALL ARE WELCOME!
Theater
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Northern Stage Bryne Theater
WRJ VT December 8, 2021-January 2, 2022
I was at one of their "Preview Shows" on December 9 (no camera just my cell phone)
Dramatized by Joseph Robinette from the Story by C.S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe will be professionally produced and performed by Northern Stage’s student actors.
The story of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe centers around the White Witch, who has trapped Narnia in a perpetual state of winter with no hope of Christmas.
But all that changes when four siblings venture through an old wardrobe and enter a land of talking animals and ferocious monsters.
With the help of Aslan, the Great Lion, the children courageously battle the forces of evil and discover that Love is the deepest magic of all.
One of the greatest stories of courage and resilience ever written, Northern Stage’s production of C.S. Lewis’ epic tale will be a highly theatrical and actor-driven adventure. Marking Northern Stage’s return to the Byrne Theater for the first time since October 2020, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is a unique opportunity to shine the spotlight on Northern Stage’s talented young performers, while bringing us all together for the holidays.
More info visit Northern Stage
More photos: CLICK HERE
Music in the Air...
Lebanon Opera House
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones 2022-Tuesday, April 5, 2022 Tickets
Keystone Revisited 2022 Saturday, April 9 (rescheduled from October 2021) Tickets GA Orchestra and Reserved balcony seats.
COVID-19 Health and Safety rules in effect at LOH:
For entrance to all indoor Lebanon Opera House events, all patrons, staff, and volunteers must show a valid ID and proof of full vaccination – 14 days past their final vaccination shot – or proof of a negative COVID-19 test within three days of the event. Children under 12 years of age are exempt from this policy.
Face coverings will be required for everyone, regardless of age or vaccination/testing status, at all times while inside the building per City of Lebanon requirements. Masks will be provided to any guests that request them.
Proof of vaccination can be in the form of your physical vaccine card or a photo/scan of your card. We do, however, recommend patrons use the safe and secure Bindle app that’s being adopted by other arts organizations throughout the region. Download “My Bindle” via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Although our general policy is “no refunds/no exchanges” unless the show is cancelled or rescheduled, we acknowledge that the “rules of engagement” are changing and you may be interested in seeking a refund. In those cases you will have options to get a credit for a future show or a refund. Please contact us at boxoffice@lebanonoperahouse.org and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Exercise
Yoga
Whole Roasted Tro
Whole Roasted Tro
Within Reach Yoga
at The Perkinsville Community Church
(while the Center Meeting house furnace gets repaired.)
Indoor Classes are at Perkinsville Community Church-You must Register for each class at least a day ahead by emailing Lisa.
Class sizes limited to 7.
Yoga Tuesdays
No Classes Dec. 28 and Jan. 4
No Classes Dec. 28 and Jan. 4
*NEW CLASS* 8:15-9:15 a.m.6-week Tuesday Morning Class
November 16-December 21
*NEW TIME* 9:30-10:30 am Tuesdays-Slow Flow, Rest + Restore Class
Candlelight Evening Class Tuesday 5:30-6:30 p.m.Lisa's soothing evening class will continue on Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30pm.
A minimum of 6 participants are needed to hold class - please register at least one day in advance.
Special Class Announced
New Year's Day--Meditation + Yoga + Acupuncture + DetoxJanuary 1, 2021 10-11 a.m.Perkinsville ChurchLisa and Sara DeGennaro, MA, LCMHC, MLADC, CS, will be offering a guided meditation, yoga and ear acupuncture (or acupressure) workshop on New Year’s Day.
Enjoy ear acupuncture followed by a guided meditation and restorative yoga. You’ll be given a detox tea to bring with you for your ride home or to enjoy when you get there.
BENEFITS:
• Increased calmness, better sleep
• Decrease in anxiety and agitation
• Reduced cravings
• Relief from stress & trauma
• Easier connection with counseling & other health & healing treatments
COST:
Pay what you can (suggested donation $10).
Proceeds to benefit local non-profits.
REGISTER:
Space is limited! Please register early if interested by emailing Lisa.
New Year's Day--Meditation + Yoga + Acupuncture + Detox
• Increased calmness, better sleep
• Decrease in anxiety and agitation
• Reduced cravings
• Relief from stress & trauma
• Easier connection with counseling & other health & healing treatments
Yoga at Perkinsville Community ChurchPlease use the side door of the Perkinsville Community Church and leave shoes and coats in the entry way or kitchen (or keep them on your mat). There is a bathroom for changing.
Please bring props and wear a mask when you are not on your mat.
Upon feedback received and in an effort to maintain our strong community atmosphere and keep yoga a space of comfort and peace with room for everyone to sink into their own bodies and inner wisdom, please refrain from discussing politics, covid-19, and the vaccine in the sacred space where we practice.
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).
Workshops Online
Vermont Online Workshops
Lots of events and movies online. Contact: AARP Vermont Email: vtaarp@aarp.org with questions.
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!
Inn at Weathersfield (802) 263-9217 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!
Dine inside or outside Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, call for a reservation 802-263-9217. 1342 VT Route 106 Perkinsville, VT 05151
Bistro Midva Midva is open Wednesday-Saturday 4:30-9:30 p.m. (Closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday) Call (802) 299-1553 or visit their FACEBOOK PAGE for more information.
Springfield Diner-seating inside/outside daily 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Ice cream shop open Thursday-Sunday 1-7 pm. Daily specials.
Villagers Ice Cream Restaurant-CLOSED for the season
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.
During the holiday season, the Weathersfield Food Shelf will be open:Tuesday December 21 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
The Food Shelf will be closed December 23. Beginning Thursday, January 13, the regular opening schedule of 2:00 pm-4:00 pm on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month will resume. The Weathersfield Food Shelf is located in the 1879 Perkinsville Schoolhouse at 1862 Route 106 in Perkinsville. The Food Shelf has lots of good food to offer!
Call the Weathersfield Town Office to be refereed to a volunteer, visit the Weathersfield Food Shelf Facebook page and leave a message, 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.
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 Food Shelf will be closed December 23.
Call the Weathersfield Town Office to be refereed to a volunteer, visit the Weathersfield Food Shelf Facebook page and leave a message, 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.
Weathersfield Food Shelf in Perkinsville.
During the holiday season, the Weathersfield Food Shelf will be open:
Tuesday December 21 2:00 pm-4:00 pmThe Food Shelf will be closed December 23.
Beginning Thursday, January 13, the regular opening schedule of 2:00 pm-4:00 pm on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month will resume.
The Weathersfield Food Shelf is located in the 1879 Perkinsville Schoolhouse at 1862 Route 106 in Perkinsville. The Food Shelf has lots of good food to offer!
Call the Weathersfield Town Office to be refereed to a volunteer, visit the Weathersfield Food Shelf Facebook page and leave a message, 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.
Why Get Vaccinated?Well...Check out these stats
GET VACCINATEDand GET YOUR BOOSTERDo it for Yourself, Your Family, Your Community
Why Get Vaccinated?
Well...Check out these stats
GET VACCINATED
and GET YOUR BOOSTER
Do it for Yourself, Your Family, Your Community
The best way to make an appointment is through the Health Department’s website: healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine. Or call 855-722-7878 Monday – Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Vaccination rate in Weathersfield as of Dec. 3
Update: On December 9, the FDA expanded their Pfizer booster authorization to include people 16 and 17 years old. The CDC recommended the Pfizer vaccine for this use. Read the CDC press release.
In Vermont, 16 and 17 year olds can register for Pfizer boosters starting on December 11 at 8:00 am. They can also check with health care providers or pharmacies to receive their booster. It must have been at least 6 months since their second dose.
Update: On December 9, the FDA expanded their Pfizer booster authorization to include people 16 and 17 years old. The CDC recommended the Pfizer vaccine for this use. Read the CDC press release.
COVID-19 Boosters Available for Vermonters 16+You should get a booster if you are 16 or older and you received:
your Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago or
your second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago
WHERE AND HOW TO GET YOUR BOOSTER SHOT
Getting your booster shot is FREE and easy! Visit healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine for more information, and to find a location that offers the Pfizer vaccine near you.
To register through the Health Department website:
Visit healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine
Click the “make an appointment” button.
Log in to your account. Have the information you need to log in ready.
If you are eligible by work or medical conditions, you may need to update your details in the registration system before making an appointment. Go to the Dependent/Household/Client tab and click the UPDATE DETAILS button.
Proceed with making your appointment.
If you have not previously been vaccinated through the state registration system, need assistance or speak a language other than English, call 855-722-7878.
You will not need to show proof that you’re eligible or have to be a Vermont resident, but please bring your vaccination card. You must have an appointment for the vaccine clinic.
Health officials are also reminding Vermonters that it’s time to get your annual flu vaccine, and that there is no waiting period between getting a COVID-19 booster and getting your flu shot.
COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective, and a booster dose gives your body extra protection. This is especially important as the world continues to face the Delta variant of the virus that causes COVID-19. Moderna and Johnson and Johnson boosters have not yet been authorized by the CDC, and we will keep Vermonters up to date as we await guidance.
COVID-19 Boosters Available for Vermonters 16+
You should get a booster if you are 16 or older and you received:
your Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago or
your second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago
your Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago or
your second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago
WHERE AND HOW TO GET YOUR BOOSTER SHOT
Getting your booster shot is FREE and easy! Visit healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine for more information, and to find a location that offers the Pfizer vaccine near you.
To register through the Health Department website:
Visit healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine
Click the “make an appointment” button.
Log in to your account. Have the information you need to log in ready.
If you are eligible by work or medical conditions, you may need to update your details in the registration system before making an appointment. Go to the Dependent/Household/Client tab and click the UPDATE DETAILS button.
Proceed with making your appointment.
If you have not previously been vaccinated through the state registration system, need assistance or speak a language other than English, call 855-722-7878.
You will not need to show proof that you’re eligible or have to be a Vermont resident, but please bring your vaccination card. You must have an appointment for the vaccine clinic.
Health officials are also reminding Vermonters that it’s time to get your annual flu vaccine, and that there is no waiting period between getting a COVID-19 booster and getting your flu shot.
COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective, and a booster dose gives your body extra protection. This is especially important as the world continues to face the Delta variant of the virus that causes COVID-19. Moderna and Johnson and Johnson boosters have not yet been authorized by the CDC, and we will keep Vermonters up to date as we await guidance.
Getting your booster shot is FREE and easy! Visit healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine for more information, and to find a location that offers the Pfizer vaccine near you.
To register through the Health Department website:
Visit healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine
Click the “make an appointment” button.
Log in to your account. Have the information you need to log in ready.
If you are eligible by work or medical conditions, you may need to update your details in the registration system before making an appointment. Go to the Dependent/Household/Client tab and click the UPDATE DETAILS button.
Proceed with making your appointment.
If you have not previously been vaccinated through the state registration system, need assistance or speak a language other than English, call 855-722-7878.
You will not need to show proof that you’re eligible or have to be a Vermont resident, but please bring your vaccination card. You must have an appointment for the vaccine clinic.
Health officials are also reminding Vermonters that it’s time to get your annual flu vaccine, and that there is no waiting period between getting a COVID-19 booster and getting your flu shot.
COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective, and a booster dose gives your body extra protection. This is especially important as the world continues to face the Delta variant of the virus that causes COVID-19. Moderna and Johnson and Johnson boosters have not yet been authorized by the CDC, and we will keep Vermonters up to date as we await guidance.
Weathersfield has 151 cumulative case of COVID-19 since March 2020. Twenty (20) new cases since last week.
Vermont Current Cases by County
Vermont Current Cases by County
Vermont State Resources and COVID-19 Response Information
COVID-19 In Vermont Communities
COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/faqs
COVID-19 vaccinations: https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/vaccine
COVID-19 vaccinations: https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/vaccine
Stay Safe
- Get vaccinated (and boosted!) as soon as you are eligible
- Stay home if you feel sick
- Get tested if you have any symptoms, may be a close contact, or have taken part in activities that could put you at risk, such as large gatherings
- Wash your hands regularly
Wearing a mask:
The Health Department currently recommends wearing a mask in public indoor settings, because a significant portion of the population remains unvaccinated and the more transmissible Delta variant is spreading.
Wearing a mask helps protect you and the people around you from getting or spreading COVID-19. A mask helps contain your respiratory droplets and can keep them from reaching other people. COVID-19 can spread even if a person does not have any symptoms. This is how we reduce spread of the virus and outbreaks in our communities, schools and businesses.
If you are fully vaccinated – it is still possible to get and to spread the virus, but the risk is lower. Wearing a mask in public indoor settings is recommended, but you can also assess whether a mask is needed based on a space’s size, the number of people in it, the amount of time you’ll be there, and case rates in the county and in the community.
We urge everyone to follow the prevention steps to protect yourself and the people around you, especially if:
- you have a weakened immune system or are around someone who does
- you have children who can’t yet be vaccinated
- you’re traveling to a place with high transmission and low vaccination rates
- Get vaccinated (and boosted!) as soon as you are eligible
- Stay home if you feel sick
- Get tested if you have any symptoms, may be a close contact, or have taken part in activities that could put you at risk, such as large gatherings
- Wash your hands regularly
The Vermont Health Department has posted the following :- ISOLATE at home away from other people
- How to Isolate: CLICK HERE
- begin reaching out to close contacts immediately
- How to Notify Your Close Contact: CLICK HERE
The Health Department will prioritize contact tracing to people at higher risk. You may not receive a phone call from a contact tracer, but you still need to stay home and away from others, and follow the steps below to stop further spread.
If you are POSITIVE WITH SYMPTONS
If you are POSITIVE WITH NO SYMPTONS
The Vermont Health Department has posted the following :
- ISOLATE at home away from other people
- How to Isolate: CLICK HERE
- begin reaching out to close contacts immediately
- How to Notify Your Close Contact: CLICK HERE
If you are POSITIVE WITH SYMPTONS
Home COVID-19 Test Kits-How to Use ThemVT Digger-Riley Robinson
A lot of us are thinking about how to celebrate the holidays while feeling a little more Covid-19-safe this year. Testing is one tool for that, and here’s posted by VT Digger a little how-to video on using an at-home rapid test.
Below is a partial transcript of an interview in the video with Dr. Benjamin Lee, a pediatric infectious disease doctor at UVM Medical Center, edited for length and clarity.
Dr. Benjamin Lee: The biggest differences are that more of the at-home tests tend to be what we call antigen tests, so those tests are looking for bits of viral protein. Whereas the state-run tests are typically going to be PCR tests, and PCR tests are looking for tiny little pieces of the genetic code of the virus that can then be amplified.
And that difference means that PCR tests are going to be more sensitive than antigen tests. The PCR tests can detect much lower quantities of virus, so that’s one important difference.
The other important difference is that, with any test, there’s always the risk of operator error.
That being said, most of the available at-home tests are pretty straightforward to use.
Part of the challenge is that everybody has to have a willingness to accept the result.
A positive take-home test should be treated as a true positive. And that would mean isolating for 10 days from the onset of symptoms, or from the positive test results. And letting close contacts know that we’ve had this positive result.
There isn’t any single test result or strategy that’s going to guarantee that there’s no risk for infection. And so I think that it’s important that people recognize that, even with the addition of testing, what we can do is lower the risk, but not eliminate the risk.
Below is a partial transcript of an interview in the video with Dr. Benjamin Lee, a pediatric infectious disease doctor at UVM Medical Center, edited for length and clarity.
Dr. Benjamin Lee: The biggest differences are that more of the at-home tests tend to be what we call antigen tests, so those tests are looking for bits of viral protein. Whereas the state-run tests are typically going to be PCR tests, and PCR tests are looking for tiny little pieces of the genetic code of the virus that can then be amplified.
And that difference means that PCR tests are going to be more sensitive than antigen tests. The PCR tests can detect much lower quantities of virus, so that’s one important difference.
The other important difference is that, with any test, there’s always the risk of operator error.
That being said, most of the available at-home tests are pretty straightforward to use.
Part of the challenge is that everybody has to have a willingness to accept the result.
A positive take-home test should be treated as a true positive. And that would mean isolating for 10 days from the onset of symptoms, or from the positive test results. And letting close contacts know that we’ve had this positive result.
There isn’t any single test result or strategy that’s going to guarantee that there’s no risk for infection. And so I think that it’s important that people recognize that, even with the addition of testing, what we can do is lower the risk, but not eliminate the risk.
READ MORE
Follow the latest USA vaccination and COVID Risk Maps at
Follow the latest USA vaccination and COVID Risk Maps at
Never miss out on future posts by following Weathersfield Weekly Blog.
Nancy Nutile-McMenemy is an Upper Valley freelance photographer and writer who loves paddle, hike, attend concerts and local events in and around Weathersfield and the Upper Valley.
Scan this QR Code to see all the latest photos in my Galleries
or visit: www.photosbynanci.com
Nancy Nutile-McMenemy is an Upper Valley freelance photographer and writer who loves paddle, hike, attend concerts and local events in and around Weathersfield and the Upper Valley.
or visit: www.photosbynanci.com