Weathersfield Weekly Blog June 13 edition

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Don't you just LOVE Vermont in June!!


News You Can Use
ICYMI (In case You Missed It)

3 vehicle crash in Weathersfield

Police responded to a three-vehicle crash with injuries in Weathersfield on Friday. The crash took place on Vermont Route 131 at around 11:15 a.m. According to the report, a line of cars was traveling west when the first vehicle slowed to a near stop to make a left turn.

Byron Parry, 93, of Perkinsville, was the fourth vehicle in the line and did not notice the vehicles in front of him slowing down. Parry rear-ended Kara Colon, 37, of Salem, NH, into Daniel Weatherby, 34, of Salem, NH. 

Police say, Colon suffered suspected whip-lash from the crash and was brought to Springfield Hospital. State Police were assisted by Ascutney Fire Department and Twinline Towing.


Dartmouth Hitchcock hospital van stolen, leading to chase in NH, Vt.

A Chester, Vermont, man faces criminal charges in two states after he allegedly bolted from the emergency ward at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, got into an unoccupied parking lot shuttle van and sped off, leading police on a cross-border chase that ended when he was apprehended in Springfield, Vermont, an hour later.

Witnesses to the incident on Wednesday evening said they were stunned by the unsettling event.

Mitchell Horton, 38, was charged in Vermont with grossly negligent operation of a vehicle, eluding a police officer, operating a vehicle without owner’s consent and possession of stolen property, according to a news release from Weathersfield police.

He was being held for lack of $50,000 bail at Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield and was scheduled for arraignment Friday in Windham Superior Court in Brattleboro.

In New Hampshire, Horton is being charged with theft by unauthorized taking and is scheduled to appear June 23 in Grafton County Superior Court, according to Lebanon police.

Weathersfield police said three warrants had been issued for Horton’s arrest before Wednesday’s incident.

Dartmouth Health spokesperson Audra Burns referred all questions to Lebanon police.

According to authorities, after Horton drove off, the shuttle bus was observed heading south on Interstate 91 “at a high rate of speed,” and the driver disregarded police commands to pull over.

READ MORE of VT Digger's recount of the Valley News story: CLICK HERE




Weathersfield uses town garage land to host community solar array


Vermont Business Magazine reports:
The Town of Weathersfield has welcomed solar electric generation once again by hosting a 500 kW AC solar array at the Town Garage, offsetting nearly 750 tons of CO2 emissions annually, and saving the Town more than $100,000 off its electric bills over the life of the project. The solar project was permitted, financed, engineered, and installed by Norwich Solar of White River Junction.

This public/private collaborative effort results in Weathersfield securing several local economic benefits including increased tax revenue with minimal demand on public services and savings on the Town’s electric bills, while also contributing to a more resilient local electric grid with in-town distributed generation. The solar panels will produce nearly 1,000,000 kWh of renewable energy each year, enough to support the average annual energy use of approximately 85 households.

In addition to the Town of Weathersfield receiving net metering credits, so will the Town of Woodstock, as well as three members of Norwich Solar’s Small Business Community Solar Alliance (SBCSA). The Wayside Restaurant, Jake’s Market & Deli, and Stewart Maple are all now virtual net metering. These SBCSA member businesses all save money on their electric bills even though they were not able to host their own solar for either space or structural reasons. These local businesses keep their energy dollars circulating here in Vermont, strengthening our clean energy economy. SBCSA Membership is open to all Vermont businesses with annual GMP bills of $10,000 or more.



Windsor dog park honors dog lover who didn’t live to see it open
PATRICK O’GRADY for the Valley News reports:

After the dedication of Paradise Bark on Monday, where several people praised the vision and determination of the late Kerry Clifford to make the dog park a reality, Charlie showed his appreciation the only way he knew how.

When most had departed, the small, beige Cocker spaniel, with the fenced-in park all to himself, raced around, darting here and there, having too much fun to heed his owner’s repeated commands to come.

“He just absolutely loves it here,” said Charlie’s owner, Marie Waite, of Ascutney, after she was finally able to leash him. “We bring him almost every day. He is a rescue, so with other dogs it helps him build a feeling of security.”

Clifford died from cancer in the summer of 2020 at the age of 45, but everyone agreed at the dedication that without her persistence, there would be no dog park in Windsor.

READ MORE


Police rule suspicious Springfield death a homicide

An autopsy has revealed that a suspicious death in Springfield was a homicide, according to a Tuesday press release.

According to the autopsy, the man died of a gunshot wound to the head. The Vermont State Police are withholding his identity while they work to identify his next of kin.

Springfield police received a call shortly after noon on Monday from a person who reported seeing the body of an adult man near 99 Greeley Road, police said in an earlier release.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call 802-722-4600, or submit an anonymous tip online.

A Visit to Tomten Farm and Sanctuary
Haverhill, NH

I had never heard of Tomten Farm and Sanctuary in Haverhill, NH. My friend asked if I wanted to attend their open house farm tour on Sunday, June 12th, I said sure, why not.

Tomten is located on Court St-well, sure I've been to Court Street Arts for concerts but I've never traveled further down the road to see what else is in Haverhill NH. If I had, I would have found this 35 acre farm that is dedicated to the "Peace, Protection, and Possibility for Animals in Need."



Read all about my adventure- A Visit to Tomten Farm and Sanctuary

More photos from my adventure: CLICK HERE

Local Events ICYMI 
(In case You Missed It)

Summer Evening with Friends and Neighbors Returns

The Weathersfield Proctor Library Fundraising Committee has announced the return of their annual “Summer Evening with Friends and Neighbors.” The date is Saturday, July 30th at 6 p.m. at the Weathersfield Center Meeting House on the Weathersfield Center Road, in Weathersfield VT.

The band will be the Vermont Bluegrass Pioneers, which is made up of four members. Some you will recognize. It includes Banjo Dan.

More details to follow. More information about the band: CLICK HERE or follow them on Facebook.
 

Weathersfield Summer Hikes UPDATES

Please contact Steve (stevea47@tds.net) if you plan to attend ANY or ALL of the hikes.
In your email-include you phone number.

Let him know which hikes you are interested in, and he will contact you about a week before for just those, or you can say “ALL” and he will contact you for each hike. 

“Contact” means confirmation and directions. Do not show up for a hike without eventually signing up – changes often occur. Hike start PROMPTLY– we wait only 5 minute.  Let him know if you want us to observe Covid precautions: masks as we gather, maintain distance as we walk unless your companions agree not to.

The hikes are being organized under the auspices of Weathersfield Parks and Recreation. Well-behaved dogs are welcome. We expect a range of hiking speeds.

Are you new to hiking? Wear footwear that is broken in and appropriate for our uneven trails. Hikers join us at their own risk. 

Feel free to call Steve, organizer, at 263-5439. Experienced hikers, too, please ask questions or comment freely.

Birding:
Marianne Walsh is happy to lead a bird walk from the upper section of Bowen Hill Rd to the wetlands on the Springfield/Weathersfield town line on Skyline Drive. The walk would be during a weekday and would be early (6 AM ?). Marianne walks this section in spring, summer and fall. If interested, contact her at 802-885-9420 or mwalsh@vermontel.net.

Saturday, June 18th, 9:00 AM:   Perkinsville Lower Valley
We will gather at the east end of the Stoughton Pond causeway and then walk near and above Branch Brook and the Black River through the valley and over some hills to Springweather. River views are limited, but occur. It’s a lovely valley. One-way is about 2 miles (guessing!). We can leave cars at Springweather for those who would like to go one-way and not round-trip.

Saturday, June 25th, 9:00 AM:  Cathedral Rocks                                                                       
This length of this hike is about three miles. The route follows Stokes Road, climbs to a nice view, and then descends to the erratics, which are not far into the woods with no trail to them. The rocks are very big. Two hours? We go down and then return back up.

Sunday, July 10th, time to be announced: Crown Point Road
This event is a Crown Point Road Association tour of 5 or 6 Crown Point Road sites as follows: a half-mile or a bit more round-trip walk to mile marker 10; not much of a walk to marker 11; the Grout Cemetery plaque at Plain Cemetery; a short walk from Cady Hill Road to the 1915 marker stone on Reservoir Road across from the 1780 Chamberlain home; a walk there up the CPR of length to be determined but ideally with the option of going all the way to the Asa Grout cellar hole (RT of 40 minutes for me); and a fairly short walk to Upham’s mill on the CPR north of Wellwood Orchard Road. I expect us to need to car pool. CPRA participants have priority. If we have more enthusiasts than we can handle in one tour, we will plan a second.

Saturday, July 23rd, 4:00 PM:  “Up on the Hill” on conserved land near Charlestown
We will walk on trails up the hill to a view of Ascutney, a short hike of only a mile and a half round trip. Some people last year added some of the forest walk to that excursion. I searched “Up on the Hill UVLT” and went to the website.  

Sunday, August 7th, 11:30 AM:  To the Cabin                             
We follow Swift’s Logging Road up to the crest of Pikes Peak ridge. Then we follow a trail through the woods to Grace’s skiing trail, head down that, and finish on a woodsy trail to Steve’s cabin. There is a nice view there. We will linger – a bit of food provided. The distance to the cabin will feel like 2 miles, plus a short walk on the Center Road.

Saturday, August 20th, 9:00 AM: B-29 crash site
We will go up from Matt Keniston’s on a trail well-maintained, but steep in places and overall a climb. Round-trip of 3 miles?? It might feel like more. There is a nice viewing spot halfway up. If anyone wants to head up to the site in the future, contact Matt for permission. If not sure of making the crucial turns without the tape in place, contact Steve Aikenhead at 263-5439, steve@vermontel.net. NO SOUVENIRS! Responsible people only.

Saturday, September 10th, 4:00 PM:  Ferry Road and the Connecticut River            
This generally level route with one steep descent of about ten yards heads down shaded Ferry Road and into Skyline Nursery. Soon it follows the river, sometimes with views.  At one point the remains of the huge Consul Jarvis sheep barn can be glimpsed. (Used to be – high corn last year!) The total length is about 2 miles. Carol Orth is the leader.

Saturday, September 24th, 9:30 AM:  Cooks Pond Loop
This is a route on wooded dirt roads more than on trail. There is a lovely framed view of Mt. Ascutney from the south end of Cooks Pond. Other mountain views occur at later points.  Difficulty: easy to moderate, with one long incline and a shorter one. Distance: almost 3 miles, unless a hiker goes only as far as the pond and then back up, less than 2 miles.

Saturday, October 1st, 8:00 AM:  Ascutney Mountain
We will go to the fire tower and the Brownsville Overlook. We will go up the Weathersfield Trail, but people wanting a less strenuous hike (.7 miles up) could drive up and meet us at the top, we hope. I expect to join that shorter climb. We leave early because parking later is a problem.  

Other days in October are open for rescheduling, maybe Mt. Cardigan, and a hike at your request. That last one could be earlier in the season.

Windsor Community and the American Red Cross are hosting upcoming blood drives.

Please join their lifesaving mission and schedule an appointment today
 
Holiday Inn Ballroom (at Ascutney Mountain) 
485 Hotel Drive, Brownsville, VT, 05037
Wed Apr 20, 2022
Time: 12:30 PM - 5:00: PM
Blood Program Leader Name: Lanie Wadelton
Click here to make an appointment

Donors in and around Windsor and Reading Communities the Holiday Inn is hosting, and every eligible donor is welcome to come donate at any of the upcoming drives: 
Wed. 6/15, Wed. 7/13, Wed. 8/17, Wed. 9/14. 
The need for blood is constant and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in our community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime.

Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App on the App Store, Google Play or text BLOODAPP to 90999. Schedule appointments, view your blood type and results of your mini-physical, and track your donations.


ICYMI
Things to Do...

Events
Farmers Markets
Many Markets Opened last weekend

2nd Annual Kid's Fishing Event Saturday, June 18

Sign up by JUNE 12 in person at the Weathersfield Proctor Library, or Town of Weathersfield or on-line at www.weathersfield.org (Government—Parks & Recreation-Fishing Derby) Contact: Olivia Savage, osavage@weathersfield.org or Phone Number 802-674-2626
Registration


"Lace Up for Laura" 5K race Saturday, June 25 8:30 a.m.


The Lace Up for Laura Memorial 5k walk/run is a way to come together the last Saturday in June each year in remembrance of Laura Cody McNaughton who died in a tragic car accident on June 28, 2018.  It is intended to be a fun activity families can participate in together with runners and walkers of all ability. 

The event will consist of two races held on Saturday, June 25, 2022: an approximately 1/3 mile kids 12 and under fun run starting at 8:30 A.M. followed by a 3.1 mile (5km) race starting at 9:00 A.M for all ages and abilities. 

The starts for both races will be located near the intersection of Plains road and Reservoir road. 

The 3.1 mile race will be an out and back race on the scenic dirt road known for its lack of change in elevation. 

The kids race is at 8:30. The first 50 kids will receive custom wooden medallions, the adult winners and runners up in each age category will have custom medals again as well.

Proceeds from the Memorial run will benefit the Laura Cody McNaughton Memorial fund and its annual scholarship which will be awarded to a graduating senior who exemplifies Laura’s leadership and giving spirit, and, is pursuing further education and training in a field where these principles may be put into practice.
 





Outdoor Concerts

Front Porch Concert Series

Colburn Park 7 p.m.
Concerts are held each Thursday night starting July 7th until August 18th, beginning at 7 p.m. on Colburn Park located across from Lebanon City Hall at 51 N. Park St., Lebanon, NH.
Rain Location-First Congregational Church at 10 South Park Street Lebanon, NH 03766.

July 7 - The Big Takeover
July 14 - John Lackard Blues Band
July 21 - The Rough & Tumble
July 28 - Grayson Ty
August 4 - Bassel & The Supernaturals
August 11 - Cold Chocolate
August 18 - Crazy Maggy


Hartland Summer Concert Series
Sundays at the Hartland Rec Gazebo 5-7 p.m.

July 17-Carlos Ocasio
July 24-The Gully Boys
July 31-Still Hill
August 14-Jim Yeager

4th of July Events


Fireworks-Brownsville July 3 5-9 p.m.
Brownsville Independence Day Celebrations start the evening of the 3rd with food, ice cream, music and fireworks up on the mountain.

Join us in person by the Ascutney Outdoors parking lot or watch the show from your yard or one of the back roads around town.


Old Home Day Monday, July 4 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Hartland Recreation Department
Tractor pull starts @8am, Parade at 10am
Vendors and entertainment behind the Rec Center after the parade
The Moonlighters Big Band @7pm
Fireworks @9pm
To enter the parade or for vendor information contact the Hartland Rec Center

Town of Weathersfield



Weathersfield Police Blotter 

Select Board


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  
Mike Todd  Chair
David Fuller Vice Chair 
Kelly O'Brien  Clerk
Wendy Smith Member
Paul Tillman Member

Select Board Meets 1st and 3rd Mondays of the Month 6:30 p.m. 
June 20


May 18 Special Meeting (to sign the Warrant from the May 16th meeting)
May 2 (posted now but not posted at press time May 9 in violation of Vermont's Open Meeting law. )
April 18 (posted now, but not posted at press time April 25 in violation of Vermont's Open Meeting law. )
April 4
March 21
March 7-(The March 7th meeting minutes are now the March 7th meeting minutes not the Feb. 7th's as originally posted)
Special Meeting March 3-Select Board organization
Town Meeting Minutes
February 21
February 7
January 20
January 3

*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.

Weathersfield School




Last day will be an early release day on Friday, June 17th

Weathersfield School Board

Meeting Agendas may be found HERE

Weathersfield School Board will meets on Tuesdays
Virtual Link: https://meet.google.com/nfo-qttm-bgg
In Person at Weathersfield School (135 Schoolhouse Road, Ascutney)

June 14 (agenda not posted on the website.)

Location: 135 Schoolhouse RD Ascutney

School Board Meeting VIDEOS
Meeting Minutes
May 10
April 5 (still not posted at press time May 9 in violation of Vermont's Open Meeting law. )
March 8
February 15
February 11 Special Meeting  (Not posted at press time February 21 in violation of Vermont's Open Meeting law. )
February 8  video link  (Now posted, not posted at press time February 14 in violation of Vermont's Open Meeting law. )
January 11

Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union

Dr. David Baker, Superintendent Update April 29, 2022

Things to Do In and Around Weathersfield

Get Outdoors, Entertainment, Classes, Workshops 


Weathersfield Proctor Library Drop in Scrabble

Route 5 (5181 US-5 Ascutney VT 05030)

Mondays at 1 p.m.
Please call Maureen Bogosian for details @ 603-252-0936


Music and Laughter in the Air...

Lebanon Opera House

All shows are at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise stated.


Frank Santos, Jr. R-Rated Hypnotist Friday June 24 Tickets
Prepare to be amazed when you, your friends, and strangers across the room become the stars of this rollicking R-Rated show. Comic hypnotist Frank Santos, Jr. will make you believe you can sing, dance, and much more – muhahaha!
Ages 18 and up!

Opera North Blow Me Down Farm Cornish--Sing On

Opera North's "Carnevale" July 8, 9, 10  Tickets

Opera North Cosi fan Tutte July 21, July 23 7 p.m. Tickets

Opera North-Bette, Babs and Beyond Saturday, July 30 7 p.m. Tickets

Opera North's La Traviata July 27, July 29 and July 31 Tickets

NEXUS 2022 August 12, 13 and 14
FREE Concerts and Arts Festival 
Around Downtown Lebanon NH

Exercise

Yoga

Whole Roasted Tro

Within Reach Yoga 

at Weathersfield Center Church and Meeting House

Indoor Classes were at Perkinsville Community Church-Classes will be moved back to the Weathersfield Center Church beginning April 18. 

You must Register for each class at least a day ahead by emailing Lisa.

Class sizes limited to 7.


Candlelit Gentle Flow Mondays
Mondays, 5:30-6:30pm
June 13, 20, 27
~Location Weathersfield Center Church and Meeting House~

Slow Flow, Rest + Restore Tuesdays
Tuesday Options: 9:00 am
June 14, 21, 28
~Location Weathersfield Center Church and Meeting House~


Walk-ins can register up to 24hrs ahead by emailing Lisa and are available on a first-come, first served basis (classes fill early!). 

Please arrive 5 minutes early with your own props and mats. Covid guidelines are being upheld with distancing and masks required anytime you're off your mat. An air purifier runs during class. Please do not attend if you feel sick.

Workshops Online

 

Vermont Online Workshops

Lots of events and movies online. Contact: AARP Vermont Email: vtaarp@aarp.org with questions.



Visit Our Local Restaurants

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.
131 Main Street Windsor, VT

Daily Grind Café 
Call ahead for take out 674-9859
93 Pleasant St. Claremont, NH (in the space formerly occupied by Dusty’s Café)
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Exit Ate  (802) 674-4299 
Wednesdays-Sundays 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
202 VT 131, Ascutney

Harpoon Beer Garden and Brewery 802-674-5491
336 Ruth Carney Drive
Windsor, VT 05089

Inn at Weathersfield (802) 263-9217 
Dine inside or outside Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, call for a reservation 802-263-9217. 1342 VT Route 106 Perkinsville, VT 05151

Outer Limits Brewing (802)-287-6100
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays;  Wednesdays and Thursdays 3-8 p.m.; Saturdays noon-8 p.m. with LIVE MUSIC; Sundays noon-6 p.m..
60 Village Green, Proctorsville, VT 05153 

Springfield Diner-seating inside/outside daily 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Ice cream shop open Thursday-Sunday 1-7 pm. Daily specials.

Tuesdays-Sundays 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. (they stop cooking at 8 p.m.)
4261 Route 106 in Perkinsville, Downers Four Corners to the locals.


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.
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.

Vermont State Resources and
COVID-19 Response Information

GET VACCINATED
and GET YOUR BOOSTER
Do it for Yourself, Your Family, Your Community


Vermont Department of Health COVID-19 Information Page.

Mt. Ascutney Hospital Open for Walk-Ins M-F 1-5 PM

Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center is now offering walk-in service on weekday afternoons for people ages 2 and older, according to a news release.

The visits are available for urgent, but non-emergency medical needs Monday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. Patients can check in at the hospital’s central registration, through the main entrance.

Some of the conditions appropriate for care through walk-in services are minor cuts and burns; urinary tract infections; strains and sprains; minor fractures; rashes; and ear, sinus and eye infections. In addition, X-ray and lab services are available on-site.

A nurse will be on hand to determine if a patient’s condition calls for transfer to the emergency department.


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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.

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