Weathersfield Weekly Blog July 11 edition

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Loon adult and baby hiding under its wing on Lake Ninevah in Mount Holly VT
More Photos

Osprey with its brunch (possibly a brown bullhead) at Gale Meadows, South Londonderry VT

News You Can Use
ICYMI (In case You Missed It


Public Walk in the Weathersfield Town Forest

The Weathersfield Conservation Commission and VELCO invite you for an informative walk in the Weathersfield Town Forest on Saturday, July 16 at 9:00 am. 

 The topic of discussion will be powerline right-of-way management and early successional habitat. Speakers will be Velco Forester Devon Snyder, Vermont Center for Ecostudies Bird Specialist Jason Hill, and Vermont Center for Ecostudies Bee Specialist Spencer Hardy. 

Park at the Swoops and Loops parking lot, across from the Mt. Ascutney main entrance gate. 
Dress appropriately for a walk in the woods. 
This program is free and open to all.

WFLD Town Clerk Posts Voter Information
VOTE on August 9 or by Absentee Ballot







IN ORDER TO PREPARE FOR ELECTION DAY, THE TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE WILL NO LONGER BE OPEN THE DAY BEFORE AN ELECTION. 

 PLEASE REMEMBER TO REQUEST YOUR EARLY/ABSENTEE BALLOTS BY THE THURSDAY BEFORE EVERY ELECTION.

REGISTER TO VOTE: “Same Day Voter Registration”. Same day voter registration means that you can come to the polls on election day and if you have not already registered to vote in our town you may complete an application to the voter check list and upon approval you may be allowed to vote that day.

EARLY OR ABSENTEE BALLOTS: You or a family member on your behalf, may request an early or absentee ballot from your Town Clerk by telephone, mail or e-mail at any time up until 4:00 P.M. on the Thursday before all elections.

You can also go to the Town Clerk’s office and vote your ballot while at the office. Or, you can pick up your ballot, only your ballot, at the Town Clerk’s office and take it home to vote. (You cannot pick up a ballot for your spouse or anyone else.)

If you take your ballot or have a ballot sent to you, you must return the ballot to the Town Clerk’s office or to the polling place no later than 7:00 P.M. on the day of election.

If you are ill or disabled, you can request that a pair of Justices of the Peace deliver a ballot to you. You can request assistance in reading or marking your ballot from the Justices. They must return the ballot to the Town Clerk for you.

SAMPLE BALLOTS POSTED: Wednesday, July 20, 2022

IMPORTANT DATES:

Voting by Australian Ballot - Tuesday, August 9, 2022, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM,
Martin Memorial Hall, 5259 US Route 5, Ascutney

All Australian Balloting is held at Martin Memorial Hall, 5259 US Route 5, Ascutney



VT Digger launches 2022 Election Guide

By VTD Editor

VTDigger has launched its 2022 Election Guide ahead of one of the most consequential primary elections in decades.

Even before the campaign season began, 2022 was set to be a historic election year in Vermont. Two of the state's three members of Congress, four of its six executive officers and roughly a third of all members in both legislative chambers are leaving their posts this year. Meanwhile, legislative district lines in many regions, including Chittenden County, have been redrawn for the first time in 10 years.

Concert Reports

Michael Franti and Spearhead
with Special Guest Arrested Development
Bowl in the Pines-Sidney Maine and Indian Ranch-Webster MA
My girlfriend Michelle and I went went on a Michael Franti road trip last weekend.

First we saw the band at Bowl in the Pines (Snow Pond Arts Center)-Sidney Maine
We had meet and greet tickets for both nights. Friday night's was outdoors and just amazing. Michelle and I had a private concert with about 18 other people and then a Q&A session with Michael. 



Arrested Development opened both shows.



After the show in Maine, we drove to Webster MA for the show at Indian Ranch. It was wicked hot and thunderstorms were threatening but the weather held off and the show was super HOT.



The meet and great was held indoors this time and about 30 people attended. The lighting was not the best but I did take video of the Q&A session (see video link below).

More photos: CLICK HERE

We had a great weekend filled with great music and some delicious food.

Lunch Friday at The Honey Paw in Portland Maine.

Lobster Toast

Shio Ramen

Mushroom Tom Kha


Saturday lunch at Samuels Slaters, Indian Ranch, Webster MA (Thank you Adam Klein)
A very yummy blood orange margarita was consumed on the deck over looking the lake.

We both had the very yummy Strawberry Watermelon "Caprese" Salad.

Nicole Atkins
with special guest Levi Musique
Billsville Outdoors, Manchester MA

Nicole Atkins at Billsville Outdoors enjoying a beverage.

Our favorite Vermont venue has a new outdoor stage and we were so excited to check it out last Monday.


Nicole Atkins and her band christened the new stage with some tunes that were just right for a 4th of July outdoor concert.





The band even covered Led Zeppelin's "What Is and What Should Never Be"

More photos: CLICK HERE
Billsville Playlist: CLICK HERE

Next up for Billsville-Emma Swift (with Robyn Hitchcock) Saturday July 16 Tickets

Paddle Report

Lake Ninevah
Mount Holly, VT July 6, 2022

On May 2, I fractured my knee cap. I've been slowly recovering since. 
On Wednesday, my friend Jan and I decided it was time I took to the water. My knee felt just fine and we had a wonderful paddle on Lake Ninevah/Joseph Wiltshire Access in Mount Holly, VT.

It was lightly raining when we arrived so we stayed in our cars for a bit but were called outside our cars by two screaming loons. Apparently there was an intruder loon on their lake and they were not pleased. They have a new baby to protect and the male did in fact chase the other loon away while mom protected the baby under her wing (see photo above).

The family continued on about their day and we paddled around the lake.


Ninevah has a wonderful bog area and I thought we might be too late in the season to see some of the flowers (we did miss the Pitcher Plants) but we were rewarded with some very interesting finds.

Rose Pogonia

Maybe wild cranberries?


Pickerelweed

Swamp Candles

While observing the bog flowers we were being constantly dive-bombed by the resident Red-winged Blackbird.

We left him to his territory to spend some more quiet time with the loons.



More photos: CLICK HERE

It was a great first paddle of the season for me.


South Londonderry, VT July 9, 2022


My next paddle was with some friends (Gidget, Sandy and Michelle) to Gale Meadows. We got there around 10 am and it was pretty quiet. By 2 p.m. is was getting pretty crowded.

But for most of our paddle we had the pond to ourselves.



This pond has views of three mountains-Magic , Bromley and Stratton (see below).

And lots of aquatic plants. Like this Small Swollen Bladderwort



We never caught up with Michelle but we saw her spirit animal-a young beaver swimming around.


It was another great day on the water.

More photos: CLICK HERE


Local Events ICYMI 


Weathersfield Proctor Library Events

Summer Reading Program-Oceans of Possibilities
School's out so that means Summer Reading begins! Programs every Saturday June 18-August 13.

Programs for ages 0-9 Stories, singing, and crafts every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:30. 
Programs for ages 10+ Every Saturday at 12:30. 
Limit of 5 for each program, so please sign up

For the brochure: Click Here


10th Annual Summer Evening with Friends and Neighbors Returns July 30th 6 PM


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.

Weathersfield Center Meeting House is located at 2656 Weathersfield Center Road, Weathersfield, VT. 

Light appetizers, beverages, desserts will be served and silent auction will be held. 

A lively concert with the Vermont Bluegrass Pioneers tops off the evening.

Admission $15; proceeds benefit the Weathersfield Proctor Library. 

All welcome. Call 802-674-2863 for further information.  

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

Shakespeare Returns to WPL

Wednesday evenings July 6-August 3, 7-8 PM. 

WPL 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



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, 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
Time: 12:30 PM - 5:00: PM
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. 7/13, Wed. 8/17, Wed. 9/14. 

Other locations are available too!
Click here to make an appointment

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.


Things to Do...

Events
Farmers Markets

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 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

News You Can Use

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. 
July 7 Special Meeting Agenda
July 18
August 1
August 15

July 7
June 16
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

School's Out For Summer

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)

Location: 135 Schoolhouse RD Ascutney

School Board Meeting VIDEOS
Meeting Minutes
June 9
May 19
April 5 
March 8
February 26
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 

Music and Singing in the Air...

Lebanon Opera House

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

 

Opera North at the Blow Me Down Farm Cornish--Sing On

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


North Country Community Teens- ANNIE, July 14, 15, 16, 17 INFO/TICKETS


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

One Night of Queen, Wednesday, August 31 TICKETS

Mystic Bowie's Talking Dreads, Friday, September 9 TICKETS (reserved Seated Balcony, GA Orchestra Seating)

Lorrie Morgan, Sunday, September 11 TICKETS

An Evening with the Cowboy Junkies, Tuesday, September 20 TICKETS 

Comic Hypnotist Frank Santos Jr. Friday, September 30 TICKETS

Comedian Bob Marley, Saturday October 22 TICKETS

CHICAGO-High School Edition-Trumbull Hall Troupe November 4, 5, 6  INFO

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
July 11, 18, 25 NO CLASS July 4
~Location Weathersfield Center Church and Meeting House~

Slow Flow, Rest + Restore Tuesdays
Tuesday Options: 9:00 am
July 12,19,26
~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.

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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