Weathersfield Weekly Blog August 8 edition

My garden helper this week.


News You Can Use
ICYMI (In case You Missed It


VOTE on August 9-TUESDAY
Vermont State Primary







See More about VOTING below.


NEXUS-This Weekend-FREE  


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



3 charged in Springfield kidnapping; possible link to Bennington murder

Tiffany Tan reporting for VT Digger

A man found shot to death in Bennington on Wednesday was wanted as one of four people who allegedly kidnapped a Springfield man days earlier and held him at gunpoint in an apparent dispute over drugs, according to court documents released Friday.

The other three people — Jesse LaFlam Sr., 49, and Christopher Merritt, 40, both of Springfield, and Zachary Russell, 25, of Bennington — appeared in court Friday on felony charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, burglary into an occupied dwelling, and aiding in the commission of assault and robbery with a weapon. The men also were charged with the misdemeanor offense of interference with access to emergency services.

LaFlam and Merritt each pleaded not guilty during remote appearances in Windham County Superior criminal court. The court ordered them held without bail while awaiting trial.

READ MORE


Vermont Primary on Tuesday

From the Town Clerk's Office
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.



Southern Vermont’s largest EMS provider set to open state’s 1st training academy

Kevin O'Connor reporting for VT Digger

Amid a nationwide shortage of responders, southern Vermont’s largest emergency medical service provider is launching the state’s first EMS-specific training school.

Brattleboro-based Rescue Inc. will tap $1 million in federal and state funds to open a new Vermont EMS Academy in nearby Newfane.

“Many rural communities in Vermont and around the region rely on their local emergency medical responders, but there’s a dearth of qualified individuals and training opportunities,” said Marc Schauber, the academy’s program manager. “With many communities being an hour or more from the nearest hospital, the quality of care that individuals can receive on the scene and en route is literally a matter of life and death.”The academy will start in September with a “soft launch” of certification courses for emergency medical technicians. It eventually will offer everything from basic CPR classes for the public to advanced instruction for medical professionals.

“It’s both a natural progression and a dream realized for Rescue,” said Drew Hazelton, chief of operations for the private nonprofit organization. “We’ve always wanted to create a place where doctors, nurses, teachers and first responders can hone and broaden their skills.”


More info: CLICK HERE


Concert Report

Laconia, NH

We've been following Southside Johnny since the 1980s, so when we heard the JUKES were booked to play in Laconia, we bought tickets. This was our first time to the Colonial Theatre of Laconia, it probably won't be the last (if they book bands we want to see).

The theatre was built in 1914 and it's renovations were completed last July. It is a very nice theater with comfortable seating and very good sound. 

Southside and the Jukes put on a great show but many in the audience seemed to be newbies to his music. The Jukes hail from Asbury Park, NJ and grew up with other Jersey shore bands like Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street band, playing many gigs at The Stone Pony.

There were many in the audience who had traveled from New York and New Jersey but most of the crowd appeared to be locals. 

That was OK, because Southside has a way of converting newbies to the Jersey shore sound and I believe he made many new fans in New Hampshire on Saturday night.

More photos: CLICK HERE


Local Events ICYMI 


Weathersfield Proctor Library Events

Summer Reading Program-Oceans of Possibilities-Ends Saturday!
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


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, 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. 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.
August 11 - Cold Chocolate
August 18 - Crazy Maggy


Hartland Summer Concert Series
Sundays at the Hartland Rec Gazebo 5-7 p.m.
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. 
August 15

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 meetingMeeting 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


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
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


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.


One Night of Queen, Wednesday, August 31 TICKETS Almost SOLD-OUT

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

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

Class sizes limited to 7.

Three Year Anniversary Celebration
*YOGA WITH BUNNIES class in collaboration with Easy Winds Farm on Thurs. August 18 at 5:30pm. This will be a gentle 75 min class with time to snuggle young bunnies who will join us in an outdoor fenced in area. Space will be limited. Bring your own props/mats/towels and email Lisa to register. 
$16 per person with 50% class proceeds benefitting The Humane Society of the United States as they work to save 4000 beagles from lab testing.

*A RAFFLE for some wellness goodies including a 6-class pass. Each time you come to class this month, you'll earn a ticket. At the end of the month, we'll draw the winners. The more yoga you fit in, the more chances you have to win! (Isn't every yoga class a win anyway?!)

*FREE recorded class sent the first week of August from Lisa while she's in Maine (no classes that week!)


Candlelit Gentle Flow Mondays
Mondays, 5:30-6:30pm
August 8, 15, 22, 29
~Location Weathersfield Center Church and Meeting House~

Slow Flow, Rest + Restore Tuesdays
Tuesday Options: 9:00 am
August 9, 16, 23, 30
~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 7:30 p.m.)
4261 Route 106 in Perkinsville, Downers Four Corners to the locals.
Unicorn Sundae at Villagers Rtes. 131 and 106, Downers Four Corners, in Perkinsville


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.


BA.5 is the latest of a ‘parade of surges’ we can expect from Covid, experts say

Erin Petenko writing for VT Digger

It’s been roughly a year since the Delta variant arrived in Vermont, reversing what had been a nearly Covid-free summer.

Delta caused a surge in cases and hospitalizations, propelling what Health Commissioner Mark Levine deemed a new phase in the pandemic — only for Omicron to arrive in December, leading cases to skyrocket.

Just as Omicron waned and Vermont began to loosen restrictions, BA.2 came, then its close cousin BA.2.12.1. Now, on the heels of recovering from that strain, Vermont’s Covid-19 levels remain “low” according to most indicators — but yet another strain looms on the horizon.

Enter BA.5. The strain has become dominant in the United States, forming 77% of new cases, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While it’s hard to estimate the rate for Vermont, the CDC reports BA.5 is also the dominant strain in New England. Experts say BA.5 is about as severe as Omicron, and about as transmissible, too. But they’re concerned that BA.5 seems to be good at evading people’s immunity to the virus, meaning that reinfections are likely.

“It’s as if the population is seeing a completely new virus in some ways,” said Denis Nash, a professor of epidemiology at the City University of New York.

The strain also comes at a time when Vermont has scaled back its efforts to fight the disease, said Anne Sosin, a health equity researcher at Dartmouth College. Businesses, summer camps and social gatherings have largely returned to normal. Testing, vaccination and treatment are available only through medical providers, rather than state-run sites. The state Department of Health tracks less data regarding the state of the pandemic than it did for the first two years of the pandemic.

“Our concern with this surge is that BA.5 will, because of changes in behavior, find Vermonters who are most at risk,” Sosin said. As many people have returned to normal activities, “their exposures in their communities have increased.”

READ MORE


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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