Weathersfield Weekly Blog, February 13 edition

Ice crystals seen on a woods hike last week.
60 degrees later this week, are you kidding me?

Mark Your Calendars


Annual Town Meeting will be held on March 4, 2022 at 10am (School) and 12:30pm (Town) at the Weathersfield School.


Annual Town Meeting will be held in person & virtually on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at the Weathersfield School. 

The School meeting will begin at 10am and the Town Meeting will begin at 12:30pm. 

If you plan to attend Town meeting virtually, the link is meet.google.com/ikz-mniv-ogv. If you plan to call into the meeting, the information is: Phone: (US) +1 413 752-0273 PIN: 604 283 179#.

The School Annual Meeting Warning can be found here & the Town Meeting Warning can be found here

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us at Weathersfield@weathersfield.org or (802) 674-2626.


WS hosts "Lunch with a Loved One" February 13-17
During the week of February 13th-17th you have the opportunity to come and have lunch with your loved one. 

If you would like to participate, please fill out the attached form. You will just choose a date and enjoy the time at school.


Weathersfield Town Forest Walk February 18

The Weathersfield Conservation Commission will host a Weathersfield Town Forest Walk with Forester Hannah Dallas on Saturday, February 18 at 10:00 a.m.. 

The general discussion will be forest management, but the topic will be adapted to the interest of the attendees. 

Parking is at the Swoops and Loops trailhead across from the Ascutney State Park entrance on 44A. 

No snowshoes required as the road has been plowed for the active State logging operation, which participants will see and talk about. This program is free and open to all.


Let's go Ice Fishing February 18
(weather and ice conditions permitting)
Hartford Parks and Recreation Department is hosting the 21st Annual FREE Youth Ice Fishing Derby on February 18 beginning at 7:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Dewey's Pond, off Quechee Main Street in Quechee, VT.

RESCHEDULED FROM FEBRUARY 4TH TO FEBRUARY 18TH
Join 
Hartford Parks and Recreation for their 21st Annual Youth Ice Fishing Derby at Dewey's Pond  

Youth Anglers will be placed in age appropriate divisions based on the number of registered participants. Prizes will be awarded to the participants who win the categories within their age division.
Food and refreshments, fishing holes, bait and limited equipment will be available.
Make sure everyone is DRESSED APPROPRIATELY.
Pre-registration is encouraged or register the day of the derby at the "sign-in tent".
  




Hartford Parks and Recreation Department
are hosting an Ice Fishing Clinic. 

Learn the basic skills of ice fishing like rigging and using a tip-up, using an auger to bore your fishing hole from VT Fish & Wildlife, Let's Go Fishing Instructors. Also included in the program is information about basic ice safety and how to determine adequate ice thickness for fishing. 

The best part is that you and your family will have the opportunity to experience ice fishing first hand - equipment is provided.

What’s the catch? Children under the age of 15 must bring an adult since you’ll be learning and fishing together. Each person participating must register.


Springfield Library Events
43 Main Street - Springfield, VT 05156
Tickets and Info: CLICK HERE

Wed, Feb 15, 2:00 PM

Monday Evening Book Club: Breath by James Nest

Thu, Feb 16, 3:00 PM

Tue, Feb 21, 5:30 PM


Vermont Flower Show March 3-5

At the Champlain Valley Expohttps://goo.gl/maps/n4KBpq97JKe1jQ789
Essex Junction, VT


Show Hours:
March 3  Friday:  10am – 6pm 
March 4  Saturday:  10am – 6pm 
March 5  Sunday:  10am – 4pm 

Tickets will also be available at the door.
Pre-purchased tickets redeemable at the door.

The Vermont Flower Show is quite unique among flower shows in the U.S. and we will be ready to usher in the Spring of 2023! 

VNLA members and associates build a 15,000 square foot themed landscaped display (equal to about an acre). A committee works on the design and we receive hundreds of donations of plants, time, materials and labor. A group of volunteers then comes together for 3.5 days to build this display – quite a feat if you watch our time-lapse video below from the 2019 show. 

Along with the grand garden landscaped display, the show offers a wide variety of features and activities to choose from (see highlights below).
  • Grand Garden Display (over 15,000 s. ft.) filled with flowering bulbs, shrubs, trees, and water features!
  • Local artists will be painting live in the Grand Garden Display.
  • Over 100 vendors related to the horticultural/gardening participate in the Flower Show Marketplace
  • Over 35 educational seminars and hands-on workshops on a variety of topics.
  • Experts on-hand all 3 days to answer your gardening and landscaping questions.
  • Family Room with craft and planting activities all 3 days as well as scheduled entertainment.
  • Local bookstore will offer a great selection of books to choose from.
  • The Federated Garden Clubs of VT display
  • Plant Sale at the conclusion of the show on Sunday.


Little Mermaid Jr. March 24-25 at WS
The WS students will be performing the play The Little Mermaid Jr. on March 24 and 25. Rehearsals began on January 10 after a record number of students auditioning for positions.


Zilly Zonka and the Chocolate Factory, May 10

The Zack's Place Theatre Guild presents "Zilly Zonka and the Chocolate Factory", Wednesday, May 10 at 5:30 p.m. The performance is free but donations are gladly accepted.

If you haven't been to a Zack's Place performance, you'll want to attend this one. The shows are always well done and are a great community resource.

Here are some photos from previous performances: Zack's Place Theatre Guild



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

Town/School News

Letter to the VT Digger editor: Climate change is a threat to my hometown
Evan Strobl formerly of Weathersfield

I grew up in the town of Weathersfield, Vermont, where the most likely hazard is flooding. According to the Department of Environmental Conservation Vermont has over 800 lakes. Weathersfield is home to an extensive inland watershed which includes over five ponds/lakes and many streams of varying orders.

Historically, Weathersfield has faced the destruction of land, roads, and bridges due to flooding, most notable during Hurricane Irene. 3,500 homes, 500 miles of roadway, and about 1,200 bridges were damaged or destroyed. 629 cultural sites were also damaged, totaling over $700,000,000 in losses.

Another one of Vermont’s most infamous disasters was The Great Flood of 1927, which killed 84 people and destroyed 1,285 bridges, railways, homes, and buildings.

Both events demonstrate the magnitude of damage flooding can cause, and why we should be concerned.

People who live in lower-income housing are more susceptible to river flooding. The community of Weathersfield struggles with poverty. Poorly built houses are located next to the Connecticut River and are the least expensive. These houses are in more danger than other houses that are located on top of hills or in the countryside.

To mitigate this problem, houses should be built away from lakes and rivers, and on high ground. The town of Weathersfield should also install a warning system via NOAA weather radio.

READ MORE


Hey Weathersfield dogs (and their humans)
Officer AJ says, don't forget to renew your dog's license before April 1

By law, all dogs and wolf hybrids six months of age (if first rabies vaccine 3 months) or older must be licensed by April 1st each year in the town where the dog resides. Licenses are only available through the Town Clerk's Office and may be purchased in person or by mail if there is a current rabies certificate on file. Licenses are available after mid January each year. 

Weathersfield does not currently license cats.

In order to license your dog you must present the following items:
A copy of a valid rabies certificate (unless one is already on file).
Proof of Spay/Neuter certificate (if applicable)
Cash or a check made payable to "Town of Weathersfield"

Fee Before April 1st:
Neutered/Spayed: $5.00 + $5.00 state = $10.00
Male/Female: $9.00 + $5.00 state = $14.00

Fee after April 1st:
Neutered/ Spayed: $7.00 + $5.00 state = $12.00 Male/ Female: $13.00 + $5.00 state = $18.00


Local and State News

Woman arrested for DUI #4 in Weathersfield

A 50-year-old woman from Springfield was arrested for her fourth DUI following an incident in Weathersfield yesterday.

Authorities say they were notified of a vehicle attempting to drive over a snowbank on Route 131 at around 8:25 p.m. Police identified the driver as Danielle Smith.

While speaking with troopers, police say Smith showed signs of being under the influence of alcohol.

Smith was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI and transported to the Springfield Police Department for processing. Smith was later released with a citation to appear in Vermont Superior Court Windsor Criminal Division for the above charge.


Legislators aim to strengthen Vermonters’ data privacy

 Fred Thys reporting for VT Digger

Legislators are working to strengthen Vermont’s consumer privacy law.

A House bill would give Vermonters the option to request that their data not be tracked by data brokers, and would create a registry of Vermonters who do not allow their data to be tracked. It also would allow Vermonters to request deletion of any data that had already been collected.

The bill would protect biometric data, such as fingerprints, prohibiting businesses from collecting or retaining such data without a person’s consent. Businesses would not be able to pass along biometric data without a court order or warrant.

Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark supports the bill.

The Attorney General’s Office is suing Clearview AI, a facial recognition company headquartered in New York, alleging consumer fraud. The suit alleges the company has collected billions of people’s images without their consent, and makes them available to customers using facial recognition technology.

“If you are downstairs talking to the sergeant-(at)-arms and a tour is going by and they snap a picture of Governor Kunin’s portrait and you happen to be standing there and they put it on whatever internet site they put it on, your face will be screen-scraped,” Clark told the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development in a hearing Thursday. “You’ll have no idea a photograph was taken and now you’re in their database. It’s really disturbing.”

“We respect the Vermont AG, however we strongly disagree with the premise of the lawsuit,” said Tristram Coffin, who’s the former U.S. Attorney for Vermont and is now an attorney representing Clearview AI. In a statement emailed to VTDigger, Coffin said, “We look forward to making our case. Clearview AI only collects public information from the internet, like any other search engine, including Google.”

Clearview is registered in Vermont’s data broker registry. Vermont law defines a data broker as a business that knowingly collects and sells or licenses to third parties personal information of consumers with whom it has no direct relationship.

READ MORE
 



Phil Scott decries ‘act of terrorism’ after police respond to hoax threats at 21 Vermont schools

Alan J. Keays and Ethan Weinstein

Vermont police agencies responded to 21 fake reports of violent threats at schools across the state Wednesday morning, part of a coordinated hoax that Gov. Phil Scott decried as terrorism.

“I must reiterate these calls were a hoax, an act of terrorism designed to create chaos and stoke fear that can be exploited,” Scott said during a noontime press conference held in response to the calls, where he was joined by officials from education, public safety, the administration and the Legislature.

“I realize how unnerving this is for students, teachers, parents and Vermonters alike,” Scott said. “Now that we’ve identified this was a hoax, my hope is that we can use this energy to come together because unity is the most powerful way to make sure terrorists don’t achieve their goals.”


In a press release issued at 10:12 Wednesday morning, as police were seen at several Vermont schools, Vermont State Police said none of the threats were “believed to be credible.”

“Initial investigation in Vermont has determined all the calls were placed via a VOIP service” — which uses the internet — “and none originated from a spoofed 802 area code as some initial reporting had indicated,” state police said in an update Wednesday evening. “The calls also appear to have been made by a person and are not believed at this time to have been automated.”

At the press conference, Vermont Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison said she was not aware of any other states receiving similar school threats Wednesday, though she noted that Maine and New Hampshire had experienced similar hoax threats in recent months.

The calls targeted schools across the state, from Brattleboro Union High School in the south to North Country Union High School in Derby and Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington in the north.



Town of Weathersfield


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.  
February 6 Agenda  Packet
February 21 Tuesday (President's Day is Monday)

*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 Police Blotter


Weathersfield School



Weekly Newsletter: February 10

Save the Dates
February 13-17th Lunch with a Loved One
February 20-24th Winter Break
March 2 High School Fair at Hartland Elementary
March 3 Final Day of Winter Activities


Current Employment Opportunities at Weathersfield School
If you or if you know of anyone that has always wanted to work in a school setting, now is the time to apply. 
WS currently has three different opportunities for employment. 
If you are interested, please apply on https://www.schoolspring.com/
World Language Teacher
Paraprofessional


Meeting Agendas may be found HERE

Weathersfield School Board meets on Tuesdays
In Person at Weathersfield School (135 Schoolhouse Road, Ascutney)

Location: 135 Schoolhouse RD Ascutney 
February 14, 2023 Agenda
March 14, 2023

School Board Meetings
Meeting Minutes
January 10, 2023  (minutes not posted at press time)



Weathersfield Proctor Library
Route 5 (5181 US-5 Ascutney VT 05030)


WPL Drop in Scrabble
Mondays at 1 p.m.

Please call Maureen Bogosian for details
@ 603-252-0936


Weathersfield Historical Society
Follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weathersfieldhistoricalsociety


Weathersfield Center Church and Meeting House
Follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeathersfieldCenterChurch


Things to Do In and Around Weathersfield
Get Outdoors, Entertainment, Classes, Workshops 


Upper Valley Spike Hikes

The Upper Valley Trails Alliance's Kaitie Eddington checks in with a little gift: a compilation of trails and trail networks good for winter walking and hiking that also have easily accessible parking. 

Eight suggestions, from Hanover's Britton Forest to Woodstock's Ottauquechee River Trail to Eastman's northern trails in Grantham, plus plenty of others. And an added bonus: an updated list of stores in the region that sell spikes for your boots (and other hiking stuff).

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


Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival, Friday, February 17, 7 p.m. TICKETS

NCCT Teens Anything Goes March 3-5 TICKETS

David Sedaris, March 31 TICKETS

Guster, Sunday, April 2, 7 p.m. TICKETS

Youth Education Serie: Dance of Hope, April 6, 10 a.m. TICKETS

Dance of Hope, April 6, 6:30 p.m. FREE TICKETS
(you must reserve a seat to attend)

Paul Reiser, Saturday, May 20 TICKETS

Pat Metheny Side-Eye, Wednesday June 7 TICKETS


Cavalcade July 7-9, 2023 TICKETS
Bizet's Carmen July 16-21, 2023 TICKETS
Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel July 27-30, 2023 TICKETS


Exercise

Yoga

Whole Roasted Tro

Within Reach Yoga 

at the 1879 Schoolhouse in Perkinsville, VT

You must Register for each class at least a day ahead by emailing Lisa
(Class sizes limited to 7.)


February Classes Mondays and Tuesdays

Candle Glow Gentle Flow
Monday evenings 5:30-6:30 p.m.
February 13, 20, 27

Slow Flow, Rest + Restore 
Tuesday Morning 9-10 a.m.
February 14, 21, 28

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

Please arrive 5-15 minutes early with your own props and mats.

REFRAIN FROM: Wearing ice cleats (into the building), shoes, perfume, or cologne in the practice space. Do not come to class if you are feeling ill.


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.

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

Maebellines (802) 591-4311
12 Clinton Street, Springfield, VT Open for breakfast and lunch, daily except Sundays.

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.

Villagers Ice Cream Restaurant-(802) 795-0063 CLOSED For the Season
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

Weathersfield Food Shelf in Perkinsville.
The food shelf is open 2:00 pm-4:00 pm on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month. 
 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.

COVID-Vaccine Clinics 


VT Digger Coronavirus Report: CLICK HERE


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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