Weathersfield Weekly Blog July 24 edition

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Library Director Mark Richardson, Olivia Savage, Town Manager Brandon Gulnik, 
and Library Trustee Chair Rick Bates pose with the Chessboard made from the last Romaine Tenney Maple tree.

At Thursday's Library Trustee meeting, Town Manager Brandon Gulnik and Olivia Savage presented a handcrafted chessboard to the Weathersfield Proctor Library. Accepting the chessboard for the Library were Library Director Mark Richardson and Library Trustee Chair Rick Bates.

The chessboard was created from the last standing maple tree that belonged to Romaine Tenney. The tree was removed on March 17, 2021, milled and sent to the Rockledge Farm Woodworks.


The Tenney farm was located where the Exit 8 Park and Ride is now located on Route 131 near the I91 interstate Southbound on ramp.


The town, with grants from the State of Vermont, erected a pavilion in Tenney's memory in April of 2021.


And created The Romaine Tenney Memorial Park. The finished pavilion has a couple of picnic tables and a plaque with a brief description of Tenney's life on the family farm.




There is also a small garden where the last maple stood (see photo above). 

The Weathersfield Garden Club is hoping to take on this garden's maintenance in addition to other projects they have committed to in town.

 
More photos: CLICK HERE

Photos from the Tenney Pavilion: CLICK HERE
Photos from WPL 2016 Tenney Event: CLICK HERE
Tenney Archived photos: CLICK HERE

Post Flood Information

Telephone Town Meeting, July 26 at 7:30 PM

Senators Sanders and Welch, and Representative Balint want you to know what federal resources are available and how to access them. 

Please join them on Wednesday, July 26 at 7:30 p.m. for a statewide telephone town meeting to provide information on the assistance available to individuals, homeowners, farms, displaced employees, and small businesses. 

State and federal officials will be available to answer your questions.


Thanks to the Major Disaster Declaration signed by President Biden last week, significant federal assistance is coming to the state. Click here to learn about assistance for individuals and homeowners, and click here to learn about assistance for businesses and farms. Please see here for additional emergency flood resources.  


Flood Clean UP-What to know
Those cleaning their homes after the flood should put their debris near the public road (*not common household trash). 
Towns will either pick up the debris or work with a contractor to haul it away. 

It is important that you sort out any household hazardous waste like cleaning supplies, fuel, paint, etc. Those items will be collected at a later date. 

Guidance can be found at https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/debris-removal-guidelines-help-you-and-your-community, you needn't make six piles but hazardous materials should be stored away.

Front Porch Forum-Disaster Response Board-CLICK HERE
you need to sign in to access the board.

A guide to the FEMA aid process for flooded Vermont homes

Since historic flooding swept through the state last week, Vermont Public and VTDigger have been working to gather information on what you can expect when applying for federal aid. Here’s what we know so far.
By Carly Berlin reporting for VT Digger

Who’s eligible for federal assistance right now?

Residents of six Vermont counties — Chittenden, Lamoille, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor — are eligible for Individual Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency as of July 20. Other counties that also faced flooding could be approved as FEMA continues to assess damage on the ground.

You must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or qualified non-citizen (including refugees and people granted asylum) to apply.

What is Individual Assistance? What should I expect from the application process?

Individual Assistance can cover such expenses as repairing damage to your primary residence, rental support if you’re displaced from your home, and loss of personal property (belongings in your home), among other things. It’s sometimes referred to as the Individuals and Households Program.

It’s meant to help with costs not covered by insurance — but it’s not a replacement for insurance. FEMA aid likely won’t replace everything you lost. It’s meant to meet basic needs and “make homes habitable, safe and sanitary again,” said FEMA spokesperson Briana Summer Fenton in a phone interview.

You can apply online at disasterassistance.gov, on the FEMA app, by calling the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362, or in person (more on that below).

When you register, you’ll be asked for identifying information like your Social Security number, an address where the disaster happened and where you’re currently staying, and a description of the damage you experienced. That’s why it’s important to document your damage before you start cleaning up.

After you apply, FEMA will determine what kind of assistance you’re eligible to receive. An inspector may get in touch with you to assess the damage; you can ask to see their government ID to confirm they’re not a scammer.
How much money are we talking about here?

The maximum amount FEMA provides for housing-related assistance is $41,000, though financial assistance to rent temporary housing and for “accessibility-related real property costs” aren’t subject to that cap.

READ MORE
When should I apply?--The deadline to register is Sept. 12

Disaster resources available for Vermont residents and businesses
Federal grants and loans can help provide relief to individuals and businesses in eligible counties.
By Hannah Cho reporting for VT Digger

At a press conference Monday morning, federal and state officials gave a rundown on disaster help available for Vermont residents and businesses as they recover from last week’s flooding.
Assistance for individuals

So far, residents of Chittenden, Lamoille, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor counties are eligible for federal grants to help cover uninsured or under-insured losses resulting from last week’s flooding.

More counties are likely to be added to the list as federal assessments of the damage continue, and state officials said residents should wait until their county is approved before applying. As part of that data collection, state officials are encouraging residents to continue reporting damages by dialing 2-1-1 or visiting vermont211.org.

The aid is available through the Individual and Households Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.

“This assistance can be for home repairs, or rent support for displaced individuals while repairs are made, and for other disaster-related expenses such as medical, dental, funeral, moving and storage and personal property losses,” said FEMA branch director Chelsey Smith.

The agency will accept applications through Sept. 12 on its website and at its call center, said Smith. Staff will be available at recovery centers and on the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362 to answer questions.

Once a person registers for FEMA assistance, staff members, who will be carrying badges, will visit that property to learn more about the damage, Smith said. To date, the agency “has received 882 valid registrations for assistance,” with about $56,000 in recovery funding disbursed so far, she added.
READ MORE


Unemployment relief, rebuilding help offered after Vermont floods
The federal government has approved disaster unemployment assistance benefits and eased restrictions for homeowners in flood-ravaged regions seeking financial help.
By Paige Fisher reporting for VT Digger

The Vermont Department of Labor will make federal disaster unemployment benefits available to Vermonters who were left without work due to last week’s catastrophic flooding, while the U.S Department of Agriculture has made it easier for rural residents to recover and rebuild.

The benefits are available to people in the counties for which the Biden Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Administration have made major federal disaster declarations. So far there are six: Chittenden, Lamoille, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor counties. Additional counties may be added to the list in the future, the agency has said.

Individuals living, working, or scheduled to work in these counties may be eligible for disaster unemployment assistance. Also, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants program is available to low-income flood victims.

READ MORE
 

When Flood Warnings/Watches are posted-What should I do?

Vermonters should monitor media reports, follow instructions from Vermont Emergency Management, never attempt to walk or drive through flood waters, and familiarize yourself with your best flood evacuation routes. 

Some key resources
2-1-1: For help getting connected to resources and services such as shelter, disaster response, and more, call 2-1-1.

9-1-1: For emergency situations, always call 9-1-1.

Language Translations for Flood Resources: https://www.healthvermont.gov/emergency/prepare/stay-safe-flood

Vermont Emergency Management:
Twitter: @vemvt
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vermontemergencymanagement

VT-Alert: VT-ALERT is used by the state and local responders to notify the public of emergency situations. Those include, but are not limited to, evacuation information, chemical spills, shelter-in-place alerts, severe weather advisories, boil water advisories, and roadway interruptions. NOTE: Residents can tailor the alerts to specific locations, types of alerts, and on which devices they will be notified.Sign up to receive VT-Alerts, here: https://vem.vermont.gov/vtalert

Follow VT-Alert on social media for quick updates:

Best Practices for Safety
  • Never drive or walk through floodwaters. Strong currents or unseen washouts can sweep you and your car away.
  • Turn off the circuit breaker in your home before you evacuate – if you can do so safely.
  • If rising water is approaching, leave.
  • If you need to evacuate, do so over high ground. Plan that route as soon as possible.
  • If your home floods, have a licensed electrician inspect your electrical system before you once again occupy your home.
  • If you are in a flood-prone area, or if you believe your home will be flooded, it is advisable to move valuables from your basement in case water enters your home.
  • Check your insurance coverage now, and then contact your insurance company if you have damage.
Emergency Updates
For additional updates, you can find below some recommended social media accounts to follow:

Information for Local Farmers

This is a challenging time for many farmers, and we’re thinking of everyone who has been impacted, big or small, by the latest storm. We wanted to send out a reminder of the resources available to you through Farm First. 

Free access to a Farmer Peer. 
Peers are trained in active listening, troubleshooting, and accessing resources. You can find one by location or discipline at: https://farmfirst.org/peer-support-network

Free access to a counselor. 
While your immediate needs are in the fields, if you need support processing your response you can access a counselor by reaching out to Eva Griffin, the Farm First Resource Coordinator.
During daytime working hours (8am-4:30pm M-F) call: 802-318-5538
Outside of daytime work hours call: 877-493-6216
Email Eva at evag@farmfirst.org

Free access to resources. On the FarmFirst website, there is a searchable database of resources that can assist you with a variety of services or accessing resources.

OTHER RESOURCES:
Get help for your animals
NOFA is collecting info on impacts
Vermont Emergency Management Website
New England 511 Road Closures
Vermont River Levels & Forecast
Vermont Alert Emergency Notification System

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me to learn more or get support! If you have other helpful resources that we should be sharing please send them my way as well.
Stay safe out there
Valerie & the Farm First team
www.HoneyFieldFarmVT.com

How to Help with the Recovery Efforts
At a press briefing about the floods on Tuesday morning, Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison also plugged a state website, vermont.gov/volunteer, where Vermonters can register to volunteer.

"For now, please focus your volunteer efforts on the hyperlocal level," Morrison said. "Check on your neighbors and the most vulnerable in your neighborhood."

The Vermont Community Foundation announced on Tuesday the creation of the VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund 2023 to coordinate and distribute support to hard-hit communities. The foundation also recommended other organizations to donate to, including the American Red Cross of Northern New England; BROC Community Action; Capstone Community Action; Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity; Northeast Kingdom Community Action; and Southeastern Vermont Community Action.

Mark Your Calendars

Grateful Jam-Flood Relief Concerts 6-10 PM
July 28, August 11, 18, 25 and Sept. 8
One Heart Wellness Cooperative 64 Main St, Windsor, VT

More info visit the event's FB page.
Enjoy some local LIVE music and support our neighbors

Blueberries-Green Dragon Farm is OPEN

Beautiful big berries grown using organic farming practices. Available at Green Dragon Farm.

Field open for picking on Friday afternoon 12-4 p.m or Weekends 9-4 pm

You can call the farm for a phone message. We usually don't pick in rain or excessive heat. The bushes are in wetlands so wear good footwear! Questions: Call 802 263-9429

WPL Annual Summer Evening with Friends and Neighbors July 29th



The Weathersfield Proctor Library has announced the date for their 11th annual Summer Evening with Friends and Neighbors. 

The evening will feature music by UNREEL, a Silent Auction and some yummy desserts all at the Weathersfield Center Meeting House on Weathersfield Center RD on Saturday, July 29, 2023  at 6- p.m.

Proceeds will benefit the WPL Capital Campaign.


Frippery August 18 and 19 Route 5 Ascutney (Claire Murray Building) Item Drop-off Aug. 5 and 12 or by Appointment


Weathersfield Historical Society Announces

Frippery 

Is back!!
August 18th and 19th.
Their location for 2023 is 5357 US Route 5 in Ascutney.

Please consider donating items for this special event. They are looking for small appliances, furniture, jewelry, linens, coffee table books and those select quality items you’re ready to part with for a good cause.

Volunteers will be at the location on 8/5 and 8/12 to accept donations. They are more than happy to pick up items if that makes it easier.

Please call Maureen (603) 252-0936 with any questions.


Area Summer Concert Series

Mondays


Wednesdays


Thursdays


Lake Morey Summer Concert Series
Lake Morey Inn hosts Free Thursday Night Outdoor Community Concerts. 
Food and Drinks Available. 
Gates Open at 7:15pm | Shows Start at 8pm
July 27 Kat Wright
August 3 TBA
August 10 Rev Peyton's Big Damn Band
August 17 Enter the Haggis
August 24 Big Head Todd and the Monsters
August 30 Della Mae (rescheduled from rain out July 13)

Discounts available for Lodging Room Rates
Lake Morey Inn
82 Clubhouse RD Fairlee VT

Fridays
Music by the River, Summer Concert Series
Pentangle Arts hosts Music by the River FREE concerts Friday evenings 6-7:30 p.m. at East End Park in Woodstock, VT.
July 28 Bombajazzeando
August 4 The Freese Brothers Big band with Sabrina Brown
August 11 Wesli
August 18 Jay Nash and Friends
August 25 Houston Bernard

Lawn opens at 5:30 pm
East End Park
217 Maxham Meadow Way
Woodstock, VT 05091

Rain Location:
Woodstock Town Hall Theatre


Concerts at Comtu Park 
Hosted by Springfield on the Move
Springfield, VT 6 PM
August 4 John Sullivan Band
Also at this show Claflin Family Food will be serving up their yummy fare, Dance Factory students will perform at intermission, there will be gift certificates to give away, and a 50/50 raffle

August 11 Beartracks band
Also at this show Claflin Family Food will be serving up their yummy fare, Uplift Acrobatics will be performing during intermission, there will be gift certificate giveaways, and a 50/50 raffle

August 18 Mello Yellow
Also at this show Claflin Family Food will be serving up their yummy fare, Dance Factory students will be performing during intermission, there will be gift certificate giveaways, and a 50/50 raffle

August 25 Moxley Union
These guys ROCK!!! Don't miss this show.
Also at this show Claflin Family Food will be serving up their yummy fare, the Springfield Rotary Club will be having their memorial butterfly release during intermission, there will be gift certificate giveaways, and a 50/50 raffle

More info on Concerts at Comtu Park check out their FB Events Page

Sundays

Hartland Rec Center Summer Concert Series
Summer Concert Series at the Hartland Rec Center Gazebo Sunday evenings
Sundays at 5pm July 16 - August 13
July 30 Ali T
August 6 Carlos Ocasio
August 13 Jim Yeager

All concerts are free and open to the public. Sponsored by Mascoma Savings Bank.

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

Town/School News


The Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union (WSESU) Summer Meals Program begins this week.

WHO: For ALL youth up to age 18 including those who haven't started school or who have graduated; WSESU students from Hartland, Weathersfield, West Windsor, and Windsor.

WHAT: FREE Food for most of the summer; breakfast and lunch offerings, food offerings vary by week but includes balanced meals with drinks, fruits/veggies, proteins, etc.

WHEN: Runs Monday - Friday, from July 10 - August 11, 2023

WHERE: Windsor School, 127 State Street Windsor VT 05089

HOW: 7:30am - 9:00am drive-thru pick up option (on the way to camp or daycare)
9:00am - 11:00am pick up inside or kids can eat their meals in the dining hall.

Town Volunteer Vacancies
There were no appointments made at the April 17th meeting but Selectboard Chair Mike Todd read the available vacancies  
a. Budget Committee (5 Vacancies) 
b. Conservation Commission (2 Vacancies) 
c. Energy Coordinator (1 Vacancy) 
d. Green Up Coordinator (1 Vacancy) 
e. Lister (1 Vacancy) f. Parks and Recreation (2 Vacancies) 
g. Veterans Memorial Committee (4 Vacancies) 
h. Zoning Board of Adjustment (2 Vacancies)

Anyone interested in serving should contact the Town manager Brandon Gulnick at 802-674-2626

New book to be published about the Perkinsville School

Schoolhouse Maypole

Steve Aikenhead has announced that he is publishing a new book about the Perkinsville School and would love to hear from folks about their memories of time spent at the school.
1956 from Betsey Child collection

Here are a few examples of what he's collected so far.

From Jonathan Titcomb:
My parents started me in Perkinsville in 1955 at age 5, and I think I was a little young for first grade. Later my mother thought so, too. One of the first things to happen was the earliest vaccinations for polio, and we were all marched down to the Grange Hall for our first shots. It seemed like those were awfully big needles. The next vaccinations were moved up to the school, and the needles seemed smaller. Dennis Reynells and I spotted a wastebasket full of used syringes and all that we saw were squirt guns! They were fantastic squirt guns, so easy to fill and then shoot. We were really enjoying our play and then something called a principal came along and rained on our parade. That trove of squirt guns had all been thrown away and they were OURS.

From Barbara Volta:
My most memorable experience when I went to Perkinsville School was the afternoon I gave Dottie Richardson a ride almost all the way to her house on my bike. As we came down the Route 106 hill from school, going fast, my front wheel started wobbling. I saw a car approaching, so I moved closer to the side of the road where the bike hit soft dirt. The bike fell over. I had given Dottie a cushion to sit on, and she and the cushion slid off nicely, but I went face forward and hit the bike handlebars. My face was all blood. ... My nose has been crooked ever since.

 1972 School Bus crash

Steve started working on this project after the renovation of the school was completed last year. 

There is still has room for more stories and Steve would love to hear from anyone with stories about the Perkinsville School. Stories can be told to Steve over the phone or sent to him at the email address below. 

His collection of stories and photos will continue through July.

The book will be available also from the Weathersfield Historical Society or directly from me. (steve@vermontel.net, or 263-5439.)

(Photos and excerpts courtesy of Steve Aikenhead)
 


Select Board
August 7 Public Hearing Agenda 
6:45 p.m. Martin Memorial Hall, Planning Commission, Zoning Definitions 


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  and Term 
Mike Todd Chair 2024
Paul Tillman Vice Chair 2026
David Fuller Member 2025
Kelly O'Brien Clerk 2025
Wendy Smith Member 2024
Select Board Meets 1st and 3rd Mondays of the Month 6:30 p.m. 
August 7
August 21

*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 Police Blotter


Weathersfield School


SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER


Weekly Newsletter: June 14

Save the Dates
August 28th Welcome Back BBQ and Open House
August 30th First Day of School

Weathersfield School Board

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 

The June Board Meeting is the annual Board Retreat and July there is no Board Meeting. The next regularly scheduled Board Meeting for August 8th at 6:30 PM.

School Board Meetings
Meeting Minutes
August 8
June Retreat
May 9
April 18 
March 14
February 14
January 10, 2023  
December 13 
November 8
October 11


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 Garden Club


The Weathersfield Garden Club meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at rotating venues around town at 6 p.m. Locations TBA.

New members and guests are always welcome.  

Any questions? please email weathersfieldgardenclub@gmail.com

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

Local and State News

Robber uses excavator to steal ATM from Vt. at Downer's Four Corners convenience store
Vermont State Police say someone used an excavator to break through a wall and steal an ATM out of a Vermont store.

Police say it happened at the Downers Four Corners Store on VT Route 106 in Weathersfield at around 4 a.m. on Sunday, July 16th.

They say the suspect used an orange excavator to remove the front wall of the store and then removed and transported the ATM into the back of a vehicle on Upper Falls Road.

Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to call the state police in Westminster at 802-722-4600.

Summer is Here — Swim Safely!

Swimming, playing, and relaxing in the water might be one of the best parts of the summer. Wherever you swim, keep these safety tips in mind:
  • Assign an adult to be a Water Watcher to pay close attention to every swimmer. Drowning is swift and silent, not loud and splashy like in the movies.
  • Stay out of lakes and ponds if you see cyanobacteria blooms (blue-green algae), which can make people and pets sick.
  • Don't go swimming if you've had diarrhea in the last two weeks. Don't swallow the water, and don't poop or pee in it. Take lots of bathroom and diaper changing breaks.
  • Be extra careful in swimming holes. Avoid drop-offs, enter the water feet-first and don't swim if there are storm clouds, high winds or after heavy rainfalls.
  • When boating, check the water depth and flow before you launch. Check the weather forecast and always wear a life jacket.
Happy swimming, and don't forget your sunscreen! Get more summer tips – like where to find cooling sites when it's hot outside – at https://www.healthvermont.gov/summer-safety-tips

Chester officials monitor dam erosion with more rain on the way
If earth around the dam erodes further, the dam could fail, Chester Town Manager Julie Hance said.

By Ethan Weinstein reporting for VT Digger

After (last) week’s flooding caused significant erosion to earth around the Chester Reservoir dam, town officials expressed concern that more rain this week could prompt the dam to fail, leading to even more significant flooding.

“It’s a concern, but it’s not a high-level concern where we would evacuate people at this time,” Julie Hance, Chester town manager, said Wednesday afternoon. “It’s something that we’re watching, and we’re watching closely.”

Torrential rains this week caused the Chester Reservoir to overflow, eroding earth around the dam as spillover water flowed toward the Williams River, Hance said. If rain in the forecast causes the dam to again overflow, it could destroy the structure, she suggested.

READ MORE

‘A very stressful time’: Vermont farmers face heavy damages from deluge
Once-bountiful fields turned into murky lakes as farms suffered millions of dollars worth of losses from this week’s flooding.
By Max Scheinblum

Normand Thibault’s 200-cow dairy farm in Colchester sits on the last plateau before Lake Champlain.

“I’m on the lake level,” he said. “No dams after me.”

The result after heavy rain on Sunday and Monday: nearly 110 acres of corn and 160 acres of hay submerged under 4 feet of water. As his is the last farm before water feeds into the lake, Thibault had been playing the waiting game since his fields began filling up late on Monday.

Fifty acres of hay were ready for chopping, Thibault said, but that has “gone under and is probably destroyed now.” His corn is still in the wait-and-see stage. It is still covered, but he wasn’t too optimistic, since the feed crop can go only two or three days underwater before spoiling from lack of oxygen.

READ MORE

Concerts and Adventures

Hans Williams
Brooks Hubbard opened
Lebanon Opera House
Lebanon, NH July 12, 2023

Two homegrown singer songwriters took the stage at the Lebanon Opera House on July 12th. It was a great welcome home event for Hans Williams.

Hans Williams grew up in Norwich, VT and is an emerging independent singer-songwriter who experiments with indie, folk, and alternative sounds.

First releasing music in third grade when he would hand out CDs after school, Williams fell in love with songwriting as a means of finding comfort and relief. 

He’s an advocate for mental health awareness whose song Body on My Shoulders has become a therapeutic anthem. 

In 2020, Hans debuted "Body on My Shoulders," reflecting on his experience as a first responder to a floormate’s suicide in the first few days of freshmen year at Tulane. The experience and subsequent guilt and fear stuck with him as he lived one room over from his nightmare. Hans commented, "writing ‘Body on My Shoulders’ has been an extremely personal and cathartic experience for me and I hope it will help others overcome tragedy."

Williams is now a graduate of Tulane University – with a sold-out show at the venerable New Orleans club Tipitina’s under his belt – and is gearing up for his debut project later this year.



Hans will be back for NEXUS in August (see below for information about this FREE Music and Arts Weekend in Lebanon, NH)

Brooks Hubbard
Opened for Hans
I've been following Brooks for years since seeing him at LOH in 2011, where even then as a kid he was blowing the roof off the Opera House.



More photos from the show: CLICK HERE

More photos of Brooks: CLICK HERE

Cape Cod Escape
July 17-19, 2023

One of my friends is camping in Truro for the month of July; another of my friends and I decided we needed a break from Vermont's fickle weather so we packed up and headed south.

We stayed a very nice condo in North Truro, just minutes from Provincetown. You know you're in P-town when you can see the Pilgrim Monument.



On Monday, we decided to do the "touristy" thing and go on a Whale Watch. We boarded the Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch boat at 4 PM and headed towards Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.

The beach views along the way were stunning.


Just off shore we see a few Fin Whales. The fin whale is the second-largest whale species on earth, second only to the blue whale. It is found throughout the world’s oceans. It gets its name from an easy-to-spot fin on its back, near its tail. 


Next we see many groups of humpback whales, including a female and her calf.


Tuesday, we visited Race Point Beach. It wasn't too crowded and there weren't many people in the water-there have been numerous shark sightings so most people were being very cautious.

We didn't see sharks (DARN) but we did see two species of seals.

The Gray Seal. They are sometimes called "horseheads" (adult males in particular have large, horse-like heads) because of their large, curved noses.


And harbor seals. Harbor seals have short, dog-like snouts.


We also went on a bird walk around the old abandoned Coastguard Station. Walked around Marconi Station and the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp.

More photos: CLICK HERE

2nd Annual West Windsor Music Festival
West Windsor Town Hall
July 21-23, 2023

The West Windsor Music Festival was held this past weekend in Brownsville at the West Windsor Town Hall on the Brownsville/Hartland RD.

The festival featured three days of classical music performed in duets.

Friday evening festival artistic director, Sakiko Ohashi was joined by her friend Hiroko Sasaki for a piano four hands performance.



Saturday, the two women also hosted a concert for local children and their families. The day included creating a community Haiku and also learning the Ikebana, the Japanese art form of flower arranging.

Saturday was an evening concert with Brad Ritchie on cello.

The festival closes on Sunday afternoon with a piano and violin concert with Sakiko and Helen Hwaya Kim (I did not attend this performance).

More information about the festival may be found at: https://www.westwindsorvtmusicfestival.com/

More photos of
Sakiko and Hiroko: CLICK HERE
The Children's Concert and Activities: CLICK HERE
Sakiko and Brad: CLICK HERE

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


Andy Warhol in Vermont
Hall Art Foundation, Reading VT

The Hall Art Foundation is pleased to announce an exhibition by famed American artist Andy Warhol to be held in its galleries in Reading, Vermont from 13 May – 26 November 2023. 

Cultural icon, celebrity and provocateur, Andy Warhol produced works that are instantly recognizable and have inspired a generation of artists. Seriality and appropriation were signature aspects of Warhol’s painting and sculptural practice. 

He often made many different versions of the same subject, perhaps most famously with his iconic multi-part work, Campbell’s Soup Cans (1962) which depicts 32 different versions of a Campbell’s soup can. Shortly after completing these works, Warhol began to make paintings using silk-screens, a process that greatly facilitated his explorations of image multiplicity. 

For any given subject, Warhol might use several different source images, producing multiple versions of each picture, sometimes in different sized formats, or sometimes using different color combinations for the silkscreen inks and paints, or sometimes both. 

In other cases, he would use the same exact silkscreen and the same color silkscreen inks and paints, allowing the randomness of the screening process itself to introduce variations in tonality and color saturation in the individual paintings.


Volunteers in Action (ViA) is seeking volunteers

Volunteers in Action (ViA), a neighbor helping neighbor organization, is seeking immediate volunteer support for two Meals on Wheels routes in Windsor. Details:
  • Open shifts available Monday through Friday, help when you have time
  •  Roughly 2-hour commitment (10am – Noon) on volunteer days
  • Individual training available upon sign-up
  • Minimal driving, low mileage routes.
  • There are additional needs in Weathersfield as well, if people are interested.
For more information: Call (802) 674-5971 Email via@mahhc.org
Melanie P. Sheehan, MPH
Director of Community Health



Local trails to explore: CLICK HERE

Also Hiking Close to Home: CLICK HERE
All shows are at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise stated.

Arrival from Sweden-The Music of ABBA, August 8 TICKETS

NEXUS August 11, 12, and 13-FREE  Learn More

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel July 27-30, 2023 TICKETS

Yoga and Massage

Yoga

Whole Roasted Tro

Within Reach Yoga 

at the Weathersfield Meeting House (Center Church)

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


March Classes Mondays and Tuesdays

Candle Glow Gentle Flow-On hold until the Fall

Slow Flow, Rest + Restore 
Tuesday Morning 9-10 a.m.
No Class July 4
July 25
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.



One Love Bodhi Works has a massage made just for you. 
Each person is unique and so are their massage needs.
Anne will identify and address your barriers and help you to live relaxed and pain-free.

Sign up with Anne S. today and you'll thank yourself tomorrow BOOK an appointment.

One Love Bodhi Works is located at 289 Putnam Road, Springfield, VT 05156

10% of profits go back to the community. Giving back has never felt so good.


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.

The Copper Fox 56 Main St., Ste. 1 Springfield, VT 05156 (802) 885-1031
Dinner 5:00pm - 9:00pm  Sunday Hours 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Wednesday through Sunday (Closed Monday and Tuesday)

Daily Grind Café 
Call ahead for take out (802) 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 Open 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




The Vermont Creemee Database: Vote for your favorite

Erin Petenko reporting for VT Digger

Nothing goes better with a hot Vermont summer day than a cold, sweet, creamy cone of soft serve ice cream.

Wait, soft serve? What are you talking about? There’s only one type of ice cream that reigns supreme in the Green Mountain State: the creemee.

A creemee is not quite synonymous with soft serve, but they share some similarities. Both take prepared ice cream “bases” that vendors can mix flavor into and serve from the same machine, according to E.B. Flory, dairy chief of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets.

Creemees, however, are supposed to contain a higher percentage of butterfat — a minimum of 14%, versus 10%-14% for soft serve, Flory said. Creemees are often sold in maple, black raspberry, vanilla and chocolate flavors, or as a twist of two flavors. They can come with toppings or be dipped into chocolate or other sauces to create a hard outer coating.

How many creemee stands are there in Vermont? Until recently, this seemed an unanswerable question. But then Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts revealed on Twitter that his agency maintains a licensing system that tracks this sort of thing.

So VTDigger did what VTDigger does: We filed a public records request.

The data we obtained shows that roughly 400 Vermont establishments have active licenses to operate “frozen dessert” machines. That count, however, includes vendors who sling creemees, as well as those who dish out soft serve.

About a quarter of the licensees were chains such as McDonald’s, Cumberland Farms and Walmart. There were also some oddball spots, such as universities, movie theaters and hospital cafeterias.


Don't freak out but I had a Pistachio Creemee at the Brownsville Butcher and Pantry
And it was excellent!

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.

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.

Scan this QR Code to see all the latest  photos in my Galleries



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