Weathersfield Weekly Blog September 11 edition
Mark Your Calendars
Town Caucus Time
Weathersfield Republicans Sept. 19 at 6 PM
All Republican Voters of the town of Weathersfield, County of Windsor are hereby notified, in accordance with 17 V.S.A. § 2303, to meet in caucus on Tuesday, Sept 19th at 6:00 pm, at the Martin Memorial Hall.
The Agenda for this Caucus is as follows:
I. Election of Town Committee
II. Election of Officers by the Town Committee
III. Election of County Committee Members
IV. New Business
For information or questions can be sent to: weathersfield.gop@gmail.com
Weathersfield Democrats Sept. 24 6:30 PM
The Weathersfield Democrats are holding our annual Caucus Meeting on Sunday September 24 at the Weathersfield Center Meeting House.
They'll have a potluck dinner at 5:30, and meeting at 6:30. Please bring a dish to share; they'll provide tableware and beverages. Also, please bring a friend who may not have attended a town caucus before. They'll meet outdoors if the weather allows, so bring a chair as well.
The meeting agenda includes electing officers, electing county committee delegates, and conducting new business.
Questions? Email julielannen@gmail.com
Weathersfield Republicans Sept. 19 at 6 PM
All Republican Voters of the town of Weathersfield, County of Windsor are hereby notified, in accordance with 17 V.S.A. § 2303, to meet in caucus on Tuesday, Sept 19th at 6:00 pm, at the Martin Memorial Hall.
The Agenda for this Caucus is as follows:
I. Election of Town Committee
II. Election of Officers by the Town Committee
III. Election of County Committee Members
IV. New Business
For information or questions can be sent to: weathersfield.gop@gmail.com
The Weathersfield Democrats are holding our annual Caucus Meeting on Sunday September 24 at the Weathersfield Center Meeting House.
Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" Reading Group at WPL Tuesday evenings 6:30-8 PM
William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night features shipwrecked identical twins, unrequited love, drunken debauchery, and unbridled ambition! What could go possibly wrong?
Come and find out!
Weathersfield Proctor Library, U.S. 5, Ascutney, VT
An evening with author Marilyn Webb Neagley, September 14 at the Weathersfield Proctor Library at 6:30 PMWeathersfield Proctor Library and the Weathersfield Historical Society announce an evening with author Marilyn Webb Neagley September 14 at the Library at 6:30 PM.
Attic of Dreams: A Memoir by Marilyn Webb Neagley, former resident of Ascutney, Vermont and one of the formative leaders of Shelburne Farms will be released by Rootstock Publishing on September 5, 2023.
Julia Alvarez, Dominican-American poet, novelist, essayist, and author of Afterlife, says about Neagley’s book: “Marilyn Neagley’s memoir addresses issues so critical now: how to take care of our natural world, of each other, of ourselves—we need magic attics of imagination and stories that inspire our activism. In addition her book touches on a beloved place in Vermonters’ hearts, and by extension all the beloved places on our planet home we have neglected for far too long!”
Attic of Dreams is a lyrical memoir tracing a life of healing from family dysfunction and jumping headlong into a life of natural curiosity, art, and activism. Themes explored include home and community; addiction and secrecy; recovery and restoration; the arts and the natural world; growth and wholeness; and how the changing times and culture are perceived through older eyes.
Marilyn Webb Neagley served as president of Shelburne Farms from 1976 to 1988. She is the author of two previous books and co-editor of another. Her 2007 book, Walking through the Seasons, received an IPPY gold medal for best northeastern nonfiction. She has been a Vermont Public Radio commentator and has written essays for her local newspaper. Neagley, raised in Ascutney, Vermont, currently lives with her husband in Shelburne.
Yankee Bookshop will have books available for sale.
Lucy Mac 5K9 Saturday, September 16Ascutney Outdoors, West Windsor VT
WS PTO Paw Drop Friday, September 22, 5-8PM Weathersfield School
Community Contra Dance Sept. 23
Dancing 7–8:30; Social 8:30–?
Caller Mary Wesley teaching and guiding everyone through the dances. Wonderful live music provided by Naomi Morse ~ fiddle & Amy Englesberg ~ piano.
Contra Dance (noun) A traditional New England folk dance style, similar to square dancing, in which couples dance in two facing lines, following the instructions of a caller.
Potluck snacks/dessert after the dancing.
Feel free to bring simple finger food to share.
Bring a beer, a wine, seltzer, or whatever you fancy.
Adults: $10, Children: $5, Families: $20
Retired Major Gerald Malloy was endorsed by former President Trump, and VFAF Veterans for Trump, during his 2022 Vermont senate bid. During a recent interview with the Veterans organization Malloy stated he was preparing to announce another run at the Vermont Senate seat.
VFAF partners with Real America’s Voice RAV, and the John Fredericks Trump bus tours, which spent time campaigning for Malloy last cycle.
https://fox59.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/648837640/stan-fitzgerald-with-jared-craig-to-sponsor-real-americas-voice-john-fredericks-bus-tour-with-veterans-for-trump/
Gerald Malloy, a combat veteran, has been named Ambassador by Veterans for America First AKA Veterans for Trump announced Stan Fitzgerald president of the grassroots national veterans’ group
https://veteransfortrump.us/ret-major-gerald-malloy-joins-vfaf-veterans-for-trump-as-ambassador/
NOTICE TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED
ALSO, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 TO ATTEND VERMONT’S ANNUAL TOWN FAIR
SORRY FOR ANY INCONVIENCE THIS MAY CAUSE YOU
Leaf peepers beware: One of Vermont’s most photographed foliage spots closed to tourists
Thousands of flannel-clad visitors flock to Sleepy Hollow Farm every autumn for an Instagram photo op, creating a dangerous nuisance for the town and local residents.
By Ethan Weinstein
Amid social media-induced traffic jams, the towns of Pomfret and Woodstock plan to close roads this fall leading to a popular foliage photo op.
Pomfret’s picturesque Sleepy Hollow Farm has featured in films and magazines for years. The property’s winding driveway leads downhill past a small pond to a weathered barn and farmhouse, backed by grassland and a wooded hillside. Photographers tend to congregate on the road looking over and above the Disneyworld version of Vermont.
But town officials say that since the advent of social media, hundreds of cars and thousands of tourists now flock to the dirt road every fall.
“It’s always been a popular foliage tourist destination, attraction, whatever you want to call it,” said John Peters Jr., chair of the Pomfret Selectboard. “People post and then everybody sees it. And then everybody wants to come see it.”
Thousands of TikToks and Instagram posts — many garnering tens of thousands of likes — have tagged the location of Sleepy Hollow Farm, which is near the Woodstock town line on Cloudland Road.
The Town of Weathersfield will be updating its Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) in 2023. The purpose of this planning effort is to identify natural hazards and vulnerabilities, assess risk, and identifies mitigation actions to reduce or eliminate future losses resulting from those hazards.
This survey provides an opportunity for you to share your opinions and participate in the planning process. The information you provide will help us better understand your hazard concerns and can lead to mitigation activities that reduce the risk of injury or property damage in the future.
USDA approves disaster declaration for Vermont farmers after July floods
Unlike other forms of natural disaster aid, the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers emergency loans, which carry interest, to farmers hit by disaster. Any interest-free aid to Vermont farmers from the federal government would need to be approved by Congress.
By Sarah Mearhoff
The declaration from the U.S. Department of Agriculture allows Vermont farmers to be considered for its Farm Service Agency loans. Farmers impacted by floods in all 14 counties have eight months to apply for the emergency loans.
The USDA’s process for declaring a disaster is slow. Farmers must first document the damage wrought on their farms — an often labor-intensive, tedious undertaking amidst an emergency response — in order for a given county to meet a damage threshold, determined by USDA, to qualify for the designation.
USDA Under Secretary Robert Bonnie paid a visit to Vermont in mid-August to survey some of the crop damage. In his letter to Gov. Phil Scott on Tuesday, Vilsack said all 14 counties sustained enough production losses to qualify.
In a subsequent statement, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts thanked Vilsack for the disaster declaration — the second approved for Vermont this growing season. Vilsack issued the first in July after a late spring frost decimated millions of dollars in fruit crops across the state two months earlier.
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 (1 Vacancy)
g. Trusties of Public Funds (1 Vacancy)
h. Veterans Memorial Committee (2 Vacancies)
i. Village Wastewater Committee (3 Vacancies)
h. Zoning Board of Adjustment (2 Vacancies)
Select Board Minutes: The minutes can now be found at https://www.weathersfieldvt.org/node/586/minutes
All regular meetings are broadcasted live on Comcast channel 1087, VTEL Channel 161, and SAPA.org on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.Select Board Meets 1st and 3rd Mondays of the Month 6:30 p.m. September 18
Meeting Minutes https://www.weathersfieldvt.org/selectboardAugust 21 (published in a Word document)May1 (minutes were not posted within 5 days, a violation of the Open Meeting Law)
*Vermont Open Meeting LawMinute 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.
Follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeathersfieldPoliceVT
September 12th Weathersfield School Board Meeting
September 22nd PTO PAW Drop
Meeting Agendas may be found HERE
September 12 Agenda
Weathersfield School Board meets on TuesdaysIn Person at Weathersfield School (135 Schoolhouse Road, Ascutney)
Location: 135 Schoolhouse RD Ascutney
Location: 135 Schoolhouse RD Ascutney
School Board MeetingsMeeting MinutesSeptember 13August 8June Retreat
Weathersfield Athletics Fall registrations are open
Sign up today using these links:
Soccer (K-8): https://weathersfield-athletics.sportngin.com/register/form/533713880
Cheerleading (K-8): https://weathersfield-athletics.sportngin.com/register/form/935052888
Cross Country (5-8): https://weathersfield-athletics.sportngin.com/register/form/766712957
Interested in coaching? https://weathersfield-athletics.sportngin.com/register/form/299461426
Soccer (K-8): https://weathersfield-athletics.sportngin.com/register/form/533713880
Cheerleading (K-8): https://weathersfield-athletics.sportngin.com/register/form/935052888
Cross Country (5-8): https://weathersfield-athletics.sportngin.com/register/form/766712957
Interested in coaching? https://weathersfield-athletics.sportngin.com/register/form/299461426
Route 5 (5181 US-5 Ascutney VT 05030)
Mondays at 1 p.m.
Please call Maureen Bogosian for details
@ 603-252-0936
@ 603-252-0936
Weathersfield Historical SocietyFollow 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 HouseFollow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeathersfieldCenterChurch
Adventures
Woodstock, VT September 7, 2023
Last Thursday I covered a golfing event. I don't know much about golfing but I sure had a fun time. Yes it was extremely hot and yes there were rumbles of thunder off in the distance but the SOLD-OUT event went on as planned. Every team seemed to be having a blast.
Lots of fun...
... and frustration.
And a chance to win $5000 if your golf ball was closest to the hole after being dropped out of a helicopter.
More photos: CLICK HERE
Things to Do In and Around Weathersfield
They are posting a list of potential star party dates, so that interested people can pencil them in on their calendars. They will also send out notices closer to the date when it looks like we will have clear skies for an upcoming Friday. All of these dates are weather dependent.
They are planning for this to start with a cookout at Hoisington Field — a Star-B-Q. Grills will be provided. Bring your own food to grill, and a small side to share. If this is a success, we may make it a regular feature of our star parties.
Below is the list of Friday nights with crescent moons or no moon for the rest of the year.
Friday Night Star Party Possibilities:
September 15, New Moon sets at 6:40 pm
September 22, 1st Quarter sets at 11:40 pm
October 6, 3rd Quarter sets in daylight
October 13, No Moon
October 20, Waxing Crescent sets at 10:35 pm
November 3, 3rd Quarter sets at 9:19 pm
November 10, Waning Crescent sets in daylight
November 17, Waxing Crescent sets at 9:32 pm
December 1, Waning Gibbous rises at 9:27 pm
December 8, Waning Crescent sets in daylight
December 15, Waxing Crescent sets at 8:27 pm
~~14th VT 50 Kids Fun Trail Run or Mountain Bike Ride~~
(For Children 14 And under)
Saturday, September 23, 2023 Noon-4 PM
Location: Ascutney Outdoors, 450 Ski Tow Rd. Brownsville, VT
Bib Pick up/Walk up Registration noon-1:45 PM
Register (one form per child) : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-IG_ELgZT-EBIkkwtOZJrzCzXiFrWbwkOi2djkCVz6mBvDg/viewform
1 mile Bike Ride*
2 mile Bike Ride**
*Helmets are required for ALL Bike Rides
**2 mile bike ride is for children who are able to bike independently.
The course will be a loop at the start/finish of the VT50 race.
These FREE fun races give the kids a chance to feel like they’re part of the Vermont 50 and are held during Vermont 50 race check-in and bib pick up Saturday noon-1:45 p.m.
ALSO--FREE Hay Bale Treasure Hunt for The Wee Ones ~3 PM Toddlers-10-year-olds
SPREAD The Word About Running and Mountain Biking for OUR NEXT GENERATION!These races are FREE, however they accept DONATIONS for Vermont Adaptive (https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/VT/Brownsville/Vermont50) or look for the donation jar at the Kid’s Race Table on Saturday.
More info. please visit: https://vermont50.com/kids-fun-run/
The race couldn’t happen without the generosity of local landowners and race volunteers.
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), 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.
Melanie P. Sheehan, MPH
Director of Community Health
Local trails to explore: CLICK HERE
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.
Tuesday Morning 9-10 a.m.-Slow Flow, Rest + Restore September 12, 19, 26
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.
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.
Post Flood Information
FEMA extends deadline for Vermonters applying for flood aid
Residents of nine counties included in a federal disaster declaration now have until Oct. 12 to apply for individual assistance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Friday. State officials requested an extension earlier this week.
By Paul Heintz reporting for VT Digger
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Friday that it has extended by a month the deadline for Vermonters to apply for individual assistance related to this summer’s flooding.
The new deadline is Oct. 12.
Earlier this week, state officials called on FEMA to extend the deadline beyond Sept. 12, and the agency’s federal coordinating officer in Vermont, Will Roy, promised a “very prompt response” at a Wednesday press conference.
Individual assistance is available to homeowners and renters in nine counties included in the federal government’s major disaster declaration: Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor. Residents of other counties hit hard by summer flooding, such as Addison, have so far been excluded.
According to FEMA, those who qualify for individual assistance may be able to receive help with housing or driveway repair, temporary housing, hazard mitigation, the replacement of damaged household items or vehicles, and disaster-related child care and medical expenses. The U.S. Small Business Administration also provides low-interest loans to individuals for similar needs. (See VTDigger’s and Vermont Public’s guide to FEMA aid for flooded homes.)
Flood Clean UP-What to knowThose 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 HEREyou need to sign in to access the board.
Residents of nine counties included in a federal disaster declaration now have until Oct. 12 to apply for individual assistance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Friday. State officials requested an extension earlier this week.
By Paul Heintz reporting for VT Digger
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Friday that it has extended by a month the deadline for Vermonters to apply for individual assistance related to this summer’s flooding.
The new deadline is Oct. 12.
Earlier this week, state officials called on FEMA to extend the deadline beyond Sept. 12, and the agency’s federal coordinating officer in Vermont, Will Roy, promised a “very prompt response” at a Wednesday press conference.
Individual assistance is available to homeowners and renters in nine counties included in the federal government’s major disaster declaration: Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor. Residents of other counties hit hard by summer flooding, such as Addison, have so far been excluded.
According to FEMA, those who qualify for individual assistance may be able to receive help with housing or driveway repair, temporary housing, hazard mitigation, the replacement of damaged household items or vehicles, and disaster-related child care and medical expenses. The U.S. Small Business Administration also provides low-interest loans to individuals for similar needs. (See VTDigger’s and Vermont Public’s guide to FEMA aid for flooded homes.)
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 October 12
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.
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
Disaster resources available for Vermont residents and businessesFederal 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
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.
“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.
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.
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:Twitter: https://twitter.com/vermontalert Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VermontAlert
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 UpdatesFor additional updates, you can find below some recommended social media accounts to follow:- VT State Police:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VermontStatePolice/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VTStatePolice - VT Division of Fire Safety:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VTFireMarshal
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VTFireMarshal - VT Agency of Transportation:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VTransontheroad/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AOTVermont - VT Department of Health:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealthVermont/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/healthvermont - National Weather Service Burlington:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSBurlington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NWSBurlington
National Weather Service Albany:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSAlbany/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NWSAlbany
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.
Recreational Water Safety After a Flood Recreational Water After a Flood
While rivers and lakes can have hazards and contamination under normal conditions, severe storms and flooding can increase the risk of getting hurt, sick, or drowning at these bodies of water.
Stay out of any body of water for at least 48 hours following heavy rains, and longer if it has flooded.
Rainstorms and Floods Create Hazards • Swollen rivers and fast-moving currents can create dangerous conditions at swimming holes and rivers for days after a heavy rain event. • Severe rains may bring bacteria or microorganisms that can make you sick into the water from overwhelmed wastewater systems and runoff. • Sharp objects, like glass or metal fragments, and spilled fuel or chemicals can also be carried into swimming areas by stormwater runoff and flooding.
Stay Out to Stay Safe • Stay out of rivers and streams until the water is clear and calm – usually several days after a storm. Watch the currents and listen for the sound of unusually loud rushing water. Natural waters can have hidden dangers below the surface, like formations that create suction. • After heavy rains, stay out of any body of water for at least 48 hours to avoid the risk of getting sick from contaminated water. In a public swim area, you can swim if the water has been tested and it’s safe. • After a flooding event, it may take several days before water is safe for swimming and recreation.
What to Know Before You Swim • Check with the park manager or town to see if the swim areas are open and whether they have tested the water quality. • Look for and obey any posted signs at beaches and parks. • Never swim alone. Water is stronger than you think, and accidents can take only an instant. • Watch for cyanobacteria in the water, since extra nutrients from the floodwater may cause blooms. They can make the water appear dark green, and look like pea soup or spilled paint. • Don’t swallow beach water or swim with open wounds that can get infected. • Shower after swimming, and wash your hands before eating.
More swimming tips:
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:
- 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.
- VT State Police:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VermontStatePolice/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VTStatePolice - VT Division of Fire Safety:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VTFireMarshal
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VTFireMarshal - VT Agency of Transportation:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VTransontheroad/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AOTVermont - VT Department of Health:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealthVermont/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/healthvermont - National Weather Service Burlington:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSBurlington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NWSBurlington
National Weather Service Albany:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSAlbany/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NWSAlbany
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 counselor.
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
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.
Workshops Online
Vermont Online Workshops
Lots of events and movies online. Contact: AARP Vermont Email: vtaarp@aarp.org with questions.
Visit Our Local Restaurants
Dinner 5:00pm - 9:00pm Sunday Hours 5:00pm - 8:00pm
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.
Inn at Weathersfield (802) 263-9217 93 Pleasant St. Claremont, NH (in the space formerly occupied by Dusty’s Café)
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
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
4261 Route 106 in Perkinsville, Downers Four Corners to the locals.
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.
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.
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.
GET VACCINATEDand GET YOUR BOOSTERDo it for Yourself, Your Family, Your Community
This summer has shown some of the lowest COVID-19 numbers nationwide since the start of the pandemic. However, recently there has been a small increase in cases seen nationwide and in Vermont, and a new variant — EG.5, which is a member of the omicron family.
There’s also a new booster coming this fall.
So it seems COVID-19 is starting to be on people’s minds again. Many of you had questions — and so did we.
We talked to state experts to help answer some of these new and recurring questions to help you take stock of the current state of COVID-19, fall vaccines and testing.
We talked to state experts to help answer some of these new and recurring questions to help you take stock of the current state of COVID-19, fall vaccines and testing.
These new COVID-19 cases are starting to be comprised of a new variant, EG.5, which Dr. Tim Plante — a general internist, epidemiologist and assistant professor at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine — said is on its way to being the dominant strain in the U.S. The variant is related to others in the omicron family.
"It's thought to evade antibodies from prior vaccines and prior infections," Plante said recently on Vermont Edition, which is leading to more cases after a quiet stretch.
And new variants are expected — it’s just the nature of COVID-19 and a lot of other diseases, and they aren’t necessarily a cause for concern according to John Davy, a Vermont Department of Health epidemiologist.
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
or visit: www.photosbynanci.com
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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.
or visit: www.photosbynanci.com