Reprinted by permission of The Vermont Standard

5/29/17

As I write, the rain is falling – watering the earth, but hopefully not dampening spirits on this holiday Monday.  The rest of the weekend, although not always sunny, at least provided plenty of time for outdoor activities.  While manning the money table at the Antique and Treasures sale at the Community Center on Saturday, we were able to watch the bikers whiz past on Rte 100.  I always hold my breath to see so many bikes in such a close cluster, thinking that if one falls, many will go down!

The Calvin Coolidge Historic Site opened this past weekend with a new exhibit –  Homespun Treasures, Textiles of Plymouth Notch.  The hours are 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, but if you want to catch the last tour of the day, it starts at 4:00.  I understand that the first Musicale will take place on Sunday, 6/4.  While over that way check out Plymouth Cheese Factory (802- 672-3650) open daily from 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM with high quality and distinctive artisan cheese, plus an amazing assortment of other specialty foods.

Our two State Parks are open for the season. Camp Plymouth State Park (802-228-2025) on Echo Lake has a lovely beach with boats to rent, plus wonderful grassy areas with picnic tables.  Their hours are 10:00 AM to dusk.  Please leave your pets at home because they are not allowed at the park.   For overnight camping, Coolidge State Park off Rte 100A is the place to go with 26 tent/RV sites and 36 lean-to sites.  For reservations, call 1-888-409-7579.  For other information call 802.672.3612.

The Echo Lake Inn (802-228-8602) will open for dinner this week from Tues – Sat this week.  Since there will be weddings most weekends, plan to catch dinner there mid-week!  The Inn at Water’s Edge (802-228-8143) will again be offering their Thursday evening 4 Course Italian dinner specials at $25.00 per person, Including one glass of wine.  On Friday evenings a 4 course dinner for two is available for $70.00.

Tyson Library also opened for the season this past weekend.  There are an incredible number of books in our tiny building that is a wonderful volunteer project of the Tyson Ladies Aid.  The hours are every 1st and 3rd Monday from 6 – 7 PM and Tuesday – Saturday 10 AM until noon.  In addition there are passes available to VT State Parks and Historical Sites, Billings Farm and Museum, Echo Museum, and Wonder Feet in Rutland.

Plan to come to the Plymouth Community Center at 2:00 PM on Sunday, 6/11 for the dedication of the new Community Center sign and a Memorial Garden honoring Eliza Ward.  All remembrances of Liza will be welcome for this event.  Thanks to Midge & Bruce Tucker (at midgetucker@gmail.com or 802-672-3086) for restoring and upgrading the garden, which is ringed by donated bricks memorializing loved ones and other individuals.   Bricks for $25.50 each can still be obtained with 6 lines with a total of  20 characters per line including spaces. Order forms will also be available at the dedication.  The garden is flanked by a bench for quiet meditation, given by a generous anonymous donor.  The new sign, a collaboration of research by Midge Tucker and Lauren Skaskiew, will advertise The Plymouth Schoolhouse Licensed Childcare and the Historical Society Museum, both currently residing in the building, as well as other pertinent information of future events.