Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

12/13/21

After a dreary Saturday, Sunday and today are a nice change.  The sunrise was lovely this morning and made for a very pleasant walk.  I still have some snow, but many areas are back to brown.  There is much speculation about whether we will have a white Christmas!

I know that some sections of Plymouth experienced a power outage during the special town meeting on Monday evening, so many of the Zoom participants faded away.  Personally I thought it was an important session because the Select Board did an excellent job of explaining the history/research and discussion that led them to make the proposals. 

Per Sandie, on Tuesday all of the articles passed – Article 1 (authority to transfer funds) – 56 to 14, Article 2 (town hall renovations) – 53 to 17, and Article 3 (short-term rental ordinance) – 44 to 26.  Also of note, the Selectmen voted at their meeting to mandate masks in the Town Building.

Due to inclement weather and thanks to Rose, the Reading Group met via Zoom on 12/8.  Discussion of Blue Desert resulted in a lively conversation including the changing landscape of the desert as war dominated the world and the way various countries infringed upon the rights of others.  We also noted the role of women in different cultures and the way they shifted over a period of 50 years.  Our next book for 1/12/22 will be Lady Editor: Sarah Josepha Hale and the Making of the Modern American Woman’Author by Melanie Kirkpatrick.

Unfortunately Holiday activities will not be happening at the Coolidge Homestead this year due to escalating Covid cases.  It is still possible to socialize outdoors and I hope that is keeping folks from feeling isolated.  Joy was the Advent focus this Sunday and I hope that everyone has been able to sense their own blessings and experience joy.