10/26/26
This weather has been truly amazing – cold overnight, but warming up during the day with bright blue skies and radiant sunshine. Some pockets still have beautiful leaves and present a honey-colored glow. I hope that everyone has been able to be outdoors to enjoy it!
I have been given a window feeder for meal worms, which is attracting chickadees and other small birds without attracting bears. It is important to remember that bears are packing on the pounds for their long winter sleep, so we still need to aware of attracting them to our homes. Feeding them can contribute to the nuisance bear problem.
I had a nice conversation with Joshua Morse from VT Fish and Wildlife, who noted that figures for this year’s bear harvest are not available yet, since the season does not end until 11/22. The figures for the last 2 years have been – over 1000 bears. Our bear population is quite high, estimated at over 8,000, so that it is important to keep the number a bit lower to make sure there is enough food and viable space. He noted that the acorn and beechnut crop has been lower this year, forcing bears to venture beyond their unusual neighborhoods in search of food.
The Plymouth Reading group met last week to discuss The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig. It centered upon a small rural school and the surrounding community. Naturally it generated interesting conversation about the pros and cons of small schools and the consolidation controversy in our state today. We also chose the next three books:
December 9 – The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett
January 13 – Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth
February 17 – Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
I do want to mention that a number of our youngsters are shining in their pursuits. Jackson Fellow and Bea Hagge are setting records with mountain bike racing. It was a delight to see her energy, enthusiasm and confidence as Josie Flaster performed in the latest school play. I know there are many others who deserve mention, so please let know at tmmarrone@tds.net
The Fletcher Memorial Library is celebrating 125 years of Continuous Service 11/1/1901-11/1/2026. The Friends of the Library invite folks to enjoy a piece of cake on 11/6 from 2 to 4 PM and learn more about the amazing history. Also, coming up on 10/27 at 2 PM, consider learning more about Estate Planning Resources at the SENIOR PLANET presentation with BRGNS and FMS staff.
Friends and I participated in an interesting workshop this past weekend at Mission Farm. It was called Plant to Plate with Chef Charlotte Galley. She made use of local wild foods to make bread, fruit leather and kombucha, utilizing acorns and a delightful berry called autumn olive.
