Echo Lake Inn Has a New Owner — Margo Marrone’s Report

Posted on 02/05/2015 by tbascom
 Reprinted by permission of the Vermont Standard

(2/2/15)

Not a great deal of local news this week.  Karen & I went snowshoeing across the road from Camp Plymouth State Park to the Vista Trail, then followed along the brook, even crossing it at one point.  If you are looking for a lovely spot out of the wind, that’s the place to go!  A number of snow-covered trees are bent over the trail to form intriguing archways & you can see & hear water running in the stream in places.  Although alone on Sunday afternoon, the trail was well tamped down, evidence of many others passing that way over the weekend.

How about those Pats!  I spent the first half chatting with Cheryl Bishop while Tom & Wayne were downstairs watching on their huge screen TV.  After the half-time show, we were all glued to the set in our respective locations.  Yes, I do like football & even know a bit about the game – what an exhilarating finish!

Grandson, Landon, spent part of Saturday with us & I actually arranged a play date with Jan Staires & granddaughter, Rose.  Although not two yet & not really into multiparty play, they eyed each other & for the most part shared toys.  Fun to watch the socialization process!

There actually is one piece of news here in Tyson.  Laurence has sold the Echo Lake Inn to  Tom Gianola, who actually has roots in VT, although living in the state of Washington for the past 15 years.  Son Michael is at UVM, daughter Christin is pondering grad school, but will be here to lend a helping hand for the time-being.  Daughter Jessica remains in Washington.

Our dear friend, Laurence, who has been such a wonderful part of the community, will stay here until March to help with the transition.  We will miss him greatly & wish him well.  It seems like the staff will remain in place.  Tom says he is not planning any big changes.

A reminder from our !st Response Team.  Make sure that your 911 number is clearly visible so that you can be easily located.  It is best to use a land-line when making in a 911 call, not a cell phone.  Please be sure that renters have this information, too. 

So, I am watching the snow fall this Monday morning – at least 6 inches & it is only noon with the storm to continue throughout the day.  Well, it is winter in VT……

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Historical Society Receives Grant to Tell Irene Story

Posted on 02/02/2015 by tbascom
Where the Road Ends: Route 100 S of Plymouth Union

Where the Road Ends: Route 100 south of Plymouth Union after Tropical Storm Irene

The Plymouth Vermont Historical Society has received a grant from the Vermont Community Foundation to explore through visual media: How Catastrophe Reconnected a Town: The Story of Tropical Storm Irene in Plymouth, Vermont.

The Plymouth Vermont Historical Society recently received a $2500 grant from The Vermont Community Foundation’s Small and Inspiring grant program. The grant will help further the Historical Society’s mission to document and preserve historical events related to Plymouth, and to instill a sense of pride within the town through its connection with history.

“The degree of devastation in Plymouth as a result of Tropical Storm Irene was unexpected and heart wrenching,” admitted Tonkin, Secretary/Treasurer of the organization. “If we can produce a video that demonstrates how the response to tragedy can overcome the barriers of topography and demographics and honor and celebrate resiliency and commitment to others, our town will be more vibrant, better connected, and hopefully more civically engaged.”

Tonkin continued, “involving Plymouth students, local enterprises, resources from neighboring towns, and community volunteers in the project should awaken a deeper ‘sense of place’ in the town we call home.”

Through its Small and Inspiring grants program, tTe Vermont Community Foundation hopes to help foster the spark and hope that keeps Vermonters healthy and happy by finding and supporting projects in every town in Vermont where a small grant can make a big difference.

For more information about the grant and the scope of the project, please contact Betsy (672-3179).

If you have photographs or video that you took during the flood, immediately after the flood, showing the recovery in process, or showing areas of town after recovery was completed that you are willing to share, please contact Betsy or Terry Bascom (672-5390), who is copying and archiving images and video for the project.

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Winter Activities for Children Abound! Margo’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 01/29/2015 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

1/25/15

Tyson Center

Tyson Church Steeple peeks over Hubbard Hall, c. 1890.

Oh, my – what changeable weather these days. As I write this on Sunday, it has been a lovely day. Karen Evans, June Capron & I went snowshoeing & it was delightful. But we know that another winter storm is bearing down upon us & will likely have left a foot or more of snow by the time you are reading this column.

Although no Emergency Service personnel were called out, there was apparently an accident on Rte 100 near Hawk on Saturday involving 2 vehicles. The person who reported it to me said that all of the occupants were out of the cars & surveying the damage, so I don’t think there were serious injuries. Just another reminder to be careful….

Instead of ruminating about winter, it is time to enjoy it. There is plenty of activity (indoor & outdoor games, tubing, crafts & great food) at Bethany Birches Snow Camps. Lynx Camp is February 14-17 for grades 5 – 7. Polar Bear Camp will be February 20-22 for grades 7 – 9. Bobcat Camp takes place February 27-3/1 for grades 3 – 6. Go to http://www.bethanybirches.org/winter-camps for more information.

There will be an Open House at the Historic Site on 2/14 starting at 10:00 AM. Youngsters can enjoy activities downstairs at the Education Center. Rushad Thomas will be giving a talk about Coolidge & Cuba at 2:00 PM in the Great Room. Fun for everyone!

Some of you may know that long-time resident Angela Miccio has sold her home in Plymouth. I first met Angela after she started her B & B across from the school & when she volunteered with the fledgling Plymouth Press. At that time we actually used to paste it together by hand!

I want to welcome Michelle Coates-Girard, husband Donnie, 8th grader Hannah & 7th grader Owen who recently moved from Rutland into Angela’s former house. We look forward to getting to know them!

Hubbard-Allbee-store-700x350

Hubbard Hall stood in the now-empty lot just uphill from Tyson Church, c. 1890.

By the way, 33 people attended the Reach Out Luncheon on 1/22 to hear Laurence Jeffery from the Echo Lake Inn talk about the history of the Inn & the surrounding neighborhood. He also brought interesting pictures & a poster about the dances that were held in Hubbards Hall, which stood in the now empty lot next to the church.. It seems that Tyson was a lively spot years ago! Also, Laurence very kindly donated the Tyson stove from the Inn to the Plymouth Historical Society.

We miss having Bill Jarvi in the neighborhood & in church, but daughter Lauren brought him to the luncheon & folks gathered around to greet him. In an attempt to truly make the Bible God’s living Word, we explored studying it through Lectio Divina in church on Sunday. We will continue our discussion of the book Sensible Shoes in the coming months.

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Please Practice Snowy Weather Safety! Margo’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 01/22/2015 by tbascom

1/18/15

I am watching the freezing rain as I write the column on Sunday.  Several of us were meeting after church to discuss the book, Sensible Shoes, when Tom came in to inform us of the rapidly deteriorating road conditions.  By the time we packed up, just navigating the walk from the church to our cars was precarious.

After being home only a short time, we heard the chatter about an accident on Rte 100 just north of the Town Building, requiring a flatbed to remove a vehicle.  Shortly thereafter another report of an accident on Rte 100, near the Bridgewater/Plymouth line.  Airbags had been deployed, although it didn’t appear that there were serious injuries.

I am not sure why that particular section of Rte 100 is so dangerous, but it does seem that accidents occur there frequently during inclement weather, so please keep that in mind.  It sounded like 2 members of the Sheriff’s Dept were assisting at the scenes & at least one member of our First Response Team responded to both accidents.

I believe that our First Response Team is down in numbers, so thanks to those who are willing to serve, even though they are stretched so thin.  There was another medical call in the evening on Sunday & all three of these calls were answered by the same responder.  It is such an important service, perhaps there are others in town who might want to obtain the needed training & lend a hand.

On another safety note, I was pleased to see that helmet safety was brought to the fore at Okemo this weekend by their celebration of PHAT Day — Protect your Head at All Times — It was a collaboration with National Safety Month on the slopes. PHAT is a nonprofit organization that encourages & promotes the use of a helmet for all sports that come with the risk of a serious head injury.  Something to keep in mind for young & not-so-young alike.

We are looking forward to having Laurence Jeffery as our 11:00 AM speaker at the Reach Out Luncheon on Thurs, 1/22.  He will bring some pictures of the Echo Lake Inn in earlier days.  The menu is hot dogs, mac & cheese, & coleslaw, plus some yummy dessert.

By the way, if you have something to be included in the Town Report, please get it to Town Clerk, Sandie Small, ASAP because the material needs to go to the printer next week!

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Next Selection for Plymouth Reading Group

Posted on 01/20/2015 by Betsy Tonkin

PLYMOUTH READING GROUP

WHEN: Thursday February 12th

6:30 – 8:00 PM

WHERE: Community Center (School) 

     Discussion:   Flush by Virginia Woolf 

The book called Flush: A Biography, by Virginia Woolf, is somewhat out of her normal genre, but should provide interesting discussion. It is an historical fiction of sorts recounting a biography of Elizabeth Barrett Browning through the eyes of her spaniel, Flush. Given the date of publication (1933), the author and the subject, it certainly should generate a lively debate. Plus, it is short! I was able to find it online for free. Hopefully you will not have difficulty getting a copy…perhaps through inter library loan?

For information: call Betsy @ 672-3179 or

email @ tbone6547@aol.com

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Town Clerk/Treasurer Position Open: Petition Deadline Jan. 26

Posted on 01/17/2015 by The Plymouth Press

From the Plymouth Selectboard

The Town of Plymouth has a vacancy for the position of Town Clerk/Treasurer.   This position is to be effective March 3, 2015. The Selectboard has appointed a temporary Town Clerk/Treasure to serve until that date, when a Town Clerk/Treasurer will be elected by Town vote to serve the remaining two years that remained on the former Town Clerk/Treasurer term.

If you would like to be considered for said position, please stop by the Town Office to file a petition of interest. The deadline for submitting said petition is January 26, 2015.

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Reach-Out Luncheon on the 4th Thursday This Month: Margo’s January, 2015 Plymouth Report

Posted on 01/14/2015 by tbascom
potluck-etiquette           Nice to have it a bit warmer as I write my column this Monday morning.  It is definitely still winter, with snow falling at a steady clip.  The ice will be covered up, so watch your step!  I am wearing my cleats just to get from the house to the garage these days.
          What a nice surprise to hear that DJ, that lost yellow lab, has been found, ten days after being spooked by the Killington New Year’s Eve fireworks.  I must admit that I do worry about the animals when fireworks are set off – domestic & wild ones.
          At the Tyson Ladies Aid meeting last Thursday we inducted another new member – welcome to Betty Spear!  As usual the meeting was lively and we discussed plans for the coming year, including the Good Friday Bake Sale on April 3rd and the annual Bazaar in August.  Thank-you notes were read for the plants and goodie baskets given out in December.
          Just a reminder that the Reach Out Luncheon (jointly sponsored by Tyson Church and Tyson Ladies Aid), usually held on the 3rd Thursday of the month, will be 1/22 because there are 5 Thursdays in Jan.  Laurence Jeffery from the Echo Lake Inn will be our speaker and will give us some history of the Inn.  We are hoping that daughter Lauren will be able to bring Bill Jarvi that day, since he apparently bussed tables there in his youth.  Daughter Kristen brought Bill to the Café at Delight last Friday, where Joan Day and I visited with him.  He looks great and was quite chipper.
          Members of Tyson Church will be doing a service at the Gill Terrace Apartments in Ludlow this Thursday at 1:00 PM.  They like to sing hymns, so if anyone would like to join us, please let me know.  We are still exploring options for an organ for the church, which is turning out to be a complicated endeavor.  Singing will not cease, however!
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New Time for Book Club Meeting: Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report, 1/08/15

Posted on 01/08/2015 by tbascom

reading-clubI was fighting a cold last week and didn’t report, but I hope that everyone enjoyed welcoming in 2015.   Here in Tyson we lost power about 11:00 PM on New Years Eve, but it was back on by 11:40 in case folks wanted to see the ball drop.  I think it may have been in Wisconsin that we saw on the news they drop a wedge of cheese……

Lots of people were around our area for the Holiday weeks.  At times it was difficult even to find a parking place at Shaw’s in Ludlow, much less navigate the store.  I was checked out one day by a nice young man from Burlington.  Apparently they brought in staff from other places to handle the vacation crowds!

The weather has certainly been a mixed bag lately.  We even decided to cancel church last Sunday, since many people were hesitant to venture out.  Thanks to Rob Bishop sanding our driveway, it is not been treacherous, despite the freezing rain.  It certainly has kept our usual group from snowshoeing, instead we have been keeping our winter cleats handy.

The Book Club will be trying a different time for the upcoming meeting, Wed, 1/14 at noon at the Schoolhouse Community Center, so bring a lunch.  The book for this time is Sparta and I admit to struggling with it.  Even if you haven’t read it, feel free to join the discussion about a soldier returning to civilian life after deployment to Iraq.

I imagine that folks have learned that there has been a change of personnel at the Town Office.  Sandie Small has been appointed by the Selectmen as Town Clerk to fill the vacancy.  Best wishes to Barbara Stone in her new endeavors.

Nice to know that Dorothy Pingree is back in Plymouth after extended time in rehab – welcome home!  The only January birthday I have listed is Cindy Vosburgh on 1/20, but I am sure there must be others.  Anyway, best wishes, Cindy.

By the way, just to clarify a recently asked question, the Doug Marrone who opted out of his contract with the Buffalo Bills, but then interviewed with the Jets, is no relation.

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Community Candlelight Service: Plymouth Report

Posted on 12/18/2014 by tbascom

Republished with permission from The Vermont Standard.

Well, how about that storm last week!  Folks seemed to be out of power for varying amounts of time – a couple of hours here in Tyson, but a couple of days or more in other parts of town.  I hope that the electricity has now been restored to everyone.  I had not done my usual preparation of filling a couple of buckets of water & making sure to have batteries, but we are now up to speed for the winter!

If you see Carol Coyne on 12/17, be sure to wish her a Happy Birthday.  I am sure there are more congratulations in order, so please let me know about these occasions for celebration.

I imagine that we already know there are some pretty talented folks in our community.  One of them is author Jon Clinch.  He came to the Reach Out Luncheon quite some time ago & read from his book, Finn.  I understand that it might become a movie.  John recently said he would possibly be interested to meeting with our Book Group if we read & discuss one of his books.

Jon’s latest effort, Belzoni Dreams of Egypt, was serialized over the last six months, but it is available now in both paperback & electronic editions.  It is about real-life explorer & circus performer, Giovanni Battista Belzoni, known for pillaging the Valley of the Kings in the early 19th century.  Check out all his books on his website!

Get ready to celebrate the Season with the Community Candlelight Service at Tyson Church on Sunday, 12/21 at 7:00 PM.  All are welcome to join us to sing carols & hear the beloved Christmas story via a wonderfully illustrated book to be read to the children & all of us who are young at heart!  Refreshment will follow, so come greet your friends & neighbors.

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Selectboard Taking Town Clerk Applications, Resumes

Posted on 12/16/2014 by tbascom

NOTICE

 Please  be advised that the Selectboard of the Town of Plymouth is requesting a letter of application and resume for the position of Town Clerk. Said position is to begin January 5, 2015.

All letters and resumes must be submitted by 3:30 pm on Tuesday, December 23, 2014, to the Selectboard by delivering said letter and resume to any of the following at the locations listed:

  • Assistant Clerk or Town Clerk, at the Town Hall front office
  • Russ Tonkin
  • Ralph Michael, Michael Engineering, Ludlow
  • Larry Lynds, at the Town Garage

Signed,

        Ralph Michael, Chair
        Larry Lynds
        Russ Tonkin

 

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