Laurence Jeffery Honored, Tom Gianola Introduced — Margo’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 03/18/2015 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

Reprinted by permission of The Vermont Standard

3/15/15

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Current and former Echo Lake Inn employees pose for a team photo3/15/15

It seems like we are flirting with spring lately.  It has been nice to have slightly warmer temps and that ferocious wind does seem to be drying things out a bit while eating away at the snow banks.  I can actually pull out of Dublin Rd onto Rte 100 and see if cars are coming!  Of course that rain made for slick conditions on Sunday morning and snow flurries greeted us as we left church.

There are signs of spring, though.  I have been told by two different people about robin sightings.  Joan Day said there was a bear roaming around and “singing” outside her place, so her bird feeder is no longer safe.  A dead skunk on the road the other day is a sure sign!

This Sunday’s gathering at the Echo Lake Inn in honor of Laurence Jeffery was very nice.  Many former staff were on hand, as well as friends and neighbors.  Laurence has been a generous and integral part of the community and everyone agreed he will be missed.  The get-together also provided an opportunity for more folks to meet Tom Gianola, the new owner of the Inn.  Don’t forget that Tom will be speaking at 11:00 AM on Thursday at the Reach Out Luncheon in the downstairs Community Room at the church.

Bea Wheeler, still at the Gill Home recuperating from a severely broken leg, seems to be improving.  If you want to see John these days, you will find him there visiting most of the time!

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Plymouth Reading Group to Meet March 26th

Posted on 03/17/2015 by Betsy Tonkin

Just a reminder that the next Plymouth Reading Group discussion will occur on March 26th, 6:30 PM at the Community Center (school) in Plymouth. The selection this month is “What Came After,” by Jon Clinch. Clinch, a local author, has graciously offered to attend the discussion. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to engage the author in conversation and glean rare insights into the story and creation of the book. Come and meet the author, even if you haven’t read the book. All are welcome.

Questions: 802-672-3179

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Bridgewater Community Chorus and Potluck at Bridgewater Grange

Posted on 03/12/2015 by tbascom
Hi everyone,

Come and join us on Saturday, March 28th, for a Bridgewater Community Chorus concert and potluck at the Grange Hall.  The potluck will be at 5:30pm and the concert at 6:30pm.

We have a great-sounding chorus,  and a nice selection of music, including Bonzorno Madonna, a 16th century madrigal, Many Waters, written after the 2011 flood, and Wanting Memories by Sweet Honey in the Rock.

Would love to have you all there (AND, come sing with us next round)!

Marcia

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Women’s Education Scholarship Deadline Nears

Posted on 03/11/2015 by The Plymouth Press

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs of VT still has scholarship available for VT women who have been homemakers, but have lost their means of support through separation or divorce due to death, disability or long-term unemployment of their spouse.

Applications, including a specific education or training plan need to be submitted by 3/15. Information is available through Midge Tucker by calling 672-3086 or via email at midgetucker@gmail.com. These scholarships range from $500 to $1500.

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Plymouth Inns Open for a Couple More Weeks

Posted on 03/11/2015 by The Plymouth Press

The Echo Lake Inn will remain open through 3/21 this year. Call 228-8602 for dinner reservations.

The Inn At Water’s Edge will be open through Easter weekend & having their Thurs (Italian) & Fri night dinner specials. Reach them at 228-8143 for more info!

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Good Friday Bake Sale, Reachout Luncheon, and Local Summer Childcare: Upcoming Plymouth Events — Margo’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 03/11/2015 by The Plymouth Press

Reprinted by permission of the Vermont Standard

3/9/15

Karen Evans' photo of Bruno Broza's Snowman

Karen Evans’ photo of Bruno Broza’s Snowman

Some melting going on, but we still have plenty of snow.  I understand that skiing is still good.  Karen and I had another fun day snowshoeing on Sunday – this time at the Notch.  Bruno Broza built a terrific snowman. I think that last, slightly wet snow made all the difference in constructing it.

WUHS has been doing great things on the snow.  Our own Holli Olsen helped the Alpine Team win the State Championship – way to go!  I also noticed that Cedar Allen made the Honor Roll at BRHS.  I wish I had more information about what our students are doing, so let me know!

I have heard that the Snow Camps at Bethany Birches Camp have been lots of fun.  If you haven’t been keeping up with the progress of the new pavilion, you can check it out at  bethanybirches.org/paviprogress.

It was so nice to have such a pleasant Town Meeting last week.  There were not that many in attendance, but there were good questions & understandable answers.  I enjoyed re-connecting with Matt Harootunian, who is back in town.  His girlfriend Lauren Skaskiw is planning to have childcare available at the Schoolhouse Community Center this summer.  She is a licensed Early Childhood Educator, who is currently teaching Preschool.   She is hoping to provide care for up to 6 youngsters, ages 2 to 12 for a fee of $6.00/ hour, starting in mid-June.  She may be reached at 802 855 7566 or email: lskaskiw@gmail.com

Tyson Ladies Aid is already planning their famous Good Friday Bake Sale on 4/3 from 9:00 to noon at the Shaw’s plaza in Ludlow.  Ann Rose (whose birthday is 3/19, by the way) makes amazing pecan pies, but there are plenty of good bakers, so there will be a huge variety of goodies from which to choose!

This month for the Reach Out luncheon on 3/19, for which Ladies Aid & Tyson Church team up, we will serve chicken/broccoli casserole, rice, and yummy dessert.  At 11:00, Tom Gianola, the new owner of the Echo Lake Inn will be our speaker, so come get to know him!  The luncheon is free, in the Community Room downstairs at Tyson Church and open to everyone.

The weeks of Lent are moving along quickly.  Our service on 3/15 will explore the question posed by Reuben Job, what does doing good look like in our divided, hostile and wounded world?   Just advance notice that Palm Sunday is 3/29 and our Maundy Thursday dinner and service will be 3/19.  Our Easter Resurrection Service with our well-known flower-covered Cross will be at 10:30 AM on 4/5/15.   All are welcome.

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Town Meeting 2015 – Tonkin Re-elected to Selectboard

Posted on 03/07/2015 by The Plymouth Press

From The Plymouth Press

Attendance was low Monday night at this year’s Town Meeting. The usual crowd was likely deterred by the slippery roads and the lack of major issues this year. The budget was passed uneventfully, a change from several of the past years.

Russ Tonkin presented an overview of the budget and changes to it from past years. For the first time in several years, there will be no carryover funds to offset the taxes needed to be raised. The selectboard decided it would be better to have working capital on hand rather than take out loans to cover payments to contractors as the town waits for FEMA reimbursements for projects. The selectboard does expect the FEMA payments to come this year, but the timing might not match up with when bills will be owed. Unfortunately this does mean the tax rate will increase to cover the budget, even though the proposed budget was lower than last year’s budget.

Some pointed to the possibility of a town wide reassessment to help keep taxes low due to lower property values. Tonkin and others countered that even if property values were reassessed, the budget wouldn’t change and the taxes the town needed to raise would remain the same. This solution would only raise the effective tax rate more, they explained. The tax rate will amount to less than $.50 per $1,000 or under $500 per $100,000 in assessed value. The education tax, which is more than $1 per $1000 in assessed value, makes up the bulk of voters’ tax bills.

State Rep Alison Clarkson was on hand to talk about the issues on the forefront in Montpelier. Many in the room demanded reform of the education funding process, which has become so burdensome to Plymouth residents, among other issues raised.

On Tuesday, 133 Plymouth voters participated. In the only contested race, Russ Tonkin received 70 votes to be re-elected versus Andy Crossman who received 59 votes. Thanks to all who made the effort to go to the polls and to Town Meeting this year.

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Spring Ahead This Week! –Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 03/05/2015 by The Plymouth Press

Printed with permission of The Vermont Standard.

spring-ahead3/1/15

It was wonderful to have so much sunshine this past week. I have actually been following it around myt house as it filtered through the windows, doing my exercises and journal-writing in its glow!

More snowshoeing on Sunday with Karen Evans and June Capron, although it was not the same kind of day as the previous Sunday. As long as we have all of this snow, it seems we should take advantage of it and find a way to enjoy this relentless winter!

In case folks have not heard, there will be a gathering on Sunday, 3/15 at the Echo Lake Inn to wish Laurence Jeffery well.  It will take place at 2:00 PM and everyone who wants to visit with Laurence is welcome to attend.  He has hosted countless special events for many of us, so this will be a time to let him know how much he is appreciated!

Sorry this is short and sweet this week – send me some news.  Don’t forget to set your clock ahead this coming Saturday!

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Town Meeting and Voting Take Place Next Week!

Posted on 02/25/2015 by The Plymouth Press

Town Meeting ImageIf you are a legal voter in Plymouth Town, don’t forget our Annual Town Meeting will take place next Monday, March 2, 2015. The Meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building. Matters that do not require voting by Australian Ballot will be voted upon at that meeting.

Voting on Town officers and any other matters to be voted on by Australian Ballot will take place the next day. The Municipal Building will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the purpose of receiving your vote.

Legal voters of Plymouth Town should have already received a copy of the Annual Report, which covers the July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014 fiscal year, along with a proposed budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016.

If you have not received a copy of the Annual Report, you can stop by the Municipal Building during regular Town Clerk hours to pick up a copy.

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Thank You for the Colorful Hearts!

Posted on 02/25/2015 by tbascom

Hi,

My name is Pat Schulz. I have a cabin on Lynds Hill Rd.  My husband, son, and I drove  into our driveway and we had a very pleasant surprise. One of our apple trees was covered with very heart warming colorful hearts.

I do not know who planted them on my apple trees or why, but I do want to thank whoever is responsible. They are very heart warming.  I do appreciate them. I have seen them in other yards, I did not know they were gifted. I never expected to find them on my apple trees.

A very pleasant surprise.

Thank you,
Pat Schulz

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