Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 08/29/2013 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

Republished with permission from The Vermont Standard

8/26/13

This sounds so yummy that I wanted to share this info with everyone. Bruce & Tina will be serving chicken cutlet parmesan, baked filet of sole with sauteed spinach & chopped tomatoes, & grilled hanger steak pizzaiola for their weekly $25 Thursday evening special at the Inn at Waters Edge. Please call for reservations at 802-228-8143.

Did you notice all of the motorcycles in our area this past weekend. They were here for the Harley Davidson 110th celebration that took place at Okemo. I understand that the Saturday parade attracted quite a crowd & the restaurants & motels seemed filled to capacity.

August is coming to a close & school is back in session. It seems like the best weather of summer has happened the past several weeks, but the leaves are starting to change, so we know what is coming!

Of course there are many autumn events taking place. Don’t forget all of the delightful activities at the Notch over the holiday weekend. “Stand Up Shakespeare!” will take place at the Notch on Sat, 9/1 at 12:00 noon’ plus the Plymouth Folk & Blues Concerts from 2:00 to 5:00 PM on both Sat & Sun.

Mark your calendar for the Pingree auction on 9/8. The preview will be at 10:00 AM, while the actual auction will begin at 11:00 AM. This will take place at 4181 route 100 & should provide some interesting items.

Coming up on 9/23 is the public hearing on “throwing up” a portion of Frog City Road. This will part of the Selectmen’s meeting at 6:00 PM

I imagine that folks have noticed that there is a new face at the Plymouth Post Office. Welcome to Shannon Hoisington! Of course we miss seeing Missy there, since she is in Bridgewater now, but she is still very much involved with things here in town, so we will still be seeing her around! We wish her well.

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PSA — How you can get Lyme disease from a plant

Posted on 08/19/2013 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

From Kelly Stettner, Black River Action Team

Have you seen this plant?

JapaneseBarberry Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) is pretty, there’s no doubt about that: interesting leaf pattern, lovely foliage, and bright red berries. Who would imagine this plant is a threat to anyone? Researchers in Connecticut have discovered that tick populations are exponentially higher where barberry is present, linking the plant directly to a spike in cases of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

japanese_barberry_closeHow does this happen? Barberry was introduced to the United States in the late 1800s as an attractive landscape feature; it’s still sold at nurseries and installed by landscapers at homes and businesses around the country. Garden clubs plant it in public greenspaces. However, birds and other animals eat the berries and deposit the seeds in the woods where the plant has grown to form dense thorny thickets. Some eight feet tall, the thickets are impenetrable fortresses ideal for mice to hide from predators – and mice are the primary host for ticks.

Learn more about the link as well as some management strategies for barberry on your property here.

Barberry is also one of many problem plants that can crowd out more beneficial trees, shrubs, flowers, and other vegetation, causing a reduction in the biodiversity of an area.

Got barberry? Don’t despair!

~ DO dig or use shears or loppers to cut small bushes from the ground, making sure to bag all berries so they do not re-seed.
~DO cut larger bushes and either treat the stump as directed in the article, watching for “suckers” to sprout from the stump over time.
~DO something with the freshly-disturbed soil where you removed the barberry. You can either push dirt back into the hole and spread fallen leaves over the site, or replant a beneficial native alternative: the evergreen holly commonly known as inkberry or gallberry (Ilex glabra); arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum); highbush cranberry(Viburnum trilobum); witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana); or elderberries (Sambucus spp.).
~ DO request that your local nursery and landscaper eliminate Japanese barberry from their stock.
~ DO scan for barberry, note its location, and let us know – the BRAT will reach out with information and management strategies, helping to make connections with resources.

The BRAT’s goal is to work with landowners to stop the spread of plants like barberry; anything we can do together to help leverage resources, share information, and keep people from feeling overwhelmed. Join the Plant Partnership; find out more ways you can help us help the Black River watershed!

Log onto www.BlackRiverActionTeam.org or get in touch with BRAT Director Kelly Stettner at (802) 885-1533 or blackrivercleanup@yahoo.com.

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Stand Up Shakespeare! Returns to the Notch August 31

Posted on 08/16/2013 by The Plymouth Press

From Kimmie Braunthal, Stand Up Shakespeare! 

“Stand Up Shakespeare!” and the Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation announce FREE Shakespeare in Vermont for one performance only. Visitors to Vermont and locals can enjoy the show at noon on Saturday, August 31, 2013. The special matinee performance will be in the 173-year-old Union Christian Church on the Calvin Coolidge Historical Site at 43 Messer Hill Road, Plymouth, VT 05056. 

The“Stand Up Shakespeare!” troupe will amuse and delight as it performs a show of the best of Shakespeare’s canon, as well as contemporary Bard-based entertainment. This troupe of classical actors and singers will share its collective talent, passion and creativity.

“We’re thrilled to host ‘Stand Up Shakespeare!’ again this Labor Day weekend for its annual show. We can’t wait to see what new surprises this dedicated group brings to us!” says Diane Kemble, Education Director of the Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation.

The “Stand Up Shakespeare!” troupe is a collection of professional actors that has returned to Killington, Vermont annually over the last 13 years to share its talent and expertise in classical theater. It has performed Shakespeare both nationally and internationally. The result of these efforts is a 1-hour tour de force, “Stand Up Shakespeare!”

As audience members take their seats in this lovely little chapel they will experience Shakespeare as a springboard for a reverent and irreverent revue that includes Comedy! Tragedy! Music! Sword Play! (Well, maybe not sword play…it’s a pretty small stage). It’s a delightful mélange of Bard-based entertainment for the ages and all ages! The audience will feel the words reverberate through the magic of historical acoustics!

For more information on “Stand Up Shakespeare!” check the Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shakespeare-With-Benefits-Stand-Up-Shakespeare/469550256419634

or contact Kate Konigisor at 917.406.1456 or kate@katekonigisor.com

About The Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation, Inc.:
The Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation, Inc. was established in 1960 by a group of Coolidge enthusiasts including John Coolidge, the son of President and Mrs. Coolidge, and other luminaries of the period. The Foundation was formed in part to address the fact that there is no federally funded presidential library for Calvin Coolidge, our 30th U.S. President. The Foundation preserves and furthers President Coolidge’s legacy and provides primary and interpretive information through a website and by request to teachers and students, scholars, the media and the general public.
http://www.calvin-coolidge.org
Education Director: Diane Kemble
Phone: 802-672-3389
Email: education@calvin-coolidge.org

About The Union Christian Church:The Union Christian Church was erected in 1840 as a town meeting house and was formally dedicated as the “Congregational Church Society” in 1842. President Calvin Coolidge, born in 1872, first knew the church in its original state, and until 1890 sat in the pew owned by his grandfather. After the 1890 renovation, the president and his family worshiped in the pew that is now marked by the American Flag and a brass plate on the right arm. Since 1970, the Union Christian Church has been owned and preserved by The Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation.

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NOTICE: August 19 Selectboard Meeting time change

Posted on 08/15/2013 by The Plymouth Press

From the Plymouth Selectboard

The Plymouth Selectboard Meeting on Monday, August 19, 2013, will begin at 5:00 pm, not 6:00 pm.

Also the Plymouth Selectboard Meetings for the month of September 2013 will be held on the second and fourth Mondays, that is, September 9, 2013, and September 23, 2013. They will begin at the usual time of 6:00 pm.

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING and INSPECTION

Posted on 08/15/2013 by The Plymouth Press

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING and INSPECTION
TOWN OF PLYMOUTH – August 9, 2013

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013, AT 9:00 AM –
Inspection of Premises
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2013, AT 6:00 PM – Public Hearing

The Plymouth Selectboard will hold a Public Hearing for the purpose of laying out, altering, reclassification, or discontinuting the public road as described herein. The Selectboard will meet at the Town office on Saturday, September 21, 2013, at 9:00 am to inspect the premises. The Public Hearing will be held on Monday, September 23, 2013, at the Plymouth Town Hall. The public road to be inspected and discussed at the Public Hearing is as follows:

A petition by at least five (5) percent of the voters or landowners of Plymouth has been presented in writing to the Selectboard to throw up the following public road:

• To throw up TH 23/Frog City Road where the class 3 road ends to the Farm and Wildnerness Pin. This is a class 4 Road.

This Notice of a Public Hearing and Inspection of road is posted in the office of the Town Clerk and will be published in the Vermont Journal not less than ten days before the inspection and hearing dates. This Notice is being given by certified mail sent to the official residence address of the person(s) and businesses required to be notified in accordance with 19 V.S.A., paragraph 709.

Selectboard:

Ralph Michael
Andy Crossman
Russ Tonkin

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Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 08/14/2013 by The Plymouth Press

Republished with permission from The Vermont Standard

8/11/13

Wasn’t the weather great this weekend – hope that everyone was able to get outdoors & enjoy it!  The turnout for the Tyson Ladies Aid Bazaar on Saturday was very good, making it a successful fundraiser.  The bake table sold out as did the chicken.  Many books were purchased, so there should be lots of reading going on around the area!  Thanks to everyone who helped, those who contributed items for the baskets, & the many folks who came & supported this annual event.

Some birthdays to note.  Belated congratulations to Nick Fowler whose special day was 8/8.  Coming up on 8/25 – Danny Moyer, Bob Hayward, & Ayla Adams.  Christian Blaue’s will be 8/29.  Best wishes to one & all!

It is with sadness that I report the passing of Dave Mordecai on Sunday, 8/11.  Our condolences go out to Susan & Billy.  The service will be held at Tyson Church at 10:00 AM on Friday, 8/16, with light refreshments on the porch of the Echo Lake Inn.

Tyson Church was so pleased to have Melissa Maravell provide special music this morning & we are in the process of setting up a concert for October.  Please note that she will be performing at the Church of Our Savior off Rte 4 in Killington on Friday, 8/16 at 7:00 PM.

As Town Service Officer, I receive emails about Economic Service that I try to share.  According to the latest Hunger Free VT update:  Starting with this school year, all Vermont students who qualify for reduced-price school meals will receive free lunch, in addition to the free breakfast to which they have had access since 2008.  This was accomplished through the efforts of Hunger Free Vermont, along with the School Nutrition Association of Vermont, & the Vermont Farm to School Network.

Please note, however that the 2009 Recovery Act’s temporary boost to 3SquaresVT benefits is set to expire November 1st of this year.  This means that every family receiving SNAP (food stamps) across the country, including over 50,000 households in Vermont, will see a reduction in their benefit allotment beginning in November.  The amount of the decrease varies by household size.  It seems it will be even more important to support our local food shelves this year.  Tyson Church collects non-perishable goods that are given alternately to Black River Good Neighbors & the food shelf in Reading for distribution.

The Reach Out Luncheon will be held downstairs at Tyson Church on Thursday, 8/15  at 11:00 AM with attorney Karen Leonard of the FTC as our speaker.  The menu is a yummy variety of salads!

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Black River Action Team Update

Posted on 08/12/2013 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

From Kelly Stetner, Black River Action Team (BRAT)

This has been an amazing year for me, with SO much happening on so many fronts! I’ve been extremely fortunate to have the enthusiastic assistance of a number of you on projects like water quality monitoring, trash-scouting, and more.

RiverSweep paddle crews needed!
Big call for help on this one — if you’d be willing and able to help with paddling or trucking trash from the banks on Saturday, September 7th, please give me a shout! I’ve got a “trash barge” canoe sitting at the Springfield Recycle Station, just waiting for a pilot! There are sections that need to be done on the banks and in the bed below the old J&L building (some tires and a couple of bicycles, for starters) plus some junk along the Paddock Road stretch (mostly tires). Recently, some fearless BRAT scouts paddled from Ludlow to Cavendish and have outlined some trash areas; if someone is willing to load their kayak or canoe with some of the junk found between Lake Pauline (the Okemo golf course area) and downtown Ludlow through to the East Hill Road bridge, that would be awesome. Please let me know ASAP if you can help with this, so we can strategize. Thank you!

How clean is the river?
Under the guidance of “water quality guru” Bill Manner, our monthly sampling program is running smooth-as-silk in its second season! Trained BRAT volunteers Charlie Kramp, Jan Lambert, myself, and my daughter all collect our samples at 11 different locations in Springfield, North Springfield, and Weathersfield. I’m happy to share ALL results with anyone who is interested, and E.coli results are posted at http://www.connecticutriver.us for anyone to log on and check out. I also get regular updates from the US Army Corps of Engineers on the E.coli bacteria counts at Stoughton Pond, which I post at connecticutriver.us.

Monitoring Mile Brook
This little brook bubbles merrily along Valley Street as it cascades down from Weathersfield; it disappears into a concrete tunnel under the People’s United Bank parking lot, flows under Main Street, then hits daylight for a hundred feet or so before entering the Black River just above Comtu Falls in downtown Springfield. Over the centuries, it has been impacted by a wide range of development, ranging from being paved over to hosting gas stations and garages on its banks, to receiving sewage directly from homes and businesses on Valley Street and above on Pleasant Street. Some of these issues have been resolved, but the echoes of the past linger — readings are still high for bacteria (the Town is aware of and working on remedying this issue) and certain chemicals associated with fuel oil. I’m in the process of communicating with various people connected to the old buried tanks from decades ago, and with State personnel associated with these underground storage tanks and the cleanup involved and assessments that are done when an UST is removed. This saga will unfold…Mile Brook may never emerge from the concrete tunnel, but her water’s health will improve as the impacts are detected and remedied.

Sampling the Spoonerville
Spoonerville Brook is a lovely little water-way in North Springfield; it’s “sister” stream is Great Brook, which runs along Main St in North Springfield. Both brooks are the most likely recipients of any impact that is to be felt in our groundwater, should the proposed eleven-story biomass incinerator (N Springfield Sustainable Energy Project — NSSEP) become a reality. Anyone with an interest in learning more can view the original testimonies and documents here: http://www.northspringfieldbiomass.com/documents/ Staying up-to-date on the issue is easy if you stay in touch with the neighbors who have formed the North Springfield Action Group — NoSAG: http://nosagvt.org/home.php

BRAT will continue to take weekly readings in both Spoonerville and Great Brooks; many thanks to all who have donated to help us purchase a Hach water meter for this ongoing project. There are plans for a “bug hunt” later this summer, to take another annual inventory of the creatures who live on the bottom of Spoonerville Brook — let me know if you are interested in participating!

Savvier swimming
Thanks to a partnership with Okemo Mountain Resort and the BRAT’s Adopt-the-River swimming hole campaign, the highly popular Buttermilk Falls swimming hole is now being monitored weekly for levels of the bacteria E.coli. Results are posted on the large “Okemo State Forest” sign at the entrance to the falls; it’s NOT recommended that people swim when the water is cloudy or within 24 hours of a heavy rain.

A new public area has opened up on the river: Greven Field in Cavendish, VT now sports a lovely recreational path around the baseball diamonds, which features kayak access and areas for swimming and wading. A new partnership has begun with community members and the newly-formed Cavendish Recreation Department, the main river access site will be tested weekly for bacteria levels. The samples will be delivered by courier to Endyne Labs, and results will be posted at the Field in time for the weekend’s visitors.

More developments are in the works and in the wings…stay tuned!

Black River Action Team (BRAT)…be part of the solution!
101 Perley Gordon Road
Springfield, VT 05156
(802) 885-1533

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Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 08/12/2013 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

Republished with permission from The Vermont Standard

8/5/13

I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to write this morning, since I am minding our two year old grandson who has an upset stomach today. I explained that “Mimi” had to do something on the computer, so he agreed to play with his toys by himself for a time & he is doing so nicely!

The festivities at the Notch drew well over 200 people on Saturday & the rain very kindly held off! Serving wonderfully moist chicken with secret sauce (many folks commented on it) the volunteers of Emergency Services did well with their fundraising BBQ. I understand that the first Grace Coolidge Musicale of the season on Sunday was a nice blend of music & readings, which was enjoyed by all.

Tyson Congregational Church welcomes vocalist Melissa Maravell, who will provide special music for our Sunday Morning Worship service at 10:30 on 8/11. All are welcome & we are handicapped accessible! The Reach Out Luncheon will be Thurs, 8/15 with a menu of salads, including chicken, coleslaw, & other goodies. It starts around 11:00 AM with a speaker (I haven’t nailed that piece down yet!).

Bruce & Tina will be serving baked Cod with Fennel and Orange, Veal Marsala or Chicken Parmesan for their weekly $25 Thursday evening special at the Inn at Waters Edge. Please call for reservations at 802-228-8143.

Don’t forget the Tyson Ladies Aid Bazaar on Sat, 8/10 from 10:00-2:00 at Veterans Memorial Park in Ludlow. Funds raised from the raffle of numerous & varied baskets, the bake & craft sales, & the chicken BBQ will benefit many community projects.

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Vermont Digital Economy Project Assisting Local Nonprofits in Plymouth

Posted on 08/07/2013 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

From Betsy Tonkin, Plymouth Historical Society

Rob Fish is assisting the Plymouth Historical Society in building a website. Part of the focus of this project is to share and collaborate with other organizations in the area. A free, skills workshop has been planned for Wednesday, Aug. 14th, from 6:30-8:00 pm at the former Plymouth Elementary School. The event is open to anyone interested.

During the month of August, representatives from community nonprofit organizations in Chester, Plymouth, Randolph and South Royalton are invited to participate in online skill building discussions aimed at using digital tools to build stronger and more effective organizations. The discussions are being organized by the Vermont Digital Economy Project, a project of the Vermont Council on Rural Development.

According to Rob Fish, the project’s nonprofit advisor, “Vermont’s strength is a direct result of the strength of the community organizations that step up in time of need, or provide ongoing assistance to members of the community in need. These free events are a great chance for local nonprofits to get to know each other, share ideas, and learn about online tools that will assist them to better communicate their message, fundraise, and collaborate.”

Since late spring, Fish has been working with nonprofits in Bethel, Rochester, Woodstock and Ludlow. Assistance has included helping groups to create Facebook pages, sign up for Google Apps for Nonprofits, integrate online fundraising, and, for a few organizations, assistance in building or significantly upgrading their websites. The Woodstock based Ottauquechee Community Partnership (OCPVT) is one of several local organizations (other examples) that benefited greatly from participating in the project.

“As a result of our work with Rob Fish and the Vermont Digital Economy project we will save $1,296 per year that we previously spent on phone, email and website. This is money that can now go directly to our local programs,” said Ottauquechee Community Partnership (OCPVT) executive director Jacqueline Fischer. “In addition, Rob built our capacity as an organization through giving us the skills to manage our own virtual infrastructure. This investment in our community is considerable, since we make a little go a long way.”

The workshops are then followed by a series of free trainings and one-on-one consulting opportunities designed to assist local nonprofits in harnessing the revolutionizing potential of digital technology, from social media to cloud computing and more.

Workshop Schedule:

  • Chester Nonprofit Digital Skillshare Workshop – Tuesday, August 6, 2013 – 6:00-7:30 PM, Chester Town Hall, 556 Elm St Chester, VT 05143
  • Royalton Nonprofit Digital Skillshare Workshop – Thursday, August 8, 2013 – 5:00-6:30 PM, Building A Local Economy (BALE), 35 South Windsor Street South Royalton
  • Plymouth Nonprofit Digital Skillshare Workshop – Wednesday, August 14, 2013 – 6:30-8:00 PM Old Plymouth Elementary School, Route 100 Just North of Plymouth Town Office.
  • Randolph Nonprofit Digital Skillshare Workshop – Thursday, August 15, 2013 – 6:00-7:30 PM, Vermont Tech Enterprise Center Business Incubator Location: 1540 VT Route 66 Randolph

Organizations attending the workshop or requesting one-on-one advising help are requested to fill out a short needs assessment survey prior to the meeting. The survey and information on future workshops can be found at http://vtdigitaleconomy.org/

Created by the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) in response to the 2011 floods, the Vermont Digital Economy Project’s mission is to construct more resilient communities, by helping Vermont communities, businesses, and nonprofits better use online tools as a way to speed flood recovery, spur economic development and job growth, and improve community resilience to disasters.

For more information, please contact Rob Fish at rob@vtrural.org. Additional information on nonprofit advising and other services offered by the project can be found at http://vtdigitaleconomy.org/

Learn more about who we are helping:

Rob Fish
Nonprofit Advisor and Community Organizer
Vermont Digital Economy Project
Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD)
(802) 488-5143
rob@vtrural.org
http://vtdigitaleconomy.org/

Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/VTDigitalEconomy; Twitter: @VTDigitalEcon

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Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 08/05/2013 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

Republished with permission from The Vermont Standard

7/28/13

What a great turnout for the Reach Out Luncheon last Thursday. Norm Aubin & Rudy Gross were cooks extradinaire at the grill, which Laurence very kindly loaned us from the Echo Lake Inn. Since we did not have a speaker, I read a short story about a lost cockatiel named Rocky, then we talked about angels in our lives. During my illness, there have been many & some of them were sitting right there!

A reminder about the festivities at the Notch on Saturday, 8/4. Come enjoy craft demonstrations, wagon rides, sheep shearing, & live music. Bring your appetite for the Emergency Services chicken BBQ!

Condolences go out to Steve & Cindy on the sudden passing of their beloved horse, Rocky. Hopefully a suitable companion for Moses will be found soon. Thanks to Shawn Bemis for helping with the burial.

Another upcoming event is the Tyson Ladies Aid Bazaar, taking place on Sat 8/10 at Veterans Memorial Park in Ludlow from 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM. Folks may remember that it used to be held at Tyson Church on the 3rd Thursday of August, but times have changed & there is more exposure in Ludlow & better attendance on the weekend.

There is still an amazing food table with lots of luscious baked goods. Gift certificates & various theme baskets are offered in the raffle – something for everyone & you get to place your tickets individually for whatever suits your fancy. A yummy chicken BBQ with tables under the trees provides a great lunch. There will be a book sale, too!

Tyson Ladies Aid is a group of ambitious & lively ladies (the husbands often lend a hand) who fund-raise to support the Tyson Library, help with the monthly Reach Out Luncheon (along with Tyson Church), & contribute funds for many community needs in the surrounding area. Scholarships this year went to graduating seniors Marina Turco at BRHS & Kiersten Weiss at WUHS

Some of you may have experienced delays as a portion of the Kingdom (Tyson/Reading) Rd was being paved. A minor inconvenience & what an improvement! That reminds me, a warm welcome to Tyson for Morgan, JP, & Harper.

Lastly, please contact Terry Bascom at 802-672-5390 or at terry.bascom@yahoo.com with ideas for the use of the former Plymouth Schoolhouse. Terry has been hired by the town to help facilitate the utilization of this space. Possible ideas are a retail or business space, but it is hoped that other community events/programs can be provided there as well, such as classes, demonstrations, or service & informational programs.

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