Plymouth Report

Contributed by Margo Malone

I took a bike ride around Echo Lake the other day & rode down to the beach at Camp Plymouth State Park. Those once lush fields are starting to come back nicely after the flood damage & the volleyball court should be ready for use shortly. I scanned the menu at the concession & Tom will be happy to know that they have popcorn! It is such a beautiful spot, right in our backyard – hope you will take advantage of it!

I understand Vermont Women, Native Americans and African Americans: Out of the Shadows of History by Cyndy Bittinger is a book well worth reading. Most folks know that for a number of years Cyndy utilized her talents as Director of the Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation. She also taught VT women’s history for 10 years at the Community College of Vermont. I am told that this engaging & well-written book is available at the Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site Visitor’s Center Gift Shop. As an aside, the Coolidge Foundation has a new director, David Serra. He hails from Newbury, VT & you can meet him on 7/4!

Belated congratulations to Kate Nolte & Jeff Daubney on their 5/26 marriage in Tulum, Mexico. From the pictures of this exotic spot on the internet, it looks like a wonderful place for a wedding! Please extend belated birthday wishes to Michelle Pingree, who turned 42 on 7/3. (She gave me permission to include her age!)

A new little one in town! Congratulations to Jen & Jay Flaster on the birth of Josie Marsha Flaster, a petite little girl born in the wee hours of the morning on 7/2. Some of you may remember the Fennell family that lived on Dublin Rd in Tyson. Son, Mike graduated from WUHS, where he played football. So, welcome to baby Jack, born to Mike & Kathy Fennell of Panama!

Amid the joys to be reported is the sad note about the passing of Betty Jarvi on Sunday, 7/1, with her loving family at her side. The Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, 7/6 at Tyson Church. The service will begin at 11:00 AM, but there will be calling hours starting at 10:00. A luncheon will be held immediately following. Both Bill & Betty have been important members of our community, as well as wonderful neighbors & friends.

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Dates Volunteers will be in Plymouth

Contributed by Julie Dupont

Do you have a job around the house or yard that you could use some help with?

A group of volunteers would like to help with Post Irene recovery efforts. The groups are 14-18 year old high school youth with adults to supervise and bring their skills (plumbing, painting, landscaping, and basic home construction). 
 
They are here July 16, 17, 18 and 19 and August 13, 14, 15 and 16.

If you have a project, please get in touch ASAP with Julie Dupont at 672-3170 or sienna@vermontel.net

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Clean up Projects for Volunteers Needed

Contributed by Jill Davies

We are getting many offers of help from volunteers who want to help with Irene related projects. If you’d like to have a team of volunteers help out at your property it is time to speak up for projects that could happen from now into August.

Many of the summer teams are young people without many skills but lots of enthusiasm and with adult helpers. Projects in the yard are great.

One team has written this:

Our group is mainly 14-18 year old high school youth with few specialized skills, but great enthusiasm. We have worked with various organizations in past years to assist with a Headstart program, a community garden, adult daycare for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, etc. We have several adults with some skilled labor experience (plumbing, painting, landscaping, and basic home construction). We are willing to do pretty much anything!

So if you have a project that volunteers could work with you on it is time to ask for help…

Please email me and let me know these details.
1. What is the task?
2. How much time will it take?
3. What special equipment & material is needed?
4. What is the earliest it could happen?
5. Is there a possibility of mold? (Kids can’t do any projects where there
might be mold, adults can)

In the body of the email put:
1. Your name
2. Address of worksite
3. Your contact phone numbers and email address

The request needs to be in writing so that I can pass it on to the volunteer coordinator.

Please let your neighbors know. I’m not able to make phone calls to spread the word.

Emails to be sent to jillplymouth@gmail.com

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Information Needed About Irene Rainfall in Plymouth Area

From George Springston

I’m a geologist at Norwich University and I am studying the impacts that Tropical Storm Irene had on Vermont’s rivers. As part of the study I’m compiling an improved map of rainfall totals. I’ve started with the information that the National Weather Service has put together and I’ve pulled in a wide range of data from online sources, wastewater treatment plants, and citizens. However, there are still many towns in central and southern Vermont where I have not been able to find any rain gauge information. In the Plymouth area I’m missing data from Plymouth itself, as well as Bridgewater, Killington, Mount Holly, Reading, and Weston.

If you have rain gauge records for the storm and are willing to share them, please let me know. I’ll need the storm total, the location, the type of rain gauge, and your contact information.

If anyone has questions, I’ll be glad to explain further. You can reach me at 802-454-1220 or gsprings@norwich.edu”

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Bethany Mennonite Church’s 60th Anniversary

Contributed by Gwen Groff

Bethany Mennonite Church in Bridgewater Corners, Vermont is
celebrating its 60th anniversary on August 12. All are invited to attend the service (9:45) and potluck meal (noon). Our service will include a readers’ theatre compiled from paragraphs sent by folks who share part of Bethany’s history. If you have a reflection on your time here, a specific memory, a challenge, or a blessing for us, please send a paragraph to bethanym@vermontel.net by July 28.

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Contributed by Margo Malone

In advance of my VT Standard column, I just wanted to tell folks that Betty Jarvi passed away peacefully Sunday afternoon, with family at her side.  Her Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, 7/6 at Tyson Church.  The service will begin at 11:00 AM, but there will be calling hours starting at 10:00.  A luncheon by the Ladies Aid, of which she was a longtime & devoted member, will be held immediately following.

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Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report

6/25/12

From all reports, the Strawberry Festival was a great success! Thanks
to Betty Aubin & Sue Poirier for the pictures. I believe the count was
405 people, which precipitated running out of strawberries! Being tucked
in the woods must have been a bit cooler on such a hot day. It is nice
to be able to report that Camp Plymouth State Park is now officially
open with swimming, boating, & space for all sorts of outdoor
activities. The concession is open, too!

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That is possibly the first time I have missed the Festival since 1979 –
I was babysitting for my grandson, Owen, in ME, while Melissa took a
course. He & I went for at least one walk per day & usually more, then
we located a wonderful children’s play place, where we spent Wednesday
afternoon when it was 94 degrees – what a Godsend!

Don’t forget the events taking place at the Notch on July 4th. At noon
the traditional march from the green in front of the Cilley Store will
take place, led by the VT National Guard as they proceed to the cemetery
to place the wreath sent by the President in honor of Calvin Coolidge’s
birthday. Wagon rides will be ongoing starting at 10:00 AM; the Wilder
House is serving a BBQ; cheese & wine tasting will take place at the
Cheese Factory & at 2:00 PM, Elizabeth Von Trapp will be performing at
the Union Christian Church. The Historical Society will also have a
display. There will be something for everyone!

I understand that there are some birthdays this week. Although I don’t
have exact dates, be sure to extend well-wishes to Andi Earle & Maggie
Billings!

I want to tell you about my wonderful experience at Good Commons last
Friday. Tesha includes me on emails about the exciting things going on
there. Because of my wheat allergy, I was interested in the gluten-free
cooking class. Although most participants were from elsewhere & were
enjoying a getaway weekend in VT with a wide variety of planned
activities, I just joined them for this one segment. I learned a great
deal from Chef, Olivia Dupin, but also from the many guests, as well.
Tesha said she would love to have local folks come for programs of
interest to them. Take a look at info@goodcommons.com or call 802-672-1859!

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Readers needed for July 4th Coolidge celebration

From Diane Kemble, Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation

Do you have an interest in history and would enjoy a three minute stint of public speaking at the Coolidge 4th of July? Readers needed at noon at the Plymouth Cemetery. Please email education@calvin-coolidge.org or call the Coolidge Foundation office at 672-3389.  We’ll send you your part so you’ll be all set to bring some of President Coolidge’s words to life. Thank you!

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The Majesty of Morning

From Margo Marrone (7/30/02)

I arise, tired from a restless sleep.
Why, my Father, such a fitful night?
The darkness hangs about the trees,
The shades on dawn’s windows still shut tight.
But as I look – a wondrous change takes place,
A ridge of red flickers to life.
I see it vaguely through the trees,
Only if I hold my head just right.
But in my vigil I persist & wait,
Til suddenly the whole horizon’s bright.
There seems almost a fire beyond the trees,
The world’s aglow & shows Your might
And so what lesson would You have me learn –
Though darkness comes, You bring the Light.

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Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report

Republished with permission from The Vermont Standard

6/11/12

Well, the weather cooperated nicely for the events at the Historic site this weekend. It seemed like quite a crowd, although I was only in the vicinity of the Emergency Services chicken BBQ & we were quite busy! It is always fun to visit with local folks who come out to enjoy the plentiful lunch & also to meet people from many other places.

Congratulations to Tara Metcalf on receiving the Tyson Ladies Aid scholarship for WUHS this year. It is always nice to have a local student receive it. Amanda Bortlein won the one for BRHS.

Missed some June birthdays: Sue Poirier on 6/4, Sally Nadeau on 6/9 & soon to happen, Georgiana Whalen on 6/26. I can’t recall the exact date, but Angela Miccio’s is near the middle of June. Also, is it 60 years of marriage for Bill & Genie Calkins on 6/14? Congratulations!

Wanted to thank Melissa for hosting a joint birthday party for Tom & me on Sunday. Great food & a wonderful time with family & friends – it doesn’t get any better than that!

At our Church Council Meeting on Sunday, we discussed an anniversary event to mark a year & the tremendous progress since “Irene”. So, on Sunday, 8/26, we would like to gather at the church to remember the many blessings that came during that time. We are hoping that many of our Emergency Services folks will join us, but there are a multitude of thanks to be given to so many people. The reach out & helping hands throughout our area were truly amazing. We are thinking about a potluck lunch as well at noon – hopefully spreading out onto the church lawn. Please mark your calendars for We’ve Come A Long Way, Baby – Let’s Give Thanks.

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