Plymouth Report

Posted on 07/13/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

Contributed by Margo Marrone

It was wonderful to see so many people at the events at the Notch on 7/4. I drove to the cemetery because I had Owen with me, so it was fun to see the marchers as they approached, led by the National Guard & carrying the wreath from the White House. We also took Owen for a wagon ride & enjoyed chatting with Fred & the other passengers.

Lunching at a table next to Elizabeth Von Trapp, we were also able to meet & chat with her, as well. When I commented that I wasn’t so sure I could keep Owen quiet for her performance, she suggested resting on the lawn outside to listen, which worked nicely, since she has such a strong & lovely voice.
Others were also outside, resting in the shade of a tree where they could hear the music!

The Historic Site was a happening place again on Saturday 7/7, with a wedding that took place in the church & a reception under a tent & in the Great Room. This happy celebration for a bride & groom from NH took place while the usual flow of tourists & local folks were milling around!

The Tyson Ladies Aid July meeting on 7/5 was a fantastic potluck picnic at the home of Carol Coyne. As usual, the food was great & Denise Dean & Mary Jane Crockett were inducted into the group. Plans were discussed for the upcoming Bazaar, which will be held 8/11 at Memorial Park in Ludlow. So, mark your calendars to come enjoy the BBQ & purchase goodies from the bake table. We will have a number of “baskets” & gift certificates in our drawing, too!

I want to be sure to welcome back to town Dorothy & Roger Pingree! They are now residing with Justus & Michelle in the new modular home erected on Frog City Road.

The Celebration of Life for Betty Jarvi took place on Friday, 7/6 at Tyson Church. Family, friends, & former colleagues gathered to honor Betty, to share memories & to comfort one another. Tyson Ladies Aid, of which she was a long-time & devoted member, organized & served lunch in the tent at the Echo Lake Inn following the service. Many thanks to all who helped & especially to Laurence for providing such a lovely place to gather. Betty’s dedication to our community, her service on various boards & in several organizations, & her special love for the Tyson Library, helped to enrich our town.

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Preparing for the Anniversary of Irene…And Beyond

Posted on 07/10/2012 by The Plymouth Press

Contributed by Terry Bascom

Even though it has been almost a year since Tropical Storm Irene wreaked havoc on Vermont, many Vermonters are still experiencing complications in their efforts to recover their lives and adapt to new circumstances. Some survivors are just now beginning to experience the shock that hit them, which was suppressed while they addressed their most pressing needs to find food, shelter and long-term safety.

Often, it is only after we have taken care of our most basic needs that we human beings allow ourselves to feel the shock and fear that has gripped us and motivated us for months. Also, it is not unusual for survivors to experience the return of stress reactions, or to experience heightened reactions to a disaster as we approach the first anniversary.

Here in Plymouth and across the state a FEMA-funded response to Tropical Storm Irene, called Starting Over Strong Vermont (SOSVT), has been helping individuals and communities understand the psychological responses to disasters, the process of recovery, and the ways good friends and neighbors can continue to support affected individuals move toward stability, safety, and a new sense of normalcy.

SOSVT personnel have been on the ground since last September; we are funded through this October. As we approach the end of our grant period we are turning our attention to community awareness and education. Our goal now is to educate as many people as we can in as many ways as we can about the process of recovery from disaster, how to spot stress reactions, simple techniques to help yourself or someone you know when disaster-related stress begins to show itself, and how to prepare for future emergencies.

Here are a selection of resources, materials and websites that can help you to better understand the recovery process, learn how to be a genuine help to others in their times of stress, and equip yourself to better respond to a future crisis.

Psychological First Aid
The Disaster Recovery Cycle – a brief overview of the process of recovery following a disaster
Understanding Emotional Reactions in Ourselves and Those We Care For
What to Expect in Your Personal, Family, Work and Financial Life after a Crisis
Tips for Survivors of a Traumatic Event: Managing Your Stress
Listen, Protect, and Connect: Families and Communities – a guide to help communities help one another in times of disaster
Easy Psychological First Aid – a simple way to help when a person is caught up in anxiety or stress

Children and Families
Listen, Protect, and Connect: Parents and Children – a guide for parents to help address family and child stress, including some self-directed analysis worksheets
Helping Young Children Heal after a Hurricane
Parent Guidelines for Helping Children after a Hurricane
Tips for Talking to Children and Youth after Traumatic Events
Trinka and Sam – a story to help young children deal with their feelings after a hurricane
School Curriculum – graded units to help teachers address disasters in their classrooms

Emergency Responders
Surviving Field Stress for Responders – the draft of a manual that discusses the body’s response to high-stress situations, how that manifests, how responders can moderate personal stress, help one another, and recognize and treat stress in the public
First Responder Stress – a brief outline suitable for a responder education component

Emergency Preparedness
Family Emergency Plan – a downloadable planning document with wallet card-sized reminders of key information
Basic Disaster Supply Kit – basic and supplemental supplies recommended by the U.S. government. Be sure to also review the links “Maintaining Your Kit,” “Kit Storage Locations,” “Water,” and “Food.”
Community Preparedness – Government guidance on building a local infrastructure in advance of disaster

Other Helpful Information
Flood Clean-up and Mitigation – Guidance from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
Emergency Preparation for Pet Owners
Emergency Preparation for Older Persons
Emergency Preparation for People with Disabilities

More resources are located on our website, Starting Over Strong Vermont. To speak with a team member, call us toll-free at: (855) 767-8800.

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Plymouth Report

Posted on 07/08/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

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

Posted on 07/03/2012 by The Plymouth Press

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

Posted on 07/03/2012 by The Plymouth Press

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

Posted on 07/03/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

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

Posted on 07/03/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

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.

Posted on 07/03/2012 by The Plymouth Press | Leave a comment

Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 06/30/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

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

Posted on 06/27/2012 by The Plymouth Press

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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