May Book and Toy Drive for St Lucian Children

Posted on 05/04/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

Submitted by Betsy Tonkin

In January of this year, Russ and I went to Anse-la-Raye, St. Lucia, one of the most impoverished cities on the island. We were members of an inaugural Global Volunteer team which partnered with town leaders in addressing this fact: St. Lucia has the lowest average IQ of any country in the western hemisphere. This is due in large part to inadequate nutrition, chronic infectious disease and lack of appropriate stimulation during the first 1000 days of a child’s life. These children have difficulty reaching the normal developmental milestones and consequently are unable to learn and maximize their innate abilities.

St. Lucia Global Volunteers Project. Photo by Betsy Tonkin

A caregiver program designed to provide positive intervention in nutrition, health and education during those first 1000 days has proven to be successful in giving young children birth to three a better start in life and therefore better performance in school and improvement in IQs. These caregivers and their client families could benefit greatly from board books, picture books and developmental toys since these items are scarce to non-existent.

Please consider donating gently used (or new) board books, picture books and age appropriate developmental toys (without batteries and in good condition) for the children of St. Lucia. There will be a box at the town hall during the month of May for any items you care to contribute. In addition, Fletcher Library, Killington Library and the Killington Elementary School have collection boxes. Monetary donations are also gratefully accepted to help defray shipping costs. Checks can be made out to Betsy Tonkin with “Global Volunteers” on the memo line and mailed to 131 Windy Lane, PlymouthVT05056.

For more information, please call 672-3179 and/or pick up a handout on the St. Lucia program supplied in the collection box.

THANK YOU!

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Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 05/04/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

Republished with permission from The Vermont Standard

4/30/12

A warm welcome to Harper Sailer Carlisle, born on 4/24/12 to Morgan & JP Carlisle. Nancy & Jeff Sailer are the proud grandparents, while Bette Anne & Jack Sailer are Harper’s great-grandparents!

More clean-up information! There will be a hazardous waste collection in Springfield at the Transfer Station (135 Fairground Rd) on Saturday, 5/12 from 9 until noon. Folks from Plymouth can participate. Acceptable items are: cleaners, solvents, pesticides, antifreeze, used motor oil, pool chemicals, oil-based paint, varnish, stain, & mercury-containing devises (thermostats, thermometers, etc).

Please be aware that A.B.L.E Waste Management has fast trash & recycling at the town building on Saturdays from noon until 3:00. Call 672-3569 to learn about some of these other items that can be disposed of for a fee: tires, car batteries, refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, air-conditioners, carpeting, furniture, TVs, & more.

I received info about a special Mother’s Day gift idea that I thought I would share. Hunger Free Vermont is a statewide private non-profit that develops programs to prevent hunger & promote good nutrition for Vermont’s families, using education, technical assistance & advocacy. They work to increase access to federal child nutrition programs such as school meals, summer meals & childcare meals, plus they offer hands-on nutrition education & a cooking series. Check out www.hungerfreevt.org to see about donating in your mom’s name.

May looks like a busy & interesting month: Saturday, 5/5 – GreenUp Day starting at 8:00AM behind the Fire Station & Sunday, 5/6 – Howard Coffin’s Historical Society talk on the Civil War at the Town Building at 1:00 PM. The next Plymouth Community Garden meeting is Tuesday, 5/8, at 7 PM at the Town Building. Then the Strawberry Festival meeting will be Tuesday, 5/15 at 7:00 PM at the Poiriers. Just think – some folks are involved with several of these activities!

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Got Bats? VT Fish and Wildlife Department Seeks Info

Posted on 05/02/2012 by The Plymouth Press

From Alyssa Bennett, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department

Got Bats? The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VFWD) is seeking information on summer bat colonies in your area. Vermont’s cave-bat species continue to struggle due to the deadly effects of White-Nose Syndrome. As a result, the little brown bat is now endangered in Vermont.

The VFWD is studying the survival of little brown bats that hibernate in Plymouth and is trying to locate nearby summer maternity colonies of bat. Little brown bats prefer to raise their young in warm attic and barn spaces over the summer. If you live in Plymouth or surrounding towns and have bats roosting at your residence, please contact Alyssa Bennett at the Rutland regional office at 802-786-0098, or alyssa.bennett@state.vt.us. This information will be very helpful to the Department as it studies ways to save the little brown bat.

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Historical Society Hosts “Vermont and the Civil War” on May 6

Posted on 05/02/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

Submitted by Betsy Tonkin

Sunday, May 6th
1:00 PM
Plymouth Town Hall

“VERMONT AND THE CIVIL WAR”

Sponsored by: the Vermont Humanities Council
Hosted by: the Plymouth Historical Society

Please join Historical Society members, friends and neighbors for an afternoon of history and socialization.

A seventh generation Vermonter, Howard Coffin is an author of three books on the Civil War: Vermonters In The War; Nine Months To Gettysburg; And The Battered Stars, as well as Guns Over The Champlain Valley.

After Howard Coffin’s lecture, he will entertain questions and will also hold a book signing for those interested in purchasing one of his books.

Light refreshments will be provided after the presentation. The Historical Society will have souvenirs for sale and encourages everyone to become a member. Membership is $5 for an individual and $10 for a family, among other membership levels.

The presentation is free, and donations to the Historical Society would be happily and gratefully accepted in helping the Historical Society to attain its goal of $2,200 for the purchase of a new computer, printer/scanner and “Past Perfect” software needed to catalog and digitize the Historical Society’s assets. The Historical Society’s current computer system is outdated and not compatible with today’s modern technologies.

We hope to see everyone there!

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Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 04/27/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

Republished with permission from The Vermont Standard

4/23/12

Our strange weather continues, but with possibly heavy snow predicted for Buffalo & parts of PA, guess we can’t complain! Things are starting to come alive, even in areas hard hit by “Irene“, green is poking through the silt & debris. Although I haven’t been in that direction, I understand that daffodils are coming up along the damaged lawn at the Duponts!

Don’t forget to come out & lend a hand at GreenUp Day on 5/5 – 8:00 AM, behind the town building. Along similar lines, I noticed in the Message ads for picking up junk cars. I spoke with Ed Johnson in Weston (824-8197) & he will come to Plymouth to collect them. His ad says that he will pay for junk cars! Also listed was Chet at 875-3788, who advertised that he will pick up junk cars & scrap metal for free, plus he will buy cars. Just think, we could really clean up Plymouth, even our own yards!

Kudos to Farm & Wilderness for being named one of the “Best Places to Work”. Many folks became familiar with their staff through the wonderful help they provided during the “Irene” clean-up effort. They tackled some very messy jobs with sensitivity, hard work, & a sense of humor. During the summer, F&W is the largest employer in town & the positive reports of their employees led to this notable designation.

Approximately 50 people attended the Selectmen’s hearing on the Town Plan on 4/16, where it was noted that we have been without a current Plan for quite some time. There were individual questions about where certain parcels were on the new map. It was pointed out that the former plan did not have sections designated as resort areas, which has been rectified in the proposed Plan.

Wendell Beckman, Chairman of the Planning Commission, indicated that work has begun to update the zoning regs, in the event the new Plan is adopted, which will be by Australian ballot after the date has been duly warned. The Select Board can adopt the new zoning map when the Plan has been passed & changes made in conformance with the new Town Plan. There will be a special meeting with The Plymouth Planning Commission in & Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission on May 1 at 7 pm at the Town Offices to learn about proposed changes to the current Plymouth Zoning.

I have not been able to attend, but I wanted to let folks know that the Act 250 hearings regarding the proposed gravel pit are continuing, as both sides present their arguments for & against it. Discussion has revolved around noise levels, but will continue on such issues as dust, traffic, etc. I understand that it still needs to come to the town for final approval.

I see that Anna Hepler was part of the recent “Seussical” performance at the Bridgewater School. Also, Holli Olsen is currently on the Lacrosse team at WUHS. Since school is out this week, perhaps I will have more news on what our youngsters have been doing with their time off!

There was a Celebration of Life at Tyson Church this past Saturday for Pearl (Lynds) Warren, who was born in Plymouth on 3/8/1914, the daughter of Walter & Janetta (Donovan) Lynds. This petite, but spirited lady was 4-wheeling a little over a year ago & there‘s a picture to prove it! She was known for her love of animals (canines, Piper & Little Bear in particular) & also for her horse-backing riding. Many generations were present to honor her & share memories. Missy Lynds had corresponded with Pearl over the years while she lived in Ludlow & she read some letters from this delightful woman, who remained alert & amiable throughout her 99+ years.

Thanks to Dan Brinton for an interesting presentation at the Reach Out Luncheon last Thurs on his time roughing it in the wilds of Canada. One of the teens from Windsor Youth Services assisted in getting past some technical problems! It was a terrific lunch of roast pork, mashed potatoes, green beans with mushrooms, & applasauce – thanks to the good cooks of Tyson Ladies Aid!

Last, but not least, don’t forget the presentation on Sunday, 5/6 at 1:00 PM at the Town Building by Civil War historian, Howard Coffin‘ “Vermont and the Civil War”. There will be a Plymouth Historical Society meeting on Sunday, 4/29 at 3:00 PM at the home of Mike Clarke, 149 Hawk Hollow Lane.

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Plymouth Farmer’s Market Getting Started

Posted on 04/26/2012 by The Plymouth Press

From Sue Poirier

A group of very enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers are in the process of establishing the start of a Plymouth Farmer’s Market.  Our first year will start out small but will offer the opportunity for the community to sell products from their gardens, baked goods from their kitchens and some crafts.

This could be a GREAT opportunity for young, old and in-between to come together as a community, socialize, pick up some home made/home grown ‘stuff’, for the the kids to grow a little garden and sell products to friends and neighbors to earn some spending money….oh, the possibilities are endless.

If you’re planning a garden, think about adding an extra row for OUR Market!  If you’d like to be involved in making this happen behind the scenes, let me know (Sue Poirier: 228-3308)!  We’d love to get more people involved in this COMMUNITY INITIATIVE!!!  Oh yes, we’re also pursuing finding a place to establish a community garden too!  More info to follow …

Our next meeting is May 8th, Tues. at 7 pm at the town hall.  We’d love to get you involved. In the meantime, plant those gardens!!
—————– 
As an fyi, the Strawberry Festival is a go and will be held on Wed., June 20th at Plymouth State Park.  

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Rep. Dennis Devereux’s Message From Montpelier

Posted on 04/25/2012 by The Plymouth Press

Legislative Report from Rep. Dennis Devereux for Ludlow, Mount Holly, and Plymouth

An important issue that our committee wanted to address was the response to a search and rescue situation this past January. When a nineteen-year-old hiking in the Ripton area did not return home, his family called the emergency number. It was a very cold night with little snow on the ground. The state police leader at the scene decided to wait until morning to start the search. Unfortunately, when they found him the next day, he had suffered a broken leg and died from exposure.

The family, understandably, wanted answers to the lack of response from the Vermont State Police which takes the lead in these situations. My Committee on Government Operations asked those in leadership positions within the departments to explain why this happened, and what changes will occur to ensure this response will not happen ever again. After taking testimony from the Deputy Secretary of Public Safety, the officers that lead our State Police in charge of these search and rescue operations, and the head of our game wardens, it became obvious they were already making changes. A rough bill was drafted to get our concerns onto paper. Our committee felt it was also important to hear from the head of Stowe Mountain Rescue, a retired state police officer who led many search and rescue operations, and other stakeholders to implement some improvements right away, and at least require that more people receive the specialized training.

Some of the recommendations included earlier notification to both the local and regional responders. The creation of additional trained teams, including certified SAR volunteers that could become part of a statewide response system. The Department of Public Safety shall have the lead responsibility in any municipality without an established police department. We are seeking to get more people trained in the incident command system now used by the state police.

Our committee also felt strongly about setting up a SAR strategic plan committee that would review the existing structure, look at other state’s models, and develop a database of resources capable of assisting in each area of the state. Several bill drafts led to the recent passage of H.794. There was strong support, and we hope the senate has time to give its approval. I think all of us want to know that everything is being done as soon as possible to find anyone who is missing.

Please contact me with a message and your concerns at 800-322-5616, or ddevereux@leg.state.vt.us, or at home at 802-259-2460.

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Help Clean Up Plymouth On Green Up Day – May 5

Posted on 04/25/2012 by The Plymouth Press

From Elaine and Eric, Plymouth GreenUp coordinators

We are gearing up for yet another 1st Saturday morning in May cleanup of Plymouth roadsides. This year, we have the debris of that naughty Irene to deal with besides the usual business of roadside trash. Please plan to meet back at the Plymouth Municipal Building at noon for the annual potluck when we hope to raise discussion about the larger messes in town. We would like you all to be present for the group photo which gets published in The Vermont Standard. The photo shoot will be @ noon or so. Then, we eat and talk. More details of the day:

Green Up Day falls on the first Saturday in May, the 5th. Once again, Plymouth will be participating in this statewide event. We will begin the day @8 AM, meeting behind the Plymouth Municipal Building. Sign in, pick up your official GreenUp bags, and establish your route. We will give you an official GreenUp t-shirt or hat, some available in organic cotton, as well as a safety vest. Please wear sturdy boots/shoes and gloves and carry a water bottle. Also, we need some pickup trucks to haul the collected trash back to the Transfer Station. Please plan to join us back at the Municipal Building at noon for a pot luck lunch (beverages provided) and brain storming session. Our primary cleanup efforts will focus on town roadsides. If there is interest shown in cleaning up Irene debris, we hope to form plans for clean up projects beyond Green Up day.

Please plan to come to the pot luck, enjoy a great lunch, and share your stories. If you Green Up before Green Up day, kindly let us know the roads you have cleaned up so that we don’t send volunteers out to roads that don’t need attention. For more information, call Eric or Elaine @ 672-3493 or email eehort@vermontel.net. You can also visit the web: http://www.GreenUpVermont.org

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Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 04/21/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

Republished with permission from The Vermont Standard

4/16/12

Many folks have been fascinated by the huge lottery that was just won & intrigued by the desire for anonymity. But none of that here! Ryan Blanchard sold tickets in our area to fund-raise for the 2013 National Boy Scout Jamboree. He & his family want to thank community members for their support. The grand prize, a Naked Table, was won by our own Rachel Lynds! The two hand mirrors were won by Sarah Woodhead & Chris Blanchard.

Julia Baldwin & Janine Norman's dog, Kelly at the Ladies Aid Bake sale in Ludlow on Good Friday

Don’t forget the Reach Out Luncheon, Thursday, 4/19, at Tyson Church, starting with a speaker at 11:00. Join us for this roast pork dinner! The picture is Julia Baldwin & Janine Norman’s dog, Kelly, decked out for Easter at the Ladies Aid Bake sale in Ludlow on Good Friday.

As May approaches, many of us will be gearing up for GreenUp day on Saturday, 5/5. Elaine & Eric are spearheading the effort here in town, as they have done for many years. If you want to clean up an area ahead of time, that is an option, but please let them know (672-3493), so that same area is not assigned again. Also, some trucks are needed to bring the filled bags back to the transfer station.

On that Saturday, volunteers gather at 8:00 AM behind the town building where we sign in, collect the official GreenUp bags, & choose a route along one of the town roads. You can receive an official shirt or hat & put on a safely vest. For those who have not participated previously, it is important to have sturdy shoes/boots, wear gloves, & bring water to keep hydrated. Some of us make stab sticks to help grab the paper without undue bending.

One of the most enjoyable parts is the potluck lunch that takes place at noon in the fire station. The food is both varied & delicious, but one of the highlights is the sharing of stories about the day’s adventures. It is simply amazing what is out there & the tales of daring to retrieve it are often very entertaining!

The following Day, Sunday, 5/6 is Civil War historian, Howard Coffin‘s presentation at 1:00 PM at the Town building, “Vermont and the Civil War”. It is a free VT Humanities Council event hosted by the Plymouth Historical Society. This will also be an opportunity to renew your membership, purchase items, & bring memorabilia you might want to loan for the Plymouth exhibit at the History Expo in June. Light refreshments will be served. Call Missy Lynds (672-3547) for more information.

Plymouth’s Irene Recovery Assistance is looking for a willing volunteer with good organizational & communication skills, to be project manager to oversee the organization of Mennonite volunteer teams coming into Plymouth to help with clean up & construction projects related to storm recovery. Responsibilities would also include being the point person for volunteers supplied free of charge by the state to assist with projects not covered by FEMA or other recovery funds, until the Irene anniversary date. This person would help to supervise the demolition/restoration projects related to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program in the event a grant is awarded to the town. Please call Betsy Tonkin (672-3179) or Jill Davies (203-919-6393) if you are interested.

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Two Public Hearings Tonight – April 16

Posted on 04/16/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

From Russ Tonkin

On 4/16 there are two public hearings. One is on reclassifying a segment of TH48 from class 3 to class 4. That hearing is at 6PM. The second is a public hearing on the town plan. This is NOT a vote but to hear comments. That hearing is at 6:30 PM. Copies of the town plan and zoning map are available in the town office.

Official Warning:

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

TOWN OF PLYMOUTH

Notice is hereby given by the Plymouth Selectboard of a Public Hearing to be held Monday, April 16th at 6:30 p.m. at the Plymouth Town Office, Plymouth, Vermont for the purpose of hearing comments on the proposed Plymouth Town Plan. The Town Plan covers all lands within the Town. A copy of the proposed Plymouth Town Plan and maps are available for review on the Town’s website and at the Plymouth Town Clerk’s Office during normal business hours.

Outlined below is a list of section headings of the proposed Town Plan:

I. INTRODUCTION
II. LAND USE
III. TRANSPORTATION
IV. UTILITY AND FACILITY PLAN
V. TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
VI. NATURAL, SCENIC, AND HISTORIC RESOURCES
VII. EDUCATION
VIII. ENERGY
IX. HOUSING
X. ADJACENT MUNICIPALITIES AND THE REGION
XI. IMPLEMENTATION

Dated this 20th day of March, 2012

Ralph Michael, Chair
Plymouth Selectboard

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