“Starting Over Strong (SOS) Vermont” for Flood Disaster Relief Available in Our Community

Posted on 12/02/2011 by The Plymouth Press

From Laurie Marechaux

Starting Over Strong (SOS) – Vermont, a Crisis Counseling and Assistance and Training Program, provides short-term support for individuals, groups, and communities impacted by flooding from Tropical Storm Irene.

Starting Over Strong (SOS) Vermont deploys teams of crisis support workers throughout the hardest hit communities to conduct community and home-based outreach and psycho-educational services. The Program offers free, short-term interventions that promote individual and family recovery to those individuals experiencing distress and/or related emotional and behavioral difficulties from the flood. It is designed to assist individuals of all ages to better understand why they feel the way they do and how to begin to feel safe and confident again going forward. The Program is also designed to identify and refer individuals who may be in need of more intensive supports.

S.O.S. Vermont is actively coordinating with existing community-based organizations and service agencies in identified communities to support ongoing local and state recovery efforts. S.O.S. Vermont services are available through the anniversary of the Tropical Storm in 2012. Our staff are available to meet with individuals, groups, and other concerned Vermonters to promote resiliency and recovery through the rebuilding process.

S.O.S. Vermont is supported by FEMA grant funding and is administered by Washington County Mental Health Services in conjunction with other designated mental health agencies and community services in the hardest hit regions of our State.

For more information contact S.O.S. Vermont through their toll-free number: 855-SOS-VT00 (855-767-8800).

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Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 11/29/2011 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

11/20/11

We enjoyed a wonderful beef stew made by Kathy Lynds at the Reach Out Luncheon last week. Our speaker was Laurie Marechaux who provided pamphlets & information about the Starting Over Strong Vermont program, that has been put in place with FEMA funds, for the purpose of assisting with “managing the emotional consequences of storms & flooding”. Laurie talked about how the emotional stress caused by Hurricane Irene can take its toll. She advised us that she is the local representative in our area & can be reached at 802-272-2320.

Despite the lack of snow as yet, Karen Evans has sent out an email to some of us regarding possible places to snowshoe this year. Several of us venture out on Sunday afternoons, so if you would like to be included, please let me know. Last year we did an evening trek on the night of the brightest moon, then went inside & shared wine, cheese & other goodies!

Recently I was in Shaw’s, still located in a tent in Ludlow. I was told that they will be putting an addition on the tent because the store will not be reopening until January. That means many of us are traveling quite a bit to get our food. One thing that I miss is having access to fresh fish, since Pleasant Valley Foods has also gone out of business. No wonder folks are talking about “the new normal”. What is also worrisome is that means many of the employees are not working their normal hours either…..

We are entering the Holiday season & no matter what your faith tradition, sometimes this can be a poignant time of missing loved ones who are no longer here to celebrate with us. For this reason, we will be having a service at Tyson Church on Sunday, 12/4 at 3:00 PM to light a candle for these special people & bolster one another in prayer. Everyone is welcome.

Bill Cherico presents a check from the Knights of Columbus of the Church of the Annunciation in Ludlow to Elaine Gambone for the Plymouth Memory Tree Community Fund

Although the Plymouth Resource Center is closed now, folks can still ask questions or present concerns by calling 672-3666 or emailing jillplymouth@gmail.com, according to Betsy Tonkin. Resource materials are on a table at the town hall. The applications are still being accepted by The Plymouth Memory Tree Community Fund Inc for flood related losses or other needs, too. You can find these forms at the Plymouth Post Office & the Plymouth Municipal Building. There are few on hand at the Tyson Church as well. Applications should be returned to PMT Community Fund Inc, PO Box 47, Plymouth, VT 05056.

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20th Anniversary Memory Tree Lighting on Dec 11

Posted on 11/23/2011 by The Plymouth Press

From Elaine Gambone, Plymouth Memory Tree

The lighting of the 20th anniversary Plymouth Memory Tree will be held at 3 PM on December 11 at the Coolidge Historic Site just beside the Plymouth Post Office.  Complimentary refreshments will be served afterwards at The Wilder House Restaurant.  Please plan to join us for this historic event.

Tax deductible donations in memory of deceased loved ones are now being accepted. A list of remembrance will be posted at the Plymouth Post Office, the Tyson Congregational Church, the Plymouth Municipal Building, and online at www.theplymouthpress.com.

Send your check and the names of those to be remembered to Plymouth Memory Tree Community Fund Inc. (or abbreviate:  PMT Community Fund Inc.) to PO Box 47, Plymouth, VT  05056.  The Plymouth Memory Tree Community Fund provides financial assistance to individuals, families, and businesses in need who are located in the Town of Plymouth, VT.

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Flood Relief Still Available for Plymouth Residents

Posted on 11/22/2011 by The Plymouth Press

From Elaine Gambone, Plymouth Memory Tree Community Fund

The Plymouth Memory Tree Community Fund Inc. is still accepting applications for flood relief and recovery grants.  This program is open to businesses and families located in the Town of Plymouth.  Applications are available at the Plymouth Post Office and the Plymouth Municipal Building.   We will continue to accept applications through 2011.  Completed applications can be mailed to Plymouth Memory Tree Community Fund Inc. (or PMT Community Fund Inc.) PO Box 47, Plymouth, VT  05056

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Roads Open; All Welcome to Tyson Thanksgiving Dinner

Posted on 11/22/2011 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

From Margo Marrone
Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

11/14/11

Couldn’t resist including this picture of my grandson, Owen’s baptism this past Sunday. What an honor for me to welcome him into God‘s embrace & into the care of Christ‘s church here at Tyson. Family, friends, & the congregation offered blessings & pledged to try to be a righteous example of God’s love. Family & a few friends enjoyed a potluck lunch at the Echo Lake Inn.

I had a nice walk with Susan Mordecai on Saturday up Patch Brook Rd. I looks like they are done & have added some places to pull over, which will be helpful when meeting another car! The official word, via the Plymouth Database email that came through today, is that all our roads are open! All that hard work paid off – thanks to everyone who provided time, labor, & materials!

Tom & I enjoyed dinner with Steve & Naomi Moyer at the Bridgewater Grange Turkey Supper. Ken & Carol Ackley joined us at our table & as usual, the food was wonderful. I believe Alice Paglia said they cooked 15 turkeys! It was also wonderful to see Ryan Dorsey & her aunt, Linda Petite that evening.

Don’t forget the Annual Thanksgiving Day dinner at 1:00 PM on 11/24 Tyson Congregational Church. We welcome everyone to join us for a bountiful meal & an uplifting time together. Anyone who would like to attend, please call Maureen Norton at 228-8506 to let us know that you are coming. It is not exactly a potluck, but if you have a special dish that you would like to bring to share, let us know that, too! During the difficult post-Irene time, our Emergency Services personnel have been wonderfully responsive & helpful, so we want to extend to them & to all the wonderful local volunteers, a special invitation to join us this year.

A Celebration of Life will take place at Tyson Church for Rowena Tucker on Sat, 11/19 at 11:00 AM. She had been at the Gill Home for a number of years & passed away on 11/13. Some of you may remember the small store that she had in Cavendish or perhaps her friendly smile when she worked at the VT National Bank in Ludlow. Condolences to her family.

Please note that the folks in the picture last week with Ellen Steward last week were great-grand daughter, Theresa & granddaughter, Rebekka! Thanks to the Standard for printing it in color.

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Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 11/15/2011 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

11/6/11

Great-granddaughter Theresa, granddaughter Rebekka and Ellen Steward. Photo by Kathy Lynds

It sounds like it was a wonderful 85th birthday celebration this past Sunday for Ellen Steward at the home of Kathy & Bob Lynds. Attending the party were granddaughter, Rebekka & great-granddaughter Theresa, as well as Ruth & William Bostock. The lovely cake was made by Doris Earle.

I guess there was a bit of excitement on 100 N on Sunday afternoon. Although it was tested on Saturday, Killington’s snowmaking line near Farm & Wilderness ruptured, gouging out a bit of the road & causing traffic to be halted for over an hour. Workers from Markowski’s gravel pit made a temporary patch allowing one lane of traffic. It is expected to be repaired on Monday, so it should be just a memory by the time the paper goes out. Thanks to Kirk Turner for assisting at the scene.

Our sincere sympathy goes out to the Kowalski family on the recent passing of his mother. This must be a particularly difficult time, since it was not too long ago that his father passed away.

I had occasion to visit the Notch on Saturday, in order to meet Jean Schmell’s daughter, Mary Jane Crockett. It was completely deserted when I arrived, but then Elaine Gambone arrived with Mason & Oscar, who apparently like to walk there. The place will be bustling on Dec 11th, though, with the Coolidge Holiday happenings. Keep it in mind!

Karen Evans & I went for a walk up Patch Brook Road on Sunday & found Steve Heilner, Cindy Summer, & Steve’s dad up there. It is incredible the way that gaping hole has been filled in! Carolyn Scott is well aware of the many truckloads of fill that have passed in earshot of her home. The road is not ready for vehicles yet & as a matter of fact will most likely be closing for winter soon. The repair is good news for snowmobile riders & for those of us who like to snowshoe there!

By the way, thanks to Eric Evans for figuring out why my printer wasn’t working & getting me back in business! Thanks also to Terry Bascom for printing my sermon last week & Laurence at the Echo Lake Inn for printing fliers for me. Computers & such are so helpful, but so frustrating for me at times……

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Thanksgiving Day Dinner at Tyson Church

Posted on 11/15/2011 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

From Margo Marrone

Tyson Congregational Church (across from the Echo Lake Inn) will be holding our
Annual Thanksgiving Day dinner at 1:00 PM on 11/24. We welcome everyone to join us for a bountiful meal & an uplifting time together.

Anyone who would like to attend, please call Maureen Norton at 228-8506 to let us know that you are coming. If you have a special dish that you would like to bring, let us know that, too!

During the difficult post-Irene time, our Emergency Services personnel have been wonderfully responsive & helpful, so we want to extend to them & to all the wonderful local volunteers, a special invitation to join us this year.

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All Roads in Plymouth are Officially OPEN

Posted on 11/15/2011 by The Plymouth Press

From Seymour Cohen, Temporary “Irene” Information Officer

At last, all roads in Plymouth are Officially OPEN.

Town Road Conditions 11-14-11

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Pingree’s Tractor Rescued: Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 11/06/2011 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

Republished with permission from The Vermont Standard

10/31/11

Well, I wasn’t ready for all that snow! Hearing from a friend in Pittsfield, MA where they received 20+ inches & my sister in NY where they received over 10 inches of snow, I guess we can’t complain. It looks pretty, but I won’t mind if it melts this time around!

How fortunate that the inclement weather didn’t start until later in the day on Saturday, because it didn’t hinder the amazing work that was done at the Pingrees on Rte 100. Many hands helped to clean out the farmhouse & to retrieve & empty silt from the jeep & tractor that were in the barn that was inundated with flood water from Money Brook when Irene came to town.

Brett Wright & his crew brought in equipment & manpower, but there were many volunteers from towns for miles around who assisted. Folks from Plymouth included: Kathy & Bob Lynds with his tractor, Steve Heilner with his tractor, Anne Brown, Lee Crawford, Dick & Clair Taylor, Mark Ballou, Kathy & John Donalds, Kermit Upton, Willard Hayes, & Betsy Tonkin. Forgive me if anyone was left out!

I was there to see the Jeep pulled out of the rubble, but I understand that the biggest cheer came when the tractor was extricated. Michelle had a huge amount of food to feed everyone & spirits were high as everyone gathered around. Justus, Michelle, Dorothy, Roger, Rodney, & Kathie Pingree extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone!

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We had our Annual Congregational meeting today at Tyson Church & most folks made it despite the snow! Being so small, just about everyone has a “job” & there will be a busy schedule between now & the New Year. We will be hosting Thanksgiving Day Dinner on 11/24 at 1:00 PM. We already have a commitment for one prepared turkey & are looking forward to others joining us & perhaps bringing their special holiday dish to share. Just let us know you are coming!

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Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 11/01/2011 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

From Margo Marrone
Republished with permission from The Vermont Standard

10/24/11

Missed reporting last week because Tom & I were away. I officiated a lovely wedding in Newport, RI on the 15th, then we visited friends & family in CT, NY, & MA. Always good to come home to VT & when we did we had our grand puppy with us for the weekend. Bode was a very good dog, but our cat didn’t really appreciate his presence!

A reminder about youth hunting weekend for deer, which is 11/5 & 6. I understand that 2 small deer have been weighed in recently at the Tyson Village Store. Bow & arrow season ends on 10/30. Regular rifle hunting season begins 11/12 – 27. Remember to wear bright clothing when walking near & in the woods.

About the time I was visiting Ellen Steward at Stoughton House of Sunday, her great-granddaughter, Theresa was enthusiastically enjoying the musical performance at the Historic Site. Kathy Lynds said it was “superb”!

By the way, Ellen Steward’s birthday is 11/8 & her granddaughter, Rebekka’s is 11/7. Samantha Lynds turned 2 on 10/17, but her party was just held recently. Also, belated birthday wishes to Bill Jarvi – his special day was 10/13. Congratulations to one & all!

The hard work on the roads in town is definitely showing & I understand that some paving will be done this week. Maybe it will even be done by the time the paper comes out! It will be good to have things back in shape, since I heard that snow flurries are forecast for Wed.

Missy said that their snowmobile trails have been restored & will be ready for the season, which begins 12/15. We both agreed that we could wait a bit longer for the snow to begin! She also mentioned that the Historical Society building has closed for the season & will reopen in the spring.

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