From Sue Poirier
Spaghetti Dinner
Sponsored by
Plymouth Emergency Services
When: Saturday, January 14, 2012
(Martin Luther King Weekend)
Where: Plymouth Town Hall
Time: 5 – 8:00 pm
What: Delicious spaghetti & meatballs (vegetarian sauce
available), salad, bread, beverage, home made
dessert
To benefit the Plymouth Fire and First Response Team.
Donations welcome
Republished with permission from The Vermont Standard
Happy New Year!
12/26/11
I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas this year! A dusting of snow seemed to whiten thing up a bit. We were in Mt Holly for brunch on Sunday & they had more snow than we did. I understand that was the case up the Kingdom Rd, so perhaps it all had to do with elevation. That would certainly be good for the ski areas. Karen Evans skied at Okemo on Saturday & said they listed 35 trails as being open. She said by mid-morning it was getting rather crowded!
Tom & I enjoyed the service at Bethany Mennonite Church on Christmas Eve – the singing of the story of Amahl was absolutely wonderful. Of course, we love to see our friends over there as well! Lynds Hill was well represented by Marcia (the music organizer) & Scott & family; Naomi & Steve; and Pat & Bob.
With so many folks away or entertaining, we had a small group at church on Christmas. We enjoyed having some guests, among them Bonnie Allen’s parents, who live in Adirondack, NY & were here for a few days.
Well, not much to report today, but I did want to mention that Hawk Inn & Mountain Resort will have fireworks at midnight on the 31st. Their restaurant is now open. The Echo Lake Inn restaurant is also open, taking reservations for dinner starting at 6:00 PM. They also serve breakfast from 7:30 until 9:00 AM, but call to let them know you are coming!
I have heard many folks say that they are hoping 2012 will be a better year, presumably thinking about Hurricane Irene. Yes, we are still struggling with some of the after-effects, but what sticks in my mind about that time is the way people responded – neighbors helping neighbors. There were some good things that happened during that difficult time & I pray the feeling of community – the caring & compassion, will remain & even strengthen in the coming year. Blessings to everyone for the New Year!
2011 Plymouth Memory Tree
List of Remembrance
Elaine Gambone & Eric Johnsen: Ken Johnsen, Cy & Heloise Gambone
Mike & Melissa Lynds: Gladys Lynds, Mildred Sawyer
Carol J. Hoskison: Charles & Eliza Hoskison
Claire & Dick Taylor: Eileen & William Campbell, Hope & Harold Taylor
June Baccaglini: Edmond Baccaglini
Jay Kullman: In honor of 2011 Flood Victims
Betsy & Ray Forrest: Charlotte & Ray Forrest, Sally & Frank Bacon, Tia Forrest
Dorothy & Roger Pingree: Liford & Marion Pingrey
John & Nancy Schullinger: Middleton Rose, Jr.
Ken & Marcia Manner: Hattie Grey
Bill & Betty Jarvi: Ethel Hill
Margo & Tom Marrone: Thomas D. Marrone, William M. Greene, Anne Victoria Greene, Lara Dorsey
Joan & Daniel Levangie: Nancy Penza
James & McKey Berkman: Susan H.Webb
Paul & Joann Milza: Harry Bradley
Jack & Bette Anne Sailer:
John Sailer, Sr., Lillian Sailer, Paul Sailer, Eliane Sailer, Shirley Sailer
Charles Cardillo: Sandra Cardillo
Rommel Redito: In honor of 2011 Plymouth flood victims
Jon & Veronica Dix: Kenneth & Ethlene Dix
Clifford Huston: Maureen F. Huston
Barb Lurie/Donald & Phyllis Martin: James & Vivian Blanchard, Kenneth & Elaine Martin, Ronald Martin, Lola Blanchard
Lorraine Sisko: Janet Symchak
Sheri Vorba Gossett: The Ayer family
Robert & Mary Jane Cratty: Andrea Jean McKenna
Joy Parker & Paul Donnelly: Harrison E. & Josephine D. Parker
Barbara & Ed Jaramillo: Virginia Turick
Lorraine Sisko: Janet Symchak
Donna Mercurio Frisco: Joseph Mercurio
Cynthia Howard: LeRoy Coolidge
Naomi & Steve Moyer: Ada Moyer, Lloyd Moyer, Alice Moyer, Rick Harootunian, Lara Dorsey
Bob & Pat Lambert: Louis Levesque, Anna Begos, Joseph Begos
Nick & Diane Lopardo: The Lopardo Family
Jim and Mary Ottaway: In honor of Elaine Gambone
Stephen B. McNally: Annarita McNally
Tara & Michael Geno: Hollis (Grandpa) Bowen
Karl W. Lange, D.M.D.: Barbara Mahon
Anne Brown & Lee Crawford: In honor of Mr. & Mrs. A. James Crawford, Leigh & Michael Sneed, Jill & Denman Scott, Jane L. Leizear
Lisa Horwitz & Kurt Bolotin: In honor of Jen and Jay Flaster
Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Jeter: John & Florence Coolidge, Cynthia Coolidge Jeter
Lee A. Crawford: In honor of Anne C. Brown
Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard
12/12/11
Oh, what glorious weather we have been having – a bit nippy some mornings, but after all, it is December! When it becomes dark so early, I remind myself that in less than 2 weeks, daylight will start to increase again. The Coolidge Holiday Open House on Sunday was very well attended – in the neighborhood of 500 people, from what I am told.
A slide show of pictures from the lighting of the Memory Tree and Wilder House are included here. It was wonderful to see so many folks gathered for that event & then quite a few ventured over to the Wilder House for complimentary refreshments, including hot chocolate made with Fred DePaul’s milk!At the ceremony, Al Poirier noted that the new name of the fund is the Plymouth Community Memory Tree Fund, Inc & that non-profit status has been sought. He also reminded folks that money is still being given for Hurricane Irene damage & application forms are available at the Post Office & the Town office. I understand that there are also funds for other needs, including such issues as fuel assistance. To apply for non-flood related help, simply send a request to PO Box 47, Plymouth 05056.
During the day, Tyson Ladies Aid members provided food at the Wilder House, including baked goods, soups & chili, hot dogs, & more. I do have pictures of some of the dedicated ladies who helped there. Funds will go toward the various community projects that the group sponsors.
Tyson Ladies Aid member Christmas party
There is also a picture at their Christmas party on 12/1. The final outreach for this year will be filling gift baskets of goodies on Thursday, to be delivered around the area. Huge poinsettias were taken to folks last week. Ellen Steward was overjoyed to receive one. They were absolutely huge, so it was helpful that she had a nice big area to put it.
I hope that folks will extend the wonderful feeling of camaraderie that has been so prevalent here since Irene by joining us at Tyson Church for our Annual Candlelight Service at 7:00 PM on Sunday, 12/18. Refreshments will be served downstairs afterward so we can all visit with each other!
MESSAGE FROM MONTPELIER
Legislative Report from Rep. Dennis Devereux
for Ludlow, Mount Holly, and Plymouth
My article last spring mentioned that a large part of our committee’s efforts this winter will deal with reapportionment. Any changes to legislative districts will use the most recent census figures. Generally, there has been a shift with population gains to towns in Chittenden and Franklin Counties.
Our Committee on Government Operations started reviewing the steps required to finalize the process by the end of the session. We have been holding hearings around the state for input to the proposed district changes. I sense there will be an attempt to make minimal adjustments to the current map that also approaches the new population target. It is my understanding is that our committee plans to get a preliminary bill out of the house by the end of January. The reality is that small towns are more likely to be realigned to create new districts.
One of the ongoing concerns to towns is the question surrounding the abatement of property taxes for people that had property damaged this year. The problem started with high water to properties along Lake Champlain last spring, then continued with the flooding in central Vermont in June, and ended with the destruction caused by Tropical Storm Irene at the end of August. A bill to address this dilemma was voted out of the Ways and Means Committee at the end of October. It would set up a process for towns to receive reimbursement by the Commissioner of Taxes for payments that are owed under our education funding formula. The abatement costs would be spread to all property taxpayers rather than be put onto only those towns devastated by the storm.
The loss would have to be at least 50% of the value of the primary structure on the property, and the loss of use must be for 90 days or more. It would have to be caused by a federally declared disaster through April 2012. The school and municipal taxes would have to be abated equally, and the Boards of Abatement can reconsider decisions previously made. Towns may request a delay in their scheduled education payments by contacting the State Treasurer. The Department of Taxes plans to also send instructions to towns. The cost of this help will come from the Education Reserve Fund. This bill will be acted on soon after we return, and is expected to have wide support and be quickly signed into law.
A local issue is whether or not the Plymouth State Park will be ready to open by the end of May. The regional parks manager, Ethan Phelps, assures me that there is a plan to complete the repairs in time. The streams have already been restored, and the bidding process for repairs to the beach area has begun. He stated that the buildings will also need some work. This total damage estimate has been put at $250,000, and should qualify for FEMA money. They will also need the weather to cooperate next spring.
Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard
12/5/11
Wedding of Abigail Lechthaler & Russell Hurlburt on 11/22/11
I was pleased to perform the wedding ceremony for Abigail Lechthaler & Russell Hurlburt on 11/22/11, here in Tyson. It wasn’t determined whether Pearl & Neko (Russ’s dogs), were actually attendants or simply wedding guests, but they both seemed pleased with the marriage!
The Tyson Ladies Aid Christmas Party on the 1st was well attended this year. Gifts were collected for the teens of Windsor Youth Services & soft tissues for the residents of the Gill Home. The gift exchange always shows the creativity of the group & the food was delicious. We invite guests to gather with us & Chris Tomberello attended at my invitation & enthusiastically joined right in! My other guest was Owen, who charmed everyone with his bright smiles & “conversation”.
Such strange weather for the beginning of December. I was able to go for what I assume will be my final bike ride of the season on Saturday. It was a bit nippy as I made my way over to see Kathy Tuttle, but the sun was shining & the lakes were glistening. They seem to have changed from that dark brown color to a lighter shade with a hint of green. Now what that means, I am not sure. Won’t it be nice to have them back to their normal clarity – maybe in the spring…..
We had a small group of people who attended the Service of Remembrance at Tyson Church on Sunday afternoon. We sang a couple of hymns, read responsively, & lit candles for those we are missing. The Christmas season can often be a time of mixed emotions – the joy of the Holy Birth & the feeling of loss when loved ones are no longer with us to help celebrate. Hopefully that special time together was helpful & healing.
The lighting of the Plymouth Memory Tree (3:00 PM) will be one of the activities at the Coolidge Holiday Open House on Sunday, 12/11. There will be something for all age groups! The special postage cancellation (Holiday Station) will take place from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Cilley Store. I understand from Missy that folks can drop off their Christmas cards at the Plymouth Post Office ahead of time & she will cancel them on Sunday & put them in the mail on Monday.
Our annual Candlelight Service at Tyson Church will be Sunday, 12/18 at 7:00 PM. We have come through a difficult time since Hurricane Irene, but it is amazing how quickly & how well the pieces of our town have been put back together. Certainly there are those who are still in the throes of readjusting & resettling, so let’s not forget to continue to keep them in mind. I hope that community folks will attend our service & be uplifted by our time together. We will have refreshments downstairs following the service.
Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard
11/28/11
Hope that everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving. I know that a number of people celebrated on days other then Thursday, but none-the-less, they gathered with family & friends & probably ate too much like the rest of us! We had 27 people at Tyson Church that day & shared quite a feast, thanks to so many folks bringing special dishes. Karen Evans gets an A+ for her carving skills. Dennis Devereux was in charge of coffee, as he so often is at community dinners. It was wonderful to see the camaraderie & everybody pitching in. I felt particularly blessed to have Owen there for his 1st Thanksgiving & as well as Tom’s mom, who moved up from FL this summer.
A bit of news on some of our younger community members. At a recent rock climbing competition that included 7 schools, Sage Allen finished in 1st place for the girls & Cedar Allen garnered 2nd place for the boys. Way to go! Also, congratulations to 8th grader Ian Dupont for making the high honor roll at Woodstock Middle School. I do miss hearing how our students are faring….
I understand that I am late, but belated congratulations to Dale & Larry Lynds, who celebrated their anniversary on 11/21.
Fortunately the fire call last week did not result in any serious damage or injury, but what started as a chimney fire soon prompted concern when smoke began coming through the wood covered part of the chimney. Although the cause was not determined, perhaps this incident can serve as a reminder to all of us to make sure that our chimneys are cleaned & well-maintained.
Don’t forget about The Coolidge Holiday Open on 12/11/11. Tyson Ladies Aid will be serving hot drinks, snacks & lunch from 10-4 in the Wilder House that day. You can make a full day of it & enjoy old-time music, sleigh rides, craft demonstrations & children’s activities. If you stay around until 3:00 PM, you can witness the lighting of the Plymouth Memory Tree on its 20th anniversary. The tree will be placed outside the Post Office & free refreshments will follow at the Wilder House.
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).
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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