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More creature encounters on my part! The other night as I was heading to my bedroom, something flew past my head. I knew immediately it was a bat. Since it was in the main living area and my bedroom is off to the side, I naïvely thought it would not follow me. Wrong!

I snuggled into bed a bit later than usual, when the familiar fluttering instantly made me wide awake. I got up, removed the screen and opened a window, hoping it would exit on its own. Wrong again!

Finally, I exited the room closing the door and went to sleep on the couch. Knowing that they sleep during the day, I was relieved the next night to be alone in my room.

A day or so later, I went to clean out the drain in my entranceway to the basement. When I opened the lid, three tiny creatures were there. They look like frogs, but they could be toads. It is not an uncommon occurrence to find them outside the door waiting to hop in. Then I have to chase them around my laundry room and try to save them. They move pretty quickly, however, so sometimes I lose them under the refrigerator.

Hope you have marked your calendar for the Tyson ladies aid bizarre at the veterans park in Ludlow on 8/10. Many wonderful baskets to be raffled, delicious baked goods, and also a terrific barbecue.

The following week, on 8/17 the Friends of Fletcher Memorial Library in Ludlow will hold the annual Book sale. Come join the fun – many great finds!

Moxie Day

The Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site is celebrating President Coolidge’s favorite soda – Moxie! It’s “wickedly good” and “distinctly different.” The site, in collaboration with the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, will reenact President Coolidge’s oath at 2:47 p.m. on the porch of the Coolidge homestead where Col. John Coolidge administered the unexpected oath to his son on August 3, 1923 at 2:47 a.m. Following the reenactment, visitors are invited to enjoy Moxie floats. Wear your Moxie apparel or pick up something new from East Coast Printers who will be on site to show off all the latest in Moxie gifts.

Also, The Book Sale on 8/17 at Fletcher Memorial Library.

Mark your calendar for the Tyson Ladies Aid Bazaar on Sat, 8/10 at the Veterans Green in Ludlow.

7/29/24

As we approach the end of the month I am beginning to wonder where the summer has gone! It does not appear that there is a regular Select Board meeting this evening, but please be aware that the major party primary is coming up on 8/13.

I heard an interesting animal story yesterday that provides another reason to be mindful of feeding the creatures with whom we share our beautiful world. Apparently someone was putting out food for a woodchuck – in case it was not getting enough by ravaging neighbor’s gardens. One day she heard noises coming from the kitchen and found a bear had entered through the back door and was rummaging through the her cabinets!

Sorry for the late notice. There will be a Village Harmony concert on Monday, July 29 at 7:00pm at the Bridgewater Grange Hall. They will be singing songs from Caucasus Georgia, the Balkans, and Corsica, American shape-note songs, and traditional Yiddish songs. Admission if by donation at the door.

7/21/24

I know we are all rather tired of the heat and humidity, but I headed south several days this week and believe me, we have nothing about which to complain! Nice to have it a bit more comfortable this weekend. As I am writing this on Sunday evening I am hearing some fireworks in the neighborhood. I have to admit that I worry about the animals.

Bears are definitely roaming freely through our area. I have been told about sightings of moms with two and even three cubs. I had not seen any deer in my yard in ages, but this morning there was a mom and two fawns. Happy to say they were on the other side of my driveway and seem to have left my hostas alone. I couldn’t resist take this picture of a grouse family crossing Dublin Rd. Actually there were several adults and many little ones, but they actually moved fairly quickly, so this is all I captured with my phone.

At the 7/15 Select Board Meeting, Elaine Pauley’s resignation from the Town Treasurer position was noted. She has been an integral part of our Town Office staff over the years, picking up the pieces and competently holding things together. She certainly deserves to move into retirement. For a time, in order to assure a smooth transition, she will be helping Cherry Nicoll who has been appointed to take her place. Cherry has been assisting with FEMA paperwork and is well acquainted with our town.

I feel very fortunate to have friends and family who give me a hand with many projects that are beyond me as I am aging. There are a myriad of tasks that those of us who are older and even some younger individuals need help to accomplish. One that has come to my attention recently is the stacking of wood. Please let me know if there is anyone who would be willing to provide such aid at a reasonable rate.

Town of Plymouth, Vermont Select Board – Regular Meeting Monday, July 15, 2024 @ 6:00 PM Municipal Building Meeting Room Agenda

Topic: Plymouth Select Board Meeting
Time: July 15, 2024 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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1. Call to Order:
2. Consideration of Any Changes, Additions or Removals to Agenda:
3. Approve Meeting Minutes:
   a. June 17, 2024 Regular Meeting
4. Citizen Comments:
5. Elaine Pauley resignation / Cherry Nicoll Appointment – Treasurer:
6. Review and Approval of Childcare Contribution Law Expense:
7. Approval of Municipal Tax Rate and Local Tax Agreement Rate:
8. Volunteer Recreation Director Position:
9. Board to Approve Errors & Omissions:
10. RIVERS Project – FEMA Funding:
11. Discussion on Techimpact:
12. Other Business:
13. Sign Warrants and Review Mail:
14. Next Select Board Meeting Date:
    a. August 19, 2024 Regular Meeting
15. Possible Executive Session:
16. Adjourn:

7/14/24

Heat, heat & more heat, plus humidity. So lovely when a coolish breeze passes by, however! We were so fortunate to have avoided the flooding north of us. So sorry for their destruction.

In the end of June, I attended a meeting sponsored by Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission. TRORC is participating the Resilience Initiative for Vermont Empowerment and Recovery (RIVER). This project is gathering potential flood mitigation ideas, with the goal of developing a list of potential projects that can be funded through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Plymouth will be participating in the conversation and hopefully can benefit.

I don’t seem to have much news today. Please check out the town website for the 7/15 Select Board agenda.

Amazingly, I just came across some writing that I did 20 years ago, so I decided to share it with you:

Oh, to let go of striving & to simply be

Too much thinking – judging – planning

Makes me so weary

Then suddenly the sun filters in

Casting a shadow on the floor

The leaves of my hanging plant

Are springing up & down

Jolted by a hungry hummingbird

With fast fluttering wings

Extracting the nectar

Ah, a moment of respite

Amid the chaos

7/8/24

So strange to have this persistent hot and humid weather. The rain on Saturday brought some relief. Finding a place to cool off in the water seems to be on everyone’s mind!

Don’t forget the book discussion at Fletcher Memorial Library in Ludlow of the Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown on 7/10 at 6PM

Birthday wishes for Cindy Summer (7/5). Betty Stear (7/21), Carolyn Scott (7/31)

The graveside service for Jack Sailer will take place at the Notch cemetery on 7/13 at 1PM, with a reception at the Town Building afterward.

Come enjoy two wonderful free programs at the Historic Site brought to my attention by Administrator, Rejoice Sherry.  Friday, 7/19, will be Silent Film Night with Harold Lloyd’s 1923 action-packed silent film Safety Last at the Wilder Barn at 7 PM. Bring a lawn chair and come early to picnic on the grounds or purchase concessions in the Cilley General Store. This event will be held rain or shine and admission to this after-hours event is free.

On 7/21 at 2 PM, you can enjoy the Grace Coolidge Musicale, featuring Abigail Charbeneau and Jennie O’Brien. Mrs. Coolidge was an educator at the Clarke School for the Deaf in Northampton, MA and had a strong appreciation for music. Similarly, Jennie shares her own passion for music as a teacher of voice, theatre arts, vocal ensembles, and independent living skills at Perkins School for the Blind. Abi has been a long-time favorite sharing her music here often. Admission to the concert is free and a light reception will follow. Funding for this performance is provided by the Alma Gibbs Donchian Foundation.

The Town of Plymouth has an opening for a Town employee in its Highway Department.
This is a full-time, year-round position.  Duties will include snow plowing, sanding and salting roads, road construction, maintenance and other related duties.  Applicant must hold a valid VT CDL and have experience operating a dump truck with a plow and sander.

Competitive salary as well as a great municipal benefit package to include health & dental insurance, retirement plan, paid holidays, and paid vacation.  Overtime is required in the winter for storm events and compensation is 1.5 times the hourly rate.

Please submit a completed application to the Plymouth Town Clerk’s Office at 68 Town Office Road, Plymouth, Vermont 05056 or email clerk@plymouthvt.org.  Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The Town of Plymouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Source VT Digger & The Valley News