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9/28/25

Flowers, trees and gardens seem to be uttering a sigh of relief with the rain this week. Before its arrival, work was being done in the brook running along Dublin Rd that has caused horrendous damage to the houses and the Echo Lake Inn during Irene and the 2023 flood. Hopefully that will help to mitigate future issues.

There is a drain going into my basement that gets clogged at times. When I notice the water rising there, I lift the drain cover so it does not come into my house. I did so last week, then on Saturday I decided that I needed to clean it out & replace the cover so I don’t twist an ankle if I use that door. As I was cleaning out the muck around the edge, I peered into hole and there was my huge toad! He disappeared from view and I proceeded with my clean-out, but wondered if I should replace the cover. I did for a time as I brought items out that door, but when I finished, I set the cover ajar to give him an escape hatch in case he needed it…

A reminder about programs being held this week at Fletcher Memorial Library. On Mon, 9/29 at 5:30 PM is “Be Ready Before Disaster Strikes!” Then on Tues, 9/30, is the 6 PM meeting about changes to the Current Use Forest Standards.

Don’t forget the happenings at the Fall Festival at the Historic Site on Sat, 10/4. Think apples!

“Friends” of Fletcher Memorial Library are excited about meeting with author Sasha Hom on Thurs 10/9 at 10:30 AM as she leads our book discussion of Sidework, a lyric, page-turning novella about a homeless Korean adoptee and mother of four. Sasha Hon lives off-grid on a 600- acre land co-op amid 5,800 acres of conserved land situated within Vermont.

I admit to being a bit intimidated by AI, so I am looking forward the FLM session that is being sponsoredjointly with Black River Good Neighbor Services called SENIOR PLANET on Friday, 10/10 at 1 PM. With support from Godnick Adult Center & Vermont Community Foundation come learn more about Chat GPT, too.

Another fun event will take place on Sunday, 10/12 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Ludlow Mini Park, corner of Main & Depot Streets in Ludlow. This is the Black River Academy Museum’s (think Calvin Coolidge) Annual Fall Festival fundraiser where they will be serving delicious food for breakfast and lunch, plus lots of goodies at the Bake Sale.

9/22/25

Leaves are falling quickly – showers of them at times. Driving various places, such as the Tyson/Reading Rd, there are some lovely bright leaves, but the draught seems to have drained the color is many places. Rain is expected this week.

Last week five Tyson residents gathered on the Echo Lake Inn porch for a wonderful dinner.  Although there are weddings taking place most weekends, they are open with the locals menu Tues – Thurs if they have reservations.  Call 602-228-8062 to make one.  They will serve dinner on Sunday 10/12 but will close for a break after 10/16, opening the Wed before Thanksgiving.

On 9/11 I was pleased to be able to attend the Memory Cafe sponsored by Black River Good Neighbor Services at the United Church in Ludlow. The caregivers meet upstairs to share experiences and receive support, while those with dementia gather in the social hall, have snacks and enjoy supervised time with music and a special pet dog. It is a very comfortable and caring environment that takes place the 2^ndThursday and 4^th Monday of each month.  For more information call 502-228-3663.

For youngsters K – 6^th grade, consider CRAFTY TUESDAY at Fletcher Memorial Library on 9/23 from 3:30 – 4:30. This week make cool magnets, keychains or pendants with shrinking plastic.

A reminder about the fundraiser Bethany Birches Auction on 9/27. So much fun even if you are not interested in bidding. Come enjoy breakfast, browsing the crafts, then stay for lunch! The timetable of events and on-line bidding are available on the website.

Please note that the Fall Festival at the Coolidge Homestead will take place from 10 AM – 4 PM on Saturday, 10/4. Come enjoy wagon rides with Farmer Fred, plus heritage apple tasting, and cider pressing demonstrations. Attend Michele Pagan’s program about 19th century schoolgirl samplers and the socioeconomic clues about each sampler’s creator. Bring your appetite to the Plymouth Fire Department Chicken BBQ – good food and a fund-raiser, too. Plymouth residents receive free admission if they show a driver’s license that demonstrates Plymouth residency. This would provide free admission for immediate family members (i.e. children, parents, spouses) but does not include admission for other guests.

9/14/25

Writing on Sunday evening when the dark clouds did not deliver any rain. Mid-afternoon there were a few drops on my windshield, but it was just a tease. While watering my pepper plants a toad appeared, apparently wanting to be sprayed. The weather forecast keeps pushing rain far into the future. Burning seems out of the question these days.

I attended the 9/8 Select Board meeting, then the public meeting to review and approve the pre-grant application for $250,000 for further study of Money Brook. Folks might want to watch the recorded account or at least look at the minutes on the website. At this point, the town is not committed to putting forth any funding since this is only a study.

I have exciting news about the opening of Jen’s Kitchen immediately to left of the former Tyson Store on Rte 100. Work has been ongoing on the adorable little shack with tables outside. I stopped and met Jen and Robin and even sampled some delicious pea soup. In additions to burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and salads, Jen is making use of her Italian heritage with offerings such as baked ziti, meatballs, and mac and cheese. The plan is to be open daily from 11:30 to 3:30, although they hope to remain open later on Fridays.

The much anticipated annual Bethany Birches Camp Auction will be taking place on Sat, 9/27. You can find all the details on-line, but the fun includes absentee bidding (closes Fri, 9/26), breakfast at 9 AM, including a preview, then at 10 the live auction begins! Children’s activities by staff will be available. At the conclusion of the auction, lunch will be provided by Granite Air Center and Jesse’s BBQ. The funds that are raised make assistance available for campers so all can attend. In addition to the auction items, there are craft items to purchase. You can also enjoy time afterward to enjoy this beautiful space and chat with your friends.

Nobody wants to contemplate another flood disaster or even a severe snow storm in our area, but this program at Fletcher Memorial Library called, Be Ready Before Disaster Strikes! seems prudent. The Upper Valley Medical Reserve Corps will be at FML on Monday, 9/29 at 5:30 pm for a free Personal Preparedness Planning presentation. Learn how to: ✔ Build a go-bag for your household (pets included!)
✔ Create evacuation and shelter-in-place plans
✔ Stay connected with loved ones during an emergency
✔ Access tools and resources like VT-ALERT & CARE

On 9/30, 2025 from 6 – 8pm at FLM there will be a discussion regarding the changes to the Current Use Forest Standards for landowners in the program. It will focus on discussing the standards, how and why they are changing, what it means for landowners, and will also provide opportunities for input, questions and answers. Registration for this program is required. Interested participants can register via email- keith.thompson@vermont.gov.

Although the Echo Lake Inn is usually busy with weddings on most weekends, don’t forget the mid-weeks specials Tues – Thurs. They will, however, be open for dinner on Sunday 10/12, also offering dinners Tues – Thurs that week before taking a much needed break. The plan is to re-open again the Wed before Thanksgiving.

9/8/25

Another lovely sunny morning in the 40s at my house. I admit to being somewhat horrified at the sudden change of color, foretelling the approach of winter. I am not ready! We certainly did not receive the much-needed rain that was supposed to come our way. This draught is upsetting and also a fire hazard. There is absolutely no water flowing under my driveway and I know folks who have run out of water.

Little bear, my nickname for him, is ambling up and down my driveway daily. I am still discouraging his forays into my yard. I imagine next year he will not be so little or cute! I refilled my hummingbird feeder on Sunday, but alas, I think they may have departed. I will leave it up a bit longer in case others traveling south need a hit on their way through.

The Select Board meeting should be quite interesting. Check out the agenda on the website.

After such busy Labor Day weekend, this one was a bit more laidback. The Community Picnic at Bethany Mennonite Church took place outdoors since the rain stopped and the sun appeared. A couple of campers from Coolidge State Park joined us. I hope that people are aware that Camp Plymouth State Park on Echo Lake will remain open through 9/28 with the concession for snacks and boat rentals available.

Thanks to Betty Stear and Kathy Kaminski for their hard work reorganizing Tyson Library. It is now a comfortable place to read and peruse the book selection. The season is nearly over, but some volunteers have opened a day here or there.

There are still many activities taking place at Fletcher Memorial Library, where Plymouth residents are most welcome. The next Book Club will be Monday, 9/15 at 6 PM. You are encouraged to come discuss any book that you have enjoyed and would recommend to others. For those ages 5 and younger, come to story time on Weds from 10:30 to 11:15 (9/10-11/19)

Plymouth Bridge Work
Vermont Route 100A

Construction Update:
As of Friday, September 6th, guardrails, bridge rails, waterproofing membrane, and final pavement have been installed. Cold River Bridges is continuing to place shoulder material and perform cleanup work into early next week. Asphalt plug joints are scheduled for Monday, September 8th, followed by final line striping later that week. These steps will largely complete the project, with any remaining minor work scheduled for later in September and October.

Traffic Impacts:
Daily lane closures will continue at Bridge #9 on VT 100A next week for plug joint installation and line striping. Traffic will be controlled by a temporary signal, and two-way traffic will be restored outside working hours. Drivers should proceed with caution, as workers may be near the roadway.
DATE: September 5, 2025
Bridge 9 Fact Sheet

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Contact Information
Leah Beckett
Public Information Consultant
802-489-6593 | leah.f.beckett@imegcorp.com
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9/1/25

What a delightful weekend with many visitors to our area. Since today is still part of the Holiday weekend, it seems that many people are enjoying one more lovely day here. Still quite dry, so I spoke with Jim Allen, our fire warden, who indicated that he is not issuing burn permits at the moment.

An update on my snake visitor. I had left the basement door ajar for many hours following our encounter, hoping he would find his way out. Alas, the next time I did laundry, he was curled up in front of the door. Since he was so slender, I was able to open the door over him and flip the mat to cast him out. He actually tried to come back inside! I did notice an orange ring near his head. Apparently he is a harmless ring-necked snake.

We had a stimulating conversation about Leaving Coy’s Hill at our Book Group meeting on Wednesday evening – five of us in my dining room and one participant on the zoom. We had barely started when someone noticed the bear sauntering down my driveway, so we all went to the window to observe him. My driveway happens to be a bear corridor, so it is not unusual. I don’t feel the need to chase him unless he wanders into my yard.

We discussed several books and chose the following for the next three months selections:

September 24 – The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict
October 22 – Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
December 3 – The Wealth of Shadows by Graham Moore

In my opinion, the Shakespeare Alive performance was the best yet and I have been attending for many years! At one time I would take the picture of the actors outside Union Christian church with my iPad to send to the VT Standard. This year Rick Russel photographed inside and out, so I will be anxious to see his pictures.

I attended the Sunday Folk and Blues concert and was amazed at the number of people and furry companions in attendance. Many seemed to be from afar. Woody Guthrie’s grandson, Krishna sang This Land is Your Land and we all sang along.

I did want to mention that Bethany Mennonite Church will be having the Annual Community Picnic on Sunday, 9/7. Feel free to join us for the morning service at 10:45 that will include a labyrinth walk and communion. If you prefer, just come at 11:30 for lunch, games and fellowship.

8/25/25

Unfortunately the rain on Sunday evening and Monday morning did not amount to much, so it looks like I will need to water. Wonderful wildlife continues to travel through my yard. A large collection of turkey feathers littered my backyard recently. I have only seen my little bear on Dublin Rd, twice on Saturday. He lingers for a few minutes, looking rather thin and lonely before scampering into the woods.

I often have newts and spotted lizards in the entrance to my basement, plus frogs & toads that don’t freak me out. This morning I was letting in the gal who came to service my furnace and as I opened the door from the outside, a snake fell on my head! It was small, pencil thin, about a foot long. Certainly not a huge fellow, but we startled each other & it wriggled into my laundry room.

Now to the many events taking place in Plymouth Labor Day Weekend. There will be fun activities at the Historic Site, including: 8/30 at noon Shakespeare Alive! at the Union Christian Church; and 8/30 and 8/31 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m, the Plymouth Folk and Blues Festival.

School is back in session this week. Congratulations to Schuyler Hagge who recently won the girls category A bike race at the VT cycling competition at Ascutney Outdoors. I hope to hear more about our students and their activities to share with you.

I enjoyed meeting Richard and Catherine Esty at the Fletcher Memorial Library Book Sale. His poem about the event is noted here.

Used Books Sale

At the Library named Fletcher Free

who might be distant ancestors of me

Saturday morning in mid-August

patient friendly volunteers fussed

not so we’d cower but helpfully hover

so it was easy to view spine and cover

offered chairs in the purple maple’s shade

to rest between browsing forays we made

Procured at a small town library sale

two bags of books heavy—for we are frail

A pleasant pause from our regular trek

time to relax and our findings inspect

Library book sales are often a bargain

so next summer we’ll plan the trip again

All this transpired in little Ludlow town where

high school grad Coolidge wore cap and gown

Not that I feel at all connected to my

paternal grandparents’ high school too

Black River Academy— its full name

all graduates live on in silent fame

After all that for myself one small book

of poetry at which I will soon look

8/17/25

As I am writing on Sunday night, light showers are watering my thirsty plants. It will help, but things are so dry that a steady, sustained rain is needed. At the moment I am attempting to encourage a pesky fly to flee out my open window, while trying to keep other bugs from entering my office. I am not hearing that incessant buzzing, but I do see that a mosquito has made an appearance….

Our two amazing summer camps, Bethany Birches and Farm and Wilderness have finished for the season and youngsters are gearing up for the start of school. Or perhaps it is the parents who are looking forward to it! None-the-less, there is still time to enjoy swimming, boating and picnicking at Camp Plymouth State Park.

The Friends of Fletcher Memorial Library had a very successful book sale. Thanks for the many wonderful donations of good reading material and the hard work of the many volunteers! Check out the FLM website to learn more about Blackstone Unlimited for free access to audiobooks. You may find this program even more accessible than Libby!

I understand that congratulations are in order for Josh Linton’s official appointment and commission as Justice of the Peace for the town of Plymouth effective on 7/21 through 1/31/27.

I have previously mentioned some of the events taking place at the Coolidge Homestead over the Labor Day weekend. I did not, however, talk about the annual Shakespeare Alive! A Bard-Based Variety Show taking place at the Union Christian Church on 8/30 at noon. Some of us attend every year to enjoy this free Stand Up Shakespeare performance (donations appreciated). This talented group presents delightful Elizabethan verse, music, parody, and witty prose! 

CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES:

Cold River Bridges completed the final structural concrete placement on Monday, August 11th, using rapid-setting concrete to join the bridge deck slabs. On Tuesday and Wednesday, crews built up the roadway approaches to the proper grades, and Wilk Paving placed the base course of pavement on Thursday, August 14th. The bridge reopened to traffic this afternoon, with a temporary barrier installed and all remaining construction materials and equipment removed from the roadway. Initially, traffic will travel on the bare concrete deck and approach slabs, with top courses of pavement to be placed in the coming weeks.

Additional construction activities are expected in the weeks after the bridge opens, including placing concrete curbs at the bridge corners; installing permanent bridge rail and guardrail; spray-applying a bridge membrane; placing intermediate and top pavement courses; installing asphaltic plug joints at bridge joints; finalizing centerline, edgeline, and traffic signage; and seeding disturbed soils within the project limits. All post-opening work will be completed using single-lane closures, with traffic controlled by a temporary traffic signal.

TRAFFIC IMPACTS:

Vermont Route 100A is now open through the bridge site in Plymouth and is available for through-traffic between Plymouth Union and Bridgewater Corners. Regional signage will be updated to reflect the reopening. Construction activities will continue for the next several weeks using daily lane closures, with drivers stopped and released by temporary traffic signals. Drivers should use caution through the site, as workers will be in close proximity to the traveled lane and road surfaces will be uneven until final paving is completed.

DATE: August 14, 2025