Welcome to The Plymouth Press Online

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

5/27/22

There are just so many interesting things starting up for the season, that I decided to do a special issue.

Before I note the places that are reopening for the season, I do want to mention that there will be an opportunity to learn more about and also to view the Amherst Lake dam at 1534 Scout Camp Rd on Saturday 5/28 anytime from 1- 4 PM. On hand will be DEC river management engineer Todd Menees and others to discuss the future of the dam. It is a short walk through the forest to see the dam up close, so dress appropriately. Beverages and snacks will be served.

Both Coolidge State Park off Rte 100A and Camp Plymouth State Park on Scout Camp Rd are opening for the season on Friday, 5/27. Tiffany tells me that the Concession will have ice cream, beverages and snack food. Plus, the Fork in the Road food truck will be on hand for more substantial food, such as hot dogs, grilled cheese, gyros, salad and more! It will be there Friday, Saturday and Sunday from late morning until mid-afternoon for this holiday weekend. It is anticipated it will be at the park on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays in the future.

The Calvin Coolidge Historic Site will begin the season on Saturday, 5/28 and be opened as it was last year, Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM until 5 PM. Be sure to meet the new Site Administrator, Rejoice Scherry!

Also, Tyson Library will open on Tuesday, 5/31 from 10 – noon. Regular days will be Tuesday through Friday and if volunteers can be found, possibly on Saturday. It will also be open every other Monday evening from 6 – 7 PM.  Please note the passes to State parks and State Historic Sites are available at the library.

Have a safe and wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

5/23/22

The adage about the weather in VT is certainly holding with a difference of almost 20 degrees the last two days. Everything seems to be blooming and the birds and little creatures seem quite happy. Bears are on the prowl raiding garbage cans and the remaining bird feeders. Be aware!

This was a weekend of celebrations in Plymouth. There was a party to commemorate both Bob & Pat Lambert for their 80^th birthdays this month and also their anniversary that I believe hit the 57 year mark. Believe it or not, I understand that Bob was surprised by the festivities. Congratulations!

On Sunday there was a well-attended retirement gathering for Bill Jenney, who has recently retired as the Administrator at the Calvin Coolidge Historic Site at the Notch after 34 years of outstanding service. It was a delightful celebration with many of the current and former staff, community members and several dignitaries, including former governor, Jim Douglas.

A very young Bill was shown in a video from his early tenure at the NY State Museum in Albany. His later years in Plymouth were noted by a factual and amusing video, that brought much laughter. We wish him well and hope to have him visit often.

Picture of Bill by Kathy Lynds

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

5/16/22

Well, seems like we might have bypassed spring and jumped right into summer! We were more than 10 degrees warmer than my cousin in Charleston SC a few days last week. The sun has been delightful, but rain is needed and appears to be arriving later today (Monday). There is still a fire hazard that has understandably caused Joe to be cautious with issuing fire permits.

I am pleased to announce that Jaclyn Olmstead is the new Town Clerk. She is well-known in town, having grown up in Plymouth, daughter of Jan and Randy Shimp. Best of luck as she learns this new job and interacts with folks!

The Book Group has chosen selections for the next three month. For June, it is the Little Paris Book Shop by Nina George. One review notes: “Monsieur Perdu calls himself a literary apothecary. From his floating bookstore in a barge on the Seine, he prescribes novels for the hardships of life. Using his intuitive feel for the exact book a reader needs, Perdu mends broken hearts and souls.” Sounds like an interesting read for 6/15.

The Vanderbiltsby Anderson Cooper will be discussed on 7/13 and The Lincoln Highwayby Amor Towles is slated for 8/10.

Tiffany and Chris are back at Camp Plymouth State Park and already hard at work readying for the opening at 10 AM on Friday, 5/27. if the current weather is any indication, many of us will be heading to the beach for a swim. Dogs on a lease are permitted, but not on the beach. Park Fees are currently: $4 per adult ages 14 and over, $2 per child ages 4-13, $0 per child ages 3 and younger.

Purchasing a pass, good at any VT State Park is economically advantageous: $90 – vehicle pass admits up to 8 ppl in a vehicle with seatbelts. This pass is PER vehicle and gets connected to your license plate so it cannot be shared between two cars. $50 – additional vehicle pass price for those who use two vehicles for their families coming to the park. $30 – individual pass good for that individual’s entry for the entire season. For $30 you can obtain a punch pass good for 10 adult entries giving a savings of $10 dollars.

There is no reason to miss out, so check out the Venture Vermont Challenge as a fun way to get free day use entry to any park for this season and next. Families, kids, adults, anyone, can fill out this form, take photos, submit the form and photos, and you will have earned yourself a cool medallion and free day use entry for each individual that completes the program. Also, libraries offer day use coupons, too.

Please note that the Annual Strawberry Festival will happen again at the park this year on Wednesday, 6/22 after a Covid hiatus. More details to follow, but mark your calendars!

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

5/9/22

Such a gorgeous morning (Monday) – it must be spring because the black flies have arrived! Things are greening up nicely, too. I know that many people are cleaning up their yards, but don’t forget that burn permits are needed,. Call Joe Rebideau at 802-672-5148 to obtain one.

The book group will be meeting on Wednesday, 5/11 at 6:30 pm via Zoom to discuss The Push by Ashley Audrain. We will also be selecting new books for June, July and August, so plan to be part of that process.

There will be a special meeting on Monday, 6/6 at 6 PM to discuss discontinuing class 4 road, TH39. Call the Town Hall for details on the 4:30 site visit if you are interested.

Just a reminder about the celebration scheduled on 5/22 at 3:00 PM at the Coolidge Museum and Education Center for Bill Jenney to thank him for his many years of energetic and seamless attention to details at the Coolidge Homestead.

I really appreciate the reporting in the VT Journal on the Select Board meetings in Plymouth. I hope that folks are checking it out. You may have noticed that road work has commenced on Rte 100, so expect delays.

Just a few quotes to brighten your day. “Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever.” Walt Disney “It’s important to have a twinkle in your wrinkle.” – Unknown

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

5/2/22

Wasn’t Sunday a glorious day! Spring seems to be bouncing in and out this year.  I want to thank Andrew Crossman for cleaning up my yard while I was gone. It looks like April showers are continuing into May, but the ground seems rather dry, so that is probably a good thing.

I was away again this past weekend, so I am not up on all of the local news. I did learn that Green up day is Saturday 5/7. ABLE Waste Management will be accepting the designated green state bags at Fast Trash locations from Plymouth and Bridgewater residents for free. You can pick up these special bags at the Town Building, so that no fee will be charged.

In speaking with Tina, there will be a Celebration of Life for Jeff Rebideau on Saturday, 5/21 at 1 PM at 2275 Old Turnpike Rd in Mt Holly. She has a tent and will be providing meat, but side dishes would be greatly appreciated. This will be a special time to come together and share fun-filled memories and to support one another.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

4/25/22

Well, I was in Florida for a few days, which was delightful because I visited former Plymouth resident, Irene Fennell.  It is always so wonderful when friendships last through the years and you can pick up right where you left off. 

Since I was away, I don’t have much news except a request from the Select Board for landscaping help. They were wondering if there are folks with green thumbs who would like to volunteer to beautify town property with plantings and flowers.

 I am told that they will pay for the materials, but are hopeful that there are creative people interested in bringing beauty to our town. The contact person is Rick Kaminski at rkaminski@plymouthvt.org

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

4/18/22

Knowing what to wear these days is problematic with sunny, warm or cold with rainy and snowy conditions coming and going with regularity! Easter attire included sweaters and heavy coats this year.  Writing on Monday morning the sun is shining brightly, but Tuesday’s forecast of several inches of snow is unnerving.  My snow shovels remain handy and my car is still adorned with snow tires, so I guess I am all set.

The Personal Librarian generated a great discussion during book group.  What makes it so special is that each person picks up on slightly different details so that more meaning is obtained from each selection. It was nice to have Rose’s from friend, Pam, join us on zoom. Our next book is The Push by Ashley Audrain, that will be discussed on Wednesday, 5/11. I gather it is a thriller that includes debate over the nature/nurture issue.

 I see that work has been done to grade most roads and they seem to be in good shape now, despite the horrendous mud season.  I don’t believe Patch Brook has been touched yet and the last I checked there were some severely washed out places.

Everyone is out trying to clear the winter debris from yards but the weather is not always cooperating. I have not heard about Greenup day, but it is usually the first Saturday in May. More to come on that….

I am still having difficulty with my computer, even though Matt came and helped me clean it up. If anyone is knowledgeable and feels like helping me on my iMac, feel free to get in touch!

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

4/11/22

Monday has dawned bright and beautiful – so nice to see the azure sky and sparkling sunshine! We all know that April means spring showers, but it will a day to work in my bedraggled yard.

I imagine that most folks are aware that Sandie Small submitted her resignation at the last Select Board meeting. Many thanks to her for doing this detailed job for several years with a bright smile on her face. According to the Selectmen, the town office will be open only on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for the time-being until additional staff can be hired.

The Book Group will be reviewing The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict on Wednesday evening 4/13 at 6:30 via Zoom. It is about Belle Da Costa Greene, who was the personal librarian to financier J.P.Morgan. It is non-fiction, but I found it to be riveting as she gained expertise and confidence at a time when women were not well-accepted in the world of rare books, manuscripts and art that became world-renowned.

In other town news, I understand that 15 property owners paid their balances prior to the tax sale, which is so encouraging. It sounds like it will be another summer of road work extending along Rte 100 from Rte 4 to Rte 103. The same company that did such a nice job on 100A will be handling this project, starting at Rte 4 beginning in May. Happily, there is not to be full road closure, but one-way traffic as they proceed.

The Select Board is seeking applications for the Town Clerk position that will be an appointment until the election in March of 2023. The VT Journal will post it, but here are some of the specifics. Applicants need to be Plymouth residents. Duties include a wide range of responsibilities such as: setting up elections, recording deeds and licenses, warning meetings and posting minutes, dispersing information to other town departments, grant application and reporting.

Lastly, let’s join together at the Coolidge Museum and Education Center to celebrate Bill Jenney and thank him for his many years of tireless attention to details at the Coolidge Homestead on 5/22 at 3:00 PM. He will be difficult to replace!

What: This is a public ‘forum’ for anyone that would like to brush up on first aid topics.  Come with your questions or email them with your registration ahead of time.  Topics to be covered right now include: Hands only CPR for adult, child and infant, stroke symptoms, emergency first aid when you are out in the woods…

When: Tuesday, April 26th

Time: 6:30 – ????

Cost: Free .  This is done as a community service for Plymouth residents by the Plymouth First Response Team.

The class will be taught by an AHA certified CPR/First Aid instructor, EMS instructor/coordinator.  It is not a certification course.  

Registration is required ahead of time so that we can accommodate all. 

Please contact the Town Assistant Clerk Monday – Thursday or email  asstclerk@plymouthvt.org