Welcome to The Plymouth Press Online

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

12/5/21

A lovely walk this afternoon (Sunday) with a neighbor, ahead of the anticipated rain.  Not looking forward to a soggy beginning to the week, but even less enthused about the prospect of ice when the temps plummet again.  Guess we need to get our grippers out!

This week is the special town meeting and vote:  Monday night 12/6 at 7 PM for the informational meeting, then voting will take place on Tuesday 12/7 from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.  Article 1 To see if the voters will authorize the Select Board to assign fund balances in accordance with 24 V.S.A. § 2804.  Article 2 To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $950,000.00 for repair of the town hall roof, completing deferred maintenance, performing energy/weatherization upgrades, and the addition of solar.  Article 3  To see if the Town will approve a short-term rental ordinance.  Check the Town website for more details.

This is the participation via Zoom information that I was sent:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83689624802?pwd=L0M4R001SjlOaDY5dFU0Sng0WlBoQT09

Meeting ID: 836 8962 4802.  Passcode: 486405 One tap mobile.  

+13126266799,,83689624802#,,,,*486405# US (Chicago)+19292056099,,83689624802#,,,,*486405# US (New York)Dial by your location.  Find your local #: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbLTgM31U1

Meeting ID: 836 8962 4802. Passcode: 486405

How nice to have this stunning new art by Willow Bascom, who donated her time, energy and talent to make this amazing owl for the front of the Plymouth Community Center. Learn more about Willow and see her work on her website: https://www.willowdraws.com.  Many thanks to Matt Harootunian for installing it!  Never fear, the old paintings formerly on the front of the Community Center will be relocated to the Town Hall, to preserve them and brighten up the walls. 

Please note that the Tyson Community Church (located across from the Echo Lake Inn at the corner of Route 100 South & Dublin Rd) will have a pre-Christmas Candlelight Service on Sunday, 12/19 at 4:30 PM. All are invited and masks are optional.  Plan to remain for refreshments downstairs in the Social hall afterward.

Well, sorry to have missed Jeremy Ennis’ birthday on 11/30 and Beth Lombard’s on 12/4.  You still have time to congratulate Andy Buchan-Groff (12/11) and Simon Bergey (12/14).  Please let me know others to include!

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

11/28/21

So, winter is upon us! I just barely brought the Thanksgiving decorations inside before the snow began on Friday. I was glad that I pushed the snow off the deck into the driveway twice that evening because it was quite dense and hard to move, even a few inches at the time. The remaining 3 or so inches in the morning, seemed lighter and easier to remove. Here in Tyson, I had about 10 inches of snow, but apparently many areas received much less. It certainly was a winter wonderland on Saturday!

On Thanksgiving morning, my drive alert sounded and it seemed so fitting to look out and view a line of turkeys waddling down my driveway. Then on Sunday morning at 4:44 AM (digital clock), I was awakened and decided to see what was happening out there. Although cloudy, the moon was providing some light so that I could see two graceful shapes silhouetted against the snow. Since I didn’t need to turn on a light I was able to watch them meander along, then suddenly sprint up the bank and disappear into the woods.

The World Cup women’s giant slalom at Killington was canceled due to high winds after nine racers participated in the first run on Saturday. The conditions were difficult with the wind speed, noted at one point as being 30 miles per hour, that cause whipping snow and poor visibility. Sunday brought slalom win No. 46 for the 26-year-old American, Mikaela Shiffrin, who is said to have honed her skills nearby at the Burke Mountain Academy as a teenager.

Well, the Hagge family is at it again, but this time it was younger daughter, Beatrix Hagge who participated in the 30th annual West Hill Shop Kid’s cyclocross bicycle race on November 14 and came in very close second in her category. Congrats!

Ayla Price is still dancing with the Dance Factory. This year will have the lead as the sugar plum fairy in the Nutcracker that will be held at Green Mt High School on 12/11 and 12/12. She was also just inducted into the National Honor Society. Nice work!

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

11/19/21

Writing again so soon because of an early VT Standard deadline, a result of the upcoming holiday.  A friend and I were victims of an erroneous weather forecast at 10 this morning.  Although there was a bit of snow on my deck early today, the weather prediction did not indicate more precipitation.  Yet, as we ventured forth we encountered sleet, hail, and a mini-blizzard  Oh well, this is VT and we are toughening up for winter!

Please take note that the Plymouth Artisan Cheese Factory is open despite the fact that the Historic Site is closed for the season.  Their hours are 11 AM to 4 PM and the small museum is also open for a self-guided tour.  They may be reached at 802-672-3650 or www.plymouthcheese.com.

Tom at the Echo Lake Inn just advised me that the restaurant will be open 11/25 – 11/27 from 5:30 – 9 PM for more turkey!  They are full for all three seatings on Thanksgiving, however.  Their winter menu will be in effect on weekends starting 12/3.  On 12/22 the plan is to be open six days per week.

Just a reminder about the dates for the special town meeting:  Monday night 12/6 at 7 PM for the informational meeting, then voting will take place on Tuesday 12/7 from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Information on the Short Term Rental proposal and the repairs to the Town Building can be found on the Town website.  

Thanksgiving is coming  

Feasting forthcoming 

  Meal prep upcoming

\We will join at the table  

Hungry and able  

All cozy and stable

We’ll each note a blessing  

Dig into the dressing  

And enjoy decompressing

Call 802-672-2277 or cell, 603-359-3058 to learn more about Moxie

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

11/15/21

Snow or no snow?  I was coming home from WRJ on Saturday evening and the rain was unrelenting at times.  The glare in the dark on the wet pavement was frightening because it was difficult to see the lines on the road.  It was not until I arrived at the Plymouth border that the rain turned to snow.  The saving grace was the newly painted lines on 100A, plus the fact there was little oncoming traffic to blind me!

I noticed a fire truck coming up the Notch hill and later learned that there had been a roll-over on Messer Hill.  When emergency personnel arrived, the occupants of the car were no longer there.  I am not sure if a penalty of some kind will be the result of leaving the scene.  

Snow had been forecasted for the wee hours of today (Monday) and there was some, but it melted by dawn.  Momentary flurries have filled the air this morning, but nothing of consequence.  I paused in writing and now it is momentarily hailing.  Of course, winter weather is nipping at our heals.  I hope that folks are preparing for the season with good tires and such.  I just put my snow brush in the car, plus an emergency bag of items in case I become stranded somewhere.

We had a delightful conversation about spy Sonya & spies in general when the Reading Group met last week.  Rose hooked us up to Zoom, so a member in FL was also able to participate.  We also welcomed a new member Haylee and appreciated her comments & insights.   The next meeting is planned for Wednesday, 12/8 at 6:30 pm at the Community Center, when we will discuss the book Blue Desert by Celia Jeffries.  Consider joining us – the more the merrier!

Well, I was excited to learn about several more Nov birthday.  I missed Brian Hayes, who turned 16 on 11/4 and his sister Crystal will be 17 on 11/23.  Missy Lynds shares the 17th for her special day. I also missed Karen Evans (11/7) and Lonnie Ennis (11/14)  Art Lynds  and Patrick Donnelly share 11/15.  Best wishes to all!

I wanted to share the news that the Tyson Store will be closing on 11/30.  It is understandable that running the place is difficult now, but it will be greatly missed, as will be seeing Tina, Brooke and Ashley.  Tina said she is selling some items, too, since the potential buyer will not be running a store..  My grandsons wanted to where they will register their deer now.  It was always so nice that Tina took their pictures, too.   Arrangements have been made to handle the snow plowing piece, so that appears to be all set.  Sending well-wishes. 

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

11/8/21

What amazing weather!  I had my grandsons this weekend and we spent much of the time outside enjoying the warmth and beautiful sunshine.  We played disc golf on Saturday and miniature golf on Sunday.  I hit a hole-in-one, which is pretty incredible for me!  

It is interesting that some trees are completely bare now, but others are holding onto their leaves despite the wind and rain.  I do love the reds and oranges, but right now the golden glow is lovely.  I was coming through Ascutney on Wednesday when there was a two minute deluge of tiny sleet balls hitting my windshield.  It didn’t last long, but I understand that snow covered the ground in Mt Holly for a time.

This week will be the gathering of the Book Group to discuss Agent Sonya — Moscow’s Most Daring Wartime Spy by Ben McIntyre.  It was eye-opening to learn the intricacies of spy work and that all countries seem to do it – some with more success than others.  We will meet at 6:30 PM on Wed, 11/10 at the community center and thanks to Rose, Zoom will be an option.

Belated Happy Birthday to Willow Bascom (11/2) and warm wishes to young Julia Baldwin (11/20) and Joan Day (11/30).  I admit that I am not very good at keeping track, so feel free to send me a reminder, so I include your special day.  Thought for the day:  “Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

There will be a meeting for folks interested in helping set up the first seed exchange at the Plymouth Community Center on Sunday, November 7th at 2pm.

Items to discuss include picking a Springtime date, helpful info to send out beforehand, format, suggesting gardeners plant an extra row for the food bank, possibility of having a canning session together at harvest time and your ideas.

35 School Drive, Plymouth