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Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

9/5/21

Quite a shift in the weather!  Saturday was certainly a glorious day and that was likely why there was such a crowd for the Folk and Blues concert organized by Jay Ottaway.  Even with Covid trying to establish another foothold, Folks seemed to feel secure outdoors visiting and enjoying the music together.  People of all sizes and shapes, exuberant children, and several beloved pets passed the afternoon together enchanted by our lovely little community nestled in the hills of VT. 

I also attending the Shakespeare Alive production and that was delightful, as usual.  There were some short play-on-words moments interjected into the program this year, that were quite entertaining.  Masks were worn by the audience and actors when not performing, but I did not attempt to get a picture.  Anna provided me with this one.

The first Grace Coolidge Musicale Event of the season will take place on 9/12 at 2:00 PM in the Union Christian Church. Well-known fiddler Adam Boyce and pianist Sue Hunt will provide a musical walk down memory lane.  The program includes numbers played by the Plymouth Old Time Dance Orchestra, which went on a national tour in 1926 culminating at the Coolidge White House.  I remember Emma Carpenter telling me all about it because her husband was part of the group.  The program is free, but donations appreciated. The second and last musicale for this year will be on 10/3 and again will reflect the 1920’s theme to coordinate with the Coolidge Site’s new exhibit, “The Roaring Twenties: Fashions, Fads, and All That Jazz!”   Make sure to schedule your visit Tuesday – Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM.  The Site will be closing 10/17. For more information, call 802-672-3773, or visit our website: www.HistoricSites.Vermont.gov

Picture by Anna Cody – Stand-Up Shakespeare Company

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

8/29/21

Writing this on Sat evening and enjoying the change in temperature and humidity.  This has been such a strange summer, but I am definitely not ready for it to end!  Yet September is around the corner, signaling the start of school and the end of some outdoor concerts.
The Labor Day Weekend will have several enjoyable events at the Historic Site. 

“Shakespeare Alive! A Bard-Based Variety Show” will take place at the Union Christian Church at noon.  The actors are mindful of the rising Covid cases and will wear masks when not performing.  For information about the presentation, please call 917-406-1456.   

Listed as one of the “Top 10 Fall Event” by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, Jay Ottaway has again lined up many talented performers for the 16th annual Plymouth Folk & Blues Festival. The concerts will take place both Sat, 9/4 and Sun, 9/5 from 2 until 5 PM. You can check out musician bios at www.plymouthfolk.com.  Although these concerts are free, a donation is always appreciated, plus don’t forget to bring non-perishable items for the VT Foodbank.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

8/23/21

As I write this at 9 AM on Monday, the sun is actually shining on Tom’s Memory Garden!  Yesterday I removed the furniture, hanging plants and wind chimes from my decks, but the wind was relatively tame.  I know that this afternoon will bring more rain & possible damage, but hopefully it will be slight!

“Who knows what lurks”, not in the hearts of men, but in my driveway.  I have a monitor that plays a little tune when something comes up and the other night it was playing repeatedly.  Although I initially incorporated it into my dream, I finally realized that significant activity was taking place.  I also heard a whine of some sort and wondered if it could be the bobcat that has been frequenting the neighborhood.  When it sounded twice more, I got up and switched on the flood light.  The foliage obscured my view of the bottom half of the driveway, however, so nothing could be seen.  The owl began screeching right outside my bedroom window, but I finally managed to go back to sleep.  This morning, two turkeys ventured up to bid me good morning.  Never a dull moment around here, but I love it!

The Reading Group met at the Community Center last Thursday to discuss The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller.  It was a light and fun read, which we seem to need every now and again. On 9/15, we will review Confident Women by Tori Telfer. 

Please note there will be a household hazardous waste collection on Tuesday, 9/21 at the Springfield Transfer Station from 2:00 until 6:00 PM, sponsored by the Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District and the Town of Springfield. E-mail mobrien@marcvt.org or call 674-9235 for more information or visit www.vtsolidwastedistrict.org for a list of what to bring and what not to bring.

A Special Posting from Margo about the approaching road work~

“The Plymouth Selectboard attended the meeting hosted by VTRANS and with officials and emergency services providers from Plymouth and neighboring Towns.  The Selectboard  had felt fully informed for the past year about the upcoming work on bridge 114 and 115 on Rt 100, necessitating the road closure. However, the Board was surprised to recently learn that paving and other work was happening to the Rt 100A detour simultaneously.  In fact we had received no official notification and learned only from the information signs posted that this was happening.  We questioned VTRANS officials about this at the meeting as we felt this was extremely poor decision making, as the scheduling of this was absolutely unnecessary.  Vtrans responded that there would be minimal impacts. VTRANS justification was that they were trying to schedule the work within the 2022 fiscal year, however we were dissatisfied with that answer as they have until June 30th of 2022. We pressed them to change the timing and were met with resistance, and again when asked if crews could work at night.   The Selectboard felt the VTRANS was unresponsive to the needs of the Town and believes that they have exercised poor judgement with the continuation of the Rt 100A project simultaneously with the Rt 100 road closure.”  By Jay Kullman for the Select Board

TRAFFIC IMPACT: There will be alternating lanes of travel, managed by flaggers. A uniformed traffic officer will be on site to conduct speed enforcement. Please travel with caution.  CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES: Contractor Willey Earthmoving installed temporary work zone signs and erosion prevention and sediment control (EPSC) measures this week. Erosion and sediment control helps prepare the site for improvements.  Next week, they plan to place the portable changeable message signs and install the temporary detour signs. PLANNING AHEAD: AOT is replacing Culverts 114 and 115 and improving the roadway and Reservoir Brook channel on VT-100. During this initial phase, VT-100 remains open. However, the next phase requires a detour on VT-100, as illustrated below. The detour is anticipated from August 30 through September 26. We will finalize and communicate the dates two weeks prior. For more information, view the flyer below.  LOCATION: VT-100 in Plymouth from the intersection of VT-100A and Route 4  PROJECTED COMPLETION: October 2021  Detour and projects map   VT-100A TRAFFIC IMPACT: There will be alternating lanes of travel during weekday construction on VT-100A (6:30 am until 5:30 pm). Travel will be managed by the Automated Flagger Assistance Devices, as shown in the photo below. Stop on red, go on flashing yellow, and mind the gate! Construction is allowed on Bennington Battle Day (Monday, August 16). Please travel with caution.  CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES: Contractor Pike Industries will continue the berm removal and ditching work from this week. They will improve the guardrail, scheduled to begin on August 19.  PLANNING AHEAD: Once VT-100 is closed to through traffic (see above), VT-100A is the dedicated detour route.  LOCATION: VT-100A between VT-100 and Route 4, connecting Plymouth and Bridgewater.  PROJECTED COMPLETION: October 2021 Contact Information Hannah Brockhaus Public Information Consultant 802-673-1264 | hbrockhaus@fhistudio.com

In case you are looking for something fun to do this weekend, I understand there will some interesting finds at the Leisure Class Company Auction at 111 Rte 100 in Ludlow. 

You may have seen Steve Radonis’ truck there, since he has been working on that place for the elderly owner for quite some time.

It will take place on Sunday, 8/22 at 11 AM

Please note the cancelation of the Community Luncheon planned for 8/20.  I have received several notes from people indicating that they do not feel comfortable gathering in light of the increased number of Covid cases.  Out of an abundance of caution, we will not be meeting – sorry!

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

8/16/21

These cooler overnight temps have certainly made sleeping more comfortable lately.  A break in the rain has made it necessary to water the garden, but that is fine with me!  A cramp in my foot pulled me out of bed in the middle of the night and a strange squealing sound drew me to the dining room window.  I couldn’t see anything, but the branch of a tree was quavering and leaves were rapidly falling to the ground. I have no idea what was happening, but I surmise that some creature was in trouble….

The memorial service for Ralph Michael was held at the gravesite on Saturday and about 30 people were in attendance.  There were many words of appreciation for his life and accomplishments.  His daughter, Michelle, gave a message from the family since Judy was suffering with a back issue and Rudy, Jeremy and family were unable to attend due to Covid.  It is a bit concerning that Covid is circling around again, so that caution is needed.

I understand that the Mountain Times did quite an article about the issue of Rte 100 being closed for bridge work, supposedly at the end of the month, while 100A (the detour route) will also be under construction.  I have been unable to obtain the publication, but these projects are of concern to many local residents.  Hopefully more information will be forthcoming soon.

I am in a quandary about the community luncheon scheduled for Friday.  A couple of people have already indicated that they will not be coming due to Covid concerns. I was hoping that we might pull tables outside, but I am not sure if that is feasible.  For those who were planning to attend, please let me know what you think.  We had hoped to have more information about the road construction issue, too.

Please mark your calendar for the one day annual tag sale/craft fair at the Plymouth community center on Saturday, October 9. There will be a five dollar per person charge for setting up a table to sell your items. 

Please be advised that the service for Ralph will still take place, but will be held at Plymouth Notch Cemetery.  Family members who have tested positive for Covid will not be in attendance, but plan to sit on Rudy’s porch to wave at folks.  Feel free to wave or honk as you pass by! Judy is unable to attend due to an incapacitating back problem, but she is hopeful that people will be comfortable attending & honoring Ralph. 

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

8/8/21

This has been such a strange summer weather-wise, but that seems to be the case worldwide these days.  Storms and fires and floods are occurring everywhere.  I didn’t water the gardens today, anticipating more of a downpour this afternoon, but it didn’t amount to much here in Tyson.  I could hear the rumble of thunder not far away, yet it didn’t reach us.
Last Tuesday I spent some time in Echo Lake at the home of friends across from Camp Plymouth.  The rain has kept the water rather chilly, but it does help to beat the escalating humidity.  Looking over at the beach, I was surprised to see so few people there.  It is nice to know that the park will remain open until 9/26 this year, so there is still plenty of time to enjoy it.

Although I was out of town, I understand that the Tyson Ladies Aid Bazaar on the 7th was a great success.  Looking ahead, it seems like the free Bard-based variety show, “Shakespeare Alive” will take place (after a year’s Covid hiatus) in the Union Christian Church at the Historic Site on Saturday, 9/4 at noon.  Mark your calendar for this wonderfully hilarious performance!

Don’t forget to check out the Calvin Coolidge Historic Site with its several buildings and exhibits, but remember that  it is no longer open on Mondays, so plan accordingly.  The historic relevance and the picturesque setting provide a delightful and peaceful place of learning and respite.

I have not received many responses regarding holding a luncheon at the Community Center on Friday, 8/20.  Katherine Pingree has volunteered to help and we will definitely proceed with plans if there is sufficient interest, so let me know!

I hope that you are decluttering and saving unwanted items for the town-wide tag sale at the Community Center on Saturday, 10/9.  There is minimal charge of $5 to set up a table.  Personally, I am excited to bring a carload of stuff that I no longer need or use.