Welcome to The Plymouth Press Online

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

7/4/21

Writing this on the 4th of July – hope that you celebrated!  The weather has not been great for this Holiday weekend, but there was a lovely sunset this evening.  Lots of fireworks around Echo Lake and elsewhere tonight.  Unfortunately the ones at the Coolidge Homestead were cancelled on Saturday evening.  The Annual dinner was still held there and riding by, the many white tents were quite impressive.

I understand that a number of our local students have been excelling in school: 7th grade – Schuyler Hagge (Summa Cum Laude); 8th Grade – Colton Kowalski (Magna Cum Laude); 10th grade – Norah Harper (Summa Cum Laude); 11th grade – Meredith Reiger (Magna Cum Laude) and 12th grade – Calef Hepler (Magna Cum Laude).  Congratulations to one and all.  Calef also received the Tyson Ladies Scholarship.

There are also several birthdays this month.  I have already missed Susie Bergey (7/2), but coming up are Cindy Summer (7/5), Betty Stear (7/21), and Carolyn Scott (7/31).  Best wishes!  Condolences to the family of Mary Kay Bixby of Kingdom Rd, who passed away at their Smyrna Beach home on 6/19.

Several people have asked about the monthly Community Luncheons.  Katherine Pingree and I have recently been discussing having a potluck one at the Plymouth Community Center on Friday, 8/20.  Please let me know your thoughts, if you would like to attend and could possibly help with planning.  It has been a long time since we have all been together, but with vaccinations, it seems like it might be safe to meet again!

I received some exciting news when I recently had lunch with Kristen and Lauren Jarvi and Barbara Chick.  Lauren’s daughter, Hillary runs mountains and just placed first for women in the Marathon at Mont Blanc and 20th overall with more than 500 runners participating.  It took her 11 hours and 54 minutes to accomplish this feat!  As you can see, the view is spectacular, too.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

6/27/21

My apologies for missing last week!  I was on my way to Lake George on Monday afternoon when I remembered I had not done my report.  Alas, there was not a great deal of exciting news anyway…. Looks like it will be a steamy week, so Camp Plymouth State Park will likely be busy.  Still only snack items at the Concession, but boat rentals are now available.

I saw the oil mark in front of Richard North’s home on the Tyson/Reading Rd and understand that someone hit a pole there several days ago, but kept right on going, leaking fluids along the way.  I was privileged to assist with the renewal of vows on the lawn overlooking Echo Lake on Saturday for Scott and Pam Neleber.  Some of you may remember Scott’s mom, Alice, an artist who lived there for many years.

There are a number of exciting happenings coming up at the Notch.  According to Bill, the Site is fully open and welcoming visitors again.  The Cheese Factory is allowing access once more, too.  July 2-4 will include The Coolidge Cup, the national invitational speech and debate tournament sponsored by the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation. Fireworks will happen on 7/3 and the annual procession and wreath laying ceremony at the Coolidge graveside led by the Vermont National Guard will begin at noon on 7/4.  Plan on enjoying the delightful exhibits and buildings depicting the life and times of Calvin Coolidge all weekend and then help to celebrate his July 4th birthday!

More property is changing hands in town.  Below are the latest sales sent to me by Elaine:

1) 109 Upper Round Top Rd.     $317,000    Charles Cardillo, Jr and Todd Cardillo, Trustees to Matthew and Kaitlin Smith

2) 5392 Route 100      $195,000       James Nolan to Rad Roubeni     

3) Echo View Estates 2.46 Acres      $86,000     Tom Derlinga to Haig and Stephanie Seferian

4) 1383 Salt Ash Rd.      $520,000      Jon and Theonia Boyd to Walter and Elizabeth Mills

5) 9139 Route 100        $155,000  A.B.L.E. Waste Mgmt. to MJF Management, LLC

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

6/13/21

Saturday and Sunday have been delightful weather days and many people have been taking advantage and enjoying outdoor events.  Swimming, biking, walking have all exploded the weekend.  It is a good thing because the forecast for the next couple of days is for rain.  Time for indoor projects!

I understand that there were a few sprinkles at the WUHS graduation, but the celebration was not interrupted.  Congratulations to Kailyn Gomes, Calef Hepler, and Brooke Rebideau on their achievement.  Tyson Ladies Aid scholarship was awarded to Calef, who will be attending CT College in the fall.

I noticed that a part-time bookkeeper position was listed in the VT Journal to provide assistance to the Plymouth Town Clerk/Treasurer.  Additional information can be obtained at clerk@plymouthvt.org or by calling 802-672-3655.

It was so exciting to have the Book Group meeting in person on 6/9.  There were nine of us in attendance to discuss The Girls in the Stilt House by Kelly Mustian.  It was an interesting narrative about 2 young women, one black and the other white, who lived in Mississippi’s Natchez Trace during the early 1020s.  Discussion centered around the way each was trapped in a hard and cruel life – an eyeopener to the harsh conditions of that time and place.  Yet their resiliency and resourcefulness helped them to overcome their hardships and improve their situations.  The next meeting will take place on 7/14 to discuss Surviving the White Gaze by Rebecca Carroll.

Please note that there will be a road closure on Rte 100 north of Woodward Reservoir in order to replace bridges 114 and 115.  Working on them simultaneously VTRANS says will shorten the time of closure that will take several weeks and occur between Aug and Oct, from what I can glean. Going around on Rte 100A will mean additional travel time.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

6/7/21

Well, this roller coast weather continues!  I was glad to see the rain on Saturday afternoon because I didn’t need to water.  Sunday was a different story as temperatures soared. I think today (Monday), I will continue to organize files and such and simply stay indoors where it is cool.  Later, I guess I will need to venture out to water, however.

When I drove passed the boat launch on Echo on Sunday, it was packed with vehicles and there were all sorts of boats out on the lake.  Although the first weekend of the season was rainy, I imagine that Camp Plymouth State Park had good crowds this weekend.  As VT updates COVID guidelines, things are in flux.  The concession is initially only having snack items & rentals for certain water craft, but I am told that is subject to change.

Tyson Ladies Aid was able to have a well-attended meeting outdoors by the Library on the 3rd.  The annual Bazaar will take place in Memorial Park in Ludlow on 8/7, but in deference to the hardships experienced by area businesses, donations are not being actively solicited.  There will be an amazing array of baskets with creative contents and the BBQ, so mark your calendar.

The Book Group will actually meet in person this week – Wed, 6/9 at 6:30 PM at the Community building.  We will be discussing The Girls in the Stilt House by Kelly Mustian and it will still be available on Zoom, too.

Be sure to contact Katherine Pingree at 802-353-7969 for details on the Canasta Club and also, playing Pickleball at the Community Center.

Thanks to Joanie Day for accompanying me to toss my cat, Ree’s ashes on Tom’s grave, on what would have been his 78th birthday on Sunday.  Sorry to have missed Sue Poirier (6/4), but you still have time to congratulate Matt Harootunian and me on 6/14.  We were both Flag Day babies, although notably many years apart!

Reprinted with permission of The Vermont Standard

5/31/21

My goodness, the rain has been soaking the earth these last couple of days.  As I write this article on Monday morning, it appears to be brightening a bit.  The birds are singing and everything looks green and refreshed and seems to be flourishing.  All sorts of creatures are roaming around.  It did see a large bear in my driveway the other evening and I am glad that some hummingbirds have settled in and are finding nourishment at my feeders and flowers.

I was honored to perform the first wedding of the season at the Echo Lake Inn on Sunday, for new neighbors, Rosanna and Jim Booth.  It was a glorious celebration of their love, attended by family and friends from as far away as Peru.  Lively music was provided by Green Eyed Lady and despite the rain, the mood was festive.

So many venues are open now that it is difficult to keep track.  VT state parks and the Calvin Coolidge Historic  are open for the season.  I have been attempting to track down the date of Vermont’s annual free fishing day.  I have seen notations about 6/8 and also 6/13.  I will clarify the date and note it next week.

More property changing hands in town:

1275 Route 100     $225,000    Christopher and Thomas Chappelear to Rafal Wrotniak and Marta Wojcik

Chapman Rd, 7.6 Acres     $55,000    Little Ascutney, LLC to Lisa Guerra

4278 Route 100 A      $910,000      Richard Sweetser to Mark and Judith Fleming

36 Woodpecker Rd        $302,500       Isabel Stevens to Benjamin and Jordan Lund

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

5/24/21

Wow, these temps have been jumping all over the place!  It was nice to have a bit of rain Sunday afternoon although it probably wasn’t enough.  I am hoping that these cooler temps will help to diminish the black flies and mosquitos.  It is so annoying the way they love to get into my hair and around my face, seeming to take big chunks of flesh.  I am glad I have my hand-held bug zapper racket, so I can still go for a walk without being completely devoured.

Tyson Library will open on 5/29, with the usual schedule of Tuesday-Saturday, from 10 AM – noon. It is planned to be open every other Monday evening from 6-7 PM, too.  Masks are needed inside the building.  Book donations are being accepted, but please only bring those that are in good condition, to be used in the library or sold at the book sale.

There are passes available for State Parks and the State Historic sites – one each for free admission for up to 8 people in one vehicle.  Please note the Camp Plymouth State Park opens Thursday, 5/28 and the Historic Site opens on 5/29.

Canasta anyone?  Join the group on Mondays at 1 PM at the Community Center.  Call Katherine Pingree at 802-353-7969 for more details.

Check out the Okemo Valley TV website for the documentary “Keep Cool with Coolidge”, a presentation about the 1924 campaign.  Also the 6th graders at LES reciting Coolidge’s “Vt is the State I Love” speech is there, as well.

The Conasta Card Club that meets at The Plymouth Community Center is now meeting Monday’s at 1 pm.

Call Katherine Pingree if you need details @ 802-353-7969

Hope to see you there!

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

5/17/21

Certainly the sunny days have been wonderful, but anyone digging down into the ground will note the dryness just below the surface.  If you are adding new plantings to your gardens, it will be important to monitor their water needs.

A friend and I parked near the Hawk marina on Lake Amherst on Sunday and went for a walk.  The lowering of the water seems most noticeable at that end of the lake, where a sandbar is visible from the Scout Camp Rd side.  We watched a car back down the ramp trying to launch a boat, but the attempt was aborted presumably due to the shallowness of the water there.

The Chicken Sisters generated lively conversation during the Book Group discussion this past week.  Family dynamics are always fascinating and the diversity of personalities noted in the book provided many laughs even when we could see ourselves to a degree!  The next selection for our 6/9 meeting is The Girls in the Stilt House by Kelly Mustian.

I enjoyed a delightful mindfulness/meditation workshop at Artistree on Saturday with Susan Mordecai, sponsored by the Ottauquechee Health Foundation.  The setting was lovely and the time together was relaxing and thoughtful.  A 6 week program starting in June will likely provide the same wonderful experience –   “moments of contemplation, walking meditation, shared silence, dialogue, as well as self-compassion explorations to awaken the creative self.”  

I understand the Tyson Library will be opening on the Saturday of Memorial weekend.  More news to follow.  

There have been additional properties changing hands in Plymouth noted below:

115 Salt Ash Rd     $395,000            Gary Gottlieb to Todd and Michelle Patane

Hale Hollow Rd – 11.21 Acres       $50,000   John Bazzinotti to Philip Geyer

1392 Dublin Rd.         $435,000             Waterman Properties, LLC to Coldwell-LaFleur

Hale Hollow Rd        $10,000          Rodney Leonard to Art and Julie Lynds

1688 Lynds Hill           $550,000         Nicholas Boaknin to Zachary King and Nina Skyttmo

Chapman Rd, 4.46 Acres           $15,000           Janice Cole to Debra Stanicia

Group Pickleball Mondays at 6pm
                                 Fridays at 10am

Open Court for Pickleball  –
Weekends.   Net provided.

Conasta Card Club. Sunday’s 2-5 pm

Please call Katherine Pingree with any Questions   802-353-7969

Leave a message if no answer. Thanks.