Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

5/3/21

A new month and although we had snow flurries on Saturday, I see many signs of leaving winter behind.  My daffodils have weathered snow and rain and continue to bob their multi-colored heads.  Birds abound, but I understand hummingbirds have been seen, so it is time to swap out my feeders to accommodate these feisty little ones.  
Although the weather has been quite variable, on nice mornings I have been exercising and journaling outdoors.  The other day a chickadee landed on my knee.  Not sure who was more stunned!  It quickly flitted to the deck railing, but continued to look at me.  A messenger perhaps.

I wanted to alert folks to an important meeting regarding Lake Amherst.  Some of you may be aware that the dam that leads to Echo Lake is privately owned and apparently is in need of repair.  The Amherst water level has been lowered, meaning the several docks are now out of the water.  

Please note that today, 5/3, there will be a Selectboard meeting with Todd Menees from the Vermont ANR Rivers Program and Ben Green from the Vermont ANR division of Dam safety. Both representatives will be on hand to provide information on the condition of the dam, why the water level has been lowered, and possible courses of action.  This portion of the meeting will begin at 6:45 p.m.  Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89226538781?pwd=VUxMNFZwZFY3Ni9yVFRUcVdid044QT09

Good news, the Historic site is scheduled to open 5/29 and although it will be closed on Mondays, the hours for the other days will be -10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.  According to Bill Jenney, the seasonal exhibit will be “The Roaring Twenties: Fashions, Fads, and All That Jazz!”, which will include the beginning of the modern era.  The 1920s had it all – The Charleston, Prohibition, gangsters, flappers, women’s suffrage, Charles Lindbergh, Charlie Chaplin, and Babe Ruth.  With the use of artifacts and images from the Coolidge Site’s collection, Vermont Historical Society, and the Coolidge family, this should be an incredible and uplifting display, made possible through the generous support from the Alma Gibbs Donchian Foundation.

Plymouth Emergency Services will be holding an American Heart Association First Aid class on Tuesday night, May 18th from 6 – 9:30 p.m. at the Plymouth Town Hall.

There will be a maximum of 6 students in the class.  Anyone interested in attending should contact Sue Poirier at spcolby@gmail.com. 

All students must be fully COVID19 vaccinated to attend.

Reprinted with permission of The Vermont Standard

4/26/21

Not that I was looking forward to the rain on Sunday, but we certainly do need it.  I notice that there is a fire alert because of the combined dryness and gusty wind.  I believe most people will be prudent enough to realize that burning would not be wise!  It looks like rain will be forthcoming during the week, however.

I still a few tiny patches of snow on the north side of my house where it came off the roof.  My supply of black oil sunflower seeds is dwindling, but it is nearly time to replace the feeder with the hummingbird one.  I was watching this morning, trying to see the red bird of yesterday that I wanted to identify, but only chickadees, nuthatches and a titmouse were in evidence.  The house and purple finches have gone elsewhere, so I think perhaps it was a crossbill.

It is rather quiet in our area at this time.  Ludlow seemed nearly deserted on Saturday.  A clerk in Shaws remarked that it was a relief!  Although spring cleaning and lawn care are happening, the Inn at Water’s Edge will not reopen until 5/14 and Echo Lake Inn will begin serving again on 5/21.

Although there will be no formal GreenUp effort in Plymouth this year, you can still get out there and help to beautify our roadways.  The green bags are available at the Town Office.  Able Waste will be accepting them at Fast Trash in Bridgewater free of charge for the next couple of Saturday.

Now, something for which to look forward – Both Coolidge State Park and Camp Plymouth State Park will be opening on 5/28.  Of course, as many of us know, Camp Plymouth has had many people enjoying the grounds all winter!

Reprinted with permission of The Vermont Standard

4/18/21

Much of the snow has disappeared on the driveway, but some is lingering on the decks.  It was so wet and heavy that I only cleared a path leading to the steps.  Simply staying put at home on Friday seemed the prudent thing to do and there are always indoor projects that need attention.  The black flies were just barely making an appearance on Thursday, so I wonder (hopefully) if this change in the weather has decimated their ranks!

The Town meeting attracted 6 people, plus 10 attended by Zoom.  Although fewer than 80 people voted in the election (30 were absentee ballots), all of the Town articles passed easily.  In the only contested seat, Mike Coleman was voted into the Lister position.

As usual we had a lively Book Group discussion. Girl with the Louding Voice provided some interesting information about life in Nigeria and the plight of women there.  We all were grateful for our lives here in VT.  The meetings will still remain at 6:30 PM, but the day have been changed to Wednesday.  We decided on the following books for the next three months:

5/12 The Chicken Sisters by KJ Dell’Antonia

6/9 The Girls in the Stilt House by Kelly Mustian

7/14 Surviving the White Gaze by Rebecca Carroll

Spring Snow

Birds return to the feeder as snow swirls

Then wind lifts daffodil heads with twirls

The ground that sprouted early green

Suddenly changes to hues of opaline

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

4/12/21

Well, this Monday morning is a bit gloomy, but the past week has been absolutely beautiful, necessitating the pulling out of warm weather clothes.  I love it!  I was fortunate to have lots of help recently – Andy to assist with lawn work and setting my clothes line out.  My son-in-law and Donnie, plus Melissa and the boys to make short work of downing 3 trees that will allow more light into my yard.  

I have noticed many people out in their yards cleaning up after winter, unburying the new shoots that are emerging.  Things are dry, so rain is needed.  In speaking with Joe Rebideau, he is not issuing burn permits at the present time.

A reminder about Town Meeting tonight and voting tomorrow.  Also, the Reading Group will gather via Zoom on Thursday, 4/15 at 6:30 PM to discuss the book, Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare.  We will also be considering selections for the next several months.  All are welcome to join our playful group.  We  do read many current and informative books about numerous global issues, but manage to enjoy ourselves, too.  Let me know if you would like to be included and I will send you the meeting instructions.

Undoubtedly there are more April birthdays, so please let me know.  I am aware that Kathy Lynds deserves best birthday wishes on 4/29, however.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

4/4/21

I was glad to see that the snow didn’t really stick last week.  I know that some folks have flowers blooming, but my daffodils are just now pushing through.  Sure signs of spring seem to be appearing.  I heard geese going over the other day and have seen robins, as well.  I understand there was a bear on the prowl in the Union and that may be what set my driveway alarm off the last couple of nights.  Sunday on Rte 100 heading toward Ludlow, the quintessential sign of spring, the aroma of skunk, filled my nostrils!

School vacations are happening this week and next, so be on the lookout for young people.  Don’t forget that the Plymouth Town Meeting (4/12) and voting (4/13) will be next week.  Advance warning about The annual Tag Sale at Plymouth Community Center scheduled for Sunday, 10/10/21. You will have all summer to collect items for it!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Holiday weekend.  Several people have shared their joy at spending time with family again.  Spring, Easter, New Life – a hopeful time.  I know that we still need to be prudent regarding Covid.  The numbers have spiked here in VT, as is the case in many places.  We have been constrained and restrained for so long, yet caution is still needed.  Be safe and well.