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The Windsor Central Unified Union School District has a Plymouth representative board seat vacancy to fill the term until the next WCUUSD Annual District Meeting, March 2021.

Interested persons should write a short letter of intent to:

Plymouth Town Select Board

c/o Plymouth Town Clerk

68 Town Office Road

Plymouth, VT 05056

or email clerk@plymouthvt.org

Deadline for the receipt of the letter is Friday, October 2, 2020.

Please be prepared to attend the October 5^th Plymouth Select Board meeting to be appointed. For more information, 

contact the WCUUSD Board Chair, Bryce Sammel, at bsammel@wcsu.net, or 

Rayna Bishop, WCSU Exec. Asst., at rbishop@wcsu.net.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

9/13/20

Heading toward the middle of Sept and some trees seem to be jumping the gun!  Oh well, we know that autumn is upon us with these chilly nights.  Somehow adding a blanket seems to make sleeping better.

An update on that marauding bear.  No, I haven’t seen it again, although several have been sighted in the neighborhood.  I just wanted to commend the kind person who used plywood to seal the shed up again.

Camp Plymouth State Park is closed for the season, but their message indicates it may still be utilized.  Parking should be limited to the designated all year parking lot, however.  The Vista trail should be beautiful when the foliage pops!
I need to step up my reading because the Book Group will be meeting this Thursday at 6:30 pm via Zoom to discuss The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett.  It seems like a very opportune time to read this selection in light of racial tensions.

We are so fortunate that VT has low COVID numbers, but there have been a number of recent deaths that are not related to the pandemic.  In addition to Tom passing on 7/27, Hazel Tatro passed around that same time.  Len Stillings, formerly of Plymouth died recently in FL and his service will take place at the Notch cemetery on 10/10..  
Last Wednesday, Mike Gianola, son of Echo Lake Inn owner, Tom Gianola passed away as well. There is an open invitation to attend any of these events on Saturday, 9/26.  The Catholic Mass at St Raphael in Poultney at 10 AM. Internment at 11 AM at the St Raphael Cemetery.  Celebration of Life at 2:30 PM at Tyson Community Church, and light hors d’oeuvres will be served at the Echo Lake Inn at 3:30.

Condolences to all of these families.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

9/6/20

Amazing weather and the perfect time to enjoy it before school begins.  Melissa and I met friends from MA at Shaftsbury State Park on Friday, an ideal COVID meeting place.  Small, tucked away with a charming swimming area.  Sun and shade and large, very clean port-a-potties – what more could you want!

Although I am seeing fewer hummingbirds these days, other wildlife is abundant.  My driveway alarm alerted me to three visitors early one morning last week.  When I looked out, it was a doe and 2 fawns, nibbling their way up the side of my driveway.
I have been noticing that my cherry tomatoes are disappearing, just when they are ripe and I am planning to pick them.  A visitor noted that she witnessed a chipmunk munching away!

Then on a walk on Sunday, I passed a house and heard a noise.  I thought it strange because there were no cars there.  Then I noticed a shed door pushed open and a large bear saw me, just as I saw it.  I imagine it considered me to be a threat because still clinging to a full black garbage bag, it sprinted deeper into the woods.

So, only creature info this week.  Send me some news!

8/30/20

I feel remiss that I have not expressed gratitude for the response to our emergency at Echo Lake on 7/27. The park’s exceptionally kind personnel cleared the beach, but before some of the folks left, they offered help, water, and heartfelt concern.  I can’t begin to thank all of the emergency professionals who responded.  Trucks and folks from both Plymouth and Ludlow Fire Depts were there.  I am deeply thankful for the care taken by Stephanie Grover and Dan Stoughton of Ludlow Ambulance Service in regard to locating Tom. State Trooper Steven Schutt was very kind and accommodating. This is truly a caring community that responds with kindness and compassion.

So nice that fun things are happening at the Community Center (former Plymouth Elementary School).  Upgrades to the playground will not only make it more attractive, but safer for the youngsters.

More improvements in the works include a pickle ball court the beginnings of which can be seen in the picture.  It will be made with special lines added to the basketball court.  More to come soon!  Several volunteers have been working to beautify the gardens and to make this space welcoming.  Thanks to one and all!

In checking with Tom at the Echo Lake Inn, dinner is being served Wed – Sun, from 5:30 until 9:00 PM.  Please take note that both indoor and outdoor seating is available.  I believe that the Inn at Waters Edge is still offering dinners on Tuesdays.  Check their website for details.

I understand that hazardous waste collection will take place between 2:00 and 6:00 PM on Tues, 9/15 at the Springfield Transfer Station, 135 Fairground Road/100 Recycle Way. Masks are required and you need to stay in your vehicle.  For additional details, visit

www.vtsolidwastedistrict.org or call 674-9235 or email mobrien@swcrpc.org.  Aubuchon Hardware and LaValley Building Supply in Ludlow will accept paint in labeled, non-rusty cans. Bring all other paint cans to a household hazardous waste collection.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

8/23/20

My goodness, the storm on Sunday evening was fierce!  We were on Lake George today and storms threatened, but didn’t materialize.  I do not know who left the lovely flowers that I found on the deck upon my return – beautiful glads and cheerful black-eyed Susans. Such a thoughtful and lovely gift, many thanks.

I went for an abbreviated walk with a friend around 7:15 that evening.  The sky was rose-colored, but thunder began to rumble, so we turned back and headed for shelter.  Even with the recent storms things are dry.  I just wish this rain could be a little less intense!

I hope that the weather cooperates for the spreading of the newly delivered wood chips  at the community playground that were purchased jointly by the Town and the Plymouth Schoolhouse Childcare.  Rick Kaminski will be bringing his tractor on the Saturday, 8/29 but help will be needed.  Please mark your calendar and venture over to lend a hand!

The discussion of the Priest’s Grotto provided a better understanding and a greater appreciation for the hardship and determination of this extended Jewish family as they hid for their lives deep within caves in the Ukraine for months on end. Most of us found it difficult to comprehend spending so much time tucked away from sunlight.

Our book for next time will be the fiction bestseller, The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett.  “It’s a poignant family story that doesn’t shy away from the intersections of race, class, and gender—all while capturing the reader’s heart and mind in a way only Bennett can.”

The meeting will be Thursday, 9/17 at 6:30 pm via Zoom.

Dear Plymouth friends and neighbors,

We have secured through donations everything we need to add a nice Pickleball Court at the Community Center. The only thing left is: WE NEED HELP. We need folks that are able to handle a hand post hole digger or a shovel to dig holes for the posts. Then we need several hands to put up the fencing, including driving staples into pressure treated posts, and carrying bags of concrete mix. Then we could use help painting the lines for the Pickleball Court. We will be using our net for the rest of this season and we have balls and a couple of paddles to share. I am working with Pickleball Central to get a grant for a nice portable net for next year.
Please consider putting in some time to enhance our community.
Please call us if you can lend a hand. Tell us days/evenings that you can help and we will be there too. Thank you.
Sincerely. Rodrick Pingree 8027738767
Katherine Pingree. 8023537969
PS. We would like to get this done soon so you all can come play or learn to play this really fun racquet game!

Cloth Face Masks for Plymouth Residents

Plymouth Emergency Management has received an allotment of cloth face masks to distribute to Plymouth Residents.  Our shipment included 150 masks which is equal to 25% of our census full time population.

Face masks will be distributed through the town office which is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every week.  Distribution will be on a first come first served basis and limited to one face mask per resident living in Plymouth.  You will be asked to indicate your address and sign for your mask(s) at the time of distribution.  If we have any face masks left after Labor Day, non resident home owners may call the office to apply for a mask.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

8/16/20

I was just sitting out on the deck (Sunday) and needed to come in to get a sweater.  I am really not ready to change seasons yet and hope that summer sticks around a bit longer.  I now have three lovely wind chimes, each with a different tone.  The melody is quite enchanting and comforting!

The other night I was listening to a mouse in the closet – again!  There was a week not long ago when I trapped 8 in a four day period.  One night as I was lying in bed, I actually heard the trap snap, yet I waited until morning before disposing of it.  As I toss them into the woods, I wonder whose meal they will become.  I hope something makes good use of them.  It does seem strange that so many are venturing indoors during the summer when it is usually the cooler weather that drives them in.

The Book Group meetings this Thursday via Zoom at 6:30 to discuss The Secret of Priest’s Grotto: A Holocaust Survival Story.  I have not yet had a chance to watch the accompanying documentary, No Place on Earth, but hope to do so within the next day or so.

I have heard of several college students returning to their respective schools for the fall term.  Some will have actual classes, others on-line, and a few seem to be having a combination of both.  VT is gearing up for the return of out-of-state students, trying to be prudent about the possibility of COVID coming with them and taking needed steps to ensure a rapid response.  What a strange and perplexing time.

VT schools will be opening after Labor Day and again there are a variety of options.  Much has been learned about virtual classes, but it can still be rather difficult for students and school personnel.  Hopefully the precautions that are being taken will safeguard everyone.  A bit of extra patience and fortitude will be needed.  This is a time of uncertainty, but one to most certainly extend extra kindness.  

8/9/20

It was nice not to have to water the plants the other day, but it did rain hard and I guess many people were impacted.  Today (Monday) is heating up, so Melissa, my grandsons & I are heading to Camp Plymouth State Park to cool off with a swim.

I notice that my fall phlox is beginning to bloom, which is an unwelcome signal that summer is starting to wane.  It has been a gift to be able to visit with people out on the deck these past several months and still maintain social distancing.  I believe our COVID-19 numbers are the lowest in the country, which is another plus.

I recently learned that Rebecca Ruplin has a farm stand where you can purchase fresh organic produce, eggs, preserves, and herbal products.  She lives at 2185 Lynds Hill Road, on the left just before you reach Bethany Birches Camp.  I am looking forward to going up there myself!

I just discovered that my aloe plant seems to be melting near the bottom.  It is an oozing mess!  I know it has needed to be divided and transplanted for quite some time.  Wondering if that is why it has become weepy.  Anyone have any thoughts on that?

 Rte 100 Parcel ‘A’, 5.01acres          $55,000       Ralph,Judith, & Jeremy Michael to Russ and Jillian Kikkert