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3/22/21

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

Well, it certainly has been nice to have these delightfully warm and sunny days.  Does it mean that Spring is actually here? It is interesting to travel around and see how little snow is left in some places.  Dublin Road in Tyson is in the snow belt and we still have many mounds remaining. I wouldn’t doubt that we will see some snow again, but this weather is a hopeful sign.

As usual, the Book Group had a high-spirited discussion of the book, Mud Season, which was right on target with the current weather.  Although many of us are transplants to VT, we are rather protective of our adopted place of residence.  Some of the misconceptions and mistakes made by this family when they moved to Dorset and bought a country store were quite funny.  It was a nice light read compared to some of the weightier books we have been reading. Our next book is The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare. It is about a teenage Nigerian girl who longs for and pursues an education.  According to Imbolo Mbue, author of Behold the Dreamers, it is “ a celebration of girls who dare to dream.”  The discussion will take place Thursday, 4/15 at 6:30 via Zoom.  Thanks to Rose for hosting.

A reminder that Town Meeting will be taking place at 7:00 PM on 4/12.  With limited in-person capacity, folks can still participate via Zoom.  According to the town website the meeting ID is 841 9515 5049 and the password 266825.  Dialing in by phone, call:  1-929-436-2866.  Voting will take place from 10 AM to 7 PM on 4/13.  Call the Town Office (802-672-3655) for additional information.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

3/14/21

Wasn’t that 60+ degree day a wonderfully hopeful sign that winter may be abating!  At least the inch of snow we had Saturday night whitened things up a bit. However, I admit that I am ready for spring, although it appears that will not be happening in the immediate future.

My grandson, Owen, had his 10th Birthday party on Friday at the Viking Nordic Center in Londonderry.  I had never been there before, but they have lighted cross-country ski & snowshoe trails that are delightful.  A fire pit allows social distancing in a beautiful outdoor setting.

There are several other March birthdays.  Congratulations to Taylor Lynds (17th), Bob Lynds (21st), Betty Putnam (22nd) and Maxwell Putnam (31st).

You can still avail yourself of the $35 prix fixe menu at the Echo Lake Inn.  This week it is available Tuesday and Thursday, but next week Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  As with most places, the staff will soon be taking a short break after the winter season.

I understand from Sandie Small that new ballots will be issued for the town voting that will take place on 4/13.  Although the Town Meeting will be held 4/12, no voting will take place at that time.  Due to Covid precautions, there will be limited in-person space, but you may attend via Zoom.  Call the Town Office (802-672-3655) for additional information.

Marched into March with hope in my heart

Only flurries on the horizon by the weather report

The wind, it’s a blowing, cold and fierce

Right through my jacket, my heart to pierce

In like a lion, out like a lamb

Waiting for spring – I am, I am

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Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

3/7/21

I am writing on Sunday afternoon and what a joy to see this bright sunshine and brilliant blue sky.  I will admit that it is a bit nippy with the wind, but I am looking forward to getting out there shortly.  My wind chimes are playing wonderful music.

I toss peelings across the road and did so wearing my snowshoes yesterday.  The conditions surprised me, so I meandered through the woods and out into Jarvi field.  Amazingly, the crust was not icy, with just enough snow cover to allow for a slight indentation.  From the looks of it, several animals had proceeded me there.  I imagine they are looking forward to spring as much as I am!

Well, I know that the Annual Meeting and voting situation has been a bit confusing.  Hopefully by now everyone has received a copy of the Annual Report.  I believe the delay in obtaining them from the printer is the cause of rescheduling the meeting, allowing for a 30 day mandated warning period.  The Town Meeting will now be 4/12 and the voting will take place on 4/13.  I understand that some folks missed the voting on the school budget since that took place 3/2.  It did pass in Plymouth by a vote of 29 to 11.

Congratulations to Sage Allen for achieving Dean’s list honors at the University of Maine. I would love to hear more news about our students of all ages because I think they are probably doing some incredible things.  Feel free to let me know!

I thought I would share these lovely tulips that a college friend of Tom brought me the other day – such a nice gesture and a symbol of hope for the coming of spring. I learned that tulips are named after the Persian word for turban and they originated in Central Asia.  Tom and I were fortunate to have visited friends in Amsterdam during tulip season one year, so this gift was even more special and much appreciated.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

3/1/21

It is amazing to see the snow rapidly diminishing with the rain this morning.  Even so, my driveway is so decreased in size, that turning around has become a bit of a challenge.  My wind chimes have been blowing in the breeze and playing lovely music, but I notice the ground has become littered with twigs and branches now.  More wind is predicted tonight, too.

It seems like little creatures are beginning to scamper about.  I have noticed red squirrels and chipmonks scurrying up and down the snow banks.  One fellow managed to get to the outside of my dining room window and was hanging on there peaking in at me.  He still couldn’t reach the bird feeder and finally dropped out of sight.

Neighbors have mentioned seeing fox tracks.  While walking near Hawk the other day, sun was sparkling off the stream where the ice was melting, leaving small islands of snow in the middle.  There were tracks on the banks and also on this snow patch, so it appears that some water creatures have been venturing forth, as well.

It seems that there has been confusion about the Annual meeting and voting protocol this year.  I understand that the Town Report may still be in process of being printed, so I don’t believe it has been mailed yet.  You can go to the Town website, under the Bulletin Board section and find the report there – all 80+ pages of it!  If you scroll to the very end, you will find the School budget information.

Inns/restaurants in town seem to have been doing a brisk business of late.  Take note that the Inn at Water’s Edge (802-269-0920) will be changing their $50/person prix fixe dinners to Thursday.  According to Tom at the Echo Lake Inn, there will be prix fixe offerings there as well.  More on that next time.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

2/21/21

It continues to be winter here in VT.  We are familiar with it, prepare for it and generally know how to deal with it.  Not so for those in Texas.  That it has been an utter nightmare for folks there is to put it mildly.  As is often the case, those on the fringes have suffered the most.  I have family in Katy, TX and they consider themselves to be lucky, since they lost power for a mere 20 minutes and only their cold water pipes froze.  The hardships of others have been much worse, so it puts into perspective our occasional inconveniences due to winter.

School will be back in session this week, but I know that it has been a busy vacation for my grandsons.  Snowmobiling was a big activity, but they also thoroughly enjoyed tubing at Bethany Birches Camp.  Covid protocol was in place and numbers were limited as a result, but with a reservation, the safe outdoor fun was a delightful treat in that beautiful setting.

Speaking of students, it was nice to hear that Schuyler Hagge was on the 7th grade honor roll list for Summa Cum Laude and Calef Hepler on the 12th grade list for Magna Cum Laude.  Congratulations on your accomplishments.

Perhaps it was the result of snow being forecast for Monday, but there seemed to be many people parking at Hawk and walking the road behind the lakes on Sunday.  The sky was a brilliant blue and the moon could be seem against it.  What a great place to live!

The Book Club met last Thursday and despite the fact that most of us did not find Spindle City by Jotham Burrello to be one of the better books we have read, it did generate considerable conversation. The consensus was that the characters were not well developed and nobody felt uplifted by it, although there were a few insights about Fall River and plight of the textile industry.  Our next book, Mud Season by Ellen Stimson is our selection for 3/18, which should be a lighter read. It was initially chosen to coincide with our local mud season, but with the amount of snow on the ground, that may have been optomistic!

According to Sandie Small, the Town Report should be mailed out in another week, but you can find voting information under the Bulletin Board section of the Town of Plymouth website.  Please note that details for attending the 3/8 Town Meeting via Zoom are listed there; the sample ballot for those running for election; plus the other articles, which will be also be voted on 3/9 are listed further down under the Town Meeting warning.  Call the Town Clerk’s office (672-3655) if you would like an absentee ballot.

A final thought:  Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.-Victor Hugo