Welcome to The Plymouth Press Online

7/14/25

Well, you may have noticed that I skipped writing last week. I was two and a half weeks without water despite the valiant efforts of several people and I thank them all for their amazing efforts! It was finally determined that the issue was the connection from my spring to the house. Neighbors and family provided wonderful overnight accommodations and water for my plants and me. So last Monday Valley Artisan began the work of drilling a well. A big thank you to my neighbor, Shawn for doing the digging! I now have a wonderful stream of water into my home.

Of course, life went on without me. You can watch the Select Board meeting of 7/7 on Okemo TV. Lots of folks were around for the Holiday weekend. The weather has been hot and humid, but with rain interspersed at times. Grateful that flooding did not occur here, but our hearts go out to those up north who suffered. I was amazed to see two baby fishers run across Dublin road right in front of my car. They were very dark and very fast!

The Friends of Fletcher Memorial library are collecting for the annual book sale, to be held on 8/15, from 4-7 PM and 8/16, from 10 AM – 3 PM. Donations in good condition may be brought to the back door of the library, but please no magazines, encyclopedias, or condensed books.

Don’t forget that many wonderful programs are available at FML including Tech Time with Matt from Sydscompufix on Saturday, 7/9 10:30 AM-12:30 PM, call to sign up, 802-228-8921 and bring your device, phone or computer to get the help you need. Also Healthy Living for Brain & Body will take place 7/21 with a discussion about how lifestyle choices impact the aging process. Learn about important research into diet, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement. Come and develop a plan for healthy aging!

Right here at Coolidge Historic Site you can view the 1929 Phantom of the Opera silent film on Sat, 7/19 at 7 PM at the Wilder Barn. Some seating available, but consider bringing a chair and perhaps even picnicking on the grounds prior to the showing.

6/30/25

The end of June and it is difficult some days to tell whether summer has arrived. Seems to either be cold and damp or sweltering and humid. We have enjoyed the several lovely days in between, however. Sunday evening I attended The Sound of Music performance by BarnArts on Rose Hill. It was delightful, the weather perfect, and the view spectacular. It was also fun to see Plymouth youngsters Josie and Julia Flaster in prominent roles as two of the children. The acting and the music were just wonderful. Sorry if you missed it!

There is so much going on at the Calvin Coolidge Homestead this weekend. Please refer back to the 6/16 issue for all the details. It appears that the weather will be good with clear skies, lower temps, and less humidity. Don’t forget you can cool off at Camp Plymouth State Park, too.

Folks might want to check out the minutes from the 6/12 Select Board meeting for info about town finances. Also, keep in mind that intensive bridge work being done on Rte 100A is scheduled to begin on 7/7, meaning there will be no through traffic to Rte 4 for possibly over a month.

On Thursday 7/10 at 10:30 AM “Friends” of Fletcher Memorial Library will presentJames by Percival Everett. I have not finished this reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, but so far it has been intriguing especially since it is told through a slave’s perspective. Everyone is welcome, even if you have not read it. It is also nice and cool in FML community room!

VINS, the VT Institute of Natural Science will be at FML on Friday, 7/11 at 1 PM with their Color Our World program.  In partnership with the Vermont Summer Reading Program, meet three of our animal ambassadors, and learn how nature’s palette can startle, impress, and even fool the eye! Witness the rainbow of techniques our wildlife uses to hunt, hide, and survive in this 45 minute program geared towards families and children of all ages!

6/22/26

Such crazy weather – hot/cold, rainy/sunny, but the wind seems to be a constant factor throughout these transitions. Tom & I did not give much thought to cooling off the house when we installed our heat pump. Now, I don’t know what I would do without it! I seem to have bats living above the flood lights on both decks from the evidence I am finding there. I know they eat bugs, which is great, although I wish they would relocate to a tree.

The Plymouth Book group is scheduled to discuss Tom Lake by Ann Patchett on Tuesday, 6/24 at 6:30 pm. It appears that Zoom is the best option this time. Thanks Rose for making that happen.

I attended Holly Sullivan’s program via Zoom at Fletcher Memorial Library last Friday relating to her senior thesis research findings on Lake Amherst. It is fed by the Black River whcih is a high energy waterway and sediment deposits show previous glacial activity, as well as accumulation from recent flooding.

Over 350 people attended the Strawberry Festival last Wed. The rain stopped and the evening was actually quite lovely. Good food, great music, and relatively few bugs!

Be sure to check out the summer youth programs at FML, including crafts for ages 12 & up on 6/23 from 5:00-6:30 pm and the 6/24program with Becky Auger from HireAbility Vermont and Jenn Cobb from VABIR for a relaxing morning of chatting and creative expression forages 14-18 from 11 to noon. There are so many wonderful opportunities for youth, so go to http://www.fmInews.org/youth.html or call Sacha at 802-228-8921

it is so nice to see the Echo Lake Inn sign back up! Many brides and grooms are enjoying their weekend wedding celebrations there, but don’t forget the mid-week specials Tues – Thurs evenings. The menu items are truly amazing, but you will need a reservation – 802-228-8602.

6/16/25

Nice to see the sun this Monday morning, plus it looks like it will be warmer today.  Some places have experienced flooding with all the rain.  The streams are running quickly and the lakes in Plymouth are quite high.  Despite the weather animals abound in my yard including birds, bears and raccoons. We share our world with so many wonderful creatures!

Hopefully the weather will cooperate for the annual Strawberry Festival on Wed, 6/18 at Camp Plymouth State Park from 5 – 8 PM. Lots of lucious food, including the amazing and renowned strawberry shortcake, plus music by Adam Boyce and Sue Hunt that is always a treat! The fee admission to park at that time allows for a swim or boat ride in addition to other activities for the young at heart. Proceeds are well used for various community needs.

Come learn about Flood Mud by attending an informative talk by Dartmouth College student Holly Sullivan at Fletcher Memorial Library in Ludlow VT on 6/20  at 11 AM. Sediment in Lake Amherst has been extreme of late and is the subject of Holly’s senior thesis. For remote access via a “Zoom Room” call 857 345 0004; contact Holly with questions at holly.m.sullivan.25@dartmouth.edu

Tami Bowen from the Calvin Coolidge Foundation tells me they are looking for Citizen Judges for the Speech & Debates Coolidge Cup being held July 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Choose from any of the three days and judge as many as you’d like. No experience is necessary in speech, debate or judging. Training will be provided. To learn more and to register to judge go to coolidgefoundation.org/debate or call Tami at 802-672-3389, Ext. 100.

There are many events taking place at the Historic Site on July 4^th, which is also the birthday of Calvin Coolidge. The Declaration of Independence and moment of reflection will happen at 9 AM at the Union Christian Church. Join the processional to the cemetery at noon, led by the VT National Guard, where a wreath will be laid at the president’s grave and readings will be offered by the president’s descendants. The ceremony will be emceed by the 80th Vermont Governor, James Douglas. At 1 PM John Masko will conduct a 13-piece orchestra playing a wonderful array of musical selections. Birthday cake will be served after the concert. Throughout the day, the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation will host the Coolidge Cup national speech and debate competition. Come join the fun!