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I hope you didn’t put all of your warm clothes away – sweltering one day & freezing the next!  My hope is that it is killing off some of the bugs.  Out planting yesterday I accumulated bites on top of bites, mainly on my ears.  I can’t believe the size of the holes their chewing makes.  Anyway, most of the plants are in, now I just need to keep track of the temperature so nothing freezes…..

So, the Governor is “turning the spigot” a tince again because our COVID-19 numbers are holding steady.  I appreciate his caution and concern.  VT State Parks are scheduled to open 6/26.  I found a bit of history about Camp Plymouth State Park, our lovely recreation spot on Echo Lake.  Of course, things will be different in order to comply with social distancing and you will need to bring your own food and beverages, since the concession will not be open.

Here is what I found:  In 1925, a girls’ summer camp was established and operated for two years. In 1927, the property was purchased by the Boy Scouts of America and turned into Camp Plymouth, for which the park is named. At its height, the scout camp included camping sites for 10 troops, a trading post, archery range, rifle range, water front, and ceremonial camp fire area. In 1984, the property was conserved with the assistance of the Ottauquechee Land Trust and conveyed to the State of Vermont. Park facilities were constructed over the next few years and Camp Plymouth State Park opened to the public in 1989.

Although I have stopped a couple of times, I have not been able to meet the Rae family, the new owners of the Inn at Water’s Edge.  It know there have been workers there for several months, so it will be fun to see what has been changed.  There is a garden taking shape across the road near the old barn and apparently they are hoping to use produce from it for their customers. According to their website, it will be operated as a B and B, but perhaps dinner will be an option once again.

What amazing weather we have had this holiday weekend!  It is common to see boats on Echo and Amherst Lakes and Woodward Reservoir, but I saw many different types of water crafts on Lake Pauline, as well.  When we drove by Camp Plymouth State Park, which is not actually open yet, the cars were everywhere – a mix of VT and out-of-state license plates..  Folks were carting chairs and picnic baskets down to the beach and they seemed to be keeping appropriate distances. The breeze helped to keep the bugs at bay a bit, too!

Things are beginning to open up here in VT.  We are so fortunate to have been able to keep our COVID-19 stats low.  Of course, we will still need to be prudent and adhere to the guidelines.  I was speaking with someone at VINS today and they are currently accepting injured birds and hoping to open in mid-June.  Things will be different at least for a time, however.  The store will not be open and the water fountains will be turned off.  There will be no shows, but the admission will be reduced.  Masks will be needed and following social distancing will be important, but you can still enjoy the birds and the canopy walk with your family.  Keep watching for more info!

During the Book Club Zoom last Thursday, we enjoyed a lively conversation about The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes.  We marveled at the strength of the characters and noted the social standards that have fortunately changed today.  The fortitude of these pack horse librarians not only advanced literacy, but they were also able to negate negative stereotyping as well,

The next book is the controversial American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins.  It is the story of the journey of a mother and son fleeing Mexico for America after their entire family is murdered on orders given by a local cartel kingpin.  The discussion will take place on Thursday, 6/18 at 6:30 pm. Thanks to Rose for hosting!

Don’t forget to pick up those special Green-Up bags at the town office, clean up an area, then drop them off at Fast Trash in Bridgewater on Sat, 5/30

Well, it is always tricky with birthdays.  I have been chastised for including some, but it is very easy to leave others out!  So, a belated congratulations to BettyAnn Hayward, whose birthday was 5/15.  A John Lennon quote reads:  “Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.”

He also said, “There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance.  I hope that we are not letting the fear of this pandemic keep us from living and loving.  I think one of the things I miss most is hugging, so I am trying to find other ways of expressing tenderness and affection.  I am working on having smiling eyes!

Jen Flaster, Green Up Coordinator

Hi all! Green Up Day info for everyone who wants to participate. Bags are now available outside the door to the town office from 8-4 Monday to Thursday.

Green Up bags will be accepted at Bridgewater Fast Trash up to and including Saturday May 30.
They will be asking for names and town at the payment buckets and will keep a bag count.

Please be patient as those participating will have to be in line and be directed like ABLE’s regular fast trash customers. The items will need to be in the Green Up bags and will not be sorted it – it will all be collected as trash. No large items like tires or furniture will be accepted during these weeks.

If you are finding large items, let me know! ABLE has offered to deliver a dumpster to the town office building for May 30 to collect large items in Plymouth -it would need a volunteer to monitor drop offs that day. If you’d like to volunteer, get in touch at jenflaster@me.com.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

5/17/20

Well, it seems to have taken the black flies a week or more to realize it is May, but they are definitely here now!  I had to resort to using our bug zapper that looks like a tennis racket when walking the other day.  As a matter of fact, on Friday I went for my first bike ride of the season because they seem to leave me alone until I have walk up the last section of our driveway.

The other day Tom and I were sitting on the deck when a fox appeared on the ridge.  Perhaps it was a mom with young ones to feed because she was carrying dinner in her mouth, although we couldn’t quite determine the identity of the catch.   Keeping a wary eye on us, she ran down our sugarhouse road and off the other side of the driveway.  Next came the hummingbird and I was glad I had already put out one feeder.

The birds are in abundance now.  I hear the loon fly overhead early in the morning, although the finches have been making a racket long before that.  Both downy and hairy woodpeckers are finishing up the last of the suet and when they take a break, the chickadees take a turn.  The barred owls have been filling the night with wild calling that sounds more like angry threats.  Yet, I wouldn’t trade any of these delights of nature!

I imagine folks have surmised as much, but there will be no Strawberry Festival this year.  Such a shame since it really brings the various sections of town together, plus many folks from neighboring communities.  It also means loss of revenue for it is a fund raising event for Emergency Services, Tyson Ladies Aid, and provides funds for Tyson Church to help others in need.

It is with sadness that I bid adieu to Tom Eddy, a longtime resident known for his neatly manicured home and lawn on Lake Amherst.  Neighbors Cassie Horner and Tim Sink remember how in years past he used to enjoy windsurfing in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter.  They marveled at how he coaxed birds and chipmunks to eat out of his hands.

This Thursday, 5/21, will be the Zoom meeting for the Reading Group.  At least I hope this will happen, since Zoom seemed to crash for church on Sunday morning!  So, with hopeful anticipation, we will be discussing The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes, which was a very interesting book that takes place in Kentucky and details The Pack Horse Library initiative that was launched in 1935.

I also wanted to highlight the 5/18 program about Calvin Coolidge and his involvement with procedures put in place in MA during the time of the Spanish flu.  In order to participate, you will need to email C.C. Borzilleri (cborzilleri@coolidgefoundation.org) to receive the log-in information for the webinar.  Thanks for Rose for noting it!

Happy Birthday to Griffin LeBrun! He turned 7 years old and enjoyed the Plymouth Fire Trucks making a drive by appearance in honor of him.

• The Fund is 100% supported by private donors and managed by a team of impassioned local volunteers, dedicated to distributing grants to individuals and families in need as quickly as possible.
• Residents of all the towns listed above are eligible for funds.
• All applications and donations are confidential.
• All Windsor Central Supervisory Union area residents are currently eligible for one-time funds of up to $1,000 to assist with basic household needs that arise as a result of the COVID-19 crisis (food, medicine, shelter) not covered by other local, state, or federal relief programs.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

4/26/20

As I write on Sunday, the rain has begun to fall and snow is expected a bit later. I hustled to get out for a walk before lunch and I met others trying to beat the approaching inclement weather, too. Such a change after that simply beautiful day on Saturday. I was glad to have worked on outdoor tasks, but I admit my ambition has waned for indoor projects today…..

We had a strange occurrence the other day and perhaps some of you can shed light on what this ridiculous creature was doing. We began hearing an occasional thumping noise outside that quickly increased in intensity & frequency. Slipping on shoes, I tromped down the steps off the deck toward the corner of the house where the dining room addition meets the main structure. I don’t know who was more startled, but suddenly a female turkey flew up from there and took off across the driveway. Any thoughts? By the way, spring turkey hunting begins May 1st.

Thanks to Rose Vetere for hosting our first Zoom Reading Group meeting last Thursday and to Tim Sink for providing and making sure we could all participate. We had a delightful time discussing Girl Waits with Gun, which actually has some basis in history.  It was fun to see folks in their own homes. Nancy Hagge even showed us the sunset from her mountaintop vantage point. Our next book is Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes, which we will discuss Thursday, 5/21 at 6:30 PM, probably via Zoom.

I had previously mentioned The Woodstock Area Relief Fund (WARF). This volunteer effort has a dedicated leadership team that includes Alison Clarkson, Ana Dinatale, Barry Milstone, Carolyn Kimbell, Charlie Kimbell, Daphne Lowe, Geraldine Fowler, Jill Davies, Jill Rose, John Endicott, Jon Spector, Karim Houry, Liza Deignan, Mary MacVey, Mary Riley, Meg Seely, Sally Miller, Seton McIlroy, Wendy Spector. Anyone interested in making a donation may do so on the website or by sending a check to Woodstock Area Relief Fund and mailing to: Woodstock Community Trust (WARF), PO Box 802, Woodstock, VT 05091.

The group has submitted the following: Asking for help isn’t easy—we all know that. But these times are unlike anything we’ve ever seen. That’s why (WARF) has made getting money for household necessities as simple as possible. More than 160 neighbors and 50 friends from other states have contributed over $215,000 so far to help those in the Windsor Central Supervisory Union (which includes Plymouth). All the money will go toward grants of up to $1,000 for those needing help with rent, groceries, and other household expenses.

To apply for aid: www.woodstockarearelieffund.org

To ask questions: woodstockcovid19@gmail.com / 802-281-9902

To donate: www.woodstockarearelieffund.org

To see regular updates on Facebook: @woodstockarearelieffund

I hope that everyone is continuing to be prudent and safe. VT has done a good job of containing COVID 19, so I pray we can proceed slowly to open back up, which seems like a sensible approach. Little steps like buying plants at the WUHS plant sale on 5/1 can help to bring a renewed sense of hope.

Ponderings: Watching the stream, swollen from recent rain as it flow fearlessly over rocks and branches. It does not stop to ponder, it simply rushes by. Where is it going so frenetically – pushing obstacles from its path? I can be that way, but for now I choose to move more slowly and to observe the beauty that is so often missed when I dash furiously on my way.

Reprinted with permission of The Vermont Standard

4/19/20

What a glorious day it was on Sunday. Awakening to sunny skies is always a good start to the day, especially since there were snow showers on Saturday morning! Even the cat wanted to be out on the deck at lunchtime.

Tom and I decided upon a change of place for walking, so we drove to the Hawk parking lot and walked up Billings Rd, then took Scout Camp behind Lake Amherst. We met so many people – some fishing, others walking, and also a few biking. A cold wind scurried through on occasion, but it felt so good and freeing to just be out and about.

If you would like to keep up-to-date with the latest virus stats for VT, you may go to https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid19 for the information. Also, please know that the Woodstock Farmers Market is open again for curbside pick-up Tuesday through Saturday, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m beginning 4/21. You need to place your orders online and can check the website for what is available and the order form.

I received permission to note a Podcast hosted by Heidi Spear, www.heidispear.com for an eleven minute session that includes relaxing breath work, meditation, and visualization. It is episode 3 of her new podcast called Storybook. During these uncertain times, I am finding the need to explore various ways of coping. I hope that all of us will reach out to find new resources.

Speaking of ways to cope and bringing cheerfulness into our lives, please note that the Horticulture Dept of WUHS will be holding a plant sale on Friday, 5/1 outside the greenhouses at the school. Just drive around the righthand side of the building and you will find a wonderful array of plants for reasonable prices. The pansies that I purchased previously attest to the loving care of the students engendered by John Hiers and staff. So, brighten you day and help the program at the same time.

Did you know that Okemo Valley TV is a great place to view local meetings and to learn about community events? If you are not on cable, you can access programs and videos by going to www.okemovalley.tv. For instance, you can watch the 4/11 benefit concert by area musicians that was a fundraiser for the VT Foodbank. Also, Dr Linda Thomson recently recorded a thirty minute meditation to help ease the stress of COVID-19. Consider taking advantage of this wonderful resource.

Well, as you can see, properties are still changing hands here in Plymouth. I was very pleased to meet our new neighbors, David and Jennifer. Welcome!

255 Davis Rd $250,000 Christopher Bowen(Trustee) to David and Jennifer Wasilauskas

102 East Ash Rd. $299,000 Sandra Rothman to Alistair and Margaret Rogers

5460 Rte 100 $170,000 Robert Hubbard to Jessica Boudreault

5340 Rte 100 $150,000 Arthur and Julie Lynds to Amelie Fabre

Lynds Hill Rd, land(10.53 ACRES) $46,000 Jill Davies to Tadeusz and Katarzyna Bebenek

115 Osprey Pl $350,000 Nicholas and Diane Lopardo to Mario, Arlene and Nicholas LaRosa