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Dear Plymouth people,

This year’s Tag Sale at The Community Center over Memorial Day weekend will not be held, due to COVID-19.

In 2021 we will have a great Tag Sale!

Reprinted with permission of The Vermont Standard

4/13/20

Well, as I am writing this on Monday, spring showers are definitely falling! The weather doesn’t seem to know where it wants to settle – warm and sunny, cold and blustery and any place in between. What a blessing to be able to easily get outdoors, walk and watch spring emerging. Nice to see (from a distance) neighbors emerging, as well.

There is so much uncertainty about the future, but it was delightful to see the video put together by Bethany Birches Camp for Easter. It was a cheerful reminder of the fun that takes place in our town during the summer. It also gave a lovely Easter message. If you would like to experience the energy and camaraderie, you may do so in one of two ways. On Youtube: https://youtu.be/3DjfgqD6I9c or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=933852223751819.

According to Brandon, they are working toward summer camp this year by hiring staff, making preparations, etc. but they are cognizant that the fact it is all dependent upon what will be safe and allowed. Things are moving forward, he said, “whether that is exclusively virtual, small group camping, or more typical large group camping, we will give precedence to those who signed up and deposited first. Our goal is to serve local families!”

At the moment, they are posting nature crafts that are easy to do at home and regular programs on Friday’s at Noon on their Facebook page and Youtube channel (bethanybirches) plus hosting a Wednesday evening fireside singalong (Zoom meeting). You can email camp@bethanybirches.org for the link to those Zoom calls.

Just to update folks, Tyson Store (802-228-2284) remains open. You may call ahead for items to be picked up curbside or go instead to shop. There is no toilet paper or hand sanitizer, but many other items are available according to Tina. Make sure to grab one of their terrific sandwiches while you are there!

Neal’s Restaurant in Proctorsville is offering meals-to-go every day of the week. They are open from 3 until 7 and you can check the Facebook page to see the menu or simply call 802-226-7251. Neal has adjusted the menu for simple meals and he is also offering the Feed a Friend for Five program, where you can add an additional $5 to the cost of your order that will allow someone in need to obtain a meal for free. Call ahead to place your order and give your credit card number – no cash is accepted. Neal is preparing Meals on Wheels on the weekends, that are delivered by the regular volunteers that assist with the mid-week program. Golden Stage Inn and Big Eyes Bakery are donating cookies for the program.

Please note that the Woodstock Area Relief Fund COVID-19 is up and running and includes Plymouth residents. The information is included below. It is indeed wonderful to see the way so many people are coming together to use their talents and means to help one another.

People are still on the move as noted with these property transfers:

820 Rte 100 A $148,000 Todd and Robin Bebo to Casey and Kristi Farrell

43 Goshawk Dr $284,630 Faustino Cortina to Patrick and Jennifer Dwyer

83 SALT ASH ROAD $217,500 Stephen Wogen to Evan and Jennalise Eiswerth

May the emergence of spring brighten your day

And the source of this virus stay away

May loved ones call if only to say

That they care and send greetings to bless your day

Woodstock Area Relief Fund Handout

Woodstock Area Relief Fund Poster

We are fortunate that Emergency Services (Fire Dept. and First Response) are still active during COVID 19.  Also, please note the Plymouth Emergency Management Team (Emergency Management Director, Selectboard Chair, Head of the Highway Dept., Fire Chief and EMS Coordinator) is up and running. There are also active volunteers involved.  Services are being provided for “at risk” individuals.  

Reprinted with permission of The Vermont Standard

4/6/20

Well, I typed an entire page of resources for this report, but somehow managed to delete it, so I am starting all over again and hoping I can recreate the information. It will most certainly not be with the flair and creativity that I had included initially!!!! Monday morning and the sun is shining brightly, so I am trying to let it cheer me and I hope it is cheering you, as well!

Plymouth is a geographically divided town, so some services apply to parts of town, but not necessarily to others. We seem to drift in different directions for shopping and services as well.  Please know that you can call in and order meals before 9 AM during the week from the Thompson Senior Center (802-457-3277) in Woodstock. Just access the daily menu on their April newsletter via their website. You can stay in your car and they will bring the meals out to you between noon and 12:30.

The entire Town of Plymouth is able to obtain food from the Black River Good Neighbor Services Food Shelf at 37B Main Street in Ludlow, located behind the former armory. You need to call 802-228-3663 to make an appt between 10AM & 3PM, Monday through Friday.

With the current financial situation causing undue hardship for many folks, the Plymouth Memory may be a source of help for some of your needs – rent, utility bills, and such. Anne Brown has posted a sample application at the Plymouth Post Office, but you may email her at abrown@vermontel.net and she will send you one. I believe that most people are aware that Post Offices are still maintaining their regular schedule, albeit with a few protective measures in place.

I had requested that people send me some pictures or stories to share and I am pleased that has actually happened! Thanks to Kathy Lynds for telling the story of her aunt and uncle in CA sharing the fruit from their prosperous lemon tree and also making lemonade for others. Living out that wonderful adage!

Some of our folks who were wintering elsewhere have sent pictures. Thanks to Dana Dolloff for this one from a FL movie theatre when he was there and Katherine Pingree for wildflowers that had bloomed in AZ. Our patches of snow are greatly diminished these days & green shoots are beginning to emerge. I know that many of us are eager to clean up winter debris from our yards, but please note that no burning permits are being issued at this time.

This pandemic is providing lots of time for reflection during this season of Lent/Easter and Passover.  The Facebook page for Tyson Church is including sermons by Pastor, Terry Bascom.

I hope that folks are enjoying some of the funny videos & emails that have been circulating. I decided to include one that my brother-in-law David sent. I’ve been talking about this with the microwave and toaster while drinking coffee and we all agreed that things are getting bad. I didn’t mention anything to the washing machine as she puts a different spin on everything. Certainly not to the fridge as he is acting cold and distant. In the end the iron straightened me out as she said everything will be fine, no situation is too pressing. The vacuum was very unsympathetic… told me to just suck it up, but the fan was more optimistic and hoped it would all soon blow over! The toilet looked a bit flushed when I asked its opinion and didn’t say anything but the door knob told me to get a grip. The front door said I was unhinged and so the curtains told me to …yes, you guessed it – .pull myself together!

We have much for which to be thankful here in our community. Be prudent, safe and well.

Thanks to Lauren for sharing the picture of baby Liam.  Since we aren’t socializing, perhaps others would like to send photos to me with explanatory note.

It would be a way to connecting that will hopefully bring some smiles.

My email is tmmarrone@tds.net.  Looking forward to “hearing” from folks!

Be well, Margo

Attention All:  The Tyson Store on Rte 100 has a wonderful service available to everyone.  They are offering call in and pick up curbside service !  They have poultry, meats, household staples (eggs, milk, cheese, and oh so many other things!).  Oh, and their deli is open too.  Great sandwiches! This service is  especially helpful during this period of distance socializing (read social isolation)!!!

Give them a call!  Take advantage of this free service which not only helps you, it helps all of us by significantly reducing your social contacts which in turn reduces OUR risks.  AND it also helps support our great local business who has always been there for us when we need them!

Although they are open 7 days/week from 7 a.m to 6 pm, give them a call and order your supplies!  Take advantage of their call in and pick up curbside service. Their number is 802.228.2284. Stay safe and well everyone.

Reprinted with the permission of The Vermont Standard

3/29/20

Well, the month of March is coming to an end. That seems like a good thing in light of COVID 19. Writing this on Sunday, it would be easy to let the dreariness outside be reflected in my mood. That will not be helpful, however, so I choose to see the positives that abound around me.

So many days this week there have been walks in sunlight – sharing pleasantries with family and friends that I encountered along the way. We have new neighbors up the road. I have not met them yet, but I intend to walk up there soon. They have a lovely large porch so we can chat with appropriate distance!

We had a good day in our sugarhouse, finishing the season with another 10½ gallons, which is a lot for us in one day! I was pleasantly surprised to find fresh fruit and veggies during senior shopping hours at Shaws in Ludlow last Tuesday. There were relatively few patrons, nobody in the check out line with me and staff was cheerful and efficient.

Robins are here, as well as purple finches. Oh, I need to thank Scott for bringing us another bag of sunflower seeds. As usually happens this time of year, our driveway is closed off, so he walked all the way up to our house with it!

I forgot to mention last week that I believe I saw a bobcat up in our woods. I caught a glimpse of it from our window as it slowly meanderied up the ridge, until it disappeared behind the sugarhouse. A cute little chippy spent considerable time seeming to look at me through the sliding glass door. He sat on our outdoor fireplace peering in, but I didn’t want to disturb the cat sitting on my lap, so I did not get a picture.

I participated in the Writing Circle sponsored by the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at DHMC on Tuesday evening. Such a diverse and delightful group of folks who write in response to prompts given by Marv Klassen-Landis. Connections – important and so needed right now. I will share below a silly little piece I wrote that night.

Although it was a challenge, I managed to hook into Zoom to join other congregants of Bethany Mennonite Church. Isn’t technology amazing! I would love to hear how some of you are doing and the ways that you are coping with these stressful times.  Be well, Margo

Ponderings

A time to take apart and a time to put together

Can I be productive during this pandemic?

Perhaps tackle a project or two

Well, I am only marginally motivated

Maybe I should compose a list

Alas, I just want to make calls and connect

Perchance, by multi-tasking I can do both!

If needed, contact the Disaster Distress Helpline external icon

Call 1-800-985-5990

Photo is of local Liam Harootunian, enjoying a springtime “walk” with his parents and canine friend Chulu.

From Sandie Small, Plymouth Town Clerk

Because of the coronavirus situation, please be advised our Fire Warden will not be issuing any fire permits at this time.

,

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

3/22/20

So, this is my regular day to write and there really is not too much to say. We have been encountering many people during our daily walks on Dublin Rd and for the most part we all keep a respectable distance from each other while sharing warm greetings and good cheer.

Today some of us walked along Scout Camp Road, behind Echo Lake and there were several cars parked at the state park. The air was cool and the sunshine warm – a perfect combination. I know the some folks are feeling they need to stay indoors to maintain an acceptable distance. Whatever you prefer, I just hope that everyone is getting exercise and remaining in contact with other people. Social isolation can easily lead to depression, so by whatever means suits you, please reach out and stay connected.

Exercising and doing Tai Chi on the deck has been a new and lovely morning routine lately. Of course, I still have to bundle up, but my baggy coat allows me to stretch and move freely. Rather than my usual music, the birds provide their own symphony these days.

Speaking of birds, this pair of geese was swimming away from us, but when my friend readied her camera, they turned around in unison like a well orchestrated dance and seemed to pose for the picture!

By the way, I did speak with Able Waste and they still plan to maintain their regular schedule of both trash and recycling pick-ups. isn’t nice to know that something has remained unchanged! Peoples United Bank has requested appointments be made for inside services, although drive-through is still available.

I also wanted to note that the dog license registration date has been extended until 5/1, but Sandie said you are welcome to send in your check along with proof of rabies inoculation.

Lastly, a quote for the day rom Peter Marshall and it says: “When we long for life without… Difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure”.

3/20/20

Thought I would share some resource details with folks. This is information I gleaned today (Friday), but as we all know, things keep changing constantly these days!. Being on the Ludlow side of town, I know more about what is happening over this way. Feel free to email other updates to me and I will pass them along.

As far as Rutland is concerned, Price Chopper has senior hours from 6 – 7 AM daily, whereas Hannafords has senior times those same hours, but only Tues – Thurs. Shaws in Ludlow has senior hours on Tues & Thurs from 7 – 9 AM. Tina at the Tyson Village Store has no paper products or cleaning supplies, but they are still open and making sandwiches.

Many folks are aware that the Woodstock Farmers Market will process orders for pickup (no sandwiches being made!), but you need to submit your order online or by phone 24 hours in advance. Mac’s Market told me they are operating as usual.

Rite Aid in Ludlow is keeping to the regular schedule for the time-being, but Ludlow Pharmacy is only using their drive-up window. The banks is Ludlow have different operating procedures. At the moment Peoples United is open 9 – 2 both inside and at the drive-through. Berkshire only has drive-though service but is operating with their regular hours.

The Town Office and the Lister’s office are closed to the public for the time-being  but personnel will be available for phone and email inquiries.  As previously noted, Plymouth Emergency Management has created a new email account specifically for COVID-19. If anyone has a COVID issue or would like to be put on a ‘at risk’ list, please send an email to covid19plymouth@yahoo.com

Also, Okemo Valley TV is a wonderful resource. We do not have cable, but were able to see the latest Select Board meeting on their website. Cable TV channels can go to the Schedules page of the website (okemovalley.tv). The website provides local programs (and health info.from the CDC & State of Vermont), plus the 10-most recent programs will show up on the homepage. For a full searchable catalog of video on demand, go to the Videos page (okemovalley.tv/videos).

I hope that some of this information will help folks navigate these changing and stressful times. Take care & be well.