Welcome to The Plymouth Press Online

Reprinted with permission of The Vermont Standard

2/28/20

Early deadline and I really don’t have much news! More birds are back and now house finches with their flamboyant pink color, along with goldfinches. Our Christmas cactus has decided to bloom again and other indoor plants are coming into bloom as well – signs of spring….

For some reason February seems to have lasted a long time for me this year and I am sure it is not simply that it is leap year! Our oldest grandson’s basketball season has just come to an end, after four consecutive nights of games, A pretty tough schedule since he’s only eight. Not to fear, however, there will not be a dearth of sports events to watch because baseball practice begins next week!

Please note there are books collecting at the Town Hall that are for the bringing and taking. There is not an abundance of space on the table, but it is worth taking a look.

I suppose the gusty winds of the last couple of days are preparing us March. What will the new month hold for us? Well, first of all, it signals the time to get out and vote. It can also mean socializing with folks we may not have seen for a time. I always look forward to that piece of Town Meeting. See you there!

Reprinted with permission of The Vermont Standard

2/23/20

Our unsettled and unpredictable weather continues! A couple of nights were pretty nippy and the windchill made it feel well below zero. It was interesting that when Tom and I were tapping trees on 2/13, it felt cold, but the sap appeared to be running. Who knows what this sugaring season will hold! More tapping going on over the weekend and especially on Sunday, the weather has been incredible. I guess the turkeys think so, too, because half a dozen departed from eating the fallen seeds from under our feeder and marched up into our woods when I arrived home from church!

There have been significant wind gusts at times and apparently there was an electrical issue with a transformer at Jackson Gore on Friday morning that delayed the opening of the lifts for a time. Perhaps the cold temps kept skiers from complaining too much.

I can’t understand what is happening at our bird feeder lately. It hangs high off the ground and we fill in from our dining room window. Until the other day, massive numbers of finches have been present, necessitating refilling the feeder several times each day. The last two days I have seen no finches, mainly chickadees and the seed consumption has decreased dramatically. I did notice a blue day the other day and wonder how that fits into the equation….

Well, I am afraid that I goofed! I noted the wrong book for this cycle of the Reading Group. Girl Waits with Gun will be for a subsequent discussion. The next selection is actually Boo Walker’s Red Mountain. The beautiful setting of eastern Washington state is the backdrop for the story of four “complicated” people, whose lives intersect. Copies of the book are at available on loan at Town Hall. Discussion will take place on 3/12.

The Town reports are in the mail and perhaps already delivered. You can also see all of the pertinent information on the Town website, including the school district report and sample ballot for the school budget and other school related items to be voted by Australian ballot on 3/3. If you would like a better understanding of the school piece, you can attend the District informational meeting on Thursday, 2/27 at 6 PM at the Woodstock Union Middle School library.

It was a hungry group who gathered for the recent Community Luncheon – both soups, all of the salad, and the beautiful chocolate heart cake made by Teresa Ennis were all devoured! If you would like to order a cake designed by Teresa, you can reach her at teresa.ennis99@gmail.com.

We also had a delightful discussion about love that included shared stories about meeting our special sweethearts. It is such a dedicated group of volunteers that some of our “cooks” weren’t actually unable to attend, but they made sure the food got to the table. Thanks to one and all.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

2/16/20

So many people have come to our area for this Holiday weekend and vacation week that navigating Ludlow has not been easy. The Shaw’s parking lot was full by 11 AM on Friday and 4 registers were open – all with lines. Good for local businesses, however, those of us who live here know to shop early, then get out of town!

There were 10 of us at the Book Club meeting last week and I think that might be a new record. The discussion of A Gentleman in Moscow was animated, with everyone having enjoyed it and making interesting observations. It really enhances a book when others add their perspective. The next book is Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart. Reviews indicate it has “a great combo of dialogue and description”, as well as “wonderful development of characters”. The discussion will take place on 3/12.

I do not see snow listed for the day of the Community Luncheon, 2/20, although it is forecast to be cold. So, the fact that there will be two different kinds of soup bespeaks of wonderful planning – on somebody’s part! Feel free to join us at 11:30 AM in the downstairs room at Tyson Church via the Echo Lake Inn parking lot.

Get ready for the Annual Town Meeting on Monday, 3/2, at 7:00 PM at the Town Hall, I believe that Town Reports will be mailed shortly or you can pick one up. Voting by Australian ballot happens on Tuesday, 3/3, at the Town Hall, from 10:00 AM until 7:00 PM. Absentee ballots are available by contacting the Town Clerk prior to voting day.

Sample presidential primary ballots are posted on the Plymouth Website, under Bulletin Board and also at Town Hall. You need to select either the Democrat or Republican ballot. Although there are 13 names on the Democrat one, many have since closed their campaigns. I believe there are still 3 names on the Republican ballot. You can also check out the Town ballot and it should be noted that there are no contested races for local elected officials.

Now that we are part of the Windsor Central Modified Unified School District, (whew!) we no longer have a local school budget meeting either before or after Town Meeting. The District will be holding an informational meeting on Thursday, 2/27 at 6 PM at the Woodstock Union Middle School library to review the 2020-2021 budget, which will be voted by Australian ballot on 3/3. Per the insert in the VT Standard, voters will be asked to approve the $21,783,948 proposed budget (of which $16,896,833 is to be funded with taxes), in addition to several other articles. Also on the ballot will be to re-elect Jen Flaster for a 3 year term as School Director!

More property changing hands….

1) Rte 100 (LAND – 12 ACRES) $36,000 Ross Family Trust to Farm and Wilderness Foundation

2) 63 Lakeview Rd, Birch Landing $286,000 Kathleen Kraez Trust to James Slaminki and Marybeth Schanz

3) 368 Crimson Hawk Rd $212,500 Kevin Brill to Shawn McLaughlin and Katherine Blye

4) 916 Salt Ash Rd $238,800 Jay Nisberg and Alicia Boylan to Sparrow Trading, LLC

Reprinted with permission of The Vermont Standard

2/9/20

Our interesting weather continues! You needed to be quick over the last several days in order to see if the precipitation was rain, sleet or snow. I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised to find the shoveling easy on Saturday morning since the top layer was fluffy, light snow. Of course, about five inches down I hit the ice layer!

It really did look beautiful although I know some folks experienced power outages. I imagine that more limbs would have splintered and crashed down had the snow been any heavier. On the bright side, the snow glistened in the moonlight on Friday night, plus the sunrise the next morning was lovely. Trees looked like spun glass and many reflected a rainbow of colors when the sun was out.

It has been difficult to keep up with the bird feeder these days. The inclement weather seems to make them ravenous! I admit that I become a bit frustrated when the finches hog the feeder and I been known to knock on the window in order to give the chickadees a chance to swoop in and out to grab a seed or two.

I have not been receiving much information on the students in our area, so please feel free to send some news my way! I noticed that congratulations are in order for Ian Dupont for making the Dean’s List at Champlain college. I am sure there are other achievements that should be recognized, as well.

Hoping that there will not be any snow for the upcoming Community Luncheon on Thursday, 2/20 at 11:30 at Tyson church. It looks like the meal is all set, so I hope that folks will plan to attend and that stories of love will abound!

Reprinted with permission by The Vermont Standard

2/3/20

Well, it’s Monday morning, with light snow falling, after a hyped up and eventful weekend. Viewing the Superbowl with friends provided a good meal and a back and forth game almost to the very end. Without the Patriots being in it, the intensity of my interest just was not there, however.

Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow and I would love to believe that winter will end after six weeks, but as a friend often says – his predictions do not count here in VT! None-the-less, the frequent snow flurries are keeping the snow sparkling & very pretty. Just be careful driving because the roads seem to have taken a beating this year. I don’t believe that Dublin Road has ever displayed the ice and ripple effect that dominates it this year….

Plans are coming along nicely for the Community Luncheon on 2/20. There will be two soups, salad and also dessert by Teresa Ennis, which is always a treat. We will have a Valentine theme despite that special day having passed, so come with thoughts about love (past or present) to share!

I truly enjoyed A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles and as several friends have noted, I didn’t want it to end. The Book Club discussion will take place on Thursday, 2/13 at 6:30 at the Community Center.

Plymouth Vermont Historical Society

The Annual Meeting of the PVHS will be held on Sunday, February 2 at 2:00pm at the Community Center.  All interested persons are encouraged to attend.  We will be discussing our plans for future programs, work sessions, etc. 

Your input is greatly appreciated as is your membership.  Dues forms will be available, and membership is still $5.00 each, if you care to join our group.

Your Executive Committee:

Midge Tucker

Joy Donnelly

Barb Lurie

Reprinted with permission by The Vermont Standard

1/26/20

It is so wonderful to still have it light outside at 5 PM! That certainly was a strange storm Saturday into Sunday – a little bit of everything. The temperature apparently made all the difference. Instead of having a slippery glaze on our driveway this morning (Sunday), there was an inch or more of mush. That didn’t seem like an exciting texture for snowshoeing, but when the sun appeared and the wind disappeared, it provided an ideal time for a long walk…..

I just wanted to mention what a delightful breakfast a group of us ladies had at Drewski’s on the River in Bridgewater Corners on Friday morning. I had been there eons ago when it was Blanche & Bill’s and was not even aware it was still open. It is small (seats about 24) and is only open Thursday – Sunday, but the walls are decorated with colorful murals and the food was wonderful.

Not a great deal of news for this week. It is time to make plans for the next Community Luncheon that will take place on Thursday, February 20th. I was thinking that a couple of different kinds of soup with salad and rolls might be nice. Maybe one being vegetarian. Plus dessert, of course! Tyson Church very kindly covers the cost of the main dish ingredients. Please let me know what you think and if you can help. Also, it is the week after Valentine’s Day, so if you have a story about love, please feel free to come share it!

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

1/20/20

Well, it’s definitely back to winter around here! I couldn’t believe the number of folks who ventured to our area for this holiday weekend. I imagine that local businesses are glad to have them. As the snow was falling on Saturday evening, we went with several friends to the roast pork dinner at the Catholic Church in Ludlow and the mood was festive.

I was surprised that there were not more people snowshoeing at Camp Plymouth State Park on Sunday afternoon because it was delightful over there when Karen Evans and I and another friend spent a fun-filled hour taking in the beauty.

Thanks to everyone who prepared, served, and participated in the Community Luncheon last Thursday! Tacos were a bit hit – thanks to Nancy Kessling for gathering and organizing all of the ingredients. Joy Donnelly’s little cheese cakes vanished quite quickly, too! It was nice to have a few words from recently appointed Selectman, Rick Kaminski. He will be sending out a survey so that folks can express their thoughts about our town for consideration.

I am including a note from Bethany Birches Camp, where a Superbowl party for Plymouth residents will again be held this year.  We will open up the building around 6pm on Feb 2. While we wish we could cook for all and host you right, we will have just finished a winter camp for young people hours before and our cooks will be back to their regular jobs on Mon. So this will be potluck. We will provide a big screen (10′), surround sound, chairs, picnic tables, plates, cups, bowls, napkins, silverware, trash cans… everything you need to eat and drink whatever you bring. If you have young children and want to bring their bike or scooter or similar, there will be space for them to ride indoors. Come to the Bethany Birches parking lot and follow the signs.

This will also provide an opportunity to get to know this wonderful facility, where birthday parties (https://www.bethanybirches.org/birthday-party) can take place and cabin lodging is often available.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

1/13/20

As I write this on Monday morning, snow flurries are filling the air. The ground is bare in spots – a bit depressing for this time of year. My concern, however, is that part of our driveway is down to dirt, but icy patches still remain & now I can’t see where they are! Such strange weather, but other places are getting deadly weather, so I guess we can’t complain.

I understand that a dozen or so folks attended the VT Department of Financial Regulation’s free presentation on how to protect your personal information and not be scammed and that it was both interesting and helpful

There was an amazing and far-reaching discussion about the Stranger in the Woods at the Book Club meeting. We welcomed new folks to the group, one being a gentleman, which provided a slightly different perspective – hope this continues! The next selection is A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, which apparently was one of five Summer 2019 reading picks by Bill Gates. You can obtain a loaner copy at the town office (thanks to Nancy Hagge). The next meeting is scheduled for 2/13 at 6:30.

Yeah, the Community Luncheon is almost here! Come enjoy making your own tacos with lots of yummy ingredients, plus a luscious dessert and maple creemie (thanks to Ann Rose). You can also meet newly appointed Selectman, Rick Kaminski.

Just a heads-up, The Plymouth Schoolhouse is accepting children 8 months and older. There will only be openings for 4 children, so you should contact Lauren (lskaskiw@gmail.com) to make sure to get a spot on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; from 8am-4pm. The sessions will begin the last week of June.

Reprinted with permission of The Vermont Standard

1/5/20

Strange happenings at our bird feeder this year. Initially upon putting it up in November we had our usual conglomeration of birds – chickadees, finches, nuthatches and titmouse. Then, at a certain point most, except for a handful of chickadees, seemed to disappear and the feeder no longer needed constant filling.

I was fearful that some larger bird was gobbling them up! Attending the activities at VINS this weekend with Tom and our grandsons, it was confirmed that certain hawks will haunt bird feeders to satisfy their hunger. However, at the time of the ice storm last week our usual array of small birds returned and were ravenous. And yes, the woodpeckers came back and attempted to horde the suet as usual.

By the way, VINS can be an exciting place to visit, even at this time of year. The canopy walk was amazing. The tower allows you to see a spectacular view as it puts you at the marvelous height of 4+ giraffes!

Don’t forget the VT Department of Financial Regulation’s free presentation on how to protect your personal information and not be scammed. Come to the Community Center on 1/7 at 10:00 AM to hear all about it!

A reminder that the Book Club will meet this Thursday, 1/9 at 6:30 pm at the Community Center to discuss The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel. It was a fascinating read about a young man who lived a solitary existence in the woods of ME for decades, so the discussion should be interesting.

I understand that this past weekend was the first of the Snow Camps at Bethany Birches Camp and that many of the summer counselors were on hand to make sure it was a fun-filled time! Sessions include activities for 3rd – 8th graders, plus winter program for teens and families.

Jan 31- Feb 2, 2020. – Polar Bear (Grades 7-9)

February 7-9, 2020. – Bobcat B (Grades 3-6)

February 14-17, 2020 – Lynx A (Grades 4-7)

February 21-23, 2020 – Lynx B (Grades 4-7)