Welcome to The Plymouth Press Online

Reprinted with permission of the Vt Standard

11/10/19

Moving right along into November. Is it my imagination or is it slipping away quickly? Our first snow has fallen, although not a major event. It has melted from our deck, but a white fringe lingers close to the house where it slid from the metal roof. It looks like later tonight (Sunday), there might be more coming and who know what Monday and Tuesday will bring!

We had an interesting discussion at Book Club about Samantha Silva’s Mr. Dickens and His Carol. Mixed reviews and a bit of frustration with the character of Mr Dickens, although it seemed to pick up toward the end. Sticking with this theme. Marley by local Plymouth author, Jon Clinch, has been chosen for our next book. It has only recently been released, so there seems to be a waiting list at the library. We will be discussing it on 12/12.

Here is promo quote: “Marley was dead, to begin with,” Charles Dickens tells us at the beginning of A Christmas Carol. But in Jon Clinch’s ingenious novel, Jacob Marley, business partner to Ebenezer Scrooge, is very much alive: a rapacious and cunning boy who grows up to be a forger, a scoundrel, and the man who will be both the making and the undoing of Scrooge. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?

Lauren is back manning the Plymouth Press site again. She and Matt are thoroughly enthralled with their new bundle of joy and appreciate getting some rest when he is sleeping peacefully. I had noted that Mina was thrilled to have her grandson, Liam, so close by, but Lauren wanted me to mention how wonderful it is for her parents, Sue & Greg Skaskiw of Bridgewater to have a grandchild on the east coast!

Well, plans are coming together for the Community Luncheon on 11/21 thanks to so many volunteers. It seems like numerous new folks are wanting to attend and they are offering their culinary skills to make this pre-thanksgiving luncheon a luscious feast. I am thinking that I will need to purchase another turkey breast – a 4^th! That is not a problem, but I hope someone is good at carving…

Speaking of new folks, here is the latest list of property transfers:

1) 3572 Route 100 $337,000 Gregory & Barbara Wanamaker to

Michael and Karen Rutledge

2) Pine Hill Road – 237.81 Acres Land $161,325 Arthur Grace

to Montgomery Timber Co, LLC

3) 207 Reading Pond Rd. $316,000 John and Linda Olivieri to

   Gary and Cheryl Mendrala

4) Kingdom & Dix Hill Road – 95.69 Acres Land $260,000 Gilmore

    LLC to Hillbaum LLC

5) 84 Merlin Way $276,000 Arthur and Fatimah Deffaa to Michael

and Elizabeth Neville

Reprinted by permission of The Vermont Standard

10/27/19

Well, this certainly is a gloomy Sunday – cold, damp, and rainy. Yet, there are no forest fires nipping at our heals or tornadoes touching down, so I guess we should be grateful. I did hear that the power was out for several hours on the other side of town – inconvenient, but not life-threatening. On the way to church I was noticing a couple of bright yellow trees still holding onto their leaves despite the wind and rain.

I believe that there have already been some Halloween events, so a few little fairies, superheroes and goblins have been seen around the area. More will be in evidence this week! It is nice that there are safe and fun activities for little ones. Nobody wants to come up our long driveway, so we need to go elsewhere to see them!

Congratulations to Lauren and Matt on the birth of their son, Liam Richard Harootunian on 10/22. He weighed 6.7 pounds and had lots of dark hair. Mina Turner is overjoyed with her latest grandchild as well!

Starting to plan for the November Community Luncheon on 11/21, so let me know who might like to help. Mark you calendar and plan to attend!

The Book Club will be gathering on 11/7 to discuss Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva. I have finished reading it, so my book will be available if you are interested. Contact me if you would like to have it.

Wouldn’t it be nice to meet some of these new folks who are buying properties here in town. Perhaps we should plan a Town Party to welcome them…..

1) 396 Dead End Rd $270,000 Thomas and Constance Keating to Kimberly Roffi

2) 5410 Route 100 $37,000 Art and Mike Lynds to Daniel Ney and Alicia Talley

3) 231 Snowy Owl Lane $403,333 Garrett and Susanne Cook to Damon and Aileen Anderson

4) 2699 Hale Hollow Rd $190,800 James and Carol Duff to Wilmington Savings Fund Society

5) 18 Town Line Rd $239,000 Kelley Foy to Duncan and Judith Brettell

6) 4193 Route 100 A $250,000 Richard and Holly Gaspar to Conrad and Geraldine Zendzia

Reprinted by permission of The Vermont Standard

10/20/19

There was a lovely sunrise (Sunday), but we are ending the day with some showers. It is difficult to know what to wear these days. At our grandson’s soccer jamboree on Saturday in Ludlow, sitting on one side of the field was cold and windy, while the other was sunny and warm, causing most of us to start peeling off layers!

 We had a delicious Community Luncheon on Thursday with a huge Shepherd’s pie casserole by Michelle Pingree, along with salad, and homemade cornbread. Teresa Ennis made wonderful cupcakes and demonstrated how to decorate them, along with encouraging us to try our hand at it. Her presentation was thorough, funny, and full of helpful information. Despite her tutelage, mine did not really look like hers!

 Teresa gave us lots of amazing tips, that could fill up several columns. Her training has brought her to a high level of expertise and I keep hoping that she will agree to do a class at our Community Center! A few important considerations when baking: have all ingredients at room temperature, plus measured and ready before you begin; line pans with spray & parchment; do not over-mix or continually open the oven door; use only fresh and good ingredients; and her most important point – practice makes perfect, so make sure you are having fun!

 I was surprised to find that Rte 100 paving is extending into Plymouth from Ludlow. I am curious to see how far it goes since it might make my bike rides easier. Fall tourist traffic will be diminishing, so I am hoping to get out there a few more times before the snow flies….  I see lots of folks outside buttoning up for winter – we know it is coming!

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

10/6/19

Well, with the wind and rain it amazes me that there are any leaves left, but many areas are still bright and beautiful! Gardens are being put to bed and summer clothes are being put away, as we all tighten up for winter. Snow out west seems premature, but you never know….

Speaking of closing, the Tyson Library will close for the season on 10/12. Don’t forget to join the myriad of activities taking place at Notch this coming weekend, in advance of its closing on 10/20.

The Plymouth Notch Antique Apple Fest takes place on Saturday, 10/12, beginning at 10 AM with the second annual Coolidge 5K race. Walkers can engage in the “I Do Not Choose to Run” 1-Mile Walk at 11:00. Register at the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, www.coolidgefoundation.org.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate for the wagon rides, craft exhibits, culinary treats and music with Adam Boyce. Youngsters can join in games on the Aldrich House lawn and visit the one-room schoolhouse for an apple treasure hunt and hands-on history activities. There will also be cheese sampling and the self-guided tour at the Plymouth Cheese Factory.

Come see the special display detailing the commissioning of the U S Naval Submarine “Vermont” and learn about Henry Breault, the only enlisted submarine sailor to receive the Medal of Honor which was presented by President Coolidge in 1924.

How exciting that Cassie Horner was able to go up in the flying fortress, Aluminum Overcast when it visited Rutland a couple of weeks ago. Please note, this was not the plane that crashed several days later!

The Book Club engaged in a probing discussion of Educated, sharing observations and the mix of feelings this book creates. We are a diverse group who enjoy reading a wide variety of books and there are always interesting discussions when we gather. Consider joining us!  Our next selection is Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva, that is said to be a peek into Dicken’s life with considerable humor laced into it. Books are available at the Town office, courtesy of Nancy Hagge, who has gathered them from the Killington Library for us. We will meet at the Community Center at 6:30 PM on 11/7.

It was wonderful to participate with Rev Christian Huebner in the Blessing of the Animals at Lucy MacKenzie this past weekend. Many people brought their beloved pets or pictures of them to receive special prayers of blessing. There are many animals for adoption at the shelter deserving of a forever home and they were blessed, too. The kittens are a favorite, but there are many delightful older cats and a number of dogs in need of homes. They receive loving care at Lucy Mac, but please consider taking one of them into your home and into your heart.

This dog was found in the Plymouth/Tyson area. There is no collar or chip on the dog. Call l 802 228 5048 for additional info

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Reprinted with permission by The Vermont Standard

9/12/19

My goodness, there has been a precipitous nip in the air lately. I may be overreacting, however, because I remember a former neighbor saying there is always a frost during the Rutland Fair and we have not had one yet! Someone asked me recently why a particular tree can still be all green, with only one branch bursting into color. Does anyone know the answer?

School is back in session and many students are involved with sports, various clubs & scholastic pursuits. I don’t know many of our young people any longer, but I would love to share their activities. We are a town with many sections/hamlets, so we don’t always know what is going on with folks. Please feel free to send me information that I may include.

I understand that the turnout was light for the Town Plan vote, but it did manage to pass. Thanks to the several people who manned the poles!  Condolences to Michelle and Justus Pingree on the passing of her Mom.

The monthly community luncheon will take place Thursday, 9/19 at 11:30 AM downstairs at Tyson Church. This event is organized by volunteers in an attempt to bring folks together to socialize over a hearty meal. We have some new folks in town and this is a good way to meet them. All are welcome.

I don’t know whether some of these sales will bring full-time residents to Plymouth, but here is the latest listing of property transfers:

Scout Camp Rd    3.1 Acres  $2,000     Sheryl Tepper to Corsi Norniella

182 Upper Round Top Rd     $75,000     Estate of Joan Carbonaro to Philip and Barbara Walker

140 Rte 100    $100,000    Rodrick and Katherine Pingree to Gerard Smyth

1672 Hale Hollow Rd.      $440,000     Kenneth and Carol Ackley to Joan Rubin

2396 Rte 100 A        $239,000     Jon and Diana Plumley to Carol Cotie

Reprinted with Permission from The Vermont Standard

9/7/19

I would like to back up for a minute to comment on the overflow attendance and wonderfully celebratory mood that engulfed the activities at the Coolidge Homestead over the Labor Day weekend. The Union Christian Church filled to capacity for “Shakespeare Alive” and the audience was not disappointed with this very witty performance.

The crowd continued to grow over the two days of the Folk and Blues Festival. The music was lively and those in attendance were totally engaged. Of course, the weather was ideal – sunny, but relatively cool and enjoyable. The preparation for all of the various activities made for smooth sailing, as they say – congrats to all!

The Book Club meeting on 8/29 included some new members and provided varied insights and ideas about Where the Crawdads Sing by Della Owens. Many laughs punctuated the evening! The next selection is Educated by Tara Westover with discussion slated for 10/3.

Tom and I attended some of the amazing sessions at VINS special Holiday weekend program on mammals. Of course there were raptor talks and demonstrations, but there were a number of animals not indigenous to our area. Fascinating, to say the least!

Another monthly Community Luncheon is being planned for Thursday, 9/19 at 11:30 AM in the downstairs room at Tyson Church. It looks like Nancy Hagge’s outstanding meatloaf may be the main course. Anyone want to volunteer to bring side dishes or dessert? Please let me know. We usually have 25 – 30 participants, including teens from Windsor County Youth Services who kindly help to serve and clean up. Come meet your neighbors and enjoy lively conversation and a luscious lunch.

The cast of “Shakespeare Alive”