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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” 

Reprinted with permission by The Vermont Standard

9/30/19

More amazing weather – what a great place to live! No hurricanes bearing down upon us or forest fires threatening. Still plenty of time to enjoy our lakes and streams before winter sets in. I took our grandsons on a bike ride to Buttermilk Falls before school began and we walked down to the water. I never learned to skip rocks and apparently it is not a skill that improves with age!

Registered voters, don’t forget to review the proposed Town Plan so you can vote knowledgeably on Tuesday, 9/10, at the Town Hall between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm. You can read it on the Plymouth website or pick up a copy at the Town Clerk’s Office.

Recently I attended a very informative session in Londonderry about fraud and scams given by the VT Dept of Financial Regulation, which deals with banking, insurance and securities issues. One important tip was never to put a payment with your check inside in your mailbox to go out. Anyone can come along and gain considerable information about you and your bank account.

We learned that a scam differs from fraud because basically you provide information, albeit often unintentionally, that allows the financial consequences. Three delightful folks from this agency are going around the state alerting folks to various scams. Go to https://dfr.vermont.gov/ or call 802-828-3301 to learn more.

Please note that Tyson Community Church will be having an ice cream social on Sunday, 9/15 from 2-3:30 as a way to celebrate and introduce their new pastor, Terry Bascom. All are invited!

This lush setting was overflowing with people listening to great music at The Plymouth Folk and Blues Festival this past weekend.

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