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Reprinted with permission by The Vermont Standard

7/29/19

We were away this weekend visiting family on Oneida Lake in NY.  We are so fortunate to have our lovely little lakes in our area but I realized that they are pretty small by comparison!  In any case, it is still wonderful to pull right up and take a dip on these hot days.

This coming weekend will be Old Home Day at the Notch.  Festivities on Saturday, 8/3 take place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.   You can enjoy craft and farm demonstrations, wagon rides, music, chicken barbecue by Plymouth Emergency Services and much more.

Stop at the church at 11 to learn more about Moxie (President Coolidge’s favorite soft drink) from Merrill Lewis, president of the New England Moxie Congress, who has co-authored a book that can be purchased and signed.  After enjoying the noontime delicious  chicken BBQ, at 2:47 p.m. you can attend the reenactment of Calvin Coolidge’s 1923 Homestead Inaugural with Coolidge family members on the Homestead porch.

There will be so many activities for all ages and lively music by local favorite, Adam Boyce. I am not going to mention everything that will be happening, but come enjoy this delightful experience for your eyes, ears, & taste buds (food samples, too).

Speaking of food, I already have a dessert for the 8/15 Community Luncheon, but volunteers are needed to make the entree and sides. Although not a church function, Tyson Church very graciously reimburses for the main course ingredients.  Anyone want to lend a hand?  This monthly event provides a nice lunch break and an opportunity to get to know folks in the area!  Still working on a speaker, too.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

7/21/19

I am writing this on Sunday afternoon and just realized that I am going to miss the Grace Coolidge Musicale that will be taking place shortly! Pianist, Abigail Charbeneau and mezzo-soprano, Ellen Nordstrom will be performing and part of me regrets not being there.  I, however, will be swimming in Echo Lake at the invitation of a friend.  Life is full of difficult choices….

The recent weather seems so unVermont-like lately.  It is not often that the nights remain in the 70s, but that has happened for a couple of nights now.  Although we live in the woods, I do like to open up the house at night to let the cool air in, then close it during the day if the temps are going to rise appreciably.  No cool air circulating last night!

Late afternoon on Saturday, we were at a delightful party in Woodstock and the breeze made all the difference, especially in the shade. As we cruised by Camp Plymouth State Park, the beach was not as packed as anticipated, but I imagine folks were gathered on the grass under the trees; only emerging long enough to dunk themselves in the clear, relatively cool lake water.

Thanks to Windsor County Youth Services for handling the BBQ for the monthly Community Luncheon last Thursday and to others who assisted with food items.  Our speaker was Tayo Kirshhof, Director of the Ottauquechee Health Foundation.  She provided information about their wonderful programs.  Their goal of fostering health and wellness includes provision of caregiver and other referral services, plus respite and good neighbor grants.  It is no secret that medical care costs can easily get out of hand, so they strive to help make these expenses less devastating and more manageable.  Check out WWW.ohfvt.org.

On Thursday the Reading Group viewed the documentary that led to the novel, The Rent Collector, that we read in May.  It was overwhelming to see the way the folks lived in that dump in Cambodia, yet their resilience was admirable.   It has since been closed.  Our next book selection is Where the Crawdads Sing by Della Owens.  It is about a murder in a small town in NC.  The author notes that: “we are forever shaped by the children we once were, and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.”  Consider reading it and joining us for discussion on 8/29.

Reprinted with permission by The Vermont Standard

6/28/19

It looks like we are really into summer! Storms and showers are passing through, but the sunshine has been lovely and our gardens need some rain. I just plan indoor activities when those clouds roll in. I know I always have plenty of inside tasks that need my attention, although on nice days I struggle to deal with them…..

On the 4th of July, our Historic Site celebrates the birth of our nation as well as the birthday of our 30th president, Calvin Coolidge with several activities: The reading of the Declaration of Independence in the Union Christian Church at 9:00 a.m. The Naturalization Ceremony at 10 and at noon the “parade” with the Vermont National Guard to the Plymouth Notch Cemetery to lay the wreath from the White House. Coolidge family members will be in attendance. Then, the Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department will be on hand to provide the BBQ.

Throughout the day enjoy the many activities: wagon rides, the Stringfield Springers old time string band, cheese sampling at the factory, children’s games on the Aldrich House lawn, and the Plymouth Historical Society’s “The Villages of Old Plymouth” exhibit. Don’t forget the championship round of the Coolidge Cup National Debate Tournament starting at 1:00 and Calvin Coolidge re-enactor, Tracy Messer, presenting “Recollections of 1919: The Boston Police Strike” at 3:00.

For more details about the Declaration of Independence reading, Naturalization Ceremony and Debate Tournament, contact the Coolidge Foundation at 802-672-3389.  Be sure to check out the award-winning permanent exhibition, More Than Two Words: The Life and Legacy of Calvin Coolidge at the Education Center, as well as this year’s temporary exhibit, Presidential Menagerie: The Coolidges and Their Pets.  More information can be obtained at 802-672-3773 or www.historicsites.vermont.gov

I understand that the Fire Dept has taken in a new member – welcome to Donnie Girard! Although the usual number of fires in town is small, investigating smoke alarms & assisting at accidents are other important functions. There is always a need for more members, so consider how you can help.

Windsor County Youth Services assists with our monthly Community Luncheons that are held in the space downstairs at Tyson Church and for July 18th, they will be helping to provide our BBQ with hot dogs and hamburgers. I already have a donation of pasta salad. Anyone interested in providing other salads and dessert, please let me know! Come get to know your neighbors and enjoy some time socializing – everyone is welcome!

A public service announcement for those who visit:

BE BEAR AWARE!!

Bears are awake and hungry.  The most common sources of food that attract bears are pet food, bird feeders, barbecue grills, garbage, household trash containers and open dumpsters.

Plymouth residents know this, however, visitors who come here for a short visit might not be aware that leaving their garbage at “curb side” on Sunday afternoon, or in a container that is not bear proof, is a calling card for bears. Bears love garbage and will leave no container unopened.   They’re not very good about keeping things in a neat pile either.  Your garbage is dragged into the road and across the landscape, a long trail of everything you left behind.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife lists the following measures to protect property from bears:

Never feed bears deliberately or accidentally

Feed your pets indoors

Feed birds from December to March only

Store trash in a secure place.  Trash cans alone are not enough.

If you don’t have a secure place to leave your trash, consider taking it back home with you!

We welcome you to our town and know you want to be a good neighbor.  We can all work together to keep our landscape safe and free of litter.

The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation is seeking an operator for The Wilder House Restaurant at the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site.

For further information, please contact Bill Jenney at 672-3773.

Dear Neighbors,

The Barn Day Camp Waterfront at Farm & Wilderness will be open for Plymouth Residents MONDAY-FRIDAY from 4-5pm through August 8, only when a lifeguard is present (weather permitting). For those who have visited our waterfront before, this is a change of practice due to insurance requirements.

Visit the Main Office during business hours to get a parking permit. Please contact Sam Green with any questions at 802-422-3761.

We look forward to seeing you around this summer!

Rebecca Geary

Farm & Wilderness

Reprinted with Permission by The Vermont Standard

6/20/19

Either folks didn’t listen to the weather forecast or they just didn’t believe it would rain because the Strawberry Festival was near record capacity. I heard a figure of 400 cars being counted and not even a drizzle to dampen anyone’’s enthusiasm!

So many people worked to lay the groundwork and then even more volunteered to pull it all together and make it run smoothly – new faces and familiar ones working side-by-side. It is truly a wonderful community event run by Emergency Services, Tyson Ladies Aid and Tyson Church, but many others join in, as well. Thanks to one and all!

Personally, I just love to chat with everyone – some folks that I don’t see often, so we cheerfully catch up. The youngsters take part in their own way, enjoying the crowd and the music, as well as the face-painting and crafts. Hopefully some of the pictures depict the spirit of the evening.

Also, some exciting news about Tyson Church. Terry Bascom has accepted the call to be the settled pastor, after over a year of relying upon pulpit supply. Those who have led worship have done a wonderful job, but hopefully the continuity will bring new life to the church.

People in photos include: Alice Nitka, Joan Day, Kathy Lynds, Marge Macintyre, Corsi Maurello, Kirk Turner, Bruce Verdrager, Tom Marrone.

Reprinted with permission by The Vermont Standard

6/14/19

Changeable weather persists, although we have had some delightful days. Hoping for a nice day for the Strawberry Festival on 6/19! Remember, no Community Luncheon this month, but let me know if you want to help with salads and such for the July gathering on 7/18.

The busy end-of-school days have come to an end for this year. Our graduates have been celebrated and are now beginning a new phase of their lives. I neglected to offer congratulations & mention that Kyleigh Savery graduated from Black River High School and is going to Castleton University for early childhood/special education in the fall. Tyson Ladies Aid has given their scholarships to Julia Kowalski (WUHS) and Aaron Merrill (BRHS). I was pleased to learn that the Plymouth Memory Tree is presenting scholarships as well, the recipients are Anna Hepler, Julia Kowalski and Dana Castro.

Our two local camps are gearing up and welcoming young people and staff. Farm & Wilderness opens on June 24. For families with kids age 4-10, they are holding a FREE Bring A Friend Open House on Sat, 6/29, 10 am-12 pm at the Barn Day Camp. Activities include: waterfront (bring a suit), meet the animals, garden and camp tour, farm fresh snacks, play structure and more. Chaperones required and come rain or shine!

Bethany Birches Camp had its free fun day on Sat, 6/15 and hopefully many folks attended. They offer summer camps for ages 6-17 and day camp for ages 5-9, with many fun activities, geared to the interests of the various age groups. There may still be some opportunities to volunteer at camp as well. Call 802-672-5220 or learn more at www.bethanybirches.org. I did attend a birthday party at BBC this past winter and it was wonderful, so remember that such parties can be hosted there!

The Book Group met 6/13 and had a lengthy discussion about The Rent Collector. It was a riveting book about life at the Strung Meanchey dump in Cambodia that was inspired by the documentary The River of Victory. It is planned to view this film at our next meeting on 7/18. We will also be discussing Into the Wilderness by VT author, Deborah Lee Luskin, which is our next book.

Sadly, we bid farewell to Sharon LaFrance who has recently moved to CT. There are more turnovers in real estate in town:

181 Upper Round Top Rd. $261,500 Andrew Visinski to Peter and Emma Zelken

832 Grand View Lodge, Unit D   $57,300    Peter and Geraldine Marchessault to Jesse Gagnon

894 East Ash Rd, Ledges 13.     $150,000    Clara Garcia to Ernest and Carmen Ruzza

998 East Ash Rd, Ledges 21   $135,000     Zorn Family Trust to Wesley and Patricia Wilkey

27 Hillside Rd.      $345,000    Benjamin Nazzaro to Richard and Suzanne Walsh