Welcome to The Plymouth Press Online

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

6/7/19

This morning (Friday) is gloriously sunny, as was yesterday. Maybe the nice weather is finally here! I think most of us are ready to engage in some outdoor activities. When Tom and I went for a walk last evening, the light breeze kept the black flies at bay, which was a nice perk.

I understand that the Town-wide Tag Sale over the Holiday weekend was quite successful with over $1,200 in vendor sales. Thanks to Lauren and others for all their hard work. Also, The Plymouth Schoolhouse will be hiring its first employee and staying open for year round childcare starting this summer and will be able to accommodate infants and toddlers, as well as the preschool aged children. For more information, contact Director Lauren Skaskiw-Harootunian at 802 417 6895 or email lskaskiw@gmail.com.

Tom and I were away for a week, including the Memorial Day weekend. It was nice to see the festive bunting draping the lighted bridge in Tyson upon our return. Thanks to Tyson Ladies Aid for providing it.

At the recent TLA meeting, final touches were added for their part of the Annual Strawberry Festival to be held at Camp Plymouth State Park on Wednesday, 6/19, starting at 5:00 PM. Admission to the park is free at that time, so come enjoy the BBQ by Emergency Services, including salads by many community members. Plus feast on the delicious strawberry shortcake dessert by Tyson Ladies Aid.

You can make yourself comfortable in this lovely park setting while listening to Adam Boyce and Sue Hunt provide delightful music, as you munch away and wait for the Tyson Church raffle drawing. Fun things for youngsters to do, too. The added benefit is seeing friends and neighbors, while supporting local organizations that then turn right around and utilize these funds to enhance our community. This will also provide an opportunity to meet the new Park Ranger, Garecht Brunner!

Please note there will not be a Community Luncheon this month in hopes that everyone will attend the Strawberry Festival instead. For July, we will be back in business and likely have a BBQ, so folks can look forward to gathering again.

It is with sadness that I note the passing of Bea Wheeler. Recently a resident of Gill Home, she had become quite frail and ready to move on. Kudos to Dale & Larry Lynds for their devotion to caring for her needs for so long. For many years, when John was an active member of the Fire Dept, Bea made a dessert for each meeting. None of us other wives picked up the gauntlet, so meetings no longer include these regular sweet treats! Thanks to those who responded to the dumpster fire at Coolidge State Park the other day.

Many folks will probably remember Ruth Bostock, who passed away last year. Her niece, Martha, will be holding an estate sale at Ruth’s home at 59 Lake Pauline Rd, Ludlow on 6/22. I understand there will be many books and personal items that might be meaningful to those who knew her.

Property transfers still abound, so listing the latest below:

1) 181 Upper Round Top Rd. $261,500 Andrew Visinski to Peter and Emma Zelken

2) 832 Grand View Lodge, Unit D $57,300 Peter and Geraldine Marchessault to Jesse Gagnon

3) 894 East Ash Rd, Ledges 13 $150,000 Clara Garcia to Ernest and Carmen Ruzza

4) 998 East Ash Rd, Ledges 21 $135,000 Zorn Family Trust to Wesley and Patricia Wilkey

5) 27 Hillside Rd. $345,000 Benjamin Nazzaro to Richard and Suzanne Walsh

Reprinted with permission by The Vermont Standard

Although the weather may contradict it, we know summer is on its way because the Tyson library is now open for the season. The times of operation are Tuesday through Saturday 10 AM until noon and also the first and third Mondays from 6 to 7 PM. This amazing little building, maintained by Tyson Ladies Aid, has such great reading material. Stop by and check it out!

Reprinted with permission by The Vermont Standard

5/24/19

By the time this goes to print, most of the Holiday Weekend activities will have come and gone. Hopefully the intermittent thunder storms will not have dampened the festivities.

Our restaurants are open and ready to serve delicious food. Bruce and Tina at the Inn at Water’s Edge are offering a SPRING FLING through June on Friday and Saturday nights with a 4-Course American Cuisine dinner for $25.00 Pre-Fixe and all bottles of wine are 50% discount. There will be meat, fish, and poultry items, but call 802-228-8143 for reservations at least 24 hours in advance.

According to Tom at the Echo Lake Inn, they will generally be open for dinner Tuesday – Saturday, unless they have a weekend function. Locals are encouraged to call 802-228-8602 for the Pre-Fixe special of $32.

President Calvin Coolidge Historical site will open on 5/25 for the season with a new special exhibit entitled Presidential Menagerie: The Coolidges and Their Pets. As is true for most of us, their pets played an important role within the family and produced several humorous stories.

Of course, this is also the time that Camp Plymouth State Park opens for the season and I imagine that camping is underway at our Calvin Coolidge State Park as well. The temperatures should be warming up any time now, so folks can enjoy the many facets of these pristine places. The wonderful community gathering for the Annual Strawberry Festival will take place at Camp Plymouth on Wednesday, 6/19 starting at 5:00 PM with the BBQ (Emergency Services) and famous strawberry shortcake (Tyson Ladies Aid). Tyson Church will be holding the 50/50 raffle, plus have a few special door prizes. Plan to attend!

I admit that I was surprised to learn that we have so many students graduating from WUHS this year. Here is the list: Angelina Amadeo, Bridgit Black, Dana Castro, Hartley Coates, Anna Hepler, Julia Kowalski, and Tim Rogers. Congratulations to one and all!

Reprinted with permission by The Vermont Standard

5/17/19

The weather still confounds me and I never know what to wear these days. I have not put my turtlenecks away & have used them several times this week. This morning Tom decided it was time to get out his summer clothes. Excuse my pessimism, but I am still not sure that is wise!

I wish I had taken a picture of the lovely strawberry cake that Teresa Ennis made for the luncheon on Thursday. Not only was it beautiful, everyone raved about how delicious it was, too! We sang a belated Happy Birthday to BettyAnn Hayward & an early one for Mildred Fitzgibbons. There was not much of Narda’s baked ziti left. Thanks to Nancy Hagge for making a salad. Nobody went away hungry, that’s for sure.

The Book Group is reading The Rent Collector by Camron Wright. It is both fascinating and heartbreaking to learn how others around the world are obliged to live and try to survive. The books can be checked out at the Town Clerk’s office. The discussion will take place at the Community Center on 6/13.

Our young people are busy these days. Both Anna & Calef Hepler are involved with Field and Track and Eve Cole has performed with Yoh Theatre. Graduation will be coming up before you know it and I will include the names next week.

A heads-up for the Town-wide Tag sale on Memorial Day weekend. Then before you know it, the Annual Strawberry festival at Camp Plymouth State Park will be here on Wednesday, June 19th. Details to follow!

From Sandie Small, Plymouth Town Clerk

Highway Department Position Available

The Town of Plymouth has an opening for a Town employee in our Highway Department.  A CDL is required.  

Please contact our Highway Foreman at 802-672-3535.

There will no Yoga Class this Sunday or next Sunday. This Sunday from 11am-1pm is the first drop off session for vendors of the Tag Sale.

The Tag Sale will be held on Sunday, May 26th from 9am-6pm.

There is still room for more vendors to join in the Selling!

Contact Lauren at lskaskiw@gmail.com for details.

In Margo’s last Plymouth report, Lauren’s email address was incorrect. To connect with her about being a vendor in the 6th Annual Town Wide Tag Sale at The Plymouth Community Center, please email lskaskiw@gmail.com or call 802 417 6895.

Thank you!

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard.

5/2/19

Dreary this Thursday, and there is not much more I say about the weather. I had asked friends returning from FL to bring some good weather with them, but for the moment, that hasn’t happened! Whenever there is a break and the sun appears, I leave indoor pursuits and head outdoors. By the time this goes to print, GreenUp day will have passed, but hopefully folks will have been able to beautify our roadways and warmer temps will be here.

As to the question posed by some after my mention of the snapping turtles teeth – I stand corrected. Obviously I did not get close enough to see into its mouth, but apparently it is the beak that does the damage. Their long necks and their powerful jaws are a cause for concern and the sites I visited suggested picking them up with 2 hands firmly on the shell, above their back feet. Care is needed to avoid their sharp claws as well. So, with that information & reading that they can weigh as much as 30 pounds, I don’t plan to be lifting any the near future and perhaps you shouldn’t either!

Still sorting out plans for the 5/16 Community Luncheon, so mark your calendar. Since I will be on the road very early on Friday morning, I need to submit my report now. By next time, I will have more news about the luncheon and also the new book selected by the Reading Group.

Don’t forget to consider participating in the 6th Annual Plymouth Town Tag Sale on Memorial Day Sunday; to be held at the Plymouth Community Center on May 26th. Contact Lauren at lskaskiw@gmail.com for details.

In the meantime, relish any hint of warmth and sunshine that comes your way….

Reprinted with permission by The Vermont Standard

4/26/19

it seems like the whole world is waking up – springing forth with new life! Finches are back, along with juncos and other birds. Barred owls can be heard uttering mating calls or else simply naming their territory. The raccoons seem to have moved on or at least found other food besides seeds dropped from our feeder. I understand a young moose was seen in the Hale Hollow area.

Today on my way back from Ludlow I saw a large turtle moving out on to Rte 100, perhaps a female looking for a place to lay eggs. Fearing it might get hit, I pulled over and alerted traffic. I wondered if I could help move it along – to one side or the other, but seeing the way it was thrusting its neck forward and menacing with its teeth as traffic passed, I realized I was not going be the one assist it. Apparently it wasn’t there much longer because friends who came that way after I left, did not see it. Hopefully that means it survived!

The weather is making it a bit difficult for spring sports since the fields have experienced heavy rain and in some places flooding. I see that Julia Kowalski and former Plymouth resident, Theresa Steward are both playing softball for Woodstock. I imagine there are other student athletes. Let me know who they are!

Please note that Matt Mccormick’s PASTA meeting has been changed to Wed, 5/1 at 6 PM at the Community Center. On the agenda will be brainstorming ideas for a mission statement; discussion about joining the Catamount Trail Association or/and Vermont Mountain Bike Association and submitting an application to the Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance program; plus setting up a regular meeting schedule. Bring a pasta dish to share!

It should be a very interesting discussion about the current Reading Group selection, Anatomy of a Miracle by Jonathan Miles that will take place at at the Community Center at 6:30 on Thursday, 5/2. Join us even if you have not read it!

Roadways need freshening up this time of year and you can be part of cleanup effort as noted by Jen Flaster, who suggests: Grab your friends, join your neighbors and get involved in Vermont’s state-wide Green Up Day on May 4th. It’s easy! Pick a road, grab a bag and do your part! Bags for the Town of Plymouth will be available at the Plymouth Municipal Building on Saturday, May 4th from 8am-10am. Farm & Wilderness and Bethany Birches are teaming up this year to provide some nourishment to volunteers before you head out. Thanks also to ABLE Waste for providing a dumpster at the Town Offices for any trash collected on Green Up Day. Contact Jen Flaster (jen@farmandwilderness.org) if you have any questions or to volunteer.

Happy Birthday to Kathy Lynds on 4/29 and belated congratulations to Brandon Bergey (4/19)