Welcome to The Plymouth Press Online

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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Reprinted with permission of The Vermont Standard

8/25/19

No doubt about it – things are a-changing with our weather! Temps in the 40s for a couple of nights have started the trees on their autumn journey. Our late phlox are brilliant, as if sensing their last hurrah will not be too far in the future.

Do not fret, however, for there are many exciting events coming up for the Labor Day weekend. Don’t forget to join the hilarity at the Union Christian Church at noon on Saturday, 8/31 as “Shakespeare Alive” takes center stage. This talented group of actors have worked hard to create wonderful vignettes that are Shakespeare-themed and guaranteed to give you a new appreciation for the Bard’s words and innuendos.

Come enjoy music at the Folk & Blues Festival that will also take place at Calvin Coolidge State Historic site, from 2 to 5 PM on both Saturday and Sunday, 8/31 and 9/1. There is no admission fee, but donations are appreciated. Organized by Jay Ottaway, the lineup includes a nice variety of performers. Weather permitting, you can bring chairs or a blanket and enjoy the outside venue. Never fear, in the event of rain, the church will be made available. Consider bringing a non-perishable item for the VT Food Bank, as well.

The Historic Site is such a lovely place to visit. Young and older alike can enjoy the wagon rides, crafters, and of course, a stop at the Cheese Factory. Camp Plymouth State Park with its lovely grounds and beach is another place to enjoy. I understand that it will be open until 9/30 this year.

I just learned that there was an entertaining blue grass/rock band performing at Coolidge State Park on the evening of 8/24. I understand that they will be back at the same spot on 10/12, so I will try to obtain more information and post it.

The Reading Group will be meeting Thursday, 8/29 to discuss Where the Crawdads Sing by Della Owens. It was an enjoyable read with some interesting twists and turns. Feel free to join us at 6:30 at the Community Center.

Please note that there will be a household hazardous waste collection on Wednesday 9/18 from 2 to 6 PM at the Springfield Transfer Station. Call 674-9235 for more information or visit http://www.vtsolidwastedistrict.org for a list of what is acceptable to bring.

Reprinted with Permission by The Vermont Standard

8/18/19

This seems to be our summer to hop around to various lakes. This past weekend, Tom & I were visiting friends on Pontoosuc Lake in MA. I would imagine that our local lakes were well populated this weekend with the warm weather and folks squeezing in summer activities before school begins in another week or so.

It appears that the insects are liking the heat & humidity. Our walk this evening was full of flying creatures. I believe they are called darners – large dragonflies that were zooming all around us gobbling up smaller insects!

There was a large crowd at the Community Luncheon this past week. Thanks to everyone who contributed food items (Katherine Pingree, Kathy Lynds, and Joy Donnelly), interesting travel stories (Rodrick Pingree), and the teens and staff from Windsor Youth who help to serve and cleanup. It is a team effort with others opening and locking up the church, setting up and making coffee, plus those who circulate and make sure everyone is comfortable! We are always looking for help with this monthly community endeavor, so let me know if you would like to help.  The next luncheon will be Thursday, 9/19.

The final Grace Coolidge Musicale will take place at 4 PM on Sunday, 8/25 with pianists Abigail Charbeneau and Susan Cobb performing music by American composers George Gershwin and Amy Beach. These concerts have been named in honor of the former first lady who was famous for her Sunday afternoon musicales at the White House. This series, organized by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, is sponsored by the Alma Gibbs Donchian Foundation. For further information, visit www.historicsites.vermont.gov

Reprinted with permission by The Vermont Standard

8/12/19

Oh my, the season is changing. All the signs are there. Darkness is coming earlier, the ferns are browning, and my late phlox are blooming. Even a few leaves are changing on the Tyson/Reading road. But, “wait”, I want to say. I am having so much fun with summer activities – splashing in lakes both near & far; riding my bike after a two year hiatus; eating outside on the deck. Alas, time marches on and so must we….

Yet, there are many enjoyable events yet to come, so prepare to be part of them. For instance, this week is the Community Luncheon that takes place downstairs at Tyson Church. Open to all – come enjoy lasagna, salad, and dessert, plus a travel discussion at 11:15.

Upcoming events include the hilarious spoof on the work of the Bard. None other than “Shakespeare Alive” is happening again at the Union Christian Church at the Historic Site on Saturday, 8/31 at noon. Professional actors provide a provocative and entertaining time with fast-paced lines delivered with professional precision to tickle your funny bone. Don’t miss it!

As usual, the Folk & Blues Festival will take place on Labor Day weekend. It will include a nice variety of music by talented musicians from here and there. It will happen both Saturday, 8/31 and Sunday, 9/1 afternoons and although ideally it will happen outside on the grass, the church will be available in case of rain. More details will follow.

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. It has been carefully prepared and you can read it on the Plymouth website or pick up a copy n the Town Clerk’s Office.

Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not mention that Julia Kowalski did a great job when she joined the cast of “ klahoma” on stage on Saturday evening at the Weston Playhouse. It was a high energy performance and she fit right in!