Antique Apple Festival, Last Grace Coolidge Musicale — Margo’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 09/26/2017 by

Reprinted by permission of The Vermont Standard.

9/25/17

This Monday is another amazing weather day! Yesterday I joined Tom at Camp Plymouth State Park when I returned from MA and even went for a swim at 4:00 PM because it was delightfully warm, even at that hour. There were dozens of beach-goers enjoying this late September treat of summer weather. Only one disappointing occurrence – someone dropped a bag of garbage on the path. Isn’t it frustrating when folks come to enjoy the beauty and then so carelessly destroy it……

Elliott May Rogers

Congratulations to Tony and Melissa Moore (Liza Ward’s niece) on the 9/7 birth of their first grandchild, Elliott May Rogers. Not sure how this works, but perhaps Elli would be Liza’s great great niece.  Parents are Jennifer and Bryce Rogers.

How exciting to see Dana Dolloff’s picture on the front page of the VT Journal accepting the Chamber mixer prize of $72, that he immediately donated to the UCC Emergency USA Fund via Tyson Church! We are still accepting checks made out to Tyson church with the designation “flood” and will send the entire amount raised within the next couple of weeks.

Get ready to celebrate apples at the Plymouth Notch Antique Apple Fest on 10/7 from 10:00 – 4:00. There will be the usual apple recipe contest (call 672-3773 for details) cider making, wagon rides, BBQ (weather permitting), cheese making and craft demonstrations. At 2:00 PM, Ann Collins will talk about her book, Vintage Pies. You can also check out the heirloom apples in the orchard!

The final Grace Coolidge Musicale will take place at 4:00 PM on Sunday 10/8. Cellist Kate Jensik and pianist Abigail Charbeneau will be performing and the inclusion of f Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise has special meaning to the program, since the composer was a favorite White House guest during the Coolidge Administration.  

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Plymouth Notch Apple Festival Just Around the Corner — Margo’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 09/19/2017 by

Reprinted by permission of The Vermont Standard

9/18/17

Can you believe this weather – so chilly in August, now hot in September! Tom went to Plymouth Camp State Park on Saturday and there 20 -30 people there, most of them swimming, too.

It was an amazing concert to raise funds for the UCC Emergency USA Fund this past Sunday at church.  Headlined by Jamie Ward, it included a range of performers including: Eric King, Luke Zelis and our own Tesha Buss.

Jamie Ward, Tesha Buss and daughter, Isabella, then Owen Perrino, Owen Bishop, and Landon Perrino at the Hurricane Irma Fundraiser held at Tyson Congregational Church

It was wonderful to finally meet Tesha’s daughter Isabella, too. We had three other youngsters join us on Sunday and they made this sign using their hands and adding their contributions.

Several people who could not attend sent checks to help recent hurricane victims and we will be accepting donations for the next couple of weeks. Checks made out to Tyson Congregational Church and noted to be for the flood relief effort can be sent to our mailing address, 39 jDublin Rd, Ludlow 05149. Since the UCC sent us funds to disburse when Irene paid us a visit, we feel strongly that we should pay it forward.

I heard from Michelle Pingree that it was a harrowing experience being in FL while Irma was passing through. She and Justus saw destruction in the Tampa area & noted flooding in Sebastian, where her mom lives.

Don’t forget the Reach Out Luncheon in the Community of Tyson Church on Thursday, 9/21!

The next book club meeting will be Thursday, October 12 at 6:30 pm at the community center. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot should provide an interesting discussion about ethics in science.

Coming up at the Historic Site: Plymouth Notch Antique Apple Fest Saturday, October 07, 2017 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Also the Grace Coolidge Musicale #4 on Sunday, October 08, 2017: 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm

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Jack Whalen’s Funeral; Relief Fundraiser Concert — Margo’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 09/11/2017 by

Reprinted by permission of The Vermont Standard

9/10/17

In light of weather events around the country, we certainly cannot complain about some rainy days. Actually, it was a pleasant surprise that I was able to officiate the outdoor wedding at the Echo Lake Inn this weekend, since rain had been predicted.

I imagine that the UCC Emergency USA Fund will be disbursing money to FL as well as TX and other areas of need. When we made our plans for the fundraiser and concert on 9/17, there were not as many people being impacted as there are now. Please consider joining us this coming Sunday at 10:30 AM for a concert by Jamie Ward.

If you cannot attend, please feel free to send a check to Tyson Congregational Church (mailing address – 39 Dublin Rd, Ludlow 05149), with the notation of disaster relief or flood. Then we will combine the contributions and send a check to national UCC for this special fund they have established. It seems important for our church to participate because we were sent $2000 to distribute locally after Irene and many other churches in VT were also provided with funds.

We are a small community, so when folks pass on, it seems like a big loss. Condolences to the family of Jack Whalen who passed away suddenly on 9/4. His service will be at the church at 11:00 AM on Monday, 9/11.

Because of the early submission for last week’s addition, the picture of the Shakespeare Alive troupe could not be published, so here it is now – thanks to Jamie Ward!

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Flood Relief Fundraiser Planned

Posted on 09/09/2017 by

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A Quiet Week — Margo’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 09/06/2017 by

Reprinted by permission of The Vermont Standard

Bill Jarvi at his grand-daughter’s wedding (8/19/2017)

9/1/17

Having to report early, there is not much new news! Returning over the Tyson/Reading Road on Tuesday, I was amazed at all the color – mostly orange at the moment & primarily close to the road. The change seems to have taken place almost overnight! I guess these nippy nighttime temps have started the process.

I wanted to share this delightful picture of Bill Jarvi with daughters, Lauren & Kristen that was taken at Lauren’s daughter Hillary Gerardi’s wedding to Bradley Carlson on 8/19 in Barton. So wonderful that he could be there & enjoy this family celebration!

I forgot to mention last week that we had 8 youngsters attend Children’s Sunday at church. Lisa Marks read a book about filling others buckets with kindness and then took the children downstairs to decorate their own buckets. We adults are taking the kindness mandate to heart and hopefully will be having a fundraising event for those devastated by the flood waters.

Our condolences to Art Baker on the recent passing of his wife, Melanie.

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Local Labor Day Weekend Activities — Margo’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 08/28/2017 by

Reprinted by permission of The Vermont Standard

8/27/17

Plymouth residents say goodbye to Russ and Betsy Tonkin, who are moving to CT.

Yes, there definitely is a nip in the air! I am wondering what our wet weather this summer will mean for the fall foliage colors? A few trees have started, so it won’t be too long before we know the answer! I understand that Camp Plymouth State Park will remain open until 9/10 this year, so you still have a chance to enjoy some time there. From what I have heard, 100A has opened, with one lane traffic during the week!

Thirty or so people attended the potluck dinner last Thursday night for Russ and Betsy Tonkin. Larry Lynds presented Russ with a plaque for his service on the Select Board. Both Betsy and Russ have worked hard on various town projects and they will be missed. With a delightful assortment of food, we all enjoyed the casual meal and conversation and the opportunity to wish them well.

There is so much happening over the Holiday weekend that nobody should be bored! Shakespeare Alive! At noon on the 2nd at the Union Christian Church, plus the Plymouth Folk and Blues Festival taking place from 2:00 – 5:00 on both 9/2 and 9/3. There will be many other wonderful things happening at the [President Calvin Coolidge] Historic site, so make your way there and enjoy them!

Please note the Local Household Hazardous Waste Collections for Plymouth residents at the Springfield Transfer Station from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on September 9 and at the Goodyear building in Windsor from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on September 16. Visit www.vtsolidwastedistrict.org or call 674-9235 for a list of items. Bring in a mercury fever thermometer and receive a new digital fever thermometer. 

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Upcoming Events at the President Coolidge Historic Site — Margo’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 08/21/2017 by

Reprinted by permission of The Vermont Standard

8/21/17

I am writing this on the day of the eclipse! Hope everyone has protective eye gear, although the best views will likely be on TV since VT is not on the major sweep. We came back from Lake George around 10:00 PM last night and glancing at the beautiful starry night sky, I remembered why I love living here.

I do want to remind folks that the senior passes to National Parks are going from $10 to $80 at the end of the month. I understand that Marsh Billings in Woodstock is out of passes, as are many other sites. They are, however, offering rain checks between 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM if you are interested.

As summer winds down there are many happenings taking place, especially at the Coolidge Historic Site.  On Sunday, 8/27 Abigail Charbeneau and Susan Cobb will be playing duets for the third Grace Coolidge Musicale at 4:00 PM. The concert is free although donations are appreciated.

Coming up on Labor Day Weekend, get ready for another fantastic Shakespeare Alive! A Bard-Based Variety Show  at noon on 9/2 in the Union Christian Church, presented by the Stand Up Shakespeare Company . If you have never been to one of these performances you are in for a real treat. You will need to have your “thinking cap” on, however, for this marvelous, fast-paced and funny show. Go to https://www.facebook.com/Shakespeare-With-Benefits-Stand-Up-Shakespeare-469550256419634/ for more information.

Also, please note the 13th annual Plymouth Folk and Blues Festival taking place from 2:00 – 5:00 on both 9/2 and 9/3. Thanks to Jay Ottaway for organizing this wonderful group of entertainers. Please bring non-perishable food items for the VT Food Bank and come enjoy some lively music in this wonderful outdoor venue.

There will be much more going on at the Historic Site over the holiday weekend, so come relish the lovely scenery, the history, various food offerings and the friendly atmosphere. Lots to do for everyone!

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