Mount Holly Newsflash- Saturday, April 4, 2020- morning edition

Mount Holly Newsflash - Saturday, April 4, 2020 - Morning edition The weather today in Mount Holly - A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Northeast wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Archived Newsflash emails can be read at:   https://mthollynewsflash.blogspot.com Black River Independent School Committee C/O: Sean Williams and Pat Pullinen TheSchool@blackriveris.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/2/20 Black River Independent School Committee  Ludlow, VT:  BRISC Announces New Strategic Plan - Vision for School Remains the Same Even during these uncertain times, the Black River Independent School Committee (BRISC) remains committed to preserving and advancing local education. After several months of consulting meetings, as well as two meetings with members of the Vermont Agency of   Education, BRISC has revised and strengthened their strategic plan. The group will open a privately funded pilot program in June 2020 serving 14 students, with the eventual goal of opening a publicly funded independent school. The mission and pillars of the school remain the same and BRISC will be working with interested students and families in the coming weeks to determine if the pilot program will be a good fit. Students and families are encouraged to reach out to BRISC with any questions or to express interest in enrolling in the pilot program. More information about the enrollment process will be posted on the BRISC website.  If you would like more information or would like to get involved with the Black River Independent School, please contact Sean Williams at sean@blackriveris.org or Pat Pullinen at patrick@blackriveris.org. General inquiries can be made to TheSchool@blackriveris.org Please visit our website www.blackriveris.org. Donations can be made on the website or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 485, Ludlow, VT   pril 2020 Digital Volume 11 Issue 8 View this email in your browser Resources For Businesses  * Agency of Commerce and Community Development - COVID-19 Guidance For Vermont Businesses * SBA Disaster Assistance  * CARES Act Guide For Businesses * Small Business Owners Guide To The CARES ACT * Vermont Department of Taxes Guidelines For Businesses * Families First Coronavirus Response Act Employment Poster     The Chamber Is Here To Help! Hello Members and Friends, Do you have questions about what's essential or nonessential? Do you need to make some layoffs because of the Governor's order to shut down all but essential businesses? Do you have a unique circumstance? Here are some answers to the many questions I have been getting: Continue Reading....     The Chamber Is Maintaining COVID-19 Update Page   During this difficult time the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce is available with information and resources for businesses and community at large.  The Chamber Staff will continue to work on your behalf as we move through these trying times. At this time the Chamber office will be closed and staff working from home through at least April 15th as mandated by Governor Phil Scott.  If you need to speak with someone from the Chamber call Mary Cohen 802-770-9554.  For email communication Mary Cohen, mcohen@rutlandvermont.com or Penny Inglee, penny@rutlandvermont.com. Click here for the COVID-19 update page; click here for the Business Update page. If you have information regarding your business you would like shared on our Business Update page, please email the information to penny@rutlandvermont.com.     The Chamber Wants To Share Your Message   Send us an image of your business, your staff or simply a positive message for the community about your business and we will post it on the Chamber Facebook and Instagram accounts.  Email your image or message to penny@rutlandvermont.com...this campaign will start soon, so don't delay, send us your picture and/or message today!     Awesome Graphics and The MINT-Makerspace Creating Hero's Masks   Click here to find out how you can help Awesome Graphics and The MINT create important PPE for our healthcare workers.     Awesome Graphics Is Offering Free Emergency Signage Packages   RUTLAND AREA BUSINESS. PICK UP YOUR FREE EMERGENCY SIGNAGE PACKAGE AT AWESOME GRAPHICS! No need to knock , just grab one as you are driving by, look for a white mailbox on the side of the building. Please take only one per business so there are enough for everyone. Prints include info on current safe wash practices and a custom removable Wall-Me door sign, with an area to add hrs. notes, etc. (Black Sharpie works great!) Good slogan to follow is: "Practicing Exceptional Customer Service while Socially Distancing" That's the best one I can think of, and what we are striving for here at Awesome Graphics. Feel free to use/modify if helpful. Awesome Graphics is located at 77 Woodstock Avenue, Rutland, Vermont.      April Chamber Mixer at Garvey Nissan Postponed   Following current guidelines due to COVID-19 there will not be a Chamber Mixer in April.  The mixer scheduled for Garvey Nissan will now be August 11th, 5-7pm.       Rutland's Business Show - Connect, Collaborate & Conquer Rescheduled To June 16th! The Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce is excited to present Rutland's Business Show -Connect, Collaborate & Conquer sponsored by Heritage Family Credit Union on Tuesday,June 16, 2020 at the Holiday Inn in Rutland. Rutland's Business Show will be open to the public 5-7pm with 4-5pm being for exhibitors only.  We are currently accepting exhibitors for this great opportunity to share your business with the community. Continue Reading...     Chamber Golf Classic Rescheduled To July 10th The 35th Annual Chamber Golf Classic sponsored by Cape Air and Heritage Family Credit Union is scheduled for Friday, July 10th, 1pm at Rutland Country Club.   This is a great opportunity to have a fun day with employees, friends and business contacts on a nice Summer afternoon.  There will be special on course contests including  hole in one opportunities, great food and comradery. Find Out More....     Chamber Fireworks Extravaganza The Chamber is currently looking for sponsors for the Chamber 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza.  We understand in the current situation with COVID-19 sponsorship and fireworks aren't top priority for most.  We are trying to plan ahead and give the community something to look forward to, if we do not have sponsors for the Fireworks Extravaganza, they will not be able to happen.  If you are interested in sponsoring the Chamber Fireworks Extravaganza, email: Penny@RutlandVermont.com and sponsorship information will be emailed to you or click here for more information. Please help us provide this important event for the community!     Welcome New Member We are stronger together....each New Member of the Chamber helps us build that strength Learn more....     Thank You For Renewing Your Membership The Chamber appreciates your continued support and partnership. Central Vermont Property Valuation, PC Clarendon Animal Clinic Criterium-Lalancette & Dudka Engineers Efficiency Vermont Garvey Nissan, Inc KeyBank Pittsford Automotive Center Rutland Regional Planning Commission Staples - The Office Superstore The Bank of Bennington Town of West Rutland Yeager Family Partners     Chamber Perk Card   Member to Member Discount Program   Please patronize these valued sponsors of our Chamber e-Newsletter   Need Transportation? 1-800-352-0714 CapeAir.com 1-844-888-7267 VtTranslines.com Website Facebook Twitter Email Instagram Ludlow Emergency Team Discusses Virus Status The local public television station recently conducted a ZOOM presentation featuring Ludlow's leaders in the emergency management of the Covid-19 crisis in Ludlow. Pictured above are Scott Murphy, Ludlow's Municipal Manager, Ron Bixby, the town's emergency management director, and Ralph Pace, the host of the TV program "Spotlight".  All three were in different locations and the ZOOM presentation was managed by Patrick Cody at the Okemo Valley TV studio. Both Murphy and Bixby emphasized the need to follow Governor Scott's order concerning "stay at home".  They noted that they were reviewing the local, state and national status of activities designed to curb exposure to the virus as well as the impact the virus had on the local community. They also noted that key information on the status of the virus and efforts to control it was available on the town's web site, www.ludlow.vt.us, where links to important regional and national websites were available. The Spotlight program will be broadcast on cable channels 8 and 10 in Ludlow, Cavendish, and Plymouth, and 20 in Mt Holly. -30-

Mount Holly Newsflash- Friday, April 3, 2020- morning edition

Mount Holly Newsflash -Morning edition- Friday, April 3, 2020 The weather today in Mount Holly - Rain and snow likely before 8am, then sleet likely and rain and snow showers between 8am and 2pm, then drizzle likely. Cloudy, with a high near 44. North wind 5 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Archived Newsflash emails can be read at:   https://mthollynewsflash.blogspot.com Our diversified farm is located in Mount Holly and we are dedicated to providing a local alternative to commercially produced factory food. CURBSIDE SERVICE AT OUR FARM STAND Thank you to everyone who has stopped by our farm stand over the past week. We will continue our curbside service. You can find our complete product price list on our website or by clicking the price list button below. Take a look at what we've got and let us know what you'd like. Orders can be paid by credit card prior to your arrival at our farm stand. You can order by calling between 9am & 5pm at 802.259.2250, or by sending us an email to (plewfarm@gmail.com). Our farm stand is located at 1966 Healdville Road in Mount Holly and will continue to be open 7 days a week from 12-5. Click for price list FARMERS MARKET We will NOT be attending the Rutland indoor farmers market this weekend. To all of our market customers, we invite you to visit our curbside service page on our website and let us help you with your needs here at our farm stand. WHAT'S FOR DINNER FOLKS?! The weather is a bit wishy washy, so I'm thinking a nice pot roast is in order for the weekend! Start with one of our chuck roasts, add your favorite seasonings, some onions, garlic, potatoes and carrots, and you're good to go! And the leftovers make delicious hot beef sandwiches! Our roasts will be available all weekend - let us know how many you'd like! PRODUCE ALSO AVAILABLE We have been working with our farmers market friends and are now able to offer a limited supply of produce here at our farm stand. This week we'll have the following available from our friends at Evening Song Farm. POTATOES ~ CARROTS ~ SPINACH ~ SALAD GREENS These items are also listed on our price list and are available while supplies last. FREE SHIPPING ON OUR WEBSITE We are now offering FREE SHIPPING on all of our maple syrup and maple products! Check out our website and shop from the comfort of your home 24/7. DEALS OF THE WEEK ~ Save $3.00! HERE'S THE BEEF 2lbs of ground beef 1lb of beef patties   Reg. $21.05 This week $18.00 MAPLE LOVER Small Maple Cream Small Maple Almond Pint Maple Syrup Reg $23.00 This week $20.00 SAUSAGE LOVER 1lb Maple Breakfast 1lb Sweet Italian 1lb Hot Italian Reg. $28.50 This week $25.00 STAY CONNECTED AND FOLLOW US Questions? Contact us today: 802.259.2250 www.plewfarm.com plewfarm@gmail.com Kevin & Patti Plew, Owners, Operators, Husband & Wife! Mount Holly Garden Blog   This is a new series to share information about something positive that we can be doing during these very peculiar times.  Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and persistent snows, spring is officially here and many of us are thinking about the garden.  In these weekly articles I will address timely gardening topics as we go through the seasons in Mount Holly.  If you have ideas to contribute or questions to ask about a local gardening topic please email me at (mhgardener@vermontel.net) and I'll try to include them in an article. First things first.  If you want to grow the best varieties from seed the best time to order your seeds was early January.  The second-best time in NOW.  Seed companies have been overwhelmed with seed orders and are running low on many varieties.  We have several excellent seed companies in New England that specialize in northern varieties including FEDCO Seeds, High Mowing (based in Vermont), and Johnny's Seeds.  They all offer online catalogs and convenient ordering but don't delay.  Local retail stores are also seeing strong seed & gardening supplies sales and may not have a full selection soon. What should we be doing now?  Use the nice days to your advantage and get your pruning and cleanup done before everything else starts.  In general, prune out all dead, diseased or damaged stems and branches while plants are dormant (now).  Make your cuts close to the main stem, just outside the enlarged "collar" or just outside lateral buds that can grow new branches.  This is a great time to manage shape & size by cutting off those drooping branches and downward growing branches.  A few specifics: Raspberries – cut out all the old canes that fruited last season plus any short, spindly canes (cut off at ground level).  Also, you can cut back young canes to 5-6 ft. to reduce floppiness or excessive height.  If you have everbearing that tried to bear a second fall crop you should cut those canes down to the lowest fruit bunches as they won't repeat fruiting on that top area. Apple & Pears – remove all dead or damaged branches and any "suckers" (branches that grow straight up from the main trunk or side branches.  Remove branches that cross (pick one), grow downward or head centrally.  After pruning, apply a dormant oil spray covering all surfaces well (especially the buds) from the ground up to the top to smother over-wintering pest insect eggs.  Do this on a calm day when the temperature is above 40 (coming soon). We'll repeat this application after the leaf buds swell and after they just open but before blossoms to get most of the larvae hiding in the bark and buds. Hydrangeas – in Mount Holly we mostly have only smooth or panicle hydrangeas that bloom on new wood. (Big white blossoms)  They don't require pruning but you'll get bigger blossoms if you cut all last year's canes back to the ground.  I leave a number of strong young canes (straight and gray colored) for early greening and to provide support for new canes. Do not prune forsythia, rhododendron, spiraeas, clethras, viburnums, or lilacs until after they have finished blossoming (except to remove dead or damaged branches). Their flower buds are already present on last year's wood and pruning them now would remove this year's blossoms! My big suggestion, keep a garden journal.  This is so valuable for your own record of what happened, when and what you did.  Yes, I know you have an excellent memory, but keep a journal anyway.  Next year it'll be your goldmine of reminders.  Make it simple and easy - what you did to what plants and the dates. For example:  "4/3/2020  Planted tomato (Juliet) seeds, 24 seeds in 4 6 packs" or "4/5/2020 Pruned raspberries".  You may add whatever you want such as weather, varieties, soil mix, etc. but keep it simple so that it doesn't become a chore.  Get a notebook and start it now. Next week we'll discuss more about seed starting and growing your own plants plus your questions. Jim Corven,  Fenn Farmstead & Gardens, Mount Holly.  mhgardener@vermontel.net

Mount Holly Newsflash- Thursday, April 2, 2020- morning edition

Mount Holly Newsflash -Morning edition- Thursday, April 2, 2020 The weather today in Mount Holly - A chance of snow before 10am, then rain and snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 39. Northwest wind 8 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Archived Newsflash emails can be read at:   https://mthollynewsflash.blogspot.com From Jim Seward, Fire warden There is burn ban in place in the Town of Mount Holly, per Fire Warden Jim Seward.  Never burn without a permit For more information contact: Burn Permits:  Call Fire Warden ~ Jim Seward 786-3408 or 259-2211