| | Today's Forecast: Rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 41. Southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. | | | | | CHS PLANT WORKSHOP: THE INVASIVES:
When Japanese knotweed is mentioned, people often cringe and tell tales of how it's taken over parts of their yard and is impossible to kill. However, it's long been part of traditional medicine in Asia for centuries as a treatment for such ailments as inflammation, infections, skin burns and most recently Lyme Disease.
While knotweed was brought to the Americas in the 1800s as an ornamental plant, other plants that had medicinal properties were brought to the Americas by the colonists. In addition, the "seed trade" was big business, with middle and upper class landowner buying plants from around the world to study in their backyards.
On October 26 (Saturday), the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) will host their third workshop on plants, this time focusing on the invasives. This talk will feature garlic mustard, plantain, barberry, eucalyptus, ragweed and other plants that were introduced or traveled with settlers. We'll be exploring plants that can do damage to existing ecosystems yet also offer medicine.
The workshop will take place at the Cavendish Town Library, 573 Main St. Proctorsville starting at 2 pm. Dr. Charis Boke, a member of the Dartmouth College faculty in anthropology, will once again be speaking. Boke is currently writing "Poison, Power, and Possibility: Building Relations with Medicinal" which will explore the poetics, politics, and practices of contemporary herbalists in North America, leaning on ethnographic research, botanical histories, and lived experience to examine what it takes to remedy what ails us. Dr. Boke was involved in helping with the Benjamin Rush Medicinal Garden at the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia.
For more information, please call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com | | | | | ESBR Hosts Open House for Families With six exciting weeks into the school year already, ESBR hosted an Open House on the evening of Thursday, October 10th to share with ESBR families what the students have been experiencing so far in the 2024-2025 school year. Head of School Michael Kell welcomed guests, expressing how this year's theme, "What Makes Vermont Strong," also represents itself within the school just amongst the students on a daily basis. Board Chair Patrick Pullinen reiterated this point, sharing inspiring journeys of students past and the early days of ESBR. Sean Whalen, ESBR's English Language Arts instructor, also offered insight, agreeing in a joint goal of not just teaching but also in discovering how to make something mundane "not boring" to learn or experience in the first place. A slideshow presentation accompanied the introductions, providing a further glimpse into the ESBR experience. Following this discussion, families broke off to see the Middle School and/or High School schedules and classes. Along with core courses, several other current classes include Graphic Arts, Spanish, and Health. Families were able to visit these classrooms and a few of the ESBR instructors were able to give interactive accounts of some of the projects they've been working on with students this school year. And, as seen in the slideshow presentation, the brick and mortar walls are not the only classrooms, as many field trips also occur to visit various Vermont landmarks and locations to learn about the local history and how they imparted on Vermont's strength. One of these recent expeditions was to the Bennington Museum, to witness the role the region played during the Revolutionary War and America's fight for its independence. Families were able to finish exploring the school and speak with staff and Board Members who were in attendance. ESBR has come a long way, albeit it still has a long way to go, which makes it an exciting time to shape an educational experience that truly benefits young learners. As ESBR enters its 5th year, the feedback of students' growth is expressed by parents and guardians alike. Likewise, students share their genuine joy of being at school and connecting with one another. ESBR is honored to provide this environment and welcomes other students and families to inquire. Indeed, student enrollment has already increased since the school year began. As mentioned above, this is an exciting time of growth. ESBR envisions further growth in welcoming more community members to reach out. Whether it is to inquire about attending this school year or next, information can always be readily shared. Choice Towns can utilize the designated average State tuition dollars at ESBR now. Volunteers are also welcomed; fundraising continues so as to provide extra programming (thanks to the Legion and other community members a successful Chicken BBQ earlier in September raised $1,885 which will go towards transportation funds, technology, etc for the school; more fundraising to follow in the coming months). Community members have also been volunteering for the Wednesday lunch meal program, whereby a different community members preps a communal lunch time meal to bring in and share with the students on Wednesdays. Furthermore, anyone interested in joining the Board is also welcome to reach out. Board Chair Patrick Pullinen may be contacted at ppullinen@esblackriver.org and Head of School Michael Kell may be contacted at mkell@esblackriver.org or via the school phone, 802-228-3727. Thank you to everyone, ESBR continues to be forever grateful for all the support over the years to provide a viable school for the community. | | |
| | Today's Forecast: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. West wind 14 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. | | | | | Mount Holly Town Library will be closed Monday Oct 14, 2024 in
observance of the Indigenous People's Day federal holiday. We will be
open for regular hours again on Tuesday Oct 15
Joe Galbraith, Library Director Mount Holly Town Library
26 Maple Hill Road
Belmont, VT 05730
802.259.3707 | | |
| | Today's Forecast: Sunny, with a high near 56. West wind around 10 mph. | | | | | COLFAX LODGE HAM SUPPER
The members of Colfax lodge are holding a ham supper at the Odd Fellows Hall in Belmont on Saturday, October 12th. The meal starts at 5 p.m. and offers an eat-in or take-out option, with take-outs available at 4:45. The cost is $15., and $8 for those under 12 years old. Under 5 are free. Please call 802-259-2460. | | | | | Shrewsbury Conservation Commission Walk and Talk A Naturalist's Tour of a Path in the Woods On October 12 from 10:00 – 12:00, come stroll through a private forested trail that winds along parts of the Cold River and is rich with a variety of wildlife. Join SCC naturalist Linda Shelvey and homeowner Diane Jakobsen as they explore this rich habitat and demonstrate a variety of set ups with game cameras to capture photos and videos year round. In this home to moose, fisher, otter, bobcat, porcupines and others, we will examine habitat, tracks, and scat to identify their presence and plan game camera placement. Videos of successful video captures will be shared. Come dressed for weather, rain or shine. The trail is sometimes wet in places and may require stepping over downed trees. Meet at 555 Kieffer Road and park in the driveway and on the lawn. Car pooling encouraged. Please RSVP to shrewsburyvtconservation@gmail.com to save a spot on this event. | | | | | THE NIGHT BEFORE CIDER DAYS 'Twas the night before Cider Days, when all through The house not a creature was stirring, not even a Mouse, (or a moose or a bear),
The photos were hung in the Community Room With care hoping that crowds of leaf peepers would Soon be there. Mount Holly's volunteers were nestled all snug in Their beds while visions of Cider Day crowds Danced in their heads. And mamas in their kerchiefs and papas in their Red Sox caps, had just settled their brains for long Autumn naps, When out on the Belmont green there Arose such a clatter, Everyone sprang from their beds to see what was The matter. Away to their windows they flew like a flash, tore Open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The sun on the breast of the newly mowed green
Gave the lustre of mid-day to all objects seen,
(And all breathed a sigh of relief because the Weather was fine). When, what to their wondering eyes should appear, But bus loads of leaf peepers anxious to Sample Cider Days cheer. With little old bus drivers, so lively and quick,
All knew in a moment getting out of bed would Have to be quick.
More rapid than eagles the leaf peepers they came,
And they whistled, and shouted, and went by every Odd name;
"Now, Rasher! now, Lancer! now, Crancer And Nixon! On, Flanet! on, Tepid! on, Bounder and Flixen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! The Crowds were there ready to adore Vermont's fall. But as the weekend sadly did close the visitors Sprang to their cars, their e-bikes and buses, all Agreeing that coming back next year was a Mustus*. *Mustus, defined as a word made up to end this Cider Days ditty. | | |
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