Thank you to all who helped organize and execute another great Autumn Moon Festival. By all accounts it was a big success. The addition of a really impressive fireworks display was appreciated by those all over town. Windsor on Air was at Autumn Moon recording some of the fun check here for the video.
This past summer a film crew was in town recording portions of a video that focuses on the ingenuity of American Manufacturing. As most know our area played a significant role in the early development of interchangeable parts, which changed manufacturing practices worldwide. The American Precision Museum is a great resource on this topic, which is what brought the crew to town. The museum and Windsor schools can be very proud that some very capable Windsor students were featured in the video for their efforts interning at the museum as well as for their work on a project to develop an underwater drone. The film is about 12 minutes long and is well worth taking the time to watch. LINK
Look for more news on collaborations between the American Precision Museum, area schools, and area manufactures related to Upper Valley Manufacturing Week which runs from October 10th – 14th. Click the links for stories on both the film and Manufacturing week
Nice article on the Windsor Station Restaurant link
County Rd. Construction
Next week crews will be working on the manhole covers on County Rd. between the highway overpass and the prison entrance. The paving company is due to begin paving in the same area on Monday, October 10th. The project is expected to take 2-3 day depending on weather.
Bids were opened today to replace the culvert on County Rd located a little past the intersection with Juniper Hill Rd. A temporary convert was installed in 2013 after the road washed out. This project is the permanent repair. The bid calls for the project to start no sooner than October 17th and end no later than November 9th. We will have more exact timing once we get word from Vtrans that we can officially award the bid. County Rd. will be completely closed during a significant portion of the project (10 days +/-). Please plan accordingly.
Can I borrow your GPS?
There has been a white pelican hanging around Mill Pond. This is the first record of this bird in the state since 2011. There are only 8 records of this species in the state between 1944 and 2011. It’s about 1000 miles (give or take) from its home range. If you visit the Vermont fish and wildlife Facebook page you will see their recent post about it. Thank you to Tim Biebel for the heads up!
The Windsor Fire Department is looking for part time and paid on-call firefighters, EMT’s, and A-EMT’s. Hours are flexible up to 24 hours a week. EMS certifications from Vermont and New Hampshire are recommended upon application and required prior to first day of employment. If interested please contact Chief Kevin McAllister or Malisa Williams at 802-674-9043.
We have a vacancies on the Paradise Park Commission and the Planning Commission. If you are interested is serving please contact my office at tmarsh@windsorvt.org
Windsor Events
THIS WEEKEND
Ascutney Area Sustainability Community Hub
Several Windsor residents have been coordinating efforts with volunteers from surrounding towns to explore ways to address energy sustainability. The effort started when our regional “Solarize” project brought together several communities for a common project. Cavendish is one of the tows that are participating and they are hosting an energy fair. The details follow: Cavendish Town Energy Fair – October 1st The Cavendish Town Energy Committee will hold an Energy Fair on October 1, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Cavendish Town Elementary School on Main Street (Route 131) in Cavendish. Get all of your questions answered on weatherization, solar energy, energy efficient homes, heat pumps, composting, Tesla batteries and other money saving ways to help the planet.
Many people don’t realize that the biggest home money saving is not in new technologies to produce energy, but in simple weatherization such as stopping air leaks. By increasing insulation, adding weather stripping to doors and windows, sealing around foundations and attics, and similar measures, you can save money and be much more comfortable in summer and in winter. Come to the energy fair and talk to the experts. You can learn about the latest energy saving technologies from professionals, and you can learn about the simple ways to make living cheaper and more comfortable.
The fair is free and open to residents of any town. Exhibitors from many companies and organizations will have representatives on hand. Whether you own or rent, there are many ways for you to save money.
The Windsor Farmers Market
Stop by Saturday between 11am-2pm on the Common
The Windsor Farmers' Summer Market continues for 3 more weeks! Join us on Saturday 10/1 on the State Street Green 11am-2pm. Come out and enjoy the beautiful fall weather, changing leaves and all the tasty treats, fresh veggies and great crafts. Our winter market is right around the corner, more information coming soon!!
Backwoods Grove - Gourds, cucumbers (cc), pumpkins (cc) and catnip.
Brookhaven - Dilly beans, pickles, pickled beats, gourds,pumpkins (cc), upcycled journals, hand forged fireplace poker.
Max & Ozzie's: 100% cotton napkins, kitchen towels and more. Freshly baked bread. Summer Sale continues! Tote bags, crocheted hats and scarves, purses, and more - all on sale!
Nada's Notes- Photo cards featuring local scenes and freshly made popcorn!
Split Rock Farm- Grass fed beef, pickles, relishes, jams, salsa, tomatoes (cc) and more!
Reminder! SNAP and 3SquaresVT Program Participants- Crop Cash is available during our summer market season. Coupons can be used to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables (see the CC next to eligible products). Swipe your EBT card and get up to $10 in matching coupons! For example, take out $5 using your EBT card and get $5 worth of coupons. Take out $10 and get a matching $10 in coupons!
The Windsor Summer Farmers’ Market runs every Saturday May - October from 11am-2pm on the State Street Green.
The market is looking for vendors (daily/drop in options available) for the 2016 summer season. NOW OFFERING: Short season option for new vendors. For those who farm, cook or craft the market is a wonderful way to sell your wares in a friendly community based setting. Contact us at Windsor.vt.farmers.market@gmail.com for more information.
Music this Weekend
Friday
The Pilgrims and Faux In Love at Windsor Station Restaurant & Barroom - 9:30
The Stockwell Brothers at Skunk Hollow Tavern at Hartland Four Corners - 9:30pm
Saturday
Toast at Windsor Station Restaurant in Windsor, VT- 9:30pm
Music! For Windsor area entertainment information:
Windsor Station: http://windsorstationvt.com/live-music
Harpoon:
http://wSww.harpoonbrewery.com/breweries/windsor
Skunk Hollow: http://www.skunkhollowtavern.com/Entertainment.aspx
Want to know more about area music click on this link for a newsletter from Dave Clark and Yellow House Media that covers music in the Upper Valley http://www.yellowhousemedia.com
Upcoming Events
Walk To School Day
You are invited to "Walk To School" on Wednesday, October 5th. Come join the fun and either walk from the Windsor Fairgrounds or Price Chopper parking lot at 7:10AM.
Rummage Sale at Old South
Old South Church will hold the Fall Rummage Sale from October 6 - 8, 2016. Featuring: Clothing for men, women and children, White Elephants, Furniture, Jewelry, Glassware, Books, Toys, Furniture, Household Items, Linens, and MORE. Thursday, Oct. 6, from 9:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Regular Prices), Friday, Oct. 7, from 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Half Price and Bag Sale), Saturday, Oct. 8, from 9:00 a.m – 11:00 a.m. (Clearance) from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Everything FREE)
We are happy for donations from the community, but ask that you please hold those items until October 2 -5. We DO NOT accept ELECTRONICS. Thanks for the continued support. Questions: Call Old South Church, 802-674-5087.
Harlem Gospel Choir concert in Brattleboro
October 22, 2016 Get ready to tap your feet and clap your hands – Windham & Windsor Housing Trust is thrilled to bring Harlem Gospel Choir to town! Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 22nd at 7:30pm at the Latchis Theatre in Brattleboro for an evening of contemporary gospel with a touch of jazz and blues. For over two decades Harlem Gospel Choir have toured the globe thrilling audiences with the inspirational power of black gospel music. This concert promises to be infectiously enthusiastic; a roller coaster ride of singing and dancing; a gospel celebration! Tickets on sale now – call 888-757-5559, or visit https://tickets.catamountarts.org.
American Precision Museum’s Annual Model Engineering Show
17th Annual Model Engineering Show and Maker Space Saturday, October 22 - 9:00 am - 4 pm
2 Locations - Windsor Recreation Center and the museum link
Harpoon Octoberfest
Saturday & Sunday, October 8th & 9th. For details on the event click here . As a traffic heads up reminder there will be a Delay on Rt. 5 from 11am to noon on Sunday the 9th to accommodate the Harapoon Octoberfest Road race. The race benefits the Friends of Norris Cotton Cancer Center. If possible seek alternate routes that day, or join us for the race or the Octoberfest event! Thank you for your support and understanding!
Locals Night at the Maple Kitchen
Please join us Monday nights at The Maple Kitchen to enjoy the music of Rich Thomas and Kyle Morin of About Gladys while you dine on delicious cuisine. Don’t forget, it’s locals night! Receive a 10% discount off all food when you show your local ID.
What’s Happening at the Library
Windsor Public Library, 43 State Street, 802-674-2556 Check out our brand new website at www.windsorlibrary.org
Good Medicine Conversations are back for the fall! 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm
¨ October 25: The Meat Option
¨ November 22: Herbs for Winter
Hunter/Firearm Safety:
This three week class, which is scheduled to begin on October 4th, is full. If you'd like to join the waitlist, please call the library at 674-2556 Instructor: Dick Odette. If you are attending the class, please note that the class will be held at the Windsor Welcome Center.
Book Discussion Groups
Please contact the library to receive a copy of any of the books listed for discussion.
Politics and Food Discussion, Tuesday, October 11th, 6:00pm: Being Mortal by Atul Gawande.
Adult Book Discussion, Tuesday, October 18th, 6:00pm: Brooklyn by Colm Toibin
Young Adult Book Discussion, Saturday, October 1st, 10:00am: The Search for Delicious by Natalie Babbitt.
Knitting group: Monday, September 26th, October 10th and October 24th at 6:30pm. This group is for all levels and meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month.
Genealogy Group, Monday, November 7th at 7:00pm: This class is on hold until November. Generally held the first Monday of each month. Work to discover your roots with genealogist Pamm Trask!
Joe Citro presents “Vermont—Tops in Terror”. Held at the Windsor Diner on Monday, October 24th at 7:00pm. Joseph A. Citro, Vermont's Curator of the Curious, will reveal some of his picks for the strangest things ever to happen in the Green Mountains State. He will also discuss his experience collecting the state's most offbeat tales, read selections from his work, and introduce his newest book, The Vermont Ghost Experience. Discussion with Questions and Answers to follow. Please note this program will be held at the Windsor Diner and space is limited. Please call the library at 674-2556 to reserve your space.
And don't forget our Preschool Storytime for kids ages 5 and under every Wednesday at 10:30am and our After-School Program for elementary school aged children on Wednesdays at 2:45pm!
News From The Schools
October Student of the Month
The Student of the Month for October 2016 is Brianna Diggs, a member of the Class of 2018! She is well known for her kindness and concern for others as well as maintaining a positive attitude and outlook. Brianna is the epitome of an involved student here at Windsor Schools and in the community. She has been very active in VT Kids Against Tobacco, attending a summit in Orlando, Florida, this summer, learning how she can become a more effective anti-tobacco activist in her own community. Brianna has also been a member of the 3-D Printing Team, which earned first place 2 years running in the VT state competition. Last year, Brianna participated in the newly formed Flag Corp, marching in community parades and school functions. She has completed the DARE to CARE Program sponsored by Mt. Ascutney Hospital, completing over 20 hours of training while learning about careers in healthcare. Currently, Brianna is on our newly formed YATST (Youth and Adults Transforming Schools Together) team as a student representative. Congratulations, Brianna – keep up the good work!
Principal’s Newsletter
Windsor High School Outperforms Area High Schools In Statewide Test
Interesting conversations regarding the newly released results from the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) have gone viral across the state of Vermont. Windsor High School, serving students from Windsor, Weathersfield, Hartland, West Windsor, and Cornish is certainly no stranger to these conversations.
The SBAC online test was given to all publicly funded 3-8 and 11th grade students, the only grade assessed in every VT public high school, for its’ second round last May, 2016. The data released by the Vermont Agency of Education shows that discrepancies in literacy and mathematics proficiency across schools in Vermont still exists. While some schools across the state have made significant gains towards meeting proficiency, others have struggled to see much progress at all.
Windsor Schools is pleased to announce that we saw significant gains in student proficiency in mathematics and literacy skills, as specified by the Common Core State Standards, in grades 5, 7, 8 and 11. Further, WHS scores in math were the 11th highest in the state among all high schools! In many ways, Windsor Schools’ defied the odds that older students plummet as they enter late middle and high school grades. Where several schools within the Windsor County region scored below the state average in mathematics and literacy in middle and high school, Windsor Schools’ exceeded state averages.
According to SBAC, a score at, or above proficiency in 11th grade is meant to suggest conditional evidence that a student is ready for entry-level, transferrable, credit bearing college courses.
Although one argument continues to remain that poverty has a significant impact on academic achievement results, Windsor too has its’ own struggles with narrowing the poverty gap. However 2015 and 2016 SBAC data shows that Windsor Schools’ student proficiency in both literacy and mathematics are on the rise across the socioeconomic span.
Secretary of Education, Rebecca Holcombe, stated that, “this data shows that what teachers do really makes a difference.”
Windsor Schools is proud of the progress that our students and teachers have made towards narrowing the achievement gap. We are optimistic that our school district will continue to see improvements in literacy and mathematics across all grade spans.
Vermont 50
Congratulations to eighth grader, Maurice Day, Senior William (Will) Jaarsma, and Senior, Issac Robison for completing the Vermont 50 this past weekend in Brownsville, VT. Maurice Day pushed hard to be our first local 8th grader to finish the course and Issac Robison set a new PR, both on their mountain bikes. Will Jaarsma chose to run and crossed the finish line under the 10 hour mark.
Check out Principal Tiffany Cassano’s September newsletter here
Community News
Raffle to benefit WISE
Arabella gallery artists have donated original paintings, prints, handmade paper and jewelry to be raffled off to benefit WISE. 100% of all money from ticket sales goes directly to WISE. Tickets are available for purchase at Arabella Gallery and online at http://www.arabellagallery.com Ticket price is $5.00 each or 5/$20.00. You choose which pieces you try and win by placing your tickets in the corresponding jar. Drawing will be held on November 26th. Please help us help WISE as they provide support, advocacy and prevention in the areas of domestic abuse, sexual assault and stalking.
Flu season is upon us! Receive a recommended* Flu vaccination at one of our two convenient locations. No pre-registration required.
Mt. Ascutney Physicians Practice (adults and children) 289 County Road, Windsor VT, (802) 674-7300
Thursday, October 6 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Saturday, October 15 9:00am - 12:00pm
Wednesday, October 26 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Saturday, November 12 9:00am - 12:00pm
Ottauquechee Health Center (adults and children) Pleasant Street, Woodstock, VT (802) 457-3030
Wednesday, October 12 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Monday, October 24 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Saturday, November 5 9:00am - 12:00pm
*The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and VT Health Department recommend everyone aged 6 months and older get a flu shot. Children (17 and under) must be accompanied by an adult.
Windsor PD offers finger print services
Did you know that the Windsor Police Department conducts fingerprinting for State licenses, Education Employment or similar scenarios? Contact Our Administrative Assistant between 9am-2pm Monday –
Friday 802-674-9042
Additional information sources for Windsor news:
Windsor FD Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Windsor-Fire-Department/145812745501495?fref=nf
Windsor PD Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WindsorVermontPoliceDepartment
Windsor Recreation Department Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Windsor-Recreation-Center/127897430613969
Paradise Park Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/paradise.park.71?fref=ts
Windsor on Air
Windsor on Air is a great resource for community news. View WOA-TV on Comcast Channel 8 or
On-Line: http://woa-tv.org/site, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Windsor-On-Air/304381210782.
Lucy Mackenzie September Adoptables link
Rosie’s Mom: Forgotten Workers of WW1 link
Around Windsor Episode #22: Etta Fraiser & “Going the Distance” link
Legacy of Asher Benjamin: link
Community Services and Support
2016 Fall Pastoral Care Visitor Training Program is being offered at Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center for those interested in the ministry to the sick and dying. Pastoral care visitors provide emotional and spiritual support for hospital patients, and nursing home and assisted living residents in Windsor, and are asked to visit one day a week for 2-3 hours. The training is eight - 2 hour sessions and will begin early October. The time will be arranged around participant’s schedules. Those interested in becoming a pastoral care visitor at MAHHC can obtain more information by calling Ann LaRocque, LCMHC, Director of Chaplaincy at (802) 674-7054, or email Ann.LaRocque@mahhc.org.
Community Meal in Windsor:
A community meal is held every Wednesday, 5 p.m. to 6 pm. America Legion Hall, 4 Court St. Bring a friend. Free. Sponsored by Windsor churches and community groups. 802-674-2157.The meals will run through the end of June 2017.
Upcoming Community Meal Schedule for seniors 60+:
Reservations required – call VIA @ 802-674-5971 (seniors may bring guests of all ages)
Tuesday, Oct. 11 @ 12:00 noon – location: HARTLAND - Hartland Recreation Center :
Menu: glazed ham, baked beans, baby carrots, salad, dessert(suggested donation: $3.00)
(VisitingNursefoot clinic offeredfor $20, @ 1:00 pm-call for reservations: 674-4118)
Wednesday, Oct. 19 @ 12:00 noon – location: ASCUTNEY - ExitAte Restaurant
Menu: stuffed chicken breasts, two sides, salad, dessert (suggested donation: $4.00)
Wednesday, Oct. 26 @ 12:00 noon – location: WINDSOR - Mt. Ascutney Hospital-Board Room:
Menu: shepards pie, salad, dessert(suggested donation $3.00)
(coordinated by: Volunteers In Action (VIA), sponsored by: Senior Solutions)
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VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION OFFERS SERVICES FOR SENIOR RESIDENTS: Transportation, friendly visits, small chores, walking companions, telephone contact, shopping assistance.
IF YOU KNOW anyone needing assistance, please have them call us. (areas of service: Windsor, W.Windsor, Hartland, Weathersfield, Reading, Cornish & Plainfield).
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – are you able to drive a senior to a medical appointment, hairdresser, bank or be willing to take a neighbor along with you when you do your grocery shopping or deliver Meals On Wheels? We need volunteers to help our elders remain healthy and independent. We will work within your schedule – if once a month fits your schedule, just let us know. CALL: 802-674-5971
Windsor in the News
Windsor Station link
ACT 46 link
Mac & Cheese Fest link
Sculpturefest opens featuring local artists including Windsor’s Herb Ferris Link
Windsor Armory link
Windsor Inn Reopens link
Windsor PD arrest credit card scammers link