We have a vacancy on the Paradise Park Commission. If you are interested is serving please contact my office at tmarsh@windsorvt.org
 
Windsor on Air has a couple of new episodes of “Around Windsor” that are being broadcast on Comcast channel 8 and are available on line.
Episode #23 features an overview of the Vital Communities “Valley Quest” program as well as a brief look into the National Guard Armory. link
 
Episode #24 features a follow up visit to the “Windsor Mansion Inn” (formerly Juniper Hill Inn) to take a look at the renovations that have been completed over the last 8 months.

Good work by Windsor PD as they arrest credit card scammers link

The  Ascutney Mountain Resort will be holding a job fair this coming Tuesday. The fair will be held at the Windsor Town Hall from 11:30 to 5. Positions include full time regular positions for Cook, Front desk and personal trainer. Some positions include a $500 signing bonus after completing 90 days of successful employment. For more information visit http://jobs.holidayinnclub.com/

Windsor Events
THIS WEEKEND 
Friday Night Movie at the Cheese Board
Friday, August 26th 6:30PM Windsor Public Library and The Cheese Board are proud to present Family Movie Nights on Friday nights now and throughout the summer! The movie this week is “Tomorrowland” and will be shown at The Cheese Board, 71 Artisans Way.  Wood-fired pizza and maple creamies will be served so bring your appetite!  

Music &  Marys @ SILO
Sunday, August 28th 12-2pm featuring Mike Parker & Norm Wolfe SILO Distillery presents MUSIC AND MARYS with Live Music and Bloody Mary Bar on Sunday, July 10th from 12:00pm-2:00pm.  This Sunday sax/guitar duo Mike Parker and Norm Wolfe will be in the Loft at SILO!   A DIY Bloody Mary Bar with house-made mixings and local made fixings with you choice of spirit — perhaps try our latest release – SILO Cucumber Vodka! Light fare will be available for purchase.
 
A Horseless Horse Show you say..... 
August 28th, 10 am This fun and educational event is a complete show that includes everything that happens in a horse trails (event) and dressage show with the added excitement of a trail class and gymkhana games. You start with filling out the entry form and end with ribbons and trophies for the best performances! All classes will have descriptions to explain the requirements AND helpful judges to assist you in understanding the criteria to perform well. For more information emailDelaneyStables@gmail.com or visit our Face Book page. All trails lead here for a fun family-friendly outing! No Horse Experience needed. Groups welcome.

The Windsor Farmers Market 
Stop by Saturday between 11am-2pm on the Common 
 This week’s vendor selections:
 
Backwoods Grove: Zucchini (cc), cucumbers(cc), chives (cc), radishes (cc), crookneck squash (cc), and catnip.
Brookhaven: String beans(cc), beets (cc), squash (cc), scallions (cc), carrots (cc), cucumbers (cc), and up-cycled pillows and note pads
Contented Butterfly Farm: Farm fresh chicken and duck eggs, cucumbers (cc), zucchini (cc),  celery (cc), maybe garlic (cc), tomatillo salsa, mint jelly, and strawberry/rhubarb topping sauce. USDA inspected lamb meat!
 
Max & Ozzie's: Summer Sale continues! Tote bags, crocheted toys, purses, and more - all on sale! 100% cotton napkins, kitchen towels and more. Possibly freshly baked bread and scones.
Nada's Notes and Photos: Photo cards featuring local scenes and freshly made popcorn!
Split Rock Farm: Pickles, salsa, relishes, jams, possibly beets (cc) and squash (cc), and grass fed beef.
Windsor Lions Club: Bakes goods and hot food such as hot dogs.
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.
 
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.
 
Music this Weekend
Friday
Youngest Sun at Windsor Station Restaurant & Barroom - 9:30
Lefty Yunger Blues Band at Skunk Hollow Tavern at Hartland Four Corners - 9pm
 
Saturday
Cornerstone at Windsor Station Restaurant in Windsor, VT- 9:30pm
 
Music! For Windsor area entertainment information:
Windsor Station: http://windsorstationvt.com/live-music
Harpoon: http://www.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
 
Bag Ali will be returning to Mt. Ascutney Hospital
Tuesday, August 30th from 7:30AM – 4:00PM in Conference Room A with their fabulous collection of handbags and accessories. NEW FALL STYLES will be featured. The Bag Ali collection includes the hottest handbag styles made from buttery-soft leathers and fashion materials. Also being featured is chic metallic and prints, all in the latest bold colors and shapes. There will be briefcases, scarves, wallets and small leather goods for women and men. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express welcome. A portion of the sales will benefit Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center. 

Antique and Collectible Sale
Old South Church, Main St., Windsor, Vermont, will hold an “Antiques and Collectibles Sale” on LABOR DAY, Monday, September 5,  from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on the front Porch of the church, featuring a variety of donated items. 

4th ANNUAL VERMONT MAC AND CHEESE CHALLENGE!
Welcome Mac & Cheese Lovers!!! Come join us for the 4th Annual Mac & Cheese Challenge!
Sunday, September 11, 2016·  11am – 3pm  ·  Artisans Park, Windsor, VT
This will be our fourth annual Mac & Cheese Challenge coming up in September! Ticket purchase in advance for $15 at www.vtmacandcheese.com or pay $20 at the event.  Tickets will go on sale approximately 6 weeks before the event.
 
Come sample 20-25 competing Mac & Cheese dishes from top chefs and restaurants from around the region. Just $15 ($20 if purchased at the door) gets you a voting ballot and entry to event where you can sample every recipe and cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award.
Harpoon Draft Beer available for purchase, Live Music, Calf Petting Zoo, Kids under 6 get in free….
Rain or Shine! Don’t miss it. All proceeds will go to benefit Vermont Foodbank and Sustainable Woodstock.
 
Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day
Saturday September 24, 2016 - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Free admission at participating museums all across the country with the Smithsonian Day pass obtainable online or in the Smithsonian magazine. 
On the same day there will be an Antique Car Rally from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm.  Vermont Automobile Enthusiasts will be stopping at the museum as part of their 2016 "run".  Visitors will be able to see a fabulous collection of vintage automobiles with their owners.  VAE, founded in 1953, is one of the oldest car clubs in the Northeast. 

APM's
17th Annual Model Engineering Show and Maker Space Saturday, October 22 - 9:00 am - 4 pm
2 Locations - Windsor Recreation Center and the museum
 
Autumn Moon Festival
Date changed this year to September 24th Time 4-9 pm Where State and Main South to The Windsor Diner. Plenty of entertainment, Kids zone, vendors, food, and much more... Including something special that is sure to have this year's event go out with a bang...

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
September 27:  Scrap Cooking and Leftovers,  October 25:  The Meat Option, November 22:  Herbs for Winter
Watts for Windsor: A Solar 101 Presentation, Thursday, Sept 22, 6:30pm:  Solar organizer Becca White will be hosting a brief presentation on how Vermonters can go solar. This is the best time of year to evaluate your options for going solar so you can tap into the incentives available, and rack up solar credits during the rest of summer and into fall. Becca will go over residential solar,        legislative changes, and how you can heat and cool your home with solar.
Hunter/Firearm Safety: 
Topics include: Conservation; Ethics; Firearms Safety/Security and Safe Handling; Bow Hunting; Outdoor Safety and Survival; Turkey Hunting Techniques; Game Warden Talk; Shooting and Marksmanship; Compass & Map Reading; Tracking Wounded Game; Live Fire Exercises; Wilderness Survival Exercises.
This class involves reading and homework and is open to persons of any age (under 16 must have parental forms signed the first night of class). Pre-registration is required by calling the library at 674-2556 by the end of September. Limit 15.  Instructor: Dick Odette
§     Tuesdays, October 4, 11, 18 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Held at Windsor Public Library
§     Thursdays, October 6, 13, 20 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Held at Windsor Public Library
§     Saturday October 22 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Held at Precision Valley Fish and Game Association, Perkinsville
 
Book Discussion Groups
Politics and Food Discussion, Tuesday, September 13th, 6:00pm:  Strange Justice by Mayer & Abramson
Adult Book Discussion, Tuesday, August 16th, 6:00pm
 We’ve made some changes!!  For the next few months, you will choose what to read, based on a list of suggested titles from others in the group, or based on a common theme.  This way, you get to choose your favorite styles and genres, while still trying a book that is new to you!  This month’s suggested reading list is available in the library and on our website.
 
Knitting group:  Monday, September 12th and Monday, September 26th at 6:30pm.  This group is for all levels.
 
Save the date:  Monday, October 24th:  Joe Citro presents “Vermont—Tops in Terror”.  Held at the Windsor Diner 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.
 
News From The Schools
 
From Superintendent Baker – New School Year and Act 46 Update
Dear Parents, Community, Faculty, and Staff:
It has been a while since I sent a written communication updating you on some important issues in the Supervisory Union. I hope you all had a restful summer vacation. We are anxious to greet all our students on September 1st. While the summer gives us a chance to recharge and update our skills, we miss the students. Many teachers and administrators have been taking classes and workshops over the summer. About twenty of us went to Boston for continued training in Collaborative Problem Solving. This is a behavior management strategy that is geared toward students with emotional dysregulation and trauma backgrounds. It was established through a significant research project sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital. Unfortunately, we are seeing more and more of these students each and every year. It is simply the product of a stressful time in our world with families struggling to just stay afloat. 
 
Staffing
Principals have done a great job forming teams and hiring new staff across the Supervisory Union. They will be sending out announcements in the very near future introducing you to the new members of our SU community. I met every one of them and they are a talented rookie group. I think we are drawing great candidates in all of our buildings. It is a sign of strength for all of us. We should be proud.
On the administrative level, we hired an Interim Principal, Mr. Shaun Pickett, to lead the Hartland School Community. Assisting him will be long time veteran staff members Angela Ladeau (promoted to Assistant Principal) and MaryMargaret Hitchcock (Teacher Leader). This will be a great team. We will begin our search for a new Hartland Principal in the late fall. All other administrators stayed with us.  This is also a good sign! Consistent leadership is key to a good school district. We did replace long-time Special Education Administrative Assistant, Doris Desrosier, with Barbara (Betsy) Howard. She comes with many years of experience in the field and will be a tremendous asset to our SU.
I am proud to say that the Central Office crew stays intact. I appreciate the experience. Our Business Office continues to manage our finances well, in collaboration with local administration. Three of our four towns have significant surpluses. We just completed another audit and we continue to get very high marks in our management reports. Our Technology Department continues to shine as well. We are known across the state as a leader in this area. We are currently negotiating with Cornish, NH, who recently separated from their Supervisory Union. They want to partner with us in Technology for the 2017-18 school year and beyond. This could be a first step toward more collaboration with them. It will always help our towns to divide the assessment to the SU across a larger number of districts.
Supervisory Union Assessment
All four towns are responsible for the SU budget that includes Business Services, Technology Services, Early Education, and Special Education. The overall SU budget since centralizing special education has risen by millions. Our special education budget alone is over 5 million dollars. Even though special education has been centralized since 2012, as required by Act 153, we still assess our member towns according to their special education population on a certain date in time (October 1st).  So, towns can still see big swings in their assessment based on the special education needs on that particular date in time. I would like to stabilize this assessment so we don’t see those swings. So, I proposed assessing member towns across the SU by Equalized Pupil (EQ). EQ is a number the State gives us and is based on a three-year formula that accounts for several factors. There are two advantages to this number as an assessment percentage.  First, we don’t create it – the state does. Secondly, at least for the next three years, it is capped on both ends at 3%. That would mean, after the first year of implementation, an assessment that uses this calculation for all SU costs would be stabilized at the 3%. It simply makes sense. The problem with this change is this – the first year, one of our towns may still face a significant increase as we equalize the assessment. However, this year we have a unique opportunity. The SU has a significant surplus – over $400,000. Again, due to what I believe is good financial management. We are proposing that we use this surplus as a safety net for any district that faces a substantial increase in this one-year-only scenario. The SU Board is making a final decision on this proposal on August 16th at the Central Office. It will be good to make this decision outside the pressure of a stressful budget season. I will keep you posted. It is my recommendation and I stand behind it.
ACT 46
The Act 46 Study Committee continues to look at options. Our next meeting will be scheduled in early September. I will notify everyone because it appears to be a significant meeting. It is time to make decisions or disband the Study Committee. I know the Chair will be calling for motions. We have the same six proposals on the table. Here they are in summary form:

  • Unified Union District:  This would form a PK-12 Unified District with one board and one budget. All students would be the shared responsibility of all four towns from preschool through high school. High School choice (and 7-12 choice in the case of West Windsor) would be phased out.  The only high school choice would be under Act 129, which establishes permission for up to 10% of the high school population to choose another high school. All other students would go to a newly formed Regional High School – more than likely on the existing Windsor School site.
  • 2 X 2 Side-by-Side (Windsor/West Windsor):  This merges Windsor and West Windsor while the other two districts merge on the other side. West Windsor phases out 7-12 choice and Hartland and Weathersfield keep their current choice model. This remains an SU model managing two boards – one on each side.
  • 2 X 2 Side-by-Side (Windsor/Hartland): This merges Windsor and Hartland while the other two towns merge on the other side. Hartland high school choice would be phased out.  Since Weathersfield and West Windsor have different organizational structures, West Windsor has to bring back 7th and 8th grade to the newly merged district on that side or Weatherfield has to allow school choice for 7th and 8th graders. This remains an SU managing two boards – one on each side.
  • 2 X 2 Side-by-Side (Windsor/Weathersfield):  This merges Windsor and Weathersfield while the other two towns merge on the other side. Weathersfield high school choice would be phased out. Since Hartland and West Windsor have different organizational structures, West Windsor has to bring back 7th and 8th grade to the newly merged district on that side or Hartland has to offer school choice to their 7th and 8th graders. This remains an SU managing two boards – one on each side.
  • Alternative Structure (3 X 1): This merges the three towns with school choice (Weathersfield, Hartland, and West Windsor) while Windsor remains a single district on the other side. The three choice towns do not have the same organizational structure, so West Windsor has to bring 7th and 8th back to the newly merged district; or Hartland and Weathersfield have to offer choice to 7th and 8th graders. Because we do not merge two towns on both sides (remember Windsor stays alkone), this is considered an Alternative Structure. This keeps an SU managing two boards – one on each side. The Alternative Structure requires a process in each town that shows significant research to justify operating outside of the state’s preferred structures. The guidelines for this process were published two weeks ago and are very comprehensive and set the bar very high.
  • Alternative Structure (Remain As Is):  This would propose that we stay as we are currently configured in the Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union. Again, this requires a process in each town that shows significant research to justify operating outside of the state’s preferred structures. The guidelines for this process were published two weeks ago and are very comprehensive and set the bar very high. In my opinion, either Alternative will be hard sell, but this one faces the most difficult challenge at the State Board level unless something significant changes in the rules.

If we can’t narrow these choices to one or two, then the other option is to disband the 706B Act 46 Study Committee. Then, each town would have to fend for themselves in finding another alternative outside the SU, or wait and see what the state proposes to do with each of our districts in 2018. No district, unless very isolated (which may be hard to argue in our case), will be allowed to stand alone after that date. 
We operate very well as an SU, but we do not meet the requirements of ACT 46. This has been a tedious and heart wrenching process. I still think it is sad (my opinion) that restructuring local districts was put on the backs of local towns. These towns are facing over one hundred years of tradition. It simply an injustice to place neighbor against neighbor, town against town, and ultimately student against student. I believe all students in our four towns are all our students. I am still optimistic that we can find a solution. It will be very sad if we can’t.
Closing
So on that note, I will wrap it up. There is lots of information here and take the time to digest it. If you have strong opinions, then contact your local board chair or state representatives. Let me close by reaffirming that, no matter what happens, we have great Boards, great staff, great families and great kids. I personally, while biased, think we are a beacon of light in the Upper Valley. I have been proud to have served the Union over the last four years and hope to be here for a while longer – no matter what the structure. Keep the faith and have a great end of the summer!
David Baker
Superintendent
Windsor Southeast SU
 
Windsor makes significant gains in SBAC scores.
Check out the results here
 
Relive the glory
WHS has put several of the most exciting WHS athletic events of the past decades on YouTube. You can check them out here

Community News

News from the Windsor Connection Center
The Windsor Connection Resource Center is very happy to announce that we have three updated computers in our computer lab which have been donated by WINCYCLE.  The use of these computers is open to the public.  We wish to express our deep appreciation to WINCYCLE for their donation of the computers, monitors, and keyboards. 

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

SunCommon solar information sessions
So far twenty households have joined the “rooftop revolution” with SunCommon in Windsor and West Windsor combined, and the goal is to get that number up to thirty before the state solar adder incentive goes away before the end of the year.
 
Saturday, Sept. 10th Solar Kids Farmer's Market 11AM to 1PM on the State Street Green (Come to the solar powered market and meet solar homeowners/market managers Tim and Jen Cary too!)
 
Wednesday, Sept. 14th Sunshine and Cocktails at SILO Distillery 4PM to 6PM 3 Artisans Way, Windsor, VT 05089 (Stop in for a free solar "sunshine cocktail" and some local cheese and hear how you can go solar!)

Thursday, Sept. 22nd Solar 101 Presentation
6:30PM Windsor Library A classic presentation where you can get all your questions answered about going solar in Vermont. What happens when it snows? I heard the state incentive is going away next year? What happens to my property value?)
 
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.

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  
Community Meal in Windsor:
Beginning September 7th a community meal will be 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.
 
Sept 2016 Community Meal Schedule for seniors 60+: 
Reservations required – call VIA @ 802-674-5971 (seniors may bring guests of all ages)
 
Tuesday, Sept. 13      @ 12:00 noon – location: HARTLAND - Hartland Recreation Center :
Menu: turkey & gravy, mashed potatoes, squash, rolls, salad, dessert(suggested donation:  $3.00)
(VisitingNursefootclinicofferedfor $20, @ 1:00 pm-call for reservations: 674-4118)
 
Wednesday, Sept. 21      @ 12:00 noon – location: ASCUTNEY - ExitAte Restaurant
Menu: pot roast, two sides, salad, dessert (suggested donation: $4.00)
 
Wednesday, Sept. 28      @ 12:00 noon – location: WINDSOR -  Mt. Ascutney Hospital-Board Room:
Menu:  glazed ham, crrots, baked beans, salad, dessert(suggested donation $3.00)  
(coordinated by: Volunteers In Action (VIA), sponsored by: Senior Solutions)
___________________________________________________________________
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 PD arrest credit card scammers link
Potential uses for Windsor National Guard Armory link
American Precision Museum 50th Birthday link

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