You can find the 12.17.21 Community newsletter at this link and below.
Municipal Positions Appearing on the March Town Meeting Ballot
The New England Town Meeting form of town governance is a rare thing in the world today. If you are interested in being a part of elected local governance the following positions will be on the upcoming Town Meeting ballot. Petition signatures are required to appear on the ballot, the process and timing can be found below.
Positions
Moderator
Selectboard 2 year term
Selectboard 3 year term
Listers 3 year term- 3 positions
Trustee of Public Funds 3 year term- 2 positions
School board March election positions coming soon.
Timeline:
Jan 13- last day to file petitions for articles to be included on the ballot- need roughly 140 signatures minimum
Jan 24- LAST day for nominating petitions with consent of candidate forms to be submitted by 5pm- Petitions must be signed but 30 voters- Please ensure printed names with the signatures are legible!
In addition you may find the "Citizen Guide" to Town Meeting from the SOS Elections Website which describes what town meeting is and the associated procedures a useful reference.
Housing Public Forum
On December 9th the Windsor Improvement Corporation and SRDC hosted a public form to review a housing project that is being considered for the lot behind the Windsor Diner. You can find a recording of the event HERE
Annual Budget Survey - So far we have about 200 responses...300 would be nice!
If you are a Windsor resident or property owner please take a few minutes and complete the survey that can be found at the link below. Hard copies are available in the lobby of Town Hall. Once completed they can be deposited in the white ballot box outside the Town Hall front door. The survey will be open through the 3rd week in December. The results will be available to the public and used in the upcoming municipal budget discussions.
Survey link:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3LDRJ56
Upcoming Activity at the Closed Prison
VSP will be on site Weekdays now through the end of the year.
Holiday Season News and Events
WHS Project Graduation Simon Pearce Raffle Winners!
Marycatherine Young
Danielle Jasmin
Deb Perry
Congratulations to our winners! Thank you so much to everyone in our community who supported this raffle - we appreciate it!
Sign your kiddos grades K-6 up now for our annual Elves Workshop! December 19th, 10am-1pm at the Windsor Rec! This year the event will be FREE… but as always, space is limited and we will have a cut off so please sign your kids up ASAP. Each kid will make and wrap 4 gifts! Sign ups can be done online through the Rec portal. http://thewindsorrec.com
Early to bed, early to rise, work real hard and advertise!Do you own or work for a Windsor brick and mortar or home-based business? Do you have items you would like to promote this holiday season? If so, please contact Riley White rwhite@windsorvt.org with product information and how to order. We will include those items in our "Shop Local" section of the newsletter and town FB page.
The annual “Light Up Windsor” event is back for the second year! The Winners Are!
The Results are in! Thank you to all who entered and to those that have chosen to Light Up Windsor, even without entering. It is a beautiful sight in town and there is definitely an increase in holiday lights and décor!
1st Place: 2391 Route 5 North, 2nd Place 35 Ascutney Street, 3rd Place 116 Channing Drive
Honorable mention: Did not enter, but so deserved! 1044 Route 5 North- gotta love those flamingos!
The businesses on Main Street have truly outdone themselves in making Windsor shine this year, we are truly thankful!
This year's business champion goes to State & Main Associates who have truly made Windsor Light Up this year!
Didn't enter to win this year? Don't worry, the Light Up Windsor event is here to stay! Stay tuned next holiday season to channel your inner Clark Griswald and enter to win! Thanks to Windsor on Air for putting together a short video highlighting the decorations around town and Santa's Visit!
The map below contains a link to the properties that participated.
SISTERS WEEKEND MARKETPLACE... a bit of whimsy for the home and soul! It's the most wonderful time of the year @ Sisters Weekend Marketplace! The shop is filled with holiday cheer ... candles, jewelry, home decor, jam, children's clothing, treasures and more!And yes, we will have The Song Garden's Teacup Boxwood Christmas Trees ... perfect for that special someone or a treat for yourself! Mark your calendar for this fun filled weekend ... Saturday Dec 11th 10-4pm & Sunday Dec 12th 11-2pm
Sisters Weekend Marketplace
82 Main St.
Windsor, Vermont
FB Sisters Weekend Marketplace
IG sistersweekendmarketplace
The American Precision Museum offers some unique gift ideas stop by on line or call in advance to stop by in person.
Music and Merch at SILO
SILO is open all weekend for cocktails with LIVE music on Sunday December 19th from 2-4pm by Ted Mortimer. Plus there's stock of holiday gift items in their retail section including local gift sets! Come down this weekend, shop with a cocktail, and enjoy some local music. Shop small this holiday season. WINDSOR WINE & SPIRITS TO BE SOLD
We are pleased to announce that Fireside Beverage LLC of Ascutney Vermont will be taking over the store after the New Year. Rice and Oliver will be retiring at the end on the year. Please come in and say good-by and take advantage of the on-going sale. All in stock wine, beer, food and merchandise is 20% off for cash and 15% off for credit/debit. Looking for a unique gift?
How about a Windsor print from artist Peter Huntoon? Peter has been kind enough to let us use his print of Windsor Main St. as a banner for the newsletter. You can find other works by Peter related to Windsor HERE
Community News
There is a lot going on at the American Precision Museum!
The staff at the APM has been busy at work bringing exciting developments to this great Windsor Asset. Rather than wright a book about it, here are some bullet point highlights:
The APM is creatively decorated both inside and outside for the Holiday Season stop by! ASteampunk Christmas is the theme.
They are featuring a “12 Days of Machines” series on their Facebook page. Check it out.
The museum is open over the winter most days, by appointment. The staff is happy to see individual and group visitors. Bring a coat because much of the display area is not heated. Call in advance to confirm availability. 802-674-5781.
This is likely to be the last winter you will need to bring that jacket. It looks like their fundraising efforts have been successful and a heating system will be in place by this time next year. The building has been going through a series of energy efficiency improvements over the last several year in anticipation of the system.
Upcoming winter events include:
Patterns & Molds – January 2022 mini exhibit
Kids Day of Engineering – Saturday, February 26, 2022
The museum conducted a fundraising raffle featuring 3 Starret custom micrometer sets. I was pleased to be asked to help pick the winner, and find to out what a micrometer set is!
Linda Bruce Churchill local Hatha Yoga Update
December 1start date of five week session of Gentle Yoga for All with Linda Churchill, certified Hatha Yoga Instructor with over a decade of teaching here in the Upper Valley.
Join us Wed 5:30PM-6:30PM and Sat 9-10AM for one hour of gentle moves for flexibility, balance and stamina...calming practices for you through the Holiday Season and beyond. No Experience necessary, just the willingness to surrender.
Bring a mat, blanket or large bath towel...
$12 drop in rate or December delight $50 for one month of Wednesday and three Saturday classes!!!
Registration now open:https://windsorvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29929
Windsor on Air Comcast Channel 1081 and on line WOA-TV.ORG
Watch WOA Channel 1081 streaming live 24/7 from our website, www.woa-tv.org. Click on the schedule and see what will be playing. Besides Windsor-specific programming, we also play VT programming including COVID-19 updates with Gov. Scott and legislative updates. We also broadcast “Democracy Now!” every day at 6:00 pm & 11:00 pm. Religious services are broadcast on the weekends. We will be live streaming local events to our channel, website, and Facebook page so tune in and keep informed.
Windsor on Air Programming
Did you know you can watch WOA-TV live even without Comcast? At the WOA website, www.woa-tv.org you can watch our channel live. If you are not a Facebook user, you can also watch our livestreams on our website as they play simultaneously on our channel. We livestream the Select Board meetings every month, and other local events. So check it out….just click Watch WOA-TV live.
Light Up Windsor LINK
WHS Theater Canned Hamlet LINK
Windsor Downtown Housing Project LINK
Mt. Ascutney School Board Early Education Forum LINK
American Precision Museum "What's In the Basement?" LINK
Around Windsor: Dog Park, New Restaurant, New Car wash and Slot Car Racing LINK
American Precision Museum "Letters and Stiches" typewrites and sewing machines LINK Windsor in the News
Light Up Windsor - Valley News LINK
Blake Hill Preserves makes it to finals in national competition LINK
Do you know George O'Clair? LINK
1800's State Bank Scandal reported in Windsor's Vermont Journal LINK
Growing Season Stretches LINK
Windsor Residents in local play LINK
More from Ham Gillett, Don't throw your leave in the trash LINK
Municipal MeetingsIf you are interested in learning more about the workings of Town government you can find the agendas and meeting minutes to the various town boards and commissions here. Agendas are generally posted a couple of days prior to the scheduled meeting. You can also find meeting information on the Community Calendar located on the town website home page. Minutes are posed several days after the meeting. Additionally, Windsor on Air video records a variety of municipal meetings including the selectboard and school board. You can generally find videos of past meetings several days after the meeting takes place here. The Town Charter is the guiding document for our local government. You can find that document here
Windsor Library News
WINDSOR PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWS:
Windsor Voters: the library needs your signatures!
The Windsor Public Library is asking for a 3% increase in our budget appropriation from the town this year. This is our first requested increase in 2 years. We hope to turn in 140 signatures in early January. The request wording is as follows:
We the undersigned legal voters of the Town of Windsor, hereby petition the Selectboard of the Town of Windsor, Vermont, to place the following Article on the warning for the Annual Town Meeting to be held on the 1st day of March, 2022. This petition is filed pursuant to 24 V.S.A $2691. We certify that we are presently voters of that town. The Article to be placed on the warning to read:
Article: Shall the Town of Windsor vote to raise, appropriate and expend the sum of NINETY THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED-NINE DOLLARS AND FIFTY FOUR CENTS ($90,709.54) for the support of Windsor Public Library to provide services to residents of the Town.
Can you please stop by the library to sign? Either come in the library or we’ll also gladly bring the petition out to the porch for you.
Thanks so much for your help and support!
Front Desk Volunteers Wanted!
Are you interested in volunteering at the Windsor Public Library? The Windsor Library runs on volunteer power! Volunteers generally work one 2 or 3 hour shift weekly at the front desk checking books in and out, shelving books, helping library patrons, and doing other tasks. We have a few on-going shifts available and always need folks who would be willing to fill in if an on-going volunteer is away or needs to cancel. Basic computer skills are needed, reliability, and a positive, helpful attitude in working with the public. We provide the training, and there is always a staff member in the library with you. If you’re interested in volunteering you can fill out an application here or email librarian@windsorlibrary.org . Or call the library for more information!
Friends of Windsor Library Looking for New Members
Would you like to join the Friends of Windsor Library? The Friends of Windsor Library work on fun projects to benefit the Windsor Library and our community! On December 5th, the Friends sponsored the Holiday Read to Me. In October, they held the Enchanted Forest in Paradise Park. They work on our annual book sale. They select and put up the story walks that many of you enjoyed this summer. Dues are only $10 annually. Go to https://windsorlibrary.org/friendsofwindsorlibrary to find out more or to join!
Please Wear a Mask in the Library!
To keep us all safe, the Windsor Library requires that everyone entering the building wear a mask.
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING
First Wednesday of Each Month at 10:30AM: Outdoor Story Time: Join us on the first Wednesday of each month at 10:30 in the backyard for a treasure hunt, songs, and active play. Dress warmly! Wednesdays January 5th, February 2nd, and March 2nd.
Every Wednesday from 2:30-3:30PM: After-School Program Takes Place OUTSIDE
After-school programs will be held in the library’s backyard until further notice due to COVID-19. Please dress appropriately for the weather! In the event of serious rain, or a storm, it will need to be cancelled.
ADULT PROGRAMMING, ETC.
Tuesday, January 11th, 7PM: [Zoom] Racial Justice Book Discussion Group
We’ll be discussing Jim Freeman’s Rich Thanks to Racism: How the Ulttra-Wealthy Profit from Racial Injustice. “In this groundbreaking examination of "strategic racism," Civil Rights Attorney Jim Freeman carefully dissects the cruel and deeply harmful policies within the education, criminal justice, and immigration systems to discover their origins and why they persist.” Please stop by the library to get a copy of the book and join us on Zoom. Meeting ID: 864 8319 7026 Passcode: 257313
Tuesday, January 18th, 4:30PM: (Hybrid) Afternoon Book Discussion Group
We'll meet inside the library wearing masks and via Zoom (a hybrid meeting) while we discuss Gail Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. "This is a narrative full of quiet warmth and deep and unspoken sadness. It makes you want to throw a party and invite everyone you know and give them a hug, even that person at work everyone thinks is a bit weird.." Stop by the library to get a copy of the book. Zoom link (for those who want it) is here. Meeting ID: 834 9277 1881 Passcode: 840302
Some Thursdays 3-5PM: Come Play Mahjong! Our group of Mahjong players had so much fun, but as some departed for warmer climates, more players are needed! Do you play Mahjong? Do you want to learn how to play? Mahjong is one of the oldest games, played by thousands of people. This tile game involves skill, strategy, and calculation along with a bit of luck. All materials are provided. All are welcome. Please email librarian@windsorlibrary.org if you’re interested in joining this group.
Some Wednesdays at 3pm: Spanish Conversation Class: All levels
Day and time subject to change due to instructor's schedule so call before coming! Please call instructor Paula Dart at 802-674-5812 to confirm.
2nd and 4th Mondays of the month, 6:30-8PM: Knitting Group!
Join us on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at the library from 6:30-8PM and meet other knitting enthusiasts. Knit, chat, and swap ideas and new techniques. All ages and abilities welcome, including beginners. Come once or come often!! Bring along any projects you are working on. If you are just starting out, we do have some supplies available for use, though we encourage you to bring your own.
Community shopping / Restaurant Update
Shop Local!
The information below has been provided to the Town but for the most current information please check with the business website.
Bistro Midva: Welcome Bistro Midva to Main St. Check out their website, including menu here
Windsor Station Restaurant
Open for inside and outside dining, Wednesday-Sunday 4-8 PM
Order take out line HERE
Harpoon News
Bring some brewery fresh beer home to the family!
Sunday – Wednesday: 11AM – 6PM Thursday – Saturday: 11AM – 8PM
Open 11AM – 4PM Christmas Eve, Closed Christmas Day, Closed New Year’s Day
Windsor Diner
The diner is once again open for take out. Hours are Wednesday - Sunday 7am to 3:30pm Check out their specials HERE Boston Dreams located in downtown historic Windsor, has updated their hours:
Daily 8am-4pm Both Take out and outside patio seating is available. Order online at www.bostondreams.com or call 802-230-4107.
FRAZERS PLACE - Regular hours, full menu.
PIZZA CHEF - Regular hours, full menu. 674-6861
Message From Windsor Schools
WHS Windsor Rotary Student of the Month - December
Congratulations to Adam Dufour, Windsor School's Student of the Month for December! Adam is a Senior who has been doing a great job in all of his classes, including college-credit bearing classes like Human Biology and Humanities, and other classes like English and Psychology. Adam excels in STEM as well as humanities classes, thereby demonstrating an all-round scholastic ability. Teachers are impressed by his hard work and dedication, and by his ability to master difficult concepts. Adam is the rare student that listens and considers before he speaks, and when he does speak, speaks with moderation and thought. He has the courage of his convictions, too, and is willing to express sometimes unpopular - yet valid - perspectives. In addition to all of this, Adam is an excellent athlete, and has pursued soccer here at Windsor, even if it means playing for Hartford High School. In fact, Adam was just named to the Vermont Principals Association All-Star soccer team, the only player on the team to be selected. Despite these academic and athletic successes, Adam maintains a quiet reserve, and keeps his impressive accomplishments quiet. In short, Adam is a great student, an impressive athlete, a loyal friend, and a responsible older brother who quietly leads by example. All in all, a great example of Windsor School is all about. Congratulations Adam!
WHS National Honor Society Teacher of the Month - December
Giddy up! December’s teacher of the month is Mr. Jeff Bachey. Students have commented that Mr. Bachey makes an effort not only to teach the content but to also make sure students take care of their mental health during the year. As anyone who walks through the school knows, Mr. Bachey is always willing to stop and say good morning. Even if you don’t enjoy science, Bachey is willing to lend a hand in his own supportive, funny way. Beyond any content area, students simply appreciate Mr. Bachey’s willingness to encourage and help a student in anything they set their mind to, even if it has nothing to do with his class. Congrats Mr. Bachey!
Information on Religious Services
Holiday Services
If your congregation is offering holiday services that you would like to promote to the community please contact Tom Marsh tmarsh@windsorvt.org with the information for inclusion in future newsletters.
Trinity Church Christmas Events
Trinity Church Christmas Pageant
Sunday, Dec. 19, 9:30am
Coffee and Refreshments following the service
44 Main St. Windsor, VT
Live stream: trinitywindsor.com
Trinity Church Family Christmas Eve Service
Friday, Dec. 24, 6:00pm
44 Main St. Windsor, VT
Live stream: trinitywindsor.com Sunday Worship Service at Trinity ChurchSundays at 9:30am - 44 Main St., Windsor, VT
In person at 44 Main St., Windsor, VT and Live Streaming on our website.
We are following Covid-19 guidelines for the State of Vermont.
You are welcome to join us on site or online!
Ascutney Union Church LINK
Does this time of year have you feeling a bit Dark and Dull? Let us brighten your mood!
Ascutney Union Church
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
December 24 @ 6:00pm
Sunday service weekly 10am
5243 Rt. 5 Ascutney, VT 05030
- Pastor Mike Boy
Old South Church
Old South Church Updated Mask Mandate
Due to the rising rates of COVID, we are requiring all who attend Old South Church gatherings to wear masks upon entry of the building until further notice – regardless of vaccination status.
While we have limited disposable masks available at the door, we highly encourage you to bring your own.
If you choose to attend Sunday services online, we still hold live Zoom services. You can find the link on our website (oldsouthchurch.com) and then by clicking on our ‘Events’ tab.
If you have questions or concerns, please email the church office at oldsouthchurchwindsor@gmail.com.
Thank you and we hope to see you in person or online!
Update from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
Bishop Christopher Coyne has announced that each Catholic who has reached the age of reason is once again obligated to attend Sunday Mass. It is his hope that we see participation as something we want to do, not something we have to do - a sacred obligation we choose in freedom! There are times and circumstances when one cannot be present: injury, ill-health, mobility issues, age, and now personal safety issues that are still present due to COVID-19. Children who have not been vaccinated and people whose health is compromised so that they have to avoid any risk of contagion may in freedom chose not to attend Sunday Mass.
With the lifting of all the protocols needed in response to the pandemic, masks are no longer required in St. Francis church for those who are vaccinated. However anyone who feels anxious about going without a mask may certainly continue to wear one. Also children and adults not yet fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks. Please be respectful of the choices people make for themselves or their children regarding wearing masks or not wearing them.
If at any time you have any questions, please call the Parish office on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 802-674-2157. God Bless You all!
Federal, State and Local Reference information
Vermont State Information on COVID-19: Vermont.gov
Municipal Service information
The Windsor Municipal Administrative Offices are open to the public!