You can find the Windsor e-newsletter HERE and below
Vermont National Guard Escorts Santa!
The Vermont National Guard activated "Operation Santa Convoy" and escorted Santa from one end of Vermont to the other. The impressive display moved through Windsor around 4:45 Wednesday evening. You can see a short homemade video of the convoy moving down Main St. HERE
Municipal and Board of Ed. 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
Municipal
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
2 Mt. Ascutney School Board terms end in 2022 - I am not aware of term lengths.
Timeline for both municipal and school positions:
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 250 responses...Survey Closes Saturday, Dec. 25th
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.
Prison Property Report to the Legislature
The legislature requested that a committee be formed to evaluate the highest and best future State ue for the former correctional facility. That report was issued on December 15th and can be found HERE along with a variety of past reports on the issue
Merry Christmas, and very best wishes to all from the Windsor municipal staff!
Holiday Season News and Events
Joyous Kwanzaa!
Kwanzaa is an African American and pan-African holiday which celebrates family, community, and culture. It was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenda, a professor of Africana Studies. Kwanzaa, a seven-day cultural festival, begins December 26 and ends January 1. It joins communitarian values and practices of Continental African and African American culture. During the holiday, families and communities organize activities around the Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles): Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). Participants also celebrate with feasts (karamu), music, dance, poetry, narratives, and end the holiday with a day dedicated to reflection and recommitment to The Seven Principles and other central cultural values.
The greetings during Kwanzaa are in Swahili. Swahili is a Pan-African language and is chosen to reflect African Americans' commitment to the whole of Africa and African culture rather than to a specific ethnic or national group or culture. The greetings are to reinforce awareness of and commitment to the Seven Principles. It is: "Habari gani?" and the answer is each of the principles for each of the days of Kwanzaa, i.e., "Umoja," on the first day, "Kujichagulia," on the second day, and so on. During Kwanzaa, children are traditionally given gifts, like books or things of cultural value, that will help educate them about their African roots. Handmade presents are encouraged and heritage symbols (like a piece of jewelry made in Africa) are customary.
Seven candles—three red, one black, and three green—are placed in a candleholder called a kinara. On the first night of Kwanzaa, the black candle is lit. On each night thereafter, an additional candle is lit, alternating red and green until the entire kinara is glowing on the final night of Kwanzaa. Each candle on the Kwanzaa kinara represents one of the Nguzo Saba. Our community kinara, created and donated by Black Lives Matter Windsor VT, will be lit each night in accordance with the holiday and is on display beside the community Christmas Tree and Hanukkiah in Vet Park downtown.
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! 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.
The American Precision Museum offers some unique gift ideas stop by on line or call in advance to stop by in person.
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.
Information on Religious Services
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
Update from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
Christmas Mass Schedule for St. Francis Catholic Church, 30 Union Street, Windsor
Christmas Eve:
Fri. Dec. 24th at 4 PM at St. Anthony Parish in White River Junction
Fri. Dec. 24th at 6:30 PM here at St. Francis
Christmas Day:
Sat. Dec. 25th at 8:30 AM at St. Anthony Parish
Sat. Dec. 25th at 10:30 AM here at St. Francis
NO SATURDAY EVENING MASS ON CHRISTMAS DAY
This year, Christmas falls on a Saturday. The Christmas Vigil Mass will be celebrated as usual on Friday, December 24th at 6:30pm. There will also be Mass on Christmas day, Saturday, December 25th at 10:30am. There will be no evening (Vigil) Mass on Saturday December 25th. On Sunday December 26th, Mass will be celebrated as usual at 10:30am. Note: you do need to attend a Christmas Mass plus Mass on Sunday to fulfill the obligation. The Solemnity of Mary on January 1st is not a Holy Day of Obligation in 2022. We will retain our usual Mass schedule for the Feast of the Epiphany with 4:00pm Mass on Saturday January 1st at St. Anthony and 6:00pm Mass on Saturday January 1st at St. Francis, or Sunday at 8:30am at St. Anthony's and 10:30am at St. Francis. If you have any questions, please contact us by phone at 802-674-2157, by email at stfranciswindsor@vermontcatholic.org or via our Facebook page www.facebook.com/StFrancisWindsorVT.
As an act of charity toward our fellow parishioners, Bishop Coyne is asking that masks be worn at all Masses, especially at the Christmas Eve Masses.Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with the request.
A few years ago, a tradition of Christmas concerts at St. Francis was started. This year, St. Francis will host an Epiphany Concert at our Church at 30 Union Street in Windsor on Sunday January 2, 2022 beginning at 4:00 pm. A good-will offering for our fuel fund or non-perishable food shelf item will be accepted. Attendees are required to wear masks. Please join us as we celebrate the close of the Christmas season with some very special performers including Windsor's own Women of Note.
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!
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 PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWS:
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.
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!
Federal, State and Local Reference information
Vermont State Information on COVID-19: Vermont.gov
At a special meeting of the Windsor Selectboard held on December 17th, the following recommendation was passed:
TOWN OF WINDSOR, VERMONT SELECTBOARD
RULE RECOMMENDING WEARING FACE COVERINGS INDOORS IN PUBLIC SPACES
Section 1. Authority.
This Rule is adopted by the Selectboard of the Town of Windsor. Except as otherwise provided in its charter, all the powers of the Town shall be entrusted to and exercised by a Selectboard consisting of five members chosen by the voters of the Town of Windsor (24 App. V.S.A. ch. 157, § 12).
Section 2. Purpose.
The purpose of this Rule is to recommend all individuals to wear face coverings while indoors at locations that are open to the public in order to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and protect the public health and safety of the Town of Windsor.
Section 3. Requirement to Wear Face Coverings.
It is recommended that all individuals in the Town of Windsor wear face coverings while indoors at locations that are open to the public, and these locations are recommended to prominently display this recommendation at their entrance.
Section 4. Exceptions.
Face coverings are not recommended for:
Children under 2 years;
A person with a disability who cannot wear a face covering or cannot safely wear a face covering for reasons related to the disability;
A person for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to workplace health, safety, or job duty as determined by the workplace risk assessment; and
Any person while eating or drinking inside any establishment that serves food or beverage.
Section 5. Effective Period.
This Rule shall take effect immediately upon the approval by the Selectboard and shall remain in effect for a period not to exceed 45 days following its initial adoption. The
Selectboard shall meet during the 45-day period in which this initial Rule is in effect and vote either to rescind this Rule or to extend it for an additional 30 days. Thereafter, the Selectboard shall meet at a minimum once every 30 days to reconsider this Rule, at which meeting the Selectboard shall vote either to rescind this Rule or to extend it for an additional 30-day period.
Municipal Service information
The Windsor Municipal Administrative Offices are open to the public!