Has anyone else been having problems receiving delivery from the Brattleboro UPS terminal? I have had a package “out for delivery” in Marlboro for four days now (Friday, Monday, Tuesday, and today) and at the end of each day I get an email that the package is delayed, even though the UPS tracking system says it’s on the truck. An email to UPS has had no response, and it’s impossible to speak to anyone at the UPS 800 number.
Looking for top quality bare-root fruit trees and unusual perennials to start or expand your home orchard or garden? Place an online order by April 30, with pick up by appointment May 2 or 3 at Scott Farm Orchard!
In response to COVID-19, Scott Farm’s annual Fruit Tree and Perennial Sale will take place online this year (instead of on May 2). We are offering a wide selection of bare root and potted fruit trees and perennials to include: Heirloom Apple Trees, Common Apple Trees, Stone Fruit and Pear Trees, Potted Fig Trees, Blueberry Bushes, Heirloom Apple Scions, Orchard Products, and Perennials.
When I was a new real estate agent (new kid on the block) a couple of times my ability to stand up for myself was tested. It is a funny thing, but in a big real estate agency the fellow at the next desk — officially your fellow team member — can be your worst adversary.
There was an in-house fee split situation in which my “fellow team member” (Let’s call him Mike) managed to get my check shorted by $100, which was add to Mike’s check. Our managing broker had written the incorrect check amounts after Mike had lied to him about the agreement we had between us.
Although I had correspondence supporting my claim, the managing broker would not do anything to correct it. Warning me about future dealings, the managing broker said: “You’ve got to be strong with Mike.” Taking his advice to heart, I filed a small claims lawsuit against Mike.
With August Primary elections and the November General elections coming up around the corner, we encourage all voters to visit their My Voter Page to update their registration address, including their physical AND mailing addresses, and request an absentee ballot to be mailed to them.
The My Voter Page is now found at https://mvp.vermont.gov. If you encounter problems logging into your My Voter Page, please contact the Town Clerk’s office at 802-251-8157 for assistance. People can also register to vote using the online voter registration page at https://olvr.vermont.gov. Note that both of these links have been updated.
• The semi-annual flushing of water mains will be completed April 23 through May 11. This is essential maintenance activity to ensure the continued safety of the Town’s drinking water. Toi view the complete street-by-street schedule for this Spring 2020 water main flushing, please see the “News” section on the right side of the homepage on the Town’s website.
• The Police Department is waiving alarm fees until further notice.
Utilities Division crews will start Spring Flushing of the Town water mains on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 10:00 p.m. and continue through Saturday, May 11, 2020 NOTE: Some daytime flushing will continue throughout the weeks of May 13th and 20th
Customers are asked to check the flushing schedule closely as flushing causes water discoloration, low water pressure and in some areas, intervals of no water. Please note that water main flushing will occur at night and during the day.
I wanted to write a few words about Dan Cummings who passed away last week, suddenly, at the age of only 64. Dan was our very first friend in Brattleboro, and he was one of the most true friends we’ve ever had, here or anywhere.
At the time we moved to Vermont, in 2001, he owned Avenue Grocery on Western Ave, a few blocks from our new home. Since I was in his store many times a week, we got to be good friends.
I’ll never forget the first time I stopped into the store. I walked in late one afternoon to buy a six pack, and of course, Dan carded me. Being over 40 at the time, I was a bit bugged, but I could see he wasn’t going to budge so I went home and got my ID. I told him to be sure to remember me because I would be coming in many times in the future. He laughed and that was the last time I got carded there.
The humans are talking, I understand every word. The cat eyes me like missile-guiding radar, interested but too far to pounce.
I know these humans — dumb that they are — cannot hear me, but I talk to them anyway. I have trained myself to understand the humans, so it is very frustrating that they have not done the same.
Reciprocation is a two-way street, you know!
One thing in Brattleboro is UNCANCELLED! Brattleboro Time Trade is perfect for this very time…
We trade TIME rather than $$$… and can be very creative about how we do it — 6 feet apart, remotely by Facebook, Zoom, telephone, Hangouts, you name it… For example — Get someone to help you with your computer… then trade with someone else — the beautiful handmade cards you love to create… your imagination is the only limit…
WHAT IS NEW TODAY
• Census Reminder: If you have not completed your census form yet, now is a great time. You can complete it without leaving home or coming into contact with any other person. There are three simple ways to complete the Census form:
1. Online: Go to www.2020census.gov. Can’t find your 12-digit code that you received in the mail? No problem. Just follow the instructions and you will still be able to complete the questionnaire on-line.
BCTV Channel 8 / 1075 schedule for the week of 4/13/20
Monday, April 13, 2020
4:00 am All Things LGBTQ – Interview with Fantasy Author Kathrin Hutson
5:00 am Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium Virtual Learning – ‘Freezing and Boiling’ (Grades 3-8)
6:02 am Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium Virtual Learning – ‘DIY Home Projects’
6:30 am Winston Prouty presents – Family Matters Ep 26 – Community Collaborations
I found myself standing in the upstairs window, watching the rain fall in the meadow outside and humming “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.” Clearly, I thought, I want to ride away on a sunshiny day in search of adventure. Realizing that wasn’t likely, I continued to watch the rain as it fell, gradually noticing the budding silver maple just outside the window.
If you have not completed your census yet, now is a great time. You can complete it without leaving home or coming in contact with another person. There are three simple ways to complete the Census:
1. Online: Go to www.2020census.gov. Can’t find your 12-digit code that you received in the mail? No problem just follow the instructions and you will still be able to complete the questionnaire on-line.
2. By Phone: Call 844-330-2020 to get started in English. The 2020 Census can be completed by phone in 14 different languages.
UK Telecom providers are facing calls from ministers to halt the spread of “crazed conspiracy theories” about 5G after mobile phone masts were set on fire and employees abused by people peddling “nonsense”.
Activists have been targeting the infrastructure being used by emergency services combating the coronavirus. Cabinet minister Michael Gove described ‘conspiracy’ theories blaming 5G for the spread of Covid-19 as “dangerous nonsense”.
Brattleboro Senior Meals Menu April 13 to April 17
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MENU
Apr. 13 Glazed Ham
Au Gratin Potatoes
Mixed Vegetables
Pears
WHAT IS NEW TODAY
• Governor Scott has extended his “Stay Home – Stay Safe” order through Friday, May 15.
• In announcing this extension, Governor Scott and other senior State officials stressed that staying home and practicing social distancing is working in Vermont, these sacrifices are “flattening the curve” of COVID-19 infections, and that it is essential for everyone to continue to adhere to the restrictions on social contact to keep the curve flat enough so that Vermont hospitals will continue to have sufficient capacity to handle all of Vermont’s COVID-19 cases.
• Brattleboro’s Fire Department and Police Department are conducting additional COVID-19 screenings of employees to protect the workplace as much as possible from exposure to the virus.
Here are a few videos you might find useful. One is a good demonstration of washing hands. Paint is substituted for soap so you can watch how to best get it in all the right spots. Another is on exponential growth, which uses the virus as a jumping off point for a short math lesson. Our third video is a short visual explanation of how social distancing works to keep the number of cases down low enough so that hospitals don’t overflow. Our final video helps you determine the day of the week.
During this uncertain time of the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be very confusing to know where to go locally to learn about resources that can be useful. A new COVID-19 resource guide, aimed at individuals living in southeastern Vermont, is now available. This resource list is a compilation of currently known programs and activities relevant to people living in southeastern Vermont. The resource can be found on the Windham Regional Commission’s website by visiting http://www.windhamregional.org/. If you are in immediate need of assistance, call Vermont’s resource line by dialing 2-1-1 about help and resources.
NOTICE OF BOARD MEETING
The Windham Southeast School District Board will meet remotely at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. Please note that this meeting will take place remotely via Zoom:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99535501176?pwd=Y0dnTnpMYkhUL2dKK2pnMTEybERPZz09
Meeting ID: 995 3550 1176
Password: 7E7Faj
Some people see opportunity in a crisis. If we put in even a little bit of effort we will find many opportunities to pursue endeavors we have put off, or have never made enough of an effort to engage in, in this time of quarantine and pandemic.
On the less glamorous side, house cleaning may be at the top of the list for some. Gardening and yard work have the potential for a special kind of soulful renewal and I suspect more people are now doing outdoor projects they have been putting off for a long time.
Another opportunity is for people to read more books. In this age of online access there are some who embrace platforms such as Kindle and find that kind of access to books satisfying. I have always been someone who needs to have a physical book in hand. I don’t think I will ever change that habit because it fulfills a unique kind of need.
