Thursday, December 1, 2016

CHS Briefs December 1, 2016

By now most people know that Carmine Guica, one of the founders of the Cavendish Historical Society and former President, died on Nov. 23. You can read about his amazing life at the CHS blog or in the fall Scribbler II. Note that the newsletter was delayed in order to include information about Carmine and should be in the mail next week.

Please note that CHS will be at Saturday’s Abundance Swap, Dec. 3 in the Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES) multi purpose room from 9-11:30. We will have copies of both Carmine’s autobiography and Alkesandr Solzhenitsyn: The Writer Who Changed History. The latter can be autographed. Both books sell for $15 and are also available at the Cavendish Town Office during normal working hours. Be advised that copies of Carmine’s autobiography are limited.

WHAT’S NEW
School Program: The 5th grade once again celebrated Dia de los Muertos, by making some of the crafts associated with Day of the Dead. As part of their unit on other cultures, on Dec. 2, one of the archeologists we’re working with on the dig in West Haven, VT, will be talking to the students about Mayan ball courts. Ellie Moriarity and her husband Matt excavated a ball court in Guatemala, which was Matt’s doctoral dissertation.

The weather finally cooperated, and even though it was drizzly, the 6th graders toured the Fitton Mill site, adding to their knowledge of water wheels, which they saw at Sturbridge Village in October. WWII veteran Jim Hasson spoke to the students about his experiences. Of most interest to this group was the time Jim spent in Vietnam.

Solzhenitsyn Book: We’re now doing talks on Alkesandr Solzhenitsyn: The Writer Who Changed History. Not only are they well received but book sales are good. If you are interested in arranging for a talk, please call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com 

Museum/Stone Church: Holiday decorations are up, and include the War Memorial this year. Lights are on in the Stone Church. Thought it may not be evident, work is underway on the belfry. All of the replacement beams have been cut and if the weather holds, they can be replaced in the next week. We’ll take lots of pictures.

WHAT’S COMING UP
In addition to the 6th graders making poppies for Carmine’s funeral on Dec. 1, the big activity for December is CHS’s annual day-long holiday program for CTES. Each year we pick a theme based on the cultures of those who helped to create Cavendish. This year’s theme is South of the Border as we have a number of people who have come to Cavendish from Mexico, El Salvador etc. Most have sought sanctuary here. 

Two of the projects come directly from Cavendish residents. Years ago Jose Aleman, his children graduated from CTES, showed us how they made papel picado (paper cuts) in El Salvador, which the 2nd graders will be doing. Ernestine (Stine) van Schak has spent a large part of her adult life working in South America. She now comes to Cavendish for about two months in the summer and recently sent us a project she does with young children. The 6th graders will be helping the kindergartners with this project.

Additional projects will include: Wool stars (1st grade/Peru); tropical fruit paper ornaments (3rd grade/Brazil); stars or soda can art (4th  grade/common through out the continent); and poinsettias (5th grade).

The 6th grade is working on making piñatas for every class, which can be “opened” on the last day of school.

WE CAN USE YOUR HELP
If you can help with any of the following, please contact CHS margocaulfield@icloud.com; 802-226-7807 or PO Box 472, Cavendish, VT 05142

• Items are needed for the piñatas, such as hard wrapped candy (no chocolate or nuts); small toys and other items. If you would like to donate items, please drop off at the school before Dec. 14.

• Volunteers are needed to help the 6th graders with the piñatas. They will be working on Monday afternoons on Dec. 5 and Dec. 12.

• CHS is currently conducting its annual appeal campaign, please donate and/or renew your membership.