Please also check the Cavendish VT Facebook page
for photo albums of various CHS activities.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Please note that the Museum will be
closing for the season after the Oct. 13 program.
October 13 (Sunday): In May 2019, Vermont became the third
state in the country to officially change the second Tuesday of October from
Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day. Per the law, the establishment of this
holiday “will aid in the cultural development of Vermont’s recognized
tribes, while enabling all indigenous peoples in Vermont and elsewhere to move
forward and formulate positive outcomes from the history of colonization.” On
Oct. 13 (Sunday), at 2 pm at the Museum, the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS)
will offer an Indigenous Peoples Day workshop. Presented in two parts, it will
begin with a history of the first peoples in the Okemo Valley and will be
followed by a “hands on activity” - make your own “Talking Stick.” Columbus Day
has been a day or mourning for Native Americans. Indigenous Peoples Day offers
an opportunity to begin a new conversation, one where the spirit of the Talking
Stick guides us to listen as well as speak, so that healing and building
together can take place. This workshop is
free and open to the public.
WHAT WE’VE BEEN DOING
 |
| Dave Gallagher |
MUSEUM: Dave Gallagher has been painting the steps,
while Carl Liener has been painting the doors and entry way of the Museum. We
can’t thank them enough for the time and care they’ve taken this summer. Please
thank them if you see them.
We
have been making calls trying to find someone to repair the slate roofs of both
the Museum and Stone Church. So far we’ve been unable to find someone. If you
know of anyone that can help with this project, please call 802-226-7807 or
e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com
 |
| Coolidge Homestead |
CARMINE GUICA YOUNG HISTORIANS: The first
months of the new school year are very busy, and this year is no exception. In
September we were involved in the following:
•
The third graders are studying “then and now”
and visted the Calvin Coolidge Homestead; took a trip to the Tings Farm
after reading Sandra Stearns book “Field Hill Farm;” and made their own “chalk
boards” and learned about canning by making bread and butter pickles.
 |
| 3rd grade at Ting's Farm |
•
The 5th grade spent Sept. 17 honoring Constitution Day at the Museum
and on Sept. 30, experienced living history with Roger Longtoe Sheehan, who
is the Sagamo (Chief) of the Elnu Abenaki Tribe and a talented Abenaki artist,
Native musician and educator.
 |
| Chief Longtoe |
The
newest CGYH program, Preserve and Serve, is off to a great start
•
The 6th grade once again participated in RiverSweep and helping with fall lawn choirs for various
community members.
•
The 4th grade is maintaining the flower bed in front of the school
 |
| 2nd &5th grades making bracelets |
• Grades
2-6 made bracelets and several students helped sell them at the annual Honey
Festival. As a result, they raised $317 for Team Rubicon, which is providing
disaster relief in the Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian.
If
you know of a community member who could use assistance with fall chores,
please call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com
Upcoming October Events
include:
• Fitton Mill Tour 6th
grade
• Foliage History Train
Ride: 4th grade plus the students from Ludlow Elementary 4th
& 5th grades
• Day long program with
experimental archeologist Charlie Paquin 5th grade
• Visit to
Sturbridge Village 6th grade
• Assisting
community with fall chores: 4-6th grades
THANK
YOU: CHS could not do all that it does without our
incredible volunteers. Special thanks to:
• CHS
board members Dan Churchill, Jenn Harper, Bruce McEnanney, and Kem Phillips who
help in many different ways
• Doris
Eddy: Volunteer for CGYH and helps with various lawn care projects of Preserve
and Serve
•
Dave Gallagher: Replacing, repair and painting of the Museum steps
• Carl
Liener: Painting the doors and entry way of the Museum
• Cheryl
Liener: Donated materials for the Team Rubicon project
•
Bob Naess: The jack of all trades, and master of more than a few, museum doors,
clean up and assistance with materials for the CGYH program
• Svetlana
Phillips: She has a green thumb and then some. Her dedication to the plant sale
makes that event possible, plus her designs for the CHS Museum planter are
unique for each season.
• Dave
Stern: Museum door
• Pang
Ting: Dedicated volunteer who drives for the various CGYH trips, chaperones,
provides the best soil for the plant sale and is so generous in sharing her
farm with the school kids.
•
Penny Trick: Driver and chaperone, she made the visit to the Coolidge Homestead
very special this year as she is a docent there.
•
Ernestine van Schaik whose donations have made the CGYH program what it is
today.
HOW YOU CAN
HELP: If
you have questions or wish to volunteer with CHS, please call 802-226-7807,
e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com
