Wednesday, February 1, 2017


Please also check the Cavendish VT Facebook page for photo albums of various CHS activities.

While tomorrow, Feb. 2, is thought of as Groundhog’s Day – how long winter will continue depends on whether the groundhog sees his shadow-it is also known as Candlemas, Day, the official end of the 40 day Christmas-Epiphany season. Churches throughout the world often bless candles on this day along with other traditions such as day of crepes in France and St. Brigit’s Day in Ireland. Like many traditions it actually relates to the changing seasons. Feb. 2 is a “cross-quarter,” day meaning it is half way between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. In many ancient cultures, these quarter dates carried great significance. In addition to Groundhog’s Day on Feb. 2, there is May Day on May 1, Lammas on Aug. 1 and Halloween (All Souls’ Day) on Oct. 31.

February is Black History Month.  Be sure to check out the article on Peter Tumber, that summarizes a year’s worth of research in trying to confirm aspects of his story. He was an African, sold into slavery, a Revolutionary War veteran, a Cavendish landowner and he died here at the age of 106. Through all of our research, we have yet to fine a death or burial certificate. We’re not sure if we have enough information to obtain a stone from the Veteran’s administration.

WHAT’S NEW

Sketching ideas for the pantry
School Program: Three new projects are underway. We’re working with LPC-TV and the 6th grade to tape the ghost stories CHS and the students have been collecting. At the end of Feb, we will doing a program with the 6th graders on the importance of passing on factual information, which help to reduce frustration for future historians of the town. Finally, the homeschoolers are hard at work building a mini food pantry that will be placed by the Cavendish Baptist Church in the spring. CHS include programs for students that not only teach history but also town stewardship.

Solzhenitsyn Book: Margo Caulfield was interviewed by Tom Woods for a podcast on the Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: The Writer Who Changed History.” The interview should be available at the podcast website http://tomwoods.com/podcasts/ on Feb. 2.  If you are interested in arranging for a talk call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com

One of the beams for the belfry
Cavendish Stone Church: While work has ceased for the moment in the Church, the beams for the belfry have been cut and are now wintering over in the aisles. Other staging has been done in the belfry area and will be completed in the spring. During a routine inspection this month, we discovered evidence of “powderpost” beetles in a cupboard in the Church’s vestibule. As soon as weather permits, the wood will be treated. 

Cavendish Believe It or Not: CHS is currently collecting strange tales of Cavendish. The first in our series is about Alexis St. Martin who lived in Cavendish from at least 1870 until 1879. What Phineas Gage did for the science of brain injury, St. Martin's stomach did for the field of gastroenterology. Learn more about St. Martin's story, which is both strange and gory at the CHS blog post Believe it or Not: Alexis St.Martin. If you have a strange tale about Cavendish please e-mail it to margocaulfield@icloud.com or call 802-226-7807.



WHAT’S COMING UP
Annual Meeting: The Annual meeting is being planned for March 5. 3-5 pm at the Cavendish Baptist Church parish hall. In addition to a short business meeting, we will have a program Cavendish Believe it or Not!

HOW YOU CAN  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

• It may seem far off by we’re already thinking about the Annual Plant Sale, which will be July 2 (Saturday). Do you have plants you like to contribute? Are their plants you’d like to see us carry this year? Other suggestions?

• CHS is looking for new board members as well as volunteers who can help with various activities.


• Please attend the Annual Meeting on March 5, 3-5 pm at the Cavendish Baptist Church Parish Hall.

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