CHS Briefs October 1, 2019

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 5^th 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 6^th grade once again participated in RiverSweep and  helping with fall lawn choirs for various community members.

• The 4^th 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 6^th grade

• Foliage History Train Ride: 4^th grade plus the students from Ludlow Elementary 4^th & 5^th grades

• Day long program with experimental archeologist Charlie Paquin 5^th grade

• Visit to Sturbridge Village 6^th grade

• Assisting community with fall chores: 4-6^th 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

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