FERRISBURGH — Our stay-at-home response to COVID-19 seems to be paying off as we see signs that the pandemic is easing in Vermont. Certain businesses are slowly starting to open; however, it remains important that we continue to wear face coverings, frequently wash our hands, and employ the physical distancing methods as advised by the Vermont Department of Health and Gov. Scott. Comprehensive updates on COVID-19 are available at the Vermont Department of Health website at tinyurl.com/VT-corornaupdates and national resources are also available at tinyurl.com/CDC-coronaupdates.
Vermont 211 also is maintaining a comprehensive and extensive data base of services — just call 211. 
The Ferrisburgh Volunteer Fire Department will continue with the popular “Clang-N-Bang” parades (see story on Page 1A). There was a great response to the parade on Wednesday, April 29, and more parades are planned weekly. Many thanks to Kenny Lemner and the Ferrisburgh Fire Department for making the effort to keep our spirits high during this pandemic and the enforced stay-at-home measures. 
Visit Sen. Ruth Hardy’s site for the latest on COVID-19, with information about the phases of slowly opening up Vermont, more on unemployment, health resources, a mask reminder, legislative work, municipal election procedures, and birthday wishes to those celebrating in isolation: tinyurl.com/RuthH-corona.
Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the Ferrisburgh Town Clerk’s Office is closed to the public but is still operating on a limited basis. If there is anything you need, contact the town clerk at 802-877-3429 or [email protected]. There is also a drop box that is right by the office’s door. The office will email or fax tax bills and other items as needed to residents. The office is working to install an infection control barrier (sneeze guard) to enable more in-person services in the near future. 
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum will delay opening to the public until July 1. Lake Adventure Camps and Teen Expeditions will run as scheduled, starting in mid-June, while all other workshops, events, and classes scheduled before July 1 are postponed or cancelled. However, it is good news that several key events are just postponed (not cancelled,) such as the underwater archeology field school and the Champlain longboats launch. The details about these changes are listed at lcmm.org/MuseumStatus. 
While waiting for the museum to open, we can still learn about our Lake Champlain by perusing the museum’s website and blogs. There is a lovely tribute to Vermont Poet Daniel Lusk and his “Lake Studies: Mediations on Lake Champlain” written by Eloise Beal, Director of Collections. Also, view the blog series about the lake’s international steamboat smuggling operations of the early 1800s, which highlights the role of Jahaziel Sherman of Vergennes. This blog series features the museum’s digital exhibit about Sherman which can be found at tinyurl.com/lcmm-smuggling. 
The Rokeby Museum normally opens in May, but the staff will determine its 2020 opening date as more is known about the status of the stay-at-home orders for COIVD-19. Keep visiting the Rokeby website or Facebook to stay informed of their events and special exhibits at rokeby.org/visit.
Our schools are working hard to serve our children in this time of pandemic. The distance learning plans and other updates for Vergennes Union High School and Middle School can be found at vuhs.org. The most up-to-date information about the district’s response to COVID-19 is on the ANWSD website at anwsd.org. Visit ferrisburghcentral.org for the latest announcements from Ferrisburgh Central School Principal Andy Kepes as well as some fun puppet videos made by the students. The week of May 4-8 is national teacher appreciation week. We all offer a special recognition to our teachers and school staff for their exceptional efforts to support the education of our students during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
The Bixby Library continues to serve us during the pandemic. If you have a Bixby Library card, you can access free eBooks and audiobooks through the Green Mountain Library Consortium (GMLC). If you don’t have a library card, email [email protected] for assistance in getting set up. Note that the Bixby recently updated the login process for GMLC. Find steps for login at tinyurl.com/Bixby-ebooks. Need additional help? Please do not hesitate to contact the Bixby with your questions. They are available by phone, email and chat. Just check the Bixby Library website at bixbylibrary.org. The Bixby’s free WiFi, “Bixby Free Internet,” is available and patrons can access the WiFi from outside the building.
NOTE: We are always interested in including a variety of Ferrisburgh-related news in this column, so if you have news that would be of interest, contact Sally Kerschner at [email protected]. You are able to access these columns and other information about Ferrisburgh news and events by viewing the Ferrisburgh Town website at ferrisburghvt.org.