FERRISBURGH — The Ferrisburgh Friends of the Union Meeting Hall invite you to be a part of the first annual “Thankful Tree,” a symbol of our appreciation for one another and our mutual support as a community. During these difficult times it is easy to feel overwhelmed by worries and troubles and to feel alone. Taking a moment to find and express gratitude gives us the opportunity to calm our spirits and reconnect with our neighbors. We want to know: “What, or who, are you thankful for?” 
Submit your messages via email to [email protected] or by mail to PO Box 115 Ferrisburgh, VT 05456 by Dec. 10. In your submission, please include your name, for what you are thankful, and your home town. Each submission will be transferred onto a wooden disc/ornament and displayed on a large, illuminated spruce tree in front of the Union Meeting Hall, located on the corner of Route 7 and Middlebrook Road in Ferrisburgh, from the beginning of December into the New Year. The Friends would love to fill the “Thankful Tree” from top to bottom with messages of thanks. Everyone is invited to visit the tree with families and friends and read the messages written by our neighbors.
The Ferrisburgh Town Forest Access Trail is open and ready for all of us who want to spend some outdoor time by enjoying our local wilderness areas. The trail is open to the public and can be accessed at the right-angle corner on Robinson Road, off of Route 7. There is a signpost at the access point parking place for the beginning of the trail. Follow the red markers to the entrance to the town forest, formally called the Rowland T. Robinson Municipal Forest. This is a lovely walk of about 1.3 miles on an unimproved path on natural surfaces through a variety of terrain types and includes some moderately steep sections. Much of this trail winds through private land, so please respect the landowner’s privacy by not blocking their drive when parking on Robinson Road, by staying on the trail, and, if you are walking with your dog, have it on a leash at all times. For more information and a map of the trail, visit the Ferrisburgh town website at ferrisburghvt.org and click on the Conservation Commission section.   
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic is still very much a presence here in Vermont. Although our state has done well to minimize the extent of the pandemic in our communities, the threat of infection is still very real and we all need to continue to follow risk reduction behaviors such as wearing masks, avoiding crowds, and maintaining hygiene habits such as frequent hand washing. The Governor has also asked us to avoid travel and social gatherings, such as not gathering or socializing with people we don’t live with. This includes gatherings held both inside and outside, and in public and private spaces. Also, visitors to Vermont cannot gather with Vermonters in their home or elsewhere. The Health Department strongly advises against travel right now, even within Vermont. All travel to and from Vermont requires quarantine (unless considered essential.) For more information on the latest COVID-19 prevention guidelines visit healthvermont.gov/covid19.
Our area schools have been working hard to provide learning experiences for our children and youth throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In the school buildings, the students and staff continue to ward off infection by wearing masks, distancing, washing hands and other methods for keeping the COVID-19 virus at bay. Many key offerings continue to support the students, such as virtual college fairs, school meals, and certain sports activities. Visit the schools’ websites for further information. All the updates on COVID-19 and also the school academic offerings can be found on the Ferrisburgh and Vergennes schools’ websites and there has been additional direct messaging to families to help parents during this very unusual school year.
In response to the governor’s recent executive orders regarding COVID-19, the Ferrisburgh Town Clerk’s office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday but the staff prefer that we call them to first seek assistance by phone rather than in person. The phone number is 802-877-3429 and the email address is [email protected]. There is also a secure drop box that can be used for tax payments located to the left of the entrance to the town offices. 
The Bixby Memorial Free Library is working to support families during this unique school year. Visit their website to see the variety of books available to patrons on a range of topics related to education, enrichment and resources for home schooling families, parent support, and stress reduction and mental health and wellness. Although the building is closed, the Bixby staff have been hard at work to get lots and lots of books, audiobooks, and DVDs into your hands through their Curbside Pickup program. Starting Nov. 24, curbside pickup will be available five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday in the front vestibule. Visit the Bixby website at bixbylibrary.org for details about how to join their virtual events, such as Kids Story Time (Dec. 10 and Dec. 17 at 10:30 a.m.) and the Any-Book Club (Dec. 16 at 6 p.m.) 
Ferrisburgh residents who have had extra stressors due to the pandemic, such as reduced income, can sign up for a daily meal with Vermont Everyone Eats. This program provides nutritious meals to Vermonters in need of food assistance and is also a stabilizing source of income for Vermont restaurants, farmers, and food producers. This service is funded by the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund and made possible through a grant provided by the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development in conjunction with the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Greater Vergennes. The meals are available for residents of the five-town area of Vergennes, Panton, Ferrisburgh, Addison and Waltham. Meals will be delivered at no charge Monday through Friday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Each person will receive one meal per day as prepared at the Vergennes Bar Antidote. Sign up at bgcvergennes.org/everyone-eats-1 or email [email protected].  
The Ferrisburgh Skating Rink plans for the season’s opening are moving forward. The Ferrisburgh Recreation Committee is anticipating increased use of the rink this winter as a fun outdoor activity during the pandemic. The committee has purchased and mounted two solar lights that will allow for skating after dark. Updates on the rink’s opening will be posted on Front Porch Forum. If you use the rink, please stay at least six feet from others and wear masks. Remember that your bottle redemption receipts can be donated to the Ferrisburgh Rink at the Vergennes Redemption Center. All those small amounts of redemption cash really do add up to help maintain the facility. The Ferrisburgh Recreation committee is made up of a few volunteers who work hard to maintain the rink for winter skating. More assistance is always appreciated and if you would like to help out, especially in rink maintenance, please contact Martha Davis at [email protected]. 
Don’t forget to use the Ferrisburgh List this year when doing your holiday gift shopping. This website lists many of the local businesses and services available right here in Ferrisburgh. When we use the list, we help our local community meet the artists, craftspeople, business people and other product and service providers who live and work Ferrisburgh, and we support local buying and selling. If you are a new business owner in the area, please add your business to the listings. The Ferrisburgh List is the brainchild of long-time local resident Mickey (Maxine) Davis. Maintaining the list is a volunteer project and Mickey welcomes anyone who is able to assist, especially with outreach to new businesses. For more information, contact Mickey at [email protected] or visit theferrisburghlist.com. During the pandemic, it is even more important to support our local businesses. 
Rokeby Museum continues to be open for weekends throughout the fall. The museum will be open Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 31-Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This will allow visitors to see the ongoing exhibits such as “Free and Safe: The Underground Railroad in Vermont,” which details the stories of Simon and Jesse, two fugitives from slavery who found shelter at Rokeby in the 1830s. Also add to your visit a tour of the grounds and outbuildings and exploring the museum’s extensive hiking trails. On Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Rokeby will host a Holiday Open House. Admission is free. There will be some great deals in the museum shop, as well as a limited number of Rokeby-Sourced holiday door swags and wreaths for sale. Find a gift for everyone on your list and support Rokeby Museum. For all the special winter events, check Rokeby’s website at rokeby.org.  
NOTE: We are always interested in including a variety of Ferrisburgh-related news in this column, so if you have events that would be of interest, contact Sally Kerschner at [email protected]. You are also able to access these columns and other information about Ferrisburgh news and events by viewing the Ferrisburgh Town Website at ferrisburghvt.org.