Community update December 6: Good morning from Vernon. Morning clouds, even a flurry, and a few rays of afternoon sun. highs in the upper 30's.Town Hall is open. The Treasurer's office has it's own outside entrance. Call 802 257 3077 or email treasurer@vernonvt.org.The Windham Southeast Supervisory Union Board will meet at 6:00 PM in the WRCC, Cusick Conference Room, and remotely via Zoom. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88517876782?pwd=Mmp4MVhDcUFPSFZzZjVna3g1dmRMQT09Meeting ID: 885 1787 6782 Passcode: 6zbq7sPay as you throw Trash bags are on sale at the Town Clerk's office, Vernon Free Library, Guilford Country Store and J Spec Auto. Remember, pick up day is tomorrow.Stop in, call 802 257 0292 or email clerk@vernonvt.org.Have a great day and be careful out there.

TEST TW WEATHER

The Whithed Mill (now George’s Mill)

The Whithed Mill, about 1906

Leaving behind the Whithed Cemetery and that scoundrel, J. O. Frost, we’ll travel north on Route 142 until we get to the composting bins and the Town Garage.

It was a busy spot in 1839, just as it is today. A mill was constructed on the north side of the Town Brook in 1839, through the combined efforts of Marshall Whithed and David Ball, of Winchester, N.H. The basement contained a grist mill, the first floor a saw mill, and the second floor was reserved for dances. The yard held agricultural fairs, in season. A small part of the yard was shared with Benjamin Arnold Streeter, Vernon’s first blacksmith. He also raised fancy fowl (shades of J. O. Frost!)

The building cost five hundred dollars, and the pit and dam, $6,500. In 1859, Whithed deed the mill and road to David Ball. John Hunt purchased the mill from the Ball family.

In 1908, part of the land was deeded through a will. The remaining part was deed to the Town in 1927, by the only living heirs to the Whithed family, Marshall and Aimee Whithed of Bernardston. (It sure kept the Town Clerks busy!)

But Whithed’s Mill was resurrected in the 1950s, under “new management” and became an attraction in Vernon and beyond. Mystery and mayhem are involved. More next month, stay tuned!