The weekly area news program, That Was The Week That Was (TW3), devoted its entire August 6 program to a discussion of the national economy. Featuring Kevin Kuntz as its guest economic commentator, cohosts Ralph Pace and Leo Graham, read the responses of seven area residents to various questions about the economy and healthcare. The entire program is available at the LPC-TV web site by clicking here.
Submitted by Okemo Mtn Resort
The Jackson Gore Outdoor Music Series is winding down with only two concerts remaining in the 2009 summer season. The New Groove Orchestra will take to the stage on Friday, Aug. 28 and Buzz Universe wraps it all up on Friday, Sept. 4.
On Aug. 28, the outdoor stage at Jackson Gore will be a little crowded with Montreal’s ten-piece funk band, The New Groove Orchestra. They offer a synthesis of sound to send senses swerving and curving through intradimensional perceptual conceptions far funkier than anything yet imagined. From rhythm and blues to a jazzy kinda horn-line and soulful singing that stokes the fire to inspire the spirit, it all boils down to a healthy dose of funk.
On Sept. 4, BuzzUniverse offers an original and eclectic blend of rock, jazz, Latin and world grooves. BuzzUniverse features smoking horns and a rock-solid rhythm section. Since 2003, the band has been performing and tearing up clubs and large festivals throughout the northeast. Described by jambands.com as "addictive and hip-grinding," BuzzUniverse has enlightened loyal fans with brilliantly crafted songs, incredible vocal harmonies and ferocious live energy. Natives of Elizabeth, N.J., BuzzUniverse aims to spread their unique sound and positive vibe far and wide.
On Friday nights throughout the summer season, the lawn in the courtyard at Okemo’s Jackson Gore Inn is transformed into an outdoor concert venue featuring renowned local and regional entertainers. Admission to the Jackson Gore Outdoor Music Series is free. The grounds open at 5 p.m. and concerts are slated to run from 6 to 9 p.m. Families are welcome and all attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets.
Submitted by Lynne Herbst
Don’t miss our 1st annual extravaganza of homemade pies and ice cream Sunday, August 30, 2 to 4 pm. The Mt. Holly Library extends an invitation to join them for an old-fashioned “Pie and Ice Cream Social” that harkens back to a day when the pace of life was slower and more relaxed. Proceeds support additions to the book collection – so have a second piece! Come early and shop our famous book sale from 10 am to 4 pm. New titles always being added to our diverse stock of sale books. Stop by the Mt. Holly Farmer’s Market noon to 3 pm. It’s all happening in Belmont Village!
Posted in Mt. Holly
Submitted by Okemo Mtn Resort
On Sunday, August 9, Ezra Ernst, of Moorestown, N.J., made a hole-in-one at Okemo Valley Golf Club. Ernst aced the 8th hole using a seven-iron from 156 yards away. Suzanne Ernst witnessed the feat.
A day later, on August 10, Anne Spaulding, an Okemo Valley Golf Club member from East Orleans, Mass., made a hole-in-one on the fourteenth. Spaulding made the 127-yard shot from the gold tee using her six-iron. Larry Spaulding and Sandra Pomeroy witnessed the achievement.
The two aces marked the sixth and seventh holes-in-one of the season at OVGC.
Both players’ names will be engraved on a Hole-in-One plaque that hangs inside the Okemo Valley Clubhouse, to honor the fortunate few who have had the exhilarating experience of making a hole-in-one at OVGC.
Posted in Ludlow
Submitted by Kelly Stettner
Mayflies and midges and snails, oh my!
What lives in ponds in Vermont? How about New Jersey or Michigan? How about Australia? Would the critters be similar or different? The Black River Action Team wants to find out! As part of the BRAT’s WaterWorx river education program, local pond water was gathered in April and explored by local children at the Springfield Town Library. Critters were sorted and identified, and then recorded on a worksheet for later comparison to ponds around the world.
Through the online Bucket Buddies program, schools and youth programs from all over can register and share their findings. About half the WaterWorx kids figured that our Vermont pond would be very different than ponds elsewhere, and the other half expected to find similar creatures. While some ponds held more of certain critters than others, and some groups found creatures we didn’t find, it seems that the pond life was generally the same around the world!
For more information about the BRAT and the WaterWorx program, visit www.BlackRiverActionTeam.org.
WaterWorx is made possible by generous local donations as well as by a grant from the New England Grassroots Environmental Foundation, www.grassrootsfund.org.
To learn about the Bucket Buddies, check out www.ciese.org/curriculum/bucketproj.
Posted in Regional
Submitted by Lee Johndrow
The local news phoenix is rising from the ashes with the launch of The Weekly Clarion. Published by the Valley Photofieds, it will cover the Vermont communities of Springfield, North Springfield, Bellows Falls, Cavendish, Chester, and Ludlow, plus the New Hampshire communities of Charlestown and Claremont. The Clarion will devote its resources to bringing its readers a full range of the local news other, larger news outlets seem to leave behind.
"With the loss of other area papers, we decided to do what we thought would be 'good for the communities.' We have a small staff but we think we can put it all together. We have made a strong start," said Publisher Lee Johndrow.
Well-known journalist and author Stephen Seitz has taken the editorial reins. His previous reporting has appeared in the Rutland Herald, the New Hampshire Union Leader, other area newspapers and magazines, and on radio station WCFR in Springfield, as well as the Black River Tribune news Web site.
"We hope, with the aid of our readers, to bring as complete coverage as we can," said Seitz. "We won't pretend we're going to do it all, but we will do everything humanly possible."
To this end, news tips are most welcome, as well as press releases. These should be sent by e-mail to: press@theweeklyclarion.com.
Potential advertisers should direct their inquiries to: sales@theweeklyclarion.com.
Letters and potential guest editorials should be sent to: editor@theweeklyclarion.com.
Subscription requests should be sent to: subscriptions@theweeklyclarion.com.
Johndrow had this to say. "Today I met with over 100 businesses in area communities. There was a lot of excitement. In one store, I literally had a store owner jumping up and down and saying 'thank you, thank you!' as she shook my hand. I hope I can do 100% of what people expect. And maybe a little more…"
Posted in Regional
Submitted by Marie Levesque Caduto
The Basin 10 Watershed Council is meeting for a panel discussion on recreation issues to be addressed in the water quality management plan for the Black and Ottauquechee watersheds. The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and its local partners are holding the meeting on August 18 at the Sienna Restaurant at Jackson Gore. Public input is essential to making the plan a meaningful guidance document for the Agency of Natural Resources.
Panelists from the recreation industry will speak on their needs for and efforts to protect water quality and participants are asked to offer concerns, recommendations and actions to be included in the State’s Water Quality Management Plan. At 5:30, prior to the meeting, Mike Doran, Permits and Compliance Coordinator for Okemo, will take participants on a tour of water quality management measures in place at the Resort. The tour will begin at the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce in the Okemo Marketplace at 57 Pond Street, Ludlow just opposite the Okemo Access Road.
The Plan being developed by the Agency will address water quality in rivers, streams, lakes and ponds throughout the two watersheds. Participants are helping develop strategies to improve local waters and water resources. Partnering organizations include the Ottauquechee Natural Resources Conservation District, the Two-Rivers Ottauquechee and Southern Windsor County Planning Commissions, the Black River Action Team and the Ottauquechee River Group. Drinks and snacks will be provided.
Driving directions: Sienna Restaurant, Roundhouse Base Lodge, Jackson Gore Inn.
From Ludlow take Rte. 103 N to Jackson Gore Road on the left. Park near the Inn and enter the stone archway to the courtyard then bear right to the Sienna.
Posted in Regional
A new weekly is now available for Claremont, NH residents still suffering from the loss of the Eagle-Times which went belly-up several weeks ago after having been in existence since 1835. For details click here.
Posted in Regional
Submitted by Okemo Mtn Resort
The Okemo Valley Golf Club Ladies’ League wrapped up the season on Wednesday, Aug. 5. With double points available for the Team-of-Four Scramble, there were plenty of opportunities for teams to move up in the final standings. Pam Cruickshank, Donna Tedford, Janet Carini and Joan Kattalia, members of the RVCCC squad,came in first for the week with a score of 33. Mary Lou Shaw, Alice Thayne, Jane Harrington and Lorraine Marino, of Coldwell Banker Watson Realty, placed second with a 35. Nancy Eckert, Liz Spaulding, Linda West and Lois Brown, of M&M Excavating, took third place with a 36 and a match of cards. Closest to the pin went to Joan Collar on No. 4; Maria Tomaselli on No. 6; Liz Spaulding on No. 8. Pam Cruickshank won Longest Drive on No. 2.
The 2009 Ladies’ League Champions are Pam Cruickshank, Donna Tedford, Janet Carini and Joan Kattalia. The RVCCC team completed a successful season with a total of 121 points. Kathi Williams, Amy Taylor, Peg Cariddi and Pam Plumb from Ludlow Insurance took second place for the season with a total of 116 points. Marion Pickielnok, Mary Rita Batesole, Martha Damone and Lisa Rourke of Id3 Designs finished third with 111 points. Mary Lou Shaw, Alice Thayne, Jane Harrington and Lorraine Morino from Coldwell Banker Watson Realty came in fourth with 98 points.
Posted in Ludlow
Based on an email from the former editors of the Message, a similar weekly paper for Southern Vermont is scheduled to be printed again under the banner, The Messenger. According to Joe Milliken and Robert Smith, former co-editors of the now-defunct Message, they will be distributing their new weekly on Wednesday, August 26 via the mail, similar to the distribution of the Message.
Posted in Regional