’TIS THE SEASON FOR OKEMO HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Submitted by Okemo Mtn Resort

It’s the holiday season and Okemo is welcoming families with a full slate of on-snow fun and après ski events and activities.

Dec. 23: Last Chance Santa. At 4 p.m., Santa Claus makes a Jackson Gore grand entrance in a convoy of snowcats for a pre-Christmas visit with children before the jolly old elf makes his way to the North Pole for final holiday preparations.

Dec. 26: OkeMovie Night. Families will enjoy a full-length feature movie at The Jackson Gore Inn. Fresh popcorn and ice-cold Pepsi is part of the movie experience in Jackson Gore’s state-of-the-art Cornerstone Room starting at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 25: Ski and Ride with Santa and Friends. When his deliveries are done, Santa heads to Okemo for a few runs before making his way home to the North Pole. Santa and his merry crew will be cruising the slopes on Christmas Day. 

Dec. 26: EPIC Snowcat Dining Adventure. Okemo offers Snowcat Dinners Saturday evenings between Dec. 26 and March 13. Departure from the Jackson Gore Inn lobby is scheduled at 6:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m. Seating is limited and reservations are required. A prix fixe of $125 per person does not include tax or gratuity. Call (802) 228-1435 for more information or to make a reservation.

Dec. 27: Torchlight Parade and Fireworks Display. A spectacular pyrotechnics show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Okemo Clock Tower base area, following an amazing torchlight parade of skiers and riders arcing their way down the mountain with lighted torches. Spectators can enjoy a winter warmer in the Sitting Bull prior to the start of the show.

Dec. 28: The Nature Museum at Grafton presents “Animals in Winter,” a complimentary one-hour program exploring how animals survive the long New England winters. Families will explore winter habitat through interactive exercises, engaging slides and observations of items from the museum’s natural history collection. The program is free and open to the public starting at 7 p.m. in the Jackson Gore Roundhouse.

Dec. 31: Okemo’s Family New Year’s Eve. Friends and family will enjoy a host of ongoing events and activities planned for the afternoon and evening of Dec. 31. After ice skating, tubing, snowshoeing, horse-drawn wagon rides, cookie decorating, bingo, a trivia tournament and more, a dance party with a DJ., balloons, noisemakers and dinner, completes the New Year celebration in the Roundhouse at Jackson Gore. There’s even a fireworks show planned. Festivities are scheduled from 5-10 p.m. Revelers can purchase an activities-only wristband for $20, or include the dance party for $35. Visit Okemo’s Family New Year’s Eve webpage for more information.

More information about Okemo Mountain Resort may be obtained by calling (802) 228-1600 or by visiting okemo.com.

Ludlow Farmers Market Donates $1,000 to BRGN

Submitted by Bonnie MacPherson

Jerry Milligan, President of The Ludlow Farmers Market Inc. presented Black River Good Neighbor Services with a check for $1,000.  Pictured above, from left to right, are Jerry Milligan (Ludlow Farmers Market) handing the check to  Audrey Bridge and Jim Fuller (Black River Good Neighbor Services).

In light of news that Vermont is the sixth hungriest state in the nation, the membership of LFMKT voted to make the donation to assist community members in need. LFMKT, a non-profit organization, completed a successful first season in October.

The market would like to acknowledge the generosity of Okemo Mountain School for the use of their property and Okemo Mountain and their sign shop for signage and other support. Thanks also to LaValleys Building Supply, LPCTV, and Greg Mauriello; to the LFMKT vendors for their enthusiasm and for supplying the community with high quality, locally grown and produced food products, agricultural products, and fine crafts; and to the public for supporting this inaugural venture. LFMKT believes in paying it forward and in keeping with their goal to support local charitable organizations, they hope that this donation will help those in need and will increase awareness that BRGNS is a very important community resource.

They also hope that you will support this great farmers market next season. Look for us on the front lawn of Okemo Mountain School (53 Main Street) Friday afternoons 4-7 pm from Memorial Day thru Columbus Day weekends.  For more information about LFMKT, please contact Jerry Milligan (802) 734-3829 or email lfmkt@tds.net.
 

COMMUNITY TO LOSE CAVENDISH INN

Submitted by Margo Caulfield

Tim Jefferson, owner of the Cavendish Inn, has announced that his Inn will be closing and auctioned off in January.   Known to many as Glimmerstone, the Inn is listed on the State and National Registry of Historic Places.

In his remarks, at a farewell dinner Jefferson said,  “ I want to thank all those who have supported our efforts over the years. I have enjoyed opening up the Inn to the community, and am hopeful that the Historic Glimmerstone will remain an important part of Cavendish.”

Because of the historic nature of the property, as well as the important role it has played within the community, there is an effort underway for local investors to purchase the building at the upcoming auction. Those who are interested in learning about this initiative should contact Will Hunter at ah@sover.net.

Built in 1845 by the manager of the Black River Manufacturing and Canal Company, the house was constructed of local quarried stone. While there have been many different owners, including Leon Gay, of the Gay Brothers Woolen Mills, Glimmerstone was converted into an Inn when Tim and his brother Peter Jefferson took it over in 2004.

After purchasing the Inn, the Jefferson brothers quickly became involved in the community. Tim has served on the board of a number of local organizations, and has offered the barn and Inn to the use of the community.  The barn has been the home of the Cavendish Community Theater, while the Cavendish Historical Society and the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association (CCCA), have used the Inn and surrounding property for various events and dinners.

 Those in attendance at the dinner recognized the significant contribution Jefferson and the Inn have made to the community.  Dan Churchill, president of the Historical Society said, “We are certainly going to miss Tim. He has been a valuable member of this community, and has been most generous in sharing the Cavendish Inn. The Cavendish Historical Society will greatly miss Tim’s service as treasurer.  We wish Tim good luck, and share his hope that the on-going Glimmerstone effort will be successful.”

As Robin Timko chair of the CCCA, noted, “Losing the Cavendish Inn, a welcoming center for so many neighbors, friends and community groups, is a great loss. But more than that, is my sadness at losing such a wonderful community member, who stepped forward to work with us shortly after moving here. In spite of difficulties, Tim has always shown a positive and cheerful face.”

Homemade Christmas Cookie Sale at Fletcher Farm School

   

Submitted by Laurie Marechaux

On Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009 the Society of Vermont Artists and Craftsmen, Inc. is holding a “Homemade Christmas Cookie Sale” from 10:00am-2:00pm at Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts. SAVE money and energy…let us do the baking for you! Cookies are sold by the pound and come in lovely tins, choose from over 30 varieties of delicious homemade cookies made by our Society Board of Directors and Members. Shop early as these cookies sold in a flash last year despite the snowstorm the day of the sale! Follow the signs to the Meadowview Building in the back of the field.

Take a chance on a raffle ticket to win a beautiful handmade Swedish Gingerbread Cookie House for the holidays made by Rigmor Frink. 

While you are here browse through our Holiday Arts and Crafts Shoppe to purchase unique and one-of-a-kind gifts for your friends and loved ones. Hours are 10:00am to 3:00pm seven days a week! Be sure to take advantage of shopping for fabulous arts and craft items! All items are handmade or created by our members and instructors.

Choose from a wide selection of felted animals, hand-knit puppets, a variety of note & Christmas cards, Christmas ornaments, pins, panoramic photograph, hand painted, sap buckets, lamp-work glass beads to fit your slide bead bracelets, 18” Doll clothes, marbled scarves, children’s items candles, and more. Also available are lovely stained glass items, wine cork fairies, pen & ink prints of your favorite animals, Knitted hats, scarves, sweaters plus wonderful felted slippers mittens, hats and more! Choose from a wide selection of Sterling Silver Jewelry, Dichroic glass, Indigenous Mola kits, Fun T-Shirts, for adults and children, bibs, and many other unique items! Shopping here will assure you that you are supporting the local economy, buying a one-of-a-kind gift and most of all supporting the arts in Vermont. 

For more information call 802-228-8770. Visit our website to view upcoming class listings at http://www.fletcherfarm.org.

LUDLOW TRANSFER STATION ANNOUNCES SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS

Submitted by Pam Cruickshank

The Ludlow Transfer Station is ready for the holiday season!  As an added bonus for Ludlow residents, extended holiday hours will be offered during the week of December 26-31, 2009.  The Transfer Station will be open daily from Saturday, December 26th to Thursday, December 31st from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Please note that the Transfer Station will be open half-day on December 24th (from 8:00 am until noon) and closed on Christmas Day.

“Our additional days during the holiday week should help Ludlow homeowners with their recycling and holiday trash disposal,” commented George Fairchild, Transfer Station Manager.  “In addition, our new 2010 Permits are now on sale so folks can stop by the Transfer Station or the Municipal Office and purchase their permits.”

Permits are required for all vehicles using the Transfer Station.  Please be prepared to provide your vehicle registration and verification of ownership at the time of purchase.

For more information, please call the Ludlow Transfer Station at 802-228-2846 or the Municipal Office at (802)228-2841.

Markowitz to Appear on Community Television in Ludlow

Submitted by LPC-TV

Submitted by LPC-TV

VT Secretary of State Deb Markowitz, a Democratic candidate for Governor, will be at the community access TV studio at LPCTV in Ludlow on Wednesday afternoon, appearing as a guest on the weekly local news show, That Was the Week That Was. The program is produced by Ralph Pace of Ludlow and Leo Graham of Chester. They produce it as a live call-in show at 3PM on Thursday afternoons in LPCTV's studio. Markowitz's interview will be taped on Wednesday and played back as a segment during the following day's live broadcast. That Was the Week That Was is shown on LPCTV Channel 8 in Ludlow, Plymouth, Cavendish, and Mount Holly. Programs are also archived on LPCTV's website (www.lpctv.org). The show is also seen on SAPA-TV Channel 8 in the Springfield area.

Markowitz will be giving the ketynote address at the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce's Annual Meeting on Wednesday night at the Gill Odd Fellows Home in Ludlow.

BRGN Conducts Food Drive

As the ground gradually turned from the darb November coloring to the white of snowy December, the weather did not hamper the efforts of Black River Good Neighbors (BRGN) in collecting food and monetary donations to resupply its food shelves for the coming needs of the Christmas and Winter seasons.  BRGN, in addition to its on-going efforts to support those in need throughout the area, especially during the cold months ahead, also has a major need for food and money to support its efforts to provide food during the Holiday season.  Pictured above are two students from Black River High School as they work to "Stuff a Bus" with foods for BRGN.  Standing outside the Ludlow Municipal Transit bus donated by the town for the ocassion are, from left to right, Newton Rose and Holly Cloutier.  In its efforts to ensure a good food collection, BRGN representatives also were at both entrances to Shaws in Ludlow to solicit aid for the food shelves.  Pictured ready to seek customer aid on behalf of BRGN are Jean Eggleston and Jim Fuller.  According to Fuller, the "willingness of people to contribute both food goods and money to help Good Neighbors is going to make our task a lot easier.  Unfortunately, with the current economic conditions, there are a lot of area people who desperately need our help.  Its so wonderful to realize that people recognize this and are willing to help."  On Sunday, Dec. 13, Okemo will offer a $25 lift ticket to people who bring three cans of non-perishable foods or similar to the mountain, all of which will be donated to BRGN.

Ludlow Garden Club Decorates Library Christmas Tree

In keeping with its annual tradition, members of the Ludlow Garden Club gathered at the Fletcher Memerial Library recently to decorate the Library's Christmas Tree.  The tree was donated to the Library by John Paige.  Prior to the Ludlow Garden Club's decorative efforts, Kevin Kuntz climbed the ten foot step ladder to place decorations at the top of the 15 foot tree and run the lights around the beautiful tree.  Thereafter, the Garden Club handled the total decoration process.  Following the completion of the tree's beautification, members of the Garden Club posed in front of their creation.  They are, from left to right, standing, Dianne Krupp, Angelo Centini, Marie Hassen, Jean Peters, Barbara Whittaker, JoAnn Milza, Maria Hermann, Jean Eggleston, Carol Baranowsky, Dottie Block, Roe Cadwallader; knelling are Susan Kneebone, Bessie Centini, Janet Pace, Beth Almond, Rita Higgins, and Patsy Kuntz.  Other photos show the various stages of the decorative process by members of the Ludlow Garden Club.

 

Membership in Society of Vermont Artists and Craftsmen, Inc.

Submitted by Laurie Marechaux

Join one of Vermont’s oldest arts and crafts organization today! The Society of Vermont Artists and Craftsmen will be celebrating it’s 63rd year in 2010.The Society operates the Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts. They have leased the campus and buildings that house the school from the Fletcher Farm Foundation, Inc. since 1947. S.O.V.A.C is a non-profit 501(c) (3) publicly supported organization. You do not have to be an artist or craftsman to join.

The school is open year-round and offers up to 200 classes taught by the finest instructors in the country. Classes are available to all and you do not need to be a member to participate in them.  However as a member you will receive the following benefits:

Membership dues are $35.00 per year for adults and a Junior Membership is available for $20.00 for those 17 and under.

• A 25% discount on 2 days of tuition for any one class in 2010 (if dues are paid by December 31, 2009)
• Membership tuition discount on all classes for a year
• Discounts on booth space at each of our (2) annual Arts and Crafts Festivals
• The opportunity to participation in our Craft & Gift Shoppe. Participation is limited and applications are reviewed for quality and type of craft by the Craft Shoppe Committee.
• The Society of Vermont Artists and Craftsmen Newsletter
• Members of the Society hold an Annual Membership Meeting to which all members are invited

As a member you are invited to attend monthly Board of Director’s meetings and give your input, your ideas make a difference. Our meetings are held at 10:00am on the first Wednesday of the month. Your attendance at our annual spring Membership Meeting is very important and will provide you with the opportunity to voice your opinion, vote on important issues, policy changes, by-law changes etc. 

There are many volunteer opportunities available on the following committees: Arts and Crafts Festival, School Committee, Vermont Open Studio Weekend, Craft & Gift Shop, Auctions, Membership, Publicity, Fundraising, Volunteer Coordination, Mailings and more. 

We need volunteers, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding membership or volunteer positions.

For more information call 802-228-8770 or log on to www.fletcherfarm.orgto sign up for membership. Office hours are 9:00am-3:00pm Mon.-Fri., feel free to stop in and talk to us.

A Christmas Carol at BRAM, Dec. 19

Submitted by Georgia Brehm

On Sunday, December 19, 2009, the Black River Academy Museum will hold a special Christmas Celebration, staerting at 7 p.m.

The program will include refreshments and holiday fun, but the main event will be a reading by Ludlow author and BRAM Board Member, John Bremer, of a special one-hour adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Suitable for all ages, A Christmas Carol is the delightful story of how one miserly old skinflint, by name Ebenezer Scrooge, came to realize what a miserable human being he was and how badly he had treated his clerk, Bob Cratchit and his family, being especially affected by Tiny Tim, his crippled son. But he had treated the whole of his world in the same way—even his own nephew—and he dismissed all kindness, generosity, and charity as pure “Humbug”—his favorite word.

But after visits by the three Christmas Spirits of Past, Present, and Future, Scrooge is converted to what Dickens called his “Carol philosophy” and changes into a fit employer, a fit uncle, and a fit human being. He redeems himself, and starts to enjoy life. 

We should all listen to the Carol and help rid the world of Humbug!

Admission: $8 per person, families $20. Children under 18 (“God Bless them, every one”!) free.