Snowboard/Ski Scholarships Honor McCostis'

The memorial service and reception for Richard “Dick” McCostis will be held on October 18 (Thursday) at 1236 South Hill Rd in Ludlow starting at 4 pm. McCostis, a lawyer and President and Trustee for the Windsor County Court Diversion Program, worked at Okemo Mountain, first as a safety ambassador and then as a ski instructor. He died on July 3, 2007.

A scholarship has been established in honor of Dick and his late wife Sue McCostis, also a ski instructor at Okemo. A project of the Ludlow Teen Center, The McCostis Memorial Scholarship is now accepting applications for Okemo Valley youth in grades 5-12, who are interested in snowboard or ski training for the winter 08 season. Those interested in the scholarship must be:
• A legal resident of Ludlow, Cavendish, Proctorsville, Chester, Perkinsville, Springfield, Mt. Holly or Plymouth VT.

• Enrolled in grades 5th-12th and in good academic standing

• Demonstrate interest in and commitment to skiing or snowboarding

• Parents or guardians are in need of financial support and are supportive of their child’s pursuit of training

The size of scholarships will be based on need and available funds. Those interested in applying must submit a completed application by November 1, 2007. An application is not considered complete until the tax information and letter from the coach/teacher has been received. To obtain an application form or for more information, call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margoc@tds.net.

Deer off Gill Terrace

This doe and her offspring appear to be much more interested in gathering food than observing the local foliage.  This photo was take from upper Gill Terrace in Ludlow.

BRGN Sale Draws Large Crowd

As evident from the vast pile of clothing amassed in the photo, there was a considerable amount of clothing, books, and everything else put on sale by Black River Good Neighbors on Friday at Fletcher Farms in Cavendish.  The sale will last through Saturday and has some interesting shopping offers for those in need of anything from skiing wear to computers-and everything in between.  As illustrated, below, by Linda Novak from Havre de Grace, Maryland trying on a fur coat, the well attended sale appears to have something for everyone.  BRGN will use the proceeds of the sale to benefit the needy in the Black River area.

GMP Plans "Green" Building in Westminster

COLCHESTER, VT…Green Mountain Power’s new service center in Westminster will incorporate extensive environmental design techniques and materials intended to qualify it for LEED certification standards.

            “Designing and constructing buildings so that they are highly energy efficient as well as being comfortable and healthy for employees makes good business sense, while it provides a much improved workspace for our employees,” said Mary Powell, Green Mountain Power’s senior vice president and chief operating officer. “We believe that it is important to invest in environmentally strong practices that reinforce our commitment to the environment.”

            Green Mountain Power is renovating an older building in Westminster to replace its existing Bellows Falls service center. Construction on the building began September 25 and is expected to be finished in early 2008. Utility crews and equipment will move to the building, which will provide them with much-needed space to operate more efficiently, including space to store required materials that were previously located away from the service center.

            The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. In Vermont, only seven buildings are currently LEED certified.

            Green Mountain Power will incorporate a variety of techniques to meet the standard, including diverting at least 50% of the demolition waste from landfill through reuse and recycling, using energy efficient lighting controlled by timers and occupancy sensors, daylight available in 75% of the building, automated low flow water fixtures, a new roof with improved insulation and high reflectance to reduce heat absorption, Energy Star windows and an efficient HVAC system that is controlled by occupants for their comfort. The air quality will be continually measured to ensure occupants always have fresh and healthy air. The materials used are environmentally friendly, from recycled tire flooring to Energy Star appliances. In addition, the Company will reduce the area requiring lawn mowing, naturalizing some areas and planting wildflower meadows in other areas, such as in front of the building. The landscaping will be native plants and will require no irrigation.

            “We hope to achieve the LEED certification because the third party verification helps ensure that we follow exacting standards to bring to the community a building that reflects Vermont values,” said Ms. Powell.

            Green Mountain Power (www.greenmountainpower.biz) is an electric utility owned by Northern New England Energy Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gaz Métro.

Second Home Sales Tax increased by House Committee

from the Bloomberg Service

Sept. 26 (Bloomberg) -- The House Ways and Means Committee, seeking revenue to help homeowners in foreclosure, unanimously approved higher taxes on the sale of vacation homes.

to read the entire article, click here.

Cavendish Economic Forum Results

The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association, in collaboration with the Cavendish Historical Society, held the second in a continuing series of economic forums on Wednesday, September 19th to explore ways to advance Cavendish both economically and socially.  Participants met at the Cavendish Town Elementary School and the meeting was open to all interested citizens.

As a preliminary matter the group settled on an official title: the Cavendish Economic Roundtable.  They also set an overall goal, “to develop strategies that will improve the economic outlook, strengthen the family-friendly nature, and enhance the educational and cultural opportunities in Cavendish” and a mission statement, “to collaborate with businesses, organizations and citizens to promote the long-term wellbeing of Cavendish.” 

As short term goals or strategies, the attendees discussed ways to market the town in order to increase full-time residents and businesses.  Strengths of the geographic area and of the town itself were addressed, including proximity to ski mountains and quality educational opportunities.  It was pointed out that Cavendish really does sit in an excellent commuting position for the Route 91 corridor.

Part of the marketing effort for the town would include increased community and cultural events as well as outreach to relocation services and realtors, and establishing a much needed town website.  Other communities in central Vermont are holding similar meetings and discussions, and central planning exists at the county and state level to help local neighborhoods address these issues.

Next steps for the Roundtable will include a third meeting at a date to be announced that will tap into some of the county and state resources in order to help shape the ideas already discussed.  That meeting will be open to the public as well and every Cavendish resident is encouraged to attend.

SKI MAGAZINE READERS RATE OKEMO IN EAST’S TOP TEN

LUDLOW, Vt. – In its annual Top 50 Reader Resort Survey, SKI magazine named Okemo Mountain Resort one of the top ten resorts in the East, and one of the best in North America for grooming and terrain parks.

Ranked tenth in the East, the popular southern Vermont resort also made the top-ten list in eight of the Reader Resort Survey’s categories: snow, grooming, lifts, service, weather, on-mountain food, family programs and terrain parks. Okemo takes great pride in its ability to provide a superlative snow surface for skiers and riders. “…Despite dismal New England weather last season, skiers raved once again about spectacular conditions,” writes SKI in its review of Okemo. “You can always count on Okemo,” said one reader. Another raved, “Unmatched snowmaking and grooming – and no excuses!”

The readers of SKI recognized the resort’s commitment to providing an excellent snow surface by rating Okemo second in the East for grooming, and number three in all of North America – surpassed only by Deer Valley and sister resort Mount Sunapee, in N.H. In the snow category, Okemo placed fourth in the East. Continuing with the snow surface theme, Okemo was recognized as number two in the East for terrain parks, and ranked fourth overall in North America. With six well-maintained parks and one of the East’s longest and earliest-opening superpipes, Okemo’s commitment to jibbing junkies is no longer the resort’s best-kept secret. With snowboard legend Ross Powers as Okemo’s new snowboard ambassador, skiers and riders can expect the resort’s parks and pipes to get even better.

Okemo took the East’s sixth-place spot in two categories: service and weather. Okemo ranked seventh in on-mountain food and eighth in family programs and lifts. A complete “Top 50 Resort Guide” appears in the October issue of SKI Magazine or can be seen at www.skinet.com.

Nearly 7,000 SKI Magazine subscribers responded to the “Top 50 Resort Guide” survey, which was conducted by an independent research firm. It is the most comprehensive and longest-running ski resort survey in the winter sports industry. Resorts are ranked in 18 categories by SKI subscribers who have skied the resorts for the past two seasons, skiing an average of 23 days a year.

Cider Days: An Apple-licious Festival

The Mount Holly Community Association celebrates the harvest season by honoring the APPLE.  This Columbus Day weekend is the 19th year that the association will host Cider Days on the Belmont Village Green. 

Come see cider being pressed the old-fashioned way.  Each fall our little town comes alive with folks from near and far sharing a hot or cold cup of freshly pressed cider.  It’s so delicious you’ll want to take home a gallon or two!!  There will be apple pies for sale along with the perfect complement, locally made Crowley Cheese.  Or try some of our homemade apple crisp.  Find unique holiday gifts made by local arts and crafts people that include fabric purses, jewelry, soap, knitted apparel and pottery, just to mention a few.  Purchase your 2008 calendar with beautiful photographs of our town taken by local citizens and we now offer a lovely packet of note cards. 

Our vendors are always an exciting mix with locally made cheese, maple syrup, jams and jellies, produce and tempting baked goods.  In the library across from the “Green” view an exceptional exhibit of photographs and vote on your favorite ones and they will appear in the 2009 calendar.  The Mount Holly Library is offering “Great Books at Great Prices for a Great Cause”.  They have many newly donated books that have added to an already huge sale collection.  All genres are represented. 

Proceeds from Cider Days are used to maintain and renovate the old Methodist Church home to the Mount Holly Community Association and Library.  Over the years our little fair has grown and word has spread that this rain or shine event shouldn’t be missed.  Saturday, October 6th, 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday, October 7th, noon to 4 pm.  Saturday after the festival join us at the Odd Fellows Hall for a sumptuous roast beef dinner with all the fixin’s.  For all events take route 103 to the yellow flashing in Mount Holly and follow the signs to Belmont.  Contact 802-259-3707 for more information.

BRATs get dirty and river gets clean in 8th annual RiverSweep

What better way to beat the heat than to jump in a river?  Saturday, August 25th temperatures were close to 100 degrees, and the Black River Action Team was getting busy.  It wasn't a swim they were after, though -- it was junk.  All morning long, volunteers of all ages signed in and tackled the trash: 32 people in Springfield and 11 in Ludlow.  Earlier in the month, a small team of tubers floated down in the Perkinsville area, collecting trash as they went, and two more groups of volunteers are tackling other stretches of the river later in September.  For some photos of the event, click here.

Springfield's trash tally so far includes: a dozen shopping carts (13, including a Little Tykes plastic version!), tires, 20 bags of assorted trash, a styrofoam cooler, cans, bottles, a car door, 2 hubcaps, 2 kids' bicycles, a soccer ball, a chair, a baseball, a wire cage, a bucket, a ten pound bag of chicken (thanks to Tom and his family for pulling that out!), a rusted cell phone, a collection of socks, some PVC plumbing joints, a golf ball, a sled, batteries, pieces of large metal pipe, metal sheeting, a child's ride-on fish toy, a smiley-face antenna bobber, and what can only be described as a "big gob of plastic."  At least six tires and a couple of shopping carts were left in due to time constraints, but the BRAT will tackle them next year, if not sooner.

Ludlow BRATs recovered approximately 16 bags of household and general trash, a "No Parking" sign, a pair of 30dd shoes, a metal chair frame, sections of electric fence, pieces of fiberglass, a sign frame, 2 plastic flower pots, 3 frying pans, metal pipes, and an electric can opener.

Many people make RiverSweep possible, from the volunteers in the water to supporters who donate money and goods to help clean up the Black River.  Volunteers at both locations received 'thank you' tee shirts printed by Vermont Tees, lip balm and patches from Take Pride in America, hot coffee from Vermont Artisan Coffee and Tea, bottled water from both the Springfield and Ludlow Shaw's stores, fresh bagels and cream cheese from North Fork Bagels, cold milk from New England Family Farms, chips from MadHouse Munchies, and a free lunch.  Arty and Meg at Wicked Good Pizza provided slices for the Ludlow volunteers; down in Springfield, Jim and Jay Young grilled up snappy hot dogs donated by Main Street Market in North Springfield.  Many thanks to the Towns of Springfield and Ludlow and their respective transfer stations/recycle centers for continuing to help get rid of the trash collected.  Citizen's Bank of Springfield loaned the use of their drive-up in the shopping plaza to the BRAT for event headquarters; Bibens ACE Hardware provided a deep discount for rugged youth-sized work-gloves.  The Connecticut River Watershed Council once again provided adult work-gloves as well as trash bags from the American Rivers' National River Cleanup Week.  The fine folks at Take Pride in America sent a colorful banner and a variety of snazzy freebies for all volunteers.

Monetary donations are extremely helpful, as well; the BRAT could not do things like RiverSweep without financial support from individuals and businesses in the communities of the watershed.  This year's supporters included Luzenac America, Sandri/Sunoco, Young's Furniture and Appliance, NBC Solid Surfaces Dr. Chris Fauver DDS, Springfield Animal Hospital, and the Loyal Order of Moose of Springfield (Lodge #679).

The BRAT wishes to extend warm thanks to everyone who gave of their checkbook, pocket, time, energy and inventory to support this year's RiverSweep.  It is the dedication and continued support of the communities of the watershed that help the BRAT continue its mission of improving and maintaining the health and vitality of the Black River.

LUDLOW’S LARGEST RUMMAGE SALE EVER!

Black River Good Neighbor Services will be holding a huge Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farm on Friday and Saturday September 28th and 29th from 10am until 4pm.

All proceeds from this sale will go to benefit the needy in the area.  Monies raised will supply food, rent and help cover fuel for those who qualify and live in Ludlow, Mt. Holly, Proctorsville, Cavendish and Plymouth.

This is a community effort and here is what you can do to help:

     1)  If you have anything you would like to donate to sell please bring it to Fletcher Farm’s Barn located at 611 Route 103 S, between Monday September 24th and 28th.  Furniture will be accepted (nothing broken or torn please)
     2)  If you have a vehicle and some time Black River Good Neighbor Services could use your help to move items from the Thrift Shop on Main Street to Fletcher Farm.
     3)  Volunteers are needed to help work the sale, so please come help sell.
     4)  Please come and buy some of the great bargains.  They’ll be everything from sinks to minks.

Contact Audrey Bridge at the Black River Good Neighbor Services Thrift Shop at 105 Main Street or call her at 802-228-3663 for further details.