"The Music Man" at Woodstock in September

Submitted by Sara Norcross

“The Music Man’s” cast and production team have fulfilled Professor Harold Hill’s vision of a “perpetual motion machine.”  Tom Beck, well loved director of many past Woodstock productions, has come from his current Washington D.C. home to help bring this popular Meredith Willson musical to life.   Produced by Pentangle Council on the Arts, “The Music Man” will transport Woodstock Town Hall audiences back to River City, Iowa, circa July 1912, during 8:00 P.M. performances on September 12, 13, 19, 20 and a 2:00 P.M. matinee on Sunday Sept. 14th.

The machine was first set in motion by Woodstock’s Max Comins who has an extensive past in acting and has always dreamed of playing the lovable con artist, Harold Hill.  After convincing Beck to return to Woodstock and securing Pentangle’s support, Comins used his Hill-like snake oil charms to recruit a cast of sixty and a dedicated crew. 

Playing love starved Marian the librarian is Maricel Lucero, director of the Feminine Tone women’s chorus and award winning soprano.  Other small town Hill supporters and detractors are played by Linda Burns as Marian’s mother, Tim Dillingham as the avenging anvil salesman, Wayne Thompson as the train conductor,  Matt Spittle as the language-impaired mayor,  Sara Norcross as the arts loving mayor’s wife with her “pick a little, talk a little” friends Heidi Gennaro, Susan Innui-Kelley, Alison Johannenson, and Tina Miller, Bill McCollum as Hill’s sidekick Marcellus Washburn,  Hayley Atwood as piano student Amaryllis, Conor Joyce as Marian’s young brother Winthrop, Steve Hiller as Constable Locke, Allison Miller and Olivia Zerphy as the mayor’s daughters,  and Zack Zerphy as the teen ruffian who unwittingly helps turn the  town band from shaky dream to something close to reality.  Paul Belaski, Peter Coursen, Bill Lundy, and Michael Pacht play the bickering school board members who become transformed into a contented barbershop quartet.

Acclaimed Quechee architect Charles Egbert designed an ingenious set which is being built by Reading’s Ken Norcross.  With Phil Salvatoriello as stage manager, Linda Hoover (with help from Elizabeth McCrae) as musical director, and Full Moon Follies choreographer Claire Shillen helping the reserved, stubborn Iowans break loose in dance, the cast has its work cut out.

Mark your calendars.  If you are interested in helping backstage (e.g. stage hands, costumes, makeup, hair) please call Max at 457-1010.

Economic stimulus payments still available

Submitted by Council on Aging for Southeastern Vermont

According to a recent Internal Revenue Service report, nearly 25% of Vermonters eligible for Social Security have not yet taken advantage of the Economic Stimulus program.  In Windsor County, there are 993 people eligible for the program.  Collectively, these individuals are eligible for payments totaling $297,900.

In recent weeks, staff from the Council on Aging for Southeastern Vermont has begun to hear from seniors on fixed incomes concerned about how they will stay warm and put food on their tables this winter.  Economic stimulus payments can help.  The minimum individual payment is $300..  Couples can receive up to $600. 

There is still time to file.  Eligible residents have until October 15, 2008 to apply.  People who do not need to file a tax return, but received at least $3000. from Social Security benefits, veterans benefits, certain railroad retirement benefits and/or earned income in 2007, can submit a simplified version of the 1040A tax form to the IRS to receive a stimulus payment

Seniors can contact the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-642-5119 for personal assistance with the filing process.   Anyone with questions about eligibility can call the "IRS tax rebate help line" at 1-866-234-2942, or visit www.irs.gov.  Most area libraries still have application forms available or can help you obtain the information you need to file via the Internet.

Cavendish Community Fund Holds Benefit Celebration

Submitted by Peter J. LaBelle

The Cavendish Community Fund and its supporters celebrated the first year of the Fund’s existence at a gala dinner on a rainy Sunday evening, July 20th at the Bates Mansion in Proctorsville.  A group of about forty CCF benefactors and grant recipients relaxed with a great selection of wines while enjoying the upbeat sounds of Gypsy Reel and delighting in a wonderful buffet dinner provided by the mansion staff.

Robin Timko, President of the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association began by welcoming the guests with a short recitation of the CCF’s history.  It was a very short recitation indeed since this is the Fund’s first birthday.  The Fund began in 2007 when a group of Cavendish citizens seized on the concept that they could channel locally raised funds into local educational and cultural activities to benefit local residents.  The CCF’s scope encompasses all of the arts, and education in its broadest sense, and encourages projects, programs and events that focus on the community.  The organization was developed to recapture some of the neighborhood spirit that has eroded over the past few years as longer term residents leave and second home owners arrive.  The CCF hopes that those second home owners in particular will participate more and join their new neighbors in the local activities that CCF sponsors.

Before the dinner began, CCF Chairperson Barbara Dickey introduced several grant recipients to describe their projects.  Donna Bonang recapped the elementary school’s presentation on Japanese culture; Mary McCallum described the Black and White Nights film series; Gloria Leven explained the Library’s creation of a new computer and conference room; Bridget Leicester gave details of the upcoming community theater production and Archeologist Charlie Paquin told the group about the planned dig for early Indian artifacts in Cavendish.  Each of these activities benefitted from CCF money.  The CCF staff has already selected a date for the next annual benefit celebration and hopes that even more Cavendish and Proctorsville residents will join them on July 18, 2009.  For more information, contact Robin Timko at 226-7736.

Area Women Join Race for the Cure

Pictured above are five Ludlow area women who joined the "Race for the Cure", part of the Susan G. Komen fund raising effort to combat breast cancer, held in Manchester recently.  Well-over a thousand men and women joined the race and walk.  From left to right, they are:  Joann Milza, Jackie Hunt, Kay O'Hare, Dianne Krupp, and Janet Pace.  Early estimates place the total number of participants at over a thousand.  Below is part of the walking/racing groups.

Knot Hole Viewer at BRAM

Picture above is the profile of Donnie Stryhaus as he inspect the newly-poured foundation for the elevator tower under construction at Black River Academy Museum in Ludlow.  The concrete pour was accomplished even though the area just received over three inches of rain.  Construction of the tower is being done by Wright Construction of Mt Holly.

Mt Holly Garden Tour July 26

Submitted by MHCA

The 2nd annual Mt.Holly Garden Tour will be held this year on Sat., July 26th from 9:30 - 4 p.m. Tickets are $12. and will be available the day of the tour at the Mt. Holly Community Center and Library on the Belmont Village Green. This is a self guided tour with a map and descriptions of seven lovely high altitude gardens. Grab a friend or two and make a day of touring and discovering the hidden treasures in our town. Rain or shine. This is a MHCA fundraiser for the Community Center restoration.

Coleman Brook Tavern Receives Wine Award

Submitted by Okemo Mtn Resort

Coleman Brook Tavern, located in Okemo Mountain Resort’s Jackson Gore Inn, has been honored again with the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.

“This is the third year in a row that our wine program has been recognized by Wine Spectator,” says Coleman Brook Tavern Manager and Wine Director Marc Miller. “With over 500 selections, our wine program continues to grow and reflects how important great wine is to our guests.  I’m always looking for that next, great wine to add to the list.”

Wine Spectator's Restaurant Awards recognize restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers.  To qualify for an award, the list must present complete, accurate wine information. It must include vintages and appellations for all selections, including wines available by the glass. Complete producer names and correct spellings are mandatory, while the overall presentation and appearance of the list is also taken into consideration. The Award of Excellence recognizes lists that offer a well-chosen selection of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. 

Coleman Brook Tavern's list features wines from around the world, but concentrates on the best California and other American regions have to offer.  The list offers wines in a price range of $19 to $1,300 -- certainly something for every taste and budget.  There is also a selection of large format bottles for special events. Coleman Brook lists wines not available anywhere else in Vermont.  Miller has used his connections with suppliers and wineries to ensure that the best of the best is available for his dining guests.

Coleman Brook Tavern at Okemo’s Jackson Gore Inn has redefined comfort for families and couples looking for something special in a dining experience. All ages recognize the elegance of the setting, but are instantly transformed to a familiar level of comfort when they realize that Coleman Brook Tavern is a place where diners can enjoy chicken fingers and fine wine, a New York strip steak and chocolate milk. The restaurant has become a favorite with children for its specialty dessert, the Tavern S’mores – a build-your-own-treat that includes graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows … and even a tabletop campfire and skewers for achieving toasted-marshmallow perfection.

BRAM Plans Time Capsule in New Tower

The new tower for Black River Academy Museum (BRAM) is now under construction (pictured above).  BRAM, according to Anita Alic, Capitol Drive Chairperson, wants to take advantage of this unique opportunity to ask for community help and, quite literally, it’s input.

"We plan to create a 'time capsule' that will be inserted in the foundation of the new elevator tower before it is completed," Alic said.

She added, "We'd like your help in making sure that the time capsule reflects the past, the present, and, yes, the future of the Black River area.  To this end, we're asking organizations to select keys items that they think will tell people in the next century what our times were like, what kind of things were important to us, what were our hobbies, our concerns, and what this area of the world was like."

"As you know, in the past century we've witnessed fantastic changes that our fore-fathers could never have anticipated.  This speed of change will be even more pronounced in the current and coming centuries . . . whether it’s the globalization of everything from communications to new scientific developments or the expansion of  our travels beyond the earth's environs, change will be the order of the day", Alic continued.

Both Alic and Brehm mused that they would like to be around in the year 2108 when the time capsule would likely be opened.   "It would be interesting to see the expression on their faces when they look at the 'artifacts' and 'ancient history' from 2008 Black River," commented Alic.

She and BRAM Director Georgia Brehm suggested that items for the time capsule should be based on answering the question: What do you think would be something that will tell future generations something about us, both today and in the past?  The trouble with all this rapid change is that the past is often blurred.  You might want to consider contributing an agenda of your meetings, a copy of your minutes, some personal photos depicting either the past or the present.

Brehm suggested that individuals were also invited to submit items for the capsule.

Based on the tower's construction schedule, items for the time capsule must be received by early September, before the steel work is enclosed by Wright Construction, the tower's general contractor.

Interested organizations are asked to contact Georgia Brehm, BRAM's Director, at 228-5050 or email her at [email protected].

Library Book Sale August 23; Donations Needed

Submitted by Dianne Krupp

The Friends Annual Book and Tag Sale Date has been changed to August 23rd due to a series on unforeseen circumstances.  The Friends are once again reminding our community that we are requesting donations of  books,books on tape, cd’s, and videos for the book section our sale.  Friends are also asking for small furniture pieces, collectibles, jewelry, tools, and children’s toys, household items.  Please take a minute and look around your home and see if you have something special that you would like to donate.  No clothing text books or encyclopedias please.  Books and treasures may be dropped off at the library starting on August 18th but if you need something picked up earlier please call Dianne Krupp at 228-7272 and the Friends will gladly come to your home. All of our proceeds are used for items for the adult and children’s library that are not included in their budget.

Okemo Maintenance Gets Safety Award

Submitted by Okemo Mtn Resort/Photo by Donald Dill

Okemo Mountain Resort’s building maintenance department was recently recognized for its commitment to safety. The department of nearly 50 staff members marked a full year without a recordable accident. No one from building maintenance sought medical treatment or lost time from work due to an injury since June 2007.

Pictured above, Okemo Mountain Resort facilities Director Jay Beardsley (left) accepts 365-Safety Award from VP and General Manager Bruce Schmidt. The award was presented to Okemo’s building maintenance department in recognition of an entire year without a reportable workplace accident.

“This is a tremendous accomplishment given the number of staff, the multiple varieties of work performed, and multiple locations of work, said Okemo Vice President of Human Resources Crystal Stokarski. “The staff, and leadership of the staff, deserves a great deal of credit and recognition for increasing their safety awareness at such a high level.” 

During a recent department meeting, Okemo Vice President and General Manager Bruce Schmidt presented a plaque and Facilities Director Jay Beardsley accepted it on behalf of his entire department.

“Safety First” is a mantra adopted by resort staff members, thanks to Okemo’s Safety Committee. The group is comprised of representatives from several departments and works to improve awareness, educate staff, and recognize safety accomplishments.