Garden Clubs Holds Plant Sale

 

The Ludlow Garden Club held its annual plant sale this past Saturday at the MiniPark next to Town Hall.  The group arranged both perennials and annuals of all types.  Pictured above are some of the club members who helped organize and run the plant sale.

Ludlow Selectboard Tackles Drive-thru June 1

The Ludlow Selectboard will consider what action it will take with regards to the petitioned request for a fast food restaurant with a drive-thru window at its next meeting Monday, June 1 at 7 pm.

This petition-based zoning change would allow a multi-use facility, combining a fast food restaurant with a drive thru window with a gas station, located on Rte 103 south of the Village.  It would only permit such a multi-use facility in this location. 

The Selectboard has two basic options: 1, it may adopt the petition into the existing zoning regulations or 2, put the question to a townwide vote at a special election.  A public hearing on the petition was held in early May.

Three other major items will be on the agenda as well:

     1 - action on the wind turbines proposed by the Planning Commission,

     2 - opening of bids for summer paving work, and

     3 - awarding a fire truck bid.

JACKSON GORE MUSIC SERIES, JUNE 5

Submitted by Okemo Mtn Resort

Okemo Mountain Resort welcomes The Grift to its Jackson Gore Outdoor Music Series on Friday, June 5.

The Grift is an independent band from Burlington, Vt. Their sound defies easy categorization - one concertgoer described their sound as "post-jam pop-rock rooted in classic rock." They can rock, they can groove and they can pull off a spot-on Journey cover. Their original songs have radio-friendly hooks, witty lyrics, and tight vocal harmonies. At the root of it all, their musicianship is impeccable. Their live shows are energetic and memorable—it's not unusual for band members to swap instruments, play two at a time, or for the whole band to perform a brand new song, improvising music and lyrics on the fly. With a deep catalogue of original music that blends rock and pop and jam, and an equally deep catalogue of cover songs from many different genres, The Grift throws their diverse array of musical influences into the oven and cooks up tasty sonic treats for everyone to enjoy.

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 (except for the June 26 performance of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra) and the grounds open at 5 p.m. Concerts are slated to run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Families are welcome and all attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets. In case of rain, the concerts will move indoors. Dining options include fresh-from-the-grill burgers, hot dogs and chicken or full-service dining at Jackson Gore’s Coleman Brook Tavern.

Following The Grift, the summer lineup for the Jackson Gore Outdoor Music Series includes: Chris Kleeman Band, June 12; Nobby Reed, June 19; Twiddle, July 3; Spiritual Rez, July 10; Adam Payne and 2Adam12, July 17; Sly Geralds, July 24; Fry Daddy, July 31; Roots of Creation, Aug. 7; Dr. Burma, Aug. 14; Boston Horns, Aug. 21; The New Groove Orchestra, Aug. 28; Buzz Universe, Sept. 4.

OVGC MAY 26 MEN’S LEAGUE RESULTS

Submitted by Okemo Mtn Resort

On Tuesday, May 26, Okemo Valley Golf Club’s weekly Men’s League was a two-man-best-ball-net format, with the "A & B" players from each team paired together, and the "C & D" players paired together. This week's top spot went to the Willie Dunn's squad, as Jay Girouard, Herb Eddy, Bob Carboneau and Chuck Sweetman combined for a 53. Second place went to the Sanderson Contracting team of  Paul Doyle, John Pick, Larry Plumb and Bob Alhers, who fired a 57. In the third spot, Stryhas Builders, Ted Stryhas, Bob Higgins, Sonny Bragg and John Goffinet shot a 58.

Weekly Results:

1st Willie Dunn's - score 53 points 15; 2nd Sanderson Contracting - score 57 points 13; 3rd Stryhas Builders -score 58 points 11; 4th Honey Dew Man -score 61 points 10; 5th Green Mountian Appraisals - score 63 points 9; 6th Powerhousevoice - score 64 points 8; 7th M&M Excavating - score 65 points 7; 8th Built Rite MFG. -score 67 points 6; 9th Irving Oil -score 68 points 5; 10th Ludlow Insurance - 69 points 4.

Season Standings:

1st tie  Honey Dew Man and Willie Dunn's 50 points; 3rd Sanderson Contracting - 45 points; 4th tie Built Rite MFG. and Stryhas Builders - 36 points; 6th M&M Excavating - 32 points; 7th Irving Oil - 30 points; 8th Green Mountain Appraisals - 27 points; 9th Powerhousevoice - 25 points; 10th Ludlow Insurance -21 points.

Energy efficiency or Government Bureaucracy?

(Editor's note:  The following is an op ed piece by Allen Seiple.  As a reminder, all readers of Black River Today are invited to submit such pieces; simply email them to [email protected]. Naturally all such submissions must exclude profanity, libel, and are subject to review by Black River Today; entries should not exceed 600 words.)

 
There has been a lot of talk about going green and becoming more efficient.  Our president and our Vermont legislative group have been on board with these initiatives.  Unfortunately, this all sounds good, but in real practice it is a nightmare that only benefits a few - mostly government bureaucrats.
 
Let me share an example.  I recently replaced a 79% efficient oil burner and an electric water heater with a 95% efficient propane boiler system.  The cost of this system with installation was close to $ 10,0000.  I became aware of incentives offered by Efficiency Vermont a month after installing the system.  Obviously, I called them and asked if the system was eligible for the incentive.  The answer was yes, except I did not involve EV with the decision making process from the start, so no incentive.  The question here is this: are we trying to conserve energy or sustain a government organization?  Fortunately, with a good plumber and some personal experience, I was able to design a very efficient system without the help of our government. 
 
After learning that the Federal Government was allocating more money to this initiative, I contacted our Representative Peter Welch and shared this story.  Below is the response from his office:
 
"Thank you for contacting Congressman Welch about your efforts to access a tax rebate for your efficient propane boiler. I’m sorry to hear that this has been a difficult process for you. I have been able to find out more about the qualifications for this rebate program.

Under the provisions of this program, the rebate is for consumers who have switched from an electric heater to a natural gas system. Additionally to qualify, individuals must live in a “target area” and fall under a specific income bracket.

I’d be happy to speak with you further about this. You can reach me at toll free 888-605-7270. Also, Bridget from Efficiency Vermont would be available to speak with you. Her number is (802) 860-4095 x 1152.

Thank you again for being in touch. I look forward to hearing from you."

So, the message from this story is the following.

This is a classic example of frustration with government.  Is the objective energy savings, or is it to create government infrastructure so that our tax money can be "targeted?'  What does targeted mean?  No one has explained where the targets are, what the income restrictions are, etc.  Only that "you" do not qualify. So, where does the money go?  How many "targeted" people can afford a $ 10,000 high efficiency boiler system?  Again, where does the money go?  My answer is in government organizations such as Efficiency Vermont where the goal is to sustain their own existence.
 
Allen R. Seiple

BRAM Announces June Activities

Black River Academy Museum (BRAM) will host a number of interesting programs in June according to Georgia Brehm, BRAM Director.  The museum started its official new season on June 2.

Brehm noted that the cemetery walk, popular last year, will be repeated on Thursday, June 4 from 6:30 to 8 pm at Pleasant View Cemetery in Ludlow.  Students from Black River Middle School will portray some former residents of Ludlow, Mt Holly, and Plymouth.  Following the walk, refreshments will be served at the museum.

Another student-based program will be offered at BRAM on Monday, June 8 at 6:30 pm.  Entitled "Barns:Vermont's Vanishing Landscape", sixth grade students from Heidi Baitz's class at Ludlow Elementary School will exhibit their research and models of area barns.  This has been an on-going project of the class with field trips to inspect some of the barns in the region.  Refreshments will be served at this event.

On Saturday, June 13, from 10 to 4 pm, learn chair caning at the Black River Academy Museum.  Registration by June 5th a must.   $10 plus supplies.  Bring your own chair and a bag lunch.

Dennis Devereux of Mt Holly will present a slide show on Wednesday, June 17 at 7 pm depicting the history of Crown Point Road, the Revolutionary Road from Fort No. 4 to Fort Crown Point. The road passes through Springfield, Weathersfield, Cavendish, Ludlow, Shrewsbury, Brandon/Pittsford area.

Brehm also noted that on Saturday July 11, from 10 to 3 pm, BRAM will host a program dealing with scrapbooking led by Kathy McMahon.  Participants will work on a “Fun In The Sun” album filled with their own memories and pictures.  Class limited to twenty.  Early registration by June 15th required. $18.  After June 15th registration is $20.   All supplies and lunch included.

For additional information, call 288-5050.

Red Cross Blood Drive Monday, June 8

The Red Cross will conduct a blood donation drive on Monday, June 8 from 12:30 to 5:30 PM at the Baptist Church in Ludlow.  For information call 800-843-3500 ext. 3265.

Ludlow Students Continue Studying Barns

 

Pictured above are members of Ms. Hedi Baitz's sixth grade class at Ludlow Elementary School as they participate in a field trip as part of their project studying Vermont Barns.  With the support of Black River Academy Museum (BRAM), the LES student, under Ms. Baitz's guidance, have done research and prepared exhibits and models that will culminate in an Open House at BRAM on Monday, June 8 at 6:30 pm.  The project is entitled: "Barns: Vermont's Vanishing Landscape."  The Open House is open to the public.  Refreshments will be served.

Ludlow Celebrates Memorial Day

 

With a large number of viewers, Ludlow remembered Memorial Day with a parade and memorial address at Veterans Memorial Park.

Second Annual Cemetery Walk Will ‘Raise the Dead’

Submitted by Sharon Combes-Farr

Black River Academy Museum in Ludlow will host its Second Annual Cemetery Walk on Thursday, June 4th at 6:30 p.m at Pleasant View Cemetery, High Street, Ludlow, Vermont.

For the event, 8th grade students from Black River Middle School will be portraying deceased residents of Ludlow, Plymouth and Mount Holly.  Each student has selected a person buried in Ludlow’s Pleasant View Cemetery, Mount Holly or Plymouth, and has researched that person’s personal history. On June 4th, the students will stand beside the graves of their chosen subjects and relate stories about that person's life. In the case of Mt. Holly and Plymouth, the students will stand next to a photo of the gravesite. The entire 8th grade class is participating in the event, which is sponsored by the Black River Academy Museum.

The public is welcome to attend. Please plan to meet at the cemetery on High Street at 6:30 p.m.  Refreshments will be served afterwards at the museum, at 14 High Street in Ludlow.  For more information contact: The Black River Academy Museum at 228-5050, or teacher Sue Pollender, at Black River Middle School, at 228-4104.