BRAM Christmas Programs

 

FIRST-TIMERS LEARN TO SKI FREE AT OKEMO

Submitted by Okemo Mtn Resort

First-time skiers and snowboarders visiting Okemo Mountain Resort now through Dec. 24, 2010, are invited to take part in a learn-to-ski or learn-to-snowboard program at no cost.

Okemo’s Learn-to Ski/Snowboard Free Program is designed to generate excitement for snow sports and encourage trial at the start of the winter season. Okemo’s beginner package includes a free combination lower-mountain lift ticket, a free level 1 beginner group lesson at 10 a.m. or 1:30 p.m., and free special introductory-level rental equipment (skis, boots, poles, or boots and snowboard). The Learn to Ski or Snowboard FREE Program is available for ages 7 and up, at no charge every day, Monday, Nov. 29 through Friday, Dec. 24, 2010. 

The FREE Learn-to-Ski/Snowboard program will also run all season long, as a benefit of Okemo’s Midweek Madness Ski and Stay Package, for guests staying multiple nights in an Okemo-managed lodging property.

“About 1,500 people learn how to ski or snowboard through this program every year, and we’re expecting to introduce more beginners to snowsports this year,” says Okemo Ski + Ride School Director Dan Bergeron. “There’s no time like early season, to try skiing or snowboarding for the first time.”

Reservations are encouraged and may be made by calling (802) 228-1600. Those without reservations may participate on a space-available basis. Program attendees should plan to arrive at the Okemo Express Rental Shop, located in the Okemo Clock Tower base area, about an hour before lesson time. This allows time for program registration and equipment fitting. Although free of charge, a beginner-package ticket is required to participate and a credit card deposit is required for rental equipment. 

Okemo Mountain Resort offers an ideal setting for beginners. The resort is renowned for snow quality, surface conditions and learn-to-ski programs. In its annual Top 50 Reader Resort Survey, SKI Magazine named Okemo Mountain Resort one of the top ten resorts in the East.

Okemo’s professional teaching staff shows a true commitment to fun instruction while building confidence and encouragement to help conquer on-snow challenges. Additional ski and snowboard instructional programs are available, at a reasonable fee, for every age and ability level. 

To learn more about Okemo Mountain Resort, call (802) 228-1600 or visit www.okemo.com.

2nd Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Shop at Fletcher Farm School!

Submitted by Laurie Marechaux

Now in it’s second year shop for one of a kind gifts made by our members and instructors beginning November 26th. The shop will be open in the Meadowview building at the back of the campus. Hours are 10:00am to 3:00pm Seven Days a week! 

Choose from a wide selection of note cards, photographs, hand painted sap buckets, lamp-work glass beads to fit your slide bead bracelets, 18” Doll clothes, marbled scarves, candles, bags etc. Also available will be a fabulous selection of hand-knit sweaters, slippers, scarves plus wonderful felted wool hats., Pick up a cork fairy ornament or hand formed Sterling Silver Jewelry, Slide Bracelet Glass Beads, Mola clothing, Fun T-Shirts, for adults and children, bibs, and many other unique items! 

We will also be offering tickets for two raffles: a delicious Swedish Gingerbread Cookie house plus a beautiful king size handmade quilt. Don't' forget to purchases a gift certificate for a class at Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts. This year be sure to give the “gift of creativity” to your loved ones!

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. Payment methods include: Mastercard, Visa, and cash.

For more information call 802-228-8770.

Garden Club Holds Christmas Lunch Dec. 9

Submitted by Jo Ann Milza

The Garden Club of Ludlow will hold its annual Christmas Luncheon on Thursday, December 9th at 12:00 at DJ's Restaurant, Main Street in Ludlow. Members are asked to bring several cans or packages of food to be donated to the Black River Good Neighbors Christmas Baskets. Also, please bring a unwrapped gift for a young child or a much appreciated gift card for a teen.For further information or for answers to any questions, please call 672-4041.

NEARLY $1,000 RAISED IN OKEMO’S TROT IT OFF 5K

Submitted by Okemo Mtn Resort

Snow flurries fell on runners and walkers as they participated in Okemo Mountain Resort’s second annual Trot it Off five-kilometer road race and Tots’ Trot fun race for kids, Nov. 27. On a day when most people were thinking about the next great way to prepare leftover turkey, and still regretting that extra slice of pumpkin pie, 86 racers began their day with a 5k run that started and ended at Okemo’s Jackson Gore Inn.

The event raised nearly $1,000 to benefit the Patch Chit Neighbor in Need Fuel Assistance Program. Volunteers from Okemo Mountain Resort and Cota & Cota Oil, Inc., helped make the event a success.

2010 Tots Trot Winners

Okemo’s own Executive Vice President Diane Mueller lead the charge of children in a dash around the Jackson Gore Inn. It was a close race and video replay was required to determine the winner. First place went to Caroline Kirby, 11, of  Bronxville, N.Y., with a time of 3:18.91. Ethan Cody, 9, of Doylestown, Pa., took second place. Kyle Smelser, 10, of Armonk, N.Y., placed third, and fourth went to Lucy Howland, 9, of Providence, R.I.  

2010 Trot it off 5K Winners

In the Men’s race, Kevin Thompson, 39, of Mount Holly, Vt., took top honors with a time of 18:50.55. Second place went to Sean Skahen, 15, of Westford, Mass., with a time of 19:13.19. Rounding out the podium was Clay Howland, 44, of Providence, R.I., with a time of 19:34.92.

Karen Cummins, of Green Lane, Pa., 48, was the first woman to cross the finish line in 22:38.80. Marie Smelser, 41, of Armonk, N.Y. took second place with a time of 22:58.91. Third place, with a time of 25:51.00, went to Judy Cody, 42, of Doylestown, Pa.

Oregon wine tasting event Dec 10

 

LPC-TV Forms Fund Raising Committee

Submitted by Glenn Heitsmith (via Ludlow Front Porch)

LPC-TV, the area's community access media service, has formed a steering committee spearheading a $150K fundraising effort to facilitate its move into new digs on the Ludlow Community Center property. The funds will be used to build a studio, control room, editing stations, conference room, reception area, director's office and more in 2,500 sq. ft. of the former "tank barn," once part of the Army Reserve property beside the high school. Broadcast locally on channels 8 and 10, LPC-TV is presently housed in 500 sq. ft. inside Ludlow Elementary School.

The LPC-TV group met with a professional fundraiser Nov. 23 to discuss the timeline, events and the identification of potential donors. With some 90% of Ludlow property held by out-of-staters, the targeting of second homeowners to create awareness for the project was identified as crucial. Opportunities for a major benefactor to name components of the new facility, a raffle to win an automobile and other events were discussed.

The money will match an anticipated grant to yield the $300K total project cost. LPC-TV hopes to complete its capital campaign and move into the new building by Aug. The steering committee next meets Dec. 7 downstairs at the Fletcher Mem. Library. For more information, check out  http://www.lpctv.org  or contact LPC-TV Director Patrick Cody at (802) 228-8808.

If This House Could Talk . . . And it Did!

Black River Academy Museum (BRAM) published a photo of a house at 22 Pleasant Street in Ludlow not to long ago asking  the question, "If this house could talk, what tales would it reveal?"

It didn't take very long for a brother and sister who lived in that house in the 1950's and 1960's to respond with some vivid memories of life in Ludlow at that time.

It was then the home of Sheryl and Steven Kesman.  Here are some of their recollections and memories of life in Ludlow at that time:

Sheryl Kesman (Tepper):

"When I was a freshman at Boston Univ, back in 1960, I had to take biology. The most unbelievable shock....the professor GAVE all the students a frog to dissect; you will understand my shock, because when I took biology at BRHS, we had to CATCH our own frog, and bring it into school for dissection. Imagine! (good thing I had a boyfriend willing to catch that frog because left to my own devices, I would not have caught...or touched...a live frog!)...does this paint a picture of BRHS in 1957 or 58? Somehow, it says it all to me!"

Steven Kesman:  

" --  HS classes painting Halloween scenes on the storefront windows on main street, w/ awards going to"most original," most artistic,"etc. [Kesman's Economy Store never participated, however [my grandmother, Jenny, worked too hard dressing the windows].

  -- Basketball games at the town hall w/ 3 rows of bleachers & much sought after balcony seats [just enough capacity for the whole town]. What seemed like everybody smoking at halftime in the lobby area. Ludlow usually winning.

   --Alumni parades w/ my father as parade marshall & doing the "skip & buck" strut for the entire length of the parade.

   --Rotary minstral/variety shows at the town hall [faces painted black, white gloves, etc.]

   --My father doing color commentary for the Owls Club southern Vt. softball tournament-the "announcing shack" in back of home plate had 2 levels-I always loved climbing the ladder to tha second level to give my father "moral support," & have loved the microphone ever since.

   --Rotary Penny Auction each April, w/ my father being the master of ceremonies [what else !].Winning some useless thing seemed like winning the lottery.

   --Movies for 25 cents-popcorn for ten cents. Wooden seats that seemed perfectly comfortable.

   --School being let out early for "The Ten Commandments," & "Ben Hur."

   --Group ski lessons each friday at 2pm w/ season passes for 30. Anything to get out of school early!

   --Loved watching the old snowloaders clearing main street.

   --Falling off the poma lift at Okemo, necessitating that my father & I ski down an "expert" trail [black diamond now].

   --22 Pleasant conjures up images & memories which will stay w/ me forever-it was an "all american" house, w/ an "all-american" family--dinner at 6pm & American Bandstand at 3pm.

   --'Uncle Dan the Popcorn Man' always set up his green two-wheeled wooden wagon [w/ glass windows] at the corner of Main & Depot St. every summer evening-still the greatest popcorn I ever ate. He served the corn in brown paper bags [always smeared w/ that fabulous hot butter] offering a choice of 10, 15, or 25 cent sizes [I never dared to order the big one !]- although I always fantasized about it.

   --After a day of sledding, during the Christmas break, walking home in the snow [seemed like it was always snowing in Ludlow], sled in tow, & gazing at the Christmas lights [single strands strung across Main st.at each telephone pole]-the bulbs were the vintage blue, red, & green-still my favorite combination-they looked great when it was lightly snowing around 5pm. I would always stop at my grandparents small family clothing store [the aforementioned Kesman's Economy Store] on the way home so that my grandmother could put my snow pants on the radiator to dry. And if I got lucky, my grandfather would reach into his pocket[deep !] pull out tons of change, & recommend I go next door and pick out some treat. The place next door was Simons & Wrights [classic soda fountain/sandwich place w/ a great jukebox,  oiled wood floors, the best warmed cashews, and great magazine & comic book racks [my favorites were "Little Lulu, "Tubby," and "Uncle Scrooge"--no "Batman" or "Spiderman" for this kid !! A perfect ending to a perfect 50's day."

If you have memories of life in Ludlow and the surrounding area that you'd like to share - especially if you have a photo of your home, contact Georgia Brehm, BRAM Director, at 228-5050 or [email protected].

Broadway/TV Writers Perform Original Skit at Ludlow Christmas Celebration, Dec. 17

Two veterans of Broadway and television will appear in the December 17 production of "A Community Christmas Celebration" at Ludlow's Town Hall Auditorium.
 
Stan and Jane Hart will perform the skit, "The Lottery Ticket", in the forthcoming holiday revue sponsored by FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium).  The skit was written by the Harts and will be seen in its Vermont premiere in the Dec. 17 show.
 
Stan Hart was the head writer for the Carol Burnett Show on television, winning two Emmy's as a result.  He also was a writer for TV specials for Hal Linden, Paul Linde, Carol Burnett with Julie Andrews, and Bonnie Franklin.  When not writing for TV, he also managed to write the off-Broadway success, "The Mad Show", which was produced by Hal Prince and ran for twenty-two months, a record run at that time.  His screen credits also include "Move", which starred Elliot Gould.
 
Jane Hart was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for her book, "The Hidden Children: The Secret Survivors of the Holocaust".  She also published a number of parenting books, including "We Have a Problem: A Parent's Sourcebook", "Help, My Parents are Driving Me Crazy", and "Help: a Guide to Counseling and Therapy Without a Hassle".  She also found time to co-author "Old Enough to Know Better - A Comedy Sketchbook".  When not engaged in these works, Jane was contributing editor and writer for Mademoiselle, Glamour, Seventeen, Parents' Magazine. She also was a contributor to: Woman's Day, Glamour, Working Woman, Town and Country, Ladies' Home Journal, Good Housekeeping, New York Times Magazine, New York Magazine, Readers' Digest, McCall's, and others.
 
The skit will be one of the many segments of the Community Christmas Celebration.  The program will open with the Bell Ringers, led by Connie Wilcox.  Also included in the program will be a reading of Thomas' "A Child's Christmas in Wales", read by Bruce Farr with Tony Masteller playing guitar support, an excerpt from the Nutcracker Suite, the Black River High School jazz band, and music provided by the high school chorus and the a sing-along led by students from the Ludlow Elementary School.
 
George Thomson will tie the entire event together acting as program emcee.
 
"This will be a chance for FOLA to thank the people for supporting us and to offer everyone a chance to celebrate this holiday with family, friends, and neighbors," said Ralph Pace, FOLA chairman.  He indicated that the event was free and open to all to attend.
 
The Community Christmas Celebration will be at Ludlow's Town Hall on Friday, December 17 at 7 pm.  For information, call 802-228-7239.

SKI SWAP RAISES $23,000 FOR OMS

Submitted by Okemo Mtn Resort

Okemo Mountain Resort’s Annual Ski and Snowboard Swap, held November 19-21, raised more than $23,000 to help defray operating costs at Okemo Mountain School.

“Proceeds were up 15 percent over last year,” said Mariel Meringolo, head of school and organizer of the event. “I am grateful to all of the volunteers who donated their time, as well as all of the mountain personnel who went above and beyond their normal duties to provide support to the event.  Without all of the volunteers and the help of the mountain, the Ski Swap could never have been such a success.” 

The three-day sale of new and previously owned ski and snowboard equipment, clothing and accessories fetched 75 percent of the sale price for the sellers, while 25 percent went to Okemo Mountain School – helping keep tuition as affordable as possible for all students.

Okemo Mountain School is a non-profit educational institution dedicated to the academic and athletic development of serious snow sports athletes.  Student athletes are given the opportunity to train in alpine ski racing, snowboarding, and freestyle skiing, while pursuing a rigorous course of academic study. 

More information about Okemo Mountain School is available at okemomountainschool.org