NITKA’S NOTES FROM THE STATE HOUSE

By Senator Alice Nitka, Windsor County, April 29, 2011

During the past two weeks the Senate members have spent many hours in the Senate Chamber hearing bill presentations, questioning the presenters, debating the bills, amending them, voting them up or down and then hearing immediately from persons around the state who either loved or hated the bill. The bills presented included the so called, “Big Bill” (H-441) which is actually the Appropriations or Budget Bill and the one must pass bill of the session. The Budget is 109 pages long and has its own separate booklet as opposed to being in the regular calendar. The numbers are greater than its size as it contains $4.6 billion in total spending for Fiscal Year 2012 which is down 3.7%. The budget year starts July 1, 2011. This spending includes federal pass through money for the feds share with regard to roads, bridges, the National Guard, airports, education, Medicaid, nursing homes, hospitals, social services, Veterans, law enforcement, etc. The state General Fund spending which is included the previous number is $1.2 billion. These are your VT tax dollars and come from sources such as the income tax, sales tax, purchase and use tax, property tax and on and on as we all know. The gas tax, at close to 20 cents per gallon raises $70 million in an average driving year. With the price per gallon so high right now, sales are down and the projected revenue for FY 2011 is $62.3 million. Eighteen million is generally raised from the diesel tax but the revenue forecast for this year is expected to be $15.6 million. It is still a lot of money.  

The Agency of Natural Resources spending which is included in the overall budget is $88.8 million. The Fish and Wildlife Division of ANR, ten or more years ago used to be fully supported by the sale of hunting and fishing licenses however this is no longer the case due to fewer sales. They are however still drawing money from sales around the country of hunting, fishing and camping equipment. They are meeting their goals with matching funds and not leaving any federal money on the table so to speak. Over the past three years they have downsized to meet their budget and reduced their employee numbers by 88 staff. At this point they need employees for certain positions and are actively recruiting. They do have Game Warden positions to fill as well. For this position a polygraph test is required and honesty counts among other qualifications.

Other bills to reach the floor were the Miscellaneous Tax Bill, the Transportation bill, “Pete the Moose” (ownership of the animals of the state) and the Health Care bill as well as many, many others. A woman who has been following the Health Care bill and has attended all the committee meetings, the hearings and most of the gatherings around the state about the bill has put in enough hours to knit six sweaters while in attendance. She seemed to be starting her seventh as she sat in the back of the chamber.

Farmers are still struggling around the state. A year or so ago I wrote about a House member feeling distraught about having to sell his cows and go out of the farming business because of the overwhelming difficulties his farm was facing. Today a member of the Senate spoke of his father’s poor health and sadness at having to sell their herd because his father could no longer manage the farm and the finances of staying in business could no longer be justified. One of the few remaining farmers in the building reported that if you have to sell your cows, it isn’t a bad time to do so as Canadian farmers are buying cows and paying a decent price. At a recent sale the price paid was close to $1000 per cow as well as for heifers. Freshened cows went for $1600.  

If you are trying to track a particular bill, please give me a call or send and e-mail with your phone number as bills are being put on other bills provided they are germane. It is sometimes difficult to keep track even in the building, never mind outside, as they go onto the other bill without the number showing up. 

Contact me at home at 228-8432, the State House at 1-800-322-5616 or at [email protected] or P.O. Box 136, Ludlow, VT 05149   Find schedules and bills at www.leg.state.vt.us.

Ludlow Town, BRAM, FOLA Sponsor Civil War Tribute by Renown Pianist

 
Three Ludlow groups - the Town of Ludlow, Black River Academy Museum, and FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium), have made arrangements to celebrate Vermont's 150th anniversary of its involvement in the Civil War with a piano concert by renown pianist, Jacqueline Schwab, famous for her work in providing music for a number of Ken Burn's epic PBS series, including both the Civil War and Mark Twain.  The concert is scheduled for October 9 at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium.  Jacqueline’s solo piano concert at the Ludlow Auditorium will feature vintage American music, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Town of Ludlow. She will perform music from Mark Twain’s era (1835-1910) and beyond—Stephen Foster and Civil War song tunes, Victorian ballroom dance tunes, Scots and Irish songs and dance tunes brought over by settlers, hymns and spirituals, ragtime, plus 20th-century tango and Billie Holiday blues (as well as Celtic and English traditional music in a contemporary style). Jacqueline’s arrangements of American heart songs honor the community and improvisational spirit of music making reported in Twain’s times.  In Ken Burns’ words, “Jacqueline Schwab brings more feeling and intensity to music than anyone I know. Her playing is insistent, physical, heartfelt and ... unusually moving.”  Drawing on classical, traditional folk and contemporary music roots, pianist Jacqueline Schwab has been heard on a dozen of Burns’ documentaries, including his Grammy award-winning Civil War, his Emmy award-winning Baseball, Lewis and Clark, Mark Twain, The War, his recently-premiered The National Parks: America’s Best Idea and his recently-premiered Tenth Inning to his Baseball series. Jacqueline’s latest project for Ken Burns will be his upcoming documentary on the Dust Bowl. She has also been heard on other PBS documentaries, including The Irish in America and Ric Burns’ New York: A Documentary Film. The New England Folk Almanac wrote she plays with “the jazz/classical improvisational spirit of Keith Jarrett and the touch of George Winston ....” She has performed at the White House for President Clinton (celebrating Burns’ Lewis and Clark series) and also, with singer Jean Redpath, on Minnesota Public Radio’s A Prairie Home Companion (in St. Paul) and CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman (on May 21, 2009).

BRAM 5K Walk Saturday April 30

(To enlarge poster, place cursor over poster and double click.) 

Local Resident Confronts Birth Certificate Questions

 

(Editor's Note: The following is a letter from Bruce Farr of Ludlow, VT addressing questions raised about the place of his birth.  The alleged birth certificate is printed per Mr. Farr's insistence.  Black River Today, by printing this document, does not endorse the legitimacy of it . . . and, anyway, if it is legitimate, we're sure that there are other questions that need to be answered by Mr. Farr.)

Dear Friends:

Attached, at your request, please find a copy of my certificate of live birth from Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, Mass.  I sincerely hope that by submitting this document, which you must know I am reluctant to do for many reasons--not least that it discloses my actual age, which I've lied about for years--will once and for all put to rest the irrational notion that I wasn't born in Northampton, Massachusetts at all, but, according to a highly vocal cluster of hysterical detractors, was discovered under a cabbage leaf in a small village in Outer Mongolia.  In fact, let it be recorded that I have never even been to Mongolia, and don't even know a single Mongolian. (But, in the name of full disclosure, I would like to point out that the life-size tattoo of Genghis Khan on my back is merely coincidental.)

As you'll note on the document--which is neither a long form nor short form, but, rather, what is commonly known in Massachusetts as an "in-between" or "Tweener" form--it is "certified" that I was born on that day in that hospital.  In fact, so familiar was I with the hospital premises that, for years, when people inquired where I was born, I would often respond using the popular slang moniker for the Cooley Dickinson Hospital.  "So, Farr, where were you hatched?" a friend might ask, and I would always fix them with my laser stare and shoot back, "Cooley Dick."  But what does that really prove? you might want to know.  I'll tell you:  it proves that I was one savvy customer, perfectly comfortable in my made-in-the-good-old-U.S.A. skin.

But I digress.  You'll also note that the document is officially signed by two stalwarts of local Hampshire County affairs, William T. Lees, Jr., and Dr. George Genest.  But, once more, in answer to the suggestion that, because both of these community leaders are now deceased,  a whiff of foul play and subterfuge might be in the air,  I can easily explain.  Although I must admit that a rather high percentage of individuals connected with my birth at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, Mass. are in fact no longer alive to offer testimony in my behalf, I would like to point out that, because it was 1949, most of the hospital folks I was palling around with on the day I was born would likely be over a hundred years old.  So that explains it.

And finally, to put matters to rest once and for all, I have gone to the extra pains and length of placing a call to interview my mother, Mrs. Theresa Farr, in this matter.  Once she got out of her system a few gripes regarding a certain sum of money I've owed her for a a couple decades, she racked her brain and finally admitted that she did indeed recall the events of Thursday, November 24th, 1949.  As she stated, it happened to be that most American of holidays, Thanksgiving, and she was preparing to pop the Thanksgiving turkey in the oven when, as she rather grimly recalls it, "Nature and you came a'knockin'."   "You were the only damn turkey I had in the oven that day!" mother exclaimed, in her usual jocular manner, because, as she regularly reassures me when I begin whining, I'm actually the light of her life.

With this disclosure, I hope that I can assuage some of the wild accusations swirling around the question of my American citizenship, and satisfy my critics as to the nature and location of my actual birth.  With that, I would refer any further questions regarding the legitimacy of my national heritage to that master of rational thought, Donald Trump.

Yours Sincerely,

Bruce A. Farr,
Ludlow, Vermont  

TATER HILL GOLF CLUB TO OPEN APRIL 30

Submitted by Okemo Mtn Resort

Tater Hill Golf Club, in Windham, Vt., is scheduled to open for the season with nine holes of play on Saturday, April 30. Special, early-season greens fees will be available for a limited time.

“We will play the back nine with carts on path only,” said Club Manager and Head Golf Professional John Pawlak. “We intend to open all 18 holes along with the restaurant on May 4.” 

Nestled in a pastoral setting of rolling hills with stone walls, split-rail fences and birch-lined fairways, Tater Hill is a par-71, 18-hole championship course measuring 6,400 yards.  With plenty of challenge for low handicaps, golfers of all ability levels can enjoy a layout that offers undulating fairways, spectacular views, cottage-style flower gardens and the casual ambience of a former Vermont hill farm. Tater Hill is located on Popple Dungeon Road (off Rt. 11), 22 miles southwest of Ludlow, in Windham, Vt. 

Tee times may be arranged  by calling (802) 875-2517. More information about Tater Hill Golf Club may be obtained by visiting http://okemo.com/okemosummer/golfcourses/taterhill.asp.

FOLA 1st Thursday Movie Schedule

 

To PRINT this schedule, place cursor over schedule, right-click your mouse, SELECT PRINT option, and follow print instructions.

Snow Academy Applications for McCostis Scholarship Fund Now Being Accepted

Submitted by Margo Caulfield

The McCostis Scholarship Fund (MSF), a part of the Ludlow Teen Center (LTC), was established in 2004,  to provide Okemo Valley youth an opportunity to pursue excellence through skiing and snowboard training. Started by Sue McCostis, an LTC Board member and an Okemo Mountain ski instructor, the fund was continued by her husband Dick McCostis, Safety Ambassador and ski instructor at Okemo Mountain, and head of the Windsor County Court Diversion Program. With his passing in July 2007, the MSF has continued through the support of friends and the Okemo community.  The Fund has added additional scholarships-The Kevin Stillwell Snowboarding Scholarship, Than Durgin Snowboarding Scholarship, Peter Noyes Skiing Scholarship and the George Shaw Skiing Scholarship. 

Applications for scholarships for athletes who wish to attend snow academies, such as Okemo Mountain School (OMS), are now being accepted until June 30.  Applications for weekend programs and target terms will be accepted from September 1-Oct. 31. 

Applicants for the Academy Snow Scholarships must:

• Be a full time resident of Ludlow, Cavendish, Proctorsville, Chester, Perkinsville, Springfield, Mt. Holly or Plymouth VT.
• Be enrolled in grades 7th-12th and in good academic standing
• Have a demonstrated 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
• Plan to attend a snow academy full time for at least five months during the 11-12 winter season

The size of scholarships will be based on need and available funds. Academy scholarship recipients, and their families, are required to assist with fundraising. Recipients can increase the amount of their scholarship through participation in fundraising activities. 

 Those interested in applying must submit a completed application by June 30, 2011. Award notifications will be made by July 15, 2011. Applications can be obtained at the MSF website www.mccostisscholarshipshipfund.blogspot.com. Please note: An application is not considered complete until the tax information and letter from the coach/teacher has been received.

For more information, contact Margo Caulfield, [email protected] or 802-226-7807.

OKEMO VALLEY GOLF CLUB TO OPEN APRIL 27

Submitted by Okemo Mtn. Resort

Okemo Valley Golf Club is scheduled to open for the 2011 season on Wednesday, April 27. Reduced, early springtime greens fees will be offered for a limited time.  

Okemo Valley Golf Club has won national awards and is recognized as one of the top golf facilities in the Northeast.  Most recently, the May issue of Golf Digest named OVGC the top public course in Vermont.

The course at Okemo Valley Golf Club was designed by Vermont Golf architect Steve Durkee. It has hosted the Vermont PGA Championship, NEPGA Senior Championship, the United States Women’s Public Links Qualifier and various Vermont Professional Tournaments.  

Okemo Valley Golf Club is Vermont's first heathland-style golf course and was designed according to the traditions of the game. The resort features a championship 18-hole layout, a welcoming, full-service clubhouse, indoor practice facility and 18-acre state-of-the-art outdoor training center. The layout is a par 70 that measures 6,400 yards in length and features bent grass greens, tees and fairways with multiple tee areas for each hole, ensuring playability and challenge for all ability levels. Rolling hills, moderate elevation changes and wide fairways with well-placed hazards enhance the beautiful heathland layout. 

Starting Sunday, May 8, and taking place every Sunday through May 29, OVGC will offer complimentary junior clinics: 1-2 p.m. for ages 9-11 and 2-3 p.m. for ages 12-14. Class size is limited to the first 25 students to register for each clinic. Register by calling the Pro Shop at 228-1396. 

New players can start the season off right with the Play Golf America Get Golf Ready series of lessons for new golfers. The $99 five-lesson program is designed to teach new enthusiasts, in five short lessons, everything they’ll need to know to step onto a golf course and play with confidence. More details are available by calling the Pro Shop at 228-1396. 

For tee times at Okemo Valley Golf Club, or for more information about memberships or programs, call the Pro Shop at (802) 228-1396 or visit okemo.com.

Ludlow Garden Club Meets May 12

The next meeting of the Ludlow Garden Club will be held on Thursday, May 12th at 12 noon.  This meeting will be held at the home of Cecilia McMillen at 18 High St. in Ludlow.  Our featured guest will be Patti Plew of Belmont who will demonstrate the separating and repotting of plants;  in preparation for the Club's Plant Sale on June 4th.  Members should bring a chair and sandwich and the hostesses will provide beverages and desserts.  Guests are always welcome.  For further information, please call 228-7239.

Fletcher Farm Arts and Craft Offerings

 

Submitted by Laurie Marechaux

Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts is proud to have nationally recognized willow artist Bonnie Gale join us for this GREEN class. Bobbie was a recent guest on the on the Martha Stewart Show in April 2010, and has filmed several segments of the PBS, Cultivating Life Show. Her living willow structures have been featured in House and Garden, Vogue Living and Fiber Arts magazines. 

In this workshop, students will learn the skills to make their own living willow structure to take home and plant in their garden! Structures for the garden include living fences, arches, domes, outdoor living rooms and all manner of sculptural form. 

Students will be supplied with full length live beautiful willow rods which they will secure into the ground and then weave the structure. Their will be a PowerPoint presentation on the living willow structure work of instructor, Bonnie Gale. 

Participants will be making living arches, approximately two feet deep, four feet wide and up to 7 feet tall. The structure will then be removed and wrapped for the journey home. A materials fee will cover full instructions for construction and maintenance.  To see more living willow creations visit her web site at www.bonniegale.com.  A list of simple supplies to bring to class will be provided. 

Students do not need any prior skills to join any of our classes. All ages are welcome and please feel free to call if you would like to participate as a Parent and Child we will offer special pricing for you and your youngster! Group inquires welcome.

Here’s a look at our upcoming classes at Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts. On May 14, learn the simple art of Copper Etching for Jewelry with Sally Mack.  Come play with copper and chemistry and take home some wonderful pieces ready to add to your next jewelry project. Bring your own designs, or use your favorite rubber stamps to create copper etched beads, elements, pendants or findings.

May 14 & 15, Solarplate Printmaking with Roger Hyndman. This highly versatile and expressive medium can be used to transform original drawings, photographs, JPEG’S, and copier art into high quality etchings. Create a Solarplate using UV light (the sun) without losing your image. Utilizing the tools of the printmaker, you will be introduced to a variety of techniques and printmaking practices. Solarplate will appeal to artists of all levels, from beginners to experienced printmakers, photographers, painters, and artists of all media. No orientation. Supply list provided.  

May 21 & 22, Experimental Monotype Printing with Roger Hyndman. Students will participate in a variety of printmaking methods, such as subtractive, additive, trace. Layering, and mixed media forms of artistic expression. You will create images utilizing a variety of artistic techniques, such as painting, drawing, collage, mixed media, and/or tracing.

May 28 & 29, Decorative Copper Creations for the Home & Garden with John Bieling

You can make anything from bird baths, wind chimes to garden stakes, candle holders, and more! Students will complete a work of art over the weekend.

May 28 & 29, Living Willow Structures for the Garden, join Bonnie Gale for this “green workshop”. Students make their own living willow structure to take home and plant in the garden! Living structures for the garden include living fences, arches, domes, outdoor living rooms and all manner of sculptural form. Students will be supplied with full length live beautiful rods which they will secure into the ground and then weave the structure. Bonnie Gale is a nationally recognized willow artist. Her living willow structures have been featured in House and Garden, Vogue Living and Fiber Arts magazines. She also appeared on the Martha Stewart Show in April 2010, and in several segments of the PBS, Cultivating Life Show.

Students do not need any prior skills to join any of our classes. All ages are welcome and please feel free to call if you would like to participate as a Parent and Child we will offer special pricing for you and your youngster! Group inquires welcome.

View all of our course offerings at www.fletcherfarm.org. Please call 802-228-8770 for a free course flyer or info on tuition pricing.  Please plan ahead so as to insure space availability in the course of your choice. One-on-one instruction is always emphasized in all of our classes. If you are a Ludlow, Cavendish or Proctorsville resident (age 7 & up) you are entitled to 50% off one class per calendar year. Register online or for a copy of our fall flyer call 802-228-8770.