Feminine Tone Harvest Supper Nov. 11

Submitted by Sara Norcross

On Friday 11-11-11, take a break from cooking and support a women's chorus by enjoying  the Feminine Tone Harvest Supper, which will take place at the First Congregational Church, 77 Main Street, Springfield, VT from 5 - 7 PM.  The menu will include delicious homemade chilis (with meat as well as a vegetarian option), maple corn bread, French bread, green salad with homemade dressings, and pumpkin and apple themed desserts.  The price  upon entry is $10.00 for adults, $7.00 for ages 6-12, with ages 5 and under attending free.

 

The Feminine Tone chorus relies on this fall fundraiser to help cover its operating expenses.  Directed by Maricel Lucero, the Feminine Tone performs music from all over the world and promotes music as a healing, unifying force.

 

The Feminine Tone concert this term will take place on Sat. Dec. 17th at 7 PM at United Church of Ludlow, and again on Sun. Dec. 18th at 4 PM at the Hartland Unitarian Universalist Church.  Visit www.femininetone.com for more information about the chorus.  Questions?  Call (802) 484-5097.

VERMONT PROPERTIES AND DEVELOPMENT COAT DRIVE

Submitted by Christine Fuller

Vermont Properties and Development of Ludlow is holding a winter coat drive to benefit Black River Good Neighbor Services. 

Suzanne Garvey of Vermont Properties said “Due to the devastation created by Irene, the need is greater than ever”.  Suzanne  is asking anyone who can, to bring an outer garment that is clean and in good condition to:  Vermont Properties and Development, 29 Locust Hill Road, Ludlow.  Garments will be accepted from now until November 27^th from 9am to 5pm.  

If you have any questions please call 802-228-8877 or email vtprop.com.

All of the outerwear received will be donated to Black River Good Neighbors to support local families in need.   

On Saturday, December 3^rd, as recognition of the wonderful community support shown by Vermont Properties in organizing this coat drive BRGNS will have a rack of winter coats that  will go to those in need in our community without charge.

Application for BRGNS Holiday Program Available Now

Submitted by Christine Fuller 

The staff of the Black River Good Neighbor Services wants everyone to know that they are accepting applications for the 2011 Christmas Basket program. 

Director Audrey Bridge  and Terry Laskevich, are eager to see that no person or family goes without food and no child goes without a gift to unwrap over the holidays.  

Peter LaBelle, President of the Board for BRGNS said “over 145 area families received baskets last year and we believe because of  Hurricane Irene and the recession the number will be even greater this year”.  

Anyone living in Ludlow, Proctorsville, Cavendish, Mount Holly, Belmont or Plymouth who feels they qualify need only to stop by the shop at 37B Main Street, Ludlow, to pick up an application.  Anyone unable to get to the store please call Audrey Bridge at 228-3663 for assistance. 

Completed applications must be submitted by November 25^th, 2011.  Baskets will be delivered on Thursday, December 22^nd. 

Families that received a basket last year will receive a phone call from a BRGNS volunteer and do not need to make a new application this yea.  However anyone who has had a change of address and/or phone number should contact the office.

RWSU Public Info Meeting on Oct. 26

The Rutland Windsor Supervisory Union (RWSU) will hold a public information meeting on Wednesday, October 26 at 7 PM in the Ludlow Elementary School Gym.  The meeting will be to update the public on the status of talks between RWSU and the Southwestern Windsor Supervisory Union concerning possible merger of the two unions.  The regular RWSU meeting will follow the public information session.

Universal Healthcare in VT Debated in Ludlow Oct. 20

The question of how Vermont will implement a universal healthcare program in the state will the subject of a special healthcare forum in Ludlow's Town Hall Auditorium at 7 PM on Oct. 20.  Sponsored jointly by FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) and the Rutland Herald, the forum will consist of a panel of six statewide leaders in the healthcare field discussing the meaning and impact of Act 48. Pictured above are panel members, top row, left to right, Steve Kappel, Dr. Deb Richter, Wendy Wilton; bottom row, left to right, State Senate President John Campbell, Bob Gaydos, and Darcie Johnston.  Stewart Ledbetter, senior political reporter for WPTZ/WNNE will moderate the debate.  The forum will begin with an introduction of the panel and moderator, followed by a brief PowerPoint presentation outlining the major elements of the Act 48 legislation.  Following this, the moderator will ask the panel members to respond to his questions.  The audience will then have the opportunity to ask the panel questions about both Act 48 and its impact.  "This is a very misunderstood but important piece of legislation that every Vermonter needs to understand," said Ralph Pace of FOLA.  "The goal of this forum is to define what Act 48 actually is and permit leading state advocates and opponents the opportunity to address their concerns about the legislation, all in the same room at the same time."  Pace added that those attending this forum would have an opportunity to ask questions of the panel.  The forum is open to everyone.   For additional information, call 802-228-7239.

Ludlow School Board Boots LPC-TV Out of Present Studio

(The following is a note from Patrick Cody, director of LPC-TV, Public Access television station for the Black River area.)

As you know, LPCTV has been planning for its upcoming move to the Ludlow Community Center complex. The move has required us to raise a lot of money in a small community, during a down economy. There have been some delays along the way; nothing too extreme, but the construction schedule has been set back a few months, from our earlier projections of October. Most of this has to do with the financing piece - as of today, we are approximately $30,000 short of our Phase I budget ("Phase I" includes HVAC, electrical, insulation, some plumbing, and the main partition for the studio itself, including the flooring. More recently, we have faced another minor setback with the flood.

While we have been planning for our move, the Ludlow Elementary School has been planning for our departure from the school, eager to put present space into use (by the elementary, middle, and high school band). On Wednesday night, LPCTV went in front of the Ludlow Elementary School Board to give an update on our schedule and to ask for some flexibility with our lease (we are presently month-to-month through July 2012).  Because LES has already put the plan to use the space into motion, the Board decided to  give LPCTV an official notice to move out by December 9th.

So now what?
We are now faced with a possibility that we may need to shut down for a period in December. If everything went smoothly between now & December (including success with fundraising and some grant money coming in), we will be in our new space around New Year's Day. However, because there are so many moving parts to getting Phase I compelted, and given that most building projects have unexpected delays, we must prepare ourselves for the possibility that it could be after the new year. I am not sure exactly how we will deal with the lapse between December 9th, when we must vacate our present space, and our move-in to the new facility. It is very possible that we will be forced to temporarily shut down during that time. We are working towards a suitable solution. We realize that folks in the community have come to rely on us, whether it's watching our TV channels, or using our facility and equipment. So
we obviously want to minimize any negative impact that this may have on the community.

How can you help?
First, you can come to our 10th Anniversary Lasagna Supper on Thursday, October 13th, from 5:30 - 7:30. The evening will include a building project update, where we will be addressing this and answering any questions / concerns that you may have. Please RSVP by calling 228-8808 or emailing us.
Secondly, you can help us with our aggressive fundraising campaign. We are looking for additional steering committee members who have ideas & energy to assist us with expediting the fundraising initiatives.  We just had a a very lively get together / brainstorming session at Brian & Leanne Jewett's home last week Lots of good ideas came ourt of that and we need help implementing them. If you can help please call 228-8808 or send an email.
Lastly, you can make a contribution. We need to raise about $30,000 more in order to complete the financing for Phase I. To make a tax-deductible contribution or to learn more about the building projecty, visit our capital campaign splash page at LPCTV.org.

BRGNS Stick Season Social October 22nd at Bella Luna Ristorante

Submitted by Christine Fuller 

Black River Good Neighbor Services is having its second annual Stick Season Social at Bella Luna on Saturday October 22^nd at 6:00 p.m..  When asked what stick season is, Peter LaBelle, President of BRGNS’ Board said, “It’s the season with no leaves, no snow, no free concerts and not much to do – until now”.  This is a fun fund raising dinner that will help BRGNS (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization) with operating costs so it can continue to help local people in need of food, rent, utilities & heat assistance. 

The evening will include a cash bar and a terrific silent auction.  There will be lots of raffle items too.  Bella Luna will serve a lavish buffet followed by a Viennese Table loaded with luscious desserts.  Silent auction items to date include: 

• Wine & Cheese Basket by Lucille Evens
• Framed photograph by landscape photographer Tom Johnson
• Hand made bench by craftsman  Lenny Lawson
• One week stay in the Italian villa of Dan & Maria Sullivan
• 2 Hour Fly Fishing Instructions by Susan Damone Balch
• Custom made End Grain Cutting Boards by Clear Lake Furniture 
• Cord of Firewood from Bob & Jean Smith
• Fifty minute massage & 50 minute facial by Calm Moments Spa
• Six Galway Irish Crystal Wine Glasses, O’Hara pattern – The Fullers
• Two Stained glass floor lamps, original works by Peter LaBelle
• One month Gold Spa membership at the Castle Spa
• 100 gallons of fuel oil from Cota & Cota
• Ski Helmet Bag from the Boot Pro
• Half case of wine from The Wine & Cheese Depot
• Cocktail party for 16 with hors d’oeuvres, sweets, assorted beverages, beer, wine, music catered at your home including setup and clean up by Lois Brown and Jim Wallis
• Portrait of your pet by Portrait Society of America Artist Jane Hart
• An original painting of the Black River by artist Carol Mohan
• Two original oil paintings by Matthew Mounsey, English artist schooled at the Royal Academy of Art donated by Jane & Stan Hart
• An original, one of a kind Bird Carving by renowned carver Wendy Lichensteiger
• Original oil painting by Darlene Braz 
• An Italian Rug from Chrisandra’s
• Ten one day passes to The Spring House – Okemo Mountain Resort
• Two Adult Lift Tickets valid for the 2011-2012 season, except Holidays – Okemo Mountain Resort
• An original Theorem Painting by Lynn Reilly
• Half page full color ad in the Vermont Journal & the Shopper – Bob Miller
• Six 100 year old Ice Cream Parlor Chairs.  Each has been decorated by the following local artists: Nancy Kelly, Sandy Gregg, Pang Ting, Jen Leak, Lynne Croswell and Laurie Marechaux. (these will be sold separately, not as a set) – donated by Christine & Jim Fuller
• A Celestron C5 Telescope
• A DeWalt  DC012 Work Site Charger/Radio – Christine & Jim Fuller
• Framed Block Print on Hand Made Paper by Alan Reiger
• Original painting by Patricia Darling Dean 

Raffle Items will include:

• Singleton’s $10 gift certificates for Tom’s famous smoked bacon
• $20 Gift Certificate donated by Blue Sky Trading
• Gift Certificate for an oil change, filter & lube – by Benson’s Chevrolet
• One Hour Massage Therapy certificate –by Irene Berry
• A Gift Bag of Mary Kay products – by the Village Clipper
• A $50 Gift certificate at Harry’s Restaurant
• $10 gift certificates for the Cool Moose Café
• Fall Clean Up Package, consisting of a rake, gloves and leaf bags – Aubuchons
• A Froggie Basket including signed book, frog page pal and a $15 Gift Certificate – The Book Nook
• $100 Gift Certificate towards the purchase of tires from Ludlow Service Center
• $50 Gift Certificate from Killarney
• $50 Gift Certificate from Brewfest Beverages
• $25 Gift Certificates to Tom’s Loft
• $20 Gift Certificates for Village Pizza
• Sharpen & Wax Certificates from the Totem Pole
• $25 Gift Certificate from Ludlow Pharmacy – Smiling Steve 

Several raffle items are in multiples of more than one and therefore there will be more chances to win.  More auction and raffle items are arriving daily.  Tickets are $50 per person, including dinner, gratuities and tax.  Tickets can be purchased at BRGNS Thrift Shop at 37B Main St, Peoples United Bank, the Book Nook, Berkshire Bank and The Wine & Cheese Depot, all located in Ludlow.  You may call 802-228-3663.  Tickets must be purchased in advance and are limited to the first 150 people, so please buy now.  

TW3 Cast Prepares to discuss World Economy

 
With all of the world wondering whether the Greek economy would fail, the Ludlow-based weekly television news program, "That Was The Week That Was", better known as TW3, decided it was time to broadcast a detailed analysis of the problems facing the EuroZone and how they impacted the American economy.  To get at the heart of the matter, TW3 invited its economic guru, Keven Kuntz, to share his evaluation of the Greek financial situation and how it would impact both the European Community's common currency, the Euro, as well as our own economy.  Pictured above, from left to right, are TW3 cohosts, Ralph Pace and Leo Graham, as they discuss the program, with guest commentator, Kevin Kuntz.  Kuntz is a retired Wall Street investor, now gentleman farmer in Ludlow, with over 40 years experience in the stock market.  TW3 is broadcast over LPC-TV, cable channel 8 and 20, covering Ludlow, Plymouth, Cavendish, and Mt. Holly.  The program may be seen live on Thursday's at 3 PM and thereafter at various times throughout the week.  The program schedule is available at www.lpctv.org.

RWSU Public Meeting on Possible Merger Oct. 26

The Rutland Windsor Supervisory Union (RWSU) has scheduled a public information meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 7 PM in the Black River High School Gym to discuss the status of its merger/consolidation talks with neighboring Windsor Southwest Supervisory Unions.  There are no further details at this time.

RWSU/WSWSU Merger Meeting Oct. 13

Submitted by RWSU

Thursday, October 13, 2011 at  6:30 PM
Green Mountain Union H. S. ~ Chester, VT

A G E N D A

I. CALL TO ORDER:
a. Roll Call

II. BUSINESS ITEMS:
a. Assessment Methodology for Proposed New Supervisory Union
b. Other business

III. NEXT MEETING & SET AGENDA ITEMS:

IV. EXECUTIVE SESSION (if needed):

V. ADJOURNMENT: