Reflections on Irene and how Good Neighbors Can Help

(The following is a personal note by Lynn Reilly, a member of Black River Good Neighbors, whose home on Meadow Street in Ludlow was partially flooded by Tropical Storm Irene.)

As we in Ludlow start to come out of the flood haze there are many realizations that are just hitting us.  Firstly, that many of our neighbors have lost everything and how lucky those of us who were flooded but are now in our homes are.  Within that luckiness we often try not to be a burden on the community looking for support to ease the financial strain Irene’s flooding  has put on us.  Whether it is the cost of the clean-up; the replacement of heating systems, appliances, sheetrock, flooring and the like, to get our homes back to normal.  The loss was an unanticipated financial hit for many of us who live on a strict budget.  However we still find ourselves thanking people for the offer but politely declining the funds offered to help. 

I personally live on a street where my many of my neighbors have lost almost everything.  As I see them still working so hard, with many of their belongings still out on the lawn, I wonder when normal will really be back.   The days are getting shorter, the leaves are falling and winter will soon be upon us.  I fear that time is starting to run out for those who do not yet have heat or hot water.  I am sure the same scene is playing out in Proctorsville, Cavendish, Plymouth, and Mt Holly. 

As many of you know after the flood there was a huge outpouring of support from caring people who live, visit or own second homes in our area.  The town offices as well as Okemo Mountain referred many people to BRGNS, “they are the people who take care of our community”.  We have received monies from fundraisers, corporations and private individuals who all want to help in some way. These monies have been collected to help you get back to a “normal” as we will now know it.  These donations were put into a separate account, designated for those who were affected by the flood in some way. Income is not a consideration in qualifying.   Many people lost homes, but businesses were hit hard as well and many people lost Jobs.  If you are currently out of work do to the flood we may be able to help. 

 If you were affected in our area we would like to hear from you.  Please contact Audrey Bridge at BRGNS, office hours are Monday thru Friday 10am to 4pm, you may call 802-228-3663 to make an appointment or just stop by.  I realize we cannot help everyone who is in need, I realize we do not have the monies to rebuild the homes that washed away or have been deemed unlivable.  However we can help, and want to help in any way we can.  I only hope that my neighbors will go up to BRGNS and receive the help intended for them. 

I have tried to put a personal face on this by going door to door, but cannot possibly see everyone who was affected.  As a board member of BRGNS, my goal is to see as many people helped as possible, and I realize we are not in a position to rebuild driveways, roads or homes but maybe we can help by paying a bill or two this month to make things a bit easier.  We realize in the big picture it is a small thing; but it can make things a little better.  If you or someone you know needs a helping hand, please come to Black River Good Neighbor Services 37b Main Street Ludlow VT.  Let your neighbors help their neighbors!

Chili Cook-Off Oct. 8

Submitted by Glenn Heitsmith

The Ludlow Rotary Club has named three TS Irene emergency responders as judges of 21st Annual Chili Cook-Off. Richard Harrison, LVFD, Ret., will be joined next Saturday by David Norton of the Ludlow Ambulance Squad, and Brett Sanderson, of Sanderson Excavation.

“These guys kept cool heads through our recent emergency,” said Cook-Off Chairman Glenn Heitsmith. “Who better to judge hot chili?” Cook-off takes place rain or shine on Sat., Oct. 8 under the big tent in downtown Ludlow at the intersection of Main and Depot streets by the stop light.

Open to foliage visitors and locals alike, the fee for all-you-can-eat chili is $7 per person. The price also includes cider, bread and vanilla ice cream.

Meanwhile, a few table-spots remain available for anyone who would like to make chili. It costs $10 to enter and participants are asked to mix up a 3-5 gallon batch of chili, delivering it hot on the day of the event. Rotary provides bowls and spoons and volunteers to serve the chili starting at 11am.

Awards will be handed out in three judged categories: “Best,” “Spiciest” and “Team Spirit.” The public gets to vote for their favorite chili, garnering the winner $100 and a nifty plaque from the Rotary Club. Second place pays $50 and $25 goes to the third-place chef. Net proceeds from this year’s cook-off will benefit the Black River Valley Senior Center and charities of the Ludlow Rotary Club.

Contact Glenn Heitsmith for an entry form. A flood victim himself, Heitsmith advises those interested in making chili to contact him via email for an entry form at: [email protected].

Museum Features "Walk for Local History" Oct. 29

 

On Saturday, Oct, 29, Black River Academy Museum (BRAM) will sponsor its  'annual' "Ludlow Walk for Local History".  The walk will be a 5 K walk from Black River High School, High Street, Dug Road, and finally follow Route 103 back through the Village to Black River High School.  Pictured above is part of the walking contingent on South Main Street during last Spring's Walk for Local History.

 

 Registration for adults is $15 and $10 for students and seniors.  Registration will include the t-shirt (depending on availability), entertainment, beverages, and snacks.  The time for walk check-in starts at 10 am at the high school.  The actual walk will begin at 10:30 am.  Phone registration may be made by calling 802-228-5050.  Requests for form may be sent to [email protected]. 

According to walk coordinator, Sharon Combes-Farr, "We wanted to do a fun event in the off season between foliage and winter that encourages friends and families to be outside. We thought a 5K walk would be a fun way for people to show support for the Museum while getting some exercise and fresh air."

She added, "We chose this weekend for the walk because we have recently embarked on adding a major new exhibit to the museum that will focus on Civil War history memorabilia."

Sharon indicated that the walk would enable all levels to participate since it would cover relatively level ground. She added that t-shirts for the walk would be available with registration.

Good Neighbors Reminds Flood Victims of Help It May Provide

At its recent meeting, the board of directors of Black River Good Neighbors Services (BRGN) adopted the following request to area residents and property owners regarding assistance to victims of Tropical Storm Irene:

 

"If you know of any families or individuals who suffered losses as a result of Tropical Storm Irene who live in Mt. Holly, Plymouth, Ludlow, Cavendish, or Proctorsville and are in need of assistance, please suggest that they contact Black river Good Neighbors at 228-3663 and speak with Audrey Bridge, Good Neighbor's Director.  BRGN has funding available to provide levels of support to those in need.  In addition we have a voucher program for clothing and household items in our thrift shop.  Good Neighbors is not in a position to fund the rebuilding of a home but it can help with part of it or with other baisc necessities.  Please call us at 228-3663 to learn if Good Neighbors can help."

 

"BRGN has adopted new procedures to deal with the extraordinary needs created as a result of Irene's devastation", noted BRGN President Peter LaBelle.  He said that even those whose property was not directly impacted by the flood but who may have lost employment due to it should contact BRGN to see if they qualify for assistance.

FOLA Sponsors Healthcare Forum on Act 48 Oct. 20

 

With the mounting discussions concerning Act 48, the legislation aimed at creating a statewide healthcare policy, and the on-going questions as to how such a system might work and cost Vermonters, FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) decided it was time for the two major sides to address the pros and cons of the issue before an area audience. 

As a result, FOLA has created a panel of six statewide leaders in the healthcare field debate to discuss the meaning and impact of Act 48 on Thursday, October 20 at 7 PM at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium.  To ensure that the panel discussion addresses all the key questions concerning this issue, FOLA asked Stewart Ledbetter, Senior Political  Reporter for WPTZ/WNNE, to moderate the panel discussion. 

The panel will consist of, 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. 

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.  For additional information, call 802-228-7239.

Death with Dignity - Oct Meetings

 

Curbstone Chorus Sings in Rutland Oct. 15

 
Submitted by the Rutland Curbstone Chorus

The Curbstone Chorus, Rutland’s own renowned men’s barbershop chorus presents its third annual show, an “A Cappella Extravaganza III”, Saturday October 15, 2011 at the Rutland Intermediate School Auditorium at 7:00PM.

Joining the Curbstoners will be The Honeymooners, a mixed quartet from New Hampshire.  This promises to be an evening of pure vocal harmony. 

Tickets are $15.00 and are available at Beauchamp and O’Rourke Pharmacy on Woodstock Avenue, Garland’s Agway on Park Street, the Book King on Center Street in Downtown Rutland and Mr. Twitter’s on North Main Street. Tickets can also be ordered by mail by using a ticket order form available on the Chorus’ website at www.curbstonechorus.org. In addition, tickets will be available at the door on the evening of the performance. 

Bring your family and friends and join the Curbstone Chorus for a unique musical experience Saturday October 15, 2011 at 7:00PM in the auditorium of the Rutland Intermediate School on Library Avenue in Rutland. 

Half of this year’s proceeds will be donated to the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund to aid the victims of Hurricane Irene.

For more information contact:  Tom Jackson at 802-770-0519 or Dick Nordmeyer at 802-273-2911 or visit the Chorus’ website.

Blood Donations on October 3 at LCC

 

RWSU/WSWSU Governance Meeting, Sept 21

Submitted by RWSU

        SPECIAL MEETING
 
         GOVERNANCE PLANNING COMMITTEE
          (with WINDSOR SOUTHWEST S. U. BOARD)

Wednesday, September 21, 2011
 6:00 PM
Cavendish Town Elementary School
Proctorsville, Vermont

A G E N D A

I. CALL TO ORDER:
a. Roll Call 

II. BUSINESS ITEMS:
a. Guest Speaker: Armando Vilaseca -Commissioner of Education, State of Vermont
b. Affirm Prior Mutual Agreements (PMAs)
c. Updates Since Last Meeting
d. Review of Revised Timeline
e. Review of Revised Planning Chart
f. Other business

III. NEXT MEETING & SET AGENDA ITEMS:

IV. EXECUTIVE SESSION (if needed):

V. ADJOURNMENT:

LPCTV Volunteers Help Muck Out the New Facility

 

Submitted by LPCTV

LPCTV would like to thank the volunteer work crew and the Town of Ludlow for cleaning out its future facility in the Ludlow Community Center, following the recent flood. The storm left about 6 inches of water was left standing in LPCTV’s space, next to Black River Good Neighbor Services. “We are very lucky that we did not have all of our equipment in there - it would have been fried”, said LPCTV’s Patrick Cody, adding that the water rushed beneath the double doors on the side of the building.

Immediately following the flood the Town of Ludlow maintenance crew removed the standing water from LPCTV’s space. On a recent Saturday morning, a volunteer crew consisting of Fred Marin, Sharon Bixby, Brigid Sullivan, David Hoeh, Randy Bixby, Leslie Bixby, Josh Bixby, & Ralph Pace pitched in by “mucking out” the space and cleaning it up.  Pictured above are,from left to right: Fred Marin, Sharon Bixby, Leslie Bixby, Brigid Sullivan. Josh Bixby. Randy Bixby, & David Hoeh.

 “The flood is a set back, for sure, but we are still determined to get in there and resume work soon”, Cody said. To do that, it needed to be cleaned out. I applaud everyone who rose to the occasion to get that piece done.” LPCTV is scheduled to complete Phase 1 of its project in December of this year. The station has also been busy recording and archiving videos and images related to the flood and subsequent recovery effort. It is planning a community dinner event in October, where it will be including a screening of some of the documentation to date. Details on the event are soon to follow.