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Bridget Burnett of Hubbardton was scheduled to speak at the Castleton Free Library recently, discussing her trip to Kenya last winter. She traveled to the African nation to work at an orphanage and was there during the violence that broke out as a result of that country's disputed presidential election. The thought of tribal violence stemming from politics makes me grateful to live here -- hope it does you too.
Spend your fourth of July at the water's edge along Lake Bomoseen. Wave your flag as the boats parade past in the 12th annual Bob Franzoni boat parade. Flag hand-outs begin at 1:15, with the parade starting at 2:00. At 7:00, the Onion River Jazz Band plays on Crystal Beach at 7:00 p.m. Concert organizer Dick Nordmeyer promises a "full house'' for this evening, the single event of the Castleton Concerts on the Green that takes place off the town green. He encourages you to bring your lawn chairs, picnic, etc. for an evening of New Orleans-style jazz, cooked along by a group who have been playing together for more than 20 years. Yowzers, what a treat!
Members come from all over the state; together, these seven individuals represent more than 200 years of performance experience. As a group, they have performed for weddings, grand openings, cruises, and recently with the Vermont Symphony.
The weekend promises historical excitement with the 231st anniversary of the Battle of Hubbardton, the only Revolutionary War battle actually fought within the borders of Vermont. Experience colonial games and shopping on Sutler's Row, take a guided tour of the battlefield itself, visit a recreated colonial schoolroom, see a performance by a fife and drum corps, and more. Admission to the Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Site is free for those under age 15, $5.00 for adults.
Mount Independence State Historic Site features a summer-long display on "American and British Soldiers: What They Carried and Why." See the uniforms and equipment on both sides of the Revolutionary conflict.
One of the region's most beloved bands performs on the Castleton town green on Tuesday, July 8, as Satin & Steel brings its high energy sound to all us music lovers. The show starts at 7:00; the rain site is the Casella Theatre on the Castleton State College campus.
Mark Scott of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department recently spoke at a breakfast at the Trak-In, describing the success of the summertime green Mountain Conservation Camps held at the Edward F. Kehoe Conservation Camp. Other than the first session, which took place while some schools were still in session, all the camps have reached maximum registration. During the week, attendees learn a variety of outdoor and conservation skills.
Individual contributions enable many young people to take part who would otherwise have been unable to attend one of the seven sessions at the Lake Bomoseen site (or similar sessions at Buck Lake in Woodbury). The participants learn about the fish and wildlife of Vermont, forests and forestry, wetland ecology, building bluebird boxes, outdoor safety skills, fly-fishing and spin casting, fly-tying, archery, hiking and camping, canoeing, and firearm safety.
This year, Camp Kehoe is hosting five weeks of sessions for boys and two for girls, but that is subject to change and interest levels, Scott says. He keeps an eye on waiting list lengths; when the girls' waiting list significantly outweighs that of the boys, Scott may add another girls' session. The cost for the week's stay is $200.
The camp is named for Edward Kehoe, who was Castleton town manager (1955-1965) when he was tapped to head up the state's Fish and Game Department, a position he held for 17 years. While young people attend, they learn wetland ecology, building bluebird boxes, outdoor safety skills, fly-fishing and spin casting, fly-tying, archery, hiking and camping, canoeing, and firearm safety. |
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