By Lani Duke
posted
Feb 14, 2013
COMMUNITY CENTER
CASTLETON - A grant from the Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging
is helping Doris Markie take the University of Vermont Extension
Master Gardener class, with the aim of using what she learns to
guide other CCC members in using the community garden to grow and
harvest healthful food on-site. Thanks too to the Castleton Lions
Club for fence installation and the Home
Depot Team for new raised beds and pathways. Let Doris know if
you want to take part in the garden project.
A hearty welcome to Barb Gustafson, back on the Castleton Community
Seniors board of directors. She had been a board member from 2002
to 2009 and was also secretary for the group. On the CCSI program
committee, she is working on plans for fall and next spring
learning series.
Also welcome to kitchen manager Stephen Anderson, CCC's newest
Vermont Associates trainee. Before he retired, Steve worked as a
manufacturer's representative.
Thanks to all who gave Christmas cheer to the Knitters Network
and the Operation Doll effort. In all, community members gave more
than 1,250 items, including knitted and crocheted items, dressed up
dolls, and toys. The Open Door Mission donated 673 items; the Boys
and Girls Club of Rutland County donated four pairs of steel-toed
Red Wing boots. These gifts went to newborns, preschoolers, school
children, teens, clients at the Woman's Shelter, homeless veterans,
active military, elderly, shut-ins, nursing home patients, food
shelves, home fire victims, and cancer patients. The RSVP doll
project and Toys for Tots received dolls and toys. Everybody won.
Spread the help around.
SELECTBOARD SUCCESSES
CASTLETON-The Castleton Select Board has continued to put out
information on recent accomplishments. The listing sounds
impressive, including improving Crystal Beach at Lake Bomoseen and
Dewey Field on North Road. Two rain gardens put to use rain from
the structure at the beach, which also sports a new roof and
electrical upgrade. A new playground at the beach is safer than the
old one.
Not all townspeople are responding positively to these positive
reports, not all appreciate having the select board's successes
pointed out. Some question whether hiring anyone to write and
disseminate this kind of town news is a waste of taxpayer
funds.
FIRE DEPT AWARDS
BENSON-The Benson Fire Department recently held its second annual
recognition and awards dinner. Tomas Bowen and Kevin Hurd received
first-year pins; Justin Bartholomew, a third-year pin; and Mike
Daigle, a five-year pin. The group recognized Wes Orr as
Firefighter of the Year. Chief Tom Neumann thank those who support
the department all year long, but especially at fundraisers the
Family Day BBQ and the Haunted Hayride.
FREE POETRY
BENSON-Benson Valley School recently received 50 free poetry books
paid for by a grant from the Vermont Humanities Council. Thanks to
Jaci Lussier and librarian Ann Maria Witt for putting the grant
application together.
SENIOR GARDEN
BENSON-Thanks to Fernande Washburn and Millie Ricketts for their
hard work in the Benson Heights senior garden last summer. Thanks
also to Paul and Pete Parent, who brought in compost to fill empty
raised beds and top off the rest of the garden. It produced
excellent vegetables, including sweet potatoes, a variety of
tomatoes, mini-cabbages, and more. Thanks, too, to Jan Burleson for
healthy and hardy seedlings, and brightly colored zinnias. Plans
are to lay a weed barrier between the nine raised beds to reduce
the need for straw and keep the garden tidy.
SCHOOL NEWS
MIDDLETOWN SPRINGS-The Middletown Springs Henderson Scholarship
Fund Selection Committee recently awarded three $500 scholarships
to Middletown Springs students who are beginning their college
careers. Timothy Carr is attending Gordon College in Wenham, MA;
Emma Lamberton is attending Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA; and
Zoe Carswell is attending the University of Bath in southwest
England.
Middletown Springs Elementary School has begun putting to use a
$20,000 matching grant from the Vermont Division of Historic
Preservation, replacing deteriorating slate roofing tiles with new
ones.
The week of February 4-8 is one local grade schoolers won't soon
forget. Circus Smirkus came to visit for a week-long residency,
teaching circus performance arts. Students then put on two shows on
Friday, the 8th, demonstrating what they'd learned.
SUMMER CONCERTS
FAIR HAVEN-Fair Haven concert organizer Fred Capron recently
announced the schedule for the town's summertime Concerts in the
Park. The Thursday evening concert series begins with Yankee Dixie,
playing music of the American South, on June 20, followed by Mellow
Yellow on the 27th.
The 40th Army Band of the Vermont National Guard comes to Fair
Haven the first concert in July, taking place on Friday, July 5, so
as to not conflict with other local celebrations on Thursday. More
than 1,300 people came to hear the band in Fair Haven last
summer.
The series return to Thursday evenings on July 11 with local
musician Freeman Corey in Snake Mountain Bluegrass, and then
Burlington-based Left Eye Jump with Dennis Wilmott on the 18th. The
summer music continues with Possum Haw on July 25; Prydein on
August 1, Moonlighters Big Band on August 8, and TS Ensemble on
August 15. August 22 wraps up the season, with the Starline Rhythm
Boys -- rained out last year - with an evening of honky tonk.
Concert goers will enjoy more than free music. Local businesses
and organizations plan door prizes, food, and a 50-50 raffle plus
free ice cream socials. All concerts begin at 7 p.m.
LANI'S PICKS
Saturday, Feb. 16 - St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Fair Haven hosts
its February community breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. Call Catherine
McCauley, 265-4010, for details.
Tagged:
News Briefs, Lakes Region
