The Mountain Times

Rutland Report

Thanks to all who helped their neighbors and the community at large to confront the issues left from tropical storm Irene. Rutland High became a temporary Red Cross shelter. Newly opened Lagasse's Hearthside Grille kept extra long hours to feed emergency workers. Casella Waste Management has been delivering donated supplies, working with the freshly created Restoring Rutland group that collects those basic necessities at 34 Strongs Ave. and Christ the King School at Killington Avenue and South Main St. Want to volunteer? Check in with the folks at 34 Strongs.  

Rebuilding the community is going to take a while. Lowlying areas like Meadow Street Playground likely will contain debris for quite some time. Otter Creek crested at 17.21 feet, nearly four feet about its 1938 flood level (no gauge existed for the 1927 flood). First priority is making sure that people and animals have food and water, and that roads are passable. One of the small things everyone can do is to drain any buckets, paint cans, or other containers of standing water; each may otherwise become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. 

Singer/researcher Linda Radtke brings music from the Vermont Historical Society archives to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of Rutland for a 1:30 p.m. program on Vermont music traditions Friday, September 9, at the Godnick Adult Center, 1 Deer St. For details, call 446-2041 or 492-2300.  

The 4th annual Walk to end Alzheimer's starts at Rutland's Main Street Park at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 10. All are welcome to take part, regardless of age or ability. Call Mary Lou Morrissette at 747-3426 or (866) 747-7168. 

Don Ross's "Stone, Water, Metal" photography precedes SculptFest 11, with the display opening at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, September 10, in the Carving Studio & Sculpture Center, 636 Marble St., West Rutland. The opening reception begins at 5:00 with the Fine Art Raffle, with drawing at 7:00 p.m. Call 438-2097 for specifics. 

The Vermont Dining Train rolls again on Sunday, September 11. You eat a four course meal in an authentic Pullman Dining Car as your train rolls through scenic Vermont countryside.  Call 800-292-7245. 

Former faculty and staff of Christ the King School are invited to join their current counterparts in celebration of the school's 125th anniversary at an 11:00 a.m. mass Sunday, September 11, followed by a barbeque on the school grounds. Call Betsy Morgan at the CKS main office, 773-0500, to reserve your spot. 

Learn to mediate lead paint in a certification class (RRP) through the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Southern Vermont in an all-day class at FW Webb in Rutland, 30981 Cold River Rd., Tuesday, September 13. The class runs 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 773-0672 to find out more. 

Central Vermont Eye Care hosts the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce September mixer Tuesday evening at 5:00. Call 773-2747 to learn the details. 

Want to help provide the needs of people who are homeless? Meet with service professionals and community members to plan, coordinate and deliver housing and other services. Come to the Rutland City Police Department on Wales Street at noon, Thursday, September 15. Call 775-9286 for details. 

Rutland Middle School plans an open house for parents and teachers to meet at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, September 22. 

Vermont Rail Systems is asking the town of West Rutland to close Barnes Street to vehicles, with the idea that decreasing the number of available street crossings would help prevent accidents, especially with the train's anticipated speed-up. However, the street connects neighborhoods with the school and Route 4A; most locals seem to believe that Barnes is not a mere "redundant crossing" but an important part of daily life. 

Central Vermont Public Service (NYSE-CV) has purchased Omya's Vermont Marble Power Division, bringing the smaller utility's 875 customers into the CVPS pool. The $29.25 million buy includes hydroelectric production facilities on Otter Creek and other assets.    

Our heartfelt sympathy goes to the Garofano family, losing two family members when a river bank gave way. 

Dr. Arabella Bull-Stewart, a physiatrist who helps people recover from serious injury and surgery, has joined the staff of Rutland Regional Medical Center. An osteopath, she is also certified in acupuncture. In addition to working at the hospital, she will work with the Vermont Orthopaedic Spine Clinic and at out-patient rehab locations. 

Congratulations to Rachel Ingalls of Rutland who recently graduated with not one, but two bachelor's degrees from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. 

Bring your vocal talents to hospice and other patients in the Rutland area by joining the Trillium chorus, the hospice program of the Rutland Area Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice (RAVNAH). Find out more by calling Nancy Birdsall at 770-1682. 

Rutland's annual Harvest Fest will include a birthday party for the original Rutland, encompassing not only Rutland City and Rutland Town but also West Rutland and the southern part of today's Proctor. The celebration of the original town's charter 250 years ago will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, October 8. 

Local doctors Bruce Bullock and Seth Coombs are switching their practice to a "concierge medicine" model, charging annual fees to their whittled down client roster.

The Rutland Area Farm and Food Link (RAFFL) celebrates local farms and food with its annual Twilight in the Meadow. This year, Twilight rises at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, September 11, on Hathaway Farm in Rutland Town, with a raw bar of New England oysters and clams, farm tours, and locally sourced cuisine from chef Sissy Hicks. Bid on auction items while you eat followed by mingling to music as the moon rises.  

As the Rutland area cleans up after Irene's visit, you have to marvel at the community-wide cooperation. Say your thanks to the many people and organizations that have given so freely of themselves and their resources. The Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce kept its office throughout the holiday weekend to  answer calls for assistance and pass along information. Grace Church in Rutland held a supper for volunteers and victims. The Vermont Rail System repaired washed out track beds sp that gasoline, oil, riprap, and other supplies could reach our community. The Casella company voluntarily located replacement water pipe and helped bring the necessaries to those in need. The Vermont State Fair people helped recreate a feeling of normalcy for the Labor Day weekend and the following week, although the tractor pulls had to be set aside. The folks who put together the Restoring Rutland effort and all those who set aside part of their businesses to help collect and deliver food and clothing all deserve a medal.

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