By Lani Duke
posted
May 23, 2012
GMC snips
POULTNEY-Prof. Eleanor Tison (E.S., Sust. Ag.), Garland Mason, and
Dave and Cindy Ondria of Chartwells recently represented Green
Mountain College in the opening plenary session of "Food
Connections: Reconnecting Hands, Mouth, and Mind through Food
Systems Education." The conference included reps from Unity
College, UMass, and McGill University.
Prof. William Prado's
business law class visited Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR)
headquarters; the head of GMC's legal team spoke to the group about
legal work at GMCR. The group also received a tour of the company's
factory.
College graduation
POULTNEY-Green Mountain College's 2012 commencement participants
recently walked down Main Street to the campus green. Undergraduate
and graduate students taking part numbered 183 in the school's
175th commencement ceremony.
Commencement speaker Majora Carter, founder of economic and
environmental development organization Sustainable South Bronx,
received an honorary doctor of laws degree, while health
administrator and consultant Cornelius "Con" Hogan received a
doctor of humane letters degree.
Therapy dogs aid finals prep
CASTLETON-Castleton State College students taking their finals this
year could receive a support from the friendly canines visiting the
college library's student lounge. Petting their warm, furry coats
is believed to provide welcome stress relief, or at least a much
needed study break.
Town office progress
CASTLETON-New ripples continue to surface in the ongoing bubbles of
Castleton's turmoil on the location and budget for the seat of town
government. Town attorney John Liccardi recently announced that the
structure recognized as the Buel building (site of what has been
recognized as the town hall) is not only seated on three parcels of
property but that one of those has specific rejections on it. The
western end of the structure is available for the community's use
only as long as it contains some form of interpretive history on
the town, especially the Colonial, Revolutionary, and Civil War
period. It doesn't now.
Any changes to the building require getting current officers of the
historical society to file a quit claim deed, since the grantors of
the provisional deed signed the transfer to the town as historical
society officers.
In the meantime, there is a petition out to build a new fire
station for the community south of Castleton Family Health on
Vermont Rt. 30N, with a bond of $1.5 million; the figure includes
funds for land purchase. Petitions are already available at many
businesses throughout Hydeville, Castleton Four Corners, and other
sites.
Volunteers needed to help fight fires
CASTLETON-Both the Castleton Firefighters Association and the
Castleton Volunteer Fire Department are seeking new members. The
non-profit association raises funds to buy additional equipment and
restore the equipment it has. It meets the third Wednesday of each
month at 6 p.m. in the Castleton Fire Department, 39 Elm Street.
The association is a non-profit organization made up of community
members, and the membership of the Castleton Fire Department. Call
779-1187 or 282-9526 for more info.
The Fire Department is seeking applicants interested in helping
fight fires in the community. To join, you must live in Castleton
or a neighboring town and be at least age 16. Training is provided.
Call fire chief Heath Goyette, 342-0167 or visit the fire station
at 7 p.m. any Wednesday evening.
For community good
FAIR HAVEN-A group is forming to repair the West Street Cemetery in
Fair Haven. Town officials have agreed to appoint a five-member
cemetery committee, and have appointed Charlotte Capron, Dani
Roberts, Tim Pockette, and Mary McNeil. A fifth member is yet to be
appointed. The work will begin with cleaning up fallen trees and
cutting out tall grass with long term goals to fix some of the
fencing and replace a dilapidated slate berm.
Fair Haven officials have also created a committee to research and
evaluate the town's recycling practices and make recommendations
that will make the process more efficacious. Among which is a look
at whether to switch to single-stream recycling. The committee will
also develop and implement promotional and educational programs on
recycling. Volunteers are invited to submit a letter of
intent.
A new non-profit group has formed in Pawlet to buy and conserve
65.5 acres of land atop Haystack Mountain. Members have until
December 31 to raise a minimum of $130,000 to purchase Haystack's
summit. Some 900+ acres around Haystack are already conserved,
either owned or under conservation easement to the Vermont Land
Trust and the Nature Conservancy. The Friends of Haystack already
has 501(c)3 status, aimed at protecting the mountain, allowing
public access for recreation, and preserving habitats for certain
rare species including the peregrine falcon.
LANI'S PICKS
Friday, May 25 - Contra Dance, Tinmouth Community Center. 8 p.m.
All dances taught, no partner needed. 235-2718.
Saturday, May 26 - Fair Haven Spring Fling celebrates Memorial Day
beginning with a ceremony honoring troops and veterans at the POW
monument, followed by a parade and great food and vendors in the
park. 265-8600.
Sunday, May 27 - Benson's celebration of Memorial Day features the
Fair Haven Union marching band. 537-3434.
Wednesday, May 30 - Learn about deer ticks and Lyme disease at an
informational meeting at 6:30 in Castleton Free Library. Call
468-5574 with questions.
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