By Lani Duke
Fire station construction
CASTLETON—Castleton’s new fire station and first response facility recently received its land use permit from the Act 250 board. Shovels may have broken ground already. Construction is expected to be complete in spring 2015. Firefighters anticipate a greatly improved response time once they move into the new station.
Practicality meets academics
CASTLETON—Students at Castleton State College have opportunities to improve their campus as well as perform research and learn on the job. Students in the Castleton Upward Bound program recently constructed a series of water bars and rain gardens to prevent runoff and erosion along the often-used path from Castleton Hall to Huden Dining Hall. Utilizing native Vermont plants and locally-quarried stone, they built sunken gardens with cascading levels to guide water flow, preventing washouts. Local high schoolers who labored on the project were Brianna Barker, Brockton Corbett, Thomas Bacher, Emily Ray, Brett Cross, Alexander Caraballo, Megyn Spafford and Zach Caraballo, working with coordinator and Castleton professor Ann Honan.
Congratulations
to Middletown Springs Volunteer Fire Association on receiving a grant to contract for design work on a storm water mitigation plan to cover the road and parking areas around the firehouse, community church, and Historical Society building.
to Castleton prof Preston Garcia of the Natural Sciences Department, who recently received a $25,000 Vermont Genetics Network grant for the second consecutive year to continue specialized bacteria research on the metabolism of beneficial soil bacteria, Sinorhizobium meliloti. The bacteria grow symbiotically with legumes to fix nitrogen in the soil. The research is aimed at increasing agricultural productivity. The funds will aid the Natural Sciences Department’s plan to establish an active, externally funded research program across all disciplines.
to Castleton sophomore Christopher Villa, who received an American Society of Microbiology fellowship for his role in the above project.
Lani’s weekly picks
Saturday, Oct. 4—Middletown Springs holds open house tours of the new town building site, the former Parker garage. See preliminary sketches and floor plans for the town office and the library. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 5—The Forget Me Not Ride for Alzheimer’s Awareness leaves Fair Haven town park after 9:30 a.m. sign-in, for a 104-mile trek in memory of Donald Rivers Sr. Call Mark Rivers, (518) 812-7857.
Sunday, Oct. 5—Middletown Springs Historical Society Museum hosts a slide lecture by textile conservator Michele Pagan on the conservation process she used to restore the Vermont State Civil War flag collection. 1 to 4 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 5—Hike up Mount Zion with site interpreter Carl Fuller to enjoy the fall colors and aerial view of the Hubbardton battlefield and surrounding mountains. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, and bring water. Meet at the Visitor Center. 2-5 pm, Hubbardton Battlefield, 5696 Monument Hill Rd., Adult: $3, children under 15: free.
Wednesday, Oct. 8—Get up early to see a total lunar eclipse, 4 to 7 a.m. at Hubbardton Battlefield with the Green Mountain Alliance of Amateur Astronomers. Bring blankets and flashlights. Call to confirm, 273-2282.
Wednesday, Oct. 8—Castleton Woman’s Club meets for a light lunch, business meeting, and demonstration/talk by Vermont craftswoman Carolyn Buttolph. Club members will bring items to donate to the Rutland County Women’s Network and Shelter. 468-5421.
