On August 3, 2016

Heaven is the place to be

Submitted

“Deli” Steve Van Nostrand

By Ned Dyer

Heaven is the place to be … at least it kinda seems that way. In the last week, two of our close friends, Deli Steve Van Nostrand and Louie “Little Flower” Belfore have climbed the golden stairs. Deli had earned his wings long before his ascension, but if St. Peter, for any reason, didn’t  open the pearlies in a timely fashion, Louie would have already found the side door.

Deli and Lou were both tightly woven into the fabric of the Killington Community. Deli Steve–carpenter, bartender, tennis player, keeper or birds, speaker of Japanese (go figure)–flew under the radar. Louie–bar owner, bartender, former Vermont State Trooper and one of the funniest human beings to haunt the Access Road–did it his way. Although different in some ways, they were the same in many, many ways. They were both front runners when it came to supporting a community event, and rock solid when it came to lending a supporting hand, and always with incredible senses of humor.

I once went to Dania, Florida, with Deli for a haircut. I swore I would go back, it was the best haircut I ever had. The road trips to Fort Lauderdale with Louie in the big black Caddy with the “Shula” license plates were classic. Both Louie and Deli loved to have fun, but the bottom line is they were real good friends.

Miss them? You bet. But now they’re with Kenny, Danny, Chuck, Tuna, Teddy, Chet, Pablo, Frizzy, Billy R., John O.D., Franco, Ken K., Leo and Red and all the rest of the Killington crew and you can bet they’re planning some kind of shenanigans. I just hope the archangels have a sense of humor.

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

A classic rewind: PEGTV revives Rutland’s history through rediscovered video archives

February 19, 2025
By James Kent For nearly 30 years, PEGTV has served as Rutland County’s public access television station, documenting local events, high school sports, and community life. Executive Director Tom Leypoldt, who has been with the station for most of its existence, recently led a project to digitize and preserve hundreds of long-lost videos—bringing a treasure…

Middlebury Snowbowl offers a rare night skiing experience in Vermont

February 19, 2025
As daylight fades over the Green Mountains, the Middlebury Snowbowl transforms into an illuminated winter wonderland. One of only two lift-serviced night skiing areas in Vermont, the Snowbowl invites skiers and snowboarders to experience the thrill of carving down the slopes under the stars with a unique atmosphere that blends adventure, community, and the charm…

The state of real estate

February 12, 2025
  By Katy Savage   The local housing market picked up considerably after a slow start to 2024. Limited inventory remained a major driving factor with the total number of units sold up slightly by 1.9% across Rutland County and slightly down in the Upper Valley -3.5%, according to a regional analysis by Sotheby’s International Realty.…

Mountain Green condos $48m renovations is underway

February 12, 2025
By Polly Mikula Mountain Green Condominium Association, a 45-year-old, 215-unit association with a restaurant, spa, gym and two pools located across from Snowshed Lodge on East Mountain Road, is embarking on a $48 million renovation.  The renovations, under DEW Construction Corporation, will take about 2 1/2 years to complete. Work began in 2023 and is…