Thinking Outside the Box

Recent news articles about a proposed Vernon gas plant have stimulated much thinking.

Ever since Yankee announced closure, many wondered what, if anything would replace it.

It’s a wonderful opportunity for investors who can successfully answer that question.

The existing (and newly renovated) switchyard pictured here constitutes an “injection point” where up to a gigawatt of electricity can be supplied to the grid for distribution over already robust transmission lines to markets in New England, New York and even Canada.

 


Guilford Pre-Town Meeting Thursday

Broad Brook Grange will hold its annual Pre-Town Meeting on Thursday, February 18, 7:00 pm at the Grange hall. 

This is the only opportunity for voters to hear details of the articles which will be presented at the Town and School District Meetings, and to meet and discuss issues with the selectboard and school board all in one evening, in advance of Town Meeting.  

In addition, candidates for town and school board offices are urged to attend to introduce themselves to the voters.  State law prevents any “campaigning” by candidates at Town Meeting, when an Australian ballot is used, as in this instance.  So this is the only time before the vote for the public to meet and hear the candidates all at once.  


Tim (Johnson) Arsenault Running for Vernon Town Clerk

Vernon native and Hall of Fame broadcaster Tim ( Johnson ) Arsenault, will seek the office of Vernon Town Clerk in the March first town wide election. The 59 year old Arsenault has served as the Town Moderator for the past 17 years, Brattleboro Union High School district Moderator for the past 16 years, Justice of the peace for 13 years, and Board of Civil Authority Chair for the past 7. He was named to the Vermont Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2014, and was the 2014 Brattleboro area Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year. Tim is a 1968 graduate of Vernon Elementary School, and a 1974 Brattleboro Union High school graduate.


Deerfield Valley Inn Holds “Your American Dream” Essay Contest To Award $600,000 Country Property

Contest will award winning entrant financial freedom via ownership of The Deerfield Valley Inn, a $600,000 country inn property in the Mount Snow area of southern Vermont.

WEST DOVER, VT (November 2015) – The owners of the Deerfield Valley Inn (DVI) have announced an essay contest to award full ownership, free and clear, of the inn to the winning entrant. Entrants will submit an essay on the subject: “This is my dream: To own a Vermont country inn property”.  While the property has operated as a country inn for more than 60 years, the contest rules do not require the new owner to operate as an inn.

After more than 17 years of ownership, the owners have decided to use the growing popularity of the “Essay Contest” to find the next owner of the DVI. The winning contestant will be awarded the $600,000 property and the
keys to their financial future. Doreen Cooney, owner, observed: “While a great many people are interested in the B & B lifestyle, many have difficulty financing their dream.


Supper/Dance Saturday in Guilford – Barn Collapse Benefit

Broad Brook Grange will present a benefit supper and contradance on Saturday, December 5, beginning at 5:00 pm at the Grange hall in Guilford Center.  The proceeds will benefit a local farm which suffered a barn collapse due to a weather event.

On Thursday, October 29, a rare “microburst” hit the town of Guilford, with unusually high wind gusts, bringing down the roof under construction on a new dairy barn at the Clark Farm, injuring a family member and carpenter Tom Henry of Guilford.  Saturday’s fundraiser will assist the Clark Farm, as well as Mr. Henry.

The evening begins with supper served from 5-7 pm, which will include homemade chili, spaghetti, breads, salads, dessert, featuring apple crisp, and beverages prepared by Grange and community chefs.


Annual Siren Test Scheduled For Area VT., NH and MA Towns For Nov. 7 At Noon

On Saturday, Nov. 7 at noon, state and local public safety agencies will conduct an audible sounding of the 37 sirens within the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant’s 10-mile emergency planning zone.

The full three-minute siren testing is conducted by Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts state public safety agencies in compliance with the regulations of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure the effectiveness of the public notification system.

Vermont Yankee ceased operations on December 29, 2014.


Evening of Community Contra Dancing in Dummerston

The Village Dance Series provides an opportunity for families and friends to come together to enjoy one of New England’s traditional pastimes. Experience is not necessary, as all the dances are taught.

Our next evening of community contra and square dances will take place at the Evening Star Grange in Dummerston Center on Saturday, October 17, from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Mary Cay Brass will be calling the dance. There will be a traditional folk tale midway through the evening. The program will include traditional New England contra dances, square dances, circle mixers, and couple dances.


Dummerston Community Center Rummage and Tag Sale

There will be a benefit rummage and tag sale on Saturday, October 3rd, from 9 am to 12 noon at the Dummerston Community Center.

Items for sale include books, toys, games, kitchenware, clothing, footwear and many miscellaneous items. Rain or shine, come and enjoy coffee and Lester’s donuts and look for treasures! All money donations from the sale will benefit the Center’s operating and maintenance cost.

For information call 802-254-9212 or 802-254-2415. The Dummerston Community Center is located at 150 West Street, in the West Dummerston Village.  


Beginner’s Hunyuan Chen Style Taiji Quan Class in Dummerston, VT

Beginner’s Hunyuan Taiji Quan is a 14 week series that introduces the principles of alignment, balance, correct movement, qi (vital energy) cultivation. Each week participants will learn a new movement of the Hunyuan 12 movement taiji quan form. Through dedicated practice, students will complete the form by the end of the series.

Participants will also learn chan si gong (silk reeling) exercises to help open and relax the joints while simultaneously nourishing the vital qi and blood of the body. All are foundational practices to re-condition the mind/body connection, deepening one’s capacity to relax, release stress, improve balance, and build core strength.


Kickstarter Campaign to Help Light Up Guilford Center Stage

Guilford Center Stage is a new project of Broad Brook Grange in … Guilford Center!  We will be presenting occasional theatrical productions on the little stage there, with the first show scheduled for Columbus Weekend.  Currently, and for the past half century, the stage is lit by a sad trio of 75 watt floodlights: Not real stage lighting!

The Grange is able to absorb the modest costs of the production, which we hope will be covered by admissions.  But one more costly item is the acquisition of a small theater lighting system, which will light up this show and be ready for future events.


Vernon is Back Online

We are officially introducing the new unofficial website for Vernon, , created and maintained by Bronna Zlochiver (who also publishes the unofficial town digital newsletter) and myself.

The site will publish news updates about Vernon, town documents such as minutes, warnings and agendas, upcoming events, links to selectboard videos on the BCTV website, a weather forecast, a town directory with phone numbers and email addresses, and links to Vernon town entities, organizations and businesses. It also features a gallery of seasonal photos of Vernon scenes.


Townshend Web Site

The Townshend website has been redeveloped as a private venture. Local Board minutes, information, links to meeting videos, are being posted currently for anyone who is interested. The email list has been reinstated as well for items like agendas or important, time sensitive, information. More past documents will be uploaded as time goes by but much has been posted as of this note. 

http://www.unofficialtownshendvt.net/


Marlboro Summer Sale

The Marlboro Alliance Summer Sale takes place this weekend July 25 – 26. This is a town-wide, two-day sale. Located in Marlboro, VT town center, just off Route 9. There will be two buildings chock-full of great stuff & clothing.

The sale runs Saturday from 9-3. There you can find great bargains, bid in the silent auction, buy a new wardrobe and enjoy the bake sale cafe. On Sunday between 11-1, everything is free! There is always plenty of excellent merchandise and clothing available for free on Sunday, no one walks away empty handed.


Guilford 5K Run & Freedom Fest Saturday

The Guilford 5K Race & Freedom Fest will be held Saturday, July 11 at Broad Brook Grange.

The event will begin with a 5K race and continue with two hours of family fun, food, and music.  Events are an hour earlier this year, so that the race can be run in cooler temperatures. 

Registration for Guilford’s 4th annual 5K run takes place from 8 to 9 am, with the registration fee of $15 benefitting the Grange Building Fund.  The race starts at 9 am beginning at the Grange, and takes a circuit past the Town Office and School, through woodlands and up Barney Hill, through farmland, and back through historic Guilford Center to the Grange. There will be a number of prizes for runners.  John Majonen will again manage this event, and may be contacted for more information at <> or 802-257-4067.


Solarize Dummerston Invites You To A Solar Open House Gathering. Tue June 30th 6-8p

Solarize Dummerston invites you to a Solar open house gathering. *This is not just for Dummerston residents – all are welcome and all can benefit – the more people signing up the greater the savings*.

Please tell your friends, and neighbors, please share this event!

Tuesday, June 30 from 6-8pm
Dummerston Grange – 1008 East-West Rd


Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies Reconvening Technical Working Group

Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS) has reconvened its Technical Working Group (TWG) to develop further implementation strategies for the Windham Region’s federally recognized Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS). The TWG is comprised of professionals from around the region engaged in economic, community and workforce development initiatives whose expertise is needed to aid in continued development and effective implementation of the CEDS.


Donations Needed for Coffee Break at the Vermont Welcome Center

The Dummerston Community Center is holding an all day bake, snack, coffee fundraiser at the Vermont Welcome Center, on Friday, June 26th from 7:30 AM to 7 PM. We need your donations of baked goods, snacks, fruit, veggies, coffee, coffee cream, bagels etc.

Any donation food, gift certificates or money would be greatly appreciated.Volunteers to help on the 26th at the snack tables are also needed.