Island Pond

NEWPORT — Healthcare organizations have been turned upside down with the COVID-19 pandemic, but North Country Hospital says they are well prepared.

Many new protocols have been put into place to protect patients, their families, hospital staff, as well as the public, which include a strict no visitor policy and restricted points of entry into the hospital and campus buildings for employees.

Routine office visits, procedures, and elective surgeries have been postponed, and the hospital is doing its best to keep people away from the hospital at this time.

The North Country Hospital Emergency Department still serves patients 24/7 and clinics are providing some services by phone and telehealth.

“In light of this evolving crisis, I have been so encouraged with the energy and resourcefulness of our leaders, physicians, and staff,” said Hospital CEO Brian Nall.

If you have questions regarding COVID-19, a nurse resource line is available weekdays from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. by calling 802-334-4139.

This line can also be reached by calling 802-334-7331, option 7.

You will get a return call by the end of the business day or next business day.

Testing for COVID-19 continues by appointment for suspected positive cases of COVID-19.

North Country Hospital has an appropriately staffed and secure mobile lab site where patients can drive up to be tested in their car by appointment.

It currently operates Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1-3 p.m.

They will soon be adding a mobile testing site on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Island Pond.

The hospital says staff have been preparing for the possible surge of patients and have speedily transformed the ambulance bay and two operating rooms should they be needed.

Temporary walls were built, screens purchased, and equipment moved with great attention to detail.

In light of the fact that the hospital is not operating at normal levels with services temporarily reduced and, in some cases, suspended, to best manage resources they have had to flex staff and suspend normal work hours for a portion of employees.

The hospital says they want to get all staff back in place as soon as possible.

Generous donations to the hospital’s Foundation by physicians and leaders have helped us create a COVID-19 response fund to assist colleagues in need.

“We are so grateful for the community support that has come our way each and every day during this difficult time,” Brian Nall added. “Thank you for your prayers and your offers of assistance, which include extra personal protection equipment, sewn masks and more. In the meantime, shelter in place, maintain social distancing when you do need to leave home, and wash those hands. Together, we will stay strong.”

ISLAND POND — Lt. Col Mark C. Biron was posthumously honored with an Individual Achievement Award by the Vermont Historical Society.

Every year the Vermont Historical Society presents the League of Local Historical Societies & Museums Achievement Awards.

These awards recognize the exceptional work being done by individuals and community heritage organizations throughout the state to collect, preserve and share Vermont’s rich history.

Biron’s award was one of three individual awards presented this year at the Vermont Historical Society Annual Meeting held September 29 in Montpelier.

Individual Achievement awards honor a person’s work and commitment to local history over an extended period of time.

Biron served as president of the Island Pond Historical Society twice.

Once for a period of twelve years, and the second time for one year before he passed away.

In 2007, Biron served in Afghanistan but still remained president of the society.

While in Afghanistan, Biron thwarted a nighttime Taliban raid on his remote mountaintop compound and was able to rouse the other U.S soldiers.

A huge firefight broke out, but all American lives were saved. He received an award and was promoted to Lt. Col.

At the age of 15, Biron got involved with the historical society through his interest in photography.

Early on he realized the importance of preserving the history of the NEK, and so since his twenties served the Island Pond Historical Society in various ways.

He worked as the newsletter editor, writer, photographer, as well as secretary, treasurer, website creator, and president.

He loved the idea of retiring from all his previous roles to become the curator in the museum, and he managed to complete a lot of work during this time.

He arranged displays and drove all over Vermont with his wife Sharon to collect unwanted display stands from other museums.

Biron had a strong vision for the Island Pond Historical museum. He wanted the museum to be fully interactive, to have light and sound, not just static exhibits.

Sharon was made president only twenty days before Mark died in an airplane crash in Island Pond.

Sharon immediately got to work at making sure Biron’s vision for the museum continued.

He wanted the museum to transform into a learning center, and Sharon has been working with Craig A. Goulet to see this through.

Despite the massive tragedy of Biron’s death, they have kept the museum running, developing outreach programs, and have succeeded in strengthening the society, enlarging it, attracting more members, and turning it into a high profile success with a massive NEK presence.

ISLAND POND — Island Pond will be hosting its Farewell to Summer Celebration August 30 – September 1, in beautiful downtown Island Pond.

The weekend kicks off on Friday, August 30, with Friday Night Live featuring one of Vermont’s hottest bands, the Party Crashers starting at 6:00 p.m.

The committee is excited to be welcoming back Catamount Arts mobile stage to the park for this week’s concert. The Catamount stage was an incredible addition to this year’s Independence Day Celebration and the committee is excited to have it back for this weekend.

Friday Night Live is part of the getNEKedVT “In Tune Tour.” The getNEKedVT campaign will be giving away free t-shirts and stickers at this week’s concert.

Saturday morning, August 31, kicks off Island Pond’s biggest Market Day ever at 9:00 a.m. in Lakeside Park.

With over 20 vendors already signed up, visitors are sure to find many treasures to take home.

The Farewell to Summer Car Show will be held at the American Legion Brighton Post 80 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Starting at noon, A Flock of Waa Waas will be performing on the Catamount Stage in Lakeside Park.

The VFW Post #2309 will get your Sunday started with their hearty Public Breakfast at 8:30 a.m.

The 13th Annual Pond-a-Thon Fun Run hits the pavement at 9:00 a.m., registration starts at 7:30 a.m. at the town beach.

The Great Island Pond Canoe Race starts at noon at the town beach followed by the Human Foosball Tournament starting at 1:00 p.m.

The weekend ends on a more mellow note with a Wine Tasting at The Hearth & Home Country Store featuring six specially selected wines to enjoy.

Detailed event information can be found at www.VisitIslandPond.com.

The celebration is a joint venture of the Island Pond Renewal Committee, Island Pond Chamber of Commerce, Brighton Community Forum, Brighton Recreation, Town of Brighton and Catamount Arts.

ISLAND POND — Authorities say they have identified the pilot who was killed in a plane crash that took place in Island Pond on Saturday.

The victim has been preliminarily identified as Mark Biron, 60, of Brighton.

Biron’s single-engine aircraft went down at about 3:45 p.m. near the small John H. Boylan Airport in Island Pond.

Initial 911 reports came in of a large fire approximately 100 yards from the airport runway.

Both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board sent investigators to the crash scene to determine the cause of the fatal accident.

There has been no update from investigators at this time.

A funeral service for Biron is scheduled for Friday at 1:00 p.m. at St. James Catholic Church.

ISLAND POND — Police are investigating a fatal airplane crash near the John H. Boylan Airport in Island Pond.

At about 3:45 p.m. this afternoon, 911 reports came in of a large fire approximately 100 yards from the airport runway.

Emergency crews responding to the scene discovered a small single-engine aircraft that had been badly burned.

The sole occupant of the plane was found deceased.

Police say they are working to confirm the identity of the victim.

Investigators from the FAA and the NTSB are expected to arrive tomorrow to start an investigation into the cause of the crash.

Police say they will remain on scene overnight to secure the location.

NEWPORT — Peter Alexander may have retired from his physical education work at North Country Union High School, but he certainly hasn’t retired from helping people stay fit.

Alexander joined the Northeast Kingdom Learning Services (NEKLS) team to run a group of outdoor activities for NEKLS staff and students. He has already set up and run volleyball, kickball, frisbee golf, and most recently a biking trip.

The turnout has been good for a first attempt at getting staff and students together for fitness.

“There are nineteen or so staff and students that have been taking part,” Alexander said. “It creates an opportunity for staff and students to be healthy, and to bond.”

Connie Miner, of Island Pond, has joined NEKLS as the operations support administrator.

Miner said her prior positions at the MSA Helmet Factory and the Island Pond Health Care Center prepared her well for something as wide-reaching as helping in the administrative offices of NEKLS’s many programs.

“I had experience multitasking, with scheduling, inventory control, receiving, purchasing, covering government contracts, shipping, confidentiality, phones, helping people.”