Northeast Kingdom

NEWPORT — Artists and educators, organizers and entrepreneurs from the Northeast Kingdom will be hitting the hallways and committee rooms of the Vermont Statehouse on Tuesday, January 28, for the second annual NEK Day.

The goal is to celebrate recent successes in the three-county region, share the innovative rural community development models that are forming in the NEK and work with legislators on solutions for current and prospective residents and businesses.

“Like many rural communities across the country, the Northeast Kingdom faces significant challenges, but we are coming together as a region and developing innovative solutions to build vibrant rural communities,” said Katherine Sims, Director of the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative. “Our future is bright and we’re excited to share our best practices and to work with legislators to support rural communities across the state.”

Advocacy Training with Amy Shollenberger from Action Circles at 9:00 a.m. in the Snelling Room at the Vermont Historical Society Museum.

This training will introduce participants to the legislative process, how to talk to legislators and tips for testifying in front of committees.

Welcome & Press conference at 10 a.m. in the Cedar Creek Room with NEK leaders, Lt Governor David Zuckerman and other key leadership.

Pie Social and NEK Business Showcase in the cafeteria lounge from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Reps from NEK businesses and non-profit organizations including Northern Vermont University, Catamount Film & Arts, Kingdom Trails and HEAT Squad will be in attendance, and available for interviews.

NEK leaders will testify before legislative committees throughout the day:

House Commerce & Economic Development Committee: 9 – 10 a.m.
Senate Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs: 10:30 – 10:45 a.m.
House Education Committee: 1 – 2 p.m.
Senate Education Committee: 1:30 – 2 p.m.
House Energy & Technology Committee: 1-2 p.m.
House Agriculture Committee: 11 a.m. – noon
Senate Agriculture & Forestry Committee: 1 – 2 p.m.
Small group discussion with the Rural Caucus: noon – 1 p.m.
House Committee on Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife: 1:00-1:45 p.m.

The NEK Collaborative has been working to increase coordination and communication
among NEK businesses and nonprofits for more than 20 years.

Since their first NEK Day this time last year, the region has made incredible strides towards building vibrant, thriving communities in the Northeast Kingdom.

The organization has brought together dozens of partners to implement strategic action plans in two key areas:

1. Expanding leadership development
2. Advancing economic growth at the intersection of the creative, recreational and food sectors.

For more information visit: www.nekcollaborative.org/nekday

NEWPORT – The Vermont Welcome Wagon has landed in the Northeast Kingdom with its second chapter in the State open and ready for participants.

The VT Welcome Wagon Project (VTWWP) is a program where new arrivals or returnees are connected with current residents, or ‘hosts’ through an informal meet and greet.

It provides new folks with the opportunity to learn more about the region and ask honest questions with honest answers about the ins and outs of the community—where’s the nearest laundromat? Where do you go out to eat? What’s there to do on a rainy day? What’s the childcare situation like?

The goal is to accelerate the time it takes to “figure out” Vermont and get connected to the community in meaningful ways.

The Northeast Kingdom Young Professionals Network (NEK YPN) decided to take on this initiative last spring upon learning about the program that began in Chittenden County.

“We are simply thrilled that the NEK YPN has partnered with VWWP to launch a local chapter of the program,” VWWP co-founder Krysta Sadowski said. “Their commitment to connecting and serving their community combined with the energy and skills of their leadership team makes them an ideal partner for leading this program in the NEK.”

While the VT Welcome Wagon Project is for all ages, the NEK YPN was thrilled to take on the leadership of this program and offer it to all community members and new arrivals in the NEK.

Thanks to grants from both the Vermont Community Foundation and the NEK Collaborative, the NEK YPN has been able to secure a part-time administrative staff member to oversee the unveiling of the project.

This program is open to anybody new or returning and there are no age limits or restrictions.

The NEK YPN manages the program but participants do not need to be a member to utilize it.

Materials and sign up information can be found at https://www.vtwelcomewagon.org/

NEWPORT — Report For America has selected Vermont Public Radio to host a journalist next year to expand coverage of the Northeast Kingdom.

VPR’s Northeast Kingdom reporter will be one of 250 emerging journalists in 164 host news organizations to serve local communities across 46 states in the coming year.

Report For America will cover half the salary of the one-year-long appointment, with VPR and local fundraising initiatives covering the rest.

“VPR has been working toward more Vermonters hearing and seeing themselves in our coverage,” said Sarah Ashworth, Vice President of News. “Our reporter will live and work in the region and will weave the voices and perspectives of the Kingdom into our broader coverage of issues in Vermont.”

Report for America is a national service program that positions emerging journalists into local news organizations to report on under-covered issues and communities for a duration of one or two years.

Newsrooms were selected through a rigorous national competition, and Report For America announced that VTDigger and the Valley News would receive corps members next year.

“It’s a big deal that our region will receive three Report For America journalists,” said VPR President Scott Finn. “There’s been a scary drop in the number of journalists in Vermont, but with support from our members, we can preserve great journalism here and across rural America.”

NEWPORT — The Vermont Community Foundation’s Northeast Kingdom Fund awarded Salvation Farms a grant to support a growing partnership with the Northeast Kingdom Council on Aging.

Together, the organizations are increasing the amount of fresh, local produce used by community meal sites within the Kingdom.

“We’re thrilled to establish the partnership with Salvation Farms in the Northeast Kingdom,” said Laura Valcour, the Northeast Kingdom Council on Aging’s Director of Nutrition and Wellness. “What an incredible opportunity to support our local farms, our communities, and our food system. It’s a win-win for all.”

Located in Morrisville, Salvation Farms is a non-profit organization that coordinates and distributes the collection of Vermont grown surplus fruits and vegetables.

“Salvation Farms started gleaning the Lamoille Valley in north, central Vermont fifteen years ago,” said Theresa Snow, Executive Director of Salvation Farms. “We are eagerly exploring this expanded distribution opportunity with the Northeast Kingdom Council on Aging, making Vermont’s agricultural bounty available to seniors in the state’s northeast region.”

In 2018, their Lamoille Valley Gleaning program captured and moved an excess of 210,000 servings of wholesome, locally grown produce that would have remained unused.

This nutritious food was provided to programs that feed some of the regions more vulnerable residents.

During a fall and winter pilot, Salvation Farms has delivered a variety of gleaned produce to six senior meal sites biweekly in Barton, Glover, Lyndonville, Orleans, West Burke, and Danville.

The goal is to enable senior meal programs to use locally sourced food more regularly and to improve the nutritional value of the meals.

The deliveries also provide kitchen managers and meal site staff time to share recipes, storage techniques, and to build a network of support.

Photo: Amber Robbins, Phil Brooks, Shari-Lee Ryan, Kyle Ingalls, Jennifer Jacob-Harlow, Frank Sawicki, Allyson Howell, Dave Jacobs, Terry DiFazio and Todd Pronto.

NEWPORT — Experts in youth substance, youth mental health, and law enforcement came together on Tuesday to film a panel regarding underage drinking produced by the Prevention, Intervention, Treatment and Recovery Collaborative (PITR).

Sunny Naughton and Allyson Howell of Northeast Kingdom Learning Service received a modest grant from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration to promote a local forum.

The duo brought together partners active in the PITR Collaborative to answer questions from both the community and a live audience.

Terry Difazio facilitated with direction from Tod Pronto, both from NEK-TV.

The panel can be seen on NEK-TV on:

Monday, December 16, at 2 p.m.
Tuesday, December 17, at 9 a.m.
Wednesday, December 18, at 8 p.m.
Thursday, December 19, at 9 a.m.
Friday, December 20, at 2 p.m.

Copies are available by contacting NEK-TV by calling (802) 334-0264

NEWPORT — We all know that the NEK’s got talent, but Joshua House Inc. is having a benefit fundraiser to see people prove it.

There will be two local events this winter to both showcase local talent and raise funds for this important local non-profit.

The local talent search will kick off on Tuesday, December 17, at the Dancing Sail Event Room at the Eastside at 6:00 p.m. with a buffet and a cash bar.

Judges will choose the contestants who will go on to the talent show, which will be held at the Municipal Building on Saturday, February 8, 2020.

This search event is for ages 16 to 106.

There will be another search event in January for ages 5 to 15.

The talent show in February will be giving away cash prizes, with 1st prize coming in at $300.

Examples of acts for the talent show are people who are not being paid for their talent; people who juggle, do impersonations, card tricks, or have a chicken that plays the piano, is a comedian or an old person that has a funny way of reading jokes, and groups of friends that have something only they can do.

Organizers say the benefit is all about fun, with examples of acts for the talent show including but not limited to juggling, impersonations, card tricks, maybe even a chicken that plays the piano.

Joshua House Inc. is a local nonprofit Christian organization, which helps to prevent homelessness by providing services to people from all walks of life, faiths, and non-faith backgrounds in northern Vermont.

As a privately funded organization founded in Irasburg in 1996, it receives no federal or state funds.

All support for those in need comes from ongoing fundraisers, caring individuals, businesses, and other non-profits.

Tickets are available through catamountarts.org, at Madame Archetypes Panopole and The Eastside Restaurant & Pub in Newport, and Hearth & Home Country Store in Island Pond.

Audition information/applications are available where tickets are sold, and/or by contacting Sunny Naughton at sunny@sunshinesilverlining.com.

NEWPORT — The Vermont departments of Fish and Wildlife, together with the Forests, Parks, and Recreation department are extending the public comment period on future management and use of a group of conserved lands in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom until December 15.

Future planning is under review for how the Bill Sladyk Wildlife Management Area, Black Turn Brook State Forest and Averill Mountain Wildlife Management Area may be used for sustainable forestry, fish and wildlife habitat, and outdoor activities.

“These lands occupy a special place in Vermont,” said Doug Morin, a biologist for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. “Large areas of interconnected conserved lands with healthy forests and waters such as these are essential in Vermont.”

The draft plan may be viewed here: PLAN.

NEWPORT – Conrad Bellavance, Chair of Newport City Downtown Development Board of Directors, recently announced that James Davis has accepted the position of the Downtown Economic Development Specialist.

Davis is the former Director of Indoor Recreation of Orleans County (IROC), and an active youth sports coach for hockey and soccer for many years.

“Jim has many years of experience in business and in the nonprofit sector,” said Bellavance. “He has a proven track record of fundraising, organizational management, and development.”

NCDD is Newport’s downtown management organization, funded with major financial support from the City of Newport.

It is responsible for promotion, marketing, design and economic development in Newport’s designated downtown district.

“I am excited to get started,” said Davis. “The NCDD Board of Directors has laid a great foundation with their commitment to promote and preserve historic downtown Newport to be a vibrant economic, social and livable community.”

NEWPORT — If you’re 22- 40 years old, The Vermont Futures Project and the Northeast Kingdom Young Professionals Network would like to learn your insights about Vermont’s current economic challenges, your personal economic and work aspirations, and your recommendations on how to secure Vermont’s future to be a great place to work, live and play.

At the Work Commons in Newport on November 11, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., facilitators Sunny Noelle Naughton, Vice-Chair of the NEK YPN and head of Sunshine Silver Lining Consulting and Lori Smith, Executive Director of the Vermont Futures Project, will be there to discuss your future and that of Vermont for the younger generation.

Space is limited to 15 for each session, so organizers ask that you reserve your spot by emailing Lori Smith at: lsmith@vtfuturesproject.org

Another meeting will be held on November 12, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Passumpsic Bank, in St. Johnsbury.

The Vermont Futures Project, in partnership with the Statewide Young Professionals Groups, is planning several focus groups around Vermont this fall.

As the project works to create an actionable statewide plan for sustainable economic growth, they say they want to hear from young professionals currently living here, about what is most important for a thriving future.

The Vermont Futures Project works to promote the long-term economic health of Vermont through leadership, research and education.

NEWPORT — Volunteers from around the Northeast Kingdom are joining the quarter of a million people who are walking in towns across the United States to draw attention to the fight for suicide prevention.

The annual Out of the Darkness Walk will be held at Gardner Park at 10:00 a.m. on September 7.

This walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education, research and support programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual U.S. rate of suicide 20 percent by the year 2025.

“Suicide touches one in five American families,” Mary Butler, AFSP Vermont Board member, said. “We hope that by walking we will draw attention to this issue and keep other families from experiencing a suicide loss. Our ultimate goal is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.”

The Out of the Darkness Walk is one of more than 550 Out of the Darkness, Community, Campus, and Overnight walks being held nationwide this year.

The walks are expected to unite more than 300,000 walkers and raise millions for suicide prevention efforts.

Last year, these walks raised over $21 million for suicide prevention. Locally, the walk raised over $15,000 and had over 200 participants.

“These walks are about turning hope into action,” said AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia. “The research has shown us how to fight suicide, and if we keep up the fight the science is only going to get better and our culture will get smarter about mental health.”

You can register to walk, start a team, or donate by visiting www.afsp.org/Newportvt

If you want to support the walk but unable to be there on the 7th, join everyone at the Eastside at 6:00 p.m. for a benefit dinner. Tickets are $25/person and available from Lillian Bathalon at 802-744-2493.

LYNDON — Last week Northeast Kingdom Learning Services (NEKLS) celebrated their Vermont High School Completion Program graduating class of 2019.

Master of Ceremonies was Chris Hardy, who welcomed the large crowd of family and friends and introduced the 15 of 58 graduates who chose to attend the cap and gown ceremony.

Local graduating students in attendance included:

John Mayhew Sr. of North Troy, Silas Worthington of Island Pond, Abigale Jordan of Troy, Skye Wheeler of Morgan, Rashonda Cherry of St. Johnsbury, Celine Gibson of St. Johnsbury, Kamrin Ivone of Orleans, Tyler Ivone of Orleans, Amanda Farley of Charleston, Christina Deslandes of Barton, Tammy Cornell of Newport, Christina Bennett of Orleans, Dante Letzelter of Glover, Lyla Gilbert of Craftsbury, and Caleb Cerutti of Woodbury.

Jodi Woodard, NEKLS Board of Directors Chair, congratulated the graduates on achieving a goal that would set them on the path to the next steps in their lives.

The featured guest speaker was Jess DeCarolis, director of Student Pathways at the Vermont Agency of Education, who gave an inspiring speech urging the graduates to believe in themselves and to pursue their dreams.

Student speakers were also featured at this year’s ceremony.

Frank Sawicki, NEKLS Learning Center Manager in Canaan, read an essay from Canaan graduate Steven Bashaw, who was unable to attend graduation.

St. Johnsbury Learning Center graduate Celine Gibson performed a rendition of “Mr. Tambourine Man” on her ukulele, which she had learned to play as part of her High School Completion Program plan.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of diplomas to the graduates by High School Completion Plan managers Tricia Musgrove, Suzanne Pelletier, and Sarah Roy, as well as by Learning Center managers Frank Sawicki and Joseph Sylvain.

Applause and cheers filled the room when the graduates turned their tassels and opened the door to their next adventure.

NEWPORT — The Memphremagog Watershed Association (MWA) has been awarded a grant to provide oversight services for multiple regional aquatic invasive species prevention and control projects.

The grant award of $83,673 covers 12 projects through the Memphremagog watershed at the following locations:

Shadow Lake, Island Pond, Maidstone Lake, Lake Memphremagog, Salem Lakes, Seymour Lake, and Lake Willoughby.

Funded projects include greeter programs, invasive species management programs as well as a project that will focus on an international message between the United States and Canada regarding invasive species spread prevention.

Greeter programs focus on inspecting watercraft and the education of boaters to the importance of limiting the risk of spreading invasive species.

In waters that are impacted by invasives, the health of the water body is impacted by increased biomass and ecological food chain anomalies, which can lead to limited recreational uses that effects fishing, swimming, and boating.

In some cases, toxic algal blooms are more likely due to the impact of invasive plants on the ecosystem.

The MWA says the rule of thumb is “clean, drain, and dry.”

It’s important for individual users to help out and inspect their own watercraft by checking the trailer, motor, wells and fishing equipment for aquatic plants that may be hitchhiking.

This doesn’t just help out the waterbodies but could prevent a person from receiving a ticket for transporting aquatic plant or animal material.

The transport of all aquatic plants, plant, parts, or other aquatic invasive species to or from any Vermont surface water is illegal.

You can be fined up to $1,000.

Many area lakes have been impaired with at least one invasive species, with Eurasian Milfoil being the most prevalent.

The plant invasives are a nuisance due to the fact that they out-compete native species and overgrow the system.

Boating and swimming can be seriously impacted in areas where Eurasian Milfoil and other invaders have taken hold.

In Lake Memphremagog, four invasive species can be found. The three plant invasives include Eurasian Milfoil, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, and Starry Stonewort.

The animal invasive found in Lake Memphremagog is the notorious Zebra Mussel.

Zebra Mussels are very tiny and sharp. They will cog pipes and attach to any solid surface at densities of up to 800,000 individuals per square meter.

They are very resilient and can survive in stagnant conditions for up to 30 days out of the water.

The reproductive part of the lifecycle, called a veliger, is microscopic. The microscopic veligers can be found in the cooling water of boat motors, live wells or any standing water.

Decontamination with hot water of 140 degrees F is the only known way to fully clean exposed equipment.

If you’re leaving Lake Memphremagog and launching in another lake, a 30-day drying out period is recommended, or undertake a hot water decontamination.

The following area lakes have decontamination stations:

Lake Memphremagog at the Gateway Center, Shadow Lake, and Seymour Lake.

In addition to the greeter programs, several area waterbodies have also received funding for invasive species management.

This can take the form of cutting and harvesting with a hydrorake, suction harvesting, and benthic barriers.

While individual waterbodies have programs to prevent or manage invasive species, it will take everyone who uses these waterbodies to pitch in.