Orleans County Sherrif’s Department a finalist to win new SUV for K9 unit
DERBY — The Orleans County Sheriffs Department K9 team has been named one of 30 finalists in the Vested Interest in K9’s Law Enforcement Sports Utility Vehicle Giveaway.
Deputy Tyler Jacobs and K9 Jonah will compete for public votes to win a new Chevy Tahoe SUV with Police Pursuit Package and additional K9 unit customizations.
The prize is worth up to $50,000.
Vested Interest in K9s was the provider of the K9 ballistic vest used by Deputy Jacobs for Jonah, and the department says they are grateful to the organization for providing the vest back in 2016, and for the work that the organization does around the country to help protect a valuable law enforcement resource.
“This opportunity is a unique opportunity to obtain a needed and valuable piece of equipment that would greatly support the departments K9 unit and we couldn’t be more pleased to have been selected as a finalist,” said Chief Deputy Philip Brooks.
The public is invited to vote once per day for Deputy Tyler Jacobs and K9 Jonah on the charity’s contest page.
Public voting runs from October 1st through the 31st.
The K9 team with the most votes by the end of the contest wins the new Chevy Tahoe SUV.
The winner will be announced on the Vested Interest in K9s website and social media sites.
Upcoming workshop to showcase local erosion control practices
NEWPORT — There will be a workshop on October 4 at the Dolloff Pond Access Ramp in Willoughby State Forest to showcase the erosion control practices installed by the NorthWoods Watershed Crew over the summer.
The workshop is the last part of an outreach program conducted by the Memphremagog Watershed Association (MWA) over the 2018 field season.
“With funding from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, this year MWA has been providing educational programming on shoreland erosion control practices to professionals and has also been connecting professionals with projects in our area,” explains Kendall Lambert, Administrative Director for MWA.
In May and June MWA held two workshops showcasing erosion control methods for shoreland properties.
Expert speakers from the public and private sectors were brought to Shadow Lake in Glover as well as the North Country Career Center in Newport to speak about the need for these practices and to demonstrate or provide tours installed practices.
The workshops attracted nearly 70 participants.
After the workshops, MWA staff has been working to connect local landowners with professionals who can evaluate, design, and implement erosion control practices.
“Every time it rains, that stormwater runs off impervious or slick surfaces and carries sediment, and maybe even your driveway or shoreline, into our waterways,” Lambert explained.
Erosion from our shorelands is not only inconvenient for landowners, but it carries sediment, phosphorus, and pollutants into our waterways.
This impacts local water quality and aquatic habitat.
If you’re interested in coming to the October workshop to tour project examples, the workshop will be on Dolloff Pond Road, on the Dolloff Pond access ramp, Sutton, Vermont from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on October 4.
Jed’s Maple Fall Open House October 6-8
DERBY — Jed’s Maple Products of Derby will be hosting their 6th Annual Fall Open House October 6-8 this year.
Celebrate the flavors of Fall throughout the holiday weekend.
They will be open from10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. all three days.
This family event is free and includes wood-fired maple pizza, maple specialty food sampling and tours of the family maple museum.
There will be samples of seasonal products available for tasting.
Jed’s Maple Products is a certified organic sugarmaker. They use high-pressure steam in their evaporator rather than wood or oil.
The maple museum is housed in the sugarhouse that owner Steve grew up sugaring in and allows visitors to take a step back in time to explore the local area’s maple history.
Jed’s Maple is also a proud participant in Audubon’s Bird Friendly Maple Program.
They will be sharing information throughout the weekend about how they help the migratory songbirds that nest in their woods during the spring and summer months.
Jed’s Maple Products is located at 259 Derby Pond Road.
Fly to Pie this Sunday
WEST GLOVER — Runners, bikers, and hikers are rolling into the roster for another “Fly to Pie,” this coming Sunday.
Fly to Pie is a road race for individuals and families across the beautiful dirt roads through “the gut” of the Northeast Kingdom.
The 10km race and walk will start off in Irasburg Common.
The 13.5-mile, 17-mile, and 26.2-mile runners and bikers will start at the airport in Coventry.
All participants end up at Parker Pie in West Glover.
Parker Pie promises all the pizza you can eat, with Hill Farmstead Beer on tap.
There will be music on site provided by Beg, Steal or Borrow.
In addition, 20 percent of all registration fees go directly to The Halo Foundation, to support individuals and their families in their fight against cancer.
New roadside signs showcase local farmers’ leadership on water quality
NEWPORT — More than 5,000 acres of corn fields will be planted with a cover crop in Orleans County this fall, and thousands of more acres received other conservation practices such as no-till planting and conversion to grass crops.
New roadside signs are helping to highlight this work that can be otherwise very hard to notice.
There are four different signs, “Cover Crop,” “No-Till Planting,” “Growing Grass” and “Stream Side Planting.”
They all share the tagline, “For my land. For our water,” because these conservation practices usually improve the health of soils and crops, as well as protecting water quality.
“Most people don’t realize that a lot of farmers here are already doing a good deal of work for soil conservation and water quality,” said Sarah Damsell, who assists farmers with many of these practices through her role at Orleans County Conservation District.
Cover cropping, or “green manure,” is the practice of growing plants for the purpose of covering the soil, especially through the late fall, winter and spring, when many fields would otherwise be bare.
The plants protect the soil from erosion and build soil organic matter, retaining valuable soil in fields and keeping it out of waterways.
Cover crops also hold nutrients through the winter and release them in the spring, providing a boost to the spring crop and reducing the potential for nutrients to leach from the soil during the winter.
Perennial crops improve soil health and water quality because they have deep roots, diverse plant mixes, and never leave the ground uncovered.
Although the signs simply name “grass,” farmers usually grow a diverse mix of grasses and legumes.
This hay and pasture is an important forage source for most farmers, and many Vermont farms don’t grow anything but perennial grass-legume crops.
Farmers who do grow annuals, however, plant grass crops in strategic areas like along streams, in steep areas, through low-lying swales, and in contoured strips.
In all of these places, the grass crop serves to prevent sediment and nutrients from leaving fields and entering streams.
No-till planting is a method used to plant and grow a crop such as corn while leaving a year-round cover of living or residual plant material on the field.
The practice boosts soil organic matter, increases soil tilth and infiltration, and protects the soil from erosion.
While the benefits are significant, the learning curve can be a challenge.
The practice is catching on.
Vermont Symphony Orchestra fall tour coming to Derby Line, Greensboro
DERBY LINE — Kicking off the start to another colorful Vermont autumn, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO) will be traveling across the state beginning Sept. 27 to celebrate the many sounds and sights of the season.
The Made in Vermont Statewide Tour will reach six communities throughout the state, sharing well-loved classics as well as an original, unconventional collaboration with the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival.
The tour will reach Orleans County with a visit to the Haskell Opera House on September 30, and the Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro, on October 7.
The Made in Vermont Statewide Tour will surprise and delight attendees this fall as the VSO welcomes trumpets, timpani, and film to the stage.
Following another successful year of collaboration with the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival, a world premiere composition by the VSO’s Matthew LaRocca will accompany filmmaker Robin Starbuck’s “How We See Water,” making for an unforgettable multisensory experience.
Internationally-renowned violinist Soovin Kim will both conduct the orchestra ensemble and lead listeners through Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 1, opening each of the tour’s performances.
Kim is noted as an active recording artist who is dedicated to the Vermont arts community, having spent 5 years playing in the Vermont Youth Orchestra and founding the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival.
Four more swimmers complete 25-mile marathon swim from Newport to Magog
NEWPORT — This week four marathon open water swimmers completed the 25-mile, international swim on Lake Memphremagog between Newport, Vermont, and Magog, Quebec, known as In Search of Memphre.
On Wednesday, they entered the water from the EastSide Restaurant at midnight, swam through the night, and arrived at the beach at Parc du la Baie-du-Magog in the early afternoon.
Susan L. Knight, 48, of Kennebunk, ME, completed in 12 hours and 59 minutes, followed by Abigail Fairman, 41, of New York, NY, in 13 hours and 40 minutes.
Kate English, 30, of Seattle, Washington, completed in 13 hours and 56 minutes, and Daniela Klaz, 26, of Jamaica Plain, MA in 14 hours and 26 minutes.
Water temperature of the lake ranged from 68 to 70 F. Air temperatures dropped to the high 50’s during the night and rose to the high 60s and low 70’s during the day.
Winds were light and variable throughout the swim.
The swim is organized and hosted by Kingdom Games which now offers over 25 days of running, biking, swimming, and ice skating in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and the Eastern Townships of Quebec.
Communities gather for harvest festivals at local schools
NEWPORT — Green Mountain Farm-to-School will host harvest festivals with 11 Northeast Kingdom schools in celebration of local food, agriculture, and healthy communities.
The harvest festivals are an opportunity for the community to gather around and share a meal prepared by students from produce harvested from school gardens or sourced from local producers.
The festivals take place between September and October and are open to the local community. They reinforce farm-to-school programming by providing students with the opportunity to connect the dots between planting a crop, harvesting it, and turning it into a healthy meal.
Since most students were involved with planning, planting, and caring for their school gardens the previous spring, the festivals are an exciting time for students to reap the benefits of their work and share that experience with their families and friends.
At all-school harvests, each student participates in an aspect of harvesting, whether that be up-rooting beets from the soil, collecting ripe tomatoes from the vine, or cutting broccoli off its stalk.
After the produce has been harvested, coordinators work closely with students on the day of the festival to prepare the meal that they will later share.
Each class takes a turn preparing a different aspect of the meal.
Kindergarten students may help stir the batter for beet brownies, 2nd graders might shred carrots for a slaw, and 5th graders might help chop vegetables for a vegetable stew.
At the end of the collaborative process, almost every student has been involved in preparing the meal, sharing a sense of accomplishment and pride.
Once the meal has been completed with the help of students, volunteers, teachers, and food service staff, the community gathers around for a shared experience and a delicious meal.
The festivals are a component of Green Mountain Farm-to-School’s multifaceted approach to farm to school programming that reaches across the classroom, cafeteria, and community.
Contact your local elementary school for dates and times in Barton, Coventry, Derby, Glover, Irasburg, Jay/ Westfield, Lakeview, Lowell, Newport City, Orleans, and Troy.
NorthWoods announces new executive director
EAST CHARLESTON — The NorthWoods Stewardship Center announced the appointment of Jonathan Gilbert as the organization’s new executive director.
Originally from Quebec and now 20 years in Vermont, Gilbert says his passion is promoting a healthy society based on harmonious relationships between people and the land.
“I am honored to merge my journey with the NorthWoods community and to deepen my relationship with the land and the northern forest,” Gilbert said.
As a co-founder of Heartbeet Lifesharing in Hardwick, he arrives with a vast range of life experiences in community building and a love for the earth, people, and the local community.
The NorthWoods Stewardship Center is an environmental non-profit based in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and serves communities throughout New England.
The organization is in its 29th year of outdoor education, forestry, and conservation service programming.
“We are very excited to welcome Jonathan to the NorthWoods community,” NorthWoods board president Cathie Wheeler said. “His leadership skills and communication style bring a new rhythm and focus to the organization.”
Orleans County slammed by powerful storm
IRASBURG — Close to 1,300 people were left without power after a powerful storm ripped through Orleans County on Monday.
The thunderstorm appears to have hit Irasburg the hardest, with downed trees smashing a few cars, and taking out power lines.
One of the most dramatic photos to come in from Monday was captured by Cory Curtis in Westmore at around 6:40 p.m.
The photo, which almost looks like a tornado, was taken from the top of Hinton Hill, overlooking Lake Willoughby.
Curtis, the owner of Pine Brook Logging and Guide Service, said he couldn’t see more than five feet in front of him.
“The rain and winds that came from it were massive. Like nothing I’ve ever seen in 37 years.”
Albany was also hit hard during the storm.
Power lines were brought down with the heavy wind, rain, and lightning.
The photos above were taken by Cory Curtis, Caitlyn Paige Ainsworth, and Christina Crowley.
Local group working tirelessly to keep the Northern Star afloat
NEWPORT — The Memphremagog Community Maritime (MCM) group says they are moving towards their goal of keeping the Northern Star in the Northeast Kingdom.
MCM has been working to keep the boat in the community so that it can continue to be available for cruises and as a floating classroom for lake studies and nautical experiences.
The group was recently awarded non-profit status, making it eligible for grants and able to accept tax-deductible donations.
Treasurer Susan Watson confirmed that the organization had received its first grants and is now raising money to ensure that the purchase of the Northern Star can happen as soon as the boat is available.
“The absence of the Northern Star on the lake has been a significant loss for the community this year,” said Patrick Martell, President of the Charter Member Board. “She has been missed. People are constantly asking when they will be able to cruise again.”
The group is now actively fundraising to allow for the purchase of the Northern Star.
Once that happens the boat can be inspected and the hull repainted, restored, and made ready to sail Lake Memphremagog again.
The group says they plan on having a full schedule of cruises for next spring and summer, as well as special onboard events.
Through partnerships with other lake based organizations, a curriculum for environmental lake based studies are being developed.
“We would love the community to become more involved,” said Vice President Mark Hayes. “We are looking for imagination and investment of time as well as of dollars.”
Member Patricia Kilday added that it is the perfect time to keep the Northern Star here as we are recognizing the real concerns for the long-term health of our international lake.
“This beautiful boat will give us a way to do that and encourage younger people to become aware of how to keep our waters clean,” she said.
The group says they feel that if the boat is lost it is unlikely another boat will be available in the future.
“Keeping her afloat for the benefit of the community seems important,” Martell added.
If you are interested in keeping the Northern Star afloat go ahead and contact Patrick Martell at 802-673-0115 or email MCMNorthernStar@gmail.com
Redemption Gravel Bicycle Race coming to Brownington this Saturday
BROWNINGTON — The Redemption Gravel Bicycle Race will debut at the Old Stone House Museum in Brownington on Saturday, September 1.
Currently, the event has over 250 racers enlisted.
The race promises to be a challenge to both physical and mental toughness.
Racers have the choice of 100 miles or 50 miles of beautiful local gravel roads.
The Redemption Gravel Race was created by Anthony Moccia and Heidi Myers, who created the renowned Rasputitsa Spring Classic.
The Raputitsa Spring Classic is held in East Burke in April and brings in over 1,500 racers annually.
Moccia and Myers say they hope to grow the Redemption Gravel Race to the same level by next year and will turn this race into a three-day stage race for 2019.
New hunting and angling workshop series kicking off in East Charleston
EAST CHARLESTON — This week NorthWoods Stewardship Center (NWSC) and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Conservation Group (VFWCG) announced a new workshop series kicking off this September called Modern Traditions in Hunting and Angling.
The upcoming workshops give equal weight to “the old ways,” traditions in hunting and angling that include a deep connection with the land and wildlife, as well as a modern approach and understanding of the role that hunting and fishing have in conservation and our communities today.
While the mission and community of both non-profit organizations have often covered common ground, this series marks a more formal commitment from both groups.
The events slated for the coming year seek to reach a broader audience, to provide skill-building, knowledge and enrichment activities, forums for idea sharing, and to inspire and empower more of the local community to take part in the traditions of hunting and angling that have deep roots in this region.
VFWCG Board President Matt Breton and NWSC Education Director Maria Young see this series as an ideal way to reach those goals.Breton recognizes that stepping in as a new adult hunter or angler can be intimidating.
“We want to break down barriers to participation for those people who want to hunt and fish but lack the knowledge and skills required so that they can procure food for themselves and their families, and interact with nature at a deeper level,” said Breton.
In the Fall of 2018, look for “Bucks That Got Away,” on Saturday, September 29, a workshop based on Breton’s recently published book of the same name, featuring tips for success for the thoughtful hunter and tracker.
On October 20, a Wild Game Processing workshop will help those new to the experience, and those looking to hone their techniques and learn from a professional butcher and avid hunter.
Other workshops and collaborations planned for the coming year include a film screening and land ethic discussion panel, duck decoy making, a shed meet and wild game dinner, and a youth fishing derby.
Local schools receive school safety grants
NEWPORT — A total of 239 Vermont schools have been awarded safety grants totaling $4 million, which will fund infrastructure upgrades designed to improve school safety.
Locally, this money will be distributed to the following schools:
Albany Community School
$14,643.38
Barton Graded School
$14,546.25
Brighton Elementary School
$7,079.25
Charleston Elem School
$15,629.25
Coventry Village School
$8,432.25
Craftsbury School
$24,750.75
Derby Elementary School
$24,996.75
Irasburg Village School
$7,500.00
Lake Region
$25,000.00
Lowell Graded School
$13,687.50
Newport City Elem Schools
$3,975.00
North Country Union Jr High
$25,000.00
Orleans Central Early Childhood
$14,963.51
Orleans Elementary School
$16,706.06
Purchases will include interior and exterior door locks, indoor and outdoor public address systems and other infrastructure upgrades to improve safety.
Schools were eligible for up to $25,000 and will be responsible for a 25 percent grant match. The average award is around $16,000. The funds will be distributed by the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year.
“Getting these projects started quickly will help students, staff, and administrators focus on learning,” said Gov. Phil Scott.
A statewide safety assessment, directed by Governor Scott and conducted on schools throughout Vermont earlier this year, helped schools and State officials identify needs and priority projects for the available funding.
Body of 84-year-old Danville man recovered from Joe’s Pond
DANVILLE — Police say the body of a Danville man who was reported missing on Sunday was located at Joe’s Pond.
John Sales, 84, is said to have left his home in Danville at around 6:30 a.m.
His vehicle was located in West Danville, and articles of clothing were found near Joe’s Pond.
This morning, rescue crews conducted a search by boat of Joe’s Pond and found human remains in the water about 50 feet from shore.
Police say the body was recovered and has been identified as Sales.
The investigation is ongoing, but police say foul play is not suspected at this time.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the St. Johnsbury Barracks at 802-748-3111.
Westmore Mountain Challenge returns, 1 day 5 mountains
EAST CHARLESTON — This coming fall the NorthWoods Stewardship Center is gearing up for their second annual Westmore Mountain Challenge on Saturday, October 13, 2018.
The 5-mountain marathon hike highlights some of the best natural features of the Northeast Kingdom during peak fall foliage, attracting local hikers and participants from throughout New England.
Hikers circle around the south end of Lake Willoughby to summit the mountains of Moose, Hor, Pisgah, Haystack and Bald, then either catch a shuttle or continue down the road for the full marathon distance back to NorthWoods Stewardship Center in East Charleston to celebrate.
“Last year’s event was a great success. We very quickly filled our 120-person limit and had a dozen more clamoring to sign up after registration closed,” said event organizer and NorthWoods Education & Outreach Director, Maria Young.
This year, the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation, which owns the land and sponsors the event, has agreed to increase the limit to 150 participants, to allow more people the chance to participate, while continuing to maintain a responsible and conscientious use of the trail system.
“There are many ways to participate, at all levels,” Young said. “Some people are trying for a best personal time, or first to finish. Last year we had a group from Sterling College who ran it as a relay, arranging their own pickup and drop-offs.”
All of the trails in the Westmore Mountain Challenge have been work projects of the NorthWoods Conservation Corps, which employs local youth crews to build and maintain miles of trails to public lands across the NEK and New England.
The proceeds from this event help support NorthWoods’ conservation, forestry, and education programming, including the youth crews who maintain the trails.
This year is looking even more popular than the 2017 inaugural hike, with over half the registration slots filled within the first few weeks.
Hikers interested in participating should move fast, with only 20 or so spots left.
To register, visit the NorthWoods Stewardship Center website at northwoodscenter.org.
Classes for caregivers offered in Newport next month
NEWPORT — According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, an estimated 44 million Americans age 18 and older provide unpaid assistance and support to older people and adults with disabilities who live in the community.
Evidence shows that most caregivers are ill-prepared for their role and provide care with little or no support.
To provide support to caregivers, the NEK Council on Aging (NEKCOA) is offering two self-care classes in Newport this fall.
The first is Managing Stress, a 90-minute free workshop focusing on tools to manage the daily stresses faced by caregivers.
The class takes place on Wednesday, Sept. 12, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the downstairs Meeting Room at North Country Hospital.
The workshop will be facilitated by Nancy Oakes, the NEKCOA Director of Family Caregiver Support.
“Family caregivers need to take care of themselves,” Oakes said. “When we take care of ourselves, we can prevent or recover from some of the negative effects of stress that caregivers experience. By reducing resentment, caregivers can offer more loving and supportive care.”
Powerful Tools for Caregivers, is a six-week, in-depth class to help caregivers reduce stress, improve self-confidence, communicate needs and feelings more effectively, balance their lives, deal with difficult emotions, and increase their ability to make tough decisions and locate helpful resources.
The class begins on Wednesday, September 26th and runs every Wednesday until October 31st from 3 – 4:30 p.m. in the Vermont Room at Goodrich Memorial Library in Newport.
It will be facilitated by Nancy Oakes and Lucy LeMay, a Case Manager for NEKCOA.
Organizers are requesting that a small donation is made to cover the cost of the class book, but is not required.
Registration is required.
Call Nancy Oakes at 802-751-0435 or email info@nekcouncil.org and place “caregiver” in the subject line.
NEK Swim Week, 8 lakes in 9 days
NEWPORT — As we head deeper into the miracle of summer, NEK Swim Week is approaching.
From August 11 to August 19, swim week will cover 8 lakes in 9 days throughout the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and the Eastern Townships of Quebec
The event schedule is as follows:
Saturday, August 11 at Crystal, Sunday, August 12 at Island Pond, Monday, August 13 at Lac Massawippi, Tuesday, August 14 at Lake Seymour, Wednesday, August 15 at Echo Lake, Thursday, August 16 the Province Island Swim, Saturday, August 18 at Lake Willoughby, and Sunday, August 19 at Caspian Lake.
Swim week had its origins with the Lake Willoughby Swim in 2010, starting with just 12 swimmers that the first year.
This year, around 60 swimmers will come from Ottawa, Montreal, California, South Carolina, Florida, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Indiana, Texas, Delaware, Maine, Tennessee, DC, Arizona, Maryland, and all over Vermont.
All swimmers are accompanied by escort kayakers. Volunteer patrol boats on each of the other lakes make the swims possible.
The swims are organized by Kingdom Games, which now hosts over 25 days of running, biking, swimming, and ice skating events in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and the Eastern Townships of Quebec.
Teen becomes youngest to complete historic 25-mile swim across Memphremagog
NEWPORT — Swimmers participating in the 25-mile length of Lake Memphremagog amateur swim known as “In Search of Memphre,” were greeted with headwinds from the north ranging from 10 to 20 MPH for the first 15 miles on Wednesday. The waves and chop were high.
Despite conditions, two of the seven swimmers completed the international swim that starts in Newport, Vermont, and ends in Magog, Quebec.
Sharessa Guiterrez, 37, of Omaha, Nebraska completed with a time of 15 hours and 51 minutes.
Vera Rivard, 14, of Springfield, New Hampshire and Derby, Vermont, came in at 16 hours and 24 minutes. In doing so, she became the youngest person ever to cross the 25 miles of Lake Memphremagog.
Five other swimmers laid down inspiring swims and completed various distances fighting the headwinds.
Cara Marie Manlandro, 28, of Derwood, Maryland, completed 23.5 miles before communication difficulties regarding the landing location caused her to end her swim, just short of the finish.
Sandra Frimerman-Bergquist, 34, of Exelsior, MN, Eric Schall, 57, of Kingston, PA, Dan Shub, 69 of Baltimore, MD, and Mary Stabinsky, 41, of Plains, PA, completed various distances ranging from 6 to 17 miles.
Shub was the oldest person to attempt a Memphremagog Crossing and the last of those to pull. He completed 17 miles.
Swimmers left Newport at 5:31 a.m. as the sun began to rise.
Water temperatures ranged from 72 through 74 throughout the day, with sunny skies. The air temperature was in the 60s and 70s, and the high winds began to diminish at around noon.
In Search of Memphre was started in 2011 to promote a more open border with Canada.
Swimmers in this year’s Search dedicated their swims to the Asylum Seekers and are encouraging donations to the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project at https://asylumadvocacy.org/
The swim was organized by Kingdom Games, which hosts over 25 days of running, biking, swimming and ice skating events in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and the Eastern Townships of Quebec.
Open discussion Aug. 1 on sex offenders in Newport community
NEWPORT — The Orleans County Restorative Justice Center will hold a community education event about sex offenders in Orleans County Vermont.
This event is free, and starts at 5:00 p.m. on August 1, 2018, upstairs at the Goodrich Memorial Library.
Gary Marvel, Field Operations Manager for the Vermont Department of Corrections, will provide statistics, discuss treatment options, and address types of sex offenses.
He will also relate some of his experiences investigating and supervising sex offenders, and respond to questions.
Marvel is also the co-director of the Vermont Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Sexual Abuse.
Please let the Justice Center know you are coming or get more information, by emailing them at bmorrow@kingdomjustice.org or calling 802.487.9327.
Shrinedom ticketholders get money back
IRASBURG — Vermonters and others who purchased tickets to a concert gone wrong will be eligible for refunds.
The Attorney General’s office says they resolved its investigation of Shrinedom 2017, a rock festival that was supposed to take place in Irasburg.
Seven bands were contracted to play, including local bands and national acts Vince Neil, Slaughter, Warrant, Lita Ford, and Firehouse.
On the day of the festival, the organizers had not sold enough tickets to pay the national bands, who did not perform.
The bands and the public were told that there were issues with the generators, when in fact not enough tickets were sold to pay the bands.
Ten thousand dollars have been provided for ticketholders who have not yet been reimbursed.
Approximately $10,000 has already been reimbursed to consumers by PayPal, which processed many of the payments.
Ticket buyers eligible for reimbursement can submit an online form located at the Attorney General’s website.
Consumers seeking to make a claim for reimbursement will be required to produce a proof of purchase or affirm under penalty of purchase that they purchased tickets for which they have not been reimbursed, and to state the amount spent on tickets.
The investigation concluded that the festival should have been delayed in August 2017 due to poor ticket sales, but organizers chose not to delay in hopes of securing sales the day of the event to cover costs.
Poor judgment and lack of experience in organizing a music festival of this size led hundreds of consumers to purchase tickets to an event which did not run as advertised.
Local bands Raized on Radio, MindTrap, and the Nashville Country Band did perform.
The main organizers were Adam Johnson and Marcus Clay of Irasburg.
Johnson was primarily responsible for the event, but he relied heavily on Clay’s alleged expertise in producing music events.
Mount Sinai Shriners No 3, the Montpelier, Vermont chapter of the International Shriners, heavily funded the event, which was to raise money for the organization.
Some participants in the event stated that they agreed to participate based on the understanding that the Shriners were affiliated with the event, though it was held by a separate organization called Kingdom Cares, which was created by Johnson.
Johnson has agreed not to direct any fundraisers for five years.
Clay will not produce any events with an audience greater than 1,000 for five years.
All parties have agreed to take steps to avoid mistakes with fundraising events in the future, under penalty of violating the agreement.
“I’m happy this matter is resolved and ticketholders will be compensated,” said Attorney General Donovan.
Swimmers set to swim full length of Memphremagog on Wednesday
NEWPORT — This Wednesday, seven ultra-marathon open water swimmers will gather to swim the 25-mile length of Lake Memphremagog, between Newport, Vermont and Magog, Quebec.
They will be departing from the EastSide Restaurant and Prouty Beach in Newport at 5:00 a.m. and expected to cross the border into Canada between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.
In Search of Memphre is an amateur swim, started on the tenth anniversary of 9/11 intended to promote a more open border with our Canadian neighbors.
Joining this July’s Search are Vera Rivard, 14, of Springfield, NH and Derby, VT, Eric Schall, 57, of Kingston, PA, Mary Stella Stabinsky, 41, of Plains, PA, Sharessa Gutierrez, 37, of Omaha, NE, Sandra Frimerman-Bergquist, 34, of Excelsior, MN, Dan Shub, 69, of Baltimore, MD, and Cara Manlandro, 38, of Derwood, MD.
They are joined by 26 others in support of the swim, serving as escort and patrol boat pilots, crew, and ground personnel.
Border crossing has been facilitated by Canadian law enforcement which has reviewed the roster of participants and pre-approved the crossing.
Organizers say US officials have been extremely helpful in facilitating crossings.
If successful, Vera Rivard would be the youngest to swim the length of the lake and Dan Shub would be the oldest to do so.
In 2018, at least 60 swimmers will be undertaking swims of various distances, from 10km to 25 miles, that involve crossing the border.
This year’s class of “Swimmer Scouts” have dedicated their swims to the Asylum Seekers and are encouraging donations to the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project at https://asylumadvocacy.org/
Several of the swimmers, their support, and their families come from backgrounds of seeking asylum in the United States from horrific and dangerous conditions in their nations of origin.
Brighton man appointed to Fish & Wildlife Board
BRIGHTON — Governor Phil Scott recently appointed Mike Kolsun of Brighton to represent Essex County on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board.
The fourteen-member board is a group of Vermont citizens that enact fish and wildlife regulations for hunting, fishing, and trapping.
Members serve six-year terms.
Kolsun is a self-proclaimed “late-onset hunter.”
He took up hunting in his early twenties, learning about safety, ethics, and respect for the sport through good friends and mentors.
Kolsun was inspired by these mentors to give back and has been a hunter education instructor for 30 years, in addition to being a certified bowhunter and trapper education instructor.
He also instructs for the Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow program and helped develop Vermont’s “Let’s Go Fishing” program.
“The Fish and Wildlife Board members bring a strong level of personal experience to the job of setting Vermont’s hunting, fishing, and trapping regulations,” said Gov. Scott.
“We’re glad to welcome Mike to the board,” said Kevin Lawrence, Fish & Wildlife Board chair. “Board members are charged with the complex task of setting fishing, hunting, and trapping regulations after evaluating the scientific recommendations and legal advice from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, along with the input from the state’s hunters, anglers, trappers and wildlife watchers.”
State settles with Stenger and Quiros
NEWPORT – Officials gathered at the Newport waterfront today to announce a settlement in the State’s EB-5 enforcement action.
Ariel Quiros will pay the State $2 million dollars as part of the settlement, which will be satisfied through his transfer to the State of title to five properties located in the Northeast Kingdom.
Stenger will pay $100,000 over the course of four years.
The State of Vermont filed a motion with the Washington Superior Court seeking approval of the settlement. If the Court approves, all of the proceeds of the settlements will be used for economic development in the Northeast Kingdom.
“We see this as another step in the healing process for our community,” said Newport Mayor Paul Monette. “Now that some of the uncertainty has been lifted, we want to continue to build on the momentum created by Newport’s recent centennial celebration and work together as a community to move the city forward.”
In conjunction with the settlements, Attorney General Donovan has asked Auditor Doug Hoffer to perform an audit of the State’s involvement with the EB-5 projects at Jay Peak.
Documents pertaining to the EB-5 program will be delivered to Auditor Hoffer upon the Court’s approval of the Quiros settlement.
“These settlements serve the public interest,” Attorney General Donovan said. “They will allow us to address the loss of trust in state government that has resulted from this fraud by performing a complete audit of the State’s role in the EB-5 projects.”
The settlements resolve the State’s enforcement actions in connection with EB-5 projects.
“With over $2 million dollars the state will receive in this settlement we will be able to help the Northeast Kingdom and Newport in particular with much-needed funding for economic development,” said Governor Scott.
New cots provide family bonding and comfort at NCH
NEWPORT — North Country Hospital recently purchased five new “comfort cots,” that should provide more comfort and positive experiences for patients and their families.
This new generation of furniture is a love seat, large enough for 2-3 people to sit in, a lounge chair, as well as a pullout hide-a-bed.
The new piece has multiple uses, with the opportunity for parents to be close to a sick child in a pediatric room or for a lactation consultant to sit beside a nursing mom.
“What a difference these new comfort cots are going to make for our families,” said Anne Flynn, RN, Director of Maternal Child Health at North Country Hospital.
Previously each of the patient rooms in the department provided an outdated hospital bed, out of commission for patients but referred to as comfort cots, for dad or a family member to stay overnight.
The purchase of five new cots was made possible by the hospital Auxiliary.
When hospital staff finally found the right piece of furniture, they approached the Auxiliary, proposing that this might be a project of interest.
“A few of us attended a demonstration when the hospital was in the process of selecting a model, and we were so impressed,” Auxiliary President, Betty Lahar said. “On behalf of the Auxiliary I am happy that our group voted to make this purchase for Maternal Child Health.”
Lake Region graduate shot to death in Barre
BARRE – A 29-year-old graduate of Lake Region Union High School was allegedly shot to death by her ex-boyfriend, who then took his own life in Barre on Wednesday.
According to Barre police, Luke Lacroix, 30, was brandishing a handgun when he barged into the apartment of his ex-girlfriend, Courtney Gaboriault.
Once inside, a struggle ensued with Fred Longchamp, a friend of Gaboriault’s.
Longchamp was able to break free and call the police, who arrived on the scene as multiple gunshots rang out.
Gaboriault came stumbling out of the building, police say, and was pulled to a safe location.
She had multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene a short time later.
Police found Lacroix dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Gaboriault worked for The Vermont Department of Public Safety for nearly five years with the Vermont Crime Information Center.
She was born and raised in Vermont and graduated from Lake Region Union High School in Barton in 2007.
In 2011 she earned a bachelor’s degree in human services from what was then Lyndon State College.
Her parents, younger sister and extended family live in the Northeast Kingdom and central Vermont.
“This was another senseless act perpetrated by a man who sought to control and dominate another person,” said Thomas D. Anderson, commissioner of Public Safety.
At the Department of Public Safety, Gaboriault was known for her good humor, her love of animals and her commitment to helping others.
“She was always happy to help a co-worker with any issue. She brought a sense of joy to her work and her co-workers every day,” said Jeffrey Wallin, director of the Vermont Crime Information Center. “Her loss is keenly felt by her colleagues and all whose lives she touched. The thoughts of everyone who knew and worked with Courtney are with her family and friends.”
Impersonating law enforcement alert in Orleans County
COVENTRY — The Orleans County Sheriff’s Department is notifying residents of a white male with black hair and a noticeable red rash on the left side of his neck, who is possibly impersonating law enforcement.
At around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, a woman says she was traveling south on the Alder Brook Road in Coventry when a light blue car activated a red and blue flashing light bar on the roof of the vehicle and began to follow her.
The woman told police that she didn’t feel comfortable pulling over in a rural area as the car didn’t look like a police car and had no police markings on it.
The vehicle continued to follow her displaying the red and blue flashing lights until she got to the intersection of Vermont Route 14 and US 5 in Coventry, where she pulled over to the side of the road.
The driver of the light blue car pulled over behind her and exited his vehicle. He approached and told her he had stopped her for speeding.
Police say he then got back in his car and turned around and quickly departed back in the direction he had just come from.
The driver is described as a white male of small stature, approximately 130-140 lbs, possibly 30 to early 40 years of age with black hair and a noticeable red rash on the left side of his neck.
The woman told police he was wearing a t-shirt and blue jeans at the time.
The vehicle is described as a light blue, mid-sized car with a red and blue light bar on the roof.
Anyone who may have witnessed this event or has information about the unknown white male or light blue car involved is asked to contact the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department at 802-334-3333.
MWA continues Youth Discovery Program on land
NEWPORT — The popular Youth Discovery Program that last year saw 300 third grade students from Orleans County learning about the area aboard the Northern Star boat, has been continued on land.
The program used a similar approach as was used on the Northern Star.
Students from Newport City, St Paul’s, Charleston, Derby, and Newport Town became “Lake Detectives,” using their senses to observe and explore during a nature walk.
They learned the origins of Lake Memphremagog, where all the water in the lake comes from, and their school watershed address.
They also investigated the damage the can happen from runoff and how to protect our lakes and streams with buffer planting.
Since participants could not be on the water they went in the water and added a near-shore experience, wading in and collecting some macroinvertebrates living in the water.
Later students observed them under a magnifying lens.
Continuing this program on land will enable the Memphremagog Watershed Association to jump the program back onboard when the boat floats again.
Healthcare scholarships awarded to local students by North Country Hospital
NEWPORT — Eighteen new healthcare scholarships were recently awarded to high school seniors and one adult, totaling $18,000.
In addition, North Country Hospital has renewed scholarships for consecutive years providing students stay in healthcare education and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Each year the scholarship review committee makes selections based on student essays, transcripts, extra-curricular activities, as well as financial need.
Applicants and families must also live in the hospital’s service area in order to initially apply.
This year a total of 10 awards were received from this fund.
They went to Lake Region Union High School graduates Krystianna Ingalls and Melanie Joubert, and North Country Union High School graduates Jacob Bean, Chelsea Daigle, Carley Giroux, Lettie Hale and Brooklyn Szych-Brown.
Cara Strona, Elizabeth Gaudreau, and Brianna Doty also received scholarships from this fund.
Caryl B. Custer Scholarship for Nursing Students awards went to North Country graduates Brianna Crouch, Gwen Pettengill, Mariah Poutre and Chantal Therrien.
Lake Region graduate Paige Menard also received this award.
The fund was created by summer resident Dr. Keith Custer in memory of and on behalf of his wife Caryl, who was a nurse manager in Florida for many years.
She individually supported many nursing students with scholarship monies in the past.
This year NCU graduates Emily Perkins and Riley Laffoon received The Legends Scholarship.
This fund was created in 2010 and has since named five “Legends” of North Country Hospital, including Merrilyn Barry, Robert Trembley, MD, Thomas A.E. Moseley, MD, A. David Alsobrook, MD, and Cecile Gelineau, RN.
In 2015 the Sidney A. Toll Scholarship Fund was created, honoring long time previous CEO and founder of North Country Hospital’s scholarship golf tournament.
This year’s recipient is Jaime Kramer, having received her bachelor’s degree and going on to become a physician assistant.
Contributions to North Country Hospital for any of the scholarship funds help sustain these awards for years to come.
Students receive awards for 2-year, 4-year as well as graduate programs.
The Healthcare Career Scholarship is made possible by the annual North Country Hospital Scholarship Golf Classic, with proceeds each year going directly to awardees.
The 30th annual scramble is set for Sunday, July 22, with 8 a.m. registration and a 9 a.m. shotgun start at Orleans Country Club.
For more information, call the Development/Community Relations office at (802) 334-4186.
Welcoming the Newport Vermont Centennial Celebration, June 29 – July 6
In this video, Newport City Manager Laura Dolgin and Recreation Supervisor Jessica Booth talk about the upcoming Centennial Celebration, June 29 – July 6.
Come out for 8 days of festivities and events to celebrate Newport across the ages.
A parade, family fun, live entertainment, exhibitions, food, fireworks and much more are coming.
Please come celebrate Newport, 100 years in the making.
[VIDEO] 2nd Annual Opioid Awareness Walk in Newport
On Sunday, NEK Stand Strong hosted the 2nd Annual Opioid Awareness Walk in Newport.
The event filled the community with awareness and memories of those fighting the opioid crisis.
Guest speakers included Travis Blake, Sierra Ruth and Tennyson Marceau. The talks were followed by a one-mile walk around the Newport Waterfront.
Upon returning to the gazebo MTV’s Brandon Novak shared his story of recovery with the crowd.
Photos by Tanya Mueller.
NorthWoods Stewardship Center plants over 7000 trees in Northern Vermont
CHARLESTON — Spring is always a busy time around the NorthWoods campus. The Conservation Corps Crew gears up to begin spring trail projects, the Forestry team starts fieldwork for management plans and invasive species control, and the Conservation Science program finds new homes for thousands of young trees and shrubs.
To date, the Conservation Science team has completed a scheduled 5 weeks of planting projects, with a total of 7,273 trees and shrubs, ranging in size and style from 18” live stakes and small tubestock, to bareroot trees up to 10 feet tall.
All have been planted at sites across northern Vermont.
The planting season began with three projects in partnership with the Connecticut River Conservancy.
The first week, the crew headed south to West Fairlee to complete two planting projects on tributaries of the Connecticut River. From there, they moved north to work on revegetating the area around the East Burke Dam removal site.
The next project took place on the Johnson Farm Wildlife Management Area in Canaan in partnership with the Essex County Natural Resources Conservation District and the VT Wildlife Fund.
At the end of the same week, the crew did a small reforestation planting on private property.
The final four projects were all riparian buffer planting projects that were funded by Ecosystem Restoration Program Grants from the VT Department of Environmental Conservation.
One project was on a small tributary of Lake Memphremagog in Newport, one was on Fish & Wildlife land on the Barton River in Coventry, and two were on the Black River in Albany.
The NorthWoods planting crew’s labor was funded through an Ecosystem Restoration Program Grant from 2017.