Health and Well Being

It’s cold o ! y o j n e d utside, get out an It’s gold outside…Get out and enjoy it!

HEALTH

&

WELL-BEING

Praising Cold Weather Page 4

Face Off Page 9

Platform Tennis

Back Country Skiing

Page 2 A Publication of The Addison Independent • Monday, February 2, 2015

Page 3

PAGE 2 — Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, February 2, 2015

Platform tennis: Dark, cold and a whole-lot-of fun

By CHRISTY LYNN Platform tennis is an unusual sport because it seems that those who have been exposed to it quickly become obsessed; everyone else has never heard of it.

The rules of the game are much like doubles tennis and the court looks very similar, albeit about a third the size of a tennis court and built on a platform (hence the name) with 12-foottall walls that come up on all sides made out of chicken wire fencing that is held in high

tension so that players can hit the ball as it bounces off the wire (similar to racquetball or squash).

The game was created in 1928 in Scarsdale, N.Y., by a couple of neighbors looking for a winter sport they could play outdoors. They adopted the equipment from paddle tennis, an adaptable street game using wooden paddles and spongy balls to play on urban streets and playgrounds developed around 1922 by Frank Contessa.

Ben Weir keeps his eyes on the ball as he recovers from a quick return during a paddle tennis game last week. Behind the courts the Middlebury College indoor sports complex lights glow in the night.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell

Platform tennis and paddle tennis slowly merged into one game as courts were established with the iconic wire walls and the rules of the game were set (most people around here call it paddle tennis).

Over several decades the sport has grown in popularity in New England, throughout the Midwest and in other cold weather zones. As originally intended, it is most commonly played in the winter on courts that are fashioned with lights to play in the dark and heaters under the aluminum decking to melt ice and snow.

That’s a beautiful thing in a place like Vermont where it is cold and dark and snowy for much of the year, leaving many athletes without many great outdoor options.

“For me it’s just fun to have another option for being outside in the winter,” says bourgeoning paddle tennis player Carolyn Weir. Weir is an accomplished tennis player and recently began playing paddle tennis with her husband, Ben. The Weirs were 2011 graduates of Middlebury College and married in Bridport in 2013. Despite going to school at Middlebury (which boasts two platform tennis courts on campus), they only started playing paddle tennis after college.

“I’m glad to see that more students seem to be playing now than they were when we were in school,” Carolyn says. “It’s a great game that requires a lot of mental focus and gets you moving around, having fun and breathing fresh air.”

Middlebury College hosts two paddle tennis courts on campus, which they generously allow members of the community to use when not in use by college students and faculty.

With the small size of the playing surface

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David Dolginow of Middlebury returns a ball during a paddle tennis game on Wednesday evening. Dolginow is relatively new to the sport, but prior experience playing squash has made him a quick learner of the outdoor game.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell

(44 feet by 22 feet) and four people on the court at a time, there’s a relatively small area of space for each player to cover. It doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily easier, however, just (See Tennis, Page 10)

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Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, February 2, 2015 — PAGE 3

KEEP CALM . . .

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Skiers head out on the 300-mile Catamount Trail, a popular venue for a wide variety of excursions varying from single-day jaunts to two- and three-day treks going inn to inn.

M-F 10a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Sat 10a.m. - 4p.m.

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Photo by Greg Maino

Ski in, ski out — going inn to inn in Vermont’s backcountry

By EVAN JOHNSON VERMONT — This winter, take a break from your normal routine and make some time for a foray into the backcountry. From short outings to weekend getaways, there are plenty of adventures to be had beyond the ski trails at area resorts.

The following three tours, located on Vermont’s 300-mile long Catamount Trail, run two to three days and involve spending nights at a number of inns and bed-and-breakfasts in close proximity to the trailhead.

Skiers should be forewarned that route-finding may be problematic in the backcountry; that weather is uncertain and treacherous in the winter; and that skiing in the backcountry is not for the uninitiated. Alpine touring gear with climbing skins, not Nordic skis, is recommended for ungroomed trails and for any trails not within a Nordic touring center. We recommend carrying snowshoes for terrain that is too rough to ski.

All routes described below are very general in nature, and not to be used for route-finding.

For maps and more detailed route descriptions, as well as tips on preparing for a trip into the Vermont backcountry, go to www.catamountrail.org and research the trips outlined below for where to start, more detailed route descriptions, and average time required per section of trail. For general purposes, a competent backcountry skier should average at least 2 mph with a light daypack. Allow five to six hours, therefore, for a 12-mile trek.

KILLINGTON TO RIPTON Days: 3 Total distance: 30 miles, plus skiing at cross-country centers DAY 1 Itinerary: Sherburne Pass parking lot on Route 4 to Mountain Top Cross-Country Ski Center (Catamount Trail Section 13); 10 miles.

Route description: Access the Catamount Trail from the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail/ Catamount Trail parking lot, located off Route 4 at the top of Sherburne Pass. This section of the trail features 10 miles of intermediate skiing through varied terrain with views of the Chittenden Reservoir. Along the way, you’ll ski a variety of trail types, including ungroomed backcountry, snowmobile trails, and the groomed trails of Mountain Top Cross-Country Ski Center.

Once arriving at Mountain Top, explore their cross-country trails or relax at the inn and enjoy the views of the Green Mountains.

Transportation tip: Leave a car at one end of the destination and have someone drop you

off at the other terminus. We suggest traveling south to north, but it works either way.

Lodging first night: Mountain Top Resort, 195 Mountain Top Road, Chittenden, VT 05737 1-800-445-2100, 802-483-2311, www.mountaintopinn.com DAY 2 Itinerary: Mountain Top Cross-Country Ski Center to Brandon Gap (Catamount Trail Section 14) to Blueberry Hill Inn, Goshen; 14 miles.

Route description: From Mountain Top Inn and Resort, ski 10 miles of the Catamount Trail along groomed ski trails and VAST snowmobile trails to Brandon Gap. Cross Route 73 and head up steep terrain to Horrid Mountain. The first 4 miles traverse intermittent streams and gullies along the Catamount Trail, requiring good ski control (or snowshoes). Once across the streams and gullies, drop down onto the rolling terrain of the Blueberry Hill Nordic Center.

These are ungroomed trails, but well marked and cut. At Blueberry Hill, you’ll have access to 50km of ungroomed skiing. At the end of this long day, stay the night at Blueberry Hill Inn. Be sure to get an early start.

Lodging night two: Blueberry Hill Inn, 1245 Goshen Ripton Road, Goshen, VT 05733 802-247-6735, www.blueberryhillinn.com DAY 3 Itinerary: Blueberry Hill Inn to Chipman Inn in Ripton, 7 miles.

Route description: After a long day two, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Blueberry Hill Inn and enjoy this special place in the midst of the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area on the edge of the Breadloaf Wilderness. Explore the 50km of ungroomed trails, then work your way 7 miles to Rikert Nordic Center in Ripton, just five minutes from the Chipman Inn in Ripton.

(A community bus makes routine stops at the touring center every 30 minutes 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., to provide transportation to the inn.) Spend the night here and arrange for transportation in the morning, after heading up the road to the Rikert Nordic Center on Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf campus and enjoy spectacular skiing at this fully groomed touring center.

BOLTON VALLEY TO STOWE Days: 1 or 2 Total distance: 12-19 miles DAY 1, 12 miles Itinerary: Bolton Valley to Trapp Family Lodge Cross Country Ski Center (Catamount (See Backcountry, Page 7)

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PAGE 4 — Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, February 2, 2015

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In praise of cold weather

I love cold weather. Maybe it’s to the surface of the skin constrict because I was born in January, or so that blood can be concentrated maybe it’s the part of me that kind in the core of the body, where it of likes it when things are a little is most critical to maintain a high hard, but either way, it makes me temperature. feel alive.

This is what explains why your I admit that there are times when fingers and toes are the first things it’s hard to leave a cozy perch to get cold when you’re out in with a blanket on the couch in freezing temperatures. pursuit of a venture outside when That said, cold weather is also temperatures are in the single proven to increase circulation digits and the wind is whipping By Christy Lynn, in the body and activate caloriethrough the trees. associate publisher burning and heat-producing brown Enter Trudy, my energetic fat in the body. Babies are born border collie, who provides the nudge to get with a high percentage of brown fat in their me in motion on even the coldest days. bodies, but much of that disappears with age She’s usually right. Once I’m out in that and is replaced by white fat (the pesky kind chilly air and my quads get that tingle as that stores calories and collects at the gut, they brush my cold pant legs and my crispy thighs and other not-so-attractive places). nose hairs once again remind me of their Brown fat, by contrast, expends energy presence, I feel instantly more alert. in the form of heat, which explains why it Cold air motivates the body is naturally activated in cooler immediately, triggering the Researchers at weather, according to researchers circulatory system to ramp Harvard Medical at the Joslin Diabetes Center in up and meet the challenge. School suggest Boston.

Researchers at Harvard Medical that exposure to While evidence is still minimal School suggest that exposure to and most doctors aren’t exactly moderately cold moderately cold temperatures suggesting cold weather as could be good for the vasculature, temperatures could the next fad diet, it might help as it trains blood vessels in the be good for the explain practices in some parts vasculature, as it skin to be more responsive. of the world (Japan, Finland While each person’s physical trains blood vessels and Russia to name a few) that response to cold weather in the skin to be embrace exposure to extreme varies slightly and, of course, more responsive. cold in exchange for supposed depends on length and severity health benefits. of exposure, for most it kicks the sensory According to a Finnish research study, systems into gear and signals for the body to people who participated in regular winter get into action. plunges into cold water experienced Typically, when people encounter cold air significant increases in their norepinephrine or water, their blood vessels that flow closest (See Cold weather, Page 5)

Keep your skin hydrated and glowing in the dreary winter months

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Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, February 2, 2015 — PAGE 5

Charge up your immune system with super foods

Cold weather What Trudy knows is that zooming through the (Continued from Page 4) forest is better than sitting on the couch, regardless of levels, a stress hormone in the nervous system whether it’s 75 degrees and sunny, 39 and raining, or responsible for vigilant concentration and pain 14 below. suppression.

It’s possible that my dog also appreciates the Norepinephrine also plays a sparkle of a snowy field on a sunny day or the significant role as a neurotransmitter quiet that falls over the forest with softly released from sympathetic falling flakes. neurons to affect the heart; an But more than likely those subtleties are increase in norepinephrine levels lost on Trudy. At the most (and because I increases the rate of contractions in like to think that she’s a pooch with abovethe heart. average intelligence), she knows that Particularly in elderly people, if I’m inexplicably grumpy increased heart rate and blood and cooped up at my pressure can result from cold desk or lazing on the temperatures, which trigger couch, the medicine I the release of norepinephrine, really need is a good explaining why there are an walk in the woods. increased number of heart attacks That sharp, cold blast of and other cardiovascular troubles in reality always — always the winter when our bodies (and — changes my mood for the hearts) are working harder. better.

Of course, Trudy doesn’t TRUDY know any of this.

(MS) — Illnesses seem to peak during the winter months.

A tapped-out immune system as well as dry, cold air may encourage the spread of common viruses and bacterial infections more easily. As a result, it’s important that men, women and children take every step possible to ward off sickness when the temperatures drop. Dietary changes can make a world of difference, and more and more people are including these proven superfoods in their winter diets.

• Avocado: Avocado has high levels of essential fatty acids and vitamin B6, which is important in the biosynthesis of important neurotransmitters. Foods high in B vitamins may be able to counteract some of the symptoms of winter-related depression.

• Pomegranate: This quirky fruit has vitamins C and K, folate and potassium and is a good source of fiber. Pomegranate has antiinflammatory properties, which can help in reducing joint pain and preventing strokes. Pomegranate may also help the body fight viruses.

• Cinnamon: Cinnamon has high levels of antioxidants, and some studies point to cinnamon as a natural antibacterial agent.

Cinnamon also can help regulate blood-glucose levels, which is beneficial for those with diabetes.

• Prunes: Now widely referred to as “dried plums,” prunes are an important source of boron, which could prevent osteoporosis.

High in antioxidants, prunes help the body fight a variety of illnesses.

• Cabbage: Cabbage may be a key element in the fight against cancer. Cabbage has phytochemicals that can protect the body against cancer-causing free radicals. It’s also a good source of dietary fiber, which can stimulate a sluggish digestive system.

• Butternut squash: This food is packed with carotenoids, which are stellar antioxidants. The starches in this squash also have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties.

macy

PAGE 6 — Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, February 2, 2015

Please join the Porter Auxiliary Board for

An Evening for Porter Friday, February 6th, 2015 5:30 – 8:30 PM

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Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, February 2, 2015 — PAGE 7

Backcountry (Continued from Page 3) Trail Section 22).

Route description: Your first day follows 12 miles of advanced backcountry skiing.

The trail is challenging and ungroomed, with views of the Worcester range. It begins at the Nordic Center at Bolton Valley Ski Area and heads north over the Long Trail and Catamount Trail to the Nebraska Valley in Stowe. Once at the top of the ridgeline, descend several miles to Nebraska Valley Road, then head uphill a hundred yards to Old County Road (following the ski trail just below the road) as it parallels Old County Road to the Trapp Touring Center.

Once you hit the Trapp Trails, descend to the Trapp Family Lodge, home to the nation’s first cross-country center, for a well-deserved night

with excellent dining. (Snowshoes not required on this section.)

Lodging: Trapp Family Lodge, 700 Trapp Hill Road, P.O. Box 1428, Stowe, VT 05672 1-800-826-7000, 802-253-8511, www. trappfamily.com DAY 2, Easy 5-7 miles Itinerary: Trapp Family Lodge to Topnotch Nordic Center (Catamount Trail Section 23).

Route description: From Trapp Family Lodge, ski 7 miles of intermediate backcountry trail on the Trapp Trails. From there, ski over the backside toward Stowe to the Topnotch Trail system and finish out the

day exploring the trails at the Topnotch Nordic Barn Adventure Center, or stop first at the Stowe Mountain Resort Ski Center to ski their trails. Topnotch has access to 30km of groomed JASON and backcountry skiing, WYMAN while Stowe’s Nordic center boasts 45km of groomed trails and 30km of backcountry trails.

(Nordic skis will suffice on this day of travel.)

Lodging:

Topnotch Resort & Spa, 4000 Mountain Road, Stowe, VT 05672 1-800-451-8686, 802-253-8585, www.topnotchresort.com DAY 3, optional: Itinerary: Topnotch Nordic Center into Stowe Village Route description: Spend the morning exploring the variety of Nordic terrain offered by Topnotch and/or Stowe Resort. Afterwards, finish out your tour with an easy 5-mile ski down the Stowe Recreation Path into the village of Stowe. (Nordic skis only.)

Lodging: Inn at the Mountain at Stowe, Mountain Road, Stowe, VT 05672 802-253-3000, www.stowe.com

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PAGE 8 — Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, February 2, 2015

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To better serve your needs, Wells Physical Therapy now also offers treatment at the beautiful Residences at Otter Creek, including pool therapy. Please call for more details!

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Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, February 2, 2015 — PAGE 9

Face Off Against Breast Cancer raised hopes, money MIDDLEBURY — Organizers of the annual Face Off Against Breast Cancer were happy both with the results of their hockey tournament on the Memorial Sports Center ice on Jan. 24 and 25 and in the event’s success in achieving its larger fundraising goal.

Eleven women’s hockey teams in all competed on that Saturday and Sunday, three “competitive level” and two “novice level” groups

on the first day, and a half-dozen “recreational level” squads on Sunday, In addition, the tournament also allowed for three “friends and family” games throughout the weekend, which let men and kids join in the effort.

In the end, the host Middlebury Otters became the undefeated champions of the recreational division, while Team Warrior from the

Players on the Middlebury Otters team attentively watch the ice as their teammates battle for the championships during the 2015 Face Off Against Breast Cancer annual tournament.

The Otters were undefeated champions at the end of the weekend tournament.

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Woodstock area earned top honors in the comIndividual and team fundraising also proved petitive division. Organizers said the novice to be successful during the Face Off weekend. division wasn’t formatted to produce a cham- Saturday’s teams brought in more than $22,000 pion, but both teams enjoyed the competition in donations, while Sunday’s teams contributed and camaraderie. more than $35,000. The Middlebury Otters beMore importantly, organizers said thanks came the single top fundraising team by chipto business sponsors the costs of running the ping in $11,000. Queen City Brewery’s team tournament were fully covered this year, thus came in first for fundraising in the competiallowing them to focus on raising much-needed tive division, and Middlebury Mystix led funds for breast cancer patients and the novice division. their families via the Cancer Patient The top individual fundraiser, bringOver the Support (CPS) program. ing more than $4,500, was ManchesThey said hundreds of local course ter Rusty Blades’ Cathy Aragi, a sponsors and contributors made of the breast cancer survivor herself. Liza an impact on the Face Off Against tourney’s Sacheli of the Otters raised more Breast Cancer. The full list is 16 year history it than $3,100, while Lisa Meyer of available at http://faceoffagainstthe Waterbury Wicked brought in has raised more breastcancer.org/ways-participate/ more than $1,700. sponsors/2015-tournament-spon- than $500,000 Organizers said donations are sors/. The event’s major sponsors still coming in, and they are hoping were Woodchuck Hard Cider, the Addison In- to meet last year’s fundraising mark of $75,000. dependent, Free Press Media, Two Brothers Other members of the local hockey commuTavern, and The Horse Traders. nity have also chipped into recent fundraising Officials from the CPS program — including for the cause. On Jan. 16 and 17, the MiddleCPS board president Bobbe Maynes and Vice bury College women’s hockey team and the President Curtiss Hemm and staff members Friends of Panther Hockey hosted a “Pink the Kathy McBeth and Jennifer James — spoke on Rink” event at the Panthers’ games, netting both days to assembled players, coaches and more than $3,400. fans.

The Middlebury Union High School hockey They reminded participants and specta- programs also hosted a jamboree on Jan. 23, the tors that the Face Off Against Breast Cancer night before the Face Off Against Breast Canis the single largest outside fundraising event cer, with Pink the Rink games for both the boys for CPS. Over the course of the tourney’s 16 and girls’ teams, plus a 50/50 raffle. The high year history it has raised more than $500,000 school students then volunteered throughout dollars. The majority of the money raised goes the weekend to help run the Face Off tournatoward its Emergency Fund, giving direct fi- ment. Face Off organizers said they apprecinancial support to breast cancer patients in Ver- ated the support of the local hockey community mont. A smaller portion goes toward support- and the dozens of volunteers who contributed ing patient services. throughout the weekend.

?

What do

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have to lose

WINTER CLASSES

Monday Night Adult Basketball BES Gym , 7:30 -9:00 pm $3.00 /week Wednesday Night Adult Volleyball BES Gym, 7:30-9:00pm $3.00/week Monday Night ZUMBA with Vicki, (new session 2/23) Holley Hall, 6-7pm $36.00 /6wks Aqua Fit Class (new session 3/7) Mt. Abe Pool, Sat/9:15-10:15am $65/5wks

To find a meeting near you please visit: www.tops.org

Resolution Kick Start Exercise Class (new sessions 3/21 & 5/2) Holley Hall, Sat/9-10am, $70

For more information, contact Karen Macedo 802-291-4953

Mt. Kenpo Karate for Adults (2/12-3/18) Holley Hall, Thu 6:30-7:30pm, $65 Open Swim (now thru 4/4), Mt. Abe Pool 10:15a-12:15p $3/pp Saturdays Sunday Fitness Fusion Workshop (2/22-5/24) Holley Hall, One Sunday a month, $20/per class Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi for Seniors, Holley Hall 2/23-4/13 Mon 1-2pm & 3/26-5/14 Thu 1-2pm American Heart Association Pediatric First Aid Bristol Rescue Squad Meeting Room, 2/26 $50 Walk It Off! Walking program inside Holley Hall (begins 2/10) Tue & Thu 1pm Daddy Daughter Dance (2/7 6-7:30pm) Holley Hall, $15/couple $25/family Mother & Son Night of Fun (3/28 6-8pm) Whirlie’s World, $15/couple $25/family Meet the Snow Queen (3/7 1-3pm) Crystal Palace $15 per child Starlit Snowshoe Hike (2/20 6:30-8:30pm) Camp Common Ground, $20 Please visit bristolrec.org for a complete listing of programs and events.

Pre-registration is required.

Bristol Recreation Department • 453-5885 Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter:@bristolrec.

PAGE 10 — Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, February 2, 2015

Tennis (Continued from Page 2) that it requires a lot of composure and tact to master the game.

“The lure of the game is being able to go out in the coldest weather — or at least close to the coldest weather — and have a ball in a relatively short amount of time,” says Sue Byers, who has been playing paddle tennis since the early 1960s in North Jersey.

“For me it’s more fun than tennis because everyone on the court is up close together,” Byers said. “That face-to-face contact makes it a much more verbal and friendly game, with a lot of eye contact, talking to each other and a lot of laughing.”

Points can last a relatively long time in paddle, as competitors can keep a ball in play by playing it both off the court or off the wires.

“A fast ball whizzes by you in tennis and the point’s just over,” Byers says, “but in paddle tennis you get another chance to chase that ball “A fast ball whizzes by you down and get it as it comes off the screen.” in tennis and That strategy changes the point’s just the game significantly, over, but in as it requires an element paddle tennis of calculated skill and you get another experience to read balls chance to chase as they come off of the The best players, that ball down wires. therefore, aren’t always and get it as it the strongest ones on the comes off the court who like to slam the ball. screen.”

Instead, the best — Sue Byers players are often the most composed, relaxed and ready on their feet. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have welldeveloped, fast-twitch muscles, a knack for hitting a stinger right down the gully and a great lob, too.

Sue and Bruce Byers moved to Cornwall full-time from their New Jersey home in 2000. At that point they had grown quite attached to their paddle tennis lifestyle in New Jersey and had been a part of a state-wide league that was very active and competitive.

“When we moved up we were definitely concerned that there wouldn’t be a paddle culture in Vermont. But we were pleasantly surprised to find courts at Middlebury College and an increasingly active

Ben Weir prepares for a shot at the net during a platform tennis match played on the Middlebury College courts last week. Platform tennis, also referred to as paddle tennis, is played in the wintertime on outdoor courts that are equipped with lights for playing at night as well as heaters used to melt snow and ice.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell community around the sport,” Sue said.

The Byers’ move coincided with a development of the Allen dorm at Middlebury College that would require the four paddle courts on campus to be moved. The college decided at the time to only relocate two of the courts to their current location behind the sports complex and sell the other two.

“We jumped on the opportunity to buy one of those courts,” Bruce Byers said, “and I’m so glad we did.”

Now in their 80s, the Byers say they have lost a little of their speed in the game, but they still have their tact. Because it’s a couples game, it’s easy to have friends over for a dinner party and the entertainment is going out for a game before dinner, they say.

“One of the big reasons I’m so happy to stay up here all year round is because I don’t want to miss a game,” Bruce says. “It keeps you happy, young, and in Vermont … you can’t play paddle in Florida.”

Woody Jackson serves as his partner, Mike Shoenfeld, waits at the net. The pair face off against Woody’s brother, Charlie Jackson, and Sally Carver in a weekly match each Wednesday evening.

Independent photo/Christy Lynn

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Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, February 2, 2015 — PAGE 11

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PAGE 12 — Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, February 2, 2015