Vergennes is preparing for the annual French Heritage Days. Page 3
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Ken Tremont Jr. records third win, moves closer to recapturing crown.
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Page 16
July 18, 2009
Roads to recovery
Photographer active since the 1930s
Douglas targets stimulus funds From Eagle Staff & News Reports
Gov. Jim Douglas announced that the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) will award more than $10 million in Federal Economic Stimulus funds—supplied by U.S. taxpayers—to improve roadways, sidewalks, bridges and other transportation infrastructure owned by 30 Vermont municipalities and non profits. The annoucement was made July 13. The money will be distributed in three ways: 10 communities will receive paving grants ranging from $300,000 to $750,000, eight communities or non profits will receive transportation enhancement grants ranging from $52,000 to $240,000, while the Vermont Agency of Transportation will expend up to $5 million in Stimulus funds to repair 12 structurally deficient town highway bridges. Paving grants (estmated) were issued to the following communities. Bold text indicates communities in New Market Press Newspapers’ circulation area— •Alburgh: West Shore Road/Isle Lamotte Bridge, $411,750. •Barton, TH 1 (Vermont 16), $578,250. •Berlin: Paine Turnpike North (Berlin Four Corners), $365,612. •City of Newport: Lake Road, $362,163. •Hardwick: Center Road, $450,000. •Lincoln: River Road encompassing West River Road, East River Road, Gap Road to the Green Mountain National Forest, $300,000 •Milton: Lake Road, $370,530. •Strafford: Route 132, $750,000. •Topsham: Powder Spring Road, $675,000. •West Rutland: Marble Street, Whipple Hollow Road, $709,413. Town highway bridges will be repaired in these communities (planning estimate only)— •Barnet: TH 81 (Garland Hill), Bridge 42 $135,000 •Benson: TH 2 (Vermont 144), Bridge 17, $220,000. •Belvidere: Town Highway 3, Bridge 12, $75,000. •Bethel: TH 79 (Old Route 12), Bridge 48, $195,000. •Braintree: Town Highway 23, Bridge 12, $750,000. •Enosburg: TH 7 (Longley Bridge Road), Bridge 9, $135,000.
See ROADS, page 16
Artist documented Vermont ‘radicals’
TROUBLED SPAN—Is it safe? Yes, but the vehicle weight posting on the ailing Lake Champlain Bridge was reduced to 40 tons last week—bridge officials said it is the legal maximum load on a bridge without a special permit. Only one-lane of traffic is open with traffic lights now operating on both sides of the structure. Motorists complained about bicyclists on the bridge and delaying the crossing time. Legally-loaded tractor trailers will be permitted to use the bridge, however, overweight vehicles will be prohibited. Photo by J. Kirk Edwards
On July 10—at the Vermont Folklife Center as part of Middlebury’s new townwide ArtWalk event— famed photographer Rebecca Lepkoff shared thoughts on her life behind the camera lens, including her work Rebecca Lepkoff in the 1950s capturing the essence of the alternative community in Pikes Falls, Vt., which included famed author and activists Scott and Helen Nearing. Lepkoff has been active as a photographer since the 1930s. Her photographic documentation of everyday life in New York City is associated with the Photo League, from which she drew inspiration. “Born in 1916, Rebecca Lepkoff grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and started photographing her native city when she bought her first camera in 1938,” according to Tom Gitterman, director of New York’s Gallery 292. “With a background of modern dance and art history, she photographed with a strong sense of light and abstraction and captured the rhythm of the street. Her exquisite prints are rich in tones and subtleties of lights and darks. Beyond mere documents of a time and place, her images provide greater insight into human existence within the city. Her work captures the energy of the hustle
See LEPKOFF, page 16
Is the local strawberry crop a washout? Native, locally grown strawberries are in the marketplace—at least those berries that were harvested fast and early in the current season. But in some areas, Vermont’s strawberry crop may have succumbed to the rain and wet weather, according to Dianne Lamb, a nutritionand food specialist with the University of Vermont Extension. Strawberries are the first berries of the summer season to appear, she said. “Once picked, a strawberry will not ripen further,” Lamb said. Strawberries as we know them today started out from a
wild strawberry plant in Virginia and made its way to Europe in the 16th century, according to Lamb. Eventually this plant was crossbred with a South American strawberry plant. According to the University of California-Berkeley book “Wellness Foods A to Z”, this was the humble beginning of commercial varieties of strawberries grown in Vermont, and elsewhere, today. Horticulturists over the years have developed strawberry varieties that are suited to the climates of all 50 states, including Alaska and the desert Southwest. Regarding this summer ’s less than perfect crop-growing
weather in Vermont, Lamb cautions consumers to inspect berries before they buy. “When purchasing berries inspect the container for signs of stains which can mean that the berries inside are soft,” she said. Soft berries may be due to mishandling or the results of this summer ’s soggy, cool weather. “The caps on strawberries should be green, fresh looking and fully attached. Locally grown, fresh strawberries will have a wonderful fragrance,” Lamb said.
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