February 21, 2018 by Polly Lynn

The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018 • 1

Mounta in Times Volume 47, Number 8

Feb. 21-27, 2018

Select Board candidates focus on the budget By Polly Lynn Mikula

Athletes with ties to Vermont compete for Olympic medals Burke Mountain Academy’s Mikaela Shiffrin won gold in the giant slalom, Feb. 15. Other Vermont athletes with near podium finishes include: Stratton Mountain School graduate Lindsey Jacobellis who finished fourth in snowboardcross by three-hundredths of a second, Stratton’s Jessie Diggins who keeps narrowly missing out on winning the women cross-country ski team’s first-ever Olympic medal, and five-time Winter Games snowboarder Kelly Clark of Mount Snow Academy who nabbed a fourth medal in the halfpipe.

KILLINGTON—On Town Meeting Day, March 6, voters in Killington will be asked to approve general fund expenditures of $4.4 million, of which $3.17 million will be raised by property taxes. This represents a tax rate of $0.41— a 4.4-cent increase per $100, or 11 percent, over last year. The three candidates running for the one open seat on the Killington Select Board have all stated that the town budget is a priority. This week we asked them to further explain their positions. First time candidate Kelly Lange said she supports the current budget and encourages Select board candidates, page 26 Courtesy of KES

Kindergartners at Killington Elementary School celebrated the 100th day of school, Thursday, Feb. 8. Like Isabelle (above), they started by “crawling into the 100th day” through a tunnel into the classroom. With the help of their sixth grade friends, the Kindergartners completed several stations including making a necklace with 100 fruit loops, bouncing a ball 100 times, building a creation with only 100 Legos and making a “100” hat. After the celebrations, the students went skiing at Killington Resort as part of the weekly Trailblazers program.

WCSU offers intra-district elementary school choice Students in Bridgewater, Killington, Plymouth, Pomfret, Reading, and Woodstock can attend any of the four elementary schools

Summer camp preview Check out the area’s summer camp options for keeping the kids busy during summer vacation this year. Book now! Pages 14-19

Students and families in the new Windsor Central Unified District (WCUD, which consists of the towns of Bridgewater, Killington, Plymouth, Pomfret, Reading, and Woodstock) can now choose which of the four district elementary schools they would like to attend. “Those seeking a small school with multi-age classrooms, an outdoor classroom, and an abundance of family and community events might choose Reading Elementary,” wrote Michelle Fountain, WCSU Communications Liaison, in a Feb. 15 news release. “Families looking for single-grade classes and a connection with Killington Mountain for the winter Trailblazers Ski and Ride program as

well as full school musicals and reading buddies can select Killington Elementary School. Students who want to study the stars might choose the Prosper Valley School with its Horizons Observatory, nature trails, and a sugar house. Families seeking a larger school with class sizes of 18-20, a STEM (science, engineering, technology and math) Lab and a Farmto-School Cafe could choose Woodstock Elementary School,” Fountain continued. The goals for the Intra-district School Choice Program (a key provision in the Act 46 plan put forth by the WCSU Act 46 Committee) are to meet the diverse needs of the student population, balance class sizes in all schools, create optimal learning environ-

WCSU, page 2

Rutland to debut schoolto-job pilot program RUTLAND—The Rutland Region Workforce Investment Board (RRWIB) in collaboration with the Rutland Economic Development Corporation (REDC) recently announced Real Careers @ Rutland County, a pilot program funded through the Vermont Department of Labor. The program will engage high school seniors and recent graduates in training and education for locally available jobs. While on graduation night more than 90 percent of our high school seniors say they will be going on to college in the fall, Job pilot, page 20

Teenager denies school shooting plot Gov. says threat at Fair Haven High School “jolted me”

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger

Living A.D.E. What’s happening? Find local Arts, Dining & Entertainment Pages 33-43

Mounta in Times

is a community newspaper covering Central Vermont that aims to engage and inform as well as empower community members to have a voice.

mountaintimes.info

RUTLAND — Police say an 18-year-old Poultney man told them he planned to shoot up his former high school in Fair Haven, inspired by the two killers who carried out the mass shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado nearly two decades ago. Jack Sawyer also told police of a notebook he kept where he wrote down his preparations for carrying out his plot, titled, “The Journal of an Active Shooter,” according to court records released Friday, Sept. 16. Police said they uncovered the plan before it could be carried it out thanks, in large part, to a girl, whom they did not identify, who reported to authorities text exchanges she had with Sawyer following the school shooting in Florida earlier this week that left 17 people dead. In those messages, Sawyer texted the girl in response to the Florida shooting, “That’s fantastic. 100 percent support it,” accord-

JACK SAWYER ing to court records. He later added in a text to the girl that school shootings are just “natural selection” where the strong can get out and survive, court records stated. After Sawyer communicated his desire

to cause mass casualties at the Fair Haven High School, Thursday, Feb. 15, he was taken into police custody. Sawyer was arraigned at Rutland Superior Court on Feb. 16, on the charges of Attempted Aggravated Murder, Attempted 1st degree Murder, and Attempted Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. “This is a stark reminder that we are not immune from tragic violence,” Gov. Phil Scott said Friday, at a press conference from his Montpelier offsice. “If not for the individuals who spoke up and reported something abnormal and concerning, we might be having an entirely different conversation today and we can’t accept that,” the governor said. “To be quite honest with you, in the aftermath of Florida, this situation in Fair Haven has jolted me,” Scott said. “Especially after reading the affidavit, and realizing that only by the grace of God and the courage of a young School threatened, page 27

LOCAL NEWS

2 • The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27,2018

WCSU: School choice plan continued from page 1 ments, and provide options for families. “Our member towns voted to merge together to provide more opportunities for students and families. This is an early attempt to take advantage of that. Each family has a complex set of needs and this gives families more options to determine the best learning environment for their children,” WCUD Superintendent Mary Beth Banios explained. Students already enrolled in their local school who wish to stay there, do not need to do anything; their spot is guaranteed, as first priority is always given to families currently living in that town and attending that school. Should a family wish to change schools, the application process is simple. It can be completed online or by getting a paper application at any of the elementary schools. The deadline for the first round of applications is March 15 and families will hear in late April about acceptance into their chosen school. More information about all four schools and the application can be found at wcsu.net/schoolchoice#learnmore. A second round of applications will be taken on August 1 that also expands the choice option to new people who have moved into the area. Acceptance for each school will be governed by the goals for school choice listed previously, along with classroom space availability and impacts to overall programming across the district. Transportation for intra-district school choice will be the responsibility of the parents but there may be limited school bus routes made available to parents when routes and school choice applications are finalized. Once a student is accepted to a school, he or she will be able to stay there through the highest grade and admitting siblings to the same school will be a priority when space allows for it. “Any opportunity that people have to make a choice on behalf of their children is a positive one,” Laird Bradley, owner and principal broker of Williamson Group Sotheby’s International Realty said, noting that choice has generally been a positive factor as people look at where they want to purchase a home.

Kristel Fillmore: living her dream at Killington By Karen D. Lorentz

KILLINGTON—With parents who were avid skiers, Kristel Fillmore was one of the lucky kids who skied from an early age. Although she was born in Somers Point, N.J., her parents took the family to Pico Mountain where Fillmore learned to ski at 4 years old. Taught by instructors in the Pico Snow Sports School, she took to the sport and then learned to snowboard at 13, again through lessons at Pico. She also was active in water sports, enjoying crew, swimming, waterskiing and paddleboarding. But more enamored of snow, she decided to attend Castleton University after graduating from Egg Harbor Township HS in 2003. “I wanted to be as close as possible to KillingtonPico. My parents, sister and brother-in-law also attended Castleton,” she said. She “snowboarded as much as possible” during that time. Fillmore majored in business administration with a concentration in marketing. After graduating in three years from Castleton in 2006, a feat she managed through summer internships and studies, she returned to New Jersey

Special Limited Time

for a job at Morey’s Piers in Wildwood. She worked for the seaside amusement park for 11 years doing public relations, marketing, and event planning. During that time she was a weekend warrior to Pico and Killington. But she never gave up on her dream of moving to Vermont. Q&A with Kristel Fillmore Mountain Times: So how did you get to your current job? Kristel Fillmore: I had a goal to end up back in Vermont and kept a close eye on available marketing jobs at Killington. Finally, this past summer [2017] my job opened up and in my interview I told them, “This is my dream job!” That worked, because here I am as the Communications/ PR & Social Media Manager at Killington-Pico. MT: What are your duties or responsibilities? KF: I am responsible for all the social channels for Killington Resort, which entails Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. I also am the spokesperson and handle all public relations for both Killington and Pico. I do press releases, interviews with journalists, handle press trips, and give tours. MT: What’s the best part of your job? KF: The skiing and snowboarding on almost a daily basis. I love getting to share my passion of skiing and

snowboarding at Killington/Pico with our guests and members of the press. MT: Do you have influences or mentors? KF: My dad. His passion for the sport is contagious. Whether it’s inspiring us (his family), friends, or even guests to Killington, you get excited because he’s excited. He skis no matter the conditions and tells us how great a day he had. MT: How’s it been living in Vermont? KF: I keep saying how “I am learning to Vermont.” And for me, it’s been a blast. So far, I’ve learned how to drive a tractor and learned more winter activities like ski biking, snowshoeing and winter running. MT: How often do you get out on the mountain? KF: I’m typically on the mountain four or five times a week, whether it’s for work, touring media around, or on my days off with friends and family. MT: How would you define the mountain or ski town lifestyle? KF: The lifestyle is laidback, fun and passionate. We all have the same passion and that makes everyone easy friends. MT: Any advice for people who might be thinking about moving to Vermont? KF: Don’t give up and keep looking; do lots of job searches. Consider working part-time; it might lead to a full-time position. I worked

Submitted

KRISTEL FILLMORE part-time at Pico last year. MT: Are you balancing family and work lives? KF: When your family also is at the mountain, it’s easy to balance your family and work lives. Both my parents work for KillingtonPico as “retirement jobs.” MT: Other sports, hobbies, spare time activities? KF: I like hiking, running, snowshoeing, paddleboarding and yoga. I’d always rather be outside, no matter what I am doing. I’ve also been subbing at the Pico Sports Center as a yoga instructor. MT: Any advice or words of wisdom? KF: I love the quote, “Work requires effort. Things we love to do feel effortless. Only do the things you love and you’ll never have to work again.” It took some time, but I never gave up on the goal of working in the ski/snowboard industry and I love every moment of it.

Expert pediatric care from cradle through college. Dr. Clare Drebitko is devoted to helping children and families in our area thrive—including yours. She’s accepting new patients now at Ottauquechee Health Center. Dr. Drebitko and Dr. Patricia Staley, and the entire Pediatric team at OHC are here for your family for newborn and well child exams, acute care, and more. OHC offers a holistic, family-focused approach to wellness, to help your child be well and stay well from the start.

CD Offer

2.10%

APY* Take advantage of this

29-month CD

short-term CD and put your savings where they can safely grow. Lock in a great rate today! Clare Drebitko, MD Pediatrician

Your Money Stays Here, Works Here, and That Makes a Difference. Rutland • Bennington • Manchester • Arlington 802.774.5085 TheBankofBennington.com *Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is effective 2/15/18 and subject to change without notice. A checking account with The Bank of Bennington is required to earn the posted APY. Certificates of Deposit are subject to interest penalty for early withdrawal. $500 minimum deposit to open account, no minimum balance to earn posted APY.

New Pediatric Patients Welcome Don’t go far to keep your kids healthy and well. Call Ottauquechee Health Center in Woodstock at (802) 457-3030.

LOCAL NEWS

The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018 • 3

Courtesy of Rob Kovalesky

Feb. 15 marked 100 days open for Killington Resort.

Local loyalists are first inductees to 2017-18 100 Day Club

KILLINGTON—Thursday, Feb. 15 marked 100 consecutive days of skiing for the 2017-18 season. And Jackie and Jim Nimal from Killington skied all of them—perfect attendance. That includes the Saturday in January when Killington was unfortunately closed due to severe cold and wind conditions. That day they skied Pico mountain. Jackie and Jim Nimal were last year’s 500 Day Club charter members. The 2017-18 100 Day Club induction ceremony “official scan” was conducted and verified at 8:45 a.m. at the famous World

Cup Superstar lift by Mike Orvis (above, right) and Luis Sepulveda (above, left). Joining Jackie and Jim in the ceremony was local skiers David and Rob Kovalesky. Friends Donna and Peggy Golonka (also a 500 Club Member) showed up shortly after the official scan to wish them well. “Please join me in congratulating Jackie and Jim Nimal on being the first to achieve this season’s 100 Day mark, bringing their six year cumulative total to well over 600 days at Killington!!!” said Rob Kovalesky Sr., Killington 100 Club Brand Ambassador.

ENJOY $1.50 OYSTERS WEDNESDAY HAPPY HOUR THURSDAY

WITH

DAILY 3PM – 6PM

AARON AUDET • 4:30PM

HAPPY HOUR WITH AARON AUDET • 4:30PM JOEY LEONE • 7:30PM

FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR

AARON AUDET • 4:30PM THE AARON AUDET BAND • 8:30PM WITH

SATURDAY HAPPY HOUR

JORDAN SNOW • 4:30PM WINE TASTING • 6 – 8PM THE AARON AUDET BAND • 8:30PM WITH

SUNDAY BRUNCH WITH JORDAN SNOW • 11AM

JAZZ NIGHT WITH THE SUMMIT POND QUARTET • 5PM

MONDAY BLUES NIGHT WITH JOEY LEONE

FEATURING ORGANIST BEAU SASSER

Submitted

MICHAEL BOTTI

Celebration of life for Michael Botti, March 3 KILLINGTON—Come gather to celebrate and share the life and times of Michael Botti, a.k.a. “Mikey.” All are welcome to join. The celebration will be held at the Lookout Tavern in Killington, Mikey’s favorite spot. Lookout owners Joy and Phil Black have generously offered to host the reception starting at 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, with food and an open mike to share stories, laughs, and memories of Mikey. Lookout Tavern is located at 2910 Killington Road. On Sunday, March 4, all are welcome to join a group in the morning, skiing a run for him from the peak to the bottom of the Skyeship Gondola on Route 4.

• 7PM

NEED A RIDE? CALL THE

802.422.RIDE

FREE RIDES

WITHIN A 6-MILE RADIUS

Monday through Thursday: 3pm – 10pm Friday: 3pm – 11pm • Saturday: 11am – 11pm Sunday: 11am – 12pm (Brunch 11am; Dinner 4pm - 10pm) 63 Summit Path

•

802.422.5335

WWW. FOUNDRYKILLINGTON .COM

4 • The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27,2018

LOCAL NEWS

ALPINE AND FREESTYLE COMPETITION SPECIALISTS

KIDS RENT FREE* OVERNIGHT SKI TUNING* SKIS BINDINGS* RENTALS* LEASE PROGRAMS *WITH ADULT RENTAL. APPLIES TO JUNIOR EQUIPMENT ONLY 2324 Killington Road • 802-422-3950 forerunnerskishop.com frskishop@comcast.net

Full Service Vape Shop Humidified Premium Cigars • Hand Blown Glass Pipes Hookahs & Shisha Roll Your Own Tobacco & Supplies • CBD Products • Smoking Accessories 131 Strongs Avenue Rutland, VT Like us on (802) 775-2552 Facebook! Call For Shuttle Schedule

Courtesy of Killington Resort

Group photo taken at the annual fall ambassador meeting. Pete Duffy and Mike Solimano in front center.

Hairball, huckleberries, and happy people By Karen D. Lorentz

Killington’s ambassador program thrives

KILLINGTON— Hairball greets families arriving at Ramshead with hi-fives, a good morning or a “Yo” if it’s a teenager, and always a smile. He’s Killington’s first—and only— monkey-ambassador. Scenes of green-jacketed mountain ambassadors interacting with and helping guests repeat every day at Killington Resort. Glenn Jacobi gives “tame the Beast tours” and promises participants that he’ll “prove to them we do have alligators on the mountain.”

The Meadows at East Mountain offers senior adults the comforts of home and around-the-clock services so they can worry less and enjoy life more.

PRIVATE & SHARED ROOMS ● DINING ● ATTENTIVE STAFF ● HOUSEKEEPING ● TRANSPORTATION

Availability anticipated in February or March for our Traditional Care

The Meadows at East Mountain

Rutland’s “Best of the Best” assisted living community (802) 775-3300  www.themeadowsvt.com  Rutland, VT

• 1 Hour Mountain Tours • Kids Tours on Mini Snowmobiles, Ages 4-11 • 2 Hour Backcountry Tour Through the Beautiful Calvin Coolidge State Forest

Bob Giordano, better known as Bobby G, likes to think of helping people as “comedyraderie. “Leave’em laughing” is his motto. He starts a tour with, “I’m not an instructor but here’s a tip you won’t forget: Oak, maple and birch are hard woods. If you’re going to hit a tree, hit a pine.” Ben Lawton, a Killington ambassador since 1986, volunteers because the ambassadors provide an invaluable service and he enjoys sharing his own love of skiing. “The camaraderie among ambassadors keeps me young,” he said. What these and other volunteer ambassadors have in common is a keen desire to share their passion for the mountains and to help provide memorable experiences so guests have fun and want to return, said Ambassador Program Manager Pete Duffy. “They are passionate about the mountain, the sport, and they want to help people,” Duffy noted. To do that, ambassadors dispense information ranging from how to navigate the seven peaks of Killington and Pico to tips on restaurants and events guests might like to attend. They greet people mornings and help them find their way back to starting points at the end of the day. Some give the free morning Meet the Mountains tours, which start daily at the Snowshed Courtyard. Ambassadors also offer daily mountain orientations at the large trail sign at the top of the K-1 Express Gondola and at the top of Skyeship Stage Two by the large trail map. “They’re stationed there so people can ask questions, find out what’s going on, and get directions,” Duffy said. Ambassadors assist in other ways, from helping ski patrol or aiding Huckleberries (reuniting separated parties) to greeting arriving bus groups.

Hairball and helping “Children don’t get lost, parents do,” commented Laurie Canterbury, an ambassador since 1996. “When ambassadors radio in to report ‘a lost parent,’ they identify the children as ‘Huckleberries,’ not ‘lost children,’ and stay with them until parents arrive,” she explained. The humor in parents’ gathering up “Huckleberries” takes the edge off a serious situation – the type of good vibe ambassadors are known for. Canterbury’s mantra is, “You can grow old, but you don’t have to mature,” which helps to explain Hairball. “It was in the 90s, when lousy weather was predicted for Thanksgiving, that we were told to plan on being indoors with kids,” Canterbury explained, noting she and a friend decided to bring puppets, and that is how the Hairball puppet came to be. “He has an arm I can move to do high-fives with, with kids and adults. He can blow kisses, too. Hairball makes people smile. He lightens up the day for frazzled parents who have forgotten the kids’ gear or mittens. When the Little Penguins [children in the ski program] head up to Ramshead, Hairball makes the uphill hike fun by saying, ‘Bet I can beat you,’” Canterbury added. “Hairball also interacts with older teens who come for college weeks. All energetic on Monday, they often are tired out by Friday and Hairball eggs them on,” the “monkey lady” impishly admits. Yes, that is what people call her, including a waitress, who once exclaimed, “I remember you from when I was a little kid – you’re the monkey lady!” That recognition illustrates how her helpfulness, through humor and a monkey’s touch, is long remembered. It’s one of many

rewards she’s experienced as an ambassador. Another occurred when Canterbury overcame her fear of public speaking by greeting a bus full of skiers. When a woman who had been watching her asked if she had gone to ventriloquist school, Canterbury was thrilled that the things she had learned to say without moving her lips were appreciated! “Ambassadors are outgoing, happy people who get a lot out of volunteering – maybe even more than the guests. It’s a passion for all of us,” Canterbury observed. “Enabling people to connect to the mountain is a reward in itself,” added Bobby G. Praising the friendships ambassadors make with each other and guests, he noted a couple from England took his tour and that he got to know them and their children through repeat visits. Their friendship led to his trips to England and even attending the daughter’s wedding, he said of the bonds created through volunteer work. How it all began The Killington Ambassador Program began in the 1962-1963 season with volunteers deemed to have “an acute case of Killingtonitis.” In love with skiing the mountain, they became good-will troubadours, singing the praises of Killington to ski clubs and others in their home states. They distributed brochures throughout the East and helped other skiers enjoy the slopes by giving out information or other assistance. They could even be found parking cars, directing traffic, officiating at races, serving hamburgers, relieving ski-shop cashiers, and doing other helpful work to ensure the success of the young and growing ski area. Eventually the need for ambassadors faded and the Ambassador program, page 20

The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018 • 5

STATE NEWS

Legislative updates

Key issues emerging By Rep. Jim Harrison (Bridgewater, Chittenden, Killington & Mendon)

The key issues of the 2018 legislative session are now becoming evident. The Senate approved a minimum wage hike to $15 last week, while at the same time, downplaying a proposal for a new paid family REP. JIM HARRISON leave bill passed by the House last May. Will there be a standoff between Speaker Johnson and Senate Leader Ashe? Or will both bills pass in the end and potentially face vetoes from Governor Scott? A lot can happen in two months. Last week also saw another horrific gun shooting at a school in south Florida and, closer to home, an arrest for an alleged plot for a shooting at Fair Haven Union High School. It was the latter incident that caused the governor, a staunch Second Amendment supporter, to indicate that everything needed to be open for discussion on how to best protect our students, even our gun laws. The Fair Haven incident this past week, which was fortunately averted, could very well change the conversation in Montpelier. Education funding Meanwhile the House Ways & Means Committee is busy with a proposal to make significant changes to the way the state funds education. A public hearing was scheduled for Feb. 21 at the State House. With an estimated 70 percent of residents currently receiving income sensitivity on their education property taxes, many argue that voters do not directly feel the impact of their spending decisions at the local level. In total, only 26 percent of the education revenue is now raised by the residential property tax. The balance comes from nonresidential property taxes, a portion of the sales tax and General Fund transfers. The new plan would remove income sensitivity, lower the statewide education property tax, add a new education income tax, devote sales tax revenue to the Education Fund and change the statewide yield formula. The Scott administration has expressed an openness to changing the funding formula, but, has also signaled that it needs cost controls on total education spending before it will support a new plan. Finance Commissioner Adam Greshin indicated that reducing special education spending alone is unlikely to suffice, and that a state employee health care plan should be part of the package. Key lawmakers have responded that the changes in funding will provide enough incentives to voters to reduce local budgets. Meanwhile, overall school budgets are proposed to increase at a smaller rate than originally projected, which should mean a smaller increase in the statewide property tax under the current financing plan. The funding proposal is still a work in progress. I hope to have more information at the upcoming town meetings in the district and will value your feedback. Rural broadband The House gave preliminary approval last Friday to legislation to increase funding for broadband coverage in rural areas of the state. The legislation, H.582, would add a temporary surcharge of 0.5 percent on retail telecommunication service and generate approximately $1.5 million annually. Voter checklists In what might be considered a second or third tier issue, the House approved H.614 late last week. The legislation prohibits sharing the statewide voter checklist with the federal government for purposes of comparing a voter’s information maintained in the checklist to personally identifying information contained in other federal or state databases. The bill was proposed in reaction to the Trump administration’s Election Integrity Commission last year, which had requested the checklist from every state. While Vermont law at the time did not prohibit sharing the checklist, the Secretary of State never submitted it to the commission. The special committee has since been disbanded. While I agree with many that the president’s election commission may have been initiated to serve a sometimes inflated ego on who received the most votes, I opHarrison, page 7

Bills passed and pending

By Sen. Alison Clarkson, Windsor County District

Gun safety The arrest of the Poultney teenager who was allegedly planning a mass school shooting at the Fair Haven high school should be a game changer in Vermont. We can no longer justify inaction on enacting common sense firearm safety measures. Yes, Vermont is a safe state, but we now know that school shootings can happen here. We’ve known for a long time that firearm violence is major contributor to Vermont’s domestic violence and suicides. Over 50 percent of Vermont homicides are related to domestic violence and of those, over 50 percent are committed with a firearm. Who knows how many domestic partners live in fear of threats of firearm violence? And we have one of the highest rates of teenage suicide by firearm. This year the Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee is considering three bills which could help reduce firearm violence: S.6 is the Universal Background Check bill, H.422 aims to reduce domestic violence homicides by giving law enforcement the ability to temporarily remove firearms from the scene for five days, and S. 221 aims to restrict firearm possession by people who pose an extreme threat to themselves or their community. As a long time advocate and sponsor of firearm safety legislation and a sponsor of S.6, I support measures which keep firearms out of the hands of those who have committed violent crimes, domestic violence abusers and those with a serious mental illness. For many years constituents have asked me to help reduce the likelihood that a person will commit violence with a gun. While I support the Second Amendment and value Vermont’s hunting traditions, I think it is time the Vermont Legislature acts on common sense firearm safety. According to a VPR/Castleton 2016 poll 89 percent of Vermonters support background checks and 82 percent of Vermont gun owners do too, according to a Castleton 2013 poll. We need to make Vermont as safe as possible – for its children, its women and its families. $15 minimum wage This past week, the Senate passed an increase in the minimum wage to $15/hour over six years. We chose to leave the tipped wage at 50 percent of the minimum wage. And we chose to increase the child care subsidy to hold harmless those families impacted negatively by the increase to their wages. Two major obstacles to continued economic growth in Vermont are weak consumer demand and growing income inequality – and it is my hope that by raising the minimum wage we will reduce stress on Vermont’s working families and they can earn enough to live sustainably. Growing income inequality in Vermont is a major challenge. Low wage workers have seen only stagnant wage growth – their wages have increased by 10 percent since 1979. In contrast, high wage workers have seen their wages increase over 49 percent in the same time period. Vermont’s minimum wage is still considerably lower than our livable wage – our basic needs wage. In enacting the minimum wage, President Roosevelt meant that it would be the minimum amount people needed to live on. Windsor County has the second highest housing cost in Vermont. On average, you’d have to earn $20.33 an hour (our current minimum wage is $10.50 an hour) to afford a two bedroom apartment in Windsor County. To help Vermonters earn a sustainable wage, to undo decades of damage to low income workers and to help alleviate the burden public assistance places on our state budget and resources, I voted to support increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2024. We heard the challenge businesses face, and chose a six year path instead of four year one. It is estimated that over 65,500 jobs will be positively impacted and over 2,225 jobs negatively impacted. Vermont will see income gains of $173 million and will see additional state revenues of $20 million. Increasing wages is one of the most effective ways to give people a “hand up” and improve the quality of life for Vermonters and Vermont families. I appreciate hearing from you. I can be reached by email: aclarkson@leg.state.vt.us or by phone at the Statehouse (Tuesday-Friday) 828-2228 or at home (Saturday-Monday) 457-4627. For more information on the Vermont Legislature, and the bills which have been proposed and passed, visit the legislative website: legislature.vermont.gov.

Lindsey Good thing you were Higher’d ‘Cause you’re the best! Happy birthday from the Mountain Times team

Feb. 25th Feb. 25 is “The Day of the Higher Cause,” according to “The Secret Language of Birthdays” by Goldschneider.

Table of contents Opinion...................................................................... 6 Calendar..................................................................... 8 Music Scene............................................................. 11 Just For Fun.............................................................. 12 Rockin’ the Region................................................... 13 Summer Camp Preview.......................................... 14 Lift Lines................................................................... 21 Pets........................................................................... 22 Mother of the Skye................................................... 23 Columns................................................................... 24 Service Directory..................................................... 26 Classifieds................................................................ 28 News Briefs.............................................................. 29 Living A.D.E.............................................................. 37 Food Matters............................................................ 44 Real Estate................................................................ 46

Mounta in Times The Mountain Times is an independently owned weekly newspaper serving residents of, and visitors to Central Vermont Region. Our offices are located at 5465 Route 4, Sherburne Flats, Killington, Vt. ©The Mountain Times 2015 The Mountain Times • P.O. Box 183 Killington, VT 05751

(802) 422-2399

www.mountaintimes.info Email: editor@mountaintimes.info

Polly Lynn-Mikula ----------------------- Editor & Co-Publisher Jason Mikula ---------------------- Ad Manager & Co-Publisher Erica Harrington ------------------------------ Business Manager

Evan Johnson----------------------- Assistant Editor & Reporter Siobhan Chase ---------------------------------- Graphic Designer Tianna Bonang---------------------------------- Graphic Designer

Lindsey Rogers ----------------------------- Sales Representative Mac Domingus------------------------------ Sales Representative Curtis Harrington-------------------------- Distribution Manager Julia Purdy---------------------------------------------- Copy Editor Royal Barnard ------------------------------------ Editor Emeritus

- Contributing Writers/Photographers Julia Purdy Cal Garrison Dom Cioffi Lani Duke Marguerite Jill Dye Robin Alberti

Karen D. Lorentz Stephen Seitz Kyle Finneron Brett Yates Mary Ellen Shaw Brady Crain Paul Holmes Kevin Theissen Dave Hoffenberg Lee Crawford Flag photo by Richard Podlesney

6 • The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27,2018

opinion

OP-ED

Connecting our sustainable heritage to economic development and jobs for Vermonters By Rachel Carter

Most Vermonters would agree we live here among the Green Mountains so we can enjoy a quality of life as individuals, families, and businesses that affords us a decent standard of living, our independence, and the use of our natural resources now and for generations to come. Our deep rooted Yankee ingenuity, inventiveness, drive towards self-sufficiency, connections to the working landscape, and our commitment to community define who we are and how we do business, and are important values for us to bring into the future. But our ability to thrive as Vermonters is challenged by stagnant wages in jobs without career ladders, the high cost of housing and childcare, an aging workforce, the opioid epidemic, and a need for more young adults to enter the workforce. How can we take advantage of our assets and historical strengths while also attracting and growing 21st century businesses to employ Vermonters and strengthen the vitality of our communities? The answer is the same as it ever was—working together. Uncivil political discourse is at an all-time high which has created animosity among colleagues, friends, families, and neighbors. But we all want the same outcome, right? To thrive here in Vermont. The sustainability trigger Words like sustainability have become political triggers and turn-off words, when really sustainability is very much aligned with our heritage as Vermonters. Out of necessity and community-oriented values, Vermonters have lived a sustainable lifestyle for generations—long before the word became so overused and lost much of its meaning. Simply defined, sustainability is the ability for people to benefit from economic production and have a decent quality of life indefinitely without overloading the capacity of the Earth’s ecosystem to a point where it cannot be renewed. Vermont cannot survive as an island, there are too few of us and there is too much of what we need to live every day that is produced outside of our borders. But we can honor our values by relying more on our own resources, people, communities, businesses, and our regional neighbors as a way to guard against the broader forces that are outside our control. Growing economic sectors that matter to Vermonters and those who love Vermont A diverse mix of industries and professions provide economic opportunity for people, and statewide efforts are critical to grow the technology, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare sectors. But these sectors are often centered in urban areas, whereas three-quarters of our population still lives in rural communities. We need to spread economic growth to more of Vermont’s communities so that all Vermonters have the opportunity to prosper. Agriculture and food systems, forest products, renewable energy, waste management, and environmental technology are five distinct, yet interconnected sectors that have been growing across the state by blending our historical advantages with 21st century innovation. Economic development in these sectors helps improve our rural communities. Food, energy, waste management, construction materials and furniture, and the technologies to produce and distribute these goods and services not only create jobs, but support businesses committed to their communities, and keep more of our money circulating within the state. This, in turn, creates more employment opportunities and makes these goods and services more readily available and affordable for Vermonters as well as for export. Vermont’s commitment to sustainability and the love of our working landscape are also of interest to the people who visit Vermont, some of whom move to Vermont to start businesses in these sectors. More businesses in working landscap–related sectors means more jobs for Vermonters in rural communities. Working together to grow Vermont’s economy The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund is seeking to collaborate more deeply with statewide and community Jobs for Vermonters, page 7

Raising the minimum wage, from a business perspective By Steve Moyer and Patrick Crowl, Woodstock Farmers’ Market

The state legislature wants to expand the minimum wage to $15/hour by 2024. We feel, as operators of a small business, that a sudden increase like this would cripple the growth and general operations of our business and those of many throughout the state in five major ways. 1. Fairness. Raising the minimum wage will mandate raising the wage of any worker we currently employ by roughly the same dollar figure ($10.50 to $15, or $4.50 more per hour). This is a matter of fairness—we wouldn’t expect a dedicated employee of 5-10 years to make the same as a new hire. Pretty much every employee would receive an increase of $4.50/hour. In other words staff making $17/hour now would need to move to over $20/hour.

2. Prices increases. Our business already pays well above the current minimum wage except for high school students who are working for the first time. In the last year, we had a little over 110,000 hours of payroll. For us, with an increase in the minimum wage of $4.50/hour, our payroll expenses would go up by about $450,000 in just six short years for that factor alone. Our Net Operating Profit the past three tax years has been nowhere near enough to cover that type of expense increase, so to survive, we will have to implement some significant price increases and/or staff reductions to maintain a profitable entity. 3. Reducing benefits. A dramatic increase in minimum wage will dramatically alter the benefits we offer. We Minimum wage, page 7

LETTERS

Campaign finance is the root of mass shootings

Dear Editor, Those looking for the root cause of this plague of mass shootings need look no further than our system of campaign finance. Because we allow private money to finance the campaigns of our elected representatives, our representatives end up beholden to the private interests of their campaign donors over the interests of the people they were elected to represent. Flooding the civilian market with military grade hardware was never a good idea, but because our representatives were compromised by the influence of private campaign financing, we were powerless to stop it. We never voted to unleash this plague upon our land, but our elected representatives did. Until we stop allowing private money to finance the campaigns of our elected representatives, things are only going to get worse. Walt Trandum, Sandy, Ore.

Vote Crowther for Alderman Dear Editor, Vote for Jack Crowther for Rutland City Alderman Tuesday, Town Meeting Day, March 6. We are so lucky that Jack Crowther is willing to serve Rutland City as an elected Alderman. Crowther has been voluntarily serving our community for a long time; fighting for clean water, helping our Veterans, and helping to build Vermont Farmers Food Center from the ground up. He also is responsible for organizing the fine music that soothes our souls on Wednesday nights at the Godnick Center. Jack Crowther will use his vast expertise, experience, courage and wisdom, as an elected Alderman, because he believes in the good hearted people of Rutland as he works tirelessly for this beloved Rutland community in all that he does. Vote for Jack Crowther for Rutland City Alderman. He will serve our City well. Kathleen Krevetski, Rutland City

Killington first, poor Pico last

The Real Bingo Basin story

Dear Editor, Upon reading the letter from Mr.Don Heithaus in the Mountain Times earlier this month, I must fully agree with his assessment of Killington’s treatment of our beloved Pico. In fact last weekend while we were eating lunch with our friends, also Pico regulars for many years, we were discussing this very topic. Having been Pico season pass holders for several years and Pico aficionados for 40 years we know exactly what Mr. Heithaus refers to. We are faithful to a wonderful skier’s mountain that unfortunately is the Killington “stepchild.” We are patient and perhaps have kept silent for too long. As tons of snow is blown on Killington, so that they can ski on June 1, lodges redecorated, lifts replaced etc., Pico silently waits in the background.

Dear Editor, Letters in the paper, two petitions, numerous select board meetings and division in the community; this issue has been in the public eye for several months. It all started when the public learned that an out-of-town couple purchased a threeseason camp situated as an inholding piece of property within the Green Mountain National Forest in the Bingo Basin. Along with the many species of wildlife and permanent off-grid residents, Bingo Basin is home to the unique recreation area of the GMNF Pine Brook Loop Trail. Locals and visitors have come with their boots, bikes, snowshoes and skies to softy recreate and enjoy this sanctuary—a place providing refuge for many decades. We have always respected each other’s privacy and desire to seek a wild and quiet place. However, the new owners informed our

Pico, page 10

Bingo Basin, page 20

The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018 • 7

CAPITOL QUOTES “Yesterday, we learned that even in Vermont, a state looked to as a beacon of safety, hope, and the promise of goodness in America, we faced a similar threat against a school... Congress refuses to act. They have been clear about wanting to protect the gun industry...By taking no action on gun control, mental health, and resourcing schools, they are effectively deciding that it is OK for children to die... 420 Vermonters died from gunshot wounds in the six years between 2011 and the end of 2016. Numerous Vermont schools have gone into lockdown in recent years. It was just over 10 years ago that we in Vermont experienced a school shooting at the Essex Elementary school. Enough children have died. Enough educators have died. It is only a matter of time before tragedy strikes our state again. We must act.” Except from a statement made by Mitzi Johnson of South Hero, Vermont Speaker of the House, Feb. 15.

“This award will help create much needed jobs and build important educational and health care infrastructure in our state. We’re very pleased to support these long-term investments in Vermont communities that need it the most.” Said the Vermont delegation, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) and Rep. Peter Welch (D), in a statement, Feb. 14, announcing that Vermont Rural Ventures will receive $60 million in federal tax credits to spur economic development projects throughout the state. This is the largest tax credit award ever received by Vermont Rural Ventures, a wholly owned subsidiary of Housing Vermont. Vermont Rural Ventures has received four previous NMTC awards totaling $140 million in tax credits, which were used to finance many important projects across the state.

“The President pitched Dreamers and their communities into crisis by rescinding DACA...He has cynically used Dreamers as hostages to his whims, and he is prolonging the nightmarish uncertainty that they, their families and their communities are living through each and every day. The lack of leadership and mishandling of this are unconscionable. If he truly cares about the future of the Dreamers, he can fix the crisis he created.” Said Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) in a statement Feb. 15. Leahy is the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and a leading member of the Judiciary Committee.

Jim Harrison:

Update from the state house

continued from page 5 posed H.614 because there is something fundamentally wrong with the approach it took. As amended, the bill allows open access to wikileaks, foreign political parties, every other state and most everyone else in the world, but not our own government. I have trouble justifying the disparities in this legislation. Revenues And finally, the latest state revenue collections show a decline in the person-

Jobs for Vermonters:

al income tax (0.36 percent YTD) but a very slight increase overall (0.02 percent). I hope to see many of you at the Town Meeting sessions in March. You may reach me at JHarrison@leg. state.vt.us or my cell, 802-236-3001. Messages may also be left at the State House during the legislative session at 802-8282228. I am also happy to meet district members coming to the State House.

Sustainability; a Vermont tradition

continued from page 6 economic development partners to strengthen product and service supply chains in agriculture and food systems, forest products, waste management, renewable energy, and environmental technology sectors—representing a competitive advantage for all of the businesses involved in the production and distribution of these goods and/or services. By helping to create the conditions that lead to expanded market opportunities in these sectors, we are able to accelerate the creation of well paying and sustainable jobs for Vermonters. Manufacturing, engineering, distribution, retail, marketing, and financing are all examples of jobs that arise out of expanding the in-state supply chain, as we have seen in our work growing the local food economy through the implementation of Vermont’s Farm to Plate food system plan. We serve clients from private sector businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies to create positive, systems-level change for the 21st century that elevates the well being of Vermonters, our communities, and takes care of our clean air and fresh water so we can preserve what we cherish from our heritage and way of life, now and for future generations. The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund is a nonprofit organization created by the Vermont Legislature in 1995 to partner with state government, private sector businesses, and nonprofits to build a thriving economic, social, and ecological future for Vermont. Learn more about our services, programs, and impacts at www.vsjf.org and join the conversation on Facebook/VermontSustainableJobsFund. Rachel Carter served as communications director at the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund for five years, and concluded her work in February, 2018 due to health reasons. She lives in Plainfield, Vt.

Minimum wage:

Woodstock Farmers Market speaks up

continued from page 6 currently offer many benefits including a fully paid staff lunch, 2 percent match on Simple IRA accounts, 20 percent discount on all store purchases, gym membership contributions, and a significant contribution to health insurance premiums. We would need to consider paring back these programs to pay for the additional increase. 4. Reducing bonuses. We currently practice open book finance. As part of that we offer a gain share on the Net Operating Profit of the business. Last year we shared $48,000 out of our total Net Operating Profit of $178,000. We would need to consider paring this benefit back to help cover the added payroll expense. Additionally, we would need to re-evaluate how we can reduce the overall number of people we currently employ. More automation and thus less labor is a significant way to reduce expense. This type of action would be magnified across the state and may lead to less available jobs. 5. Inflation pressures. Don’t get me wrong. We do need to continue to raise the minimum wage here in Vermont. Placing more money in the pockets of our state’s overall economy is a big deal. Vermont has actually been very thoughtful about this issue up to this point. A more gradual process, mirroring the increase we have seen over the past five years from $8.50 to $10.50 per hour, would continue this line of thinking. A 23.5 percent increase of $2 per hour over five years is much more feasible than a 42.9 percent increase of $4.50 per hour over six years. But the decision to increase the minimum wage by $4.50/hour in such a short period of time will fuel inflation within the state. Every employer will have to raise prices to cover the added expense. It will trickle down to every sector of the economy. Stewardship The highest state minimum wage currently is $11.50 in Washington state. The

metro area of Portland, Oregon has plans to raise their minimum wage from $11.25 to $14.75 in the metro area by 2022, but only to $12.50 (from the current $10) for the surrounding rural counties. The cost of living in those rural counties is most likely comparable with the cost of living in Vermont, and the cost of living in the Portland metro area is certainly higher. Where is the logic behind the proposed increase to $15 for a rural state like Vermont? It’s also very important to note that many small businesses like ourselves are stewards in our community. We support local organizations. We bring cutting edge sustainability programs to our state. Particularly here at the Woodstock Farmers’ Market, our BYOB (bring your own bag) program and our relationship with our community food shelves—all have higher purpose in mind. With the help of our customers, we have raised over $15,000 in the last 18 months to purchase fresh produce for our local food shelves. And like so many other small businesses, we are one of the major drivers of our local Woodstock economy (employing over 60 with gross sales over $8 million). We cherish our role of being a big part of local life: we feed our community. Not just in the literal sense. Given the economics of this proposed legislation, for us, paring this philanthropy back would be a real probability. I hope the Vermont legislature takes a pause and reflects on the real rural Vermont economy and spends the time to work on economic modeling. Higher wages for all is a good thing. But when you boil it down, this bill, which moves to increase wages too quickly, puts an undue burden on the backs of small businesses. With an increase in minimum wage at this rate, many mom and pop businesses—from the food industry to the countless retailers of crafts, clothes and artisan products may cease to exist or be the economic leaders we currently are in our many small communities around the state.

CALENDAR

8 • The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27,2018

WHAT TO DO IN CENTRAL VERMONT Rutland Wellness

5 p.m. Education and support for people who are struggling emotionally. Focus on tools and methods for improving our lives mentally and physically. Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m., Grace Congregational Church, 8 Court St., Rutland. 802-353-4365.

Gentle/Restorative Yoga

5:30 p.m. Gentle Restorative Yoga at Killington Yoga with Louise Harrison. 3744 River Rd, Killington. Info, killingtonyoga.com, 802-422-4500.

Rotary Meeting

Co urt esy of V INS

6 p.m. The Killington-Pico Rotary club cordially invites visiting Rotarians, friends and guests to attend its weekly meeting. The club meets Wednesdays at the Summit Lodge 6-8 p.m. for a full dinner and fellowship. Call 802-7730600 to make a reservation. Dinner fee $19. KillingtonPicoRotary.org

6:30 p.m. Free knitting classes at Plymouth Community Center, by Barbara Wanamaker. Bring yarn and needles, U.S. size 7 or 8 bamboo needles recommended, and one skein of medium weight yarn in light or medium color. RSVP to bewanamaker@gmail.com, 802-3960130. 35 School Drive, Plymouth.

VINS OWL FESTIVAL

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, FEB. 24-25, 9 A.M.-5 P.M.

WEDNESDAY Bikram Yoga **

FEB. 21

6 a.m. Bikram Yoga holds classes Wednesdays: 6 a.m. 60-min. Bikram; 11 a.m. inferno hot pilates; 4:30 p.m. 60-min. hot power flow; 6:15 p.m. 90-min Bikram. 1360 US-4, Mendon. Info, bikramyogamendon.com.

Vacation Day Camps

9 a.m. ArtisTree offers vacation day camps during President’s week, with 2018 Winter Olympics theme. Today, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. For ages 5-8, create Korean Hahoe masks. For age 9-12, Go Team USA! - create logo and uniform for US Winter Olympics Team! artistreevt.org for details. 2095 Pomfret Rd., So. Pomfret.

Story Time

10 a.m. Maclure Library offers two preschool story hours, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. Parents and care givers are encouraged to bring children from birth to 5 years old. This is a great chance for children to socialize and parents / care givers to make new friends, share concerns, joys, ideas, and experiences and to learn from other parents. Small, intimate group. Info, 802-483-2792. 840 Arch St., Pittsford.

Kripalu Yoga

10 a.m. Kripalu yoga with Louise Harrison at Just Dance, Center St., Rutland. First class free. louiseharrison.com, 802-747-8444.

CCV Job Hunt Helper

10 a.m. CCV Job Hunt Helper Joe Alford will be available at Rutland Free Library, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. to help job seekers find employment: writing resume and cover letter, apply for jobs online, assess skills and interests, use internet to explore career options, and learn about education and training programs. 10 Court St., Rutland. 802-773-1860.

Sleigh Ride Week

10 a.m. Billings Farm & Museum holds Sleigh Ride Week, Feb. 10-25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., featuring horse-drawn sleigh rides, tours of dairy farm, and family activities each day. Admission. 69 Old River Rd., Woodstock. billingsfarm.org.

Rutland Winter Fest

10 a.m. Rutland Winter Fest 2018, Feb. 16-24. Today: PJs at the Paramount, 10 a.m. Snowshoe on CSJ Nature Trail, 1 p.m. MSJ Variety Show with Rusty Dewees, 7 p.m. Details at rutlandrec.com.

Cooking Workshop

11:30 a.m. Everyday Chef cooking class with Grace Davy: Sweets and Savories. Make a hearty winter salad with nuts and fruit, plus chocolatey/nutty, no bake cookie. $5/ adult, seniors over age 55 and kids 12 and under are free. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Godnick Adult Center, 1 Deer St., Rutland.

Vacation Day Camps

1 p.m. ArtisTree offers vacation day camps during President’s week, with 2018 Winter Olympics theme. Today, 1-4 p.m. For ages 5-8, Sports Buddies, create a mascot to help cheer on the games. For age 9-12, Korean Decorative Arts & Crafts. artistreevt.org for details. 2095 Pomfret Rd., So. Pomfret.

Song Circle

7:15 p.m. Song circle and jam session at Godnick Adult Center, 7:15-9:15 p.m. Welcomes singers, players of acoustic instruments, and listeners. Donations welcome. Info, 802-775-1182.

Brandon “Taz” Niederauer

8 p.m. Broadway sensation Brandon “Taz” Niederauer performs live at Pickle Barrel Nightclub. 18+ show. Taz portrayed guitarist Zack Mooneyham in Broadway musical, “School of Rock.” And he rocks. Tickets at the door, or advance at picklebarrelnightclub.com. 1741 Killington Rd., Killington.

THURSDAY

Mini Mud Auditions

Chandler Music Hall holds auditions for Mini Mud youth variety show coming in the spring. Sign up for a time with Janet Watton, 802-728-9402 or president@chandler-arts.org. 71 Main St., Randolph.

Free Knitting Class

Bikram Yoga **

FEB. 22

6 a.m. Bikram Yoga holds classes Thursdays: 6 a.m. & 6:15 p.m. inferno hot pilates; 9 a.m. & 4:30 p.m. 90-min. Bikram. 1360 US-4, Mendon. Info, bikramyogamendon.com.

Open Swim **

8 a.m. Enjoy the warm water at Mitchell Therapy Pool at Vermont Achievement Center, 88 Park St., Rutland: 8-9 a.m.; 5-7 p.m. Call for more times & info, 802-773-7187.

Vacation Day Camps

Thirsty Thursday Races

1 p.m. Pico Mountain’s Thirsty Thursday Fun Race Series, Thursdays through March 15, 1-3 p.m. on Lower Pike or Exhibition. Details at picomountain. com.

Vacation Day Camps

1 p.m. ArtisTree offers vacation day camps during President’s week, with 2018 Winter Olympics theme. Today, 1-4 p.m. For ages 5-8, Let the Games Begin! An Olympic celebration. For age 9-12, Olympic Sled Making. artistreevt. org for details. 2095 Pomfret Rd., So. Pomfret.

CCV Job Hunt Helper

3 p.m. CCV Job Hunt Helper Joe Alford will be available at Rutland Free Library, 3-5 p.m. to help job seekers find employment: writing resume and cover letter, apply for jobs online, assess skills and interests, use internet to explore career options, and learn about education and training programs. 10 Court St., Rutland. 802-773-1860.

Level 2 Yoga

5:30 p.m. Level 2 Flow Yoga at Killington Yoga Karen Dalury, E-RYT 500. 3744 River Rd, Killington. Info, killingtonyoga.com, 802-422-4500.

Shotski Party

6 p.m. Create your own shotski at Killington Art Garage. $30 per person, plus $50 per ski at the door. Includes materials, 4 shot glasses, and instruction. BYOB. Registration required, 802-422-8844, artgaragevt.com. 2841 Killington Rd., Killington.

Bridge Club

6:30 p.m. Marble Valley Duplicate Bridge Club meets at Godnick Center Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. Sanctioned duplicate bridge games. Info, 802-228-6276. 1 Deer St., Rutland. Please join.

Author Talk

6:30 p.m. Phoenix Books Rutland hosts author Peter Miller for a talk on his new book, “Vanishing Vermonters: Loss of a Rural Culture.” Free, open to the public. 2 Center St., Rutland. phoenixbooks.biz.

Sound of Music Sing-a-long

6:30 p.m. Black River Good Neighbors hosts “Sound of Music” film plus sing-a-long at FOLA theater, 37 Depot St., Ludlow. $5 suggested donation. Space limited! Info, 802-228-3663.

Adult Soccer

7 p.m. Adult Soccer at Killington Elementary School, 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays. $2. Nonmarking gym sneakers please. Info, killingtontown.com.

Open Mic

7 p.m. Open mic with Jim Yeager at ArtisTree Community Arts Center, Pomfret. Free. All levels, all abilities, relaxed environment. Info, artistreevt.org. 2095 S. Pomfret Rd., Pomfret.

Audubon Program

7 p.m. Rutland Co. Audubon presents Grand Teton National Park: A Geographic Portrait with Jeff Nugent, exploring history and geology of Wyoming’s Teton Range. Stunning photos and stories. Free, open to public. Grace Church, 8 Court St., Rutland.

ART Play

7:30 p.m. Vt. Actors Repertory Theatre presents “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” at Paramount’s Brick Box Theater. Limited seating: 50 seats, $10 each. paramountvt.org. Paramount Theatre, 30 Center St., Rutland.

FRIDAY

9 a.m. ArtisTree offers vacation day camps during President’s week, with 2018 Winter Olympics theme. Today, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. For ages 5-8, Year of the Dog: Dog Crafts and Toys - creations and games. For age 9-12, Let the Games Begin! an Olympic celebration. artistreevt.org for details. 2095 Pomfret Rd., So. Pomfret.

FEB. 23

Story Time

Bikram Yoga **

Killington Bone Builders

Open Swim **

Mendon Bone Builders

Level 1 Yoga

Glitter Goop Workshop

Feel Good Friday

Sleigh Ride Week

Canvas & Cocoa for Kids

Rutland Winter Fest

Sleigh Ride Week

10 a.m. Story time at the West Rutland Public Library. Thursdays at 10 a.m. Bring your young children to enjoy stories, crafts, and playtime. Info, 802-4382964. 10 a.m. Bone builders meets at Sherburne Memorial Library, 2998 River Rd., Killington, 10-11 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Free, weights supplied. For info, 802-422-3368. 10 a.m. Mendon bone builders meets Thursdays at Roadside Chapel, 1680 Townline Rd, Rutland Town. Info, 802-773-2694. 10 a.m. Join Killington Art Garage for Glitter Goop Workshop for ages 4+, 10-11 a.m. $27 includes materials and instructions. Parents must accompany not a drop off event. Registration required at artgaragevt.com or 802-4228844. 2841 Killington Road, Killington. 10 a.m. Billings Farm & Museum holds Sleigh Ride Week, Feb. 10-25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., featuring horse-drawn sleigh rides, tours of dairy farm, and family activities each day. Admission. 69 Old River Rd., Woodstock. billingsfarm.org. 12 p.m. Rutland Winter Fest 2018, Feb. 16-24. Today, Winter Olympics (indoors/ outdoors) at Vermont Sport & Fitness, 40 Curtis Ave., Rutland. 12-4 p.m. Pickleball, mini tennis, curling, bowling, figure skating, big ball hockey, snowshoe race, sledding challenges. rutlandrec.com. for details. Rusty Dewees Variety Show at MSJ at 8:30 p.m.

** denotes multiple times and/or locations.

6 a.m. Bikram Yoga holds classes Fridays: 6 a.m. 60-min. hot power flow; 11 a.m. 60-min. Bikram; 4:30 p.m. inferno hot pilates. 1360 US-4, Mendon. Info, bikramyogamendon.com. 8 a.m. Enjoy the warm water at Mitchell Therapy Pool at Vermont Achievement Center, 88 Park St., Rutland: 8-9 a.m.; 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Call for more times & info, 802-773-7187. 8:30 a.m. Level 1 Hatha Yoga at Killington Yoga with Karen Dalury, RYT 500. 3744 River Rd, Killington. Info, killingtonyoga.com, 802-422-4500. 9 a.m. Feel Good Friday - Pre-purchase tickets for this day before midnight Feb. 22 and Killington will donate $10 from every ticket to High Fives Foundation and Vt Adaptive. After party at K1 Mahogany Ridge Bar, 4-6 p.m. Details at killington.com. 10 a.m. Painting and hot cocoa at Killington Art Garage, for kids ages 7+. Painting with acrylics on canvas. $27 includes materials and instruction. 2841 Killington Rd., Killington. Registration required at artgaragevt.com, 802-422-8844. 10 a.m. Billings Farm & Museum holds Sleigh Ride Week, Feb. 10-25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., featuring horse-drawn sleigh rides, tours of dairy farm, and family activities each day. Admission. 69 Old River Rd., Woodstock. billingsfarm.org.

The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018 • 9

Story Time

10:30 a.m. Sherburne Memorial Library holds story time Fridays, 10:30-11 a.m. Join for stories, songs, activities. Babies and toddlers welcome! Info, 802-422-9765.

Kripalu Yoga

11 a.m. Kripalu yoga, gentle flow at Just Dance, Center St., Rutland. First class free. louiseharrison.com, 802-747-8444.

Vermont Specialty Food Days

11 a.m. Sample locally produced foods at Okemo’s Jackson Gore base area, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Vendors: Vt. Amber Organic Toffee, SAP!, Fat Toad Farm, Woodchuck Hard Cider, Cabot Cheese, Ben and Jerry’s, Kimball Brook Farm, and more. okemo.com.

Osher Series

1:30 p.m. Osher Lifelong Learning series at Godnick Adult Center, Fridays, 1:30-3 p.m. February focus on Vermont and ever-changing status: landscape, culture, politics, and more. $5 per lecture; $40 for membership. Info, learn. uvm.edu/osher or 802-422-2921.

Magic: the Gathering

3:15 p.m. Sherburne Memorial Library holds Magic: the Gathering Fridays, 3:15-4:15 p.m. Ages 8+, all levels welcome. 2998 River Rd., Killington. 422-9765.

Rutland Winter Fest

4 p.m. Rutland Winter Fest 2018, Feb. 16-24. Today, Indoor & Outdoor Winter Fun at RRMC, 160 Allen St., Rutland. 4-8 p.m. Indoor and outdoor free familyfriendly activities: Teddy Bear Clinic, cookie decorating, puppet shows, photo booths, arts & crafts, DJ Dance Party, hayrides, snow sculpture, games, prizes, five-aways, pizza and hot chocolate.

ART Play

Chloe Brisson Quartet

7:30 p.m. Jazz vocalist Chloe Brisson and her quartet play original compositions and jazz standards at ArtisTree, 2095 Pomfret Rd., So. Pomfret. $20. Cash bar. artistreevt.org for more info.

Tom Rush

7:30 p.m. Folk legend Tom Rush performs signature hits and iconic covers at Chandler Music Hall, 71 Main St., Randolph. Reserved seating $24-$32. 802-728-6464, chandler-arts.org.

Warren Miller Film

8 p.m. Warren Miller’s film “Line of Descent” screening at Paramount Theatre. Tickets $16. paramountvt.org. 30 Center St., Rutland.

SATURDAY Bikram Yoga **

FEB. 24

7:30 a.m. Bikram Yoga holds classes Saturdays: 7:30 a.m. 60-min. Bikram; 9 a.m. 90-min. Bikram; 4:30 p.m. inferno hot pilates. 1360 US-4, Mendon. Info, bikramyogamendon.com.

Frigus

WWI Re-Enactment

Downhill for Diabetes

Wonderfeet Winter Dance

8 a.m. 5K, 15K, or marathon distance snowshoe race at Cortina Inn & Resort, 5709 US Rt 4, Mendon. 8 a.m. start. Sign up and get more info: endurancesociety.org/frigus. 8 a.m. 8th annual Downhill for Diabetes at Pico Mountain Resort. 8-11 a.m. registration; ski until 4 p.m. Collect donations to ski for discount, plus win great prizes. Pre-register at donationsfordiabetes.org. Must pre-register for discounts or prizes. Teams or individuals. Alpine Drive, Mendon.

Owl Festival

9 a.m. VINS presents annual Owl Festival, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Live owls and other raptors, face painting, crafts, afternoon campfire with stories, programs, feedings, and food trucks. Admission. 6565 Woodstock Rd., Quechee.

Woodland Tour

9 a.m. Walk in the Woods: Wildlife Benefits of a Timber Harvest tour at Stone Tree Farm, 311 Mooney Rd., Wallingford. Registration required art vtwoodsandwildlife.org. Free, open to the public.

Mini Shred Madness

9 a.m. Mini Shred Madness, originally scheduled for Pico today, moved to Ramshead’s Easy Street Terrain Park due to conditions. Rail jam for groms, 9 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Compete in a fun and friendly environment. Age 13 and under, skiers and riders, hit the park. Park team riders cruise offering help, plus giveaways. Grom & Super Grom divisions. Killington.com for rules, registration.

Killington Section GMC

9:45 a.m. Killington Section Green Mountain Club outing: East Poultney area snowshoe. Moderate to moderately-difficult depending on conditions, 3-4 miles. Call leader to confirm, 413-687-1109. Meet at 9:45 a.m. at Rutland’s Main Street Park, near firehouse, to carpool; or 10:30 a.m. at East Poultney Green parking lot. Details at 802-293-2510.

Open Gym

10 a.m. Saturday morning open gym at Head Over Heels, 152 North Main St., Rutland. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. All ages welcome. First time is free! Practice current skills, create gymnastic routines, learn new tricks, social opportunity to be with friends! $10/ hour for members; $14/ hour for non-members. Info, 802-773-1404.

Snowman Windchime Workshop

10 a.m. Create a snowman windchime at Killington Art Garage. $30 includes materials and instruction. Ages 10+. 2841 Killington Rd., Killington. Registration required at artgaragevt.com, 802-422-8844.

Sleigh Ride Week

Rutland Winter Fest

10 a.m. Rutland Winter Fest 2018, Feb. 16-24. Today, Center Street Story Walk, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Featuring “The Mitten.” Begins at Phoenix Books Rutland, pick up a map and scavenger hunt, complete the hunt to end at Wonderfeet Kids Museum for a free book. Free! Plus, Art Walk, 12-5 p.m. Galleries open a12-5 p.m. for walking tour. Participating venues at rutlandrec.com. Later tonight, Wonderfeet Winter Dance and Real Rutland Feud.

4 p.m. Wonderfeet Kids Museum hosts Winter Dance for loved ones and little ones at Palms Restaurant, 36 Strongs Ave., Rutland. $15/ couple. 4-6 p.m. Part of Winter Fest.

Happy Hour Yoga

4:30 p.m. Happy Hour Yoga at Killington Yoga , 3744 River Rd, Killington. $10 drop in. Info, killingtonyoga.com, 802-422-4500.

Boston Bruins Alumni Game

4:30 p.m. Union Arena Community Center hosts Gateway Motors Bruins Alumni Game. Adults $12, kids age 12 and under $6. unionarena.org. 80 Amsden Way, Woodstock, at Woodstock Union High School.

Church Supper

5 p.m. Brandon Congregational Church hosts roast pork dinner at Fellowship Hall, 1 Carver St., Brandon. 5-7 p.m. Free will offering taken.

Bingo

5:30 p.m. Bridgewater Grange Bingo, Saturday nights, doors open at 5:30 p.m. Games start 6:30 p.m. Route 100A, Bridgewater Corners. Just across bridge from Junction Country Store. All welcome. Refreshments available.

Learn to Curl Clinic

5:45 p.m. Upper Valley Curling Club holds Learn to Curl clinic at Barwood Arena, Highland Ave., White River Junction. $25, open to those age 12+. Equipment provided, wear warm clothes and non-skid shoes. Register at uppervalleycurling.org.

Open Gym

6 p.m. Friday night open gym at Head Over Heels, 152 North Main St., Rutland. 6-7:30 p.m. Ages 6+. First time is free! Practice current skills, create gymnastic routines, learn new tricks, social opportunity to be with friends! $10/ hour for members; $14/ hour for non-members. Info, 802-773-1404.

Real Rutland Feud

7 p.m. Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce presents the Real Rutland Feud, based on TV game show Family Feud. Tom Heubner hosts. Eight local businesses face off to fundraise for Regional Marketing Initiative. Held at Paramount Theatre, 30 Center St., Rutland. Tickets at paramountvt.org.

ART Play

Christine Malcolm Band

7:30 p.m. The Christine Malcolm Band performs original country, folk and blues with high note of rock, at Brandon Music, 62 Country Club Rd., Brandon. $20 tickets. Pre-dinner available. BYOB venue. Info, brandon-music.net.

SUNDAY

Paint & Sip

10 a.m. Castleton Fire & Association holds fundraiser to help raise money for extrication equipment. Paint & Sip with coffee and donuts, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. $40 donation includes supplies and instruction. Limited seating, RSVP to 802-236-8367. At Castleton Fire House, Rt. 30.

Bridge Club

12 p.m. Marble Valley Duplicate Bridge Club meets at Godnick Center Saturdays, 12-4 p.m. Sanctioned duplicate bridge games. Info, 802-228-6276. 1 Deer St., Rutland. Please join.

Live from the Met z Copyright Bob Steshet

12:30 p.m. The Paramount Theatre screens Live in HD from The Met, on the big screen, Metropolitan Opera broadcasts. This week, performance of Puccini’s “La Boheme.” $23/ adults; $10/ student tickets at paramountvt.org. 30 Center St., Rutland. Run time 3 hours, includes two 30 minute intermissions.

Weekly Alcohol Inks Workshop

BRANDON “TAZ” NIEDERAUER AT PICKLE BARREL NIGHTCLUB WEDNESDAY, FEB. 21, 8 P.M.

2 p.m. Slate Valley Museum hosts “A New Yorkers Enlists in the First World War” re-enactment with historian Glenn Lunde. 17 Water St., Granville, N.Y. slatevalleymuseum.org. Free, open to public. Refreshments.

1 p.m. Join Killington Art Garage in exploring alcohol inks. YUPO paper to ceramic tiles, all pieces are unique. No experience necessary. $40 includes all materials and instructions. Registration required at artgaragevt.com or 802-422-8844. 2841 Killington Road, Killington.

Woodstock Vermont Film Series **

1 p.m. 8th annual Woodstock Vermont Film Series at Billings Farm & Museum features award-winning documentary “The Eagle Huntress” at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. Extra showing. Reservations recommended at 802-457-2355, billingsfarm.org/filmfest. Tickets $9-$11. Vt. Rt 12, Woodstock, 1/2 mile north of Village Green.

Bikram Yoga **

FEB. 25

9 a.m. Bikram Yoga holds classes Sundays: 9 a.m. 90-min. Bikram; 11 a.m. inferno hot pilates; 4:30 p.m. 60-min. Bikram. 1360 US-4, Mendon. Info, bikramyogamendon.com.

Owl Festival

Sundays with Maurie

10 a.m. Sundays with Maurie: Join local watercolor artist, Maurie Harrington, for weekly painting sessions Sundays at Killington Art Garage. $37pp includes all instruction, materials, fees. Complimentary tea, coffee, and sweets will be served! Drop in, but seats are limited. artgaragevt.com to reserve a spot. 2841 Killington Rd., Killington.

Sleigh Ride Week

Hamantaschen Bake-Off

10 a.m. Rutland Jewish Center holds Hamantaschen Bake-Off. All ages, to help build hamantaschen for Purim party. All dough and fillings provided. Bring rolling pins. 96 Grove St., Rutland.

10 • The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27,2018

TUESDAY

Morning Yoga

10:30 a.m. Morning Yoga with Dawn Sundays at Plymouth Community Center, 35 School Drive, Plymouth. $12 or 10 classes for $90. All levels welcome, bring your own mat. 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Mixed Level Yoga

12 p.m. All Level Flow yoga at Killington Yoga with Cristy Murphy. 3744 River Rd, Killington. Now at noon! Info, killingtonyoga.com, 802-422-4500.

Tails on Trails: Dog Hike

12 p.m. Okemo’s Tails on Trails: Dog Hike series, 12-1 p.m. Meet at J. Gore Courtyard. Grab a leash and your dog for a private guided hike out of Jackson Gore. okemo.com.

ART Play

1 p.m. Vt. Actors Repertory Theatre presents “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” at Paramount’s Brick Box Theater. Limited seating: 50 seats, $10 each. paramountvt.org. Paramount Theatre, 30 Center St., Rutland.

Deb’s Warrior Benefit

3 p.m. A benefit for local resident Debra Poplawski-Wilson, 3-10 p.m. at Summit Lodge, Killington. Music by Rick Redington and the Luv, Duane Carleton, Jenny Porter Band, and more; plus silent auction, food, and bar. 200 Summit Rd., Killington.

Dodgeball

7 p.m. Dodgeball on Sundays, Adult Open Gym, at Killington Elementary School. $2. Non-marking shoes. Schoolhouse Rd., Killington.

Issues Play: Precession

7 p.m. Chandler’s Upper Gallery is host to Issues Plays, featuring staged readings of 2017 winners. This week opens with “Precession” by Emily Rosenbaum. General admission, $10 adults advance at chandler-arts.org; $12 day of. Students $5. Series pass (3 readings) $25. 71 Main St., Randolph.

MONDAY Bikram Yoga **

FEB. 26

6 a.m. Bikram Yoga holds classes Mondays: 6 a.m. and 11 a.m., 60 min. Bikram; 4:30 p.m. 60-min. hot power flow; 6:15 p.m. 90-min. Bikram. 1360 US-4, Mendon. Info, bikramyogamendon.com.

All Level Yoga

8:30 a.m. All Level Flow Yoga at Killington Yoga with Karen Dalury, RYT 500. 3744 River Rd, Killington. Info, killingtonyoga.com, 802-422-4500.

Killington Bone Builders

10 a.m. Bone builders meets at Sherburne Memorial Library, 2998 River Rd., Killington, 10-11 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Free, weights supplied. For info, 802-422-3368.

Monday Meals

12 p.m. Every Monday meals at Chittenden Town Hall at 12 noon. Open to public, RSVP call by Friday prior, 483-6244. Gene Sargent. Bring your own place settings. Seniors $3.50 for 60+. Under 60, $5. No holidays. 337 Holden Rd., Chittenden.

Rutland Rotary

12:15 p.m. Rotary Club of Rutland meets Mondays for lunch at The Palms Restaurant. Learn more or become a member, journal@sover.net.

Tobacco Cessation Group

4:30 p.m. Want to quit smoking but nothing works? Join the free tobacco cessation group. Free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges. Every Monday, 4:30-5:30 p.m. at RRMC Physiatry Conference Room (PM&R) off Outpatient Physical Therapy Waiting Room. 160 Allen Street, Rutland.

Yin Yoga

5 p.m. Yin Yoga, all levels at Killington Yoga with Karen Dalury, RYT 500. 3744 River Rd, Killington. Info, killingtonyoga.com, 802-422-4500.

American Legion Meeting

5 p.m. American Legion Auxiliary Unit #31 meeting. 5 p.m executive committee meeting, members only. 6 p.m. light meal and social time, all members. 6:30 p.m. Regular meeting, all members. 33 Washington St., Rutland.

Killington Select Board Candidates Forum

7 p.m. Killington Select Board candidates (Jim Haff, Kelly Lange, Jay Hickory) will answer citizen-submitted questions at the Killington Welcome Center, 2319 US Rt 4, Killington, 7-8:30 p.m. Submit questions to admin@killingtonpico. org.

Citizenship Classes

Vermont Adult Learning will offers free citizenship classes. Call Marcy Green, 802-775-0617, and learn if you may qualify for citizenship at no cost. 16 Evelyn St., Rutland. Also, free classes in reading, writing, and speaking for English speakers of other languages. Ongoing.

Pico:

Bikram Yoga **

FEB. 27

6 a.m. Bikram Yoga holds classes Tuesdays: 6 a.m. & 6:15 p.m. Inferno hot pilates; 9 a.m. & 4:30 p.m. 90-min. Bikram. 1360 US-4, Mendon. Info, bikramyogamendon.com.

Art Workshop

10 a.m. Annie’s Art Workshop, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Tuesdays at Sherburne Memorial Library, Killington. Open art workshop - collaborative artist group welcomes all levels, interests, mediums. Free. In memory of Ann Wallen. Info, 2991777.

Family Playgroup

10 a.m. Rutland Co. Parent Child Center holds playgroup, at Mount Holly Town Library, Belmont. Tuesdays, 10-11:30 a.m. Informal gatherings for families who share a common thread of wanting a supportive experience for their child. For info, rcpcc.org.

Mendon Bone Builders

10 a.m. Mendon bone builders meets Tuesdays at Roadside Chapel, 1680 Townline Rd, Rutland Town. Info, 802-773-2694.

Tobacco Cessation Group

11 a.m. Want to quit smoking but nothing works? Join the free tobacco cessation group. Free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges. Every Tuesday, 11-12 p.m. at Heart Center, 12 Commons St., Rutland. 802-747-3768 for more info.

CCV Job Hunt Helper

11:45 a.m. CCV Job Hunt Helper Joe Alford will be available at Rutland Free Library, 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. to help job seekers find employment: writing resume and cover letter, apply for jobs online, assess skills and interests, use internet to explore career options, and learn about education and training programs. 10 Court St., Rutland. 802-773-1860.

Active Seniors Lunch

12 p.m. Killington Active Seniors meet for a meal Tuesdays at the Lookout Bar & Grille. Town sponsored. Come have lunch with this well-traveled group of men and women. $5/ person. Info, 802-422-2921. 2910 Killington Road, Killington.

Stitch By Stitch

4 p.m. “Stitch by Stitch - A Memoir” by Jane Hooper, public reading and reception to follow. Norman Williams Public Library, 10 the Green, Woodstock.

TOPS Meeting

4:45 p.m. TOPS meets every Tuesday night at the Trinity church in Rutland Vermont at the corners of West street and Church Street. Side entrance. Weight in starts at 4:45 until 5:30 and meeting starts at 6 until 6:30. Everyone is welcome come and join a stress free environment and take off pounds sensibly. For more information call Ann Marie at 802-293-5279.

Bereavement Group

6 p.m. VNAHSR’s monthly bereavement group, Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Grace Congregational Church, 8 Court St., Rutland. Rutland office chaplain, Andrew Carlson facilitates. Free, open to the public. Info, 802-770-1613.

Alzheimer’s Awareness Seminar

6 p.m. RRMC invites community to free Alzheimer awareness seminar, “Understanding and Responding to Dementia Related Behavior” with Pamela Beidler, Director of Programs and Outreach. Helps caregivers address challenges of dementia related behaviors. Free. Pre-registration required at rrmc.org or802-772-2400. Held at CVPS/Leahy Community Health Ed Center, RRMC, 160 Allen St., Rutland.

Hydroponics Workshop

6 p.m. Cavendish Energy Committee will host a hydroponics workshop at Cavendish Town Office, 37 High St., Cavendish. 6-8 p.m. Free. Climate suitability, practicality of growing fresh food year round, types, and most useful growing methods. All welcome. Light refreshments served.

Legion Bingo

6:15 p.m. Brandon American Legion, Tuesdays. Warm ups 6:15 p.m., regular games 7 p.m. Open to the public. Bring a friend!

Chess Club

7 p.m. Rutland Rec Dept. holds a chess club at Godnick Adult Center, providing a mind-enhancing skill not only to the youth but adults as well. The club will teach anyone who is willing to learn. All ages are welcome; open to the public. Tuesday evenings, 7 – 9 p.m. 1 Deer St., Rutland.

Adult Floor Hockey

7 p.m. Adult Floor Hockey at Killington Elementary School, 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays. $2. Non-marking gym sneakers please. Info, killingtontown.com.

Volleyball

7 p.m. Volleyball on Mondays, Adult Open Gym, at Killington Elementary School. $2. Non-marking shoes. Schoolhouse Rd., Killington.

Regulars decry perceived neglect by the resort

continued from page 6 Would a couple of clocks in the Sunshine Room what Mother Nature will give us. We have asked about or replacing some locks in the ladies room break the the snowmaking and are given many excuses: too bank? Is Pico really a part of Killington? If they were par- warm, too cold, not enough water, etc. It seems when ent and child, Killington Killington snowmakers would be charged with have some spare time IF THEY WERE PARENT AND CHILD, neglect. they come to Pico, but not KILLINGTON WOULD BE CHARGED There seems to be no before. rhyme or reason as how Perhaps as the “grand WITH NEGLECT. they make or don’t make dame” Pico turns 80 this snow. A substantial base is never built up and we worry year Killington will give her the respect and attention from week to week if the end is coming soon. Of course, she and her loyal followers so much deserve for the rest natural snow is the best, especially in those wonderof the season and many to come! ful glades, but you can’t stay in business depending on Karen and Tim Watko, Perkinsville

The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018 • 11

Music scene by dj dave hoffenberg

WEDNESDAY FEB. 21

KILLINGTON

2 p.m. K1 Base Lodge Daniel Brown

6 p.m. Liquid Art Open Mic

8 p.m. Outback Pizza

Snowplow Comedy Competition

8 p.m. Pickle Barrel Nightclub

Brandon “Taz” Niederauer Band

LUDLOW 3 p.m. Okemo’s Sitting Bull Lounge Rick Davis Band

POULTNEY

[MUSIC Scene] 7 p.m. Tap Room Josh Jakab

KILLINGTON 1 p.m. Bear Mountain Base Lodge Duane Carleton

4 p.m. The Foundry Just Jamie

6 p.m. Outback Pizza Andy Lugo

6 p.m. Wobbly Barn

Happy Hour w/ Jenny Porter

7 p.m. O’Dwyer’s Public House Daniel Brown

7 p.m. The Foundry

Aaron Audet & Jordan Snow

7:30 p.m. McGrath’s Irish Pub Curragh’s Fancy

4 p.m. JAX Food & Games

1 p.m. Pico’s Last Run Lodge

4 p.m. Pickle Barrel

3 p.m. Summit Lodge

Happy Hour w/ Aaron Audet Jamie’s Junk Show

4 p.m. The Foundry Jordan Snow

Duane Carleton

Deb Poplawski Benefit w/ DJ Dave, Duane Carleton, Rick Redington & The Luv, Jenny Porter Band

4:30 p.m. Outback Pizza

Apres Ski Dance Party w/ DJ Dave

4 p.m. McGrath’s Irish Pub

6 p.m. Prestons Ryan Fuller

5 p.m. Outback Pizza

6 p.m. Wobbly Barn

7 p.m. The Foundry

Happy Hour w/ Tony Lee Thomas Band

7 p.m. O’Dwyer’s Public House The County Down

7:30 p.m. McGrath’s Irish Pub Curragh’s Fancy

Extra Stout

Nate “The Snake” Byrne

Jazz Night w/ Summit Pond Quartet

7:30 p.m. Moguls Sports Pub Half Stash Open Jam

9 p.m. JAX Food & Games Duane Carleton

RUTLAND

7 p.m. Taps Tavern

8 p.m. Pickle Barrel Garden State Radio

8 p.m. Pickle Barrel Nightclub

RUTLAND 7 p.m. The Draught Room

9 p.m. JAX Food & Games Just Jamie

8 p.m. Santa Fe Steakhouse

9:30 p.m. The Venue

9 p.m. Moguls Sports Pub DJ Dave’s All Request Dance Party

8 p.m. The Foundry Aaron Audet Band

Cigar Box Brunch w/ Rick Redington

10 p.m. Wobbly Barn

8:30 p.m. Outback Pizza

1 p.m. Wild Fern

LUDLOW

9 p.m. JAX Food & Games

Jazz Night

Wayne Canney Jenny Porter

THURSDAY

FEB. 22 KILLINGTON

2 p.m. Pico’s Last Run Lodge Daniel Brown

6 p.m. Outback Pizza Ryan Fuller

7 p.m. The Foundry Joey Leone Duo

8 p.m. Pickle Barrel Kat Wright

8 p.m. Wobbly Barn Dirty Boost

9 p.m. JAX Food & Games MB Padfield

LUDLOW 3 p.m. Okemo Sitting Bull Lustre Kings

MENDON 6 p.m. Red Clover Inn Jazz Trio

PITTSFIELD 7 p.m. Clear River Tavern Open Mic w/ Supply & Demand

RUTLAND 7:30 p.m. Paramount Brick Box

Vanya & Sonia and Masha & Spike

8 p.m. Muckenschnabel’s Nikki Adams

9:30 p.m. Hide-A-Way Tavern

Changing Lanes

3 p.m. Okemo Sitting Bull Mix Radio

8 p.m. Mangiamo’s Supply & Demand

POULTNEY 7 p.m. Taps Tavern Northern Homespun

RUTLAND 7:30 p.m Hop ‘n’ Moose Josh Jakab

Garden State Radio

Fiddlewitch

One For The Road

7 p.m. Artistree

Chloe Brisson Quartet

FEB. 26

10:30 p.m. Pickle Barrel Crow’s Nest

Duane Carleton

Changing Lanes

Jamie’s Junk Show

LUDLOW

Dance Party w/ DJ Dave

SOUTH POMFRET

MONDAY KILLINGTON

9 p.m. Center Street Alley

Totally Submerged

The People’s Jam

10 p.m. Wobbly Barn

PITTSFIELD

9:30 p.m. Hide-A-Way Tavern

12 p.m. Wild Fern

Super Stash Bros

8 p.m. Paramount Theatre DJ Dirty D

STOCKBRIDGE

9 p.m. Moguls Sports Pub

7:30 p.m. Brick Box

Warren Miller’s “Line of Descent”

Vanya & Sonia and Masha & Spike

Joey Leone Band

3 p.m. Okemo’s Sitting Bull Lounge

Vanya & Sonia and Masha & Spike

2 p.m. Paramount Brick Box

Chris Kleeman Band

9 p.m. Clear River Tavern POULTNEY 8 p.m. Taps Tavern

Open Mic Night with Jon-Carl Smith

RUTLAND 12:30 p.m. Paramount Theatre

2 p.m. K1 Base Lodge 4 p.m. The Foundry Just Jamie

5 p.m. Outback Pizza Karaoke w/ DJ Evan

7 p.m. The Foundry

Blues Night w/ Joey Leone

9 p.m. JAX Food & Games The Idiots

LUDLOW 9 p.m. The Killarney

Open Mic w/ Supply & Demand

PITTSFIELD 8 p.m. Clear River Tavern Clay Canfield & Brother John

“La Boheme,” Puccini

WOODSTOCK

7 p.m. Wild Fern

7 p.m. Paramount Theatre

Open Mic Night

WOODSTOCK

7 p.m. The Draught Room

STOCKBRIDGE Nate “The Snake” Byrne

10 p.m Bentley’s DJ Andraudy

SATURDAY FEB. 24

International Night w/ DJ Mega

BOMOSEEN

SOUTH POMFRET

6 p.m. Iron lantern

Real Rutland Feud

8 p.m. Bentley’s

TUESDAY

Duane Carleton

7:30 p.m. Paramount Brick Box

Vanya & Sonia and Masha & Spike

9 p.m. Center Street Alley

FEB. 27

KILLINGTON

DJ Mega

2 p.m. K1 Base Lodge

9:30 p.m. Hide-A-Way Tavern

6 p.m. Outback Pizza

Karaoke 101 w/ Tenacious T

Daniel Brown Nikki Adams

8 p.m. Charity’s Tavern

Kris Collett

WOODSTOCK

Open Mic

BRANDON

Jamie Ward: Piano & Vocals

POULTNEY

STOCKBRIDGE

7:30 p.m. Brandon Music

10 p.m Bentley’s

8 p.m. Taps Tavern

7 p.m. Artistree

7 p.m. Wild Fern Rick Redington

FRIDAY

FEB. 23 BOMOSEEN 6 p.m. Iron lantern

Adam Falco & Sam Davine

Christine Malcolm Band

KILLINGTON 9 a.m. Killington Resort

Mini Shred Madness w/ DJ Dave

1 p.m. Bear Mountain Base Lodge

6 p.m Bentley’s VJ Castor Troy

SUNDAY FEB. 25

Daniel Brown

KILLINGTON

2 p.m. Pico’s Last Run

11 a.m. The Foundry

Duane Carleton

Brunch w/ Jordan Snow

Name That Tune Bingo w/ DJ Dave

Bluegrass Jam

RUTLAND 7 p.m. The Venue

Working Mans Karaoke w/ Bob Hudson

8 p.m. Center Street Alley Trivia

9:30 p.m. Hide-A-Way Tavern Open Mic w/ Krishna Guthrie

12 • The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018

• SUDOKU

• MOVIE TIMES

• CROSSWORD

• MOVIE DIARY

just for fun

SUDOKU

the MOVIE diary

By Dom Cioffi

Each block is divided by its own matrix of nine cells. The rule for solving Sudoku puzzles are very simple. Each row, column and block, must contain one of the numbers from “1” to “9”. No number may appear more than once in any row, column, or block. When you’ve filled the entire grid the puzzle is solved.

This week’s solution is on page 23

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

CLUES ACROSS 1. Emperor of Russia 5. Abounding in rocks 11. Increase in speed 14. Music app 15. Not nice 18. Tables (Span.) 19. Decomposes 21. __ student: learns healing 23. Nursemaid 24. Joke-teller 28. Male parent 29. Group of countries (abbr.) 30. “Rambling Rose” actor Lukas 32. Midway between south and southwest 33. Cartoon Network (abbr.) 35. Peacock network 36. Principal ethnic group of China 39. Made of fermented honey and water 41. Exclamation of surprise 42. Evaluates skill or knowledge 44. Stage in ecological succession 46. Ethnic group of SE Asia 47. Not small 49. A cat is one 52. Broken piece 56. French president 58. Artist’s workroom 60. Ability to apply knowledge and skills 62. Visually stunning 63. Ancient region south of Dead Sea

CLUES DOWN 1. Used to pour beer 2. Con game 3. Skin disorder 4. Communists (slang) 5. Subjects to hostility 6. A major division of geological time 7. Hitting statistic (abbr.) 8. British thermal unit 9. Influential envoy to Woodrow Wilson 10. Fits on neck of animal 12. Fertile soil 13. Type of battery 16. Khoikhoin peoples 17. Consist of two parts 20. Small group of trees 22. Execute or perform 25. Millihenry 26. 007’s creator 27. Associated with esoteric doctrine 29. Electronic countermeasures 31. Schenectady County Airport 34. No (Scottish) 36. Position of leadership 37. Statement 38. Raccoons belong to this genus 40. One who diagnoses 43. True mosses 45. Blood type 48. Albanian 50. Emergency response notification system 51. College reservists 53. Away from wind 54. Tough outer layer 55. Art __, around 1920 57. Born of 58. The greatest of all time 59. Georgia rockers 61. Natural logarithm Solutions on page, 23

Going for the Gold

Every two years I go through the same process: I hear that the Olympics are arriving, but I’m generally indifferent. I have a minor urge to watch given the magnitude of the event, but I’m hesitant to sacrifice the time required to stay engaged. The truth is, I want to be interested in the Olympics, but it’s hard. I don’t keep up with speed skating, ice dancing or bobsledding, I rarely know who any of other the competitors are, and I’m not highly versed in many of the sports’ rules. For the most part, the Olympics are two weeks of events that I normally wouldn’t pay attention to. If I’m scanning the channels on a Saturday afternoon of any weekend outside of the Olympics and I see a figure skating competition, I’m 100 percent likely to flip past without a second glance. And I’m sure I’m not alone. I will admit that I have occasionally watched some X Games events from time to time, but that’s because of the sheer insanity of what they do and not so much that I’m interested in the actual competitions. While I can totally appreciate the artistry and athleticism involved in a skater’s triple salchow, from a stop-you-in-your-tracks perspective, it can’t hold up to flying 20 feet out of a half pipe made of ice while spinning wildly through the air. But as the opening ceremonies approach, I tend to get sentimental. My father always watched the Olympics while I was growing up so there is a sense of nostalgia. And I’ve always felt a responsibility to support the athletes from my own country, given that many of them toil in obscurity for years while they train. THE POST So, this year (like so many other years), I forced myself to watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics knowing that it would be the spark to ignite my interest. In competitors (especially ones from your own country), recent incarnations, this has turned out to be a majestic this emotional connection can be enhanced when you undertaking. The artistry involved in the ceremony is provide backstories of the athletes, lives or unique trials. meant to highlight not only the host country, but also the It’s one thing to root for Lindsey Vonn because she’s ability that sports have to unite us all. incredibly talented and extremely beautiful, but when I watched last week as you find out how her grandfather THE ARTISTRY INVOLVED IN PyeongChang, South Korea, influenced her career and kept pulled out all the stops to countless scrapbooks of her rise to THE CEREMONY IS MEANT kick things off. It was epic stardom, then you become truly TO NOT ONLY HIGHLIGHT THE and worthy and certainly a connected. And more importantly wonderful precursor to the to the television network, then HOST COUNTRY, BUT ALSO drama that the Games would you’ll be more likely to tune back in THE ABILITY THAT SPORTS provide. for her next event. (The advertising But there is an unsung hero revenue is an obvious consequence HAVE TO UNITE US ALL. (outside of the 2,951 athletes) of that.) that has been appearing at the Olympics over the last The networks that cover the Olympics have turned few decades – an entity that makes the Games appealing these personal case studies into an art form. The people to all people, regardless of their interest in sports. that produce these mini-biographies are as talented as Television executives figured out many years ago the best Hollywood filmmakers. But when you combine that viewership rises when people become emotionone of these pre-made case studies with an athlete who ally involved. And while it’s natural to root for certain has media appeal and then they produce results (in this case that would mean a medal), well, then you’ve truly hit gold. The audience, who is fully invested, revels in the triumph, and the athlete who seized the moment becomes a media darling. This week’s film, “The Post,” features a media darling of a different kind and an event that shaped the future of our country. “The Post,” starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, is the true story of Washington Post newspaper owner and publisher, Katharine Graham, who took a risk at a critical moment in American history that would ultimately rewrite how the government and media interacted. This is a beautifully made historical biography from Steven Spielberg that not only delivers a poignant and important story, but also offers riveting portrayals from a top notch cast. Check this one out if you love history (especially American politics) or if you lived through the division of the early 1970s. “The Post” has it all, which is why it’s an obvious nominee for this year’s Best Picture Oscar and certainly one of the frontrunners as we approach Academy Awards night. A golden “A-” for “The Post.” Got a question or comment for Dom? You can email him at moviediary@att.net.

The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018 • 13

n o i g e R e h T ’ R ock i n Rockin’ the region with Garden State Radio Garden State Radio (GSR) is not only a band not-to-be-missed, it’s a concert experience not-to-bemissed. They play all the top hits and have the best lights in the business. They describe their show as the ulti-

added, “It’s more of a production than anything. Sometimes we show up at a venue and we’re told that we show up with more production than some national acts.” Another emphasis is social media. In the past year since Peterson joined they have really stepped it up. Kelly said, “We’re really focusing on content — high quality content.” On their YouTube channel, they have some by dj dave produced videos. They did an acoushoffenberg tic session and a car pool karaoke session. “It’s gotten way more concentrated than in the past,” Kelly added. mate experience in sight and sound, GSR is not your average bar band an audio visual event like no other. playing all the average tunes. Kelly They transform a venue’s atmosaid, “We try and stick to the stuff that sphere. Having seen a few GSR shows always works like sing-a-longs and myself, this is an accurate description. stuff like that, but we also try and push This Friday and Saturday night at the the envelope. We always try to do new Pickle Barrel in Killington, they will material. With every song the band blow the roof off — and light it up, too. puts in hours of work, making it the A lot has changed in the three years best it can be. As far as the lighting and since I interviewed Bobby August, video, it’s all tied in specifically. We the lead singer and bass player, so know that playing these songs beforedrummer Ryan Kelly spoke with me hand will replicate that consistency.” about it. They got a new guitarist Kelly does all the lighting and August two years ago — Michael Gleisberg all the video but everyone in the band — and a new female vocalist a year picks the songs they play. August said, “I thought the cover scene was over with, but we’re proving it otherwise through a lot of hard work and cool ideas and it’s doing really well.” August talked about the lighting. “We decided when we started this, that we wanted to go big or go home.” They set out to be the band that when you walk into the club you feel like you’re in an arena size show. The show they put out is only because of hard Courtesy of Dave Hoffenberg work. Kelly talked about GARDEN STATE RADIO it. “We’re putting in 12- to ago: Hannah Peterson, who also plays felt like I was being inducted into a 15-hour days and with any other job, the piano. Everyone but Kelly takes family. There was never any awkward you would feel beat up. Whenever a turn with the lead vocals, which is getting-to-know-each-other. Instant- we have a day that is that long, we huge because some bands only have ly, we all just had a great connection. get to do three sets in a night and one lead singer. They have three. And We all just took it from there.” that energy that we put together is they’re doing a lot more touring. Kelly Peterson was really excited about unlike anything else. I’ve played with sai, “We’re doing it [routing] more getting to perform with August, and other bands where that feels like an heavily than years in the past. We’ve for good reason. I have known August eternity and you’re just wishing for gone pretty far down in Virginia and since 1997 and have been seeing him it to be over, but for some reason the have played some shows in Florida, perform here in Killington ever since. energy that comes out when we’re too.” They’re heading back to Florida To this day, my favorite cover band to playing together is very different and next month for some college shows. ever play in Killington is his first band, you always feel that you could be up Kelly is really excited about the the Wallbangers. August is a beast there for longer.” member changes and said, “It’s nothon stage so I can understand people Peterson added, “Honestly, my ing short of a miracle. Everyone we being psyched to play with him. favorite part of doing this is the have now is super dedicated.” GleisPeterson said, “He’s great. I have been interaction and the energy from berg auditioned for GSR back in the such a big fan of Bobby’s voice and the audience. I love the moments beginning, and it came down to him everything about him and I thought where we drop out and we have the and former drummer Nick Navarro. he was so cool. When Ryan called me people sing back to us. Watching the Back then he wasn’t chosen because and asked me to join the band, I asked excitement and the joy and the kind he wasn’t as seasoned as they needed if I got to sing with Bobby and he said of carelessness we give the audience him to be. Kelly added, “We always ‘yes,’ so I said ‘Perfect.’” for the next three hours. When I was kept Mike in the back of our minds as The band has now turned this into younger and going to see bands, mufar as a player and a personality and a full-time job. Kelly said, “It’s all we sic was like therapy to me. I would his musicianship. Naturally when do, none of us have other jobs. This is go see my favorite singer or band things were going south with Nick, our business and we treat it that way. and leave feeling really inspired and Mike was definitely the first choice.” It definitely reflects in the product wanting to give back that feeling that It’s an interesting story as to Peterand what we’re able to do all the time.” they gave me to other people. I’ve son joined the band. She hails from Another change is that they used to had people come up and tell us that Southington, Conn. and had played have to do everything themselves, we are their safe haven. Everything in some cover bands there. She was and now they have a three person that we’re doing is for our audience vacationing in Ocean City, Md. and crew that includes their own sound and our crowd. Definitely anytime saw GSR playing down at Secrets. engineer. They still do all the lighting, we can interact with them is my She knew nothing about them, just but having the crew helps a lot. Ryan favorite part.”

rockin’ the region

happened to be there. She enjoyed the band so much, she went back and told her band they needed to be more like them. GSR did a string of shows in Connecticut and at one, Peterson joined them on stage for a song and Kelly said they all were like, “Whoah.” Some time passed and things were happening with the band. They were ready to make a switch, and she was first on the list. Kelly said, “We reached out to her but didn’t think she would be able to change her whole life for it. She jumped on it right away and moved from Connecticut to New Jersey. She pretty much dropped everything and was full steam ahead from the beginning.” Peterson talked about that move. “I gave up a full-time job, my friends and my family. I just always knew that singing was something I wanted to do so it was kind of a no-brainer for me. It has been everything I expected it to be with the traveling, the quality of the show we’re putting out and meeting all the fans. Honestly, it’s been a dream. I’ve been in other bands before where the chemistry wasn’t correct. Joining these guys, it’s really

14 • The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018

SUMMER CAMP PREVIEW Fair Haven Site

Merchants Row Site

Fair Haven Elementary

71 71--75 Merchants Row

Great

Rutland, Vermont June 25 through August 17

Fair Haven, Vermont Dates will coincide with rec/school

Summers Start Here!!

9:00 am—3:00 pm 5-12 years old Financial assistance available Unit Director: Courtney Santor 802-747-4944 Ext.20

1:30 pm—6:00 pm 5-12 years old Financial assistance available Unit Director: John Pedone

2018

For more information call

summer program

For more Information Call 802-747-4944 Ext. 14

Breakfast & Lunch Provided Daily at Merchants Row Snack & Dinner Provided Daily at Fair Haven Submitted

Activities may include: Swimming, Tennis, Hiking, Board Games, Field Games, Movies, Legos, Dancing, Science Experiments, & Much More!

Camp can get kids to push through fear and explore.

5 reasons why summer camp is a good choice for kids

2018 Summer Camps in Killington

June 18th – August 24th, 8:30-4:00 PM: 10 Weeks of Awesome Adventure Town of Killington Johnson Recreation Facility » 2706 River Road, Killington, VT LITTLE EXPLORERS Ages 4-6

JUNIOR EXPLORERS Ages 7-10

Daily activities with crafts, games, art, yoga, swim lessons, and the outdoors!

Summer Early Bird Special Rates: 10 Weeks

Early Bird Special ends April 30th Killington Residents/ KPAA & KES Members: $899 Summer Rates: 10 Weeks Killington Residents/ KPAA & KES Members: $1199 Weekly Rates: Killington Residents/ KPAA & KES Members: $119 Daily Drop in Rates: Killington Residents/ KPAA & KES Members: $39

Non Residents: $1299 Non Residents: $1499 Non Residents: $179 Non Residents: $55

Early Bird Special ends April 30th Killington Residents/ KPAA & KES Members: $999 Summer Rates: 10 Weeks Killington Residents/ KPAA & KES Members: $1199 Weekly Rates: Killington Residents/ KPAA & KES Members: $119 Daily Drop in Rates: Killington Residents/ KPAA & KES Members: $39

Non Residents: $1399 Non Residents: $1599 Non Residents: $179 Non Residents: $55

REK & TREK ADVENTURE CAMP Ages 11-14 Travel 3-4 times a week for unique experiences in Vermont: Hiking, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Tubing, & much more! Summer Early Bird Special Rates: 10 Weeks Early Bird Special ends April 30th Killington Residents/ KPAA & KES Members: $1499

Non Residents: $1899

Summer Rates: 10 Weeks Killington Residents/ KPAA & KES Members: $1599

Non Residents: $1999

Weekly Rates: Killington Residents/ KPAA & KES Members: $179

Non Residents: $225

Daily Drop in Rates: Killington Residents/ KPAA & KES Members: $69

Non Residents: $79

Before-and After-Care Hours Available

Registration begins March 1st at www.KillingtonRec.com!

MORE SUMMER

TOWN OF

Learn more at Killingtontown.com or contact RecDirector@killingtontown.com

Summer vacation offers students a respite from lessons and the routine of school. Children might once have eagerly awaited those final days of classes so they could lounge poolside, skip rocks across ponds and spend the long days of the season playing with friends. But many of today’s youngsters spend much of their summer vacations indoors playing with their digital devices. Perhaps that’s why one of the last vestiges of the classic summer vacation escape — summer camp — remains such a viable option for parents who want their children to get outdoors once the school year ends. Although kids needn’t be in camp all summer long, a week or two can benefit campers of all ages. The following are five reasons why summer camp might be the right fit this year. 1. Explore talents. Summer camps help young people explore their unique interests and talents. Under an organized, yet often easygoing, camp schedule, kids can dabble in sports, arts and crafts, leadership, community support, and so many other activities that may not be fully available to them elsewhere. 2. Physical activity. Lots of camps build their itineraries around physical activities that take place outdoors. Campers may spend their time swimming, running, hiking, playing sports, climbing, and so much more. This can be a welcome change for kids accustomed to living sedentary lifestyles. Regular physical activity has many health benefits and can set a foundation for healthy habits as an adult. 3. Gain confidence. Day and sleepaway camps offer campers the opportunity to get comfortable in their own skin. Camps can foster activities in self-esteem by removing the academic measures of success and fill in with noncompetitive opportunities to succeed. Campers learn independence, decision-making skills and the ability to thrive outside of the shadow of their parents, siblings or other students. 4. Try new things. Camp gives children the chance to try new things, whether that’s learning to cook, exploring new environments or embracing a new sport or leisure activity. Opening oneself up to new opportunities can build character and prove enlightening for children. 5. Make new friends. Camp is a great place to meet new people and make lifelong friends. Campers flood in from areas near and far. This provides kids with a chance to expand their social circles beyond their immediate neighborhoods and schools. Camps benefit children in a variety of ways. Lessons learned in camp can strengthen values, build confidence, develop coping mechanisms when adversity strikes, and enable campers to make lifelong friends.

CAMP

The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018 • 15

S P M

& RE

TU A N

     

N CIE

15+ camps to choose from Camps for ages 4–14 Highly-trained staff Terrific programs Great facilities Low staff-to-camper ratio

WWW.MONTSHIRE.ORG/SUMMERCAMP

Courtesy of Town of Killington

CATHERINE FOUTCH

Meet Catherine Foutch, new Killington Parks & Rec director Killington Town Manager Deb Schwartz, has announced the appointment of Catherine Foutch as the new Parks & Recreation Director for the Town of Killington, effective Feb. 20. Currently transitioning from a career with Ibex Outdoor Clothing, Foutch is a 2006 Green Mountain College graduate with a degree in environmental studies and a focus in recreation; formal education reflecting her lifelong interest outdoors and recreation. After college, Foutch followed her passion for skiing by moving to Vermont and working for Killington Resort. During summers, she worked for the Vermont State Parks as a park interpreter, guiding nature talks and hikes. Prior to Ibex and through AmeriCorps, she served the Nature Conservancy as a volunteer coordinator and field assistant where she recruited and worked with volunteers on various stewardship projects. As Parks & Recreation Director, Foutch will be responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating, and directing the operations and activities of Killington’s Parks & Recreation Department, and creating long-term goals and objectives designed to ensure that the community’s recreational needs are

anticipated and fulfilled. She is already looking forward to a great season of summer camps and other adventures! Recreation Commission chair, Betsey Bianchi, said “Cathy’s previous experience and friendly, hard-working nature enables her to dive right in. Her enthusiasm is contagious! We are excited to work with Cathy and to support her as she continues improving the town’s trails, recreation facilities, programs and summer camps.” Schwartz added, “There were striking similarities in what Cathy’s references said about her, including her professionalism, work ethic, and how well she works with people of all ages and from all walks of life. What stood out among those accolades is her positive, can-do attitude and full-bore commitment to the success of the organizations and causes she supports.” Foutch said, “I am excited about the opportunity to give back to the community and work directly with people again. There is something special about making other peoples’ days brighter by getting them active.” Foutch enjoys spending down time in the Killington area hiking, biking, skiing, and being outdoors with her dog, Shiloh, and her husband, Phil.

VS&F Summer Tennis Camp Learn Tennis, Have Fun! Plus Swimming, Games, & Activities

Mon–Thurs, June 18 – August 9, 2018 Ages 5–15: 9–Noon • Ages 3–4: 9–10:30 a.m.

$125/wk age 5-15 $75/wk age 3-4 Reg. by May 1, Save 15%

40 Curtis Ave., Rutland, VT • (802) 775-9916 • vsandf.com

16 • The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018

Head Over Heels 2018 SUMMER CAMPS

8 FULL WEEKS BEGINNING JUNE 25TH SUMMER CAMPS BOYS & GIRLS AGES 3+ Monday - Friday 9am- 3pm

CLASSES Tuesday - Friday

Half or Full Day , One Day or Full Week Available

Parent Child & Preschool Ages 18 mo- 4 yrs Beginner to Advanced Ages 4 yrs-18 yrs Fitness & Floor Tumble Ages 6+ yrs

ALL WEEKLY CAMPS INCLUDE:

SESSION 4 STARTS APRIL 9TH! Priority Registration Begins End of March

Gymnatics Adventure Times Obstacles & Races Team Building Fun Trampoline •Tumble Crafts • Snacks Camp T-Shirt Friday Pizza Party

WEEKLY THEMES Carnival Science Legos Sand & Sun

Adventure Weather Sticks & Stones This & That

Clown around at camp this summer! Did you know that many Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour troupers first learned to fly, flip, juggle, and clown at Smirkus Camp? You can too! Join us at our Greensboro, Vermont camp this summer!

Call for dates, prices & available discounts

BIRTHDAY PARTIES & FIELD TRIPS WELCOME ALL SUMMER LONG

Like us on Facebook to learn about Open Gym & Special Events

An Educational Gymnastics Center for Boys & Girls Ages 18 mo- 18 yrs 152 North Main St. • Rutland, VT 05701 (802) 773-1404 candace@headoverheelsvt.com www.headoverheelsvt.com

Ages 5-18 & Adults 21+ June 8-10 Adult Camp: Age 21+ June 23 Intro : Age 5-11 June 16-17 Smirklings: Age 6-11 June 24-29 Session I: Age 8-16 July 1-6 Session II: Age 8-16 July 8-20 Session III: Age 8-16

July 22-Aug 3 Session IV: Age 12-17 • Ensemble (almost full) • Aerial Acts (almost full) • Road Show (sold out) August 5-18 Session V: (sold out)

www.smirkus.org

CAMP

The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018 • 17

Camp Programs Pre-K to 8th Grade Scholarships & Discounts Available!

vinsweb.org/nature-camp

BRADFORD, VT

The Outdoor Specialists ACA Accredited Camp

NIGHT EAGLE

WILDERNESS ADVENTURE

A unique summer camp for boys, ages 10-14, in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains. Call for a full brochure (802) 446-6100.

Outdoor sports, Vermont crafts for boys interested in a fun and exciting adventure. Rock Climbing • Rope Course • Kayaking • Canoeing • Fly-Fishing Fly-Tying • Survival • Fitness • Primitive Woodwork • Blacksmith Leatherwork • Archery • Marksmanship • Orienteering • Swimming

Boys Ages 9-14 2/4/6/8 Week Sessions Drs. Thayer & Candice Raines 300 Grove Street Unit 4, Rutland, VT 05701 1-800-832-4295 • www.roaringbrookcamp.com

tipi living • nature crafts hiking • wilderness skills canoeing • backpacking archery • atlatls & ‘hawks swimming • cooperative work & play • and much more 1, 2, 3, 4, & 6-week sessions

ACA Accredited Camp nighteaglewilderness.com

BE HEARD.

EPIC

Killington Recreation Department is looking for Camp Counselors Hiking, Biking, Swimming, Yoga, Trekking and much more MOUNTA IN TIMES mountaintimes.info

Summer Sessions June 25th to August 3rd

Engaging Programs & Inspired Connections

EPIC at Rutland High School ool & Rutland Middle School: Enjoy adventure, swimming, music, art, and games. Pick your own adventure this summer. er.

Please email or call Cathy Foutch at 802-422-3932 or email recdirector@killingtontown.com

Breakfast, Lunch, field trip fees, supplies, and more come as part of the session. Weekly summer fee is $75. (financial assistance available.)

Pick one week or all six, lots of options.

TAPESTRY

June 25th to August 3rd 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Serving kids @: Northwest (k-2), Northeast (k-2), Rutland Intermediate (3-6), June 25th to August 10th 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Serving kids @: West Rutland (k-6), Proctor (k-6), and Rutland Town (k-6) Staff to student ratio is 1:8 Available to All Rutland County Students 5 STAR, Licensed Programs, Enrichment, Field Trips, Literacy, ALL meals Provided. $27 per day.

Contact the EPIC/Tapestry Office at: 786.1967 | 786.1959 | 786.1935 Mail all forms: Attn: Kate Bosnich, 6 Church Street, Rutland VT, 05701

CAMP

18 • The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018

Harry Chapin Memorial sees locals taking gold The Harry Chapin Memorial VARA Open race was held Monday, Feb. 19 at Pico Mountain, on B-Slope, for men and women, U16 and up. Left, Tommy Kenosh, Burke Mountain Academy won first place in Men’s Slalom; center, Rebecca Clark, KMS, won first place in Women’s Slalom; right, Cameron Heald, Castleton University, took third in Men’s Slalom. All of these athletes grew up in Rutland/Mendon and learned to race at Pico.

By Erica Harrington

Girl Scout Junior Carmen Angulo, left, and Brownie Fiona Harrington, right, sit in front of stacked boxes of cookies that were sold by the troop.

It’s Girls Scout cookie time

On Saturday, Feb. 17, the Mountain Times van was loaded with almost 150 cases of Girl Scout cookies, en route to the Rochester Federated Church to be sorted and distributed, where Girl Scout Troop 51820 holds its bi-weekly meetings. If you missed out on the initial order but still want cookies, Girl Scouts from this troop will be selling boxes at cookie booths on two upcoming weekends: Saturday, March 10 at The Hardware in Rochester, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday, March 17 at Hubbard’s Country Store in Hancock, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

By Erica Miller

By Robert Sanson

Every summer, a freshly auditioned company of Circus Smirkus Troupers, ages 10 to 18, takes to the road in traditional mud show fashion for a two-month performance tour of New England.

Did you know your kids can join the circus for a summer?

Children that have ever witnessed a circus for themselves may have expressed that inner-child (er, total-child!) desire to “join the circus!” Circus Smirkus is a non-profit, award-winning international youth circus founded with a mission: to promote the skills, culture and traditions of the traveling circus and to inspire youth to engage in life-changing adventures in the circus arts. Circus Smirkus has ideals that most parents can get behind: The challenge: to cultivate the skills for achieving personal excellence. The goal: to nourish the idealism of young people to encourage their dreams and the vision to act on them so they can make a positive impact in the world.

The method: to open a path to adventure through the multicultural traditions of circus. And they offer a summer camp outlet for just that. The group is the nation’s first residential circus-arts training program offered in a traditional summer camp setting in authentic European-style Big Top tents. Organizers believe that the universal allure of the performing arts, circus in particular, helps children to form friendships and bonds that transcend the barriers of economic situation, class, culture, geography, age and ability. Fun, and making the world a better place. And it’s located right in Vermont. Parent-approved!

CAMP

The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018 • 19

Submitted

Full-time CSJ undergrads to receive a free laptop

for application and audition information visit

www.gmys-vt.org or email info@gmys-vt.org For application and audition information vist www.gmys-vt.org or email info@gmys-vt.org

Celebrate winter with us at Rutland WinterFest www.rutlandrec.com/winterfest

W nderfeet Kids’ Museum a Rutland Creative Economy Initiative

Tues, Thurs, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1-4pm; Closed Mon & Wed Admission $5 per person Memberships available

802-282-2678

11 Center St., Downtown Rutland

www.wonderfeetkidsmuseum.org

PEN

NGLE A TA

S RT

intermediate-advanced young musicians – all orchestral instruments

Courtesy of Upper Valley Aquatic Center

Among the many skills that kids can obtain at a summer camp, learning to swim is as important as it is fun. Kids love the water, and to be safe in it is easing to parents. Many summer camps offer swimming lessons, including Killington Rec. Department, Bethany Birches, and Upper Valley Aquatic Center.

AT IV E DA

Creative Arts & Music Program 2018 August 5-11 @ NVU-Johnson Creative Arts &intermediate-advanced Music Program 2018 young musicians all orchestral instruments August 5-11 @ NVU-Johnson

Learn to swim

RUTLAND—College of St. Joseph (CSJ) is strengthening its commitment to affordable education with its latest initiative to give each of its full-time undergraduate students a Chromebook at the start of the 2018-19 academic year. With this initiative, CSJ will reduce the burden students face with the increasing cost of textbooks and supplies. The Chromebooks will be the student’s to keep after the withdrawal period of the fall semester. As part of this initiative, CSJ faculty members are making a commitment to use quality course materials that are available in free or lower-cost electronic formats for use on the Chromebooks. According to the College Board, the average cost of textbooks and supplies for students at a private, nonprofit college is $1,220 for the 2017-18 academic year and $1,250 at a public four-year college. “College affordability is an issue we take seriously at CSJ, and the cost of textbooks should not be a barrier to students achieving their dreams. The good news is that this problem is solvable,” said Dr. Robert Goddard, vice president for academic affairs. “We are making every effort to remove the hurdles that students may face when it comes to finding an education that is both high quality and affordable. Any way that we can keep costs low for students increases access to the kind of life-changing education that College of St. Joseph brings to students.” Chromebooks are portable, lightweight laptops that run on the Google Chrome operating system, offer a long battery life and store information in the cloud. This allows students to work from any location that offers wi-fi and helps students avoid lost work due to hard drive failure or misplaced laptop. College of St. Joseph already uses the Google for Educators suite of products, also available to students, which will ensure that the Chromebooks seamlessly integrate into the college’s Google-based services. CSJ is also offering a way for new CSJ students in fall semester 2018 to get a head start on paying for their electronic textbooks through a new deposit match. Students may make optional tuition deposits of either $250 or $500 when they matriculate at CSJ. The college will apply the initial deposit to the student’s bill and match the deposit with money to go toward the purchase of their ebooks. Students who elect to pay the customary $100 unmatched deposit may continue to do so.

JUMPS

20 • The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018

Job pilot:

Vt. Dept. of Labor gets serious about job training, job placement

continued from page 1 statistics from an Agency of Education report titled “Vermont High School Graduates Postsecondary Enrollment Rate” indicate that six years later nearly two-thirds will not have a post-secondary degree. Immediately going from high school to college is not the pathway to a career for all of our young people. Businesses throughout the region, spanning multiple industry sectors, report that they are having trouble filling well-paying positions in their companies, firms, and organizations. Teresa Miele, president of the Rutland RRWIB, sees a connection. “With training, the twothirds of our high school graduates who do not go on to college or leave college before obtaining a diploma, will become our strong local workforce.” Real Careers @ Rutland County will provide job coaching and job-specific roadmaps that clearly delineate pathways for training leading to employment in Rutland County. The pilot program will be launched in two area high schools, Mill River Union High School and Otter Valley Union High School, and to recent graduates in Rutland County who have not yet chosen a career path. Job coaching and planning will begin in the senior year of high school and will continue for one year following graduation as participants engage in job-specific trainings and enter the workforce. Recent graduates may access the program through the local offices of the Department of Labor and Vocational Rehabilitation or by contacting the RRWIB directly at rrwib.org/contact.

Ambassador program:

Based on the reported needs of our local employers, Real Careers will begin by developing career-specific roadmaps in manufacturing, health care, construction trades, commercial driving, and adventure-based recreation and tourism while undertaking research to identify additional industry sectors with unmet employment needs.

REAL CAREERS @ RUTLAND COUNTY WILL PROVIDE JOB COACHING AND JOB-SPECIFIC ROADMAPS THAT CLEARLY DELINEATE PATHWAYS FOR TRAINING LEADING TO EMPLOYMENT IN RUTLAND COUNTY. Each participant will identify a specific career path and have a specific plan to obtain requisite skills for entering employment. The plan will include applications to training programs, cost analyses, identified funding sources, pre-employment skills training, and internships. Instruction will include a focus on transferable skills that reach across industry sectors and are critical in all work and community settings. The goal, says Lyle Jepson, executive director of REDC, “is to create a pipeline to competitive jobs in our region and career growth opportunities.”

Labor of Love

continued from page 4 group dwindled to six. However, the Skier Courtesy Ambassador group was organized in the 1980s to promote skiing in control and courtesy on the slopes. At that time the on-hill duties included mostly checking on guests on weekends. In the 1990s, the program grew again to 80 ambassadors under director Janis Albrecht. Duties were expanded to include more helping functions and even conducting customer surveys and acting as a source of feedback on how Killington was doing for its guests. After John “Grizz” Puchalski became the first snowboarding ambassador in 1994, he was soon handing out candy to guests and convincing management that the volunteers should be all over the mountain and serving midweek, not just weekends. He became director for the 1997-1998 season and expanded duties to include other seasons and increased the number of volunteers so as to accommodate the needs of the mountain. (The summer assistance by ambassadors became a separate summer host program in 2016.) Duffy’s duties, delights Duffy, an ambassador since 2007, became the program’s manager in 2016-2017. He noted a growth in services, including staffing information desks at Skyeship and Ramshead lodges on weekends and holidays and having ambassadors at the Grand Hotel on busy check-in nights to greet guests and answer questions they might have. The Killington Ambassador program operates out of offices at the Killington Medical Clinic. It’s there that Duffy gives early morning briefings to the those on duty that day. He shares information that helps them answer guest questions – snowmaking, grooming, and events updates along with safety and other tips. A large part of his job is working on scheduling and assignments for the 275 volunteers. He interviews men and women

Don Markie, community engagement coordinator at Mill River Union High School, observed, “If a senior hasn’t taken SATs or submitted college applications, and if they don’t have a clear idea about how to pay for college, they likely will not be attending in the fall. We aim to get these students started in a career where they will earn money and continually gain skills.” Participants may receive college credit for trainings and may find jobs with employers willing to help share the cost of further education and training including college. Jim Avery, principal at Otter Valley Union High School, noted, “Real Careers doesn’t eliminate college, for some it will provide a completely alternative training track but for others it will present a realistic and affordable way to pursue a college degree.” Other key partners in Real Careers include Stafford Technical Center and the Community College of Vermont. These education providers will work with the RRWIB and REDC to develop and deliver new training opportunities to meet employer needs. Wendy Morse, Rutland DOL district manager, commented, “The Vermont Department of Labor’s financial grant award supporting Real Careers @Rutland County compliments strategies that have the potential to impact Vermont’s labor force participation rate in a positive way. The Rutland AJC office is excited to collaborate with partners in the greater Rutland community on behalf of this innovative project.”

Bingo Basin:

Rochester community wants to preserve quiet

continued from page 6 over 18, focusing on whether the candidate would be “a good fit” and able to provide the required 21 days (200 hours) of service. Duffy also communicates and works with other departments throughout the resort. They contact him if they want assistance, such as lifts needing people to help with long lines or events letting him know what assistance ambassadors might provide. He himself also helps out “wherever needed, parking cars to lift line duty – just as entire executive teams do,” he noted. His assistant, Clairetta Corron, oversees the survey ambassadors, a group of 12 who gather information used for the net promoter score. She also covers for Duffy on his days off. Asked about interesting experiences, Duffy cited being asked to assist with marriage proposals. He takes dyed water and writes the wedding proposal on the snow under the chairlift, which adds to the delight of many, he said. “We have ambassadors who ski all around the world, and we have yet to find a place that has more people serving as ambassadors or hosts,” he added of his delight and pride in the program. “Killington’s Ambassador program is the largest, most robust program in New England, if not the country. We have 275 passionate volunteers who do an outstanding job assisting with wayfinding and helping guests understand where they are going at any time of day. This place is massive, and the ambassadors are always out in force first thing in the morning at all the base areas. They offer invaluable help and truly enhance the guest experience. It is an honor and privilege to have them here,” commented Rob Megnin, Killington and Pico director of marketing and sales. As for the alligators, between his magic tricks and easygoing, let’s-have-fun attitude, Glenn Jacobi will show you how tame the Beast really can be! Guaranteed – his license plate reads, “No Moguls.”

community that they intended to occasionally access their cabin in the winter via snowmobiles. As in the past, the new owners continue to have vehicle access to their property for all but a few of the winter months on the town and Forest Service roads. The Forest Service does not allow winter motorized access on its roads, which is gated in the winter to facilitate the loop trail. And the Forest Service denied a special use permit on a spur road as it was determined that they had “reasonable access.” The new camp owners then implemented their Plan B, seeking to utilize a long -forgotten, half -century unused Class 4 road, Pine Gap Road. This small lower section (0.6 miles) runs smack through the National Forest and the heart of the loop trail. With one petition appeal in progress, this issue has been fraught with emotions, opinions, partiality and affiliations. Personally, I am disheartened to say the optics have been troubling. Unfortunately, while the unusual land transfer/sale of said property was in progress a year before, most Rochester residents were

unaware of what was about to befall our town. But suffice it to say that Rochester residents that enjoy and share a mutual attachment to this rare place have formed our merry band of Bingo Basin protectionists – Friends of Bingo Basin, (T-shirts now available). By all accounts, our mission to save Bingo Basin already fits into our town plan—that Bingo Basin is recognized as a “quiet area.” And the vast majority of this town want to keep it that way. One of the new camp owners stated at the Dec. 4 hearing ,“We are not trying to destroy your peace and quiet.” Really?! Yet this couple persist in their quest—to introduce snowmobiles for their own benefit and that would invariably alter the peaceful aesthetics forever. Oh, by the way – last week, several of us broke trail up the 0.6 mile section with snowshoes and skis with no hindrance of down trees – passing their non-abutting property to complete our peaceful loop. We stopped on the adjacent Pine Brook Trail and relished the peacefulness that is now threatened in the Bingo Basin. So that being said, I would challenge that this is about

access. Along with their motorized three-season access, they, like us, have winter means to their camp via the very same 0.6 mile snowshoe or ski. What this is about is unrestricted snowmobile use in a quiet place. Rochester Town Plan’s goals are to identify and protect those natural, cultural and historic resources that make Rochester special. We should be responsible stewards of these unique and vanishing areas. Thank you Doon Hinderyckx, Select Board chair, for your professionalism throughout this process. However, many of us still contend that under Title 19, the Select Board does have the authority to regulate use of all town roads. I hope at our next town meeting, the residents of Rochester vote with this in mind: that the select board we put into that position represent “the public good, necessity and convenience of the inhabitants of the municipality” (19VSA). We, the people, that live, work, vote and give back to our community have made our position loud and clear. Is the Rochester Select Board listening to its Rochester residents? Respectfully submitted, Keefer Irwin, Rochester

The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018 • 21

The Mountain Times • Nov. 25-31, 2017 • 23

By Robin Alberti

Welcome to Lift Lines, a weekly column where local and visiting skiers and riders share their thoughts on Killington, skiing and riding, and the winter lifestyle.

“Why did you decide to come to Killington for President’s week?”

IL OF THE WEEK: Kim Gross & son Ryan

ROBIN ALBERTI

“My aunt owns a condo here. I’ve been coming since I was a kid, and now I bring my kids here.”

Mt. Sinai, N.Y.

- Kim Gross

scipsum volore, cusandit, totati inihiliquiae dolendit, tore is expelictum nonsequis aut am dolorest, core num, sequo cab iducimus explibu sdaecerum ut quundebis es aceatur, en istibus et landam rerumquam estrunti voluptus as mi, simende dolorit utem eicae amus

RENTALS DEMOS TUNING

#1 42 years

3429 Rt. 4, Killington at the Time & Temperature Sign 802-422-3739 • www.aspeneast.com

Bob Wood

“We take a ski vacation somewhere every year with a group of friends and all the kids. We haven’t been to Killington. The last time I was here I was 14 years old.”

KILLINGTON’S ULTIMATE RENTAL AND DEMO CENTER

802-422-4281

Grafton, Mass. Tuning Ski & Snowboard Rentals, Demos & Sales

- Bob Wood

Accessories Apparel

BLACKDOGDEALS.COM MOUNTAIN GREEN BUILDING 3 • EAST MOUNTAIN RD

Tim Corning Grafton, Mass.

Ad Here 6x3

“We are on a mini vacation. I haven’t been to Killington since college, and my daughter wanted to ski here.”

- Tim Corning

PETPersonals

22 • The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018

HOWIE - 5-year-old. Neutered male. Labrador Retriever/Pit Bull mix. I’m a big fella with a big personality to match! I’m very outgoing and social and I’m fun to be around. I love hanging out with my favorite people and getting lots of love and attention. COSMO 9-year-old. Spayed female. Domestic Long Hair Torbie. Hi I’m Cosmo and as you can see I am one big stunning lady! One thing I need everyone to know about me is I get over stimulated rather quickly, meaning when I have had enough attention I like to be left alone. SAM - 2-year-old. Neutered male. Labrador Retriever mix. I’m an outgoing fella who loves playing in the snow! It’s such fun and I do need lots of exercise and play time so romping in the snow is good way for me to start. I’m a great size for going on family outings and adventures.

SCOOBY - 11-year-old. Neutered male. Siberian Husky mix. I’m an older fella but I’m pretty spunky and a joy to be around. I walk nicely on a leash and look forward to gentle strolls with my new family. I’m very social and I enjoy being with people and getting lots of love and attention.

SEVEN - 4-year-old. Spayed female. Domestic Short Hair. Tortoiseshell with white. As you can tell by my picture I am a lovely tortoiseshell lady with patches of white. I am a unique cat to be sure. I will be at my best in a quiet home probably without younger children. KIT KAT - 4-year-old. Spayed female. Domestic Short Hair. Black. I am as sweet as can be. When you first meet me, I will probably be under my blanket peeking out at you. I am very gentle and calm and once I get to know you I blossom into a very lovely kitty.

DUKE - 2-year-old. Neutered male. Labrador Retriever/ Bulldog mix. I’m a handsome fella who enjoys getting lots of love and attention. I’m also playful and I enjoy plush squeaky toys. I’m a big dog so I’ll need a lot of room to spread out. I’ll also need lots of exercise and play time to keep me happy.

JACK - 6-year-old. Neutered male. Domestic Short Hair. Black and white. I am a sweet and loveable boy. I arrived at RCHS on Jan. 30 when I was surrendered by my owners who were no longer able to keep me. I am very affectionate and love to be petted.

SEBASTIAN - 7-year-old. Neutered male. Domestic Short Hair. Black. Hello, As you can see I am a handsome gentleman. I arrived at RCHS on, Christmas Eve, when I was brought in as a stray.

Springfield Humane Society

BEAU - 6-year-old. Neutered male. Domestic Short Hair Brown Tabby. I am a healthy and handsome male cat who is a classic brown tabby. I arrived at RCHS on January 10 as a transfer from another busy shelter. I am happy to be here now and am looking forward to finding my new forever home.

SHADOW - 4.5-year-old. Neutered male. Domestic Short Hair. Black. Hello my name is Shadow and I am a big lovely fella! When you first meet me, I can be a little timid and shy. Once I get to know you I blossom into a snuggle bug. I am not sure if I like cats, but I know I do not like dogs!

RUTLAND COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY LUCY MACKENZIE HUMANE SOCIETY SPRINGFIELD HUMANE SOCIETY

MABEL My name is Mabel and I guess you could say “I wear my heart on my sleeve!” I am about 2 years old and I was found in a trash bag with my four kittens! I love attention, but also enjoy some alone time. I would be happiest as an only cat. Not only am I super adorable, but I have amazing feet too! Stop by 401 Skitchewaug Trail, Springfield, Vt. Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 4:30 or call 802-8853997 for more information

Featuring pets from:

Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society

DELILAH - 3-year-old. Spayed female. Domestic Long Hair. Brown and white Tabby. As you can see I am one stunning lady. I have big green eyes and fabulous long hair. I am a little timid at first but once I get some attention I come out of my shell. I cannot deny a good scratch behind the ears.

All of these pets are available for adoption at

Rutland County Humane Society

765 Stevens Road, Pittsford, VT • (802) 483-6700 Tues. - Sat. 12-5p.m., Closed Sun. & Mon. • www.rchsvt.org

MOUNTA IN TIMES mountaintimes.info

TAZ Hi! my name is Taz and I’m a 6-year-old neutered male Rottweiler. I came to Lucy Mackenzie after living in a few different homes. Nobody could keep me. It makes me sad because more than anything, I want a human companion to spend the rest of my life with. I bond really tightly with people I love and trust. I was clearly trained early on in life, and my human friends here have been helping me to remember all that good stuff. I’m quite a comedian, too, and am known as the Clown of the Kennel! I’d love to find a home that has experience with Rottweilers, because I have a lot of inherent Rotti behaviors. More than anything, though, I’d love to find a home that wouldn’t give up on me. If you’ve been looking to adopt a handsome, comical dog, stop in and meet me today! Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society is located at 4832 Route 44, West Windsor, Vt. We’re open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 12 - 4 p.m. Reach us daily at 802-484-LUCY. Visit us at www.lucymac.org, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter. We hope to see you soon!

The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018 • 23

Waking up to it is no easy chore By Cal Garrison, a.k.a. Mother of the Skye

This week’s Horoscopes are coming out under the light of an Aries Moon, in the aftermath of last week’s eclipse. I am willing to bet that many things have been shaken and stirred since the last time we spoke. At the moment I am less concerned with minor transits, last week’s eclipse, the Chinese New Year, and/or the fact that it is “President’s Day” week, than I am with a conjunction between the centaur Chiron and the asteroid Apophis. In no time at all, both bodies with be hitting the Aries Point, and this is also a point of major interest. Apophis, a.k.a Apep, is the known as the Great Serpent and enemy of the Sun God, Ra. In Egyptian mythology the sun was Ra’s royal barge, and it was the god himself who sailed it across the sky from dawn to dusk. At sundown it descended into the underworld. Making its way through the darkness this vessel, along with Ra and the various protector gods who formed his crew, were continuously attacked by Apophis, whose sole aim was to keep the sun from ever rising again. If we’ve never heard of such things it’s because Caesar burned down the library at Alexandria in 48 BC – but, before the Common Era, there were books and texts (The Execration Texts), which contained spells and rituals designed to defeat and destroy the Great Serpent. From my perspective Apophis is the heart of darkness. It is the black hole, or the root of all evil, from which there is no return. Associated with chaos, disorder, death, genocide, and every abomination known to man, both the god and the asteroid are the enemies of light (Ra), and truth (Ma’at) with no redeeming qualities. To understand the conjunction between Apophis and Chiron, we need to look at Chiron for a bit. Chiron is the guy who shows up whenever it’s time to confront the primary wound. He is the one who teaches us how to draw the wisdom of the past up through our loins and channel those stories through our hearts, to our minds in ways that allow us to see that the pain that is still stored in our cellular memory is in fact the remedy for the forces that assail us now. In this case, it is the extent to which we can come to terms with the ways in which Apophis has wounded us that we can call upon to get us through the night. Another Mother of the Skye, page 25

BIKRAM YOGA

Mendon, VT For class times visit: bikramyogamendon.com 'The hottest thing in the green mountains' Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin Yoga and Pilates New Student Special: 5 classes for $30

802-770-4101 802 770 410

Karen Dalury, E-RYT 500• killingtonyoga.com 3744 River Rd. Killington, VT

www.motivationstudio.com •STOTT® PILATES •TRX™ Suspension Training •Private and small group instruction

802.786.2400 Building #3 Howe Center Rutland, VT 05701

Camille’s

Online class schedule at facebook.com/motivation-studio-pilates

ress In Prog

“Area’s Largest and Most Popular Consignment Shop”

Now! Winter Clearance Sale

SWEATERS, JACKETS, COATS, ACCESSORIES, BOOTS, SHOES womens • mens • juniors

Accepting Prom and Formal Wear - earn cash Mon- Sat 10-5 • 44 Merchants Row, Rutland, VT 802-773-0971

Aries

Cancer

Libra

Capricorn

March 21 - April 20

June 21 - July 20

September 21 - October 20

December 21 - January 20

ealing with “the lowest common denominator” could be a theme. This will show up on any number of levels. It can mean that hanging out with lowlife’s and scumbags whose ways and means of getting by are impacting your attitude and behavior. It can also indicate that you are interested in ancient history: either academic research, and/or a desire to penetrate your primary issues. Basic physical issues could be part of the scenery as well. Is it time to visit the dentist? One way or another, the 8-Ball says it’s time to get to the bottom of things and clean up your act.

ou have finally landed in what appears to be the perfect spot. If you are pinching yourself to see if this is real I wouldn’t be surprised. Whatever it is that has answered your prayers will fulfill them for as long as it takes for the truth to reveal itself. In all situations, the one thing you need to pay attention to are your delusions. If it turns out that you wind up being led down the garden path you won’t wake up and smell the coffee for at least a year. That’s OK. In the meantime, throw your heart into whatever this is about and go whole hog until you get the lesson.

he tables have turned on so many levels. If you’re too “busy” to come to terms with this, it would be good if you could slow down long enough to figure out where you stand. When one thing changes, everything changes and the balance in your relationships and/or your perspective could use a bit of adjustment. There’s no need to go to extremes, but the “Old You” has to catch up with the “New You” and shift enough to rearrange the scenery. Until this happens your current state of affairs will keep knocking its head against the past and the expectations of others.

fter wringing your hands over things that were starting to make you wonder if it was time to throw in the towel, someone or something came through and you are out of the woods. At the point where it comes down to failing miserably, or winning the Olympics, the truth about who you are and where your heart lies is what’s on the line. Those of you who are breathing sighs of relief have learned a valuable lesson. What you take from this will be more precious than gold. If you happen to be on the other end of the stick, the lesson is just as valuable, but only if you learn from it.

Taurus

Leo

Scorpio

Aquarius

April 21 - May 20

July 21 - August 20

October 21 - November 20

January 21 - February 20

n spite of all appearances, you’ve got it made. The efforts of the last few years have turned a corner and readied you for what is to come. I suspect that there will be a changing of the guard. Many of the players who have been there for you are about to be replaced with newcomers who are more suited to the spirit who has had to live through a major personality shift. As the dead wood falls off the wagon, there are bound to be reproaches and accusations of unfairness. Be as kind as you can, but don’t let it get to you. Whether they know it or not, they need this more than you do.

utting up with people and their problems is creating limitations that are starting to weigh on you. It’s for sure that you’ve just about had it. Holding your breath until something comes along to change things could be where it’s at right now. If you are well aware that it comes down to an attitude adjustment, you’re not there yet. This is the end result of things that were done out of love. If what you expected to happen, isn’t happening, keep your eye on the fact that somewhere along the way you overlooked the truth. Find your way back to it, and this will heal in a heartbeat.

ou have many things to consider. There is a new course of events coming into play and whether you know it or not, it’s time to switch gears. For many of you, a new location may be in order. Changes in the lives of those closest to you may require this. In other instances this could be about picking up where you left off with goals that fell by the wayside while you got distracted by other people, places, and things. As the details begin to unfold, the bigger part of you needs to step into a bigger pair of shoes and be strong enough to make bold moves when the time is right.

ou could be hard pressed to know which way to go. There’s a lot to say that it’s time to fish or cut bait, and just as much pulling you to stick with the program. For the last year or so, things have shifted in ways that call you to reevaluate everything. Whether you know it or not all of your primary issues are up for review. At times like this, it’s impossible to see the forest for the trees. With that in mind, you’d do well to give every situation more time to simmer, and give people more time for their true colors to show. The tables are turning: this is no time to serve dinner.

Gemini

Virgo

Sagittarius

Pisces

May 21 - June 20

August 21 - September 20

November 21 - December 20

February 21 - March 20

his is one of those times when whoever or whatever is messing with your head needs to be put in its place. If it’s about specific individuals, coming out on top will require you to know more about their issues than they do. From the looks of things this won’t be too hard because you are way out in front when it comes to brains, and much more aware all the way around. Being savvy enough to realize that you can’t approach this directly is vital to your success. If this is about being hogtied by other forms of restriction, get centered, hold steady, knowing that this too shall pass.

he idea that everything comes from within is really starting to hit home. At this point you are clear that you’re better off when you mind your own business. With many things weighing on your soul, keeping your focus on the inner planes will support a greater need to pull yourself together all the way around. The daily grind will always be there. Give the Devil his due and retain the better part of your spirit for things that are meaningful and true. As the next six months unfold what grows out of this will lay the groundwork for goals that will support you for a long time to come.

ou need to take a good look at who you’re dealing with. You’re either giving people more credit than they deserve, or you’re totally clueless when it comes to recognizing their true worth. Waking up to the truth will require you to stop lying to yourself about what’s going on. On other fronts there’s a lot to say that you’d do well to take off your rose colored glasses and do some soul searching. It’s easy for you to gloss things over and see what you want to see. In some situations that ability is a gift. At the moment you’d do well to light a candle and pierce the darkness.

Mother of the Skye

hings are definitely coming to a head. Knowing how to ride the wave when it’s going over the top is what it comes down to. Dr. Phil can’t help you with this; neither can Oprah. There are no instructions in this neck of the woods, and it is definitely NOT a one size fits all prescription. How you get through the next few weeks will depend on the extent to which you can remain true to yourself in the face of more than one illusion. You can’t put your faith in people whose motives are tainted. This could wipe you out if you keep seeing what you want to see, instead of what’s there.

Mother of the Skye has 40 years of experience as an astrologer and tarot consultant. She may be reached by email to cal.garrison@gmail.com

24 • The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018

A job that pays! This has been an eventful month. Of course, it has been an eventful year, and a wild four winters here in Killington. Two weeks ago, I accomplished an objective that I have been trying to achieve since before I moved here. In the spring of 2014 I Altitude started Altit and interSick Sickness viewingapplying for medical device By br brady sales jobs. Medical device crain sales, unlike pharmaceutical sales, is a field that is driven by results and fixes, as opposed to relief of symptoms, which is why I like it and have pursued it. My friends who work in the medical device field have excellent lives. They work hard, they make good money, and they have weekends off – often they have Fridays off as an “office day.” With the exception of my years at IBM, my working life since college has been a constant grind of moving from financial panic to financial panic. I have found ways to do the things that I enjoy, but it has always been despite poverty rather than because of success. An intended Big Five consultant, I graduated from my MBA program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute about eight weeks after 9/11, a time when no one outside the petroleum industry hired an MBA for about two years (I have a habit of graduating into recessions, particularly under Bush presidencies). After two years and thousands of faxed resumes, I gave up and started playing 280 shows a year as a musician and a stand-up comic. The reason I did well in entertainment was not that I was particularly more talented than anyone else, but rather that it turns out I have a gift for sales. There is a 1-in-200 chance that a person with no medical device experience on their resume will land a medical device position. I have spent four years working to get a position. I have, consistently, been the second choice for some very big positions. I have always come up against the person with the contacts in the industry (“We really want to hire you, but we had to go with the experience and contacts”). This is reasonable, and I did not begrudge these companies this sensible choice. This past year, I dedicated myself full-time to finding this job. I spent 40 hours a week submitting resumes and applications, to the tune of about 40 per week. That’s about 2,000 applications. It got to the point where specific recruiters started telling me not to apply, that they would be in touch if they thought I was a fit. I applied anyway. I had dozens of interviews, as far away as Wilmington and Philadelphia, usually at my own cost for hotels and always for fuel. Two separate times I beat the 200:1 odds and landed a position. The first time, a hiring freeze was instituted three hours after I was told an offer letter was on its way. The second time, I was hired and reorganized out of the position in two days. Needless to say, that was discouraging. After a full year of effort, I gave up, again. I took work at the door of a local night club, and serving in a local restaurant, working for my ski pass and benefits. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the work of convincing people that it was in everyone’s best interest (including their own) to not mess up. I was often able to do this without ejecting them from the club, which was gratifying. But the schedule is brutal. Though I am now able to be on my feet for eight hours at a time (even on concrete), that doesn’t mean that it is pleasant. It is in fact painful. Distinctly. So here I am, working my jobs, waiting for painting season to begin, resigned to my fate, resigned to yet another unachieved goal (the problem with show business is that no matter how much you succeed, it is never enough, it is like gambling – at least for me). Here I am, mostly happy with my lot despite being completely hosed under the weight of a massive student loan that has doubled in size since grad school (compound interest is usury, by the way). Then I got the call. The VP of sales for a company that I have been hassling since September wants to meet with me. Six hours away. No hotel, no meals, drive in, drive out. So I agree. I ski in the morning, do my routine, shower, leave at 10 a.m. I get to the Marriott at Philadelphia International Airport at 3:45 p.m. for my 4 p.m. interview. We wound up chatting for two hours. On the drive home I interviewed with another member Altitude Sickness, page 25 of the sales team.

Hoarfrost

By Joe Rankin

In folklore and literature, Jack Frost is often portrayed as a mischievous guy, sort of Old Man Winter’s younger self. He’s a personification of everything cold. In our region he’s a busy guy, at least for half of the year. And an artistic one. He gets credit for painting the trees orange and yellow and red in the fall. And we’re all familiar with ground frost, that harbinger of winter that looks like a dusting of snow. This phenomenon occurs when the temperature of objects near the ground falls below freezing. Water in the air freezes onto objects, sometimes as what looks like frozen dewdrops, sometimes as branched crystals. Other times, Jack Frost picks up another brush to load everything with the lacy, feathery designs of hoarfrost. Hoarfrost derives from the old English word “hoary,” meaning, getting on in age. It has the power to excite the poet in us. When you wake on a cold morning and look out to see the entire world — trees, bushes, your car — draped with lacy, feathery crystals glinting in the sunlight, it’s magical. The word “fairyland” comes to mind. According to John Goff, the lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service Office in Burlington, hoarfrost is a common occurrence across the northern tier of the U.S., but almost nonexistent in areas with dryer, warmer climates. To form, hoarfrost requires a supersaturated column of cold air extending well above the surface of the ground. Think a cold fog. Moisture in the air starts condensing around nuclei — particles of dust, for instance. Once that starts, the moisture in the air goes directly from a gas to a solid. It’s a process called sublimation, with ice crystals building up on everything, said Goff. Hoarfrost appears as intricate, delicate and ephemeral crystal decorations. Jack Frost at his finest.

These crystals reflect light from all their surfaces and thus look white. When the morning sunlight hits it ... Wonderland. Hoarfrost has one other requirement for formation: calm air conditions. It’s the calm air that allows those complex lacy depositions, said Goff. That makes it different from rime ice, which also occurs on trees and structures. Rime, said Goff, forms when you have super cold water vapor. With rime the liquid water in the air essentially freezes into crystals on surfaces,

building up and up and up. Unlike hoarfrost, rime forms when it’s windy, and its sideways formations often reflect that. In the Eastern U.S., rime is most common at elevations from 3,000 to 7,000 feet, said Goff, where you can get a fog bank (a.k.a. a cloud), very cold temperatures, an.d high winds. The fog droplets freeze quickly, producing much smaller crystals than, say, freezing raindrops. The crystals build up on the windward side of objects, building a somewhat spongy, porous layer of heavy ice.

THE OUTSIDE STORY You can find impressive rime sculptures on the summits of the Appalachians from Mt. Mitchell in North Carolina through the Great Smokies to northern New England’s Mt. Mansfield and the Presidential Range. Rime gets credit, along with fierce winds, for pruning subalpine and alpine trees on New England’s high peaks into krummholz, a German word meaning crooked wood. It can also form on aircraft. In this scenario, instead of super cold, moisture-laden winds depositing rime onto stationary objects, a jet flies at hundreds of miles an hour into a supercooled, moisture-laden cloud. Planes can pick up a lot of ice that way and it can affect their lift. Rime ice is also common on sea-faring vessels in northern oceans around the world, said Goff. The ice can weigh down ships and prove hazardous to navigation. It’s not water vapor freezing out of the air, though, he said. “It’s freezing ocean spray, of course. Nonetheless it’s still rime.” But hoarfrost? Well, even if you’re not a fan of winter, it’s hard not to be impressed. People like posting hoarfrost photos to social media. Meteorologists, however, don’t give it as much thought. “In the world of weather it’s a non-impactful event,” said Goff. “It’s more of a gee-whiz type of thing.” Joe Rankin writes about forestry and nature. He lives in Maine. The illustration for this column was drawn by Adelaide Tyrol. The Outside Story is assigned and edited by Northern Woodlands magazine, northernwoodlands.org, and sponsored by the Wellborn Ecology Fund of New Hampshire Charitable Foundation: wellborn@nhcf.org.

A penny saved is two pennies earned This modern twist on the Ben Franklin maxim reflects the multiplicity of taxes MONEY MATTERS to which earnings BY KEVIN THEISSEN are subject in today’s world. Finding ways to manage expenses is one of the cornerstones of a sound financial strategy. Here are some simple and inexpensive energy-saving tips that may help you save money. Audit first… To better understand where opportunities may exist for improving energy efficiency, consider an energy audit. Perform one yourself by purchasing a home energy monitor, which tracks your energy use, and a handheld air leak detector to identify windows, doors, and other areas of the home that are drafty. Also, your local power utility may offer in-home energy audits or related services that can help identify remediation opportunities. …then act

Consider these do-it-yourself ideas that may offer immediate savings at very little cost: • Install a programmable thermostat to automatically lower the heat or air conditioning because – let’s face it – you forget to do it. • Devices that offer “instant on” or continuous display (e.g., TV, cable box, and recharger) use energy non-stop. Consider a power strip to reduce their electrical use by shutting off the power strip at bedtime. • Plug up air leaks with weatherstripping or caulking; install door sweeps to block drafts. Close the fireplace damper when it’s not in use. • Be sure to have your heating system serviced to ensure maximum efficiency. • Install a water heater blanket and turn the water heater down to 120 degrees; not only is a higher temperature wasteful, but a lower temperature is a safety precaution for younger children. Lower it to a minimum when you leave for vacation. Kevin Theissen is the principal at Skygate Financial Group, kevin@skygatefinancial.com

The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018 • 25

America’s killing fields and sacrificial lambs “Once America decided killing children was bearable, it was over,” British journalist Dan Hodges tweeted when the gun debate ended after the Sandy Hook massacre where 20 elementary school children were gunned down. We have had 239 school mass shootings since Sandy Hook, and I ask our so- called leaders: “What have you done about it?” Absolutely nothing. Have you no shame? The blood of these children is on your hands. Through your inaction, you have lost your authority and right to lead. You do not uphold the Constitution, and you’ve violated our human rights. When a nation perpetuates a culture of violence, it’s time to take a critical look. What are the root causes of violence? Why is it out of control? What elements undermine a civil society? Is our society really so civil? When races, religions, and whole groups of people are attacked through words that humiliate and demean, when humans are insulted, bullied, and threatened by comments and actions that create fear in them, they may timidly retreat in depression and shame, ostracized and afraid to be seen. Or they may wish to lash out against their oppressor and the society that belittles them. When people are put down, they often put others down, and when one group is pitted against the other, people are taught to hate one another. This happens for generations in families with abuse, in societies suffering from discrimination in its many forms, against women (#metoo), races, religions, and nationalities. Throughout history, in its extreme, such hatred (and greed) has led to genocide, slavery, exploitation, and war. We can certainly see how grave its effect can be on just one very vulnerable young man. In the recent school mass shooting in Florida, unfortunately the worst played out. But what do we expect of an orphan (twice), belittled and bullied in school for being small? His diagnosis was autism and he had more than his fair share of difficulties in life. An orphan as a young child, his adopted mother struggled to care for him after her husband died. Multiple calls to the police were for outbursts of anger and frustration. What do we expect when a suffering, grief-stricken, troubled, and disabled 19-year-old is left to cope and fend

Altitude Sickness:

for himself once his adopted mother is its astronomical number of guns,” acdied, as well? He was kindly taken in by cording to Fisher and Keller in The New a friend’s family, but was expelled from York Times. America ranks first with its high school when teachers feared he’d ration of guns to people. What country carry a gun in his backpack. One teacher came in second? Yemen, a failing state in said school budgets have been cut so civil war with 58.4 guns per 100 people drastically there’s no money to provide to America’s 88.8 per 100. Between 1966 students with the help they need or to and 2012, the U.S. experienced 90 mass better secure our schools. So much for shootings, representing 31 percent of cutbacks ... and tax breaks! mass shootings in the world. Now we Did not his behavior raise red flags? are 4.4 percent of the world’s population What do we expect, while our presiand own 42 percent of the world’s guns. dent spews hatred and abuse, has called In 2014, we suffered more than 11 times all Muslims terrorists, Mexicans rapists, the rate of mass shootings and are now extolled the virtue of his damned wall, 25 times more likely to be murdered by a and threatened Dreamers with deportagun than in any other developed country tion? The boy proudly wore his Trump in the world, according to The Guardian. “Make America Great Again” hat, which “Guns cause violence, and mass legitimized his wrath as he flirted with shootings are only common in America” white nationalists on was the crystal their Florida social clear conclusion THEY SAVE THE media site, posting by Zimring and INTERESTS OF THE photos of guns and Hawkins in a Unihis plan to become a versity of California NRA, BUT DON’T SAVE school mass shooter! Berkeley study. They THE LIVES OF OUR Five months ago, also calculated only the FBI was warned 4 percent of our mass CHILDREN. twice of the boy’s shootings are attribintention, and again in January by his utable to mental health, and that video friend. But what do we expect when our games, our violent society, and racial FBI has been undermined by our govdivisions do not have an impact. They ernment’s chaos, firings, cutbacks, and reported that the U.S. does not have a illegal meddling? greater likelihood of crime than other Just what do we expect when politicians developed nations do: “a New Yorker is have sold their souls to big business just as likely to be robbed as a Londoner and lobbies? They save the interests of . . . but 54 times more likely to be killed the NRA, but don’t save the lives of our in the process.” At least 130 studies in children. Unfortunately, the innocent 10 nations have determined, without a victims, America’s sacrificial lambs, are doubt, that legislation for gun control is too often our children. effective in reducing gun murders. According to David Leonhardt in The Australia’s prime minister declared: “I New York Times, we live in “the most would dread the thought that this coundangerous of wealthy nations for a child try would go down the American path so to be born into” due to our higher infant far as the possession of firearms.” mortality rate while other nations have It didn’t. According to USA Today, Auslowered theirs. Other factors are our tralia experienced 13 mass shootings in high teenage death rate in automothe 18 years before 35 victims were killed bile accidents and our shooting death and others injured by a semi-automatic epidemic that is 49 times greater than weapon in 1996. They changed their in other wealthy nations. Mass shootlaws to ban rapid fire guns, then offered ings in America, whether in elementary to buy them back from their owners. schools, high schools, colleges, airports, Australia has not had a fatal mass shootchurches, synagogues, community cening since. Britain’s 1987 mass shooting ters, night clubs, or malls, reflect a host also brought about stricter gun control. of our society’s woes, but the biggest one Guns are not alone in contributing regards the availability of guns — and to violence. Alcohol, drugs, extreme not just guns, but high capacity assault inequality, poverty, and urbanization are rifles. factors, as well. But the massive number “The only variable that can explain the of accessible guns in America along with high rate of mass shootings in America lackadaisical laws makes it the foremost

Brady gets a real job

Mother of the Skye:

Mountain on Meditation By Marguerite te Jill Dye

threat to our safety through mass shootings and other homicides, suicides, domestic violence, and violence against police. I have a novel idea. Along with the crucial first step of implementing sensible gun laws, let’s try addressing educational and psychological needs of children before they grow into adults. Let’s provide the proper support to students with disabilities. Let’s acknowledge and counsel children dealing with grief, exclusion, rejection, a lack of self-esteem and selfconfidence. Let’s intervene in cases of bullying, harassment, and abuse instead of waiting until a crime is committed. If children are given opportunities, lifted out of poverty, treated with kindness and respect, and counseled when needed, and if their families are provided with the support that they may need to raise a healthy family (i.e. affordable health care, child care, early childhood education, parental leave, proper nutrition, decent, affordable housing, and a living wage), then perhaps we can avoid many of the problems that we end up addressing later in life that would lead someone to want to obtain a gun and carry out a mass shooting. We need a strategy, America, that helps to meet the needs of our people instead of making corrections after the damage has been done. We need leaders with heart and compassion who will roll up their sleeves and work long hours (like most Americans do) to do what needs to be done. We can no longer be led by “leaders” with no moral compass who lack the ethics on which America was built. The antidote to hatred is “loving kindness,” the Dalai Lama said. We need leaders with loving kindness in their hearts who will correct the problems and lead us forward to a brighter and safer day. Marguerite Jill Dye is an artist and writer who divides her time between the Green Mountains of Vermont and Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Apophis and Chiron

continued from page 24

continued from page 23

Four days later, I had had seven interviews with this company. I was told during that last one that I would be hearing the following week; that they were reorganizing some positions. I have heard this nonsense before. So I wrote the opportunity off as another loss. The following Monday was an epic powder day with friends and acquaintances (I wrote about it last week), and while dropping a friend off, I got a call from the VP of sales. I recognized his phone number. He offered me the position (he is with a leading digital X-ray company), with training starting in two weeks. By the time you read this, I will be flying back to Vermont, having completed that training, and will be moving to southern New Hampshire after my return. I already have an apartment and a guinea pig sitter. I will keep my apartment here for March, so that I can move slowly (saving my back). My territory will bring me to NYC one to two working weeks a month, and stretches from Northern New Jersey to Syracuse, inclusive of New England. I will keep coming back to ski weekends (staying at my mother’s in Rutland), and also for mother time, and mountain biking. I made it to 100+ ski days with one day shy of a perfect record and have skied well in excess of 700 days in the past four winters. This is a perfect time to take a job. A job that I have been trying to get for more than four years. A job that was a significant reach. A job I have now thoroughly earned. After jumping around with my friend celebrating my hard-won victory, I got in my car, drove away, called my mother, and we cried. After we got off the phone, I cried some more. It was that kind of day. I always push things to the extreme. Now it’s time to go make a lot of money!

way of putting it would be to say, “Before we can face the truth, we have to see the light.” My take on all of this tells me that the sun began to rise, after 13,000 years of darkness, back at the 2012 Winter Solstice. Out of the woods for about six years, truth and light are just beginning to dawn upon us. If what we are facing at the moment appears to be too intense for words, all I can say is this is what happens when the patterns of the past, and what we were led to believe, are exchanged for the truth: waking up to it is no easy chore. If we thought our entrance into the Age of Light would be all rainbows and unicorns we were being naïve. Now that Chiron is here to transmute the darkness, it’s our turn to vanquish Apophis by addressing it in ourselves. This is bound to be an intense week for all of us, inwardly and outwardly. With Apophis ready to sail over the Aries point, all of mankind will be impacted by an awakening wave that could easily surface as a shock to the entire system. However this goes, I get the feeling that the magic wand of truth and awareness is touching all of us with a level of understanding that, for better or worse, will change things forever. If you think you need something to get you through the night, rely upon images of Ra, and Ma’at, and Bastet. Ra, and Ma’at are the archetypes of light and truth. As far as Bastet goes? Bastet was the Egyptian cat goddess who used her knife to sever the head of Apophis. Cats have long been known to be the ultimate transmuters of negative energy. If you are a cat person, your cat is the one who will conquer the serpent who lies coiled around the root of all evil and eats away at the Tree of Life. Keep that in mind, if you don’t have a cat, consider taking a trip to the animal shelter, and take what you can from this week’s ‘scopes.

26 • The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018

Castleton lowers graduate program tuition and fees

Full Service Interior Design

(including kitchen, bath, new construction and renovations)

HAVE A WELL-DESIGNED DAY™ 802.236.3055 s www.VermontInteriorDesigner.com

residential & light commercial • licensed & insured office: 802.772.7221 cell: 802.353.8177 frank candido rutland/killington candidoelectric@yahoo.com

CASTLETON—Castleton University graduate students will see a reduction in price beginning this summer, according to a Feb. 14 news release. Castleton will move to offer all graduate programs at the same rate, regardless of the student’s residency or the program’s delivery model, the university announced. Beginning with the summer session, graduate tuition at Castleton will be $625 per credit, a 20 percent reduction from 2017-18 academic year pricing. In addition to lowering the tuition price, Castleton has also reduced its student fees by 75

percent. Overall, students who complete a graduate program at Castleton can expect to pay 25 percent less than they would have previously. “Aligning our tuition to one lower rate for our graduate students allows us to serve a broader range of students pursuing master’s degrees,” President Karen M. Scolforo said. “We know that students who earn advanced degrees are more likely to find a job, have greater career flexibility, and higher earning potential than if they had chosen not to continue their education. By making the pursuit of a master’s degree at

Select board candidates:

Castleton more affordable, we are making a strong commitment to the future workforce of our region and beyond. Whether they are working professionals participating in one of our hybrid programs or full-time residential students pursuing their degree on campus, this new pricing structure meets the needs of today’s students.” All Castleton grad students are eligible for a one-time $500 scholarship when they matriculate into the graduate program of their choice, further eliminating barriers of entry.

Haff, Lange, Hickory vie for seat

continued from page 1

we help you see the light!

GREAT SELECTION Commercial Carpet

Plush Stainmaster

No Wax Vinyl Flooring

Carpet

Laminate Flooring

Hardwood Floors

THE CARPET KING OF VERMONT INSTALLATION & REPAIR • FULLY INSURED • REFERENCES AVAILABLE

245 Marble St., West Rutland, VT • 802-438-2077 • Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat 9-2

voters to pass it. “I will be voting ‘yes’ on the current budget,” Lange said, adding that she thinks it addresses past obligations as well as important future initiatives but also looks for meaningful cuts so as to limit the tax increase for voters. “We knew our tax rate would be going up this year, but efforts were made to mitigate the increase,” she said. “After reading the auditor’s report and executive summary [in the town report] and familiarizing myself on this year’s budget, I think it’s clear that we are getting back to where we need to be,” Lange added, citing “clearing up the Irene debts and building back up a reserve fund (which the auditor told us should be a priority).” Candidate Jay Hickory disagrees. He says he plans to vote “no” on passing the budget on Town Meeting Day and urges other voters to vote it down, too. “I don’t trust the numbers,” he said. “I believe it needs to be looked at better with a new person on the board and reappropriations need to be made, minimally,” he said. When asked for specifics, he suggested that “trims” could be made at the library, recreation department and the town offices themselves. He would recommend getting those extra costs out of the budget all together with the hope of lowering the tax rate. Past Selectman Jim Haff said that while he personally cannot vote for the budget without all the pertinent debts (“missing chapters”) included, he’ll respect what the voters choose. “I’ve learned a lot in listening to voters, so I’m good either way,” he said. “If the voters want to pass it, we can work with it, but if for some reason the voters don’t pass the budget, I do think we could do better.” Haff said that in 2011 when the budget was defeated, “it was a very smooth transition that year. We were able to cut about 10 percent from the budget and there was no noticeable changes in town operations.” Haff added that there is always “fat” in a budget that can be cut, but doesn’t feel the current Board has made those though choices. “Two months ago, in a Select Board meeting, the Board was talking about a 10 cent increase, now they’ve worked it down to a 4-5 cent increase. But the way they did that was just to delay things,” he said. But Haff cautioned that cuts would most likely be negated by responsible reallocation of those funds to current infrastructure capital plans and debts. “Let’s get down to business, find our true financial situation so we can put a plan together to get rid of our debts and move this town forward.”

Investments “We have seen the recent success of the town’s mountain bike trails,” Lange said of town investments. “But voters have to see the benefits of those investments; so we always have to make sure we’re getting the return on those investments… We also have to make sure that we look at all the components to be sure we understand how it might affect other investments, infrastructure and departments so we don’t end up paying more in the end.” With regard to the town-owned Green Mountain National Golf Course (GMNGC), Lange said, “My priority, in general, is to get the golf course at least to a break-even point, where it’s not losing money.” Jay Hickory suggested looking into “subletting food and beverage” at the golf course. “The town doesn’t need to be in food and beverage. If we subbed it out we could plan on the money and would have no hassles,” he said. He also feels that the golf pro and golf manager should not be the same person. Adding that he distrusts current town leadership, specifically citing the manager/golf pro at GMNGC, the town manager and Select Board. Jim Haff explained his position. “I believe I’m different on the budget issue because for the last eight years my position has always been that the town should be looking after the core departments, which include: library, school, recreation (which should include the golf course), highways, and public safety,” he said. “We need to invest in what we have, we need to keep the infrastructure we have in shape and not forget what we have while wanting to build new.” Haff cited improper budgeting for the future needs of the golf course and town pool as examples of investments needed for existing infrastructure. “I just want to bring the facts forward and let voters decide,” he said. “My issue with the budget (confirmed by the auditor) is that we have not been given all the chapters in our budgets, so how do we, as a community, make the right decisions and set the property priorities for our town? “ Candidate forum On Monday, Feb. 26, from 7-8:30 p.m. the Killington Pico Area Association will host a Killington Select Board Candidates Forum. The event will take place at Killington Welcome Center. All three Killington Select Board candidates have confirmed their attendance. Citizens may submit questions prior to the forum by emailing admin@killingtonpico.org. The event is free and open to the public.

CARPET WAREHOUSE

BE HEARD.

Over 21 Years of Experience! CARPET • VINYL • HARDWOOD • LVT LAMINATE • REMNANTS 10,000 SQUARE FOOT SHOWROOM

Prompt, Professional Installation

MOUNTA IN TIMES mountaintimes.info

Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 164 U.S. Route 4 East • Rutland, VT (802) 747-3314

For All Your Home and Commercial Petroleum Needs

Heating Oils • Gasoline Shell Lubricants Diesel Fuel • Burner Service • LP Gas

746-8018 • 1-800-281-8018 Route 100, Pittsfield, VT 05762 www.cvoil.com

The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018 • 27

School threatened:

18-year-old Sawyer faces life in jail

continued from page 1 woman who spoke up did we avert an horrific outcome.” had messages on her phone from someone plotting a Sawyer, arrested Thursday, Feb. 15, by Vermont State shooting at Fair Haven Union High School, according to Police, appeared Friday afternoon in Rutland Superior court records. criminal court for an arraignment on four felony offenses. Police identified the person communicating with that The charges include two counts of attempted aggragirl as Sawyer, according to Hall. State Police detectives vated murder as well as individual counts of attempted talked to Sawyer again Thursday, this time at the state first-degree murder and attempted aggravated assault police barracks in Rutland. with a deadly weapon. In that interview, Hall said, Sawyer told detectives If convicted of the offenses, Sawyer faces life in prison. he previously attended the high school in Fair Haven, Sawyer pleaded not guilty to the offenses and said little and in 2016, his sophomore year, he ran away, driving to during the brief court proceeding. Police and media filled California. When he returned, his parents sent him to the seats on one side of the courtroom. It didn’t appear that treatment facility in Maine where he stayed until a few Sawyer had any family or supporters present. days ago, Hall said. Sawyer appeared in court looking disheveled, wear“He told detectives that he was planning from a couple ing a short-sleeved, camouflage shirt, tan pants and of years ago to shoot up Fair Haven high school,” Hall sneakers. His wrists and ankles were shackled as he stood said. “He told detectives that he had been reading books quietly next to his lawyer and listened while the prosecu- on the Columbine shooting. He told detectives that he tor asked that he be held without bail pending trial. was angry not at the school itself, but the institution.” Christopher Davis, Sawyer’s public defender, told Hall added, “(Sawyer) admitted that he was planning Judge Thomas Zonay that he intended to challenge the to come back to Vermont to fulfill his plan to shoot up the request that his client be held without bail. However, the high school and admitted that he had thought about this defense attorney said he would reserve his arguments plan as recently as a week ago.” until a further hearing could be set in the matter. According to a police affidavit filed in the case, Sawyer “You’re going to be held without bail,” the judge told also told police he planned on carrying out his plot with a Sawyer. “Any questions at this time?” bomb, but couldn’t find a place to practice. “No,” Sawyer replied, before being out of the courtHall added that Sawyer told the detectives specifics of room by an officer and taken to the Rutland jail. his plot to carry out the shooting, including plans to buy Brooke Olsen-Farrell, superintendent of the Addisonan AR-15 rifle and 9mm handgun. Hall said there was no Rutland Supervisory Union, wrote in a letter to parents, indication that Sawyer had bought either weapon. “An arrest was made, and there are “He said he would have carried no additional concerns on the part out the shooting, but wasn’t sure “IF NOT FOR [THOSE] WHO of law enforcement. There is no when, and even with law enforceSPOKE UP AND REPORTED credible threat at this time.” ment intervention he would carry She added that while the school it out when he had the opportuSOMETHING ABNORMAL will be on February break next nity,” Hall said of Sawyer. AND CONCERNING, WE week, extra counselors will be A search of Sawyer’s vehicle available at the high school. The turned up the 12-gauge shotgun, MIGHT BE HAVING AN letter also stated that a community ammunition, and his notebook, ENTIRELY DIFFERENT forum was being planned. Olsentitled, “The Journal of an Active Farrell could not be reached for Shooter.” Police also recovered CONVERSATION TODAY,” further comment. from the vehicle books on the SAID SCOTT. Rutland County State’s Attorney Columbine shooting, a gas mask, Rose Kennedy, who is prosecuting thumb drives, a digital camera, the case against Sawyer, said after the court hearing Friand a video recorder, Hall said. day that she could not discuss the investigation, referring He said the investigation is ongoing as State Police reporters to court records that became public following worked with local, state and federal authorities. the arraignment. A motion filed by Kennedy, the prosecutor, sought “The only thing I do want to say is, I think a lot of peoto hold Sawyer without bail. In it, she said that Sawyer ple are wondering when they’re supposed to call police exchanged texts with the girl apparently voicing support when they think something seems suspicious or off,” she for the Florida school shooting that killed 17, and later said. “I would just encourage the public to trust your gut appearing to abandon his own plot to “shoot up” Fair and make that phone call to law enforcement and let law Haven Union High School. enforcement figure out if this is a threat or not.” However, in later interviews with police detectives, According to those records released following the Sawyer “admitted that the plan was still his intent and arraignment, Sawyer had been receiving treatment for that he had recently improved his plan and moved up anxiety and depression for more than a year at a longhis date of execution to March 14, 2018,” the prosecutor term residential facility in Maine. He recently left that wrote. facility and returned to Vermont, the documents stated. “He explained that his inspiration came, in part, from Vermont State Police Maj. Glenn Hall, commander of the killers from the Columbine High School shooting,” agency’s criminal division, said Friday that the investiKennedy wrote. “He indicated that he had read many gation into Sawyer began Wednesday. That’s when Fair books about those killers and he had adopted some parts Haven Police received a report from the mother of a girl of their plan but was hoping to improve upon it.” who was friends with Sawyer, he said. Among other “overt acts” Sawyer took to further his The mother was concerned that Sawyer may have plot, the prosecutor wrote, were: been making threats against Fair Haven Union School • An attempt to buy a gun in Maine that was denied and he recently bought a firearm, Hall said. because he had an out-of-state license Those concerns led Fair Haven Police to start their • Taking money from his bank account and putting it investigation. Sawyer had recently purchased a shotgun in a Bitcoin account so that he could buy a “Glock on at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Rutland Town, had previously the Dark Web” been “kicked out” of the high school, and days earlier left • Leaving Maine so he could buy a gun and “scope out” the residential treatment facility in Maine, according to Fair Haven Union High School Hall. going online and viewing the school’s calendar so he Fair Haven Police found Sawyer later Wednesday and could pick a “good day” for the shooting talked to him. He admitted he bought the gun and was • Buying a 12-gauge shotgun at Dick’s Sporting Goods out target shooting earlier in the day, Hall said. • Buying four boxes of “buckshot” ammunition for that “There was no evidence at that time that he was plangun — same day, but in a later transaction. ning to do any harm,” Hall said of Sawyer. “The police at • Practicing shooting that gun, and lying to police by that time had no evidence and no reason to take him into telling them he just wanted the gun to shoot at targets custody to detain him at that time.” and to hunt The next day, Thursday, Fair Haven Police called the “He discussed how he is able to fool people into beVermont State Police for assistance in the investigalieving he does not still have this plan, but he does,” tion after receiving a report from a sheriff’s department Kennedy wrote in the filing. “He expresses being deputy from Dutchess County, New York, Hall said. proud because he could act normally, while still hating The deputy told Fair Haven police that a student at a people enough to carry through with his plan to ‘shoot local high school in that county reported to him that she up’ the school.”

WASHBURN & WILSON AGENCY, INC. 144 Main St. • P.O. Box 77 • Bethel, VT 05032

Providing Insurance for your Home, Auto or Business Short Term Rentals • High Value Homes

Free Insurance Quotes Call Mel or Matt 802-234-5188 www.washburnandwilson.com

Renovations, Additions & New Construction

Vision (802) 342-6026

www.VisionBuildersVt.com FREE ESTIMATES • FULLY INSURED

ALL CALLS RETURNED

• Structural Repairs • Preventative Maintenance • Siding • Framing • Decks

ERIC SCHAMBACH • 36 Years Experience

Professional Service, Professional Results For All Your Plumbing & Heating Needs

Specializing in Home Efficiency & Comfort

24 Hour Emergency Service

(802) 353-0125

Interior & Exterior

Painting Specialists

The Area’s Largest Painting Contractor Serving the Needs of the Rutland - Killington Region

Efficient and Professional Paul Gallo “We take pride in preparation”

(802) 775-7673

RED DUCK

REFUSE & RECYCLE Weekly • Bi-Weekly • Seasonal • Year-Round

802-422-2230 Reliable Service Since 1980

28 • The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018

REAL ESTATE COLONIAL FARMHOUSE, 13 acres. Good bones; needs cosmetics. 20 min. from Killington. Great ski rental. $100,000. 802-7702042, vt101@aol.com. LOVELY RESTORED circa 19th century farmhouse / great country in / bed and breakfast /ski home 6 bedrooms each with tiled baths, large kitchen with tiled floor, commercial gas range w/hood, large living room, large dinning room, sun room, all thermal replacement windows, re-finished wood floor throughout, recent oil boiler w/ baseboard radiation, restored slate and metal roofs, two drilled wells, spring, large barn w/ rental apartment, other barns out buildings, 8 acres, just off Rt. 4, Hampton, New York, Beautiful westerly views of Adirondacks, minutes from VT border, 30 miles from Killington, call anytime for additional info 802-236-3949. NEW LISTING: Killington ski village location, mountain v i e w. P i n n a c l e 1 b d r m condo, $116K. Furnished, never rented, deck, stone fireplace, kitchen upgrade, ski locker, health club, shuttle to mountain. Owner, waynekay@ gmail.com, 802-775-5111. KILLINGTON—2 BDRM 1.5 bath condo, Mountain Green bldg. 2. FP, ski lockers, health club membership. $92K. Owner, 800-576-5696. MENDON LAND: 267 acres of secluded yet close to Killington and Rutland with outstanding mountain views of Pico and Blue Ridge Mountains. This land is bordered on the uphill side by the Rutland City watershed. There are thousands of sugar maples and a variety of hard and softwoods. There are two ways to access the land, one by truck from Rt 4 and by car through a gated right of way. Info, LouiseHarrison.com or call 802-747-8444.

PITTSFIELD LAND: River View Trail Road: 4AC for $49,900 with State septic permit for a 4BR, 6 person home. Nice level building lot (B #1). Ski Country Real Estate, 335 Killington Rd, 802-7755111. STRONG R E N TA L I N V E S T M E N T O P P O R T U N I T Y ! K I L L I N G TO N G AT E WAY CONDOS! Penthouse newly renovated two level, 2 bed/2 bath. Hardwood flooring throughout, wood burning fireplace in dining/living area, updated kitchen, two separate balconies w/views, sold furnished! $114,500. Also available, 1 Bedroom w/ Den + full bath newly updated. $79K priced to sell! Gateway Owners enjoy a great owner’s lounge/game room, private ski lockers, tennis courts, and a beautiful in-ground pool in the summer months! 2 miles to Pico Ski Resort, minutes to downtown Rutland & super close to the World Class Killington year round Resort. For more info or to schedule a showing call Tucker Lange, Sales Associate & Realtor, Peak Property Real Estate. Mobile 303-818-8068 or Killington Office 802-7751700. PITTSFIELD LAND: River View Trail Road: 8AC for $69,900 with State septic permit for a 4BR home. Lot 5. Private Location. Ski Country Real Estate, 335 Killington Rd, 802-775-5111. LAND FOR SALE: Improved building lot in Killington neighborhood with ski home benefits. Views. Call 802-4229500. ERA MOUNTAIN Real Estate, 1913 US Rt. 4, Killington— killingtonvermontrealestate. com or call one of our real estate experts for all of your real estate needs including Short Term & Long Term Rentals & Sales. 802-7750340.

www.LouiseHarrison.com

Realtor / Independent Broker since 1998 Kripalu YOGA Teacher since 1995

Louise Harrison Real Estate & YOGA

Attention Buyers and Sellers: Private & Group YOGA Classes: Buyer Representation Restorative Wed 5:30 Killington Yoga Listings Welcome Private Classes Available by Appt. PICO 3 BR Wkly/Weekend Rentals Seasonal & Yearly Rentals 802-775-9999 | 8 Mountain Top Rd. | Louise@LouiseHarrison.com | 808-747-8444

KILLINGTON PICO REALTY Our Realtors have special training in buyer representation to ensure a positive buying experience. Looking to sell? Our unique marketing plan features your very own website. 802-4223600, KillingtonPicoRealty. com 2814 Killington Rd., Killington. (next to Choices Restaurant). KILLINGTON VALLEY Real Estate PO Box 236, 2281 Killington Rd., Killington. 802422-3610 or 1-800-833-KVRE. Email: kvre@vermontel.net LOUISE HARRISON REAL ESTATE: An independent broker offering professional guidance and representation to buyers and sellers in the greater Killington, Mendon, Rutland area. 30 years experience. Available by appointment 7 days a week at the location of your choice. 8 Mountain Top Rd, Chittenden. LouiseHarrison.com, 802747-8444. PEAK PROPERTY Real Estate, 1995 US Route 4, Killington. VTproperties. net. 802-775-1700, 802353-1604. Marni@ peakpropertyrealestate.com. Specializing in homes/condos/ land/commercial/investments/ winter rentals. Representing sellers & buyers all over Central Vt. THE PERFORMANCE GROUP real estate 1810 Killington Rd., Killington. 802422-3244 or 800-338-3735, vthomes.com, email info@ vthomes.com. As the name implies “WE PERFORM FOR YOU!” PRESTIGE REAL Estate of Killington, 2922 Killington Rd., Killington. Specializing in the listing & sales of Killington Condos, Homes, & Land. Call toll free 800398-3680 or locally 802-4223923. prestigekillington.com. SKI COUNTRY Real Estate, 335 Killington Rd., Killington. 8 0 2 - 7 7 5 - 5 111 , 8 0 0 - 8 7 7 5111. SkiCountryRealEstate. com - 8 agents to service: K i l l i n g t o n , B r i d g e w a t e r, Mendon, Pittsfield, Plymouth, Rochester, Stockbridge & Woodstock areas. Sales & Winter Seasonal Rentals. Open 7 days/wk, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES C O M M E R C I A L S PA C E AVAILABLE with another well established business. Small or large square footage. Close to ski shop, restaurant and lodging. Great location for any business. Call 802-345-5867. K I L L I N G TO N M A L L f o r sale, 4-apartments, 2-stores, 1-nightclub/restaurant, 1-50s diner restaurant. 4 acres plus building. Call office 800-6942250 or cell 914-217-4390. Ron Viccari.

RENTALS WA N T E D : Wa n t e d 2 - 3 bedroom condo/small house to rent for the remainder of the season. Mike- 917-224-3623. APARTMENTS for rent: 1, 2 BR units available. Nonsmokers only. $750/$850, all included. 15 min. to Downtown. Mendon. 802770-8786. PICO Available May 1. Year round 1 BR furnished and equipped slopeside condo with views of Golden Express lift and partial slope views. Balcony/deck, fireplace, ski locker, cable and heat included. $1150 per month. LouiseHarrison. com 802-747-8444. AMAZING MOUNTAIN VIEWS & CLOSE TO KILLINGTON SKYESHIP! Newly renovated 2 bedroom/1 bath lower unit! Winter seasonal rental! Available now! Sleeps 4. No pets or smoking. Call Marni Rieger 802-353-1604. K I L L I N G T O N R O YA L FLUSH Rentals/Property management. Specializing in condos/winter & summer rentals. Andrea Weymouth, Owner. www. killingtonroyalflush.com, 802746-4040.

Want to submit EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUa classified? Email classifieds@mountainNITY times.info or call 802-422-

2399. Rates are 50 cents per word, per week; free ads are free.

Harvey’s Plumbing and Excavating LLC HELP WANTED Harvey’s Plumbing and Excavating is an earth and mechanical contractor located in Rochester, VT.

Full time year around heavy equipment operator to start in mid March. Applicant needs: Experience operating a variety of equipment Clean driving record Knowledge of equipment maintenance Ability to read site plans Work as a team member Dependable transportation to shop

CDL Class A driver’s license preferred. Compensation depends on experience.

E-mail resume to harveype@sover.net

Call 802-767-3241 or 767-3318

All real estate and rentals advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 as amended which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, family status, national origin, sexual orientation, or persons receiving public assistance, or an intention to make such preferences, limitation or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertisement which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. If you feel you’ve been discrimination against, call HUD toll-free at 1-800-6699777.

FOR SALE

EMPLOYMENT

NEW CTI left knee brace. $300. 1966 Scott poles, $50. Skis? 802-558-0995.

BARTENDER NEEDED, no experience necessary. PT Evenings 3pm9pm for Pinnacle Spa Bar in Killington. $12/hr+tips. If interested email mullinsmrn@ hotmail.com or call 802-2995012 for details.

COFFEE, fresh roasted beans, $10/lb. Green beans also available. Killington Motel, next to Killington Post Office. 802-773-9535. 2009 SUBARU FORESTER 2.5X PZEV 5 spd manual, AWD, maroon. 160K miles. $5,000 OBO. Call or text 802282-2585. 2004 CHRYSLER PT Cruiser — Runs well. Winter & Summer tires. Some rust. 80K miles $1,400 or best offer. Call 802-236-9593. HONDA EU6500is Inverter Generator. Rated 5.5KW. Used only 35 hours. New cost $4,000 selling for $2700 o.b.o. 802-775-0085. Pick up in Rutland. SET OF 4 Winterforce studded snow tires, 195/60R15. No faults, bought Oct. 13 for my 2014 Fiesta, drove 200 miles on them, then traded in the car. An excellent tire, had Winterforce previously. Cost $500 new, asking $350 o.b.o. Need to sell! Please call Julia at 802-483-2020, Rutland Town. FIREWOOD for sale, we stack. Rudi, 802-672-3719.

SERVICES COME COOK with Chef Ted of the former Hemingway’s Restaurant! Now offering: All about you cooking classes; food prep.consult — your site or ours; private food tastings; wild edible or wellness forages and more! Call now 802342-1513 to discuss your wishes. www.facebook.com/ VermontFoodOdyssey/ G O L D C O A S T HOUSECLEANING, LLC. has openings for residential, condo and rentals. Fully insured. Featuring essential oils and plant-based cleaning products; but will accommodate specific requests. Serving Quechee, Woodstock, Pomfret, Plymouth, and west of Killington Mountain. Contact Sarah Kaminski for consultation: goldcoasthouse cleaningvermont@gmail.com. SNOW REMOVAL: Roofs, walkways, etc. Professional Property Maintenance, 802558-6172. BEAUREGARD PAINTING, 25 years experience. 802436-1337.

WANTED STILL BUYING and appraising coins, stamps, precious metals, watches, art and historical items. I have moved from VT, but can easily help new and existing clients through email and US Postal Service. Member ANA, APS, NAWCC and New England Appraisers Association. Royal Barnard 802-775-0085 or email rbarn64850@aol.com.

PART-TIME HOUSEKEEPER for well-respected Killington inn to start immediately. 15-20 hours per week. Flexible scheduling possible. Experience preferred, but will train. Reliable transportation necessary. Call 802-4223407. WA I T S TA F F n e e d e d a t Drewski’s. Please call 802422-3816 or stop in for an applicatio SNOWMOBILE VERMONT is now taking applications for inside and outside positions. Weekend and holidays are a must and computer skills are a plus. Call 802-422-2121. PHAT ITALIAN - All positionsall Shifts. Cook, deli, cashier. Please call to inquire or apply in person: 2384 Killington Road, Killington; 802-4223636. ON THE ROCS - All positions. Chef-prep cookbartenders-servers. Please call to inquire or apply in person: 2384 Killington Road, Killington; 802-422-3636. PASTA POT is looking for energetic staff to join our team. Positions include wait staff, pizza/prep cook & dishwasher. Apply in person at Pasta Pot on Route 4, Killington (Thurs.Sun., 5-10 p.m.) or call 802422-3004. INN AT LONG TRAIL seeking experienced cook/prep cook. Pay commensurate with experience. Email (ilt@ innatlongtrail.com) resume or brief work history, or call 802-775-7181 to set up interview appointment. Will train competent and motivated individual. Weekends and holidays a must. CASEY’S CABOOSE is looking for some great people to help us continue to rebuild Killington’s most loved restaurant. Immediate help, and fall and ski seasons. All positions considered. Part time positions available, too. Email resume and cover letter to john@caseyscaboose. com, or stop by and introduce yourself. MOGULS SEEKING: Line cooks, wait staff; full time and part time work available. 802422-4777. Apply daily, open 7 days. LINE COOK Needed at P r e s t o n ’s R e s t a u r a n t a t Killington/Pico Ski Resort. Prepare and produce a wide variety of menu items, perform a variety of complex cooking tasks, meal service and proper plating of all meals. Full timeseasonal. Apply online at www.killington.com/jobs or in person at Killington Human Resources. 4763 Killington Rd. Killington, VT 05751. 800300-9095. EOE. PASSIONATE about fresh food: FT DELI POSITION: 40 hours/wk. Excellent pay. Nights 12-8 p.m. Food service experience preferred. SEASONAL PT DELI: 32 +hours/wk. Weekends. Bridgewater Corners Country Store, 5680 US ROUTE 4. Call or text resume to attention Wendy 802-299-1717.

The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018 • 29

news briefs By Lani Duke

FAIR HAVEN— The Town of Fair Haven has hired Joseph Gunter as its new town manager, giving him a three-year contract, reported the Rutland Herald. Gunter was

Slate Valley ballots Slate Valley Modified Unified Union School District voters will see five uncontested races for director seats in March, all for three-year terms. Candidates and the schools they represent are John Wurzbacher, Benson; Toni Lobdel, Castleton; Tara Buxton, Fair Haven; Jonathan Oakman, West Haven; and Peter Stone, Orwell. No one petitioned to be on the Hubbardton ballot. In this transition between the current school system and the Act 46-mandated consolidation, Fair Haven voters will also elect a school board member to serve the remaining two years of a three-year term for F.H. Grade School, either Richard Wilson or Patrick W. Frazier. The SVMUUSD holds an informal floor meeting Feb. 26 at Fair Haven Union High. Each town will hold its own balloting March 6. Voters may approve a $21,031,400 budget, actually 2.2 percent less than the total spent in all districts combined this year. Articles 8 and 9 create a reserve fund for capital improvement and repair, transferring $50,000. Addison-Rutland Supervisory Union Superintendent Cheryl Scarzello credits the budget decrease to staff and service consolidation and staff optimization. School officials anticipate the homestead tax rate will decrease if the current funding formula remains in place.

New town manager hired

formerly municipal manager for Northwood, N.H. Former Poultney town manager Jonas Rosenthal has been serving the Fair Haven community as interim town manager and will continue to provide support while Gunter adjusts to his new position. Having earned a master’s degree in economics,

Gunter said his strengths include preplanning and grant writing. One of the stipulations of his Fair Haven contract is that he move within 20 miles of Fair Haven in 60 days. He said he and his wife were attracted by Fair Haven’s size and location, the “quintessential small town” ambiance.

Wells budget up less than 3 percent WELLS—The ballot Wells voters face March 6 asks approval of a $892,794 budget for town expenses and highway maintenance. That total is only 2.7 percent higher than last year’s, or a $23,744 increase. The increase is caused by weather, Select Board Chair Ronald Bremer told the Rutland Herald. Other budgetary approval requests are $30,000 for the Wells Volunteer Fire Department, double that of last year; $15,0000 is for operating and insurance expenses, while the other $15,000 is in partial payment for the KME pumper truck. Also requested is $8,000 to the Granville Rescue Squad for its service to the town of Wells. Voters will also see requests to approve funding for 18 non-profits: Lake St. Catherine Conservation Fund, $20,000; Lake St. Catherine Association, $12,000; Rutland Area

VNA and Hospice, $2,303; Our Neighbor’s Table, $2,000; Rutland Mental Health Services, $1,030; Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging, $1,000; Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, $500; Poultney Mettowee Natural Resources Conservation District, $500; BROC-Community Action in Southwestern Vermont, $475; Vermont Adult Learning Center, $400; Rutland County Parent-Child Center, $300; Vermont Cares, $200; NeighborWorks of Western Vermont, $200; Vermont Center for Independent Living, $160; Rutland County Humane Society, $150; New Story Center, $150; Green Up Vermont, $100; and Vermont Rural Fire Protection Task Force, $100. All candidates on the ballot are running unopposed. The names, offices and term length voters will see are Ronald Bremer, town

and school moderator, one year; Donna M. Lamb, town agent, one year; Brian R. Lyford, grand juror, one year; Paul Woodruff Jr., Select Board, three year; Brianna Beecher, lister, three year; Don Preuss, lister, one year; Lisa Mattison, library trustee, five year; Sharon Corey, Planning Commission, three year; Ron Dreher, library trustee, one year; and Gary Stomski, constable, two year. No one petitioned to be on the ballot for either the one-year school district clerk seat or the three-year school director seat. Both Town of Wells and Wells School District voters meet in the Wells Village School, March 5,. to hear School Board and district reports and transact any other lawful business, with polls open for voting March 6, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Wells Town Office, or 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Middletown Springs Fire House. Lakes Region, page 31

Please support me! I understand the budget. I understand the hard decisions that have to be made to get our town back on track so we can move forward responsibly. I believe I’ve been accurately pointing out the pitfalls that are hindering us from making progress faster over these past 6 years.

I really want this town to move forward.

ote Jim Haff for Killington Selectman

The difference between me and some others, is that I believe we need to take care of our existing investments and infrastructure first, and then move forward. Let’s get down to business, find out our true financial situation, so we can put a plan together to get rid of our debts and start moving this town forward.

30 • The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018

NEWS BRIEFS

WUHS girls varsity hockey gears up for playoffs

Rosen & Berger open for business after electrical fire Kenneth McGinnis’s auto parts shop, Berger & Rosen, 29 Old Route 4A, Center Rutland, lost much of the contents of his business to fire the evening of Feb. 12. Division of Fire Safety Investigator Joshua Maxham and Vermont State Police Detective Sgt. Steven Otis declared the fire’s origin not suspicious, instead caused by electrical failure in the business office area, the police report stated. Although inventory, auto parts, tax information, and vehicle titles are gone, the business is still ok. McGinnis and all 12 employees were on the site the following day, looking for auto parts that could be cleaned up and sold. No one was injured in

MOUNTA IN TIMESS mountaintimes.info mes.info

the blaze. According to reports, McGinnis said he locked the front door at the end of his work day, intending to go home to eat, close to 5:15 p.m. A passerby saw smoke rising from a building on the property and called 911 about 6:45 p.m., according to police. When firefighters from the Center Rutland Fire Department first arrived, they spotted fire only in the building’s office area. Firefighters began and exterior attack and then interior as well. Their efforts prevented the fire from spreading to a nearby occupied residence as well as preventing the spread to other areas of the property. Otis commented Feb

13 that he and Maxham found numerous electrical problems in the building. They determined the origin to be in the office area and the cause due to an electrical failure. They concluded that the origin of the fire is not suspicious. The West Rutland teams had been training with their aerial truck earlier the day of the fire and were able to respond quickly. Other responders came from Rutland Town, Rutland City, and Proctor. The McGinnis family bought Rosen & Berger from the original owners in 1980, and Ken McGinnis worked there much of the time since, purchasing the business from his parents in 2007.

BE SEEN.

y l l e e g K an L n o t ard g n o i l b l Ki lect Se

By Lea Sperber, Woodstock High School intern

Girls Varsity Hockey at Woodstock Union High School is hesitantly hopeful heading into playoffs starting after February break, March 3rd . The team’s record currently stands at 11-1-5 (win-losstie). “We are fourth out of Stowe, South Burlington,

and Missisquoi,” said Faye Stevens, left wing, of their rankings going into the playoffs. “I’m ready to play my hardest and I think we have a chance to win.” Freshman Eliza Dodson feels the same way, telling the Mountain Times, “Our team is pretty close, I think we have a chance at

state championship.” “We cycle the puck really well behind the offensive zone”, she added. The girls play their last regular season home game, celebrating the only 2018 senior, Lauren Forgione. on Friday, Feb. 23 , at the Woodstock Union Arena.

Submitted

Presenting a check to the American Cancer Society. are (left-right): American Cancer Society volunteers Tammy Holcomb, Ken Shattck, and Autumn Shattuck.

Athletes raise $4,500 for American Cancer Society at annual Coaches vs. Cancer event POULTNEY—For the fourth year, the Poultney Blue Devils suited up to join an even bigger fight — the battle against cancer. More than $4,500 was raised in support of the American Cancer Society’s efforts to help the American Cancer Society save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer. The Jan. 13 game pitted the Poultney Blue Devils against the West Rutland Golden Horde.

5K FUN RUN & WALK

saturday march 17 • 1pm FREE KIDS FUN RUN! free shirt to first 100 kids to register!

$30 PRE-REGISTRATION $35 DAY OF REGISTRATION NEW THIS YEAR CHIP TIMED RACE RESULTS!

A leader listens, identifies opportunity, respects opinions, and identifies solutions. This is my core belief in my career in Health Care and as VP of Vermont Adaptive Board. Working together, listening and discussing viable solutions, we can ensure a vibrant, productive community for all to live, work and play.

FREE nordic hat to first 250 registered runners/walkers

AFTERPARTY AT HOP’N MOOSE BREWERY! Proceeds benefit the Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum

The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018 • 31

NEWS BRIEFS By Lani Duke

Superior Court rules on property tax dispute The Vermont Superior Court ordered a redetermination of the value of Marjorie Johnston’s eight lots that lie in the rectangle outlined by Pine and Maple streets and Library Avenue. Altogether the properties total 1.25 acres of land. Each has a one- or twofamily dwelling unit on it.

Johnson objected to her property’s reappraisal at the time her ownership increased from seven to eight lots, all contiguous, and appealed the 2015 figure. Marjorie Johnston and her son Kam asked that the parcels be assessed as a single unit because of their contiguity, but the court agreed with the Division of Property Valuation and Review that valuing them separately fit the “highest and best use” standard, with each capable of being sold as a

Wallingford balloting

separate unit. However, the court ordered a revaluation of Johnston’s homestead exemption because the reasoning behind the 2015 commercial vs. homestead valuation was unclear. The city is waiting to consider Johnston’s appeals of her valuations for 2016 and 2017 until learning of the court’s determinations for 2015, City Attorney Matthew Bloomer told the Rutland Herald.

Mill River UUSD predicts upped property taxes

WALLINGFORD—Increased insurance costs, adding a third highway department employee, and buying a new one-ton highway truck have driven the proposed Wallingford town budget to increase by $56,000, a 7.65 percent increase, Town Clerk Julie Sharon told the Rutland Herald. The truck bears a $25,000 price tag. But other budget items were level-funded. Voting will be held March 6 at Wallingford Town Hall from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The only candidate race on the ballot is that of three candidates for two three-year terms on the Mill River Unified Union School District board. Candidates are newcomers Maria French and Michael P. Welch, and incumbent and current board chair Tammy Heffernan. Also on the ballot is the Select Board’s sale of the three-acre Witham property seized by the town for unpaid taxes, and whether to pitch in $2,079 for the “Real Rutland” marketing initiative.

Overall expenditures in the Mill River Unified Union School District budget are up only 1.5 percent and per pupil cost is down, but increased student numbers and a larger average daily membership (ADM) could bring property tax increases to all member schools, Superintendent David Younce told the Rutland Herald. Clarendon property taxes could swell by 7.69 percent; Shrewsbury, 6.5; Tinmouth, 6.35; and Wallingford, 8.07. Not only are voters asked to approve that $16.7 million budget but also a $3.5

million bond issue dedicated to building repair. The district’s director of operations, buildings and grounds, Gary Marcy, commented that each school needs work; the most prominent needs involve roofs, septic systems, and boiler systems. Voters may attend a district-wide annual meeting Feb. 22 at Mill River High and an informational meeting on the bond issue Feb. 28, also at the high school. Voting will take place March 6 in each town.

Ira’s ballot lacking choice IRA—Voters in the town of Ira have few decisions to make. None of the races is contested. Unopposed candidates and the positions for which they are running are Robert Toppin, alderman; Kathleen White, school board chairwoman; Karen Davis, town clerk; and Lance Jones, new School Board member. In setting the town’s budget, the Select Board followed the previous year’s expenditures, chair

Steve Martelle told the Rutland Herald. The increase is less than 1 percent, or $249,103 compared to the previous $247,638. The school budget is an increase over last year’s, nearly all driven by special education costs, which rose from $12,522 to $35,568. All other appropriations – $35,257, fire department; $2,925, Rutland Free Library; and $973, Rutland Area Visiting Nurse Association and

Road salt contamination forces drilling new well

RUTLAND TOWN—Firefighters using the McKinley Fire Station in Rutland Town have been drinking bottled water for a long time; the well has been contaminated by road salt for a long time, Fire Chief Francis Cioffi told the Rutland Herald. The town has already applied for a state permit and bid preparation is underway. The McKinley station was built in 1968 on land formerly owned by Mary Baird. The current well, covered by a heavy metal plate, is in the department parking area, according to Bill Sweet, Select Board administrative assistant and Fire Department member. Water pressure from it is so low that firefighters cannot wash trucks and their hands at the same time. The new well, to be drilled on town-owned land, will meet the state’s standards for a residential well, but fire truck tankers are to be filled from hydrants.

Hospice – are normal, Martelle commented. The sole increase is $7,645 added to the Rutland County Sheriff’s Department current budget of $12,000. That increase derives from Ira’s joining with Danby, Middletown Springs, and Tinmouth in a four-town, 20-hour-a-week regional patrol. Ira voters face a March 5 evening informational meeting, followed by voting, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 6.

In the workplace

Andy Lamb recently joined Rutland Regional Medical Center as the new director of supply chain, overseeing purchasing, distribution, mail room, print shop, receiving and the warehouse. Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region welcomes certified pediatric nurse Amy Pfenning, MSN, CPNP-PC, to its pediatric division. A graduate of Maryvale University, she is especially interested in neonatal and pediatric nursing.

Ex-employer harassment leads to additional charges

Community response more than anticipated

An investigation into Rutland’s Shaun Erickson’s fake Facebook account harassing his former employer led to four charges of disturbing the peace by phone, a misdemeanor charge of stalking, two felony charges of possessing child pornography, and three additional misdemeanor stalking by phone charges. The first charges – four for disturbing the peace by phone and one for stalking – were filed against the 33-yearold in October. He pled not guilty. Back in court Feb. 15, he received $2,500 bail and new release conditions: he may no longer be in the presence of children and can have no internet use at all, according to the Rutland Herald. If convicted of all 10 charges, Erickson could receive a 13-year, 9-month maximum combined prison sentence.

About three times as many people ees, seems likely to lead to future as expected turned up for a soul food potlucks, since the first was planned potluck at the Godnick Center Feb. as a trial. 11, in celebration of Black History Soul food originated with the food Month, National Association for the slaves devised from the supplies Advancement of Colored People they were given. It relies on brisket chapter president Tabitha Pohland ribs, bony chicken parts, field Moore told the Rutland Herald. The peas and greens, and livestock feed surprising results, about 60 attend(cornmeal). Curtis Ad:Curtis ad1 04/1/11 4:31 PM Page 1

Lakes Region

Be a member. Not just a number.

By Lani Duke

HOMEXAUTOXBUSINESSXFARMXUMBRELLA

continued from page 29

Home fire fatal

CASTLETON—A house fire took the life of 55-yearold Mary Meier and severely burned her mother, 76-year-old Elinor Zimmerman Feb. 10, in the Windy Hollow Mobile Home Park, Castleton. Zimmerman was admitted to Rutland Regional Medical Center, then transferred to University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. She had been upgraded from critical to serious condition by Feb. 12. The cold weather made combatting the fire more difficult, Castleton Fire Chief Heath Goyette told the

made you look.

Rutland Herald. So did the lack of a nearby hydrant. Firefighters had to use a tanker shuttle, hauling water from five or six miles away. The firefighters started with snow-covered roads, which turned slippery, but the local highway department soon arrived with salt and sand. Captain Peter Mantello said Feb. 16 that the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it was not considered suspicious. No cause or origin for the fire had been determined.

Since 1915 Co-op has been providing complete protection for individuals, farms and businesses providing fast and fair claims service, expert loss prevention and affordable rates. At the Co-op, you’re not just a number.

Local agent with a Vermont product supporting your community and businesses.

Curtis Insurance Agency, Inc. 335 Killington Road Killington, VT 05751 (802) 775-0521 w w w. c u r t isi nsu r an c e agen c y.n et Representing

imagine what space can do for you.

MOUNTA IN TIMES

802.422.2399 • mountaintimes.info

w w w. c o - o p i n s u r a n c e . c o m

32 • The Mountain Times • Feb. 21-27, 2018

Nationally Recognized for

Quality Care

FALL 2017

WINNER 2017