| | Today's Forecast: Mostly sunny, with a high near 33. Wind chill values as low as -2. West wind 9 to 13 mph.
| | | | | News from MHCA In March winter is holding back and spring is pulling forward. Something holds and something pulls inside of us too ~ Jean Hersey March is certainly a yin and yang month with winter and spring spooning each other as they contemplate the earth's rotation with the lengthening of each day. And for the sports fans we know March madness will swell the inboxes as brackets and bets are made with predictions of who will win this year's tournament. Oh my March is a busy month indeed. So what's the news…well to start we had some technical difficulties and our news never made it to the Chit Chat. What a disappointment for our readers and for that we apologize. However we do want to get the news out so read on! Arrangements are in the making for the Spring Mud Fling Dance! The ODD Fellows Hall has been reserved, event schedules have been double checked, and the band is booked. "Tickets" can be purchased for $12.00 prior to the event or at the door for $15.00. We have advanced in our technological abilities and have a QR code that you can scan, for those who are inclined, to pay electronically for your dance ticket or you pay via check or cash. If you prefer to pay in advance (via check) please have your envelope postmarked no later than Monday April 15th. Send it to MHCA PO Box 93, Belmont VT, 05730. We are thrilled to have Carlos Ocasio and his Vermont based band - Frydaddy, who have been performing original and classic blues, soul, & rock-n-roll for decades, headlining our event. You know this is some serious 'get your groove on' dance music. And boy oh boy won't we need some spirit lifting fun by the time late April rolls around and we are in the thick of mud season! So mark your calendars for Saturday April 20th from 7-11pm for the annual Spring Mud Fling Dance. We can't wait to see you there! The Board would also like to officially welcome our newest board member and local artist Zhena Hadar. Zhena says "community doesn't just happen, it takes effort and involvement" and, with some contemplation about her life in Mount Holly, she decided to join the MHCA Board as her way to help create and nurture a sense of community. Zhena has lived in Vermont for 15 years, initially being drawn for skiing and having her two children, now adults, participate in Okemo ski school. And, as it happens with many, she fell in love with our little green mountain state and decided to put down some roots. Zhena divides her work life into two categories: work of the brain and work of the heart. She has spent time in the corporate world in public relations, teaching at a Montessori school, raising children, and then going back to school to become a licensed professional counselor. When you meet her you'll just have a feeling that she is someone who would be really easy to talk with. Some of you may know Zhena from her artwork, she has participated in Cider Days and last year she displayed her now famous work 'The Men of Mount Holly' portrait of Kevin and Pete. It was Zhena's first try at portrait work and boy was it a hit! Mostly she is inspired by the landscape of Mount Holly, "it's always about trying to capture the joy I feel". It was surprising to learn that she developed her painting by watching A LOT of U Tube videos. When asked about a guilty pleasure, Zhena paused and thoughtfully replied "I don't know if I subscribe to guilt"; which lends itself towards some worthy contemplation. We always end our interviews with something most people don't know about you...turns out her midwestern parents named her Zhena (a Russian name) not because of any heritage but just in case there was ever a Russian invasion things might go better for her. Now that was some forward-thinking parenting. We look forward to Zhena's participation on the Board! Lastly, the MHCA Board of Directors would like to say thank you to our membership for their support of our 2023/24 membership drive; don't fret if you haven't joined there is still time! So far this year we have 50 new members and 143 ongoing members who generously support our mission and help us maintain the historic building that houses our community center and town library. We are extraordinarily fortunate to live in a part of the world that values community based activities and believes in helping take care of each other. And that our friends is the news from MHCA. Take a moment each day to breathe deeply and find something that brings joy to your world, it makes a difference to your soul and will ripple out into the universe. | | | | | The Plymouth Schoolhouse licensed child care is growing! We are seeking an infant/toddler teacher and are ready to add a wonderful individual to our team. We are opening up a new infant/toddler classroom, and seeking an appropriately qualified early educator to be the lead teacher of this newly opened classroom. We value creativity, kindness and community, and look forward to welcoming a new person to the staff. The program serves infants and children up to 10 years old. It is located in the former Plymouth Elementary School in Plymouth, VT. If you are interested in visiting the program and learning about the opportunity, please contact Lauren Skaskiw at 802-417-6895 or email: plymouthschoolhouse@gmail.com 🌿 | | |
| | Today's Forecast: Partly sunny, with a high near 18. Wind chill values as low as -7. West wind around 26 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.
| | | | | Save the Date! Mount St. Joseph Academy will be hosting its Annual Live & Silent Auction IN PERSON this year! Please join us on Saturday April 27, 2024 from 6 pm -10 pm in the Martin McDonough Gymnasium at Mount St. Joseph Academy. Tickets are $15 presale per person/ $20 at the Door, with a cash bar available (21 and older only); light Hors d'oeuvres; 50/50; and plenty of time to dance! You are able to purchase tickets through the Development Office at 802-775-0151 ~ Ext. 2015 or via Email to Carly Ward at cward@msjvermont.org. If you are interested, auction item donations are still being accepted, please use the above contacts to do so. We look forward to seeing you there! With sincere appreciation, Carly Ward MSJ Director of Development & Alumni Relations https://www.msjvermont.org. | | | | | Grafton Village Cheese Announces Move of its Retail Store to the Okemo Valley
The Grafton Village Cheese Company (GVCC), a subsidiary of The Windham Foundation, announces the move of its retail store and cut and wrap operation from Brattleboro to the Okemo Valley. A long-time fixture at 400 Linden Street in Brattleboro, the Company lost its lease when the building was sold to Retreat Farm in late 2022. The Company found it challenging to find an adequate space for both the retail store and the cut and wrap operation around Brattleboro, hence the move. Store manager Sherry DiBernardo remarks, "Brattleboro has been a great community to have been a part of the past 11 years, and we are very appreciative of the support from the town and the local patrons." DiBernardo notes that, while GVCC had hoped to continue at their current location, she understands the need to make room for the Retreat Farm. GVCC does not rule out a return to Brattleboro, but for now, the focus is on getting established in their new location on Route 103, just east of downtown Ludlow. Grafton Village Cheese CEO Curt Alpeter also expressed his appreciation for the loyal following that DiBernardo and her cheese monger team have built in Brattleboro. Alpeter comments "The Company faced tough decisions after Covid, including the downsizing and streamlining of our operations. Most of our cheese is now being produced at the main plant in Grafton. The move to Okemo Valley is another piece of the restructuring and revisioning for the Company. Alpeter continues, "I am excited that we have the opportunity to put down roots in another vibrant community and we look forward to our Brattleboro customers visiting us at our new location. I do hope for some kind of a retail presence again in Brattleboro." The new retail store location is 2568 VT Route 103, Proctorsville. The Company plans a soft opening at its new location on March 9th, from 10am to 6pm. Regular operations will continue 7 days a week 10am to 6pm. Customers will find the same great selection of artisan cheeses, accompaniments and gifts the Brattleboro shop offered, and as always, free cheese tasting! About the Windham Foundation Headquartered in Grafton, Vermont, the Windham Foundation is an operating foundation engaged in philanthropic, charitable, and educational activities. Since its inception in 1963, its mission has been to promote the vitality of Grafton and Vermont's rural communities through its philanthropic and educational programs. Its subsidiaries, the Grafton Village Cheese Co. and the Grafton Inn, contribute to these endeavors as mission-driven businesses. For more information, visit our website www.yourplaceinvermont.com. The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit, member-driven association and the voice of 300+ businesses and the communities of 12 Towns & Villages in South Central Vermont from the VT Scenic Route 100 Byway to Interstate Route 91, and surrounded by Okemo, Ascutney & Magic Mountains. OVRCC provides advocacy, support, and unified regional marketing to promote and enhance businesses in the region as well as the four-season economy. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Carol Lighthall, Executive Director, Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce clighthall@yourplaceinvermont.com 802-228-5830
Write engaging and informative content that will help your readers understand your message. | | | | | Ludlow Rotary Hears from Croation Exchange Student The Ludlow Rotary Club was treated to a lively overview of Croatia's history, language, culture and geography by a Rotary Youth Exchange Student, Klara Lendic at their recent meeting. She spoke of how her country has been strongly influenced by neighboring countries as Croatia is a small country that was at one time part of the Hapsburg Empire, the central European monarchy that ruled over a collection of lands from the 13th century to 1918. The historically difficult yet close connection to its neighboring countries, continues even though Croatia has been an independent, democratic country since 1991 and a part of the European Union since 2013. Long and difficult negotiations have been a tradition as political and cultural differences overlap the boundaries of so many small countries in such close proximity. Croatia has strong cultural and culinary traditions, which Klara described in terms of extended family groups, traditional foods, and elaborate celebrations of holidays and weddings.
Lendic is being hosted this year by the Manchester, VT Rotary Club. She will be participating in the Youth Exchange Ski weekend at Okemo Mountain March 1 to 3. Vail's Epic Promise grant to the Ludlow Rotary Club makes this weekend event possible for 13 international students who are on a year's exchange in Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
In other business, the Ludlow Rotary Club inducted Mary Davis Realtors as a new business member of the club. Sue Chadwick was inducted by Rotarian Tom Harris with their sponsor Kim Lampert participating. Club members warmly welcomed Sue as the newest member. Pictured is Klara Lendic, Rotary Exchange Student from Croatia, as she describes what her native country is like to members of the Ludlow Rotary Club. At its recent meeting,
the Ludlow Rotary Club (LRC) welcomed Sue Chadwick of Mary Davis Realtors as a
new member. Pictured above, from left to
right, are Rotarian Tom Harris, Sue Chadwick, and Kim Lampert, Sue's sponsor in
the LRC. | | |
 | | Today's Forecast: Rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 55. South wind 8 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
| | | | | "Join us this Sunday at the Paramount Theater for the Vermont Symphony Orchestra's performance of the Hollywood Sound. This is your chance to hear iconic, moving pieces from The Godfather, Howl's Moving Castle and more, in addition to Korngold's stunning violin concerto as performed by the VSO's very own Katherine Winterstein. Tickets are still available for Sunday's concert at the Paramount – visit VSO at the Paramount: The Hollywood Sound – Vermont Symphony Orchestra for more information. The concert begins at 3:00 pm and is preceded at 2:00 pm by Musically Speaking, a free pre-concert discussion with Vermont Public's Helen Lyons, that provides entertaining insight into the evening's program with our conductor and guest soloist." | | |
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