The Hardwick Gazette: Final Call

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In a posting earlier this month, we shared with our membership that Ross Connelly, publisher of the Hardwick Gazette, put the paper up for sale through an essay contest this year.   The contest received national press coverage, including a poignant article in The New York Times earlier this month (https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/26/us/want-to-own-a-newspaper-a-vermont-contest-has-trouble-finding-takers.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0).

The contest needed a minimum number of entrants for it to be a viable solution for Mr. Connelly to hand over the reins of his paper, but unfortunately, it has still not met that minimum.

The contest deadline has been extended one final time to October 10, so if you are interested, you can still submit your essay.

Mr. Connelly has also started a Kickstarter campaign to make the contest viable, with a target of raising $100,000 by October 10.

The Hardwick Gazette is our area’s major weekly source of news and information about local government, sporting events, schools, and more. It would be a serious loss to both our year-round and summer communities were it to shutter its doors.

“These are people who just want to see the Gazette endure,” Connelly says [of participants to date on the paper’s Kickstarter page]. “They recognize the value of the independent voice — socially, culturally and politically. It’s a sentiment being felt broadly, even internationally. “

Perhaps you understand the critical importance of the small town press. Or perhaps you are simply a community member who values the Gazette and its contributions to our corner of Vermont.

The Kickstarter campaign ends October 10. The link is below. Don’t wait. Help save the Gazette today.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192030243/save-the-hardwick-gazette

 

 

 

 

Highland Lodge Under Contract

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The Highland Lodge is now under contract with an anticipated closing date in October 2016. The prospective buyer is Heidi Lauren Duke, who was the stage director of the “First Annual Opera Spectacular” for the Greensboro Arts Alliance & Residency’s summer programming this year. She is a director and choreographer with experience staging productions both nationally and internationally. Details on the planned use for the Lodge are not set and a formal press release will be published in mid-October. In the interim, Ms. Duke welcomes support from the community and wants to celebrate the contributions of the Smith Family and the Lodge to the Greensboro community during its long history.

 

Pending Act 250 Permit Application in Greensboro

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The Highland Center for the Arts Trust (HCAT) submitted a permit application to the Agency of Natural Resources for revisions to the theater complex currently under construction at the corner of Hardwick Street and Center Road.   The application includes proposed changes to the architectural design, hours of operation, café occupancy, roof line, colors, and sign.   Specifically, the application delineates changes in siding material (cement board to shiplap siding that is grey-green in color), roofing colors, and a new sign that will use a native stone unearthed during construction. An amended wastewater permit was issued in April to revise the design flow use allocation for the system and the café now has a waste water permit that will enable it to seat 40. The amended permit will also reduce the number of folding chairs permitted in the theater from 130 to 29 on days when the café is in operation.

The District #7 Commission will evaluate the changes under the ten criteria of Act 250, but it also intends to narrow the scope of the hearing to Criterion #8, which covers aesthetics, unless the Commission decides to expand the scope at or before the hearing.

The public hearing for this application is on September 15, 2016 at 7:00 PM at the Greensboro Town Offices. A site visit will take place before the hearing at 6:15 PM. Participants should meet at the Highland Center for the Arts parking lot. Please be aware that the Act 250 process has established criteria for whom may participate in hearings. Information on this, as well as how to participate if you are not a statutory party or adjoining property owner, is available here:

https://anrweb.vt.gov/PubDocs/ANR/Planning/7R1359-1/Notice%20and%20COS.pdf

Details about the application, including PDFs and a narrative explaining the proposed changes, are available for viewing here: https://anrweb.vt.gov/ANR/vtANR/Act250SearchResults.aspx?Num=7R1359-1

The Hardwick Gazette: Contest Update

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As many in our membership know, Ross Connelly, publisher of the Hardwick Gazette, put the paper up for sale through an essay contest this year.   The contest received national press coverage, including a poignant article in The New York Times earlier this month (https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/26/us/want-to-own-a-newspaper-a-vermont-contest-has-trouble-finding-takers.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0).

The contest needed a minimum number of entrants for it to be a viable solution for Mr. Connelly to hand over the reins of his paper, but unfortunately, it has not met that minimum.   The Hardwick Gazette is our area’s major source of news and information about local government, sporting events, schools, and more. It would be a serious loss to our community were it to shutter its doors.

Perhaps you are a journalist and have always dreamed of running your own shop. Or perhaps you are simply a community member who values the Gazette and its contributions to our corner of Vermont. Either way, please consider participating, even if it is without the intent of winning. Your submission could be as simple as letting Mr. Connelly know that you don’t want to be selected, but that you value the Gazette enough to participate in its future.

To participate, write your essay and submit with a check for $175 to:

Hardwick Gazette Essay Contest

PO Box 367

Hardwick, VT 05843

Melanie Clarke Named Chair of Highland Center for the Arts Board

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Melanie Clarke, a long time summer resident of Greensboro, has been named Chair of the Board of the Highland Center for the Arts, as well as the chair of its Artistic Programming Committee. Melanie joins existing HCAT board members Adelaide Murphy Tyrol, Elizabeth and Andrew Brown, and Greensboro resident MacNeil on the Center’s board. To learn more about Melanie and her long career in the arts and nonprofit management, visit https://highlandartsvt.org/highland-center-for-the-arts-announces-chair-of-the-board-of-directors/

September 2 was the last date for Friday afternoon tours of the arts facility. HCAT will be hosting an end-of-season cookout and tour on Saturday, September 17. They will be serving hamburgers, hots dogs, and drinks. This is a rain or shine event, and there is no fee. The festivities begin at noon, and tours will begin at 1 PM.

Please remember that as the Center is an active construction site, visitors can only come during scheduled tours and must follow safety protocols as outlined by the building’s contractors. Closed toe shoes are mandatory and long pants are encouraged.

If you missed the chance for a tour in August, RSVP to this event by email at [email protected], or leave a message at 533-9075.