Special Select Board Meeting announced regarding Caspian Lake Public Beach

There will be a special select board meeting on Monday, December 17 at 7pm on the Fellowship Hall at GUCC regarding the Caspian Lake Beach.  The purpose of the meeting is to inform the public of the facts (right now there is a lot of misinformation floating around) and to hear what the public has to say – concerns, new ideas, etc.  This is considered an informational meeting.

The GA has also formed a Public Beach Advisory Committee, chaired by Andy Dales.   This committee is considering the Public Beach issue from all sides, and welcomes input from any GA members.   Comments may be sent privately to [email protected] or posted here.  Many thanks for the comments we have already received.

Caspian Lake is included in 2013 Northeast Kingdom Open Water Swim

The Northeast Kingdom Open Water Swimming Association is sponsoring a program of 7 swims on some of the most beautiful lakes in our region in 2013.   Caspian, Lake Memphremagog, Willoughby, Island Pond, Crystal and Seymour lakes are included in the events, which will take place from August 9 through 18.  Swimmers will use Highland Lodge as a base during this time.

The NKOWSA also sponsors the Kingdom Swim, Seymour Swim, Willoughby Swim and In Search of Memphre at other times during the summer.    The Daily News of Open Water Swimming has selected Lake Memphremagog and Lake Willoughby as two of the 50 great open water swimming venues in all of the Americas.

The Caspian Swim is from the Public Beach to Bathtub Rocks and back (or one way with a shuttle to return).   Participants can sign up for the swim on the NEKOWSA Kingdom Swim website.

NEKOWSA, a division of Indoor Recreation Orleans County, was established in January of 2010 with the purpose to organize and promote swimming in the legendary lakes of the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and to raise funds for our rural area’s struggling, financially challenged sports, fitness, and recreation center, IROC.   In 2012 NEKOWSA hosted seven swims, with over 375 swimmers signing on.  Swimmers are now coming from 36 different states and three Canadian provinces and are travelling from as far away as Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, Great Britain and Mumbai, India.  The events have been sanctioned by USMS and USA Swimming.  They are challenging, totally fun, awesome venues, well supported and safety conscious swims for young and old alike.

For further information on these events during summer 2013, please see the NEKOWSA website.

Hardwick Select Board meets with Vermont State Fish and Game to discuss sale of Caspian Public Beach

There is a meeting this Thursday, December 6 at Hardwick Town Hall 6:30PM on Dec. 6th to discuss a possible sale of the Caspian Lake Public Beach by the Town of Hardwick to the Vermont State Fish and Game Department.    The Vermont State Fish and Game department is interested in buying the “Beach” and Hardwick is interested in a potential sale given the recent decision of the State of Vermont to assess property taxes on the beach.

The beach has belonged to the Town of Hardwick for decades, and has been considered a tax exempt property by Greensboro.   Last year, the State of Vermont decided the property was subject to tax assessment and Greensboro presented a bill to Hardwick.   The payment of the tax has been subject to legal challenge and discussion since that change of status.  Selling to VT Fish and Game is one potential option to the Town of Hardwick.

There are multiple possible questions about a sale to VTF&G, including what price, whether the property will be exempt from state taxes, and to what extent the VTF&G could change the beach – including changing lake level, dredging the boat ramp to accommodate larger boats on the lake (with the potential for noise increases and more potential for invasive species), limits on eradicating geese on the beach, etc.  The Greensboro Association is following the discussions, and would appreciate opinions from anyone who attends the meeting as to the above points and any others.

Highland Lodge Will Open President’s Weekend

The Highland Lodge will open President’s week, February 15 – 24 for individual room reservations.   Contact Willie at [email protected] with inquiries and to make your reservation.

The rate is 150.00 + 9% tax = 163.60 per room per night. This includes morning coffee or tea and use of the Highland Lodge kitchen for meal preparation. Cross-country skiing will be provided on the Highland Lodge trails by the Craftsbury Outdoor Center, to whom you can make your donations when you come to ski.

The Lodge is also open for the December 15th and the February 2nd Craftsbury race weekends for the same rate and terms.

Willie and David Smith have already announced that The Lodge will be open for groups of 8-9 rooms during the rest of this winter.  The rate is 175.00/night/room for one night and 150.00/night/room for multiple nights. This includes morning coffee and use of the Lodge kitchen for meal preparations.

Flowers/Wreaths available for the Holidays

If you are looking for holiday decorations, please consider AWARE’s Annual Poinsettia Sale.   Red, white, or Marble Poinsettas are available for $15.00 from The Flower Basket in Hardwick.   The proceeds will benefit AWARE in Hardwick.  Delivery dates are December 6th or December 13th, and orders can be placed from now to December 8.

Also, consider a wreath from Green Mountain Monastery in Greensboro.   They are providing beautifully fragrant balsam wreaths, decorated and sent for $25 plus shipping.   There are special discounts for orders of 50 or more, and the sisters are also willing to provide the wreaths at a discount for those who wish to decorate them and sell them on as a fundraiser.   Contact Sister Gail at Green Mountain Monastery ([email protected]) for further information and to place an order.

Craftsbury NENSA’s Eastern Cup race is looking for volunteers

Craftsbury Outdoor Center has fired up the snow guns this week and this year’s Mt. Craftsbury is growing in the lower field! After the recent  dusting of natural snow,  it’s time to start planning for this winter’s events. The first big race will be the opening weekend for NENSA’s Eastern Cup series, December 15th and 16th. Saturday will feature a classic sprint; Sunday will be a mass start skate race.  A large field of New England skiers, and likely some Canadian competitors as well are expected.   Please consider joining as a volunteer for one or both days of the weekend. You’ve receive  lunch,  morning snacks, and hot drinks as well. If you’d like to help out, drop  a line at [email protected], and indicate which day(s) you can work, as well as any preferred tasks. Volunteers make it possible for the Center to host the broader ski community at these events – thank you for making it possible!

Newly updated 2012 Town Plan will be presented November 28.

The Greensboro Select Board will meet on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Collier Room of the Greensboro Town Hall to present the newly updated 2012 Town Plan. The Town Plan was revised in 2007 and an update or revision is required by the State of Vermont every five years per 24 VSA §4387. The 2012 Town Plan reflects changes in numbers, statistics, graphs, and correlating information from the 2007 version.

The updated Town Plan is available for review at the Greensboro Town Hall or at the Town of Greensboro website – www.greensborovt.org.

The meeting is open to the public. Interested persons may attend the meeting or send a letter or email to the Select Board c/o the Town Clerk’s office to comment on the proposed update. Emails can be forwarded to the [email protected] address.

Greensboro Select

2013 Cross Country Marathon registration is OPEN…

The 2013 TD Bank Craftsbury Marathon registration is now online at Skireg.com. As is custom, the 2013 25 or 50k classic technique ski event will be capped at 1000 participants. This combined with a graduated entry fee schedule means now is the time to register for the February 2nd point-to-point race!

If you are planning a trip to Greensboro over the first weekend in February, plan to go and cheer on the participants.  See Craftsbury Outdoor center for more information.

Greensboro and Area Not-for-profit Organizations

We know many of you are interested in supporting local organizations who provide extraordinary services to our community.   A list of local not for profit organizations is available here.   Please remember Greensboro and give as generously as you can!

See our revised listing of Greensboro and Area Not-for-profit Organizations

The Status of Municipal Water in Greensboro – Fall 2012 Update

During the past few years, the water supply for the Greensboro Fire District #1 (the municipal water system supplying both year round and seasonal residents) has been under increasing pressure.  Many of the water lines are leaking badly, causing stress on both the supply of water and potentially to its quality.   Improvements to the 90 year old system were mandated by the State of Vermont in the last couple of years primarily to insure no quality problems.  An extensive project to replace the existing water lines throughout the system has been planned for this year.  (Fall 2012 and Spring 2013).

However, this Fall an additional problem was found.    The wells that supply the District have needed unforeseen repairs.  This problem has both delayed the start of the water line replacement project and has resulted in a temporary moratorium on new hookups to the Fire District #1 system.    One well with pump problems has been repaired.    The largest well, which has stopped producing adequate water to meet the District’s needs, needs to have relief in order to maintain its ability to produce.   The District is presently siting a location for an additional well that they hope to have online within the year.

The combination of the new well, the repairs to the existing wells, and the replacement project for the system piping will cut down on leakage by 30-40%, will give the current wells the ability to recharge, and will increase the water volume deliverable to end users.   It is expected that the temporary moratorium on water hookups will be lifted as well.

The replacement piping project will be completed in phases, with minimal disruption to water service.

Who pays?

The Fire District #1 system supplies over 200 users in both the full-time and seasonal community.   It is a municipal system that is completely separate from the Town of Greensboro.   In the fall of 2010, legal voters of the Fire District passed a US Department of Agriculture bond to finance some of the $2.95 million cost of the replacement project.  The actual project will be financed by a loan and a smaller grant from the USDA.    Paying back the loan for the work will result in almost doubling the yearly cost of water to users.   The cost of the new well will also be borne by users in the Water District.

Seasonal users will be subject to the same increase in costs as full time residents.   The cost of providing water is determined by the infrastructure not the actual use, so the cost of providing the first gallon of water to a property dictates the cost.   The municipal system provides clean and safe water to all of its users.

The Proposed Greensboro Fire Station Project

A new fire station, located at the Four Corners, is also being proposed for Greensboro.   If Town of Greensboro votes to use the municipal system, the Town will bear the cost of connecting that site to the Fire District #1 system (approximately $120,000.)  Further information on the total cost of the Fire Department project is available from the Town Hall and the Greensboro Fire Department.

Further information on the Water Pipe replacement project can be found here under Resources on the GA site.

 

The Craftsbury Outdoor Center will maintain XCC trails this winter

Following last years successful season, the Craftsbury Outdoor Center has again agreed to maintain most of the over 60km Highland Lodge winter trail system.  The Outdoor Center will maintain the Marathon Trail over Barr Hill, through Skunk Hollow and back toward Craftsbury through the Fisher Sugarbush, as well as many of other commonly used Greensboro trails. The frequency of grooming will vary depending on when the snow comes and how much use the trails get, with a minimum goal of having the trails in good shape for the weekends and major holidays.  The Center will collaborate with a volunteer group to keep a warming hut (former ski shop) behind the Lodge open and manned, at least, on weekends and vacation weeks; they hope to provide some shuttle service between the hut and the Outdoor Center at selected high use weeks.

A group of 10 volunteers has already been out clipping branches and sawing downed trees to help get the trails ready for 2012-13 winter skiing.   Thank you so much for your efforts!   All of us who use the trails are very very grateful for you direct and physical help.

Highland Lodge has announced it will have some rooms available for rent over the XCC season.  See here for details.

The Craftsbury Outdoor Center is accepting donations to defray the costs of maintaining the Highland Lodge network.    All who are interested in maintaining this wonderful trail resource should consider at a minimum joining the Craftsbury Outdoor Center as a member, and also should think about contributing with a tax deductible donation to help defray the Outdoor Centers costs.  The Craftsbury Outdoor Center is a non-profit organization whose mission includes both life-long sports and land stewardship.   Yearly membership (as little as $25 for students and seniors) grants year-round access to the trails, rowing opportunities, ski rentals and a broad variety of programs.  More information on memberships can be found here.

 

 

Winter News from the Highland Lodge

The Highland Lodge has announced that it will be open for groups of 8-9 rooms this winter. The rate is 175.00/night/room for one night and 150.00/night/room for multiple nights. The rate includes morning coffee and use of the Lodge kitchen for meal preparations. Lodge x-c ski trails are being maintained and groomed by the Craftsbury Outdoor Center.  The Outdoor Center is accepting donations when you come to ski or online here.

The Lodge will also be open for the December 15th and the February 2nd Craftsbury race weekends. The rate will be 150.00/room for one, two or three people with morning coffee and kitchen use.

The Highland Lodge is for sale.  See details here.

The Greensboro Arts Alliance and Residency announces next years season

After the acclaimed production of The Sound of Music in summer 2012, The Greensboro Arts Alliance and Residency has announced that it will produce The Music Man by Meredith Wilson in July 2013.

The plot concerns con man Harold Hill, who poses as a boys’ band organizer and leader and sells band instruments and uniforms to naive townsfolk before skipping town with the cash. In River City, Iowa, prim librarian and piano teacher Marian Paroo sees through him, but when Hill helps her younger brother overcome his fear of social interactions due to his lisp, Marian begins to fall in love with Harold. Harold, in turn falling for Marian, risks being caught to win her.

The show features classic show tunes like “Ya’ Got Trouble (right here in River City)”, “Seventy Six Trombones” and “Till there was You”.

The 2013 Season is will also present “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder, and a Shakespeare Benefit and Feast at Mountain View Country Club in late August.

Donations are always Welcome and Always Needed. Gifts should be addressed to Greensboro Arts Alliance and Residency and mailed to: Treasurer, Greensboro Arts Alliance and Residency, Box 304, Greensboro, Vt. 05841.   If you wish to sponsor a play, event, scenery, costumes, musicians, or any other helpful gift, please contact Sabra Jones or James Sowles at Greensboro Arts Alliance and Residency, 802 533 7487, or email: [email protected].

Are you interested in Recycling in the NEK?

The Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District’s (CVSWMD) mission is to provide leadership, education, and services for residents and businesses in our member towns to assist them in reducing and managing their solid waste. Our mandate is to protect public health and the environment to the greatest extent feasible.  The CVSWMD can be found at https://www.cvswmd.org/index.html.

The district distributes its (now) Quarterly e-newsletter to over 400 interested parties including member town residents and businesses, our Board of Supervisors, legislators, VT solid waste districts, and other non-profit  organizations in the state. The monthly e-newsletter replaces a printed newsletter, saving paper, printing, and postage costs and reducing waste.

This e-newsletter archive offers a brief look at the organization’s activities from September 2008, which is when the e-newsletter was first distributed.

Compost Collection Program

Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District is accepting food-scrap drop offs at two locations every Tuesday and Saturday through April as part of its Residential Composting Pilot Project. Participants receive a collection kit and info; no experience necessary! Come by and talk to our Compost Monitor Tuesdays & Saturdays at All Metals Recycling in Hardwick from 8 am – noon, and at Highfields Center for Composting (outside the building between CAE and Brochu’s garage in Hardwick) Tuesdays & Saturdays 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Call 229-9383 x102 for more information, or www.cvswmd.org.

 

Today and Tomorrow Sept 8,9 – Weekend Sampler Demonstrations at Miller’s Thumb Gallery

Join us at the Miller’s Thumb Gallery for a weekend of artist demonstrations as part of our “Cutting Edge” exhibition. Featured artist Carolyn Guest will be on hand Saturday, Sept 8 from 11 – 3 to share her her love of the Polish folk art Wycinanki (pronounced vee-chee-non-kee) which is the art of paper cutting. Using sheep-shears in honor of the Polish Women who taught her, Guest cuts intricate designs in paper depicting Vermont farm life and other folk art images. Guest, one of five Vermont artists selected to make an ornament for the White House Christmas Tree in 2002, will also cut silhouettes for visitors to the Miller’s Thumb (cost is $20).
On Sunday, Sept. 9 at the Miller’s Thumb, Carolyn Buttolph will inspire you with her passion and techniques for the traditional New England craft of rug hooking. Her use of of recycled wool fabrics in her expertly crafted rugs is an homage to the deeply ingrained wisdom of “use it up, wear it out.” Just as early Vermont homemakers brought comfort and beauty into their homes with hooked rugs, you can too with one of Buttolph’s rugs or you make your own hooked rug from one of her kits that available at the Miller’s Thumb gallery.

Meeting to discuss plans for the Proposed New Greensboro Fire Station

The Greensboro Fire Station Committee will meet Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012 at 5pm at the Greensboro Town Hall.   All members of the public are welcome, and input is encouraged.

Reports available online from the 2012 Annual Meeting

Committee reports are available online from the Annual Meeting in August 2012.     Minutes from the meeting are also available.   Look under Reports in this website.

 

Thank you to everyone who came to the meeting and who presented a report.

Highland Lodge update at Greensboro Association Annual meeting – August 10, 2012 at 7:30pm

Please join us at 7:30pm on Friday, August 10 for the Greensboro Association Annual meeting in Fellowship Hall at the United Church of Christ.  In addition to updates by the Selectboard and the Hardwick Police Department, we will have a report on Caspian Lake, a review of projects which are planned for the next year and a presentation on the status of Highland Lodge by guest speakers Willey and David Smith. The Association will also approve our budget and the slate of new officers for next year.

The Agenda

Introductions (Welcome & Overview of Agenda, Reading of Members Passed) Greensboro Reports (Police Report, Selectman Update, Greensboro Award, Fire Station Report)

Treasurer & Auditor Report Greensboro Community Project Proposal Committee Reports (Lake Update, Communications & Website, Events Committee, Membership Update, Grants and Gifts, Nominating & New Slate) President’s Report

Guest Speakers –David and Wilhelmina Smith: Highland Lodge Update

Caspian Challenge Kicks Off in Fine Form

Runners and walkers both young and old, ages 7 to 88, gathered at the ball field on Saturday, July 28 for the inaugural Caspian Challenge.  Many participants recalled the Caspian Run Around event held years ago and were eager to renew a tradition here in Greensboro.  Others were looking forward to a fun race in a beautiful setting.  While forty people pre-registered for the event, when the registration table opened at 8 AM, participants swamped volunteers to sign up for either the lake loop or the 5 kilometer run along Country Club Road.  By the time the dust settled, nearly 100 participants had completed one of the two races.  At the finish, racers enjoyed baked goods, beverages, and lots of comradeship.

For more photos, go to Karen Gowen photography.   Any profits from photos with go to the GA as a donation.   Thanks Karen for taking the photos!

Not having expected this many competitors, the organizers had some difficulties recording finishing times.  We apologize for any errors or omissions and are already working on improvements to the finish line in anticipation of next year’s event.   Please come out and join us in 2013!

Below are the winners in each of our categories:
Raffle Winner:                       Peggy Lipscomb
Craziest Outfit:                      Maya McCoy
Youngest Runner:                 Cormac Leahy, age 7
Oldest Runner:                      Alan Lukens, age 88
Largest Family Group:         The Philips and Connolly Families
each with 5 participants

5K Winners:
Under 15:      Charlie Connolly and Elizabeth Bennett
15-24:             Erin Mulvey
25-44:             Matissa Hollister and Jesper Holtenman
45-59:             Nancy Bennum and David Zalepa
Masters:         George Hall and Peggy Lipscomb

Lake Loop Winners:
Under 15:      No entries
15-24:             Emma Porrazzo
25-44:             Victoria Hill and Adrian Owens
45-59:             Dot Martin and Jim Flint
Masters:         John Martin

Prizes were generously provided by the following:
Willey’s Store
Hazendale Farmstand
Hill Farmstead Brewery
Yoga Light (Sophia Light Smith-Barsalow)
Connie’s Kitchen
Cassie’s Corner
Sumptuous Syrups of Vermont
Galaxy Bookshop
Jennifer Ranz
The Allen Family
Julie Porrazzo
Bien Fait
Cellars at Jasper Hill
Caledonia Spirits and Winery

Thank you as well to our volunteers and organizers: Gordon Auchinschloss, Laura Hill, Lucy Lukens, Stephanie and Linnea Osterhout, the Bennett Family, the Kehler Family, the Sowles Family, and the Porrazzo Family, as well as to the Hardwick Police Department for their assistance with traffic control.

Interested in helping to make next year’s Challenge a great success?  Contact the Greensboro Association to get involved!