2025 Caspian Challenge on July 27: Register Today!

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The Caspian Challenge:

Sunday, July 27, 2025

at 8:30 a.m.

 REGISTRATION ONLINE STARTING MAY 1 ($15)

REGISTER HERE

DAY OF RACE REGISTRATION $20 (CASH ONLY)

 

The 14th Annual Caspian Challenge Road Race is scheduled for Sunday, July 27, 2025 at the Ballfield in Greensboro, the corner of Lake Shore Road and Breezy Avenue. The race consists of the classic 6.8 mile loop around Caspian Lake and an out and back 5K Walk/Race. Prizes for both races and refreshments for all.

Join us for a morning of fun, exercise and community support. All proceeds from the event go to the Greensboro Community Meals program. The registration fee online is $15 through July 26, and $20 on day of race. Day of race registration begins at 7:15 a.m. and ends at 8:15 a.m. sharp. No fee for those under 13. Minimum age to participate in the 5K is 7.

Eric Hanson, Race Director – [email protected].

 

Click here to register

 

Freedom and Unity: Greensboro’s Funky Fourth Celebration on July 5

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Freedom and Unity

Greensboro’s Funky Fourth Celebration

The Parade. 10 A.M on Saturday, July 5th.
This year’s theme and the Vermont’s motto is Freedom
& Unity. Uncle Sam, Grand Marshal Clive Gray’s Pierce Arrow(No breaks) and our Ladies Walking
Society will set the pace leading the menagerie down Breezy Avenue. The parade will feature:
 Bread and Puppet Theater,
 Small and big-time politicians,
 Greensboro’s Lawn Mower Brigade,
 Cows, horses, dogs(no Cats),
 Eclectic organizational floats,
 Mega farm equipment and
 Greensboro’s Road Crew and Fire Department.

At press time, Oscar Mayer has yet to confirm its Wienermobile. But, overhead, capping off the parade
and in lieu of an F35 fly-over, the Beta Air Force will buzz the town trailing appropriate banners and
doing non-death-defying aerial stunts.

Bring Your Appetite
The parade will transition into a free community picnic on the lawn of the Town
Hall. Sandwiches, grilled sausages /hot dogs and Kingdom Creamery cones (food sponsored by the
Greensboro Association) will be served. Additional home-made delights (for a small fee)will be
available at the accompanying Farmers’ Market.

Silent Charity Auction
Dessert and Vermont art contributions will be open for bidding on the
accompanying Silent Auction tables. All auction proceeds will flow to the Area Food Shelf.
So, bring your wallets and support a good cause. Dessert Donations should be delivered to Town Hall
Saturday morning prior to the of the parade. Vermont art contributions may be left the week prior at
Town Hall.

Dunk Tank.
Yes, you can pay to have a chance to dunk your favorite politician, family member or
local personality. 5 bucks for three throws. Targets who refuse sitting in the dunk chair will be fined
$50. Barker Tim Nisbet will run the show during the picnic. All fees go to the Area Food Shelf.

Greensboro Activities Options (during and after the Picnic)
Farmers’ Market on the Green
Art Show at the Grange
Library Book Sale
Open House at the Historical Society
Swimming at Caspian Beach
Paddling on Caspian Lake
Biking on the Rail Trail at Greensboro Bend
Hiking at Barr Hill Nature Preserve
Beer at Hill Farmstead
Golf, tennis & pickleball at Mt. View CC

Free Vermont Philharmonic Orchestra Concert at Highland Center for the Arts.
At 6:30, capping off Greensboro’s “Freedom and Unity” celebration will be the 75 member Vermont
Philharmonic Orchestra playing lively and appropriate music to celebrate the occasion. Outdoor
games and picnic at 5:30 will precede the concert. Food and libations will be available for purchase.

Over 500 trees planted to mitigate flood impact in East Hardwick

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Over the last two weeks the Upper Lamoille Streamwise team led by Jed Feffer has planted over 500 trees along the Lamoille River in East Hardwick at the properties of David and Gail O’Brian, Lanny and Mary Jane Hill and Zack and Bridget Hoppe.  The trees were purchased with funding provided by the Greensboro Association.  The trees planted, Silky Dogwood, Red Osier Dogwood, Cottonwood, Elderberry, Winterberry, Chokecherry, Speckled Alder and Willow, are all good options for protecting river buffers.  Property owner Zack Hoppe said “It was great to be able to bring local community members together to help protect our land from future flood events and at the same time improve the water quality of the Lamoille River for the benefit of all”.   Planting volunteers included Lucy Zendzian, Liz Baum, Bill Berman, Jed Feffer, Dede Stabler, Stew Arnold, JoAnn Hanowski, Liz Hatch, Lucy Mitchell, Dave Kelley, Sawyer Waite, Gavin Waite and Chris Steel.  If you are interested in having the Streamwise team support you with your property in a similar way please contact Liza Kiesler at [email protected].

Photo 1: Tree planting last Friday at the property of Zack and Bridget Hoppe
In the picture L to R:  Bill Berman, Zach Hoppe, JoAnn Hanowski, Liza Kiesler, Jed Feffer, Liz Hatch
Photo Credit: Chris Steel
Picture 2:  Loaded up to plant the next section at the Hoppe property
In the picture L to R:  Liza Kiesler, Zack Hoppe, Bill Berman, Liz Hatch, Jed Feffer
Photo Credit: Chris Steel
Picture 3:  Tree planting last Saturday at the property of Zack and Bridget Hoppe
In the picture L to R:   Jed Feffer, LIza Kiesler, Dave Kelley, Dede Stabler, Lucy Mitchell, Liz Hatch, JoAnn Hanowski, Sawyer Waite, Gavin Waite
Photo Credit: Chris Steel

Important Information from Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District’s Lake Watershed Program Specialist

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A Letter from Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District’s Lake Watershed Program Specialist
—
Will Marlier
Spring 2025

For many, Spring is a time of new beginnings. The snow melts, the ice recedes, crocuses bloom, and peepers fill the air with their cacophonous song. Lakes across the state shake the lethargy from their shores as both natural and human systems prepare for the hustle and bustle of summer.
For me, this spring brought new employment and an opportunity to connect more deeply with the thawing lakes of the Northeast Kingdom. The Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District had been advertising for a Lake Watershed Program Specialist over the course of the winter. For a young local man looking to dedicate his life to the stewardship of Vermont’s natural resources, it felt like the perfect opportunity. I was happy to apply, and even happier to be offered the position. I bring with me to this work an undergraduate degree from Temple University, and a session working in the State House with the House Environment & Energy Committee. I moved to Greensboro in 2020, and have spent much of my time since then volunteering with the Greensboro Conservation Commission and Greensboro Land Trust.

In the Lake Watershed Program Specialist role I will support lakeshore communities across Orleans County in managing their watersheds to improve water quality and restore natural ecosystems. The bulk of my work will be focused on collaborating with lake associations, landowners, and other partners to implement recently completed Lake Watershed Action Plans (or LWAP’s). I will accomplish this by interfacing with landowners to develop projects, secure grant funding for project implementation, and coordinating community outreach efforts. I will serve as a resource for landowners with questions about Best Management Practices, and will make myself available to conduct Lake Wise Assessments for those that are interested.

My efforts in community outreach will sometimes manifest as written articles (like this one) and other times manifest as in-person educational workshops. This spring I supported our partner organizations, the Memphremagog Watershed Association and Northwoods Stewardship Center, in developing a program on Lake Seymour. The workshop is designed to showcase practical and manageable projects that lake association members and lakeshore landowners could implement independently. It will be held on Sunday, April 27th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and will feature three stations, each exploring a different type of water quality improvement. If you are interested in attending this workshop, please contact MWA’s Gabryel Gianoni at [email protected] for more information and to RSVP.

Station One:
Culvert Installation and Driveway Drainage
With the help of an excavator operator, this crew will install a cross culvert that redirects stormwater drainage under an existing driveway and reconnects it to a marshy field it has historically hydrated. Culvert installation requires the careful consideration of multiple points.
1. Is the culvert properly sized to accommodate high flow events?
2. Is the culvert properly pitched to facilitate drainage and natural flow?
3. Are both the inlet and outlet set in such a way that future erosion will be minimized?
Workshop facilitator, MWA’s Patrick Hurley, will lay out the details of how he determined the culvert’s ideal size and pitch to the day’s attendees. If you (or a neighbor) are considering replacing or adding a culvert, it is always a good idea to get a professional’s opinion before moving forward to implementation. After the culvert is in the ground, the day’s volunteers will set about stabilizing the outlet. This will be done with loose stone and a handful of willow stakes. Stone at the outlet helps to slow and disperse the water as it exits the pipe while also protecting the soil from unnecessary erosion. The value of the willow stakes and other plantings are explored even more thoroughly at the next station.

Station Two:
Riparian Buffer Planting
The second station focuses on planting a riparian vegetative buffer alongside Cranberry Brook. There, facilitator Ted Sedell and myself will lead volunteers through the planting of a wide range of wet-loving plant species. The following table provides a list of the species that will be used, as well as some information worth considering before planting.

Establishing buffers on the banks of streams and lakes serve a critical role in protecting water quality. Growing roots work to stabilize and hold the soil, prevent erosion from high-flow events, armor banks against ice push, and slow and filter water draining down the bank and into the body of water. Planting vegetative buffers is a wonderful and accessible way for lakeshore property owners to get involved on their own properties. While this management practice is relatively straightforward, most plant vendors and landscapers are also available to answer questions about the specifics.

Station Three:
Lakeshore Erosion
The third station will be located directly at the lakeshore, by the mouth of a drainage area. This station will serve as an informational station, with less hands-on involvement from volunteers. The site showcases examples of lawn-to-lake mowing, which creates a weaker bank that is prone to erosion, and does little to filter the water entering the lake. Significant ice push at this site has managed to create large berms of soil along the bank and push very large stones up and onto the lawn, threatening the structure of the cabin. At this point, facilitators of the workshop recommend leaving the berms in place to act as natural bank armor against future ice. Volunteers will add willow stakes along the shore to help stabilize the soil there. Willows are incredibly hardy plants, and can often withstand being flattened by ice. This site also observes an erosive gully that is threatening to destroy a portion of the driveway. Due to its proximity to the lakeshore, any excavation work to correct the bank of this drainage is potentially subject to permitting. It is a good reminder that work done by heavy machinery in the vicinity of a lakeshore should go through the proper regulatory channels, even if you are unsure if a permit is required.

Collaborating organizations are hopeful that this workshop will be a huge success. It will engage local lakeshore advocates and community members, and I hope that many attendees will walk away with useful information that they will be able to put into action on their own lakes. Again, if you are interested in the workshop, please contact MWA’s Gabryel Gianoni at [email protected] for more information and to RSVP. Remember, each of us are capable of effecting real positive change for the environment on our own properties and in our own communities.
As we look to the summer ahead of us, I hope to work closely with all of you to further protect our lakes, their shores, and the water and life that they hold. I am currently working on several potential workshops and projects for this summer, so make sure you are subscribed to the
OCNRCD newsletter for updates!

Please feel free to reach out to me by email
([email protected]) or phone (802-595-4538) if you have any questions or ideas regarding this work.

Caspian Lake Watershed Action Plan

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Stewards of the Greensboro watersheds partnered with the Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation Service to complete a Lake Watershed Action Plan for the Caspian Lake Watershed.  A Lake Watershed Action Plan is an assessment and planning tool which identifies the greatest threats to the lake ecosystem, including impacts on water quality and wildlife habitat from stormwater runoff and from altered, cleared, or converted shorelands. The assessment combines a lake’s condition of shoreland, tributaries, drainage ditches, wetlands, hydrologically connected roads, and working landscapes in an individual planning guide that prioritizes restoration and protection actions for that specific region.

The Caspian Lake LWAP information is available for your viewing on the Storymap site. This story identifies individual properties within the watershed where a stream, wetland, road or shore project could be completed to reduce phosphorus input to the watershed.  If you see your property in the storymap (by location identification only) and would like to pursue a project, please contact [email protected]

Seventy-Five Willow Trees Planted

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Volunteers from the Greensboro Association and the Greensboro Conservation Commission planted 75 Willow trees on Saturday, November 9th in East Hardwick and Greensboro Bend as part of the Stream Wise program.  The trees were purchased with funding provided by the Greensboro Association.
 
Thanks to property owners Meredith Holch, Cindy Dailey and Pierrette Lyman for their participation and stewardship and also to Smith’s Grocery in Greensboro Bend for providing lunch to the volunteer team!
 
Stream Wise engages streamside property owners to help them enhance and protect vegetated stream buffers, increasing flood resiliency and benefiting water quality and natural habitat.
 
For more information please go to https://streamwisechamplain.org/ or contact Jed Feffer at [email protected] or Chris Steel at chrissteel4@gmail.com.

2025 Tour de Greensboro

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The Tour de Greensboro is a non-competitive classic style ski tour event located in the beautiful town of Greensboro Vermont. The course is a 25 km single loop starting and ending at the Highland Lodge with a 15 km cutoff for those who prefer not to ski the entire distance. Participants will experience some of the best classic skiing in NE with spectacular views along the course incorporating the Greensboro Trail System and private trails. The course will be professionally groomed by the Craftsbury Outdoor Center and private landowners. Please note that this event is not for beginner skiers. You must know the basic classic techniques needed for skiing uphills and  downhills and the fitness required to ski 25km or 15km. For event registration, go to: https://www.skireg.com/tour-de-greensboro

Caspian Lake Sailing–2024 Season Report

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Caspian Lake Sailing – 2024 Season Report 

Caspian Lake Sailing ran another strong season of racing this summer. In the August Series 38 total sailors competed over the course of 8 races in 3 weeks. Counting July programs there were 43 participants over all. August races averaged 12 boats per race. On three occasions the fleet reached 16 boats. Sunfish comprised the majority. Also competing were Lasers, RS Class, a Flying Dutchman, a Voyager, an Hunter, a Hobie Cat, and a Rocket.

Throughout the series sailors raced with sportsmanship and real joy in typical Caspian wind that is predictable only in being unpredictable. Constant shifts in wind direction and speed made for classic Caspian races in which the back of the fleet caught up to the front, leads changed regularly, and the order of finish remained uncertain until the last moments. Often boats finished within seconds of each other. In short, loads of fun was had by all. 

Series scoring works on a low point system with 1 point for a first place, 2 for 2nd, and so on. Sailors top four finishes were counted toward final scoring. Top finishers for series were:

Paul Brierre – 4 points

John Jacobs – 7 points

Peter Osterhout – 8 points

Rusty Newhouse – 14 points

There were numerous other strong finishers who may have only sailed in 3 or fewer races. Among them were Paul Landon, Scott Slater, Patrick Hewes, Cem Arcula, Blake Auchincloss, Chris King, Mark Wright, Doug McDonald, Phoebe Osterhout, Finn Osterhout, and Josie Marshall.

Very notable as well was seeing John Stone racing his Flying Dutchman crewed by multiple family members. This strategy paid off as the Stone/Slater family took home the prize for entering the most family members in the series over all.

Added note: a 2nd Dutchman sailed by Andy and Mateo Kehler took to Caspian waters for the first time in late August… Beautiful and fast these boats are. Hoping to see spinnakers out for a two boat Dutchman class next year.

Please see this attachment for complete results from each race.

Thanks to the efforts of Peter Osterhout CLS expanded its program into July with two scheduled races as well as regular practice and instructional races. Having marks set early in the season gave sailors the opportunity to run pick-up races whenever the wind called, which, of course, it often did. Basically, seeing two or more sails meeting up just north of the sunken island is an invitation to rig up and get out there. Using a slightly higher tech method, Peter built up a group text for sharing announcements, results, and photographs. This group ended up numbering 32 people, which apparently is the maximum for a group on iPhone messaging. 

Caspian Lake Sailing is organized by a core group of advocates promoting love of sailing as a means for building community on the lake. All levels of experience, all ages, all boats are encouraged. We offer free and informal instruction. Basically, we see all races as opportunities for learning and teaching. Please come out and join in! See contacts at bottom for more information. 

Next summer CLS plans to carry momentum forward with its same programs for July and August – informal/instructional races in July, race series in August. In addition, plans are in the works for a regatta on August 15/16: 5-7 races over two days. Mark your calendars now!

For more information on instruction, for general questions, or to volunteer to help with race committee, please contact:

Paul Landon @ [email protected]

John Jacobs @ [email protected] or 617-504-9203

Paul Brierre @ [email protected]

Peter Osterhout @ [email protected]

Caspian Lake Sailing can also be followed on Instagram

@ caspian_summer_sailing_series

Greensboro Community Survey 2024—It’s Time to Update the Town Plan!

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To complete the survey:

  • Scan the QR Code below
  • Download the survey here
  • Complete the survey online here
  • Pick up a hard copy at Smiths, the Library or at the town offices

The Great Greensboro Bird Event on Saturday, August 17

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Mark your calendars for the Great Greensboro Bird event on Saturday August 17th at 1pmfeaturing the ‘Vermont Bird Diva’ Bridget Butler followed by the Raptors of VINS – the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences.  This event will take place at the Highland Center for the Arts (HCA) and is jointly sponsored by the HCA and the Greensboro Conservation Commission.  Click on this link to find out more.  https://greensborovt.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Bird-Program-Flyer-V3-3.pdf

 

Greensboro Celebrates our Freedom and Independence on  Saturday, July 6

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The Funky Fourth Parade:  10 AM Saturday, July 6st.   Grand Marshal Clive Grey and the graduating Class of Lakeview Elementary will lead the menagerie down Breezy Avenue.  The parade will feature bagpipe virtuoso Bill MacEisner, the legendary HoneyBee Steel Band, the Bread and Puppet Theater, Greensboro Ladies Walking Society, dogs, horses, cows, small & big-time politicians, weird floats, mega farm equipment plus our own The Road Crew and Fire Department.

Community Picnic:  11:30 – Bring Your Appetite. The parade will transition into the community picnic on the lawn of the Town Hall.  Free sandwiches, grilled sausages /hot dogs, Kingdom Creamery cones plus Church Lady home-made cookies will be served(as long as they last).

Dessert & Art Auction:  12 Noon.  As the picnic winds down,  slick-talking Tim Nisbet  assisted by Vanna White-Robinson will hawk Greensboro’s finest home-made heirloom desserts and local art pieces to benefit the Hardwick Area Food Pantry.  Additional desserts and art pieces will be available for bidding on the accompanying Silent Auction tables.

**Dessert & Art Donations:  They should be delivered to Greensboro Town Hall :  Desserts- Saturday morning prior to the 10 o’clock start of the parade.  Art donations- Anytime the week prior to the auction.  For more info, call John Schweizer @ 802.533.9289 or Dave Kelley at 802.586.2588

Music & Dancing at Highland Center for the Arts: 5:30 PM.  The Radio Rangers will ignite the evening air with their sound and energy.   Mini-golf, outdoor games, Sugar-on-Snow plus family fire pits will be open to all on the HCA lawn.  The Radio Rangers concert is free of charge (donations welcome).  Picnic dinners and libations will be available for purchase.  In case of rain, music will move indoors.

The Greensboro Funky Fourth Committee

The Greensboro Association’s New Mission and Vision Statements

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In honor of our 90th year as an organization, the Greensboro Association Board of Trustees recently conducted a strategic review and planning process to guide us to 100 years and beyond. As part of that review, we revisited the Greensboro Association’s Vision and Mission statements, which we are delighted to share with you:
Our Mission is to advance initiatives that connect and enhance our greater Greensboro community, protect our lakes and environment, and support a vibrant local economy.
We envision that the Greensboro Association will be an essential connector within our greater Greensboro community and an example throughout Vermont for what we achieve through community collaboration and environmental stewardship.
These updated statements reflect our sustained focus on both environmental and community needs. We recognize that Greensboro exists within an interconnected community, ecosystem, and economy. To be a part of ensuring a vibrant Greensboro for generations to come we must continue to engage our greater Greensboro community in all that we do.
The Greensboro Association has long supported organizations and efforts that provide important community services and engaging programming for our residents and visitors alike. We have worked to protect Caspian Lake and its surrounding environment for generations, expanding efforts to include the entire watershed of all our lakes, rivers, and streams. We continue to find ways to forge connections between neighbors and build relationships that span generations. This is fundamental to the work we do and the community we envision in the years to come. We hope you join us on this journey!
As we celebrate 90 years of mission-driven work, we look forward to collaborating with you all as we bring this vision to life. We are an all-volunteer, member-based organization and consistent with our vision, encourage all full and part-time residents of Greensboro who support this mission to contribute their voices and become members of the Greensboro Association.

13th Annual Caspian Challenge: July 28, 2024: Registration opens on May 1

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The Caspian Challenge:

Sunday, July 28, 2024

at 8:30 a.m.

 REGISTRATION ONLINE STARTING MAY 1 ($15)

DAY OF RACE REGISTRATION $20 (CASH ONLY)

 

The 13th Annual Caspian Challenge Road Race is scheduled for Sunday, July 28, 2024 at the Ballfield In Greensboro, the corner of Lake Shore Road and Breezy Avenue. The race consists of the classic 6.8 mile loop around Caspian Lake and an out and back 5K Walk/Race. Prizes for both races and refreshments for all.

Join us for a morning of fun, exercise and community support. All proceeds from the event go to the Caspian Lake Adult Swim program. The registration fee online is $15 through July 27, and $20 on day of race. Day of race registration begins at 7:15 a.m. and ends at 8:15 a.m. sharp. No fee for those under 13. Minimum age to participate in the 5K is 7.

Eric Hanson, Race Director – [email protected].

 

Click here to register

 

400 trees planted in Greensboro Bend to Mitigate the Impact of Flooding

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On Friday 26th and Saturday 27th April a volunteer team led by the Watershed Stewards of Greensboro (part of the Greensboro Association) and Orleans County Conservation District planted close to 400 trees in Greensboro Bend at the property of Pierrette Lyman. Mrs Lyman had asked for a Streamwise Assessment to be completed on her land in early 2023. Her property abuts the Lamoille River and was significantly impacted by the floods of July 2023. As she had already had her Streamwise Assessment, the Watershed Stewards and Orleans County Conservation District were able to respond quickly with a grant from the “Trees for Streams” program to obtain the trees and schedule the planting early in 2024. The team planted 391 Silver Maple, Tamarack, Willow, Elderberry and Dogwood trees. These trees will help protect Mrs Lyman’s property from future flood events and also improve the water quality in the Lamoille River. Over the two days we had 29 local volunteers participate including representatives of the Barton Girl Scouts Troop. Smith’s Grocery in Greensboro Bend kindly donated food and drinks to provide welcome sustenance to the volunteers.

If you are interested in scheduling a Streamwise Assessment of your property please contact [email protected]. A Streamwise Assessment recommends steps a property owner can take to enhance their land and mitigate flood risk where their land abuts a river. It also gives a property owner access to additional resources to help them with the recommended improvements.

Photo 1: Members of the volunteer planting team with the property owner Pierrette Lyman (third from right)

Photo 2: Watershed Stewards Jed Feffer and Chris Steel with Jen Thomson of Smith’s Grocery

Photo 3: Ted Sedell of Orleans County Conservation District coaching some of the younger volunteers.

Photo 4: The volunteer planting team at work

Update on Caspian Lake Classification Change

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In the summer of 2021, JoAnn Hanowski, co-chair of the Greensboro Association’s Lakes and Environmental Stewardship Committee, authored a Caspian Lake petition to the Department of Environmental Conservation to reclassify the lake and watershed to A1 from its current classification of B1.  Caspian Lake qualifies as an A1 lake based on its current relatively low phosphorus level.  As an A1 lake, if Caspian faced an increase in phosphorus or other environmental issues, it would automatically qualify for dollars to implement projects to improve water quality and protect our lake.  JoAnn and her team collected nearly 500 signatures for the petition, and it was submitted in December 2021.  It was determined to be administratively complete and underwent technical and legal review. 

A public hearing on the petition was scheduled but has since been canceled due to an antiquated 1986 prohibition on new septic systems with a design flow greater than 1000 gallons/day.  When this prohibition was enacted, it was assumed that forbidding new septics of that size would prevent the construction of inns or very large houses.  However, today’s new single wastewater system technologies can replace and out-perform multiple old systems, yielding net positive impacts on water quality, thus making the 1986 prohibition a barrier to cleaner waters.  In addition, anti-degradation rules currently being developed will better address concerns over development than the one-size-fits-all septic size prohibition.  Nevertheless, the House Environment & Energy Committee is uncomfortable removing the 1986 prohibition due to development concerns; the Governor has put all lake re-classification petitions on hold until a replacement bill can be passed.  Katherine Sims has submitted a bill (H84), which addresses this issue, has the full support of the DEC, requires no additional funding, and was passed by the Senate in 2023.

What can we do?  Caspian Lake needs you to write a letter to all members of the House Environment & Energy Committee (listed below) asking them to take up S.146 (this is similar to H.84 per Katherine Sims) since they have passed this in the Senate.  The bill needs to pass in the House this session (end of May) or will have to go through both the Senate and House again next year.

Here is an example letter:

Dear—

I am writing to encourage you to quickly pass S. 146 this legislative session.  

The Greensboro community worked incredibly hard in 2021 to gather signatures for a petition to re-classify Caspian Lake to A1.  We received a public hearing date but have now learned that the petition is on hold due to concerns over a 1986 septic regulation.   

We are confident that new wastewater system technologies, developed since 1986, will give full protection of the water quality in the Caspian Lake watershed when approved under the antidegradation rules.  We are also comfortable with our current zoning by-laws, lakeshore protection rules and anti-degradation laws to make informed decisions that will protect our A1 waters from excessive development.  

Passing S 146 this session will allow the re-classification process for Caspian Lake to be successful, and will further protect our lake.

Sincerely,



HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY

 

2023-2024

 

Chair: Rep. Amy Sheldon, Middlebury

[email protected]

Phone (802) 828-2228

 

Vice-Chair: Rep. Laura Sibilia, Dover

[email protected]

Phone (802) 384-0233

 

Ranking Member: Rep. Seth Bongartz,

Manchester

[email protected]

Phone (802) 828-2228

 

Rep. Paul Clifford, Rutland City

[email protected]

Phone (802) 828-2228

 

Rep. Kate Logan, Burlington

[email protected]

Phone (802) 828-2228

 

Rep. Kristi Morris, Springfield

[email protected]

Phone (802) 885-2949

 

Rep Avram Patt, Worcester

[email protected]

Phone (802) 223-1014

 

Calling all artists! We are looking for artwork for the 2024-25 Greensboro Association Member Directory

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The Greensboro Association is soliciting digital images of artwork that contain themes or subjects from Greensboro, the Northeast Kingdom, and/or Vermont.  One image will be chosen to be featured as the cover of the 2024-25 Greensboro Association member directory.

The Greensboro Association publishes a directory of members every two years. This directory is available at Willey’s Store, and is purchased by a wide number of local and seasonal residents.

Please read the GA Directory Cover Request for Submission carefully for submission requirements.  The submission deadline is April 5, 2024.    Submissions should be sent to admin@greensboroassociation.org.  All artists are encouraged to participate, although we give preference to local Greensboro and NEK artists and/or members of the Greensboro Association.

The 2024 Tour de Greensboro 

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Ninety very eager cross-country skiers took to the ski trails of the Northeast Kingdom on Saturday, Feb 10th to participate in the non-competitive 2024 Tour de Greensboro. Participants included a strong contingent of local skiers along with others from CT, ME, NH, MA, and NY. They all had one thing in common, to challenge themselves by skiing a full 25km loop on some of the most beautiful ski trails in the Northeast while enjoying the comradery of fellow skiers. For those skiers not quite up to the task, they could opt to do a 15km loop.

A spring-like day with temperatures in the 40’s welcomed skiers as they gathered for instructions from event organizer Jim Fredericks.  The course layout, which included 2200’ of climbing included some Highland Lodge trails combined with those of private landowners. Expertly groomed classic track conditions were provided by the Craftsbury Outdoor Center and private landowners.  The midpoint of the Tour included a break for hot cider and donuts, along with a warm fire.

Thunder chased some of the skiers at the end of the tour, but all reached the finish safely thanks to a large volunteer safety patrol.  Karl Stein from the Hardwick Emergency Rescue Squad led a team of volunteer Greensboro Association members with Wilderness First Aid skills.   GA members also helped skiers park their cars, registered them on arrival and return, and made sure everyone had hot cornbread and chili along with Jasper Hill Farm cheese at the ski hut.

The Tour de Greensboro would like to thank all its volunteers and sponsors who made this event possible, including Toko US, Lumi Experiences, Highland Lodge, Willey’s Store, Jasper Hill Farm, and Connie’s Kitchen.

Proceeds from the Tour de Greensboro will be donated to the Greensboro Association, whose mission is to conceive, advance and support village initiatives and organizations that enhance the Greensboro community and protect Caspian Lake and its surrounding environment.

Caspian Lake Watershed Action Plan Final Report Presentation Webinar: Tuesday, January 16 at 5 p.m.

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Caspian Lake Watershed Action Plan Final Report Presentation Webinar
This webinar will be focused on presenting the final report for the Caspian Lake Watershed Action plan (LWAP). The final report will include a high-level overview/synthesis of all the prior completed desktop and field assessments, recommendations and outcomes.

All the Caspian Lake LWAP information is available for your viewing on the Storymap site.

What is a Lake Watershed Action Plan? A Lake Watershed Action Plan is an assessment and planning tool which identifies the greatest threats to the lake ecosystem, including impacts on water quality and wildlife habitat from stormwater runoff and from altered, cleared, or converted shorelands. The assessment combines a lake’s condition of shoreland, tributaries, drainage ditches, wetlands, hydrologically connected roads, and working landscapes in an individual planning guide that prioritizes restoration and protection actions for that specific region.

**If you are new to Microsoft TEAMS please allow 10 minutes before the start of the meeting to get TEAMS set up and ready for use.
Tuesday, Jan 16, 5:00 PM (EST)

REGISTER HERE