Tuesday, July 17, 2007

 

MORE SUMMER NEWS!

LET ME KNOW IF YOU FIND THIS HELPFUL AND I'LL KEEP IT UPDATED!! Email me at corinne.s@comcast.net

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MAP MY RUN http://www.mapmyrun.com If you like to walk, run or bike this is a great site to check out. You can enter your location and then map out your route and find out how many miles it is. You'll also be able to view it in 3D, satellite maps, or share it with friends. You'll also be able to track your workout history and progress, view key stats like calories, total distance, weight loss, and more.
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ANNUAL USED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SALE INFO
The dates have been set - Friday, August 24 for drop-off from 4pm-7pm and the instrument sale is Saturday, August 25 from 9am-2pm at the Bethany Church in Montpelier
If you're in the market for an instrument - this is the place to go!
http://www.sharethemusicvt.org/sale.htm
Perhaps you have an instrument not being used - not only consider bringing it to this sale but remember you could donate it directly to Berlin Elementary School to be used by a student that may not be able to rent or buy one.
There will be people there to help you figure out if it's a decent instrument which will fit your needs.

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HOME DEPOT in Berlin? Did you hear that Home Depot may take the spot that used to be Ames? If it works out, they could be breaking ground in the spring. Check out the story at:
http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070717/NEWS01/707170365/1002/NEWS01
If you have trouble with the link I saved the story and will send it to you if you ask!
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Vermont Mountaineers Summer Reading Program - DATE CHANGED!!
Read nine books (one for each inning of a game) before the game on July 9th (this date was changed to July 23 because of rain) and you'll be invited to come out on to the field during the game to be recognized. You'll also get to choose a free book, meet some of the players and be entered into a drawing to try and win one of six $50 gift certificates from local bookstores.
Go to this page for the form:
http://www.thevermontmountaineers.com/Participation%20form%202.pdf
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RECYCLING STUFF
Whether you're looking to get rid of stuff you have or are looking for that certain something, these groups can help!

FREECYCLE: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WashingtonCountyVermont/ You may post only items that are absolutely free.

NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMER: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/NeighborhoodInformerVermont/ Whether it's free or you want to charge for it, this is the place for you.

CHEAPCYCLE: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Vermont-CheapCycle/ This is for items at garage sale prices.

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Tuesday, July 10, 2007

 

SUMMER UPDATE

Library ECHO Pass
Did you know when you borrow a special pass from your local library you can get into ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center for only $2 per person? Berlin Elementary's Clarence Pike Library has one of these passes which I just borrowed today for the summer to help get it around to families to use. When you have the pass, you are limited to 2 Adults and 3 children getting in for $2 each, additional people in your group will have to pay the regular rates of $7 for children ages 3-17 and $9.50 for adults age 18-61. Children under 3 are free. Parking will probably cost $4. Note that ECHO offers teachers complimentary admission with i.d. required.
In order for many families to make use of this, I ask that you only borrow it when you have a plan to get to ECHO in the next day or two as I'm sure it will be in high demand. I will maintain a waiting list of those interested in using it.
(Note - if you know any Worcester residents, their school librarian, Amy Young, has their school ECHO pass available for them to use also. The U-32 ECHO pass can be checked on for availability on Tuesdays when they're open this summer.)

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The local guys who brought you the music video about Vermont, especially central Vermont have a new one out on Global Warming. Both are wonderful, check them out on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv9vo3o77Oo CO2 Music Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL7uW4TYqbs 802 Music Video

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RECENT ARTICLES ON VERMONT:

THE SEVEN WONDERS OF VERMONT - This was a wonderful article in the Burlington Free Press. If you have trouble with the link below, I'd be glad to send you the article. Talks about the great places we have in Vermont and asks you to go to their website and vote on your top 7 picks.
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070707/NEWS01/707070307/1009

INCR (EDIBLE) JOURNEYS A day-trippers guide to culinary Vermont
Stephen Morris did a wonderful job in this article discussing the fabulous food we have in Vermont. You've probably been to many of the places he mentions but there may be a few, as there are for me, that I now want to go check out! If you have trouble with this link, I'd be glad to send you the article.
http://vermonttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070708/FEATURES/70629001/1002/FEATURES02
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TOWN OF BERLIN NEWS:

Jeff Schulz, Montpelier resident, has been hired for the combined position of Berlin Town Administrator and Zoning Administrator. Jeff is currently the Town Manager of Fair Haven and will start his position in Berlin on July 9th. For more on this go to the Berlin Town website http://www.berlinvt.org and check under What's New

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Berlin Historical Society - http://www.berlinvt.org/bhs.htm

Are you living in Berlin, VT and a published author? The Berlin Historical Society welcomes your donation of a copy of your book for their archives. Contact information can be found at http://www.berlinvt.org/bhs.htm

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BERLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS

Remember, we now have sand volleyball courts behind the school for community use, be sure to bring a volleyball!

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BERLIN PTNA is looking for people to be involved - both as officers (co-chair, treasurer & secretary) and for specific projects. If you may be interested and would like more information please contact Corinne Stridsberg (corinne.s@comcast.net) or Donna Barr (mdjrbarr@comcast.net) Please be in touch as soon as possible so that the next school year can start of smoothly with fall activities.

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DISTRICT NEWS:

U-32 LIBRARY USE THIS SUMMER
The U-32 library will be open most Tuesdays this summer from 9 a.m.-2 p.m: June 26; July 10, 17, 24 and 31; August 7, 14 and 21. Don't forget they're getting in 4 copies of the latest Harry Potter book along with 1 cd copy. They also have an ECHO discount pass that can be borrowed.

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SOCCER FUN AT EMES!
Wednesday evenings CJ Flynn & Ed Deegan will sponsor "rec soccer" for all elementary school kids (boys and girls) 6:00-7:30 PM at the East Montpelier Elementary School soccer field. If you're interested, feel free to come and join us, (and please pass the word).

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Community Connections still has openings in their summer day camps and in the camps for students in grades 5 - 17. For more details on the camps go to their website: http://www.communityconnections.us/ProgramInfo/schedules/index.html

Open to all students in grades K-6 during the 2006-2007 school year. Activities will be designed to meet the needs of different age groups and abilities. 8:30 a.m.— 4:00 p.m. Campers should arrive at camp by 8:30 a.m. Extended care after 4:00 is available at an additional $5 per session. Sliding scale of $125-$175 per camper, per week. All campers must bring their own lunch, marked with name. Healthy snacks and drinks will be provided. Community Connections wants all children to be able to come regardless of a family’s financial constraints. Therefore, we offer alternative payment arrangements, such as state childcare subsidies, volunteering, sibling discounts, and limited scholarships. On the sliding scale, you may choose any point on the scale for full payment, from $125 to $175. Please call 223-3456 for more info.


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COMMUNITY NEWS:

Looking for local chess club or tournament information - check out http://vtchess.info

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Two Rivers Gardening and Herb camps http://www.tworiverscenter.org/gardens.htm Hopefully Berlin students got the information home regarding these opportunities. Families qualifying for free or reduced lunches are able to get I believe it was free tuition for some of Two River's offerings.

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KELLOGG-HUBBARD LIBRARY SUMMER BOOK SALE BEGINS JUNE 18TH, 10AM! Thousands of books arranged by subject. Great prices! Call 223-3338 for hours and information. Sale continues through July 14th. Come early for best selection.
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KELLOGG-HUBBARD LIBRARY, MONTPELIER
Children's Library - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 10am to 5:30pm. Saturday: 10am to 1:00pm. Children's Library phone 223-4665.
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SHAW’S REGISTER TAPES - The Central Vermont Humane Society (CVHS) newsletter says that if you shop at Shaws markets and send the receipts to the CVHS, Shaws will donate 1% of the total to the CVHS. I would be willing to collect and deliver them occasionally if any one is interested. Feel free to pass this along. – Julie Pryce-Kelley

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UNICYCLISTS www.vtunicycle.com Through the summer there will be unicycling outdoors in the parking lot behind the Senior Center on Barre Street in Montpelier. Often if the weather is poor, unicyclists are able to meet in the Gym across the street. You can request to be put on their email list so you’ll be sent reminders about when unicycling will take place. BRING YOUR OWN HELMET and unicycle if you have one although usually there are a couple spare unicycles available.

Circus Smirkus, Vermont's international youth circus troupe seeks home-stay hosts for four nights when the New England tour performs in Montpelier. Twenty-eight teens, ages 13-18 (including four international performers), will arrive in Montpelier on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 14. They will perform two shows each day - at 2 and 7 pm on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday - under the Big Top Circus Tent at Montpelier High School. Troupers eat lunch and dinner on the lot but will need breakfast provided for them by their hosts and rides to and from the site (if the host home is not in walking distance). They depart for closing shows in Greensboro on Saturday morning, August 18, for a total stay in the Montpelier area of four night. Anyone interested in becoming a host should contact Anah Klate anah@smirkus.org. A short application and Homestay Host Handbook will be mailed out. For their full tour schedule go to: http://www.circussmirkus.org/htm/tour/tourschedule.html

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BOWLING DEAL Stop by Twin City Lanes 476-6181 to fill out a form for a Summer Youth Bowling Club Card (it will then be mailed to your student). The card entitles you to One FREE Game of Bowling, every day from June 21 - August 31 (rental shoes not included). You must have the card with you to get the free game. Only the person who's name is on the card can get the free game. (When lanes are available. Cannot be used during special events, programs or cosmic bowl). In the summer Twin City Lanes opens on Monday at 4pm, Tuesday at 9am, Wed - Sunday noon. Shoe rental costs vary between $2.50 and $3.50. 1 game of bowling typically costs between $3.25 & $3.75

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Theater productions throughout Vermont are listed at: http://www.vermonttheatre.com

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Check out the 802 Rap Video on YouTube - it's about Vermont / Montpelier and totally family friendly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL7uW4TYqbs
If this link doesn't work, go to http://www.youtube.com and search on 802 music video

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MOVIES

Ben & Jerry movies - they're FREE!! Every summer Ben & Jerry's offers free outdoor movies once a week at dusk in the summer. In Montpelier it's located on the top of the parking garage behind City Center on Thursdays. The same movie shows Tuesdays in Burlington (not sure of location, I think at a parking garage downtown) and Saturday nights at Ben & Jerry's in Waterbury. You'll probably want to bring some beach or camp chairs or blankets to sit on and some kind of snacks (our favorite is a couple big bowls of popcorn and a thermos jug of lemonade). Please note that if the weather is not good in Montpelier they've been known to start the movie early inside of City Center, no idea what they do at the other locations. Also note that once in a while the movie doesn't show up or there are technical difficulties and it just doesn't happen - rare, but it's happened. Here's this summer's line-up:
July 5th Mplr Wallace & Gromit (July 3 Bgtn; July 7 Waterbury)
July 12th Mplr Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (July 10 Bgtn, July 14 Waterbury)
July 19th Mplr Antz (July 17 Bgtn; July 21)
July 26th Mplr Catch Me If You Can (July 24 Bgtn; July 28 Waterbury)
August 2nd Mplr Harry Potter and the Socerer's Stone (July 31 Bgtn; August 4 Waterbury)
August 9th Mplr Little Rascals (August 7 Bgtn; August 11 Waterbury)
August 16th Mplr Dr. Suess' A Cat in the Hat (August 14 Bgtn; August 18 Waterbury)
August 23rd Mplr City Slickers (August 21 Bgtn; August 25 Waterbury)

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Randall Drive In Theater down on Route 12 in Bethel has the following line-up this summer:
June 22-24 Spider-Man 3 "PG-13" followed by Vacancy "R"
June 29 - July 1 Surfs Up! "PG" followed by Spider-Man 3 "PG-13"
July 6 - July 8 Shrek the Third "PG" followed by Ocean's THirteen PG-13
July 13 - July 15 Meet the Robinsons "G" followed by Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End "PG-13"
July 20-22 Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer followed by Live Free or Die Hard
July 27-29 Evan Almighty "PG" followed by Knocked Up "R"
August 3 - 5 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix "PG13" followed by License to Wed "PG13"
Aug 10-12 Shrek the Third "PG" followed by Transformers
Aug 17 - 19 Ratatouille "G" followed by Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End "PG13"

Show starts at dusk, doors open 7:30pm. There is a concession stand and you tune the movie in on your radio. Phone 234-7220 http://www.drive-ins.com/theater/vttrand

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Sunset Drive In http://www.sunsetdrivein.com/ up in Colchester. They have four screens and I think you can switch to another screen to see the second movie of your choice. Open every night. Ticket office opens 7pm Friday & Sat and at 8pm Sun - Thurs. Adult tickets $7.50, children under 12 $2, children under 4 free. Sign up for discount on line. Check out the rules on line for things such as: large vehicles need to park toward rear, no sitting or laying on vehicles; no barefeet; playground closes when movie begins, no refunds; etc.

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ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.paperbackswap.com If you have 9 paperback books you're willing to list and mail to a person requesting (current cost of mailing a book is $2.13 media mail) then you will get 3 credits to get you started in requesting books of your choosing. You also receive a credit for any book you send out. If you go into the Discussion Forums to Book Bazaar, there you can get more than one book for just one credit. There are over 1 million books listed in the system. Another way to receive credits is to refer other people and if they post 9 books, you receive a credit. If you decide to join, please use me as a referral (corinne.s@comcast.net) and I'll use the credit to get a book for the school.

I still love shopping at Rivendell, Bear Pond Books, Yankee Paperback and other local shops but for over a year now I've been enjoying mailing out books and receiving books!


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AREA MUSEUMS FOR FAMILIES

The Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, VT http://www.shelburnemuseum.org is offering half-price admission in 2007 for Vermont residents thanks to a generous grant by Lois McClure. Regular prices are: Adults: $18, Teachers or students over 18 (with valid school ID) $13, Children ages 6-18 $9, children under 6 Free. There is no charge for parking. Hours are 10am – 5pm. After 3pm admission $10 adults, $5 children. Beach Lodge and Beach Gallery are closed in 2007 for renovations. Circus Building closes August 19 for the rest of the 2007 season for renovations.
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The Montshire Museum in Norwich, VT http://www.montshire.org is a fun way to spend a few hours. Admission is adults $9 and children 3 - 17 $7. Open 10am - 5pm daily.
Friday Nights in Science Park - hours are extended until 7:30pm each Friday from July 6 through August 31. Bring an evening meal and spread out at one of the many picnic areas in Science Park. The Museum galleries and Gift Shop will also be open so there will be more opportunities to see Toys: THe Inside Story, a special exhibit on display all summer. Visitors are free to dip their toes in the Rill, explore the trails in the cool of the evening, or participate in hands-on activities led by a Museum Explainer.
The White River Flyer will offer train excursions each weekend again this summer! The train leaves the White River Jct. depot at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2:30 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday, arriving 25 minutes later at the Museum's front doorstep. On your next visit to the Museum you can also take a special excursion from the Montshire to Thetford, Vt., departing the Museum at 11:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. These excursions last about an hour round-trip. The summer season operates from June 30 through September 2. Visit http://www.rails-vt.com/wrf_summer.html for more details.

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ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center in Burlington http://www.echovermont.org is open 10am - 5pm daily. Admission is $9.50 adults, $8 seniors (62+) and students with ID, and kids 3-17 $7.
Note that Libraries have ECHO passes which can be borrowed and enable you and your family to pay only $2 per person in admission. Library passes are available to use until Oct 31, 2007.

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A list of Vermont museums can be found at : http://www.vermonthistory.org/links/museum.htm

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HIKING

Hubbard Park - Montpelier http://www.montpelier-vt.org/parks/hubbard.cfm
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Irish Hill - Berlin. The Irish Hill ridgeline is a series of peaks which rise behind Berlin Pond and provide a watershed for pure water for our communities. It is still an undeveloped area which offers recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat and watershed integrity. http://www.berlinvt.org/IrishHill.htm
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Elmore Mountain - Beginner's hike, 2,600 ft elevation. Starts out along an old access road, past beaver ponds, then narrows to a trail to climb through a hardwood forest to the rock foundation and chimney of an old ranger's cabin. This is a good rest stop with views of Elmore lake and the surrounding green mountains and farmland. Continue the climb - some scrambling will be required at spots - to the summit. Not much in views here, unless you climb the firetower. Side trail to a precariously balanced boulder. Park has ample parking, a lodge, campsite, facilities.. and a swim in Elmore lake will be warranted to cool down and clean off afterwards! Directions to Hike - Vermont Rt. 12, 5 miles south of Morrisville (Stowe area). Access from Elmore State Park -small day use fee.
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Spruce Mountain – Plainfield This moderately steep climb takes you through a variety of landscapes on old logging roads and a foot trail. Atop the summit sits a fire tower offering extensive views of Vermont and the Green Mountain Range. The fire tower was repaired and repainted and is now listed on the National Historic Lookout Register.
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Hunger Mountain: Waterbury Trail - Distance: 4 miles, Time: 4 hours, Difficulty: Advanced Follow Vt. 100 .3 miles south of the Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Turn left toward the Waterbury Center Post Office. At .3 miles, turn left on Maple Street. Just past the Fire Station, turn right on Loomis Hill Road. At the top of the hill the road bears left and you reach a small parking area at 3.8 miles on the right. Hunger Mountain and Camel's Hump are nice to hike because of the lack of development. Hunger has views of the Green Mountains to the west and Groton State Forest and the White Mountains of New Hampshire to the east. A possible side trail leads south to White Rock Mountain, while the Skyline Trail heads north to Worcester Mountain.
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Camels Hump 4083' - 3-5 hours roundtrip. For many this distinctive peak offers the finest mountain hike in Vermont. From the top the view is like that from an airplane - the mountain is at your feet. Of the higher peaks it is the only one undeveloped: no ski lifts, no roads, no radio towers. The summit area is above timberline and supports artic-alpine tundra vegetation. Off Rt 100 in Duxbury turn onto River Rd and proceed 4.5 miles to a three way intersection. Turn left for 3.5 miles to the parking area. Summit is 3.4 miles by the well maintained Forestry Trail. Views of the White Mountains, Adirondacks, and in Vermont from Mt Mansfield south to Mt Ascutney.The trail is open from spring to late fall. A popular variation is to take the Dean Trail (left off the Forestry Trail) to Wind Gap on the Long Trail and then the Long Trail north to the summit descending by way of the Forestry Trail. 4-6 hours roundtrip. Note trail intersections carefully to avoid confusion on the return!
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Mount Worcester - 4.8 miles. Half day hike. The trailhead is reached from the village of Worcester on VT 12 north of Montpelier. Take a left on Minister Brook Road off of VT 12 a short distance north of the Worcester Town Hall (0.0 mile), and follow this road west to Hampshire Hill Road at 1.5 miles. Turn right on Hampshire Hill Road and follow it uphill. At 3.7 miles you pass Hancock Brook Road on the right. Immediately after crossing Hancock Brook itself (on a culvert, just past the road junction), turn left onto a narrow lane that parallels the brook. Bear right onto a narrow logging road (with a trail sign) by a mobile home. The logging road goes behind a house and forks. Take the left-hand fork to the trailhead at 4.1 miles. http://gorp.away.com/gorp/publishers/countryman/hik_worcester3.htm
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The Stowe Recreation Path, 5.8 miles long, is great for walking, hiking, biking, jogging, and rollerblading.
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http://www.greenmountainclub.org/page.php?id=51
http://www.central-vt.com/visit/hiking.htm
http://www.vtliving.com/hiking/
http://www.slackpacker.com/map_vt.html
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READING INCENTIVES ABOUND THIS SUMMER! - If you know of others, please let me know

Read and Win Summer Reading Program at the Champlain Valley Exposition . Read and Win a Day at the Fair on August 27th. http://cvexpo.org/education.aspx
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Barnes & Noble Free book - Kids read any eight books and write about their favorite part of each book in the Summer Reading Journal. A parent or guardian must sign the journal after each entry. Bring the completed Summer Reading Journal to a Barnes & Noble bookstore before September 2nd, 2007. We'll give them a coupon for a FREE book! They can choose from a list of exceptional paperback titles.*
*Eligible books will be listed on the coupon. Choices must be made from available stock. No special orders. Limit of two (2) forms per school-age child (grades 1-6). Incomplete forms will be ineligible for free books. Offer not available online.
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Vermont Mountaineers Summer Reading Program - DATE CHANGED due to RAIN http://www.thevermontmountaineers.com/Participation%20form%202.pdf
Read nine books (one for each inning of a game) before the game on July 9th (NOW JULY 23RD!!) and you'll be invited to come out on to the field during the game to be recognized. You'll also get to choose a free book, meet some of the players and be entered into a drawing to try and win one of six $50 gift certificates from local bookstores.
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Vermont Lake Monsters and Price Chopper have teamed up once again to offer their Hit the Books Reading Program. Any student in grades K-8 who reads four books at his/her level of reading by August 1st will receive two tickets to a Vermont Lake Monsters game. http://vermontlakemonsters.com/community/books/
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KELLOGG-HUBBARD LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM http://www.kellogghubbard.lib.vt.us
It will be a crime if you if don't sign-up for this year's Summer Reading Program: "Get a Clue." Starting Monday, June 18 children can pledge to read books over the summer. Anyone who signs up will receive a reading journal, stickers and a bookmark. When the children reach their pledged goal, we give them a certificate of accomplishment and prizes.
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Looking for some suggested books to read this summer? http://www.vtnea.org/vtnea15.htm
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DCF books http://www.dcfaward.org/
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Lots of great information for Vermont families http://www.kidsvt.com/ including an events listing, camp guide, resources and more!

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LOCAL FUN

No Strings performance - http://www.nostringsvt.com/schedule.html
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Jon Gailmor - http://www.jongailmor.com/
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The Floating Bridge in Brookfield, VT is a great place to go for a swim, fishing or just to walk or drive across the floating bridge!! http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tips/getAttraction.php?tip_AttractionNo==1375
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Ziemke Glass Blowing Studio on Route 100 in Waterbury Center http://www.zglassbowing.com is a great place to visit and watch beautiful pieces of glass being formed.
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Cold Hollow Cider on Route 100 in Waterbury Center http://www.coldhollow.com is also a fun place to stop in for a free sample of cider. Whether or not they're pressing cider, they have a video going to show the process. Note that if you have visitors who speak another language, at your request they will put in this same wonderful video in another language!

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Vermont Historical Society & Museum in Montpelier http://www.vermonthistory.org/

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When was the last time you went on the ferry up in Burlington? http://www.ferries.com/

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http://www.vtattractions.org/
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Vermont Fairs and Festivals http://www.vermontagriculture.com/agdev/fairs.html OR http://www.vtliving.com/fairs/

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