Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Summer News - MORE!
(use the archive on the side bar to see a recent post "Summer Fun!" under June 2010 with lots of great things going on - don't miss it!)
More summer information and a personal note from me follows:
Native Tongue, a classic rock band, will be playing Saturday, July 3rd at 7:30pm on Langdon Street in Montpelier. This follows the 6pm parade. They will break for the fireworks and then continue until midnight. The Native Tongue CD “FROZEN” is now available for $10 and can be purchased their on Langdon Street or at Nelson Ace Hardware in Barre.
*
GMTA – bus fares have been reduced by 50% - the exception being the Link Express to Burlington fare which will continue to be $4. This is “to help Vermonters get to work, services and school in an affordable manner, along with encouraging the use of alternative transportation.” Check for details at http://www.gmtaride.org or call 802-223-7287. Note that there will be a new map & guide available in just a few days, this will include a new mid day Link Express to Burlington. Reduced fare information can be found at: http://www.gmtaride.org/capital-district/fares-cd.html
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PASSES AVAILABLE! Big News! Now the Kellogg-Hubbard Children's Library (CL) offers passes to great Vermont museums, parks, and historical sites! Sign out a pass at the CL desk and make your next family outing cheaper, smarter, and more fun. Sign up at the CL desk for a three-day pass to these great Vermont points-of-interest! Please check for availability before planning your trip. Be sure to double check the details, including the days/hours they’re open:
• ECHO Aquarium & Science Center http://www.echovermont.org this pass gives you $2 admission per family member (regular admission $10.50 adults and $8.50 kids).
• Shelburne Farms http://www.shelburnefarms.org free admission to the children’s farmyard and walking trails (regular admission adults $8, $5 kids).
• Vermont History Museum in downtown Mplr by Statehouse http://www.vermonthistory.org – free family pass (regular admission $5 adults, $3 students, or $12 families) Open Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm
• Vermont State Parks – free day pass for groups up to 8 http://www.vtstateparks.com (regular admission per day is $3 per person 14 yrs & older, $2 for 4 yr–13 yr olds)
• Vermont Historic Sites http://www.historicvermont.org/sites – free entry to the for one family of groups up to 8
• Fairbanks Museum http://www.fairbanksmuseum.org – free admission for 2 adults and all children in household. Open Monday – Sat 9am – 5pm and Sunday 1pm-5pm. (Regular admission adults $8, kids under 17 $6, under 5 free, or family $20) . The planetarium presentation is NOT included in the pass and costs $5 per person.
*
YOUTH CHESS CLUB at Kellogg-Hubbard Library Wednesdays 5:30-7pm.
Chess is on break for the last two weeks of June, it's happening in July, and then on break again in August. Call Robert Nichols for info, 229-1207.
*
Help out Berlin fire victim
Many of your readers will recall that Richard Tetreault, the Berlin town highway foreman, had a serious fire at his home on May 24. Fortunately, "Tate," his wife, Cindy, and their children all got out safely, thanks to a quick response from the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department and other area emergency responders. However, their house is currently unlivable and awaiting extensive repairs, and the family lost most of their belongings in the fire.
Although they were covered by insurance, there are always incidental expenses associated with getting one's life back together after a disaster like this. Many of us who work for and serve the town of Berlin wanted a way to help the family, so we have established a fund to collect donations. We wanted to spread the word to your readers in case others in town wanted to contribute.
Donations can be made out to "Friends and Neighbors of Richard and Cindy Tetreault," c/o Patti Lewis, Town of Berlin, 108 Shed Road, Berlin VT 05602-9049.
Our thoughts and best wishes to Tate and his family as they rebuild.
Nancy Driscoll (for the Berlin Selectboard)
Berlin
Sherri's Jubilee will also be holding a Benefit to help the Tetreault family on July 25th at the American Legion in Barre, starting at 1PM. Tickets are only $10 per person and you may pay at the door.
*
Venture Vermont Outdoor Challenge - earn 250 points or more (by doing outdoor activities) and receive free state park day entry for the 2010 and 2011 seasons! Find a scorecard here: http://www.vtstateparks.com/pdfs/venture_2010.pdf Vermont State Parks has a website http://www.vtstateparks.com/ , a blog http://vtstateparks.blogspot.com/ and they're also on Facebook where they put up activities for bonus points.
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PTNA Collection Programs - The Berlin Elementary School PTNA continues to collect Campbell's Labels for Education (this includes other qualifying products such as Pepperidge Farm) http://www.labelsforeducation.com/ along with Box Tops for Eductation http://www.boxtops4education.com . Besides the collection bin in the lobby at school (it says Campbell's on it but the Box Tops can go in there too) there is also a collection bin at the Town Clerk's office and a envelope to collect them at the Berlin Fire Dept. You could also give them to a neighbor who has a child at the elementary school. The Price Chopper Tools for Schools program allows the PTNA to obtain free school supplies using points earned by registering our PC Advantage cards. Julie Pryce-Kelley is the one to contact with any questions about these programs Jlpk6030@aol.com
Please also note that can tabs are being collected by the Girl Scouts for the Shriners - there is a jug in the school lobby to collect these.
Vermont Mountaineers Baseball Tickets - Buy your VT Mountaineers baseball tickets through the Berlin ELementary PTNA. Tickets are $4 each, of which PTNA keeps $2 for each ticket sold. Contact Trudy Marineau at 229-4030. Tickets will be available for the whole season, just contact Trudy.
*
Please check out the following link for information about Good Karma Rescue. I would be glad to forward along an email I received from them a few days ago if you're interested in more details regarding their foster animal program.
http://goodkarmarescue.rescuegroups.org/info/display?PageID=6431
*
There are a few slots still available for Berlin Community Swimming Lessons in the July 12th - 23rd session at First in Fitness. See more details at http://www.berlinschool.org/userfiles/file/newsandinfo/swim%20sign%20up%202010.pdf or email me back for more information.
*
Corinne is officially unemployed - I don't believe everybody knows yet that three positions were cut at Berlin Elementary School (BES) because of declining enrollment and the need to cut the budget. This includes the paraeducator position I was in. We also had a teacher retire who is not being replaced. Even though I had worked at BES for 9 years I was "low man on the totem pole" (for paraeducators and teachers there is a clause about senority in the contracts). In addition to the 9 years I was employed, there were another 7 years that I volunteered in my kids classrooms, worked with the PTNA and served on committees. These cuts were part of the budget that went to voters in March. I encourage our community to follow along with budget planning for the school, the last couple years in addition to the school budget being presented at more than one meeting, a video of the budget being presented has been available on line. In order to really have a voice in what goes to the voters, you need to attend school board meetings during the time the budget is being created - the board certainly welcomes you to all their meetings. Agendas are posted on the school website http://www.berlinschool.org
I'm not yet sure of my plans. I'll be continuing my work with Berlin Emergency Management and I'm also working on becoming a Red Cross Volunteer - both could use more folks if you're interested!
*
More summer information and a personal note from me follows:
Native Tongue, a classic rock band, will be playing Saturday, July 3rd at 7:30pm on Langdon Street in Montpelier. This follows the 6pm parade. They will break for the fireworks and then continue until midnight. The Native Tongue CD “FROZEN” is now available for $10 and can be purchased their on Langdon Street or at Nelson Ace Hardware in Barre.
*
GMTA – bus fares have been reduced by 50% - the exception being the Link Express to Burlington fare which will continue to be $4. This is “to help Vermonters get to work, services and school in an affordable manner, along with encouraging the use of alternative transportation.” Check for details at http://www.gmtaride.org or call 802-223-7287. Note that there will be a new map & guide available in just a few days, this will include a new mid day Link Express to Burlington. Reduced fare information can be found at: http://www.gmtaride.org/capital-district/fares-cd.html
*
PASSES AVAILABLE! Big News! Now the Kellogg-Hubbard Children's Library (CL) offers passes to great Vermont museums, parks, and historical sites! Sign out a pass at the CL desk and make your next family outing cheaper, smarter, and more fun. Sign up at the CL desk for a three-day pass to these great Vermont points-of-interest! Please check for availability before planning your trip. Be sure to double check the details, including the days/hours they’re open:
• ECHO Aquarium & Science Center http://www.echovermont.org this pass gives you $2 admission per family member (regular admission $10.50 adults and $8.50 kids).
• Shelburne Farms http://www.shelburnefarms.org free admission to the children’s farmyard and walking trails (regular admission adults $8, $5 kids).
• Vermont History Museum in downtown Mplr by Statehouse http://www.vermonthistory.org – free family pass (regular admission $5 adults, $3 students, or $12 families) Open Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm
• Vermont State Parks – free day pass for groups up to 8 http://www.vtstateparks.com (regular admission per day is $3 per person 14 yrs & older, $2 for 4 yr–13 yr olds)
• Vermont Historic Sites http://www.historicvermont.org/sites – free entry to the for one family of groups up to 8
• Fairbanks Museum http://www.fairbanksmuseum.org – free admission for 2 adults and all children in household. Open Monday – Sat 9am – 5pm and Sunday 1pm-5pm. (Regular admission adults $8, kids under 17 $6, under 5 free, or family $20) . The planetarium presentation is NOT included in the pass and costs $5 per person.
*
YOUTH CHESS CLUB at Kellogg-Hubbard Library Wednesdays 5:30-7pm.
Chess is on break for the last two weeks of June, it's happening in July, and then on break again in August. Call Robert Nichols for info, 229-1207.
*
Help out Berlin fire victim
Many of your readers will recall that Richard Tetreault, the Berlin town highway foreman, had a serious fire at his home on May 24. Fortunately, "Tate," his wife, Cindy, and their children all got out safely, thanks to a quick response from the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department and other area emergency responders. However, their house is currently unlivable and awaiting extensive repairs, and the family lost most of their belongings in the fire.
Although they were covered by insurance, there are always incidental expenses associated with getting one's life back together after a disaster like this. Many of us who work for and serve the town of Berlin wanted a way to help the family, so we have established a fund to collect donations. We wanted to spread the word to your readers in case others in town wanted to contribute.
Donations can be made out to "Friends and Neighbors of Richard and Cindy Tetreault," c/o Patti Lewis, Town of Berlin, 108 Shed Road, Berlin VT 05602-9049.
Our thoughts and best wishes to Tate and his family as they rebuild.
Nancy Driscoll (for the Berlin Selectboard)
Berlin
Sherri's Jubilee will also be holding a Benefit to help the Tetreault family on July 25th at the American Legion in Barre, starting at 1PM. Tickets are only $10 per person and you may pay at the door.
*
Venture Vermont Outdoor Challenge - earn 250 points or more (by doing outdoor activities) and receive free state park day entry for the 2010 and 2011 seasons! Find a scorecard here: http://www.vtstateparks.com/pdfs/venture_2010.pdf Vermont State Parks has a website http://www.vtstateparks.com/ , a blog http://vtstateparks.blogspot.com/ and they're also on Facebook where they put up activities for bonus points.
*
PTNA Collection Programs - The Berlin Elementary School PTNA continues to collect Campbell's Labels for Education (this includes other qualifying products such as Pepperidge Farm) http://www.labelsforeducation.com/ along with Box Tops for Eductation http://www.boxtops4education.com . Besides the collection bin in the lobby at school (it says Campbell's on it but the Box Tops can go in there too) there is also a collection bin at the Town Clerk's office and a envelope to collect them at the Berlin Fire Dept. You could also give them to a neighbor who has a child at the elementary school. The Price Chopper Tools for Schools program allows the PTNA to obtain free school supplies using points earned by registering our PC Advantage cards. Julie Pryce-Kelley is the one to contact with any questions about these programs Jlpk6030@aol.com
Please also note that can tabs are being collected by the Girl Scouts for the Shriners - there is a jug in the school lobby to collect these.
Vermont Mountaineers Baseball Tickets - Buy your VT Mountaineers baseball tickets through the Berlin ELementary PTNA. Tickets are $4 each, of which PTNA keeps $2 for each ticket sold. Contact Trudy Marineau at 229-4030. Tickets will be available for the whole season, just contact Trudy.
*
Please check out the following link for information about Good Karma Rescue. I would be glad to forward along an email I received from them a few days ago if you're interested in more details regarding their foster animal program.
http://goodkarmarescue.rescuegroups.org/info/display?PageID=6431
*
There are a few slots still available for Berlin Community Swimming Lessons in the July 12th - 23rd session at First in Fitness. See more details at http://www.berlinschool.org/userfiles/file/newsandinfo/swim%20sign%20up%202010.pdf or email me back for more information.
*
Corinne is officially unemployed - I don't believe everybody knows yet that three positions were cut at Berlin Elementary School (BES) because of declining enrollment and the need to cut the budget. This includes the paraeducator position I was in. We also had a teacher retire who is not being replaced. Even though I had worked at BES for 9 years I was "low man on the totem pole" (for paraeducators and teachers there is a clause about senority in the contracts). In addition to the 9 years I was employed, there were another 7 years that I volunteered in my kids classrooms, worked with the PTNA and served on committees. These cuts were part of the budget that went to voters in March. I encourage our community to follow along with budget planning for the school, the last couple years in addition to the school budget being presented at more than one meeting, a video of the budget being presented has been available on line. In order to really have a voice in what goes to the voters, you need to attend school board meetings during the time the budget is being created - the board certainly welcomes you to all their meetings. Agendas are posted on the school website http://www.berlinschool.org
I'm not yet sure of my plans. I'll be continuing my work with Berlin Emergency Management and I'm also working on becoming a Red Cross Volunteer - both could use more folks if you're interested!
*
# posted by Corinne's blog of Berlin and area happenings @ 10:10 PM 
