Sunday, January 17, 2016

 

Berlin News to Know August 3rd

BERLIN NEWS TO KNOW  August 3rd, 2015
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This communication is put together and distributed on a volunteer basis by resident Corinne Stridsberg simply in an effort to share information and build community, it is not from the town of Berlin.
Please share this with your Berlin friends and neighbors.  If you're not already receiving this news directly by email, send an email to request this to corinnestridsberg@gmail.com.
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For current news look for "BerlinVermont" on facebook for a constant flow of information.  You don't need to be a facebook user to access it, but if you do use facebook, be sure to "Like" it:

For historical news look for "BerlinVermont Memories" on facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BerlinVermontMemories
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NOTE:
It's not too early to start making mention of POTATO PICKING on just one Sunday in September at Chappelle's in Williamstown!  If you're not familiar with it, this WCAX story from 2013 (with my daughter and grandson!) will give you an idea, and I'll be sharing more details as we get closer.  Suffice it to say, it's fun, the potatoes are low cost, you can get any quantity you want, they're from a local farmer, and most important - they're delicious!  Yes, it really is my favorite day of the year!  Can't wait!! http://www.wcax.com/story/23496106/families-gear-up-for-potato-picking

Below you will find:
BEAR SIGHTINGS
BLESSED BUILDING BOOM
HIGH TEMPS - CHECK ON FOLKS
SENIOR SAVINGS
STATEHOUSE LAWN "BUY LOCAL MARKET" TUESDAY, AUGUST 4TH
STONE, FINAL DAYS  - PRODUCTION ON GRANITE INDUSTRY
MEETINGS
FIRST TAX INSTALLMENT DUE AUGUST 17TH
SCHOOL SCHEDULE 2015-2016 INCLUDES WEEKLY WEDNESDAY EARLY RELEASE
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25TH - PLEASE CONSIDER ATTENDING
VINTAGE TRAILER SHOW AUGUST 8TH
YOUTH GROUP REPAIR WORK INCLUDES MACKENZIE HOUSE
UVM EXTENSION 4-H EDUCATOR NAMED
BERLIN POND FIVE MILER
USED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SALE AUGUST 29TH
CAPITAL CITY GRANGE (IN BERLIN) IS SET TO CELEBRATE
MALL GIVEN OK TO BUILD KOHL'S
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BEAR SIGHTINGS
It's been mentioned to me that there have been bear sightings very recently on both Crosstown Road and Chandler Road. Both a large bear and a small bear have been seen on Crosstown Road, in the area from around Rowell Hill Road down Erhardt Hill. I'm told it's a large bear on Chandler on the end closest to Northfield Falls. Of course they travel so be alert wherever you are and remember it's not a good time to have a bird feeder out. They could be rummaging in your compost pile if it's an open one and I'm sure they're enjoying the berry picking as much as we are. Be safe.
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BLESSED BUILDING BOOM
There was an article from 1968 that I posted to both the "Berlin, Vermont" facebook page along with the "Berlin, Vermont Memories" facebook page entitled  "Berlin Blasted By Blessed Building Boom".  It is an interesting look back at what was being proposed or considered (almost) 50 years ago  If you're not able to access facebook let me know and it can be sent along as an attachment
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HIGH TEMPS - CHECK ON FOLKS
When the temperatures are climbing to the mid 80's plus, it can be important to check in with your senior friends, neighbors, and relatives as they are more susceptible to heat related health issues. Those who work or exercise outdoors, infants and children, people who are obese or have a chronic medical condition, and people living in more urbanized areas also tend to be at greater risk. 
www.vtalert.gov/Public/News/AllHazPRView.aspx?notID=3544483&refer=HOME&source=ADFTFH&messageID=25952273
Certain precautions should be taken on hot days, especially by those who are at greater risk.   The Health Department recommends the following:  
The Health Department also encourages all Vermonters to learn the signs and first aid responses for heat-related illness. Heat cramps may be the first sign; other signs may include weakness, heavy sweating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, and confusion.  
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SENIOR SAVINGS
Green Mountain Passport is available to Vermont residents who are seniors (62 years of age or older) and/or veterans. A one time $2 fee is paid at the Town Clerk's office. Use your passport for free admission to Vermont State Parks (overnight camping and other park fees are excluded), Vermont State Historic Sites, and events which are fully State sponsored. It only takes a couple minutes to fill out the form and you receive your card immediately. The Berlin Town Clerk's office is open 8:30am - 3:30pm Monday - Thursday.
http://ddas.vermont.gov/search?SearchableText=green+mountain+passport
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STATEHOUSE LAWN "BUY LOCAL MARKET" TUESDAY, AUGUST 4TH
Celebrate Vermont Agriculture at the 1st Buy Local Market.  Rain or Shine Tuesday, August 4th 10am - 1pm.
Berlin's own Burelli Farm, Dog River Farm, and Rogers Farmstead will be part of it along with about 40 others vendors.
http://agriculture.vermont.gov/producer_partner_resources/market_access_development/buylocalmarkets
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STONE, FINAL DAYS - PRODUCTION ON GRANITE INDUSTRY
STONE, Mr. Kim Bent's original 2005 play documenting the early days of granite industry in Barre is in the midst of their run (with some variations from when it first with done) at the Vermont Granite Museum with the final shows being this week August 6th - 9th.  Thursday 6th 7pm, Friday 7th 8pm, Saturday 8th 2pm & 8pm, and Sunday 9th 2pm.
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Interview with Kim Bent at the Vermont Granite Museum which includes some old photos and a clip from the production and at the end a look at the museum: http://vp.telvue.com/preview?id=T01221&video=242291
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Photos and info: www.facebook.com/LostNationTheater
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For more on the Vermont Granite Museum visit: www.vtgranitemuseum.org/visit
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MEETINGS
The Selectboard meets Monday, August 3rd 7pm at the Town Office. 
Please note there will NOT be a Development Review Board (DRB) meeting in August.
Berlin Elementary School Board meets Monday, August 10th 7pm in the Learning Center at the school.
The Emergency Management Team meets Thursday, August 13th 6:30pm at the fire department.
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FIRST TAX INSTALLMENT DUE MONDAY, AUGUST 17TH
The first installment on tax bills is due on Monday, August 17th  In order to meet this deadline, payments should be brought to the Treasurer at the town office no later than the 17th at 4:30pm or they can be left in the deposit box outside the front door (which will be checked Tuesday morning).  Payments can also be postmarked (not an office meter but postmarked by the post office) by August 17th.  Payments not made will incur a late fee of 8% penalty and 1% interest.  The Treasurer’s office is open five days a week (Monday through Thursday 8am to 4:30pm and on Friday 8am to 4pm).
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SCHOOL SCHEDULE 2015-2016 INCLUDES WEEKLY WEDNESDAY EARLY RELEASE
Before school starts, a reminder regarding the early release Wednesdays.  U-32 will dismiss on Wednesdays at 2pm and Berlin and the other elementary schools will dismiss at 3pm.  The complete calendar: http://berlinschool.org/images/2015%202016%20approved%20calendar.pdf
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 25TH - PLEASE CONSIDER ATTENDING
Whether you're interested in simply checking out the historical society or if you may have a bit of time to volunteer on a task or project, the next Berlin Historical Society meeting is Tuesday, August 25th at the Berlin Historical Society.
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VINTAGE TRAILER SHOW AUGUST 8TH
On Saturday August 8th it should be fun to check out the vintage trailer event in Montpelier.  Check out some details at:
http://www.montpelierbridge.com/2015/07/vermonts-first-vintage-trailer-event-coming-to-town/
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YOUTH GROUP REPAIR WORK INCLUDES MACKENZIE HOUSE
A Methodist Youth Group from Pennsylvania has an ambitious schedule which includes repairing, painting, electrical work and plumbing at a variety of locations.  See more at:
www.thenorthfieldnews.com/news/2015-07-23/Worship/Methodist_Youth_Repairing_Area_Churches.html
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UVM EXTENSION 4-H EDUCATOR NAMED
Allison Smith is the new UVM Extension 4-H education for Orange and Washington Counties and will be based at the Berlin office.  See the press release for more information on how she will support the 4-H program, including the development of new programs, and also her photo to put a name with the face. www.uvm.edu/extension/youth/?Page=news&storyID=21201&category=ext4h
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BERLIN POND FIVE MILER
Event is Thursday, August 20th 6pm.  Race-Day Registration Only - 4:45-5:45 at the Berlin Town Office.  Fee $5  Certified 5 mile loop course counter-clockwise around Berlin Pond on dirt roads with one water stop.  First half very hill; second half relatively flat.  Parking at Town Office only, no parking along race course. More details at:
http://www.cvrunners.org/berlinpond/index.html
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USED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SALE AUGUST 29TH
Central Vermont Share the Music Annual Used Musical Instrument Sale will Be Saturday, August 29th from 9am - 2pm at the Bethany Church 115 Main Street, Montpelier.  Instrument drop-off will be 8/28/15 4pm-7pm.  Awesome opportunity, very knowledgeable folks on hand at the sale are available to give you guidance or play an instrument for you if you want to hear it.  It's also a wonderful opportunity to dig out those instruments that haven't been used in years and let them find a new home.  Many happy kids and adults leave this sale with a new-to-them treasure which they purchased at a reasonable price.  www.sharethemusicvt.org/sale.htm
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CAPITAL CITY GRANGE (IN BERLIN) IS SET TO CELEBRATE
Pub. 7/29/15 Times Argus by Gina Conn
  MONTPELIER — Leslie Skinner recalled that his mom made him join a grange club in Massachusetts in 1943.
  “In 1943, the Grange came up with a program where for 50 cents a week you have Blue Cross Blue Shield” (health insurance), he said. But even though his mother forced him to became a member, Skinner ended up making it a lifelong commitment. 
  Over that time, Skinner has been treasurer and master (similar to being president) of four different granges. including the Montpelier Grange since 1991. He moved to
Vermont in 1989 and has been treasurer here since 1991. 
  Skinner said in his time as a Grange member he and the club have provided dictionaries to school children, given college scholarships, and donated money to the city of
Montpelier for renovations. 
  “One of the noteworthy things about the grange is from its very beginning women were members,” said Timothy Swartz, master of Capital City Grange #469. “It’s not like many of the fraternal organizations.”
  The National Grange has been around since 1867;
Montpelier’s Capital City Grange was chartered in 1914. Swartz said that women have been officers of the social club for a long time. The current state master, in fact, is Brenda Rousselle and others have preceded her in the job. 
  Exclusivity is not what the Grange is about, according to Swartz. “To join the Grange, you just have to be more than 12½ years old,” he said, adding that community service is the main purpose of the Grange. “We feel one of the biggest community services we can offer is providing the Grange hall itself to be used for personal and community events,” he said, citing wedding receptions, dances, family reunions, school plays, potluck dinners, proms, church services, political meetings and corporate trainings as some of the events held there through the years.
  Grange halls have traditionally hosted dances from the earliest days of the Order, as the club considers dances to be a vital part of the rural social life. And at the Capital City Grange, the most popular event has always been the contra dances since the 1980s. They’re held every first, third and fifth Saturday.
  As the dances grew in popularity, so did Grange membership. “In 2005, we had about 70 new members join largely from the contra dance community,” said Swartz. Approximately 150 people turn out now for the all-ages dances and the crowd is diverse. “We have teens and people in their 80s dancing together. It’s a unique crowd,” he said. 
  Swartz got involved with the contra dancing in 2000. “They needed more people,” he explained, “and I was one of the people to answer the call to get involved.”
  He said what he likes about the Grange is how they don’t just talk about issues — they participate, and facilitate action. “I like working for the common good,” he explained. “It’s an organization that promotes participation.”
  Montpelier City Manager William Fraser credits the Grange for its role in the community. “Our residents have greatly benefited from the many events held there, the services offered and its contributions to all ages and segments of the community,” said Fraser.
  Because the Capital City Grange is technically located in
Berlin, just over the border on Route 12, Swartz said they are looking to host more Berlin-based events. “We’re talking to the town of Berlin over ways we can provide the community hall for that town.” 
  Swartz said in the last year there have been ongoing improvements made to the Grange Hall. The bathrooms have been completely renovated, and are now all-gender facilities that anyone can use with private stalls. “It’s a different way of looking at things,” Swartz said of the new bathrooms.
  There will be a celebration of the recent work done to the hall this Saturday. Starting at
5:30 p.m., the Grange will host a barbeque. They’ll also be cooking up hamburgers, hot dogs and veggie burgers, and serving dessert and drinks. They’ve invited legislators, members of the local arts council and other community members. The event is open to the public, just as the Grange has always been.
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MALL GIVEN OK TO BUILD KOHL'S
Pub. 7/30/15 Times Argus by Eric Blaisdell
  BERLIN — The District 5 Environmental Commission has given a permit to the Berlin Mall to build a freestanding Kohl’s department store, much to the delight of officials in town even if they wish it had been issued sooner.
  The amendment to the land use permit, which is part of the Act 250 process, was granted Tuesday. It allows the mall to build a 55,550-square-foot Kohl’s store.
  Berlin Select Board Chairman Ture Nelson said Wednesday the permit was good news. Nelson and the rest of the Select Board, minus Jeremy Hansen who was absent, sent a letter to the environmental commission at the end of May expressing their strong support for the project. They felt the letter would help the process along as it was first applied for last August and they felt a decision should have come much sooner than now.
  “We’re pleased that it was finally approved,” Nelson said. “We’re still concerned with the length of time it took to get approved. It’s been almost a year since the application was first filed.”
  Nelson said the board felt the store was a pretty straightforward project for an area that already has commercial businesses in it. He said he hopes the mall can move forward to get the store built and be welcomed by
Berlin.
  “Any growth that we can have, especially commercial growth, helps existing businesses, brings more people in. They’re not just going to stop a Kohl’s, they’re going to go across the street to the Berlin Mall and shop there as well,” Nelson said.
  He said any opportunities the town has to expand the grand list and add more shopping options to the town are welcomed. Nelson said the town is showing that is a business-friendly area.
  Charles Storrow, the attorney representing Berlin Mall LLC in the process, said Wednesday they are reviewing the permit and are pleased to have been granted it. Storrow said there are a couple conditions in the permit, concerning signage and dealing with stormwater, that need to be ironed out but the store appears to be moving ahead.
  The mall had been hoping to have the store up and running by spring, as Kohl’s has a policy of only opening stores in the spring or the fall. This quickly approaching deadline was what spurred the town to write its letter of support.
  With the permit in hand, Storrow said a spring opening is still possible but it’s a little tight.
  “That’s a conversation that is ongoing right now with Kohl’s, but we’re reasonably optimistic,” he said.
  At the very least, Storrow said if the store isn’t opened by the spring, it will be in the fall of 2016.
  @Tagline:eric.blaisdell
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