Don't forget to buy your 2014 Mount Holly Calendar!!

There is still time to buy your

2014 Mount Holly Calendar

on SALE 
in the 


BELMONT GENERAL STORE
and
COMMUNITY CENTER/LIBRARY
Enjoy the beauty of Mount Holly 
throughout the year

It's also a great holiday gift for
your family and friends

Your purchase of the Mount Holly Calendar helps support community activities like the annual Christmas Party and New Year's Eve on Star Lake

COMET ISON LIVES

COMET ISON LIVES:  Cancel the funeral. Comet ISON is back from the dead. Yesterday, Nov. 28th, Comet ISON flew through the sun's atmosphere and appeared to disintegrate before the cameras of several NASA and ESA spacecraft. This prompted reports of the comet's demise. Today, the comet has revived and is rapidly brightening.  Visithttp://spaceweather.com for images and updates.

You are subscribed to the Space Weather mailing list, a free service of Spaceweather.com: http://spaceweather.com/services/ .

Comet ISON Disintegrates

Posted by Joe McDonald

Space Weather News for  Nov. 28, 2013
http://spaceweather.com

RIP, Comet ISON? Evidence is mounting that Comet ISON did not survive its brush with the sun on Nov. 28th.  SOHO coronagraph images show the comet apparently disintegrating, while first-look images from the Solar Dynamics Observatory did not detect the comet moving along its expected path through the sun's atmosphere. Checkhttp://spaceweather.com for movies and updates.

UNIQUE CHRISTMAS GIFT:  Would you like to give someone a solar flare for Christmas?  Click here to find out how:https://spaceweatherphone.com/SMSSignup/phone_sign_up.php?Signup_Type=BuySpaceWeatherGift

"Tink Tailor Soldier Spy" December Movie Offering in Ludlow, Dec. 14

"Tink Tailor Soldier Spy"  December Movie Offering in Ludlow, Dec. 14

 

FOLA's (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) final 2013 movie will be a classic spy thriller that will keep everyone guessing until the final conclusion.  The movie, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy", will be displayed at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7 PM.

"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" is an adaptation of John Le Carré's novel about an ex-British agent who emerges from retirement to expose a mole in MI6.

Set in England in 1973, British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) head Control (John Hurt) and his top-ranking lieutenant George Smiley (Gary Oldman) are both forced into retirement after a mission involving respected secret agent Jim Prideaux (Mark Strong) turns unexpectedly deadly. As the Cold War continues to escalate, suspicions of a Soviet double agent begin to grow within SIS.

Smiley is secretly reemployed by the SIS in order to root out the double agent suspected of sharing top-secret British intelligence with the Soviets. Meanwhile, as Smiley and his new partner Peter Guillam (Benedict Cumberbatch) begin systematically examining all of the official missions and records involving MI6, the veteran spy can't help but recall an encounter he once had with Karla, a dangerous Russian operative, years prior.

At first, uncovering the identity of the infiltrator seems nearly impossible. Smiley and Guillam get a big break, however, when undercover agent Ricki Tarr (Tom Hardy) reveals that he has fallen for a mysterious woman in Turkey named Irina (Svetlana Khodchenkova), who may have a crucial lead. Later, upon learning that Control had comprised a list of five possible suspects, code-named Tinker (Toby Jones), Tailor (Colin Firth), Soldier (Ciarán Hinds), Poor Man (David Dencik), and Beggar Man -- none other than Smiley himself -- the investigation begins to heat up again.

The movie is free and open to everyone; donations are appreciated. The popcorn will be supplied by Berkshire Bank. For information, go to the FOLA web site at www.fola.us or call 802-228-7239.

New England Culinary Institute’s sixth annual Culinary Classic Competition

 

NECI HOLDS SIXTH ANNUAL CULINARY CLASSIC COMPETITIOn

Philip Stevens
Digital Content Coordinator
56 College Street
Montpelier, Vermont 05602
(802) 225-3356
philip.stevens@neci.edu

Local Talent

11-15-2013. Montpelier. At New England Culinary Institute’s Sixth annual Culinary Classic Competition culinary students from Ten Vermont Technical Schools raced to create three dishes in an hour and a half—a white bean, tomato and greens soup appetizer, a chicken breast with thyme buerre blanc and risotto entrée and a sweet crêpe dessert. The clock was ticking as each team opened their box of mystery ingredients and started chopping and began their mise en place (French for setting up your ingredients). Tension was high and the low murmur of the crowd grew to applause as the teams, in their black caps, striped caps and black toques and white toques stepped back from their stations ninety minutes later.

The judges, NECI’s own Chef Lyndon Virkler, Chef Kathleen Kessler, and Chef Jean-Louis Gerin watched from their dais at the head of the room, nodding and speaking in hushed tones. Each judge tasted each dish.

And the winner?

St. Johnsbury Academy—Chef David Hale, instructor, team members Samantha Jeffrey (St. Johnsbury, VT), Max Deaton (St. Johnsbury, VT), Katelyn Hartwell (Lyndonville, VT). Second place went to the Hartford Career and Technology Center team, led by Chef Aron Tomlinson; Charlie Moye (Canaan, NH), Heather Bailey (Enfield, NH), and Kyle Perkins (Quechee, VT). Third place went to the River Valley Technical Center team, led by Chef David Groenewold; Brenna Gallagher (Landgdon, NH), Lelsey Hildreth (Springfield, VT), and Elizabeth Manuel (Mt. Holly, VT)

I am really proud of our team. Preparation for the classic was a little chaotic, but Katelyn, Sam and Max crammed a whole bunch of practices into a short amount of time. They worked very hard and it was really great to see them working with professional efficiency at the competition. Each one of them is very excited about attending NECI and winning has given them a huge boost. – Chef David Hale, St. Johnsbury Academy

The team really came together and utilized each other’s abilities. They communicated well, and listened to one another while they prepared. The strength of the team really came down to blending each members respected talents. The rest of the class was also super supportive in pushing the group to do their best. I couldn’t be more proud.
—Chef Aron Tomlinson, Hartford Career and Technology Center

The top three teams will receive scholarships to New England Culinary Institute of up to $4000 for each team member.

Full list of 2013 New England Culinary Institute Culinary Classic participating teams:

Center for Technology, Essex Junction
Green Mountain Technology and Career Center, Hyde Park
Hartford Area Career and Technical Center, White River Junction
Randolph Technical Career Center, Randolph
River Bend Career and Technical Center, Bradford
River Valley Technical Center, Springfield
Southwest Vermont Career Development Center, Bennington
St. Johnsbury Academy, St. Johnsbury
Stafford Technical Center, Rutland
Windham Regional Career Center, Brattleboro

Check out photos of the event on NECI’s Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/necidotedu.

At New England Culinary Institute our restaurants are our classrooms. Small classes, hands-on learning, the best instructors in the business, on-line classes, fabulous internships and endless career opportunities are just a few of the NECI advantages.
To learn more about NECI’s programs and restaurants, go to www.neci.edu.

What's Happening at LPCTV

Questions or to RSVP: call us at 228-8808 or send an email                                                                       Follow Us On Twitter                                                                        Friend Us On Facebook                                                                        Forward To A Friend                                                                      BRTV Returns to the Studio Now that construction of our new TV and performance studio is complete, community producers, including the students in Black River High School's Media Studies class are putting it to use. In the photo above, Media Studies students are at work producing their first episode of this year's BRTV, an ongoing news and entertainment show that has gone through several incarnations over the years.  During previous years, BRTV was produced around school and on LPCTV's cramped set in its old space in Ludlow Elementary School.  "We are thrilled to finally open the doors to the students, and for the first time, really be able to teach them about TV studio production, and have them create their own programming in a professional studio", said LPCTV Executive Director Patrick Cody. "It's a traditional 3-camera studio with nice lighting, a green screen wall, good sound, and plenty of space." Volunteer Appreciation: Getting the Job Done We've been operating in the new space in the Ludlow Community Center complex for over 6 months now, and, while we are fully operational, there is much still to be done. It is a continual work-in-progress, yet each week there is a noticeable difference. And we have just completed a major piece recently, in the completion of the build-out of the TV and performance studio. This could not have been accomplished without the support of our donors, which include dozens of local individuals, businesses, and foundations, including the Okemo Community Challenge, Vermont Arts Council, and Ludlow Enterprise Fund. In addition, we would not be where we are in the project without the dedicated support of our volunteers. Numerous folks have invested "sweat equity" into LPCTV's new facility, including Board members Sharon Bixby and Darren Williams, shown above, putting the final touches on a new paint job on our camera pedestals. Consider Making End-of-Year Contribution to Our Phase 2 Building Fund Now that we are in the building and Phase 1 has been completed - with the TV / performance studio as the centerpiece - we are preparing to move forward with Phase 2. We are still doing some "behind the scenes" preparation work, but with the end-of-the-year approaching, we are asking past donors and potential new donors to consider making a contribution towards this Phase 2 fund. Read more about it and our building project in general by clicking here. You can also make a tax-deductible contribution on that web page, by clicking on the "Donate" button, which will take you to PayPal, where donations may be made via PayPal account or credit card. Membership Drive We are currently holding our membership drive. Members are the driving force behind LPCTV; without them, we would not be able to bring hundreds of hours of community programming to our local TV channels each year. Many of you have already signed up or renewed - and if so, thank you (you should have received a thank you / donation receipt, and if. If you have not already done so, please consider becoming a member right now by visiting the membership page. We also invite you to come see our new facility, in the Ludlow Community Center complex (next door to Black River Good Neighbors), 37C Main St. in Ludlow. Thanks to Community Producers A big shout out has to go to those who help make local TV happen by bringing community programming to LPCTV. For starters, we had Chris Miele, shooting Black River HS Boys & Girls soccer, picking up where volunteer-extraordinaire Bruce Perry left off, with some help with commentary from Bob Gilmore and Ted Stryhas. Then there's Sharon Bixby, who has done quite a bit of production with the Black River Academy Museum, shooting the recent presentation on China from Brigid Sullivan & David Hoeh, as well as the "Antiques Road Show" series (a 4-part series, all of which have been airing on LPCTV and are on LPCTV.org). Also, Brigid Sullivan has been busy borrowing LPCTV's cameras, shooting various meetings in Mount Holly as well as the recent community forum on prescription drugs, which followed the screening of the new Bess O'Brien film, "Hungry Heart", at Ludlow Town Hall (this program has not yet been televised; just giving you a "sneak preview"..stay tuned next week when it will be airing on Ch. 8, starting Thanksgiving Day). Local Programming Highlights We are happy to be bringing high volumes of community programming to LPCTV's channels. As mentioned above, we have the BRAM Antique Road Show series (all 4 parts to play again beginning Tues. 11/26). We also have the recent Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum, recorded at the Fletcher Memorial Library in Ludlow. As mentioned above, beginning on Thanksgiving Day, we will begin televising the community forum on prescription drugs (that accompanied the Hungry Heart screening in Ludlow). Also on Thanksgiving Day on Ch. 8, we will begin televising the recent presentation from "Astro Al" Boudreau on Comet ISON, which is now visible to the naked eye as it travels through Earth's orbit. For complete program listings check the schedules for Channel 8 (Ch. 20 in Mt. Holly) and Channel 10 (Ch. 21 in Mt. Holly).  All of these local programs can also be seen on our website, which we continue to update daily.

Copyright © 2012. LPCTV All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 37C Main St., Ludlow VT 05149

Mount Holly Chit Chat * Every Month*

The Mount Holly Chit Chat is published monthly. Articles are due by the 22nd of the previous month.

Send articles to:

Diana Garrow
3379 Shunpike Rd.
Mt. Holly, VT 05758
H: 259-2314
E-Mail: chitchat@vermontel.net

November 2013

October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
Cat Chat Spring 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011

Silent Auction Fundraiser, December 11th To Be Held at Stemwinder

:  Giraffes viewed while on safari with "I Dreamed of Africa", the major silent auction experience.

 Two night stay in a NYC Upper West Side apartment is one of many items offered in the auction.

Silent Auction Fundraiser, December 11^th To Be Held at Stemwinder

The Black River Academy Museum will hold its only fund raising event, a silent auction, at Ludlow’s new dining venue, Stemwinder, 46 Depot Street, Ludlow, VT, on Wed., Dec. 11^th from 5 PM to 7 PM.  The new restaurant is located directly behind the Wine and Cheese Depot and it is a joint venture between Leslie Stuart, owner of the Wine and Cheese Depot and Wendy Neal, owner of “A Catered Affair”.  Hours are from 5 PM to 7 PM and guests will be able to sip wine and enjoy “American Tapas” while bidding on the wide selection of items and experiences the museum board and staff have drawn together. 

The highlighted experience this year is “I Dreamed of Africa” a truly unique experience which offers a six-day, six-night luxury safari for two in South Africa.  The safari includes three meals a day and two daily open jeep safari tours, providing unique “sightings” of South African animals.  The winning bidder will be able to schedule the safari at their convenience.  Silent auctions are known to offer very good pricing for luxury trips.  A nice way to travel and support a good cause, BRAM.

The silent auction has a wide range dollar-wise, with many of the items perfect for Christmas presents.  Dining experiences, inn stays, fitness classes, two nights at a NYC  Upper West Side apartment, ski lessons, massages and even heating oil are among  the many choices.  Another nice way to start your holiday shopping and support the museum.

If you can not make it to the silent auction on Dec. 11^th, you still have an opportunity to view and bid on items at the museum’s web site, www.bramvt.org by phoning 802-228-5050 or emailing director@bramvt.org with your bid.  Bidding will close at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, December 11^th.

Tickets are $25 per person and reservations  can be made using the above phone number or email address or by visiting the Book Nook or the Wine and Cheese Depot, both located in Ludlow, VT.  Included are as many tapas as you can eat, ranging from appetizers to small desserts and one glass of wine.  Additional glasses of wine may be purchased.  BRAM Silent Auction at Stemwinder, 46 Depot Street,  Wed., December 11^th, Ludlow, VT, 5 PM to 7 PM.  For more information call 802-228-5050, email director@bramvt.org  or visit our web site, www.bramvt.org.

UPDATE ON BUILDING FOUNDATION FUND

  UPDATE ON BUILDING FOUNDATION FUND

                       The members of Colfax Lodge #21, IOOF, extend a heartfelt thank you

                      to all who have contributed toward our foundation project at the Odd

                      Fellows Hall. We have received over $11,000 toward our goal of $25,000.

                      Without your generous donations, it would not be possible to plan what

                      we hope will be the start on our project next spring. There is still time to

                      make a tax-deductible donation this year. If you have any questions, please

                      call Harold at 259-3665 or Dennis at 259-2460.     

MOUNT HOLLY SELECT BOARD INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON PROPOSED TOWN GARAGE

MOUNT HOLLY SELECT BOARD

INFORMATIONAL MEETING

ON PROPOSED TOWN GARAGE

Saturday, November 30, 2013

10:00 AM – Town Garage and

Mount Holly School

The Mount Holly Select Board will hold an informational meeting to present and discuss future plans for the Mount Holly Town Garage.

The meeting location is as follows:

10:00 AM             Start at Town Garage

To Follow             Proceed to the proposed Site

To Follow             Mount Holly School Gym

Mount Holly Select Board

James Heald, Chairman

SELECT BOARD SPECIAL MEETING

SELECT BOARD

SPECIAL MEETING

November 21, 2013

7:00 pm

Mt. Holly Community Center

AGENDA

1.      Star Lake Dam Reconstruction Presentation

Friends of Star Lake (FOSL) will be presenting information on the Reconstruction of the Star Lake Dam.  This will include the preliminary engineering report with alternative designs.

This meeting is being warned as a Select Board meeting, as more than one selectman may attend in order to gain information on the project as well as listen to public concerns and comments.  There will be no decisions made by the Select Board at this meeting.

Fall Music Jazz Festival at Brattleboro High School Saturday 11/23/13

 BLACK RIVER HIGH SCHOOL

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Fall Music Jazz Festival at Brattleboro High School Saturday 11/23/13

MS Chorus & Band 3:00HS Concert Band and Jazz Choir 5:00

Fall Music Jazz Festival at Brattleboro High School Saturday 11/23/13

MS Chorus & Band 3:00

HS Concert Band and Jazz Choir 5:

Here are the directions to Brattleboro Union High School:

91South to Exit 1

Turn left onto Canal Street

Less than a 1/4 mile turn right onto fairground road.  

Fairground road goes right into the high school parking lot.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Mount Holly Conservation Trust PUBLIC MEETING

Mount Holly Conservation Trust

PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday, November 21 at 7:00 pm

Mt. Holly Community Center, lower level

Star Lake Dam Reconstruction

Preliminary Engineering Report with Alternative Designs

DuBois & King has completed their preliminary engineering report and will present their findings at an informational meeting on Thursday, November 21 at 7:00 pm at the Mt. Holly Community Center, lower level (across from the Belmont Store).

This project is being managed as a collaboration between the Mt.Holly Select Board and the Mount Holly Conservation Trust (MHCT)-Friends of Star Lake (FOSL).  The reconstruction is being funded in large part by the awesome $500,000 gift to the MHCT-FOSL by the late Patricia Nye.

This Report includes: site topology, existing dam characteristics, an update of the watershed hydrology, and two alternative designs with cost estimates.  The chosen alternative will be advanced to final construction documents with a target for completing the engineering by the end of this year.  Depending on the timing for permits and construction season, dam reconstruction will hopefully begin in 2014.

A copy of the Report is posted on the Mt. Holly web site….

    

http://www.mounthollyvt.org/community-organizations/star-lake/

“Star Lake Dam Alternatives Summary Report”

Ron Unterman and Dottie Finnerty

co-chairs FOSL, a committee of the Mt. Holly Conservation Trust

Brigid Sullivan, President, Mt. Holly Conservation Trust

PO Box 85,  Belmont, VT  05730

802-259-2491

ron@unterman.com

Black River Academy Museum and Stemwinder Restaurant Partner for BRAM’s Silent Auction Fundraiser

Black River Academy Museum and Stemwinder Restaurant Partner for BRAM’s Silent Auction Fundraiser

 On Wed, Dec. 11^th, from 5 PM to 7 PM, BRAM will hold a Holiday Celebration/ Silent Auction, the museum’s only fundraising event, at Stemwinder, located at 46 Depot Street, Ludlow, VT.   Members of the museum have drawn on generous local businesses and friends to offer a fantastic array of items and “unique experiences” for the silent auction.

“I Dreamed of Africa” is a truly unique experience, offering a six-day, six-night luxury safari for two in South Africa and it is the highlight of the auction.  The safari includes three meals a day and two daily open jeep safari tours, providing unique “sightings” of South African fauna.  The winning bidder will be able to schedule the safari at his/her convenience.

Other auction items include a lobster dinner for four from Black River Produce, dinner for two at the Downtown Grocery, two nights in a NYC apartment on the Upper West Side and a two night get-away at the Combes Family Inn in Ludlow, VT.  This is only a sampling of the many items up for bid.  A complete list is on the museum’s web site www.bramvt.org and bids will be accepted by phone or email.

Guests will enjoy a glass of wine and “American Tapas” created by Wendy Neal, owner of “A Catered Affair”.  Ms. Neal has a long restaurant career, over twenty years, and has always wanted to open a restaurant.  Now partnering with Leslie Stuart, Stemwinder fulfills her dream. Ms. Neal will also continue her highly successful catering business.

The name Stemwinder was inspired by many word references, stem coming to mind immediately.  Excellent or outstanding or as the Oxford English Dictionary puts it, “a person or thing that is first rate” is one of many definitions that is applicable.  Ms. Stuart says of Stemwinder that “our goal is to create a comfortable place for people to experience “outstanding” food, wine, service and atmosphere”.

Reservations for the Holiday Celebration/Silent Auction on December 11^th, 5 PM to 7 PM are $25 per person and include as many plates of tapas you can eat and one glass of wine.  Additional glasses of wine may be purchased.  The number of reservations is limited due to the intimate size of Stemwinder, so please make your reservations now by calling the museum at 802-228-5050, emailing the museum atdirector@bramvt.org or stopping by the Book Nook or the Wine and Cheese Depot.

SELECT BOARD MEETING November 12, 2013

SELECT BOARD MEETING

November 12, 2013

7:30pm

AGENDA

1.      Approval of Meeting Minutes

1. Regular Meeting Minutes of October 08, 2013
2. Special Meeting Minutes of October 22, 2013

2.      Highways

1. GMP – Yale Road
2. Winter Salt Bids
3. FEMA Update
4. New garage

·         Next steps

3.      Report of Treasurer

1. Monthly income and expense report

4.      Insurance

a.       Health Insurance

5.      Transfer Station

a.       Metal Recycling

b.      Electronics Recycling

6.      Planning Commission

1. Appointment to Planning Commission vacancies
2. Administrative Officer vacancy
3. Appointments to RRPC and RRTC

7.      Other

a.       Town Cemeteries – Dennis Devereux

b.      Chit Chat appropriation for FY15

8.      Review and sign October orders for payment

9.      Executive Session (if needed)