Cavendish Update: 6/8/18 Okemo/CTES/Concerts
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6/8/18 Cavendish Update
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Vail Resorts to purchase Okemo
3. CTES Principal Forum June 11
4. Cavendish Announces 2018 Summer Concert Series
5. Events
1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
New All Breed Grooming Salon Opens in Proctorsville: The Happy Hound Dog Salon opened its doors June 1, specializing in senior dogs, dogs with anxiety, rescues, and many other special needs of the doggy kind. We work in a quiet, one-on-one environment to create the least amount of stress for your pet. We offer a puppy intro program, breed cuts, Splash-n-Dash, pawdicures, and so much more! By appointment only; some weekends and evening appointments available. Call 802-226-7118.
Congratulations to Two Former CTES Students: The 2018 Ludlow Rotary Scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors from Black River High School (BRHS) and Green Mountain Union High School (GMUHS). This year, two former Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES) students, and current GMUHS seniors have received scholarships: $2,000 Daniel E. Kesman Memorial Scholarship (emphasis on academic performance) to Sadie Wood; and $1,000 traditional scholarship to Isabelle Cameron. Best of luck to all our graduates.
Kohl’s Kids Bike Smart Program Visits CTES: Students of Cavendish Town Elementary School were given the opportunity May 30 and 31 to learn about bike safety and skills in riding bicycles. The seven-year-old Kids Bike Smart program sent bicycles to the school through a grant made available by Kohl’s Department Stores. The program was brought to the area through Local Motion, an advocacy group who shares in the goal of providing safe walking and biking for surrounding areas. VT Journal
Vermont Contributes to the Greater Music World: This week’s cover story on New York Philharmonic cellist and Marlboro native Eric Bartlett brings up a serious question: Can Vermonters, coming from a rural state without the tradition of the intense competitive music education of urban areas, turn out musicians who will be successful on the world stage? The answer is yes, with one of them being Cavendish’s own Ignat Solzhenitsyn. Rutland Herald
Marji Graf Leaving Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce: The CEO of the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, Marji Graf is leaving to take a job as CEO of the Rockville, MD Chamber of Commerce effective July2. VT Journal
Ludlow Select Board Chairman, Howard Barton, Dies: The longtime chairman of the Ludlow Select Board died Saturday afternoon while mountain biking near his home. Howard Barton Jr., 55, had been chairman for the past 15 years, and had served even longer on the board. He worked as a lineman and assistant superintendent for the Village of Ludlow Electric Light Department for over 35 years. He was an alternate member of Vermont Public Power Supply Authority. Friends and family can pay their respects at the celebration of life, officiated by Reverent Thomas Mosher at 7 Depot Street, Saturday, June 9 at 2 p.m. at the Church of Annunciation in Ludlow, Vt. VT Journal
Become a VT Invasive Patroller: Join VT Dept. of Environmental Conservation Lakes & Ponds staff at a Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIP) workshop to learn how to monitor lakes, ponds and rivers for aquatic invasive species, survey healthy native plant populations, and reduce the threat of aquatic invasive species introductions. Learn the differences between native, exotic, nuisance and invasive species; how invasive species are introduced and established; how to differentiate invasive aquatic plants and animals from native lookalikes (plants will be emphasized); and how to conduct surveys for aquatic invasive plants in water bodies. Interested participants are encouraged to join the statewide network of volunteers who survey for aquatic invasive species in their favorite lake, pond or river. A 4-hour VIP workshop will include classroom time and an on-the-water aquatic plant survey session at Echo Lake at Plymouth State Park. The workshop is June 23, 10-2 at the Fletcher Memorial Library in Ludlow. Please pre register by contacting Kim Jensen at Kimberly.jensen@vermont.gov or 802-490-6120 Bring your lunch and canoe or kayak.
2. VAIL RESORTS TO PURCHASE OKEMO: On Monday, June 4, many in Cavendish with ties to Okemo Mountain, received an e-mail from the Muellers stating, To Our Mountain Family, It is with a great deal of mixed emotions, yet, with tremendous hope for the future that we announce we are selling Triple Peaks LLC, which includes Okemo Mountain, Mount Sunapee and Crested Butte Mountain. First and foremost, we want you to know that this was the hardest decision we have ever made, especially as we begin to transition through this deal and say goodbye to each of you. Recently, Vail Resorts approached us to buy out our leases and the operating companies for all three mountains. They recognized the distinct locations of our mountains, the incredible knowledge and passion each of you have, and the remarkable service you all have provided to millions of guests.... We were not naïve in realizing this would mean changes as the future unfolds. We spent a lot of time contemplating all of this, and decided that moving forward with the sale was in the best interest for the future of the mountains, our employees, communities and our loyal guests. As we look 10, 20, 30 years down the road, we ultimately decided that now would be the right time.
Triple Peaks is being sold for $82 million and Vail will invest $35 million in the properties.
Okemo has been run in a very different manner than other mountains, offering many an opportunity to ski and ride at nominal costs. For those who work at the mountain, there are questions about future employment, benefits etc. For riders and skiers, there are lots of questions about Vail’s Epic Pass, which is good at up to 64 mountains across 11 states and provinces and eight countries.
The Epic Pass, which now includes Okemo, is significantly cheaper than the Okemo pass. What if you’ve already bought your Okemo pass? Can you get a refund? At this juncture, Okemo’s Resort Services have few answers and are telling people to wait until the sale goes through. Some questions may be answered at the Epic Pass website-Okemo, Mount Sunapee, Crested Butte and Stevens Pass Season Pass Frequently Asked Questions.
So what’s been the impact of Vail taking over other Vermont resorts? Last year, Vail bought Stowe. At the end of the 2017/2018 seasons, Stowe reported “a great winter season,” both for skier visits as well as general sales in the town. Many were thrilled with the additional parking Vail added, though some are concerned that eventually they’ll charge for parking, which is common at other Vail resorts. Those involved in real estate report that “the market took off and is still pretty incredible.” The one thing everyone could agree on was the value of the Vail Epic Pass, as it’s less than half the price of Stowe’s old season pass.
3. CTES Principal Forum June 11: To replace retiring principal George Thomson, the Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES) Search Committee has selected two finalists to meet with community members and the Green Mountain Unified School District (GMUSD) Board.
Seventeen candidates applied for the principal’s position with thirteen meeting position qualifications. Of this group, the Search Committee interviewed three candidates and selected two for a school visit-Debra Beaupre of Meriden, New Hampshire and Adam Rosen of Montpelier, Vermont.
• Mrs. Beaupre currently works as an assistant principal at the Newport City Elementary School in Newport, Vermont. Prior to becoming an assistant principal, Mrs. Beaupre taught for many years in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades as well as working as a Title 1 reading teacher. Beaupre is a commentator for VPR. http://digital.vpr.net/people/deb-beaupre#stream/0.
• Mr. Rosen currently works as an early educator at the Waterbury Children’s Early Learning Space and prior to this position served as the principal of the Rumney Memorial School in Middlesex, Vermont
The candidates met with CTES students, faculty and staff on June 6, the community will have a chance to interview them at the principal forum on Monday, June 11 at 6:30 pm at the school. Community will meet with each candidate for twenty-five minutes, after which they will be asked to complete a short feedback form. This information will be forwarded to the GMUSD board for their use in selecting the principal on June 12. Childcare will be provided at the community forum.
3. CAVENDISH 2018 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: The Town of Cavendish will present its annual summer music series for 2018 on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 on the Proctorsville Green. The lineup will be as follows:
July 11- Davis Brother’s Garage Band sponsored by dgBodyworks
July 18- The Gully Boys sponsored by Neal’s Restaurant
July 25- Rick Redington and the Luv sponsored by The Pointe at Castle Hill
Aug 1- Yankee Chank, sponsored by Murdock’s Restaurant.
Aug 8-Jason Cann sponsored by Okemo Mountain Resort
Aug.15-Sensible Shoes sponsored by Outer Limits Brewery
The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association (CCCA) will again coordinate the series. All concerts are free and open to the public, so grab your lawn chair, a picnic and a cold drink, and join your friends and neighbors to enjoy plenty of rollicking good music from the gazebo. Goodman’s American Pie has promised to bring the pizza wagon, so bring an appetite too.
Concerts will be held unless severe weather threatens. In case of rain, alternative plans will be announced on the Cavendish VT Facebook page. To volunteer to help with the series, or for more information, call Robin at 226-7736.
4. EVENTS
JUNE 8-9 (FRIDAY-SATURDAY): GMUHS Alumni Weekend. Social hour at the Chester American Legion on Friday. Parade is at 11, with parade line up on Elm St at 10. BBQ following the parade at the Chester American Legion field. Annual meeting will be at 2:30.
JUNE 11 (MONDAY): Community forum to meet the candidates for CTES’s principal position, 6:30 pm at the school.
• Select Board meeting, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office
JUNE 13 (WEDNESDAY): Town Energy Committee Meeting 12-1 Cavendish Town Office
• Planning Commission Meeting 6:30-8 pm at the Cavendish Town Office
JUNE 15 (FRIDAY): Last day to pay property taxes before 8% delinquency fee is attached
JUNE 16 (SATURDAY): Rich Svec Celebration of Life and Dedication of the Proctorsville Green, 2pm at the Proctorsville Green.
JUNE 22 (FRIDAY): George Thomson’s retirement party, 6-8 pm, Proctorsville Green. Potluck dinner-please bring a dish, other than dessert, to share. Two bands
JUNE 27 (WEDNESDAY): Grievance Day, Cavendish Town Office.
For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.