First in Fitness to Hold Indoor Benefit for Bicycle Trail Bridge
MONTPELIER — First in Fitness is holding a Ride for the Bridge event to benefit the Cross Vermont Trail bridge. The event will be held on March 8 at First in Fitness, Pitkin Court, Montpelier (behind City Hall). Deadline to register is Feb. 16. All participants receive a Cross Vermont Trail technical t-shirt. Sign up at First in Fitness.
Senior Center to Hold Lunch with a Cop Feb. 6
MONTPELIER — Last month’s “Coffee with a Cop” at Birchgrove Baking was so successful that the Montpelier Police Department plans to hold “Lunch with a Cop” on Feb. 6 at 12 p.m. at the Montpelier Senior Activity Center (58 Barre Street). Attendees can expect a delicious lunch and an opportunity to discuss community issues and build relationships with officers from the Montpelier Police Department. Lunch is $9 for those under 60 years of age and no charge with a $7 suggested donation for those 60 or older. If you plan to come for lunch, please call (802) 262-6288 or email justbasicsinc@gmail.com by Feb. 4 so we can reserve you a meal. Don’t have time for a full lunch? Stop by for a cup of coffee instead.
Red Hen Bakery Getting New Flour Supplier
MIDDLESEX — Red Hen Baking Co. has developed a new partnership with a mill and farm located just 150 miles from the bakery in Les Cedre, Quebec. Les Fermes Longpres, operated by the Dewavrin family is, a 1,500-acre organic operation growing wheat, sunflower seeds, corn, buckwheat and soybeans. They use their own seed saved on the farm for nearly all of their crops and are involved in developing several new varieties of wheat and other crops. This fall, Les Fermes Longpres has begun operating a roller mill on the farm. This new venture, named Moulin des Cedres, is the culmination of a three-year project undertaken by the Dewavrin family to process the approximately 400 acres of wheat that they grow annually. Their intention is to partner with just a few bakeries that they can work closely with and Red Hen is excited to be their first U.S. partner.
In late November, Red Hen began using the Moulin des Cedre flour in all of its baguettes. In January, the mill will be prepared to supply Red Hen with approximately 7,000 pounds of flour every week. Randy George, co-owner and Red Hen founder, said, “This exciting new partnership with Moulin des Cedre means that, when the mill is fully operational in January, all of our grain will be sourced within 150 miles of the bakery.”
Route 14 Village Bridge Project Update
EAST MONTPELIER — Regarding the East Montpelier bridge project, the state is in the process of retaining a general contractor to help with the design and construction process. This, as a means for ensuring that the state will deliver what we have set before the town. It is our hope that by hiring a contractor through the design process, we will realize innovative accelerated construction techniques that might further reduce the impacts to the traveling public and local businesses. You may note one-way traffic across the structure on Wednesday with traffic control. These are contractors visiting the site in response to a request for proposals. They will offer their technical proposals by Feb. 6, which will be reviewed by a technical committee. We hope to have the construction manager/general contractor on board by the end of March. This will culminate in a series of design meetings between the state’s consultant Stantec and the construction manager over the coming year.
From East Montpelier Front Porch Forum
Eat Well with Earned Income Tax Credit and 3SquaresVT
It’s tax season again! Vermonters who made less than $52,427 in 2014 may qualify for the earned income tax credit, designed to boost the income of working families and worth up to $6,143 as a tax credit or refund. Income guidelines are based on tax filing status and number of dependent children in the home. Families who receive the Vermont EITC are income eligible for 3SquaresVT food benefits, saving money not only on taxes, but also on grocery bills, with the average 3Squares benefit over $200 per month. Plus, children who get 3SquaresVT can also get free school meals. Dial 2-1-1 for information about free tax help services, to make an appointment with a certified tax preparer and to learn about 3SquaresVT and school meals. Or go to www.vermontfoodhelp.com for more information.
Lantern Parade to Celebrate Union Elementary School’s 75th Birthday
MONTPELIER — Union Elementary School invites the entire community to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the school. An evening lantern procession will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 18, and begin at 6 p.m. at Union Elementary School. Led by the samba band Sambatucada, the parade will travel from the school to the Vermont College of Fine Arts, where participants will celebrate on the green with music and beverages.
Local artist Gowri Savoor will be guiding students in making their lanterns during a 10-day art residency from Feb. 2-13, thanks to a grant awarded by the Vermont Arts Council as well as the support of the Parents’ Group and The River of Light in Waterbury. All K-5 students will create a handmade lantern from sustainable materials including willow and tissue paper. Lanterns will be suspended from bamboo poles and lit with battery operated lights.
This is the main event of the first Union Elementary School Winter Carnival, which will take place the week of Monday, Feb. 16 through Friday, Feb. 20.
The parade was supported by Coldwell-Banker Classic Properties and partly funded by a grant awarded by Montpelier Alive. Lake Champlain Chocolates and Champlain Orchards made donations.
Montpelier residents and community members are invited to create their own lanterns at free day-long lantern making workshops on Saturday, Feb. 7 and Saturday, Feb. 14. The workshops are sponsored by Hunger Mountain Coop, Coldwell-Banker Classic Properties, and the Montpelier Senior Activity Center. Please visit uesart.blogspot.com.
