27 December 2012
First 'real' snowstorm in nearly two years
What is being billed as Vermont's first "real snowstorm" in almost two years - dating back to a storm in March of 2011 - has already dropped about four inches of snow on the region and is expected to continue through tonight. Much of the state is predicted to have a foot or more of fresh snow as a result of the storm. The same is true for most of Maine and New Hampshire. Much of southern New England is forecast to escape larger amounts of snow.
05 December 2012
04 December 2012
Brandon Moonlight Madness Dec. 5 & 20
Downtown Brandon kicks off the holiday shopping season tomorrow (Wednesday, Dec. 5) with the first of two Moonlight Madness events. Downtown shops offer special holiday discounts beginning at 4 p.m., and they stay open until 9 p.m. In addition to discounted shopping (some stores are offering 20% off pricing on all inventory), the event features refreshments, special drawings and holiday cheer. An event encore is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 20.
Third annual Whiting Community Craft Fair is Dec. 8
The craft fair features locally-made edibles, including maple syrup products, fudge, honey, jams, jellies and relishes, as well as handcrafted items like wreaths and jewelry. Free refreshments will be provided to visitors.
The Whiting Town Hall is located just south of the Whiting "Four Corners" (The Shoreham-Whiting Road and the Leicester-Whiting Road meet Vermont Route 30) on Route 30.
For more information on the craft fair, contact Jeanne Lamourex Wood, 802-623-6385.
29 November 2012
Snow approaching
The Whiting area could see its first measurable snowfall of the season this afternoon and tonight. To date, we have seen significant snowfalls to our north, far to our south and up in the mountains to the east and to the west.
Snow is falling in northern Vermont at this time. Just north of Middlebury, a light rain is falling. That is expected to change to a wintry mix and to snow fairly quickly, as a cold front moves southward through the state. As of 3:30 p.m., no precipitation was yet seen in Whiting.
Overnight temperatures are expected in the high teens, with a wind chill near 10° F.
Snow is falling in northern Vermont at this time. Just north of Middlebury, a light rain is falling. That is expected to change to a wintry mix and to snow fairly quickly, as a cold front moves southward through the state. As of 3:30 p.m., no precipitation was yet seen in Whiting.
Overnight temperatures are expected in the high teens, with a wind chill near 10° F.
25 November 2012
EEE, mosquito-control meetings this week
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| The culiseta melanura mosquito is linked to the spread of EEE. |
- Otter Valley Union High School in Brandon, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 7-9 p.m.
- Sudbury Town Hall in Sudbury, Thursday, Nov. 29, 7-9 p.m.
24 November 2012
Warm weather gives way
Most of Thanksgiving week was amazingly warm throughout the North Country. Temperatures in the fifties were ten degrees or more above average. Days here in Whiting basically were calm, sunny and dry. But things changed abruptly today.
After a fairly calm morning, winds picked up in the early afternoon. The winds made temperatures in the thirties feel as though they were in the high teens. A few snow flakes were seen flying around during the day and a brief snow shower occurred just a few minutes ago.
The expected low temperature for tonight is around 19 degrees. With the persistent wind, that will feel about ten degrees colder.
17 November 2012
Ski season arrives
It's ski season in the Green Mountains of Vermont.
Though recent unusually warm weather set back snow-making efforts, Sugarbush (shown in photo - in the Town of Warren about an hour and a quarter from us in Whiting) was able to open on schedule today, with seven trails - five miles and 38 acres available. Killington (only about an hour from Whiting) has been open since Nov. 5 and today had 21 open trails - seven miles and 73 acres available.
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| Photograph courtesy of Sugarbush Resort. |
Nice turnout for Turkey Bingo
16 November 2012
State officials visit for discussion of EEE, mosquitoes
About 60 people crowded into Whiting's Town Hall last night for a public meeting on the mosquito-transmitted disease Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Information was provided by a panel of state officials, including Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Harry Chen, entomologist Alan Graham of the state agriculture agency, and epidemiologists Erica Berl and Patsy Kelso.
The panel had a request of Whiting residents: a bit of their blood. "We're looking to test about 200 to 300 people from each impacted town," explained Berl (perhaps unaware that the entire population of Whiting is around 400). Vermont has acquired approval from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to test the blood of human residents in area towns for the presence of EEE antibodies. Those antibodies would show that individuals had been exposed to the EEE disease without exhibiting its life-threatening symptoms. The Vermont Department of Health is working with the Town of Whiting to set up a voluntary and anonymous blood testing program, with blood draws possibly scheduled to coincide with annual Town Meeting in March.
Ms. Berl noted that residents would not be informed of the results of the tests on their blood and nothing other than EEE antibodies would be tested. "It would be a truly selfless act," she said.
Only a handful of EEE cases are known to exist in humans each year. (Click here for CDC information on EEE.) Severe EEE infections can be fatal. Two residents of this region - an 87-year-old man in Brandon and a 49-year-old man in Sudbury - died from the disease in the past year. (The Brandon victim, former educator Dick Breen, experienced an EEE outbreak the previous year among his flock of emus, which left many of the large birds dead.) However, health authorities believe the severe infections occur only in a small percentage of those humans bitten by EEE-carrying mosquitoes. Many others may be bitten and have no symptoms or very mild symptoms. The blood testing program is expected to provide better numbers for gauging the extent of EEE exposure in humans and the rate of severe infections in that population.
The state officials discussed mosquito-monitoring efforts, lab testing done on trapped mosquitoes and blood drawn from deer and moose felled by hunters around the state, as well as the aerial spraying of Anvil (Sumithrin) insecticide that was performed in the Whiting-Brandon-Leicester area in early September after the state discovered its first-ever human cases of EEE.
According to Mr. Graham, the aerial spraying resulted in a dramatic reduction of overall mosquito populations in the area, but Mr. Graham was unable to provide specific data on the targeted culiseta melanura mosquitoes known to spread the EEE virus through interaction with infected birds.
Some Whiting residents expressed appreciation for the aerial spraying efforts as well as interest in aligning Whiting with regional "mosquito districts," such as the Brandon, Leicester, Salisbury and Goshen Insect Control District, which supervise mosquito control efforts. Other residents were concerned about the costs and side effects of pesticide application. Town Selectboard Chair Ellen Kurrelmeyer asked state officials if it was necessary to join or create a district in order to engage in townwide mosquito control and said she would check into the town's authority and insurance for performing its own control measures.
A few Whiting residents complained that the state was not more active after learning of the EEE outbreak at an emu farm in Brandon in 2011. The implication was that additional steps could have been taken to avoid the infections that cost two people their lives. Dr. Chen said he also questions whether more could have been done. But he explained that ground-based spraying of mosquitoes was performed after that outbreak and a program of monitoring for EEE in regional mosquito populations was put in place. One resident feared that the rare emus were somehow involved in transmitting the disease. The panel was unanimous in its opposition, noting that emus originated in areas where EEE is entirely unknown. As birds, they are preferred as targets by the disease-carrying mosquitoes, but they do not retain the virus for very long. EEE, Ms. Berl explained, exists in birds for a very short time, either vanishing after that time or resulting in the death of the bird.
Resident Paul Quesnel noted the some government agencies seemed to be at cross-purposes over the mosquito issue and local taxpayers looked to be caught picking up the cost of their conflicting programs. He referred to a USDA program under which easements are purchased "at one thousand or two thousand dollars an acre" to take active farmland out of service and turn it into restored wetlands. The increased wetlands result in an increase in mosquito populations. Mr. Quesnel noted that the government-sponsored growth of the wetlands also was causing an increase in water levels in adjacent active farmland and reducing crop yields from those areas.
Mr. Graham noted that, while the new restored wetlands certainly were a source of mosquitoes, they were probably not a source for the mosquitoes most related to the spread of the EEE virus. The culiseta melanura typically resides in underground "crypts" within acidic hardwood swamps that feature, for example, mature maple trees. The adult mosquitoes of this breed travel into small channels in the root mat of the trees to lay their eggs in the protected watery environments within. The mosquitoes, he said, overwinter as larvae.
These unusual tendencies of the culiseta melanura mosquito create control problems. Mr. Graham noted that mosquito larvicide, such as the naturally occurring bacteria bacillus thuringiensis (BT), would be highly effective against the moquito larvae if it could be delivered to where the larvae reside and grow. The mosquitoes' use of underground crypts makes that virtually impossible. As a result, he said, control measures must be directed against the adult mosquito population.
Ms. Berl explained that ground spraying against mosquitoes, such as performed by the BLSG District, may not be effective in more rural communities, like Whiting. That spraying is done from trucks driving along the roads. There are many areas in Whiting that could not be reached by truck spraying, making aerial spraying for mosquitoes the only workable option. Mr. Graham added that the mosquito populations that tested positive for the EEE virus last summer were far from any roads.
Panelists were asked about whether a human vaccine for EEE existed or could be created. While a vaccine for farm livestock has been in use for many years, Dr. Chen said no vaccine has ever been created for humans. He said he did not anticipate any vaccine would be created, as there are very few human cases of EEE and vaccine side effects would be more widespread than its benefits.
The panel acknowledged that much about the EEE virus remains a mystery. There is no explanation as to why the virus seems to fluctuate from year to year. "Just because we had it here this year doesn't mean it will be back next year," Mr. Graham said. The virus previously has exhibited a pattern of taking a decade off between outbreaks. Also a puzzle is what becomes of the virus during the winter and how so much of the deer and moose population across the state - even in areas where EEE mosquitoes are completely unknown - came to possess antibodies for EEE, indicating exposure to the virus at some time in the past. (Officials explained that there is no EEE risk to humans involved with the consumption of deer meat.) No one could say for certain whether the presence of EEE antibodies in a person's blood provided any meaningful protection against becoming ill with EEE at some time in the future. Ms. Kelso said some lasting protection is associated with antibodies related to West Nile Virus, another mosquito-borne illness, and EEE could be similar, but there is no useful data on that issue.
The panel is scheduled to hold similar meetings in Brandon and Sudbury at the end of this month. The Brandon meeting is set for Otter Valley Union High School, 7-9 p.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 28. The Sudbury meeting will be held at the Town Hall, 7-9 p.m., on Thursday, Nov. 29.
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| Alan Graham, entomologist with the Vermont agriculture agency, speaks to Whiting residents last night. |
Ms. Berl noted that residents would not be informed of the results of the tests on their blood and nothing other than EEE antibodies would be tested. "It would be a truly selfless act," she said.
Only a handful of EEE cases are known to exist in humans each year. (Click here for CDC information on EEE.) Severe EEE infections can be fatal. Two residents of this region - an 87-year-old man in Brandon and a 49-year-old man in Sudbury - died from the disease in the past year. (The Brandon victim, former educator Dick Breen, experienced an EEE outbreak the previous year among his flock of emus, which left many of the large birds dead.) However, health authorities believe the severe infections occur only in a small percentage of those humans bitten by EEE-carrying mosquitoes. Many others may be bitten and have no symptoms or very mild symptoms. The blood testing program is expected to provide better numbers for gauging the extent of EEE exposure in humans and the rate of severe infections in that population.
The state officials discussed mosquito-monitoring efforts, lab testing done on trapped mosquitoes and blood drawn from deer and moose felled by hunters around the state, as well as the aerial spraying of Anvil (Sumithrin) insecticide that was performed in the Whiting-Brandon-Leicester area in early September after the state discovered its first-ever human cases of EEE.
According to Mr. Graham, the aerial spraying resulted in a dramatic reduction of overall mosquito populations in the area, but Mr. Graham was unable to provide specific data on the targeted culiseta melanura mosquitoes known to spread the EEE virus through interaction with infected birds.
Some Whiting residents expressed appreciation for the aerial spraying efforts as well as interest in aligning Whiting with regional "mosquito districts," such as the Brandon, Leicester, Salisbury and Goshen Insect Control District, which supervise mosquito control efforts. Other residents were concerned about the costs and side effects of pesticide application. Town Selectboard Chair Ellen Kurrelmeyer asked state officials if it was necessary to join or create a district in order to engage in townwide mosquito control and said she would check into the town's authority and insurance for performing its own control measures.
A few Whiting residents complained that the state was not more active after learning of the EEE outbreak at an emu farm in Brandon in 2011. The implication was that additional steps could have been taken to avoid the infections that cost two people their lives. Dr. Chen said he also questions whether more could have been done. But he explained that ground-based spraying of mosquitoes was performed after that outbreak and a program of monitoring for EEE in regional mosquito populations was put in place. One resident feared that the rare emus were somehow involved in transmitting the disease. The panel was unanimous in its opposition, noting that emus originated in areas where EEE is entirely unknown. As birds, they are preferred as targets by the disease-carrying mosquitoes, but they do not retain the virus for very long. EEE, Ms. Berl explained, exists in birds for a very short time, either vanishing after that time or resulting in the death of the bird.
Resident Paul Quesnel noted the some government agencies seemed to be at cross-purposes over the mosquito issue and local taxpayers looked to be caught picking up the cost of their conflicting programs. He referred to a USDA program under which easements are purchased "at one thousand or two thousand dollars an acre" to take active farmland out of service and turn it into restored wetlands. The increased wetlands result in an increase in mosquito populations. Mr. Quesnel noted that the government-sponsored growth of the wetlands also was causing an increase in water levels in adjacent active farmland and reducing crop yields from those areas.
Mr. Graham noted that, while the new restored wetlands certainly were a source of mosquitoes, they were probably not a source for the mosquitoes most related to the spread of the EEE virus. The culiseta melanura typically resides in underground "crypts" within acidic hardwood swamps that feature, for example, mature maple trees. The adult mosquitoes of this breed travel into small channels in the root mat of the trees to lay their eggs in the protected watery environments within. The mosquitoes, he said, overwinter as larvae.
These unusual tendencies of the culiseta melanura mosquito create control problems. Mr. Graham noted that mosquito larvicide, such as the naturally occurring bacteria bacillus thuringiensis (BT), would be highly effective against the moquito larvae if it could be delivered to where the larvae reside and grow. The mosquitoes' use of underground crypts makes that virtually impossible. As a result, he said, control measures must be directed against the adult mosquito population.
Ms. Berl explained that ground spraying against mosquitoes, such as performed by the BLSG District, may not be effective in more rural communities, like Whiting. That spraying is done from trucks driving along the roads. There are many areas in Whiting that could not be reached by truck spraying, making aerial spraying for mosquitoes the only workable option. Mr. Graham added that the mosquito populations that tested positive for the EEE virus last summer were far from any roads.
Panelists were asked about whether a human vaccine for EEE existed or could be created. While a vaccine for farm livestock has been in use for many years, Dr. Chen said no vaccine has ever been created for humans. He said he did not anticipate any vaccine would be created, as there are very few human cases of EEE and vaccine side effects would be more widespread than its benefits.
The panel acknowledged that much about the EEE virus remains a mystery. There is no explanation as to why the virus seems to fluctuate from year to year. "Just because we had it here this year doesn't mean it will be back next year," Mr. Graham said. The virus previously has exhibited a pattern of taking a decade off between outbreaks. Also a puzzle is what becomes of the virus during the winter and how so much of the deer and moose population across the state - even in areas where EEE mosquitoes are completely unknown - came to possess antibodies for EEE, indicating exposure to the virus at some time in the past. (Officials explained that there is no EEE risk to humans involved with the consumption of deer meat.) No one could say for certain whether the presence of EEE antibodies in a person's blood provided any meaningful protection against becoming ill with EEE at some time in the future. Ms. Kelso said some lasting protection is associated with antibodies related to West Nile Virus, another mosquito-borne illness, and EEE could be similar, but there is no useful data on that issue.
The panel is scheduled to hold similar meetings in Brandon and Sudbury at the end of this month. The Brandon meeting is set for Otter Valley Union High School, 7-9 p.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 28. The Sudbury meeting will be held at the Town Hall, 7-9 p.m., on Thursday, Nov. 29.
09 November 2012
Whiting votes for Obama, Sanders, Welch
Official results of the Nov. 6 elections won't be posted by the secretary of state for another few days, but unofficial tallies show that 133 of Whiting's 188 voters (70.74%) supported the reelection of U.S. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. That is a slightly higher percentage than the 67.21% that supported the Democratic ticket across the State of Vermont. Republican challengers Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan earned only 31% of the popular vote in Vermont and had only 54 supporters in the Town of Whiting.
Nationally, the Democratic Obama-Ryan ticket secured at least 61.2 million votes and 50% of the popular vote, while gathering at least 303 electoral votes. The Republican challengers earned 58.2 million votes, 48% of the popular vote and 206 electoral votes. Florida's official election results and the fate of its 29 electoral votes remain uncertain, but the Democats appear to have won a narrow victory there, raising their electoral margin to 332-206.
Whiting voters supported the reelections of Democrat Peter Welch to the U.S. Congress by more than 81% (Welch won his race with 72.23% of the statewide vote and 150 Whiting votes) and Independent Bernie Sanders to the U.S. Senate by 77.4% (Sanders won with 71.25% of the statewide vote and earned 144 votes in Whiting). Just over 56% of Whiting voters backed the reelection bids of Governor Peter Shumlin, a Democrat, and Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott, a Republican (Shumlin was returned to office with 58.1% of the statewide vote; Scott won with 56.8%).
William H. Sorrell, Democrat, won reelection to the position of Vermont attorney general. He secured just over 67% of the vote in Whiting. Also in the Nov. 6 elections, Democrat/Progressive Doug Hoffer was elected auditor (59% in Whiting, 51.5% statewide), Democrat Jim Condos was reelected secretary of state (89.8% in Whiting, 86.8% statewide) and appointed incumbent Democrat Beth Pearce won election as treasurer (51.6% in Whiting, 52.5% statewide).
Democrats Claire Ayer and Christopher Bray won seats in the State Senate representing Whiting and other Addison County towns. Independent Will Stevens was reelected to the Addison-Rutland seat in the State House of Representatives. He was running unopposed.
Nationally, the Democratic Obama-Ryan ticket secured at least 61.2 million votes and 50% of the popular vote, while gathering at least 303 electoral votes. The Republican challengers earned 58.2 million votes, 48% of the popular vote and 206 electoral votes. Florida's official election results and the fate of its 29 electoral votes remain uncertain, but the Democats appear to have won a narrow victory there, raising their electoral margin to 332-206.
| Governor Peter Shumlin |
William H. Sorrell, Democrat, won reelection to the position of Vermont attorney general. He secured just over 67% of the vote in Whiting. Also in the Nov. 6 elections, Democrat/Progressive Doug Hoffer was elected auditor (59% in Whiting, 51.5% statewide), Democrat Jim Condos was reelected secretary of state (89.8% in Whiting, 86.8% statewide) and appointed incumbent Democrat Beth Pearce won election as treasurer (51.6% in Whiting, 52.5% statewide).
Democrats Claire Ayer and Christopher Bray won seats in the State Senate representing Whiting and other Addison County towns. Independent Will Stevens was reelected to the Addison-Rutland seat in the State House of Representatives. He was running unopposed.
Legally Blonde, the Musical, at OVUHS
Tickets are $8 for students and seniors and $10 for adults. They may be purchased at the Otter Valley library during school hours and at Carr's Florist in Brandon. Evening performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Nov. 15, 16 and 17. A 2:30 p.m. matinee is scheduled for Nov. 18.
Mosquito control, EEE meetings in area
Experts from the Vermont Department of Health and the Agency of Agriculture will discuss Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and mosquito control efforts at three upcoming meetings in the Whiting area. The first meeting will be held at the Whiting Town Hall, 6-8 p.m., on Thursday, Nov. 15. (Update: For a report on this meeting, click here.)
The second will be at Otter Valley Union High School in Brandon, 7-9 p.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 28. The final meeting will be at Sudbury Town Hall, 7-9 p.m., on Thursday, Nov. 29.
EEE and West Nile virus are potentially deadly diseases transmitted by the bites of infected mosquitoes. EEE was detected in Whiting and Brandon for the first time ever this past summer. Two people died after being diagnosed with EEE.
State officials will review surveillance data and efforts taken to control mosquitoes in 2012 and will discuss plans for tracking and control of illness-carrying mosquitoes in 2013.
The second will be at Otter Valley Union High School in Brandon, 7-9 p.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 28. The final meeting will be at Sudbury Town Hall, 7-9 p.m., on Thursday, Nov. 29.
EEE and West Nile virus are potentially deadly diseases transmitted by the bites of infected mosquitoes. EEE was detected in Whiting and Brandon for the first time ever this past summer. Two people died after being diagnosed with EEE.
State officials will review surveillance data and efforts taken to control mosquitoes in 2012 and will discuss plans for tracking and control of illness-carrying mosquitoes in 2013.
05 November 2012
Nor'easter expected Wednesday-Thursday
Here in Vermont, according to WCAX, the storm could produce a wintry mix of precipitation overnight Wednesday to Thursday and a slushy snow on Thursday morning. The mountains, which already have been experiencing light snowfalls, should receive additional snow on Thursday afternoon, while the precipitation changes over to rain in the valleys. The weekend weather is expected to be dry and warmer.
Vote on Tuesday, Nov. 6
Election Day is tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 6. Races will be decided for U.S. President, U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, Vermont Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Treasurer, Secretary of State, Auditor of Accounts, Attorney General, State Senate, State House of Representatives, High Bailiffs and Justices of the Peace.
The polls at the Whiting Town Hall will open at 10 a.m. and will close with all other Vermont polling places at 7 p.m. That is an hour earlier than the other states of the New England region and two hours earlier than adjacent New York State.
Like many of Vermont's smaller towns (including the area towns of Shoreham, Sudbury, Ripton and Orwell) , balloting in Whiting is done by paper ballots counted manually. Larger towns and cities in the state have been moving toward Accu-Vote optical ballot readers in recent years.
A total of 461,070 Vermont residents are registered to vote in the general elections tomorrow. That is believed to be a record total for the state, though official counts have only been kept since 2006. The total is about 8,000 more than the 453,011 eligible to vote in the last Presidential election in 2008. Secretary of State Jim Condos, who is running for reelection, predicted a 70 percent turnout of Vermont's voters on Election Day. Vermont voters are not designated with political party affiliations.
Vermont is considered a solidly Democratic state in the Presidential election. In an Aug. 21 poll conducted by Castleton College, President Barack Obama outpolled Republican challenger Mitt Romney by a 62% to 25% margin. The state's Democratic Governor Peter Shumlin is also favored to win reelection. The Castleton College poll found him leading Republican challenger Randy Brock by a 60% to 26% margin.
According to Electionprojection.com, the State of Vermont is the second least conservative state in the United States, and voted almost 30% less Republican in the 2008 Presidential Elections than the national average. Vermont has been trending Democratic in Presidential Elections since 1992.
03 November 2012
Dusty mountains
The Green Mountains are not so green this morning. Just as our colorful fall foliage departed, Mother Nature kindly decided to give us another form of decoration.
30 October 2012
'Frankenstorm' is no big deal locally
(Sandy removed one of our window screens, dropping it in the back yard, and kindly removed a broken tree limb that had been dangling high in a sugar maple for some time.)
According to the Addison Independent, no storm-related road closures occurred anywhere in Addison County. Schools were closed on Tuesday, but residents saw little reason for the measure. According to the newspaper, the top wind in the county was nothing like the 80 mph spoken of by weather forecasters, but something closer to 60 mph. (At the top of Mount Washington in New Hampshire, Sandy's top wind was clocked at 140 mph.)
Vermont did experience a fair number of power outages. Early on, those were largely limited to the southern counties of Bennington and Windsor, but others occurred later in Rutland, Washington, Orange and Caledonia Counties. There were approximately 10,000 customers without power in Vermont early this morning. At this writing, there are 7,994 customers without service.
Moderate winds continue in the area today, with showers possible through Friday.
29 October 2012
Schools closed Tuesday
Otter Valley Union High School and all other schools of the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union will be closed Tuesday, Oct. 30, due to the weather. All Otter Valley afternoon activities were canceled today.
Hurricane Sandy updates
Update, Oct. 29, 2012, 5 p.m.
We have had on and off misty rain during the day and some shifting winds, but the damaging force of Hurricane Sandy has so far not been felt in the Whiting, Vermont, area. School was open as usual today, but all schools of the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union, including Otter Valley Union High School, will be closed tomorrow.
There have been a significant number of power outages in more southern Vermont locations, such as Bennington and Brattleboro. (Rutland and Montpelier area outages climbed as this report was initially posted). Winds are expected to pick up across the state later this afternoon and this evening, as Sandy makes landfall on the New Jersey coast, where already there has been significant flooding. Storm surges are expected to peak in the New York City area around 8 p.m.
Update, Oct. 29, 2012, 10:30 a.m.
Green Mountain Power is bringing utility crews in from Canada and six U.S. states to assist with repairing any power outages caused by this storm. The company's outage center reports just 247 power outages this morning, with more than half of those in Halifax, at the border with Massachusetts. (In the State of Connecticut, Connecticut Light & Power is reporting more than 8,300 outages already. Many of those are clustered along Long Island Sound and the Rhode Island border.)
The Vermont State Emergency Operations Center was opened at 7 a.m. Personnel are tracking the storm and preparing emergency responses.
The National Weather Service warns that 60-70 mph wind gusts are expected along the Green Mountains and in Vermont's Northwest Kingdom when Hurricane Sandy makes landfall later today. Gusts up to 60 mph could be experienced in the Champlain and St. Lawrence valleys. Peak winds are expected from the east between 4 p.m. today and 2 a.m. tomorrow. Downed trees and power lines are likely. Some minor structural damage to poorly constructed buildings is also expected. Rainfall amounts will generally be less than one inch, though mountain slopes could experience 1 to 2 inches of rain. No widespread flooding is expected.
Update, Oct. 29, 2012, 6 a.m.
The National Weather Service is anticipating that Hurricane Sandy winds will cause significant damage and result in prolonged power outages to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern U.S. states. School has been canceled for millions of students along the East Coast today. Schools in southern Vermont also have announced cancellations.
Hurricane Sandy's maximum sustained winds have increased to 85 mph. The storm's center sits more than 200 miles east of the North Carolina-Virginia coast. Hurricane force winds extend outward 175 miles, and tropical storm force winds extend 485 miles. Sandy is moving northward at 14-15 mph and is expected to turn toward the northwest today and toward the west-northwest tonight, when she is expected to make landfall along the southern New Jersey coast.
Strong winds and rain are expected throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Storm surge could cause extensive flooding in ordinarily dry areas. Long Island Sound, Raritan Bay and New York Harbor could see water levels rise by six to eleven feet. Connecticut and Rhode Island sea coasts could see a storm surge of three to eight feet higher than normal. Two to three feet of heavy snow is expected to fall in the mountains of West Virginia, with a foot or more in higher elevation areas nearby.
In Vermont, the strongest winds are anticipated for the mountain slopes (see map), though the entire state could experience winds of 50 mph or more.
Update, Oct. 28, 2012, 6 p.m.
Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin has declared a state of emergency in advance of the arrival of Hurricane Sandy's winds and rain. He said he made the declaration in order that the state would have access to National Guard troops and federal emergency funds if needed.
The National Weather Service is warning that Sandy will bring life-threatening storm surge flooding to the Mid-Atlantic coast, including Long Island Sound and New York Harbor, coastal hurricane-force winds and heavy Appalachian snows. The service's 5 p.m. advisory indicates that Hurricane Sandy will be approaching the Mid-Atlantic coast by Monday night. It may be strengthened at that time through combination with a cold front moving in from the west.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 175 miles from the storm center. Tropical storm force winds extend 520 miles. Sandy is closely following the projected track for the storm. It is expected to make a left turn Monday night and make landfall somewhere on the New Jersey coast.
New York City may experience some of the worst storm conditions. City schools already have been closed for tomorrow. Dozens of schools are being used as evacuation centers. Some mandatory evacuations have been ordered for flood-prone areas of the city. Mass transit in the city is shutting down tonight until further notice.
It appears that Vermont will be spared the worst of the storm, but high winds could still cause damage and knock out electrical power for residents. Airlines across the Northeast have canceled flights. On Monday, Amtrak will halt service across the Eastern Seaboard, including Vermont service. The storm's effects will be felt most strongly Monday evening. However, showers related to Sandy's remnants are expected to linger until next weekend.
Update, Oct. 28, 2012, 12:45 p.m.
A National Weather Service High Wind Warning is in effect for all of Vermont from 2 p.m. Monday through 11 a.m. Tuesday. The strongest winds are expected Monday night from dusk until about midnight. Western mountain slopes will experience the highest gusts of 60-75 mph. Others will experience winds of 50 mph or more. Winds are expected to die down considerably during Tuesday. Residents are warned to plan ahead for possible power outages.
The National Weather Service has also issued a flood watch for portions of central and southern Vermont. Minor flooding of poor drainage areas is possible.
Numerous school districts in the State of Connecticut already have canceled school for Monday and Tuesday, anticipating flooding and damaging winds. Areas of Connecticut were repeatedly left without electrical power for weeks after two storms in late summer and fall last year.
Update, Oct. 28, 2012, 7 a.m.
Hurricane Sandy, now located more than 200 miles off the South Carolina coast, continues to move toward the northeast. She is expected to continue that course today and to turn abruptly to the northwest on Monday. Maximum sustained winds are now about 65-75 mph. Hurricane force winds extend outward as much as 100 miles and tropical storm winds as much as 500 miles. Winds will be felt in the mid-Atlantic states during the day and will become near hurricane force by Monday morning.
Current projections are focusing on landfall at the central New Jersey coast early Tuesday morning and a progression into central Pennsylvania. The storm, bringing dangerous winds, drenching rain and storm surge, is expected to weaken quickly after landfall, though storm effects will continue to be felt hundreds of miles away from its center. During Tuesday and into Wednesday, the remnants of Sandy are expected to turn back toward the northeast, causing continued rain and strong winds in New York and much of New England until it passes into eastern Canada by the end of the week.
A high wind watch is already in effect for all of Vermont. A flood watch is in effect through Wednesday morning for central and southern Vermont. Authorities do not expect much in the way of flooding from this storm, though some may occur in poor drainage areas. The state is expected to experience rain - occasionally heavy - and strong winds Monday into Tuesday. Winds will die down and the rest of the week's forecast calls for rain showers.
Update, Oct. 27, 2012
It appears that Vermont will be spared much of the wind and rain associated with Hurricane Sandy. However, high winds of 40 mph or more are expected for early next week and there will be considerable rainfall in some areas, particularly eastern facing mountain slopes. Power outages could accompany the high winds and some minor flooding is possible in poor drainage areas.
Sandy weakened just a bit overnight and was momentarily dropped down to tropical storm status. More recently, hurricane force winds were detected. The storm is growing considerably larger and is expected to grow further through combination with other weather systems in the region. The storm is tracking parallel to the southeastern U.S. coast but will turn dramatically left within two days, likely making landfall on the New Jersey coast Monday. A later left turn is still possible. That would cause Sandy to strike southern New England.
After landfall, Sandy may slow or halt as it combines with a large cold front from from the west. Any slowing in its movement will magnify the storm's effects on the region. Rain amounts of 3-6 inches are expected from coastal areas of Virginia to New York City, with 10+ inches possible in some areas. Heavy rains are expected as far inland as Pittsburgh and Buffalo. A foot or more of heavy wet snow is possible in the Appalachian mountain areas of West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Update, Oct. 26, 2012
The computer models appear to be settling on a Sandy strike along the Northeast coast sometime late Monday. The New Jersey area seems to be the current focus. A merge with several other weather systems and the development of a Halloween "Frankenstorm" over the New York City region is feared.
Worst case seems to be a Sandy right-hook to New York City just as the storm stalls. That could deliver days of strong winds, intense rain and coastal flooding to the heavily populated region. Sandy is now a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph.
October 25, 2012
Hurricane Sandy, now a strong Category 2, is moving across Cuba at the moment. The storm has a well defined eye and includes maximum sustained winds of more than 100 mph. It is expected to track to the east of Florida into the Atlantic Ocean. Some forecast models show the storm doing an unusual counter-clockwise loop as it moves north and making landfall in the New York-New England area. The models are based on a trough of atmospheric pressure over the U.S., which could draw the hurricane inland in the Northeast late Monday or Tuesday.
Vermont's experience with Tropical Storm Irene illustrated the importance of communication through various levels of government and emergency services. Communication has been strengthened in the storm's aftermath and may get a test from Sandy.
Mark Bosma of Vermont Emergency Management recommends that state residents consider purchasing extra food, water and batteries - items that won't be wasted if the storm decides to remain out at sea. "We always encourage the public to be ready for anything," Bosma said.
We have had on and off misty rain during the day and some shifting winds, but the damaging force of Hurricane Sandy has so far not been felt in the Whiting, Vermont, area. School was open as usual today, but all schools of the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union, including Otter Valley Union High School, will be closed tomorrow.
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| How much of Middlebury's lingering fall foliage will survive tonight's heavy winds? |
Update, Oct. 29, 2012, 10:30 a.m.
Green Mountain Power is bringing utility crews in from Canada and six U.S. states to assist with repairing any power outages caused by this storm. The company's outage center reports just 247 power outages this morning, with more than half of those in Halifax, at the border with Massachusetts. (In the State of Connecticut, Connecticut Light & Power is reporting more than 8,300 outages already. Many of those are clustered along Long Island Sound and the Rhode Island border.)
The Vermont State Emergency Operations Center was opened at 7 a.m. Personnel are tracking the storm and preparing emergency responses.
The National Weather Service warns that 60-70 mph wind gusts are expected along the Green Mountains and in Vermont's Northwest Kingdom when Hurricane Sandy makes landfall later today. Gusts up to 60 mph could be experienced in the Champlain and St. Lawrence valleys. Peak winds are expected from the east between 4 p.m. today and 2 a.m. tomorrow. Downed trees and power lines are likely. Some minor structural damage to poorly constructed buildings is also expected. Rainfall amounts will generally be less than one inch, though mountain slopes could experience 1 to 2 inches of rain. No widespread flooding is expected.
Update, Oct. 29, 2012, 6 a.m.
The National Weather Service is anticipating that Hurricane Sandy winds will cause significant damage and result in prolonged power outages to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern U.S. states. School has been canceled for millions of students along the East Coast today. Schools in southern Vermont also have announced cancellations.
Strong winds and rain are expected throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Storm surge could cause extensive flooding in ordinarily dry areas. Long Island Sound, Raritan Bay and New York Harbor could see water levels rise by six to eleven feet. Connecticut and Rhode Island sea coasts could see a storm surge of three to eight feet higher than normal. Two to three feet of heavy snow is expected to fall in the mountains of West Virginia, with a foot or more in higher elevation areas nearby.
In Vermont, the strongest winds are anticipated for the mountain slopes (see map), though the entire state could experience winds of 50 mph or more.
Update, Oct. 28, 2012, 6 p.m.
The National Weather Service is warning that Sandy will bring life-threatening storm surge flooding to the Mid-Atlantic coast, including Long Island Sound and New York Harbor, coastal hurricane-force winds and heavy Appalachian snows. The service's 5 p.m. advisory indicates that Hurricane Sandy will be approaching the Mid-Atlantic coast by Monday night. It may be strengthened at that time through combination with a cold front moving in from the west.
New York City may experience some of the worst storm conditions. City schools already have been closed for tomorrow. Dozens of schools are being used as evacuation centers. Some mandatory evacuations have been ordered for flood-prone areas of the city. Mass transit in the city is shutting down tonight until further notice.
It appears that Vermont will be spared the worst of the storm, but high winds could still cause damage and knock out electrical power for residents. Airlines across the Northeast have canceled flights. On Monday, Amtrak will halt service across the Eastern Seaboard, including Vermont service. The storm's effects will be felt most strongly Monday evening. However, showers related to Sandy's remnants are expected to linger until next weekend.
Update, Oct. 28, 2012, 12:45 p.m.
A National Weather Service High Wind Warning is in effect for all of Vermont from 2 p.m. Monday through 11 a.m. Tuesday. The strongest winds are expected Monday night from dusk until about midnight. Western mountain slopes will experience the highest gusts of 60-75 mph. Others will experience winds of 50 mph or more. Winds are expected to die down considerably during Tuesday. Residents are warned to plan ahead for possible power outages.
The National Weather Service has also issued a flood watch for portions of central and southern Vermont. Minor flooding of poor drainage areas is possible.
Numerous school districts in the State of Connecticut already have canceled school for Monday and Tuesday, anticipating flooding and damaging winds. Areas of Connecticut were repeatedly left without electrical power for weeks after two storms in late summer and fall last year.
Update, Oct. 28, 2012, 7 a.m.
Hurricane Sandy, now located more than 200 miles off the South Carolina coast, continues to move toward the northeast. She is expected to continue that course today and to turn abruptly to the northwest on Monday. Maximum sustained winds are now about 65-75 mph. Hurricane force winds extend outward as much as 100 miles and tropical storm winds as much as 500 miles. Winds will be felt in the mid-Atlantic states during the day and will become near hurricane force by Monday morning.
A high wind watch is already in effect for all of Vermont. A flood watch is in effect through Wednesday morning for central and southern Vermont. Authorities do not expect much in the way of flooding from this storm, though some may occur in poor drainage areas. The state is expected to experience rain - occasionally heavy - and strong winds Monday into Tuesday. Winds will die down and the rest of the week's forecast calls for rain showers.
Update, Oct. 27, 2012
It appears that Vermont will be spared much of the wind and rain associated with Hurricane Sandy. However, high winds of 40 mph or more are expected for early next week and there will be considerable rainfall in some areas, particularly eastern facing mountain slopes. Power outages could accompany the high winds and some minor flooding is possible in poor drainage areas.
Sandy weakened just a bit overnight and was momentarily dropped down to tropical storm status. More recently, hurricane force winds were detected. The storm is growing considerably larger and is expected to grow further through combination with other weather systems in the region. The storm is tracking parallel to the southeastern U.S. coast but will turn dramatically left within two days, likely making landfall on the New Jersey coast Monday. A later left turn is still possible. That would cause Sandy to strike southern New England.After landfall, Sandy may slow or halt as it combines with a large cold front from from the west. Any slowing in its movement will magnify the storm's effects on the region. Rain amounts of 3-6 inches are expected from coastal areas of Virginia to New York City, with 10+ inches possible in some areas. Heavy rains are expected as far inland as Pittsburgh and Buffalo. A foot or more of heavy wet snow is possible in the Appalachian mountain areas of West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Update, Oct. 26, 2012
The computer models appear to be settling on a Sandy strike along the Northeast coast sometime late Monday. The New Jersey area seems to be the current focus. A merge with several other weather systems and the development of a Halloween "Frankenstorm" over the New York City region is feared.
Worst case seems to be a Sandy right-hook to New York City just as the storm stalls. That could deliver days of strong winds, intense rain and coastal flooding to the heavily populated region. Sandy is now a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph.
October 25, 2012
Hurricane Sandy, now a strong Category 2, is moving across Cuba at the moment. The storm has a well defined eye and includes maximum sustained winds of more than 100 mph. It is expected to track to the east of Florida into the Atlantic Ocean. Some forecast models show the storm doing an unusual counter-clockwise loop as it moves north and making landfall in the New York-New England area. The models are based on a trough of atmospheric pressure over the U.S., which could draw the hurricane inland in the Northeast late Monday or Tuesday.
Vermont's experience with Tropical Storm Irene illustrated the importance of communication through various levels of government and emergency services. Communication has been strengthened in the storm's aftermath and may get a test from Sandy.
Mark Bosma of Vermont Emergency Management recommends that state residents consider purchasing extra food, water and batteries - items that won't be wasted if the storm decides to remain out at sea. "We always encourage the public to be ready for anything," Bosma said.
27 October 2012
SLATERS 36, Otters 27
The Otter Valley Union High School varsity football team dropped to 2-7 after a season-ending 36-27 loss to the Fair Haven Slaters last night. The Otters lost six consecutive games after starting the season 2-1. Fair Haven improved to 5-4 with the victory.
The final game of the Vermont Division II regular season will be played this afternoon, when the undefeated Green Knights of Rice Memorial High School visit the 5-3 Lyndon Institute Vikings. Lyndon Institute has lost three games in a row but has a stingy defense comparable to that of Rice. Heading into that final game, the Division II Standings look like this:
The final game of the Vermont Division II regular season will be played this afternoon, when the undefeated Green Knights of Rice Memorial High School visit the 5-3 Lyndon Institute Vikings. Lyndon Institute has lost three games in a row but has a stingy defense comparable to that of Rice. Heading into that final game, the Division II Standings look like this:
| Team Name | Wins | Losses |
| Rice Green Knights | 8* | 0 |
| Bellows Falls Terriers | 8 | 1 |
| Burr&Burton Bulldogs | 6 | 3 |
| Milton Yellowjackets | 6 | 3 |
| Lyndon Institute Vikings | 5* | 3 |
| Fair Haven Slaters | 5 | 4 |
| Otter Valley Otters | 2 | 7 |
| Union-32 Raiders | 2 | 7 |
| Springfield Cosmos | 1 | 8 |
| North Country Falcons | 0 | 9 |
(* Teams have one more game to play.)
25 October 2012
Preparing for a possible visit from Sandy
Vermont officials are keeping in close touch with weather forecasters and making initial preparations for what could be another encounter with a severe storm. Just over a year after Tropical Storm Irene caused tremendous flooding damage across the state, it appears that Hurricane Sandy has its sights set on New England.
Sandy, now a strong Category 2 hurricane, is moving across Cuba at the moment. The storm has a well defined eye and includes maximum sustained winds of more than 100 mph. It is expected to track to the east of Florida into the Atlantic Ocean (The eastern coast of Florida is expected to experience tropical storm conditions). However, some forecast models show the storm doing an unusual counter-clockwise loop as it moves north and making landfall in the New York-New England area. The models are based on a trough of atmospheric pressure over the U.S., which could draw the hurricane inland in the Northeast late Monday or Tuesday.
Vermont's experience with Tropical Storm Irene illustrated the importance of communication through various levels of government and emergency services. Communication has been strengthened in the storm's aftermath and may get a test from Sandy.
Mark Bosma of Vermont Emergency Management recommends that state residents consider purchasing extra food, water and batteries - items that won't be wasted if the storm decides to remain out at sea. "We always encourage the public to be ready for anything," Bosma said.
(Update, Oct. 26, 2012: The computer models appear to be settling on a Sandy strike along the Northeast coast sometime late Monday. The New Jersey area seems to be the current focus. A merge with several other weather systems and the development of a Halloween "Frankenstorm" over the New York City region is feared. Worst case seems to be a Sandy right-hook to New York City just as the storm stalls. That could deliver days of strong winds, intense rain and coastal flooding to the heavily populated region. Sandy is now a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph.)
Vermont's experience with Tropical Storm Irene illustrated the importance of communication through various levels of government and emergency services. Communication has been strengthened in the storm's aftermath and may get a test from Sandy.
Mark Bosma of Vermont Emergency Management recommends that state residents consider purchasing extra food, water and batteries - items that won't be wasted if the storm decides to remain out at sea. "We always encourage the public to be ready for anything," Bosma said.
(Update, Oct. 26, 2012: The computer models appear to be settling on a Sandy strike along the Northeast coast sometime late Monday. The New Jersey area seems to be the current focus. A merge with several other weather systems and the development of a Halloween "Frankenstorm" over the New York City region is feared. Worst case seems to be a Sandy right-hook to New York City just as the storm stalls. That could deliver days of strong winds, intense rain and coastal flooding to the heavily populated region. Sandy is now a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph.)
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| The Oct. 25 "spaghetti" plots of Hurricane Sandy computer models generally predict a turn toward the Northeast U.S. |
23 October 2012
Sunset - Oct. 22, 2012
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| Yesterday's sunset of oranges, pinks, violets and blues seen through our front yard maples. |
21 October 2012
The Dalai Lama's visit to Middlebury
As part of a trip across the Northeast United States, the 14th Dalai Lama, leader of Tibetan Buddhism and inspiration for many around the world, made two appearances just a short distance up Route 30 from Whiting at the Nelson Recreation Center of Middlebury College. The visit was well covered by the regional press and by Middlebury College.
The seventy-seven-year-old Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, last visited Middlebury College in 1990. He also attended an event on campus in 1984. He recalled his past visits in his addresses to the large crowds in the arena, but focused his attention on the future. "The past is past," he said, "and is put in history books. We cannot change it. Our future is open."
The religious leader urged compromise, concern for others, pursuit of ideals rather than material possessions, and a quest for understanding the inner workings of people and things. The theme of his Friday, Oct. 12, address was "Educating the Heart." The following morning, he spoke on the topic of "Finding Common Ground: Ethics for a Whole World."
Tenzin Gyatso was born on July 6, 1935, to a farming family in northeastern Tibet. He was named the 14th Dalai Lama when he was just two years old. Following a failed Tibetan uprising against China in 1959, the Dalai Lama fled his native country. He has made his home and headquarters in Dharamsala, India, and has traveled the globe speaking on issues relating to world peace, human rights and the environment. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Price in 1989. Though the ruler of a theocratic government in exile, the Dalai Lama embraced democratic principles in the early 1990s. (See biography.)
After his appearances in Vermont, the Dalai Lama traveled into Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York State. He concluded his trip to the U.S. with an event in New York City today.
The religious leader urged compromise, concern for others, pursuit of ideals rather than material possessions, and a quest for understanding the inner workings of people and things. The theme of his Friday, Oct. 12, address was "Educating the Heart." The following morning, he spoke on the topic of "Finding Common Ground: Ethics for a Whole World."
Tenzin Gyatso was born on July 6, 1935, to a farming family in northeastern Tibet. He was named the 14th Dalai Lama when he was just two years old. Following a failed Tibetan uprising against China in 1959, the Dalai Lama fled his native country. He has made his home and headquarters in Dharamsala, India, and has traveled the globe speaking on issues relating to world peace, human rights and the environment. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Price in 1989. Though the ruler of a theocratic government in exile, the Dalai Lama embraced democratic principles in the early 1990s. (See biography.)
After his appearances in Vermont, the Dalai Lama traveled into Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York State. He concluded his trip to the U.S. with an event in New York City today.
TERRIERS 54, Otters 21
Otters quarterback John Winslow launched two long touchdown passes to receiver Brett Patterson in the game. But the Otters were overpowered by Bellows Falls' ground attack. Two Terrier ballcarriers each generated more than 200 yards of offense. Three Terriers scored two or more touchdowns on the ground.
Bellows Falls improves to 7-1 with the win and is scheduled to complete the regular season next week against the Springfield High School Cosmos. A Cosmos forfeit and a final Bellows Falls record of 8-1 are assured. The Springfield team began forfeiting games in mid-September after starting the season with two big losses and a number of injuries. (Springfield was outscored 108-6 in losses to Otter Valley and Fair Haven.) Springfield High School announced that the rest of the Division II varsity schedule had been canceled, but ten days ago rearranged the schedule to include a varsity contest against winless Montpelier.
Otter Valley, 2-6, is schedule to conclude its season on the road Friday night against the Fair Haven Slaters. The Slaters are 4-4 on the season after defeating Union-32, 40-32, yesterday.
20 October 2012
Russian web visitors
I have been a bit surprised at the total number of visitors this little Whiting-related blog has generated. There have been more than 720 "pageviews" since I started it in early August. That's not a huge number for any website, but much more than one would expect, given the very small population of Whiting.
Looking more deeply into the site "analytics" - the data that is stored by the blog's host - yielded even more surprising numbers. Of the 720-plus visitors to the site, about 140 have originated from Russia and the Ukraine. One hundred and forty! That's about one-fifth of all visitors. (Other surprising international totals: 18 visitors from Indonesia, 14 from Japan, 9 from Germany, 6 from England, 4 from France, 3 from China and 1 from Canada. The remaining 500-plus were from the U.S.A.)
As a child of the Cold War and longtime watcher of James Bond movies, I am of course suspicious at any mention of the countries of the former Soviet Union. I had to think about this one for a while before realizing that the strange analytics figures were not evidence of approaching Russian invasion of the Champlain Valley but something more akin to a mistake.
It eventually dawned on me (I'm not as quick mentally as I used to be) that, in Russia and the Ukraine and much of the rest of world, "Whiting" is a common name for a small saltwater panfish. Our international visitors probably are not looking for a target of military conquest or international espionage but for a tasty lunch. They are likely as puzzled to find themselves at this site as I am to find them visiting.
(WELCOME! Whatever has brought you web-surfing to this blog and wherever you surf from, I hope you find it enjoyable. For those who reached the site by error, here's a nice recipe from the Food Network for Whiting with garlic and lemon.)
Looking more deeply into the site "analytics" - the data that is stored by the blog's host - yielded even more surprising numbers. Of the 720-plus visitors to the site, about 140 have originated from Russia and the Ukraine. One hundred and forty! That's about one-fifth of all visitors. (Other surprising international totals: 18 visitors from Indonesia, 14 from Japan, 9 from Germany, 6 from England, 4 from France, 3 from China and 1 from Canada. The remaining 500-plus were from the U.S.A.)
As a child of the Cold War and longtime watcher of James Bond movies, I am of course suspicious at any mention of the countries of the former Soviet Union. I had to think about this one for a while before realizing that the strange analytics figures were not evidence of approaching Russian invasion of the Champlain Valley but something more akin to a mistake.
It eventually dawned on me (I'm not as quick mentally as I used to be) that, in Russia and the Ukraine and much of the rest of world, "Whiting" is a common name for a small saltwater panfish. Our international visitors probably are not looking for a target of military conquest or international espionage but for a tasty lunch. They are likely as puzzled to find themselves at this site as I am to find them visiting.
(WELCOME! Whatever has brought you web-surfing to this blog and wherever you surf from, I hope you find it enjoyable. For those who reached the site by error, here's a nice recipe from the Food Network for Whiting with garlic and lemon.)
Maples
Two maples in front of our home have been putting on a terrific show for us, gleaming gold, yellow and orange in the late day sun.
Otters varsity hosts Bellows Falls
The Terriers are in second place in Vermont Division II, behind undefeated Rice Memorial. Winners of five straight, the Bellows Falls Terriers have scored 246 points this season, while permitting just 128.
After a strong defensive start to the season, the Otters have been abused lately. They have scored just 125 points on the season, while allowing 187.
Haunted house in Pittsford
If you're a first-ever attendee too, tickets will be sold from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. - $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under (not recommended for children under 6). Parking is at the town offices in Pittston. Ticketholders are given a quarter-mile hayride to the haunted house (and, though the writeup doesn't say, I suppose any survivors are also carted back to their cars).
If you missed the opening last night and can't make it tonight, the haunted house is also scheduled to be open next weekend, Oct. 26 and 27.
14 October 2012
BULLDOGS 60, Otters 25
Burr and Burton improved to 4-3 overall with the win, while the Otters fell to 2-5. After strong showings in losses against highly regarded teams the previous two weeks, the Otters had been expected to take advantage of the defensively challenged Bulldogs.
The Otters close their home season next Saturday, battling the 6-1 Bellows Falls Union High School Terriers. The final game of the Otters season will be on the road, Oct. 26, against the Fair Haven Union Slaters.
13 October 2012
Snowflakes
A few snowflakes hit the car windshield as I was driving through Brandon yesterday. I consider that a hopeful sign. We had feared that Murphy's Law of Meteorology would apply to our recent purchase of an expensive snow thrower and effectively prevent any snowfall this year. We have our fingers crossed that 2012-2013 sees the return of the snow to Vermont and that we get to exercise our snow thrower regularly.
'Ciderfest 2012' today, concert tomorrow
Champlain Orchards on Route 74 in Shoreham is celebrating this weekend.
Today (Saturday, Oct. 13), 3-7 p.m., the orchard is holding its annual Ciderfest event. Sweet and hard apple ciders and apple wines are featured during the event that also includes apple-picking, cider-making demonstrations and live music by Run Mountain ("old-time music" string band). Tickets to the event are $18 per person.
Tomorrow (Sunday, Oct. 14), 12-3 p.m., Champlain Orchards hosts an open air concert featuring Ben Campbell and Caleb Elder to wrap up its busy 2012 events season.
Update 10/14/2012: Had a really nice time at Ciderfest yesterday afternoon. The hard cider and ice cider sampling with the live music of Run Mountain in the background was fun. Anna and I particularly enjoyed the sweet dessert wine products of the Eden Ice Cider Company of West Charleston, Vermont. (Our favorite was the Honeycrisp, made from apples harvested right there at the Shoreham Champlain Orchards. We went back for seconds on that one.) The food was good, too. We enjoyed beef stew, sausage sandwiches, cider tea cakes, apple pie, various cheeses, crackers, apple butter, dried apple slices... We finished off the afternoon by picking a half-peck of apples each (we picked mainly Empire and Macs) while looking out on the Lake Champlain scenery and by visiting the orchard store. At the store where we were delighted to find a selection of hard and sweet ciders, delicious cider donuts, plenty of apples and pumpkins, raw honey, apple cider syrup, maples syrup, fudge and lots more. Champlain Orchards put on a fine program. Some photos below:
Tomorrow (Sunday, Oct. 14), 12-3 p.m., Champlain Orchards hosts an open air concert featuring Ben Campbell and Caleb Elder to wrap up its busy 2012 events season.
Update 10/14/2012: Had a really nice time at Ciderfest yesterday afternoon. The hard cider and ice cider sampling with the live music of Run Mountain in the background was fun. Anna and I particularly enjoyed the sweet dessert wine products of the Eden Ice Cider Company of West Charleston, Vermont. (Our favorite was the Honeycrisp, made from apples harvested right there at the Shoreham Champlain Orchards. We went back for seconds on that one.) The food was good, too. We enjoyed beef stew, sausage sandwiches, cider tea cakes, apple pie, various cheeses, crackers, apple butter, dried apple slices... We finished off the afternoon by picking a half-peck of apples each (we picked mainly Empire and Macs) while looking out on the Lake Champlain scenery and by visiting the orchard store. At the store where we were delighted to find a selection of hard and sweet ciders, delicious cider donuts, plenty of apples and pumpkins, raw honey, apple cider syrup, maples syrup, fudge and lots more. Champlain Orchards put on a fine program. Some photos below:
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| Champlain Orchards in Shoreham, VT |
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| Some old web blogger traipsing among the Macintosh trees. |
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| Cider tasting |
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| Locally produced beef and pork. |
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| A portion of our pick-your-own haul of Macs and Empires. |
A short clip of Run Mountain's music.
Otters host Bulldogs this afternoon
The 2-4 Otter Valley Union High School varsity football team plays host to the 3-3 Bulldogs of Burr and Burton Academy one o'clock this afternoon at Markowski Field in Brandon.
While Burr and Burton sits a notch above the Otters in the standings, the Bulldogs are not quite the caliber of team the Otters have been playing lately. Two weeks ago, Otter Valley hosted Division I powerhouse Middlebury, and last week the Otter gridders traveled to Division II leader Rice Memorial. The Otters proved a tough opponent for even the highly regarded Rice but slipped to 2-4 on the season with the 14-6 defeat.
That the Otters found ways to score against the stingy defenses of Middlebury and Rice makes them the favorite to defeat the defensively challenged Bulldogs today. In Vermont's Division II, only one team has allowed more points (through six games) this season than the 190 permitted by Burr and Burton's defense. The North Country Union Falcons gave up 263 points while going 0-6. (The Falcons dismal season continued in their seventh game last night with a 53-0 loss against Woodstock.)
Yet the Bulldog offense remains a concern. Burr and Burton has been generating a lot of points, 201 so far this year, and managed to edge a strong Lyndon Institute team, 32-38, last week. The Bulldogs other wins this season have come against the winless Springfield Cosmos and the Division I cellar-dwelling Mount Anthony Patriots.
That the Otters found ways to score against the stingy defenses of Middlebury and Rice makes them the favorite to defeat the defensively challenged Bulldogs today. In Vermont's Division II, only one team has allowed more points (through six games) this season than the 190 permitted by Burr and Burton's defense. The North Country Union Falcons gave up 263 points while going 0-6. (The Falcons dismal season continued in their seventh game last night with a 53-0 loss against Woodstock.)
Yet the Bulldog offense remains a concern. Burr and Burton has been generating a lot of points, 201 so far this year, and managed to edge a strong Lyndon Institute team, 32-38, last week. The Bulldogs other wins this season have come against the winless Springfield Cosmos and the Division I cellar-dwelling Mount Anthony Patriots.
12 October 2012
Teen dance tonight
The kids are enjoying themselves tonight at a dance sponsored by the Brandon and Pittsford recreation departments. The dance is held at the Pittsford Police Academy (which remains inaccessible by the usual route, as it is being reconstructed). Just a couple of things here: First, the dance seems to be very well supervised and run with the safety of the Grade 7-10 student attendees in mind. Second, I haven't seen the academy before this evening - it is a VERY impressive structure on beautiful campus shared with the Fire Academy.
Trapping season approaches
With just a couple of weeks to go before the start of the fall trapping season, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is reminding trappers that they must have completed a training course on current regulations and humane trapping methods, according to a story broadcast by WCAX television.
The trapping seasons for mink, skunk, red and gray fox, raccoon, coyote, opossum, weasel, otter and muskrat begins on Oct. 27. Trapping for most species concludes at the end of the year. Otter trapping season continues until Feb. 28, 2013, and muskrat trapping season finishes on March 31, 2013. Separate seasons are observed for the trapping of beaver (Nov. 15 to March 13, 2013), bobcat (Dec. 1 to Dec. 16) and fisher (Dec. 1 to Dec. 31).
Raccoon hunting season starts tomorrow and continues through the end of the year. Red and gray fox hunting season runs from Oct. 27 to Feb. 10, 2013.
Black bear hunting, turkey bow and arrow-only hunting and bow and arrow deer hunting seasons are under way. Black bear season began Sept. 1 and ends Nov. 14. Turkey bow and arrow-only hunting season runs from Oct. 6 to Oct. 19, with a nine-day shotgun or bow and arrow turkey season running from Oct. 20-28 and a 16-day shotgun or bow and arrow season running from Oct. 20 to Nov. 4. The archery deer season started Oct. 6 and continues until Oct. 28. Another archery (and muzzleloader) deer season runs from Dec. 1-9. Rifle deer season is scheduled from Nov. 10-25.
The trapping seasons for mink, skunk, red and gray fox, raccoon, coyote, opossum, weasel, otter and muskrat begins on Oct. 27. Trapping for most species concludes at the end of the year. Otter trapping season continues until Feb. 28, 2013, and muskrat trapping season finishes on March 31, 2013. Separate seasons are observed for the trapping of beaver (Nov. 15 to March 13, 2013), bobcat (Dec. 1 to Dec. 16) and fisher (Dec. 1 to Dec. 31).
Hunting
Raccoon hunting season starts tomorrow and continues through the end of the year. Red and gray fox hunting season runs from Oct. 27 to Feb. 10, 2013.
Black bear hunting, turkey bow and arrow-only hunting and bow and arrow deer hunting seasons are under way. Black bear season began Sept. 1 and ends Nov. 14. Turkey bow and arrow-only hunting season runs from Oct. 6 to Oct. 19, with a nine-day shotgun or bow and arrow turkey season running from Oct. 20-28 and a 16-day shotgun or bow and arrow season running from Oct. 20 to Nov. 4. The archery deer season started Oct. 6 and continues until Oct. 28. Another archery (and muzzleloader) deer season runs from Dec. 1-9. Rifle deer season is scheduled from Nov. 10-25.
09 October 2012
Sunset at Otter Valley Union MS/HS
Otter Valley Union Middle School/High School in Brandon at dusk, Oct. 9, 2012.
Whiting census of 1790
While browsing through Ancestry.com, I stumbled upon Addison County's portion of the first census of the United States of America. Vermont had not yet been admitted to statehood at the time the Census of 1790 was compiled. The Whiting portion of that document is shown below.
According to the enumerator, there were 46 families and 249 individuals (I see only 247) residing in the town at that time. The census listing shows the name of each head of household. Figures in the columns represent the number of free white males over 16 residing in each household, the number of younger free white males residing there, the number of free white females, the number of other free persons, the number of slaves. The final column was not used anywhere in Vermont, as slavery was outlawed in the initial constitution of the independent Vermont republic in 1777.
According to the enumerator, there were 46 families and 249 individuals (I see only 247) residing in the town at that time. The census listing shows the name of each head of household. Figures in the columns represent the number of free white males over 16 residing in each household, the number of younger free white males residing there, the number of free white females, the number of other free persons, the number of slaves. The final column was not used anywhere in Vermont, as slavery was outlawed in the initial constitution of the independent Vermont republic in 1777.
08 October 2012
Historic town map
Anna stopped by Bulwagga Books in the center of Whiting this afternoon and picked up a copy of a historic town map. A portion of the map page is shown below. It appears to date from around 1900.
Otters JV battles Minutemen to a 20-20 tie
The JV Otters are now 3-2-1 on the season. They will host the Poultney High School Blue Devils in the final home game of the season next Monday afternoon. The JV's final game of the year will be Oct. 22 at Woodstock Union.
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| The Otters QB Collin Eugair prepares to pass against the Minuteman defense. |
Otters JV hosts Mill River Union
07 October 2012
GREEN KNIGHTS 14, Otters 6
The league standings don't reflect moral victories, but the Otter Valley Union High School varsity football team notched one yesterday afternoon.
The Otters fell to the undefeated Rice Memorial Green Knights by a score of 14-6. Until that game, Rice Memorial had been outscoring its opponents by an average of better than 29 to 3. The Green Knights had given up just two TDs through the first five games of the season.
The Otters slip to 2-4 on the season, while the Green Knights improve to 6-0.
Otter Valley will earn its third win of the season next Saturday afternoon, when the green and gold Burr & Burton Bulldogs come to Markowski Field in Brandon.
The Otters slip to 2-4 on the season, while the Green Knights improve to 6-0.
Otter Valley will earn its third win of the season next Saturday afternoon, when the green and gold Burr & Burton Bulldogs come to Markowski Field in Brandon.
05 October 2012
Gabbard folk art
Many around the country are already familiar with Vermont folk artist Warren Kimble, who has a shop in the heart of Brandon, but this area is home to a number of excellent folk artists and crafters. I'd like to draw attention to the folk art paintings of Medana Gabbard, whose studio sits on Route 7 about a mile north of Brandon's downtown. I really enjoy her paintings (and I hope to display one prominently in our home someday). They show Gabbard's deep regard for the combined man-made and natural beauty of this area, and they convey the feel of a simple life while being just complex enough to tell a story.
(Clicking on the image below will take you to Medana Gabbard's website, where there are many more samples of her work.)
(Clicking on the image below will take you to Medana Gabbard's website, where there are many more samples of her work.)
Dawn fog
Just before dawn today, some lingering clouds gave the Green Mountains a ruffled look as fog lifted from the hayfields. Looks like we'll finally see some sun bouncing off the brightly colored foliage today, though there's a small chance of a rain shower in the afternoon.
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