Otter Valley Football Schedule

Otter Valley Union High School 

(Division II)

Football Schedule 

Friday, Aug. 31, 7 p.m.
1. VARSITY
Otters at Springfield High School Cosmos (Div. II): Win, 48-6 (1-0)

Tuesday, Sept. 4, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Junior Varsity
Otters at Fair Haven Union Slaters (Div. II): Loss (0-1)

Saturday, Sept. 8, 1 p.m.
2. VARSITY
Lyndon Institute Vikings (Div. II) at Otters: Loss, 16-0 (1-1)

Monday, Sept. 10, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Junior Varsity
Otters at Springfield High School Cosmos (Div. II): Win, 30-0 (1-1)

Saturday, Sept. 15, 1 p.m.
3. VARSITY
Union-32 High School Raiders (Div. II) at Otters: Win, 20-18 (2-1)

Monday, Sept. 17, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Junior Varsity
Mount Abraham High School Eagles (Div. III) at Otters: Loss (1-2)

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. POSTPONED
Junior Varsity
Middlebury Union High School Tigers (Div. I) at Otters

Friday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m.
4. VARSITY
Otters at Milton High School Yellowjackets (Div. II): Loss, 38-20 (2-2)

Monday, Sept. 24, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Junior Varsity
Otters at Burr & Burton Academy Bulldogs (Div. II): Win, 32-14 (2-2)

Saturday, Sept. 29, 1 p.m.
5. VARSITY
Middlebury High School Tigers (Div. I) at Otters: Loss, 35-6 (2-3)

Saturday, Oct. 6, 2:30 p.m.
6. VARSITY
Otters at Rice Memorial High School Green Knights (Div. II):  Loss, 14-6 (2-4)

Monday, Oct. 8, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Junior Varsity
Mill River Union Minutemen (Div. III) at Otters: Tie, 20-20 (3-2-1)

Saturday, Oct. 13, 1 p.m.
7. VARSITY
Burr & Burton Academy Bulldogs (Div. II) at Otters: Loss, 60-25 (2-5)

Monday, Oct. 15, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Junior Varsity
Poultney High School Blue Devils (Div. III) at Otters: Win. (4-2-1)

Saturday, Oct. 20, 1 p.m.
8. VARSITY
Bellows Falls Union (Div. II) at Otters: Loss, 54-21 (2-6)

Monday, Oct. 22, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Junior Varsity
Otters at Woodstock Union Wasps (Div. III): Loss (4-3-1)

Friday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m.
9. VARSITY
Otters at Fair Haven Union Slaters (Div. II): Loss 36-27 (2-7)

Whiting town office hours

Posted outside the town offices. Hours are Monday and Wednesday,
9 a.m. to noon and 4-6 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to noon.

West Nile virus found locally

Our little town of Whiting made the regional news yesterday, as the Vermont Health Department announced that West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus were detected in town mosquito pools.

Four mosquito pools were tested in Whiting. Three tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. The fourth tested positive for West Nile virus. Mosquitoes can transmit the diseases to people and animals. The health department does not perform exhaustive statewide testing of mosquitoes but views the Whiting test results as evidence that Vermont residents should keep the health issues in mind.

"The positive samples are the first evidence of EEE and West Nile virus in Vermont this year," said State Epidemiologist Patsy Kelso. "It is a good reminder these viruses are circulating in Vermont and people should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites."

The health department recommends the following precautions:

• Wearing long sleeves and long pants.
• Avoiding outdoor activities at dusk and dawn.
• Taking measures to reduce standing water in which mosquitoes breed.
• Using insect repellents.
• Maintaining screens on home windows and doors.

Most people bitten by a West Nile virus-carrying mosquito will experience no symptoms. Up to 20 percent of people infected with the virus may experience fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting. A much smaller percentage will develop life-threatening illnesses.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis is much more rare in humans. As with West Nile, most infected people have no symptoms. However, several cases of serious to severe EEE infection occur in the U.S. each year, generally in the Atlantic and Gulf Coast states. In severe cases, the illness can lead to swelling of the brain. The mortality rate of severe infections is as high as 33%. The disease is extremely dangerous to horses, where its mortality rates are 70% or higher. There is no cure for EEE. Many horses in eastern and southern states are routinely vaccinated against the virus.

These viruses are said to originate in bird populations. While direct bird-to-human transmission is not impossible, mosquitoes are generally responsible for moving it.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, mosquitoes carry the highest amounts of these viruses in the early fall, after a summer of interaction with birds.

Thirteen West Nile virus cases have been reported in neighboring New York State so far this year, according to the Wall Street Journal. Two older people have died of the disease. New York health officials have detected West Nile in 714 mosquito pools across the state. None to date have been found to be infected with EEE. Massachusetts has reported high levels of EEE-infected mosquitos - the highest number in 30 years. Several days ago, CNN reported that the U.S. is experiencing the worst West Nile virus outbreak ever seen. At that point, 38 states had reported human infections. A total of 1,118 people had been infected with 44 related deaths reported.

Eateries

We have really enjoyed our restaurant experiences in the area. I don't think we've had a single unpleasant, non-pizza meal (pizza will be discussed in another post).

A couple of the kids have asked me, "Why does everything taste better in Vermont?" I've speculated a bit: Maybe they slip maple syrup in everything, maybe it's the cheese or the bread or the milk or the butter or the fresh meats and vegetables, maybe it's the lingering French influence. I don't really know the reason, but the kids are right in their observation. Even the food at the usual fast-food restaurants is noticeably better.

Here's a list of the local places we've eaten at so far - it's just off the top of my head, so it may not be a complete list (most pizza restaurants omitted):

• A&W Drive-In in Middlebury* - old-style drive-in with burgers, hot dogs, fries, onion rings, ROOT BEER FLOATS, ice cream, etc.
• Carole's Hungry Mind in Middlebury - coffee house, various breakfast/lunch/snack food items.
• Fire and Ice in Middlebury* - extensive menu, amazing salad bar, wonderful atmosphere. Don't skip the salad bar here.
• House of Pizza in Brandon - good pizza (rarity in this area). Check out House of Pizza on CNN.
• Li's Chinese Restaurant in Brandon - typical Chinese takeout.
• Magic Wok in Middlebury* - great Chinese/Thai food, great service.
• McDonald's in Brandon - slowest fast-food place on Earth, but friendly service.
• McDonald's in Middlebury - typical McD's, though orders are often mixed up.
• Mister Ups in Middlebury* - very nice restaurant in a beautiful setting, terrific menu. Don't skip dessert here.
• Rosie's Restaurant in Middlebury* - family restaurant, dairy bar, good selection/prices, friendly staff. Don't skip dessert here.
• Sheri's Diner in Brandon* - super breakfast/lunch food, some really interesting items, great prices.
• Steve's Park Diner in Middlebury - breakfast/lunch, traditional village diner, local landmark.
• Sully's Place (Patricia's Restaurant) in Brandon* - excellent food in slightly cramped quarters. Weekend prime rib.
• Subway in Middlebury - sandwich shop.
• Two Brothers Tavern in Middlebury - top-notch food in a great location. Sandwich rolls from heaven.
• Vermont Sandwich in Brandon - best sandwiches and wraps.

Places we have intended to visit but haven't gotten to just yet: Cafe Provence in Brandon, Vermont Chowder House in Brandon, China House in Middlebury. I'm sure with time we will be adding more to this list.

Vermont spectrum

Gotta write this down before I forget it:
Recently we stopped at a hardware store on the way up to Burlington. We happened to wander into the paint department and found many stacked cans of paint. The variety seemed a little strange to me at first, but then I realized that the selection of colors was complete, in Vermont fashion. The store had BOTH of the necessary colors in stock: white for the house and red for the barn. And that was it.

Primary election next Tuesday

A primary election will be held next Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. Without considering the write-in possibilities, Republicans are selecting a candidate for the U.S. Senate, and Democrats are deciding who will run for State Attorney General and a seat in the Vermont State Senate.

Primary election ballots are shown outside the Whiting Town Offices.

John MacGovern of Windsor and H. Brooke Paige of Washington are competing for the GOP nod to run against incumbent Democrat U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Burlington in November's general election. Thomas Donovan and William H. Sorrell, both of Burlington, are competing for the Democratic nomination for the attorney general race. Claire Ayer of Addison and Christopher A. Bray of New Haven are competing for the Democratic nomination to run for State Senate from this district.

Interestingly, Vermont does not register voters by political party. So, on Primary Election Day, voters are presented with the ballots of the various parties seeking to resolve their candidate issues. (I must admit that I haven't yet figured out what the Progressive Party is hoping to resolve, as its ballot is mostly blank and no races are contested.) Voters are to fill in just one of the party ballots, leaving the others blank.

As Isaac approaches, area recalls Irene

Tropical Storm Isaac, currently moving westward across the Atlantic Ocean toward the Caribbean, could be upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane by the end of the week. It appears that Isaac's path will soon bend toward the northwest, possibly taking it across the Dominican Republic, Haiti and much of Cuba on its way to the southeastern U.S. While the U.S. Gulf Coast looks on warily (particularly those preparing for the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, next week), Vermont residents are reflecting on the events of last August.

On Aug. 28-29, 2011, the remnants of Hurricane Irene brought torrential downpours and high winds to western New England. We were living in the town of New Milford in western Connecticut at the time. The storm did a great deal of damage to the area but we experienced nothing at all like what occurred in Vermont. Several people lost their lives. Roads and bridges - including many historic covered bridges were washed away. Many communities were completely isolated. In our current area, the town of Brandon became a madly rushing body of brown water. The Neshobe River, which runs through the center of town, overflowed and tore through roadways and buildings. Scars inflicted on the town are still evident today.

Click to view some photographs of the destruction.

Rosie's desserts

We're usually so thoroughly stuffed after meals at Rosie's that we fail to order dessert. Tonight was an exception. Anna, Tori and I were eating dinner without the boys, as they were busy with football. We felt we still had just a little room left after our main courses and made some choices from the dessert menu. Our three selections were fantastic. (I really must remember to bring my camera with me to restaurants so I can share at least the look of the food.)
I had the Brownie Sundae, a hot fudge sundae loaded with terrific vermont whipped cream and served on a chewy brownie. Anna had the Chocolate Cream Pie, of course, though I thought for a second she might try the Lemon Meringue. Tori went for the Toll House Pie. That was truly special. Toll House Pie is essentially a pie made out of cookie dough baked into a pastry shell. Tori had hers warmed and served with a scoop of ice cream. I had to try a little piece. It called to mind the wonderful Cookie Skillet served (on an actual skillet) at the Mister Ups restaurant in Middlebury, but the cookie at Rosie's was more completely baked and airy.
Desserts are definitely not an after-thought at Rosie's.

Boys' first football scrimmage

Our sons, Francis (that's the back of him on the left, #2) and Alex (the back of him is on the right, #32) participated in their first high school football scrimmage on Saturday. Well... mostly they watched their first high school football scrimmage. But they did get into the action for a few plays at the end.

Alex touched the ball once, though very briefly. There was a bad snap over the head of the quarterback. So, the QB's should-have-been-handoff to Alex was more like a volleyball "set." He was wrapped up by a defender as the ball squirted through his fingers.
Francis, Alex and their sister Tori will be attending Otter Valley Union High School in nearby Brandon starting next week (PARTY TIME FOR DADDY!). The school is relatively small but there is great spirit there and the staff sure seems to know what it's doing. The campus is something special - a vast expanse of beautiful fields and woods. And, school officials insist, there are families of otters in the creek not far away. (The only otter I've seen to date, was smooshed on Route 73 along Otter Creek about halfway between home and the high school.)
BTW: The boys are pictured in their practice jerseys. They just got their actual jerseys yesterday. Francis will be #24, and Alex will be #49.

Sounds like a great contest, but I missed it

Read with interest through the newspaper sections devoted to the results of contests held at the Addison County Fair and Field Days. One contest seemed especially interesting, and I'm sorry I wasn't there to see it. It was the Ladies' Cast Iron Skillet Throw competition.

Some of the other interesting competitions: Pedal Tractor Pull, Hand Mowing Contest and the Men's Caber Toss. (Still nothing quite as colorful as the Watermelon Seed Spitting, Frog Jumping and Greased Pole Climbing competitions I observed years ago at Old Roxbury Days in Roxbury, Connecticut.)

Tough terrain

Living here in our old* Vermont farmhouse has provided unique exercise opportunities. Each morning, I get up and take a long walk up and down and across several significant hills, and that's just to get from the bedroom to the bathroom.
Yes, the interior terrain has been challenging. When we first moved in, I noticed that I was rolling out of bed in the morning far too literally. So we moved the furniture against different walls. Now, I can't get to sleep because I fear the bureau falling on me. (And the recliner doesn't seem to recline nearly as far as it used to).
Of course, I'm exaggerating a little here. There are hills and valleys in our old wood floors. But they're nowhere near as bad as some of the homes we considered buying. One house actually came with several sets of alpine gear to help you get from the kitchen to the dining room.

(* - The building is "old" by our standards of age. Relative to other homes in the state, it seems about average.)

Rosie's is hiring

Noticed in the Addison County Independent that Rosie's Restaurant in Middlebury is looking for wait staff to work on nights and weekends. (I hope they find some. I enjoy Rosie's and my visits are almost always on nights and weekends. I'd hate to think that my Monkey Bread would be left in the kitchen without a wait person to deliver it to my table.) Daughter Tori has been looking for a job lately, but she's uncertain she can handle waiting tables.

County Fair and Field Days

Enjoyed the Addison County Fair and Field Days in the nearby town of New Haven last week. The kids spent a couple of hours on the rides, while Anna and I checked out the animals (we may be getting some more critters in the spring) and exhibits.

Noticed the baby pig races (photo above). There wasn't much gambling on the event, at least not much that I could see. Still upsetting to think of how many people come out to those things just to see a pig crash.

'Better late than never'

I guess I should have started this blog awhile ago. Early this past spring, as we moved toward the purchase of our home in Whiting, Vermont, it occurred to me that I should make some effort to chronicle the move and the changes it brought to our lives. I was a bit slow to act, obviously, as it is now midsummer and this morning has seen my first activity on this blog. Well, as "they" say: "Better late than never." (I'll bet "they" are always late.) I'll do what I can in the days ahead to backtrack a bit and outline the events of our earliest Whiting experiences. At this point, I cannot imagine who will ever read this blog or find it even the slightest bit interesting, but at the very least it someday may help trigger memories for my wife, our children and me.