Book clubs date back to the 1800s—and likely long before that recorded date. They can be found in local bookstores, at libraries, even online, but most often in homes where a group of friends gather to share a good book, interesting conversation and friendship. In 2001, that’s how a group of Quechee residents started theirs. Ann Heimarck, Alice Goldstein and Rosemarie Scibetta wanted to start a book group and discovered that four other women—Karen Tahmousch, Vaughn Glanville, Roberta Epstein and Maywood Giordano—also were thinking of starting one. They came together and since that time they have added members, lost members to moves, including in the past six months Sharon Corrigan, Peggy Jones and Arlyne Berke and original member, Maywood Giordano, who passed away in June.… Read More

The Upper Valley is blessed with many people who quietly perform significant work to help others. A collection of such folks can be found at the Bugbee Senior Center in White River Junction, VT. The building itself is a gift, the legacy of T.D. Bugbee, a local dentist who died in 1954 leaving money to the town of Hartford for a building in the town’s interest and bearing his name. The Senior Center opened in 1980.

The Center provides social services such as rides to medical appointments, assistance with Social Security, living wills, Medicare and Medicaid. The Center also provides a variety of different activities.… Read More

Dave Duval took over as President of the Quechee Lakes Landowners Association (QLLA) Board of Trustees in July 2014 with plenty of relevant experience and lots of enthusiasm. He has been a QLLA Trustee since 2012 and was named vice president in July 2013. He served on the Nominating, Golf Revenue, Pool Financing, Marketing and Community Affairs Committees and as Board liaison to the Golf and Greens Committees.

As Duval explains, he is a “planner by nature” with a strong background in finance and management. Following more than 20 years in venture capital helping young companies get off the ground and grow, he is now in wealth management—assisting clients to plan for and manage finances—as Managing Director with Boston Financial Management.… Read More

Nemat Odeh has been appointed the Executive Chef of The Quechee Club. Chef Odeh, has served in several leadership positions with the Four Seasons Resort, The Bellagio, Farmington Country Club in Connecticut, Canaan Valley Resort in West Virginia and Shuttle Meadow Country Club. Chef Odeh was born and raised in Frankfurt, Germany. He started in the family business at age 12. After his schooling at the Culinary Academy in Frankfurt, he went to Gstaad, Switzerland, for his apprenticeship training working for three master chefs at the Palace Hotel. He continued his culinary education after college by enrolling in a year of pastry specialties.… Read More

It’s a program you probably don’t know about if you or your family and friends have avoided legal trouble, but for certain troubled youth, others who have committed a crime and their victims, Valley Court Diversion Program (VCDP) locally headquartered in White River Junction, Vermont, can change lives.

“Restorative justice” highlights the aim of healing that is a core mission of these programs. Even minor crime harms victims, the community, the participant’s family as well as the participant.

Windsor County is one of the largest geographical counties in Vermont. VCDP’s commitment to being community based is demonstrated by the staffs’ willingness to travel and facilitate restorative panels in several locations including Ludlow, Springfield and White River Junction.… Read More

For the last 24 years, Southeastern Vermont Community Action’s (SEVCA’s) four “Good Buy” Thrift Stores, including its two in White River Junction, have recycled the clothing that didn’t sell, in order to reduce the waste stream going into the landfill and raise needed revenue to support its programs for vulnerable low-income residents in need.

But until 7 years ago, it was just a small-scale effort based on recycling bags of clothes that its Good Buy customers brought to the stores when they came in to shop. Then in November 2007, SEVCA decided to ratchet up its recycling game, significantly expanding its scope and nature.… Read More

In our last issue, QT profiled John Ferney who had just stepped down from his volunteer role as president of the Quechee Lakes Landowners Association (QLLA). Now it’s his wife, Gail’s, turn, described by her colleagues as “a special, giving person,” she is that and much more.

Admiring the artwork at the Ferney home, I found out that some of it was created by their daughter-in-law, some by a son and some is Gail’s work. I thought, “WOW – this is a talented lady!” I knew she was a great organizer, but wasn’t aware that she was a painter. Gail minimizes her artistic talent, but I loved her watercolors.… Read More

It has been so many years ago, I can’t recall the name of my first ski instructor. Maybe it was Jack. I vaguely remember his face.

It was Christmas week in Breckenridge, Colorado and the crowds were dense and intimidating, particularly for a new skier. “This is a ski!” Jack held up the odd instrument for our inspection. “These are your boots!” he pointed out, “and please don’t get the two mixed up.” Like all good teachers Jack believed strongly in emphasizing the basics. Basics are important.

“The boots should be put on with the buckles facing out!” he noted, “because if you don’t you’ll just ski around in circles and hit trees.”… Read More

Winners have been named in Vital Communities’ first-ever Upper Valley High Communications Competition: Forrest Mattern for Print PSA, Ashley Fogg won for Television PSA, and Nate Guarino won for Radio PSA. All hail from Hartford and are seniors in the Hartford Area Career and Technology Center’s Media Arts program taught by Felicia Allard. Their public service announcements support Local First Alliance, a program of Vital Communities, answering the question: Why is it cool to shop at locally owned businesses?

“We are thrilled to have been a part of this process and were overwhelmed by the submissions,” said Mundy Wilson Piper, owner of Chippers, which will help promote the winning print PSA.… Read More

It was raining when we touched down in Shannon, County Clare, Ireland after the overnight flight from Boston. A quick trip through customs and we were on our way to the rental car.

“Just remember to go left at the roundabout,” said my wife Jo as I reprogrammed my brain for driving on the left side of the road for the 30-minute trip to our first stop in Ennis, County Clare.
Ennis, with its charming streets and busy shops, seemed like the perfect place to begin our seven-day Irish golfing adventure in early May.

After breakfast and a short nap at the Old Ground Hotel (140 Euro/$190 per night with breakfast), we drove over winding country roads to East Clare Golf Club for our first round.… Read More