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

“If you want to find me on Wednesdays, you can come to the hospital [Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center] between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. I’ll be there, playing piano,” says Quechee’s Bill Emerson. “When I retired I had two goals, to play golf and to play piano.”

Emerson learned to play the piano by ear. His first venture into playing music was in college with a ukulele. He then began to experiment with the piano, and was a quick study. “There was always a piano inside of the frat houses. And when I was in the Navy, there were two pianos on the ship.… Read More

In August 1995, Debbie Marcus and her husband Chet Marcus, both Massachusetts natives, were taking their two children to camp in Rutland, Vermont when they passed through Quechee.

“Wow, isn’t this beautiful?” the Marcus’s had said to each other as they took in the mountainous scenery and the stretches of golf courses—Chet is an avid golfer.

By November 1995, the Marcus’s decided to purchase a condo in Quechee. Since the two still own and run their business, Marcus Financial Advisors, in Gloucester, Massachusetts, they have been splitting their time between Quechee and Gloucester for 19 years. The Marcus’ son, Jonathan, will be taking over the family business so that the pair can retire to Vermont full time in a couple of years.… Read More

John Ferney will miss the challenges of the past several years as president of the Quechee Lakes Landowner’s Association (QLLA) Board of Trustees. His term ended in July 2014 and for the first time in many years, Ferney does not hold a formal position in QLLA governance.

Over the years, Ferney has been a member of the Nominating Committee, the Greens Committee, the Finance & Audit Committee and chairman of the Golf Committee. He was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2008, served as treasurer for two years, and another two years as president. Ferney spoke with the Quechee Times about his experiences.… Read More

Ranks of street shoes line the narrow entrance hall. Young people of various ages fit themselves into small spaces on the floor, engaged in stretches. Some girls lean on the wall, helping each other with hairpins. Costumes of shiny brocades adorned with fur trim, sequins, and ribbons weigh down tables along the edges of entrance and the smaller dance hall. The atmosphere is focused but not panicked. All over the Upper Valley, students were enjoying April vacation week. Lebanon Ballet School was delighted–more rehearsal time!

Students at the school were in the throes of preparing to participate in City Center Ballet’s spring show, Sleeping Beauty, a version of the classic ballet Maurice Petipa choreographed to Tchaikovsky’s music.… Read More

It’s a haven for over half the year in this climate, and a fascination any day: Dartmouth’s Life Sciences Greenhouses in their hidden—but not secret—location on the top of the Class of 1978 Life Sciences Building. The greenhouses may well be the most widely educational spot on campus: tour visitors range from pre-school groups—“They love the carnivorous plants,” says greenhouse manager Kim DeLong. Anyone can set up a tour for a group of six or more, though in the busy seasons you may have to wait to schedule a tour. The greenhouses serve Dartmouth classes in biology, but also studio art and photography, and creative writing.… Read More