First runs on another achingly, bright blue Vermont morning. The rest of the Northeast Kingdom may have lost 95% of its snow cover, but Burke Mountain remains 100% open.
The view at the transition from Upper to Lower Willoughby, named after the Willoughby Gap, that giant glacial gouge you see way off in the distance. The gap is a place of amazing energy, and a must-visit when you come to the NEK.
Last runs, with temperatures in the mid 40’s, packed powder turning to corn and memories to last a lifetime.
Helluva ‘winter’ here in the Northeast Kingdom. Ever since the January thaw, it hasn’t snowed much at all, hasn’t gotten cold, hasn’t done the things it’s supposed to do so the plow guys can make a few bucks and the snowmobilers can come up from down country and spend their dollars here.
Fortunately, lots of the plow guys also sugar and when the sun came out on Thursday and the temperatures went to near 40F, the sugar maples started dripping sap, and a tradition that has gone on for hundreds, if not thousands of years, kicked into gear.
On Saturday, staff photographer Alyssa Nichols captures these photographs at the sugarbush of a schoolmate. Under achingly blue skies, temperatures which started out in the upper teens went into the mid 40’s, the winds calmed down and the sap started running.
The most intense interview of my life. That is how I would describe the thirteen or so minutes I spent on the phone with Ed Asner last week.
Ed Asner appears Wednesday night at 7:00 PM at Fuller Hall at St. Johnsbury Academy. His one-man show, F.D.R., is being sponsored by Catamount Arts. You are well advised to attend.
Thirteen or so minutes with Ed Asner:
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And today, we hear from James Moore, the Clean Energy Program Director for VPIRG, the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, a consumer and environmental advocacy group in operation since 1972.
VPIRG wants Vermont Yankee closed for good in 2012. James also called some of yesterday’s guest’s comments untruthful…AND called out Northeast Kingdom state Senators Matt Choate and Jane Kitchel for playing the worst kind of politics…
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The vote takes place tomorrow in Montpelier. Stay tuned.
On Wednesday, the Vermont state Senate will vote on whether or not to relicense Vermont Yankee, the state’s nearly forty-year old nuclear plant. Opponents say NO, that the aging plant should be shuttered in 2012, when its current license runs out. Others say wait until the Public Service Board has gathered all the necessary information to make the right decision.
Is the argument political? Of course it is. BUT…that doesn’t mean we can’t try and offer both sides.
We begin with a Monday morning interview with Larry Smith, the Manager of Communications for Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee, the company that wants a twenty-year extension on the plant’s license.
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Tomorrow, we’ll talk to James Moore, the Clean Energy Director for the Vermont Public Interest Research Group. His take is…different.
November may seem distant, but the campaigning has begun. Lt. Governor Brian Dubie, who threw his hat in the ring after Governor Jim Douglas announced he would not be running, has been on a “Jobs Tour” of the state since mid-January.
Wednesday morning, prior to visiting companies throughout the Northeast Kingdom, he stopped by the studios. We talked about the state budget, the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant, and what he should order at the Miss Lyndonville Diner…
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We are confident in predicting a 12-14″ snowfall on either February 9th or 10th. Should the weather gods fail to comply, we will consider this a re-initiation of hostilities thought resolved in 1865, and will reactivate and deploy theFirst Vermont Brigade. We will consider Burlington the first front, since they got that 30+” snowfall on New Year’s Day. We would head straight to Washington D.C. and attack there, but hey…who wants to go down there?
Channel 7 stopped by to find out what the hell was going on:
Thanks to those who showed up and made a very chilly Thursday morning warmer and brighter.
If you are anywhere near the area, plan on showing up on at Bandstand Park in Lyndonville, Vermont this Thursday at 10:00 AM.
At that time, those in attendance will perform a Snow Dance. (Click on the link and rehearse when you have time, we will provide lyrics Thursday)
Our goal is to appease the weather gods, so that the snows that have been so lacking in the Northeast Kingdom and North Country will finally make a large appearance.
Barring solid, measureable results, we will have no choice but to attack Vermont’s largest city, Burlington, for having stolen that huge snowstorm back around the holidays.
Show up Thursday, 10:00 AM. Write if you need directions. The fate of the Kingdom Tourist Dollar is depending on your attendance.
And dress warmly. The high will be…uhhhhhh…10. Fahrenheit.
