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August 6, 2011
Copper Summer Fest thefts on to debut in the rise Middlebury By Lou Varricchio newmarketpress@denpubs.com
MIDDLEBURY — The rising price of copper has led to an increase in crime, and Vermont is not immune. The Vermont State Police and Vermont Department of Public Service, along with officials from Vermont Electric Cooperative, Green Mountain Power and Central Vermont Public Service, released a new warning about the dangers of copper theft. The latest warning was issued July 29 after a wave of break-ins, including recent incidents at two Vermont Electric Cooperative substations and two Green Mountain Power substations. “The person or persons responsible for these thefts do not realize the extreme danger they put themselves into. Cutting a ground wire is not without risk as they carry current and the effect could be deadly,” said engineer Hans E. Mertens of the Vermont Department of Public Service. “The value of copper stolen can never outweigh the value of a life.” Mertens said several deaths have occurred in the past year as criminals attempted to remove copper content from electric utility fences and equipment. Copper thieves routinely target vacant business and homes as well as electrical substations, cellular telephone towers and silos, telephone land lines, railroads and water wells, according to Mertens. People who see anything suspicious near a substation or a utility property should call 911.
By Lou Varricchio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com MIDDLEBURY — It’s as if downtown Middlebury has awakened from its deep, Rip Van Winkle sleep. Following the more flamboyant lead of neighboring communities such as Vergennes and Bristol, the shire town is finally hopping with year-round fun. Starting the year off with a zesty chili festival and moving on to the swinging Festival on the Green event—plus coupled with easy, visually appealing vehicle, bike and pedestrian access from U.S. Route 7 (Court Street) via the new Cross Street Bridge—downtown Middlebury is now the place to be when the sun shines and when it doesn’t. Add to the above mix the much-anticipated premier of the Midd Summer Festival this weekend at the Marble Works by the Falls—Saturday, Aug. 6—and you have an ideal reason to add Middlebury to your “must see frequently” list. This new annual event is organized by the Better Middlebury Partnership. It’s a simple idea to understand—it’s a daylong celebration of Vermont beer, wine, and cheese. See MIDD SUMMER FEST, page 6
DEEP-SEA DIVER JR. — Justin Shafritz, 7, of South Burlington enjoys trying on a vintage 1930s Mark-V diving helmet at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vergennes last week. The metal helmet—along with its accompanying rubberized accessories—was used in the lake for commercial vessel cleaning work. With a surface-air supply, helmeted divers could stay underwater far longer than modern SCUBA divers. Photo by Lou Varricchio
Locals to compete in Dragon Boat Fest By Lou Varricchio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com
Middlebury and Hinesburg dragon-boat teams from Danforth Pewter, Citizens Bank and NRG Wind pictured in action at last year’s Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival to benefit cancer. Over 2,000 paddlers have registered for this year’s event on the Burlington waterfront to be held Sunday, Aug. 7. Photo by Chris Ryan
MIDDLEBURY — Middlebury and Hinesburg are well represented at the annual Dragonheart Vermont’s Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival held at the Burlington waterfront. The boat teams, including Danforth Pewter, Citizens Bank and NRG Wind, return for the watery action again at the 2011 festival to be held this Sunday, Aug. 7. The Dragon Boat festival has grown in size over the years. This
year ’s event will draw the largest group of participants with over 2,000 registered paddlers for the cancer-fighting fundraising races. Teams typically represents businesses (small and large), local clubs, neighborhood teams, families, and breast-cancer survivor teams. Festival teams are international. Teams from both the U.S. and Canada are registered and will join Dragonheart Vermont in the daylong community celebration. The 40-foot-long dragon boats See DRAGON BOAT FEST, page 6
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