Hooray for hemp
Firsts this summer
Rural Vermont backs pro-hemp bill, says it would be a boon to Vt.
First tomatoes, first grill, read ‘The Scarlet Letter’ and liked it.
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By Lou Varricchio newmarketpress@denpubs.com MIDDLEBURY — Vermont U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D) has urged the Environmental Protection Agency to ease its mandate requiring the blending of ethanol in U.S. gasoline and other fuels. In a news statement Aug. 23, Welch said the mandate should be eased due to the worst drought in 50 years; the drought is pushing feed prices higher and adding to the struggles of Vermont dairy farmers, the congressman’s statement said. Welch is not alone in calling for the EPA easement. He is among a growing bipartisan group of 156 legislators, including 30 Democrats and 126 Republicans, calling for the easing. All have called on the EPA to reduce or waive the Renewable Fuel Standard. The national standard requires that 10 percent of all fuel used in cars, trucks and farm vehicles come from corn-based ethanol. “Producing that much ethanol can consume up to 40 percent of the U.S. corn supply. And with the drought causing expected yields to plummet and prices to soar, price forecasts are up nearly 40 percent in a month,” Welch said in his news statement. “This is common sense. Corn prices are surging and Vermont dairy farmers are struggling. Whatever we can do to bring relief amidst the worst drought in 50 years we should do,” the congressman said. Welch said he wants to end taxpayer support of the ethanol industry including a protective import tariff that adds 54 cents per gallon of fuel.
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September 1, 2012
Welch urges EPA to waive ethanol-fuel mandate
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Montana woman runs the Long Trail By Lou Varricchio newmarketpress@denpubs.com MIDDLEBURY — If you’re a runner, you probably know all about Nikki Kimball. The famous 41-year-old female distance runner has developed her own “personal best” niche in the sport— the ultramarathon. An ultramarathon—or ultra distance run—involves running any path longer than 26 miles (42 kilometers). Kimball, a resident of Montana, was in Vermont last week to take on a very ugged ultramarathon—to run the state’s Green Mountain Long Trail and help raise awareness—and funds—for Girls on the Run Vermont. Girls on the Run is a non-profit program which encourages girls, grades 3-8, to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. Kimball completed Vermont’s 272-mile-long Long Trail Aug. 18 in a record five days, seven hours and 42 minutes. She also set the women’s speed record for the montaine trek. The previous women’s Long Trail record was just over seven days. According to Amy Chang, a promoter of Kimball’s long run with Montana Public Television, the athlete ran her first 100-mile race at the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run in 2004, and was the female winner. “Nikki was the winning female at Western States again in 2005 and 2007, becoming only the third woman to win Western States three times,” Chang said. “Prior to running, her main sport was cross-country skiing. She was crewed at the 2007 Western States by U.S. Senator Max Baucus of Montana, where Kimball lives. She lives in Bozeman, Mont.”
Nikki Kimball, a world-renowned ultra runner, attempts to break a speed record on Long Trail, running 273 miles in less than 4.5 days. Here Kimball (center) is joined by Vermont runners Dennis Ball and Jenny Pierce who came to greet her at the northern end of the trail.
See LONG TRAIL, page 17
Photo courtesy of Amy Chang
McDonoughs to chair county’s United Way campaign By Lou Varricchio newmarketpress@denpubs.com MIDDLEBURY — The board of directors of the United Way of Addison County have announced the names of the new leaders for the organization’s 2012-13 campaign fund raising effort. United Way board member and community volunteer Brian McDonough, and his wife Eva, will coordinate the annual fund drive locally. The McDonoughs have been involved with the Lincoln Volunteer Fire Company and Weathervane United, a non-profit business founded in Lincoln in 2009. They are also active with the Lincoln Select Board, and have also been leaders with the Burnham Committee in the renovation of Lincoln’s Burnham Hall and making it flood resistant. Brian is a partner at Woodware in Middlebury and Eva is a school nurse/educator in the Addison Central Supervisory Union and a pediatric nurse for Addison County Home Health and Hospice. According to Brian, “United Way has changed over the years to be more responsive to community needs in the areas of health, education and financial stability.
Brian and Eva McDonough
See UNITED WAY, page 17