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Maj. Gen. Michael Dubie named Distinguished Citizen.
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Serving Addison and Chittenden Counties
December 25, 2010
The Lang House in Burlington
Inns welcome returning Guard members MIDDLEBURY — A group of Vermont's finest country inns and bed and breakfasts are offering free stays this winter to members of the Vermont National Guard, who are returning home from a one-year tour of duty in Afghanistan. The 18 inns are members of Select Registry, Distinguished Inns of North America – which represents top-quality inns in the United States and Canada. Nearly 1,500 Vermont National Guard soldiers are returning home from Afghanistan after participating in the Vermont Guard’s largest mobilization since World War II. The first soldiers returned home before Thanksgiving, and the rest are expected home by Christmas. The Vermont Select Registry inns are offering a free one-night stay to any returning Guard member during the months of January, February and March 2011; the offer applies to stays on Sunday through Thursday nights. The offer was organized by Dan Brown, co-owner with his wife Michele of the Swift House Inn in Middlebury. Brown, a retired Navy pilot and father of a son currently serving in the Mid East, said he wanted to do something to recognize the contributions Guard members have made to the country, and to honor the sacrifices they have made. "These fine men and women have endured incredible circumstances that most Americans can't even imagine," Brown said. "My fellow innkeepers and I wanted to do something to recognize their service and tell them, in a heartfelt way, 'Welcome home.' " Guard Members wanting to take advantage of the offer need only to contact one of the participating inns. A list, including telephone numbers and web site addresses, is attached.
See INNS, page 2
Carroll Zeno (left)of Zeno’s Tree Farm in Starksboro operates a Shakee machine to shake loose snow from a Christmas tree while a customer helps out. Photo by Alice Dubenetsky
Tracking the Sun – Starksboro goes solar with high tech array By Alice Dubenetsky newmarketpress@denpubs.com STARKSBORO — The Town of Starksboro and Robinson Elementary School have taken steps to keep the lid on increasing energy costs by installing a total of 25 solar panels to capture the sun’s energy and turn it into electricity to power their facilities. The solar array, which went on-line October 1st, was the result of an agreement with AllEarth Renewables of Hinesburg. AllEarth approached the Selectboard with a five-year power purchase proposal wherein they would install the panels and the town would agree to purchase the power at a fixed rate that is slightly lower rate than Green Mountain Power ’s rate. “That should be a good deal,” said Selectboard Chair Susan Jefferies, who, like many people, expects electric rates to rise over the years. They are hoping that being locked in at a low rate will benefit the town’s bottom line. At the end of the 5 year term, the town and the school have will several options: they can choose to cancel completely and have AllEarth remove the panels; they can renew with another
Thank You And Warm Holiday Wishes From Our Family To Yours.
five years contract; or they can complete an outright purchase for 30 percent of the original cost of the array. The panels are quite high tech. They are mounted on poles and have built-in tracking devices that track the sun We were excited as it moves across the sky. At to be 100 percent sundown, the tracker goes into a “resting” horizontal posolar powered for sition. If it snows at night, electricity. which is a sure thing in Starksboro, the tracker will “wake — Susan Jefferies up” in the morning and tilt to the sun, causing most of the snow that has collected on them to slide off. Any remaining snow will melt as the panels heat up during the day. According to AllEarth’s website, the trackers work well, even in cold, gloomy Vermont weather, and they will still generate
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See SOLAR, page 13
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Route 7 • New Haven • 453-5533 www.mcgrathflooring.com 72854