June 22, 2013
Projects to be funded by town, college in Middlebury From News & Staff Reports newmarketpress@denpubs.com Middlebury Ñ The Town of Middlebury and Middlebury College announced a commitment to a series of projects that promise to create Ò an even more vibrant downtownÓ . The town and college have agreed to jointly fund the construction of a new town hall and a new town recreation facility, pending approval at a future Middlebury town meeting. The total cost of the two projects, including razing the existing town hall and gymnasium, will be $7.5 million. Middlebury College will contribute $5.5 million toward the project and the town the remaining $2 million. The new town offices will be constructed at 77 Main St., adjacent to Illsley Public Library, on the site partially occupied by the Osborne House. The new recreation facility, which will include a gymnasium, will be built at Rec Park (Memorial Sports Center), consolidating the townÕ s athletic and recreation facilities in one location. The plan will also create a triangular public park and green space on the land currently occupied by the town hall and gymnasium, but the land will be privately owned by the college, not the town. Ò Middlebury College CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
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Family Fun Day growing in Rutland By Jenna Wang newmarketpress@denpubs.com RUTLAND Ñ An annual event, hosted by Calvary Bible Church of RutlandÑ as well as several local businessesÑ is fast becoming a much anticipated family oriented, community wide event. Now in its sixth year, RutlandÕ s Family Fun Day is held at Main Street Park with activities which, this year, included an inflatable obstacle course, a giant bounce house, a police K-9 unit demonstration, face painting, a dunk tank, fire engine demos, games, crafts, and more. Snacks and prizes were provided and every child could be seen with popcorn, a hot dog, cotton candy, a snow cone, a balloon, or a combination. Families from the area took advantage of the cooperative weather and filled the park. Volunteer staffers were kept busy as each attraction was encircled with a line of children and their accompanying families. The event is annually sponsored by Calvary Bible Church and local businesses. Family Fun Day t-shirts were easily identifiable and worn by attendees of the event. The notion of community was present as volunteers worked together to welcome families. EditorÕ s note: Freelancer Jenna Wang, a resident of Rutland and a 2012 graduate of Rutland High School, is a student at Boston College. She is reporting on Rutland-area events for the Eagle this summer.
Rutland-area residents Joan Olson and Danielle Walters volunteered serving popcorn at the annual Family Fun Day in Rutland. A church event, Family Fun Day has become a popular activity in the Rutland area in the past six years. Photo by Jenna Wang
Brandon fiber mill is state-of-the-art By Lou Varricchio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com
Glo Chandler of Pittsford, an operator at the Vermont Fiber Mill & Studio in Brandon, skillfully works a unit of a mini-fiber mill. Fiber processed at the artisan mill includes everything from alpaca to sheep—and more. Photo by Lou Varricchio
BRANDON Ñ Former Kansas residents Deb and Ed Bratton of Brandon first fell in love with Vermont after visiting family in the region. Then, the couple developed a strong interest in raising alpacas. They decided to make a big leap and marry the two passionsÑ that is, leave their midwestern life far behind and move east and start an alpaca ranch in Vermont. Along with their focus on livestock breeding for super genetics on the 100-acre Maple View Aplacas Farms, the Brattons also built a state-of-the-art fiber manufacturing facility, called the Vermont Fiber Mill & Studio. The mill fills a needed niche in the growing, regional alpaca and sheep fiber industry. “The mill and studio officially began operation in November 2012,Ó according to Ed Bratton. Ò We now offer full-service custom fiber processing which means we have the ability to process small batches—including individual fleeces—or large, blended batches.Ó The Brattons have two, part-time employees to help operate the Canadian-made Belfast Mini-Mill system. Fiber processed at the mill includes everything from alpaca to sheepÑ and CONTINUED ON PAGE 9