220
Free!
12
Take One
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DENTON PUBLICATIONS P.O. BOX 338 ELIZABETHTOWN, NY 12932 POSTAL CUSTOMER
Vol. 4 No. 10 • March 7, 2012
Community News, Sports, Arts, Entertainment and Food for Rutland and Southern Vermont
Local students Bill would extend dairy celebrate Dr. safety net Seuss’ birthday MONTPELIER — Vermont’s congressional delegation, U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) and Rep. Peter Welch(D), has introduced legislation to extend a U.S. taxpayer-funded safety net that helps dairy farmers ride out downturns in milk prices. Without action, the legislative trio claim, dairy farmers could face a severe drop in support from the MILC safety net by Sept 1. The MILC Continuation Act of 2012 would extend for one year the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program at current support levels, which helps dairy farmers when the price of milk falls below $16.94 per hundredweight. Once triggered, farmers receive 45 percent of the difference between that price and the current price of milk, which also takes into account feed costs as a factor in triggering program payments. The Farm Bill, which authorizes many programs under the purview of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including the dairy safety net, is set to expire Oct. 1. For the last month of the Farm Bill, after Aug. 31, the MILC program support levels for dairy farmers drop significantly. Although the delegation is committed to passing a Farm Bill with dairy reforms this year, with prospects for that bill uncertain, this legislation would ensure there is no lapse in the safety net for dairy farmers. Welch, a member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, said, “Vermont’s dairy farmers are hard-working and resilient. They have endured bad weather, high energy prices and low milk prices. What they cannot endure is the loss of this vital safety net. However Congress proceeds, it hasto ensure dairy farmers are not left stranded.” When milk prices plunged in 2009, the MILC program was a critical lifeline for many Vermont dairy farmers.
By Lou Varricchio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com BRANDON — Students around the area celebrated the birthday of children’s book author, the late Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. Most schools marked March 2 as the annual date for National Read Across America Day, an initiative on reading created by the National Education Association. Seuss published 46 children's books including the best known works, "Green Eggs and Ham", "The Cat in the Hat", "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!", "Horton Hatches the Egg", "Horton Hears a Who!", and "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish". At the Neshobe Elementary School in Brandon, school librarian Chris Naylor foucsed a library book shelf display of Seuss books and a life-size, stand-up Cat in the Hat model. See SEUSS, page 2
Librarian Chris Naylor and teacher Beth Greeno spearheaded a celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday at the Neshobe School last week. The women were joined by the school's first-grade class fresh from a breakfast of dyed green eggs and ham and a spirited discussion about their favorite Seuss books. Photo by Lou Varricchio
Wennberg named director of health-care watchdog group Wennberg was ex mayor, Eagle news editor
By Lou Varricchio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com RUTLAND —Vermonters for Health Care Freedom, a watchdog group opposed to the state’s single-payer health care plan, announced the ap-
pointment of Jeffrey Wennberg as executive director. Wennberg is a former Addison Eagle editor, Vermont Commissioner of Environmental Conservation, a former Rutland City mayor, and a public policy consultant. Wennberg assumed the responsibilities of VHCF from founder Darcie Johnston March 1 Johnston left the organization to focus on her consulting business.
According to Wennberg, “What we do know of Gov. Shumlin’s reforms thus far is that they will harm our economy and our ability to retain and attract physicians. Neither of those outcomes is good for Vermont.” Vermonters for Health Care Freedom has taken the position that the proposed single payer health care program will increase costs and taxes and reduce access to doctors and hospital care.
Actors go behind bars to present Shakespeare at Great Meadow By Catherine M. Oliverio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com P O U LT N E Y — “ S h a k e s p e a re Under Lock and Key,” another creation of artistic directo, Gary Meitrott of Gary Meitrott Unlimited, takes place at the maximum security Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Comstock, N.Y. Meitrott works with four volunteers and his endeavors in unlocking the talents of several of Great Meadow’s soul-searching inmates. “When I began this endeavor I was inspired by the documentary ‘Shakespeare Behind Bars’, which brought into focus two dynamics, my caring for my gender and my love of Shakespeare,” said Meitrott. “I did not see that this project would grow to include
these wonderful people. I have hopes that this project may include other educational institutions; it is quite the life-altering experience!” Meitrott and the prisoners performed “The Tempest” in May of this past year. This prior fall Elizabeth Karet, assistant director, and actress Caroline Hogan taught scenes of “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Richard III”. The reception from other inmates piqued such an interest that others joined the current production of “Macbeth”. Beside Karet and Hogan, Green Mountain College students Michael Shulman and Rebecca Flack began in January as part of a drama independent study under the direction of Meitrott. Twice a week for three hours per See SHAKESPEARE, page 8
Vermont performers Michael Shulman, Caroline Hogan, Gary Meitrott, Rebecca Flack, and Elizabeth Karet go behind bars at the Great Meadow prison in Comstock, N.Y. Photo by Catherine M. Oliverio
THIS WEEK Pets of the Week ..........2 Rusty Dewees ..............4 Local Flavor ..................5 Sports ..........................7 22013
Classifieds....................10-11 Auto Zone ....................12
Visit Us Online at www.gmoutlook.com • Subscribe to our eEdition, simply go to www.denpubs.com/eEditions
Follow us on Facebook