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Vol. 4 No. 50 • December 19, 2012
Community News, Sports, Arts, Entertainment and Food for Rutland and Southern Vermont
Vermont Fire Cadet Academy to move By Lou Varricchio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com
Photo by Valerie Broughton
Roberts is Poultney’s ‘Man of the Year’ By Lou Varricchio
lou@addison-eagle.com POULTNEY — Jeff Roberts, known locally as “Jeff the Barber”, was named the Poultney Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year. Roberts received the award at a ceremony held at the Poultney American Legion Post Dec. 15. “When we choose our citizen of the year, we look for someone who is recognizable and has given to the community and Jeff certainly fits that description,” said Valerie Broughton, president of the Chamber of Commerce. “He’s a true member of the Poultney community.” Roberts nomination for the award was made by the staff of the Citzens Bank branch in Poultney. “After the valuable information he had provided for the first time we were robbed, the first suggestion to the state police upon their arrival, after we were roibbed a second time, was to go talk to Jeff the Barber—and he did not disappoint,” according to Michele Hunter of the bank. “He may not don a cape, but he defintely is a hero to us; the Poutlney community is certainly a better place for having him as a member.” Joining Roberts on the pantheon of notable citizens of Poultney are pioneer and town founder Ebenezer Allen, U.S. Rep. Heman Allen, and newspapermen Horace Greeley and George Jones.
THIS WEEK
Vermont fire cadets train at the Vermont State Firefighters’ Association’s Pittsford facility. Starting in 2013, the teens will train on the Vermont Technical College campus. VSFA photo
“Goodnight Irene” beer helps Vermont Foodbank By Lou Varricchio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com
BRIDGEWATER CORNERS — Long Trail Brewing Company’s recent release of Goodnight Irene
Ale was a large success in helping to support Vermonter ’s affected by Tropical Storm Irene’s flooding. Long Trail, working in conjunction with Farrell Distributing Co. and other distributor partners,
was able to match last year ’s total of over $10,000, which was donated this week to the Vermont Food Bank and the Vermont Community Foundation. See IRENE, page 8
Vermont is healthiest U.S. state—with two caveats
By Lou Varricchio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com MIDDLEBURY — The news looks terrific for Vermont as a healthy place to live. According to the just released United Health Foundation’s 2012 America’s Health Rankings, Vermont is the nation’s healthiest state. But are the United Health rankings something to brag about? Sure, but buried within the rankings is also something dark: Vermont has a higher rate of cancer deaths than most other states and binge drinking is above the national average. More about these issues later. For the sixth year in a row, United Health Foundation found Vermont to be the nation’s healthiest state. Hawaii is ranked second, followed by New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Minnesota. The five least healthy states are South Carolina, West Virginia, Arkansas, and Mississippi and Louisiana—with both tied for 49th place.
United Health reported that Vermont has its share of strengths and weaknesses on the healthy living front. Here are the highpoints of the Green Mountain State’s strengths: We have a high rate of high school graduation, a low incidence of infectious disease, a low prevalence of low birthweight, and a low rate of uninsured population. But there are two red flags for the state to be concerned about: A prevalence of binge drinking and a higher rate of cancer deaths than most other states. While the 2012 America’s Health Rankings found Vermont’s cancer deaths higher than other states, they are never-the-less falling, providing some light at the end of the tunnel. “The overall reduction in cancer incidence and mortality seen over the past 10 years is very encouraging, and data regarding cancer rates for Vermonters appear to be in keeping with the national rates, which is certainly good news,” according to See HEALTHY, page 7
Pets of the Week ..........2
Jill & Kevin Mulholland, Owners / Operators 82 Route 30N, Castleton, VT 05735
Pink the Rink returns ....3
802-468-3033
Op-Ed............................4
Open 6am - 6pm Monday - Friday Pickup / Drop Off Also Available in Rutland and West Rutland 3 Days A Week
Local Flavor ..................5 Calendar ......................9 Classifieds....................10-11
42678
Jeff Roberts is Poultney’s “Man of the Year” and local crimefighter.
MIDDLEBURY — For Vermont’s future firefighters, education and hands-on training make the difference. For many decades, Vermont teenage fire cadets trained by the Vermont State Firefighters' Association at its site in Pittsford. The cadet program, which includes an intensive week of study and field work, takes place during the first week of July. Now organizers of the Vermont Fire Cadet Academy have selected Vermont Technical College as the new location for the 2013 program. According to Frank Buck, who is both president of the VSFA and director of the Fire Cadet Academy, the organization is committed to making the academy available to cadets from throughout the state. “The facilities available this summer limit attendance to 48 cadets. In making final selections, factors such as age, the location of the cadet's sponsoring department, number of See ACADEMY, page 6
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