Reprinted by permission of The Vermont Standard.

Tubing at Bethany Birches Winter Camp

1/23/17

Warm temps and rain – does this qualify as the January thaw?  Although the main roadways are clear, secondary roads can be slippery and driveways are often hazardous because of the rain, melting and freezing.  I am wearing my yaktrax just to get from the house to the garage these days!  I have noticed more ice fishing on Echo Lake this year, despite water on the surface of the ice this weekend.  However, I understand that snow will likely blanket us again before this issue comes out!

These conditions are not a worry for those attending the Bethany Birches Winter Camps.  There will be Family Fun Days on two Saturdays – 1/28 and 3/4.  The weekend fun for grades 3-6 is Bobcat and takes place 2/10-12.  Grades 4-7 can attend Lynx, 2/18-21.  Then 2/24-26 is Polar Bear for grades 7-9.   For more information, go to www.bethanybirches.org or call (802) 672-5220.

What a lively and enjoyable discussion of The Outside Boy, took place this past Thursday during the Book Club meeting.  We also spent some time catching up on news around town!  Our next book is Mink River by Brian Doyle.  We will be gathering to chat about it on 2/23.

I don’t believe it was icy conditions that caused a car to careen into that yellow house on Rte 100, just north of the 100A intersection, but it certainly caused some major damage.  The good thing is that I don‘t believe there were any injuries.

Saturday Mindfulness program continues at the Activity Center

I attended Susan Mordecai’s Rise and Shine with Mindful Movements at the Community Center on Saturday morning.  What a lovely way to start the day with gentle stretches and mindful breathing.  It is taking place on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays from 8:00 – 9:00 AM.

Also at the Community Center, you can take voice lessons from Dan Laubach, a recent graduate of Cairn University’s music education program with a concentration in voice.   The cost is only $20 for a 30 minute lesson or $35 for a 45 minute lesson.   Contact him for more details or to set up a time –dan.laubach711@gmail.com, or call 802-332-3324.

January is National Radon Action Month, and the Vermont Department of Health is giving away FREE radon test kits! To get your free kit, send an email with your name, mailing address, physical address and phone number to radon@vermont.gov, or call 1-800-439-8550.