Windsor Rotary Club News — July 14 meeting

WINDSOR ROTARY CLUB

July 21, 2008

Vol. 83 No. 2

ABSENTEES - 7/14/2008

 

T. Allen, P. Bousquet, N. Carter, W. Cone, R. Christensen, R. Dukeshire, L. Frazer, F. Hilles, M. Howe, N. Larson, J. Osgood, C. Prevo, C. Shapiro-Wall, S. Spadaro.

BIRTHDAY

July 11, Bob Dukeshire.

GUEST

Mira Lagerstedt, guest of Sharlene McEachern.

MAKEUPS

None reported.

LAST WEEK’S PROGRAM – CLUB ASSEMBLY

Remember those nice “Welcome to” signs you see on the main roads just outside Claremont, Lebanon and Springfield? Why not have a couple of signs on Route 5 north and south of town for Windsor?

That’s the suggestion of Rotary past president Jon Springer when new Rotary president Dana Waters asked for ideas for a Rotary Community Project for the July 2008-June 2009 Rotary year.

Springer suggested the signs could mention the American Precision Museum and other town sites of interest and be informative and attractive.

Fire Chief Ron Vezina said he got some signs made up for the “dry hydrant” system. “The state does the signs at cost. You’ll want to approach the selectmen and the new town manager and go from there,” he said.

Other suggestions ranged from continuing to work on the fairgrounds, partnering with the Elks Club to raise money for the “Polio Plus” prevention program with a dinner dance, and putting up more historic lamp posts.

“There are only about four of them now,” noted Gail Barton.

As it was Club Assembly day, Judith Brownlow passed the hat for donations to the Windsor Community Food Shelf. Ron Vezina reported that the changeover of Windsor’s fire, police and ambulance dispatching to Hartford Dispatch was completed on July 1, “but it wasn’t without issues.”

First someone switched it over a day early, then on the night of the actual switch over “we got just a dial tone.” That problem got resolved, “and then there were little things, like not being able to get ahold of highway. The State Correctional Facility has a code that stops us from going up there and that didn’t get passed along either,” he said. “But, a lot of people up there [at Hartford Dispatch] are very familiar with Windsor and so far it’s going okay.”

Vezina also had some other good news for his fellow Rotarians: “Pending contract negotiations I’m staying on as fire chief.”

Before the 4^th of July holiday, Vezina had indicated he expected to retire as fire chief and return to work at Fairpoint Communications as an instructor.

 

LAST WEEK

Sharlene won the draw but not the jackpot.

Martha Davis, the sergeant at arms, fined herself because her cell phone rang during the meeting.

Dana announced that Bob French won a quoits tournament on Bible Hill at Jim and Susan Curry’s house. (He then had to explain what quoits were. “It’s like horseshoes,” he said.)

Bill Hochstin had a brag that he drove his Prius up to camp “and didn’t hit a rock.”

Ron reported that the 4-H club sold barbecued chicken during the Harpoon Brewery Race. “They had 1000 people,” he said.

It was announced that Cedar Hill Continuing Care Facility is celebrating its 20^th aniversary July 25 with a “open house” from 6 p.m.- 10 p.m. The Berlin (NH) Rotary Club will hold the Jim Thysen Memorial Golf Tournament on August 3^rd. For further information contact President Dana Waters. Dana also reported that he gave Shane Hathaway Kochvi, Windsor Rotary’s exchange student who will be spending a year in Taiwan, a tour of the Windsor Fairgrounds.

Shane is looking for a summer job to earn some money before leaving for Taiwan in August. Contact Dana if you have any work for Shane.

 

FREE TRIP TO THE PHILIPPINES

The Rotary Clubs of Southern New Hampshire and Vermont are seeking candidates for a one-month, expense-paid Group Study Exchange (GSE) to the Philippines. Applicants cannot be Rotarians or directly related to Rotarians, must be 25-40 years of age, and be sponsored by one of the 60 Rotary Clubs of District 7870. For more information, contact Dave Ballou, rotary05@aol.com. This coming year our district 7870 is participating in a Group Study Exchange (GSE) with District 3860 in the Philippines. We will need candidates for our outgoing team; one Rotarian Team Leader and 4 non-Rotarian Team Members.

The outgoing team will travel February 16, 2009 to Cebu City and return from Davao City on March 16, 2009. We will also need host clubs for the incoming team. The Philippine team will be visiting our district May 2 – June 2, 2009.

 

If your club would like to host the Philippine Team next spring, please tell your International Service Chairperson to contact Emily Jones ejones1667@comcast.net We will need to know your club meeting (day & time) and whether you wish to be a day host or an overnight host. Overnight host clubs are expected to provide 5 host families (one per team member) for at least three nights lodging. If you wish to be an overnight host club, let us know how many nights you wish to host.

Note: Hosting GSE teams is a lot of fun. We try to coordinate regional clubs so that the overnight hosts are not committed during the day; neighboring clubs are handling day activities. GSE provides a focus within individual clubs as well as cooperation among neighboring clubs for fun and interesting social gatherings.

Windsor Rotary to Sponsor Exchange Student

WINDSOR ROTARY CLUB

July 14, 2008

Vol. 83 No. 1

ABSENTEES - 6/30/2008

 

T. Allen, P. Bousquet, J. Brownlow, W. Cone, R. Christensen, J. Cushing, W. Hochstin, C. Prevo, J. Rohrer, S. Spadaro, J. Springer.

BIRTHDAY

July 11, Bob Dukeshire.

GUESTS

Shane Hathaway Kochvi, Rotary’s Exchange Student and guest speaker.

MAKEUPS

None reported.

LAST WEEK

(These notes are for the June 30 meeting as Rotary did not meet on July 7.)

Dana Waters won the raffle but not the jackpot. Gail Barton announced that she is the “featured artist” at the Miller Gallery in Springfield for the month of July. There was a reception for the opening of her exhibit on Thursday, July 3.

Carolyn Shapiro-Wall reported that after much discussion her family has acquired “Felix”, a pet rabbit. Her son Matthew is allergic to dogs and cats, but a bunny will fit well into their household. Matthew has agreed to be in charge of feeding and giving water to Felix, taking care of his bunny cage, etc. Roger Gilman attended the Vermont-NH field hockey game at St. Mike’s in which his granddaughter played. Vermont won, 3-2. Martha Davis reported that daughter Kate is home (while she and her new husband look for an apartment). “I wash a lot more dishes but I’m happy to have her around,” she said.

Mike Howe reported that he was struck by lightning last week. “Not a pleasant experience,” he said. “It hit hard. The whole house shook.”

LAST WEEK’S PROGRAM

ROTARY TO SPONSOR EXCHANGE STUDENT

A few weeks ago Windsor Rotary voted to sponsor Shane Hathaway Kochvi, 17, of Claremont during a year abroad Rotary student exchange program. During the last meeting of the Roary year, Shane came to talk about the program, in which he will spend the next year with several host families in Taiwan. He leaves at the end of August, and has been taking a “crash course” in Chinese with a tutor (”more a crash than a course,” he says.)Shane got interested in becoming an exchange student while studying Spanish at Stevens High School. “I thought it would be a great idea to go to Spain, but when I looked into it, through a program called Face The World, it was so expensive to do it. So I went back to my guidance counselor and she told me about the Rotary Club.” Shane went to a few meetings, and when Spain proved unavailable he was persuaded to try something “more exotic.”

“I though about China, but China has, like, one Rotary Club and there are 144 Rotary Clubs in Taipae, Taiwan – so I ended up choosing Taiwan.”

Shane has gone to several meetings and orientations with other students going on Rotary exchange trips, and “it was an instant bonding.”

“I went to a retreat program in Swanzey, NH, and everyone was just so helpful. I’m really looking forward to this,” Shane said. He was originally to be sponsored by the Claremont Rotary Club, but that group is in the process of disbanding, so Rotary officials brought Windsor Rotary into the picture, and Windsor Rotary agreed to sponsor him.

“I’m honored to be the first exchange student you guys are sponsoring, and I hope I won’t be the last,” Shane told the Rotarians. “Stevens hasn’t had an exchange student go out for 100 years.”

DANA WATERS TAKES THE GAVEL

As is traditional during the last meeting of the Rotary year, outgoing president Ted Hilles passed the gavel to incoming president Dana Waters. Dana then presented Ted with his past president’s pin and a gavel mounted on a plaque, and thanked him for his leadership during the past year. Ted reflected on Rotary’s accomplishments during his watch, including a successful Penny Sale, the construction and dedication of the Sherm Carter Memorial Pavilion, the Windsor in Bloom flower boxes, the ongoing food shelf, the annual dictionary project, and having a presence at the significant District meetings in Keene, Lake Placid and Rutland during the past year.

LARSONS BUY WINDSOR STATION

Nate Larson announced at last week’s meeting that his family was closing that afternoon on the purchase of the Windsor Station Restaurant. He doesn’t plan a lot of sudden changes but did note that “we stole a sous-chef from Simon Pearce and he’s starting tonight!” Nate announced that the restaurant would resume offering lunch during the noon hour.

Windsor Police Department Responses

July, 11th - 17th, 2008
Calls for service / assistance this week as follows;

Friday 11th - Property Watch, Disorderly Group Susan Clark & Richard Barbour Residence 8 Wells Street, Assist Springfield PD Case Relay, Prescription Drug Fraud Investigation 289 County Road, Citizen Dispute Pam Ellis vs. William “Willy” Plaster Jr. 45 Jarvis Street, Assist Windsor County District Court Service of Modified Abuse Prevention Order To Josh Regan, Assist Selectmen Delivery of Packets, Business Assist Main Street, Stolen Bike 3 Central Street, Citizen Dispute Merrill’s Jarvis Street, Family Dispute Janoch Residence 8 Wells Street, Juvenile Problem Depot Street,

Special Selectboard Meeting July 22

 

 

 

TOWN OF WINDSOR

SPECIAL SELECTBOARD MEETING

29 Union Street, Windsor, VT

Selectboard Room

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 AGENDA

Item #1 – Consideration of VLCT Road Salt Collaboration Project

Item #2 - *Executive Session – Discuss Union Contract Negotiations

 ADJOURN

 

 

 

 

Exxecutive Session per 1 V.S.A. §313(a)(1) Contracts, labor relations agreements with employees, arbitration, mediation, grievances, civil actions, or prosecutions by the state, where premature general public knowledge would clearly place the state, municipality, other public body, or person involved at a substantial disadvantage;

Archer Mayor To Appear At Cornish Colony Museum

Windsor, VT - The Cornish Colony Museum presents an
evening of   mystery and art with famed Vermont mystery author
Archer Mayor.  Mr. Mayor will be participating in a fundraiser
for the Cornish Colony Museum on Wednesday, August 13,
2008 at 6:00 PM.  This is an opportunity for Archer Mayor fans
to meet the famed best-selling author. Archer Mayor is the
author of the highly acclaimed, Vermont-based series featuring
detective Joe Gunther, which the Chicago Tribune describes as
“the best police procedurals being written in America.” He is
also the 2004 winner of the New England Independent
Booksellers Association Award for Best Fiction—the first time a
writer of crime literature has been so honored. Mr. Mayor will
be discussing his latest Joe Gunther novel, The Catch
and his other novels. The event will also feature a chance for one lucky
fan to become immortalized as a character in one of Mr.
Mayor’s novels. The special silent auction will offer one lucky
winner the opportunity to appear as a character in one of Mr.
Mayor’s forthcoming books. Following the lecture, Mr.  Mayor
will sign books for attendees of the event. Books to be
autographed will be available for sale at the museum. Cost of
admission is $25.00 and includes admission to the museum. All
proceeds go to support the Cornish Colony Museum.

WHAT:   AUTHOR APPEARANCE- LECTURE AND
SIGNING

WHO:        BEST SELLING VERMONT MYSTERY
AUTHOR ARCHER MAYOR

WHEN:   WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2008

WHERE:  CORNISH COLONY MUSEUM 147 MAIN ST.

WINDSOR, VT 05089   (802) 674-6008 
TIME:       6:00 P.M.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Director Alma Gilbert-Smith at (802) 674-6008 or e-mail
info@cornishcolonymuseum.o

She had a great run

The Windsor-Cornish Covered Bridge ends its long run as America’s longest covered bridge on August 26th. That is when Ashtabula County will dedicate its new $8 Million dollar 608 foot covered bridge ending our bridge’s reign in America. We knew this was a possibility 8 years ago when then city engineer, John Smolen brought forth the idea. Despite long odds, and nay sayers Mr. Smolen persevered and now the new bridge is moving rapidly toward completion after the four 152-foot spans were placed about 3 months ago. The two-lane bridge will allow all legal highway loads, including school buses and tractor-trailer traffic to cross the span. Workers and carpenters are completing the final touches on the bridge and the pedestrian walkways. The contractor, Union Industrial of Ashtabula, will have its work on the bridge completed by the first part of August. Paving and approach work will need to be completed before the bridge can open, but dignitaries and the Members of the Covered Bridge Festival Committee are hoping the bridge will open up to traffic following the ceremony. During the dedication, the new bridge will be officially christened with a name, most likely the Smollen Covered Bridge after the man who conceived and designed it, John Smolen. We of course would prefer a much better name, the not as nice as the one in Cornish and Windsor covered bridge, but I won’t even take odds on that name. The new steel and wooden bridge is 608 feet long, dethroning our Windsor-Cornish Bridge over the Connecticut River between us and Cornish, N.H. However, our bridge at approximately 449.5 feet long will still be the longest 2-span covered bridge in the world. Of course the longest covered bridge in the world is 1,282 feet long and located in Hartland -not VT, but New Brunswick, Canada. If you recall when the US Postal service honored our bridge a couple of years ago, they made a stink about the term “Longest Bridge”, even though it was on a US Postage stamp. Our Bridge and the one in Canada both span their respective rivers much lower than the Ashtabula County- Smollen Bridge, which is elevated 80 feet above the water at deck level.

About Our Bridge
Built in 1866, the Town lattice truss bridge designed by James Tasker and Bella Fletcher cost $9,000 to build. Our bridge is 449′5″ long and consists of two spans of 204′0″ and 203′0″. It has an overall width of 24′0″, a roadway width of 19′6″, a maximum vertical clearance of 12′9″, and is posted for ten tons. Most importantly, it is an all wooden, historically important bridge. It is a National Civil Engineering Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places, two things the new bridge cannot take away from us or her.
Three bridges previously built across the Connecticut in 1796, 1824 and 1828 were destroyed by floods and ice jams. In 1935, the New Hampshire General Court authorized funds to purchase the bridge and NH purchased structure in 1936. It was then operated as a toll bridge until June 1, 1943. In 1954 the bridge was renovated by NH after years of damage from floods and ice. In 1977, the Cornish Windsor Bridge again suffered damage from flood water and ice and repaired again by the State of NH for $25,000. In 1986, it was announced the bridge would be closed due to its deteriorated condition and it was closed to traffic on July 2, 1987. The bridge was reconstructed in 1989 at a cost of $4,450,000 and was opened again to traffic on December 8, 1989 to much celebration. This was the longest wooden covered bridge in the United States and still is the longest two-span covered bridge in the world. The American Society of Civil Engineers designated it as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1970.

What’s next?
So in my opinion, there is only one thing left to do, find a 610 foot wide section of the river and build a new covered bridge, in the same style and manner as our favorite covered bridge. It cost Ashtabula County’s $8 million to build their bridge and federal bridge funds paid for $5 million of it. The balance came from state and local funds in Ohio. Well, we have two States to match funding, and two federal delegations to secure funding to regain our title. Of course there will be the nay sayers, those that think the project isn’t worth it, or is too expensive, but Ohio faced those as well. There response- ““With the amount of people coming here to see it, spending their money, there is already a good return,” she says. “You got to look at that construction cost from that perspective.”

sources- NH Department of Transportation, Historic Windsor Inc., and Star Beacon article by Carol E. Feather, published July 15, 2008