‘Snow’ fun
BARRE TOWN — Do you want to build a snowman?
Sure, Mother Nature is going to have to cooperate, but there’s more than enough time for that, and the Barre Town Recreation Department is doubling down on its snowman-building competition.
Make that “tripling.”
Weather permitting, there will be two in-person competitions, along with a virtual version that will last the better part of a month.
Here’s where, if you’re interested in building a snowman and perhaps winning a prize for your effort, you mark Saturdays, Jan. 27 and Feb. 24, on your calendar.
Assuming there is snow on the ground, those are the two dates the recreation department will host in-person contests on the lower soccer field at Barre Town Middle and Elementary School.
Both are scheduled between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. And while snowman-building can be a team sport, it doesn’t have to be. Those interested in entering the free, family-friendly contest should bring everything they’ll need — except the snow. Warm clothes are a good idea. So are tools and the decorations you’ll need to accessorize a suitable snowman.
If that feels like too much work, or you are worried snow could be in short supply when the contests roll around, you can hedge your bets by building a snowman at home any time between Jan. 27 and Feb. 24. All you have to do is build it, and submit a photo of your work at facebook.com/BarreTownParksandRec or email it to jcrossely@barretown.org.
Classic design will be rewarded, but so will creativity and popularity.
Gingerbread menagerie
WILLIAMSTOWN — Remember when the folks at Ainsworth Public Library were planning to wrap up the annual gingerbread house contest just before Christmas? That didn’t happen.
Instead, they pumped the brakes in hopes of expanding the field of entries. It worked, which made things a little bit harder for judges of the pet-themed competition.
The revised deadline — Dec. 30 — provided some time between the holidays for people to get crafty and, before it was over, a dozen did.
All of them won something in a contest that was judged Tuesday.
This year’s big winner was Kyla Dubrovich, who embraced the theme by packing animals — from unicorns to pigs — on a display that included a large gingerbread house and one that was considerably smaller. Throw in some candy canes for color and, well, you get the idea.
The entry earned Dubrovich a gift certificate to Pump and Pantry and bragging rights.
Kaylie Blouin was the runner-up, and her smaller gingerbread house also featured its share of unicorns and cats. She won a $30 gift certificate to Pump and Pantry.
Last year’s runner-up, Mataya Clark, finished third this year, and she skipped the gingerbread (it wasn’t required) in favor of constructing a cardboard barn, complete with farm animals. Her prize? The game Candy Land and a stuffed gingerbread man.
There was at least one adult entry, and Linda Senecal’s gingerbread log cabin, with pretzel trees and lots of sparkles earned her fourth place, a coloring book and crayons.
Hot house!
BARRE — When it comes to the Barre Partnership’s annual holiday decorating contest it as proven tough to top the tasteful display that lights up Nelson Street, courtesy of Gloria Patterson and her husband, Jack.
Tough, but not impossible.
And here’s where we’ll invite Paige Coolbeth to take a bow, for the eye-catching display she created this season at her home on James Street.
We’re told it was just good enough to edge out the Pattersons in a contest decided by the number of Facebook likes, comments and other reactions.
This (make that “last”) year’s “hot house” in Barre belonged to Coolbeth, whose go-to places for decorations are Walmart and Home Depot, and she was savvy enough to add to her arsenal by taking advantage of end-of-season discounts.
While the home decorating contest was close, we’re told William Raveis Real Estate was the runaway winner among participating businesses.
Nomads no more
MONTPELIER — The flood-damaged elevator at City Hall remains inoperable, but that didn’t stop a nomadic city council from finally returning to Council Chambers for its first meeting of the new year Wednesday night.
After spending most of the last six months bouncing between Montpelier High School and the Montpelier Senior Activity Center for its meetings, the council returned to a room that isn’t nearly as cluttered as it was when it was needed for storage in the aftermath of catastrophic flooding in July.
Though repairing the elevator remains at the top of the city’s “to-do” list from an accessibility standpoint, the fact it is still out of commission didn’t preclude the return to hosting hybrid meetings at City Hall.
The virtual option is viewed as a reasonable accommodation for those who wish to attend council meetings until the elevator is fixed.
Those who need additional accessibility adaptations are urged to call the city manager’s office at 802-223-9502, email Mary Smith at msmith@montpelier-vt.org or stop by City Hall.
Do you have an item for Talk of the Town? If so, email it to news@timesargus.com. Be sure to put Talk of the Town in the subject line. Oh, and Happy New Year, all.
