BIRTHS
CVMC
A daughter, Leilany Jean Morris, was born Sept. 21, 2023, to Timothy and Erin (Mulligan) Morris, of Marshfield.
Copley Hospital
A daughter, Zinnia Lynn Duncan, was born Sept. 16, 2023, to Natasha Wescom and Michael Duncan, of Hardwick.
A son, Nolan Gordon James Rich, was born Sept. 24, 2023, to Matthew and Jessica (Dickson) Rich, of Eden Mills.
A son, Kayden Graham McDonald, was born Sept. 25, 2023, to Julian and Kasey (Henderson) McDonald, of Morrisville.
COLLEGE NEWS
Net-zero building
BURLINGTON — The George D. Aiken Center, home of Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont, has officially become a net-zero energy building. Located next to the Davis Center on the central campus, the Aiken Center now produces as much or more energy than it uses on an annual basis.
In 2016, the Rubenstein School and UVM’s Office of Sustainability commissioned VEIC, a clean energy consulting firm, to develop a Zero Energy Framework report that could be used to evaluate progress toward the net-zero goal. Each spring for the past 22 years, undergraduate students have teamed up with faculty and staff in the Rubenstein School to take on energy-saving and green innovation projects in the Aiken Center and across all Rubenstein School buildings and operations.
The Aiken Center was built in 1982 and reconstructed in 2012. The building earned U.S. Green Building Council LEED Platinum status, its highest rank, following the renovation, which introduced numerous energy- and water-saving measures. During the next year, UVM will verify the net-zero energy status of the Aiken Center using the LEED Zero Energy certification process.
AROUND TOWN
‘Renewal Project’
MONTPELIER — Part of the beautification efforts for post-flood Montpelier, Montpelier Alive plans to install art in empty storefront windows with the “Renewal Project” starting with Montpelier Art Walk from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, ongoing through December. The Renewal Project will accept project proposals through an RFP process with two more deadlines before the end of the year and awards grants up to $500. Visit www.montpelieralive.com/renewalproject for more information.
AROUND VT
Museum reopening
MONTPELIER — The Vermont Historical Society announced the Vermont History Museum will reopen to the public Oct. 10. Housed in the Pavilion Building, 109 State St. in Montpelier, the museum has been closed since July 11 when floodwaters inundated the building.
To celebrate the reopening, admission will be by donation Oct. 10. Admission is waived for one day, and visitors are encouraged to donate an amount they are comfortable with.
Visitors to the museum can see the following exhibits:
— “A Stitch in Time” about the history of costume that looks at how the garments of the past inform the fashions of today.
— “Fancy Goods” by Middletown Springs Historical Society, newly installed in the Local History Gallery.
— “Calvin Coolidge: Vermont’s President” from the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation that celebrates the centennial of his administration.
— “Freedom & Unity,” the museum’s permanent exhibit, a chronological exploration of Vermont’s history, from its Indigenous inhabitants to the modern day.
With the opening of the museum, VHS will resume its on-site programming, including educational offerings such as school visits, homeschool programming and talks by scholars and authors. Visit www.vermonthistory.org for more information.
BUSINESS
Trusts 101
This complimentary, virtual session hosted by Ameriprise will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, to discuss “Why a Trust?,” “Revocable Trusts,” “Irrevocable Trusts.” RSVP to receive access credentials by calling 802-622-8060 or email cierra.bresette@ampf.com.
National Life honors
MONTPELIER — Wink Inc., industry analyzer, named National Life Group #1 in indexed life sales for the past 10 quarters, since the beginning of 2021, through 2022 and Q2 of 2023. In addition, LIMRA, an industry trade group, placed National Life as #1, as of the end of the second quarter, for Indexed Universal Life up from #2, as of the end of Q1. National Life moved up from the #11 writer of individual life insurance to the #9 position.
National Life Group was named on the Forbes list of America’s Best Insurance Companies 2024. This award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., statistics portal and industry ranking provider. America’s Best Insurance Companies 2024 are identified from over 15,000 participants nationwide in a survey that considered customer recommendations, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty.
Chamber leaders
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce welcomed six new directors to its board: Alberto Aguilar, of Carris Reels; Brendon Blood, of Blood’s Catering & Party Rentals; Walter Frame, of Trapp Family Lodge; Shireen Hart, of Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC; Kelly Krayewsky, of Revision Military; and Leslee MacKenzie, of Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman.
The board also voted on a new executive committee slate, including Tom Dunn, of Vermont Electric Power Co., as chair; Sharon Rossi, of Foodscience Corp, as vice chair; Kathy Austin, of Community National Bank, as treasurer; and Peter McDougall as past chair.
The following business leaders will continue to serve as board members: Steve Gagner, of 14th Star Brewing; Chris Karr, of The Karr Group; Sue Bette, of Bluebird BBQ; Mané Alves, of Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co.; Teresa Kajenski, of Fothergill, Segale & Valley; Roger Nishi, of Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom.
Casella award
RUTLAND — Casella Waste Systems Inc. was announced as the winner of the Vermont Legacy Enterprise Award by the UVM Grossman School of Business at its 12th annual Vermont Legacy and Family Enterprise Awards ceremony Sept. 29. Enterprises are nominated across four categories, and judged on the financial success of the company, governance of the enterprise, contributions to the community and industry, and innovative business practices or strategies.
What began in 1975 as a single truck waste collection company has grown to become one of the largest recyclers and fully integrated resource management companies in the eastern U.S. Today, Casella employs over 4,200 people in more than 40 states. In 2005, Casella joined the EPA Climate Leaders as a charter member, and in 2012, was awarded the EPA’s Climate Leadership Award for Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Emissions after reducing its carbon footprint by more than 45%.
Mental health access
To meet the increasing need for mental health and substance use disorder providers, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont announced a new partnership with Valera Health, virtual mental health care offering therapy and psychiatry services for adults, adolescents and children age 6 and older. This addition to the Blue Cross VT network makes it easier for Vermonters to connect to a mental health care team through a virtual platform. Visit www.valerahealth.com for more information.
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