BUSINESS
Trailblazer award
The Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance presented its annual Sen. Patrick Leahy Trailblazer Award to Johannes von Trapp at its Outdoor Economy Summit held at HULA in Burlington. The award was created by VOBA in 2021 to honor a lifetime of exceptional leadership in, and contributions to, growing the outdoor recreation economy in Vermont and beyond.
In 1968, Johannes von Trapp was looking for ways to spur winter business at the 27-bed lodge in Stowe that his mother, Maria von Trapp, was running. He purchased cross-country skis, hired an instructor from Norway and began to groom trails using equipment he fashioned from what was on hand. Today, the Trapp Family Lodge property includes 2,600 acres and more than 80 miles of trails used by skiers, snowshoers, hikers and mountain bikers. The Trapp Family Lodge Outdoor Center and shop holds annual marathon trail running races, national-caliber cross-country ski races and programs and events that support adaptive athletes. The trails also connect to the brewery and von Trapp Bierhall, the Slayton Pasture Cabin and the Kaffeehaus.
While Johannes recently retired, he and his wife Lynne’s two children Kristina and Sam continue to run the resort, with Kristina’s husband, Walter Frame, and Sam von Trapp serving as executive vice presidents.
YOUTH NEWS
STEM workshop
BURLINGTON — A Science Fun Day, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Dec. 9 on the UVM campus in Burlington, will offer “out of this world” STEM activities for Grade 3-5 students. The free workshop will be led by 4-H Science Ambassadors, high school students who plan and organize VTeen 4-H Science Pathways Cafés throughout the school year.
Sponsored by UVM Extension 4-H, membership in 4-H is not required, only an interest in exploring science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics. Go to go.uvm.edu/scifunday to register. Details about location and parking provided at registration.
Email lauren.traister@uvm.edu for more information. To request language interpretation, translation assistance and/or a disability-related accommodation, email or call 802-656-7565 by Nov. 17.
AROUND TOWN
Art show
STOWE — The Current presents its 42nd annual Members’ Art Show & Sale featuring 76 Vermont-based artists. The un-juried art show will remain on view through Dec. 16. The opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at The Current, 90 Pond St. in Stowe. Supporters of the 2023 Members’ Art Show & Sale include Union Bank; in-kind support includes The Stowe Reporter.
AROUND VT
DMV reminder
All Vermont Department of Motor Vehicle offices will be closed to the public from now through Nov. 14 in order to implement the computer system upgrade and conduct the necessary employee training. All DMV offices will be open to the public on Nov. 15.
There will be no online vehicle registration renewals or replacements from now through Nov. 12. All other online services will be available, but credit card payment processing may be delayed during this time. Customers will be able to use the online scheduling system at mydmv.vermont.gov to make appointments for after the offices reopen for in-person business. All online services will be available on Nov. 13.
Emergency shelter
To help ensure Vermonters who are experiencing homelessness and don’t have adequate financial resources can seek temporary housing in hotels and motels during harsh winter weather, the Department for Children and Families announced the seasonal policy for emergency shelter.
Between Dec. 15, 2023, and March 15, 2024, expanded eligibility will be in place regardless of the weather.
From Nov. 15 to Dec. 15, 2023, and March 15 to April 15, 2024, expanded eligibility will be in place when the following conditions are met or anticipated:
— For at least three hours between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. based on the town in which the district office is located.
— Temperatures or wind chill are less than 20°F; or
— Temperatures are less than 32°F with a higher than 50% projected chance of precipitation.
The Agency for Commerce and Community Development and DCF continue to work to help transition people who are in the program into stable, long-term housing. For more information, call 1-800-479-6151 or visit dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/EA-GA or find your local Economic Services Division District Office at dcf.vermont.gov/esd/contact/districts online.
HomeShare hires
HomeShare Vermont has added two new case managers to its staff. Wendy Rowe will work in Grand Isle, Franklin, Chittenden and Addison counties. Sarah Hudak holds a new position, serving central Vermont counties of Lamoille, Washington and Orange.
Previously, Rowe was a housing advocate in the Housing Advocacy Program at Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity. Hudak was an eighth-grade language arts teacher in Denver for six years; she worked for Teacher America and in oncology at a children’s hospital.
HomeShare Vermont is a nonprofit organization providing a screening and matching service to people who have a home to share and others looking for a place to live. These services are open to people of all ages and incomes.
Italian culture
The Vermont Italian Cultural Association announced its Scholarships and Grants Program, to promote and preserve Italian heritage and culture in Vermont, is accepting applications now through March 1, 2024. Visit vermontitalianculturalassociation.org to apply.
The program provides up to $1,500 in funding to three individuals who seek to broaden and then share the results of their project, which could include exploring the Italian American experience, the Italian experience, Italian language, arts, music, history and culture.
VTF&W
Moose hunting
With high moose numbers in northeastern Vermont contributing to the abundance and negative impact of winter ticks, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department reports the results of a regulated 2023 moose hunting season. The department issued 180 moose hunting permits this year, resulting in 78 moose harvested between the Oct. 1 to 7 archery season and the Oct. 21 to 26 regular season. Of the 180 permits available, 174 were issued by lottery, to which over 5,500 hunters applied. The department reserves the first five lottery permits for Vermont military veterans. Three non-lottery permits are reserved for persons with life-threatening illnesses, and three more are auctioned as a fundraiser for conservation.
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