AROUND TOWN
Free CSA shares
BARRE — Central Vermont Council on Aging partnered with nutrition program sites to deliver community supported agriculture (CSA) produce shares to 220 clients across central Vermont this past summer.
Using $30,000 in federal funds, CVCOA was able to purchase 43 CSA shares from four different farms to serve clients at Meals on Wheels of Lamoille County, Northfield Senior Center, South Royalton Senior Center and Twin Valley Senior Center. The participating farms were Foote Brook Farm, Glinnis Hill Farm, Good Heart Farm, and Luna Bleu Farm. Shares purchased at the beginning of the growing season entitle the purchaser to a weekly distribution of the farm’s harvest.
In September, utilizing grant funds from Vermont Foodbank, CVCOA purchased additional CSA shares for Montpelier Senior Activity Center’s FEAST Farmstand program to make up for flood losses the farm suffered.
AROUND VT
VSP staff
WATERBURY — The Vermont State Police appointed two new professional staff members to assume leadership roles. Both of the positions were previously held by sworn members of law enforcement. They are Ron LaFond Jr. as director of the Vermont Intelligence Center, and Christian Pedoty as emergency communications director. LaFond and Pedoty have extensive experience within the Department of Public Safety and have worked closely with the State Police throughout their careers.
LaFond previously served as deputy director of VIC for more than six years and has served in the intelligence community for over 22 years. The VIC was previously led by Capt. Shawn Loan, who was promoted earlier this year to Special Investigations commander.
As emergency communications director, Pedoty is responsible for the operational supervision of Vermont State Police’s two Public Safety Answering Points, and also for maintaining constant communication with all agencies VSP dispatches.
Call to artists
HUNTINGTON — Birds of Vermont Museum seeks art in any media, by new or returning artists, of any age, for its “The Power of Perspective” art show that runs from May to Oct. 31 at the museum, 900 Sherman Hollow Road in Huntington. The museum is looking for art that speaks to both humans’ and birds’ perspectives and experiences to answer the question “how might a change in perspective alter people’s understanding of the lives and needs of the birds who share our world?” Entries are due by 11:59 p.m. Monday, March 18. For more information, call 802 434-2167 or email museum@birdsofvermont.org.
Artist fellowships
JOHNSON — Vermont Studio Center announced that applications for Vermont Week (VTWK) 2024 (May 6 to 13) residencies for artists and writers are now open. VTWK is fully funded allowing VSC to provide full fellowships to 30 Vermont artists and writers. VTWK applications will be accepted Dec. 12 through Jan. 7, 2024, via SlideRoom. VTWK is for artists and writers who have been a resident of Vermont for a minimum of one year prior to the application deadline. For more information, visit VTWK FAQ. To apply, follow application guidelines, submit a $25 application fee, and for questions, email admissions@vermontstudiocenter.org or call 802-635-2727.
All residents are provided with private accommodations, private studio space, all meals, and access to local amenities. VSC’s residency programming includes a Visiting Artists & Writers Program, which invites renowned visual artists and writers to join our creative community to mentor residents, present readings and give talks, all of which are free and open to the public. Additionally, all residents are invited to present their work in a supportive community setting, and the experience culminates in an Open Studios celebration.
Climate support
Vermont Council on Rural Development announced the awardees for the third competitive round of the Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund supporting local innovators in developing solutions that move Vermont closer to its climate and energy goals. 2023-2024 project recipients are ACORN (Addison County Relocalization Network); Bennington County Window Dressers; Bottomless Well; Catamount Solar; Charlotte Library; Community Resilience Organizations; Craftsbury Energy Committee; Edible Brattleboro; Green Driving America; Northeast Vermont Development Association; Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village in Brownington; Orwell Free Library; Rich Earth Institute; Shelburne Climate & Energy Committee; SolarFest; St. Albans Free Library; Stone’s Throw Farmstead; Sustainable Woodstock; The Flower Basket; Town of Stowe Electric Department; Vermont Adult Learning; Vermont Community Solar Association; WheelPad; White River Valley Window Dressers Community Build; Winhall Energy Committee.
BUSINESS
Workers unionize
WATERBURY — The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), which represents 1.2 million essential workers in grocery, meatpacking, food processing, retail and other industries across North America, reported Ben & Jerry’s ice cream processing workers’ decision to unionize at the Waterbury plant. Ben & Jerry’s parent company, Unilever, agreed to neutrality, paving the way for its Waterbury plant workers to win union recognition by way of card check.
”Most Responsible”
MALTA, N.Y. — GlobalFoundries has been named to Newsweek’s list of “America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024.” It marks the second consecutive year GF was included on Newsweek’s list, and is the latest recognition of GF commitment to environment, social and corporate governance, and environmentally sustainable manufacturing.
Special counsel
BURLINGTON — Gravel & Shea welcomes David E. Peterson as special counsel in the trusts and estates group at the law firm, focusing on estate planning, probate and trust administration. He joins Gravel & Shea in January 2024 after 15 years with trusts and estates firms in Massachusetts and Vermont. He will be a resource in the preparation of estate planning documents, including revocable and irrevocable trusts, wills, powers of attorney and advanced directives. Peterson is listed as a “Top Lawyer for Trusts and Estates” in Boston Magazine for 2021 and 2022.
Leadership awards
BARRE — Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce announced the International ATHENA Awards recipients at the annual gala Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Barre Elks Lodge. Selected from nominations submitted statewide were two recipients.
The ATHENA Young Professional recipient, Holly Fosher, is career readiness coordinator at UVM College of Engineering & Mathematical Sciences. She is a career mentor with Vermont Works for Women, as well as a member of the STEM Advisory Committee and First-Gen Committee to support youth and full-time professionals.
The ATHENA Professional Leadership recipient, Tawnya Kristen, spent the last 54 years including as director of community development for Green Mountain Transit, director of operations at King Street Youth Center, and currently is executive director of Green Mountain United Way.
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