AROUND TOWN
Camel’s Hump Challenge
HUNTINGTON — The Camel’s Hump Challenge planning committee, in conjunction with the Vermont Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, announced the fully registered 37th annual Camel’s Hump Challenge will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Registration opened and closed on Friday, Dec. 1.
The event offers wilderness ski touring where backcountry Nordic skiers traverse around the Camel’s Hump perimeter. This fundraiser provides education programs and support groups for Vermonters impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementia. In February this year, the challenge raised $106,000, with the same goal in mind for February 2024.
Catherine McIntyre, of Richmond, will receive the 2024 Champion Award for contributions made to the event. McIntyre has participated in the Camel’s Hump Challenge since 2018 and has collectively fundraised over $11,000 throughout that time. She also has been a volunteer for six years.
Night to Shine Prom
BARRE — Faith Community Church in Barre announced it will host the 2024 Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, at the Elks Lodge in Barre.
Night to Shine is a complimentary event hosted by churches worldwide for their community of people with special needs. As sponsor, the Tim Tebow Foundation provides each host church with the 2024 Night to Shine Planning Manual, guidance and support from a Tim Tebow Foundation staff member, the opportunity to apply for a financial grant, and access to planning resources. 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of Night to Shine.
Visit www.fccbarre.org/nts for more information.
AROUND VT
Reporting expands
UVM’s Community News Service, student reporting program serving local news partners across Vermont, is expanding coverage due to a grant from Vermont Community Foundation. The VCF Hills & Hollows Fund will support a 2024 reporting collaboration between Vermont State University–Castleton and local news outlets, including the Rutland Herald, Lakes Region Free Press and Mountain Times.
Recent Castleton graduate Lily Doton has been hired as editor of this initiative to cover Rutland County culture, environment, community happenings and leaders. As an undergraduate, Doton was a reporter, copy editor and managing editor of the Castleton Spartan student newspaper. She has a degree in Media & Communications.
Founded in 2019, UVM’s Community News Service provides local and hyperlocal reporting (in print, audio and video) to community papers at no cost. Students work under the direction of professional editors and reporters, gaining hands-on reporting and writing skills, and engaging closely with Vermont communities.
Community News Service has also established The Winooski News, a student-driven online news outlet that now serves Winooski with Siobhan Neela-Stock as editor. Neela-Stock is a freelance journalist for various outlets, including The New York Times.
Cohen retiring
After more than five years of leadership, Vermont Adult Learning Executive Director Hal Cohen will retire at the end of December. Cohen spent more than four decades in nonprofit leadership and anti-poverty work, with the last 27 making a positive impact in Vermont.
During his VAL tenure, Cohen ensured financial stability and advocacy of a Vermont Adult Education and Literacy Network. VAL navigated the pandemic without layoffs, initiated the Online Learning Center for expanded student access, and increased fundraising, including a $1 million statewide federal grant for workforce development.
During the search for a new executive director, David Justice, current associate director, and Joseph Przyperhart, current programs director, have been appointed interim executive co-directors.
VTF&W
Furbearer vote
MONTPELIER — The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board will hold a meeting for a final vote on the furbearer rule. The furbearer rule was updated per legislative directive in Act 159 and Act 165 of 2022, to implement best management practices that modernize trapping, improve the welfare of wildlife taken, and regulate the practice of hunting coyotes with dogs.
The virtual meeting will take place at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14. Most board members and department staff will attend remotely. The in-person option for members of the public who cannot attend virtually, is at the Dewey Building, 1 National Life Drive in Montpelier.
All board meetings are open to the public. Details are provided in the agenda posted at vtfishandwildlife.com/about-us/fish-and-wildlife-board online.
Information on the regulations and the process for updating the rule can be found at vtfishandwildlife.com/trapping-bmps-and-coyote-hunting-regulations-updates online.
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