Urgent: Public Meeting 2/15 – Proposed DEC Wakeboat Rules

On Wednesday, February 15, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will give the public an opportunity to react to their proposed rule on the use of wake boats in Vermont.  

A meeting will be held in Greensboro at the Highland Center for the Arts and via Microsoft Teams.  JoAnn Hanowski, co-chair of the Greensboro Association’s Lakes and Environmental Stewardship Committee, will be representing the GA at this meeting.  There are concerns that the DEC proposal of a 500′ distance from shore requirement for wake boating is not enough to prevent harm to both the environment and other boaters and lakeshore owners. There will be opportunity for public comment at this meeting; to sign up for a 2-minute time slot to speak, go to https://forms.office.com/g/ayJuuH9923.  

 

A group called RWVL (Responsible Wakes for VT Lakes) is pushing back on the DEC to consider getting closer to their proposed 1000’ distance from shore requirement.  RWVL is a group of concerned Vermonters, many of whom are year-round and seasonal lake and pond residents.  To learn more about the RWVL position, go to http://responsiblewakes.org/ .  Vermont Business Magazine has additional information on this issue and it can be found here:  https://vermontbiz.com/news/2023/january/31/vermont-dec-releases-draft-rule-wake-boat-regulation

Currently Caspian Lake boaters must travel at no-wake speed and not over 5 mph within 200’ of the shoreline, a person in the water, a canoe, rowboat or other vessel, a designated swim area, or any anchorage or dock.  In addition, use of jet skis, personal watercraft or any other Class A vessel which uses an inboard engine powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive power is prohibited.  The wake from a boat must not endanger anyone else. Canoes, kayaks and paddle boards are especially vulnerable to high-wake turbulence, and boaters are responsible for any act which endangers or jeopardizes the safety, life or property of another person.  Finally, loons, ducks and other birds are especially sensitive to boat traffic. It is a punishable offense to kill or harass any water bird through the operation of a boat on any Vermont lake.

As JoAnn has pointed out, “The state of Vermont has total jurisdiction over the use of public waters.  Any change to public use on Caspian Lake, including a ban on wakeboat operation would require a petition to the DEC.  In any scenario (the current DEC revised petition, the original petition, or no ruling) Greensboro will be faced with managing wakeboat access and use on Caspian via our greeter program and through public education.”  

Please consider making your voice heard on this important topic! 

For any questions please contact membership@greensboroassociation. org.

Tour de Greensboro

DATE CHANGE: This event will be held on Sunday, February 5.

 

Embrace the winter and sign up for the first annual Tour de Greensboro. This event, to be held on Saturday, February 4th, will consist of a 25km, classic ski tour on some of the most scenic trails in the northeast. Start and end at Highland Lodge where we will have some chili and fixings and a post-ski bonfire. Go fast or take your time to savor a mid-tour hot cider and donuts. All proceeds will benefit the Greensboro Association. We are limiting this to 100 skiers, so don’t wait, sign up today. (see details below)

Caspian Challenge Registration Open: New COVID Format

THE CASPIAN CHALLENGE

SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2020

***Some special changes for this year***

REGISTRATION ONLINE ONLY

SELF-TIMED RACE BEGINS AT 8:30 A.M.; RACERS MAY ALSO START LATER

Click here for details and to register

The History of the Public Beach at Caspian Lake

In response to recent questions regarding the ownership of the Caspian Lake Public Beach, the Greensboro Historical Society has asked Clay Simpson to research the history of the Public Beach.  The following article is the result of his work.  Clay Simpson is a Trustee of the GHS and a Member of the Board of the Greensboro Association.

The History of Caspian Lake Beach

Many thanks to the Greensboro Historical Society for allowing the Greensboro Association to publish this work.   We also thank those who aided in the research of this, including Lorraine Hussey, The Town of Hardwick, Clive Gray and Allen Davies.

 

 

Caspian Lake is included in 2013 Northeast Kingdom Open Water Swim

The Northeast Kingdom Open Water Swimming Association is sponsoring a program of 7 swims on some of the most beautiful lakes in our region in 2013.   Caspian, Lake Memphremagog, Willoughby, Island Pond, Crystal and Seymour lakes are included in the events, which will take place from August 9 through 18.  Swimmers will use Highland Lodge as a base during this time.

The NKOWSA also sponsors the Kingdom Swim, Seymour Swim, Willoughby Swim and In Search of Memphre at other times during the summer.    The Daily News of Open Water Swimming has selected Lake Memphremagog and Lake Willoughby as two of the 50 great open water swimming venues in all of the Americas.

The Caspian Swim is from the Public Beach to Bathtub Rocks and back (or one way with a shuttle to return).   Participants can sign up for the swim on the NEKOWSA Kingdom Swim website.

NEKOWSA, a division of Indoor Recreation Orleans County, was established in January of 2010 with the purpose to organize and promote swimming in the legendary lakes of the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and to raise funds for our rural area’s struggling, financially challenged sports, fitness, and recreation center, IROC.   In 2012 NEKOWSA hosted seven swims, with over 375 swimmers signing on.  Swimmers are now coming from 36 different states and three Canadian provinces and are travelling from as far away as Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, Great Britain and Mumbai, India.  The events have been sanctioned by USMS and USA Swimming.  They are challenging, totally fun, awesome venues, well supported and safety conscious swims for young and old alike.

For further information on these events during summer 2013, please see the NEKOWSA website.

Highland Lodge Will Open President’s Weekend

The Highland Lodge will open President’s week, February 15 – 24 for individual room reservations.   Contact Willie at [email protected] with inquiries and to make your reservation.

The rate is 150.00 + 9% tax = 163.60 per room per night. This includes morning coffee or tea and use of the Highland Lodge kitchen for meal preparation. Cross-country skiing will be provided on the Highland Lodge trails by the Craftsbury Outdoor Center, to whom you can make your donations when you come to ski.

The Lodge is also open for the December 15th and the February 2nd Craftsbury race weekends for the same rate and terms.

Willie and David Smith have already announced that The Lodge will be open for groups of 8-9 rooms during the rest of this winter.  The rate is 175.00/night/room for one night and 150.00/night/room for multiple nights. This includes morning coffee and use of the Lodge kitchen for meal preparations.

Craftsbury NENSA’s Eastern Cup race is looking for volunteers

Craftsbury Outdoor Center has fired up the snow guns this week and this year’s Mt. Craftsbury is growing in the lower field! After the recent  dusting of natural snow,  it’s time to start planning for this winter’s events. The first big race will be the opening weekend for NENSA’s Eastern Cup series, December 15th and 16th. Saturday will feature a classic sprint; Sunday will be a mass start skate race.  A large field of New England skiers, and likely some Canadian competitors as well are expected.   Please consider joining as a volunteer for one or both days of the weekend. You’ve receive  lunch,  morning snacks, and hot drinks as well. If you’d like to help out, drop  a line at [email protected], and indicate which day(s) you can work, as well as any preferred tasks. Volunteers make it possible for the Center to host the broader ski community at these events – thank you for making it possible!

2013 Cross Country Marathon registration is OPEN…

The 2013 TD Bank Craftsbury Marathon registration is now online at Skireg.com. As is custom, the 2013 25 or 50k classic technique ski event will be capped at 1000 participants. This combined with a graduated entry fee schedule means now is the time to register for the February 2nd point-to-point race!

If you are planning a trip to Greensboro over the first weekend in February, plan to go and cheer on the participants.  See Craftsbury Outdoor center for more information.

Caspian Challenge Kicks Off in Fine Form

Runners and walkers both young and old, ages 7 to 88, gathered at the ball field on Saturday, July 28 for the inaugural Caspian Challenge.  Many participants recalled the Caspian Run Around event held years ago and were eager to renew a tradition here in Greensboro.  Others were looking forward to a fun race in a beautiful setting.  While forty people pre-registered for the event, when the registration table opened at 8 AM, participants swamped volunteers to sign up for either the lake loop or the 5 kilometer run along Country Club Road.  By the time the dust settled, nearly 100 participants had completed one of the two races.  At the finish, racers enjoyed baked goods, beverages, and lots of comradeship.

For more photos, go to Karen Gowen photography.   Any profits from photos with go to the GA as a donation.   Thanks Karen for taking the photos!

Not having expected this many competitors, the organizers had some difficulties recording finishing times.  We apologize for any errors or omissions and are already working on improvements to the finish line in anticipation of next year’s event.   Please come out and join us in 2013!

Below are the winners in each of our categories:
Raffle Winner:                       Peggy Lipscomb
Craziest Outfit:                      Maya McCoy
Youngest Runner:                 Cormac Leahy, age 7
Oldest Runner:                      Alan Lukens, age 88
Largest Family Group:         The Philips and Connolly Families
each with 5 participants

5K Winners:
Under 15:      Charlie Connolly and Elizabeth Bennett
15-24:             Erin Mulvey
25-44:             Matissa Hollister and Jesper Holtenman
45-59:             Nancy Bennum and David Zalepa
Masters:         George Hall and Peggy Lipscomb

Lake Loop Winners:
Under 15:      No entries
15-24:             Emma Porrazzo
25-44:             Victoria Hill and Adrian Owens
45-59:             Dot Martin and Jim Flint
Masters:         John Martin

Prizes were generously provided by the following:
Willey’s Store
Hazendale Farmstand
Hill Farmstead Brewery
Yoga Light (Sophia Light Smith-Barsalow)
Connie’s Kitchen
Cassie’s Corner
Sumptuous Syrups of Vermont
Galaxy Bookshop
Jennifer Ranz
The Allen Family
Julie Porrazzo
Bien Fait
Cellars at Jasper Hill
Caledonia Spirits and Winery

Thank you as well to our volunteers and organizers: Gordon Auchinschloss, Laura Hill, Lucy Lukens, Stephanie and Linnea Osterhout, the Bennett Family, the Kehler Family, the Sowles Family, and the Porrazzo Family, as well as to the Hardwick Police Department for their assistance with traffic control.

Interested in helping to make next year’s Challenge a great success?  Contact the Greensboro Association to get involved!

 

 

New programs for adults at Craftsbury Outdoor Center

Craftsbury Outdoor Center has teamed up with Road Scholar to offer a series of short term courses for adults.   Inspired by the youth hostels and folk schools of Europe, Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel) is an independent, non-profit organization offering short term academic experiences to adults.  This Fall’s offerings include courses in  New England Music and Dance, Yoga, Nature of the Northeast Kingdom, and A History of Popular Song.  More information on the Center and it’s offering can be found at Road Scholar at Craftsbury or at the general Craftsbury Outdoor Center Site.

 

Summer Children’s programming in Greensboro

Looking for something to do with the children this summer in Greensboro? Check out the following organizations, who are all offering programs. There are storyhours, weekly camp programs, golf and tennis lessons, art programs, music, swimming and others.

The Greensboro Association Swimming Lessons
https://greensboroassociation.org/2012-swim-program/

Wonder and Wisdom
https://wonderwisdom.org/programs/summer-journeys/

The Greensboro Historical Society summer exhibition
“Scenes of Childhood”
www.greensborohistoricalsociety.org

Craftsbury Outdoor Center
https://www.craftsbury.com/index.php?flash=no

The Art House
https://www.vermontarthouse.com/Classes-for-Children.html

Circus Smirkus
https://www.smirkus.org/

The Greensboro Free Library
https://www.greensborofreelibrary.org/googlecalendar.html

Mountain View Country Club
https://mvccvt.com/calendars

Craftsbury Chamber Players
https://www.craftsburychamberplayers.org/concerts

Craftsbury Outdoor Center will maintain Highland Lodge XCC trails this winter

The Craftsbury Outdoor Center has agreed to maintain most of the over 60km  winter trail system that Highland Lodge has set up and maintained over these past fifty years.   The Outdoor Center will maintain the Marathon Trail over Barr Hill, through Skunk Hollow and back toward Craftsbury through the Fisher Sugarbush, as well as many of other commonly used Greensboro trails. The frequency of grooming will vary depending on when the snow comes and how much use the trails get, with a minimum goal of having the trails in good shape for the weekends and major holidays.  The Center will collaborate with a volunteer group to keep a warming hut (former ski shop) behind the Lodge open and manned, at least, on weekends and vacation weeks; they hope to provide some shuttle service between the hut and the Outdoor Center.

Maintaining the Greensboro trails will cost the Craftsbury Outdoor Center about $10,000 this winter. Many Greensboro winter residents have volunteered to raise that money, man the warming hut, work on the trails in the fall and spring and join the Center.    The Greensboro Association has contributed $1000 as seed money to get this effort up and running.   However, all who are interested in maintaining this wonderful resource should consider at a minimum joining the Craftsbury Outdoor Center as a member, and also should think about contributing with a tax deductible donation to help defray the Outdoor Centers costs.  The Craftsbury Outdoor Center is a non-profit organization whose mission includes both life-long sports and land stewardship.   Yearly membership (as little as $25 for students and seniors) grants year-round access to the trails, rowing opportunities, ski rentals and a broad variety of programs.  For more information on memberships, please go to www.craftsbury.com .