Windsor is Open For Business!

The weeks ahead hold good news on a number of fronts. Both the old Stubb & Laura’s and No Name Café are being renovated and expect to be open in the near future. The Vermont Farmstead Cheese http://vermontfarmstead.com/  & Cooler Planet http://148coolplan.simplweb.com/ facility in the Windsor Corporate Park will be opening shortly. The final details are being developed that hopefully will allow  American Crafted Spirits to break ground in the same corporate park later this summer. http://www.jemwriting.com/specialty-foods/artisan-distillery-set-break-ground-windsor-vermont. 

On another business note, many may not be aware of some of the corporate skills that exist in Windsor. I was interested to see the following press release regarding Windsor based Prudent Living and their efforts regarding sustainability: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/partner/prudent-living-inc/news/article/2012/04/prudent-living-to-install-solar-power-system-for-hidden-springs-maple-syrup . If you are aware of news relating to the business community in Windsor, let me know and I will be glad to help spread the word. 

Parades, music and markets are all on the schedule as well. Windsor is definitely open for business and open for fun. We still have a lot of work ahead of us; let's work together.

On a less fun note, the official date property taxes become delinquent is today. Unfortunately, our delinquencies are tracking higher. I find this particularly unacceptable, as the municipal budget is a 0-sum game. The burden of those who do not pay must be picked up by those who do. Please know that we will be using the mechanisms available to us to reduce our delinquencies. That said it is important to know that there are several tools available to those who feel that they cannot meet their tax burden. The town will assist in using those tools to greatest degree possible to insure that those truly in need receive help.

Windsor Farmers Market - Call to Action!
The 2012 Farmer’s Market season will be kicking off in a little over a month. There is a group of hard working volunteers taking care of the details to make this year better than ever. The market is a long season however, and the group could really use some help. If interested, the best thing to do is attend the next Market Meeting on Wednesday, at 7pm at the Welcome Center, or contact Karen at mountainskyline@myfairpoint.net.

Ascutney Trails Association Annual Meeting in Windsor:

Sunday, April 22nd 7 p.m., Old South Church, Main Street. Guest speaker John Boutin, Windsor County Forester, will discuss the role of county foresters in Vermont. Free. All welcome. 802-674-2326.

Community Forum – Windsor Downtown Program

On Thursday, April 26th, 7pm at the Welcome Center, Leanne Tingay of the Vermont Downtown Program and Bob Haight, Windsor Downtown Manager will host a forum on the Vermont Downtown Program. http://www.historicvermont.org/programs/downtown.html   Windsor is fortunate to have a Downtown designation. The purpose of this forum is to review the benefits the designation has to offer and discuss how Windsor can best take advantage of the program in its development of downtown.

Making our downtown more vibrant and vital is a cornerstone to our community health. The Downtown Program is a huge toolbox for businesses, investors, property owners, and residents. This is a great opportunity to learn…and volunteer.

Penny Sale
The Windsor Rotary will be hosting its annual Penny Sale on Saturday, April 28th 7pm in the Lois F. White Theater. Penny Sale raffle tickets are available from Rotarians at a cost of $5 for a book of six. First prize is $1,000, Second $500 Door Prize $100. While you don't need to be present for the first two prizes the third does require your presence. Attendance is also required to win one of the 300 or so prizes that will be raffled off that evening.

Let’s Get Ready To Rummage!

Saturday April 28 the Windsor Early Child Education Center will have an event culminating The Week of the Young Child that will include a rummage sale fundraiser for the Center as well as book signings, a book fair and other events, 9:00-12:00. The Early Childhood Education Center is located at 4 Dunham Avenue.

Old South Church, Main St., Windsor, Vermont will hold it’s Spring Rummage Sale from May 3 – 5.  Featuring: Clothing for men, women and children, White Elephants, Jewelry, Glassware, Books, Toys, Furniture, and Household Items.  Free Coffee as usual.

Thursday, May 3, from 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Friday, May 4, from 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Bag Sale at noon)

Saturday, May 5, Clearance from 9:00 a.m. to noon

New Book on Windsor.

May 5^th Windsor House, noon to 3. Come down in period clothes and costumes - in uniforms - in your favorite hat! On bicycles or horses. Park your antique cars on Main Street and join us on the porch of Windsor House for lemonade and cookies, music, and a kick-off celebration of summer in Windsor! In addition to a book signing of the new book "Windsor" a history in pictures, there will be random free book and surprise give-aways! Also special price on books for Windsor Residents! To get ready, and learn all you can about our town, check out Windsor on Air's interview with the authors. On TV or online at: http://woa-tv.org/site/2012/04/10/images-of-america-windsor-new-book-by-author-liz-ross-2/

Windsor Library Annual Meeting

Wednesday, May 9^th. The Friends of the Windsor Library will hold their Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 9th at 6:30 pm at the library.  All are welcome and encouraged to attend.  The 2012 recipient of the Bertha Frothingham Award will be announced, as well as by-law changes and election of officers.  Refreshments will be served.  The Friends of the Windsor Library is a volunteer organization that supports programs, events and needs of the library.

The Library Alumni Day Book Sale is approaching as well, June 16 starting at 9am. The library is looking for donations of books in good condition.  Please drop them off at the library during operating hours, Mondays and Wednesdays 9 am-8 pm, Fridays 9 am-6 pm and Saturdays 9 am-1 pm.  We request no moldy or damaged books, also no text books or Readers' Digests.  Thank you for supporting the library! For more information call 674.2556 or 674.2957.

Boy Scout Popcorn Sale
Windsor-area Boy Scouts are selling gourmet popcorn to raise money for camping gear, trips and summer camp. Please support the boys through buying this tasty popcorn. If you don't like popcorn or don't want some right now, you can also support the US Military by donating to send popcorn to the troops in the US or overseas. If you would like a Scout to drop by to take your order, please call Sue at 674-6465 and she'll send one to your door.

News from the Schools
Windsor High School Students Excel at the VT State Science Fair

Ten Windsor High School students participated in the VT State Science fair and represented Windsor extraordinarily well. Congratulations! 3 gold medals, 2 silver medals, well over $5,000.00 in monetary prizes were awarded:

• ·         Nicole Dulac: Written up in the Rutland Herald newspaper
• ·         Kellie French: Silver medal winner, top scoring senior project (VPA), I- SWEEP semifinalist, and US Navy award
• ·         Nathaniel Furman: Represented Windsor well- no awards but he got a full ride to Roger Williams University
• ·         Tucker Gilman: Sovernet award, Norwich University award for top 5 juniors
• ·         Rachel Meagher: Yale Science and Engineering Association award
• ·         Abby Millard: Gold Medal winner, American Meteorological Society award, NOAH award, US Army award for physical science
• ·         Gailin Pease: Silver Medal winner, US Air Force award
• ·         Win Townsend: Gold Medal winner, 2 local awards (Kalow Technologies and Tau Beta Pi), 1 professional award (American Society of Materials) a US Navy award, and International Science Fair finalist (one of Vermont’s three entries)
• ·         Matt Tufts: Gold Medal winner, Intel excellence in computer science award, US Army award for math/ computer science
• ·         Danny Wierzbicki: Entergy Vermont Yankee Award

Walk at lunch- BC/BS is sponsoring a walk at lunch all over VT. SSS students will walk the track at their recess right before lunch. This will take place on April 25th. May 2 is Walk and Roll to School. Walking School Buses will leave from neighborhoods to walk and roll to school. There will be a meeting place at Price Chopper parking lot at 7AM for anyone wanting to walk with a group and be dropped off by parents heading off to work. Donna Ewald, PE teacher, will meet those interested in walking that day.
May 12^th from 9AM to 11:30AM is our Annual Bike Safety Fair taking place at the Rec Center. Free helmets to all that attend.

Windsor High School E-News
Windsor High School has a new e-news service. The following link takes you to a student generated on-line news source for Windsor High School: http://my.hsj.org/Schools/Newspaper/tabid/100/view/frontpage/newspaperid/3701/categoryid/53381/Default.aspx

New Offerings at Brown’s Tavern

Brown’s Tavern is rolling out a new Menu this Friday April 20^th. They will be offering some new entrees like Delmonico Steak and Rum Glazed Chicken…..some new appetizers and flatbread pizzas.   For the remainder of April and all through May they will be offering a free appetizer with every two entrees. . 

What is a Child Safety Seat Fitting Station?

A Fitting Station is a free and convenient way to have your child's car seat inspected by a NHTSA-certified CPS technician. Parents and caregivers receive personal instruction on the proper selection, installation, and use of their car seats. Fitting Stations are permanent locations that host car seat inspections on a regular and recurring basis. These sites are equipped with installation aids such as scales to weigh and measure children for height and weight. Inspections are conducted at no charge and seats are available for a small fee.  All Vermont Fitting Stations take part in the Vermont Discount Car Seat Program. Windsor Fire Station- Every First Friday of the month (except June-2nd) 3-6pm

Commuter Challenge
Way to Go is a weeklong challenge for commuters to find alternatives to driving alone to work. Started in Chittenden County in 1994, the Vermont event has expanded to include participants in 180 municipalities throughout the state in 2011. This year's event will be held May 14-18. Last year during the week commuters saved over 400,000 vehicle miles for the week and over $90,000 in total transportation costs while reducing CO₂ emissions by about 350,000 pounds. In total we had 22 commuters that either started or ended their commute from our region. These commuters saved on a total of 63 commutes where they would travel an average of 49.5 miles per commute. Collectively these commuters saved just under $500 in transportation costs and approximately 2,500 pounds of CO₂ emissions. Start thinking now about how you could reduce how often you drive alone. More information can be found about the event at http://www.waytogovt.org/and http://swcrpc.org/wp/programs/transportation/, or contact kotto@swcrpc.org

Windsor Alumni Parade
June 16, 2012. All are Welcome! The Alumni Association is also seeking Antique, Classic, Special Interest Cars and Trucks to join the parade. Furthermore, we are hoping a few will invite retired teachers to join them for the parade route. Please RSVP with Clayton Paronto, Class of 83, 802-674-5761 or by email claytonparonto_1@msn.com. Lineup is at 9:30 am and expect the parade to last no more than a couple of hours.

Community Meals in Windsor
5 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, American Legion Hall on Court Street. Bring a friend. Free. Sponsored by Windsor churches and community groups. 802-674-2157.