Third Annual Mothers For Daughters Weekend Event Slated for May 14-16
Raises Funds for Cancer and Boosts Economic Development
WEST DOVER, VT—April 17, 2010—For many folks, the thunderous rumbling of a motorcycle pack pulling into the driveway might be ominous, even scary. But to the ears of Magnus Thorsson, innkeeper at the Gray Ghost Inn in Dover, Vermont, the din is simply the sweet sound of economic success and doing good for cancer research. Historically, summer has been a painfully quiet time for this little town, which relies heavily on the winter ski industry, so Thorsson and wife Carina consider 20 or 30 Hondas, Harleys and Kawasakis in the parking lot to be a most welcome sight.
Over the past several years Thorsson has developed a summertime niche for the business--marketing the inn as a destination for groups of motorcycle enthusiasts. The concept is paying off--and not just for the Gray Ghost. Many other businesses also benefit from the visiting motorcyclists, making it clear that yet another of Magnus Thorsson’s ventures—this is just one in an impressive list of entrepreneurial accomplishments—is helping to fuel the area’s economy.
But, that’s not all. Sharon Alves, a breast cancer survivor and Magnus got together in 2007 to bring caring motorcyclists together to raise funds for breast cancer and ovarian cancer research. The 1st annual event was held in West Dover, VT in May 2008 at which the participating bikers raised $7,000 for breast and ovarian cancer research. In 2009, the proceeds doubled! With the help of motorcyclists, motorcycle groups and local business, the word is spreading and Magnus reports that already the 2010 has double the number of riders as last year.
Events begin Friday evening with dinner and entertainment at The Silo Restaurant at 6 p.m. On Saturday there will be a 145-mile Yahtzee run and a women's ride. Saturday dinner, awards and raffles will be at the Mount Snow Conference Center. The Tom Dixon Band will play Saturday night at the Conference Center. Shuttle buses will provide transportation to and from the evening events.
Pre-registration can be done online until April 16th. Weekend event registration is $50 per rider, $40 per passenger. Day registration is $25 per rider, $20 per passenger. Many area hotels and inns are already sold out for the weekend. For a listing of area inns and hotels, see the Mother for Daughters reservations page.. (For more information about Mother's for Daughters', please visit www.mothers-for-daughters.com).
Sponsors of the event include the Dover Economic Development Committee, Gray Ghost Inn, Big Bears Lodge, Kitzhof Inn, Doveberry Inn, The Lodge at Mount Snow, Budweiser, G. Housen, Gaggers, Mount Snow, Lexington Lock Service, Gate City Harley Owners, Bryan Company, DeGrazia & Company, Tom Dixon Band, Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce, Freedom Riders, The Silo, The Springfield Motorcycle Show, Pioneer Valley Rider Training, Northshore Women on Wheels, Ta.Tas Brand, First Group Bus Company, Never Home Alone, Rick’s Tavern, Carrie Johnson, The West Dover Inn, The Deerfield Valley Inn, Matterhorn Inn, Nordic Hills Lodge, Eye Sunglasses,
Wages’ Silversmiths, Lindsay Phillips, La Toscanella, and The Inn at Mount Snow.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Third Annual Mothers For Daughters Weekend Event Slated for May 14-16
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Deerfield Valley’s “Best Seat” Public Arts event unveiling Memorial Day Weekend
Deerfield Valley’s “Best Seat” Public Arts event unveiling Memorial Day Weekend
Where exactly is the Best Seat in Vermont?
On Saturday May 29th, the Best Seat in Vermont will be at the Sitzmark in Wilmington from 3-7 pm for art, entertainment and food, and the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce’s kick off of its third public arts event, “The Best Seat in Vermont”.
Wooden Adirondack loveseats have been sponsored by patrons of the arts, the Chamber, local businesses, organizations and families. These benches will be on display in Wilmington, Jacksonville, and Dover along routes 9 and 100 and in Bennington and at the Guilford Welcome Center throughout the coming summer and foliage seasons, culminating in an October 9th Auction Event at The Grand Summit Resort and Conference Center at Mount Snow. Proceeds from that event will benefit Deerfield Valley Community Cares, The Deerfield Valley Food Pantry, “Make-a-Wish” of Vermont and the Guy Hawkins Fund, local school arts programs, and future valley wide events and marketing.
Saturday May 29th of Memorial Day Weekend, the first 10 of the twenty five total sponsored loveseats and 4 children’s adirondacks will be unveiled. A family style BBQ at the Sitzmark will include children’s activities and performances by Colby Dix. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children and includes dinner.
In the week following the unveiling, all twenty five full size and four children’s size pieces will be placed at locations throughout the Valley. Participating artists include: Dale Doucette, Ann Coleman, Jesse Morgan, Patrice Schneider, DeAnna Asborno, Sieglinda Joyce, Judy Lafiura, Pam Williams, Janet Picard, Ron Karpius, Denise Piccolo, Sarah Shippee, Sue Spangler, Kim Grall, Jim McGrath, Melinda Coombs, Mark Lowe, Deb Bernstein, Diane Cieminewski, Veronica Demio and Joan Lovell.
A school program consisting of nearly 30 plus miniature adirondack chairs, called “Buddy Chairs” is also ongoing. A downtown Wilmington Village Stroll May 21st will showcase over a dozen local schools student artists work.
See the Best Seat website for more information: www.VermontSeat.com or contact the Mount Snow Valley Chamber at 464-8092.
