Best Seat in Vermont kickoff artists named

Contact Info:
Laura Sibilia 802-464-8092
laura@visitvermont.com

For Immediate Release:
Best Seat in Vermont artists named

On Saturday May 29th, the Mount Snow Valley Chamber’s Best Seat in Vermont public arts event will kick off at the Sitzmark in Wilmington from 3-7 pm for art, entertainment and food.

Locally crafted 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.

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. Beginning on Jun1st, all Adirondack benches will begin making their way to their summertime homes.

The following sponsored proposals will be unveiled on May 29th.

1) Slide into a Vermont Sunset
artist: Jesse Morgan sponsors: Bartleby’s Books, Tom and Dana Consolino

2) Snowmobile Crossing
artist: Denise Piccolo sponsors: The Yopp, LaFiura, and Lopez families

3) Friends and Lovers
artist: Sue Spengler sponsor: Roseate Creations

4) Flower Power
artist: Sarah Shippee sponsor: Bartleby’s Books

5) Sweet Summer
artist: Judy LaFiura sponsor: Cheryl Rothman

6) Sunshine Daydream
artist: Sieglinde Joyce sponsor: The Lodge at Mount Snow

7) Daydreams
artist: Mark Lowe sponsor: Wahoo’s

8) Crossed Branches
artist: Kim Grall sponsor: Mark & Kristen Wallace

9) Sweet Seat
artist: Judy LaFiura sponsors: Beth Greene, Cheryl Rothman

10) Love in Vermont
artist: Janet Picard sponsors: The Greene and Arnold families

Commemorative Poster Contest announced for 3rd Annual Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival

For Immediate Release
Contact: Laura Sibilia 802-464-8092

Calling all artists – Commemorative Poster Contest announced for
3^rd Annual Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival

Promoting Vermont Food and Wine Producers

DEERFIELD VALLEY – Producers of the 3^rd Annual Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival have announced the creation of a new commemorative festival poster contest. This year's contest consists of an original theme, “Beautifully Produced in Vermont”. Participants use a variety of mediums, including charcoal, crayon, pencil and paint, to express the theme. The works created are unique and express artist’s interpretation of the theme while celebrating the diversity and quality of Vermont food and wine producers

Judging
Each poster will be judged on originality, artistic merit and expression of the theme. Five finalists will be selected this year, and those finalists’ submissions will be announced via press release and displayed on the Vermont Life Wine & Harvest website through spring 2011. Selection and judging of the winning posters will be by organizers, sponsors and designees of the 3^rd annual Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival.

Awards
Winners will be notified on or before August 1, 2010.

• One grand prize winner will receive weekend admission for four to the 3^rd Annual Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival September 24-26 and a cash prize of $200.

• Each of the other four finalists will receive 2 weekend passes to the 3^rd Annual Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival.

The Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival
The 2010 festival is a weekend showcase for Vermont wines, Vermont specialty foods and artisans of all types celebrating the rich uniqueness, quality and ingenuity of Vermont producers. The annual festival takes place September 24-26 in the Mount Snow Valley with events in Historic Downtown Wilmington, at Mount Snow Resort, The Hermitage Inn, The Sawmill Inn and The Doveberry Inn. 2010 Sponsors include The Mount Snow Valley Chamber of commerce, Vermont Life Magazine, Mount Snow Resort, Vermont Public Radio, Grafton Village Cheese, The Town of Wilmington and Chittenden Bank.

Participant Information
To learn more about the Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival or the Poster Contest, please view our contest rules at www.TheVermontFestival.com or contact the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce at 802-464-8092

Economic Development Planner position open in Southern Vermont

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNER

Two small, rural, resort, southern Vermont communities’ jointly hiring full-time economic development planner. Following three years of community involvement, including developing with Mullin Associates a strategic economic development plan, Dover and Wilmington need experienced proactive leader to invigorate and transform the Deerfield Valley economy and show tangible benefits to both towns. Degree in planning, public administration, resource management, or a related field; with five (5) + years of progressively responsible economic planning experience in similar situation; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Cover letter, resume, and salary requirements due to Town Of Wilmington by June 11, 2010. Detailed information and requirements at www.doververmont.com or www.wilmingtonvermont.us for questions contact Wilmington Town Manager. EOE

Mount Snow Golf Club Announces May 8th Opening

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Vinnie Lewis

802-464-4013

vlewis@mountsnow.com

The Mount Snow Golf Club has announced it will be opening its 18-hole championship course on May 8^th, 2010. This is one week earlier than originally planned however with a recent streak of good weather the course will be ready for play sooner than expected.

Early season rates are $56 on weekends with a cart and $36 midweek. These rates are valid until Memorial Day weekend. Book tee times now by calling 802-464-4254 or book online at http://www.mountsnow.com.

Superintendant Bryan White has been busy in the offseason continuing to clear trees on many holes, improving drainage on the first and seventh greens and paving cart paths on the first hole; just to name a few projects.

The Original Golf School sees PGA Professional Jay Morelli back in the captain’s chair. Golf School Dress Rehearsals begin with a two day session on May 18^th-19^th with limited space still available. Regular classes run with up to five day sessions and include welcome parties, swing analysis, one-on-one review and unlimited use of the practice facilities. To book The Original Golf School call 800-240-2555.

While the Mount Snow Golf Club opens on May 8, the recently renovated Fairways Restaurant will open one week later on May 15. Look for a new bar, tables and décor at Fairways to go along with a new tent on the outside deck. June will see the Summer Splash Series kick into high gear with a raw bar and live music on Saturday nights.

As always there are unbeatable Golf & Stay Packages from as low as $74 per person per night. Call 800-498-0479 to book.

Candidates for Governor attending Deerfield Valley Tri Town public forums

Matt Dunne kicks off forums on Thursday May 6th

Wilmington - All six 2010 main party candidates for Vermont Governor have agreed to attend public forums hosted by the Tri Town Economic Development Committee to discuss economic development.

Each forum starts at 8 am and will last for one hour. The format will be a roundtable discussion between the committee and the candidate with prepared questions, not shared in advance, asked of the candidates. Members of the public are encouraged to attend - this is a terrific opportunity to become informed about the large number of candidates.

All meetings will take place in the Wilmington Town Meeting Room.
The Tri Town Economic Development Committee was established in 2007 by cooperative action of the Selectboards in Wilmington, Whitingham and Dover and the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce to address short and long term economic development in the Dover, Wilmington and Whitingham area.

The schedule:
Thursday May 6th Matt Dunne
Thursday May 20th Susan Bartlett

Wednesday June 2nd Doug Racine
Wednesday June 9th Deb Markowitz
Wednesday July 8th Peter Shumlin
Wednesday Sep 8th Brian Dubie

For more information contact: Bob Rusten, Wilmington Town Manager, at 464-8591 or Laura Sibilia, Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce, at 464-8092

Third Annual Mothers For Daughters Weekend Event Slated for May 14-16

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.

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 29^th 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.