Chelsea, Tunbridge, East Randolph CB Tour
Beth Brown-Limmer was the tour guide for two “trips around the block, Vermont style”, visiting nine historic covered bridges in Chelsea, Tunbridge, and East Randolph. It was a perfect day to go bridging, and a good time was had by all. We gained one new member and several avid covered bridge enthusiasts.
Elaine Howe, VCBS life member, met us at Howe CB on behalf of Tunbridge Historical Society.
Thanks to MyPlace Hotel in Randolph Center for the load–unload area and Paul, who manned the base camp.
Waitsfield Farmers Market
Celebrate America - Connecticut River Flotilla
We were a small but mighty group for the Flotilla. Unfortunately, the Connecticut River is extremely low right now, so our motorized and party boat registrants could not sail. Our on-the-water lead organizer’s party boat was mired in mud at his dock on the Connecticut River. But we were still 9 strong kayaks and canoes! Everyone had a great time. The event was co-sponsored by CESER Task Force and the Vermont Covered Bridge Society.
Prizes were awarded in 4 categories:
- Most Patriotic: Meghan
- Best Use of Red/White/Blue: Kate, Ryan, and Hawkeye
- Most Festive Hat: Linda
- Most Enthusiastic: Curt
Covered Bridge Day
Brattleboro Covered Bridge Day Creamery CB.
It was a hot and humid day with a crowd of approximately 75 people. Beth spoke at the dedication ceremony of the cobblestones in the garden. One was dedicated to Ed Barna, VCBS Founder. Peggy Wilson manned the VCBS booth. A film by Phil Gatenby about the 13 lost CBs of Brattleboro was shown. VCBS life member, Jil McMenamin, organized much of this event with the Brattleboro Elks Lodge #1499 and the Brattleboro Garden Club.
Read more about the event in this article from The Brattleboro Reformer by Kristopher Radder: Spanning a century (and a half): Historic Creamery Covered Bridge celebrated
The event was featured in a video by the Brattleboro Reformer: Celebrating Covered Bridges
Here is the link to the Lost Bridges of Brattleboro video by Phill Gatenby: Vermont’s 100 Covered Bridges – Lost Bridges Of Brattleboro
Speaker On Wednesday Series
Vermont’s Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Plan – Charlotte Pubic Library
VCBS founder William McKone was there and 15 others, including Lt. Gov. John Rodgers. J.B. McCarthy and Bob McCullough delivered an extremely informative presentation about Vermont’s Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Plan, the first of its kind in the United States, adopted in 2003.
WCAX published the following story to document the event: Vermont marks Covered Bridge Week with preservation plan
Paint 'n Sip
Paint ‘n Sip Mount Orne Covered Bridge
We had a great time at the Mount Orne Paint ‘N Sip tonight! We had 13 painters. Folks tooted their horns as they went by. I’m sure this was the first time this type of event has been held at the Mount Orne Covered Bridge. All who participated encouraged us to repeat the event next year.
Brandon Farmers Market
Brandon
VCBS Vice President and Membership Chair Scott Scribner represented the VCBS at the Brandon Farmers Market. Scott reported that it was a beautiful sunny day and there were a lot of people visiting the market. The VCBS was once again given free space to host our Covered Bridge Week festivities. Barbara Scribner stopped by to bring me some water, and Beverly Kehoe came by to replenish some inventory.
Arlington Village Farmers Market
Arlington
Pat Simpson, VCBS Publicity Chair Peggy Wilson, Paul Limmer, and VCBS President Beth Brown-Limmer represented the VCBS in the booth at the Arlington Village Farmers Market. We added one new couple membership here.
Rockingham - Grafton CB Tour
Beth Brown-Limmer led tour groups in the Grafton and Rockingham area. They were met at the Kidder Hill Covered Bridge by Grafton Historical Society.
The society provided apple pie with Grafton cheese, beverages, and merchandise. Paul and Pat Simpson held down base camp.
Thanks to the Vermont Country Store for raffle prizes and a place to load and unload. The group saw the Victorian Village Covered Bridge at the start of the tour.
The tour group is pictured with 93-year-old Esther in the center at Worrall Covered Bridge in Rockingham
Old Home Day
Gary Briggs represented the VCBS at Belvidere’s Old Home Day. Belvidere is a very small community, but it is doing its best to maintain old country traditions.
Montgomery Farmers Market
Marcel and Jeanne Beaudry represented the VCBS here. One picture shows Scott Perry from the Montgomery Historical Society during his presentation about Montgomery’s Covered Bridges and the town’s history. The last picture is of us with Sidney and Marian Nichols, lifetime members.
