World 12_27_17

WORLD SPORTS & OUTDOORS
VT F&W Offers Ice Safety Tips
The recent arrival of cold temperature has
formed early-season ice on Vermont ponds,
lakes and rivers. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife
Department reminds winter enthusiasts that
ice should never be considered safe and ice
conditions vary.
“We are urging all outdoor enthusiasts –
people going ice fishing, cross-country skiers,
hikers, and snowmobilers -- to be extremely
cautious and prepared if they are going to
venture out on any ice,” said Vermont Fish &
Wildlife’s Chief Game Warden Jason
Batchelder. “Ice conditions can vary dramatically
on different parts of a lake. Remember,
even though it may look thick enough on the
surface, moving water from currents, rivers
and springs can cause ice to form unevenly.”
“Once we have sustained cold weather to
form good ice, activities such as ice fishing
can be safe and a lot of fun,” said Batchelder,
“but when we go onto the ice, we need to use
good judgment and observe several safety
precautions.” Leave your car or truck on
shore. Every year several motor vehicles go
through the ice on Vermont lakes, and some
people have drowned as a result.
• Leave information about your plans with
someone -- where you intend to fish and
when you expect to return. Wear a personal
flotation device and don’t fish alone.
• Fish with a friend. Ice fishing is a great sport
to share with family members and friends,
and having a partner with you increases both
the fun and the safety.
• Ice varies in thickness and condition. Always
carry an ice spud or chisel to check ice as you
• • •
proceed.
• Be extremely cautious crossing ice near
river mouths, points of land, bridges, islands,
and over reefs and springs. Current almost
always causes ice to be thinner over these
areas.
• Avoid going onto the ice if it has melted
away from the shore. This indicates melting is
underway, and ice can shift position as wind
direction changes.
• Waves from open water can quickly break
up large areas of ice. If you can see open
water in the lake and the wind picks up, get
off!
• Bring your fully-charged cell phone with
you.
• Carry a set of hand spikes to help you work
your way out onto the surface of the ice if you
go through. Holding one in each hand, you
can alternately punch them into the ice and
pull yourself up and out. You can make these
at home, using large nails, or you can purchase
them at stores that sell fishing supplies.
• Carry a safety line that can be thrown to
someone who has gone through the ice.
• Heated fishing shanties must have good
ventilation to prevent deadly carbon monoxide
poisoning. Open a window or the door
part way to allow in fresh air.
If you have questions regarding ice fishing
or ice conditions, contact your local Vermont
State Game Warden via your closest state
police barracks or by calling Vermont Fish &
Wildlife Headquarters at 802-828-1529.
If you want to learn more about ice fishing, be sure to mark your calendar for one of these upcoming
clinics.
Ice Fishing Clinics Scheduled
Learning how to participate in an outdoor
activity can be challenging, and ice fishing is
a good example. Knowing this, the Vermont
Fish & Wildlife Department has scheduled a
series of ice fishing clinics for first-timers and
those who would like to learn more about
hard water fishing.
“Our ice fishing clinics will be held from
mid-January to mid-February with the possibility
that some dates may change according
to ice and weather conditions,” said Fish &
Wildlife Education Specialist Corey Hart.
“Everyone is welcome no matter their experience
level. We want this to be fun and helpful
for all.”
The Basic Ice fishing courses will teach
beginners all the skills they need to know to
be successful and safe while ice fishing. The
Introductory courses will review the basics
while focusing on teaching anglers the skills
they need to target a specific species.
Each clinic will last 2 ½ to 3 hours, and
exact location details will be given when
people register for the event. Topics to be
covered include ice safety, hole drilling,
equipment and techniques, regulations and
different techniques for different fish.
All participants will have the opportunity
to practice what they have learned near the
end of each event. Everyone is urged to wear
clothing suitable for the weather conditions.
Pre-registration is required by contacting
Corey Hart at LetsGoFishing@vermont.gov
or 802-265-2279.
ICE FISHING CLINICS FOR 2018
Tuesday, January 16, 10:00 a.m.
Introduction to Walleye Fishing at Lake
Carmi
Thursday, February 1 -10:00 a.m.
Basic Ice Fishing Clinic at Shelburne pond
Saturday February 3 -10:00 a.m.
Introduction to Walleye Fishing at Chittenden
Reservoir
Thursday, February 8 -2:00 p.m.
Basic Ice Fishing Clinic at Lake Bomoseen
Thursday, February 15 -4:00 p.m.
Introduction to Smelting at Waterbury
Reservoir
Northfield’s Nick Medow (in white) cruises in for a reverse lay-up against Craftsbury during last
Thursday night’s game in Northfield. The Chargers beat the Marauders 41-36. Photo by Bill Croney
Work Injury Keeping You On
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page 30 The WORLD December 27, 2017
Girls on the Run VT Seeks
Volunteers to Help Lead Program
Girls on the Run Vermont (GOTRVT) is
widely known throughout the state for its
physical activity-based, positive youth development
program designed to empower local
girls in 3rd through 8th grade. A recent independent
study conducted by Maureen R.
Weiss, Ph.D., a leading expert on youth
development, provides compelling evidence
that Girls on the Run is highly effective at
driving transformative and lasting change in
the lives of young girls.
Girls who participate in the program develop
and improve competence, feel confident in
who they are, develop strength of character,
respond to others and oneself with care, create
positive connections with peers and adults,
and make a meaningful contribution to community
and society. It is the combination of
the research-based curriculum, trained coaches
and a commitment to serve all girls that
sets Girls on the Run apart from other afterschool
programs. In 2017, the National
Afterschool Association (NAA) selected Girls
on the Run as one of the most influential programs
in health and wellness.
Girls on the Run Vermont serves girls at 89
sites in Northern Vermont and is in need of
250 more coaches to ensure that every girl
will have an opportunity to participate in their
transformative program this spring. Schools/
sites in need of coaches in CENTRAL
Vermont include: Hyde Park Elementary;
Morristown Elementary; People’s Academy
Middle School; Bradford Elementary;
Randolph Elementary; Tunbridge Central;
Williamstown Middle School; Berlin
Elementary; Cabot School; Calais Elementary;
Crosset Brook Middle; Doty Memorial; East
Montpelier Elementary; Main Street Middle
• • •
School; Northfield Elementary; Union
Elementary; Warren School; Craftsbury
Academy; & Norwich Rec.
Meeting twice a week for 90 minutes, volunteer
coaches utilize the curriculum to
engage small teams of girls in fun, interactive
lessons. The program culminates with all
teams in Northern Vermont participating in a
celebratory 5K on Saturday, June 2nd 2018 in
Essex Junction. Volunteer coaches do not
have to be runners but must complete a background
check and participate in the Girls on
the Run online and in-person training/workshop.
This training qualifies for continuing
education credits.
Girls on the Run Vermont’s spring coach
registration is now open. To learn more about
empowering our local girls or register to be a
coach mentor please visit www.gotrvt.org/
coaching, call 802-871-5664 or email info@
girlsontherunvermont.org
About Girls on the Run Vermont:
Girls on the Run Vermont is an independent
and 501 (c)(3) recognized council of
Girls on the Run International (GOTRI),
which has a network of over 220 councils
across the United States. Since 1999, Girls on
the Run Vermont has empowered over 44,000
Vermont girls grades 3-8 to develop physical,
emotional and social well-being through a
10-week afterschool program held at over
160 sites statewide. Its mission is to inspire
girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using
a research-based curriculum that addresses
developmentally appropriate life skills and
creatively integrates running, stretching, and
strengthening exercises. Find out more at
girlsontherunvermont.org.