Mountain Times – Volume 49, Number 17 – April 22-28, 2020

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2 • The Mountain Times • April 22-28, 2020 Flags to fly half-staff on the 19th of every month in 2020 to honor victims of Covid-19 On April 17, Governor Phil Scott announced a flag lowering procedure to honor Vermonters who have died due to Covid-19, making the following statement: “This Sunday, April 19, marks one month since Solid Waste Transfer Station Location: 2981 River Road (Behind Town Garage) Phone Number: (802) 422-4499 SAT.& MON. (8 A.M.- 4 P.M.) Collection & transfer of solid waste deposited by residents and property owners of the Town. (Windshield sticker & punch card needed) Recycling Center for residents and property owners of the Town. (Free with windshield sticker) If you need to dispose of solid waste outside the normal operating hours of the Transfer Station or have construction & demolition debris or other non-acceptable waste, residents and property owners of Killington can go to the Rutland County Solid Waste District Transfer Station & Drop-off Center located on Gleason Road in Rutland. The Meadows staff has been working hard to guide our residents through this difficult time. Please give us a call at 802-775-3300 if our assisted living community can benefit you or a loved one. Vermont’s first two fatalities as a result of Covid-19. In honor of all the Vermonters we have lost to this terrible disease, I am ordering the U.S. and Vermont state flags to fly at half-staff on the 19th of every month for the remainder of 2020. Summer hours began Sat., April 4, 2020. We are still here for you, too. “As we continue to confront this public health crisis, it is important for each of us to remember those who are no longer with us and the friends and family who cared for them. We will get through this by staying united as Vermonters.” 240 Gables Place, Rutland, VT www.themeadowsvt.com 25 years of trusted care Lookout cooks for seniors through coronavirus Restaurant is closed, but owner continues to serve weekly lunch By Katy Savage The Lookout Tavern in Killington is closed, but co-owner Joy Black is still cooking meals. Black has made a weekly full-course meal for seniors in Killington for at least 10 years and even though restaurants were forced to close on March 17 due to Covid-19 concerns, Black hasn’t stopped the tradition. A group of about 25 seniors are handed meals through their car windows at the Lookout Tavern every Tuesday at 1 p.m. “It’s like waiting at a bank drive through,” said Gerrie Russell, who leads the Killington Active Seniors group. Health officials have said people over age 65 and those with severe health conditions are the most vulnerable population affected by the Covid-19 virus. Russell said the weekly meals allows the seniors to send notes to each other from their cars and gives them time to interact with each other. “Being able to see each other and wave has been a gift to us,” Russell said. Rutland-Southern Vermont Regional Airport to receive $69,000 of state’s $9 million airport aid package U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced Tuesday, April 14, that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $9,000,115 in airport aid to 10 airports in Vermont to help respond to the Covid-19 public health emergency. This historic grant funding is part of the newly created Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Airport Grant Program, an effort to provide unprecedented and immediate relief to American families, workers, and businesses. Of that $69,000 will go to Rutland-Southern Vermont Regional Airport. “This $10 billion in emergency resources will help fund the continued operations of our nation’s airports during this crisis and save workers’ jobs,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Chao. “Being able to see each other and wave has been a gift to us,” Russell said... “Few of us cook anymore.” This funding will support continuing operations and replace lost revenue resulting from the sharp decline in passenger traffic and other airport business due to the Covid-19 public health emergency. The funds are available for airport capital expenditures, airport operating expenses including payroll and utilities, and airport debt payments. “Thank you to the dedicated men and women from the FAA’s Office of Airports for creating an entirely new program in record time to assist airport sponsors in desperate need of these funds,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. The FAA encourages airport sponsors to spend the grant funds immediately to help minimize any adverse impact from the current public health emergency. Airport sponsors should work with The seniors also don’t have to take the extra risk of going to the grocery store as often. “Few of us cook anymore,” Russell said. The meals include a main course of some type of comfort food with salad and desert. On April 21, the seniors were served beef burritos with pasta salad and desert. Russell said the amount of food is usually enough for two meals. “She’s a godsend,” Russell said. Under normal circumstances, Black would cook and serves the seniors lunch inside the restaurant as it’s otherwise closed to the public for lunch that day. Black starts making the meals on Monday and finishes them on Tuesday. “My wife loves it,” Joy Black’s husband Phil said. “We think the world of the whole group. It’s a hearty bunch to be a senior citizen in Vermont.” Phil said Joy gets a lot of it too. “She looks forward to it,” Phil said. “We’re just happy to take care of them.” their local FAA Office of Airports field office on the application and grant-agreement process. The CARES Act also provides funds to increase the federal share to 100% for grants awarded under the fiscal year 2020 appropriations for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and Supplemental Discretionary grants. Under normal circumstances, AIP grant recipients contribute a matching percentage of the project costs. Providing this additional funding and eliminating the local share will allow critical safety and capacity projects to continue as planned regardless of airport sponsors’ current financial circumstances. The FAA will use a streamlined application and grant-agreement process to make this funding immediately available for critical airport needs.
The Mountain Times • April 22-28, 2020 • 3 Killington Resort collaborates with Vermont Dairy Farms on grocery giveaway benefiting agricultural operations and local community Killington Resort purchased 700 blocks of local cheese, 350 gallons of local milk to include in grocery packages KILLINGTON—Killington Resort announced Friday, April 17, that it would be hosting a Community Grocery Giveaway Tuesday, April 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The giveaway is part of Killington Resort’s Play Forever commitment to protect the environment, inspire participation, and pledge to support the local community. “When we realized farmers were having to dump their fresh milk because demand was low with schools and restaurants closed, we saw an opportunity to support them and the greater community,” said Mike Solimano, president and general manager of Killington Resort. “We feel fortunate to be able to assist and help our farmers and local community during these hard-hitting times.” Despite the short notice, Killington community members, employees of local Killington businesses, and employees of Killington resort rushed to receive the food from Snowshed Base Lodge Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The resort gave away 500 of the available 700 prepackaged grocery bags of food and provisions such as meats, vegetables, Thomas Dairy milk, Vermont Farmstead cheese, eggs, produce, and breads. The line of cars stretched nearly half way down Killington Road. But all who showed up in need received a bag of the groceries. The remaining 200 bags will go to Killingtontown’s grocery giveaway next Tuesday, May 20. “Killington has been such a huge part of our community throughout the many generations that Thomas Dairy has been the local dairy. The World Cup boost, and tourism in general, continues to fuel so many local businesses immensely,” said Abbey Thomas, fifth generation co-owner of Thomas Dairy. “Partnering with Killington on the Grocery Giveaway is a win-win, as we are supporting local farming families with a surplus of milk. At the same time, Thomas Dairy is proudly helping to get the freshest milk available into the homes of Killington residents.” “When Vermont Farmstead Cheese heard about the Killington Grocery Giveaway, we were on board right away,” said Kent Underwood, president and COW (chief operating worker) of Vermont Farmstead. “I can’t imagine a more important time than now for our communities to come together and focus our energy on something positive to help those who need it.” Following recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drivers remained in their car an dcare packages were put into the trunks. This is the second free grocery giveaway provided by Killington Resort; the first one was for resort employees held over two days in mid-March. By Jason Mikula Mike Solimano, Killington Resort president and CEO, caries a bag of prepared groceries to the truck of a car. Town of Killington to continue grocery giveaway, Tuesday, May 5 The Town of Killington, Killington Resort, and Castleton University’s School of Resort Management will host a grocery giveaway on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. This project is an extension of a GoFundMe page set up by Killington resident Pamela Martin. At the time of publication on Tuesday, $9,845 had been raised, $5,000 of which will help stem food insecurity in Killington and the surrounding areas. Killington Select Board member Jim Haff reached out to Castleton University and Killington Resort to brainstorm ways to support area communities. Using funds raised through the Killington Strong Go- FundMe page, the Town of Killington will work with Killington Resort to purchase food at bulk rates. “We are extending the value of each dollar donated,” said Jim Haff. “Because of the relationships the Resort has built with local farmers, we are able to purchase two to three times the food we would on our own. Plus, they are working with local farmers to help alleviate their surplus.” The value per bag was well over $100, Haff said. The grocery giveaway organized “Because of the relationships the Resort has built with local farmers, we are able to purchase two to three times the food we would on our own,” said Jim Haff. by the town of Killington will occur at Castleton Lodge in Killington, formerly the Butternut Inn, at 63 Weathervane Drive, in Killington. All residents and employees local to Killington and the surrounding area are welcome. Please check Facebook. com/onekillington for additional information about pickup times. This effort is made possible because of the generous donations of many individuals. “Clearly there’s a need and we need all the support we can,” said Haff. “Plesae be as generous as you are able it you’re in a position to donate at this time.” For those wishing to donate to this effort, please make checks out to Town of Killington with “Killington Relief Fund” in the memo line. Send checks to Town of Killington, PO Box 429, Killington, VT 05751. Food pantry The Sherburne United Church of Christ, also known as the Little White Church, located at 4173 Route 4 in Killington, has a food pantry with non-perishable foods that is continuing to provide support for families in need. The pantry has nonperishable food, paper goods, cleaning supplies and gift cards. For those in need, reach out to Nan Salamon at 802-422-9244 or Ron Willis at 802-422-3843 to schedule a time to visit the pantry. > Farmers market: May 1 they will reopen, but under restrictions. Social distancing measures will still have to be followed per guidance from the state from page 1 ers, farmers markets were excluded from that group. Northeast Organic Farming Association Policy Director Maddie Kempner said farmers markets in at least 19 other states, including New York and Massachusetts, have been allowed to stay open despite social distancing guidelines regarding Covid-19. “There was hope Vermont, being a champion of local food, would do the same,” she said. “It was somewhat surprising. This is all new to us.” At one point, farmers’ markets in Vermont were told they could not operate, even without in-person contact, despite other non-essential businesses being able to operate through online and curbside pickup sales. Farmers’ markets were later told they could open with permission from the state. “The communication has been really confusing around all this,” Kempner said. She said it’s been challenging for farmers that rely on the markets to reach their customers. The Vermont Farmers’ Market and Vermont Farmers’ Food Center in Rutland is one of nine winter farmers’ markets and one of the largest in the state. “I was sorely disappointed, as were many people, that they closed the markets down,” said Greg Cox, the owner of Boardman Hill Farm in West Rutland. Cox served as a board member of the Vermont Farmers’ Market for 30 years and is president of the Vermont Farmers’ Food Center. “Every market in the state was left to their own devices to figure out what we’re supposed to do.” Cox said the farmer’s market was informed by the state they had to close, after initially receiving permission to operate. “They showed very little leadership,” Cox said. “As far as agriculture and farmers’ markets, they dropped the ball — they got it wrong.” Cox said the state’s decision have hurt Vermont’s farmfriendly reputation. “Vermont has this reputation built on the back of grassroots effort. It’s like the local food capital of the country,” Cox said. “The first hiccup comes along and they throw us overboard.” He said there are benefits to local food. “People aren’t handling it as much,” Cox said. “A lot of it is organic. A lot of it comes from 20 miles a way at most.” Vermont Farmers’ Food Center started curbside pickup three weeks ago, but sales have dropped from $32,000 a week to $4,500, Cox said. “That’s income the producers will never get back,” he added. Cox said the market took precautions similar to the grocery stores. One-way traffic in the aisles and six-foot markers were put in place to encourage social distancing. “The Rutland market really went out of the way to put in place protocols to keep people safe,” Cox said. Kempner was hopeful Vermont officials would lift restrictions on selling seeds and plant inserts for home gardens. She also hoped the May 1 guidelines would enable customers at farmers markets to use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits—something they can’t do through online ordering. Vermont Farmers’ Market President Paul Horton anticipated it would be a long time before the market would be able to operate like usual. “Nobody knows, not even the governor,” he said.
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Mountain Times – Volume 49, Number 17 – April 22-28, 2020

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