809 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(12/02/10 4:59am)
Middlebury has long prided itself on its dual status as a prestigious liberal arts college as well as a powerhouse in the world of Div.-III sports. Student athletes are expected to live up to these rigorous expectations, and successfully balance the demands of their schoolwork with a strong commitment to their team, which is no easy feat. This past Tuesday, two Panther football players received recognition for embodying this excellence in the classroom and on the playing fields –– Anthony Kuchan ’11 and David Reed ’11 were named District I Academic All-Americans by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors Association).
To be eligible for the honor, the student athlete must maintain a GPA of 3.30 or higher and be a starter or important reserve on their team. CoSIDA members nominate potential candidates from the academic institution with which they are affiliated.
The two seniors made significant contributions to the Panthers’ football program, with Kuchan finishing his career 19 of 24 in field goal attempts (a nearly 80 percent completion record) and Reed accumulating 79 receptions for 782 yards. Between the two of them, they contributed 160 points to the team over the course of their four years.
Perhaps even more significantly, Kuchan and Reed upheld the standard of excellence that Middlebury demands of its students, helping to maintain the College’s impressive reputation. Reed holds a solid 3.65 GPA as an economics major, and Kuchan, a political science and economics major, holds a 3.47 GPA, well above the required minimum.
“I’ll bet Reggie Bush didn’t have a double major,” said Kuchan, a line that highlights a widely acknowledged difference between Division III and major D-I programs –– at a D-III school it’s more common for the athlete to have the chance to pursue legitimate and rigorous courses of study. While Kuchan’s dual degrees might not earn him as much as Reggie Bush’s salary, he is at least well poised to succeed in “the real world” post-graduation.
The Academic All-American honor represents a fitting conclusion for the incredibly successful careers of these two senior athletes.
(11/18/10 5:00am)
Since 1998, the Spirit in Nature Interfaith Path Sanctuary has been a place where various faith groups walk, pray and promote environmental conservation. The trail is located off of Route 125 on Goshen Road in Ripton, Vt. It spans 80 acres of land and is the ideal environment for solitude and spiritual reflection.
The idea of the organization sprouted during the College’s 1990 symposium, entitled “Spirit and Nature,” led by the Professor Emeritus of Religion Dr. Steven Rockefeller. It highlighted the importance of nature in all faith groups, promoted interfaith environmentalism and the Dalai Lama spoke, as well. Spirit in Nature was founded by Paul Bortz, a retired Unitarian-Universalist minister, who strove to unite faith groups around a common cause: that of caring for the earth.
This idea of interconnectedness among faiths was incorporated into the trails’ design. Nine paths, each of which represent a particular faith group, are connected. These groups are Unitarian-Universalism, Christianity, Baha’i, the Society of Friends, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Pagan Sacred Earth. There is also an interfaith peace path, which skirts the perimeter of the trails. Along each trail, there are wooden signs posted on trees and each has a quotation.
Members of each represented faith group that live in the Middlebury area were given the chance to be directly involved in the planning of this project.
“We looked for people from different faith groups in the area and we asked them to walk [the trails] and find where they would like to have their path,” said Carol Spooner, the president of Spirit in Nature.
The Interfaith Peace Path is the longest trail, 1.5 miles. The trail is connected to a labyrinth, a peaceful site for prayer and reflection.
Most of the trails connect to the “sacred circle,” a circular patch of land with no trees. The area is reminiscent of the Neolithic stone circles, which are scattered around the British Isles and Ireland.
“In the sacred circle there are benches and a place to have a fire,” said Spooner. “Several events have taken place there.”
There are currently seven other Spirit in Nature sites in the United States including the Cuvilly Art and Earth Center in Ipswich, Mass. and the SpIN Path Meditation Path at Skidmore College in Saratoga, NY. The ninth site will open this spring in Westport, Mass.
In addition to creating a sanctuary, Spirit in Nature is also an active model for promoting environmentalism in Addison County. Every year, the organization presents the Eco-Spirit Award to a member of the community who it believes has actively promoted certain environmental goals on either a local or a global level. Past winners were College Professor Emeritus John Elder and Associate Professor of Religion Rebecca Gould.
As winter approaches, the Spirit in Nature sanctuary is one way to explore the Vermont landscape. The trails encourage snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, and are an excellent alternative to the Robert Frost Interpretative Trail, which has been closed since 2008. Donations are appreciated and the paths are open year round from dawn to dusk.
If you would like to get involved with the organization’s initiatives, please visit the Spirit in Nature table at the Midd Action Fair or subscribe to its biannual e-newsletter. Visit http://www.spiritinnature.com for additional information.
(11/18/10 4:59am)
When the woman in the most significant position of international climate policy power says that she does “not believe we will have a final agreement on climate change … in [her] lifetime,” one would approach work in this sphere with precious little hope. The woman is Christina Figueres — a 53-year-old Costa Rican diplomat — and the sphere: the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. And while I also approach it with precious little hope, I’m writing today to defend what little faith I do have.
The Kyoto Protocol was the first major pact to emerge from this UN convention — a 21-page document that bound the world’s richest nations to greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets on the scale of 5-7 percent (below 1990 levels by 2012). Any new treaty should — based on the increasingly dire science of global warming — scale up the required reductions for the world’s largest emitters, enshrine the slowing of emissions growth in developing nations, raise the value of standing forests (as to reduce emissions from the forestry sector) and provide predictable and adequate “adaptation” resources for nations on the frontlines of climate impacts. Emissions reductions targets on the scale of 80-95 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 for the wealthiest, substantial deviation from “business as usual emissions” for the industrializing and adaptation funds in the range of $50 to $100 billion by 2020 are the quantitative parameters currently framing the debate.
Now, $100 billion is a freaking lot of money, and going from 5 percent to 95 percent is a big deal. Many people are right in thinking that a deal like this will infringe upon the sovereignty of nations by imposing unwanted standards and obligations and in modeling potential emergent trade imbalances (the idea is that if a developed country imposes greenhouse gas regulations upon exporting firms, their exports will be costlier and less competitive compared to developing countries facing less domestic regulation). The efficacy of such a document is also questioned — in order to become law in many countries, international treaties have to be ratified (in the United States for example, a two-thirds Congressional vote is required). Without ratification by all relevant parties, certainty of compliance with stipulated measures would be nothing more than a dream.
But these arguments fail to acknowledge a few important realities. We live in a world of global, interconnected problems, where sovereignty lies antithetical to communal responsibility and collective action. Our perceptions of what we were “entitled” to nationally could and should be challenged with the idea that we have growing international obligations. Simultaneously, regulation will make some exports less competitive, yes, but what about the developments in clean energy and energy efficient technology that would be made as a result of negative incentives? Clean tech exports could do much to compensate for, and even exceed, any damage incurred by lack of trade competitiveness elsewhere (not to mention the fact that China is giving us a regular shellacking when it comes to green energy research, development and deployment).
On the subject of efficacy, I’m stumped. Thus far, the arc of climate negotiations has failed to “bend toward justice;” Secretary Figueres isn’t wrong when she questions the possibility of success on the time scale required. Western nations within the negotiations have overtly hegemonic negotiating strategies; bureaucracy and formality often get in the way of substantive dialogue, and regional partnerships are far from facilitated (despite the fact that, in scale, they would be far easier to formulate). But it remains the only process we have to coordinate a global effort on this global problem. As popular support builds for climate action around the world, so too is progress made within the UNFCCC, line by line and point by point. We’re decades away from a document that, if ratified around the world, will achieve the necessary scientific and economic targets. But given the right amount of sustained hope and commitment, we’ll get it done. Of that, I am confident. In the end, it’s not just a matter of the perfect (whatever that is in this situation) being the enemy of the good, but the perfect being the enemy of the planet.
(11/11/10 5:27am)
Head coach Bob Ritter and the Middlebury Panthers got back in the victory column on Saturday, beating Hamilton 30-26, improving to 3-4 and keeping their hopes for a .500 season alive. The Panthers win marked their first and only road win of the season.
“Getting a win on the road was nice,” said Ritter. Though the Panthers never trailed in the game, it had its share of dramatic plays. The Panthers made game-changing plays in every phase of the game. The special teams were, in a word, special. Led by kicker Anthony Kuchan ’11, who connected on three of four field goals, and highlighted by defensive back Jared Onouye’s ’14 blocked punt, the Panthers’ special teams play was pivotal to the team’s victory.
“[Special teams play was] huge,” said Ritter. “Onouye blocked the punt that set up the score. It was a big play that changed the momentum of the game. Anthony made a couple huge field goals. The 37-yarder in the fourth quarter let us cushion a lead and secure the win.”
On the first Panther drive of the game, Kuchan finished a 15-play, 85-yard drive by drilling a 21-yard field goal through the uprights. While the special teams continued to make big plays throughout the game, none was bigger than the play that Onouye made with just over two minutes remaining in the first quarter, when he blocked the Continentals’ punt. The Panthers recovered at the Continentals 24-yard line and after a 19-yard completion to Nick Resor ’12, quarterback and co-captain Donald McKillop ’11 found tight end David Reed ’11 in the end zone for a five-yard score.
Leading 10-0, the Panthers had a chance to extend their lead to 13-0, but Kuchan failed to connect from 23-yards out –– a rare miss for the senior who leads the NESCAC with 10 field goals and is second in the division with a .833 conversion percentage. Quarterback Jordan Eck led the Continentals on a 10-play 80-yard scoring drive on the subsequent possession that pulled Hamilton within three. The Panthers got the ball back with just over three minutes left in the second quarter and McKillop methodically drove the Panthers into field goal range where Kuchan atoned for his earlier miss by converting a 29-yard try and extending the lead to 13-7 at the half.
After a McKillop interception and two stalled drives to start the second half for Middlebury, defensive back and co-captain Connor Green ’11 made one of the decisive plays of the game. With the Continentals trailing 13-7 and driving with the ball into Middlebury territory, Green intercepted Eck at the Panthers 44-yard line and returned it 33 yards to the Continentals 23-yard line. McKillop found Zach Driscoll ’13 on the next play for a 23-yard touchdown to increase the Panthers lead to 20-7.
“That was nice to get points off the punt block and points off the turnover,” said Ritter, who knows all too well the struggles his team has had trying to convert big plays into points.
The Continentals responded immediately, however, driving 65 yards on 11 plays in under six minutes to pull within six points on running back James Stanell’s touchdown run from four-yards out.
Middlebury’s counterpart Andrew Plumley ’11, however, was just as good. On the ensuing drive, the senior from Burlington finished a five-play, 58-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown run in which he broke multiple tackles to reach the end zone. The play before the touchdown run, Plumley, who has been a crucial part of the passing offense this season, caught a short screen pass that he turned up field for 19 yards. On the day the senior finished with 69 yards rushing and 58 yards receiving, and 80 of his 127 all-purpose yards came in the second half.
“He was great,” said Ritter. “We hit him on a couple screen passes that he converted into some big yards in a couple key situations. He did a great job finding the seams that the offensive line opened for him.”
While the first half and much of the third quarter had been dominated by each team’s defensive units, the last quarter of the game turned into a back-and-forth affair as the Continentals matched the Panthers score for score, not allowing them to extend and maintain a two-score lead. After the Panthers took a 27-14 lead on the Plumley touchdown run, the Continentals marched down the field, finding the end zone after a 12 play, 72-yard drive that culminated with another touchdown run from Stanell.
Now leading 27-20 after the Continentals failed to convert the point after try, the Panthers put together a drive of their own on 3rd and 8 from the Hamilton 18-yard line that nearly resulted in another Middlebury touchdown, but instead, the Panthers were flagged for offensive pass interference and what had appeared to be a possible game-clinching touchdown was instead 3rd and 23 from the Hamilton 33-yard line. Now in need of someone to step up and make a play to cushion the one-score lead, Middlebury got exactly that from wide-out Matt Rayner ’12 who picked up 16 yards on a shallow drag route, setting up Kuchan for a 34-yard field goal to send the lead back to a 10 for the Panthers.
Kuchan’s field goal proved crucial as the Continentals put together another impressive drive. Eck led Hamilton on an eight-play 85-yard drive in just over three minutes which ended with another Stanell touchdown.
After Hamilton once again failed to convert the extra point, they attempted to recover an onside kick with 2:34 remaining in the game. The ball only traveled eight yards and the Panthers recovered. To ice the game, however the Panthers still had to pick up a first down. The Panthers faced a crucial 4th down and three from the Hamilton 31-yard line with the game on the line. Coach Bob Ritter put the ball in the hands of the most accomplished quarterback in NESCAC history, trusting McKillop to put the game out of reach. He did just that, finding Matt Rayner for a seven-yard reception that allowed the Panthers to kneel the ball to run the clock out.
Offensively, McKillop led the Panthers once again, passing for 359 yards on 30 completions in 46 attempts with two touchdowns and one interception. Resor led all receivers with 10 catches for 146 yards receiving.
“Nick Resor had a great day,” said Ritter. “Those 10 catches –– a majority of those were to pick up first downs or take us down to the goal line. He made some clutch plays.”
Defensively, Andrew Poulin ’11 led the way again for the Panthers with 12 total tackles and a sack.
“He had a great day,” Ritter said, “and actually had a couple tackles where if he doesn’t make them they’re going to be big plays for them.”
This weekend the Panthers host the Jumbos of Tufts (1-6) in what will be the final game of McKillop’s historic career as a Middlebury Panther.
“It’s going to be an air-show on Saturday,” said Ritter. “Both teams like to air it out, both teams have very good quarterbacks, so it’s going to be a fun game to be a part of.”
(11/11/10 5:20am)
Ladies and gentlemen, meet Terius Nash. Terius, aka The-Dream, enjoys pursuing women, “Patrónin’” and informing you of his sexual and financial prowess. Oh, and he also has a knack for penning immaculately produced, ludicrously infectious R&B masterpieces. Remember the last time you stumbled over a song that you then proceeded to hum incessantly for the next month and a half? Odds are it was written by The-Dream. In 2007, he produced Rihanna’s ubiquitous “Umbrella”, only to follow up in 2008 with Beyonce’s megahit, “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”. The man’s a veritable hit factory, turning out sweet pieces of audio candy as deliciously intoxicating as his beloved Patrón.
And now he’s back with the third installment of his love-themed trilogy: 2010’s not-so-modestly-titled Love King. Despite his promotion of the album as “deeper than space” (yes, that’s a real quote), The-Dream rarely strays from the unrelenting self-mythologizing and elegant flippancy characteristic of his previous albums. Of course, the arrogance could have backfired if not layered over a gorgeous tapestry of interwoven hooks, seamless transitions and contemporary renovations of traditional R&B tropes. His lush, sensual productions demonstrate an obsessive consideration of detail (every snap, snare and stutter finds a precise and indispensable home) while, on a more comprehensive scale, the album maintains a cohesive, suite-like flow, as songs fluidly morph into their successors. Turns out, he might have something to brag about after all.
Exhibit A: the opening track, “Love King” with its staccato piano chords and synthy sweeps, becomes the digital approximation of a schoolyard jump-rope song. But don’t let the song’s glossy sheen and not-so-subtle lyrics about cheating (“Got girls with weave, girls without it. She like, ‘This all mine’, hmm, I doubt it”) fool you. The-Dream presents a richly complex landscape of luxurious synths, cascading bleeps and celestial “ooh’s” and “ahh’s”. Just go ahead and try to count the number of distinct sounds and tones throughout the chorus. And on the album’s crown jewel, the Prince-inspired “Yamaha” The-Dream serves up a massive rush of glittery, stripped-down, 80’s synth-pop. But despite such extravagant ornamentation, which, under a lesser producer, would result in sheer cacophony, The-Dream ensures that no individual element overwhelms another.
Unfortunately, however, The-Dream’s lyrical dexterity pales in comparison to his adroit sonic manipulations. “You can’t match a love like mine. It’s like trying to rob me with a BB gun. But my love gets it poppin’ like the Taliban” he croons over a swirl of droning synths on the slow-grinding “Sex Intelligent.” Yeah, I was confused too. I’m pretty sure it was just a failed attempt to mix sexual innuendo with political relevancy. On “Florida University”, The-Dream’s childlike response to his Twitter-bashing ex (and probably the first track of every current party-playlist at UF and FSU), he mutters, “This is short for Florida University” following with a rousing chorus of “Eff You!” Clever, Terius. Despite some lyrical shortcomings, the extravagant braggadocio and declarations of rampant infidelity occasionally succeed. After a long night on the town, he intimates, “Chanel No. 5 is all on my shirt, but I ain’t even holler. She pressin’ me out wit’ nothin’ but her panties on.” How can you not feel bad for him?
Ultimately, with the exception of “Panties to the Side” this album serves as a breathtaking examination of both contemporary and traditional R&B concepts. From the exquisite horn flourishes of the glistening “F.I.L.A” to the suggestive echoes of the falsetto-drenched window-fogger “Turnt Out”, Love King has cemented The-Dream’s position as the new face of R&B. And although he has previously declared this album to be his final solo project, we can always hope, for R&B’s sake, that he holds true to his promise from “Sex Intelligent (Remix)”: “6-7-2011, Imma drop that Love Affair.”
(11/11/10 5:05am)
In March of 1991, Laurence Miller brewed his first Copper Ale. The owner of Otter Creek Brewery, Miller opened his business at 616 Exchange Street, the current location of Vermont Soapworks. Four years later, the brewery expanded and moved down the road, where it resides today. With a 40,000-barrel capacity, Otter Creek Brewery distributes its year-round and seasonal beer to states across the country. Long Trail Brewing bought Otter Creek Craft Ales and Wolaver’s Certified Organic Ales, both of which are brewed in Middlebury, last January and has since invested $1 million into the brewery.
The partnership between Wolaver’s and Otter Creek formed in 2002 when Morgan Wolaver bought Otter Creek. Wolaver, who worked with fresh food, sought to brew quality beer, and he became the first USDA-certified organic brewer. At first a satellite brewer without a brewery of his own, Wolaver knew Vermont’s organic lifestyle fit the product he envisioned, so he bought Otter Creek. He worked with the organic barley and farmers in the area, and together they created an “organic beer market.”
Dale Becker, the assistant manager of the Visitors Center at the brewery, said that Long Trail beers rank as the fourth best selling brand of beer in Vermont, following Amstel, Busch and Miller Lite. In addition to the brewery’s four year-round ales (Copper Ale, Pale Ale, Solstice Ale and Stovepipe Porter), it also has seasonal varieties. This year’s fall flavors include Oktoberfest and Will Stevens’ Pumpkin Ale. Becker said the winter ales will be Otter Creek’s Alpine Black IPA and the Wolaver’s Alta Gracia Coffee Porter. At the Vermont Brewers Fest this July, Becker said everyone loved the Alpine Black IPA, as do the college students who have tried it; however, the ingredients needed to make the beer are expensive.
The four ingredients in any beer are water, malted barley, hops and yeast. If a beer is five percent alcohol, then the other 95 percent of the drink is water. Otter Creek uses the township water, which it later purifies and softens.
Malt (a type of grain that has been allowed to sprout) forms the basis for 80 percent of beer. Specialty malts, like roasted and de-husked barley, give some beer its burnt, smoky flavor and dark coloring, according to Becker. By de-husking the barley, the beer spice, commonly called hops, is not overshadowed.
Ales, first created by the British, are fermented at warm temperatures, so the yeast can rise. Said to have been a German improvement on an ale, lagers are fermented at cold temperatures, allowing the yeast to fall. These beers are cold-stored for long periods of time before being bottled or kegged.
A native Floridian, Becker enjoys the heartiness of the ale because it fills him up faster, but he prefers a lager when it is hot outside because of its “crisp, clear and refreshing” taste.
Otter Creek, located at 783 Exchange Street, is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Complimentary tours are also available to the public.
“We want more interaction with the College,” said Becker. “The students are diverse and politically-minded. The other day a group of girls were in here drinking beer and arguing about politics.”
This is an especially appealing idea because the brewery plans to open a restaurant in the next year. With a 90-person seating capacity and more than 21 bar seats, the eatery will start small and serve appetizers like chili and, of course, beer.
Becker admits that beer is more sophisticated and complicated than he ever thought, and the brewing process certainly reflects this complexity. First, the barley must germinate before it is kiln-dried and coated with sugar or caramel. The barley is also milled, which means that the husk must break open to expose its natural enzymes and starches. Becker said that up to five batches of milled malted barley are produced each day.
To start the brewing process, 148-degree to 154-degree water is mixed with the milled malted barley in the mash mixer for 60 minutes. The barley’s enzymes begin breaking down the starch into simple sugars. Next, the mixture is moved to the lauter tun, or settling tank. Here barley falls into the natural filter bed at the bottom of the tank, and the remaining liquid is easily pulled out. This substance, called “wort,” is a brown sweet liquid. If someone drank a cup of this clarified liquid, Becker said they would go into “sugar shock.” The remaining barley is picked up by a local farmer twice a week and fed to his cows, as the animals love the sugary taste of the grain. As much as 10 tons of barley are left over each day.
The wort is then transferred to the brew kettle where it sits for 60 minutes. Here boiling water is added to the wort, so it can be sterilized. If anything touches the wort while it is transferred from one tank to another, it becomes hard to contain. Hops pellets, which give the beer its bitter taste, are also added to the brew kettle. Otter Creek Brewery uses hops grown in Middlebury. Finally, the mixture is sent to the whirlpool tank where the solids move to the center and the liquid beer can be easily pulled out from the sides of the tank. The leftover solid is used as fertilizer.
“This is a trick on nature,” said Becker, who studied marine biology in college and has done much retail work in fly-fishing. “The process highlights our dedication to the company’s organic and natural label.”
The brewed beer is cold-stored at 32 degrees and generally bottled on the 19th day after the brewing has begun. This ensures fresh quality beer.
The visitor’s center is the “face of the brewery,” and Becker has several goals he seeks to accomplish here. He hopes to create an enjoyable experience and entice first time customers enough so that they will be more inclined to buy Otter Creek the next time they go to the grocery store, for example. Beer enthusiasts often embark on the Vermont Brew Tour, where they visit breweries, including Otter Creek, across the state. Becker challenges himself to find ways to make the Middlebury brewery the best spot on the trip.
“I have three textbooks with 700 pages of information each [on beer],” he said. “I want to learn everything.”
He yearns to make the visitor’s center a place all can enjoy because Becker believes Otter Creek customers are buyers for life.
“I have Middlebury alums that call me three to four times per month because they want Otter Creek beer at their weddings,” he said.
Stay tuned for events and activities at the brewery, especially as it gears up for the restaurant’s grand opening next year.
(11/11/10 5:02am)
As the festive glow of Halloween fades, one costume shop in Burlington, Vt. still relishes the success of its bustling fall season and prepares for the coming winter months. Old Gold, beloved by many loyal customers since it opened in 1973, is well known because it offers a vast variety of high-quality, eccentric costumes. The “oldest retail clothing [store] in Burlington,” according to its owner, who wished to remain anonymous, enjoyed yet another busy Halloween season.
“We couldn’t be luckier,” the owner said.
Old Gold, which receives postcards and pictures from happy customers after Halloween, can satisfy anyone’s costume craving. The store’s array of outfits ranges from fighter pilot suits to pirate attire.
“It’s a place where you can go and find anything,” said Nora Daly ’13, who shopped at Old Gold this Halloween season. “If you’re thinking, ‘Where in Vermont am I going to find this?’ go to Old Gold and they will have it.”
The owner did notice some specific trends this year, however, noting that pop culture references, such as Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, were particularly strong. Other popular choices were Native American costumes and food-related suits, like the taco, different vegetables, hot dogs and pizza. The owner also was pleased that many college-aged girls opted for more playful, fun costumes instead of wearing something short and seductive.
While the store benefits from its prime location near schools such as the University of Vermont (UVM), Champlain College (both of which are located in Burlington) and Middlebury, not all of Old Gold’s customers are college-aged. The store has a broad range of clientele, and maintains a steady base of older customers, too.
“It’s not unusual for us to help a 75- or 80-year old and then turn around and help a teenager,” said the owner.
To please its large variety of shoppers, the owner and other employees travel to trade shows throughout the year to buy the different outfits. The owner also employs a seamstress who makes specific costumes if needed.
“I generally buy on gut instinct more than anything else,” said the owner, though she acknowledged that she did try to keep up with current music and movies to please customers for this Halloween.
Part of what makes the store so successful is the tight-knit nature of the staff, most of whom are slightly older than college-aged. According to the owner, nearly all employees stay for more than a year, and one has been working there for 12. Some have stayed for a year, taken time off and then decided to return. They find a spot waiting for them at Old Gold, as the owner tries “to give them a little home.” Throughout the year, the store has five employees, but it triples the size of its staff in September and October to keep up with the quick pace of the fall season.
After Halloween, however, Old Gold changes its selections and offers attire for winter formals and high school dances. In the spring, the store revamps again, filling its space with Mardi-Gras costumes.
“[We] try to carve out these seasons for ourselves to keep business productive,” said the owner, who hopes to use the internet more effectively as a marketing tool for Old Gold in the future. Currently, the store’s website, oldgoldvermont.com, does not sell merchandise.
The success Old Gold has had is also due to its high standards, which promise to help customers find what they want and enjoy their experience at the store.
“It can be just as fun to come and get your costume as it is to go out,” said the owner.
While Old Gold does not have plans to expand, the store remains committed to a simple goal - it wants to help people find something they will feel great wearing.
“Someone once told me to do one thing and do it better than anyone else,” said the owner.
(11/11/10 4:55am)
During its meetings on Nov. 2 and 8, Community Council reviewed the Public Safety Department’s role on campus, as well as policies surrounding student print quotas and the party registration process.
On Nov. 2, the Council hosted Associate Dean of the College and Director of Public Safety Lisa Boudah along with Assistant Director of Public Safety Dan Gaiotti to address concerns about vandalism, party registration and parking, among other topics.
They also discussed the sober friend policy, which is now in its second year. The policy states that if an intoxicated student cannot care for him or herself but an officer determines that the student does not require immediate medical attention, the officer will then encourage the student to reach out to a sober friend to offer care. Boudah and Gaiotti felt that this system has been working well.
The officers emphasized the importance of the awareness of this policy among Residential Life staff in the wake of the closing of the Health Center at night.
In order to address the problem of vandalism, the Council expressed a need to emphasize peer-to-peer responsibility among students. The Council stressed the importance of students notifying offices about any issue both to maintain the integrity of the community and to avoid fines to a large group of students.
During its Nov. 8 meeting, the Council hosted Dean of Library and Information Services (LIS) Mike Roy to discuss the financial concerns surrounding student print quotas. Under the current policy, first-years, sophomores and juniors can print 500 pages per semester free of charge, while seniors are allotted 1,000 pages. After exceeding their quota, students are charged five cents per single-sided page. All unused pages are rolled over from the previous semesters.
Roy explained that these quota numbers were developed to cover 80 percent of a student’s printing.
“We built it around the premise that students would pay for 20 percent of their printing, assuming they printed at the same level,” said Roy.
Roy estimated that this would average a student cost of $10 per semester. However, since implementing the policy last spring, pages printed dropped from eight million in the 2008-2009 academic year to six million 2009-2010 academic year, thereby shrinking LIS’s estimated student contribution to 10 percent.
Students on financial aid can contact student financial services to seek approval for supporting additional printing costs. The awarded aid is handled on a case-by-case basis.
“I think it’s good that we don’t keep it that cut-and-dry and that we try to treat each case carefully,” Dean of the College and Council Co-Chair Shirley Collado remarked. “We want students to feel comfortable reaching out to student financial services for help and approval if they need it.”
The Council then consulted Associate Dean of Students Doug Adams on the issue of party registration. Council member Zach Hitchcock ’13 expressed concerns over the reoccurring issue of Public Safety often breaking up parties on campus. The Council also sought to clarify the specific nature of the shared responsibility between Public Safety and the party host.
“Significant responsibility is placed on the student hosting the party,” explained Adams.
Social hosts, students responsible for hosting a registered party, must complete a Party Registration Workshop. These workshops must be completed annually and are held weekly during the first six weeks of school and every other week afterwards. In accordance with Vermont state law, hosts must live where the parties are being hosted and maintain a guest list. Crowd Management training is necessary for hosts of parties with 50 or more students.
Adams pointed out that the College is the only higher education institution in Vermont that allows students to host registered parties on campus, as all other campuses are officially dry.
Adams expressed a desire to make the party registration system more accessible to students, and explained that he was currently working on this with Residential Programs Coordinator Lee Zerrilla. Adams also mentioned that they were examining the possibility of an online party registration system.
Dean Collado expressed an interest in centralizing the party registration process, which is currently spread across the Center for Campus Activities and Leadership (CCAL), Event Management and Public Safety.
The Council’s upcoming agenda includes discussion of a campaign to address the problem of disappearing dishes from the dining halls, College hazing policy, sexual harassment policy and gender-neutral housing.
(11/11/10 4:51am)
The past month has been an important one for the Solar Decathlon (SD). From being chosen as the lucky recipients of the Senior Class Gift, to a successful open house over Homecoming weekend, to the recently-updated blog and website, the team has made strides both large and small.
The landscaping plan for the house is nearing completion, with those involved working to decide upon the plants that will be used and focusing on the features of the greenhouse, looking to make it productive in the cold Vermont winters that the house is designed to deal with. The team is also planning to harvest maple from the College forest for the house’s floors, using our natural Middlebury resources to both help the development of the house and tie it to the school from which it came. These details show just how much progress the team is making, as choosing them brings the house that much closer to a finalized plan and eventually to its construction. This will be helped along by the recently decided J-term and spring courses. These classes, while they are somewhat hidden in the course catalog, are open to all students. They are a great way to learn about the project and get involved while receiving course credit.
In other November news, Greenbuild, an international conference in Chicago held Nov. 17-19, will be an important event for four SD team members. Kris Williams ’11, Katie Romanov ’11.5, Abe Bendheim ’10.5, and Aaron Kelly ’13 plan to make the trip, funded by the generosity of a donor. Between learning about emerging green technologies and building materials, a Middlebury friends and alumni fundraising event on Nov. 18 and a meeting with an architecture firm there, the visit looks to be a great way to make connections, fundraise and learn from world-renowned experts in green fields.
Another essential November date is the Nov. 23 submission of the Design Development Deliverable. The deliverable is a 3-dimensional computer rendering of the Middlebury SD house, created using Building Information Modeling software. The model must have 80 percent of the exterior and interior features confirmed and displayed, from colors and appliances to the house’s siding. It works like a virtual tour; one must be able to look at any room in the house from any angle. While the design can change from this model, the deadline exists to force Solar Decathlon participants to detail their plans. In order to make the deadline, the Middlebury team has begun having Saturday work parties from 10 to 4. Fueled by Ramunto’s food, everyone gets down to business.
Sarah Franco ’08, who is a Special Projects Coordinator at Middlebury, has also joined the team to lend her guidance. She has worked hard on a social media strategy plan for 51 Main’s communications effort. In a world where social media is becoming increasingly more important by the day, having Sarah there to help us strategize is key. They estimate that Facebook has over 500 million users today, and Twitter has an unprecedented 145 million registered users as of September. It’s not as important to reach every user as it is to use the platforms to raise awareness for us. The beauty of the internet is that users can come together over things that they find interesting. If we’re lucky, people will come together over the Middlebury SD team in the coming weeks, which will not only help us fundraise and show our events and progress, but also make Middlebury people, from those on campus to those in the “real” world, united by the project as a common ground. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at MiddSD!
(11/11/10 1:38am)
Recently the Middlebury College Activities Board (MCAB) surveyed the student body in order to gather input on the status of social life at the College.
Led by President Maria Perille ’10, MCAB released a questionnaire requesting input on the general quality of MCAB events for the first time in five years. The goal of the survey was to see what students like about the organized events and to see how MCAB could change for the better. Using the results of this survey, MCAB hopes to create the best social atmosphere for students as possible.
According to Perille, “The survey was a representative survey of the student body because we got an even distribution of participants. There was about an equal number of freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors that completed it.” About 500 students in total responded to the survey. It was comprised of questions that ranged from the very basic ones like how many times a week students go out to specific ones about aimed at pinpointing students’ favorite spots for MCAB events.
“In general, more students are satisfied with both the numbers and types of social events on campus than not,” said Perille. Over 80 percent of the students who responded to the survey are satisfied or better with the overall social scene that they experience on campus, and a large majority of students enjoy the variety of events which MCAB provides.
A few of the responses to the survey questions merely confirmed what MCAB already suspected. For example, Friday and Saturday are the best nights to have the bigger and more popular social events because the majority of campus goes out twice a week and it overwhelmingly tends to be on these nights.
The results for the questions about the best location for a social event surprised the activities board. According to the survey, the greatest number of students like events held in McCullough Student Center.
“This year there has been a big effort to try new social spaces,” said Perille. “However, McCullough appears to be the most popular. People love the classic venue.”
Students also enjoy traditional MCAB events. The survey results show strong support for events such as Homecoming and Winter Carnival. Concerts are also popular events, as are the dances and themed parties.
Since concerts tend to be the most popular events on campus, MCAB paid special attention to questions about the variety of on-campus concerts. Over 50 percent of the students who responded would prefer to see one to two big concerts at Pepin Gynmasium or Chip Kenyon ’85 Arena rather than a greater number of smaller shows in locations such as McCullough Student Center or the Grille. The most popular genre of music that students would like to see in live events is indie rock. Alternative rock and pop rock were a close second and third in popularity.
According to the survey, the genre of music is the most important factor for students in determining whether or not to attend a concert.
Popular alternative events include the variety shows and the movies that MCAB organizes. The variety shows can range from student organization performances to outside comedians brought in for a special occasion. The students would like to see an increase in the quality of comedians being brought in. Students also feel that hypnotists and dance troupes are fun and popular alternatives as well.
With this survey, MCAB is opening up the possibilities for social life here on campus. With the responses they received, MCAB hopes to better cater to the wants of the student body.
“We can make a conscious effort [with the results],” said Perille.
As MCAB continues to plan for the rest of the academic year, Perille explained that they will definitely take the results of this survey into account.
(10/28/10 3:56am)
Recently the Middlebury College Activities Board (MCAB) surveyed the student body in order to gather input on the status of social life at the College.
Led by President Maria Perille ’10, MCAB released a questionnaire requesting input on the general quality of MCAB events for the first time in five years. The goal of the survey was to see what students like about the organized events and to see how MCAB could change for the better. Using the results of this survey, MCAB hopes to create the best social atmosphere for students as possible.
According to Perille, “The survey was a representative survey of the student body because we got an even distribution of participants. There was about an equal number of freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors that completed it.” About 500 students in total responded to the survey. It was comprised of questions that ranged from the very basic ones like how many times a week students go out to specific ones about aimed at pinpointing students’ favorite spots for MCAB events.
“In general, more students are satisfied with both the numbers and types of social events on campus than not,” said Perille. Over 80 percent of the students who responded to the survey are satisfied or better with the overall social scene that they experience on campus, and a large majority of students enjoy the variety of events which MCAB provides.
A few of the responses to the survey questions merely confirmed what MCAB already suspected. For example, Friday and Saturday are the best nights to have the bigger and more popular social events because the majority of campus goes out twice a week and it overwhelmingly tends to be on these nights.
The results for the questions about the best location for a social event surprised the activities board. According to the survey, the greatest number of students like events held in McCullough Student Center.
“This year there has been a big effort to try new social spaces,” said Perille. “However, McCullough appears to be the most popular. People love the classic venue.”
Students also enjoy traditional MCAB events. The survey results show strong support for events such as Homecoming and Winter Carnival. Concerts are also popular events, as are the dances and themed parties.
Since concerts tend to be the most popular events on campus, MCAB paid special attention to questions about the variety of on-campus concerts. Over 50 percent of the students who responded would prefer to see one to two big concerts at Pepin Gynmasium or Chip Kenyon ’85 Arena rather than a greater number of smaller shows in locations such as McCullough Student Center or the Grille. The most popular genre of music that students would like to see in live events is indie rock. Alternative rock and pop rock were a close second and third in popularity.
According to the survey, the genre of music is the most important factor for students in determining whether or not to attend a concert.
Popular alternative events include the variety shows and the movies that MCAB organizes. The variety shows can range from student organization performances to outside comedians brought in for a special occasion. The students would like to see an increase in the quality of comedians being brought in. Students also feel that hypnotists and dance troupes are fun and popular alternatives as well.
With this survey, MCAB is opening up the possibilities for social life here on campus. With the responses they received, MCAB hopes to better cater to the wants of the student body.
“We can make a conscious effort [with the results],” said Perille.
As MCAB continues to plan for the rest of the academic year, Perille explained that they will definitely take the results of this survey into account.
(10/14/10 4:04am)
With fall break almost here, anxiety is high across campus as students count down the minutes until, for four days, they are free from work and loosed to enjoy the Vermont fall foliage. For those opting to remain in Middlebury for the break, there are countless outings to enjoy. The Middlebury Antique Center and Happy Valley Orchards are just two possible destinations.
Francis and Dianne Stevens moved to Middlebury from Boston 35 years ago. The two have always enjoyed perusing through flea markets and their curiosity sparked the couple’s decision to open the Middlebury Antique Center, located at 3255 Route 7 South in East Middlebury, Vt. Customers from all over the United States have visited the store, but Francis also has customers who venture into the shop once a month or even once a week.
“We have 50 dealers who sell here,” said Francis. “Some of them are from California, and there are some from Arizona and New Jersey. We have a wide variety.”
The store, which sells everything from jewelry to furniture to brass to fishing lures, is renowned for its artwork.
“We are unique in that we offer pieces of quality,” said Francis, who believes his four-year-old German Shepherd Husky, Dutchess, is an invaluable part of his business as well.
Dutchess greets customers and remembers certain people each time they come to the store.
The couple, who has owned the shop for 24 years, travels to auctions across the country to find antiques. The antique center is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A seven-minute drive from the Stevens’ two-story antique shop sits Happy Valley Orchards. Mary and Stan Pratt bought the orchard in 1998, after leasing land in Cornwall, Vt.
“We actually live on Happy Valley Road, and we named our Cornwall orchard after the road,” said Mary. “But it has caused much confusion ever since we moved to Middlebury because everyone thinks the orchard is on Happy Valley Road.” On the contrary, the orchard is located at 217 Quarry Road.
Both husband and wife have farming experience. Mary lived in Bridport, Vt., eight miles west of campus, on a dairy farm. Her father-in-law was once a trainer at the Morgan Horse Farm in Middlebury, and Stan worked for Centennial Pine, where he was involved in seasonal planting.
“Needless to say, we both love farming,” she said.
Mary is also a bookkeeper, as she says the 14 acres of land are not enough to make a living. Stan is one of the ice rink managers and Zamboni drivers at the College.
Apples are planted from mid-May until Columbus Day, and picking starts in late August. Unfortunately, this year’s apples have been a poor batch, as the fruit matured three weeks early. There are also fewer apples due to the fluctuating weather in the spring. The warm April weather caused the apples to blossom earlier than usual, and when the May frost hit, those blossoms were susceptible to the temperature changes. The cold air killed many blossoms, especially those at the bottom of the trees.
Though Happy Valley Orchards is open through November 23, Mary warns that apple-picking season is almost finished.
“We have 70 to 80 different varieties of apples,” she said. “Stan and I love planting the vintage old-fashioned varieties.” The couple began planting such “heritage” types, like the Baldwin apple and the Cox Orange Pippin one, about eight years ago.
Yet the most popular apple is the Honey Crisp. Mary said it has peaked in popularity in the last 10 years because of it crunchy taste, and because it stays hard for a long period of time, compared to other types like McIntosh.
“My favorite apple is the McIntosh because of my New England upbringing,” said Mary. “I seem to enjoy the milder and sweeter taste.”
Interestingly, the Pratts cannot grow Granny Smith apples because the growing season in Vermont is too short.
“We have removed some of the trees that the old owners planted,” said Mary. “But we plant semi-dwarf and not dwarf trees, which are mainly used for commercial use because there is a romantic feeling attached to a big tree.”
The couple also blends together several varieties of apples to make their famous cider, which is offered in the dining halls and at the Grille, as well as at Otter Creek Bakery and Noonie’s Deli.
“All of our retail products are sold locally,” said Mary.
The Pratts also sell pumpkins and winter vegetables, like squash, from Foster Brothers Farm. Cider doughnuts are a favorite for many customers too. The orchard charges $10 for half a bushel of apples during the week, and $8 during the weekend.
The Pratts, who also grow peach, plum and cherry trees, stay updated on “apple news” by following the research at Cornell University, as the school is invested in agriculture. They are also members of the Vermont Fruit Tree Growers and learn from speakers who attend the organization’s meetings.
(10/14/10 3:59am)
The current environmental movement is driven mostly by concerns about sustainability coupled with energy independence and the threat of global climate change. While we have made progress through more efficient cars, eating locally and switching to compact florescent light bulbs, the vast majority of our electricity comes from technology that dumps carbon dioxide and other dangerous chemicals into the atmosphere. The number of wind farms has grown precipitously in the past few years, but these farms lack the potential to make up for our reliance on coal, oil and natural gas plants.
Every method for generating electricity has tradeoffs (some more obvious than others). We often read of coal miners trapped in cave-ins far below ground while at the same time the emissions generated by these plants heat the planet and pollute our air. Natural gas and oil both have different problems with extraction and with transportation but the same issue with pollution. Despite these significant shortcomings, these three options currently rule the energy market. Hydroelectric plants once seemed like a great way to provide sustainable power but it turns out that blocking rivers causes serious damage to the surrounding ecosystems and the communities downstream.
Even among those who believe that wind power has a role to play in our energy grid, few people want one 300 feet from their house or decorating the top of the nearest mountain. The places people want them generally tend to have less wind. Solar energy cultivation shows promise but, as with most renewable, it requires a lot of space and an expensive investment in technology.
The time has come to renew the construction of nuclear power plants. Despite high-profile failures — Three Mile Island and the recent issues with Vermont Yankee come to mind — nuclear power is safer, cleaner and more efficient than our current options. Nuclear fuel does not come from the Middle East and the reactions in one of these plants do not launch carbon or other chemicals into the atmosphere. A single nuclear plant produces more electricity than 1,500 large wind turbines — far more than even the largest wind “farms.” Nuclear presents the solution for moving forward.
40 years ago, the United States was constructing fission plants at a dramatic rate. In part due to protests and safety concerns, new development ceased abruptly. Yet much of Europe still relies on it as a source of power — France currently produces nearly 80 percent of its electricity through nuclear power while the EU as a whole uses it for 30 percent. We can achieve this with the market incentives as well.
Incredibly high start-up costs prevent new nuclear development. Only government action can prevent fossil fuel-based power sources from continuing their stranglehold on the American electricity market. We have seen this in the government’s approach to renewable energy, where producers are given a rate of 1.9 cents per kilowatt hour to allow them to compete in the marketplace.
President Barack Obama recently pledged to extend this tax credit to the next four nuclear power plants constructed in this country. In addition, the government will guarantee the loans for these plants in order to offset the risk of the investment in an unsure market. Congress and the President should extend this guarantee once plans get underway for more plants and should consider directly loaning money to companies interested in constructing new facilities in order to build momentum and attract investors. If Congress ever allows the creation of a “cap and trade” system to reduce carbon emissions, nuclear energy would become a much more competitive option. But even without legislation that raises the cost of competing energy sources, these loans will be repaid as plants pay off their start-up capital.
No source of energy is perfect. Nuclear power is cleaner, more efficient and is our only technology that can provide the electricity to replace fossil fuels. For the 21st century and beyond, as we improve our ability to capitalize on the massive supplies of power contained in a single atom, nuclear power is the ultimate source of “green” energy.
(10/14/10 3:59am)
Statistical evidence from student/faculty research has shown that the College’s biomass gasification plant is running to its full capabilities and will help Middlebury remain on track for its goal of carbon neutrality by 2016.
Over the past year, students working under Director of Sustainability Integration Jack Byrne calculated the inventory of the College’s greenhouse gas production. The inventory counts emissions from energy used to heat and cool buildings on campus; College-funded travel, such as flights and cabs for professors to attend conferences; waste put into landfills; electricity the College purchases; and College-owned vehicles, such as 15-passenger vans and Midd Rides.
Next year, these calculations will include the inventory from the Monterey Institute.
Middlebury’s carbon footprint has been reduced by 35 percent, and much of this is thanks to the successful running of the biomass gasification plant.
Byrne believes that the biomass plant has helped the College maintain its goal for carbon neutrality and will improve in productivity in the next fiscal year.
“We were expecting that we would be, once we got our biomass up and running at full speed, at 40 percent reduction of our carbon footprint,” Byrne said.
“We didn’t quite have a full year of full wood burning in the fiscal year. The people who operate the plant are really pleased with where they are now. They’ve really figured out how to make it work well, and this coming year I’m sure we’ll do really well, even better than this year.”
The explanation for not meeting the 40 percent reduction goal lies in the changes that had to be made to get the biomass working to its full potential.
“Simply stated: the biomass plant did not come with an ‘off-the-shelf’ start-up and operating manual,” said Assistant Director of Facilities Services Mike Moser.
“We quickly realized in the early months of 2009 that we were on our own, and needed to chart new waters to realize a successful operation of this new technology. The individuals that operate this plant have effectively done that, and done it well.”
Moser says the plant was built in order to displace one million gallons of #6 oil with 20,000 tons of biomass — wood chips — annually. From January through September 2010, the plant burned 15,000 tons of chips, which has displaced over 80,000 gallons of oil. It has realized an 82 percent availability rate since January 2010 — 223 days out of 273 days.
Despite the imperfect performance, the biomass staff remain optimistic about the results for the upcoming fiscal year and firmly believes that there will be an increase in productivity for the plant.
Byrne in particular has faith in the capabilities of the plant and those who manage it.
“Those guys who run the biomass plant, they deserve Ph.D.s in biomass gasification,” he said.
Future plans for the biomass plant include harvesting and burning a test willow crop this winter, which will produce up to 200 tons of fuel.
Byrne said that an additional benefit to the biomass plant comes from the money the College has saved by using it.
“We’ve saved about a million dollars in fuel costs since the biomass started up,” he said, “so the money we originally used to buy oil from all over the world, we’re now spending that money within 35 miles of the campus to put money into the local economy for loggers and truckers. They have been having a tough time because both the recession slowed down building and the paper industry in the northeast has shrunk a lot in the past few years, so there’s been a lot less demand for wood. We’ve been able to help those people.”
Byrne also noted that the College’s location in Vermont, a very “green” state, has been helpful. Middlebury buys its energy from the Central Vermont Public Service Corporation, which has proven to be instrumental to reducing our carbon footprint.
“Two thirds of the energy we buy is generated from nuclear and hydroelectric,” Byrne said.
“Those don’t have much carbon emission associated with them, and that makes the electricity part of our carbon footprint quite small, which is unusual. Once you get outside of Vermont or New England, the rest of the country has pretty high carbon electricity, because a lot of it comes from coal.”
Other factors have also contributed to the substantial decrease in the College’s carbon footprint. Missy Beckwith, the head of Waste Management, noted that last year’s overall waste was less than in years past.
“With the economic situation the College was faced with and the prudence practiced in many areas of the College, departments and students were and still are consuming less,” said Beckwith.
The reduction in waste could also be due to the fact that the College now requires outside caterers to take waste from events away with them. This prevents Middlebury from recording this waste for the inventory.
However, the increased student body this year, due to especially large classes of 2011 and 2014, will likely also increase the overall waste tonnages.
“How to Recycle” flyers were handed out to students and staff this year in order to help continue the trend of lessening consumption and reducing waste. The goal is to improve the quality of the materials entering the recycling center, because this decreases handling and sorting times and makes the overall process more efficient.
Some projects in the works include compost buckets, which will be placed in residence halls, as well as an attempt at a carpet-recycling project. Both of these projects are being funded by an Environmental Council grant.
(10/14/10 3:53am)
One of ten early career journalists to have received the Middlebury College Fellowships in Environmental Journalism this year, Sarah Harris ’11 plans to “tell the story of cement” through the mediums of print and radio.
Harris will spend her J-term semester and part of December in Midlothian, Texas – roughly 25 miles southwest of Dallas – and Kansas reporting on the issue of cement production using the $4,000 granted to her by the College.
“I first learned that there’d been a cement plant in southwest Dallas, and then I started learning that there were actually cement plants all over Dallas and that this community of Midlothian had three of them … It grew into this really interesting story that I wanted to pursue,” said Harris, a Texas native.
Harris furthered her interest in the Midlothian cement plants after learning about the scandals that had taken place there in the late ’80s and early ’90s.
“What happened in Midlothian was that the cement companies had been burning hazardous wastes in their kilns and turning a huge profit from it [as] it was cheaper,” Harris said. “They didn’t apply for a permit or go through the channels they were supposed to [in order to] dispose of hazardous waste properly, and it went completely unchecked.”
Fellowship applicants were required to send in two-to-three-page pitches outlining their stories as well as their plans of research.
“I’ll go through public records; I’ll interview people; I’ll use the contacts I have to get in touch with community activists … people who have worked with plants, regular everyday citizens, people in the cement industry, people with knowledge of the cement industry, [and] people who are working on ideas of green cement,” said Harris. “That’s how I’ll gather information on the ground in those communities.”
Based on data compiled by the Canadian non-profit organization EcoSmart Concrete, cement production accounts for seven to eight percent of carbon dioxide emissions globally.
“[Cement production] hasn’t gathered [enough] attention from environmentalists and the media,” she said. “It produces a lot of mercury and dioxin which can get into water supplies, which can [also] affect air quality.”
Having already accumulated experience producing stories for North Country Public Radio, a station based in Canton, New York, Harris hopes to use this fellowship as a means to break into print journalism.
“I think it’s a really exciting field to be getting into,” she said. “I certainly think [environmental journalism] has a place in our world. I’ve always really enjoyed writing and reading, and I’ve always wanted to figure out how I could make writing really work for me.”
Harris and the nine other recipients of the Middlebury College Environmental Fellowship are scheduled to meet twice a year: in California at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in the spring and on the Middlebury campus itself during the fall. Her finished project will be a 3,000-word print story in addition to a radio narrative of four minutes length, both of which she will pitch to local media outlets in Texas.
“I’m really interested in nonfiction,” said Harris. “I’m interested in journalism as a way in which to put relevant information into the world and a way in which to process the way we see our world. I think environmental journalism is enormously, enormously relevant.”
(10/07/10 4:05am)
While a number of the small houses that compose Middlebury’s campus have served various roles throughout the history of the College, the conversion of Munford House and Meeker House is, for many, reminiscent of the school’s wild “Fraternity Days.”
The return of the largest senior class in the history of the College brought a need for increased residential living space and the refurbishment of the two houses “on the hill” that served as the social centers of campus life for decades. Meeker was the Sigma Epsilon house and Munford was home to Chi Psi fraternity.
In the “hey day of the frats (1970s and 80s),” said Karl Lindholm, former Dean of Students and current Dean of Cook Commons, “[Meeker and Munford] were the strongest and most lively places.” Nearly 90 percent of all men at Middlebury were members of a fraternity.
“Those houses had an enormous presence at one time,” said Doug Adams, associate dean of students.
Eventually falling out of favor however, the fraternities closed their doors, and the College bought the houses during the hostile “Fraternity Wars” of the early 1990s.
“Munford and Meeker houses were in terrible shape,” said Lindholm.
As a result, the school performed a massive renovation of the two houses, ensuring that they were once again brought up to code.
Meeker House and Munford House, upon their conversion into the Advancement and Development offices in 1992, were no longer the hub of Middlebury’s party scene. Social houses constructed on the Ridgeline became both their descendants and replacements.
“It’s kind of ironic that the sites that once held huge and wild parties next served as office space,” said Lindholm, who recalled that during his years as a student, parties at Munford and Meeker houses were often shut down or cited for noise ordinances by the neighborhood.
The most recent conversion of the two buildings occurred when the administration realized that because Middlebury guarantees every student housing the College needed more residential living space.
The Facilities Services Department undertook the summer project. Both houses were already equipped with plumbing and lighting, but it was still seen by Adams as a “relatively major renovation.”
Almost exclusively singles, the new living spaces in Meeker and Munford “Potluck”- and “Music”-themed groups, respectively. Their return to social and entertainment spaces speaks to Lindholm’s observation that a lot of Middlebury’s outlying buildings have “fulfilled multiple purposes over time.”
Current Residents on Munford House
“The fact that the house was just renovated and is mostly singles is awesome. I feel like the atmosphere here is more social than in other housing options.” — Kate Strangfeld ’12
“It’s very neat to see remnants of the old parts of the building, like the painting and details in the basement.” — Yen Le ’12
“I lived in Coffrin and Allen, so living on this side of campus is fun and different. I like being closer to more academic buildings.” — Nicole Glaser ’12
“It’s so nice that we don’t have the intense social atmosphere of a fraternity, while at the same time we can get together and share and enjoy music with one another.” — Graeme Daubert ’12
Current Residents on Meeker House
“Though I don’t know much about its history, it’s appropriate that it’s a house again. I’m glad the house fit what the College needed.” — Sasha Rivera ’12
“The building and the people in it are so great. What the school did to refurbish it is awesome. “ — Daniel Chan ’11
“Living in the house is interesting; it’s not just a living space. We have a mission as a themed house and I’m glad we can fulfill that here.” — Matthew Wolf ’12
“The house itself is really lovely, and the rooms are a comfortable size. “ — Hannah Gorton ’11
(10/07/10 4:04am)
A bark-off, an agility course, homemade treats, music and blue skies are just some of the reasons why Woofstock 2010, Addison County Humane Society’s annual fundraiser, was by-and-large a successful event. Approximately 75 dogs and their owners came to the Middlebury Recreational Park on Saturday, Oct. 2, to support the ACHS, a no-kill shelter in Middlebury, Vt. Many attendees and their pets participated in the approximately 2-mile walk around the back of the Davis Family Library before returning to the park to participate in a multitude of activities, including agility and freestyle competitions, frisbee demonstrations and costume and trick contests. The event is the ACHS’s biggest fundraiser of the year, with last year’s festivities reaping in around $14,000, according to Susan Nelson, an ACHS volunteer.
“These events are huge for us,” said Mike Picard, treasurer on the ACHS Board. “Every penny is from members and events like this. We get no state or government funding.”
Woofstock 2010 participants raised money for the ACHS in the weeks leading up to the event. Some, like Middlebury resident Debbie Bird, used Facebook to encourage friends to donate to the cause.
“They [ACHS] provide a service no one else can,” said Bird.
Others created webpages on http://firstgiving.com to raise funds. Brenda Ellis, the Reference Instruction Librarian, Cynthia (Pij) Slater, the Computing Specialist and Mack Roark, the Senior Technology Specialist, formed a team of Middlebury College employees from the Library Information Services (LIS) and raised over $1,300 for the ACHS.
Ellis was also a volunteer for the event, and spent the day with Walker, a two-year-old Walker Hound, for whom the ACHS is trying to find an owner. In addition to connecting strays with people looking to adopt pets, the ACHS also focuses on educating the public about the well-being of pets and helps to investigate animal cruelty issues.
Picard noted that the money generated from the event was particularly important this year. Due to the recent economic downturn, he said, people are bringing in more pets that they are not able to care for. Though it is far better to surrender your pet to the humane society than to abandon it, the ACHS is stretched thin and there is a usually a waiting list for animals, especially cats. This makes events such as Woofstock all the more significant, as the money raised is needed to feed and care for an increasing number of animals.
Local vendors also raised money for the cause. They each donated an item to the grand raffle and many donated a percentage of their profits earned that day to the ACHS, as well.
Kristin Bittrolff, co-owner of Green Go’s Burritos, sold fruit, homemade brownies, muffins and wraps at her stand at Woofstock. Though her 16-year-old Dalmatian, Waldo, was too old to participate in the event, Bittrolff still supported the cause. She said a portion of her proceeds would go to the ACHS.
Cindy Kilgore, owner of Sacred Spirit Dog, a company that makes scarves out of dog hair, always gives 30 percent of her profits to rescue groups. Kilgore began the unique idea of spinning dog hair into yarn five years ago.
“It’s way too simple in an unsimple world,” said Kilgore.
Since, customers have been sending her extra dog hair that they brush off their pets. At Woofstock, Kilgore was working on making yarn from dog hair sent to her from California. The scarves, which are 80 percent lighter and 67 percent warmer than wool, also give customers something comforting to help them remember their lost pets.
“It’s a way to have something when your friend’s not there,” said Kilgore.
Other companies selling and giving away items at the event included Petco and Wagatha’s Organic Dog Biscuits.
While some pet owners meandered through the tents of vendors, others competed with their dogs for a variety of prizes. Events, like the obedience competition, chose winners based on which dog sat down the fastest on command. Notable outfits in the costume contest included an angel, a turtle, an aristocrat and even a hot dog, complete with mustard on top. There was also a play area sponsored by Jackson’s on the River, where dogs of all sizes and ages socialized.
Still, some attendees used the event to highlight their dogs’ hard work.
Ann Kowalski’s one-year-old Golden Retriever, Murphy, had been working on his agility training and freestyle, commonly known as doggie dancing. Murphy showed off his routine, set to the tune of “I Love You” by The Persuasions. Though Kowalski wanted Murphy to follow the routine they had practiced, she was not too nervous.
“There’s no judging, no stress,” she said. “Sometimes their routine is better than ours.”
Even those like Peg Cobb, owner of Hand-in-Paw Training and Boarding Kennel, who has trained and bred dogs for nearly 25 years, said the routine she had planned with Murphy’s dad, Oliver, a five-year-old Golden Retriever, was just for fun in the spirit of Woofstock.
“Oliver has thrown in some moves of his own,” said Cobb.
No matter what the level of competition, all attendees came to Woofstock with a common goal: to support the ACHS.
Bruce Zeman, host of 92.1 WVTK’s morning show, “The Wake-Up Crew with Bruce Zeman and Hobbes,” couldn’t agree more. Zeman considers himself a passionate animal rights activist. His three-year-old Dachshund, Hobbes, is a victim of domestic violence. Once Zeman saw Hobbes at the humane society, he knew he had to take him. Hobbes is now a co-host on the morning show and, according to Zeman, is “arguably the most famous animal the state has ever had.”
For the past few weeks, Zeman promoted Woofstock on the radio. Picard said this had a big influence on the increased attendance and success of this year’s event. On Saturday, he was broadcasting live from the Middlebury Recreational Park and helped judge some of the dog contests.
“We speak for them because they can’t speak for themselves,” he said.
(09/30/10 4:08am)
Keynote speaker Dorothy Roberts knows how to grab an audience’s attention, and Friday night she did it by announcing that in 2002, there were 83,570 “excess” black deaths. If the mortality gap between blacks and whites was eliminated, she said, these 83,570 people would still be alive today. She held the audience’s attention for the next hour and 15 minutes.
Roberts’ speech, entitled “The New Biopolitics of Race and Health,” covered why the politics and social implications of race influence biology and turn health issues into stereotypes. Roberts introduced audience members to a side of biology that most probably did not know existed, and shocked them with disturbing statistics and facts about the society of which they are a part. For example, in Chicago, while white women have a higher incidence of breast cancer, more black women die from it. Shocking, right? Why is this? According to Roberts, it’s because white women have better access to better health care, and the highest breast cancer mortality rates are in poor, black areas. The solution is to give black women better access to better health care. Roberts made the claim that, “the advantaged on average live longer than the disadvantaged.” She was not making up these statements; she had the statistics to back them up.
“If child death rates in the poorest 80 percent of the world were reduced to rates in the richest 20 percent, then we could reduce childhood deaths to 40 percent,” she said.
Roberts says these problems have not been solved because of the, “new biopolitics of race.” In other words, people have been changing race from a social issue to a biological one. Instead of recognizing the impact of racism on our society, people use biology as a “means of reinforcing racial inequality in a neo-liberal, post-civil rights era.” Roberts explained how some people, including the head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are trying to find a “race gene” and explain our racial differences through genetics. Roberts spent the rest of her time focusing on how “race-specific pharmaceuticals” and a “colorblind social policy” are contradictory, and how the disparity in races is “inequity,” not merely “difference.”
Her controversial speech is currently being published and is due out next year, ready to inform the rest of the world about this injustice. Roberts’ speech seems to have made an impact on students at Middlebury as well.
“Dorothy Roberts was an incredible speaker, and I learned so much from her speech,” said Anne Yoon ’14. “The inequality in our country is astounding, and trying to pass it off as genetics is quite frankly disgusting. I hope Middlebury brings more speakers as enlightening as her to the school.”
The Clifford Symposium’s keynote speaker was informative and interesting, and showed Middlebury students and faculty that inequality is still rampant. She proved that it is our job to stop it.
(09/30/10 4:07am)
Head football coach Bob Ritter can exhale: his Middlebury Panthers opened the 2010 football season with a 24-21 win over the Wesleyan Cardinals. He may, however, have a few more gray hairs then he did before the game. Leading 24-14 with just over 10 minutes left in the game, the Panthers drove deep into Wesleyan territory and seemed poised to score and all but put the game out of reach. But on third and 13 from the Wesleyan 23-yard line Middlebury quarterback Donnie McKillop ’11 forced a throw into double coverage in the end zone and was intercepted by Wesleyan safety, Justin Freres. Given new life, Cardinals quarterback Matt Coyne led a 16 play, 80-yard drive that culminated in a Vince Miller two-yard touchdown run cutting the score to 24-21.
Having already used all three of their timeouts, the Cardinals were forced to attempt an onside kick, which they managed to recover with 2:14 left in the fourth quarter on their own 43-yard line. Needing a defensive stop to win the game, the Middlebury defense responded, forcing the Cardinals to turn the ball over on downs, ending the game.
“We were certainly anxious,” conceded head coach Bob Ritter. “We knew if we got the ball back the game was over. The defense did a great job of rallying when all the momentum was against them and made four great plays.”
The Cardinals opening drive was capped by a 25-yard touchdown run by running back Vince Miller whose 117 yards rushing were only surpassed by his teammate Shea Dwyer who accumulated 119 yards on the ground.
After allowing an opening drive touchdown to the Cardinals, the defensive unit made a terrific adjustment, and spent much of the rest of the game in the Cardinals backfield disrupting the rhythm of Wesleyan quarterback Matt Coyne. Despite allowing 261 yards rushing to the Wesleyan offense, the Panthers defense continually made big plays throughout the game. Coyne, in his first game as a starter for the Cardinals after transferring from Williams, showed his lack of experience in the pocket as the game progressed and ended up making a poor throw that was acrobatically intercepted by Panthers linebacker Andrew Durfee ’11 who had a stellar day –– registering nine total tackles as well as a sack. Equally disruptive was Panthers defensive end Paul Carroll ’11, who constantly penetrated the Wesleyan backfield, finishing with two sacks and another tackle for a loss, and seemingly rushing Matt Coyne every time he dropped back to pass.
“Paul was really inspirational,” Ritter said. “What we ask of our guys is always maximum effort. As well as he played it was really the effort he showed that was eye-opening.”
Carroll made an impression on fellow first-year defensive lineman Bryant Adams ’14 as well. “Paul plays with a lot of heart,” Bryan said. “He’s not even that big of a guy, but he never quits on a play. He was huge.”
The biggest play from the Panthers defense, however, came on another long run from Wesleyan running back Vince Miller. On third and three from the Middlebury 16-yard line, the Wesleyan running back found a hole and not only picked up the first down, but was dragging tacklers into the end zone when he was stripped of the ball on the one-yard line. Defensive back Dan Kenerson l’12 recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback, keeping the Wesleyan offense off of the scoreboard.
The highest scoring offense in the NESCAC did its job as well, behind a solid performance from quarterback McKillop and a career day from running back Andrew Plumley ’11. Plumley, who has been slowed by injuries during his previous three seasons was impressive Saturday, totaling 85 yards rushing on 19 carries and another 40-yards receiving –– including a nine yard touchdown catch. “It’s great to see him out there playing,” said Ritter. “He played like a senior even though he doesn’t have senior experience. It’s really nice to see him get off to a great start.”
If Plumley can stay healthy, he adds another dimension to this already explosive offense. On a number of plays the Burlington High School product and 2006 Vermont Gatorade Player of the Year carried multiple defenders for extra yards and converted a number of big third down runs. And for once, his health does not seem to be an issue.
“I feel great,” Plumley said. “My knees have been a problem over the last few years, but I feel strong and ready to go. I feel as good as I ever have.”
Meanwhile, his partner in the backfield McKillop threw for three touchdowns and 255 yards while completing nearly 63 percent of his passes. McKillop connected for touchdowns with Plumley, wide receiver Matt Rayner ’12 and Zach Driscoll ’13 who lead all receivers with six catches for 92 yards.
But the Panthers still have areas where they can improve. Multiple times the Panthers couldn’t finish crucial drives with points.
“We have to be more focused in the red zone offensively, and not leave points on the board,” said Ritter. The Panthers squandered multiple scoring opportunities. “We wanted to stay aggressive,” Ritter said. “I have a lot of confidence in our offense. Given the nature of the game and where we were I’d do it again.”
Middlebury travels to Colby to play the Mules (0-1) this Saturday. Colby lost its opener 33-6 at Trinity.
(09/22/10 3:52am)
BUENOS AIRES — I seem to understand my host family a little better every day. Sometimes they come to me with English questions, and they have even asked me about things on eBay. I have been to some unforgettable places here in Argentina, and I’ve eaten at some stellar restaurants, but most of my favorite memories so far are of sitting around the TV with my family eating Chinese take-out and watching soccer highlights or the Simpsons dubbed in Spanish. (Side note: the Simpsons are very popular in Latin America.) And now, a couple of lists:
Things that are in Buenos Aires/Argentina that aren’t in Middlebury/the U.S.:
People standing on the corner handing out pamphlets/ads/sales, etc. And a surprising number of people take them and look, and drop them on the ground.
The light changes to yellow after the red light to warn you green is coming next. Still haven’t figured out the benefits to this.
Good money. I strictly mean the physical paper. Bills from the U.S. government stay crispy for longer. Most of the bills down here are crumply and ripped. I now appreciate crisp.
A love for mayonnaise. I mean a serious countrywide love affair. Everyone eats mayo with everything. Mayo and ketchup is simply known as “Salsa golf.”
Dog crap. Everywhere. All over the sidewalks. At least half of it has been stepped on a few times. On warmer days the smell just permeates. I don’t wear my white Nikes anymore.
Constant ’80s music. In taxis, clubs, bars, restaurants, and McDonalds. They simply love their ’80s here. Pop, rock, it doesn’t matter as long as it had great hair and spandex.
Mate. Argentines love their mate — a kind of tea. They drink it all the time. Mate is usually a social drink with its own ritual and etiquette.
Night owls. Most clubs don’t even open until 2 or 3 a.m. and late-night food places are packed after sunrise. Someone should suggest this to the Grille.
Empanadas. Delicious. Really good.
Cigarettes. It’s very different to be in a place where a large portion of the citizens regularly smoke.
Military time. Why? Not sure. The only good thing is that you don’t accidentally set your alarm for p.m. Otherwise it only confuses me.
Ham. See mayo and ’80s music.
Strikes. Almost every day, local students take over a street with loud drums, chants and signs. Bus drivers don’t even blink an eye as they go around them.
Things that aren’t in Buenos Aires:
Hot food. Mexican, Thai, you name it, they don’t like it. It took me a few weeks to find some “hot” sauce down here. For whatever reason, Argentines don’t like much spice in their food. It’s a shame.
Street signs. Okay not really true, but a lot of corners in Buenos Aires don’t have both street signs up which makes being lost so much worse.
Cold winters. But that doesn’t stop locals from dressing like it’s Vermont in January. I’m serious. Full-length down jackets, scarves, hats, mittens on 40 degree days. They just don’t get it.
XXX vitamin water. I could list foods I miss, but I don’t want to be that kid. I do love XXX though.
Lax bros. Thank God.
