Train ridership inches up in Vt.
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The Associated Press
The Associated Press
The Associated Press
The Associated Press - Published: November 22, 2009
BURLINGTON — Vermont's passenger trains are seeing a slightly positive trend in ridership despite the economic downturn.
The number of passengers taking the Ethan Allen between Rutland to New York City increased by just a hair — 0.3 percent — in the 12 months ending Sept. 30, but jumped 3.3 percent in October. Ridership on the Vermonter, which operates from St. Albans across the state and south, grew 1.9 percent for the year and the same percentage last month.
The Vermont Rail Action Network, an advocacy group, kicked off a marketing campaign Friday to sell Vermonters on the importance of passenger and freight trains. They plan to recruit volunteers to beautify train stations, distribute timetables at public events and organize vanpools to get college students to trains.
Chester Rotary makes Dartmouth donation
Staff Report
CHESTER – The Chester Rotary recently donated money to support families whose children are being treated at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H.
The Chester Rotary gave $250 to David's House, which is a home-away-from-home for parents and families of hospitalized children.
"We're happy to be able to do what we can in this economy," said Chester Rotary President Ed Knapp. "They've given so much to families who are suffering and they let the families stay there for practically nothing."
The house is named after 5-year-old David Cyr, who died of leukemia in 1984. For three-and-a-half years, Cyr was treated at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Hanover, N.H., and while his parents lived nearby, he met other children whose families did not. David saved his birthday money and his father's spare change to donate the first $300 for the house, which now sits on the grounds of the medical center in Lebanon, N.H.
"We kind of adopted them," Knapp said. "When they were building the house we helped them with the lighting and we support them regularly."
The Chester Rotary normally meets at 7 a.m. every Thursday in the Heritage Deli on Route 103. For more information about David's House, visit www.davids-house.org.
Okemo set to celebrate holiday
Staff Report
LUDLOW – Okemo Mountain Resort will celebrate Thanksgiving with a weekend full of activities.
The festivities begin when lifts open at 9 a.m. Thursday. The Coleman Brook Tavern will offer a traditional Thanksgiving dinner buffet from 3 to 8 p.m. Adults are $29 and children 12 and under are $15. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 228-1435.
On Saturday, the First Annual Okemo Trot it Off 5K and Tots' Trot will start at the Jackson Gore Round House. The entry fee is $25 for adults and $15 for kids under 12. All proceeds support the Vermont Fuel Dealer Association's Neighbor-in-Need Fuel Assistance program. Registration opens at 8 a.m. The Tots Trot Kids Fun Race begins 9 a.m. The Trot it Off 5K tarts at 9:30 a.m.
Also on Saturday, skier and riders can enter the Killarney What-I-Learned-This-Summer Rail Jam. This competition, open to skiers and snowboarders of all ages, encourages participants to showcase the new tricks they learned over the summer. The entry fee is $20 and registration is from 8 to 10 a.m. in the Okemo Clock Tower Base Lodge mezzanine. The competition starts at 11 a.m. and the best trick wins $200.
For more information, call Okemo at 228-1600 or visit www.okemo.com.
Woman cited for alleged Wal-Mart theft
Staff Report
BERLIN – A 26-year-old Barre woman was cited by the Berlin Police Department for allegedly stealing nearly $500 worth of merchandise from Wal-Mart.
According to police, Amanda L. Atkins attempted to walk out of the store on Nov. 13 with a full cart of bagged items valued at $490.66. The items have not been paid for.
Police observed Atkins telling a Wal-Mart employee that her receipt was in her car; it was later determined that she was trying to leave without paying for the items.
Atkins has been cited to appear in court in January. She was issued a no trespass order for the Berlin Mall and Wal-Mart.
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