chili cuisine
Every fall for over 30 years, downtown Poultney has hosted the annual Chili Cook-Off contest. This year, the Rotary Club of Poultney is pleased to announce that the event will once again fill the streets on September 24, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
In addition to the Chili Cook-Off competition and tasting, EnerJazz Big Band will perform, a silent auction/basket raffle will line the center of Main Street, and the famous Chili Tees are back. Taps will offer beer in your own glass Chili Cook-Off for a nominal fee and this year we have added the Rolling Rooster food truck.
Anyone interested in participating as a Chili Cooker should contact Rotarian Carol Stierle at [email protected] or (203) 727-3951. Individuals and businesses interested in a monetary donation or silent auction/raffle basket can contact Rotarian Val Broughton at (802) 236-2790.
walk for the cure
SOUTH WOODSTOCK — Registration is now open for the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization’s 2022 Komen Vermont Ride for the Cure on Oct. 10. The 13th annual ride will take place in person at the Green Mountain Horse Association in South Woodstock. A virtual ride option is available for passengers who wish to #RidewhereYouAre.
Registration is free, but all passengers must meet a minimum fundraising commitment: Adult/Survivor $150 and Youth Passengers (ages 12-17) $75. For more information, email [email protected] or call (802) 548-4691.
moose alert
Drivers should be alert and cautious because the moose are on the move, according to the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Moose are more likely to cross roads this time of year, especially after dark or early morning because this is moose breeding season. Moose cross the road randomly, as well as at their usual crossings.
They are difficult to see because of their dark color. Trying to overtake them before they can move could be a serious mistake, authorities warn.
Vermont highway sections most frequented by moose: Route 105 from Island Pond to Bloomfield; Route 114 from East Burke to Canaan; Route 2 from Lunenburg to East St. Johnsbury; Interstate 91 in Sheffield Heights; Interstate 89 from Bolton to Montpelier; Route 12 from Worcester to Elmore; Route 118 near Belvidere Corners and the intersection of Route 109.
juvenile hunting
Vermont’s next Youth Waterfowl Weekend is September 24-25.
Youth ages 17 and under can go duck and goose hunting at Lake Champlain and inland Vermont waterfowl hunting areas. The age requirement is 15 years or younger in the Connecticut River area.
The young hunter must have a Vermont hunting license and must be accompanied by an unarmed adult, 18 years of age or older, who also has a Vermont hunting license. For more information visit www.vtfishandwildlife.com on Hunt – Waterfowl.
dead creek
ADDISON — The 20th annual Dead Creek Wildlife Day will be Saturday, October 1, in Addison at the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area on Route 17, west of Route 22A. Dead Creek Wildlife Day activities are especially for people who enjoy hunting, fishing, bird watching, or learning about the diversity of Vermont’s wildlife and ecosystems.
Beginning with a bird-banding demonstration at 7 a.m., two tents at the WMA headquarters in Dead Creek will open at 9:30 a.m. with wildlife-related exhibits and activities such as lure carving, blue birds and natural crafts. All events are free and a free shuttle bus will provide regular access to nearby field events throughout the day.
For more information, visit www.vtfishandwildlife.com and check out “Watch Wildlife.”
agritourism
BURLINGTON — After two postponements due to the pandemic, the International Workshop on Agritourism was able to meet in Burlington last week.
More than 500 participants from 56 countries, 44 states and four Canadian provinces set a new participation record: 350 came to Burlington and the rest joined virtually.
Participants spent three days together sharing and learning about agritourism while taking trips to experience farm, food and working land businesses here in Vermont.
voter registration
Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos promotes September as National Voter Registration Month and encourages eligible Vermonters to register to vote: “In Vermont, we make it easy for all eligible voters who want to register and vote” Condos said. “If you are 18 years old, or will be by the November 8, 2022 General Election, a US citizen and a Vermont resident, you are eligible to register to vote…during National Voter Registration Month at olvr.vermont. gov or directly with your city clerk.”
Climate Forests
Join speakers Rachael Smolker of Biofuelwatch and Zack Porter of Standing Trees to learn about logging plans for Green Mountain National Forest. VT’s PUBLIC Forests and why we must save them from clearcutting, September 28, 6-7:30 pm at the Rutland Free Library (live and on Zoom). Hike with us and see recently cleared areas of the National Forest near Rochester. The next walk is tentatively scheduled for October 9. For more information (including the Zoom link), visit SavePublicForests.org.
bird watching
Join friendly and knowledgeable birders on the monthly Audubon West Rutland Marsh Monitoring Walk on September 22 in an Audubon Important Bird Area. No experience required. Go the entire 3.7-mile loop or go halfway. Meet at the Marsh Boardwalk kiosk on Marble Street at 8am. (Please note the time change!) Everyone is welcome. For more information email [email protected]
navigation tips
As boaters visit Vermont’s lakes and ponds this summer, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation offers tips to stay safe and protect natural resources.
Before you sail: know the rules and read the signage in the access area for updates. Find out about weather conditions, familiarize yourself with known hazards, and bring a map. Check for valid registration cards and decals. Please bring the proper safety gear for boats, boats, or watercraft. Clean, drain and dry (bit.ly/Clean-Drain-Dry) boats before entering the water to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species.
While Boating: Drive or operate boats at a slipstream speed (5 mph) within 200 feet of the shoreline. Do not operate boats faster than 5 mph within 200 feet of people, wildlife, other boats, docks, or swimming areas. Follow all boating rules (bit.ly/Boating-Laws) when meeting other boats. Operate boats carefully and responsibly. Always respect private property.
After browsing: dispose of garbage properly. Clean, drain and dry boats after leaving the water to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. Maintain vessels frequently to ensure safety and prevent oil and gas spills.
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squirrel hunting
MONTPELIER — The gray squirrel hunting season began on Thursday, September 1 and ends on December 31, according to the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife.
backyard workshop
WOODSTOCK — The Billings Backyard Series Workshop “Canning and Preserving Your Garden’s Bounty” will be held from 10 to 11:30 am on Saturday, September 24, at Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock. Chef Emery Gray will guide participants through safe food canning and preservation methods using herb drying, freezing, and late harvesting. Registration, cost, and course details can be found at billingsfarm.org/billings-backyard online.
Import of deer, elk
The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife reminds hunters traveling outside of Vermont to hunt deer or elk that a regulation designed to protect Vermont’s wild deer from chronic wasting remains in effect. A fine of up to $1,000 and loss of hunting and fishing licenses for one year apply for each illegally imported deer or elk. The department also reminds hunters that the use of any type of natural odor attractants based on deer urine or deer body fluids is prohibited in the state due to the threat of chronic wasting disease. Visit www.vtfishandwildlife.com and www.cwd-info.org for more information.