Author Archives: uvlocalvores

MRG Heroes!

It was a hot, hot day, yet there they were at the Lebanon Farmers Market, selling raffle tickets and answering questions about the Mascoma River Greenway!

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MRG Campaign Committee member Richard Wallace

Richard was selling raffle tickets:  Omer & Bob’s Sports Shop in Lebanon has generously donated a SPECIALIZED Stumpjumper FSR Comp 6 Fattie bike (retail value $3500)  for the benefit of the MRG. The raffle winner will be announced August 25th at the end-of-summer celebration in downtown Lebanon. Tickets cost $5.00 each or 5 for $20 and, thanks to Richard,  can be purchased at the Lebanon Farmers’ Market on Thursdays, at the Lebanon Co-op on Saturday mornings,  or at the Recreation Department Office in Lebanon City Hall.

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Frank Gould, MRG Leadership Team Co-Chair

Frank was modeling his new MRG T-shirt and answering questions about the MRG . . . as he has been every Thursday at the Lebanon Farmers Market. We’ve teamed up with Top Stitch in Lebanon to offer MRG T-shirts, fleece vests, and fleece jackets. Orders can be made directly to the Topstitch web site at 

http://store.topstitchinc.com/Mascoma_River_Greenway

T-shirts (S-XL) are $15.00, fleece vests (S-XL) $35.95, and fleece Jacket (S-XL) $39.95  (Larger sizes are available –  check  prices at the “Select Size” button.)

Do stop by to say hello, take a chance on the bike, and consider purchasing an MRG shirt, vest, or jacket!

 

 

 

 

Local . . . and Beyond

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The MRG will be a safe recreation/transportation corridor connecting Lebanon and West Lebanon . . .  and beyond.

https://www.facebook.com/GraniteStateRailTrail/

Return of the UVTA High School Trail Corps!

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It was hard work on a hot day – great to have this youthful energy applied to the MRG! The crew cleared brush and loaded spikes for removal, working from the rail bridge near Glen Road to behind Timken. Thanks to this wonderful team and to Upper Valley Trails Alliance.

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Want to know more about the UVTA Trail Corps?

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Thank You Upper Valley Trails Alliance High School Trail Corps

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How lucky we are to have the Upper Valley Trails Alliance High School Trail Corps back on the MRG this summer. They pried spikes, cleared brush, and tried to stay cool. (They were working on the area between the Timken Bridge and the Miracle Mile movie theaters.) Thanks to you all for your hard work!

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For Friends of the MRG

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Want to show your support for the MRG?  We’ve teamed up with Top Stitch in Lebanon to offer MRG T-shirts, fleece vests, and fleece jackets. Orders can be made directly to the Topstitch web site at 

http://store.topstitchinc.com/Mascoma_River_Greenway

T-shirts (S-XL) are $15.00, fleece vests (S-XL) $35.95, and fleece Jacket (S-XL) $39.95

(Larger sizes are available –  check  prices at the “Select Size” button.)

 

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Note our local models!

Railing on I-89 Bridge

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Step-by-step we move westward. An arced railing is being constructed on the MRG bridge over I-89 (similar to the railing on the pedestrian bridge on Hanover Street) and weekly Wednesday work crews continue to pull spikes in preparation for removal of rails and ties. We could use some energetic people to help with clearing the trail, pulling spikes, constructing bridges – send an email to go2teach@comcast.net to sign up for workday notices.

Bike Raffle!

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Omer & Bob’s Sports Shop in Lebanon has generously donated a SPECIALIZED Stumpjumper FSR Comp 6Fattie bike (retail value $3500) to be raffled for the benefit of the Mascoma River Greenway. The winner will be announced August 25th at the end-of-summer celebration in downtown Lebanon. Tickets cost $5.00 each or 5 for $20 and can be purchased at the Lebanon Farmers’ Market on Thursdays, or at the Recreation Department Office in Lebanon City Hall.

Proposed Plan for Tunnel Restoration

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The Downtown Revision proposed at last Thursday’s meeting in the Lebanon Opera House included restoration of the tunnel running under the downtown mall.

The Valley news reported: “the old railroad tunnel will also be restored and used for the future Mascoma River Greenway, allowing pedestrians and bicycles a traffic-free path downtown. Restoring the tunnel is estimated to cost about $2 million, according to consultants. That’s about $200,000 more than plans to fill it in.” ( If approved, funds for restoration will come from the City of Lebanon, not the MRG Campaign which is now at 98.7% of goal.)

http://www.vnews.com/City-Officials-Unveil-Plan-for-Downtown-Improvements-2568305

Work Groups

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Small work groups have been out on the MRG with Co-Chair Frank Gould, prying spikes so ties can be separated from the rails. Leadership Upper Valley volunteers showed up on Sunday, working near the Dudley Bridge at the west end of the Miracle Mile. Says Frank,” It is very heavy work, clearing away fifty years of dirt and roots which have settled next to the rail, and using hefty prybars to pull the spikes.” Volunteer Lyn Swett Miller said” It was incredibly hard work – – What Frank is doing there is amazing..” Thanks to Lyn for these photos. Thank you volunteers!

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A Sunny Day in May on the MRG

Tell me, is there anything lovelier . . . than a sunny day in May? Wildflower books in hand, we set off on the western end of the MRG, walking the trail from the Powerhouse to Riverside Park.   It was fun to identify flowers in bloom and to note the ones to come.

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Anemone quinquefolia

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Celandine

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Violets

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Canada Mayflower

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Starflower

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Golden Alexander

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Wintergreen – wonderful aroma!

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False Solomon’s Seal

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Barren Strawberry

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Apple Blossoms

There were also pussy toes, beech drops. wild strawberry, blue cohosh, colts foot, honeysuckle, bellwort, blueberry, lots of dandelions . . . and more to be identified. And there was more wildness upon reaching Riverside Park watching the death-defying antics of the skateboarders!