The Tour of the Battenkill, which has been dubbed “America’s Queen of the Classics,” will be held over the course of three days, Friday, April 8 through Sunday, April 10 in and around the commu-nity of Cambridge.

The event is one of the largest and toughest one day cycling events in the country. It’s a unique event on both the regional scale, and within the cycling world.

“What makes the race so unique is the dirt roads and the landscape. There’s covered bridges and open country side,” race director Dieter Drake said. “It’s also very early compared to other races so you have the added element of the weather. It could be snowing or it could be 85 degrees.”

According to Drake, the scope of the event has grown for 2011 with an expanded schedule of events and the largest field of com-petitors to date.

“We’ve got around 2,000 people signed up already and are expect-ing between 2,500 and 3,000 racers to participate,” Drake said.

The event is scheduled to begin on Friday evening with the Ride with the Pros for Kids and Families at 4 p.m. and the Cambridge Twilight Criterium from 6 to 9 p.m.

The Criterium is a brand new addition to the event and features a limited field of professional cyclists who will race through downtown Cambridge in an effort to raise funds for regional Public Safety Departments.

Saturday’s events include a

Mini Kids Tour of Cambridge from 10 to 11 a.m. The race, which is sponsored by the Cambridge Lions Club, is intended for children under the age of 10 and will be staged on closed streets within the village of Cambridge. Medals and awards will be given out to all par-ticipants.

Later in the day, organizers will hold another new event, the Cycle for Health Bike Marathon.

Open to both recreational and competitive riders, the event will include rides of 15 and 64 miles. Proceeds from the event will bene-fit Cycle for Health, Inc., a new not-for-profit organization that is fight-ing childhood obesity, diabetes and weigh-related illness.

Sunday features the main event, the Pro/Am race. The race fea-tures several professional teams and a bevy of amateur riders.

“Everyone runs the same course. Amateurs ride the same course as professional riders so everyone can really compare their times,” Drake said.

This year’s race will feature three different distances depend-ing on the category. Amateur com-petitors will try and complete the 64 mile loop; while more advanced cyclists will complete 82 and 100 mile loops.

Drake has also made some changes to this year’s course.

“About 10 or 11 miles right in the middle of the course, right around mile 30 are different. There was some road construction in Greenwich we had to avoid. There will be two more dirt sections and a few more hills,” he said. “It should actually make it more diffi-

thefreepressFriday, April 8, 2011Vol. 21, Issue 14

Benefit for Dutchie'sFollowing the fire which destroyed the beloved and historic local landmark, Dutchie’s General Store of West Pawlet, the community

has rallied in support of store owners Will Kuban and Eric Swanson. A benefit event will take place Sunday, April 10 at the West Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department beginning at 2 PM. See Pg. 3 for details.

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It is one of the most impor-tant sites from the life of President Abraham Lincoln and historian Timothy Townsend will bring that site to life at Hildene Tuesday, April 12, at 7 p.m. as the fourth of five presentations in the 2011 Hildene Winter History Series. Townsend, a historian at Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois will deliver a presentation regard-ing the site from which Lincoln left to take office as President.

“History buffs and Lincoln buffs alike will definitely want to hear what this Lincoln schol-ar has to say,” Stephanie Moffett-Hynds, Hildene pro-gramming director said.

What makes this site unique is the buildings are the original;

the same ones lived in by the first family, not historically accurate re-creations.

“A lot are sites are re-cre-ations but this is the real thing,” Moffett-Hynds said. The site is one the Lincoln’s bought just after son Robert was born and lived in for a number of years. “There was a lot of activity out of this house,” she said.

“(Townsend) will be able to talk about the rooms that they actually inhabited and the daily life they actually lived there he’ll have a lot to say about it and be able to talk about it in detail . . . what decisions were made there and how it shaped his ideas when he went on the be president,” Moffett-Hynds said.

This year’s thematically linked talks take attendees on a chronological journey follow-

ing the life of the nation’s six-teenth president from the per-spective of those entrusted with preserving and interpreting the historic properties that he called home.

Representatives from each historic site focuses on what makes their particular Lincoln site unique, how it shaped the future president, its mission and how the site is advancing the Lincoln legacy.

In a presentation entitled “Here I Have Lived: The History of the Lincoln Home and Neighborhood,” Townsend will focus on the history of the Lincoln home from the time of its construction in 1839, through its evolution to a modern urban residential and commercial area, to the ongoing restoration

Tour of the BattenkillThe Queen is coming to Cambridge

Historian from Lincoln’s Springfield Home at Hildene Photo by Dave Kraus / krausgrafik.com

Racers compete in the 2010 Tour of the Battenkill.Photo by Dave Kraus / krausgrafik.com

See RACE, pg. 2

Historian Timothy TownsendSee LINCOLN, pg. 2

2 - The Northshire FreePress - April 8, 2011

efforts of the National Park Service. Abraham and Mary moved into this house when their first son, Robert, was an infant. It was the only home they owned, all three of Robert’s brothers were born there.

Townsend earned his BA in history from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa and holds a Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Illinois at Springfield. He worked on the curatorial staff at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum and has been an interpreter at the Ulysses S. Grant Home, the Vachel Lindsay Home, and the Lincoln-Her ndon Law Offices. Townsend currently serves on the Abraham Lincoln Association Board of Directors and the Lincoln Forum Board of Advisors.

In the final presentation of the winter series Erin Carlson Mast, Director of President Lincoln’s Cottage, Washington, D.C. will give a presentation May 10.

In 2000, President Clinton declared the Lincoln Cottage and 2.3 acres of surrounding land the President Lincoln and Soldier’s Home National Monument in honor of the site’s notable role in the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. Mast played an integral role in devel-oping the site interpretation for the Cottage’s 2008 opening. Having spent a quarter of his presidency in residence there, the cottage is the most signifi-cant historic site directly asso-ciated with Lincoln’s presiden-cy aside from the White House.

Each Winter History Series talk will be held on the second Tuesday of the month in the Beckwith Room at 7 p.m. The 45-minute presentation will be followed by a 15 minute ques-tion and answer period.

Attendees of this year’s series should plan to spend a bit of extra time at the Welcome Center. The Museum Store will be open before and after each lecture. Plentiful parking is available. For further informa-tion please call Stephanie at 367-7960.

LincolnContinued from front page

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the race, spectators can pick nearly any point along the course, however, some of the best spots are villages where the spectators can enjoy the race and take advantage of some of the activities and resources within each commu-

nity.“Any of the towns are great,”

Drake said. “Outside of the towns, there’s Juniper Swamp Road in Salem. It’s the toughest climb in the race and it’s on a dirt road.”

Meeting House Road in Easton has been cited as one of the most popular locations to watch the race, which finishes in Cambridge near the Green Bridge.

“That’s also a good spot. It’s

very open and scenic and you can see the racers from two or three miles away.”

Of course you could always watch from the finish line as well. Drake said the finish line has been moved closer to the Cycle and Fitness Expo so spec-tators can enjoy all the vendors while watching participants finish.

Additional details, including course maps, can be found at www.tourofthebattenkill.com.

“The landscape, the covered bridges, the weather; it’s the whole package of things that makes it interesting for families and participants,” Drake said.

RaceContinued from front page

ALWAYS IN STOCK209 Riverside Heights, Manchester Center, VT

802-362-2344

The Northshire FreePress - April 8, 2011 - 3

FreePressPublished every Friday by Manchester News papers.Direct mailed to 7,500 homes in the Northshire area.Part of six-newspaper, five-county, two-state group.

News item deadline: Monday at 5 p.m.Advertising deadline: Monday at 5 p.m.

Mailing address: P.O. Box 147, Poultney, VT 05764. Main Office: 14 E. Main St., Granville, NY 12832.

E-Mail ads to: advertising@manchesternewspapers.comE-Mail news to: northshirefreepress@manchesternewspapers.com

Phone: (800) 354-4232

To support Sunday’s fund-raiser for Dutchie’s Store in West Pawlet, the Rupert Kittay Library is changing the date of the Chocolate Tasting by Mother Myricks to 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 9.

Learn all about chocolate, from its history to the many varieties, presented by Ron and Jackie of Mother Myrick’s Confectionery of Manchester. There will ,of course, be choco-late tasting. in addition to the talk and tasting there will be a “Chocolate Lovers Delight Basket” to be raffled. Tickets may be purchased at the library now and during this special program. The winner will be drawn at the Chocolate Tasting program.

This program is free at the Rupert Kittay Library located on Route 153 in Rupert. Come and enjoy!! For more informa-tion call the library at 394-2444 or e-mail at rkkittay@myfair-point.net.

Following the tragic fire which destroyed the beloved and historic local landmark, “Dutchie’s” General Store of West Pawlet, the community has rallied in support of store owners Will Kuban and Eric Swanson. A benefit event will take place Sunday, April 10th at the West Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department beginning at 2 PM.

The event will feature a din-ner buffet with a pig roast and barbequed chicken (adults $10, children age 5-12 $5, children 4 and under free), live music by popular local band Gold Town, and a silent auction with items donated from every corner of the community. Tickets for the dinner may be purchased in advance at Mach’s Brick Oven Pizzeria as well as other local businesses, or the day of the event; the auction and music are free and open to the public.

“Community support has been tremendous,” describes event coordinator and West Pawlet resident Katrina Farrell. “We’re getting people calling from all over wanting to help.”

Farrell describes dozens of auction items from well-known local artists and artisans— Roy Egg (painting), Stephen Schaub (photography), Lucy Bergamini (Vitriesse Glass jewelry), Judy Lake (Lakes’s Lampshades), Nori Hayes (Lunamoth Jewelry), Janno Gay (Flower Brook Pottery)— as well as mas-sages, gift certificates, dog training, yoga classes, firewood and much more.

In addition, donations to benefit Will and Eric may be made online at the website

pawletvermont.com.“We’ve been swamped with

thousands of hits to the web-site, all people wanting to sup-port Will and Eric,” Pawlet web-site administrator and owner Stephen Schaub describes. Schaub encourages everyone to “come together as a community and support our neighbors in the wake of this tragic event.”

For more information about the event, or to contribute to the event, please contact Katrina Farrell at 645-0613.

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4 - The Northshire FreePress - April 8, 2011

ARLINGTON Fisher Elementary School is holding a raffle for a Red Sox package that includes two tickets to the Red Sox/Angels game Tuesday, May 3, and a one-night stay at the Best Western Hotel Tria. Cost: $5 one ticket; $20 five tickets. Proceeds will benefit the grade 5 trip to Boston. Tickets are available at the Fisher Elementary School’s main office, and at the Arlington Memorial High School and Middle School Store. Information: www.bvsu.org.

NORTH BENNINGTON The Vermont Arts Exchange in North Bennington is accepting registra-tions for its Vacation Art Camp for ages 6 to 12 that will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, April 11 to 15. Cost: $175, including all materials. Also ask about the Exchange’s spring classes for teens and adults that will run during April and May. Information/registration: 802-442-5549, or www.vtartxchange.org.

PAWLET Registrations are being accepted for a four-week “Techniques of Watercolor Painting” course with Heidi Hammell that will begin from 3 to 4 p.m. on Monday, April 11, at the Pawlet Public Library. For ages 8 to 12. Information/registration: 802-645-9051, or e-mail hamfam-vt@myfairpoint.net.

WELLS St. Paul’s Episcopal Church off the green in Wells will hold a Rummage Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 8 and 9, rain or shine. Fill a bag provided by the church for $3. Barely used winter clothing, linens, books, jewelry, toys and more will be offered. Information: Michelle at 802-645-0934.

MANCHESTER Eastern Mountain Sports Club Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 8 and 9, at the store on Route 11/30, Depot Street, in Manchester. On hand will be representatives from the Green Mountain Club, Merck Forest and Farmland Center, the Battenkill Valley Runners, and others. There’ll be more than $500 worth

of raffles, too, with proceeds ben-efiting the clubs. And, Vew-Do Balance Boards will demonstrate their boards on Saturday. Information: 802-366-8082.

RUPERT Ron and Jackie of Mother Myrick’s Confectionery in Manchester will present a program on “Chocolate!, Chocolate!, Chocolate!” from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, at the Rupert Kittay Library on Route 153. Learn chocolate history and about the many varieties of chocolate, enjoy samples, and possibly win a Chocolate Lovers Delight Basket (raffle tickets available at the library and at this event). Free and open to all. Information: 802-394-2444, or e-mail rkkittay@myfairpoint.net.

DORSET Chef Courtney Contos will prepare traditional Greek Easter dishes at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, at The Kitchen Store at J.K. Adams on Route 30 in Dorset. Chocolate walnut bakla-va and more will be featured. Information: 802-362-4422.

WELLS The Wells United Methodist Church invites everyone to an Old Tyme Maple Sugarhouse Dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, at the Modern Woodmen of America Hall off Route 30 in Wells. Maple-glazed ham and all things maple will be on the menu. Cost: $12 adults; $13 takeouts; $6 ages 5 to 10; free 4 and younger. Information: 802-325-3203, or 802-645-0216.

MANCHESTER Nine authors are scheduled to visit the Northshire Bookstore at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 9. And at 7:30 p.m., food and refreshments will be available in the Spiral Press Café, there’ll be a cash bar, and book signings. Information: 802-362-2200.

WEST PAWLET A Dinner Buffet with a pig roast and barbecued chicken, music by Gold Town, and a silent auction will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, at the West Pawlet Volunteer Fire Dept. Dinner cost: $10 adults, $5 ages 5

to 12, free 4 and younger, with proceeds benefiting Will Kuban and Eric Swanson who recently lost the local landmark, Dutchie’s General Store, to fire (the auction and music will be free). Tickets are available at Mach’s Brick Oven Pizzeria in Pawlet and at other local businesses, and will be sold at the door. Also, donations may be made online at www.pawletver-mont.com. Information: Katrina Farrell at 802-645-0613.

BENNINGTON Trevor Mance, founder of TAM, Inc., a southern Vermont waste management com-pany, will speak on “The Bennington Waste Stream: What’s the Impact?” at 4 p.m. on Monday, April 11. You’ll find this free event that’s open to all in the East Academic Center, Room 2, at Bennington College.

BENNINGTON Carol Meyer will moderate a discussion on “International Law and Gender Equality” at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 11, in the Barn, Room 100, on the Bennington College cam-pus. Free and open to all.

MANCHESTER Timothy Townsend, historian at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Illinois, will present a talk titled, “Here I Have Lived: The History of the Lincoln Home and Neighborhood,” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12. You’ll find this event in the Beckwith Room at Hildene in Manchester. Free and open to all. Information: Stephanie at 802-367-7960, or e-mail Stephanie@hildene.org.

MANCHESTER Erin Hunter will lead a children’s event, “Warriors: Omen of the Stars #4: Sign of the Moon,” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, at the Northshire Bookstore in Manchester. Free and open to all. Information: 802-362-2200.

PAWLET The Pawlett Historical Society will present Chris Hadsel, director of Curtains Without Borders, Inc., with a talk titled, “The Past as Present,” at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, at the Pawlet Public Library. This program will focus on the restoration of the Town of Pawlet’s theater curtain. Free and open to all. Information: Steve Williams at 802-645-9529, or e-mail voorburg00@comcast.net.

BENNINGTON An exhibition of photography by John Willis titled, “Views from the Reservation and Recycled Realities,” will be fea-tured through Monday, May 2, in the Regional Artists Gallery at the Bennington Museum, 75 Main Street, Route 9. John is a teacher at Marlboro College in Vermont, and the photos in this exhibit are from the Pine Ridge Reservation, tribal home of the Oglala Lakota Sioux People. Information: 802-447-1571, or www.benningtonmu-seum.org.

MANCHESTER Gesine Bullock-Prado will present a book featuring sugary recipes, “Sugar Baby,” at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 15, at the Northshire Bookstore in Manchester. Free and open to all. Information: 802-362-2200.

Out & AboutBy Jim Carrigan

Fri 4/8

Sat 4/9

Sun 4/10

Mon 4/11

tueS 4/12

thu 4/14

Fri 4/15

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