Autumn and Leif, Brandon's fall mascots, are giving away $50 packets of Brandon Bucks to travelers spending a minimum of two nights in town.

BRANDON'S $50 FALL
FOLIAGE GIVEAWAY

In a terrific Chamber - Town partnership, up to $5,000, in $50 increments, will be given away to travelers spending a minimum of two nights in any of Brandon's 11 lodging properties.

The Town of Brandon Selectboard members voted to allocate $5,000 from the Economic Development department to help lodging owners attract travelers to Brandon for fall color-watching. In the days following Irene, lodging places received queries and cancellations. Not only was this troubling for the lodging properties, but also for other businesses in town which rely on tourists: restaurants, shops, gas stations, etc.

There are 100 packets of $50 worth of Brandon Bucks ready to be distributed. Lodging owners have already been booking rooms for dates of stay which have to be completed by October 31. Innkeepers say the offer of $50 in Brandon Bucks is important in helping sell rooms. This is a win-win type of promotion. The lodging property books the room and the $50 is spent at other Brandon businesses.

If the promotion is successful, the Chamber and Town hope to repeat in the future! Check it out here 

Laurie L Bertrand CPA Tax & Accounting Service  

116 Schoolhouse Rd, Whiting VT 05778

802-623-6453  ~   bertrandfarm@shoreham.net

Membership Category: Financial Services

Vermont Kitchen Supply

Kerry Comollo Slattery

mail: PO Box 1970 Manchester Center 05255

NOW OPEN: 17 Center St., Brandon

e: vtkitchen@comcast.net    ~    www.vermontkitchensupply.com

Membership Categories: Cooking / Kitchen Supplies; and
Shops & Stores

all proceeds to benefit the United Way of Rutland County

 
Wednesday October 5th

 $65 per person

 5:30-6:30 Cocktails

 6:30-8:00 Dinner

 50/50 raffle

 For reservations, please call the United Way at 802-773-7477

Special thanks to Celebration Rentals & Quickprint of Rutland

www.cafeprovencevt.com

LAUGH-IN FOR BRAND-AID 

Friday, Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. --- Enjoy "Laugh In for Brand-Aid" - an evening of comedy with local funny man Tony Bates and other comedians from all over Vermont. 16+ year old audiences, It is a free will offering with a suggested donation of $10 per but anything (more or less) will help. ALL proceeds will go to Brand-Aid.  The comedians are donating their fee and the Friends of the Town Hall will be donating the venue.  This is a 100% fundraiser for Brand-Aid to help area businesses and people who suffered damage from Tropical Storm Irene.

THE BRANDON-FOREST DALE LIONS PRESENT
"REFLECTIONS OF BRANDON"

Saturday, October 1 at 3pm Auction
With the help of many talented artists, reflections of Brandon's history are displayed in the form of art on wooden mirror frames generously donated by New England Woodcraft. 

These mirrors are on display at the Briggs Carriage Bookstore until September 16, then at the Brandon Free Library until September 30.  All mirrors will be available by live auction at the Brandon Town Hall on October 1, 3:00 PM, preview from 2:00 to 3:00 PM.  

 
Pictured here, farm scene, by Mary Lord of Brandon. All proceeds will go to the Brandon Boys & Girls Club and the Renovation of the Brandon Town-Hall Project.       

October 8 brings the annual BAG AUCTION OF CLOCKS

October 15 will be the celebration of BRANDON'S 250th BIRTHDAY at the Town Hall. Events will start early afternoon with a presentation of a Proclamation by the Vermont Legislature and continue with music, "cake," and much more.  The celebration will conclude with the last Silent Movie Festival of the season. "Chiller Theater" will have you shaking in your boots -- be it from the chilly fall weather, or the Halloween themed films to be shown with Jeff Rapsis providing his musical accompaniment. But more about that next month!

Any questions --- e-mail "info@brandontownhall.org" or call Mei Mei Brown at 247-3971.

NEW ENGLAND MAPLE MUSEUM  

Maple Sugar Candy Making Demonstration. Visitors can watch maple syrup boiled into yummy maple candy and, of course, sample it fresh from the mold. Every Wednesday thru September, 10:30 AM- 1:30 PM. No Charge. New England Maple Museum, Rt 7, Pittsford. 802-483-9414. info@maplemuseum.com.

In the wake of Tropical Storm Irene, the US Forest Service closed the Green Mountain National Forest, including the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area, to assess the damage to the roads, bridges and trails in the area.  Since the closure, USFS staff and crews have been diligently working in the Moosalamoo NRA to ensure that the trails are safe for public use.  **The closure order has now been lifted for the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area and the trails are again open for recreation.**

We would like to express our gratitude to the US Forest Service staff and personnel and the work crews who came from all parts of New England to work on our trails.  Because of their hard work, the public can again enjoy all the Moosalamoo NRA has to offer.  Thank you!

In the coming weeks, Moosalamoo staff and volunteers will be on the ground to further assess the trail conditions and perform routine trail maintenance.  Please report any trails that are in need of clearing or other work to jenny.moosalamoo@gmail.com

For more information on the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area, visit: www.moosalamoo.org

See you on the trails!

Jenny Nixon Carter, Executive Director

Moosalamoo Association

802.779.1731  

"Conserving the Land. Preserving the Spirit."

Release Date: September 19, 2011

Release Number: 4022-027

BURLINGTON, Vt. -- Some Vermonters who were affected by Tropical Storm Irene may have not registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance because of misconceptions or lack of accurate information. Here are some examples.

MYTH: I thought my income was too high for me to qualify.
FACT: There is no income cutoff for FEMA aid. Anyone with disaster damage or loss in the declared counties may be eligible for help. FEMA grants may cover under insured or uninsured losses.

MYTH: My insurance agent told me I wouldn't be able to get help from FEMA because I have flood insurance.
FACT: Everyone with flood insurance should register. FEMA may be able to help with uninsured costs.

MYTH: I don't want FEMA assistance because it will affect my Social Security benefits, taxes, food stamps or Medicaid.
FACT: FEMA assistance does not affect benefits from other federal programs and it is not reportable as taxable income.

MYTH: I've already cleaned up and made the repairs. Isn't it too late?
FACT: You may be eligible for reimbursement of your clean up and repair expenses.

MYTH: I thought FEMA only gave loans. I don't want a loan.
FACT: FEMA only provides grants that do not have to be repaid. FEMA's individual assistance program covers expenses for temporary housing, home repairs, replacement of damaged personal property and other disaster-related needs, such as medical, dental or transportation costs not covered by insurance or other programs.

The U.S. Small Business Administration provides low-interest loans to renters, homeowners and businesses of all sizes. Some applicants may receive an SBA loan application after registering with FEMA. No one is obligated to take out a loan. But if they don't complete the application, they may not be considered for other federal grants.

MYTH: I'm a renter. I thought FEMA aid was only for homeowners to repair their homes.
FACT: FEMA may provide grants to help renters who lost personal property or were displaced.

MYTH: I heard there's too much red tape and paperwork to register.
FACT: There is no paperwork to register with FEMA. You can do it with one phone call that takes a short while, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY can call 800-462-7585; or 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service. You can also register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. The website helps reduce the number of forms to be filled out and shortens the time it takes to apply.

MYTH: I already received disaster assistance last year. I thought I couldn't get it again this year.
FACT: If you had damage from another federally declared disaster you may register for new assistance.

MYTH: Isn't FEMA broke? Other people need the help more than I do.
FACT: FEMA has enough funding to assist all eligible survivors with immediate needs. You will not be taking from others if you register for aid yourself.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585; or call 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS).

FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

SBA disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov or completed on-line at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

FEMA' mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS ONLY:  

Your award- winning local newspaper, The Reporter, (now on-line!) believes a strong local economy benefits everyone. We support the efforts of the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce and our local business community by offering special discounts on our already favorable advertising rates for new and existing members of the Chamber.

*Get a 4.25"x 4" ad as low as $38.25 per insertion - Contact us for details *Special discounts on subscriptions for Chamber members too.

As always, advertisers in The Reporter receive free graphic design services, general marketing assistance and high visibility to your core market, our readers.

The Reporter is a paid weekly publication that focuses on balanced, timely news coverage for the communities we cover, from Brandon to West Rutland and everywhere in between.

Contact Alyssa Zollman at 247-8080 or email ads@brandonreporter.com. Offer expires September 30, 2011.

 THE BRAND-AID FUND currently has more than $19,500 in pledges and donations. WOW!

LAUGH-IN FOR BRAND-AID

September 30 at the  

Brandon Town Hall

VT Comedy Night.  

All proceeds are being donated to Brand-Aid. 

DONATE NOW 

DISBURSING THE FUNDS 

A Brand-Aid disbursement committee met and worked out the details of qualifying criteria. Letters have been sent to 19 building / business owners in Brandon who we know suffered out-of-pocket expenses, inviting them to apply for Brand-Aid funds. The deadline to apply is September 30. The committee will meet again in early October and make final decisions based upon applications. And then we will start writing the checks! If you suffered losses in Tropical Storm Irene and did not receive an application from us, please contact the Chamber. 

TAX RELIEF INFO

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=245058,00.html  

http://www.state.vt.us/tax/pdf.word.excel/misc/Hurricane%20Irene.pdf

POST-IRENE ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANCE

The Brandon Historical Commission, at its meeting of Sept. 7, voted to offer free architectural advice and initial design services to any owners of historic structures that have suffered damage in the recent flood. Please call commission member Max Ferro, FAIA, a licensed architect, at 247 6924, if you wish for such assistance.   

A good time to capture memories of major life events is right after they happen. At the Brandon Museum we've been sharing our old photos of flood damage from 1900 and 1939 with local people and visitors alike. The similarities are uncanny. We would like to gather any current thoughts and anecdotes of the recent flooding, and save them for future generations to ponder. Send your stories, while they are still fresh in your mind, to the Brandon Museum, P.O. Box 246, Brandon, VT and we will include them in a notebook of Irene Stories, 2011. Call the museum and leave a message if you'd rather do an audio recording, and we will schedule a time. If you have photos you would like to share, please email us at info@brandon.org to talk about the best way to transfer them. Especially needed are Forest Dale photos. 

The Brandon Museum and Visitor's Center at the Stephen A. Douglas Birthplace has welcomed nearly one thousand people so far this season. We are located at 4 Grove Street, next to the Baptist Church, and will be open every day from 11 A.M. until 4 P.M. through October 15. Please stop by and see us.

John Dilts, Brandon Museum Steward

Please join us as friends, neighbors and local musicians "band" together to help those strong Vermonters who are starting to rebuild their lives. 

Many families and individuals in the Killington area and the surrounding communities suffered devastating losses as a result of Hurricane Irene, we hope to get together and raise some money for local charities as we enjoy amazing music, great food and the great feeling of a community ...fighting back!

Read about the bands playing and all the details here.  

Champlain Orchards, Shoreham 

9am-1pm Saturday, Sept. 24

CONTACT: Emma Paradis - eparadis@uvm.edu, (802) 249-3415

UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Calling all Mobsters! Join us, Saturday, September 24 for a Crop Mob at Champlain Orchards. Workday is from 9 am-1 pm. 

A crop mob is an event where a group of volunteers converge for a few hours to help a farm complete a project or group of projects. Work will be helping Champlain Orchards collect apple drops that will be made into delicious cider.

Bring comfortable clothing and friends! Light refreshments and apples to take home will be available. Live music benefitting farmers impacted by Hurricane Irene starting at noon. Come join the fun and help out our farmer friends!

Meet in front of the farm market at 9 am or come find us in the orchard: 3597 VT Route 74 Shoreham

ORWELL, Vt. - British actor-playwright Howard Burnham presents another of his engaging one-man, costumed programs, Cornwallis 'Burgoyned', at the Mount Independence State Historic Site on Saturday, September 24, 1:00 p.m.

Burnham portrays British Lieutenant-General the Marquis Cornwallis, the "man who lost America." He looks back with rueful humor on his war service in America from 1776 to 1781, culminating in Cornwallis's defeat at Yorktown in 1781.  After his surrender at Yorktown, one of the songs written to celebrate the great American victory of the Revolutionary War was "Cornwallis Burgoyned," referring to the shocking defeat of another British general, John Burgoyne, in 1777 during the battles for Saratoga.

Mount Independence played an important role in that northern campaign of the American Revolution. Be immersed in the life of one of the important figures who led to American independence!

The program, sponsored by the Mount Independence Coalition and Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, is $5.00 for adults and free for children under 15. It includes admission to the museum and all the trails.

Burnham has given seven performances at Mount Independence in recent years. His wildly popular programs on important figures during the American Revolution have included interpretations of British officers General John Burgoyne and Banastre Tarleton, American General Horatio Gates, Thomas Paine, and the Marquis de Lafayette.

Mount Independence, one of Vermont's state-owned historic sites, is a National Historic Landmark and one of the best-preserved Revolutionary War sites in America.   It is located near the end of Mount Independence Road, six miles west of the intersections of VT Routes 22A and 73 in Orwell. Call 802-948-2000 for more information.  The site is open through October 10, 2011, 9:30 to 5:00 p.m.

For more information about the Vermont State-Owned Historic Sites visit: www.HistoricVermont.org/sites