10E2336: Rugged Film Screenings + Bean Supper - March 29th

Come along to the Central Libary in Somerville (MA) on March 29th for a free screening of Jay Craven's "Where the Rivers Flow North" (from the fantastic book by Howard Frank Mosher - recommend). This will be preceded by a trailer for Sumner McKane's new documentary "Maine Frontier: Through The Lens of Isaac Simpson". A bean suppah in the traditional style will be served with red snapper hot dogs - thanks to support from our Chelsea neighbors Kayem. Not Dogs and vegetarian beans on offer too.

You can RSVP to the event page here. We tried to do something similar last year but a blizzard got in the way... really looking forward to the bean supper part. J  You can see a trailer for  "Where the Rivers Flow North" below (or read an old post on it here)  - film features Rip Torn [sold -ed.], logging, chainfighting at the fair, salty language, logging and more... 

10E2335: A Brief History of Burton Bindings + Note On Kelly Air

General overview from Burton's Chris Doyle about the history and changes in snowboard bindings in the newish video above. 

A few weeks back I reached out to try and find the story behind the Craig Kelly Burton AIR graphic (seen below attached to a Micro Air) - which I always assumed had some connection to the topographical outline of the state of Vermont. For those just joining, Burton Snowboards was basically born in Vermont, we'll say Londonderry. Thanks to the instagram commentators and Todd Kohlman at the Burton archive for the further info.

"CK Mystery Air is a classic, and that particular binding was one of the first injection molded hi backs that had forward lean on it." - eastcoastb12

"The Air Tear was in fact loosely rooted in the VT state silhouette, it’s not particularly accurate but we had that dialog while making it. Giovanna Jager and George Mench worked on this word mark with me. It was about premium precision (the blade angle type), vertical air time and spontaneous energy and action, expressed with the tear energy." - Michael Jager of JDK (design firm in Burlington, VT that has handled Burton's graphic work since 1989).

Burton Mystery Air 1991 / Craig Kelly from Snowboarding8090.com - sidenote amazing resource.

10E2334: Building JJ Hapgood - the movie

Trailer for an upcoming documentary short on the rebuilding of Peru, Vermont's JJ Hapgood store. Told through local interviews and footage, the full doc will be released later this winter. Created by a student of Burr and Burton Academy Film Department, David Rose.

The store really started in 1827; the current incarnation is a rebuild of the previous structure utilizing salvaged beams, gorgeous Danby marble, tables milled from a felled maple on the property, and the return of the outdoor benches and the community message board. For those just joining, I partly grew up in this small town and the store was a fixture of the community. New owner Juliette also grew up in town (a grade school friend) and with her husband Tim they have responsibly and sensitively rebooted the store and probably the town center. More of my pics and words here.

10E2333: Vermont - Town Meeting Day

In Vermont, the first Tuesday in March (today) is "town meeting day". Budgets are looked at for the year, issues raised... Our town of Peru will be pouring the coffee and lining up metal chairs in the town hall... maybe get some live tweets. I write this little bit every year and it all still applies [that is half the point -ed.].

"On Town Meeting Day, the first Tuesday in March, citizens across Vermont come together in their communities to discuss the business of their towns. For over 200 years Town Meeting Day has been an important political event as Vermonters elect local officers and vote on budgets. It has also been a time for neighbors to discuss the civic issues of their community, state, and nation." -via A Citizen’s Guide To Vermont Town Meeting

While he [Norman Rockwell -ed.] mulled over the problem of the Four Freedoms, he painted another illustration for a magazine cover, went to a town meeting, and attended a Grange supper. One night he went to bed, still struggling to come up with an idea. "As the minutes ticked by, all empty and dark, I suddenly remembered how Jim Edgerton had stood up in a town meeting and said something that everybody else disagreed with. But they had let him have his say. No one had shouted him down. My gosh, I thought, that's it. There it is. Freedom of Speech. I'll illustrate the Four Freedoms using my Vermont neighbors as models."
-via NormanRockwellMuseum

Further reading at The Nation Archives / Four Freedoms.

10E2332: Syrup Pitcher - Flower Brook Pottery

We have used retro diner-style syrup pourers, or even just a pyrex measuring cup - but this handthrown/fired pitcher from Janno at Flower Brook Pottery ($20) is great too. Her small store in Dorset, VT carries her pottery as well as a "paint your own" option for a rainy day activity. Multiple colors and patterns available. We have one w/ blue trim.

10E2331: VT Open 2014 - Registration Extended 1 More Day

Stratton Mountain in southern VT will be the site for the second Vermont Open happening NEXT weekend March 7 - 9, 2014; but we all know it is really a legitimized Washed Up Cup. #pointit #VTSP #10%tothebar Good times!

The Vermont Open has been created to take the place of the US Open of Snowboarding (having been moved to Vail from its home at Stratton, VT - further reading). It is a 3 day tribute to the pioneer days & spirit of snowboarding. This is a chance to ride and compete in retro-style events. Come for the weekend and ride with new and long lost friends; plus music/parties/old school equipment. All held at Stratton.

"...an event designed for snowboarders by snowboarders. For one weekend, snowboarders of all pedigrees come together to ride, compete, party and enjoy the snow. The competition is open to all snowboarders and designed for amateurs, juniors, pros and snowboarding's legends to compete in the same arena. Supporting the Ross Powers Foundation/Level Fund."

You can compete in a rail jam, halfpipe (old timey sized... good), a banked slalom, or all three. Registration ends tomorrow - so sign up today and wax that board.

Friday March 7:

1-4pm Rail Jam Qualifiers/Finals

Saturday March 8: 

Noon-1pm Halfpipe Finals
4:30-5pm  Snurfer Challenge on Lower Suntanner

Sunday March 9:

10:30-2pm Banked Slalom Finals

I'll be there Sat/Sun. Hope you are too. Love the wide swing in sponsors... All participants must wear a helmet during official practice and competition.