Investing to Stay Ahead of Growing Demand for Wireless Voice, Multimedia and Internet Access

    POWNAL, Vt., June 3 /PRNewswire/ — In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for local residents in Bennington County, Verizon Wireless has activated a new cell site. The new site increases wireless voice and data coverage and capacity along Route 7 and Barber Pond Road in Pownal Center, as well as the surrounding area.

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VAE and BBC Revitalize The Window Works Project 

BENNINGTON, VT — The Vermont Arts Exchange (VAE) and the Better Bennington Corporation (BBC) once again team up to dress up downtown windows by reinstituting the Window Works Project. Window Works now seeks downtown vacant storefront windows and work for exhibition from local artists.

Initially established in 1998 between the BBC and VAE, Window Works has coordinated and installed numerous art exhibits in Bennington storefronts, showcasing the work of prominent and emerging local artists. Towns in New England and all across the country are implementing similar projects to capitalize on the mutual benefits of pairing vacant storefronts with quality local art and artisan crafts. The results increase the appeal of the vacant buildings, inviting potential renters, while local artists get a boost in exposure.

With the help of members of the BBC Arts Committee, the Window Works Project has been revitalized and will begin its first “window exhibition” currently on display in the Nichols building (popularly remembered as the former Panache location), with watercolor paintings by Bennington artist Tony Conners and quilts by Wendy Sharkey.

Conners, a committed watercolorist, follows the traditions of many early masters of the medium while incorporating bolder elements from the modern approach. His watercolor paintings exhibit a range of representational expression, but common to all is a concern for the quality of light and its effects on form, color, and texture. His recent works are a diverse mixture of subject matter, including rural landscapes, seascapes inspired by the rugged New England coastline and intimate portraits of life among the blossoms of a summer garden. A native of Winchester, Virginia, Conners works from his studio in Bennington.

On exhibit adjacent to Conner’s window is the quilting work of Wendy Sharkey. Formally trained as an engineer, Sharkey says she has always found artistic release in needlework of all sorts, although it was not until 14 years ago, when she moved to Vermont, that she began to quilt. Mainly self taught, Sharkey regards of quilt design as an opportunity to problem solve. One of the principals to which she holds fast is that each quilt should be pleasing to the eye; a quilt is never truly finished until she is happy with it. Her pieces are all inspired by family and friends, using their favorite colors, seasons and hobbies to launch the initial idea. With so many different compositions, her collection may seem somewhat eclectic, but variety is the spice of life!

Sharkey’s quilts have been previously displayed at the Bennington Quiltfest, where she has received several ribbons for her work.

Downtown Bennington landlords and area artists interested in more information or application forms for Window Works can call John Shannahan
802-442-5758 or Matthew Perry at VAE, 802-442-5549.
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Bennington VT, Community Information, Press Release

In 1991, Vermont became the fifth state to lower the allowance for legal blood alcohol content while driving from 0.1 percent to 0.08 percent. The law imposes stiffer penalties for repeat convictions and requires counseling for offenders.All hard liquor (anything over 16 percent alcohol content by volume) is controlled by the state. Prices are tightly regulated, so there is no variation among liquor stores. Beer and wine are sold at supermarkets and convenience stores.

Bennington VT

Community Information

The 16-day deer hunting season, which runs from mid-to late-November, attracts the attention of all Vermonters, not just hunters.

Opening day of the season, although not a designated holiday, probably can compete with the day after Thanksgiving as a most requested day off.

Huge numbers of Vermonters (mostly men, but that’s changing) spend at least one of the weekends at “deer camp,” traditionally a cabin in the woods with few amenities.

More recently, deer camp might include condos or hotel suites… and a good many of the hunters really do hunt.

Bennington VT

Community Information

Vermont’s clean indoor air act prohibits smoking in public buildings and in the common area of all enclosed indoor places of public access.

This includes buildings or facilities owned or operated by social, fraternal or religious clubs.

The only exceptions to these restrictions involve designated workplace smoking areas and areas – not commonly open to the public – of owner-operated businesses with no employees.
Bennington VT

Community Information

Although several states have followed Vermont’s lead, the Green Mountain State was one of the first to outlaw billboards and enact a set of stringent rules regulating all kinds of other signage. A 1968 law prohibits privately owned, off-premises signs and restricts the size, height and distance from the road of on-premises signs. Signs aren’t allowed to have moving parts or flashing lights, either. All signs are forbidden on the legal right-of-way. Communities may adopt laws more stringent than the state’s.Proponents of the billboard law point with pride at the state’s scenic, uncluttered roadsides as a key attraction for visitors. Others note the difficulties those same visitors have in finding their destinations.

The restrictions have led local entrepreneurs to look for new and eye-catching ways to grab attention. In Leicester, a 19-foot concrete gorilla holds a VW Beetle aloft in one hand over the lot of a used-car dealership. Elsewhere, eye-catching flags or giant objects sprout on buildings and lawns of retail establishments, land elaborately decorated trucks and vans are parked in conspicuous spaces.

Bennington VT

Community Information

We all know that homes in many markets across the country experienced substantial gains in appreciation over the last few years of heated real estate activity. While sale prices are currently leveling out, you may have experienced “sticker shock” if you recently got a property tax assessment that shot way up. (more…)

The Bennington Museum will be hosting an exhibit called “Spanning the American Landscape” from the Smithsonian on the history, engineering and beauty of covered bridges.

The exhibit will be on display from April 14 to June 10.

Categories: Bennington VT, Community Information

The Bennington Museum will be hosting an exhibit called “Art of the Covered Bridge” which is an exhibit of paintings of covered bridges.  The exhibit will be shown partially at the Bennington Museum and partly at the Bennington Center for the Arts.  This exhibit will supplement the Smithsonian exhibit on covered bridges at the Bennington Museum and the Center’s own Museum of the Covered Bridge.

The exhibit will be on display from April 7 to June 10.

Categories: Bennington VT, Community Information

The Bennington Museum is currently hosting an exhibit called “Bennington Collects” which is the 2nd annual exhibit of what area residents collect and why they are interested in the items they collect.

The exhibit is on display until April 4.

Categories: Bennington VT, Community Information