100 Years Ago in The Hardwick Gazette
Town Clock Not on Time
For some time past our town clock has been ahead of standard time and today it is fully ten minutes fast. This is confusing to those in the community who endeavor to keep their time pieces correct and arrange business hours accordingly.
It is a simple matter to get the correct time once a week and keep the community clock right. Why not do it?
60 Years Ago in The Hardwick Gazette
LOCAL SAILOR ON BOAT THAT RESCUED ASTRONAUTS
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Gemini GT-8 (FHTNC) – Machinist’s Mate Third Class Ronald G. Brown, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur E. Brown of Mackville Road, Hardwick, Vt., helped recover astronauts Neil Armstrong and David Scott in the first emergent landing of the American manned space flight program, while serving aboard the Seventh Fleet Destroyer USS Leonard F. Mason.
Mason recovered both astronauts and their GEMINI GTA – 8 spacecraft about three hours after they landed in the Western Pacific, some 500 miles east of Okinawa, when their flight was cut short by engine failure after completing the historic docking maneuver with the unmanned Agena rocket.
After the emergency splashdown, rescuers parachuted into the water and attached a flotation collar around the Gemini spacecraft in choppy, three-foot waves while waiting for the Leonard F. Mason’s arrival on the scene. All available ships and aircraft in the Western Pacific were ordered to the scene, prepared to search for the spacecraft.
25 Years Ago in The Hardwick Gazette
by Deb Bizzozero
HARDWICK – Cable subscribers in town may have their own public access channel, if plans by a local group materialize.
Chaired by Louis Shattuck, the interim group, appointed by Town Manager Dan Hill, includes representatives from the Select Board, School Board, and chamber of commerce.
Shattuck said the plan is to set up cable outlets, possibly at Hazen Union School and somewhere in town, to provide local coverage of Hardwick events. It would contain educational coverage and government meetings, and private individuals and clubs could also use the service.
“People would be able to come in an air their interests and views to cable subscribers,” Shattuck said.
Shattuck said the process to set up such a station is complicated, and is expected to take up to a year to complete.
Shattuck noted the abundance of talented people in the area, and said “there is no limit on what this access could bring through these peoples expertise.”
Members will also perform a community needs assessment.
Funding for the project would come from Adelphia, by way of franchise fees the cable cosplay, and its predecessors, have collected from subscribers. To this point, approximately $18,000 will be returned to the nonprofit to go toward operating expenses.
John Bentley, of the Public Services Department, said the franchise dees do not belong to the town. When collected, they are turned over to run the public access operation, for the benefit of cable subscribers. Shattuck said staffing would be primarily volunteer labor. The group is looking for people to help put the project together.
Shattuck said the group is looking for suitable studio space, and he is confident on a successful outcome.
“We’re taking the time to do it right,” he said. With the enthusiasm of the committee and the commitment of the town fathers, “It’s gonna fly.”
Shattuck said the group will meet at 7 p.m., March 28 at the Memorial Building. The meeting is open to the public.
10 Years Ago in The Hardwick Gazette
Record Warmth Brings Rapid Start to Mud Season
by Tyler Molleur
HARDWICK – Students taking the bus to school Thursday and Friday last week did not receive the regular point pick-up service in some towns. The ruts from a heavy spring thaw impeded travel across the area.
Joanne LeBlanc, superintendent of the Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union, said many students in Hardwick, Stannard and Woodbury had to be brought by parents to central pick up points, as the muddy back roads couldn’t tolerate use by the school buses.
Mike Gravel of the Hardwick road crew said in addition to the roads that were not accessible to buses, the public works department put a lot of sand, stone, and time onto roads.
“We’ve been spending all day on Hardwick Farms Road,” Gravel said Friday.
He said the warm weather thawed the layer of frost under the road, causing it to turn into mud. The significant rainfall Thursday afternoon may actually help the roads, as it draws out the remainder of the frost, he said.
Other crews were also out in an effort to make the roads suitable for traffic. Harry Dailey, road foreman for Woodbury, said the roads around town are loose, including the Cabot Road. He said that was essentially impassible Thursday afternoon.
“They’re muddy,” he said. “We’re hoping this rain will help to dry them.”
Dan Tanner, Greensboro’s road foreman, said their roads are also feeling the effect of the thaw.
“Our roads are pretty bad,” he said.”We posted them today because they’re the worst I’ve seen them since I got here.”
A letter carrier in East Hardwick had some trouble along his route Wednesday afternoon. Eric Molleur said while every postal customer received their regular delivery, there were several spots where traveling the roads became difficult, including the Hutchins Farm Road in Stannard and the Montgomery Road in East Hardwick.
“The Montgomery Road was bad,” said Molluer. “Even after they repaired the road it was still bad.”
Molluer said he was surprised at how fast the thaw occurred this year and how the effects are not limited to a couple of isolated spots.
“Every town is dealing with the same thing,” the Woodbury resident said.
Burlington reached 70 degrees Thursday, which broke the old record of 66, set in both 2000 and 2002.
Additionally, Walden checked in with a 58-degree high, while East Hardwick reported the mercury topped out at 56 on Thursday.
Raymonda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She is a strong supporter of freedom of speech, and the right to publish information, opinions, and ideas without censorship or restraint. She is a lifelong lover of the written word, and is excited to join the team as a staff member.
