Current News

Mehran Assadi has been designated the next president and chief executive officer of National Life Group (NLGroup), the company's Board of Directors announced on Tuesday.
Assadi, currently president of NLGroup's life and annuity division, will succeed Thomas H. MacLeay, who is retiring Dec. 31 as president and CEO. MacLeay will remain as Chairman of the Board.
David Coates, the lead independent director on the board and chairman of the search committee, said Assadi has been instrumental in developing and executing a strategy of success for the life and annuity division.
"Mehran is a proven leader," said Coates. "He brings energy, enthusiasm and optimism to every assignment he is given. We believe Mehran is the best person to build on Tom's tremendous record of accomplishment."

Pomerleau Real Estate, a Commercial Development, Property Management and Commercial Brokerage firm in Vermont, is pleased to announce their appointment as Property Manager for Kilburn & Gates Industries, Kilburn Street, Burlington, VT. Pomerleau's Property Management takes the hassle out of being a commercial property owner. They currently manage office, industrial, multi-family and shopping center properties. Their experience, attention to detail and expertise can make your property ownership more profitable and seamless. Call Brian Waxler at 802/863-8217, ext. 22 for an estimate on your property.

Ready, Set, Go is dedicated to providing the highest quality developmental care for each child in a stimulating, secure, and caring, learning environment. The staff establishes positive personal interaction, nurturing each childs growth and education. Individuality is acknowledged and respected as each child explores a child-centered environment at his or her own pace. Our teachers implement a cue-based or child-centered philosophy to create a program that is responsive to all children in the group. The curriculum is designed to involve children in experiences to enhance language, literature, music and movement, art, and socialization. Through play, all areas of development are fostered. A strong sense of identity and competence are developed as children are helped to feel good about themselves, their abilities, and uniqueness.

Intervale Center Settles Compost Dispute;

Vermont's September Revenue Figures - General Fund, Transportation Fund and Education Fund - Exceed Target for the Month
Montpelier, VT (October 10, 2008) - Secretary of Administration Neale F. Lunderville has released General Fund revenue results for the
month of September, the third month of Fiscal Year 2009. General Fund revenues totaled $127.44
million for September 2008, +$13.84 million or +12.19% above the $113.60 million consensus
revenue forecast for the month. Cumulatively, General Fund revenues year to date were $294.03
million or +12.97 million (+4.61%) above the consensus revenue forecast for Fiscal Year 2009.
However, there are certain factors that impact the availability of this apparent above target result.
It is important to note that the September revenue includes a legal settlement of $6.03 million. At the
time the consensus revenue forecast was approved in July 2008, the outcome of the legal action was

Metal maple syrup cans with odor discovered, discontinued

Church Street Marketplace RESEARCH REPORT:

Intercept Interviews of French-Speaking Quebec visitors

(South Burlington, VT) Starr Jewell, a twenty-year veteran of the northern Vermont communications industry, has announced the launch of Starr Jewell Marketing Services, and a new concept for organizations needing marketing assistance. Jewell has partnered with experienced professionals who have their own independent practices brand strategists, graphic designers, marketing planners, copywriters, web developers, sales consultants, public relations experts, market researchers, coaches, and media specialists enabling businesses and non profits to find and work with the best talent available. Jewell works with clients to match them with the right professionals, then manages and oversees the selected team and their work. The firm will offer these comprehensive marketing and communications services to clients throughout northern New England and New York.

VERMONT BUTTER AND CHEESE COMPANY WINS 5 AWARDS AT WORLD CHEESE COMPETITION

Websterville, VT - October 2, 2008 - Vermont Butter and Cheese Company, wins 5 awards at the World Cheese Awards held in Dublin Ireland. The winners include Vermont Chevre, Vermont Fresh Crottin, Vermont Creamy Goat Cheese, Vermont Quark and our Signature Aged Cheese Bijou.

"The company is honored to receive world-wide recognition" said company co-founder Allison Hooper. "Winning awards for goat cheese across the ocean is a big deal. The competition can be fierce" The company's cheeses also won coveted awards earlier in the summer at the American Cheese Society's Competition in Chicago as well as the "Outstanding Product Line" at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York.

A Strategy for Economic Resurgence in the Northern Forest
Plan Released today by the Sustainable Economy Initiative
(September 8, 2008) The Sustainable Economy Initiative (SEI) today released Economic Resurgence in the Northern Forestthe first-ever, 4-state strategy for sustainable economic development in the Northern Forest. The Northern Forest comprises the northern reaches of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York.
A 60-member steering committee, appointed in 2006 by the governors of the four states in collaboration with the Northern Forest Center and the North Country Council (joint project managers), brought wide-ranging expertise to the initiative.

Grafton Village Cheese Co. wins a world cheese award and named among world's 100 great cheese

Grafton Cheese Wins its Second World Cheese Award and
Two of its Cheeses Named Wine Spectators 100 Great Cheeses in the World

Grafton, Vt. Grafton Village Cheese Company, makers of handcrafted Vermont cheddar, has received international recognition in the past few weeks, including winning a World Cheese Award bronze medal and a nod from Wine Spectator Magazine for having two of its cheddars named among the 100 Great Cheeses in the World.

World Cheese Award

Graftons Maple Smoked Cheddar won a bronze medal at the 2008 World Cheese Awards, the worlds largest international cheese competition. The competition was held in late September at the Royal Dublin Society Simonscourt in Ireland, which was judged by 80 cheese experts from around the world who evaluated more than 2,400 cheeses from the UK, Europe, South Africa, Australia and the U.S.

South Burlington, Vt. (Oct. 8, 2008) The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 300 and its Vermont Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee today announced an initiative that will teach union members to install solar photovoltaic systems. The announcement was made at a mid-morning press conference before a crowd of elected officials, business leaders and IBEW members.