Current News

Northern Lights Home Inspection offers Energy Services

Matt Sargent of Northern Lights Home Inspection is now offering Energy Efficiency Services to area residents. Sargent has been conducting residential and commercial energy efficiency analyses since 1992 for clients such as VT Gas, Efficiency Vermont, EPA Energy Star program, State of Vermont and all major Vermont electrical utilities.

Woodstock-- The Woodstock, Vermont, office of LandVest, Inc., a Boston based real estate firm and the Christies affiliate for the northeast, announces the addition of Janine Williamson Kanzler, Project Manager to its team of real estate sales personnel.

Janine has lived in Vermont most of her life and began her real estate experience in the 1980s with Georgina Williamson, Inc. in Woodstock. Janine brings an extensive knowledge of the Upper Valley area and historical insight of Woodstock to the LandVest team.
If you are considering listing your property for sale, or looking to buy that perfect new home, Janine can be reached at 802-457-4977 or [email protected].

OPTIMA COMPUTERS KICKS OFF HOLIDAYS WITH MAIN STREET GRAND OPENING AND A HOLIDAY GIVE-A-WAY
Main Street Location in Brattleboro Offers Convenience to Local Businesses and a Safe Haven for Area Kids
Brattleboro, VT Just in time for the Holiday Season 2006, Optima Computers has opened its newest location on Main Street in downtown Brattleboro. The newest Optima Computers retail operation features nearly 5,000 square feet of space that in addition to Optima Computers Sales and Service, will also the include the companys Gaming Zone brand, a favorite destination for many of the areas youths. The addition of this location adds to the Optima Computers locations at 845 Putney Road in Brattleboro and 17 Rockingham Street in Bellows Falls.

Champlain College presented six student entrepreneurs with BYOBiz Cornerstone Awards in November. The students were honored by the College for their entrepreneurial achievement as part of the inaugural group in the College's new BYOBiz (Bring-Your-Own-Business) program.
The Cornerstone Award recipients were:
Peter Bruhn and Peter Jewett, students who successfully launched an e-business called Go Trading Post (http://www.gotradingpost.com), which is associated with eBay. The two Business majors operate their business in Burlington.
Ben Haulenbeek, a Multimedia and Graphics Design major and founder of Haulenbeek Photography (http://benhaulenbeek.com). His future entrepreneurial endeavors including a book and an e-commerce business.

Jeff Schoellkopf Design/The Design Group was presented with an AIA award for green and affordable housing for the planning and design of Cobb Hill Cohousing at a ceremony at the AIA National Convention in Los Angeles.
Cobb Hill, in Hartland, VT, is a resident developed housing and farm restoration project, with a deep commitment to environmental sustainability, cooperative community development, and organic agricultural micro enterprises. Schoellkopf Design provided planning, architectural design, and construction administration services for the project.
"We're honored by the award, and pleased that the AIA is recognizing the importance of integrating green design in affordable housing. We have to thank the amazing group of dedicated residents at Cobb Hill for their commitment and vision to develop this project," says Schoellkopf.

Ms. Clark is a care management special projects coordinator for The Vermont Health Plan, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont's HMO affiliate. She is cited for her commitment to customer-driven excellence, her professionalism and dedication, and for her detailed and thorough knowledge of the business processes. An outside vendor stated, "Kathleen Clark is the standard which all employees should strive to emulate. BCBSVT is extremely fortunate to have her in their employment."
Ms. Smith is a senior claims analyst in the claims entry unit. She is cited for the high standards she sets for herself, for her knowledge and dedication, and for her willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty. A co-worker stated, "Nancy is always the one that can visualize and champion all the positive aspects of any challenge she is faced with."

Merchants Bancshares, Inc. Announces
Leadership Change

The Board of Directors of Merchants
Bancshares, Inc. voted today to approve the appointment of Michael Tuttle, 51,
to succeed Joseph Boutin as President and CEO of Merchants Bancshares, Inc.,
effective on January 1, 2007.
The Board also elected Mr. Tuttle as a Director of Merchants, effective January
1, 2007, to serve the remainder of Mr. Boutin’s term that expires at Merchants’
annual meeting of shareholders in 2009. In addition to this appointment, Mr.
Tuttle will continue to serve as President, CEO and Director of Merchants’ main
operating subsidiary, Merchants Bank.

Raymond C. Pecor, Chairman of the
Board of Merchants Bancshares, Inc. commented, “This completes a transition we
started last year when Mike was appointed President and CEO of Merchants Bank.

Bryan Memorial Gallery in Jeffersonville has named Mickey Myers of Johnson its new Executive Director. Myers, formerly Executive Director of Helen Day Art Center in Stowe, succeeds Amy White who held the position for three years.
Jim Gallugi of Fairfax, former Gallery Assistant and Interim Director, has been named Assistant Director. Both Gallugi and Myers are artists with significant arts administration backgrounds.
Bryan Memorial Gallery, originally founded in 1984 by artist Alden Bryan as a memorial to his wife, artist Mary Bryan, has specialized in Vermont landscape and developed into a regional center for landscape. Myers intends to expand the gallery's offerings, including a year round exhibition schedule, workshops, arts awards and and art book shop.
More information is available at www.bryangallery.org

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JAMES H. DOUGLAS
GOVERNOR

GMP ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS
COLCHESTER, VT&Green Mountain Power Corporation (NYSE: GMP) has announced consolidated earnings of $0.54 per share of common stock, diluted, for the third quarter of 2006 compared with consolidated earnings of $0.48 per share of common stock, diluted, for the same period in 2005. Year to date earnings for 2006 are $1.60 per share, diluted, compared with earnings of $1.50 per share, diluted, for the first nine months of 2005.
Earnings increased in the third quarter of 2006 primarily as a result of lower power supply costs and transmission expenses, which were partially offset by a reduction in retail revenues of $3.3 million consistent with a restriction on earnings required in the rate agreement approved by the Vermont Public Service Board in 2003 in the Companys last retail rate case. This earnings restriction calculation is reviewed by the Vermont Public Service Board and is subject to change.

GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER SHAREHOLDERS

VOTE IN FAVOR OF ACQUISITION

BY NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND ENERGY CORPORATION,

A SUBSIDIARY OF GAZ MÉTRO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

The numbers are just coming in for Small Dog Electronics' new flagship store and by all measurements, it's an undisputed winner.
The Apple Specialist (#1 in New England, #3 in the nation) opened its doors in Burlington, Vermont and it was clear that customers voted with their feet - and their wallets.