While many of you enjoy spending time cruising on the water, we wanted to take a moment to mention how you can take some time this off season to get in the water and support a great Vermont organization.
We had the pleasure of getting in touch with Chris Bernier, Director of Marketing & Development at Special Olympics Vermont, to learn more about their upcoming Penguin Plunge and how you can jump into one of the best events taking place on the water this time of year. Here is some information he shared with us regarding this frigid fundraiser:
The Special Olympics Vermont Penguin Plunge began in 1995 with only 15 individuals and has since grown to become one of the largest winter events in Burlington, VT.
In 2009, over 1,200 participated in the three Penguin Plunges around Vermont to raise awareness and donations for the 850+ athletes of Special Olympics Vermont. This event is Special Olympics Vermont’s largest fundraising event and makes up over ½ of our annual budget.
Over the last 15 years, brave Vermonters, from businessmen and women to school children, have arrived on the Burlington waterfront in February to raise money and take a running jump into the icy waters of Lake Champlain.
Here are some dates and further information regarding each location:
We are very thankful for all the dedicated workers, volunteers and supporters of VTSO and we hope you take part in the action while contributing to a very valuable cause here in Vermont.
We were saddened to learn this morning via Twitter that our friends at Burlington City Arts have been victims to senseless vandalism.
According to their Facebook page, “Last night, someone smashed the door of the Firehouse Center and stole the Gallery donation money. We are deeply hurt and saddened by this. If anyone has any information, please let us know.”
It is most certainly discouraging to realize that a person or persons could carry out actions such as this, especially around the holiday season and towards an organization that gives back to the community and its members. Hopefully, however, we can come together as that community and do whatever little we can to help BCA come back from this even stronger and truly exhibiting the values and thoughtfulness that is Burlington, Vermont.
To make donations to BCA please visit either their homepage, or FirstGive, and show them your support. You can also reach out to them via Twitter or Facebookand share your thoughts with them directly.
This boat, a 60-foot catamaran made entirely out of recycled plastic bottles, is surely one of a kind and created for the purpose of raising awareness of the problem that plastic waste causes for the world’s oceans.
Our friends at the ECHO Lake Aquarium & Science Center are asking members of the Lake Champlain and Vermont communities to take some time completing their new survey . This survey is an opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas about Lake Champlain and tell them a little about how you spend your time and how you use social media.
Burlington Boatyard is one many local lake stewards (LCI, LCSC, Outdoors Magazine to name a few) that understand the essential role social media plays in promoting environmental and ecological awareness in both our local lake community and other watersheds around the country. We ask that you take a moment to provide your insight, opinions, thoughts and concerns with ECHO via this survey, and appreciate your continued support for all of us who strive to make positive impacts on Lake Champlain and beyond.
“Will Fish For Fun” Kids Derby is an open fishing derby for kids up to the age of 14 from anywhere or from any means. Our goal is to give them a connection with nature. This is a free event with no restrictions. The grand price is a Lifetime Vermont State Fishing License (for the oldest age group only). It is held and headquartered at the Burlington boat house every year, the Saturday after Labor Day (September 12th this year). Fishing is limited to the Burlington Waterfront from shore. Only kids are allowed to fish, and parents are encouraged to coach by all means. There is a coaching crew but our coaches can get overwhelmed very quickly. People who are interested in becoming coaches can apply directly with the Event Organizer, Pete Thayer (send requests to “therocknvt@yahoo.com”).
The derby kicks off at 8am, rain or shine, and ends at 11:30am. We are happy and proud to have Charlie Papillo from WVMT Radio’s “The Charlie and Ernie Show” on AM620 weekdays early morning, not only hosting our derby, but also helping us promote the event and gain sponsorship, and in general keeping the kids smiling.
If you and your children would like to participate, go to the website www.willfishforfun.com, and click on the Contact Us page to fill out the information for each child (we need it for t-shirt and pole sizes). Once the information is submitted, you will receive an email containing your registration paperwork, which you will need to bring on the day of the Derby.
Last year we had a moving line with over 100 kids in it for over an hour. Need to get’em kids fishing. We have given away over 300 fishing poles since our start 2 yrs ago and we hope to be able to buy and give away that many this year alone. We are doubling the bait order, which is partly donated by Hog Island Bait in Alburg, so nobody will go wormless. Junior’s Italian, which has been supporting us since our 1st derby, is also donating again this year.
Please take a moment to read this BoatUS release below, regarding on the water safety and your wake. you may also follow BoatUS on twitter, at @BoatUS.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., August 26, 2009 – Boat wakes – those long, frothy, V-shaped waves trailing from the stern of a powerboat as it slices through the water – have a sinister side. When other vessels encounter them, they can hurt people. They can make people angry, and they can bring the wrath of law enforcement, for good reason.
Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) recently looked into the issue of boat wakes by combing through the insurance claims case files, where swampings, broken teeth, and back injuries are found. “You avoid being the recipient of gestures from other skippers by using a little common sense and courtesy,” says BoatUS Director of Damage Avoidance Bob Adriance. “This means coming completely off plane when you enter a no wake zone or anywhere your wake could compromise the safety of other boats,” he adds.
Gerry Hartley, a friend of ours here at Burlington Boatyard and an avid Lake Champlain fisherman, has started his own blog about some great fishing experiences he shares with his wife Cathy and the many fishing friends he has made over the years.
His most recent story and pictures describe his time out on the UVM research vessel Melosira, where many are learning valuable information about the health and issues of Lake Champlain water quality and its fishery.
Please consider reading more from Gerry on his blog, here.
Terry Grapentine, Principal at Grapentine Company LLC, has written a very informative, thoughtful and powerful article regarding the current and future issues concerning the global boating markets. He also puts forth a call to action that could very well positively impact the way in which global leaders within the world’s boating markets come together to not only repair the issues of today, but proactively prepare for the sustainability of the market of tomorrow.
Please consider reading Mr. Grapentine’s article on Boating Industry’s website, here.
Please give this great article a read from the Dallas Sailing Examiner, regarding the sport of sailing and how it not only keeps youths physically active, but rather can teach many life lessons as well.
We are privileged to have a great proponent of this within our own community, the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center. Feel free to give them a shout and enjoy some time out on beautiful Lake Champlain this season.
Please take a moment to visit the blog of our friends at Lake Champlain International to read more on recent findings of Blue-Green Algae Bloom in the Missisquoi Bay:
While many of you enjoy spending time cruising on the water, we wanted to take a moment to mention how you can take some time this off season to get in the water and support a great Vermont organization.
Special Olympics Vermont. This event is Special Olympics Vermont’s largest fundraising event and makes up over ½ of our annual budget. 
senseless vandalism.
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