Wanted: Green Mountain Memories

By Susan BushPrint Story | Email Story
Workers of the former Green Mountain Race Track on Route 7 in Pownal, Vt. are encouraged to share their track experiences with the Pownal Historical Society for an exhibit to be included as part of the 2005 Vermont History Expo.
Pownal, Vt. - If memories of mucking stalls or dispensing racing bet winnings are close to the heart, members of the Pownal Historical Society would like to chat. The former Green Mountain Race Track has made history and headlines throughout the past 43 years, and the town's historical society members plan to share the site's colorful past during the 2005 Vermont History Expo. The event is scheduled for June 25-26 at the Tunbridge fairgrounds in Tunbridge, Vt.. While the property's saga is interesting on its own, historical society members are asking that former race track employees enhance the exhibit by sharing their own personal recollections and anecdotes, said member Joyce Held earlier this week. "We want to make this special," Held said. "We want to include the stories and memories of the people who worked there, no matter what their job or when they were employed at the track." A potential list of former track workers is extensive. The site opened for horse racing in the early 1960s, and for a brief time, the track raced dogs and horses. In 1976, horse racing was abandoned in favor of greyhound racing, and the property closed in the early 1990s. After the track closed to all racing, the site played host to events including Shriner's Bingo games and the Lollapalooza music festival. Businessman John C. Tiegtens of Clarksburg, Mass. bought the site at a public auction in 1992, and after several failed sales attempts, sold the property in 2004 to Progress Partners, Ltd. for about $1 million. While the track was in operation, people from the Berkshires and Southern Vermont worked in capacities including food and beverage servers, betting-window cashiers, racing announcers, cooks, maintenance workers, and additional occupations. Any former race track employee is welcome to share their memories about their job and the track itself, Held said. The goal is to bring the "behind the scenes, working track history to life," Held noted. Those interested in sharing their experiences are asked to call 802-823-5536 or send an e-mail to pownal@adelphia.net. The expo is expected to feature over 100 Vermont community historical societies, about 26 museums and about 20 service, conservation, and preservation groups. Information about the Vermont History Expo is available at www.vermonthistory.org/expo.
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Greylock Federal Awards Student Scholarships

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Greylock Federal Credit Union awarded 34 scholarships to high school seniors from every public high school in Berkshire County and Columbia County, N.Y.
 
Greylock awarded 25 $500 Greylock Community Enrichment Scholarships to students who exemplify positive community spirit and demonstrate respect and concern for their peers in everything they do, stated a press release. 
 
Applicants were required to write an essay, which demonstrated their positive involvement in the community.
 
"Our scholarship selection committee reviewed every application and essay," said Jennifer Connor-Shumsky, Greylock's Assistant Vice President, Community Support and Events, of the process which received more than 80 applications. "It was really tough to narrow it down, because there were so many incredible students doing some amazing work in the community."
 
The funds will be applied toward state-accredited or nationally accredited two or four-year colleges or universities, or a full-time technical school program.
 
"For the first time ever, we were thrilled that two of the scholarships went to students entering a technical/vocational school," said Connor-Shumsky.
 
In addition to these scholarships, Greylock offers Scholastic Achievement Awards, which are designated for children of Greylock employees who are also high school graduates. This year, Greylock awarded nine $1,000 Scholastic Achievement Awards. These awards are available to all employees.
 
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