The snows of March finally stopped and we finished the month with some sunny days.
Suddenly, it's time to go outside and start the spring high school sports season.
Brattleboro boys' varsity lacrosse is scheduled to start its season on April 5 in Pittsfield, Mass., while the Brattleboro varsity boys' tennis team hosts Northampton, Mass. at the BUHS courts on that day.
Track and field gets started for Brattleboro and Bellows Falls with a multi-team meet at Fall Mountain in Langdon, N.H., on April 6.
Girls' tennis begins with Brattleboro traveling to Woodstock on April 9, while Bellows Falls travels to Springfield that day. The BF boys' tennis team won't have its first match until April 19 at Rutland.
Baseball starts with a marquee match-up on April 9, as Brattleboro hosts Bellows Falls at Tenney Field, while Leland & Gray heads up to Rutland to face Mount St. Joseph. Twin Valley won't have its first game until April 24, when they host Mount St. Joseph at Baker Field.
Softball also begins April 9 with Brattleboro playing host to BF at Sawyer Field. Leland & Gray will open its season on April 13 at Green Mountain. Twin Valley will be last to get going, with its first game scheduled for April 24 at Bellows Falls.
Brattleboro girls' lacrosse begins on April 10 with a match at Kearsarge Regional in Sutton, N.H.
Three BF players selected for Shrine game
• Lost in the shuffle of the high school winter tournaments was the news that three outstanding Bellows Falls football players have been selected to the Vermont squad for the annual Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl, which will be played on Aug. 4, at 5:30 p.m., at Castleton University.
Running back/defensive back Shane Clark, quarterback/defensive back/wide receiver Logan Cota and defensive tackle/offensive lineman Jared Zobkiw will be the Terriers' representatives to the annual all-star game that pits the top graduated seniors from Vermont and New Hampshire.
These three players helped BF to a Division II state football title in 2016 and the runner-up spot in 2015 and 2017.
Approximately 200 players from Vermont and New Hampshire were nominated by their respective head coaches. Representatives from 18 schools make up the Vermont squad, which will be coached by Windsor's Greg Balch.
Vermont will be going for its third straight win, but the Green Mountain Boys trail the Granite Staters in the all-time series, 47-15-2.
Besides being a showcase of football talent, the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl is a fundraiser for the three Shriners hospitals in New England and Canada - the Shriners orthopedic hospitals in Springfield, Mass., and Montreal, and the world-renowned Shriners Burns Hospital in Boston.
Copeland to run Boston Marathon for United Way
• In honor of United Way of Windham County's (UWWC) 60th birthday, Tim Copeland will be running the Boston Marathon on April 16th, 2018! He is asking for your support on his 26.2 mile marathon to help reach his goal of raising $10,000 to support UWWC.
According to a news release, Tim and his wife, Anna Copeland, have been long-time donors of UWWC. Along with donating, Tim served on the board of directors for many years and Anna volunteers in the office regularly. They passionately support UWWC community initiatives and appreciate the hard work that goes into serving this community.
The Copelands say they have chosen to support UWWC because their programs are local, inclusive and cross-sector to best meet the diverse need in Windham County. Support Tim's dedication to the community by donating to “United for Tim” at the United Way of Windham County's website, www.unitedwaywindham.org, or call 802-257-4011.
Nicholson wins two silvers at Special Olympics
• Congratulations to Kayli Nicholson for winning a pair of silver medals at the 2018 Special Olympics Winter Games last month. Kayli is a great athlete and has represented BUHS in Unified Basketball and the AbilityPLUS team from Mount Snow with distinction.
Nearly 200 athletes competed this year in Alpine skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing at the Special Olympic Winter Games at the Pico Mountain Resort in Mendon.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of Special Olympics, which was started in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver as a backyard sports program for people with intellectual disabilities. Today, Special Olympics has 5 million athletes in 170 countries.
Local schools get funding for exercise programs
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont's (BCBSVT) Windham County Community Advisory Board (WCCAB) has provided $4,500 in grants to area schools as part of its ongoing commitment to promote physical activity and improve the overall health of Vermonters.
The schools that won grants include Academy School, Brattleboro Area Middle School, Bellows Falls Central Elementary School, Putney Central School, and Westminster Center School.
“The students in our schools have benefited greatly from the opportunities presented through after-school activities promoting physical wellness that support healthy lifestyles,” Lyle Holiday, Windham Southeast superintendent and WCCAB member, said in a news release.
These grants support creative efforts to increase the daily physical activity of children. Holiday said that, over the past four years, the board has given over $14,000 in grants to schools in the region. These grants have helped fund projects ranging from traditional swimming programs to Harry Potter-inspired Quidditch matches.
Registration open for Going the Distance Bike Ride 2018
• Cyclists of all abilities can now register for the 9th annual Going the Distance Bike Ride fundraising event, benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro. The event is on Saturday June 30. This is a ride, not a race.
Participants can choose from 40, 60 or 100 mile rides, fully supported with rest stops, delicious foods and support vans. At the finish line, bikers will be greeted with a full course meal and commemorative T-shirt.
All routes begin at the Marlboro Graduate Center on Vernon Street, traveling through scenic areas of Vermont and Massachusetts along the Connecticut River, with their popular “century ride” looping from Brattleboro to Northampton, Mass., and back.
Participants are asked to join the event's fundraising page and help solicit sponsors for their ride. Each cyclist sets their own fundraising goal, starting at $350. Top fundraisers will receive a uniquely designed bike jersey along with local gift certificates. All money raised supports the affordable summer camps offered at the Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro.
Teams are also encouraged to join and volunteers are also needed to greet bikers at rest stops. For more information regarding the Going the Distance Ride or to access online registration, contact the club 802-254-5990, ext. 101 or 2018goingthedistance@gmail.com.
Senior bowling roundup
• Week 12 of the Brattleboro Senior Bowling League saw first place Team 10 (46-14) opening up a seven-game lead on second place Team 4 (39-21). Team 2 (36-24) is still hanging on in third, followed by Team 5 (33-27), Team 7 and Team 8 (both 32-28), Team 6 (29.5-30.5), Team 9 and Team 3 (both 29-31), Team 11 (21-34), and Team 1 (19.5-50.5).
Jeanne Czuy had the women's high handicap game (261) and series (760), while Eric Brown (253) had the men's high handicap game (282) and Gary Montgomery had the high handicap series (687). Team 6 had the high team handicap game (873) and series (2,566).
In scratch scoring, Montgomery (687) rolled a 600-plus series for the second straight week. He had games of 241 and 225.
Carole Frizzell (512) and Czuy (550) both had a 500-plus scratch series for the women, while Warren Corriveau Sr., (592) was the only man in the 500 club. Corriveau had a 224 game, while Eric Brown had a 201.