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JAMAICA OLD HOME DAY - 2009 Early in the week, it looked like JOHD would become a victim of another raining day. By Wednesday, the forecast looked better calling for isolated thunder showers. The final forecast turned out to be the best - a warm day full of sunshine! Saturday turned out to be a beautiful day, music played, food was grilled, vendors sold their crafts, the adventuresome ones took helicopter rides, kids played games, neighbors laughed, friends, visitors and family shared the Old Home Day Experience! If you missed Jamaica Old Home 2009, we are truly sorry. Mark your calendars for next year! July 31st 2010. In the mean time here is the list of event and raffle winners and a quick recap of the day: QUILT SHOW The day was started with the opening of the Town Hall for "The Best Little Quilt Show in Vermont, featuring renowned quilters from all over New England. Quilts created by Virginia Avery, Nancy Halpern, Mary K Ryan, and others delighted the crowds with their spectacular displays of their love inspired art. Lindsey Scholl was the lucky person to win a quilt. CHILI COOK-OFF Across the street from the Town Hall, people gathered at the front lawn of the Three Mountain Inn with empty stomachs and spoons in hand waiting to judge the best Chili. This was a tough year to judge, the Chili Cook-Off had ten entries all worthy of winning the $150.00 Grand Prize. In the end only one chili could be voted "The Best." Mike Greco the only two-time winner was the early front runner. Skip Woodruff was ready with his famous Moose Chili; Jesse Casella had her vegetarian delight; Mick Plon came all the way from Ohio to show his off; Caroline Persson (last year's winner) made an all organic chili; Danni West was sure to please the Jamaica Fire Department with her fire house chili. Dan Parsons created his "Pipe Wrench" chili and Jamie Knapp made an old family recipe dating back to the early 1900's and Doreen Morocho from Fleming Oil in Rawsonville making her traditional and family favorite Doreen's chili. But it was first year "Chili-er," little 10 year-old Demetri Sochin (with a little help from his dad, Greg) who ended up taking first place, $150.00 cash and bragging rights for the year! When his name was announced, Demetri was speechless - a hard feat to accomplish. Mike Greco, was the second place winner of a $50.00 gift certificate from the Three Mountain Inn. Mike has locked a spot in the Jamaica Old Home Day Chili Cook-Off Hall of Fame by placing first or second for 5 consecutive years. Skip Woodruff, who placed in third, a $25.00 gift certificate from D&K Jamaica Grocery, with his Moose Chili was very elated that the judges liked his non-traditional chili. Whether it was first year luck, his bright yellow Jamaica Basketball shirt, or he was a "cute little kid," there is no doubt that Demetri has inherited his father's culinary talents! DUCKY DASH The next major event was the Ducky Dash - sponsored by Landscape Constructions of Jamaica. It was a tough race - almost 300 ducks competed this year, making it one of the most challenging races so far. The spectators cheered as the ducks were dropped onto the Ball Mountain Brook. The ducks fought for positioning, using the rocks, logs and their natural floating abilities to advance down the difficult course from the Jamaica Fire House to the famed Kaneshiro Bay. The competition was so fierce that several ducks were disqualified for ramming other ducks into dead end pools. Official Spotters Oscar and Finley Forrester (ages 7) were the first to spot the violation. "It was awful, Finley stated, "there is no need for that kind of behavior, however it was fun jumping in the water after the ducks." As the ducks came closer to the finish line, it was clear speed was going to be a major factor in this year's race. The recent rain provided enough current to cause concern; Race Official Macadian Sweet (age 10) was very concerned about the safety of ducks. "They need to be careful, last year we lost a couple, and rumor has it, they are floating near the Townshend Dam." The lead pack rounded the bend; the crowd shouted with excitement, it was almost too close to call, they swerved past the rocks and finally onto Kaneshiro Bay. One, then another and another the ducks scooped up, we had the winners; however the race wasn't over yet, the Slacker Quacker was still out there. Slacker Quacker Commissioner Carly Lane (age 6) confirmed the Slacker by pointing to the last duck coming down the Ball Mountain Brook and shouting "there is one!" The Official Results for the 2009 Ducky Dash are: JAMAICA HISTORICAL SOCIETY The Grand Opening of the new Jamaica Historical Society Building was unveiled. The historic bank building that the Town residents voted to purchase from Citizen's Bank will house the Jamaica Historical Society photos, documents and records some dating back to the early 1800's. "We hope that having this space will encourage people to share their historic Jamaica artifacts, it is so important that the long time residents continue to keep the facts, stories and characters of Jamaica alive so current and future residents learn and understand the history of who we are," stated an excited Karen Ameden. As residents studied the pictures, articles and documents displayed, memories were triggered; older residents recalled stories of their youth, while young and new residents listened, mesmerized by these memories, and in that moment learned and understood a bit more about Jamaica, Vermont. DEDICATION OF NEW CONTACT STATION After years of planning the Jamaica State Park was granted approval for a new Contact Station. The new Station will welcome campers, hikers and white water enthusiast and provide a proper office for Park Staff. Governor Jim Douglas and Rep Rick Hube were on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony. "The depot-style construction with its ‘arrival window’ and other amenities is a nod to the railroad history of the area of our state and a creative way to preserve our cherished culture," the Governor said. "When the park staff built the station, they turned their eye to local heritage while improving the park’s services." The new park station replaces a 5-foot-by-8-foot 'closet' in the ranger’s quarters and incorporates many of the design elements common to those early railroad stations high ceilings, over-door transoms for lots of natural light, long roof overhangs as well as the ticket sales bump-out. It is built only a few feet from where the original Jamaica train station used to stand. The station construction was part of a large overhaul of the entire entrance complex at the park, including an ADA-accessible bathroom, new underground utilities for all the structures, a sewage pump station and replacement sewage disposal facility, a park volunteer site and a new RV/travel trailer sanitary station. PARADE The finale of Jamaica Old Home Day was the Parade down Main Street. Families, businesses and organizations build floats, mock up their vehicles, dress in costumes, pimp their tractors or just march down the street. Spectators lined the street cheering and encouraging their friends and neighbors. This year winners in the various categories were Ameden Constructions, Jim Bourque, the Jamaica Memorial Library, Winhall Fire Department, and Samantha Raimes. A favorite event during the parade is the Horse Plop Contest. From Vegas to Atlantic City; they all wished they were able to add this event to their casinos. Basically you are betting when a horse might ---well you know - Plop. The street is marked and numbered in 10 foot increments. Gamblers buy open sections for $5.00. Then during the Parade, Ploppers - people assigned to follow each horse - note when a horse - Plops. The person lucky enough to have purchased the numbered section where the pile of plop landed wins half the pot. This year the horses held on to almost the very end of the parade. Jumping Jack a beautiful horse did his Plopping deed on section 88, which was purchased by Nanette Roina; her winnings $140.00. "I couldn't believe it; I was getting nervous that the horses wouldn't plop during the parade. Then on section 88 out of 100, Jumping Jack lifted his tail and I scream 'WE HAVE A WINNER.' I'm not sure who was more relieved. Said the thankful Head Plopper Duffy Chapin. See you next year! July 31st 2010 |