Community Compass
Community Compass is a service of OITM. GLBT organizations from around the state are invited to provide brief — 200 words or less — descriptions of recent or upcoming activities and events. Send your submissions to us by email by the 15th of the month.
Mountain Pride Media
Mountain Pride Media is excited to welcome Isabel Smidy of Middlebury, Vermont to the Board of Directors. We would like to thank Mack Roark for all his fantastic work as Art Director of Out In The Mountains and wish him well as he pursues his new job at Middlebury College. We ask that you join us in welcoming our new Art Director, Pete Gershon of Burlington, Vermont. We are very excited to have Pete on board.
Each month, Mountain Pride Media acknowledges the individuals who help get Out In The Mountains out into the community. This month we send out our thanks to Judy, Dan B., David, Bennett, Dustin, Susan, Larry, Euan, Aldora, Marsha, Daryl, Denny, Cindy, Jose, Bob, Todd, Jim and Roland. Also an extra special thank you to David who brought brownies for everyone at this month's stuffing. The February “Stuffing” will be Thursday, February 28 starting at 5:30 p.m. at our offices above The Daily Bread in Richmond, Vermont. Please feel free to stop by and say hello and help out.
Mountain Pride Media held it's volunteer appreciation day on Saturday, January 19th. With over 30 volunteers attending, we had a fantastic time playing in the snow at Sleepy Hollow Ski & Bike in Huntington followed by a dinner at a home in Hinesburg. Our two 2001 Community Heroes, Elizabeth Hane & Sandy Reeks, were presented with certificates of appreciation at the dinner. We thank all our volunteers for making a difference everyday for MPM and for the community and encourage people to contact us about volunteering in 2002.
Pride Vermont
Regardless of whether the groundhog saw its shadow last week, it is a scant 19 weeks until the Pride Festival streams through the streets of Burlington on Saturday, June 15 (Remember that date! There are many more dates to follow). This year marks the 20th annual Pride celebration of our diverse Vermont community, and it promises to be a grand “Family Reunion.” There is much to be done in preparation and anticipation of the June 1st Kick-Off Rally and Parade in Montpelier.
If you have been out to 135 Pearl for Womyn's Night or Shakti (the first and second Friday's of the month respectively), then you have probably bumped into a Pride representative asking you to buy a raffle ticket. Thank you to everyone who has been participating in the 50/50 raffles. The next dates are the 1st and 8th of February.
Pride has also set and confirmed Friday, May 10th as the date for its Annual Silent Auction. This year the location has been changed to the St. John's Club in Burlington. Hot on the heels of summer love, the Silent Auction will be night to remember with Bob Bolyard hosting Karaoke Kapers and several special performances by local stars.
And finally as we at Pride VT head into spring, we hope everyone is beginning to think about how they want to celebrate their own uniqueness and individuality as a community this year. So, if you've got a great idea or just want to volunteer some time, Pride VT will be meeting Tuesday the 12th and 26th at the McClure Multi-Generational Center, 271 No. Winooski Ave, Burlington at 7 p.m. For any more information please check out the Web site at www.pridevermont.org. Peace and wear your long john's.
Samara Foundation
Samara Foundation is pleased to announce its fifth annual grant-making cycle. Samara's 2002 grant applications start with a Letter of Intent due on March 1, 2002. Full grant applications are requested only after letters of intent have been reviewed. For complete grant application information, application forms online, and a list of previous grants awarded by Samara, go to www.samarafoundation.org.
Samara will also offer general grant writing workshops on February 13, 2002 in Burlington and Brattleboro from 6:30pm - 8:30pm. The Burlington session will be held at the Fletcher Free Library; the Brattleboro session will be held at the Brattleboro Savings and Loan. For more information and to pre-register, contact ted@samarafoundation.org. All sessions are offered at no charge!
Samara Scholarships for Year 2002 will be processed through the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC). Samara Scholarships are listed in VSAC’s Scholarships (for the College Year 2002-2003). For a copy call 1-800-642-3177. Information about applying is also included at www.samarafoundation.org, along with a link to VSAC’s Web site, www.vsac.org. Applications must be postmarked by April 1, 2002.
The Samara Scholarship was established in 2000 as an investment in the future of Vermont students who oppose discrimination and prejudice and who stand for the elimination of homophobia in our society. Visit www.samarafoundation.org to read about the outstanding Vermont high school students who have been past Samara Scholarship recipients.
Theatre on a Shoestring
Theatre on a Shoestring is currently seeking a production site for their upcoming spring performance of Love, Sex, and the IRS by William van Zandt and Jane Milmore. The dates are April 8-13.
The required space for the show would be a large black box/ballroom size room that is capable of holding 100+ audience members and a large set in or around the Greater Burlington area. The space would have to be accessible during the day to move in the set, lights, etc.
TOAS is also looking for volunteers to help construct the set, run lights, and hand out programs at the show. All volunteers will be able to watch the show for free each night they work. For more information, to offer a location, or to volunteer, e-mail info@theatreshoe.com or call toll free 888-212-5884.
TOAS is a non-profit, tax-exempt (IRS Code 501(c)3) organization with an all volunteer crew.
Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force
Farewell, Dorothy!
After 2 1/2 years of amazing dedication, Dorothy Mammen is stepping down as Coordinator of the Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force. You are invited to a farewell celebration in her honor Saturday, February 2, 2002 from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm at the Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society, Cross & Water Streets, Middlebury, Vermont. Call 802-388-2633 for more information or directions. If you are unable to attend you may wish to send a card or make a donation in her honor to P.O. Box 1312, Middlebury, VT 05753.