Groton Town Focus

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· Thinking spring at the Groton Indoor Farmer’s Market

· Dick Page “Ride In” a big success in Groton

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· Thinking spring at the Groton Indoor Farmer’s Market

Reprinted with permission from “The Bridge Weekly” February 26th, 2009 edition

It was a beautiful winter day outside last Saturday, but it was "think spring" inside the Groton General Store as the Indoor Farmer's Market was held with the theme, "Get ready for spring planting". Visitors learned about gardening and plantings. They could buy seeds and place orders for seed potatoes. Locally made foods and produce were for sale. The next farmer's market will be held Saturday March 21 at the Groton Community Building, as a new business will soon occupy the general store. TBWS/Peter Kimball

· Dick Page “Ride In” a big success in Groton

By H. Paul Berlejung

Reprinted with permission from “The Bridge Weekly” February 19th, 2009 edition

Dot Knott adds a little seasoning. According to Fire department member Phillip Palmer, the FD's recipe for the BBQ chicken is a long standing secret, one which has survived many years from the days of the late Gerald Morse, State Senator and long-time Groton chicken producer.

Groton Town Constable, Milt Lamberton (Left) and Deane Page are in their typical spot selling the dinner tickets as Upper Valley Grill and General Store owner and Ride-In Supporter, Bill Kane stops by.

Groton - The 32nd annual Dick Page "Ride In" Saturday at Groton's town garage was another big success. The ride in is the major fund raiser for the Buckaroos of 302, the local snowmobile club. The ride in featured barbecued chicken, beans, cole slaw, rolls, dessert and beverages. The club was assisted by members of the Groton Volunteer Fire Department.

The time for the ride in was announced as "11:00 am to the last chicken is served." The last of the 310 chicken halves was sold around 1:00 pm. Gallons of beans and gallons of cole slaw were sold as well to the hundreds of people who attended the event.

Landowners who allow trails to cross their property were the guests of honor. Each landowner was given two gift certificates for free meals to the ride in as a "Thank You" gift from the club. More than 80% of the snowmobile trails in Vermont cross private land.

For over 25 years the Groton Volunteer Fire Department has been barbequing the chicken for the Dick Page Ride-In festivities. These fire department members were doing the cooking behind the fire department Saturday morning: (L-R) Tiffany Tucker, Garrett Aiken, Wade Johnson, Phillip Palmer, Dorothy Knott and Fire Chief Wayne Knott. Chief Knott says this has been a "pretty decent fundraiser" for the 14-member department.

Some members of the Buckaroos of 302 Snowmobile Club of Groton stop for a photo before serving many at the Dick Page Ride-In Saturday at the Groton Town Garage. The 50/50 raffle winner was Pearl Graves of Walden ($220.00). Four door prizes donated by Absolute Power Sports and the Upper Valley Grill & General Store were given out.

Amid the town grader, town trucks and equipment, some attendees of the Dick Page Ride-In enjoy the meal. Rita Ames was the dinner organizer. TBWS/Paul Berlejung