Put WiFi in the Shop!

May 15, 2012 Patrick Ciriello Andover, Bennington, Brattleboro, Burlington, Business, Cavendish, Chester, Ludlow, Montpelier, Mount Holly, Okemo Valley, Plymouth, Proctorsville, Rutland, Springfield, Weston, White River Junction, Windham, Windsor No comments

I recently attended a Business & Energy Expo here in Vermont.  Many of the “vendors” were in the hospitality industry.  One of the sponsors was an organization that is involved in getting businesses to better utilize the new telecommunication infrastructure that Vermont is developing.

I learned from talking with these people that over 50% of the Inns and other “resort” facilities in the area DID NOT offer free WiFi to their guests. That was the bad news.  The good news is that the three main reasons cited by these businesses are very easily fixable.

HOW DO I SET UP MY WIFI?

Setting up WiFi for you guests is not as difficult as you might think.  For a small B&B, it is probably just a simple matter of replacing your current router with one that provides wireless connections.  However, this would not adequately address the next issue for most businesses.

HOW DO I ADDRESS WIFI SECURITY?

Fortunately, this isn’t that difficult either.  There are some very basic things you need to do that will keep your data, and your guests, secure.  In general, you want to make sure the “public” network is not directly connected to your “business” network.  This could be achieved in a number of ways, and if you are not tech savvy, you could contact your local computer shop and they should be able to help you.  However, for those who would like to “do it yourself”, here are some things you need to consider.

The wireless access for your guests should be through a ROUTER, not just a wireless access point.

Your in-house network should be password protected if you are using WiFi.  It should directly connected to your ISP provider (DSL, cable, etc.)

Your “guest” router should be WIRED to your in-house router.  I suggest making it password protected as well, for the security of your guests as well as your own systems.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO SET UP WIFI?

The bulk of the time will be spend driving to the local store to get the WiFi routers.  The other time-consuming part is actually reading the manuals.  Of course, you could have your local computer guy do the whole thing for you.  It will save you time, probably some frustration, and while it might cost a little bit more for his time, you now have a selling feature in your rooms that makes you different.

FREE WiFi!

Events in the Okemo Valley – Southern Vermont – Week of March 26th 2012

March 26, 2012 Patrick Ciriello Art, Chester, Events, Farmers Market, Food, Ludlow, Movie, Music, Okemo Valley, Rutland, Springfield, Weston, Windham, Windsor No comments

There’s lots to do here in Southern Vermont!  Come join the fun and fellowship!

OPEN MIC NIGHT 3/26/12 – LUDLOW

Date: 3/26/12
Time: 9:00pm
Location: The Killarney, 44 Pond Street, Ludlow, VT 05149
Description: Open Mic Night! $3.00 Bud or Bud Light, $2.50 PBR Drafts.
Contact: For more information visit www.killarneyludlow.com or call 802-228-7797.

 

BOOK DISCUSSION – LUDLOW

Date: 3/27/12
Time: Noon
Location: Fletcher Memorial Library, Main Street, Ludlow, VT
Description: Join us for a community book discussion of “Under the Tuscan Sun”.

The programs will be held at noon. Bring a sandwich and the friends will provide the beverages and desserts. The books are available in the library.
Contact: For more details please call 802-228-8921.

 

OPEN MIC NIGHT 3/27/12 – LUDLOW

Date: 3/27/12
Location: Outback Pizza, 64 Pond Street, Ludlow, VT 05149
Description: Tuesday is Open Mic Night at Outback. Bring your instrument and play some music!
Contact: For more information visit www.outbackludlow.com or call 802-228-6688.

 

PLAY GROUP – LUDLOW

Date: 3/28/12
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Fletcher Memorial Library, 88 Main Street, Ludlow, VT 05149
Description: Babies and toddlers join us in the activity room!
Contact: For more information contact Lindsay at 802-228-3517.

 

MOVIE SHOWING – WESTON

Date: 3/28/12
Time: 6:30pm – 10:15pm
Location: Village Green Gallery, 661 Main Street, Weston, VT 05161
Description: As a prelude to the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company’s August production of one of the world’s most-loved musicals, the 1971 Academy Award-winning movie Fiddle on the Roof is showing at The Village Green Gallery! Starting at 6:30pm WPTC’s Resident Producing Director Steve Stettler will offer insight into the story, the show’s history on Broadway, and Weston’s plans for the upcoming production. The movie will begin at 7:00pm. Drinks and Russian refreshments will be served. Suggested donation: $10 at the door. RSVP required as seating is limited.
Contact: For additional information or to reserve your seat, call The Village Green Gallery at 802-824-3669.

 

SEAFOOD TASTING – CHESTER

Date: 3/29/12
Time: 5pm – 7pm
Location: William Austin’s Antiques, Corner of Routes 11W and 103N (42 Maple Street), Chester, VT 05143
Description: Every Thursday William Austin’s Antiques hosts a seafood tasting from 5-7pm. People are able to taste oysters, shrimp, mussels, clams on half shells, steamers, lobsters, soups, and more at no charge! There is also a fish dish offered every week. Bring your own wine if you want. Tasting requests are being accepted by phone call. Come join us, all ages are welcome!
Contact: For more information or to make a request call 802-875-3032.

 

OPEN MIC NIGHT – CHESTER

Date: 3/30/12
Time: 8pm
Location: The Stone Hearth Inn & Tavern, 698 Route 11 West, Chester, VT
Description: Every Friday night is Open Mic Night at The Stone Hearth. This night is always so much fun and we have an amazing beer selection on tap. Join us!
Contact: For more details call 802-875-2525.

 

THE 80′S PARTY – LUDLOW

Date: 3/31/12
Time: Following the Killarney sponsored Joey Jam at Okemo
Location: The Killarney, 44 Pond Street, Ludlow, VT 05149
Description: The 80′s Party will feature DJ Murchie! Check out the Joey Jam at Okemo and then have some more fun at our 80′s Party!
Contact: For more information visit www.killarneyludlow.com or call 802-228-7797.

 

SPRINGFIELD CHORUS TO SING IN LUDLOW

Date: 3/31/12
Time: 7pm
Location: Ludlow Town Hall, 39 Depot Street, Ludlow, VT 05149
Description: The Springfield Community Chorus, a group of about 40 singers, is in its 45th year of bringing choral music to the Springfield, Vermont, area. This is the first year we’ve been invited to sing at the newly refurbished Ludlow Town Hall, at 39 Depot Street, and the Chorus is excited about this opportunity to expand our audience. The Chorus has several singers from Ludlow, who are happy about singing in their own town. On Saturday, March 31, at 7:00 PM, the Chorus will be singing a spring concert featuring great choruses from operas and stage musicals. Our Director, Ken Olsson, is in his second season with the Chorus. His favorite kind of music is musical theater – opera and musicals, and he brings to the Chorus an excellent command of this genre of music. Our piano accompanist will again be Vladimir Odinokikh, who lives in New Hampshire. Among the opera choruses the Chorus will be performing are “Pilgrim’s Chorus” from Tannhauser, by Wagner; “Anvil Chorus” from Il Trovatore by Verdi; “Butterfly’s Entrance” from Madame Butterfly by Puccini; “The Easter Chorus” from Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni. The Chorus will also sing songs from Hello Dolly, The Music Man, West Side Story, and Les Miserables. If you miss our Ludlow performance, the Springfield Community Chorus will be repeating the concert the next day, April 1, 2012, at First Congregational Church UCC, 77 Main St. Springfield, Vermont, 3 PM. We don’t charge an admission fee for our concerts, but we do ask for donations as people leave. We have many expenses in the course of producing concerts, and donations are our primary way of meeting these expenses. Both concerts are handicapped accessible. In Ludlow, the handicapped entrance is accessed at the back of the building. In Springfield, the lift is accessed from the front lobby of the church. The Ludlow event is sponsored by FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium).
Contact: For more information call 802-228-7239.

 

FARMERS MARKET – LUDLOW

Date: 3/31/12
Time: 10am – 1pm
Location: Ludlow Teen Center (Goodmans American Pie), Main Street, Ludlow, VT
Description: Join us for our winter farmers market. Local meat, baked goods, eggs, crafts and more! BUY LOCAL!
Contact: For more information please contact Jerry at 802-734-3829 or visitwww.ludlowfarmersmarket.com.

 

REIKI II CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP – CHESTER

Date: 3/31/12
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Location: Peace of Paradise, 78 The Common, Chester, VT 05143
Description: Level II Reiki Certification. Cost is $200. Pre-registration required.
Contact: For additional information or to register call 802-875-8008.

 

RELEASING THROUGH THE YEARS WORKSHOP – CHESTER

Date: 4/1/12
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Peace of Paradise, 78 the Common, Chester, VT 05143
Description:Facilitated by Rev. El’Anya Nightingale Author of The Voice Within: The Call for the Return to God-Consciousness and Founder of The Center for the Study of God’s Living Heart.

Join us for a morning of releasing that which is not serving you and your life’s purpose. On this uniquely personal journey, ElAnya will guide you to learn how to release past memories and emotions that are no longer beneficial to your growth and well-being. You will walk out of our door feeling the freedom that accompanies letting go of energetic charges that you may or may not have been aware of but that have been undoubtedly affecting your life and relationships. If you would like to feel this weight lifted from your “shoulders” and your heart, join us with your open mind and heart as we let go together!

The cost of the workshop is $25 – 45 per person (sliding fee scale).
Contact: For more information call 802-875-8008 or visit www.peaceofparadisevt.com.

 

FESTIVAL OF QUILTS – RUTLAND

Date: 3/31 – 4/1/12
Time: Saturday 9:00am – 5:00pm, Sunday 10:00am – 4:00pm
Location: College of St. Joseph, Rutland, VT
Description: Invitational Quilter Pamenla Druhen, Featured Guild Quilter Marcia Shipman, Spectacular quilts by MLQ members and friends, Exhibit of Antique Quilts, Demonstations, Tea Room, Vendors, Consignment Boutique, Basket Ticket Auction, Dresden Plate Raffle Quilt, 2012 Challenge “Irene: Putting the Pieces Back Together”. Children under 12 free. Handicapped Accessible. Admission is $6.00.
Contact: For additional information visit www.mapleleafquilters.org, orwww.facebook.com/quiltshow. Email questions to mapleleafquilters@yahoo.com.

 

 

FESTEVOL FEATURING BARENAKED LADIES, BIG HEAD TODD AND THE MONSTERS, & GUSTER

February 29, 2012 Patrick Ciriello Events, Food, Ludlow, Music, Okemo Valley, Sports No comments

Festevol is back for another year at Okemo!FestEVOL is back!  Come to Okemo for a unique lifestyle experience combining mountain sports, live music, innovative natural brands and a sustainably focused “eco-village”.  Headline bands for 2012 include Barenaked Ladies on Saturday (doors open at 3 p.m.), and Big Head Todd and Guster on Sunday (doors open at 2 p.m.)! Concert takes place at the Ice House at Jackson Gore, an outdoor venue, so please dress appropriately.

Plus, enjoy the Reverb Eco Village all day in the Jackson Gore courtyard. This interactive village includes local regional and national environmental non-profit groups alongside alternative energy and transportation exhibits. The Eco Village also highlights all natural/organic food sampling and ski/snowboard equipment demos with Nordica and RAMP Sports.

SEAFOOD TASTING – CHESTER VERMONT

February 29, 2012 Patrick Ciriello Dinner, Events, Food, Wine No comments

SEAFOOD TASTING – CHESTER

Date: 3/1/12
Time: 5pm – 7pm
Location: William Austin’s Antiques, Corner of Routes 11W and 103N (42 Maple Street), Chester, VT 05143
Description: NEW! Every thursday William Austin’s Antiques will be hosting seafood tasting from 5-7pm. People will be able to taste oysters, shrimp, mussels, clams on half shells, steamers, lobsters, soups, and more at no charge! There will also be a fish dish offered every week. Bring your own wine if you want. Tasting requests are being accepted by phone call. Come join us, all ages are welcome!
Contact: For more information or to make a request call 802-875-3032.

THURSDAY NIGHT MOVIE – LUDLOW VERMONT

February 29, 2012 Patrick Ciriello Events, Ludlow, Movie, Okemo Valley No comments

THURSDAY NIGHT MOVIE – LUDLOW

Date: 3/1/12
Time: 7pm
Location: Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium, Depot Street, Ludlow, VT - Above Town Hall
Description: Now entering its second year of providing high quality movies to the Black River area, FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) has released the schedule for its ’1st Thursday’ movies for 2012. All the movies are shown on the first Thursday of each month at 7 pm at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium. Admission is free; donations are appreciated.

The remainder of the schedule is:

  • April 5 – “On the Waterfront”
  • May 3 – “The Maltese Falcon”
  • June 7 – “Dr. Strangelove”
  • July 5 – “The Manchurian Candidate”
  • August 2 – “Dances with Wolves”
  • September 6 – “The African Queen”
  • October 4 – “Bridge Over the River Kwai”
  • November 1 – “The Third Man”
  • December 6 – “Shane”

Citizen Kane is a 1941 American drama film, directed by and starring Orson Welles. Many critics consider it the greatest film of all time, especially for its innovative cinematography, music and narrative structure. Citizen Kane was Welles’ first feature film. The film was nominated for Academy Awards in nine categories; it won an Academy Award for Best Writing (Original Screenplay) by Herman Mankiewicz and Welles. It was released by RKO Pictures.

The story examines the life and legacy of Charles Foster Kane, played by Welles, a character based in part upon the American newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst and Welles’ own life. Upon its release, Hearst prohibited mention of the film in any of his newspapers. Kane’s career in the publishing world is born of idealistic social service, but gradually evolves into a ruthless pursuit of power.

Narrated principally through flashbacks, the story is revealed through the research of a newsreel reporter seeking to solve the mystery of the newspaper magnate’s dying word: “Rosebud.” After his success in the theatre with his Mercury Players and his controversial 1938 radio broadcast of War of the Worlds, Welles was courted by Hollywood. He signed a contract with RKO Pictures in 1939. Unusual for an untried director, he was given the freedom to develop his own story and use his own cast and crew, and was given final cut privilege. “Citizen Kane” will be shown on March 1 at 7 PM in the auditorium. The movie is free; donations are appreciated.

Contact: For more details please call 802-228-7239.

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