On-Line Newsletter of the

United Church of Ludlow

Hon. Daniel A. and Sarah E. Heald appeared at the United Church of Ludlow on Sunday, April 29 to give a sketch of their lives and importance in the church’s history. The visitors created excitement about the public Birthday Party of the church on Saturday, May 5th and Sunday, May 6th to which all are invited.

Daniel A. Heald was born in Chester in 1818 and grew up on a farm. He attended Chester Academy and Kimball Union Academy of Meriden, NH, and graduated from Yale in 1841. After moving to Ludlow, Heald was admitted to the bar in 1843. While in Ludlow, he practiced law, was a Representative and Senator in the Vermont Legislature, and built a large lumber mill in Healdville.

In Ludlow, Daniel met colleague at the bar, Judge Reuben Washburn, and his daughter, Sarah Elizabeth, born in Cavendish in 1820. Daniel and Sarah married in 1843 and took up residence on Main Street adjacent to her parents. Both families were active members of the Congregational Church. Later, Sarah published her remembrances as a young girl attending Sunday services in the 1806 Congregational building on High St. She and Daniel worshiped and participated in leadership in the 1839 building after their marriage.

The Healds left Ludlow in 1856 for New York City as Daniel became General Agent for the new Home Insurance Company. By 1888, he became President. Of more importance nationally was his work addressing the danger of fire, especially in large cities. He invented fire insurance and was the prime mover in organizing the National Board of Fire Underwriters, quickly becoming president. He was a major advocate of full-time, paid fire services in New York City and elsewhere.

By 1890, the church was cramped in its 1839 building, and the Heald couple became interested in the church’s growth. They received Ludlow property in her parent’s estate and talked with the Building Committee, including Dr. Daniel and Viola Cooledge, and offered to donate a building lot on the corner of Elm and Pleasant Streets. The church accepted their generous offer. The Healds engaged an architect to plan the existing, now 120 years old, only authentic shingle style church in Vermont.

Their beneficence continued.

They gave the main stained glass window in honor of Sarah’s parents, Hanna B. and Reuben Washburn and the porte-cochere. Sarah donated the Ladies Parlor and its complete furnishings, including frescos on the ceiling. She engaged in all the details of the room’s decoration and convinced Mrs. Seth Thomas to donate a mantel clock.

While Daniel was the financial provider, Sarah was a strong woman, both a writer and artist. She authored children’s books. An Old Family (1887) and Mother Kate and the Brownies: A Christmas Story (1888) are still available on Amazon.com. She painted from memory the 1806 church, which hung in the current building for years. The atypical central window indicates her influence. It depicts Jesus talking with Mary and Martha. Then and today it is very unusual to see women centrally depicted in protestant church windows. The accompanying photo shows two rocking chairs still in use selected by Sarah for the Ladies Parlor.

The whole community is invited to the Church’s 220th (of founding) and 120th (of the building) Birthdays. Some of the many features of the birthday party will feature:

· meet the Rev. Peter and Lydia Read (Peter was the first pastor),

· Dr. Daniel and Viola Cooledge,

· Daniel and Sarah Heald (pictured above are Lisha Klaiber and George Thomson as the Healds),

· explore graffiti inside the organ,

· hear interpretations of Plaques to “Pop” Dorsey and Edwin O’Connor, Jr.,

· find Revolutionary, Civil War, and WW I records of church members,

· see the 46 star flag from the parsonage attic,

· climb the belfry to the 1839 bell,

· and many other activities.

Saturday, May 5: Activities from 3:00; Dinner seatings at 5:00 and 6:00. Sunday, May 6: Worship and Building Rededication 10:15; free Ice Cream Social and simultaneous Activities repeated 2:00-4:00. For more information: Bob Kottkamp 802-228-6282 or rkottkamp@gmail.com. Church website: www.unitedchurch.us.

UNITED CHURCH HISTORIC BIRTHDAY PARTY CELEBRATION

On January 28, 2004, the National Park Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior added the United Church of Ludlow to its august listing known as the National Register of Historic Places, an honor accorded to only a handful of Ludlow structures.  The Church building was completed in May 1892, and this year is the 120^th anniversary of its construction.  By coincidence, it also is the 220^th anniversary of the founding of the Church in 1792.  The United Church is having a public Happy Birthday celebration to commemorate these two anniversaries. The celebration will occur at the Church on two consecutive days – May 5^th and May 6^th.

 

The Birthday Party celebration will begin with a host of free activities from  3:00 to 6:00 pm on Saturday, May 5^th, all in the historic Church building located at the intersection of Pleasant and Elm streets.  Two of these 15 or so activities are registering to request searches of the voluminous Church records for family historical information and  tours of the Church belfry by agile visitors to see the 1,000+ lb. bell cast in 1839 by an apprentice of Paul Revere (of Revolutionary fame).   All of these activities focus on the history of the Church and of Ludlow.

 

On that Saturday, the Church, starting at 5:00 pm,  will serve a traditional, scrumptious chicken pie dinner with a huge birthday cake and pies for dessert at the unheard of low price of $5.00 per person, with children under 12 being served free of charge. 

 

The Birthday Party will continue on Sunday, May 6^th, with a worship service starting at 10:15 am, which will include the dedication of the recently framed, 46-star American flag issued upon admittance of Oklahoma to the Union in1906.  This flag, along with a number of 45-star flags (Utah, 1896), was found in 1999 in a trunk located in the attic of the then Church’s parsonage.  All of these flags are in remarkably good condition.  The worship service will be based, in part,  on information pertaining to a worship service conducted more than 100 years ago. 

 

On that Sunday afternoon, a free, old fashioned Ice Cream Social will result in everyone making their own ice cream sundae from a multiple of toppings that will be available.  The Saturday afternoon activities will be repeated on Sunday afternoon for those that missed them the prior day (or just want to see them again). 

 

There will be lots of helium balloons at all of the activities so mark your calendars and join in the fun of this historic celebration.  Everyone is welcome!

 

For further information, contact David Almond at 802.228.2414 or bethalmond@tds.net,  or visit the Church’s website at www.unitedchurc.us or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UCLudlow.

(The following is based on research by David Almond)

The Church’s bell was cast by the Holbrook Bell Foundry of East Medway (Massachusetts) in 1839, just 50 years after the US Constitution was ratified by the 13 states. The Holbrook Bell Foundry was established in1816, by Major George Holbrook. Major Holbrook earlier had established a bell foundry in Brookfield, Massachusetts in 1797. That business was successful but Holbrook had made the error of guaranteeing a “friend’s” borrowings and was obliged to make the payments and was financially ruined. Broken in spirit, he returned to his home town of Wrentham, Massachusetts, and, while there, he learned that a new bell was wanted for a new meeting house in East Medway and he secured a contract to cast it. The coming of Major Holbrook into East Medway initially was opposed by many of its citizens for fear that he would become a pauper and a financial burden to the town. Their doubts were erased when he cast that first bell. The business that he established at the time grew into a very large and successful one and was carried on by four successive generation of the Holbrook family until 1880, when the business was sold to parties in San Francisco, California.

Major Holbrook, while very young, was apprenticed to Paul Revere (of Revolutionary fame) to learn the machinists and clockmaker’s trades. After he completed his apprenticeship, he started casting bells in Brookfield, Massachusetts, having learned the art from an old English encyclopedia. The Holbrook Bell Foundry was in reality, though not legally, the successor of the famous Revere bell foundry, as during the years 1816 to 1820 it was the only establishment of its kind in America. During the period of its existence, the Holbrook Bell Factory cast over eleven thousand bells for domestic and international customers. They were exhibited at industrial exhibitions throughout the United States and came in competition with the bells of others, always receiving the highest awards. Among other awards was the grand gold medal from the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics Association (Boston) for general superiority and pure musical tone, and this despite the proprietor of a competing business being President of the Association and had many bells on exhibit at the same time. The products of the Holbrook Bell Foundry became the standard bells ofAmerica. Major Holbrook’s son, Colonel George H. Holbrook, who became an eminent musician, is credited with improving the tone of the bells and changing them from noisy machines to musical instruments. Colonel Holbrook became associated with his father in the manufacture of bells and church clocks and succeeded in 1820 to the entire business which he carried on until 1871. Colonel Holbrook, in 1837, began building church organs, in company with his cousin, Mr. J Holbrook Ware, until 1850, when that partnership was dissolved. He was succeeded in the organ business by his son, Mr. Edwin L. Holbrook, and in the bell business by his grandson, Mr. Edwin Handel Holbrook.

Some current information concerning the valuation of bells of this type was located. There are various ways to value bells:

1. Scrap price, which is the current price for bronze that you can get from a scrap metal dealer.
2. Collector’s price, which is whatever a bell collector is willing to spend.
3. Price that a bell resale dealer is willing to pay in order to recondition the bell for resale (usually about half of the expected resale value)
4. Historic/sentimental price, which is the cost to the congregation of losing a piece of its history (better to clean the bell and display it within the church once it is determined to be unsafe to continue ringing the bell).

In the information associated with the valuation method descriptions shown above, the author indicated that his company usually estimates a minimum of $100/pound for a good bronze bell. As our Church bell weighs approximately 1,200 pounds, the indication is it has a value north of $100,000.

A most loving gift you can give to your family is completion of advance medical directives (living will) and designation of an individual to speak for you if you are unable to communicate in critical medical decisions (medical power of attorney). Monday, April 16, at 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM, the United Church of Ludlow at the corner of Pleasant and Elm Streets will host free National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) workshops providing information, interactive video scenarios, discussion, and opportunity to complete advance medical directives specific to Vermont.

Advance directives eliminate the shock and ambiguity thrust upon family in medical emergencies when they are required to make critical decisions for a loved one without a clear statement of that person's desires. Advanced directives allow for decisions ranging from "Prolong my life as long as possible...." to “Don’t prolong my life if...." Easily cancelled and revised, they are simply your clear statement to family and the medical community of what you want. Advance medical directives are not just for seniors; the most wrenching and news dominating cases in recent years concerned young people with no directives sparking all out family battles. These can be avoided. Come to learn, interact, deliberate, and make decisions about an issue not easy for many of us to deal with—yet very important. Questions? See: www.nhdd.org. Call: 802-228-6282.

1792 Ludlow Resident and Pastor Appears at United Church

                                                                                        Photo by David Hearne

On a recent Sunday before worship, the United Church of Ludlow received a visit from Rev. Peter Read, first pastor of the Ludlow Congregational Church. Read was important in the history of Ludlow and its first church. Born in Massachusetts in 1751, in 1776 he married Mary Pitcher, who died in child birth. He married Lydia Gilbert in 1786. In 1792, the year after Vermont became the 14th state, the Reads moved with three children from New Haven, CT to Ludlow. Upon arrival, Read immediately took up activity in organizing the town and religious affairs. He served as selectman in 1793 and 1795-1799 and in 1795 was Ludlow’s first Representative to the Vermont Legislature. Pictured above is Rev. Read (aka Bob Kottkamp) holding 1806 book describing church origin in his handwriting.

In 1792 Peter also organized Ludlow’s first religious meetings, which continued in homes and in the open until the organization of the First Congregational Meeting House Society and the building of a church in 1806. At the first church meeting, Read was elected Deacon. In 1808 the congregation requested that he be licensed to preach, and by unanimous vote in 1810, Rev. Read was called as the Congregational Church’s first pastor, which office he held until October, 1826.

By 1802, Lydia Read had born the last of their eight children. She died in 1815 at age of 56, only five years into her husband’s pastorate. In 1817, Rev. Read married Elizabeth Baldwin of Dorset, Vermont. Read saw the start of the second, much larger meeting house in 1839; he died in October at age 88. Both meeting houses were located on the same lot on the north side of High Street directly across from the Roman Catholic Church.

What kind of man was he? Joseph Harris, author of History of Ludlow Vermont, provided this description: “He was considered an able preacher…and was esteemed as a good Christian man, but he was odd in many expressions, and more strict in his orthodoxy than would be appreciated in these days….”

Rev. Read ended this short visit by saying he would be back, with Lydia, on May 5 and 6 for the 220th and 120th Birthday Celebration of the United Church of Ludlow. Peter and Lydia will be present to interact with celebrants and answer questions. He might even bring the 1806 book (in the photo) with his description of the church’s founding.

Some scenes from the dinner - and those preparing the feast!

Ludlow’s first free library opened its doors in 1892.  Known as the Florence Memorial Library, it occupied about 20 percent of the first floor of the United Church of Ludlow building.  The library was accessed by two outside doors, one of which has since been replaced by a window.  The furnishings of the library were donated by James S. Gill and his wife Rachel, of Ludlow and Boston, in memory of their daughter Florence.  Originally a public library, free and open to local citizens, it was closed after the Fletcher Memorial Library was opened in 1900. A plaque over the original fireplace in the library still commemorates the Gill’s gift to the community.

This and other features of the United Church will be open to the public during the Church’s Happy Birthday celebration (220^th for the Church’s founding and 120^th for the building) on May 5 from 3 to 5 pm (followed by a scrumptious dinner) and on May 6 from 2 to 4 (concurrently with a free ice cream social).

Mark your calendars for these special events.  Additional information is available from Bob Kottkamp at 228-6282.

Included in the obvious treasures of the United Church of Ludlow are fifteen stained-glass windows that grace its sanctuary.  Many of the Church’s less obvious treasures are in the form of information – such as birthdates, baptisms, marriages and deaths, among others.  The Church’s May 5 and May 6, 2012 Birthday Party – the 120^th for the Church’s Building and the 220^th for the Church’s founding – will include many free activities available to the public. The Birthday Party activities will take place from 3 to 5 pm on Saturday, May 5^th (followed by a scrumptious dinner at a ridiculously low price) and on Sunday, May 6^th from 2 to 4 pm (concurrently with a free Ice Cream Social).

(The Church’s primary stained-glass window (see above) can be back lit, making it especially beautiful at night when the lights are on – a real treasure.  This window is unusual due to its focus on women.)

The duration of the Church’s history suggests the extent of information contained in the Church’s records.  These records are replete with surnames associated with the Ludlow area – such as Agan, Dorsey, Ellison, Gill, Spaulding, Tucker and Washburn.  Unfortunately, the Church’s records are manual and cannot be searched by computer.  Manual information searches are time intensive and not quickly accomplished.  Nevertheless, one of the Birthday Party activities will involve members of the public completing forms describing specific information of interest to them that may be found in the Church’s records.

The information searches will be completed by Church members subsequent to the Birthday Party and the information provided to the requestors as it becomes available.  Because of the time involved, the Church can only undertake to complete 10 of these limited searches, determined on a first come, first served basis, for requests made during the May 5^th activities.  Hopefully those making requests will be explicit as to the information sought.  So dig out the old names, approximate dates and other data associated with your request and plan to attend the early part of the May 5^th activities.

Stay tuned to learn the details of the other May 5^th and May 6^th activities and mark your calendars so you won’t miss out on the fun of celebrating the Church’s milestone!  For further information, contact David Almond at 802.228.2414 or bethalmond@tds.net.

United Church of Ludlow will host a Presidents’ Week Supper Saturday, February 25, 5:00pm – 7:00pm, at 48 Pleasant Street, Ludlow, Vermont.  Menu includes Cob Smoked Singleton’s Ham with pineapple, baked potato, baked beans, copper carrots, green beans almondine, cornbread, assorted homemade pies and beverages. Adults, $10; children (11 and under), $5.   For more information, call United Church at 802-228-4211 or Sandy Peplau at 802-484-7806.

Tours of the belfry of the United Church of Ludlow will be one of the free activities available to the public, at least for the physically nimble, at the Church’s May 5 and May 6, 2012 Birthday Party, the 120th for the Church’s building and the 220th for the Church’s founding. The Church’s 1,000 pound plus bell was cast in 1839, when Martin Van Buren was president and only 50 years after the Constitution of the United States became effective.

These tours and other activities will take place from 3 to 5 pm on Saturday, May 5th and from 2 to 4 pm on Sunday May 6th. The Sunday activities will coincide with an Ice Cream Social, when you will be able to make your own sundae from a variety of delicious ingredients. Another activity will include viewing and explanations of the “Early American Graffiti” in the hand-pumping chamber (mostly used prior to the electrification of the Church) of the Church’s organ. Quite a bit of this graffiti was originated in the early part of the 20th century by boys and girls that later became leading citizens of the Ludlow area with many of traditional Ludlow families being represented and identifying the romances of the day. Other activities will relate to the more interesting and entertaining events associated with the Church’s history, including portrayals of several individuals and explanations of certain historic events.

The Saturday activities will be followed by a dinner from 5 pm to 7pm having a traditional Church menu and traditional costs. The dinner will be priced to break even, with children 12 and under being admitted free and adults expected to pay from $3 to $5 dollars with the exact price depending on the estimated cost of the ingredients.

So save the dates and expect to have nice Spring weather with lots of balloons to dispel the winter blues. For information, call (802) 228-2414.

Photo by David Hearne

In keeping with a tradition started several years ago, the ladies of the United Church of Ludlow are continuing the process of making stuffed hearts that will be displayed on trees and homes throughout the area during Valentine's Day season.  The hearts, strung together, will be a surprise gift to many area residents' home, thank to the efforts of a number of women who both make the hearts and then, normally to the complete surprise of the home owners, decorate their trees with the hearts.  Pictured above are just several of the women involved in this project at United Church.  From left to right, are Nancy Hagge, Virginia Kottkamp, and Dottie Humm as they cut the material that will be sewn together and later stuffed to form the hearts. 

In keeping with a tradition just a year old, Valentine hearts were found hund on trees in front of the United Church of Ludlow yesterday.  The hearts first appeared last year and were found on a number of homes in the area, placed there by an anonymous well-wisher.  Apparently that same well-wisher is again, through her handiwork, distributing hearts throughout the Ludlow area.  Recipients of Valentine hearts from last year are redisplaying their hearts to add to the charm and message of the hearts.

 

The United Church of Ludlow, built in 1891, is getting a fresh coat of paint in its continuing efforts to restore and renovate the historic structure.  Following a lengthy evaluation, the church decided it was time to update the building's color and replace some aging shingles and trim.  This is part of the ongoing effort of the church's board of trustees to ensure that the building will be well-maintained for future millenium.  The United Church of Ludlow is one of four sites in Ludlow honored by being named to the National Register Of Historic Sites.

 

In keeping with its tradition, the United Church of Ludlow will hold its annual Flea Market and Luncheon on Saturday, August 15, from 9 am to 2 pm, in the garage area behind the church.

 

This year's Flea Market will feature an outstanding assortment of second-hand and unusual items.  Among them will be some little used and highly professional-quality shop tools.  Additionally, the Flea Market will offer several interesting pieces of furniture.

 

The luncheon, served in the church's community room from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, will feature a cold-plate special consisting of chicken or tuna salad, potato salad, cole slaw, rolls, cookies, and beverages, all for only $5.

 

The church is located at 48 Pleasant Street in Ludlow.  For information, call 228-7239.

 

The United Church of Ludlow announced that it will be the site of Tuesday evening concerts presented by the Okemo Young Artists Programs.  The concerts, starting at 7:30 pm on Tuesday's will include June 30 and July 7 and 14.  One concert has already taken place.

 

These concerts, held at the church for a number of years, feature pre-conservatory students playing chamber music as well as works for solo violins, viola, and cello.  The performers include prize winners of national concerto and chamber competitions, including Fischoff, Walgreens, Sphinx, St. Paul, and Rembrandt.  Many of the young soloists have already performed at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.  They come from across the United States, Venezuela, Poland, and Canada to study at the Okemo Mountain program with internationally-renown faculty.

 

All concerts are free and open to the public.  The United Church is located at 48 Pleasant Street in Ludlow.  For information, call 773,641,2147.

DRB Approves Parsonage Sub-Division Waiver

The Ludlow Development Review Board (DRB) on May 29 approved the subdivision the United Church’s lot into two separate lots: one containing the Church building and the other the residence know as the Parsonage.

Bob Kottkamp, United Church President, said, “With the DRB’s approval, we have cleared the final hurdle in the process of selling the Parsonage. The new survey required for DRB action has been finalized and filed at Town Hall, and the Wastewater Permit Application has been filed with the State. We should receive the wastewater response by June 27 and, if positive, may then close the sale. It is a great relief to have reached this point.”

United Church of Ludlow, built in 1892, and the Parsonage, built sometime around 1900, were located on a single .53 acre lot before current zoning regulations existed.  According to Kottkamp, the DRB approved a waiver for both side-line set back between the two buildings and frontage, less than the current 60 foot minimum. The lot for the Parsonage is 5000 square feet, the current minimum for a single-family residence.

Kottkamp noted that both buildings are on the States historic registers; the church structure is also on the National Register of Historic Sites.  He indicated that being on the state’s register of historic buildings complicated the sale of the parsonage. 

Among its conclusions, the DRB wrote: “The charitable, religious and pious purposes of the church remain the same as they have been historically.  Modern developments and exigencies, however, render the ownership and maintenance of the parsonage an unnecessary drain on the financial and human resources, which resources would be better applied to the core purposes of the Church.”

Kottkamp noted, “Sale of the Parsonage will free us to concentrate our energies on the spiritual and outreach mission for which we exit.”

 

 

Continuing its association with the Okemo Young Artists Music Festival, United Church of Ludlow will be the site of four concerts by students and faculty from that group on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 pm, on June 23 and 30 and July 7 and 14.

 

The Okemo Young Artists' Program provides an intense musical environment in a beautiful setting. An exceptional group of 25-30 students are selected each year to study with world-renowned faculty. Students receive bi-weekly private lessons and chamber music coaching, weekly guest artist masterclasses, and performance opportunities. The students range in age from 6-20 and are preparing for careers as professional musicians.

 

One of the performers will be Natsuki Kumagai (pictured above).  She started the violin at the age of three at Depaul University.  Natsuki is a scholarship recipient and member of the Music Institute of Chicago’s Academy program where she studies privately with MIC artist faculty members Marko Dreher and Roland Vamos.  Currently she is concertmistress of the Music Academy Chamber Orchestra, and last year she was a member of the 2008 Illinois Music Education Association High School All-State Honors Orchestra.  She has won first prize in the Senior Division of Society of American Musicians Competition and in the Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition where soloed with the orchestra performing Saint Saens Concerto No.3 in B minor.  She has also gotten honorable mentions in the Walgreens National Concerto Competition and the Sejong Music Competition.  Recently she was chosen to perform alongside the Kavafian sisters of the Curtis Institute of Music performing the Mendelssohn Octet.  

A gala concert to open the Okemo Young Artists' Music Festival is slated for Thursday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m., at the Okemo Mountain Resort Sugar House mid-mountain lodge. Featured young soloists, ages 10-18, include winners of national and international competitions. They will be performing works for violin, cello, and piano by Brahms, Prokofiev, Dvorak, Mendelssohn and more. The public is invited to this free concert, which will launch the festival's fourth season at Okemo Mountain Resort.

Concerts are open to the public.

 

Thanks to an early but undated photograph discovered by Kathy Doyle of Ludlow, the original design of the United Church of Ludlow reveals the two side entrances to the building that have since been replaced.  The side entrance towards the front of the building was the direct entrance into the first public free-circulating library in Ludlow.  The entrance towards the rear was the main entryway into the downstairs community room.  Both entrances were removed in subsequent years as Fletcher Memorial Library superseded the church's library and the downstairs entrance was moved to the rear of the building.  Just barely visible on the right-hand side of the building are the columns supporting the carriage entrance to the church; this was replaced with the church's office in latter years.   The 1891 structure was originally known as the Ludlow Congregational Church; it became the United Church of Ludlow in 1930 when it merged with the Ludlow Methodist Church.  In January 2004, the church was named to the National Register of Historic Sites.

 

Some awoke to find them adorning trees along their driveways, others on trees in their year, and the church found them sporting their colorful shapes on the two trees in front of it.

What were they?  They were artfully designed, multi-colored cloth hearts, symbolizing the approach of Valentine's Day, that dangled from trees from Proctorsville to Plymouth.  And their locations seemed to have a singular denominator: members of the church.

And who was the clever and artistic person who made and draped these stuffed hearts all over the Black River area?  A very good question.

Whoever it was, in this period of economic upheavel, it was a most delightful and uplifting act of kindness . . . it's not very often that one's life is enhanced by such an act where nothing is asked in return but to enjoy the beauty of the gift.

It was certainly a most welcome relief from the impact of a snowy and cold Winter.  More importantly, it served as a reminder that people are really nice!

The Black River Quilting Group, meeting at the United Church of Ludlow, recently conducted a workshop to create pillow cases to be donated to "A Case for Smiles", part of ConKerr Cancer, a nonprofit making pillowcases for sick children up to 18 years old. These pillow cases will be taken to Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital in Lebanon, NH, an area center for the collection and use of the creative and imaginative pillow cases.  Shown during the worshop are. from left to right, Janet Pace, Ginny Kottkamp, Lynne Croswell, Beverly Owens, Roberta Piper; and seated:  Kay Predom. 

 

In 2002, Ryan Kerr was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer.  ConKerr's founder, Cindy Kerr, began making pillowcases to brighten up his hospital room and to put a smile on his face.  He loved it and she began making pillowcases for other children with cancer at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. 

 

In 2008, Ryan lost his very brave battle with cancer but the pillowcase project - now a not-for- profit called ConKerr Cancer - has grown in amazing ways.  In just two years, Cindy and thousands of volunteers have provided over 53,000 pillowcases to sick children in hospitals across North America and in South Africa.  School groups, sewing circles, church groups and fabric stores have all pitched in and are making pillowcases for the kids. 

 

A quote from one dad shows how a little pillowcase can make a big difference to a young patient, “Things came to a head for my daughter last night when she refused to let anyone touch her. I think she just had enough poking and prodding as a child can stand. Well, the child life specialist brought her one of your pillowcases and since then, she has been more cooperative in letting the medical team access her IV and conduct diagnostic testing, she actually has become attached to the ‘magic pillowcase’.” 

 

ConKerr Cancer has had a profound effect on the families we have already reached, and we are deeply committed to providing even more pillowcases – and smiles! – to sick children everywhere.  

Following lengthy, prior discussion within the executive board, the United Church of Ludlow membership, at its annual meeting in early November, finalized plans to place the historic parsonage on the market.

 

"The days when a parsonage was a valuable asset for attracting a minister have disappeared," noted Robert Kottkamp, church President.  "Nowadays, the tax benefits of residing in a parsonage are offset by need to declare it as income."  Kottkamp indicated that the church had tried the rental route but found it too demanding of church resources and time.  He opined that the church "was not really interested in being a landlord".

 

Built around 1900, the parsonage is listed on the state historic register.  In terms of its design, it closely followed the classic shingle style of the United Church, mirroring the architectural style of that building.  Ralph Pace, one of the members assigned to promote the parsonage sale, observed that the interior of the building contains "some of the finest examples of wainscoting you'll find in Vermont".

 

The building also represents a unique status in terms of its compliance with town and village zoning.  According to Pace, the building was erected on church property and was not considered a separate lot.  "This meant that the land associated with the parsonage could not be sub-divided", he said.  "As a consequence, while the building itself could be sold, the land it rested on had to be subject to a 99 year lease".

 

Kottkamp noted that the church was ready to consider offers on this historic property.  "We look forward to a neighbor who will enjoy the location of the parsonage in the village and is interested in a very historic home."

The United Church of Ludlow is pleased to announce a free Organ and Piano Concert to be performed by Ken White and Ruth Kelin on Sunday, October 19, 3-4pm. Ken and Ruth will be sharing with us an arrangement of familiar hymns and all are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be provided following the concert. Donations to benefit the Black River Good Neighbors.

 

Ruth Kelin is the wife of Rev. Daniel Kelin, mother of five, grandmother of three and great-grandmother of one. Ruth started playing the piano at a very young age. She graduated with a Church Music Major from Kalamazoo College. She gave piano lessons for many years. She is now retired, but continues to share her love of the piano.

 

Ken White was born in Brattleboro. He remembers sitting at the Estey Opus I organ in the Methodist church in Brattleboro at the age of three. Ken graduated from the Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ and the Boston University School of Theology. He is currently the pastor at two churches: St. James Methodist church in Proctorsville and the Rachel S. Harlow United Methodist church in Windsor.

 

The United Church of Ludlow is located at 48 Pleasant Street in Ludlow, Vermont.

The United Church Women are offering a $250 scholarship to a high school senior who is pursuing further education after high school and who is affiliated with the United Church either by his/her membership of through a parent who is an active member.

Applications for the scholarship are available in the Church office or from a member of the United Church Women.  All applications must be received by May 31, 2008.

by David Almond

 

More than 60 teens danced the night away at the United Church of Ludlow on Friday, November 16^th.  The dance was organized by members of Black River High School’s state champion girls soccer team, principally Allison Gillette.  Other organizers included Renee Seyller, Jessica Weber, Courtney Rohrig, Kit Kat Thompson, and Emily Hammond.

 

As part of the 1980’s theme, the Church’s social hall was transformed with decorations, strobe lights, balloons and very loud music coming from, if you believe it, an ipod.  Limbo and line dances were prevalent among a wide variety of dances enjoyed by the 7^th through 12^th grade revelers.

 

Church members provided lots of food – brownies, cookies, cold cuts, fruit and veggie dips, and, of course, the very popular bottled water.  Two door prizes - $25 gift certificates – were awarded at the end of the dance.

 

The Church is assessing whether area youth have an interest in having it sponsor a group to engage in fun activities.  If you have ideas or comments, please contact Bill or Susan Kneebone at 802.228.8959 or David or Beth Almond at 802.228.2414.

The limbo apparently is still popular with the younger set as pictured above at the dance.  Interestingly, the guys still like to stand on the sidelines and let the gals do the dancing.

92 Members and Friends of the United Church of Ludlow celebrated the completion of the fourth year of its ambitious restoration and renovation program this Saturday, June 3 in a most unusual manner.

To recognize the achievements of the past four years at the church, the men of United Church decided that they - and only they - would promote, prepare, and serve a dinner to honor everyone involved in the restoration project.

In 2001, the church adopted a five year plan to restore the building, erected in 1892, and began an active campaign of fund raising for this effort in the following year.  Actual work on the project began in the summer of 2003.

During the past four years, United Church has raised the funds through member and friends contributions, supported by grants, to

·         repair the slate roof and chimney,

·         restore the Ladies Parlor,

·         replace most of the structure’s cedar shingles,

·         repair the century-old bell supports in the bell tower,

·         insulate the full basement,

·         renovate the main entryway and stairs to the second floor, and

·         complete a total redecoration of the sanctuary

 

According to David Almond, restoration coordinator, there still is more work to be done.  "But we've managed to put the church in a position to last another century."

 

On January 28, 2004, the church officially was added to the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service of the United States Department of the Interior.

 

Special Award to Almond

 

As special award was presented to David Almond for his leadership role in promoting and implementing the restoration work at the church.  In making the award to Almond, Church President Bill Knebone cited “his tireless and unrelenting effort to make the restoration work a reality.”

 

Following the award ceremony, Janet Pace, representing the Women of United Church, praised the efforts of the men in preparing, serving, and cleaning up from “a most excellent dinner.”

 

 

Pictured above is David Almond as he holds the special award presented to him by United Church of Ludlow in recognition of his guidance and direction of the church’s restoration program.  Almond received the award at a dinner attended by 92 members and friends of the church commemorating the end of the 4^th year in the church’s 5 year restoration effort.

Shown above is the glass etched award presented to David Almond by United Church of Ludlow for his work in spearheading tits restoration efforts.  The curved plate glass award is held in a lighted fixture designed especially to backlight the award by Darrah Moore of Ludlow.

Pictured above is Rory Brennen, a preservationist plasterer from Putney, as he prepares his plastering mix at the United Church of Ludlow.  Brennen, who previously did the plastering work in the renovated Ladies Parlor of the Church, will replaster the church's sanctuary.  Following that, the church members will repaint the entire sanctuary.  This is part of the five year program started in 2002 to restore the entire building.  As part of this program, the slate roof has been rebuilt, most of the unique single siding replaced, the Ladies Parlor renovated, the cellar insulated, the electrical system upgraded, and the entry and main stairway to the building enhanced.

The United Church of Ludlow will host a Ham & Baked Bean Dinner at the Church on Saturday, Oct 15 from 5 to 7 P.M.  The dinner will feature Wallingford ham and homemade baked beans plus cole slaw, brown bread, homemade pies, and beverages.  Prices are $8 for adults, $4 for children 6-12, and under 6 free.  The church is located at 48 Pleasant St, Ludlow, 802-228-4211.

Pictured above are some of the United Church women as they prepare their "homemade" apple sauce for the forthcoming ham and baked bean supper on Oct 15.  From left to right in the front are Jean Eggleston, Beth Almond, Linda Moore, and Janet Pace.  In the background, doing the hard work over the stove, are Pat Liao and Ginny Kottkamp.

Community Garden Celebrates Season

With Picnic

It's Not "For Whom . . ." But

"When" The Bells Toll . . .

United Church Continues

Efforts to Aid Heifer International

With its recent donation of $1,300 to Heifer International (HI), the United Church of Ludlow is helping HI benefit from a million dollar matching gift challenge. Prior to this, United Church had donated over $5,500 to HI through various dinners, silent auctions and other fund raising efforts.

HI provides livestock and training that offers an earth-friendly source of food and income to farmers while transforming the lives of hungry families throughout the world. This is done is the form a “Gift Ark” of livestock to the farmers which starts them on a journey to better health, more income, and personal self-reliance.

According to Linda Thomson, who, with her husband, George, has led three UVM-sponsored groups to China, the families that receive the livestock will raise the stock with the stipulation that the first born of the livestock is given to a neighbor, thus ensuring that the initial gift generates further assistance to those in need.

“It’s like dropping a stone in the water,” Thomson said. “The generosity will ripple out for years to come, providing family after family with the means to a better life.”

Thomson indicated that the program is aimed at contributing to the entire mission of HI. She noted that the Church’s gift was especially earmarked for a sheep project in Miyun County, an area outside of Beijing, China.

Pat Stanley, the Northeast Community Relations Coordinator for HI, recently returned from a visit to Miyun and advised Thomson that farmers in the area expressed their gratitude to the Church. The farmers in the area reported better nutrition for their families and increased income from improved crop management. The HI training associated with the gift permitted the families to become more self-reliant through improved livestock and agricultural management programs.

Video of Projects

The Thomsons presented a video show of the work of HI in general and the impact that the church’s donation had on the people in Miyun, specifically, at a church luncheon. Both noted that the work of HI was not limited to third-world countries. According to them, considerable efforts have been expended by HI to aid the people in Appalachia in this country.

United Church/Lions Club Dinner

Raises $7,000 for Tsunami Victims

“The capacity for area residents to reach out and help others is amazing. The results for this event exceeded those for a similar event held two years ago by nearly 75%.” Those were the words Linda Thomson, coordinator for the event, used to summarize the results of the third Chinese Buffet Dinner and Silent Auction from the recent event jointly sponsored by the United Church of Ludlow and the Ludlow Area Lions Club.

Thomson stated that the results from the dinner, silent auction, 50/50 raffle and directed contributions totaled $7,000 in proceeds. These funds will be donated to one of the premier organizations that are providing services and supplies to those that experienced the devastating effects of the December 26, 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia.

The first of the three events was held in 2001 and raised $2,200; the second in 2003 raised $4,015; and this one raised $7,000. “We are delighted with this track record. We hope to continue this tradition and are grateful to the many people that took part in this event”, Thomson noted.

Joint Effort

Thomson attributed the success of this event to three factors: the joint work of both the Lions Club and the Church in promoting and running the Chinese Buffet Dinner/Silent Auction, the gracious and generous contributions of area individuals and businesses to the silent auction, and the hard work of both Church and Lions Club members in preparing the dinner and running the auction and 50/50 raffle.

Carolyn Gauthier and David Almond, both members of the Church and Lions, helped organize the items contributed to the silent auction. Gauthier noted “the number and quality of the items contributed and the generosity of the bidders was exceptional.” Albert Cavoto, Lions President, and Jack and Diane Adinolfi were among the Lions that helped to run the auction. Gauthier also ran the 50/50 raffle.

Directed contributions included in the $7,000 of proceeds included gifts from individuals of $946 and $2,000 from the Church’s Outreach Program. That program will provide $8,000 to local and international groups this year as part of the Church’s continuing outreach commitment.

Tsunami Relief

The Church’s Outreach Committee has identified several high quality, efficient organizations that are providing aid to tsunami victims and will soon select the organization that will receive the proceeds from this event.

New Zealand Visitor Sends

Thanks to United Church

Jan Edwards, a resident of Christchurch , New Zealand, recently visited the United Church during her stay in Ludlow.   She participated in Sunday Services while here and joined church members in the social hour following the services and the "Wall in the Hole" Gang, a group of members who traditionally enjoy Sunday Brunch at a local eatery following the Sunday social hour.

Jan, a science school teacher, sent the following e-mail to the church following her return to New Zealand's South Island:

"Hello to all:

I am just checking that I get through [using the right e-mail address], so the message will be short.  I arrived safely back in NZ and was very quickly back in to the 12 hour days at school and very thankful that I had had a good rest in Ludlow.  I must thank so many of you for the warm welcome that I was given.  You are a very special group of people who by your example show the generosity and love of the Christian church.  Once again, thank you and I will be in touch again.

Kiwi, Jan"

Jan also contacted Ralph and Janet Pace, whose son Douglas was then at McMurdo Station in Antarctica.  She offered to house Douglas on his return from McMurdo to Christchurch, the jumping off hub for all Antarctica flights to and from McMurdo.  She and Ralph also enjoyed extended conversations both in-person and via e-mail about a mutual subject of interest:  the world famous New Zealand rugby team known as the "All Blacks".

Church and Lions Sponsor Chinese

Dinner To Benefit Victims of Tsunami

The United Church of Ludlow and the Ludlow Area Lions Club will hold a Chinese Buffet Dinner and Silent Auction to aid the victims of the recent tsunami disaster is southeast Asia.

The event, scheduled for Saturday, February 12 at United Church, will donate all the proceeds of the dinner and silent auction to groups providing assistance to the thousands of homeless and injured people created by this unprecedented natural disaster.

Linda Thomson, dinner coordinator, noted that "the past two Chinese dinners sponsored by United Church raised over $5,000 for Heifer Projects in China. However, given the magnitude of this catastrophe, we feel we should do everything in our power to help the orphaned, the homeless, and the injured to rebuild their lives."

She added that the Chinese Dinner would also coincide with the Chinese New Year, scheduled for February 9.  This coming year will be the year of the rooster.

Lions Assistance

Thomson indicated that the joint effort with the Ludlow Area Lions Club was the second time the two organizations had worked together. According to David Almond, representing the Ludlow Area Lions Club, the members of the Lions will work on the silent auction and help serve the dinner.

"The Lions Club hopes we can contribute to this effort so that Ludlow can send a sizable donation to help the victims of this disaster," Almond said. He added that the Lions would welcome contributions of items to the silent auction.

The dinner will be held at United Church, located at 48 Pleasant Street, in Ludlow, beginning at 5:30 PM. The dinner donation will be $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 through 12. Children under 6 will be free.

People interested in donating items for the silent auction or for additional information on the dinner may contact the Church Office at 228-4211.

Church Awarded Grant for

Siding and Trim Restoration

Church Donates $1,300

To Mountainside House

Continuing its policy established in 2002, the United Church of Ludlow has donated $1,300 to Mountainside of Ludlow. The monies will be used to help Mountainside, a teen runaway shelter located on Mill Street in Ludlow, to refurbish its newly-acquired long-term housing facility in Proctorsville, known as the “House at Twenty Mile Stream”. That facility was badly damaged by a fire shortly after it had been renovated by Mountainside.

This outreach grant is the third quarterly amount donated by United Church to area organizations dedicated to assisting those in need. Previous recipients this year include Meals on Wheels, Hospice, Black River Good Neighbors, and Heifer International.

In announcing the award, David Almond, Chair of the Church’s Growth Committee, said, “I can’t think of a more deserving organization to receive this donation. Mountainside has done a tremendous job of helping kids in need when they had no where else to turn. Now, with the development of the House at Twenty Mile Stream, Mountainside is extending its efforts to help them by offering a bridge for them to an adult environment.”

He noted that the fire had not dampened Viola Wynne’s efforts to provide this new facility and that the United Church of Ludlow was proud to offer a helping hand in her efforts.

In addition to the United Church’s donation, Almond also noted that the Salvation Army and an individual member of United Church had both given Mountainside $200 in food for the House at Twenty Mile Stream.

The House at Twenty Mile Stream and Mountainside House are the service-providing arms of Windsor County Youth Services, Inc.

Church Starts Major

Residing Project

The United Church of Ludlow and the Ludlow Garden Club will work together to create a "dressed" llama from the "naked" llama it was presented recently at the Lludlow Llamas reception held at the Pot Belly in Ludlow.  Pictured above are some of the many people who will contribute their artistic talents in finalizing a unique version of a painted llama.  From left to right, are Carolyn Gauthier, Bill Kneebone, Janet Pace, Susan Kneebone, Pat Nye, and David Almond.  In the foreground are several "naked" llamas awaiting the artists' paint brushes.  The completed llamas will be sold with 90% of proceeds from the sale donated to Ludlow Streetscapes, a volunteer organization dedicated to the beautification of Ludlow, while the remaining 10% will be used to establish an art guild.

Below is a photo of the LLudlow LLama Parade which showcased the forty individual llama creations developed by the various organizations that "dressed" the llamas.  The event has drawn praise from all corners of the town for its unifying impact within the town of Ludlow (Photo courtesy of Lisa Hamm-Greenawalt).

Church Holds "Appreciation Dinner"

For Those Who Helped Church

At a special “Appreciation Dinner”, the United Church of Ludlow hosted a gala to honor those who helped the church reach its goal of being listed in the National Register of Historic Places and secure funding to support its recent roofing restoration project.

Over sixty guests were treated to a complimentary dinner followed by a musical sing-along that featured guitarist Tom Sabo leading the guests in a sing-along. George Thomson, acting as emcee for the event, thanked the honored guests “for their contributions that enabled the United Church of Ludlow to bring the first phase of its ambitious five year restoration project to fruition.”

David Almond, who guided the Growth Committee that directed both the renovation work and the community outreach projects, told the assembled guests that the work and goals of the church “could not have been realized without your very generous help.”

A plaque indicating that the church was now listed on the National Register was displayed.

Prior to the dinner, a social hour was held in the newly-restored “Ladies Parlor”. Preparations for the dinner were headed by Jean Eggleston with the aid of the United Church Women.

Church Approved for National Register

By US Department of the Interior

On January 28, the National Park Service of the U.S. Dept of the Interior, added the United Church to its august listing known as the National Register of Historic Sites (NR).

In 2002 the Vermont Dept for Historic Preservation declared the church eligible for nomination to the NR.  Previously it had been listed on that agency’s list of historic state locations

Work on the nomination of the church began last summer with Paula Sagerman (pictured above), a preservationist historian from Williamsville, began collecting data on the church’s history and building.

Surprising Data

According to Ralph Pace, church trustee and chair of its restoration committee, some of the information developed by Sagerman’s investigation was surprising.  “One of the key things she discovered was the first representative to the Vermont Legislature from Ludlow in 1795 was Stephen Read whose home, at Buttermilk Falls, served as the first meeting place for the young church.”  Pace added that the report also noted that a “glebe” or church lot had been set aside in Ludlow for the Church of England in 1792 but was never developed.

The church, then known as the Congregational Church of Ludlow, also served as the Town’s first free library, open to all residents.

The nomination reports indicates that “The church may be the only example of intact mature Shingle Style church in Vermont.”  The original roof of the church, now slate, was wood shingles.

Building History

 The current Church building was erected in April, 1892 at a cost of $10,918.43 (including furnishings) by the Congregational Church of Ludlow. 

The first Congregational Meetinghouse was constructed in 1806.  This was superceded in 1839 by a second structure located on High Street near Depot Street.  The bell from the second church building is still in use in the current church.

 In April, 1930 the Congregational and Methodist Churches united forming the United Church of Ludlow, with the current Church as its home.

 The organ in the Church was built by George S. Hutchings.  It is an unaltered seven-stop, tracker action instrument made by this famous Boston firm.

A major restoration effort was started by the church in 2002 to renovate the 112 year old structure.  The first phase of the project was completed in 2003 with the total renovation of the slate roof, its flashing, chimney, and the restoration of the Ladies Parlor.  Plans call for continuing restoration work on the churches exterior shingling, trim and foundation in 2004, pending the availability of funds.

 The inclusion of United Church of Ludlow in the National Register of Historic Sites means Ludlow now has four separate entities listed within it:  The United Church of Ludlow, the Black River Academy; the Ludlow Graded School (now the Senior Center), and the Spaulding, Zachariah Farm (aka the Brick Farm).

To see the key elements of the nomination papers, select:

Building and Construction

Historical Significance

Major Roofing Project

Completed in 2003

Artisans from Southgate Steeplejacks, Inc., of Montpelier, dismantled the scaffolding surrounding the United Church of Ludlow, marking the completion of the first phase of the church’s five-year restoration program.

The roofing project involved the repair and, where necessary, replacement of slate, installation of lead-coated copper flashing, rebuilding a roof section and the column supports for the bell tower, and renovation of the chimney.

While removing slate from the roof, Marcel LaRocque, the project supervisor for Southgate, discovered that the original roof on the building was wood shingles, not slate as had always been supposed.

Brian Drummond of Black River Masonry rebuilt the chimney to improve its ability to withstand Vermont’s severe weather.

Funding for this project was, in part, provided with grants from the Windham Foundation and the Johanna Favrot Foundation of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  The bulk of the funding, however, was through fund raising efforts of church members and friends of the church.

Children of Church Perform

Annual Christmas Pageant

Ladies Parlor Rededicated

To Start Restoration Project

In a manner befitting the style and grace of the original room, the United Church of Ludlow rededicated the Ladies Parlor. Originally dedicated in May 1892, when the current building was dedicated, the Ladies Parlor has been restored by members of the church with the aid of preservationists.
 

The ceremony rededicating the room began with a piano prelude by Connie Wilcox, playing Traumerei by Robert Schumann. The Rev. Dr. Donald E. Harpster, pastor of United Church, offered prays of rededication and a blessing of the restored Ladies Parlor.
 

Alden Blodgett and Earl Washburn recounted their memories of the church, in general, and the Ladies Parlor, specifically. Both noted the various uses of the room throughout its history as well as the gradual deterioration it suffered as it endured hard weather and lack of care. Washburn observed that it was a pleasure to see what had been done to renovate the room, replacing chipped fireplace tile, leaky ceilings and walls, and a drab appearance with marble, renovated walls and ceilings, manicured painting, and lovely furniture.
 

Pat Martin and Susan Kneebone (pictured above) thanked the more than 75 people who made the restoration of the room possible, citing the newly organized library available for use by church members and the community as one of the renovated services provided by the Ladies Parlor.
 

In recounting the background to the restoration and its history, David Almond noted, “While the church has a major renovation program underway to restore the church’s structural integrity and beauty, we needed visual evidence that we were committed to this program. The Ladies Parlor is proof that the members of the United Church of Ludlow, by their own labors and donations, are committed to restoring the entire building to its former grace and charm.”
 

Following the formal rededication ceremonies, a tea and social hour provided attendees with an opportunity to examine and enjoy the newly redecorated and refurnished room. Tea was served by Johanna Harpster with sandwiches prepared by the Ladies of United Church.
 

The Ladies Parlor restoration was done completely by members of the church. David Almond led a group of members in repainting and restoring walls and windows while Susan Kneebone and the Ladies of the church handled furnishings and color coordination.

Architects Propose ADA Access

Plan to Executive Board

"When the United Church was erected in 1892, no one considered the need for special access requirements to the building or restrooms," Ralph Pace said when commenting on the need for ADA (Americans with Disability Act) compliance.

But, as Pace noted, the law of the land has changed and the Church must plan on addressing the compliance mandates of ADA legislation.

Consequently, the Church Executive Board requested its preservationist Architects, Keefe and Wesner, to analyze how the Church may comply with both the access and restroom requirements of the ADA.

After conducting a site survey, Keefe and Wesner proposed the installation of a mini elevator, construction of a ramp, and the addition of new restroom facilities to satisfy ADA compliance.  The estimated cost for this is in the range of $125,000 to 165,000.

According to Pace, funding to support such a project is beyond the scope of the present restoration plan.  "We never realized that ADA compliance would be so expensive," he said.  "But, given both state and federal law, we have no alternative but to seek funding for this project within the next one or two years.  I just hope that we can persuade donors that this is a critical need."

No implementation plans have been approved by the Executive Board pending a clearer definition of costs and funding sources.

Men of Church Repaint

Lobby and Stairway