Thetford Hill
Judy’s Walk celebrates the life of Judy Ozahowski, a former special educator at Thetford Academy who died in July 2015 from aggressive melanoma. Her husband, Tom Ozahowski, started the walk last year to raise funds for melanoma research. About 100 participants donated $3,000 to the cause.
“She was a special lady,” Ozahowski said.
The walk takes place on the Thetford Academy Trails, with five routes of differing distances to choose from. This year, there is a scavenger hunt element for both kids and adults, with prizes for winners. The grand prize will be a rocking chair and a $500 gift card from Pompanoosuc Mills.
“It’s not just a walk,” Ozahowski said. “We wanted to make it adventurous, intellectually challenging and fun for kids.”
There will be baskets of treats for the children. Adults will be quizzed on ecology, the history of Thetford Academy and the forest where the trails are located. For every mile participants walk, they will receive one raffle ticket and be entered to win a variety of prizes, including gift certificates to area restaurants.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Ozahowski said.
There will be a booth set up at the fair, where the walk begins. It will go from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Participants are asked to make a donation, with proceeds going to the Bugbee Senior Center Meals on Wheel program and the Floyd Dexter Fund, which is named for a Thetford resident who loved animals and helping people in need. It is administered by the First Congregational Church of Thetford, with the funds going to assist Thetford residents with housing, heating, food and transportation.
“Anybody can show up at anytime,” Ozahowski said.
Trail Options
1. Out perimeter loop: Distance 5.7 miles, 723 feet elevation gain, allow 2½ to 3 hours. This route contains a pond where walkers can stop for a swim.
2. TA trail and fireplace loop: Distance 4.2 miles, 449 feet elevation gain, allow 2 to 2½ hours.
3. TA trail (both loops): Distance 3.1 miles, 300 feet elevation gain, allow 1½ to 2 hours.
4. TA trail (first loop only): Distance 2.1 miles, 180 feet elevation gain, allow 1 to 1½ hours.
5. Circling the TA playing fields: Distance 1.1 miles, 100 feet elevation gain, allow half-hour to 1 hour.
Thetford Hill Fair
The annual fair, which runs from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Saturday, has been taking place on the Thetford Hill Common since 1913.
“The way that it’s changed, I would say the good thing is not much,” said fair organizer Sam VanDam with a laugh.
In the tea garden — iced and hot — attendees can sample baked goods served by young children in the village. The book sale and antiques and collectibles sale always draw crowds. Food will be available for purchase and there are also games to play. Proceeds from the fair benefit the upkeep of the green.
VanDam, who started volunteering with the fair about 40 years ago, particularly looks forward to the book sale.
“I love books and asking people what they love to read,” he said. “The fun is to cull through the books and you find wonderful things.”
This year, Maureen Burford will perform on an antique pump organ being brought from the Hughes Museum.
“She’s a wonderful musician,” VanDam said.
A number of the volunteers are following in the footsteps of their family members.
“There’s a lot of family tradition here that keeps rolling forward,” VanDam said. “For us, it’s really about community. It’s my favorite part of the year.”
Editor’s note: The rain date for Judy’s Walk is Sunday. If you cannot make the walk and want to donate please make checks out to Bugbee Senior Center and be sure to mention on the check “Meals On Wheels.” They can mail the check to Tom Ozahowski, PO 44, Thetford, Vt., 05074. For more information, contact Ozahowski at 802-989-2985 or Tomoz@aol.com. For more information about the fair, contact VanDam at vandamdesign.com or 802-785-2552. Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
