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Community Events in St. Albans, Vermont
Welcome to Handy Toyota's dedicated Community Events Page!
Here you can stay up to date on all things Franklin County and events Handy Toyota is involved in! Please come back often and be sure to browse other sections of our website as we will be changing things often.
The Kingman Street Klassic
Free Food, Free Face Painting, Free Fun
This past Saturday, July 25, 2010, organizer Kathleen Manahan and several local businesses-sponsors, including Handycars.com, put on the first annual Kingman Street Klassic, a classic automobile show for the local St. Albans denizens.
For the "first annual" Klassic, I mentioned to Kathleen Manahan that the event was nothing if not stellar. The sheer number of folks who showed up was astounding, making the event seem as though it was in a third or fourth year. I asked Dylan Berno, friend of several Handy Toyota employees and volunteer at the Klassic how this was obtained and he just shrugged and said plainly "well our crew and Kathy just did a great job promoting it. We put together a webpage, hung up fliers all around town--and I hung them all over Burlington, so that really helped. Yeah, it just came together nicely!"
I also got the chance to speak with Kathy the following day when I saw her out at a local merchant, and she was equally enthusiastic about the success of the Kingman Street Klassic as well as Handy Cars' contributions. "You guys went above and beyond what we thought we'd get out of you!" she said to me very graciously. "I can't thank Handy Cars enough, nor you and Carly for hanging around and setting it all up!" She went on to tell me that she was unsure of the amount of people who came as spectators since it was a free event, but she did say there was 61 vehicles counted out of the 70 they were hoping for, and on can only assume the 70-mark was based on limited parking spots for contestants/exhibitors.
As previously mentioned, the event was free to attend, and in order to enter the competitive exhibition, classic vehicle owner's only needed to contribute $10.00. Manahan estimates that close to $600 was made from the entrants, of which a majority of that went to the great volunteers at working for the Franklin County Meals on Wheels group. Other sources of income involved the Kingman Street Klassic tee shirts available for sale to those that were not Kingman Street Klassic volunteers.
The Handy Crew, namely myself and Carly Bushey, had a great time. I was only there for a couple hours to help set up get the media in order, but I also helped Ms. Bushey fill some balloons for kids, set up the flags you see flying below (which was a total disaster--I left one piece back in my office and it caused some major problems!), and brought the Chevrolet Avalanche down for the display.
Needless to say, those of us who were lucky enough to get a glimpse at some of these vehicles were truly blessed. Above we have a Chevrolet Camaro Z28 and a Falcon on the right. These cars were just beautiful--as far as I could tell 100% original, although I wouldn't be willing to bet on it (only due to my ineptitude when it comes to this sort of thing).
There were so many nice vehicles that I really don't know how anyone was able to designate the winner. I spoke with Dylan Berno later on Saturday evening, and he told me that one of the trucks had won the competition, the amazing 1955 Ford F-100 owned by Steve Young. But not only was there a first place finisher, there were also prizes for the following:
As stated above, since around $600 was earned from the event, I estimate about $200 ended up in the hands of the Franklin County Meals on Wheels folks, assuming there was a cost for the event (blocking off the street, etc.), although that cost could have been funded via supporters like Handycars.com.
As a contributor, Handy Cars allowed the use of two vehicles: from the Handy Chevrolet store a 2010 Chevrolet Avalanche was on display, and from our side of the business a 2010 Toyota Tundra Rock Warrior was donated for use. We also contributed the talents of one of our Internet Sales Consultants, Carly Bushey, for a face painting display along with our helium tank for filling Handycars.com "Cow Power" balloons, over which, by all accounts, the children went wild.
Civil War Reenactment
Taylor Park, St. Albans, Vermont
Cow Power Awards
Farmer's Insurance Coop, Middlebury, Vermont
On May 20, 2010, the good people at the Farmer's Insurance Cooperative in Middlebury, Vermont, Cow Power advocates in their own right, were nice enough to accommodate an awards ceremony dedicated to the farmers who jumped on board with Cow Power, and Vermont companies that have made use of this amazing energy. Handy Toyota was one of those companies honored. We were given an award for the fifth leading contributor to the Cow Power program, with special mention regarding our donations to the program for every Toyota Prius we sell. Continue viewing for some photos and videos from this occasion.
This is Steve Salls customized Toyota Prius, complete with VT Clothing Company tags,
Cow Power bumper stickers, and his famous slogan "We Were Green Before it Was Cool"
Adam Luneau, accepting the award for Handy Automotive (left) and mid-speech.
Here we see Adam Luneau's brief acceptance speech regarding the importance
of Cow Power to the Vermont Farmer as well as thanking CVPS for the award.
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
Annual Dinner and Silent Auction
Here you can stay up to date on all things Franklin County and events Handy Toyota is involved in! Please come back often and be sure to browse other sections of our website as we will be changing things often.
The Kingman Street Klassic
Free Food, Free Face Painting, Free Fun
This past Saturday, July 25, 2010, organizer Kathleen Manahan and several local businesses-sponsors, including Handycars.com, put on the first annual Kingman Street Klassic, a classic automobile show for the local St. Albans denizens.
For the "first annual" Klassic, I mentioned to Kathleen Manahan that the event was nothing if not stellar. The sheer number of folks who showed up was astounding, making the event seem as though it was in a third or fourth year. I asked Dylan Berno, friend of several Handy Toyota employees and volunteer at the Klassic how this was obtained and he just shrugged and said plainly "well our crew and Kathy just did a great job promoting it. We put together a webpage, hung up fliers all around town--and I hung them all over Burlington, so that really helped. Yeah, it just came together nicely!"I also got the chance to speak with Kathy the following day when I saw her out at a local merchant, and she was equally enthusiastic about the success of the Kingman Street Klassic as well as Handy Cars' contributions. "You guys went above and beyond what we thought we'd get out of you!" she said to me very graciously. "I can't thank Handy Cars enough, nor you and Carly for hanging around and setting it all up!" She went on to tell me that she was unsure of the amount of people who came as spectators since it was a free event, but she did say there was 61 vehicles counted out of the 70 they were hoping for, and on can only assume the 70-mark was based on limited parking spots for contestants/exhibitors.
As previously mentioned, the event was free to attend, and in order to enter the competitive exhibition, classic vehicle owner's only needed to contribute $10.00. Manahan estimates that close to $600 was made from the entrants, of which a majority of that went to the great volunteers at working for the Franklin County Meals on Wheels group. Other sources of income involved the Kingman Street Klassic tee shirts available for sale to those that were not Kingman Street Klassic volunteers.
The Handy Crew, namely myself and Carly Bushey, had a great time. I was only there for a couple hours to help set up get the media in order, but I also helped Ms. Bushey fill some balloons for kids, set up the flags you see flying below (which was a total disaster--I left one piece back in my office and it caused some major problems!), and brought the Chevrolet Avalanche down for the display.
Needless to say, those of us who were lucky enough to get a glimpse at some of these vehicles were truly blessed. Above we have a Chevrolet Camaro Z28 and a Falcon on the right. These cars were just beautiful--as far as I could tell 100% original, although I wouldn't be willing to bet on it (only due to my ineptitude when it comes to this sort of thing).
There were so many nice vehicles that I really don't know how anyone was able to designate the winner. I spoke with Dylan Berno later on Saturday evening, and he told me that one of the trucks had won the competition, the amazing 1955 Ford F-100 owned by Steve Young. But not only was there a first place finisher, there were also prizes for the following:
- The winner was chosen by a panel of judges
- First place (the F-100) received a trophy and a $150 cash prize
- First place winner got their engraved on a plaque which was hung in City Hall here in St. Albans
- The winner got to lead the parade that took place after the viewing/judging.
- Finally, the first place finisher gets his/her picture taken as the poster-person for next year's Klassic
- Any entrant got entered into a raffle, assuming they were present during the drawing
- The winner of the raffle (Participation Award) got a trophy also and a $200 cash prize
- The Peer Award, as judged by other contestants, won a trophy as well and a $50 prize
- Finally, all the children got a Vote! The Kid's Choice Award-winner got a trophy, a $10 cash prize, a tee shirt, and a "mystery prize"
As stated above, since around $600 was earned from the event, I estimate about $200 ended up in the hands of the Franklin County Meals on Wheels folks, assuming there was a cost for the event (blocking off the street, etc.), although that cost could have been funded via supporters like Handycars.com.
If you weren't able to make it to this year's Kingman Street, Klassic, be sure to do so next year! Again, for a price tag of zero dollars you really can't go wrong, and any donation you do want to give goes to feed those who are less fortunate than some others may be. And if you're like me and just love a good look at some cars of a dying breed--because let's face it folks, these vehicles aren't going to be any MORE common next year than in 2010--then come on down.
Keep up on all the Community Events going on around Franklin County by using the Handy Toyota Upcoming Community Events calender, and if you miss any great local events you can always get apprised by viewing this page. On a last note, enjoy the rest of the photos I shot for your viewing pleasure, and a quick video of the vehicles lined up and down Kingman Street.
Keep up on all the Community Events going on around Franklin County by using the Handy Toyota Upcoming Community Events calender, and if you miss any great local events you can always get apprised by viewing this page. On a last note, enjoy the rest of the photos I shot for your viewing pleasure, and a quick video of the vehicles lined up and down Kingman Street.
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Civil War Reenactment
Taylor Park, St. Albans, Vermont
On July 10, 2010 in Taylor Park in St. Albans, Vermont, just across Handy Toyota's store, the Civil War, one of America's saddest yet most important moments in our young history, was reenacted by a talented group of gentlemen and ladies from the 55th Virginia Infantry (Company D) and the 118th New York Infantry (Company F) Historical Reenacting Unit displayed the tragic events that took place during said War.
For those of you who haven't brushed up on your American history since High School, the Civil War was a turning point in American history surrounded by Government tensions involving Western Expansion and the American dream of Manifest Destiny. Manifest Destiny was an early American ideology imagined by artist Emanuel Luetze in his famous painting "Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way" (1861) that, when distilled, mean that we were literally destined to own the entire middle of North America, i.e. America as it currently stands. In 1845 John L. O'Sullivan wrote an article for the Democratic Party in which the term Manifest Destiny was coined, predicting a "devise destiny" based on equality, rights of conscience, and personal enfranchisement, specifically how it involved Texas and the liberation thereof. It was believed that the inferior race, anything non-Anglo Saxon, was destined to be moved out of the country and the "American Race" would take over their "destined' place in the entire country as it is now.
As one of the most bloody tales in American history, it becomes even more sad when one thinks that 100% of these deaths were American bodies. In every other war in American history, obviously it was us versus them. This war was us versus the other half of us. In fact, at 618,000 deaths, possibly as high as 700,000, the Civil War was perhaps the bloodiest time in our culture.
For all the negatives that this war encompassed, naturally several equally great things were established. For one, it was a turning point for the country as a whole. Before this point, the United States, while united in name, was a group of separate entity states where not even the currency was the same. After Lincoln's death as the country mourned, our descendants were brought together and suddenly the United States was a complete group, still giving separate states their own rights and governments, but branching under a Federal and common ideology. Another obvious, important element being the aforementioned expansion of equal rights.
As mentioned on July 10, 2010, St. Albans, was treated to one of the largest Civil War reenactment groups in the Northeast. Please see below some photos and videos of this excellent event and commemoration of one of the most important parts of our nation's history, regardless of how sad it may have been. And of course, a special thanks to the men and women who took time out of their day to remind us all how lucky we are to live in modern America.
For those of you who haven't brushed up on your American history since High School, the Civil War was a turning point in American history surrounded by Government tensions involving Western Expansion and the American dream of Manifest Destiny. Manifest Destiny was an early American ideology imagined by artist Emanuel Luetze in his famous painting "Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way" (1861) that, when distilled, mean that we were literally destined to own the entire middle of North America, i.e. America as it currently stands. In 1845 John L. O'Sullivan wrote an article for the Democratic Party in which the term Manifest Destiny was coined, predicting a "devise destiny" based on equality, rights of conscience, and personal enfranchisement, specifically how it involved Texas and the liberation thereof. It was believed that the inferior race, anything non-Anglo Saxon, was destined to be moved out of the country and the "American Race" would take over their "destined' place in the entire country as it is now.
As one of the most bloody tales in American history, it becomes even more sad when one thinks that 100% of these deaths were American bodies. In every other war in American history, obviously it was us versus them. This war was us versus the other half of us. In fact, at 618,000 deaths, possibly as high as 700,000, the Civil War was perhaps the bloodiest time in our culture.
For all the negatives that this war encompassed, naturally several equally great things were established. For one, it was a turning point for the country as a whole. Before this point, the United States, while united in name, was a group of separate entity states where not even the currency was the same. After Lincoln's death as the country mourned, our descendants were brought together and suddenly the United States was a complete group, still giving separate states their own rights and governments, but branching under a Federal and common ideology. Another obvious, important element being the aforementioned expansion of equal rights.
As mentioned on July 10, 2010, St. Albans, was treated to one of the largest Civil War reenactment groups in the Northeast. Please see below some photos and videos of this excellent event and commemoration of one of the most important parts of our nation's history, regardless of how sad it may have been. And of course, a special thanks to the men and women who took time out of their day to remind us all how lucky we are to live in modern America.
The Brave soldiers of the North and South on the
march, charging, and firing at the enemy.
march, charging, and firing at the enemy.
Cow Power Awards
Farmer's Insurance Coop, Middlebury, Vermont
As you all are hopefully aware by now, Handy Toyota has taken a pledge to fight pollution and take part in sculpting a better tomorrow for our Earth. Not only do we carry a full line of fuel efficient, eco-friendly Toyota Prius vehicles, the leader in the green-vehicle realm, but we opt to pay a slightly higher premium for a program that the Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) power company has dubbed Cow Power.
But what is Cow Power? Simply put, Cow Power is electricity derived from cows, something Vermont has an abundance of. The waste that was once sitting in lagoons, necessitating expensive disposal by farmers is now used to make electricity. What's more, this waste was giving off high levels of methane gas, a gas that is produced when organic matter decomposes, which in turn is released into the atmosphere. Even though Vermont ranks in the lowest percentile of greenhouse gasses, the methane gas released from this waste was a substantial portion of that small percentage. As stated, not only were the farmers responsible for the removal of this waste, they were paying premium price for sawdust to line the cows' beds.
Enter CVPS and Dave Dunn, who started a coalition of sorts named Cow Power. The idea was to take this manure and turn it into electricity. Methane is a highly flammable gas, and under the right circumstances, and a lot of studying, Mr. Dunn was inclined to believe that it could be used as a fuel for our lights, refrigerators, televisions--as stated, for electricity.
Through much development, CVPS developed a process by which they could do just that. Having learned the ins and outs of the process, it can be simplified into the following synopsis:*
But what is Cow Power? Simply put, Cow Power is electricity derived from cows, something Vermont has an abundance of. The waste that was once sitting in lagoons, necessitating expensive disposal by farmers is now used to make electricity. What's more, this waste was giving off high levels of methane gas, a gas that is produced when organic matter decomposes, which in turn is released into the atmosphere. Even though Vermont ranks in the lowest percentile of greenhouse gasses, the methane gas released from this waste was a substantial portion of that small percentage. As stated, not only were the farmers responsible for the removal of this waste, they were paying premium price for sawdust to line the cows' beds.
Enter CVPS and Dave Dunn, who started a coalition of sorts named Cow Power. The idea was to take this manure and turn it into electricity. Methane is a highly flammable gas, and under the right circumstances, and a lot of studying, Mr. Dunn was inclined to believe that it could be used as a fuel for our lights, refrigerators, televisions--as stated, for electricity.
Through much development, CVPS developed a process by which they could do just that. Having learned the ins and outs of the process, it can be simplified into the following synopsis:*
- Cows make manure (obvious, right?)
- The manure is put into an anaerobic digester. The digester can hold up to 21 days worth of waste at around 100 degrees. Bacteria converts the waste to methane, and the gas is built up until it reaches a high enough pressure to be forced through a pipe as a biogas and enters a modified natural gas engine.
- The biogas fuels said engine, spinning a turbine to create electricity. The electricity that is not used for consumer power is recycled to keep the waste at 100 degrees, as above.
- The electricity is fed into power lines for all who pay for the plan to use. One cow can produce enough energy to run a 100-watt light bulb for a full day's time.
- The waste of the waste, so to speak, is then used to line the cow's beds, so virtually all of the previously named waste is used; not exactly waste anymore, one would think. From here, the process begins anew.
On May 20, 2010, the good people at the Farmer's Insurance Cooperative in Middlebury, Vermont, Cow Power advocates in their own right, were nice enough to accommodate an awards ceremony dedicated to the farmers who jumped on board with Cow Power, and Vermont companies that have made use of this amazing energy. Handy Toyota was one of those companies honored. We were given an award for the fifth leading contributor to the Cow Power program, with special mention regarding our donations to the program for every Toyota Prius we sell. Continue viewing for some photos and videos from this occasion.
Photos From the Event
This CVPS Cow Power bulletin board was set up outdoors, allowing those passing by to get the gist of the program.
The Farmer's Insurance Co-operative Building, being contributors
in their own right, allowed the Cow Power Awards to take place
in their building and provided excellent hors d'oeurves.
The Farmer's Insurance Co-operative Building, being contributors
in their own right, allowed the Cow Power Awards to take place
in their building and provided excellent hors d'oeurves.
This is Steve Salls customized Toyota Prius, complete with VT Clothing Company tags,
Cow Power bumper stickers, and his famous slogan "We Were Green Before it Was Cool"
Above we see Robert Young (left) and Dave Dunn, the men who initialized the Cow Power Program.
Adam Luneau, accepting the award for Handy Automotive (left) and mid-speech.
Steve Salls, of the VT Clothing Company,
gives a speech regarding unintended bonuses
garnered from joining Cow Power: powerful marketing
gives a speech regarding unintended bonuses
garnered from joining Cow Power: powerful marketing
of Cow Power to the Vermont Farmer as well as thanking CVPS for the award.
Steve Salls of the VT Clothing Company also
accepted an award - listen to his speech here.
accepted an award - listen to his speech here.
*Source: CVPS Cow Power, "How Energy Happens," May 28, 2010. Click hyperlink for more information.
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
Annual Dinner and Silent Auction
The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce held it's annual Dinner and Silent Auction on Friday, May 7, 2010, which honors several businesses from the County that have made major contributions to our small community. Members of the Handy Toyota and Handy Chevrolet team, together as Handy Cars, came in droves with the intent of celebrating our award as Business of the Year, a great honor in any community.
In the picture to the left, you'll see a large number of the Handy family. Directly behind the podium is Karen Luneau, daughter of our founder, Floyd Handy. To the right of her in the picture is her son Joe Luneau, Handy Toyota's Service Manager, followed by Daniel Luneau, General Manager, and to the left of Mrs. Luneau is her youngest son, Adam Luneau, E-commerce Manager. Handy Chevrolet Owner and General Manager Dan Handy, out of frame in this photo, was also in attendance along with his managers and the great deal of the Toyota and Chevrolet dealership's managerial crew.
In the picture to the left, you'll see a large number of the Handy family. Directly behind the podium is Karen Luneau, daughter of our founder, Floyd Handy. To the right of her in the picture is her son Joe Luneau, Handy Toyota's Service Manager, followed by Daniel Luneau, General Manager, and to the left of Mrs. Luneau is her youngest son, Adam Luneau, E-commerce Manager. Handy Chevrolet Owner and General Manager Dan Handy, out of frame in this photo, was also in attendance along with his managers and the great deal of the Toyota and Chevrolet dealership's managerial crew.
With several hundred people from the Franklin County area in attendance, the night went off without a hitch. Several other businesses were honored, among them the Bakersfield Country Club, Northwestern Medical Center, for their contributions to the evening, and many more small businesses and contributors. Every business was ecstatic in their own right to be given their respective awards, but none more so than the winner of the grand prize, so to speak, us at Handy Toyota.
As Dan Luneau gave his speech with Adam Luneau following suit (see video below), one could tell these Handy-descendants are more than capable of carrying on Floyd Handy's tradition of service to the community. From Dan Luneau speaking of his father in law's teaching methods, infinite patience, and love for local commerce and agriculture, he seamlessly transitioned it Adam's discussion on Cow Power, the Central Vermont Public Service's program by which cow manure, ample in Vermont, is generated into electricity, 100% of which is powering the computer on which this article is being written, along with the rest of Handy Toyota's dealership.
As Dan Luneau gave his speech with Adam Luneau following suit (see video below), one could tell these Handy-descendants are more than capable of carrying on Floyd Handy's tradition of service to the community. From Dan Luneau speaking of his father in law's teaching methods, infinite patience, and love for local commerce and agriculture, he seamlessly transitioned it Adam's discussion on Cow Power, the Central Vermont Public Service's program by which cow manure, ample in Vermont, is generated into electricity, 100% of which is powering the computer on which this article is being written, along with the rest of Handy Toyota's dealership.
The night fantastic all around and a sheer bliss to be involved with. By all accounts the silent auction raised some good profits for local charities. Everyone left full of great food, enjoying a night out with new and old contacts alike, and with tired hands from all the raucous clapping that occurred for everyone that was honored. We here at Handy Toyota would like to thank the Franklin County community once more for endearing our efforts at this fantastic event! Thank you all so much for a night to remember!
Honorees
Business of the Year Award:
Handy Toyota
Timothy J Bovat Civic Involvement Award:
Jamie
Chamber of Commerce Awards:
Jesse Bumfy (Past Chamber President)
Julie Terrazano (Past Chamber President
Individual Recognition Awards:
Susie Hall Parent
Mike Connor
(Unable to Attend)
Pearl Gilbert
Paul Lagassi
(Deceased, we mourn his loss and give thanks for his contributions)
Small Business of the Year:
Bakersfield Country Club
Business of the Year Award:
Handy Toyota
Timothy J Bovat Civic Involvement Award:
Jamie
Chamber of Commerce Awards:
Jesse Bumfy (Past Chamber President)
Julie Terrazano (Past Chamber President
Individual Recognition Awards:
Susie Hall Parent
Mike Connor
(Unable to Attend)
Pearl Gilbert
Paul Lagassi
(Deceased, we mourn his loss and give thanks for his contributions)
Small Business of the Year:
Bakersfield Country Club
Others In Attendance
The Green Mountain Chorus Group
Sponsors
New England Federal Credit Union
Northwest Medical Center
The Saint Albans Messenger
The Green Mountain Chorus Group
Sponsors
New England Federal Credit Union
Northwest Medical Center
The Saint Albans Messenger
Date: May 7, 2009
Place: Knights of Columbus, 242 South Main Street, St. Albans
Event: 2009 Chamber of Commerce Dinner & Silent Auction
Place: Knights of Columbus, 242 South Main Street, St. Albans
Event: 2009 Chamber of Commerce Dinner & Silent Auction