14-15 September 2024
The Tracks: Ways to participate in the Pilgrimage Walk
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Walkers meet at the Old School Community Center, 1 School St., Wilmington at 8:30 am to register. They will depart at 9:00 am. They will arrive at the lunch point along Brown Road, Wilmington at arount 1. They will proceed to the West Dover Congregational Church, arriving about 4:400. A dinner will be served at the church from 4 pm to 6 pm. Presentations and discussions will occur over both lunch and dinner.
On the second day, Sunday, walkers will meet at the Dover Town Hall at 8:30 am and depart at 9:00 am, arriving at the Ephesus House by mid-afternoon. The lunch break will be at the South Wardsboro Congregational Church, Cobb & Reed Road, South Wardsboro.
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It is also possible for people to join the walk at other points as the guides will have registration forms with them.
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SEE BELOW FOR COMPLETE ITINERARY.
To join our mailing list, please contact us at vtpilgrim@gmail.com or by calling or texting 802-319-9202. You may also contact us by mail at the following address:
Deerfield Valley Pilgrimage, Inc., 50 Lisle Hill Road, Wilmington, VT. 05363-9779.
SUBJECT TO CHANGE! CHECK WEBSITE FOR UPDATES
Preliminary Program and Itinerary
3rd Annual Deerfield Valley Pilgrimage Walk
Wilmington, VT
Saturday-Sunday, September 14-15, 2024
ITINERARY
Note: If you arrive late, you can join the Pilgrimage Walk at the times and places on the schedule and the trail guides will register you en route. If you have questions during the pilgrimage, or want a lift to join the group, call the cell phones of Lincoln (781-715-5968), Debbie (781-223-8112) or Dick (516-658-3421). (Call Dick first for transportation.) Cell coverage is spotty so keep trying.
TIMES BELOW ARE APPROXIMATE AND WILL VARY WITH WALKING SPEED.
Friday, September 13 – Pilgrimage Eve Informal Gathering
5:30-7:30pm Get together for early arrivals and local walkers
“19 South Main” Restaurant at 19 South Main St., Wilmington. (a couple blocks south of the lights, across from the public parking lot) This is a pleasant spot with porches off the bar overlooking the river. You can get acquainted and order something if you like. (The restaurant is good and has vegetarian choices.)
Saturday, September 14 - DAY ONE
8:30-9am Registration at the Old School Enrichment Center, 1 School St, Wilmington VT. Sign the forms, pay the $15 registration fee, and pick up the maps, instructions, etc. We’ll have ponchos and reflective vests for everyone, plus some other things. Bringing hiking sticks is recommended, as is insect repellent.
9am Dick Ward welcomes everyone to the Pilgrimage.
Form a Great Circle, intro walkers and volunteers (5 min.)
Rev. Peggy Hodgkins offers pilgrimage thoughts.
Ceremony of Stones explained by veteran pilgrim Karen Molina.
9:20am Walkers depart, go up Lisle Hill Rd. and continue to town trail connecting to Whites Rd. Proceed north on Whites Road.
10:15am Water stop at Hodgkins home, 388 Whites Rd.
10:30am Proceed north on Whites Rd. At the end, turn right on Stowe Hill Road. At the top of the hill, just past Top of the Hill Rd, turn left onto the snowmobile trail and proceed through the woods through the Newman property to the field, where we will turn left and proceed to the Newman cabin at the top of the hill to enjoy the view and use the facilities, if necessary. (Water and snacks available there.) The group will proceed to Higley Hill Road, turn right (east) and continue to a left turn on Haynes Rd., which becomes Brown Road.
12 noon Lunch break at Rich & Laurie Kaplan’s home,
150 Brown Rd. There will be a brief discussion of local history while you rest. (Please bring your own lunch. Water and snacks will be provided.)
1pm Walkers depart the Caplan place. They will walk to Old Town Rd. and turn right on Smith Road, follow it to the end and continue on the abandoned road, past the sugar house, and then turn left on the snowmobile trail, which will take us to the hill overlooking the Boyd Farm.
3pm Stop at Boyd’s Farm, 125 E. Dover Rd. while the group gathers.
3:30-4:00pm Shuttles from Boyd’s Farm (walkers will be shuttled to avoid a difficult stretch of road) to W. Dover Congregational Church (104 Route 100, Dover) for dinner
4:30pm Dinner starts at W. Dover Congregational Church. If you get there early and are looking for more walking, cross the street from the church and go right (north on the sidewalk, which becomes the Valley Trail. Cross the steel pedestrian bridge and continue to the “Horace Hill” sign and walk a circuit before returning to the church for dinner. You could also stop by the West Dover Inn’s 1846 Tavern next door to the church, or the Valley View Saloon about 1/8th mile north on Rte 100 for rest and refreshment.
5:00pm Mary Tarinelli, the founder of the Ephesus House (the pilgrimage destination) will relate the curious history of this replica over dinner at the church.
5:30 onward. Cars will be available to ferry walkers to their personal vehicles or lodging.
End of DAY ONE
Sunday, September 15 - DAY TWO
8:30am Dover Town Hall/Dover Free Library Parking lot, 22 Holland Rd., East Dover. Gather, form circle. Rev. Peggy Hodgkins to lead “body prayers.”
9:00am Depart from Dover Town Hall down Holland Road to the end. Turn left on Goose City Rd., then take the right fork on Jenne Rd, then a right on Locust Heights Rd. At the end turn left on North Rd, then take the right fork on Jockey Hollow Rd. Continue a couple of miles to Sunrise Farm.
11:00am Water/rest stop at Sunrise Farm, Jockey Hollow Rd.
East Dover. Then continue along Jockey Hollow to Gault Rd. and at the end turn left on Silver Mine Rd. Take the left fork on E. Dover Rd., and at the end turn left on Newfane Rd.
12-12:30 Visit remarkable gardens at Mike Cooney’s at 146 Newfane Rd in South Wardsboro. Then continue on Newfane Road 1/4th mile to the South Wardsboro Congregational Church.
12:45pm Lunch at S. Wardsboro Congregational Church.
Please bring your own lunch. Local history talk over lunch. Water and snacks will be provided.
1:30-2:00pm Shuttles depart from S. Wardsboro Congregational Church to Wardsboro Methodist Church, 122 Main St., Wardsboro. Water, snacks and facilities.
2pm Walkers depart as a group from Methodist Church, 122 Main St. for Our Lady of Ephesus House of Prayer. They begin by going up Main St., which becomes South Hill Rd. at the fork in 2 miles, then turn right on Mowrey Road. The Replica of St. Mary’s house is on the left in about 1/8 of a mile.
2:30-3:30pm Refreshments in Gazebo of the Replica
Twyla Wallace offers stretching and relaxation exercises during the interval before the ceremony.
3:30pm Events at Ephesus House
* Rev. Hodgkins leads Ceremony of Stones outside
* Rev. Fr. Kevin Chalifoux welcomes pilgrims and invites them into the Replica for a reading, blessing and hymn
4:30pm Conference Center (1/4 mile further down the road, on the hill. Turn left on S. Lamphear Road, then left again on Fawn Ledge Lane.): BBQ outside - Interfaith grace offered by Rev. Peggy Hodgkins.
4:30pm Fr. Jay celebrates Eucharist in small chapel. Worshippers can rejoin the group at the BBQ after mass.
5:30-6:30pm Shuttles and cars take walkers back to their cars in Dover and Wilmington.
End of Pilgrimage
Deerfield Valley Pilgrimage, Inc. Waiver & Release of Liability Agreement
The Deerfield Valley Pilgrimage, Inc., its officers, employees, and volunteers (“Released Parties”) are non-commercial, not for profit activity providers. The purpose of this Deerfield Valley Pilgrimage, Inc. Waiver & Release of Liability Agreement is to exempt, waive, and relieve Released Parties from any and all liability for any harm, wrongful death, personal injury, property damage, claim or cause of action, including, but not limited to liability arising from the negligence of Released Parties. “Released Parties” include the Deerfield Valley Pilgrimage, Inc., and their affiliates, successors, predecessors, parents, subsidiaries, owners, representatives, administrators, directors, officers, agents,, employees, contractors, assigns, and volunteers; other participants, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, and advertisers; and, if applicable, the owners, operators, and lessors of premises on which the activities or events take place.
In consideration of the undersigned Participant being allowed to participate in any way in Deerfield Valley Pilgrimage, Inc. related events and activities, the Undersigned (“Undersigned” means the Participant or the Participant’s parent, legal guardian, or legal representative when the Participant is under the age of 18 or legally incapacitated) agrees and acknowledges as follows:
1. Risks of Activity. Participant will be taking part in activities that can be hazardous and involve the risk of physical injury and/or death. The activities are inherently dangerous and Undersigned fully realizes the dangers of participating in the activities. The dangers and risks of the activities include but are not limited to the condition of the premises and equipment, and the acts, omissions, representations, carelessness, and negligence of the Released Parties. Recognizing the risks and dangers, the Undersigned voluntarily chooses for Participant to participate in the activities and expressly assumes all risks and dangers of the participation in the activity, whether or not described above, known or unknown, inherent, or otherwise.
2. Risks of Participation. The Undersigned recognizes and understands that while Released Parties have undertaken reasonable steps to lessen the risk of transmission of communicable diseases, including but not limited to, COVID-19, in connection with participation in the activities, the Released Parties are not responsible in any manner for any risks related to communicable diseases in connection with Participant’s participation in the activities. Specifically, the Undersigned understands that COVID-19 is a highly contagious and dangerous disease, and that contact with the virus that causes COVID-19 may result in significant personal injury or death. The Undersigned is fully aware that participation in the activities carries with it certain inherent risks related to transmission of communicable diseases (“Inherent Risks”) that cannot be eliminated regardless of the care taken to avoid such risks. Inherent Risks may include, but are not limited to, (1) the risk of coming into close contact with individuals or objects that may be carrying a communicable disease; (2) the risk of transmitting or contracting a communicable disease, directly or indirectly, to or from other individuals; and (3)injuries and complications ranging in severity from minor to catastrophic, including death, resulting directly or indirectly from communicable diseases or the treatment thereof. Further, the Undersigned understands that the risks of all communicable diseases are not fully understood, and that contact with, or transmission of, a communicable disease may result in risks to the Participant including but not limited to loss, personal injury, sickness, death, damage, and expense, the exact nature of which are not currently ascertainable, and all of which are to be considered Inherent Risks.
The Undersigned hereby voluntarily accepts and assumes all risk of loss, personal injury, sickness, death, damage, and expense for the Participant arising from such Inherent Risks. Furthermore, the Undersigned represents and warrants that Participant does not knowingly carry any communicable diseases that may be transmitted during participation in the activities.
3. Release and Indemnification. Undersigned (a) unconditionally releases, forever discharges, and agrees not to sue the Released Parties for any claims or causes of action for any liability or loss of any nature, including personal injury, death, and property damage, arising out of or relating to Participant’s participation in any Deerfield Valley Pilgrimage, Inc. events or activities or the Participant’s presence on or travel to the premises where such events or activities take place, including, but not limited to claims of negligence, breach of warranty, and/or breach of contract the Undersigned may or will have against the Released Parties; and (b) agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any liability or damage of any kind and from any suits, claims, or demands, including legal fees and expenses whether or not in litigation, arising out of, or related to, Participant’s participation in such events or activities or the Participant’s presence on or travel to the premises or areas where such events or activities take place.
4. Medical Treatment. Undersigned understands that the Released Parties do not have medical personnel available at the location of the activities. Undersigned hereby grants the Released Parties permission to administer first aid or to authorize emergency medical treatment, if necessary. Undersigned understands and agrees that any such action by the Released Parties shall be subject to the terms of this agreement and release, including any liability arising from the negligence of the Released Parties when administering first aid or authorizing others to do so. Undersigned understands and agrees that the Released Parties do not assume responsibility for any injury or damage which might arise out of or in connection with such authorized emergency medical treatment.
5. Miscellaneous. Undersigned agrees (a) Participant will not engage in any activities prohibited by any applicable laws, statutes, regulations, and ordinances; (b) this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Vermont and the exclusive jurisdiction and venue for any claim shall be located in the state courts located in Windham County, VT; (c) this Agreement shall be binding upon the subrogors, distributors, heirs, next of kin, executors, and personal representatives of the Undersigned; (d) this Agreement shall be construed as broadly as permitted by applicable law; and (e) that in the event that any clause or provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such clause or provision shall not otherwise affect the remaining provisions of this Agreement.
6. Media/Photo Waiver. Undersigned authorizes and gives full consent to Released Parties to copyright and/or publish for public view any and all photographs, digital recordings, videotapes and/or film in which Participant appears. Undersigned agrees that Released Parties may transfer, use, or cause to be used, these digital recordings, photographs, videotapes, or films for any exhibitions, public displays, publications, commercials, art and advertising purposes, television programs, and internet without limitations or reservations.
I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENTS. I AM AWARE THAT I AM RELEASING LEGAL RIGHTS THAT OTHERWISE MAY EXIST. BY SIGNING BELOW, I HEREBY REPRESENT THAT I AM AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE AND FULLY COMPETENT TO SIGN THIS AGREEMENT ON MY OWN BEHALF.
FOR PARTICIPANTS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 OR LEGALLY INCAPACITATED`
Undersigned parent, or legal guardian, or legal representative acknowledges that he/she is not only signing this Agreement on his/her behalf, but that he/she is also signing on behalf of the minor or legally incapacitated adult and that the minor or the legally incapacitated adult shall be bound by all the terms of this Agreement. Additionally, by signing this Agreement as the parent, or legal guardian, or legal representative of a minor or legally incapacitated adult, the parent, legal guardian, or legal representative understands that he/she is also waiving rights on behalf of the minor or legally incapacitated adult that the minor or legally incapacitated adult otherwise may have. The Undersigned parent, or legal guardian, or legal representative agrees that, but for the foregoing, the minor or legally incapacitated adult would not be permitted to participate in the activities. By signing below, I hereby represent that I am the parent, legal guardian, or legal representative of a minor, or legally incapacitated adult Participant and that I have the authority to sign on the Participant’s behalf.
I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENTS. I AM AWARE THAT I AM RELEASING LEGAL RIGHTS THAT OTHERWISE MAY EXIST. BY SIGNING BELOW, I HEREBY REPRESENT THAT I AM AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE AND FULLY COMPETENT TO SIGN THIS AGREEMENT ON MY OWN BEHALF.​