VERMONT - Bringing an Old Fashioned
Holiday to the Nation

James Jeffords, retired US Senator

James Jeffords was elected to the U.S. Senate from Vermont in 1988, then re-elected in 1994 and 2000. Previously he had been a Vermont state senator and Attorney General and had served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975-89. For much of his Senate career Jeffords has been regarded as a liberal Republican who sometimes voted with Democrats on issues like the environment and abortion. On 24 May 2001 Jeffords announced he would leave the GOP to serve as an independent. The move shifted Senate power to the Democrats, giving that party a 50-49 edge over the Republicans. Jeffords became the Senate's only independent; Vermont's U.S. Representative, Bernard Sanders, also is a registered independent.

Hannah Teter, 2006 Winter Gold Medalist

Growing up in Vermont with my family has been the best part of my life! They are so important to me, and we are always helping each other out. Another important part of being raised in Vermont is the Weston Priory. I have attended the Priory since I was in my moms belly and the super sweet monks there have taught me many virtues like believing in myself and knowing there can be a better world out there that we can all live in together in harmony. So with that on my mind and developing a passion for snowboarding, I've been able to travel the world for something I love to do, snowboard.

I started competing when I was 12 and went on the pro circuit when I was 15. Going to the Olympics was my biggest dream, and once there and put to the test, I happily conquered what I set out to do! Establishing my own charity has been my 2nd biggest dream come true! Brainstorming with my parents and creating a Maple Syrup that benefits the starving and AIDS victims in Kenya... has been the coolest project to work on. HannahsGold.com is the outcome. Life has been amazing and I have gotten to experience so much, in so many places. It all boils down to be one wonderful and harmonic ROAD TRIP.

The latest honor I have been given is being a spokesperson for the 2007 Vermont Capitol tree. I'm very happy to have been asked to represent Vermont, a state that Mother Nature has blessed as very beautiful and that I will always call home. I am grateful for the opportunity to add this to my list of cool life experiences!

Some Snowboarding accomplishments

6 World Cup Wins

2004 X Games Gold

Numerous US Grand Prix wins and the 2004 champion

2006 Olympic Gold in Snowboarding Half Pipe

USOC Sports Women of the Year for 2006

ESPN Action Sports Women of the Year

James Douglas, Governor of Vermont

Letter from
Governor Douglas

Theodore Bechtol, Deputy Superintendent, Capitol Grounds

Theodore R. Bechtol, Jr. has been Deputy Superintendent of Capitol Grounds for the past two years, making the Vermont tree the 3rd he has selected. As grounds manager for the U.S. Capitol, Ted is responsible for the landscape maintenance of nearly 300 acres of Capitol Complex, including seasonal displays, specimen tree maintenance and preservation of the historic landscape designed and developed by Frederic Law Olmsted during the late 19th Century. Ted has a Bachelor of Science degree both in Ornamenal Horticulture and Environmental Resource Management, with a minor in Forestry from The Pennsylvania State University. Ted is looking forward to returning to the north country, working with the U.S. Forest Service and its associated partners and sponsors, having spent two years out of college warking for the Appalachian Mountain Club in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.