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Cabot Historical Society

Preserving the history of Cabot, Vermont · Founded 1965

The Cabot Chronicle

September 2009 · Issue Record

← From the Cabot Chronicle

The community record for this issue of the Cabot Chronicle, extracted from the original pages. Reprinted with permission from the Cabot Chronicle.

Original issue: Download the September 2009 pages (PDF)

Automated extraction, spot-checked. Advertisements, the business directory, and puzzles are omitted; obituaries appear as individual entries.

In This Issue

Old Home Days

(Continued from Page 1) At 2:00 p.m., a concert was held in the Sanctuary of Cabot United Church, a rededication of the 1896 Hook and Hastings Organ, which was given to the Methodist Episcopal Church by the Lance family in memory of Josephine Lance. When the two religious societies joined, the current church building was selected and the organ was moved to its present site. More recently, the bellows have been replaced, a new pedal board installed and a quiet new blower sits just behind the instrument. Veronica Kivela, a descendent of Josephine Lance, gave a bit of history about both her family, and the organ. She also gave, as a gift to the Cabot Historical Society, the original contract from the many town residents showing the amount of money given for the purchase of the church bell. This contract even stipulates when the bell should be rung, which is basically on Sunday and for funerals. This framed contract will hang at the Cabot Historical Society for all to see. Organists for the concert were Barbara Connelly, organist and choir director of North Congregational Church in St. Johnsbury and her son Paul Connelly, a senior at Hope College, Holland, MI majoring in Music Education, Organ performance and Dance Education. Their music selections varied in origin from pieces composed in the late 1800’s (when the organ was new), to more contemporary selections. Arthur Zorn, Director of Music and organist at Bethany UCC, Montpelier pulled out all of the stops (literally) and gave us some of his best improvisations using familiar hymns. The Cabot Community Chorus offered selections under the able direction of Lynn McKinney and was accompanied by Mary Cobb. These Old Home Week events were organized by a committee comprised of Marvie Domey, Blanche Lamore, Jane McKay, Erma Perry, Deanna Van Schagen, and Janet Westervelt.

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Collaboration

(Continued from Page 1) describes how the project will work this year at Cabot: each day the VYCC crew will go to homeroom and period 1 as regular Cabot students. Then for periods 2 through 7 (from 9:15 a.m. to 2:10 p.m.) they will work on the VYCC crew. They will finish their day with a Cabot School class. VYCC provides tools and two instructors, Barre Tech oversees the operation and handles all the finances, and Cabot provides a place for the team to meet and jobs for the crew to do. Students learn skills, professionalism, research needs, costs, etc. The program is open to all high school students and, like every tech center program (the regular programs at the tech center in Barre continue as before), students accumulate credits that count for a Cabot School diploma. The good news for our community is that the crew will do work projects at the Cabot and Twinfield schools, and also throughout the communities of Cabot, Marshfield and Plainfield. Students will have transportation, tools and supervision. All that needs to be provided by community organizations or members is materials. Projects for the year are currently being looked at. As a new program, it is open to all ideas. So far, a wide variety of possible projects has been discussed; some are indoors, some out, some involve construction, some wildlife, some may take a few days, and some may last several months. Please

234, if you have an idea for a project big or small - that a crew might work on.

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By Julia Shipley

This new feature is written by Julia Shipley, who may be seen occasionally in various locations around town, asking questions and taking pictures. Consider her gifted with the unique skill of being able to fit into any scenario, a fly on the wall, and feel free to say “hello” to her as she fills her role of inquiring photographer/privileged interloper. This month’s inaugural item features short interviews done with people who were in Cabot attending August’s alumni reunion during Old Home Week. The same question was asked of four former attendees of the Cabot School.

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Raquel Bigelow

Cabot, class of ‘89, Support Staff at Cabot School “I had the same friends from kindergarten all the way through (high school). I remember the class trip to Washington D.C. and meeting Patrick Leahy - at the time he was a new Senator.” skunks. The girls would hit us up for candy. My friend and I went downstreet at noon and brought back some chocolate candies with Ex-Lax mixed in. Those girls didn’t come to school the next day, and they never asked us for candy again.”

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of the month and is provided locally free of charge.

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~ Copyright 2009 by The Cabot Chronicle

without express written permission from Cabot Chronicle. typographical errors. Acceptance of advertising is contingent upon and agreement by advertiser to indemnify publisher from loss or contents of advertising. Publisher does not assume liability for errors of space occupied by individual item in which the error appeared.

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BURLINGTON

Owen was born July 16th at 4:00 p.m. to Colleen and John Christman, Jr. of Burlington, VT. weighed 8 lbs. 1oz. and was inches long. He 20.5

On his father’s side, Owen is the grandson of John and Joanna Christman and Tammy Christman and Scott St. John, all of Cabot. Marion Morrison, also of Cabot, is Owen's great-grandmother. On his maternal side, Owen is the grandson of Jack and Jane

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MARSHFIELD

Sue Brickey, 58, of VT Route 2, died Friday, August 21, 2009 at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington. Born March 14, 1951 she was the daughter of Robert W. and Dora (Dodge) Lovely. She attended school in East Montpelier and Montpelier, graduating from Montpelier High School in 1969. her Batchelor's She later received of Arts Degree from Goddard College in Plainfield. On July 3, 1976 she married Dennis Brickey in Cabot. They lived in the Marshfield area all their married life. Joanna was employed by the Washington Northeast Supervisory Union for 16 years. time, Joanna served tive Assistant to the During that as AdministraCoordinator of Special Services, Medicaid Clerk, and Cabot School Bookkeeper. She also provided clerical services to both the Cabot School Board and the Washington Northeast Supervisory Union Board.

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Curschmann

will celebrate his 2nd birthday on September 15th. A trip to Storyland with friends, and his parents is in the making.

Time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren, reading and puzzles were her special interests. Survivors include her husband Dennis Brickey of Marshfield; her parents Robert and Dora Lovely of Cabot; a daughter Renee Codling and her husband, David, of Plainfield and two sons; Shane Brickey and his wife, Sally, of Plainfield and Robert Brickey and his, fiancée, Annie, of Marshfield; a sister Deena Lovely of East Montpelier; six grandchildren and several nephews, nieces and cousins. Joanna was predeceased by a sister Donna. Funeral Services were held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 27, 2009 at the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre. Burial followed at the PlainMont Cemetery.

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CABOT

By now, new stories and disasters, political wrangling and real-life drama have usurped the damage to the Cabot Village Cemetery late in July, and headlines have all but forgotten the handywork of vandals. However, the case is still unsolved, and work to repair the damage has not been finished yet. Although the state police did not return the Cabot Chronicle’s calls inquiring whether there was any new information about the event, in which 22 of the headstones in the cemetery were damaged or overturned, Town Clerk Tara Rogerson had some news to share. According to Rogerson, much of the cost of repair work will be covered by a town insurance policy. “We are waiting on the estimates” for the work, she said in a phone interview.

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By Anne Nadel

It became apparent to me several times recently that people are often not quite as they seem. That is to say, they have facets they may not show all the time, but which may actually tell more about them than their everyday behavior and patterns. Take, for example, Selectman Caleb Pitkin. It might amaze and astound his constituents to learn that the man has a flair for the stage, acting and singing in a rich baritone, perhaps more convincing as Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirate King than as a simple humble small-town politician. It surely surprised this editor, no stranger to the stage herself, to meet Mr. Pitkin on the Unadilla Theater stage when he reprised the role he had played just days earlier in a turn for the Echo Valley Arts production in July. Your faithful editor has her own “other faces,” herself, singing and acting on stage, as well as numerous others, including artist. The Chronicle’s Todd Jones, layout designer extraordinaire, is no slouch on the stage either, having been on the Unadilla stage himself this summer, and having also worked along side me on the Barre Players’ stage from time to time. These false faces, or perhaps inner selves we take out every so often, got me thinking about the person, or more likely, people who vandalized the Cabot Village Cemetery. Surely, they walk around day to day, living their normal lives, nobody the wiser that another of their faces is that of a vandal. The false faces, then, are the ones they put on every day, the faces that look like people who nobody might expect to take part in an act of violence that was not against an individual, but a community and its history.

Rogerson also said that the town Select Board has authorized a $500 reward for any information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the damage that was done during the nights prior to July 29. Charlie Codling, the cemetery’s caretaker, found the damage when he began mowing the lawns that Wednesday. State police were called to the scene, where one stone, dating back to the 1800s, had suffered severe damage. It is believed that due to the size and weight of the stones involved, it is likely more than one person was involved. According to law, vandalizing a cemetery is a felony offense which can carry a penalty of five years in prison, a fine of $5000, or both. Anyone with any information about this crime should call the Vermont state police.

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September 2009 ~ page 3

What kind of face is that, then? The face of an individual who cannot admit guilt for fear of the laws? The face of a defiant outlaw who doesn’t see that by knocking over headstones of the people who have gone before, he or she defames him or herself? After all, the measure of a community, and a person, is in how much respect and reverence they allow those who have paved the path they now walk. And a cemetery monument, while initially erected to honor someone who has died, is truly an homage to the past and all that it represents. In a town the size of Cabot, history is palpable and significant. To think that there is someone in the community who knows something about this vandalism but remains hidden, silent behind a false face, is a shame. Some false faces, or if they reveal a truer self than our everyday faces, real faces, are harmless, even delightful for others to catch glimpses of, from time to time. And some, like those of the cemetery vandals, are disturbing. I imagine these individuals must occasionally look at themselves in a mirror, and I hope they are uncomfortable with what they see. Perhaps it will prompt a moment when someone chooses to reveal their truest self, a self cannot live with the burden of guilt. Last month, the Chronicle featured an article with mask maker and actor Ellis Jacobson. His false faces are intentionally confounding, entertaining and unsettling at the same time. Like the giant puppet faces that Bread and Puppet Circus floated along in the July Fourth parade, they provoke and intrigue. Here’s to hoping that your false, or true, face is one you can live with, and even love.

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By Amy Hornblas

Throughout the past year, a dedicated group of students, professionals, educators, community members, school board members, administrators, and others have collaborated to build the Cabot School Performing Arts Center (CSPAC). Filling a need that was recognized by Cabot residents and School Board Members at the 2008 Town Meeting, this amazing project brought out folks who contributed their time, skills, and resources to make the dream of a community performing arts center a reality. Now, the public is invited to join the people who made CSPAC possible in a Grand Opening Celebration and Reception on Saturday, September 19 , at 6:00 p.m. Admission to the event is free, and the evening will feature a performance by the 13 piece Afro-beat band “Movement of the People.” “Movement of the People” plays a lively, danceable rhythm, and guests are encouraged to bring their dancing feet. While the Performing Arts Center is established and already being used, funding for the CSPAC project Cabot students help out at the Cabot School Performing Arts Center (CSPAC). is not yet complete. The building L-R top; Dylan Tetreault, Ben Younce, Dave Rathbone, Tyler Stecker, Justin Rich, Sam Talbert, Peydon Wright, Tyler Placey-Noyes. L-R bottom; Josiah Nunn, Robert costs were greater than the estiLanphear. Photo courtesy of Jon Lange mated costs by $45,000. There is still a $35,000 shortfall. Anyone who would like to contribute to the CSPAC building costs can do so online at www.cabotschool.org, or by mailing a check to Cabot School, 25 Common Road, Cabot, VT 05647.

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Shop Local

The Washington Northeast Supervisory Union Board of Directors, representing the Cabot and Twinfield School Districts; Is seeking public involvement in the upcoming Superintendent of Schools search initiative. The Board seeks a new Superintendent to replace George Burlison, current Superintendent who presently serves in an interim capacity and plans to retire in June 2010. There are opportunities for residents of Cabot, Marshfield, and Plainfield to participate in the search effort this fall. Residents are encouraged to attend a Community Forum on Tuesday, September 8 at 7:00 p.m. at Twinfield Union School to learn more about the process and role of a Screening Committee as well as to offer suggestions. The 13-member Screening Committee will consisting of parents, community members, faculty and staff will be convened over a five-week period (approximately 30-40 hours) beginning October 1. Persons interested in joining the Screening Committee should send a letter indicating their town of residence, contact information, availability, and reasons they want to be considered for Committee membership. Deadline for letters via e-mail or postal address is September 21. Additionally, all community members will have an opportunity to meet finalist candidates prior to the WNESU Board’s decision. For more detailed information con-

supersearch@twinfield.net or WNESU

VT 05667.

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WHEY to

the Troglodyte(s) with nothing more worthwhile to do than vandalize a Cabot cemetery. CURDS to all the folks who work at school to prepare for kids coming back. WHEY to the drivers who endanger us all by texting while they drive. CURDS to the PTO for trying to raise money for a new town playground. If you want to help or donate, call Wendy

WHEY to THE WEATHER!!! CURDS to Amanda Lagare for the beautiful flowers in front of post office, and Larry Gochey for flowers at the stone wall, around the “Welcome to Cabot” sign, the water tub next to Willey Hall, the ball field and the recreation field. Thanks to Gemma Yamamoto for flowers in front of the school gymnasium. Civic beauty, at no cost to the taxpayers! WHEY for the looming end of summer!!! CURDS to Scott St. John for bringing great, fresh, healthy food to the school cafeteria, working with the Farm to School Program, and MaryAnn Tormey for facilitating the committee’s support. WHEY to whoever vandalized the school’s kid-planted garden. CURDS to Tyler Placey-Noyes for volunteering four weeks at Buck Lake Camp. PREMIUM CURDS to everybody involved in the amazing CSPAC accomplishment!

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Winooski To Meet

Hi all-we are going to hold an organizing and update meeting on Winooski Headwaters projects on Wed Sept 2nd at 6:00. Topics of the meeting will include: Planning for the fall planting. It will be in Cabot on the morning of the Apple Pie Festival (Oct 17th, I believe). Update on the Naismith Brook and other culvert fish passage projects. Update on water quality monitoring. Developing new educational/ outreach events. Other business. apologize that this is on the same evening as a Marshfield Conservation Commission meeting. Once we looked at the availability of myself, Abbey and key folks from the town of Cabot (since that is where the planting is) we ended up with this date. We hope that some members of the commission can make the meeting from 6-7 and will adjust the order of the agenda to address items of the greatest interest to those who need to leave early. The meeting is in the gym at the Old School House Commons. Send your pizza Ann topping requests to Abbey!

Ann Smith Program Director, Friends of the Winooski River

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PEACHAM

In one of the largest Northeast Kingdom political meetings in recent years, some 600 people from throughout the region - most of them supporting major health care reform - crowded into a Congregational church on August 24 in this small Northeast Kingdom community for a town meeting hosted by Sen. Bernie Sanders. Saying public interest in the issue was "remarkable," Sanders told the audience that out of the more than 400 town meetings he has held since elected to Congress he had "never quite seen the kind of turnout at a small town like Peacham." The senator, at the beginning of the meeting, spoke to a crowd that spilled into the churchyard after people had packed the pews and filled the church basement. After finding no place to park their cars, more would-be attendees drove away. While the questioners at this third town meeting of its kind this month voiced a variety of opinions, most of those who asked questions during the two-hour session supported proposals to overhaul health care and reform the way insurance coverage is provided. “We live in a nation in which 46 million people have no health insurance and even more are underinsured. Sixty

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Town Meeting

million Americans do not have access to a doctor on a regular basis. And, according to the Institute of Medicine, some 18,000 Americans die every single year because they get to the doctor too late. Meanwhile, we spend almost twice as much per capita on health care as any other country and some one million Americans this year will go bankrupt because of medically related bills,” Sanders said. Some in the audience, like those at town meetings earlier in Rutland and Arlington, carried signs supporting a single-payer system, like Medicare for all Americans. Many waved red-andwhite placards calling health care a human right. Sanders said health care reform is needed “not just because of the needs of individual people, but for the sake of our entire economy. If we don’t get a handle on soaring health care costs, whatever you are paying today or whatever your employer is paying today will likely be doubled in 10 years and millions of Americans will be paying 50 percent of their income on health care. “That can’t happen. The country cannot survive economically, and millions of Americans will not make it economically if we don’t deal with this issue.”

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Out-of-date

On August 7, Sen. Bernie Sanders welcomed an opinion by Vermont attorney general Bill Sorrell that could substantially increase wages for workers on Vermont construction projects funded by the federal economic stimulus program. "As the stimulus package works to rebuild our infrastructure, roads and bridges and create new jobs, it is important that those jobs pay a living wage," Sanders said. "I'm glad that the attorney general upheld the state law that says construction companies in Vermont need to pay the most upto-date prevailing wage. Construction workers have a right to earn a fair wage for their labor." Sanders, a member of the U.S. Senate labor committee, had urged Vermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell to ensure Vermont workers are not penalized by outdated wage schedules that stagnated under the Bush administration. Sanders wrote to Sorrell in support of the state Legislature's efforts to assure that contractors who get contracts for economic stimulus construction projects pay their employees fair wages. The attorney general yesterday concluded that the Vermont Legislature may set higher wages for economic stimulus projects than those set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Studies have demonstrated that Vermont's wage schedules are out of date for federal construction contractors under the Davis-Bacon Act and that these wage schedules should be revised. The Congressional Research Office told Sanders that U.S. Labor Department calculations were more than a decade out of date for about half of Vermont. The so-called "prevailing wage" for construction was less than Vermont's minimum wage in almost one-third of the state.

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for Maple Fest

Are you planning to make some dill pickles with part of the summer’s bounty? If so, the Cabot Chronicle is putting out a call for a few good jars – of pickles, that is! Everyone knows that Sugar-on-Snow is best served with a salty, crunchy dill pickle alongside it, and that is where all of you home canners can help. When you put up your pickles this year, please consider adding a jar or two, perhaps with a label marked “Maple Fest,” to be donated when the time comes. Don’t have the space to keep the extra jar? Perhaps you are afraid that all that salty goodness won’t make it until late winter. If that’s the case, you can drop them off at the Coalition office. Call

Thanks for your efforts, and we’ll see you at Maple Fest, March 27, 2010.

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By Mark Bromley

George Santayana said, “To feel beauty is a better thing than to understand how we come to feel it” Herein lies the problem of describing a bicycle trip: a very special thing came to pass between a group of individuals over the course of great individual and personal challenges thru rain (lots), shine (little), and hills (a whole lot). Great memories were made that keep those who participated daydreaming and also remembering the trip just in those moments before sleep. Most can’t wait to do it again, but find it inherently difficult to share the experience’s fullness with friends and family, or even put it into words. This trip really began early in April, when snow still covered the high hills of Cabot and ice threatened a spill if riders did not keep a watchful eye on the road. The group met two or three times a week to train on the challenging hills, and each would go on to average 250 to 300 miles of riding prior to the Maine trip departure on June 26. The group of trainees included Daniel Hoyne-Grosvenor, Kathleen Hoyne, Cia Considine, Robin Considine, Tom Considine, Gwen Considine, Tim Walker, Megan Walker, Raquel Bigelow, Donovan Bigelow, Mark Bromley, Amber and Dakota Hough, and Heidi Cookson; with guest appearances from Zach Coolbeth, Tyler Abbott, David, Libby, Eli and Gage Hale, Jon Vara, John, Sue, and Lars Hammer, Sam and Anna Bromley, and others. When the group began last April, some riders found every hill a challenge. With daily training that progressed from eight to 15 miles, we soon found our group tackling the popular loop up to Rt. 15 and back around. Some of the longer training rides looped through Danville, and even down the Connecticut River as far as Bradford. The riders were getting stronger, and could feel it, and they began to itch for new roads – maybe even some that went downhill occasionally. Katheen Hoyne and Mark Bromley scouted a route from Cabot that included a challenging section over the White Mountains via the Kancamagus Pass. From there, the route followed the popular Adventure Cycling Northern Tier route mapped out by the Adventure Cycling Association. This route maximized the selection of quiet, scenic back roads for the final push to the coast across Maine. The group met in June to organize food, and camping and arranged for vehicle support by Jacie and Anna Bromley. On Friday, June 26, the group rode 30 miles, through Walden, Danville, and on down the East Peacham Road. The night was spent camping at the Barnet School little league dugouts. They had

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285 miles

great expectations and a little nervousness, but progressed fueled by ten gallons of “Megan-made lemonade.” Showers were courtesy of the school hoses. The group rode 55 miles the next day, crossing the Connecticut River and riding through Franconia Notch. Rain didn’t dampen their enthusiasm as, along the way, they enjoyed riding through Littleton, New Hampshire, where they enjoyed candy and chili for lunch. After Littleton came Bethlehem, where they enjoyed the local fare of coffee and smoothies. The rain continued for the next two days, but so did the ride, as the travelers gained another 85 miles. During these days, they saw bear, enjoyed Mexican food, pedaled over a lot of hills, and finally got to Maine, arriving in Fryeburg on Monday, where the school gym served as a warm, dry place to stay. Tuesday June 30 the group traveled 55 miles, and celebrated with a barbecue at the Wales, ME elementary school. Finally, on Wednesday, they pedaled the final 60 miles to the coast, and Hermit Island. Along the way, they crossed the Kennebec river bridges. They got to see the Bath shipyards, and everyone enjoyed a lobster dinner and salt water tidal pools. As for me, I can’t wait to do it again. This group was just awesome from the snowy training days on the Cabot hills all the way to Hermit Island. We had as much adventure crammed into a week as I could ever imagine. We persevered with humor in very difficult riding conditions and found new friends along the way. This writer would also like to thank a few people for helping make the trip a reality. Thank you to the good people of Cabot for voting last spring to set aside UDAG money to help this great effort get going with bikes, and safety gear. Thank you all for supporting the idea of mentoring young people here at home. Thank you to Jacie and Anna Bromley for their unending support for kids, including me, and the promise of bicycling. Our training partners deserve kudos: Amber Hough, the very fast Heidi Cookson, Jon Vara, Ed Lewis, The Hales, Zach Coolbeth, Tyler, the Hammer family, Gemma Yamamoto and others. Thanks also to Kathleen Hoyne, the unsung hero of mentoring, and a caring and compassionate advocate for kids and families in Cabot, and Daniel who could have ridden to the Pacific at the drop of a hat but chose to stick with us older and younger folks. Many thanks to Tim Walker – there from day one to the end - who helped every step of the way from

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hronicle

Cabot Roamers at Kancamagus Pass : (left to right) Cia Considine, Daniel HoyneGrosvenor, Kathleen Hoyne, Robin Considine, Tom Considine, Gwen Considine, Tim Walker, Megan Walker, Raquel Bigelow, Donovan Bigelow, Mark Bromley, and Dakota Hough. cooking to bikes, to tarps and tents - and was always there to help others, and to Megan whom didn’t miss any opportunity to train, and for her unfailing smile, perseverance, and that great lemonade. In a follow-up questionnaire Megan said: “I’m stronger than I thought!” The Considine family deserves thanks for their companionship and assistance all along the way, especially securing those life saving school gyms to stay in. Thanks for Cia who could laugh at spraying manure spreaders and never gave up. Thanks to Tom who only forgot his helmet once, and thanks to those twin gals that can groan in the most amusing way and laugh in the next moment. Raquel and Donovan toughed it out and never missed a training ride, even when Donovan looked asleep sometimes. He can do anything now, between here and Oregon. Last but not least: Thank you Dakota Hough for being a very special kid that can make us laugh and surprise us at every turn. He is full of energy and a strong rider with whom I could not keep pace on Kancamagus Pass, a singer of songs, and quipper of quips. Thanks to Amber who came along for almost all of our training and got stronger and stronger. I hope to see you back next year! When we started our journey, I quoted Walt Whitman from the Song of the Open Road: “From this hour I ordain myself loos’d of limits and imaginary lines” Now do you see? Thank you all for riding with me! Mark Bromley 8/11/09 For a full Journal of photographs and events of our ride: Google “Cabot Roamers Pedal to the Other Sea” http:// www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/ Roamers Under the auspices of Cabot Connects, the Cabot Roamers represents the volunteer initiative of a group of adults within the community of Cabot to create a program aimed at enabling our young people to experience the challenges and rewards of cycling and bicycle touring.

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Cliffs Reopened for Hikers

Vermont Fish & Wildlife has reopened the nine cliff tops and overlooks previously closed to hiking to protect nesting peregrine falcons. "We feel confident in reopening the cliff sites since all of this year's young peregrines have fledged," explained Doug Blodgett, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department biologist. "Our preliminary results indicate it was another great year for nesting peregrines in Vermont. We set a new record with at least 64 chicks successfully fledging." Over 40 volunteers monitored the nesting sites of 38 territorial pairs of peregrine falcons during the early spring and summer. Thirty-five pairs nested, and 28 were successful. "We owe some credit for this year's record success to protecting our more sensitive peregrine nest sites and to the cooperation we've received from hikers and climbers in respecting these temporary closures," said Blodgett. "We appreciate the cooperation of the trail and cliff users. The success of the peregrine nesting season reflects that this mutual effort was very worthwhile." Vermont Fish & Wildlife, in partnership with Audubon Vermont, National Wildlife Federation, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, and others has monitored and protected peregrine nesting sites over the past two decades. Peregrine falcons were removed from the state's Threatened and Endangered Species List in 2005.

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By Anne Nadel

For many people, a prerequisite to an animal being a pet is the animal’s quality of being warm and fuzzy. But there is another group of people who prefer their pets bald, sometimes even scaly. For these folks, reptiles can be wonderful pets. While some people get involved with reptiles because of allergies to furry animals, others just find the animals appealing. Reptile is a general description of many different animals, including lizards, snakes, turtles and tortoises. Because there are so many reptiles suited to being pets, this column will appear as two separate installments. This part will feature lizards. While some people may exclaim at the idea of keeping a lizard as a pet, these animals can take a lot less work and time than a more traditional house-pet. It is true that while they will not come running, eagerly greeting you on your arrival home, a lizard can be social, and will sometimes respond to their handlers when they interact. Larger lizards, like iguanas, require a lot more hands-on care than smaller ones like geckos and anoles, so for the novice, one of the smaller, tank-habitat lizards are a good choice. Because lizards come from many different climates, with the one common denominator being warm regions, their habitat needs will vary by species. Even within the gecko family, these creatures may come from humid, rainforest climates or arid desert environs. It is important to know that, in order to create an appropriate habitat, as well as what kind of temperature each needs to flourish. Some lizards are swimmers, and need a habitat that offers a basin of water. Some like dry sandy footing, and others like damp, mossy ground. All will need some sort of heat source, and this can be done via a lamp or “heat rock,” a synthetic rock with a small heat element inside it. Once again, which of these will be best for each lizard varies. All lizard habitats should have secure lids or doors to prevent escape. Different lizards also very greatly as to what they eat. The green iguana, a spectacular green, turquoise and blue lizard that can grow to six feet in length, is vegetarian when fully grown. These animals require a lot of attention, and need a habitat that will allow them to reach full size. It also needs to have a large basin of clean water so the lizard can to get wet as needed. Most geckos, on the other hand, thrive on a diet comprised mainly of insects. Pet shops sell crickets, which make fine food for insectivore lizards. Some large lizards, including the monitor lizards, are carnivorous, and eat larger animals, and owners of these creatures have to be prepared to feed them live mice or even rats. The majority of lizards are not naturally inclined to crave physical contact with their handlers, although it is good to get them used to some handling. Some lizards come to recognize and acknowledge their human owners, and may interact from the safety of their habitats. This writer had a large green iguana that would nod his head and grunt whenever fresh fruit was served. Despite his obvious enthusiasm for the food (it would be a conceit on my part to believe it had to do with me personally), he would display signs of aggression toward men with low voices, which may have been an in-bred reaction to what he perceived as a threat, as jungle cats predate on wild iguanas, and the deep voices may have reminded him of a growl. A good lizard for the first-time lizardkeeper is the tiny anole. These creatures are native to the southeastern United States and some Caribbean islands. They

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EWS

are arboreal in habitat, and prefer a space that has plants (either real or artificial) for them to climb, some kind of heat source and a source of regular moisture. A daily misting with a spray bottle will suffice, and anoles can live very happily in a terrarium. These lizards are only and inch or so at hatching, and, including a dramatic tail, can grow up to six inches long. Most are approximately four to five inches long. The anole’s preferred food is crickets and mealworms. In the wild, they eat a variety of insects. Often called chameleons, anoles are not, in fact, true chameleons, but do have the capacity to change color from green to teal-blue to brown, depending on mood and temperature. Another advantage of keeping anoles as pets is their price. As reptiles go, they are fairly inexpensive. The leopard gecko is a desert dwelling lizard native to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. It is nocturnal and lives on the ground, unlike many geckos that tend to be arboreal. It lacks the sticky foot pad that allows many geckos to climb vertical surfaces and cling to glass. Leopard geckos have pretty expressive faces with large eyes, and dramatic black and white markings. These lively creatures prefer a dry habitat with a heat source and a hiding space, like the half-hollowed desert logs sold at pet stores. Leopard geckos also enjoy a diet of crickets. Most crickets fed to lizards are sprinkled with calcium (purchased at pet shop) when they are fed, to increase the lizard’s nutritional intake. Many reptiles are considerably costly to purchase as they are not native to this country and must be either bred in captivity or imported, and there are strict laws governing the import of reptiles. Each state, in turn, has laws that set rules for the keeping of what are termed “exotic pets.” Vermont State Annotated code says “It is unlawful for persons to possess exotic animals, such as large felines, bears, wolves, poisonous reptiles, and non-human primates as "pets." Persons may possess exotic animals for exhibition and educational purposes if they obtain a permit. Please note that the state statute says a person may not bring into the state or possess an exotic animal unless they obtain a permit. However, no personal possession permits for "pets" are issued to individu-

The reptiles sold in Vermont’s retail pet shops do not qualify as “exotic” pets according to the law, and therefore are legal to keep. One caveat for the lizard-keeper: do not assume the manner in which a pet seller keeps an animal is the appropriate one for that animal. This writer has seen many instances where a lizard is put in a desert environment by pet shop staff simply because it is a monitor lizard and the people in the pet shop heard that monitor lizards live in deserts. This is unfortunately often the case at large, box store pet shops. When someone is contemplating the purchase of a lizard, like any pet, it is best to stop at a book store first. Nothing beats research, which may cost a little cash but save pain later, for the lizard and its keeper. Lizards are interesting, unusual and colorful animals, and they can be great companions in many types of human living spaces. Is a lizard the right pet for you? Start by reading. After you visit the book store or library, check out the pet shop. Who knows what will pique your fancy?

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By Bill Cobb

On a sub-zero January morning in 2004, only weeks after notification of approval of our Robert Wood Johnson Foundation start-up grant, four hardy seniors and as many volunteers began our first Seniors’ Adventure Morning program. Since then, we have added more than a dozen other services and programs, 140 volunteers, and a satellite office to help our senior and disabled neighbors remain in their beloved homes and communities as long, healthily, happily, and safely as possible. There is no charge for our neighborly services. The community need, which we address, is community itself. In this deteriorating landscape of economic contraction and increasing mobility, the need for community re-invigoration though cooperative volunteerism is critical. Family and small community has historically been the cornerstone of human civilization and has also become Vermont’s most prized legacy. We believe our rich community character of closeness, honesty, and diversity built upon intergenerational trust and caring for one another as neighbors-helpingneighbors can only be sustained by rediscovering the joys of engaging our whole community with our aging and disabled neighbors in a helpful and creative way. Our wonderful volunteers come from all walks of life, with the only test being that they be willing and responsible, and want to devote some time to helping others . This year on a cold February morning, in response to the economic collapse which left many too many local area families in need of supplemental food,

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Twin Town Homemaker’s

The Homemakers’ annual summer picnic was great, however we did move it to the church basement due to inclement weather (can you say rain?); we usually have it outdoors. We had a huge turn-out, everyone brought their family and it was a great evening with everyone contributing a favorite dish, and lots of lively conversation. We have five new members - we are growing! Upcoming events: this month we are heading to the Capitol for a picnic

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Wanted-

ambitious, driven self-starter to sell advertising for the Cabot Chronicle. Retirees fine, particularly anyone with some experience in sales. Must have own car and be able to govern your time independently. This is a commissioned position. Please send brief resume and contact information to coordina-

subject line.

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Wanted-

experienced, talented writers to write articles for the Cabot Chronicle. Knowledge of Associated Press style a definite plus, functional literacy a must. May waive experience qualifications with high-quality writing sample submissions. Ability to express yourself clearly is the most important thing. This is a freelance job. Please send resume

with “writer” in subject line.

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Community

we expanded our free food distributions to include all families in need. The program has grown from seven families to between 75 and 85 families for whom we prepare food boxes, including frozen meats and fresh produce (whenever available) twice a month (usually the second Wednesday and always the fourth Thursday). To learn more about this government commodities program, give us a call. The Cabot Coalition and Mentoring programs help by providing many volunteers for this outreach to our community. Our neighborly volunteer services include transportation assistance, Homeowner Grant and Loan Assistance, Seniors' Adventure Enrichment Programs, letter writing and scrapbooking sessions, respite time for caregivers, telephone check-ins and visiting, friendly visiting, networking and referral Services, handyman type home repairs, free 5,000 pound food distributions, Seniors' Handiwork Socials, Healthy Youth, Community Elder Interaction, Parish Nurse Program and Seniors’ Computer Literacy Classes. We are always trying to meet the needs of our local seniors and disabled neighbors; and we especially need additional volunteers for our food distributions, record keeping and reporting for our Leadership program, computer literacy classes (we have the laptops), transportation, friendly visiting, and office help. Please donate a few flexible hours

email fiancp@vtlink.net if you, or someone you know, has a need, and we will try to assist you.

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Report

dinner on the Statehouse lawn, followed by a movie- our version of “dinner and a movie.” In September we will be hosting our fall dinner, as well as a scrap-booking seminar. At any time if you’d like to join us:

stop in for a meeting in the church basement on the second Tuesday of each month. We’d love to have you!

of $2 (not including help wanted or employment

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← From the Cabot Chronicle