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The Cabot Chronicle

February 2010 · 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 February 2010 pages (PDF)

Text extracted from the original pages and checked for reading order. Advertisements, listings, the calendar and puzzles are omitted. Where part of a story could not be converted cleanly, it is marked and the full story is in the PDF.

In This Issue

Cabot Cub Scouts Support Troops

By Rita Durgin With the upcoming deployment of the Vermont Army National Guards and many soldiers from our local communities, the Cabot Cub Scouts are making it their mission to show their support. The boys are focusing on sending care packages to the troops. They began their operation by making and selling holiday wreaths to cover the postage of the packages. The boys gathered at the Cabot Fire Station in November, where they enthusiastically decorated the wreaths themselves and sold them for $20 each. The fund raiser was a great success and Cabot Cub Scouts would like to thank everyone who made and purchased the wreaths. They would also like to thank the Fire Department for the use of their facility. Meanwhile, the boys have placed boxes throughout the community to collect items to be sent to the soldiers. Among the items the boys hope people will donate are personal hygiene supplies including powder, razors, deodorant and feminine hygiene supplies. According to SSG Jeff Durgin who, along with 232 men and women from Vermont will be deployed to Afghanistan in January, these hygiene items are strongly coveted, as the troops spend up to a week or more at a time in the field without access to showers, clean clothes or hot water. Other small items on the following list make life easier, help pass time in camp, cheer the troops, and remind the soldiers that people back home miss and support them.

Volunteers are also being sought who can help knit wool helmet liners. Anyone interested in helping out by donating items or helping to pack boxes, should contact Rita Durgin at 563-2826, Jenn Miner at 498-8245, or Rebecca Nally at 563-3503, or just place donations in one of the community box locations. Boxes are located in Cabot School, near the main office; Cabot Village Store; Harry's Hardware; Cabot Post Office; Cabot Public Library. Suggested donations include: deodorant, Shower to Shower body powder, air activated heat wraps for sore muscles, razors, foot massagers, feminine hygiene products, jelly beans, disposable camera, Rice Krispie treats, Altoids or other mints, beef jerky, snack mixes, sunflower seeds, chewing gum, nuts, long-distance phone cards, Little Debbie's snacks, Ziploc bags, coffee, Gatorade, jaw breakers, poker game, playing cards, dice, music CDs, hand warmers, inflatable seat cushions, ink pens, notepads of paper, word puzzle books, microwaveable plates, bowls, paper plates, foot powder, vitamins, paperback books, gift baskets filled with lots of useful items and packaged as a present, greeting cards, home-made cards, toothbrushes & toothpaste, pasta and sauce, canned food items, spices, salt, pepper, smoked oysters and sardines, squeeze butter, Pringles, chips, individually-wrapped licorice, microwave popcorn, ramen noodles, boxed macaroni and cheese, newspapers, magazines, AA and D batteries, air fresheners (like stickups, Febreeze), canned air to blow dust out of electronics.

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The Economics of Small Places

Cub Scouts decorate wreaths which were sold as part of the troop's project to benefit deploying military service men and women. Photo courtesy of Rita Durgin By Chris Braithwaite

Publisher of the Barton Chronicle

“The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated,” Mark Twain said when told that his obituary had appeared in a New York newspaper. That’s how we feel about the reports of the death of the newspaper. The we in this case are the people involved in the production of small community newspapers — this paper in particular, but also papers like this one that can be found in communities across Vermont and, indeed, across the continent. Some very prestigious big-city daily newspapers have taken a pretty big hit over the past few years. Some have disappeared entirely, others have become mere phantoms to be found only on the Internet, yet others have “downsized” dramatically, pulling in their correspondents from around the world and refocusing on local news. There’s even a new buzzword in the newspaper business: hyper local. The retreat of major newspapers like the Boston Globe from their commitment to detailed, first-person reporting from some of the world’s most troubled places is nothing to celebrate. But the urban dailies’ almost desperate refocus on local news is part of the reason we feel like Mark Twain. That’s what we’ve been doing for 35 years, what the Herald of Randolph has been doing for 135 years, and what an impressive list of well written, carefully edited Vermont community papers will continue to do for many years to come.

The Internet reaches the ultimate mass audience, the world itself, with remarkable speed and economy. That’s what’s made survival so difficult for major newspapers that rely on a mass audience for their success. But newspapers like this one survive have always survived - by reaching a small audience that is closely tailored to two things: to the common interests of people who share the ups and downs and the boredoms and fascinations of a small community; and to the marketing needs of businesses that serve those small communities. Businesses that cater to a specific small community can’t afford to advertise to a mass audience. That’s where we come in. People who want and need to know what’s going on in Iraq and the White House and Tiger Woods’ driveway in Florida have all sorts of ways of finding that out, very quickly. Finding out what the Barton Trustees did this week, or whose house burned down and when the fund-raiser dance is scheduled isn’t so easy. And that’s where we come in. The recession is pinching this business in just the way it’s pinching every business we serve. We expect to survive it as they survive it, as we have all survived recessions in the past. But the tsunami of change that is battering our urban dailies has not reached the highlands of the Northeast Kingdom, and we don’t think it’s on its way. That’s the good news we wanted to share, as we approach the end of this rather difficult year. — C.B.

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Faith In Action to Use, Improve Masonic Hall

By Amy Hornblas For many years Faith in Action has offered morning Adventures groups and lunches for local seniors, a Food Share program for neighbors in need, and other charitable programs. According to Bill Cobb, director of these programs, the group has struggled to find a space suitable for its activities. Apparently, a solution has been found that may hold benefits for both the FIA group and those it serves, as well as the entire town of Cabot. In the past, the Food Share program has had to move around town and beyond, causing confusion and lack of consistency. The senior lunch and activity programs have outgrown the United Church of Cabot’s basement. The Masonic Hall in town, which the town acquired a few years ago, has been underutilized and mostly vacant. At a Cabot Select Board meeting on December 30, Faith In Action’s Bill Cobb proposed a rental contract for use of the Masonic Hall. The agreement was amended somewhat by the selectpersons, and passed unanimously. Currently, there are two contracts between FIA and the Town of Cabot; one is a rental agreement for the facility and the other is a renovation contract. FIA has agreed to pay the town $9,300 to use part of the building from January 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011. They will be using the kitchen on the south side of the building and a large room on the north side every Monday and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and the fourth Thursday of every month from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. There is also use of toilet facilities and a storage room allowed in the agreement. The renovation contract between

Love Notes:

FIA and the Town of Cabot states that the town will contribute $8,000 worth of labor and materials to the renovations (outlined in the contract as construction materials, fixed equipment, electrical work, plumbing, and heating). These funds will come from the $4000 that was set aside in the town’s 2009 budget for renovations as well as the $4300 installment towards rent that FIA paid in January. The contract also states that FIA shall serve as general contractor, obtain commercial general liability insurance, supply all labor, materials, and supervision, correct any defects at its own expense, and complete the project by July 1, 2010. Upon satisfactory completion of improvements, the town will discharge the second portion of the rental obligation of $5,000 due July 1. The renovations agreed upon include upgrades to the facilities and changes in the use of certain areas. The kitchen will be divided into two rooms, one suitable for storage and a temporary office space, and the other into an upgraded kitchen suited for preparing meals for groups of up to fifty people. There will also be changes in the heating system to improve comfort and efficiency. Urethane foam insulation to a minimum r-value of 21, gypsum board, and finish work will be done to the ceiling in the kitchen. The kitchen walls will also get an upgrade to their insulation, and the windows and doors will be replaced. New electrical work, plumbing (a new sink and water heater), and ductwork is also planned. All improvements must meet fire and safety regulations and be approved by the town. The town will apply for the necessary permits, will consult with FIA and its subcontractors, and meet with inspectors and other state officials as required.

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Budget Concerns Dominate School Board Meeting

By Lori Augustyniak of just how to provide a quality education without increasing the tax burden on homeowners. Ruth Moore submitted a letter outlining her idea of alternative budget cuts to the board. Citing her educational career, Judy Pransky had some ideas how Cabot might trim the budget and improve education. Faculty members voiced their support for a cooperative effort that would create a stronger learning environment. One attendee reminded the group that according to Tara Rogerson, Cabot Town Clerk, delinquent taxes in Cabot are increasing and she expects that rate will continue to increase, and that regardless of whether or not taxes are paid, the school still gets the funds promised, but the town must get a loan to cover the delinquent taxes which increases the costs to taxpayers. Elaine Metcalfe recalled, “People used to say if you can’t afford to live here, then sell your house and live somewhere else. Well, that’s not so easy these days.” Others testified to their own personal hardship due to the current economy and asked the board to please be respectful of those community members who have lost jobs, have had work hours cut or live on a fixed income. John McSweeney, long time faculty member, told the board, “I can’t think of a year when we haven’t struggled with a school budget that is fair to all players, but this crisis is driving design changes without proper planning. Let’s not make decisions now that are driven by fiscal realities without sound educational philosophy.” Superintendent George Burlison reviewed the numbers and tax impact before the board began their deliberation on the final budget figure for the 2010-2011 school year. After Roman Kokodyniak said he believes the board’s responsibility is to “make a decision on this budget by consensus, not simply a vote,” the board entered executive session to discuss personnel issues related to the budget. At 10:45 p.m., a motion was made to set a tax rate with a 0 per cent tax increase. In the final proposed budget, $40,000 from the CLA adjustment would be returned to the budget, the approximately $10,000 from the faculty would be added to the budget and Principal Quinn was instructed to identify the necessary budget cuts, taking into account these new numbers, to set the 2010-2011 budget. The board approved the motion unanimously. Quinn admitted “It’s (implementing the smaller budget) obviously going to be tough,” but then reaffirmed her optimism about the future of Cabot School. “I would like to see us set up subcommittees, involving all areas of the community, to identify what is effective and where we go from here.”

Cabot’s own Theron Lay-Sleeper has been spending his senior year of high school studying in Germany. The following excerpt is from the January 8th entry on his blog, which can be found on the Cabot School website (cabotschool.org).

A serious mood filled the library at Cabot School on Monday, January 11, at a meeting of the Cabot School Board. Twenty guests attended the meeting representing diverse segments of the community, including parents, faculty, students, business owners, senior citizens and residents without children who attend the school. While comments were personal, the theme of the nearly three-hour conversation was “keep the school here, but make it more affordable.” School board chairman Chris Tormey began the meeting by updating the group on the current status of available budget funds. Initially, the school board proposed cuts to keep a budget increase to 2 per cent. The board revisited the budget cuts they proposed in December because they have since learned that the Common Level of Appraisal (CLA) for Cabot recently increased and there is $100,000 more available for the budget than anticipated when the cuts were proposed. Tormey said, “Quite simply, tonight we need to decide if we will ask for a slight budget increase to make fewer cuts or make all of the cuts we proposed last month and maintain the same tax rate as last year.” Since this is not a contract negotiation year and changes to the current contract are difficult, faculty members of the Cabot Teachers Association made personal pledges to return a portion of their wages to the school to help meet the budget shortfall. According to faculty representative Charlie Wanzer, the faculty pledges between $9,000 and $15,000, and “the faculty strongly support helping the school board meet their responsibility to both students and to taxpayers.” Principal Regina Quinn advocated for not making severe cuts this year saying that “cutting the entire $380,000 will make it more difficult to implement cuts and maintain a quality education.” Erica Burke asked for clarification, stating that at previous meetings Quinn presented the cuts as a strong and academically sound plan, “but tonight we are hearing that the cuts are highly disruptive and irresponsible.” Quinn explained that she still feels the plan is strong, but the flexibility to implement the cuts in a longer timeframe is preferable. She confirmed that the goal of the school is to work toward the full cuts proposed at the initial budget meeting. She explained, “I am excited about the future. It is terrifying, but I hope we can make the smaller cuts this year and take time to plan cuts for forthcoming years.” Attendees were passionate but respectful as they examined the question

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 2 onward.

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The German Holiday Season and die DN`PUOv_ Schnüte

By Theron Lay-Sleeper Wow, so by now, I am a little late on my blog, but that´s only because there´s been soooo muuuuch going on! So I´ll start by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! The German Christmas season (which is in full swing by the first week of Dezember) was really great, except of course for the musik, which is just as bad as at home, only the songs aren´t all understood with their sappy lyrics and silly maschines. SO. The Germans have 3 or more days of Christmas- but as we all know the Germans love to party! Christmas Eve (Heilige Abend), Christmas day (the first) and then two more days. During this time, we eat so much food, and all the family comes together, and we exchange gifts. For the kids they get presents on the 25th, because Der Weihnachtsmann must come some time right? And the adults are later, the presents are exchanged on the night of the 24th. The stockings are done on the 6th of Dezember, on Der Heilige Nikolas Tag (the holy Nicholas day) when the kiddies put their shoes on the window sill and wake up with goodies. On Christmas eve, we had Oma and Opa and all the family together for a big dinner of Würst and potato salad and all kinds of things that are deadly filling. We have recently acquired a Wii, and we all bowled and boxed and such and then we went to a small old stone church where there was a very nice reception and I played some music on the saxophone and then there was a little after-party with hot cider and glühwein. That was very nice. The second day we went to oma and opas, and had another huge dinner. We played German rummi and other games, like Müller, which is something like a mishmash of checkers and tic-tactoe. On the third day of Christmas, three French hens...nope. We went to Hamburg and saw Tarzan the musical, very cool, with ape-suited people swinging through the audience, pretty great. On New Years Eve, or Sylvester, I went to a party at a friend´s house where we set off tons of fireworks (which are legal, and which everyone sets off at midnight in the middle of the street) and blew up a snowman. Ha-ha, that was a fun time.

The 2nd I went out in the woods with opa, my guestfather and his stepbrother and step-nephew and we chopped wood aaaaallllll day. It was a good thing. A little snowy, though! Speaking of snow: this year in Germany (and Europe) there has been extreeeeeme cold and snow, they usually don´t have so much, and they are all a bit flustered, and there are lots of accidents on the news.... but there´s only a foot or so. ANYHOW, we are expecting more later tonight! I think I must have brought it with me from Vermont! But that is a good omen for our ski vacation in Austria, which we go on in the last week of January. It was also fun to introduce the other exchange students (from Bolivia, Italy, Thailand, Brazil) to sledding, snowman making, and snowball fights! And of course whitewashing! :0! haha. Okay, well I´m off to sit next to the fire and read Harry Potter in German, which is going very well! It actually seems a lot funnier in German, I´m not quite sure why..... Okay people, Stay healthy, good luck, be happy, and .... make some new year´s resolutions! or something! Theron POSTED BY THERON L-S AT 9:47 AM

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Sue Freeburn (Writer, Calendar Producer, Bookkeeper)

1) How did you become involved with the Chronicle? (How long have you been involved?)

I had been doing assorted clerical work for the Coalition, so when the Chronicle was re-introduced, I helped out with assorted tasks there, whatever was needed: writing, stuffing papers, whatever. I started writing occasional articles, and now I have been writing the monthly Community Calendar. I still write occasional articles as well. 2) What is your job description? Wow, there’s a job description? I suppose in the past I’ve been mainly a writer, but recently have taken on the additional responsibility of tracking ads and expenses: sending invoices, tracking commissions, and creating spreadsheets to monitor costs and expenses for the Chronicle. 3) Why are you involved—philosophically or practically? Philosophically, I think a publication like the Chronicle benefits from contributions from a wide variety of people in Cabot. Practically, it affords me very flexible work, keeps me involved in Cabot events, and introduces me to new people in town that I wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to meet. 4) How do you know if the Chronicle is a success, and if you think it is, can you provide an anecdote that illustrates this? I think it is a success if the town accepts and indeed embraces it. I have heard numerous conversations around town about what folks have read, voicing their opinions about the articles in the paper. If they didn’t care about the publication, they wouldn’t read it, and they certainly wouldn’t talk about it to their friends. 5) What else is going on in your life/job/other interests…in other words…what is being pushed aside, ever so slightly, to make room for the Chronicle meetings and deadlines? Because I do the Community Calendar, I try to wait until the last minute to be able to capture all posted events. I’m always afraid that if something else comes up at the last minute, I’ll be late for deadline………or something else will have to give. Other than that, what I do is flexible enough to fit between everything else I do. 6) What do you hope for the future of this newspaper? I hope it continues to grow, that the residents of Cabot will continue to support and participate in it, and continue to make it a vital part of their community. 7) What’s your favorite part of being involved? Exactly that: being involved. It really irks me when I hear people complaining about a town issue, but don’t go the extra step to learn more about it or help fix it. Also, just getting to know more local residents, and being involved in the town. 8) If you could change/ improve/ overhaul one thing…it would be? Leave this one out, I don’t have an answer!

Julia Shipley (Ad sales, Writer)

1) How did you become involved with the Chronicle? (How long have you been involved?) Last April, I interviewed previous editor Allison Joyal about the origins of this newspaper for part of a presentation at the Kellogg Hubbard Library on Vermont's Small Local Newspapers. Later on, in mid summer, I wrote a pitch to the current editor about creating a monthly "man around town" feature to capture Cabot's faces and voices. 2) What is your job description? Well, my official title is advertising coordinator. And to that end, I make lots of calls to tell people what a fantastic opportunity it is to advertise in your local paper. But I also create the Cameos and write some profiles. One of the goals of this paper is to help people meet their neighbors and restore a sense of connection. I hope the Cameos and profiles support these goals. 3) Why are you involved with the Chronicle (philosophically or practically)? Even though I don't live in Cabot, the Cabot Chronicle is sort of the hotbed of the things I really believe in: building and nurturing a sense of community, participating in creative cooperation, and living the idea that small is beautiful. Also: I have no background in journalism, and this opportunity to help create the paper is far cheaper and much more meaningful than a college journalism class. 4) How do you know if the Chronicle is a success, and if you think it is, can you provide an anecdote that illustrates this? Since I don't live in the community, I am not sure how the paper is received by the readers. One really gratifying thing was that one of the people I interviewed called me at home to tell me that I'd been accurate in my article, and that he thought it was well written. That is my idea of success. 5) What else is going on in your life/job/other interests, in other words...what is being pushed aside, ever so slightly, to make room for the Chronicle meetings and deadlines? I raise a lot of food on six acres in Craftsbury. In fact, on my way home from the Friday afternoon meeting at the Chronicle in September, I discovered my milk cow had just had her calf. Also I run a Writer's Retreat/ Skiers Retreat out of part of my house. And I am in the process of transitioning from college instructor to freelance writer...a tricky proposition. 6) What do you hope for the future of this newspaper? Long Live Local Papers! I hope the small business owners recognize the gratifying advertising potential and begin to fill up the space beside the articles on the paper's pages. I hope other community members add their spices to the stone soup of this paper with more recipes, cartoons, columns, opinions... 7) What's your favorite part of being involved? It's really satisfying seeing an idea from the "what if" stage to its fruition in print. Also, I love being a part of something smarter, wackier, richer and more meaningful than I am alone. By this I mean, feeling like I have something valuable to contribute, and something wonderful to gain by being involved with the paper. 8) If you could change/ improve/ overhaul one thing...it would be:? In my fantasy, three things: my inbox would be besieged with small and large businesses clamoring to buy ads. The paper would be a hefty 16 pages. People would stop the Chronicle staff on the street, crying tears of joy to express how much this paper helps them understand, reconsider, comprehend and cherish their community.

Jeannie Johnson's (Executive editor)

1) How did you become involved with the Chronicle? (How long have you been involved?) I thought a hometown paper for Cabot was a fabulous idea. It seemed like a couple more hands could be used. 2) What is your job description? Quality Control. I'm one of the people around the table. I am also responsible for dog treats. 3) Why are you involved with the Chronicle (philosophically or practically)? I think the paper is an important resource for Cabot. I know it tends to fall on the same people to get things done, and I do know how to spell, so I thought I might have something to offer. 4) How do you know if the Chronicle is a success, and if you think it is, can you provide an anecdote that illustrates this? When you're in the local store and hear people talking about something you know was in the paper that seems like a sign of success. 5) What else is going on in your life/job/other interest, in other words...what is being pushed aside, ever so slightly, to make room for the Chronicle meetings and deadlines?

I have a full time job with the State an hour away, and a husband and a teenager and a house that needs attention desperately. I'm also involved with the Cabot Coalition. 6) What do you hope for the future of this newspaper? That the Chronicle is the first thing people think of when they want to share good news. 7) What's your favorite part of being involved? The camaraderie among the paper team, and finding out the latest news before the paper comes out! 8) If you could change/ improve/ overhaul one thing...it would be:? I wish all typos were self correcting and just thinking about a good idea would get it written! And I wish we had enough money to pay staffers what the work is worth!

Todd Jones (Layout Design)

1) How did you become involved with the Chronicle? (How long have you been involved?)

A year. A friend who knew I had been a graphic designer knew the Chronicle needed one and introduced me to Lori Augustnyiak at the Apple Pie festival. 2) What is your job description?

I am the layout designer, the official term is: paginator. I also design ads. 3) Why are you involved—philosophically or practically?

I enjoy doing graphic design, as a career it was too much, but as a parttime job, it’s a great creative outlet. 4) How do you know if the Chronicle is a success, and if you think it is, can you provide an anecdote that illustrates this?

Yes—the fact that I hear people talking about it in the grocery store, and during the Fourth of July parade last year when we were handing them out, people were eager to have one. 5) What else is going on in your life/job/other interests…in other words…what is being pushed aside, ever so slightly, to make room for the Chronicle meetings and deadlines. In addition to working a full time job in mental health, I’m also involved in community theatre. 6) What do you hope for the future of this newspaper?

I’d like to see the paper expand beyond Cabot, but also stay local enough so that people in Cabot look forward to reading it each month. 7) What’s your favorite part of being involved? Camaraderie, definitely. It’s great to have a group to bounce ideas off of, no matter how unusual. 8) If you could change/ improve/ overhaul one thing…it would be?

Having people submit things on time, sticking to deadlines, so that I have more than 20 hours to get it together for the printer.

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Curds & Whey

By Jeannie Johnson CURDS to Cabot community members and school board members for their response to the current fiscal crisis. Many folks are sharing inspiring and creative ideas of how to improve academic success while maintaining fiscal prudence. Keep the ideas coming.

CURDS to Cabot's Katie Trautz on her award from the Times-Argus for the Best Traditional Album of 2009. Trautz received the award for her two albums "Mayfly" and "Remembering" and her work in bringing traditional music to more people through her Summit School of Traditional Music.

WHEY for loose dogs in the road on snowy nights threatening the safety of drivers trying to maintain control on slippery roads. Not safe for the dogs, and not safe for people.

WHEY for the loss of Phil Pike Jr., who was one of the most knowledgeable historians in town. The town will miss him.

WHEY to the people who stole cars in Plainfield and Barre and drove them into Linda Savoca’s yard; can people really have that little to do? But, if they’re going to steal cars, at least they left Cabot to do it.

CURDS to the Cub Scouts for collecting donations for our members of the military. Let’s all support them by purchasing something for their collection boxes each time we go shopping.

CURDS to Chuck Talbert competing in vintage snowmobile races in northern New Hampshire. His dad, Kenny, did it last year for the first time at 70 years of age. Yahoo!

CURDS to Bob Searles for putting up a windproof, waterproof bulletin board on the Cabot Village Store for posting community events.

CURDS to Fred Ducharme as the newly appointed Village Trustee.

WHEY for the sacrifice of Glenn and Jeff Durgin, and Chris Hook, leaving January in service to the country. But curds for their courage and strength and the support of their family and friends.

CURDS to the many healthy role models we have in our community! The senior health class at Cabot School has benefitted this semester from the expertise of several generous locals. We would like to thank the following Caboteers for sharing their time and wisdom with us: Sarah Zettelmyer (herbalist), Ruth Goodrich (EMT), Bonne Dunham (midwife), and Connie Hourihan (nurse). We enjoyed your interactive and informative presentations.

CURDS to Lela Jones for donating her entire savings from doing chores to help the people of Haiti. “They need it more than I do.”

CURDS to Cabot School 4th grade students for sponsoring a "Change for Help in Haiti" fundraising project. Students learned about the crisis in Haiti, cared about everyone who had been affected and wanted to help. They made posters and distributed collection jars. All of the money collected will go to an organization called Partners in Health, which has been operating clinics in rural Haiti for the last 20 years.

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EDITORIAL COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

Dear Editor:

Congratulations to the Cabot School and Community for receiving a $15,000 Farm-to-School Implementation grant. The grant was awarded by the Vermont Agricultural Agency. The Vermont Legislature last year passed a law that encourages the consumption of locally produced food. Sincerely, Bill Doyle Senator, Washington County Dear Editor:

A short note to let you and the Chronicle know that the 10th Anniversary edition of The Vegetable Gardener's Bible has been released and is now available in bookstores and on line. The new edition is revised, updated and expanded. But still the same price. It has been, for the past ten years, America's most popular vegetable gardening book, with now over 330,000 copies in print. Ed Smith Dear Editor:

Our local homeless shelter, Good Samaritan Haven of Barre, is full. Kim Woolaver, Executive Director at the Good Samaritan Haven, and Ralph Howe, the pastor at Hedding Methodist Church, are collaborating to create an overflow shelter at the Church. The overflow shelter will be made available when there are five or more homeless men that cannot be served at the Haven due to capacity. We were able to secure the necessary funds from the State of Vermont for insurance yesterday so all that remains in order to make the overflow shelter a reality is for enough male volunteers to step up. So, this is an appeal to you, your sons, your brothers, your fathers, cousins (you get the idea) to please volunteer whatever time you can at the homeless shelter this winter to ensure that no one is left out in the cold. Please contact Ralph at 802-476- 8156 or email at [email protected]. Thank you very much, Carol Flint Family & Community Support Services Program Director Central Vermont Community Action Council, Inc.

Dear Editor:

Vermont’s Congressional Delegation

– Sen. Patrick Leahy (D), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I), and Rep. Peter Welch (D) – Friday asked the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to conduct a thorough investigation into whether there was any attempt by Vermont Yankee officials to mislead state officials regarding the plant’s safety and underground piping. Press reports have suggested that officials from Entergy, which owns the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant, may have provided inaccurate information to investigators about the risk of leaks at the facility. The text of the delegation’s letter to Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory B. Jaczko is below: The Honorable Gregory B. Jaczko Chairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555- 0001 Dear Chairman Jaczko: We are writing in response to the alarming news that Entergy, owner of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant, may have misled state officials regarding the safety of the plant. Elevated levels of radioactive tritium have recently been found in a groundwater monitoring well on the plant site and we understand from recent news reports that Entergy has confirmed that underground piping is among the possible sources of the contamination. According to various reports in the media, this comes after Entergy Vermont Yankee officials had told state investigators, on a number of occasions, that there was no underground piping carrying water that could contain radioactivity. This leak highlights our ongoing concerns about Entergy Vermont Yankee’s commitment to safety and to being forthright with the public and state and federal regulatory and safety agencies. We therefore request that you undertake an immediate and thorough investigation to determine if there was an attempt by Entergy Vermont Yankee to mislead state officials regarding the plant’s safety and underground piping. Please also determine whether information provided by Entergy to the NRC has been accurate, complete, and consistent with that provided to the State of Vermont. We hope you can pinpoint exactly what Entergy knew about the extent of their underground piping and this leak, and when they knew it. We would also like to know whether and why state regulatory agencies were not made aware of the extent of underground piping and the risk it posed prior to this incident, and whether communications to the NRC have been complete and timely. Finally, we would like the NRC to continue to work with the plant to determine the cause of the leak and resolve the situation as quickly as possible to avoid any further release of radioactive materials. Please continue to keep us thoroughly informed as more information becomes available. We are committed to assisting Vermont and the NRC to ensure that the Entergy Vermont Yankee plant meets its safety obligations. We appreciate your timely attention to this issue. Sincerely, PATRICK LEAHY United States Senator BERNARD SANDERS United States Senator PETER WELCH United States Representative

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Of, By & For the People

By Anne Nadel Here in Vermont, we live in one of the last true democracies. Yes, of course all American citizens of an eligible age have the opportunity to vote, and should, but that does not mean that they all live in a real, hands-on democracy. Here in New England, in states that still hold Town Meetings, we have the unique opportunity to be active participants in what happens in our own communities from a political standpoint. Academic treatises have been written about the glory of Town Meeting. People from other states travel to Vermont to observe a town in action, longing, perhaps for the opportunity to dream of belonging to that sort of community. This editor has friends from Massachusetts who plan an annual Vermont vacation in March that has nothing to do with skiing. They come to see proof for themselves that in some places, people can still determine the business of their towns. It is precisely because we can that we Vermonters ought to make a point of participating in the business of Town Meeting, if not becoming active members of some committee or board in our towns. We have the chance to stand up and not just be counted, but talk to our fellow citizens about what is important to us, help them make choices that affect us all. How many people can say that? Much lip service is given to the idea of community. But what does that entail? Wikipedia defines community ”in biological terms,” as being “a group of interacting organisms sharing an environment.” The listing goes on to say that among humans, a community may share “intent, belief, resources, preferences, needs, risks, and a number of other conditions may be present and common, affecting the identity of the participants and their degree of cohesiveness.” This second part of the definition makes clear the pertinence of Town Meeting. It is a chance for the people of a given town to weigh and balance the preferences, needs, and risks facing the community for each coming year and decide as a group how best to manage these factors, as well as the mitigating factors of social freedoms, desires and goals, not to mention fiscal concerns. Not too many people get that opportunity. Understandably, not everybody has the time or energy resources to serve on boards or committees, but those that do and who care passionately about what happens in their towns should, by all means, pursue the opportunities to hold public office. To be certain, not everyone is cut out to be an auditor, or select board person, but smaller committees and boards hold import no less significant or pertinent to the smooth operation of a town. And if you simply cannot afford the commitment to being in a public job, then you owe it to yourself to attend Town Meeting. As more and more towns decide to eradicate the Town Meeting tradition (even our own state capital has taken the running of the city a little further out of the grasp of its citizens), fewer people will have the opportunity to truly influence what happens in their own backyards, and that is truly a pity. Savor the chance to be an active citizen. It is one of the freedoms upon which Vermont was founded. It would truly be a pity to see it perish.

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Ryah Sean Michael Douglass

CABOT

Ryah Sean Michael Douglass, 1, died unexpectedly from SIDs on December 21, 2009, at his home in Cabot. He was born September 15, 2008, in Berlin, the son of Kirsten Hammood and Justin G. Douglass. During his short life he brought great joy and happiness to his family. He loved playing with his siblings and will be remembered as a happy child by everyone he met. Survivors include: his mother, Kirsten Hammood, of Cabot; his father, Justin Douglass, of Hardwick; four siblings, Eve Harris and Cadence Prentice, both of Cabot, and Rain Douglass and Clarence Douglass, both of Hardwick; maternal grandparents Brian and Lisa Bernadino;

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 5 onward.

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John Wyman Young

CABOT

John Wyman Young, 54, of East Haven and Cabot, Vt., passed away at Fletcher Allen Hospital in Burlington, Vt., on Jan. 5, 2010, after battling a long illness. He is predeceased by his father, Maurice W. Young, his mother, Paula J. (Ruggles) Young, and his son and best friend Gabriel Young. John leaves behind, his beloved daughter, Amanda A. Young and her partner Adam Harris of East Haven; his soul mate, Patricia Younce and her five children who John loved as his own, Chris, Ben, Mary, Rachel and Erik, all of Cabot; three brothers, Douglas Young and partner Deborah Goodwin, Bruce Young and wife Barbara, and Rodney Young, all of East Haven; his many cherished nieces and nephews, Chris Tina, Lillian, Lisa, Andrew and Jasmine Young, and Daniel Lowell. John also had special relationships with his ex-in-laws, Nancy Mitchell, Rodney "Buzzy" Chayer, Angela Young, Rhonda Chayer, Norma Chayer, Phyllis Robinson and Theresa Young. John will be remembered and missed by all. John was passionate for hunting, fishing, hiking and especially the time he spent with his son Gabe, tinkering on great-grandfather Samuel Bernadino, all of Hardwick, and great-grandmother Leone Lanphear of Hyde Park; paternal grandparents Stanley and Dawn McAllister of Hardwick, and Lloyd Douglass of Eden; great-grandparents Russel and Cheryl McAllister of Hardwick, Georgiana Fairfield of Wolcott, Nancy and Seth Demo Sr. of Hyde Park; great-great-grandparents, Solange McAllister of Hardwick, Betty and Gary King of Montpelier, and Florence Bourgion of Terryville, Conn.; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. A memorial service was held on Sunday, December 27, 2009 at the Northern Vermont Funeral Home, Hardwick. Reverend Peter O’Leary of St. Norbert’s Church officiated. Arrangements were under the direction of Dian R. Holcomb of Northern Vermont Funeral Service, Hardwick.

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Geoffrey Nadel

MARSHFIELD Geoffrey Nadel, 44, of Marshfield, died January 13, 2010, at Dartmouth- Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, surrounded by his family, following a fierce battle against cancer. He was born November 27, 1965, in Hampton, VA, the son of Arthur Nadel and Mavis Clark. Mr. Nadel was a tireless advocate for the disadvantaged, a champion of any breed of underdog, and unceasingly generous to those he loved. He spent the majority of his time coloring outside the lines. He had just started what he hoped would be a motorcycle restoration and building business when his illness was diagnosed. Mr. Nadel was a staunch supporter of the programs at Twinfield Union School where his beloved daughters are students. Despite his own discomfort in a traditional academic surrounding, he never failed, before his illness, to attend school events, and enthusiastically applauded the creative opportunities it offers students. Survivors include his wife Anne (Abrams) Nadel of Marshfield, whom he married in 1990; two daughters, Holly and Danya of Marshfield; his brother, Chris Nadel and wife Amy of Atlanta, GA; his father, Arthur Nadel of New York, NY; his mother in-law, Sheila Abrams of Schooley’s Mtn., NJ; and many good friends including his best friend, Calem Romasco of Plainfield. He was predeceased by his mother, Mavis Clark, and his father in-law, Bernard Abrams. A celebration of Geoffrey's life is planned for March 6 at Goddard College's Haybarn Theater Donations made in his memory may be directed to the Holly and Danya Nadel Education Fund, c/o Merchants Bank, 105 North Main Street, Barre, VT 05641. Sayles Funeral Home of St. Johnsbury is assisting the family with arrangements.

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 5 onward.

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Philip Pike Jr.

CABOT

Philip Pike Jr., 82, of Cabot, died after a short illness. Phil was Cabot's Grand Juror and served as such for more than a decade. As one admirer reflected online "Phil was a compact giant -- gruff and genervehicles. John was gifted in many artistic endeavors, such as woodworking, poetry, qi gong, yoga and reiki. John was also a board member at the Integrative Therapy Institute in St. Johnsbury, and was a vital participant of its healing community, primarily working with children with special needs and their families. A service was held on Jan. 10th. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Fresenius Dialysis Center (attention Kathy Rexford), 1080 Hospital Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819. Sayles Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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COMMUNITY NEWS News From the Cabot United Church

By Sue Freeburn Change is afoot at the Cabot United Church for 2010. Christmas Eve was Rev. Bill Cobb’s last service at Cabot United Church, after seven years in the community. Long before that, the church board commenced the process of searching for a replacement minister for the church. A search committee was appointed to spearhead this project, consisting of board members Skip Bothfeld, Rob Maier, and Sandy Noyes. This group worked with both the United Church of Christ (UCC) and the United Methodist group to come up with suitable candidates to interview for both the interim and permanent minister positions. For the month of January, guest speakers and lay ministers are conducting Sunday services. The Jan. 3 service was conducted by Pam Lucas of the UCC, and the Jan. 10 service by Greg Burtt, Cabot resident and local business owner. The Jan. 17 service was conducted by Marvie Domey, with Kenneth Mundinger on Jan. 24 and Donna Laurie on Jan. 31. By February, the board hopes to have an interim minister in place who will continue leading church services until the position can be filled permanently. For the balance of the cold winter months, services are now being held in the church basement at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday morning. This will save on heating bills for the balance of the winter season. After each service is a friendly gathering where light refreshments are served. All are welcome. The church board would welcome community input into the search process. For this, or for information about church events or vestry usage, please contact Skip or Rose Bothfeld at 563- 2715.

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Open Offices Available at Upcoming Town Meeting

By Anne Nadel with research assistance by Amy Hornblas

Each year, a number of town jobs are automatically up for grabs by interested citizens at Town Meeting. The following information comes from the Cabot Town Clerk, the Secretary of State’s website, and existing members of the respective committees in which positions are available. According to Vermont law (17 V.S.A. § 2646), “at the annual meeting, a town shall choose from among its legally qualified voters the following town officers, who shall serve until the next annual meeting and until successors are chosen, unless otherwise provided by law.” Those offices are expected to become vacant this year and will need to be filled at Cabot’s Town Meeting in March. In some instances the person currently serving in the position will be seeking re-election for another term.

Town Meeting Moderator is a oneyear term, and is elected every year at the beginning of the meeting. Nominations are made from the floor at the onset of the meeting. Edward C. Smith has served as Cabot’s Moderator for 18 years. He plans to run again this year.

Two tax listers serve a two and three year term (respectively). The job of a lister is to appraise property within the town for the purpose of property tax assessment. An individual who acts as lister should be able to be polite, yet firm, and not be oversensitive to criticism. Listers must be available in the mornings and afternoons from April through May. Richard Hourihan served as a lister for part of 2009, but resigned because the hours conflicted directly with farming. John Christman’s one year term is also expiring this year. He is interested in continuing in the job. He received training during this, his first year serving as lister. Carlton Domey’s term will expire in 2011, making a total of three listers at this time.

One town Auditor, who serves a three-year term, reviews and audits all town accounts and prepares the annual town report. This individual needs to be very detail oriented and have good writing skills. The Auditor is elected by ballot, unless the town has voted to eliminate the office of auditor in accordance with the provisions of section 2651b of the state law. Current Auditor Sue Freeburn said, “My term runs thru 2012. Cathleen Maine is one of my fellow auditors, and her term is up in 2011. And we have a full complement of auditors for the first time in a while, Joanna Christman joined us this year.” Joanna Christman is interested in re-election.

Each town has a Collector of Delinquent Taxes, who serves a one-year term. This individual collects delinquent taxes for the town. He or she should be good with numbers and also able to work with people who are in difficult circumstances. A “thick skin” can be helpful. Susan Carpenter has served as Collector of Delinquent Taxes since 2001, and is willing to run again. A town’s Grand Juror helps to prosecute criminal offenses that occur in the town by giving information to state and local law enforcement. This is not generally a very active position. Likewise, the Law Agent, who used to prosecute and defend suits, is also not a particularly active job, since the Selectboard now has that authority. Thus, the Town Agent’s duty consists merely of assisting when litigation is in progress at the request of the Selectboard. Philip Pike, Jr., who died this past winter, served in this position for more than a decade. A new Grand Juror will be elected at Town Meeting.

One position on the Cemetery Commission will be up for grabs this year. Ruth Goodrich, whose term is expiring, is willing to serve as a Cemetery Commissioner again. Cemetery Commissioners are responsible for the care and management of the town’s cemeteries. If no cemetery commissioners are elected, the Selectboard fulfills this role. This commission has five members, elected for five years. The individuals are nominated from the floor. Melvin Churchill is the current chairperson, Marvie Domey the Secretary. The Planning Commission is actively seeking new members. Duties include preparing a municipal plan, making recommendations on matters of land development, conservation, and preservation, and participating in a regional planning program. The commission makes site plan and subdivision permit decisions unless there is a Development Review Board in town. Individuals should have a good working knowledge of all aspects of the town and be able to listen to many sides of an issue. Anyone with an interest in serving on the Planning Commission should contact Gary Gulka at 563-2284. Prior experience is not necessary, and the Planning Commission generally meets once per month. Another town job where new members are eagerly sought is that of School Director, or members of the School Board, for which two new members are needed. These are elected positions, one for two years and the other for three years. The School Board consists of five community members. Interested Cabot residents are encouraged to contact a current member and/or attend a school board meeting to learn more about school activities and the role of the School Board. In order to become a School Board candidate on the March ballot, an individual must have completed a petition and submitted it to the Town Clerk’s Office by January 25, 2010. As of January 22, the Town Clerk had received one complete petition from Dave Hale for the 2 year position and one from Chris Tormey for the 3 year position. If a person is interested in serving on the school board and has not turned in a petition in time, there is also the possibility that a person can be elected by write-in votes.

Three Library Trustees are needed to help make decisions about the library’s operations and future. Paula Davidson, chair person for the Library Trustees, Marge Trautz, and Karen Alexander were all elected to their positions last year at Town Meeting. Two of them filled in for others who were leaving their posts mid-term, and one of them filled an open vacancy. This year John Vera’s three-year term is up for re -election, and he is interested in running again. Amy Coke has served two years of her three-year term, and is going to have to leave her position early. That leaves two seats available for interested parties this year. A few people have already expressed interest. Any other interested individuals should call the library for more information.

The UDAG committee also has positions available, each for a term of three Kayla Bayla Bean!

I love you so much sissy; we will be best friends forever. We WILL keep in touch after graduation and be the little old ladies on the front porch singing Bonfire together!

Aubrey! I love you so much! I’m going to miss you when you graduate, but will sleep in your closet at college.

I love you mom, for all that you do for me! You always get my friends to like you. Thank you!

Cierra: I love you so much sister! You’re an amazing person and I love you for who you are!

I love old Greg.

To Mine, Richard. After 34 years you’re “still the one.” I love you, Your Rebecca.

Mom and Dad: I don’t know what I’d do without you. You are so nice to me. Happy Valentine’s Day. –Ba

Meriah, Meriahyou are so good to put up with us every Thursday. KAPOW!

I love you! -Annonymous

All I need is Doug, La Da Da. Sweetie, you are the Greatest!

Dear KAPOW: Roses are red, violets are blue, I’d hate KAPOW, if not for all of you! -Meriah

Tim: Thanks for all the tootsie rolls. Happy Thank a Mail Carrier Day.

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LOVE NOTES

“Brad:” To the only man who could pull off wearing fishnets and jostling column inches in the same night. –The Friday Night Crew

Anne: Thanks to you we’ve never skipped a period. Sending you lots of love on this Valentine’s Day. –The Friday Night Crew

SFC: Thanks for all the treats! (Slurp, slurp) Love, Ernie

M & D: Happy Valentine’s Day to the Seaside! We love you! Love, Cookin’ in VT

Valentine’s Day: A quagmire looking for a lady friend. Giggity, giggity, goo.

All Our Love to Carol and Doug in Hyde Park: you are the best!

Raymon: I love you very much and I’m enjoying married life with you. I’m excited to have a new addition to our family this summer. Love Ya, Amber

Moni & Dada: Happy Valentine’s Day to you! I love your work Dada. I hope you have lots of fun. You too, Moni! Where’s my hot chocolate? Good-bye, Leo

Mark - You are still the man of my dreams. All my love, Brigitte

Cabot - I love you. What a special place to live and special people to share it with. From a happy resident.

To Shelby, Aubrey and Haylee - You guys are my sisters for life. I love you. Always & forever - KT

roads. The Selectboard also sits as the local board of health, liquor control commission and sewer commission. Members should know the town well, be able to understand all sides of complex issues, and have very thick skin. Caleb Pitkin’s term as Selectman will expire this year, and he is seeking re-election. He has served as Selectman for 12 years. Ted Domey was elected in 2005, and Larry Gochey has served for 14 years.

It takes a lot of time, energy, and commitment to keep the town’s services and facilities running. Thankfully there are many dedicated people willing to come forward and serve. Some hold their position for decades, and some for a short while. The more people get involved, the greater their own understanding and appreciation for the town grows. Serving on a committee is also a way for the community to get to know the person serving. It is through this democratic process that community grows together. There are many opportunities to serve the Town of Cabot again this year, to follow in the footsteps of all the others who have given so generously of their time. See you at town meeting!

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COMMUNITY NEWS Legislative Update

By Representative Kitty Toll

The 2010 session convened on Tuesday, January 5. Legislators started the year faced with a shortfall of approximately $150 million in the 2011 budget. Deep cuts and adjustments have already been made in the 2009 and 2010 budgets. Additional cuts to Vermonters will be very difficult, but necessary in order to balance the State’s budget. Some good news was announced on the first day of the session that will have a positive impact on the budget. A plan from the Joint Legislative Government Accountability Committee, comprised of members of the House and Senate, as well as from the Governor’s Administration, identified eight challenges with a total savings of $38 million in fiscal year 2011 and even more savings in 2012 and beyond. The purpose is to redesign the delivery of state services to Vermonters while producing better outcomes with less cost. One of these challenges includes the redesign of the State’s human service and health care delivery models by improving the overall services outcome to Vermonters while spending 5% less in fiscal year 2011 and 2012. In the area of corrections, the challenge is to reduce the rate of recidivism and increase community safety while spending 8% less in the 2011 and 2012 budgets. The full report can be found online at www.leg.state.vt.us/jfo -click- Challenges for Change. The House Agriculture Committee met with the Vermont directors for Senators Leahy and Sanders and Congressman Welch. The good news from Washington is they have not only addressed interstate weight limits for large trucks, but have also created a 15 member advisory board to study the federal milk marketing order which effects the price of milk for our dairy farmers in Vermont. This board includes Paul Bourbeau of Franklin County, Vermont, and Deb Erb of Landaff, New Hampshire giving the Northeast substantial representation. Low milk prices have been crippling our dairy farmers who are still producing milk at a loss. Hopefully, dairy farmers will soon see relief and realize fair and stable prices. The Vermont Legislature passed S.93, an act relating to commercial vehicle operation on the interstate system, early in the session and was immediately signed into law by the Governor. This law takes advantage of recently enacted federal law which allows heavier vehicles on I-89, I-91 and I-93 for a one year trial basis. Included is the allowed use of six axle trucks to haul up to 99,000 lbs. on the interstate with a special permit, keeping these larger trucks off our state highways and town roads. The fees for the special annual permits (which don’t include the permits required for milk) are $310 for vehicles hauling up to 90,000 lbs and $500 for vehicles up to 99,000 lbs. Legislation is underway that will include Route 189, also known as the Burlington beltline, as part of this pilot program.

The House Agriculture Committee has also been hearing testimony concerning changes in the Land Use Appraisal Program, commonly known as Current Use. At the end of the 2009 session, the Legislature was charged with finding $1.6 million in savings or increased revenues in the program. As of this writing, it appears that those already enrolled in the program and committed to remain in the program will see little change. Proposed are changes to the Land Use Change Tax and the Property Transfer Tax. Also, a moratorium has been proposed that would impact landowners who applied for enrollment last year by the September 2009 deadline. Landowners wishing to withdraw from the program under the existing rules will be able to do so for a three month period. Another priority this session is job creation. As we struggle to find our way out of this economic recession, we need to be creative about how to bring jobs to Vermont. A jobs forum was held at the State House in January to give the business community the opportunity to share thoughts with state government on how to bring jobs to Vermont and promote economic development. Highway safety is also on the minds of many Vermonters. The Legislature will consider prohibiting the use of hand held electronic devices while driving. This will include limiting the use of cell phones and prohibiting texting while driving. Also, with the closure of the Champlain bridge last fall, the Legislature has been painfully reminded that the safety of our roads and maintenance of our bridges must be addressed. Vermont bridges rank among the most structurally deficient in the nation. Filling a $150 million gap in our state budget is going to be extremely difficult. I do not look forward to making cuts in important programs on which my neighbors and friends rely; however, the reality facing us is dire. These decisions will, in the end, allow us to keep essential programs intact for those most vulnerable. Please feel free to contact me: [email protected] ; 802-684-3671; or at the State House 802- 828- 2228.

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Dairy Farmers Receive Federal Emergency Aid

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced on December 31, 2009 that $5.7 million in emergency support to more than 1,000 Vermont dairy farmers has been released. The assistance, coming at a time when dairy farmers have experienced the lowest prices in 40 years, is part of a $350 million dairy assistance measure sponsored by Sanders. The U.S. Department of Agriculture began processing payments under the Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment program just prior to Christmas. Farmers have already begun seeing deposits. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), a senior member of the Senate appropriations committee, and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), cochairman of the Congressional Dairy Farmers Caucus, helped guide the measure through the congressional appropriations process. This funding will result in a payment of about $8,000 to the typical Vermont farmer. The Sanders dairy assistance measure provides $290 million for direct support to dairy farmers and another $60 million set aside nationwide to purchase cheese for food banks and nutrition programs. The county-specific funding levels as calculated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture are $1,206,542 for Addison County; $89,328 for Bennington County; $378,141 for Caledonia Country; $241,599 for Chittenden County; $113,441 for Essex County; $1,505,072 for Franklin County; $114,982 for Grand Isle County; $161,587 for Lamoille County; $371,581 for Orange County; $730,752 for Orleans County; $273,943 for Rutland County; $143,378 for Washington County; $139,186 for Windham County; and $114,225 for Windsor County. In total, Vermont farmers will receive $5,783,757 in emergency aid. Sanders said; "At a time when family-based dairy farmers in Vermont and across the country have received the lowest milk prices in 40 years, these emergency payments will be a real help in keeping many Vermont farms viable and in business. The truth is, however, that we need long-term solutions to the dairy crisis in order to create a situation where farmers receive fair and stable prices for their product. My office is now working with dairy farmers and their organizations in Vermont and around the country to examine how we go forward - including the need for supply-management." Leahy said, "Slumping revenues have pushed dairy farmers to the brink, and these payments will help many to hang on. Secretary Vilsack pledged to promptly get these funds into farmers' hands, and we appreciate his efforts. We also commend the Farm Service Agency county staff for working so hard to get these payments out to farmers so quickly during the holidays." Welch said, "2009 has been a tremendously difficult year for Vermont's hardworking dairy farmers. While this emergency assistance will be helpful to many farmers struggling to hold on until prices rebound, it is clearly just a drop in the barrel. I am hopeful that, working with Vermont farmers and the Congressional Dairy Farmers Caucus, we will make great strides in 2010 toward building a dairy industry that is sustainable in the long term." The average price farmers received for their milk fell this year to as low as $11.30 per hundredweight, down from $19.30 in July 2008. Prices have recently rebounded to $15 per hundredweight. It costs farmers at least $18 per hundredweight to produce milk. As prices plunged, family dairy farms in Vermont and around the country went out of business. Farmers who had not originally participated in the Milk Income Loss Contract or MILC program had until January 19 to sign-up for this aid.

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Saturday, March 27, 2010

8-11 Pancake Breakfast 9-1 Family Activities Sugar On Snow Maple Cotton Candy Food Silent Auction Check out the March Chronicle for details. For more information call

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To Hear Songbirds In Winter Try a Little ‘Spishing’

By Bryan Pfeiffer When nature calls, a birdwatcher should consider spishing in the woods. Nature calling, in this case, is the unmusical peeps, chips, tweets and whits of songbirds in winter. Lacking the imperative to breed, even our most melodious songbirds rarely sing when the days are brief and cold. Instead, they issue short “call notes,” mostly one- or two-syllable forms of communication. If you’d like to see or hear more birds this time of year, it helps to issue notes of your own. A repeated, soft wispy “spshshspshsh-spshsh” is bird parlance for danger. A birder spishing is imitating the scolding or warning notes that some songbirds utter to alert others of a lurking predator. It’s a universal alarm call. So when you spish, songbirds often pop into view to investigate. Consider the encounter I had during a recent winter bird count on Long Island. While bushwhacking through scrubby oak-pine woodlands, the only bird note I heard was the thin high tseep of a white-throated sparrow. The woods were otherwise silent. Vacant. But I suspected otherwise. So I stopped and spished. “Spshsh-spshsh-spshsh-spshsh. Psssp-psssp-psssp-psssp-psssp. Spshsh -spshsh-spshsh-spshsh.” Two white-throated sparrows jumped into view from a tangle of catbrier. Then several more. An eastern towhee belted out a plucky reeEEP! I kept spishing. A northern cardinal emerged and uttered its short, bright peek note. Two hermit thrushes popped onto a white oak branch, flicked their wings and repeated a couple of soft chuck calls. But the concert was only beginning. I enhanced the ruse by adding the rolling whistle of an eastern screech owl. Soon the trees and brambles became alive with more birds: a redbellied woodpecker, a half-dozen black -capped chickadees, several tufted titmouse, a winter wren, three more towhees, two brown thrashers, a gray catbird, a northern mockingbird and a few yellow-rumped warblers. The owl call, combined with spishing, really grabbed their attention. The reason? Owls hunt songbirds by stealth. In silent, deadly flight they surprise their prey, closing the deal with a well-practiced grasp of the talons. Yet, the whistle of the screech owl actually attracts the other birds trying to determine the location of their predator. A songbird that might otherwise become owl food can avoid danger if it knows where the owl is perched.

Your best ally in this ruse to attract songbirds is the black-capped chickadee. The chickadee is often the first species to respond to spishing or to the whistle of the screech owl. Chickadees will issue a high-intensity zeeet call in response to a rapidly approaching predator, such as a hawk or owl in flight, or a dog or human walking into their territory. They will deliver the more familiar chick-a-dee-dee alerts in the presence of a stationary predator. Researchers have concluded that chickadees vary the rate or urgency of this call or add more dee notes to convey the distance or immediacy of the threat. Chickadees approach the scene of perceived danger because they recognize strength and safety in numbers. They respond to your spishing with their warning calls, but then a mob of them will converge on a perched hawk or owl, scolding it with notes or even dive-bombing the raptor to harass it out of the territory. Other songbird species are likely to notice and join the commotion. Incidentally, danger isn’t the only thing that gets birds calling. They call out during feeding and courtship. Night-flying songbirds call to keep the flock together in the dark. Some birds that herd together during breeding, such as gulls and gannets, use call notes to help mates keep track of each other. You can try call notes on your own at home. Head outside into the snow, find a flock of black-capped chickadees and begin spishing. Be patient. It may take a few minutes to get the gang together. Approach slowly. Avoid sudden, jerky movement. The chickadee chatter will build, and soon a hairy woodpecker, white-breasted or redbreasted nuthatch, tufted titmouse or even a golden-crowned kinglet may join the mob. As with any bird-questing technique, excessive spishing can become a form of harassment, so don’t overdo it -- especially during the spring breeding season. Once the birds respond, lay off the spishing and enjoy the show. Then invite the neighbors over to explain what you’ve been doing. That will dispel rumors that you’ve lost your marbles and are hissing at trees. Bryan Pfeiffer is an author, wildlife photographer and professional nature guide who lives in Plainfield, Vermont. The illustration for this column was drawn by Adelaide Tyrol. The Outside Story is assigned and edited by Northern Woodlands magazine and is sponsored by the Wellborn Ecology Fund of New Hampshire Foundation: [email protected] is your chance to say thanks to the guy, or gal, who delivers your mail. After all, they are there six days a week. The reliable postal worker is always there doing their job, regardless of the weather. Did you Know? Pony Express riders were the most famous early American "mailmen". Their motto was " Neither rain, nor snow, nor death of the night, can keep us from our duty". Thank You.

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Cabot Real Estate Transactions 2009

By Anne Nadel Format is: closing date (if not recorded, date of record DOR), seller name, buyer name, property address (all addresses are Cabot unless otherwise noted), property description, selling price. 1/27/09 (DOR), Judy and Jack Pransky to Judy Pransky, 234 Pransky Rd., 88 acres plus dwelling, $0. 2/18/09, Chad Alden to Lori Alden, 88 Ennis Rd., 2.0 acres plus mobile home, $10,000. 3/31/09, Citifinancial Mortgage Co. to Thomas Considine, 1738 Vt. Route 215, .5 acres plus dwelling, $33,500. 4/24/09, Union Bank to Holly Newberry, Taylor Rd., 22 acres land, $66,000. 4/28/09, James Wagner to Richard McLain III, 2211 US Rte 2, 1.55 acres plus dwelling, $150,000. 5/8/09, Rolf and Delores Muench to Scot Williamson, 4426 Rte. 215, 56.6 acres plus dwelling, $267,500. 5/11/09, Sallie Dix to Sallie and Norman Dix, lot 5 Danville Hill Rd., 14.01 acres land, $0. 5/26/09 (DOR), Elizabeth Sheehey, Joan Pfeifer and Joyce Stanton to Green Mountain Power Corp., no address listed, seasonal dwelling, $50,000. 6/2/09, Robert Williams Sr. to Robert Williams Jr., Cabot Plains, $0. 6/09, Cheryl and James Wojcik to James Wojcik, Houghton Rd., 1.0 acre land, $0. 7/2/09, Paul and Lisa Farnsworth to Barclay and Tomalyn Johnson, 1507 Bricketts Crossing Rd., Cabot and Walden, 47.43 acres and dwelling, $269,000. 7/3/09, Jack and Jill Investments to Brad Bouleau, 196 Sandy Beach Rd. Camp #223, Joe’s Pond, .21 acres and seasonal dwelling, $312,000. 7/9/09, Elenor Blondin to Tricia and Eric Scribner, 2454 Main St., .5 acre plus dwelling, $134,000. 7/13/09 (DOR), John Winslow estate and Timothy Winslow Executor, to Lawrence Winslow and Mark Vannoordt, 1934 S. Walden Rd., 20 acres land, $42,000. 7/29/09, Anthony, Pamela, Timothy, and Michell Barnette, and Matthew Barbieri to Laureen Arena, 137 Coits Pond Rd., 14,2 acres land, $59,200. 7/31/09, Christopher Riddell and Rachel Keach to Christopher Riddell, 3418 Rt. 215 North, .33 acre plus dwelling, $0. 8/3/09 (DOR), Richard Scheiber to Chandell and Matthew Churchill, 3458 S. Walden Rd., 2.07 acres plus dwelling, $128,000. 8/3/09, Linda and Dale Sweet to Leah and Warner McClure, 3174 Coits Pond Rd., 30.6 acres plus dwelling, $215,000. 8/11/09, Peter Ackerman to Peter and Suzanne Ackerman, 6226 Rt. 215, 15 acres plus dwelling, $0. 9/4/09, Sallie and Norman Dix to Gwnedolyn and George Hallsmith, Lot 5 Danville Hill Rd., 14.01 acres land, $60,000. 9/10/09 (DOR), Marilyn and Harry Thompson to Harry Thompson, 1348 Vt. Rte 215 South, 6.0 acres plus dwelling, $0. 9/16/09, Dana and Alan Ennis to Lori Alden, Ennis Rd., Marshfield, .25 acres plus storage shed, $1. 9/17/09 (DOR), Erica and Robert Burke to Erica and Robert Burke, 2226 Cabot Plains Rd., 6.0 acres plus dwelling, $0. 9/30/09, Kenneth Davis to Green Mountain Power Company, Route 2, 7.8 acres land, $30,000. 10/7/09, Judith and Gary Blondin to The Emery Revocable Trust and Gary Blondin Trustee, Coits Pond Rd TH#6, 5.98 acres land, $0. 10/13/09, Hilary Clarkson to Pledged Property II, LLC, 3153 Main St., .25 acres plus dwelling, $ not listed. 10/19/09, Melissa Anwari to Faried Anwari, Taylor Rd., 25.41 acres plus seasonal dwelling, $0. 10/21/09, Allan Michaud to Koni and Trace Stoddard, US Rt. 2, .25 acres plus seasonal dwelling, $11,000. 10/29/09, Davan Ostover to Stephen Burtchell, Lovely Rd., 3.0 acres, $45,000. 10/29/09, Estate of Sylvia Thayer Ferry and Ronald Ferry Jr., executor to Ronald Ferry Jr., off Ducharme Rd., 75 acres land, $0. 11/3/09 (DOR), Jacklyn and Roy Folsom to US Dept. of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Parcel #3 Danville Hill Rd., 17.65 acres, $18,700. 11/10/09 (DOR), Albert and Elizabeth Ackerman to Ashley and Ian Ackerman, Rte. 215 N, 12.37 acres land, $15,000. 11/20/09, Diana and Peter Beyerle to Joann Thompson, 440 Danville Hill Rd., 1.16 acres plus dwelling, $88,000. 11/24/09, Kathryn and Victor Patoine to Anna Edwardson, Walden Town Line, 35 acres plus seasonal dwelling, $0.

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SCHOOL NEWS

7 14 21 28 Sun Mon 1 8 15 22

VACATION Tue 2 9 16 23

VACATION Wed 3 10 Late Start (school starts at

10:20)

17 24

VACATION Thu 4 Middle School Ski/Snowboard Day 11 Middle School Ski/Snowboard

Day 18 25

VACATION Fri 5 High School First Friday 3rd – 6th Ski/Snowboard

Day 12 19 CSPAC: Ten Things I Hate About You- Movie Night, Free. 7 PM 26 VACATION 6 13 20 27 Sat

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GMUW Makes Plans for 4th Annual Kaleidoscope of Talent

Once again, the Green Mountain United Way of Berlin is making plans for the biggest and most fun show of the winter, the 4th Annual “Kaleidoscope of Talent” talent show that will take place at Spaulding High School Auditorium on Saturday, February 27, 2010. The show will start at 7 p.m. Local voice, instrumental, comedy and dance talent will be featured, with cash prizes to be awarded in several categories. Anyone interested in performing in this show is encouraged to audition on February 6, also at Spaulding High School. Audition applications and Talent Show Rules and Regulations are available at the GMUW website, www.gmunitedway. org under Special Events. Applications must be submitted before February 6. Proceeds from this event will be used by Green Mountain United Way in its efforts to promote economic advancement, healthy living, educational opportunities and general community needs in the local area. Mark your calendars now for a fun night out. The first three annual shows were great successes and we expect a full house again this year. Tickets for admission on February 27 are available by calling the GMUW office in Berlin at 802-229-9532. For more information about the show, email [email protected].

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TDVAW Legislation

Provided courtesy of Vermont U.S. Senate Resolution S. Res. 388

Whereas 1 in 3 female teenagers in a dating relationship has feared for her physical safety; Whereas 1 in 2 teenagers in a serious relationship has compromised personal beliefs to please a partner; Whereas 1 in 5 teenagers in a serious relationship reports having been hit, slapped, or pushed by a partner; Whereas 27 percent of teenagers have been in dating relationships in which their partners called them names or put them down; Whereas 29 percent of girls who have been in a relationship said that they have been pressured to have sex or to engage in sexual activities that they did not want; Whereas technologies such as cell phones and the Internet have made dating abuse both more pervasive and more hidden; Whereas 30 percent of teenagers who have been in a dating relationship say that they have been textmessaged between 10 and 30 times per hour by a partner seeking to find out where they are, what they are doing, or who they are with; Whereas 72 percent of teenagers who reported they'd been checked up on by a boyfriend or girlfriend 10 times per hour by email or text messaging did not tell their parents;

Whereas parents are largely unaware of the cell phone and Internet harassment experienced by teenagers; Whereas Native American women experience higher rates of interpersonal violence than any other population group; Whereas violent relationships in adolescence can have serious ramifications for victims, putting them at higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior, suicide, and adult revictimization; Whereas the severity of violence among intimate partners has been shown to be greater in cases where the pattern of violence has been established in adolescence; and

Whereas the establishment of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week will benefit schools, communities, and families regardless of socio-economic status, race, or sex: Now, therefore be it

Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) designates the week of February 4 through February 8, 2008, as ``National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week''; and (2) calls upon the people of the United States, high schools, law enforcement, State and local officials, and interested groups to observe National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week with appropriate programs and activities that promote awareness and prevention of the crime of teen dating violence in their communities.

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Compliments to

“I owned a paper of my own for 17 years in Florida before retiring. I’ve been enjoying your paper, keep up the good work.”

“Thanks for last month’s cameos. It was nice to get to know the people behind the paper.”

In reference to the Cabot Creamery Wastewater article: “I live next door to one of the fields the Creamery sprays on. Thanks for the informative article.”

“I didn’t even know that was happening.”

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Cabot Connects Mentor Profile: Jim Goodrich

By Sue Freeburn When I first met Jim Goodrich and Dakota Hough, they seemed more like friends meeting after school than mentor and mentee. They were obviously glad to see each other and quickly caught up on what happened since the last time they were together, as friends do. Goodrich said they have been a mentor match for about a year, and Hough elaborated that the relationship started last February, just after Valentine’s Day. He has a precise memory, and remembered their first meeting in detail, including what they bought to eat, what they watched on TV, and what they talked about. The pair meet approximately once a week, nothing planned too far in advance. Goodrich explained that he tries to structure their activities to include at least one fun thing to do and one learning experience, although he doesn’t tell Hough what that will be in advance of the meeting. He said when they met on Christmas day, there was no learning experience involved, just fun, and Goodrich agreed. Some of the activities they have done together include a visit to “the Cape,” snowshoeing, shooting hoops (Goodrich says Hough is better on court than he is), building a computer together (which Hough now uses), and what seems to be Hough’s favorite activity, eating pickles and watching TV. It seems that Dakota Richard Melvin Henry Hough, which he informed me is his full proper name, has a thing for pickles. He can eat a whole jar at one sitting, and then drink the juice. The two also drove through a snowstorm to see the Champlain Bridge blown up, but had to park about three miles away, and couldn’t see much. Hough said that for him, the best part of the whole trip was a snowplow they followed coming home that “took out a whole bunch of mailboxes. Pow! Pow!” Of course, stopping for something to eat on the way home was high on his list, too. Goodrich said he finds the mentoring experience less structured than he anticipated. He says the process has been easier and more flexible than he thought it would be, and says there’s never a dull moment with Hough, who is always full of energy. If you would like more information about becoming a mentor or would like to have a mentor, please contact Kathleen Hoyne at the Cabot Coalition at 563-3338.

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Ways To Help The People Of Haiti

By Robert Belenki How to help: Don’t go there yet unless you have medical training and are affiliated with an appropriate organization. Instead, make monetary contributions to a solid, close-to-the-ground organization that has a history of effectiveness and takes minimal overhead fees. I believe that such may be found among the following (listed in no particular order): Shelter Box (shelterbox.org): Responds instantly to natural and manmade disasters by delivering boxes of aid to those who are most in need. Each box supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and essential equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless. Plan (planinternational.org): Founded over 70 years ago, Plan is one of the oldest and largest children's development organizations in the world. Works in 48 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas to promote child rights and lift millions of children out of poverty. Plan works with more than 3,500,000 families and their communities each year. Plan is independent, with no religious, political or governmental affiliations. Mercy’s Haitian Children Program (mercyforthechildren.com): A non-profit humanitarian relief effort based on Christian values and providing the children of Haiti with the most essential necessities including food, clothing, water, and medical care. Madre (madre.org): Madre uses human rights to advance social justice. We partner with women in communities worldwide to meet urgent, local needs and create long-term solutions to the problems that women face. Works closely with Partners in Health. Partners in Health (pih.org): PIH has been working on the ground in Haiti for over 20 years. PIH urgently needs your support to help those affected by the recent earthquake. Partners In Health (PIH) works to bring modern medical care to poor communities in nine countries around the world. The work of PIH has three goals: to care for patients, to alleviate the root causes of disease in By Lucy Diamonds their communities, and to share lessons learned around the world. The Lambi Fund of Haiti (lambifund.org): A diverse group of individuals from many walks of life who work together toward economic justice, democracy and alternative sustainable development in Haiti. Lambi, or conch, is a delicacy food in Haitian culture. Fonkoze (fonkoze.org): Fonkoze is Haiti’s alternative bank for the organized poor. In fact, it is a family of three institutions working together shoulder-toshoulder towards a single compelling mission: building the economic foundations for democracy in Haiti by providing the rural poor with the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty. This mission is reflected in the name, Fonkoze, which is an acronym for the Haitian Creole phrase “Fondasyon Kole Zepòl” meaning “Shoulder-to-Shoulder Foundation.” Beyond Borders (beyondborders.net): The mission is to work for justice and peace out of devotion to Christ by fostering sharing and understanding across cultural and economic borders. Beyond Borders got its official start in 1993 as a spin-off of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education (EAPE). EAPE was founded by Dr. Tony Campolo,a sociologist and well-known Christian speaker and author widely known for his passionate call for Christians to take seriously Christ's demand that we seek justice for the poor and liberation for the oppressed, and abandon our society's idolatrous love of money. Doctors without Borders (doctorswithoutborders.org): Doctors without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international medical humanitarian organization created by doctors and journalists in France in 1971. Today, MSF provides aid in nearly 60 countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care, or natural disasters. MSF provides independent, impartial assistance to those most in need. To learn more about Haiti’s history, Mr. Belenky’s work and ways to help the children you can visit his website: web.mac.com/robertbelenky.

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Stars Above

Imbolc/Candlemas/Groundhog Day- February 2nd

Called a “cross quarter day,” the other three being Beltane (May 1st), Lammas (August 2nd) and Samhain(October 31st). Following the solar calendar, Imbolc marks the time when thaw begins deep within the earth and deep within our consciousness. Creatures start to anticipate spring, some even study their shadows for signs. Do you feel the stirring?

New Moon, Chinese New Year, Year of the Tiger Begins- February 13th

Chinese New Year begins on the second new moon after winter solstice. This year we are leaving the Year of the Ox and entering the Year of the Tiger. Tiger energy is just what you would expect: dramatic, charismatic, strong, energetic, it can pounce with courage and be calm as a pussycat. People born in Tiger years often possess those same qualities (1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010). A Tiger Year comes along every 12 years, and corresponds to the western sign of Aquarius.

Sun enters Pisces- February 18th at 1:36 pm Those born in the sign of Pisces (February 18th – March 20th) tend to be sensitive, intuitive, creative, sociable and easy going. Pisces is a water sign and its symbol is the fish. Resourceful and adaptable, it is a mutable sign (along with Gemini, Virgo and Sagitarius) which means it has the ability to change circumstances and situations to its benefit. It is ruled by the planets Jupiter and Neptune.

Full Moon – February 28th

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 10 onward.

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From The Librarians Desk

We would like to announce our programming schedule thus far. Please look for posters or flyers for more details.

Programs scheduled for 2010:

• Ongoing - Tuesday 3 to 4:30 Game/Comic Book Club

- Friday 10:30 to 11:30 Story Hour

- Adult Book Groups TBA In February

- Feb 9th 7-8:30pm Computer Technology Part 1 In this workshop you will learn how to use Google Earth, Google Maps, and MapQuest to explore your world and plan your next sightseeing trip around the globe. Presented by Peter Stratman and Holly Kruse

- Feb 23rd 7-8:30pm Computer Technology Part 2 In this workshop you will learn about the latest in social networking such as Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, and any others the audience is curious about. Presented by Elisha Tebbetts In March • • - Cabot author, Ben Hewitt, on his book about the cottage industries in the Hardwick area In May and June

- Cabot photographer, Warren Walker, will give a series of programs on Nature Photography The Summer Reading Programs

- “Make a Splash, Read” for children

- “Make Waves at your Library” for teens • • • In the Fall - Eric Gillard, from Earthwalk, will give a program on Survival Skills We would also like our patrons to know what the Library can do for you. The Library is open 5 days a week (hours listed below). We offer free public access to the Internet and a Wifi connection, free interlibrary loan service, and access to the Vermont On‑Line Library. We also offer a free book delivery service for homebound patrons. Library cards are free and available to everyone. Ask us about Listen-Up! Vermont. Stop by, tell us how we can help, and check out the latest in our collections.

See you at the Library! Kathleen Hoyne Anne Walker Cabot Public Library Co-Directors Many things make snowmobiling fun: the breathtaking beauty of a snowfilled woods, field or mountain; the precision performance of a well-designed machine; the satisfaction of traversing the winter landscape with friends and family. Yes, snowmobilers savor the winter world, and that calls for extra responsibility. Training, experience and awareness are all traits of the accomplished snowmobiler. You are the "Safe Riders! You make snowmobiling safe." Snowmobiling is fun, but it's work, too. It challenges the body and mind, and that's part of the reason you're so relaxed at the end of a day of snowmobiling. While you are riding, the wind, sun, glare, cold, vibration, motion and other factors work together to affect both driver and passenger. Yes, there's plenty of challenge awaiting you as you drive your snowmobile into the winter wonderland. Alcohol magnifies and distorts those challenges and can quickly turn an enjoy-

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 11 onward.

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Take A Friend Snowmobiling

Provided by Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (www.VTVAST.org)

We have all had many conversations, telling stories about how much fun it is to take people snowmobiling, and many of us are realizing that we have a lot of nonsnowmobiling friends to take snowmobiling. There are a few recommended guidelines. They are: • Safety training – make sure to cover all the safe snowmobiling behavior with your friend before taking them out on their first ride. Points to cover should include:

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 11 onward.

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Safe Riders: You Make Snowmobiling Safe

Information provided by Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (www.VTVAST.org) able outing into a situation that's hazardous for you and others.

Alcohol and snowmobiling, simply, do not mix.

Forget that myth that alcohol warms up a chilled person. It opens the blood vessels and removes the feeling of chill, but it does nothing to increase body heat. Instead, it can increase the risk of hypothermia, a dangerous lowering of the body's core temperature. With alcohol, you may only feel warmer, while your body chills dangerously. Alcohol increases fatigue, fogs your ability to make good decisions, and slows your reaction time. It's part of a formula for disaster. And don't forget - VERMONT HAS LAWS PROHIBIT- ING THE OPERATION OF A SNOWMOBILE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.

As a Safe Rider, you:

•

•

•

• Know your abilities and don't go beyond them; Know your machine's capabilities and don't push beyond them. Know your riding area. Get a map. Talk to the local folks. Learn more - reading manuals and other materials from manufacturers, administrators and snowmobile associations, or watch videos or computer programs from these sources. Snowmobile clubs, state and provincial associations offer courses, information and activities. Many members are certified driving and/or safety instructors.

Keep your machine in top shape

You have two good guides available for snowmobile maintenance: the owner's manual that came with it and your dealer. Consult both to make sure your machine is kept in top form for dependable, enjoyable fun. Your local club or association may also conduct safety and maintenance programs. Before each ride, follow the "pre-op" check outlined in your owner's manual.

Follow the rules

Regulations on sled registration and use are different in various parts of the snow belt. Check with natural resource and law enforcement agencies and snowmobile dealers or clubs in the area you are visiting to make sure your ride results in legal and hassle-free snowmobiling.

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COMMUNITY AND BEYOND

At night on lakes and large open fields, estimating distances and direction of travel may become difficult. It is important to keep some point of reference when riding at night.

Beware Of Water

The safest snowmobiling rule is never to cross lakes or rivers. Besides the danger of plunging through the ice, you have far less traction for starting, turning and stopping on ice than on snow.

Collisions on lakes account for a significant number of accidents. Don't hold the attitude that lakes are flat, wide open areas, free of obstructions.

Remember, if you can ride and turn in any direction, without boundaries, so can other riders. The threat of a collision, then, can come from any direction.

However, if you do snowmobile on the ice, make absolutely sure the ice is safely frozen. Don't trust the judgment of other snowmobilers. You are responsible for your own safe snowmobiling. Drowning is a leading cause of snowmobile fatalities. Consider buying a buoyant snowmobile suit.

If you go through the ice, remember that your snowmobile suit (even a nonbuoyant one) and helmet may keep you afloat for several minutes. Slide back onto the ice, using anything sharp to dig in for better pull. Kick your feet to propel you onto the ice, like a seal. If the ice keeps breaking, continue moving toward shore or the direction from which you came. Don't remove your gloves or mitts. Once on the ice, roll away from the hole. Don't stand until well away from the hole.

A Mountain Measures

Even if we don't live near mountains, many of us want to visit the Cascades, Adirondacks, Rockies or other mountains someday. Mountain snowmobiling is spectacular but can pose extra dangers, such as avalanches. Some avalanche areas may be posted and closed. Be cautious of avalanche dangers throughout mountain country. Riding in these areas should only be done after receiving proper mountain riding training. Mountain snowmobilers should carry avalanche beacons, shovels, probe poles for locating people buried in snow and a portable radio to summon help.

Carry-Through

Just because you've parked the sled for the day, don't rest your Safe Rider good sense. If after-snowmobile activities include drinking alcohol, select a non-drinking designated driver for auto travel. That will help keep everyone alive and in good shape for that next snowmobile outing!

Avalanche Awareness

Following are some safe travel tips for riding in avalanche country: 1. Learn to recognize and understand avalanche potential terrain. Suspect any slope that is steeper than 30 degrees. 2. Observe the slope orientation with respect to the sun and the wind. 3. Be cautious of cornices. 4. Think about the consequences of an avalanche. Will you be carried over a cliff, pushed into trees or buried deep in a gully? 5. Travel safely, ride with a partner and carry the appropriate rescue gear.

For information on Avalanche Awareness please visit the web site www.avalanche.org

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Safe Riders

(Continued from page 14)

Remember, too, that some states and provinces have age restrictions for snowmobile operation, often requiring that children are supervised by adults.

Safe Crossing

Be careful when crossing roads of any kind. Come to a complete stop and make absolutely sure no traffic is approaching from any direction. Then cross at a right angle to traffic.

Dress Appropriately

Wear layers of clothing, so that you can add or remove a layer or two to match changing conditions. A windproof outer layer is especially important, as are warm gloves or mitts, boots and a helmet.

Make sure your helmet is safetycertified, the right size and in good condition. A visor is essential for clear vision and wind protection and the chin strap should be snug. Proper eye protection is necessary to prevent injury from the sun and flying objects.

Think Ahead

Remember, it's you, the Safe Rider, that makes snowmobiling safe. Many problems will be avoided by using common sense. Minor problems can be overcome by carrying a useful tool kit, spare parts, flashlight, first-aid kit, and a few survival items such as high energy food, fire starting equipment and a compass.

Take It Easy

Today's snowmobile is a mechanical marvel. It provides inspiring performance, reliability and pleasing aesthetics, combined with essential safety design and components.

Safe Riders drive within the limits of their machine and their abilities.

Remember, speed is not the

measure of snowmobiling fun. You should always ride at a speed in which you can stop within your line of sight. Slow down and enjoy the scenery and the experience. Ease up on the throttle especially when near other machines, people, trees, animals and other objects. It's good sense - and it's the law.

Take a Friend

Don't snowmobile alone. Not only is snowmobiling more fun with family and friends, it's safer too!

File A Plan

Airplane pilots and boaters file flight and float plans, respectively, so that others know where to look if they're overdue. "Snow plans" describing your machine and your planned route can be time- and life-savers. Leave only with your family or friends. Like those who file travel plans, always let your family and friends know you're back or have arrived at your destination. No one likes needless searches.

A Good Turn

Other snowmobilers and car drivers need to know what you're up to.

Remember the basic hand signals:

Left Turn: left arm extended straight out Right Turn: left arm out, forearm raised, with elbow at 90-degree angle Stop: left arm raised straight up Slow: left arm out and angled toward ground Take Care of the Trail SAFE RIDERS snowmobile to enjoy the outdoors. They treat it with respect •

•

• They wait for enough snow cover to protect vegetation They avoid running over trees and shrubs. They appreciate, but don't disturb animals or other outdoor users.

Take The Honorable Trail

Beautiful trail systems and riding areas are available throughout North America. Stay safe and legal within the areas that you are permitted to ride or those for which you've obtained permission Stay Alert

Focusing on the tail light of the snowmobile ahead of you is the cause of many accidents. If your eyes are fixed on the tail light, you are not likely to notice the slight turn the machine ahead makes to avoid collision or the object that was almost hit. After snowmobiling for several hours, your reaction time slows. Be aware that even though you may not feel tired, the motion, wind and vibration of the machine may begin to dull your senses.

Beware Of Darkness

Low-light and darkness require special care. Slow down and watch for others. Overcast days require extra caution.

Don't over drive your headlights. Ask yourself, "Am I driving slow enough to see an object in time to avoid a collision?"

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Twin Valley Senior News

February brings Valentine’s Day, and is also Heart Health month - a time to consider the health of your heart. Valentines Day makes an opportune time to give gifts to friends, neighbors or loved ones. There is no better a gift you can give that individual than to sponsor them to receive healthy home cooked nutritional meals. Twin Valley Senior Center’s Meals on Wheels program offers you the chance to give home delivered meals to a friend, neighbor or loved one for a small donation of $6.00 per meal. People living alone may not have the means to prepare good nutritional meals. Volunteers at the senior center prepare meals three times weekly and are offering the opportunity to sponsor someone you care about in getting these meals. The Meals on Wheels program volunteers prepare, package and deliver the food directly to the sponsored individual’s home. Anyone who is interested in doing this should call 426-3447, 454-7750 or email RitaC- [email protected] to schedule meals which will be delivered along with a gift certificate with the sponsor’s name to the recipient. Sponsors may also remain anonymous. It’s important to put “your best foot forward,” by being kind to your feet. Years of wear and tear can be hard on feet. So can disease, bad circulation, poorly trimmed toenails, and wearing shoes that don't fit right. Foot problems are sometimes the first sign of more serious medical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and nerve or circulatory disorders. Twin Valley Senior Center is hosting its next foot clinic on February 8, 2010. The clinic will be held at the Old School House Common in Marshfield in collaboration with staff from Central Vermont Home Health. The charge for the clinic is $15.00. Anyone interested in attending the clinic can call 454-7750 to register. Tax time is here again. Twin Valley Seniors will be hosting a free tax day on February 15, 2010, at the Old School House Common. If you are 55 or older and live in Cabot, Woodbury, East Montpelier, Calais, Plainfield or Marshfield you are welcome to sign up to have your taxes prepared by a qualified American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) representative. Appointments will be scheduled day starting at 9:00 a.m., so please call 454-7750 as soon as possible to schedule your time. If all time slots fill for this day, we will schedule a second day to accommodate everyone who needs the service. The volunteers of the Twin Valley Senior Center are asking all residents of the six towns served by the center to consider joining our dedicated team. We are working very hard to take care of elderly and homebound residents in our area and could use your help. If you have as little time as an hour or two per week we can use your help. The services we offer include preparing food at the center for meals on site as well as home delivered meals, clinics, programs and activities, visiting and assisting the seniors on site, working at fundraising and more. We need back up delivery drivers in case a driver is unable to deliver meals on a scheduled day because of time off or illness. This minimal time may not seem like a lot to you, but it certainly could help us fulfill our mission at Twin Valley Seniors to facilitate the social, emotional and physical well being of independent senior citizens by providing access to community resources, services, activities and wellness. Please consider joining our team. Your reward will be the knowledge that you are truly making a difference in someone’s life.

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WANTED

REWARD For Land, “Lots of land under starry skies above” With plain and simple house if possible, Dirt/Gravel road location. Finders Fee. 476-4988- Do not phone with cell phone Wanted, Great place to rent ASAP

No carpets, 1 tenant, quiet reliable retired teacher - No smoking, No pets. 476-4988

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 12 onward.

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Town of Cabot UDAG Committee Proposed 2010

If you have any questions regarding this document or the UDAG committee, contact any UDAG Committee member.

UDAG Committee meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Select Board meeting room of the Willey Building.

All meetings are open to the public.

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Preamble to this Proposed Revision

In 2006, the Cabot Town Meeting adopted a revised UDAG Plan with the following goals:

1.Preserve the purchasing power of the Fund; 2.Broaden the impact of the Fund on the Cabot

community; 3.Minimize the political component of the UDAG

process; 4.Eliminate the risk of losing capital from defaulted loans; and Institutionalize the UDAG process.

The 2006 Plan achieved the last three of these goals but failed to accomplish the first two. In proposing this new Plan, the UDAG Committee hopes to preserve the successful parts of the previous plan and add modifications that will move us toward realizing the first two.

The 2006 Plan created a partnership with the Union Bank to administer the funds and provide lending services. The UDAG funds, of which there were at that time about $1.2 million in cash, were divided into a UDAG Trust, consisting of about $1.1 million, and a Scholarship Endowment, consisting of about $100,000. Each part is separately invested by the Union Bank through its investment manager, Granite Investment Advisors. The earnings of these portfolios are paid into a UDAG checking account and a Scholarship checking account.

Under the 2006 Plan, the Committee awards higher education scholarships to Cabot students and adults each year. These are one-time payments, and the amount available to be distributed among the successful applicants varies according to a formula based on the earnings of the Scholarship Endowment. The more successful applicants there are, the smaller is each share of the available scholarship money. Scholarships have averaged $1,000 each.

The 2006 Plan created an Economic Development Loan (EDL)program, in partnership with the Union Bank, that replaced the old UDAG loan program. Under the EDL, Cabot residents who successfully apply to the Union Bank for loans to start or expand businesses in Cabot receive a discount on their interest of 2% for three to five years, the discount to be paid out of the earnings of the UDAG Trust. The Union Bank does not lend UDAG’s money; it lends only its own money. The subsidy is conditional upon the borrower’s faithful The current Cabot UDAG Committee members

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Cabot UDAG PLAN ~2~ Proposed 2010 Revisions

…amended by a motion of the Cabot UDAG Committee and a vote by Australian ballot at Town Meetings in 1995, 1998, and 2001.

2. Subsidized Interest Rate Loans – A. The UDAG Trust will subsidize the interest paid on loans made by the Cabot UDAG Plan’s financial partner to any business or commercial venture located in Cabot or to any Cabot community organization or Cabot governmental agency. From the date of adoption of this Plan revision, the term of such subsidies shall be ten years. B. Loans that do not qualify for the subsidy are: i. mortgages on owner occupied homes; ii. loans for improvement to owner occupied homes; iii. loans to purchase personal property including loans for vehicles for personal use; iv. loans for travel, vacations, or medical expenses; v. loans for refinancing existing debt that do not increase the cash flow of an enterprise by at least 25%; and vi. loans to Cabot community organizations or Cabot governmental agencies for operating expenses.

C. An applicant for such a subsidized loan must apply to the Committee’s financial partner for a loan – NOT to the COMMITTEE. D. The Committee requires that the purpose of a loan under this subsidy program will meet the goals of the UDAG Plan and will exclude loans described in section B above. E. The Committee’s financial partner will: i. determine whether a loan qualifies for a UDAG subsidy and may consult with the Committee to reach such a determination; ii. determine if the loan makes financial sense for both itself and the applicant; iii. supply the capital for the loan; and iv. service the loan. F. The UDAG Committee has set the current interest rate subsidy at 2%. For example, if the loan bears a nominal interest rate of 7%, the interest rate on the loan would be reduced to 5%. If the nominal interest rate on the loan is less than 4%, the interest subsidy will be ½ of the nominal interest rate. For example, if the nominal interest rate is 3%, the interest rate after the subsidy would be 1.5%. G. The interest subsidy will be paid directly to the financial partner from the UDAG Trust. H. The Cabot UDAG Committee will continue to service the outstanding loans granted prior to the approval of the Plan revision of 2006. I. The money available for the interest rate subsidy program in any year will be no more than 4% of the trailing 6 quarters average balance of the UDAG Fund from 9/30 of any year. The Committee will formulate an investment objective for these assets. The financial partner’s trust department will implement a strategy to achieve the investment objective formulated by the Committee. The current investment objective of the Committee is to earn a total return on its assets equal to the rate of inflation plus 4%. J. The Committee will specify the total principal amount of loans it will subsidize for the coming calendar year after the financial partner reports the total principal outstanding of subsidized loans at 12/31 of the prior year. K. Applicants who live outside the Town of Cabot may be eligible for loan subsidies if the businesses for which they seek the loans are located in Cabot; but the partner must consult the Committee before making subsidized loans to out-of-town residents.

3. Grants- A. The sum of money available to pay community grants voted on by Australian ballot at Town Meeting will be the difference between i. 4% of the average balance in the UDAG Trust and the UDAG Administrative Checking Account at the calendar quarter end for the 6 quarters prior to 10/31. ii. less Development Grants made since March 1 plus the expenses to administer the UDAG Plan in the 12 months prior to the calendar quarter end prior to 10/31.

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The UDAG Plan - SUMMARY

The Cabot UDAG Plan will 1. provide scholarships to residents of Cabot; 2. subsidize the interest rate on loans to Cabot

residents, businesses, community organizations, and to the Town and Village governments; and 3. make grants to community organizations in

Cabot, and to the Town, and Village of Cabot and the Cabot School.

To facilitate these programs, the Cabot UDAG Committee (the “Committee”) has selected the Union Bank to be its financial partner to offer the loans which will have an interest rate subsidized by the UDAG Trust and to manage the investment of the assets of the UDAG Trust and the Scholarship Endowment. In any given year, the total return (net of inflation) on the investments of the UDAG Trust principal will pay for the loan interest rate subsidies, UDAG Plan administrative expenses and grants. In any given year, the total return (net of inflation) on the Scholarship Endowment will pay for scholarships offered to Cabot residents. Although the UDAG Trust and the Endowment are both managed by the trust department of the UDAG Plan’s designated financial partner, the Scholarship Endowment will be treated as a separate account. This will permit donations to be made to the Scholarship Endowment by individuals and businesses, and allow these donations to be treated as tax deductible.

Anyone seeking a subsidized loan must apply for that loan at the Union Bank. (The closest Union Bank branch is in Hardwick.) A loan applicant does not apply to the Committee. The Committee will have no knowledge of who applies for a subsidized loan or of the specifics of the loan application. It is the bank’s decision whether or not to grant the loan. However, the bank must determine that the purpose of the loan meets the goals of the UDAG Plan in order for the loan to qualify for a UDAG interest rate subsidy. It is the bank’s money that is loaned. No Cabot UDAG assets will be at risk in any of these loans.

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Mission Statement

The purpose of the Cabot UDAG Plan is to provide financial resources, through a fair and consistent process, to local individuals and groups for activities and projects that serve to strengthen the economic, cultural, educational, environmental, and social well-being of the Cabot community.

1. Protect and enhance the quality of life and the character of the town by: a. preserving agriculture; b. preserving and reusing historic and important buildings; c. conserving open and farm land; d. enhancing recreational opportunities; e. providing local amenities and community

activities, and f. preserving and protecting the environment

and abating pollution.

2. Promote commercial development that is consistent with the scale and character of the community by: a. assisting existing small business, including agriculture; b. providing incentives for new business development; c. assisting in the promotion of local business; d. creating and protecting local employment opportunities; e. attracting public and private investment, and f. encouraging the use indigenous, renewable raw materials. 3. Promote education by: a. supporting the programs, activities and operations of the Cabot School; b. assisting students who continue their education beyond high school, and c. assisting adults who are pursuing continuing education and professional development that is intended to enhance their job skills and advance their careers.

4. Improve community infrastructure, facilities and services by: a. supporting local civic and community service organizations and groups, especially those that address the needs of children, adolescents, the handicapped, or the elderly, and; b. supporting public works projects in the Town and Village.

5. Enhance the local tax base by supporting projects and activities that serve to improve existing businesses and attract new ones. 6. Preserve the fund so as to be able to continue to meet the needs of the community for many years to come.

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The DETAILS

1. Scholarships – A. In any given year, up to 4% of the trailing 6 quarters average balance to 3/31 of any year in the Scholarship Endowment may be disbursed as scholarships to eligible Cabot residents Eligible recipients are residents pursuing post-high school education/training, and/or continuing education or professional development, who have been Cabot residents for at least twelve months as of the application deadline and who will be Cabot residents on the award date. B. Eligible activities that may be funded with these scholarships include the purchase of books and equipment required in connection with educational activities and the payment of tuition and fees for degree programs, courses and seminars. C. Completed scholarship applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. May 1 (or following business day, if May 1 falls on a weekend) to the Cabot School office, or mailed to Cabot UDAG Fund; P.O. Box 125; Cabot, VT 05647. D. Recipients of scholarships are announced at Cabot High School graduation each year. E. The amount and method of selecting recipients of these scholarships will be decided by the Cabot UDAG Scholarship Subcommittee of the Cabot UDAG Committee (the “Subcommittee”).

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Cabot UDAG PLAN ~3~ Proposed 2010 Revisions

…iii. less the money used to subsidize the interest rate on loans (refer to section 2) for the 12 months prior to the calendar quarter end prior to 10/31. iv. any funds available for granting not used in any given year can be set aside and added to the grant funds as determined in i – iii (above) in subsequent years, however, any such set aside funds will be excluded from the calculation of the total assets of the UDAG Fund and the UDAG Administrative Checking Account from the quarter end after Town Meeting when calculating 4% of the average balance available for subsequent grants.

B. This money can be granted to any Cabot community organization or Cabot governmental agency for capital projects that meet the goals of the UDAG Plan. C. Eligible applicants include community groups, non-profits, civic organizations, fraternal organizations, and similarly organized groups in the Town of Cabot, as well as such other committees, agencies, organizations, or commissions that are created by the Town of Cabot, Village of Cabot or the Cabot School District. Eligible applicants include the Recreation Committee, the Conservation Committee, the Cemetery Commission, the Library Trustees, the Cabot Historical Society, et. al. Individuals are not eligible to apply for these grants, and no assets purchased with these grants may be owned by or distributed to any private party or be installed permanently on private property. D. An application for a Community Grant must be submitted to the UDAG Committee by the 3rd Thursday in October of each year. The application must be mailed to Cabot UDAG Committee, P.O. Box 125 Cabot, VT 05647. E. The Committee will review grant proposals to determine whether a proposed grant meets the goals of the UDAG Plan. Applicants will be notified at which upcoming UDAG meeting the application will be reviewed so they may attend that meeting. Generally, applicants will be notified of the Committee decision within two weeks following the UDAG meeting. F. This determination will be made no later than the 3rd Thursday in October each year. G. When such a determination is made for all grants proposed, a warned information meeting on the grants the Committee considers consistent with the UDAG Plan will be hosted by the Committee at its regularly scheduled meeting on the 3rd Thursday of December. H. The grant proposals determined by the Committee to be consistent with the UDAG Plan will be voted on by Australian ballot on Town Meeting Day. I. The submission of the grant proposal to the voters does not constitute an endorsement of any grant proposal by the Committee. Each voter must decide if a particular grant proposal is a worthwhile use of UDAG funds, and cast their vote accordingly.

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Administration of the UDAG Plan

The Committee – 1. In 1992, the Town Meeting established a committee of Cabot residents to formulate and implement the Cabot UDAG Plan. This is referred to as the Cabot UDAG Committee (the “Committee”). 2. The Cabot Select Board appoints a Cabot resident as Chair of the Committee. 3. Besides the Chair of the Committee, there is a member appointed by the Cabot School Board, a member appointed by the Cabot Village Trustees, and three members elected at Town Meeting Day. 4. The elected members of the Committee serve three year terms. The terms end on three successive years so that only one member is elected at each Town Meeting. 5. The Cabot Select Board can appoint a Cabot resident to replace any elected member of the Committee who is unable to complete his/her term. Such an appointed member will complete the term of the member he/she replaced. 6. The Committee meets the third Thursdays of each month at 7pm in the Select Board meeting room in the Willey Building. 7. The Chairman of the Committee votes only in the event of a tie.

Expenses - 1. Up to .5% of the total assets of the UDAG Trust and the Scholarship Endowment, but excluding the principal on loans receivable, at 12/31 of any year may be used to pay expenses for the following calendar year. Excluded from administrative fees would be any fee paid for trust services of managing UDAG assets.

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