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The Cabot Chronicle

March 2011 · 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 March 2011 pages (PDF)

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

In This Issue

By Julia Shipley

(When I call Pauline Churchill, whom I guess to be Rusty’s mom, and ask which listing in the phone book he is, she says, “Walter Paul.” After which I am quiet, and then I bring myself to ask, “Uh… how’d you get ‘Rusty’ out of that?” She said, when he was a kid, he had reddish hair, rust colored. So, there you go.)

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What’s the best part about the

job? Having a job. I’ve worked for the Town for 11 years. Second best job I’ve ever had. First best was farming. So far, I’ve only had two jobs. The beauty of this job is, when you get done for the day, you don’t have to go home and milk cows.

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Cabot have and what’s it like plow-

ing them this winter? Cabot’s got about 65 some-odd miles of road to plow, salt, sand and maybe grade. Some are class four roads. It’s a good old-fashioned winter. Used to be, when they said you were getting a nor’Easter, you got twothree feet and the wind blew for four days. Now you get storm warnings for two –four inches.

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What’s your favorite road, and

your favorite part of your job: Churchill Road. Spent 58 years on it so far. But it’s pretty everywhere you go around Cabot. I like plowing snow in winter, grading in summer; but personally, I like spring and fall the best, and probably fall the very best, because there’s no bugs.

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How’d you learn to plow and

grade? Well, I’ve been working with equipment all my life. But, when I started the job, I went to school to learn to run the grader and then they sent a guy to come help me with it for half a day. He said, “So, is there anything else I can help you with?” and I said, “Well, I guess not.” The first year was pretty nerve-wracking. I’m still the new kid here: Charlie Pilbin’s been here 28 years and David Pike’s been doing this 26 years.

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What’s your plowing strategy? We

do the bus routes first. Then the black top—because of the Creamery, I try to keep the black top as bare as possible. My personal route is: I do the black top to Danville Hill to Mack Mountain

DEADLINE: 15th of the month prior Publisher: Cabot Coalition Executive Editor: Jeannie Johnson Coordinator: Cia Considine

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When it comes to mailboxes, do

you have a point system? We don’t hit mailboxes on purpose. It’s a matter of inches. The wing goes down fast, but it comes up real slow, sometimes there’s no way to get that wing up …we’ve even hit our own mailboxes. Putting created on the the final ABOT Common. touches on Check the TLC it out! snow Courtesy dragon of snow Lindsey sculpture Scott that was

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Professional collision repair, associated with all insurance

companies, we’ll handle your claim from start to finish including rental cars.

The Cabot Chronicle is distributed the first day of the month and is provided locally free of charge. ~ Mission Statement ~ The mission of The Cabot Chronicle is to regularly publish local news for the residents of the Cabot Area. Our purpose is to share information that will help readers become better involved in their Community.

Printed in Vermont ~ Copyright 2011 by The Cabot Chronicle

No part of this paper may be reproduced without express written permission from Cabot Chronicle. Publisher is not responsible for typographical errors. Acceptance of advertising is contingent upon editor’s and publisher’s approval and agreement by advertiser to indemnify publisher from loss or expense on claims based upon contents of advertising. Publisher does not assume on liability for errors in any advertising beyond the cost of space occupied by individual item in which the error appeared.

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Maps by Donavan Bigelow and Maya

“What boy does not know the land of his boyhood? Every cave, every dolmen, every dip in the land and the holes in the hedges…” asks the narrator in Louis L’Amour’s book, The Talking Drum. To which he might add, “And what child does not know the best place to buy candy? What kid does not know the glee of jumping on the neighbor’s trampoline? What youngster in Cabot does not know a good sledding hill or how cold the Winooski River can be?” In Landscape and Memory , John Stilgoe, a professor of Environmental Studies at Harvard, names the treasured places of his childhood: “The Bog, The Pit, Mrs. Norris’s Woods, The Swamp, Fuller’s Dam and the Landing.” The Landing, he goes on to say, “remained the possession of small boys bored with the wellkept gravel and asphalt of the densely populated town...day after day the landscape of boys remained untrodden by adults, [and] passed eventually to younger boys when the wonders of driving automobiles…deflected sixteen year olds from marshes and swamps...” And so, what do Cabot’s boys and girls do for fun, where do they go to play, what are the special places of their

childhood? In an after-school workshop sponsored by KAPOW, seventh and eighth graders mapped out their playworlds, drew routes to their favorite places, and made lists of “things to do in Cabot.” Both Donavan Bigelow and Maya Morse used dots, squiggles and notes to show the viewer the landscape of their childhood, the paths and hills they know. Maya’s Map depicts a girl’s view of the important features of downtown Cabot. Instead of indicating each of the practical businesses of Main Street, she maps exactly where to buy Starbursts and chocolate bars and then the best place to consume them. This is a map of happiness. Donavan’s map also shows where his joy lies. And though the land of his boyhood exists alongside the utilitarian roads and yards of town, his map features the places to play soccer, ride a bike, drive a snowmobile, in other words this is his landscape of fun. Poet Gary Snyder once made a list of all the things to do in Portland (Take

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Morse; Column by Julia Shipley

the trolley out to Sellwood when the cherries are in bloom/ Get married in Vancouver without the three day wait…); and in Seattle (Catch garter snakes/ Swim in Puget Sound below the railroad tracks/ Walk through the swamp and over the ridge to the pine woods…) and in a fire tower lookout (Wrap up in a blanket in cold weather and just read/ Paint pictures of the mountains/ Put salt out for deer… ). If you read his entire list for each vicinity,

you’d sense a young man who had bent his boredom into a gorgeous litany of inspiring possibilities. When asked, “What can you do for fun in Cabot?” the participants in KAPOW also came up with plenty of activities, many of which involved roaming, riding and relishing the landscape of their childhood. Here is a partial list: Go to the general the General Store and buy candy, then sit and eat it all; swim in the O’Conners river; you could hang out with the O’Conners and jump on their trampoline; you could go to the Creamery on a whim and eat cheese samples; go ice skate on the Common; you could run in the woods in the rain; you could run to the fields and pick apples; eat cheese; ride a bike; take a walk in the woods; walk your dog; sled at my house; ride a four wheeler; go to Jasmine’s house; you can get gum at the store with a giant 2$ gift certificate; you can swim while freezing to death in the Winooski; you can say hi to your neighborhood cat-fanatic family; sled on Thistle Hill (not anymore); ghost hunt in the woods; bushwhack to the medicine cave; night swim at Mc Queeny’s; swim at Urban Pond; bike from Cabot Plains to Danville Hill through woods; go appling; blow all your money on junk; watch TV at my house; chase cows; ride pigs; drive tractors; pick apples at Burtts; ride horses; hang out with awesome Emma; blow junk up at John’s house; flip canoe in cold water; bomb on your four-wheeler; get a haircut; wear hats; fix up trucks; drift canoes with Forest; go roping; hang out with Lyrica. Thus, the terrain of Cabot may be owned in deeded chunks and parcels, but it is also the great estate of rambunctious, joyous youth

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Dear Editor,

My daughter was nearly struck by an impatient driver in Cabot last month, and I'm furious. As a village resident, one tends to be over sensitive to nitpicky things - careless litter on the streets, speeding early morning traffic, downshifting trucks off the surrounding hills. But, one ignores it, seeks to not over react. We're all neighbors, doing the best we can to get by and get along. The occasional shoveling of a pet off the macadam gets to you, but you swallow it. Things happen and one must adjust, be patient, adapt. Until now. Imagine: it’s three o'clock of a school day. Two children, recently released, walking toward each other along opposite sides of Main Street see each other. That innocent delight lights up the eyes. A mittened hand goes up, a wave, bright smiles. A halloo across the snow banks and that break into a nearing gallop. They're smart kids. Maybe 8 or 9. They've been taught to stop, look both ways. They got it. Across from the Cabot School gymnasium, they stop; a neighbor's drive-way cut in through the banking snow makes a natural crossing point. The first of five southbound cars slow, triggering a momentary cascade of brake lights north of the school. Hesitatingly, one child steps out into the road, beckoned by the first driver. Suddenly, horns, an angry blaring, and an impatient driver swings his compact blue import car into the oncoming lane crossing double lines - and floors it.

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Dear Editor,

Subject: John Christman—Write-In Candidate for Town Clerk/Treasurer My name is John Christman, Sr. My wife, Joanna, and my daughter, Lyndsay, and I live on Danville Hill and have lived there since 2001. I have lived in Cabot for 30 years now, and you know me as the owner of the general contracting company of John Christman Construction, Inc. I have been in the construction business in Cabot since 1987. You also know my son, Ken, from my previous marriage, as the Town Constable, Cabot Fire Department Captain and EMT on the Cabot Ambulance. My son, John Jr., has moved out of the area (So. Burlington), where he lives with his wife and son and is a Firefighter/EMT on the So. Burlington Fire Department. Lyndsay will be attending Castleton College in the fall of 2011.

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OMMENTARY

My daughter leaps back. We're stunned. The other drivers are stunned. In slow motion, the cross is made. Hearts are racing. That sense of community, of safety, of reciprocal lookingafter-each-other-ness is briefly shattered. So now, fed up, I'm asking for your help. Three things you can do now to bring some sanity and safety back to Main Street for our pedestrians and children: - First, walk. As much as possible, bring a visible and persistent pedestrian presence to Main Street. Whenever you can, leave the car behind and populate the pavement with pedestrians. - Second, slow down. When you drive through town for the next week, make an effort to drive 1-2 miles per hour SLOWER than the posted speed limit. Condition yourself, and condition the drivers behind you. - Third, advocate a school zone. On town meeting day, stand up and say something. Anything in favor of traffic calming on Main Street. One specific request is to ask the town to implement a school zone north of the school gymnasium driveway and south to the crosswalk at the Church. That should, at a minimum, be a 25 mile an hour zone from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thank you for considering making Cabot's Main Street a child and family friendly place again.

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Town Clerk’s Office :

I would like to see change in the office and believe that I would be good at it. I would try to do the following: A. The office should be open Monday through Friday. B. Town Clerk/Treasurer should be there more when the office is open. C. When people come into the office, be more personal with them. D. Be more helpful at times with townspeople, when they come in looking for something. E. Maybe have an evening to be open later for people after work. I am asking for your vote to help change this office. On Town Meeting day, won't you please write my name in the write-in box on the Town Clerk ballot and the Town Treasurer ballot? Any questions for me, please give me a call

during Town Clerk office hours. Thank You,

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By Jeanne Johnson

Smoke rose and music blasted from the shack at the intersection of Route 215 and Cabot Plains Road. Aaron Bushey was working at his forge, confirmed by the “OPEN” flag flapping beside the modest RAVENSONG FORGE sign. I found Aaron leaning into the fire, in his own world of heat, smoke and music, concentrating on a piece of metal grasped tightly in his tongs, and watched him rotate it out of the forge and onto the anvil for hammering. While he worked, I checked out samples of his craft displayed on every surface, ranging from simple hooks to creative candlesticks. He showed me his remarkable portfolio, filled with pictures depicting rustic iron hinges and latches in big old barns and beautiful custommade wrought iron candelabra hanging in spacious homes. “candelabra” is “candelabrum”?) (Did you know the plural of

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Custom Ironwork

See him in action at Cabot Maple Fest on

Aaron donated a handwrought candlestick from his shop for the Belize trip fundraising auction. The crowd buzzed when they realized it was Aaron’s work, and bidding was vigorous. Later, another candle holder appeared, and the first question was: “Did Aaron make it?” “No” generated a collective sigh of disappointment. Seventeen years old and homeschooled high school junior, Aaron is a talented blacksmith. Four years of apprenticeship under Lucian Avery, selftaught blacksmith and teacher in Hardwick, plus working with brother Jesse, co-founder of Striker Forge in California, have figured prominently in his skill development. Aaron can be contacted about custom work or to see his portfolio at 802-5632341, or RavensongForge@gmail.com. His website is www.webstarts.com/ ravensongforge. It’s definitely worth a stop if you’re on Route 215 and see the flag out and smoke rising.

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What is the name of your organi-

zation and its mission? The Cabot Chronicle , first established in 1920 and reestablished March 2008, is celebrating our third year anniversary this month. The mission defined by the founding group is to regularly publish local news for residents of the Cabot area. Our purpose is to share information that will help readers become better involved in their community.

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What do you and your volunteers

do? Chronicle staff and volunteers listen to our neighbors to hear what is important to them, reach out to community organizations to provide them an opportunity to inform people about their activities, and seek ways to promote and support the deep history, good work and economic vibrancy of our community. We are always looking for volunteer writers to tell the tale of the interesting history of community members or those features or individuals of our town whose light is hidden under a bushel basket. We also seek information about your events and activities for the community calendar, to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate.

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How does someone get involved?

suggest a strategy or something we should cover, or to offer your thoughts or services. We’re particularly looking for people to write about interesting Cabot citizens and businesses, sell advertising and share interesting blogs. We also want to know if you are opening a new business, in Cabot or elsewhere, so that we can highlight it for Cabot readers.

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What else would you like our

readers to know? Chronicle Staff can offer logo development and graphic design services at extremely attractive rates. Economical photocopying (for newspaper inserts, etc.) is also available in the Cabot Chronicle/Coalition office. It’s cheaper than Staples and saves a drive to Montpelier! Startup costs for the paper were funded in 2007 by a grant. We have stretched that money as far as possible, but we need a new plan for long-term sustainability. It costs about $18,000 annually to publish our free paper. The current funding strategy is one-third advertising, one-third fundraising (Maple Fest) and one-third requested town budget allocation. None of our staff or volunteers are professional salespeople, and the Chronicle could benefit greatly from a vigorous advertis-

to contribute to the Chronicle’s economic future and make a commission for yourself.

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By Andrea Gilbert, D.V.M

The time to license your dog is getting near. It’s a good time to check all your pet records and make sure their rabies vaccinations are current. Even though you don’t have to license cats, cats can also be exposed, and then expose you to rabies, and, therefore, should be protected. Rabies is a fatal viral disease. It affects different species in different ways. It can present itself with misleading signs. A common scenario is that an animal behaves as if something is stuck in it’s throat, but is actually suffering from rabies. An animal can act completely normal and be infected with and shedding rabies. There is an incubation period for the disease that can last for two months or more. So, the original bite wound can be long healed by the time the animal becomes sick from rabies. However, we are fortunate in this country that our incidence of rabies is low compared to many other countries. One of the reasons is that we vaccinate our domestic animals for rabies. So, by keeping your pets current on their rabies vaccine, you are protecting your pets, yourself and your neighbors.

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Be Carful What Movies You Watch

in the area. Check with your town clerk for details. Many vets also offer rabies A new National Institute on Drug vaccines year round at the same price Abuse-funded study suggests that as the rabies clinics. So, keep your pets watching actors engaging in smoking in current on their rabies vaccinations. a movie might trigger cravings in VACCINATION CLINICS smoker’s who are trying to quit. Dogs and Cats An article about the findings were published in The Journal of NeurosciSaturday, March 26 ence . The research was conducted at 8:00-9:30 a.m. Dartmouth College Medical Center and at Walden Fire Department, used neuroimaging techniques to ob4704 Route 15 and 215 serve the brain activity of smokers and Rabies $10 non-smokers while they watched a film Distemper $17 that contains numerous scenes of smokAll other vaccinations $20 ing. For questions call When observing actors puffing on Danville Animal Hospital their cigarettes, the smokers showed

brain associated with the planning and 8:00 a.m.–noon initiation of smoking behaviors. These at Hardwick Veterinary Clinic, findings suggest that observing another 64 North Main Street, Hardwick person smoking might lead tobacco us(across from American Legion) ers to mimic these actions without even $10 rabies $15 all other vaccinations being aware. Continued reinforcement For questions of these habitual smoking behaviors may help to explain unsuccessful quit call Hardwick Veterinary Clinic attempts. These findings support prior studies that show smokers who exit a movie that had images of smoking are more likely to crave a cigarette, compared with ones who watched a movie without them. Although the researchers acknowledged that additional studies are needed to determine whether brain activity stimulated by movie smoking can predict relapse for a smoker trying to quit, health advocates have been warning for years that exposure to on• Routine health care/dentistry P Our website is being updated. Submit sugges- • Lameness evaluations tions, questions, classifieds to: • Reproductive services Even though danvillevermont@hotmail.com our house is for sale, we will be • Purchase exams staying in the area and continuing business as • Educational programs

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By Irene Nagel

Did you know that Cabot’s growth in population and housing since 20 is one of the highest in Washington County? If this growth trend continues, how might it affect Cabot’s working farms and the vitality of local businesses in the downtown area? At the Planning Commission’s next public work session on Monday, March 7 , at 6:00 p.m. in the Willey Building, this question will be considered when discussing the Economic Development section of the Town Plan. Census 2010 data recently released by the Vermont State Data Center show that Cabot’s population grew by 18.1% from 20 to 2010, while county-wide population only grew by 2.6%, with some neighboring towns actually losing population. The growth in housing units in Cabot was even more pronounced, with 137 additional housing units added from 20 to 2010, representing growth of 21.6%. Comparatively, housing units throughout Washington County increased by 8.3%. Since most of the growth in housing in Cabot has been outside the village centers, this growth trend can impact the future availability of land for farming. The retention of working farms has been identified as a top concern by residents of Cabot, and

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Speed Psychosis

Published in the Archives of General Psychiatry February 7, 2011, this study suggests that among individuals diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, the age of onset of these disorders among marijuana users was significantly earlier than nonusers. Below is a link to a story on cnn.com and a link to the full text of the article. http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2 011/02/07/marijuana-use-may-speed-ps

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Bullying Linked to Depression

and Substance Use in Girls Although being a victim of bullying increases teen depression regardless of gender, a new study found it puts girls at additional risk for substance use, Science Daily reported. Bullying is a serious problem among adolescents. Previous research has shown that it is associated with loneliness, depression, and suicide. But no previous national studies have identified depression as an explanation for the relationship between victimization from bullying and substance use. If your daughter is a victim of bullying, take it seriously, do all possible to prevent recurrence, and attend to possible depression and substance use. The article was published in the December 2010 issue of the journal Prevention Science.

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Looks at Growth

the State has identified agriculture as a key area of focus for economic development and the creation of sustainable jobs. Community development and economic development go hand-in-hand. A vibrant local economy can provide us with the resources we need to pursue a more sustainable future for Cabot and a better quality of life for all residents. Recent community discussions sponsored by the Cabot Coalition have shown a strong interest by community members to form a working group or committee to plan strategies for community and economic development. In preparation for the March 7 work session on Economic Development, the Planning Commission sent a survey to over 30 local farms in an effort to gather data about current agricultural operations and to better understand how to plan for the longterm economic and physical sustainability of agriculture in Cabot. Preliminary results from this survey will also be discussed at the March 7 work session. Look for the preliminary draft of the Economic Development section at Town Meeting on March 1, or email cabotplanning@gmail.com the first week in March to request an electronic copy. Then, join the discussion at the work session on March 7 .

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Ben & Jerry's Winter Festival,

Waterbury, 11:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., free. Games, snow sculptures, music, ice cream, free tours! Local offerings for sale/ sample from Green Mountain Coffee, Cabot Cheese, American Flatbread, Cider House BBQ & Pub, King Arthur Flour and Lake Champlain Chocolates. Umiak Outfitters will offer guided snow shoe tours (fee), VINS Bird on Glove 2:30

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Crafty Saturdays @ Vermont His-

torical Society Museum , Montpelier, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., ages 6-12, free with admission to the museum: $12 families |$5 adults | $3 students and children 6 -17. Paul Sample unveiled his mural of Vermont history at the National Life Building on March 5, 1961. Draw your favorite thing about Vermont in a large mural that will be on display at the museum. Information: www.vermonthistory.org.

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History of the Irish in Vermont ,

Cabot Public Library, 6:30 p.m. Vincent E. Feeney, author of Finnigans, Slaters and Stonepeggers, tells the little-known story of the impact Irish immigrants had on Vermont life in the mid 19 th century. Come taste authentic Irish soda bread baked by Erica Burke. A Vermont Humanities Council event.

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Relay For Life NordicStyle , Trapp

Family Lodge, Stowe, Sat. 6:00 a.m. Sun 8:00 a.m. One day. One night. One community. Join the American Cancer Society’s 8th annual Relay For Life NordicStyle, the only winter cross-county ski and snowshoe relay in the world. Start a Relay team - or join a team, enjoy music, activities, and entertainment

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Family Concert by the Vermont

Philharmonic , Montpelier High School, 3:30 p.m., $15-adults, $12-seniors, $5students. Selections will include music by Beethoven, Saint-Saens, Rossini, Offenbach, and Vermont composer Dennis Bathory-Kitsz. Youth who have submitted an entry for the cover contest and/or bring a homemade instrument to the concert enter free, and a reduced rate of $10 is extended to their parents. Information and tickets: http:// www.vermontphilharmonic.org .

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Wednesday, 3/30

The Wizard of Oz @ Flynn Theater, Burlington, 7:00 p.m., $41-61. There truly is no place like home as they travel down the Yellow Brick Road and beyond with Dorothy, Toto, and their friends the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow. Information: or email box@flynncenter.org.

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Ongoing:

Bingo! Every Friday, Old Schoolhouse Common, Marshfield, 1:00 p.m. Come join us for friendly fierce competition and laughter. Seniors. Sponsored by Twin Valley

Cabot Playgroup , Every Wednesday 9:30 through 11:00 a.m., Cabot United Church basement, free, ages 0-4. Snacks provided, all are welcome. Information:

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hronicle

The dances are taught and are easily learned by young and old. The Danville Family Contra and Square Dance is held on the first Friday of the month through

samlyman@sover.net. Game Club at the Cabot Public Library, Wednesdays 3:00–4:00 p.m. Join us for a game, play one of ours or bring your own. Snack will be provided.

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Healthy Living Gentle Exercise Pro-

gram , every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Old Schoolhouse Common, Marshfield, 10:45 - 11:45 a.m., free. Come join us for a free exercise program that strengthens bones and builds balance, strength and endurance. All levels welcome. Wheelchair friendly. Sponsored by Twin Valley Seniors. Just Parents , Mondays 7:00 p.m., meet with parents and discuss concerns for drugs and kids, Parent Child Center, St.

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Qi Gong Breathing Classes , every

Wednesday, Old Schoolhouse Common, Marshfield, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., $5 per class. Come join our classes and learn the ancient secrets of breathing for life, energy, and stress reduction. Sponsored by Twin Valley Seniors. Scrabble Club , 1 st Saturday, St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, Noon-4:00 p.m., 7488291. Story Hour , Cabot Public Library, Tuesdays 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Join us for a book or two followed by a craft project. For the preschool-aged patron.

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NO CHARGE

Kevin Brooks is an amazing motivational speaker from Vancouver, Canada, who tells the story of his bad decisions as a teenager, resulting in a horrific car crash that left him paralyzed from the chest down. He tells his life-changing story to audiences of all ages and sizes across North America. It will make you laugh and cry! Kevin’s greatest attribute as a speaker is that people can relate to him. His story is told in a very honest and straightforward manner. He doesn’t hold back. Kevin tells it like it is, as only he can. Having beaten the odds and survived to tell his story, Kevin can talk the talk about no longer being able to walk the walk. But just because Kevin can no longer stand does not mean he cannot stand for something. Kevin’s story is more than just an example of the potential consequences of dangerous driving and destructive decisions…you will wiggle your toes, and you will remember Kevin’s story.

Vermont students and Kevin Brooks (center) at the SADD National Conference in Orlando.

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~ COLLECTION DAY ~

Help prevent misuse of medications and environmental pollution. Kinney Drugs is offering a free medicine collection day on Saturday, MARCH 26th. Simply bring your unwanted NON-CONTROLLED medicines to the pharmacy counter at any Kinney Drugs location and they will dispose of them in a safe, environmentally-friendly manner. What you can bring: NON-CONTROLLED prescription medications, over-thecounter medications, ointments, sprays, inhalers, creams, medication vials and pet medications. Do not bring : controlled medications (oxycontine, percocet and hydrocodone), illegal drugs, biohazardous materials, needles/sharps, personal care products (shampoo, soap, lotion, sunscreen, etc.), or household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil or gas).

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www.lockyourmeds.org

Clearing Cabot Commons roof. An over-five-foot snowdrift was shoveled off the west end of the Cabot Commons roof last month. Probably from the sweeping winds down Thistle Hill. It was good business last month for shoveling, plowing, clearing roofs and chiropractors. Thank you to Leonard Spencer, who challenged the dates concerning historical events in last month’s article about the post office bicentennial. 1866 was clarified to be the date of the incorporation of Cabot Village and not the Town of Cabot. Leonard also challenges the accuracy of the pony express and the issuance of the first stamp. Our source was the U.S. Postal Service website. Can anyone verify by a more reliable source for history? We all want to know. Thank you to Steven Watkins for the great job he does clearing and sanding the entry way to the Coalition/ Chronicle Office. We appreciate it! The new USDA Dietary Guidelines have dropped the weekly average number of alcoholic drinks suggestion and returned to a recommendation of a maximum of 2 drinks/day for men and 1 drink/day for women. This is a significant change that makes the guidelines consistent with current scientific evidence. Thanks to Tim Naimi of Boston University for spearheading this important change. http:// www.jointogether.org/blog/posts/2011/ federal-dietary-guidelines.html. Congratulations to Tara and Greg Rogerson on the arrival of their sweet baby girl, Mary Elizabeth ‘Molly’. She arrived February 13 th , which is Tara’s birthday. What a great gift! Mom and daughter share the same birth date, but the question remains… are they, indeed, under the same astrological sign? To add confusion to the validity of horoscopes, according to many reputable sources, like The Minnesota Planetarium Society, there is now a new astrological sign, “Ophiuchus” (November 29 th to December 17 th ). In addition, all the other astrological signs have new

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T ROM E

date designations, so before you consult your daily horoscope, you best be sure under what sign you fall. Could it be that your old sign is grandfathered to you, or does it change? After many years of service to the Cabot Selectboard, Larry Gochey will be stepping down from his duties. Bill Walters says it has been 15 years that Larry has served, but Bill Walters also says….”Just enjoy gossip, don’t believe it!”… In any case, thank you, Larry, for your many contributions to Cabot. Your legacy will live on. Whatever will you do with your Wednesday nights, now? We’ll bet Cherry has ideas. A second basketball contest between Cabot and Twinfield Alumni is in the works! The date is yet to be determined. Last year’s games were grea,t with a huge turnout! Skiing at the Beaver Brook Farm has been amazing! Beautiful trails and conditions – just the thing for making friends with winter. Thanks to Val Covell, who is cooking for many community functions behind the scenes. Your attention to every serving detail is so appreciated. Those that can – don’t forget to come out for the Annual School Meeting and Town Meeting. People in Egypt are putting their lives on the line to have such an opportunity. Frustrating though small-town politics can be, many people don’t have the luxury of participating. It seems like more people than ever are speeding on our roadways. Please take a minute to remember that kids, pets, and pedestrians of all ages are often out, and also have a right to use the road. It would be a shame if an effort at physical fitness resulted in bodily harm! We are grateful to the mail carriers who deliver our mail even in this crazy weather. It can’t be easy to get close to the mailboxes when the snow banks just get higher and fatter. Thank you. But you could forget the bills, if it would make your job any easier.

beth Rogerson, born on February 13, 2011 at 3:11am and weighing 5 lbs 15 oz. Her brothers, Elias and Ian Lewis, are thrilled to have someone new to love.

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Friday, March 4, 7 p.m.

Come taste five specially selected wines from Italy with descriptions from Niall about each one. This is a fundraising event for the library and space is limited, so please call ASAP to reserve your place. Tickets are $15.00 each and light fare will be served.

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March 15,

Vince Feeney, author of Finnigans, Slaters and Stonepeggers: the History of the Irish in Vermont, tells the little known story of the impact Irish immigrants had on Vermont life in the mid 19 th century. Come taste authentic Irish soda bread baked by Erica Burke. A Vermont Humanities Council event.

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By The Friends of Cabot Library Team

The Friends’ first event of 2011 – the 3rd Annual SOUPFEST – was just about in full swing at the time of this submission, and will have undoubtedly been a resounding success. So, “Thank You” to all the members and volunteers who helped prepare and dispatch the plethora of amazing homemade soups, muffins, and cookies that were enjoyed by our hungry customers! Now, on to the next event! (Stay tuned for details in an upcoming issue of the Cabot Chronicle .)

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Do You Suppose?

On a recent bookstore visit, I noticed a thin, wire-bound book on the Local Authors shelf, titled Do You Suppose?, by E. Jane Brown. I recognized Jane Brown to be from Cabot, which drew my interest, but what ultimately held my attention to this modest booklet were the drawings - sweet, colorful depictions of animals personified. pictures were reminiscent of Beatrix Potter. The early

Imagine a fashion-conscious frog who favors orange, a yellow duck that doesn’t like the rain or a violet hippo climbing trees for fun. Each page asks a question about the character, which, in turn, can spur on a host of other questions, guesses, suppositions. “Can a tree support a heavy hippo?” “How does a hippo get a grip to climb?” “Do hippos turn purple from eating too many violets?” This book is versatile. It can be read and talked about with the very young, much like a picture book, or it is suitable for early readers. It’s a wonderful exercise for the imagination.

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Pinkie

Jane Brown was born and grew up in Cabot on the family farm, and she attended Cabot School. Her book, Pinkie, the story of a young girl and the runt pig that she raises, is the main theme in this book that includes realistic youthful experience. What is especially appealing is the setting – some mix between Cabot and Plainfield culture, in a time when many Vermont

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Thank You!

Many thanks, again, to the Friends of the Library for purchasing a new Kodak digital camera, so we can now have pictures of our programs and events at the library. Also, thanks so much to the many volunteers who have helped this past month with shelving, labeling, and helping with our giving letter: Karen Alexander, Kathleen Higbee, Vicki Palmer, Marge Trautz, Beth Wade and Janet Whitlock.

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Community Outreach

If you or someone you know has difficulties getting to the library and would like to receive home deliveries of library materials, please let us know. would be happy to arrange for We home library services to any patrons in the Cabot area. You can call us at 5632721 or email us at cabotlibrary@yahoo.com.

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L IBRARY N EWS

And, don’t forget to take advantage of our recent donations to the library this winter by stopping by Wednesday afternoons to check out a movie. Great selections have recently been added – plus, that’s when you’ll get a bag of fresh-popped popcorn to go with it! A great FREE service happening all winter to help keep a little money in your pocket! Hoyne Thanks go out to Kathleen for making this possible for everyone – you sure do pop up a mean batch of popcorn! Spring is in the air … can you feel it?

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By E. Jane Brown

children were raised on farms with animals. Susan, the main character, is allowed to take the sickly pig runt into the house to nurse and care for. The book is about Susan raising her pig on the farm, in Vermont weather with all its effect, with native wild animal encounters and with the imagination of a young girl who believes that a neighbor living alone on the mountain is wild and dangerous. The story then reveals the mountain neighbor to be of nativeAmerican descent, with curious words and a wisdom about the wild that enchants Susan. This book , Pinkie, is a valuable piece of local historical fiction that all Cabot kids should read, to become more aware of the history of their place and also to support a fine local author and artist in her quest to promote Vermont history.

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By Amy Hornblas

Willa Burke, a junior at Cabot School, was invited to speak at the Farm to School Statehouse Celebration on January 20. She addressed the packed room and shared the many reasons she feels passionate about farm to school programs. Willa has been an active member of the Farm to School team since its beginning, and has shared her enthusiasm for animals and food with the community in many ways. Cabot School also had a display at the Statehouse event, which the school pleted together through the tation grant. makers, including Beattie Toll Cabot’s own principal), Hewitt, and school teachers); bers Judy Kokodyniak.

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Home of the Huskies

2010-2011 2nd Quarter Cabot School is very proud of the students who earn high grades and are on the Honor Roll. The Honor Roll is published after each marking period and announced in the The Cabot Chronicle, The Times Argus, The Caledonia Record, The Hardwick Gazette and The World . Academics are very important in Cabot School, and we encourage all students to strive to gain high grades. Honor Roll requirements are: High Honors—No grade below 90 First Honors—No grade below 85 Second Honors—No grade below 80

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R OLL

RaShawnna Downing, Rebecca Rossell, Christopher Schumacher Timothy Mueller-Harder Donavan Bigelow, Kyle Celley, Gage Sironi, Emma Stecker, Lyrica Stelle Tiger Bastress, Clementine O’Connor

Samuel Mattson, Shelby Maurice, Tyler Placey-Noyes, Charlotte Robison Willa Burke Darren Celley, Joshua Hough, Sebastian King Ashley Maurice, Nell McQueeney John Miner, John Nally Zachary Coolbeth, Eli Hale, Galadriel Morse, William Nally, Alexandria Simmons, Jasmine Tetreault, Joshua Therrien

the crowd arrives. promote your before Tax Day.

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By Stacey Sharp

An exciting change is taking place at Twin Valley Senior Center. With the support of taxpayers, community members, businesses and fundraising, we are adding a room at the Old School House Common in Marshfield. will allow us to move our This overlycrowded dining area down the hallway and have a more comfortable seating arrangement for dining, card playing, storage, puzzle table, bookcase to hold the many picture albums of the senior center in past years, video and movie shows, and overall host more entertainment in a more comfortable environment. No more eating all scrunched together! If you have any of the following items and would like to donate them to the center, please give us a call at 426

manual middle- or large-size foldable wheel chair, a solid wooden rocking

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By Libby Hale

Basketball is winding down, with only a few exciting games left for the 5-6 teams. See the calendar for dates and come to cheer the kids on! Teams were competitive and everyone had a good time, learned more about basketball and gained skills. We had 55 participants from preschool to sixth grade! Thanks to all who volunteered time, knowledge and skills to keep the season going; coaches and referees, schedulers, timekeepers, (timekeepers trainers), bookkeepers and school folks so critical for the juggling and communications. Varsity boys helped with the pre-2 program and refereeing, special thanks to high school senior Sam Mattson, who refereed almost every home game! Looking forward to

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Little

League, we hope to broaden the circle of involvement. If you have knowledge, experience or a desire to help, please let us know! We need coaches and assistants, bookkeepers and umpires, help with field maintenance, concessions, dug-out crowd control, and communications…. There is always room for help!! Please watch for sign-ups and register early (at sign-ups) before the season begins, so we can create the proper size and number of teams. Kids have more fun and are more invested and involved when they play rather than sit on the bench with 20 others. Spring Soccer sign-ups will be March 15 & 24 at Cabot School gym 6:30–8:00 p.m. Separate boys and girls teams will be formed. The season will run May – June. Practice will begin weekdays in April (depending on field conditions), with games on weekends. The fee is $20 plus approximately $14 for unichair, a floor lamp and a small bookcase. Once we have made the actual move, which we hope will happen in April, we’ll be hosting a grand open house so that the communities who have supported us so generously can see how our Center is growing and offer suggestions on other ways we can meet the needs of our seniors, both homebound and those who come to our Center. March is national Meals on Wheels month, and Twin Valley Senior Center is focusing on nutrition and eating well. We have invited local officials in our towns to join our Meals on Wheels drivers on March 23 to deliver meals to our disabled and homebound seniors, or to join us at our Center in Marshfield to see Meals on Wheels in action and join us for a delicious and nutritional lunch. TVSC, with the help of meal planning by Kass Phillips and our wonderful new cook, Waneta Mayhew, is focusing on preparing hearty meals in a nutritious way. We offer both old favorites and some new dishes. Waneta’s use of herbs and spices is teaching us how to eat with less salt. We hope you’ll encourage your town officials to join us on March 23 to see how your tax dollars are being spent to bring needed services to our seniors in the community. We also look forward to meeting with our officials that day and collaborating with them to make our small center even better by bringing in services that will enable seniors to remain independent in their own homes.

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Update

forms, checks payable to Cabot Recreation Department. Number of teams will depend on how many players sign up. Player passes are required; therefore, an electronic picture is needed before your son/ daughter can play. Questions, comments, concerns, contact Donna

citing opportunity for players to increase their soccer skills and be better prepared for fall soccer season. Interested in coaching or becoming a board member? Come to any Recreation Department meeting, held the second Tuesday of each month, or talk to us at sign-ups. Many thanks to all the families and community members who keep these programs running; they are very important for the kids!!

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By Jeremy Hoyne

Lynn and Martha Rockwell run Cabot Long Field Farm. Lynn and Martha have been milking since 1996, when they started with three goats. The goats were named August, Michaela, and Dakota. Lynn and Martha now have 43 milkers, 5 bucks, and 10 baby goats. The oldest goat, Velveteen, a milker, is 12 years old. The goat farm just bred their goats and they're expecting their earliest baby on June 2, 2011. Lynn and Martha are selling their milk to Vermont Butter and Cheese Creamery. They produce 46,656 pounds of their milk to the creamery. These goats don’t just milk all year; they retire when they get pregnant. Goats eat two things: grass grain and hay. The goats together eat 1,800 bales of hay. Lynn and Martha make their own hay. Only the milkers get grain; the milkers all together eat 3 tons

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By Steven Judge

The future of dairy farming in Vermont WILL NOT be 25 or 30 large farms in Addison, Franklin and Orleans counties trying to compete with farms in the mid west and west milking 5,000 or 10,000 cows, as some dairy industry insiders would lead you to believe. The commercial dairy industry is rapidly consolidating and commercial dairy farms are becoming ever and ever larger. I recently spoke with a dairy farmer from the Snake River Valley in Idaho. He told me that within a five mile radius of his farm there are 400,000 dairy cows and one of the neighboring dairy farms milks 70,000 cows in SEVEN 10,000-cow barns. That farm produces well over one billion pounds (116,000,000 gallons) of milk per year. The United States needs less than 150 farms that size to produce all the cheap milk to meet consumer demand. The average dairy farm in Vermont milks 100 cows. How can we possibly compete with 70,000-cow farms! Forget about how and ask yourselves why? So Vermont dairy farmers can keep producing lots of cheap milk for suburban and urban markets and selling it for wholesale prices that don't even cover their operating costs? So the milk can continue to be trucked out of Vermont, helping to fuel the endless bickering between the commercial dairy industry and those who desire to sell milk direct from farms in local communities? The natural future of the dairy industry in Vermont is the cultivation of local micro-dairies and farmstead dairies that today can have the option to produce raw milk or on-the-farm pasteurized milk, due to innovative technologies being developed right here in Vermont. Let Vermonters lead the way with small local dairies producing milk for their friends and neighbors, as we have done with

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Farm Wins it

of grain every month. Long Field Farm received the award downstairs in the Barre Auditorium. The Farm Show was upstairs. On January 27, 2011 Lynn and Martha were presented with the 1 st Runner Up (2 nd place) for All Around Goat Milk Quality. Right before the award ceremony everyone had lunch. The Vermont Dairy Association decided that Long Field Farm should get this award because of 5 reasons: #1 Standard Plate Count (SPC); to get a good score, your herd needs to be healthy, good milk management, and milk equipment sanitation. #2: Preliminary Incubation Count (PIC), the PIC tests for bacteria that grow in the holding tank at cold temps. #3: Lab Pasteurized Count (LPC); this tests the farms hygiene procedure. #4: The Somatic Cell Count (SCC); this tests the health of the goat's udder. The SCC is associated with the inflammation of the goat’s ud-

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NOT Bleak!

our inspirational localvore food movement, as well as our nationally recognized sustainable living, buy local, and smart growth commitments. Micro dairy farms work because they can limit production to match demand, eliminating overproduction and waste through a reverse economies-of-scale milk production model. Four grazing hillside Vermont dairy cows can supply up to 60 families with farm fresh milk. farms In addition, micro-dairy require very little time to operate and do not dominate a farmer’s life, allowing for diversification of farmstead income options – a perfect mix in the strong and steady localvore movement here in Vermont. Today, keeping and milking four cows is no more difficult than having a couple of horses or a few sheep. And a carefully managed small herd dairy can actually be profitable! What a wonderful opportunity we have to embrace a bright future for Vermont dairy farms. Let's do it – let’s bring those cows back home – happy and serving our own local Vermont towns, not just smiling in artwork. Let the future of the dairy industry in Vermont be 1,000 micro -dairy farms or "small herd dairies" producing farm fresh milk for their local communities located throughout the state. These farmstead dairies will be milking two, four or maybe six cows on a part-time basis and providing the farmers who operate them with a solid supplemental income that, along with the milk they produce, will stay safely in Vermont. Our cows will once again graze the fields and hillsides of Vermont and our fabled working landscape will once again truly be a working one. Steven Judge is the founder and owner of Bob-White Systems – the John Deere of the farmstead dairy industry located in South Royalton, V e r m o n t , a n d a t www.bobwhitesystems.com.

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Again

der. When the udder gets inflamed, a large number of these cells come off in the milk. If this occurs there is some kind of abnormal activity. #5: the last thing they grade on is flavor. Good quality milk should be pleasantly sweet with no distinct aftertaste. Milk is scored on a 1-10 scoring system counting all the defects. I wrote this article because on Wednesday nights I help out at the goat farm. I bring the goats into the holding pen (that holds the goats till they are ready to be milked). I bring two bales of hay and put them in the hay racks so the goats can eat. Then when the milkers are done milking I take them back into their living pen. I really love working at the goat farm; it's fun and it's with nice people.

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Complete Barral Institute’s Training

cifically directed pressures encourage normal mobility and tone of the nervous system and surrounding connective tissue. Releasing local nerve restrictions often resolves more comprehensive dysfunctional patterns throughout the body, such as carpal tunnel, tinnitus, asthma, and chronic ear and sinus infections. Dr. Johnstone founded Hardwick Chiropractic 19 years ago. Presently, the practice serves patients mostly from central and northern Vermont and northern New Hampshire. All three doctors at Hardwick Chiropractic use a gentle, low velocity approach called BioGeometric Integration. According to Dr. Johnstone, “This work fits beautifully with what we do at our office, and it allows us to offer By Gwyn Harris new techniques to help people recover from head trauma and whipHardwick, VT – Doctors Grace lash type injuries”. Visit Johnstone, Rick Eschholz, and Teri www.hardwickchiropractic.com or Dodge recently participated in a three day seminar, Neuromeningeal Manipulation; an Integrated Approach to Trauma. The Neural Manipulation curriculum was developed by French Osteopaths Jean -Pierre Barral and Alain Crobier, and was presented by the Barral Institute, a health resource center that presents continuing education courses to healthcare professionals worldwide. Neural Manipulation is a manual therapy in which gentle, spe-

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By Kitty Toll

February was a busy and productive month in the House Appropriations Committee. Testimony on the Governor’s proposed budget for fiscal year (FY) 2012 was completed at the end of the month. Three public hearings were held, one through Vermont Interactive Television, enabling Vermonters the opportunity to voice concerns directly to the committee. By mid-March, after careful consideration, the Appropriations Committee will present a revised budget to the Legislature. This year, the gap is now projected to be $176 million. The most difficult and controversial cuts are those to services provided by the Agency of Human Services. No new federal stimulus funds (ARRA) are available for FY2012. Tough budgets were balanced in FY 2009, 2010, and 2011 through the use of ARRA funds, cuts to departments and programs, the elimination of 660 state employees and one-time funding from other sources. To balance this year’s budget, difficult decisions will have to be made even though financial analysts feel we have begun a slow economic recovery. It is encouraging that Vermont’s unemployment rate is the 2 nd lowest in New England and the 5 th lowest in the country. The 2012 Transportation Budget is decreased 7 percent over last year. The budget focuses on the maintenance of bridges and highways. Highlights include $77.1 million for paving projects, which include over 100 miles of interstate and 135 miles of state highway. The roadway budget includes construction of the first three segments of the US 2 Cabot-Danville corridor and recon-

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Update

struction of US 2 in the village of Danville. The budget also funds major construction on more than 65 bridges and culverts as well as preventive maintenance. Town highway programs have received a $2.2 million decrease from FY2011. This decrease is largely due to the loss of ARRA funds. However, funding for the Town Highway Structures and Town Highway Class 2 grant programs were level funded this year. On Friday, February 18, Dr. Hsiao, commissioned to develop options for a new health care system for Vermont, presented his final report on Health Care Reform to the Legislature. A total of 170 Vermonters shared their comments with Dr. Hsiao on the draft proposal prior to the presentation of the final report. With the current system, it is estimated that the state will spend $5.9 billion on health care in FY2012 and costs are expected to climb an additional $1.6 billion by FY2015. The present costs of health care are not sustainable and must be addressed. The report can be reviewed at www.leg.state.vt.us/ jfo/healthcaredesign.aspx . Committee discussions and House and Senate deliberations are always open to the public. I look forward to hearing from you and encourage all to visit the Legislature this session. To get more information on the Vermont Legislature and the bills which have been proposed and passed visit the legislative website: www.leg.state.vt.us . Please contact me at: State House: Home: Email: Mail: ktoll@leg.state.vt.us

Danville, VT 05828

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By Jane Youngbaer

Destination ImagiNation is a worldwide non-profit organization for creative problem-solving. For the tenth consecutive year, Cabot School is sending teams to the annual Vermont Destination Imagination Tournament in Burlington, this year on Saturday, March 26. Three Cabot teams have been working for several months to develop unique solutions to creative challenges. Team members must create every aspect of their challenge, without “interference” from adults or other non-team members. Volunteer team managers are facilitators who guide and supervise the teams, but cannot give them ideas or work on their projects. At the tournament, each team presents an eight-minute performance that demonstrates their challenge solution. In “Triple Take Road Show” Cabot’s middle level team will travel (theatrically) to three pretend audiences, telling the same story in three different ways. The elementary team is tackling the challenge “Verses! Foiled Again!” They must build a very strong and light structure using only wood, foil, and glue, as part of a skit that includes poetry and a character that is foiled. A large percentage of their score will come from the amount of weight held by their structure. Rising Stars is a non-competitive level for kids who are about 5-8 years old. Their Challenge is “Big Bug’s Bad Day,” in which a variety of team-created characters help Big Bug with a problem, also chosen by the team. Rising Stars receive

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March 2011 ~ page 11

2011 State Destination ImagiNation Pin. Designed by Cabot resident, Todd Jones. special recognition at the Opening Ceremony. Each team will do a short, secret Instant Challenge that they have never seen before. Teamwork and skill in the Instant Challenge are figured into each team’s total score. In addition to points, all of the Appraisers who evaluate challenges give teams written comments about what they did well. The tournament includes opportunities for art, building activities, watching challenge performances, and festivities with teams from all over Vermont. Trophies are given for exceptional creativity and teamwork, as well as for the highest scores. First place teams are eligible to go to Global Finals at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville this May. The Vermont Destination ImagiNation Tournament is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Jane Youngbaer at Cabot School 5632289. Also visit the websites: www.idodi.org and www.vtdi.org

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Your News.

thoughts and opinions of its readers. bad. Let us hear what you have to say. with Cabot is a top priority. If you like help you or your organizations get your

its people, events and scenery. and obituaries are welcomed

ad into the Chronicle. The Cabot selling local. are subject to editing and must be 245, Cabot, VT 05647.

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← From the Cabot Chronicle