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The Cabot Chronicle

December 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 December 2011 pages (PDF)

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

In This Issue

By Will Ameden

This last week of remarkable weather allowed me to finish up one of my Natural Resource Conservation Service projects. NRCS provides cost sharing incentives to farmers to help sustain agricultural productivity and environmental quality, reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and increase wildlife habitat. One of the programs, that touches on many of these areas is livestock grazing. We (NRCS and I) finished developing and writing a grazing plan for Under Orion Farm early this spring. As part of that plan, I wanted to install a water line down to a lower pasture for year 'round livestock watering. It could also provide water to the Dancing Carrot Greenhouses. This project would require us to dig a four foot deep ditch, 400' long, laying down 1" black water pipe (the heavy 160 psi stuff) with two frost free hydrants and a shut-off valve. I was fortunate, my friend Luke owed me some machinery time. He showed up with a big backhoe and started digging. We hit a few snags. We found the existing waterline by digging through it (glad I had turned the water off first). This line comes from a spring about a half a mile away, up on a hill in my woods. We also "found" the buried phone line (repaired it) and the power line (missed it) to the barn. I had some good help with this job. We laid pipe down the entire length of the ditch, but finding the old pipe reminded us we needed a shutoff system for this new line. Luke had a good idea for a homemade shut off; we added a gated water valve inline then a PVC pipe up to the surface and asked Aaron to hammer out a tool on his forge to use in shutting off the valve. We also needed someone to help with the shoveling since my bad shoulder left us one shoveler down. Shane stepped in to help with that work.

DEADLINE: 15th of the month prior Publisher: Cabot Coalition

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Indian Summer

Luke starts digging Aaron has been working for me a couple of days a week while I recover from surgery. He is off to a "Wilderness First Responder" course in NH this month. During the winter he will be traveling around Europe apprenticing with master blacksmiths. Shane (of Dancing Carrot Farm) is always my friend in need. We had a good opportunity to work in weather like summer and the manpower to take advantage of it. Thanks to all of you! We also put down (expensive $20.00/ sheet) 3" 2x4" panels of blue board insulation over the pipe under the driveway to help prevent freezing. It worked! No leaks! The ditch was backfilled and seeded and is all set to fill watering tanks and easy irrigation for the greenhouses. I have applied for more NRCS programs for next year, including a water runoff plan for the barn, continuation of the grazing plan (more fencing and water tubs), wild apple tree release and pruning, and invasive plant eradication. Fingers crossed that they come through!

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Cabot Town

(Continued from page 1) Someone famous once said, “A vision without a plan is a dream.” The proposed Cabot Town Plan is an attempt to identify concrete strategies that the town can implement that will lead us closer to that vision in a world that is changing in many respects. Of course we cannot anticipate all of these changes that will occur, but we can be better prepared with a plan that makes Cabot a more self-reliant and sustainable community in regard to our human needs, while remaining a desirable place to live. A few highlights of the recommended strategies in the plan include: • Adopting “smart growth” policies in zoning regulations that will allow us to maintain a strong village center community that reinforce traditional settlement patterns, while maintaining open space for agricultural purposes and rural character. Several zoning techniques are suggested related to reducing minimum lot size and focusing more on desirable densities for certain areas of town. In effect, these techniques can help to avoid what has been called suburban sprawl. • Realizing that future subdivision of land will have the largest impact on the future character of the town, create subdivision regulations that allow for development of land that encourages clustering of houses and other struc-

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Contents of the Proposed Town Plan:

I. II. I. IV. V. VI. VII. Introduction Natural Heritage Historic Resources Housing and Population Land Use Energy Economic Development VI. Transportation IX. Community Facilities, Utilities Appendices: Community Input, Maps, The proposed Town Plan is available for Clerk’s Office and the Cabot Public Library Gary Gulka Cabot Planning Commission

is distributed the first is provided locally free of charge. ~ Mission Statement ~ is to regularly publish local news that will help readers become better

~ Copyright 2011 by The

without express written permission from Cabot of advertising is contingent upon publisher’s loss or expense on claims based upon contents beyond the cost of space occupied by individual

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Plan

tures while leaving open space and protecting prime agricultural lands. • Support a non-profit community and economic development organization in town that will promote local businesses and employment as well as our agricultural base, and help to keep our dollars in the local economy. • Promote enhancements to the village center to make it a more livable and thriving community for residents and businesses alike, including pedestrian access, parking, and traffic safety. • Protect our natural resources, such as our water supply, wildlife migration corridors, river and stream corridors, and prime agricultural soils through voluntary and regulatory means. It should be pointed out that recommendations regarding changes to zoning regulations are just that – recommendations – until such time as zoning regulations are proposed through a public process and final adoption by the Selectboard. We encourage Cabot residents to attend our public hearing on December 15 to learn more and to view or pick up a copy of the proposed Town Plan at the Town Clerk’s office or library. After Planning Commission hearings on the proposed Town Plan, the Plan then goes to the Selectboard for their consideration and public hearing. A final decision on plan adoption rests with the Selectboard.

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By Julia Shipley

In the sparsely-populated Kingdom, coming upon the newly expanded Jay Peak resort is a bit like happening upon Las Vegas in the desert of Nevada; you sort of feel like, “Oh my goodness, how did this city get here?” Though I’ve included some telephone numbers and emails, more information about everything mentioned in this article can be found at http://www.raisedjay.com/ or www.jaypeakresort.com and at 1-800-

When I visited on a late autumn day, post foliage, pre-snow weekday, I found the place swarming with construction vehicles, hard-hatted workers, rearing cranes and lifts and a few job site trailers. The new condos, cottages, hotel, restaurants, and oh! The Water Park! were all nearing stages of completion. (*As your reporter, I must disclaim: a lot of what I am about to suggest You do, I was not able to do myself, as some of these possibilities would not

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OWNS

a sense of other places be available until after this newspaper’s deadline. So, think of this as an intended plan of action, someday….) 4:00 p.m. Friday: snowshoes or lace up Strap on your your hiking boots (depending on the season). You can be out of the chaotic parking lot and into calming woods in moments. I selected a trail that lead to the field where weddings are held, including a lovely pond (which also serves as the snow making reservoir) with the mountain behind it. 5:00 p.m.: Tuck into an order of chicken wings at the Tower Bar (802-

5:30 p.m.: Shoot for the moon at “Stick and Puck” ice time at the Ice Haus Arena. I grew up skating in stinky, smelly, ugly arenas. This is not that: it’s a clean, fragrant, well and warmly lit National Hockey Leaguesized rink. Rates are $6 for adults, $4 for kids; they also rent skates, sticks, and helmets. To learn more, you can a l s o g o t o : h t t p : / / www.jaypeakresort.com/#/ice_haus_ arena/rates/public_skating_rates/ 7;00 p.m.: Glide into fine but casual dining at Alice’s Table, which is everything you might want in a restaurant: beautiful interior (check out the giant fork and spoon sculptures), locally-hewn wood tables, handsome glasses and a menu that showcases food’s inherent goodness with just the right amount of tweak (Ahi Tuna on bed of noodles with vegetables $22; Filet Mignon with

9:00 p.m.: Make a tricky decision about where to lay your head. One of Jay Resort’s reservations specialists calmly explained that they have suites, condos, Golf and Mountain cottages, and ski houses, as well as 57 rooms in the Tram Hause Lodge and 173 rooms in the new Hotel Jay, opening this February. The least expensive are the Lodge’s Studios and Hotel’s King lockoff rooms. But the rates all depend on when you want to come. And, the resort offers three kinds of package deals: “Ski and Stay,” “Splash and Stay,” and “Ski, Splash and Stay Passes.” To sort

Saturday 8:00 a.m.: Ski Time (disclaimer: I don’t downhill ski. If I were me, not you, I’d go back into the woods and enjoy the level(ish) terrain. But for all you adrenalin junkies—this is why mountain resorts exist. In fact, I’m sure you already know which Stateside Black Diamond trail you’d run first...( ugh, I shudder).) A one-day lift ticket runs about $55**-75. Find what you need at: www.jaypeakresort.com/ reload (**Vermonter discount). 12:30 p.m.: Ok, you have to eat some lunch, so why don’t you try the Clubhouse Grille this time? Open year round for lunch and dinner, this restaurant is housed in the edifice that serves as the Nordic Ski Center in the winter, the Golf Center in summer (802-9882770). 1:30 p.m.: Wander into the Real Estate Office (located on the second floor of the Tram Hause Lodge)…to see the plans for the resort for 2016 and beyond! 2:00 p.m.: Are you diggin’ this place? Are ya? Did you notice all the Local Touches? (Um, it’s actually written on the wall by the Tower Bar —how this

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December 2011 ~ page 3

Map by Julia Shipley

family in Enosberg did all the cable hanging, and this guy in Montgomery made all the tables out of barn boards, and how the blankets come from the Johnson Woolen Mills, and the paintings were made by one of the ski instructors, and the signature beer is made by Long Trail, right? Pretty cool, huh? I don’t want to dis any other ski place, but how many other resorts showcase as much local stuff in as many ways? Well, here’s one more: The Taiga Spa. All the soaps and many of the treatment scrubs and creams are made at Mountain Country Soaps in Newport Center. And, uh, this is maybe verging on too much information, but they also have special waxing treatments here, so that, uh, folks can look like people in People magazine when they don their swimsuits…. How about a 50 minute Taiga Pedicure for the tootsies: $45 Feeling Flush? Then maybe the Back Country Betty: 50 Minute Swedish Massage, 50 minute Taiga Facial, 50 minute Taiga Pedicure, complimentary mini-manicure: $199.00 3:00 p.m.: Simmer in the Taiga Sauna (spa@jaypeakresort.com , 802-

6:00 p.m.: Eat at Hotel Jay’s new Mountain Dick’s Pizzeria featuring a wood fired oven (sorry, I can only fantasize here—they’ll be open sometime later this winter). 9:00 p.m.: Rock out to live music at the Tower Bar. Sunday 7:00 a.m.: Slug back a cup of coffee and munch on a muffin from the

7:30 a.m.: Have fun in water two ways: this may be the only place east of California where you can wake up, put on your skis, swash-buckle down the mountain, then shimmy out of your snowpants and…surf?! 10:00 a.m.: The Pump House is an indoor four-season water park, with water experiences to accommodate every kind of aqua-vore (I just made up that word). For the thrill seekers, there’s the AquaLoop, a waterlubricated free-fall chute; for toddlers, there’s the wading pool; and for folks who wish the Atlantic’s breakers were a little closer to Vermont, The Flowrider, which generates a wave substantial enough to coast on a boogie board or mount with a surf board. And, unlike the temps in the Atlantic waters, you can experience all these activities at a temperature just twelve degrees shy of your own tropical body. A day pass (open 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) costs $35 adult and $25 child (subject to change).

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To The Editor

A recent article in the Gazette brought up an issue regarding Danville Hill and road improvements the Welters would like to see take place to accommodate truck deliveries to their new business location there. I was very pleased to see the Selectboard’s response (and pushback on paving), as I feel this was an issue that should have been considered in their due diligence prior to acquiring said property. Any business person wishing to do business in a rural area should do this type of inquiry prior to the purchase of land or buildings and not expect the residents or town to support changes to accommodate them or their agenda. Dirt and gravel road conditions are a fact of life and a main character in rural towns, which is why most who choose to live in the country enjoy them as they are (for the most part). Since I am one of the residents who live atop that hill and have had the misfortune of dealing with the trucks parked in the middle of the road, I see a disaster in the making over the long term, and press the town to have them personally resolve some of this issue of their own making. I do not know the Welters, who may very well be wonder-

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Averil S. Dunham

Averil Shirley Dunham, 58, of East Calais, died Sunday, October 30, 2011, at her home in East Calais. She was born May 25, 1953, in Barre, the daughter of Roy C. and Shirley (Johnson) Luce. She graduated from Twinfield Union School in 1971. She later graduated from Thompson School of Nursing in Brattleboro. She trained at Central Vermont Hospital in Berlin. On July 3, 1971, she married Gerald Lawrence Dunham in East Calais. She worked at the Rowan Court Nursing Home in Barre, Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice and Berlin Family Practice, until her early retirement due to failing health. Survivors include her mother, her husband and a son, Gary Dunham, all of East Calais; five grandchildren; four brothers, Andrew Luce of Cabot, Richard Luce, Timothy Luce and Peter Luce, all of East Calais; a foster brother, Dennis Sicely, of Plainfield; a foster sister, Debra Sicely, of Montpelier; aunts, uncles and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by a son, David Dunham, her father and a brother, Michael Luce.

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OMMENTARY

ful people, but I truly wish they had considered another more suitable location in Cabot for their expansion – one with better access and a road with fewer issues than Danville Hill. Unfortunately, this situation speaks an all too familiar theme, considering the current Lowell Mountain Project issue (and Keystone Pipeline discussions), and smacks of the overall general attitude of businesses aligned with Corporate America – why consider or respect local environment when you can simply take what you want and effect change with your money? The correct thing for the Welters to have considered in their expansion would have been to factor in a larger driveway & parking lot area to accommodate the trucks. If it has been factored in for the future, then maybe doing it sooner (rather than later) would be a wise decision.

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EMORIALS

Visiting hours were held Wednesday, November 2, at the Northern Vermont Funeral Home, 60 Elm Street in Hardwick, and a funeral service on November 3, at the East Calais Community Church. Burial followed at the Fairview Cemetery in East Calais. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Lamoille Area Cancer Net-

05657.

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By Representative Kitty Toll

The House Appropriations Committee will begin its work in December, prior to the reconvening of the Legislative session on January 3, 2012. The committee will start the budget adjustment process for the current fiscal year (FY) ending June 30, 2012. Vermont has a lasting tradition of passing a balanced budget, even though it is the only state without a constitutional requirement to do so. The Governor will be presenting his proposed 2013 budget in an address to the Legislature on January 12, 2012. Budget challenges include a reduction in the Federal funding match for Vermont health care programs. Vermont’s per capita income has improved relative to other states, resulting in a reduction in Federal funding to our state. Vermont’s fuel assistance program is totally funded by the Federal LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) block grant. This grant has been significantly decreased, therefore reducing the amount of assistance available to eligible families and seniors.

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Tropical Storm

Vermont’s General Fund revenues are coming in a bit above projections for FY 2012. Other good news is the cost to repair Vermont’s highway infrastructure from Hurricane Irene was significantly below initial estimates, and Congress has passed legislation to provide substantial monies to aid in funding these repairs. Without this Federal action, the economic impact to Vermont would be enormous. Also, in the same bill, a provision was included to restore the higher weight limits for trucks on Vermont’s Interstate highway systems. I would like to congratulate Megan Walker of Cabot for being selected as a Legislative Page. She will begin her duties on January 3. I look forward to seeing her in the State House. As always, it is a pleasure to serve as your Representative in Montpelier. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or issues you might have.

State

Email: ktoll@leg.state.vt.us; kittytoll@live.com Mail: Danville, VT 05828

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Community Goals?

The UDAG Committee hosted Cabot Worx, the community development group, at its regular meeting November 17, to receive input about how the UDAG Plan could better support community goals. Public input is requested as the UDAG Committee collects ideas. The local community development initiative, static financial growth of the fund, recent natural disasters and community input to date indicate some changes to the plan are required. The Committee’s recommendations for change will be presented to voters at Town Meeting in March. The public is encouraged to attend the December meeting to talk with committee members and express views on Thursday, December 15, at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectboard Meeting Room in the Willey Building. Please mark your calendar or share your thoughts with a UDAG Committee member:

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By Andrea Gilbert, D.V.M.

Don’t be caught unprepared! Another adverse weather event could happen at any time. Incorporate the following suggestions in your emergency preparedness plan. The Vermont Veterinary Medical Association web site (www.vtvets.org) also has planning information and suggestions. Make sure your pet wears identification. A tag with your current information and an emergency contact number is a minimum. A worn off rabies tag from three years ago is not ideal. You can order tags online at a number of places. I have used www.luckypet.com.

crochip implanted under their skin is even more secure. This can be done by your veterinarian and many shelters do it automatically on every pet. You have to keep your current address and phone number on file with the microchip company. Affix a pet evacuation sticker on the front door or on the front of your refrigerator. You can order a free sticker at www.aspca.org. Many pet stores carry them also. Make sure to list an emergency contact number in case animals are evacuated with your knowledge. If you evacuate and take your pets, indicate that on the front door. Leave an extra set of house keys with someone you know well and who knows your animals. Familiarize them with your emergency supplies and wishes in an event of a disaster.

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Strikes

Identify several possible locations where you can take your pet(s) in case you need to evacuate your home. Have the number of your local veterinarian readily accessible. Talk to them about their emergency plans and see how it fits into yours. Full disclosure: we are working on ours! Keep your pet’s medical records easily accessible. Current vaccine status, chronic health conditions, etc. Take these records with you and your pet if you have to evacuate. Keep a back up supply of medication on hand. If disaster strikes, your veterinarian might not be able to receive supplies for an extended period of time or you might not be able to get to your veterinarian. Ideally, keep a bag ready to go: Records in a waterproof plastic bag along with a week’s supply of medication in a labeled vial, ready to grab and run. No digging around in the attic! Have a couple pictures of your pet in the bag, also. And have the following supplies on hand at all times: A 2 week supply of pet food, water, cat litter and plastic bags for disposal. Have the water in dated gallon jugs. Refresh the stock as needed. I think a good habit is to always have 2 bags of food on hand and when you open the second one, buy another one. Also, have a good first aid kit and manual, a crate for each pet and a leash for each dog. All ready to go on short notice. And it is always safer to take your pets with you, if you are able.

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By Heath Hanson and Ellis Jacobson

of the TLC After-School Program I recently competed in a national martial arts tournament in Long Island, New York. I am 14 years old and have been studying Taw Kwon Do for almost a year, although I have been interested in Martial Arts since I was about 5 years old. I used to think it would be cool just to be able to kick butt. I now realize that it involves much more. Selfdiscipline, physical coordination, and respect for others are all important aspects of Tae Kwon Do. Tae kwon Do means “foot hand way of life” in Korean. I have been learning it at the Pyramid Black Belt Academy in Hardwick, Vermont. I heard of the tournament when it was announced in class and my master (instructor) encouraged me to compete. The tournament included many forms of martial arts, such as Ju-Jit-Su, Kempo and Judo. I was the only beginner in my age group, so I had to compete in the intermediate division. Once I was jumped up to intermediate, I had to wait for an hour to compete in the forms category. While waiting, I practiced the yellow belt form, “Dan Gun,” in the hall outside the gym. My nerves caused me to sweat profusely and all of my practicing only made it worse. called However, the moment I was to my ring, I found myself calm and focused. I felt like I was in the “zone”, despite it being my first tournament and first time being judged. walked in and bowed to the judges. I approached them and bowed again. I assumed my parallel ready stance and bowed. It was time to begin. I took a moment to collect my thoughts and I began my form. It felt exactly the same as every other time that I practiced. I was worried, because I didn’t have a sense of how well I was doing. I completed my form and waited for my opponents to finish. The center judge called my name to have me come up. He held his hand to indicate where I should stand and put his hand on my shoulder. He did the same for the other competitors. I figured I was in 4 th place, because I was positioned far to the right of the center judge. I was surprised when the center judge gave the results. He gestured to me and announced “Heath Hanson, First Place”. I was shocked to take first place. The center judge shook our hands and gave us each a different color token. thought that the token was a pretty small prize. Each of the three judges congratulated us individually. While speaking with the center judge, he observed my confused glance at the token in my hand. He explained that the to-

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Tournament

Heath Hanson with his oversized trophy.

ken is to be exchanged for my trophy at the far corner of the gym. As I walked to the trophy table, I imagined how my trophy might look on a mantel over a fireplace or on a bookshelf. When I turned in my token, I could see a variety of trophies of various shapes and sizes behind the table. The man walked past all of the reasonablesized trophies and picked up an enormous four-foot trophy. He placed it on the table and I looked all around for the possible recipient. I was the only one waiting, and I thought, “is that thing for me?”. I was told later that my eyes became as big as the trophy. When he placed my engraved nameplate on the front of the trophy, my hopes were confirmed. I never imagined that I would win a trophy that size. All in all, the tournament was one of the greatest experiences of my life. It was my first competition, my first time in Long Island, and my very first trophy. Also, I got to see other forms of Martial Arts. Participation in the tournament provided me with positive feedback and boosted my self-confidence. Most importantly, I learned to control my nerves and to perform to the best of my ability. It is satisfying to realize that all of my practice in class has paid off. I encourage anyone who has an interest in Martial Arts to pursue it. It is a great opportunity to develop physical and mental ability as well as selfesteem. My hopes are to compete at a tournament in Manhattan, New York, this summer. If you would care to support or sponsor my team, please contact the Pyramid Black Belt Academy in Hardwick, Vermont.

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Tuesday, 12/6

Button-up Workshop, Cabot Library, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Button-up Vermont is an educational workshop designed to help Vermont homeowners understand the steps they can take to make their homes more energy efficient and comfortable. This is a co-sponsored event of the Jaquith and Cabot Libraries.

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Youth Holiday Market, Cabot Li-

brary, 3:00-4:00 p.m. Come buy, sell, or trade your stuff that’s still in good condition. Be at the library at 3:00 if you FY’13 would like market space. We’ll help with stickers for pricing which should Cabot School be in the range of .25 to$5.00. A great opportunity your siblings and for your holiday friends! shopping for Community

December Concert, Cabot School Per- Budget forming Arts Center, time TBA..

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Christmas Wreath Sale

on Main Holiday Stret. yo t C h u a u n r s b u k c S p o yo c p n o o t u u i r nu t t f s !! o e r d Christmas local **Sales Cub If Scouts. wreath you are are to or interested begin swag, October please in purchasing contact 24 th ** your a

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By Chronicle Staff

What a year! Despite all the less than pleasant things that we could reminisce about, let’s look forward and remember our favorite things and name the things that we are thankful for. For me, favorite things... bright coppered kettles and warm woolen mittens… and the skin that forms on tomato soup, pumpkin pie and pudding and ...muffin tops (not the bottoms) realizations that came to me over the Thanksgiving holiday. We all have to be thankful for the wonderful mild days we had in November. It seemed just the extra amount of time to button things up for winter. I am also thankful that brussel sprouts grow even up through the snow. I thought I had reaped the final harvest in November, but alas the mild weather kept them coming. Cabot’s 8 th graders would like to thank the community for their bottle donations that have been streaming in regularly to the 24/7 drop-off spot on Main Street (O’Connor’s driveway). Keep the donations coming! Thank you also to the O’Connor’s who are managing these bottle drops. The bottle returns are being collected to help support the 8 th Grade Trip to Washington D.C. next May. The Cabot Library would like to thank the Friends of the Cabot Library for supporting the book discussion groups. The Cabot Chronicle has so many to thank. The newspaper is running largely by volunteer efforts, to fill a community need. We would like to express our special appreciation to Fred Brown and Frankie _, who have faithfully and with long suffering worked

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FRONT PORCH FORUM

An easy and local Cabot communitybuilding service will be available before the end of December. Front Porch Forum is an internet tool created by Valerie and Michael Wood-Lewis in Burlington in 2006, when they discovered they had no connections to their neighbors. Dozens of Vermont towns have taken advantage of this easy and safe way to communicate with neighbors, from organizing yard sales to finding lost cats. Cabot’s forum will be open only to people who live here. It’s all about helping neighbors connect and building community. Front Porch Forum (FPF) has been on the “front burner” for the Cabot Plan- P R E C I S I O N P R O F E S S I O ning Commission and the community

Cabot Worx. The Planning Commission

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AFULLERLLC@MSN.COM

cost to initiate the program, and a UDAG Development Grant was approved in October. The Planning Commission is working to begin Cabot Front Porch Forum within the next few weeks. To learn more about the Front Porch Forum concept, go to www.frontporch forum.com. And watch for notices to sign up for Cabot’s own FPF. Thank you, Planning Commission.

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TT T ROM EE E

with us to make the Cabot Chronicle website better and better. We are so grateful and so many readers have expressed their appreciation of the website. We also have to thank Sue Freeburn, who compiles a great array of local and area events into our Event Calendar each month. Thanks Sue. And thanks to Seth O’Brien, our computer server questions and dilemmas are promptly resolved. The Twin Valley Seniors offered to deliver Chronicle newspapers along with their monthly newsletter. The deliveries are coordinated with their meals on wheels drivers. Thanks so much to the Twin Valley Seniors. Claudette McAllister, though not a postal driver, does drop off Chronicles to the Stop Inn once a month on her way home to Hardwick and that helps with the logistics of our monthly distribution of newspaper as well. Our distribution of 10 newspapers breaks down like this: the 600 households +/- of Cabot receive the Chronicle in the mail for free. The bulk of the remaining are spread to outlets in Cabot, Hardwick, East Hardwick, Woodbury, East Calais, Plainfield, Marshfield, West Danville, Danville and Walden. We have subscriber’s that have paid for their Chronicles to be delivered to them as they live away – some as far away as, Brazil, Germany, Norway and New Zealand, as well as many other states here in the U.S. Finally, we do reserve copies for historical record, our duty, so that someone else, in the future, can read about life in Cabot in 2011, the May Floods, Hurricane Irene and the suspected hazards of WiFi.

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By Sheila Brown

Keep house numbers clear so your building can be identified quickly in an emergency

Check on elderly neighbors and relatives throughout the winter season

Play winter sports safely • Wear appropriate protective gear • Have a buddy with you • Make sure someone knows where you are and when you’ll return

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Understanding Deer Sex Ratios

By Kip Adams spective, a 3:1 ratio is heavily skewed

and reflects poor management of the Rifle season has opened in Vermont deer population. This 3:1 ratio could and New Hampshire, and doe:buck ratios are a hot topic of conversation lead to heavily skewed observation ra-

tios, because many people routinely around the cribbage board at deer mistake button bucks and doe fawns for camp. For those who aren’t up on their adult does. By their nature and behav-

deer-herd lingo, the ratio of does to ior, does are more readily seen than bucks in the woods is one indicator of bucks, which also creates a visibility how well the deer herd is being manbias. aged. The more balanced the The sex ratio

sex ratio (the by itself can be

misleading, howsame number ever, and it’s of does and only one part of bucks), the beta well-managed ter. It may be herd. It’s impor-

impossible to tant to also conget to 1:1, but sider the age well-managed structure of the deer herds will buck population.

have fewer For example, than two adult you could have does per adult two deer populabuck, or a ratio of less than 2:1. tions that both

Now, right have 2:1 ratios.

One population off the bat this has only yearling year, some bucks, while the hunters, upon second has seeing a bunch bucks from 1.5 to

of does and no 5.5 years. bucks near Clearly, the sectheir hunting ond herd is betstand on the ter managed and

first morning, offers a wider variety of hunting opporwill report that the herd is all out of tunities. A herd like that is the goal of whack. Even people who should know Quality Deer Management, a managebetter – like outdoor writers and biologists – sometimes talk about 10:1 or ment philosophy that works to balance

15:1 doe:buck ratios. But these cannot deer herds with the habitat (reducing

herds by removing female deer) and to be pre-hunt adult ratios, because as have all age classes of bucks reprelong as the deer herd is reproducing and sented in the population. By accomrecruiting fawns into the fall herd, the plishing these goals, you obtain good sex ratio cannot become more skewed than ratios (<2:1) with good age structure on about five does per buck in northern the bucks’ side. So, the next time you’re regions. In reality, the biological maxidiscussing sex ratios at deer camp, be mum on the first day of deer season is sure to have a follow up conversation about 5:1, because even if no does are about the age structure of the herd. killed during the hunt, 15 to 20 percent Kip Adams is a certified wildlife biof the adult females in the population ologist and northern director of educawill die each year from old age, vehicles, tion and outreach for the Quality Deer disease, predators, and other causes. Also, slightly more than 50 percent of Management Association (QDMA). The

illustration for this column was drawn the fawns born each year are male, proby Adelaide Tyrol. The Outside Story is viding an annual correction. assigned and edited by Northern WoodLet’s look at a hypothetical populalands magazine and sponsored by the tion containing 120 adult deer. Fawns Wellborn Ecology Fund of New Hampare not included. The pre-hunt populashire Charitable Foundation: welltion has 100 does and 20 bucks, a 5:1 born@nhcf.org. ratio. Let’s say that during the hunting

season, hunters kill 90 percent (18) of

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SATURDAY,

the bucks and none of the does. The post-hunt population is 100 does DECEMBER 3, and 2 bucks, a 50:1 ratio, heavily skewed after the hunt. Natural mortal- 7:00 p.m. ity gets added next. Since there are very few bucks left in the population, Community very few will die from other causes. But we’ll say 1 of the 2 remaining bucks Holiday dies. Natural causes will claim 15 to 20 percent of the does. We’ll be conservative and use 15 percent (15 does). The Concert remaining population is 85 does and 1 buck, 85:1, even more heavily skewed. " All Ye Who Holiday Music For simplicity, we’ll say each of the remaining does recruits 1 fawn. This is Love ," sung by the Cabot above the national average, but the Community Chorus. The point is still valid. That means there audience is also invited to will be 85 (about 43 buck and 42 doe) join in with a sing-along fawns. These won’t be added to the followed by refreshments. adult population until the following year, but last year’s fawns get added Cabot Church, Main Street. this year. For simplicity, we’ll assume By Donation. last year’s population had the same number of fawns and immigration and emigration are equal. So, recruitment to adulthood adds 42 does and 43 bucks, bringing the pre-hunt population to 127 does and 44 bucks, a 3:1 ratio. This example, though simplified, demonstrates that pre-hunt adult sex ratios can’t become as skewed as many think. However, from a biological per-

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By Cia Considine

Published by the University of Kentucky Press A new academic book was recently released from the University of Kentucky Press, Fields of Learning, The Student Farm Movement in North America . This book is a compilation of stories, an historical record, of alternative learning environments, such as student led agricultural operations and campus farms. Although there is little dispute that agricultural curriculums have enriching value over a broad range of topics (business, ecology, technology, science, social studies, community building, and sustainability, to name a few), it remains a question for colleges as to how students would find time to incorporate agriculture into their alreadytaxed schedules. In addition to that, there is the question of the financial investment of implementing such programs. Despite the dilemma, educational institutions of higher learning cannot ignore the emerging food revolution in our culture and the increasing interest in a new kind of agriculture, a more holistic agriculture, where ultimately farm fresh or garden fresh is best, buying local makes most sense, and organic practices are widely adopted. Opportunities for young people to be exposed to this movement will have an impact on their life and their thinking, regardless of what career path they follow. Likewise, students inclined to agricultural studies (and there are not nearly enough) will be better equipped to meet and develop more ecologicallysound food systems. This book documents the student farm movement in North America and brings the pertinence of that movement to us here in Cabot and our Craftsbury and Hardwick neighbors. Consider Ben Hewitt’s book, The Town That Food Saved , which profiles new producers and other Hardwick area farms run by a remnant of activists (20, 30 and 40 somethings), who moved onto farms and began to advance a consciousness around eating locally raised food . Julia Shipley, Craftsbury resident, former Director of Writing Studies at Sterling College, accomplished writer of agricultural topics and regular contributor to The Cabot Chronicle , has written Chapter 3, the story of the evolution of Sterling College’s Sustainable Agriculture Program. This program slowly built on a one-year program started over thirty years ago by Cabot resident Ted Bermingham. It was first known as the Grass Roots Year in forestry, wildlife management and agriculture. “What is now Sterling College, in Craftsbury Common, Vermont, was originally a boy’s boarding school founded in 1958. In 1962, in the middle of the school year, the headmaster abruptly left and Ted Bermingham, the man responsible for Sterling’s foray into farming, found himself taking over the helm of a financially strapped, second-tier prep school located about thirty minutes from the Canadian border. As Bermingham, who has a degree in agriculture from Colorado A&M and a degree in history from Princeton University, cast about for ways to make Sterling different from other boarding schools, many of them more prestigious and most of them significantly closer to the metropolitan areas where potential students’ families resided, he hit on the idea of acquiring a farm. reading, with as might demic/ An still, or garden Fields and

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North America

For the record, however, this tiny school with its unique sustainable agriculture degree did not begin with the idealistic impulse to “Let them eat what they sow.” Bermingham is quick to point this out. “One thing I want to be clear about: There never would have been a farm if a guy [the school’s first headmaster] hadn’t left in the middle of the semester.” ……”another myth Bermingham wants to debunk, “it wasn’t a farm; it was a barn.” He explained the difference: “This never was a working farm; it was a place for Farm projects. The students of Sterling School were mostly suburban kids without farm backgrounds. The farm provided students with a work ethic, discipline and responsibility. So, the farm served the role of an orchestra or a football team. It was an organizing device, something for students to come together around and participate in. But more than that, the farm provided an additional element to their education. When you work with animal, you are constantly learning from them. We never claimed we were training people to be farmers.” Fields of Learning is recommended for parents of high schoolers agricultural interests. It may help a way of previewing what programs suit/serve their student’s acaagricultural knowledge needs. unexpected resource that way and a great read if you farm for a living part-time, have a summer vegetable or support your local CSA. of Learning will prove interesting enjoyable to many.

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December 6, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

This informational session is designed to help Vermonters learn the basics of building science and how to improve energy efficiency in homes. This free workshop was originally developed by Central Vermont Community Action Council and is offered this year in partnership with Efficiency Vermont. It includes an overview of why building efficiency is so important here in Vermont, illustrates how homes lose energy, and outlines clear steps that homeowners can take to address this energy loss.

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Thursday, December 8, 6:30-7:30

p.m. Enjoy an aromatherapy footbath, learn basic reflexology techniques, reflex points on the feet, benefits and selfcare to promote health and well-being. Suggested donation is $8.00. Alicia Feltus, foot reflexologist and yoga instructor, will lead this fun and informative workshop. To register, please call or

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Youth Holiday Market – Wednes-

day, December 21, 3:00-4:00 p.m. Come buy, sell, or trade your stuff that’s still in good condition. Be at the library at 3:00 if you would like market space. We’ll help with stickers for pricing, which should be in the range of $.25 to $5.00. A great opportunity for holiday shopping for your siblings and friends!

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Yoga & Wellness Classes - Tuesdays

6;00-7:30 p.m. and Thursdays 8:3010:00 a.m. We’re on for all the usual times in December. For more information, contus@gmail.com.

Before leaf-fall the mind clings to green thoughts; By first snow like geese which cannot fly Or dead leaves scattered under naked trees, The memory has frozen on the land: Stacked wood, hived bees, frozen brook, Frost-withered apples dangling from broken spurs.

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Universal Class

Universal Class is an educational service providing high quality online courses for patrons interested in the lifelong pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. Over 500 online Continuing Education courses are available for free. These classes are provided by Recorded Books, Vermont Department of Libraries, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. For info on how to register, either stop by the library, call us at 5632721 or email at cabotlibrary@yahoo.com.

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Thank You!

Thank you to Cynthia Russell for leading our fall book discussion group with lively conversation and tamarind treats from India! Thanks to Karen Alexander for organizing a special Saturday morning story hour. Thank you to the folks at Jaquith Library for hosting events for the Vermont Reads programs this fall. Thanks to all the Cabot Library Trustees for countless volunteer hours helping us direct and care for this wonderful library: Karen

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Reminders:

ο HOURS • Tuesday 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. **Story Hour 10:30-11:30 a.m.** • Wednesday 2:00 a.m.-6:00p.m. • Thursday • Saturday 11:00 a.m.-6:00p.m. 9:00 a.m.-2:00p.m. • Closed Sunday, Monday & Friday

Echo Pass - Allows up to 2 adults and 3 youths, $4 each admission price, entrance into the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center in Burlington.

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By Central Vermont

“Most families have been touched by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia,” says Meg Burmeister, Director of Case Management at Central Vermont Council on Aging (CVCOA). Today, one in eight Americans age 65 or older are living with dementia. And the Alzheimer’s Association reports nearly 15 million Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers provide 17 billion hours of unpaid care. Those hours of care can take their toll. More than 60 percent of these family caregivers report high levels of stress because of the prolonged duration of caregiving and 33 percent report symptoms of depression. “The health risks to dementia caregivers cannot be ignored,” continues Burmeister. “To help family caregivers cope with the challenges they face, CVCOA offers two programs, a new home-based support program and respite grants.”

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By Libby Hale

After a long and beautiful fall, we should be all ready for winter and all that goes with it. We want to thank all those who stepped up and offered their time and labor to maintain the ice rink. At the time of this printing, thanks to the very generous efforts of Rich and Connie Hourihan, we believe the rink will be located at the Smith Farm up Thistle Hill Road. Rich and Connie have dug a skating pond just for the community and have a heated cabin

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Council on Aging

will work with CVCOA case mangers over a six-month period to identify problems and create action plans to resolve those problems. The focus will be on education about dementia, caregiving and stress; home safety; caregiver health; relaxation; coping with dementia behaviors; and enhancing social support.

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Dementia Respite Grants allow

the family caregiver to take a break from caregiving. Grants of up to $1,000 can be used to hire substitute inhome help to provide personal care, companionship or homemaker services. Or the funds can be used to pay for adult day services or short-term institutional care. To qualify, the person receiving care must have a physicians’ diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or a progressive dementia, and have an income of less than $32,670 (individual) or $44,130 (couple). For more information about the REACH OUT program or the Dementia Respite Grant, call Jeanne Kern, CVCOA Family Caregiver Support, at Cabot School the Honor Roll. announced in cord, The Hardwick Cabot School and

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Superintendent

Security for Twinfield Schools issue as the result at both schools. part of a rash of vate homes and our region. Cabot enced four costly two years and Twinfield most recent event significant vandalism well as theft of a later found badly increasing security property is clear. I have explored options that schools found effective in theft and increasing hours. Community has generously assisted union with researching affordable and effective for the Boards of sider.

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Department

other teams. This of splitting the primary there, as well, for the comfort and enjoyment of the skaters. Many Thanks to Rich and Connie, a pair who really knows how to get things done!!! On the basketball front, we are unsure (at the time of printing) what we will have for teams, as we only have 17 registrants (and less than half paid). We plan that we will have a boys and a girls team at both the 3-4 and 5-6 grade levels. Although, without definite numbers of players and guarantee of teams, it is impossible to schedule games with the developmental so different between second graders. While there sponse for the (thank you all), we trail crew. Even Libby in the past, with your interest add your name list. Thank you! byhale1@gmail.com.

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Honor Roll

is very proud of the students who earn high grades and are on The Honor Roll is published after each marking period and the The Cabot Chronicle, The Times Argus, The Caledonia ReGazette and The World. Academics are very important in we encourage all students to strive to gain high grades.

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Honor Roll requirements are:

High Honors—No grade below 90 First Honors—No grade below 85 Second Honors—No grade below 80

Cypress Ellen Heidi Cookson Hannah Barnhart, Clementine O’Connor Megan Walker Tobias Cooke, Jeremy Hoyne-Grosvenor, Isabella McCallum

Matthew Nally Timothy Muller-Harder, Brooke Tetreault, Jennifer Vandenburg Joe Ambroz, Olivia Bellavance, Lars Hammer, Kassandra Morse Gage Sironi, Emma Stecker, Alexandria Yu Tiger Bastress, Caleb Maxfield Alisha Celley, Jeremy Maxfield

Leeann Wootton Donaghue Burke Donavon Bigelow, Rebecca Blaisdell, Kyle Celley, Madeline Morse, Alexandria Simmons, Lyrica Stella, Eli Hale, Ian Lewis, William Nally Henry Burke, Alexis Packard

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and Security for Our Schools

Both school boards have approved inof Schools both the Cabot and has become a major of repeated break-ins Unfortunately, this is burglaries in both primunicipal buildings in School has experirobberies in less than three. The at Twinfield included to the interior, as school truck which was damaged. The need for for our facilities and

many security system across Vermont have deterring break-ins and safety during school member Dean Deasy the supervisory and planning an set of proposals the two schools to constallation of a security camera system to serve both as deterrent and, if needed, documentation for prosecution if there is a break-in. In addition, the camera security system will provide increased safety during school hours by monitoring driveways, parking areas and entry ways. There will be multiple interior and exterior cameras. The computer server storing recorded video will be off-site and shared by the two schools. If something is missing or damaged during a school vacation or holiday, the video will be held long enough to still be available for viewing. Notices will be posted at school entrances to alert the public of the security cameras. The Cabot School Board has also approved a key card system similar to the one currently used at Twinfield. This will help to limit those who have access to the school building after hours and eliminate using any lost keys as a means of access. While it is unfortunate that such systems are needed, it is important that, as a community, we take these added precautions to provide for the safety of our students and security of our schools.

year, we have hopes group in two, as and skill levels are

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By Coach Michelle Delaney

The girl's middle school team consisted of 6-6th graders, 3-7th graders, and 2- 8th graders. The girls played against co-ed teams and had a 04 season. Their record does not reflect the effort they put in or the progress that they made as players. They played well as a team. Four of the girls put in some time as keepers and played equally well on the field: Shannon Har-

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By Lynn Maxfield

This was Chris Younce’s first year as soccer coach of the middle school boys. He was great with all the players. His energy and enthusiasm was appreciated by both the players and the parents. The team didn’t play as many games as they would have liked, however, they

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S OCCER S EASON

Tetreault, Kiara Dedier, Shannon Samantha Villeneaue, Brook HoughGokey and Monique Bigelow. vey, Jasmine Tetreault, Monique Bigelow, and Alisha Celley. Isabella McCallum shut down countless scoring opportunities for us as a stopper and sweeper. Lauren 6th graders Taylor Abbott, Bellavance, Kiara Dedier, Michaela Gokey, Brooke Houghton, and Samantha Villeneaue stepped up and played against players who were much bigger. Thanks Ladies for a great yearCoach Michelle Delaney.

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Y OUNCE

Dylan Wright, Tiger Bastress, Ben front -Will Nally, Wyatt Ameden, Hale and Frank Schumacher. demonstrated real team work during their games. One match at Craftsbury, the team had only nine players for the game. They had no subs and they still tied! Chris made sure that the boys had plenty of practices to keep them busy to develop their skills and to learn more about the game. Thank you Coach.

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By Mazie O’Connor

It would be a bit more timely to write about this topic for next December, since there are some that believe that the universe will come to an end at the end of 2012. Nevertheless, the Nobel Prize for Physics for 2011 has brought the subject to attention now. There are four potential ‘end of the universe’ scenarios: The BIG CRUNCH, which is the case that the universe expands and eventually collapses in on itself. The BIG FREEZE, is the case where the universe expands at an increasing speed forever and ever, for billions of trillions of years, resulting in colder and colder temperatures. The BIG BOUNCE, which looks like multiple collapses (the best way that I can describe it) due to accelerated expansion. And..the BIG RIP, the case where the universe’s expansion increases and increases so fast that everything shreds – all the fabric of matter, energy, space, time, etc. – all shredded!

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Sudoku Golf, is a math challenge done on correctly Sudoku puzzles. The object is to start at the upper leftmost and ending at the lower rightmost square. Add the squares go. The challenge is to find the path with the lowest score You may only move left, right , down and diagonally down. may only have a single “hole-in-one” (pass by the number Once possible path is shown below, but you can ( Example Score = 75)

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for Physics

It has been long understood by scientists that the universe IS in an expanding state, but that expansion is so so negligible, that it just keeps the universe from imploding on itself. But now, scientists have found that this expansion is much more accellerated than once thought. This discovery has now been acknowledged by this year’s Nobel Prize. What does this expansion mean? Well, the accelerated expansion is due to ‘dark energy’, which is incredibly had to understand. Scientists don’t understand it and for me, it is so annoying, because it is like reading a mystery novel and then suddenly finding out that someone has stolen the last half of the novel! So any one of the four ‘end of the universe scenarios’, is even more likely with the confirmed accelerated expansion. Scientists are leaning towards the BIG FREEZE, although the timeframe for that ‘end’ is still billions of years away and definitely NOT next year.

are away. those that else.

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← From the Cabot Chronicle