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Established for the People of Cabot

Cabot Historical Society

Preserving the history of Cabot, Vermont · Founded 1965

The Cabot Chronicle

October 2012 · 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 October 2012 pages (PDF)

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

In This Issue

By Todd Parlo

The term American as Apple arose in the 1940’s, defining a certain wholesomeness and hominess that surrounded the classic American family. It conjured visions of Thanksgiving dinners and character filled diners serving pies with cream after a handcrafted meatloaf dinner. Then came the modern age of food in America. Never has something defined its culture so perfectly, and then defied it so completely. Processed in a chemical stew and pre-packaged in little boxes with plastic windows sits our symbol of America. There is little in this age that escapes the hunger for immediacy, and for the ordinary. There is an oft quoted statistic that 14,000 apple varieties were available (trees for sale) in U.S. nurseries around the year 1900. We have collectively whittled that down to a tiny fraction today. Why is such a large variety of apple trees important? To preserve genetic diversity, promote the cultural importance of each fruit, or maybe it is simply to be able to make the best apple pie. Whose pie gets the vote for the best pie you’ve tasted? Grandpa’s? Aunt Arlene’s? Those pies tasted like no others. The fruit was likely an heirloom variety

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The Cabot Chronicle Submission

The Chronicle welcomes letters written with recommended to be no longer than 400 words. returned to the author with suggestions for re-submittal. lished in The Cabot Chronicle represent the opinions opinions of staff. The Cabot Chronicle reserves the right to reject rial for our readers. Letters will not be considered nied by a phone number. We will gladly consider The Cabot Chronicle is not responsible for Cabot Chronicle assume responsibility for claims vices advertised on these pages. If you have editorial questions or would like

ters and other inquiries can also be sent to: 05647.

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Headwaters

(Continued from page 1) beyond the house. The remainder of the land is shared use. The organizing principle, says Hallsmith, is based on the condominium model. “This is really just a condo development. It’s just a different type of condo.” There is no official application process to become part of Headwaters, although there are some restrictions on house design (for instance, homes must be less than 1800 square feet) and potential community members are required to stay for at least a week and attend one of the monthly community meetings. “It’s not like you can go into a realtor’s office and buy a lot here,” notes Oliver Welters, who recently moved into the home he built at Headwaters

DEADLINE: 15th of the month prior

Coordinators: Jeannie Johnson Cia Considine

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Apple Pie?

that they cherished as children. apples came from the tree you climbed when you came to visit. fruit and the pie were personal, individual and special. You didn’t just have slice of pie you had an experience created a memory. Remember? So, with a recipe for apple pie, slow things down… Plant a few apple trees Have your neighbors do the same Wait several years stand there the (no need whole time, about your business) Harvest hundreds of apple varieties with your neighbors and your favorites Slice apples, bury them in two kets of butter or lard slathered crusts Eat, with complete self righteousness and self satisfaction

To the point. There are apples taste like cherries, like bananas, licorice. Varieties that stand up or that get creamy. Cultivars 500 years or born last year. Seek out this sity and cook it slow, by planting for yourself, your culture, and generations. When it is ready, eat it produces with your family friends, and for goodness sake, your time.

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Guidelines

an economy of words. The maximum length Letters may be edited for clarity and length All letters and commentary of the authors and not necessarily

letters that may contain unsuitable for publication unless signed and accompaarticles and photographs for publication. errors in submitted material. Nor does arising in connection with products

advertising information, call our office

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Garden

with his wife Jana, and his sons and Luca. “We are open to everyone, but we are also looking for people similar values and goals.” For now, the list of regulations erning life at Headwaters is short relatively malleable, but that change as more families move has been super simple so far, because there’s not a lot of people here,” Welters. “It will probably have come more structured as more come along.” While that may present some lenges, it is also what Headwaters about. “The hard part of living in ral setting is that you can get isolated,” notes Cyrus Pond. But here you’re isolated and connected. It’s the both worlds.”

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2012

Always the Saturday immediately following Columbus Day take

run

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both best of Location: Cabot School Gym, Main Street (Route 215) in the village of Cabot

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9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Free admission ~ Free parking ~ Handicapped accessible Adult and junior apple pie baking contests with prizes for best homemade pies Raffles ~ Craft Show ~ Silent Auction Pies and Lunch for sale Pie contest entry deadline is 10:30 a.m. After judging, entered and donated pies will be sold All proceeds benefit the Cabot Historical Society

Websites include baking contest rules and information about craft tables: http://www.nek4u.net/cabothistory/ApplePie.html http://www.cabothistory.com/apple-pie-festival

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HOW YOU CAN HELP:

• Donate apple pies to sell at Apple Pie Festival. Apple pies, whole and by the slice, are the heart of APF and we need a LOT! Please call Cheryl Bell at 4263713 to let her know how many pies you can donate.

mgdomey@fairpoint.net to donate items.

• Cook or donate lunch items for sale: Chili and Maple Baked Beans are critical. We need 48 quarts of chili and six pounds of baked beans. Plus 200 hot dogs, 100 hamburgers, and six gallons of cider. Please contact Jeanne John-

• Volunteer to help out with the many tasks at Apple Pie Festival on October 13 – many hands make light work, and increase the fun! Contact Joanne Luce at

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

in Vermont ~ Copyright 2011 by The Cabot Chronicle

reproduced without express written permission from Cabot Chronicle. Publisher is not responsible errors. Acceptance of advertising is contingent upon publisher’s approval and agreement by from loss or expense on claims based upon contents of advertising. Publisher does not assume advertising beyond the cost of space occupied by individual item in which the error appeared.

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TO ASSISTANCE

• Bring the person of YOUR CHOICE into the voting booth with you to help you vote. (Not your employer or union representative.) • You can get help marking the ballot. Ask an election official for assistance. • Two election officials will help you. • (No one can tell you how to vote!) • Bring a magnifying glass or other device to help you vote. • If you are disabled or ill, you may ask the election officials to bring a ballot out to your car • Bring a list of candidates into the voting booth to help you vote. • (You may not show your list to other voters or leave it in the booth.)

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OR VOTE FROM HOME

• You can vote at the town clerk’s office or take a ballot home to vote anytime 30 days before the election. • Call the town clerk or sign a request form and the clerk will send you a TOWN OF CABOT ballot by mail.

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A MISTAKE

To vote for a person whose name is printed on the balot, mark a cros • If you give your first ballot to an (X) in the square at the right of the election official you can get another person's name. To vote for a person ballot to vote. whose name is not printed on the bal- • You can get up to three ballots. lot, write his or her name in the blank space provided for that purpose. √ YOU MAY WRITE-IN For Justice of the Peace

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A CANDIDATE

Vote for not more than SEVEN • Write the name of the candidate on CEDRIC ALEXANDER, Democratic the write-in line. SUSAN CARPENTER, Democratic • Place a sticker with the candidate’s Town of Cabot—Official Ballot FREDERICK DUCHARME, Democratic name on the write-in line. CARLA PAYNE, Democratic

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Tuesday, November 6, 2012

CALEB PITKIN, Democratic √ YOUR BALLOT JUDY PRANSKY, Democratic INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS: Vote YES LARS HASELBLAD TORES, Democratic IS PRIVATE or NO for the proposed Article. Mark a _Write-In • No one has the right to see how you cross [X] in the square under your choice. voted or to ask you how you voted. Cast your ballot by either folding and Act 1. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot _Write-In placing your ballot in the ballot box or by inserting your ballot into the advise the Cabot Selectboard to adopt an voting machine. ordinance regulating the operation of all- _Write-In terrain vehicles (ATV’s)? YES NO √ PLEASE ASK _Write-In

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By Todd Jones

Some communities are the last places you would expect to be the settings for stories of the paranormal. However, every town, no matter how serene, picturesque or quaint, holds its own set of unexplained phenomenon. Our own little Cabot is no exception. “The Danville Hill Ghost” is a gossamer woman who may be seen on certain nights at the old Main Street with a knife sticking out of her chest. “Little Feet” are small, photophobic creatures with voracious appetites that are reported to live in the woods of Cabot. “The Doctor, The Nanny and the Child?” involves a doctor who hires a nanny to raise his child, but the child is not what he appears to be. And “The Wailing Sisters” are the ghosts of two crying sisters whose mournful wailing is said to drive those who hear them to suicide. Finally, here we present another legend that worms its way through Cabot. For those of you who have not heard the tale, it begins with a warning. “If you’re out behind *Butters, on a cold stormy night, and you hear a boy calling who’s just out of sight,

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For the child you’ll find

is no child at all.” (*This part of the legend appears to be centered around what is currently Butters restaurant formerly Goldie’s and at one point an inn.) It was a different time, prior to the invention of cell phones, computers or even television - kids had to come up with their own forms of entertainment. In Cabot, one of the most favored activities during a hot summer afternoon was to take a dip in the river. This continues to be a favorite activity in Cabot to this day. So was the case for the Jonah brothers (No, not the Jonas brothers!). Little William and his older brother Noah were inseparable. They could be seen nearly every day in town and had a reputation of being extremely helpful; carrying messages for townsfolk (there were no phones yet), delivering groceries to older town residents, etc. The boys spent a great deal of time in town to avoid being at home. Home was not always the most pleasant place for

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The River Boy

them. Their father, a salesman, was away much of the time, leaving his young wife to care for their two sons. As much as the mother doted on William, she held nothing but contempt for the older brother, Noah. Noah would often be blamed for everything, from ‘coons getting into the chicken house to milk spoiling. Noah did his best to cover the bruises and scrapes that he got from his mother, but everyone in town knew what was going on. One cloudy autumn afternoon, the mother discovered chickens roaming the yard, and immediately started screaming for Noah. Hearing the rage in their mother’s voice, Noah sent his brother to the river, where they often played, and told him that he would be down soon. William made his brother promise that he would come. Noah agreed, and hurriedly sent his brother away. Their mother immediately sought out Noah, who was waiting in the kitchen. Before even uttering a word, she struck the boy, as she had done many times before. Noah reeled from the blow, his head struck the corner of the counter, and he fell to the floor. His mother screamed at him about the chickens, but Noah didn’t move. After continuing to berate him for several more minutes, the mother came to the cold realization of what had happened. Meanwhile, William remained at the riverbank. As the clouds grew darker and the wind stronger, William maintained his vigil, assured that his beloved brother would soon arrive. As the rain continued to fall, William remained, calling for his brother. Following the storm, William’s body was discovered far down river, near what is now known as Butters Restaurant, and Noah’s body was discovered by his father at home. As the legend goes, on cold, stormy nights, especially in the fall, you can hear the river boy calling for his brother. It is said that, if you go to the river boy and he discovers you are not Noah, you will never find your way back to the land of the living. So, whatever happened to Noah’s promise? It is also rumored that on those same nights, on the back roads of Cabot, you may find a wandering youth. If confronted, he will not answer, but will instead fade from sight.

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By Joe Rankin

When we bought the old farm two decades ago, the Ghost Tree came with it. He was an old sugar maple with a knothole face, tears in the trunk and branch stubs. He looks like one of the Ents, the walking trees in the Lord of the Rings movies. The Ghost Tree stands at the edge of an old pasture, inside a stone wall. Both sides of the road and driveway and adjacent stone walls were once lined with his kin, probably planted at the same time in the decades before the Civil War. It must have looked impressive. Today, fewer than a dozen of these mighty maples are left. Every few years we have to turn one into firewood. We decided early on to leave the Ghost Tree alone. Massive as he was, there wasn't a heck of a lot of good firewood there. He didn't pose a danger to buildings or utility lines. His hollow trunk was home to many creatures. And he was beautiful, despite the decay. There are lessons here in impermanence and equanimity; also, a firsthand look at how trees decay. Kevin Smith, a scientist with the US Forest Service's Northern Research Station in Durham, New Hampshire, told me that it can take a huge sugar maple like the Ghost Tree 60 to 80 years to decompose, from the time it really starts to go downhill until it's a pile of humus. Smith was a student of Alex Shigo, an eminent forest pathologist who developed the “expanded concept” of tree decay: that trees react to injury and decay by walling it off, or compartmentalizing it. Humans repair injuries: bones knit, cuts heal, skin regrows. Trees, faced with a broken branch or a scrape, use chemicals to wall off the injury. Then the tree's outer living tissues grow around it. While the forest often seems peaceful and quiet to us, it can be less idyllic for a tree. High winds, ice storms, gnawing animals, woodpeckers, insects, people with heavy machinery. Rare indeed is the tree that doesn't start collecting injuries as a sapling. Some species, like aspens and birch, are poor compartmentalizers and thus don't tend to live very long. Others, like sugar maples, osage oranges, and giant sequoias “invest a lot in chemicals to resist decay,” said Smith. “But part of the beauty of nature is that eventually some fungus or a group of fungi will be able to break the defenses down.” An unseen cloud of micro-organisms and fungal spores swirls around every tree in the forest, waiting for their moment. First on the scene of a wound are non-decay organisms hungry for sugars in exposed sap. They're followed by bacteria and wood decay fungi armed with

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hronicle

special enzymes to break down cell walls to get at the locked-up carbohydrates. Decay can involve many types of microorganisms. Some work at the same time, some follow one another. Some are specific to particular species, others are generalists. They're often aided by insects, animals, or birds. At some point, the tree can't summon enough energy to take care of the living tissues it's responsible for, and an inexorable decline begins. The Ghost Tree has definitely deteriorated in the 20 years since we became part of the scenery. When we first made his acquaintance, he had no top, but did have a couple of living limbs – each perhaps 18 inches or more through – that jutted out from the trunk then up, and looked like arms. Combined with his “face,” he looked like he was perpetually startled by something he saw coming down the road. One arm dropped off a few years ago and the other is now dead. More of the top part of his massive trunk has disappeared. He is only a shell of his former self. The only green he wears is a toga of Virginia creeper. He’s no longer a living tree, since he has no leaves to process sunlight into energy. But he's alive in another sense, Smith told me. “If you count all the fungi, bacteria, and insects, and birds, and whatever else uses a dead standing snag, you’ll find that there's more life associated with a dead tree than there is with a sound, healthy, living tree.” Joe Rankin is a former newspaper reporter who lives in Central Maine, where he writes on forestry topics, keeps 70 hives of bees, does market gardening, and walks his dogs in his 70-acre woodlot. The illustration for this column was drawn by Adelaide Tyrol. The Outside Story is assigned and edited by Northern Woodlands and reprinted with permission.

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Hardware Store Not

On August 15, Harry’s Hardware Store changed hands from Julie and Walter Ackermann to David Spooner. David Spooner is the owner of Spooner Specialties, a full-service shop for woodworking tools and accessories, from glue to air purifiers, for hobbyist to industrial applications. Located on Route 2 (River Street) in Montpelier, it is run by David and his son Lowen. They sell stationary machines, new and used, hand tools, and saw blades. The brands they carry include Festool, Porter & Cable, Powermatic, Delta, and Bosch. Asked about plans for Harry’s Hardware Store on Main Street,

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Plainfield Health

On September 17th, Senator Bernie Sanders participated in a dedication ceremony for a $1.2 million expansion of the Plainfield Health Center. "As chairman of the subcommittee on primary health care, I am proud that we have helped lead the fight for more than double funding for community health centers to address the primary health crisis in Vermont and America," Sanders said. Sanders secured $12.5 billion in the Affordable Care Act to expand health centers across the country, deploy more doctors, dentists and other health care professionals in underserved areas and double, to 40 million, the number of patients who have access to affordable primary care, dental care, mental health counseling and low-cost prescription drugs. The Health Center of Plainfield was awarded $988,700 in federal funds to cover most of the $1.2 million construction project. A new building expanded the center's mental health practice from

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Ready To Reopen

Cabot, the Spooners explained they are still in the planning stages. This is the busy season at the Montpelier shop, and a closing date is pending financing. There is still a lot of work to do before they are ready to announce plans for Cabot. Having grown up in Marshfield and Cabot, David Spooner is familiar with the area and this particular store, and knowledgeable about the hardware industry. love for the tool The Spooners’ business shines through, and they are looking forward to developing a Cabot base. promised to share their plans as possible, so stay tuned. They as soon

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Center Expansion

three to seven offices. The federal money also helped build a garage for a mobile dental unit which serves patients in Plainfield and four other community health centers in Vermont. In the past decade, Vermont has gone from having two Federally Qualified Health Centers to eight, including 47 sites where more than 120,000 Vermonters get primary health care, dental care, mental health counseling and lowcost prescription drugs. Nearly one in five Vermonters now get primary care from a community health center. Vermont ranks second only to West Virginia in the share of the states' populations cared for at health centers. Open to everyone, the centers provide high-quality, cost-effective care to patients regardless of their ability to pay, whether they are covered by Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, or no insurance. Payments are on a sliding scale, so people with low or moderate incomes can afford the services.

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commons

The Cabot Commons offers beautiful 36 Glinka Road, just a short walk Commons is comprised of, six one-bedroom units. Completed in 2005, these handicapped-accessible Cabot residents, former long-term residents town living, an opportunity to continue Cabot during their senior years. The water, trash and snow removal and 24-hour vice. For more information contact

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Doctor Joins Hardwick

Hardwick Chiropractic is pleased to announce that Dr. Allison Bogan has joined the practice. Dr. Bogan graduated Magna Cum Laude from Life Chiropractic College West in California. As the recipient of the Life Chiropractic College Clinical Excellence Award, Dr. Bogan offers heartfelt insight and sincere dedication to helping people figure out the source of their body's symptoms and find effective ways of regaining their health. She is currently accepting new patients at Hardwick Chiropractic. With Dr. Bogan’s advanced training in Bio-Geometric Integration (BGI), she assists people in finding and feeling a greater freedom in their bodies, and thus finding greater health and flexibility in their lives. Hardwick Chiropractic’s founder, Dr. Grace Johnstone, shares, “Allison's background in BGI and Network chiropractic make her a perfect fit for our office. We have been working together for several weeks now, and she has been very well received by our established patients.” Dr. Bogan believes optimum health and vitality in both body and mind are achievable for everyone at any age. Dr. Johnstone founded Hardwick Chiropractic 19 years ago. Presently,

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By Bill Cobb

Subducting, like the Earth’s crust with far wider devastation the floor of life’s promise has been slid out from under our feet. Loyally have we answered every call for dues or service. Not perfectly, but honestly and simply we’ve tried to construct balanced lives of work, hope and prayer. Imperceptibly at first now in feeding frenzy the trolls, who live under the bridges of our decency, Have chosen to ignore our foundational bargain of fairness, honesty and transparency leveraging, cranking, sliding the floor, our founding communal compact into the insatiable fires of debilitating debt. Momentarily warming themselves around the burned up lives and dreams of those who’d given them the freedom to deceive, while we now huddle under the rusting bridges of their Godlessness, greed and arrogance. The home of the brave and the land of the free.

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Monday, 10/1-9

Fall Foliage Festival: six unique festivals are held over six consecutive days, now more than 50 years running. The communities of Walden, Cabot (see next), Plainfield, Peacham, Barnet and Groton invite you to come celebrate rural Vermont in all of its splendor. October 1 Walden, October 2 Cabot, October 3 Plainfield, October 4 Peacham, October 5 Barnet, October 6 Groton. Information: NEKChamber.com

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Monday, 10/1-6

Fall Foliage Festival: six unique festivals are held over six consecutive days, now more than 50 years running. The communities of Walden, Cabot (see next), Plainfield, Peacham, Barnet and Groton invite you to come celebrate rural Vermont in all of its splendor. October 1 Walden, October 2 Cabot, October 3 Plainfield, October 4 Peacham, October 5 Barnet, October 6 Groton. Information: NEKChamber.com

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Fall Foliage Festival in Cabot:

Breakfast available 8:00 a.m.at Butters Restaurant. Coffee begins at 9:00 a.m. in the Cabot School Gym. Make a day touring old school houses, craft shops, the Public Library and Cabot Creamery. Crafts available in the gym from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In the afternoon, enjoy a hayride to a sugarhouse, afternoon musical and play performances, and hike to Nichols Ledge. Lunch at Cabot Church, dinner at the Cabot School Gym. Ticket reservations for luncheon

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Giant Pumpkin Regatta, Burlington

Waterfront, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m Race of giant hollowed out pumpkins on Lake Champlain, also food, craft vendors, kids' activities, pie eating contests, and a fall inspired pet costume contest! Autumn on the Green , Danville, 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Artisans, crafters, cottage industries and businesses amidst the spectacular views and color of autumn in Danville. Information: travelthekingdom.com.

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Cabot Apple Pie Festival, Cabot

School Gym, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., free. There will be adult and junior contests with prizes for the best homemade pies, raffles, a craft show, and a silent auction. Pies and lunch for sale. Pie contest entry deadline is 10:30 a.m. All proceeds benefit the Cabot Historical Society. Informa-

bles: also: http:// www.nek4u.net/cabothistory/ApplePie.

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Story Time and Playgroup , Wednes-

days from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.: Jaquith Public Library. T’ai Chi , sponsored by Twin Valley Seniors, free, Mondays 1:00-2:00 p.m. T’ai Chi will help you reduce stress, increase balance & flexibility, feel relaxed, and improve your overall mind, body

medical release will be required.

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Family Contra & Square Dance ,

First Friday of each month. Danville Town Hall, 8:00 p.m., donation requested. Chip Hedler will do the calling and David Carpenter will lead the band. The dances are taught and are easily learned by young and old. Information:

Fiddle lessons with Katie Trautz, Mondays, all ages and abilities. Call 802-2792236 for more information.

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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. Knit & Crochet group : meets the third Sunday afternoon of every month, 2:00 p.m. All skill levels welcome. Bring yarn,

or e-mail bonniesd@Together.Net.

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Jules and Kate Chatot.

addition to the checklist in order to vote in the general election. Town Clerks’ offices must be kept open from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to receive applications (17 V.S.A. § 2144(a)). November 5 (Monday) Voters, family members, authorized persons, or health care providers may request early or absentee ballots until 5:00 p.m. or closing of the town clerk’s office (17 V.S.A. § 2531(a)). Voters unable to vote on Election Day—Tuesday, November 6—for any reason may request an early or absentee ballot. Contact the

stop in at the Willey Building.

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WALDEN

Join us for Walden’s Country Fair! Our day begins with registration at 9:00 a.m. at the Walden Methodist Church with coffee and donuts. Enjoy the signs and sounds of country life, the small town friendly atmosphere, and the display of traditional action exhibits, crafts and interacting with a myriad of farm animals, large and small. The folks of Walden will share country music and small home businesses nestled in the wooded hills. A homemade soup and sandwich lunch will sustain you for an afternoon of tours to a dairy farm, horse farm and our rural school, with a little dancing and a snack thrown in. A family-style Barbecue Beef Supper will be served with mashed potatoes, veggies and home baked pies, beginning at 5:30 p.m., $12. For supper reservations call

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, CABOT

Welcome! Coffee Hour begins at 9:00 a.m. in the Cabot School Gym. Make a day touring old school houses, craft shops, the Public Library and Cabot Creamery. Crafts available in the gym from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In the afternoon, enjoy a hayride to a sugarhouse, afternoon musical and play performances, and hike to Nicols Ledge. Corn chowder and chili luncheon (adults $6, children $2.50) at Cabot Church at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. Turkey dinner at 5:00 and 6:15 p.m. (adults $10, children $5) at the Cabot School. Ticket reservations for luncheon and dinner can be made at the same time by calling

tails contact Blanche Lamore at 802-563

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PLAINFIELD

A full day of activities begins with Coffee Hour at 9:00 a.m. and registration at Grace United Methodist Church. Foliage tours available at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Tours telling the history of the Barre granite quarries, see glass blowers at work, taste wine at Grandview Winery, scenic spots and a hike to Owls Head with a bag lunch. Other points of interest will be offered throughout the day. Crafts, baked goods and jewelry will be for sale, along with other items of interest for everyone. Cafeteria-style luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for $5. Entertainment in the afternoon. Barbecued Chicken, Mostaccioli and Baked Bean Supper at 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. for $12. For reservations, contact

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1-6, 2012

walk and dinner can be picked up. Exhibits at the Blacksmith Shop and Historical House (Homemade treats served). Peacham Library book sale from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Scenic bus tour at 10:15 a.m. $3. Lunch at Peacham Elementary School 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. $6. Northern Skies Observatory open 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Ghost walk at 2:00 p.m. $4. Harp music in Church sanctuary 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Dinner at church, seatings at 5:00 and 6:30 p.m. (Spaghetti supper – vegetarian and meat sauces, salad, garlic bread, homemade apple crisp with ice cream) adults $10, children $5, under 6 free. Tickets available at door. Coordinators are

802-592=3326.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, BARNET

Come to the Barnet Center vestry at 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon for pancake breakfast including Vermont maple syrup and sausage. Arts and crafts will be in the vestry and surrounding grounds all day. Wagon rides starting at the vestry will be given, weather permitting. A bus tour between Ben Thresher’s Mill, the Sunset Alpaca Farm, the Walter Harvey Meeting House and traveling scenic back roads. Arts and crafts are also at the McIndoes Church, with a soup and sandwich lunch served starting at 11:30 a.m. A European Coffee Hour will be from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the West Barnet Church. Enjoy a Ham Dinner at the Barnet Center vestry, starting at 4:00 Lela Jones p.m. and continuing until all are served

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GROTON

Join us in Groton for our Festival Day. Start with a Lumberjack Breakfast at the Methodist Church from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. Visit our Library, where there will be a book sale throughout the day. McLure’s Band will perform at the Bandstand at 11:00 a.m. Boy Scout Troop #702 will serve a light lunch at the Food Court. Our Annual Parade starts at 1:30 p.m. Browse in the Peter Paul Historical House anytime during the day. Participate in the Old Fashioned Hymn Sing at the Methodist Church at 8:00 p.m. to close the day. Serving times for our World Famous Chicken Pie Supper at 4:30, 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12. You must make reservations. Contact Peter Lyon at 5843020. Takeout reservations are also available. For more details or lodging list, contact Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Com-

or www.nekchamber.com, or nekinfo@ nekchamber.com .

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Emergency Flood Damage Grant

By Walter Bothfeld, Jr., Fire Chief hydrant strainer and inlet pipe, which

were not working because they were The Cabot Fire Department received covered by silt and mud. When the a grant for $5,000 to repair damage to a pond refills itself, the department pond in which the department has a should have a bigger and more reliable

dry hydrant for water supply. The pond is owned by Tim and Gail Greaves, lo- water supply.

cated on VT Route 215 North, close to Vermont The grant Rural was Fire made Protection possible by Task the

the very Cabot-Walden important water town source line. for It is the a Force, part of the Northern Vermont

department, covering the north end of Resource Conservation and Develop-

ment Council. Thanks to the Task Route 215 and the Bayley Hazen Road. Force for all their help. They have proThe pond received a lot of sediment vided resources to improve water supfrom the heavy rains of tropical storm Irene. plies for fire fighting in many Vermont

towns in the past 15 years. With this grant, we were able to

clean out the pond and repair the dry

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Committee Update

Our group will be busy on scoping month, and to brainstorm and review study activities this month. We will be alternatives for our Main Street. These meeting with the Dubois Consulting will include addressing safety probteam on October 1, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. in lems, looking at ways to keep traffic the select board meeting room in the moving at a safe speed through the vilWilley Building to review the outcome lage, and making our Main Street a of the Visual Workshop held last more beautiful place with enhance-

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for Next Year

What did you think? Did the Townwide Lawn Sale work for you? Did you participate? If not, why not? Is August the right month? Did two days work? How could it have gone better? Give us your input now To make next year’s event better

Email Cabot.Development@yahoo.com

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September

The Cabot Board of Selectpersons did meet as warned at the Willey Building on September 5, 2012 at 7:00 pm. Attending were: Caleb Pitkin (Chair), Fred Ducharme (Vice-Chair), Ted Domey, Dan Dunham, Tara Rogerson (Town Clerk), Jan Westervelt, Ben Davis, John Cookson, Bill Walters, Rusty Churchill, Karen Deasy, Dexter Lefavour, Peter Dubray, Ron Forant Jr. and Kate Chatot. Agenda Item (AI) 1 –Call Meeting to Order. Caleb called the meeting to Order at 7:04 PM. Agenda Item (AI) 2 – Adopt the 9/5/2012 meeting agenda. Agenda item was passed over. Agenda Item (AI) 3 - To approve the meeting minutes of July 30, 2012 and August 1, 2012. Fred made a motion to amend the minutes of July 30, 2012 to include the liquor license for a wine tasting event permit from Joe Buswell. Ted Seconded. No Discussion. Amendment passed unanimously. Fred moved to approve the minutes of July 30, 2012. Caleb seconded. No Discussion. July 30, 2012 minutes approved unanimously. Fred moved to approve the minutes of August 1, 2012. Dan seconded. No discussion. Minutes of August 1, 2012 approved unanimously. Agenda Item (AI) 4 – Public Comment. AI 4 a. - Ben Davis, Cabot’s NEKSWD representative, update the select board on the following: Vermont mandatory recycling goes into effect in 2015 and Town should think about expanding current facility size. Discussion ensued about combining it with a new Town garage. Site drainage by the door needs work before winter and John Cookson is applying for a UDAG grant to do this work. Town may want to consider a locked gate at both drives of the facility. AI 4 b. - Dexter Lefavour, candidate for Washington County Senate, introduced himself. Discussed contractors insurance and was looking for other hot topics in the area. No other public comment. Agenda Item (AI) 5 – Administrative Duties AI 5. a. ATV Ordinance public survey and postcard. Peter Dubray and other land owners on Dubray Rd. expressed interest to allow the use of ATV’s on Dubray Rd. for both the Class III and Class IV portions. Suggestion that ordinance contains language that land owners and invited guest have use of road only in ordinance. The SB asked Ted to draft up a letter and postcard for mailing to receive public input. Caleb and Tara to work on merging a mailing list. No further discussion. No further action taken. AI 5. b. Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) – meeting and membership. Karen Deasy asked if ZBA has enough members for a quorum. Newly appointed members by the SB make a quorum. Previous permits were discussed awaiting ZBA action. Meeting was tentatively set of 9/17/12 at 7:00PM but would depend after contacting all of the ZBA members. No further discussion. No further action taken. AI 5. c. Status of Dog Complaint. Richard Scheiber sent a letter to SB Chair regarding Gary Smith’s dog excessive noise. Caleb read the letter to the SB. SB instructed Town Clerk to send Gary Smith a letter regarding the Dog Ordinance and associated penalties which may be waived if owner registers dogs with the Town Clerk. No further discussion.

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5, 2012

AI 5. d. Mack Mountain RD. Structures Grant. Original State grant amount has been reduced due to the Town not currently having an Environmental Assessment. VLCT provides these for towns upon request. No further discussion. No further action taken. AI 5. e. Personnel Policy Review by VLCT. SB decided to have VLCT review the Town’s personnel policy and make recommendations. No further discussion. No further action taken. AI 5. f. ICS Training follow-up. SB passed over this agenda item. No discussion. No action taken. AI 5. g. Town Audit – Possible Bid 2012 SB passed over this agenda item. No discussion. No action taken. AI 5. h. Lister’s Errors & Omissions. Dan moved to revise the tax bill of Parcel 11-035.00 due to lister’s error. Fred seconded. Discussion ensued regarding to combing of the parcels but a tax bill had been generated for two individual parcels. Motion passed unanimously. No Further Action Taken. AI 5. i. Sheriff’s hours/funding/ management. The budget for this item is over budget. Discussion ensued regarding the need for law enforcement in Town. SB instructed Ted to call the Washington County Sheriff and get something set up for the rest of the FY. No Further Discussion. No further action taken. AI 5. j. Well closure request – follow-up on final closure. ANR and Johnson Company recommended that the request for a final test be rescinded due to the data values showing a steady decline and no available data since 2007. Cost of $800.00 for the testing was considered. The SB determined that no further testing was necessary and that the 4 monitoring wells will be closed in the spring of 2013 as soon as they are accessible. No Further Discussion. No further action taken. AI 5. k. Jill Alexander hearing request – discussion. The Town received Cabot Creamery’s minor adjustments ACT 250 hearing request documents from Jill Alexander. No Discussion. No action taken. AI 5. l. November 2012 Election and Special Warning. The Town Clerk presented the Special meeting Warning for November. SB discussed it contents and decided to postpone this agenda item until the next SB meeting on 9/19/2012. . No Further Discussion. No further action taken. AI 5. m. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Ted moved to have the SB sign the HMGP document. Fed seconded. Discussion ensued regarding the content and responsible parties. Motion passed unanimously. SB signed HMGP document. No Further Action Taken. AI 5. n. Road crew workers rate of pay and benefit. SB to set rate of pay for new hire on road crew. Fred made motion to set rate of pay for Keith at $14.84 per hour. Caleb seconded. Discussion ensued regarding pay rate. Motion passed unanimously. No Further Action Taken. Agenda Item (AI) 6 Administrative Duties (ongoing). AI 6. a. – 2012 Budget – Town Clerk handed out copies of the current 2012 budget. SB decided to postpone this until next meeting on 9/19/2012. No Action Taken. AI 6 b. – Public Works Ordinance – SB determined that this was a major

(See Select Board Meeting, Page 9)

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Executive Director

Our Editor in Chief for the Twin Valley Seniors Newsletter & Facebook page is Betsey Bolt. Words cannot tell you the deep appreciation that we have for the fantastic job she does getting our news and other information out to you. The work that Betsey does is all volunteer. She spends many hours a month coordinating the monthly news, researching important information that relates not only to the elderly in our area, but information that may assist you in many different ways. Betsey uses her computer to the fullest, right down to submitting the newsletters electronically to Copy World in Barre from her home in Plainfield. Betsey is a pleasure to work with and a great asset to the center. She attends weekly, participates in exercise programs, uses the WiFi and gives a helping hand in the dining room, assisting where needed. Betsey communicates with me regularly regarding any opportunities or information that may help the Center. Her volunteerism and donations to the Center are so very much appreciated, and when it is said “You can make a difference”, then that is Betsey!

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ANNOUNCEMENT :

TVSC has begun selling raffle tickets for an Echo CS550P chainsaw with either a 16” or 18” blade. The tickets are $5 and the drawing will be October 12. The saw is graciously donated by Guy’s Repair of Barre. TVSC thanks him for his generosity.

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Help Wanted!

Volunteer Fundraising Chair: The fundraising chair is responsible for overseeing the organization's overall fundraising projects, and can work alone or set up a fundraising committee. To accomplish this, the Chair should work with staff and the Board of Directors to establish a fundraising plan to raise money for TVSC, a non-profit organization. The Chair would solicit involvement of all people necessary to carry out the fundraising goals, including but not limited to telephone calls, support at the function or selling of tickets in the case of raffles (etc), securing items for events, making posters, securing advertisements on the radio and in local papers.

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Select Board

(continued from page 8) undertaking and may require a special work meeting to go through the document of combining the Water and Waste Water Ordinances. Agenda Item postponed until a work meeting date can be set. AI 6 c. – Marijuana Dispensaries possible ordinance discussion. Agenda item was passed over. Agenda Item (AI) 7 Officer Reports: AI 7 a. – Ennis Road Bridge Project Final Inspection Status & FEMA Paperwork. Town Clerk reported that a grant inspection team came to review paper work and all was good. Ted said he looked at the bridge and was satisfied. No further discussion. No Action Taken. AI 7 b. – Mack Mountain Road Structures Grant. See AI 5 d. AI 7 c. - Driveway permits – Ted reported he had two. One being approved the other denied based on request for town to relocate a culvert on West Shore Road. AI 7 d. – Main Street Culvert & Paving Update – None. Agenda Item (AI) 8 Correspondence– Cabot Health Officer form. Fred made

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C ENTER

Other aspects include monitoring fundraising efforts, ensuring donors are acknowledged appropriately and that fundraising events are cost-effective for the organization. In place already are some annual events, such as: Hunter’s Breakfast, Twinfield Christmas Fair, Perennial Plant (and now Food as well) Sale, 4th of July Flea Market, Lasagna Dinner, as well as raffles which, in the past, have included firewood/pellets, firearms, quilts and now a chain saw. There is already some leadership inherent in these annual events, including the Hunters’ Breakfast & Perennial Plant & Food Sale. Energy & attitude (and a place to store stuff!) are key. Part-Time Bookkeeper: If you have a couple of hours free weekly, then please contact TVSC at This person should have the following skills

ware, as well as preparing payroll and some tax background. This is the perfect part-time job for someone who wants to work from home and earn some extra money . Hospitality Volunteer:

spare two to three hours on Wednesdays and would be interested in volunteering at the Center in our Volunteer Dining Room. Host/Hostess : Position involves setting up for lunch, helping people get their snacks upon arrival, pouring beverages, serving those who can’t manage self-serve and being welcoming and friendly to all: old, new and those just testing the waters.

motion for Caleb to sign the Cabot Health officer form. Ted seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Caleb signed said form. No further action taken. Agenda Item (AI) 9 Legal – None. Agenda Item (AI) 10 Other Business. AI 10 a. - Request from scoping committee for $400.00 for public meeting dinner on 9/25/2012. SB determined to take it out of the SB fund and Freed to send of Date and what the $400.00 limit would cover. No further discussion. No further action taken. AI 10 b. – Rusty informed the SB that he had been approached by the school for the purchase of diesel fuel. Discussion ensued. SB decided to allow the school to get their diesel fuel from the town garage pump and reimburse the town. No further discussion. No further action taken. AI 10 c. – FEMA and FHWA reimbursement funds. Discussion ensued regarding how the funds could be used. No action taken. Agenda Item (AI) 11 – Adjourn meeting. Fred moved to adjourn the meeting; Dan seconded. No discussion, motion passed unanimously. journed at 9:40 pm Meeting ad-

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by Green Mountain

The Green Mountain Club released a four-part educational video series with expert advice on Hiking With Dogs. With cooler weather just around the corner, many hikers will want to take their dogs with them when they hit the trails this fall and the club wanted to provide practical information. In addition to basic tips, such as what to bring on a day hike and when to leash a dog, the series covers training, what to do if you lose your dog on the trail, protecting your dog’s health, and how to take longer backpacking trips with a dog along. “For people who have been thinking about bringing their dog with them when hiking, we provide a lot of helpful information to get them started,” says Richard Windish of Reading, Vt., former Green Mountain Club president who hosts the video series with his dog Jack. “The videos also have plenty of tips for people who have some experience hiking with a dog, but would like to get into more advanced aspects of it, such as staying at Long Trail shelters overnight, and trail etiquette for dogs and dog owners.” Interviews in the series include veterinarian Paul Alfarone of Bear Swamp Veterinary Service in Middlesex; dog trainer Kasandra Fleury of the Central

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Cabot Tree Warden

Fall is here, and it is time to care for your trees and shrubs. Here is a little information on pruning and how to make the cuts without damage to the tree. Be careful not to spread disease or insect infestation. Wash your tools after you finish one tree and before you start another one, using denatured alcohol. WHY WE PRUNE TREES Properly pruned trees are not only more aesthetically pleasing, but stronger. Pruning young trees can significantly reduced the likelihood of limb or structural trunk failure as the tree matures. This means a longer life span for the tree and a better return on your investment. Before you prune, always have an objective in mind. Consider the following reasons to prune your tree:

Safety : Remove branches that could fall and cause injury or interfere with utility lines, roads.

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Appearance :

Control plant size and form, enhance views. WHERE TO MAKE THE CUT? Pruning cuts should be made outside the branch collar. The branch collar is made up of trunk tissue and, if left intact, will seal off the pruning wound. The cut should start at the branch bark ridge. The photo illustrates where to make the proper cut.

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Club

Vermont Humane Society in East Montpelier; and Grant Gunther of the Outdoor Gear Exchange in Burlington, who discusses outfitting your dogs with appropriate gear like fleece jackets and backpacks. “In the video series, the experts who we interviewed are all hikers themselves, so their advice is trail-tested and very practical,” says Windish. “We also talked with several Green Mountain Club caretakers about what they see out on the trails every day, and what dog owners should be doing to both protect the environment and make hiking with dogs enjoyable for everyone.” “This video series is a very important educational resource for hikers,” said Will Wiquist, executive director of the Green Mountain Club. “Believe it or not, we might get more questions about hiking with dogs than any other – with the exception of how to get to the trailhead. We encourage all hikers who have dogs to view this informative four-part series.” The videos are available now on the Green Mountain Club’s YouTube channel, at http://www.youtube.com/user/ GreenMountainClub/featured. Contact: Will Wiquist or Megan Duni

For large branches, make a threepart cut to prevent bark ripping. This photo illustrates the three-cut pruning method for branches larger than one inch in diameter. The first partial cut is made from below to prevent the bark from tearing. The branch is removed with the second cut. The third cut removes the stub cleanly and without damaging the branch collar or any bark on the trunk. WHEN TO PRUNE? The ideal time to prune trees is during the winter months when trees are dormant. Avoid pruning just after leaf emergence and just before leaf fall. Although branches that are dead, diseased or damaged can be removed anytime. To reduce the stress on newlyplanted trees, pruning should not begin until three years after planting. Spring flowering trees and shrubs, like lilac, redbud and dogwood, should be pruned immediately after flowering to preserve this year’s flower crop. I will have more on this next time. Enjoy the fall; it will be winter before we know it.

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What is Universal Class ? Re-

corded Books’ Universal Class is an educational service providing high quality online courses for patrons (generally high-school age and older) interested in the lifelong pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. Patrons register online, participate in the classes online at their own pace, correspond with instructors online and have up to six months to complete an individual class. Universal Class supports lifelong learning and enhances not only social inclusion, active citizenship and personal development, but also employability. Class content covers a wide range – from hobbies (arts and crafts, dog training, photography) to job skills (writing improvement, medical billing, computer programming, domestic violence counseling) to education and test preparation (writing for children, general science, Algebra, Homeschooling Strategies) – and much more! Our library is now able to offer more than 500 online courses to patrons. To register for a class, go to: vermontstate.universalclass.com/register. html and type your patron barcode in the format of: 2056470X in which the X’s represent your patron number. Call us if you have any questions.

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Photo-

graphs in Vermont, 1936-1942 – Tuesday, October 2, 10:00 a.m. - A Vermont Humanities Council Program for Cabot’s Fall Foliage Festival This abundantly illustrated talk by historian, author, and editor Nancy Price Graff examines this famous government project in Vermont. Over a seven-year period during the Great Depression, nine photographers working for the Farm Security Administration’s Historical Section visited Vermont to document its rural culture. Each had a unique assignment, and each had a unique way of looking at Vermont. This slide lecture presents some of the 1,600 photographs taken by these artists from the perspective of the times and from the perspective of Vermont’s evolving image.

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By Anthony Willey

and Lucy Remington The kids at TLC, Cabot School’s After School Program, are taking the opportunity to enjoy the last few weeks of warm weather. Students and instructors put their photography skills to the test by taking beautiful photos of flowers and other interesting objects around town (see photo by Julia Hoffert). Hiking has also been on the agenda the last few weeks. TLC students are regulars on the backwoods trails that circle the town of Cabot and beyond. With binoculars in hand, students traverse the trails carefully and quietly in hopes of spotting wildlife.

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Book Discussion Group – Mon-

day, October 15, 7:00 p.m. Every three weeks, beginning September 24, the Vermont Humanities Council sponsored Book Discussion group will meet to discuss the new series, Canadian Cultural Diversity , facilitated by Cynthia Russell. Please visit the library to pick up a copy of these books. • Roy McGregor, Canoe Lake • Alistair MacLeod, Island this month’s featured read • Antonine Maillet, Pelagie- La- Charrette • Alice Munro, Lives of Girls and Women

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Reminders:

ο HOURS • Tuesday 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.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 **Story Hour back again** **in September!** • 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. Vermont State Parks Pass – Allows free entry into State Park day areas for up to 8 people in one vehicle. Go to www.vtstate parks.com for more info. • Historic Sites Pass – Allows free entry into the Vermont State Historic Sites for one family or groups of up to 8 people. Go to www.historicsites.vermont.gov for more info. • New this summer – Vermont

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of Summer

We are all very excited to start the new school year at TLC. We have many fun and educational activities planned, and we hope that more students will join us as we enjoy the several great opportunities that TLC offers. Also very exciting this year: TLC will provide care for

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Reports:

a. Superintendent Report: See WNESU meeting of 8/23/12 attachment. b. Facility update: The Board walked around the high school to see the improvements and repairs needed in the future. Peter Ackermann discussed high school drainage issue and the work completed this summer. Peter reported on reorganization of main office for maximum efficiency, monitor hung in place for the front and library doors, card access and security for the new doors. The halls were cleaned up for student safety, classrooms changed around to reflect new team teaching. Painting was done in CSPAC and in the high school. In replacing carpeting in the Humanities section, asbestos was found in the underlying tiles and was removed by specialists. items were removed for safety Some reasons on the playground. Parking lot issues are continuing to be addressed. The hope is for less risk during dismissal. Peter discussed the need for a drainage system next to cafeteria and between CSPAC. Peter talked about seeking a grant for roofing and other improvements on the high school. Town of Cabot has approved purchasing fuel at the Cabot town shed versus driving to Twinfield for this. c. Principal Report: See attached. Sharon questioned the paragraph about guidance, and the need for a guidance page on the web site, possible protocols for career and college preparation with links as well. She is asking for more depth in the help process. Karen suggested asking parents what resources they thought would be helpful. Nancy suggested modeling Twinfields’ website.

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Board Discussion:

a. Parent and Senior Surveys: Senior survey: Pat thought overall students were satisfied, however 73% of seniors did not see a connection between academics and career paths. Seniors thought that teachers were expecting higher standards. About 50% of the students felt like they didn’t challenge themselves. General consensus of the board was that the survey math did not add up. More time to study the survey needed. b. Parent Survey: The survey spans all grades, several people indicated it was hard to complete if they had both elementary and high school on one form. This was a broad spectrum survey and thoughts on improvements. The challenge with this survey is only getting about 30% of the group: hearing from the really satisfied or really unhappy parents. The Board discussed a potentially better time for a survey, and asking more specific questions. It was suggested a more grade specific chunk of questions, to know where the strengths and weaknesses are. This may lead to the parents feeling more involved. The board discussed

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4, 2012

the need to structure the questions for constructiveness rather than complaints. Karen asked for a model policy for chain of command so parents and guardians understand the process, she is happy to clarify the chain of command. Karen will have a policy that she worked on at a previous school. A policy approval would take about a month. c. Communication Plan: Current items: Syllabuses were due and distributed on the first day of high school classes. Elementary grades will have theirs ready for Open House. Open house night: September 11, 5 pm dinner and then time for visits to the teachers in their classrooms and sharing information regarding the syllabuses. The Board discussed fingerprinting and background check for volunteers. The board asked for information to be sent to parents as soon as possible Other ways to increase communication: utilizing Power Announcements (robo calling) for upcoming events. The suggestion was made to place events calendar in the Cabot Chronicle. The suggestion was made to contact Will Walters regarding announcements on the newswire? Students to serve on the school board: Students would have to be voted in. Discussion was for a junior/senior rep as well as a freshman/sophomore rep. The student will need to have a plan for how they will represent the two classes. Ry was questioning how the students will discuss the current issues for agenda. Possible mandatory 1 meeting out of 2 per month, be up to date on the agenda and maybe work the slot into the high school schedule on the Thursday before the board meeting. The student reps will bring a report of student interests and concerns for the board. regularity of Nancy discussed the the students on the Twinfield board. Interested students will write a letter of intent to the board. Final decision will be by vote of the students. A draft will be sent to the English dept advertising the need for 2 student reps. The board thought this would provide a valuable perspective of students needs and concerns. Revitalizing YATST: This group will be open to all students, not just the 5 students currently attending. Make sure the leadership group is happening every Monday afternoon, and that any concerns are being brought to the school board by the student reps. The students facilitated the healthy start meeting, and remarked on the need for feeling like a community. The Board also discussed students giving feedback to teachers on a regular basis, frequency to be determined.

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Megg Colbeth, and Seth Herrick

Cabot High School students started out the school year with a three-day overnight leadership retreat at Siskin Ecological Adventures, based at Coutts Moriarty 4-H camp in Derby, Vermont. Devoted to building a better school community, the trip provided students with opportunities for leadership and allowed for a smooth transition from summer back into the school year. From August 29 - 31, students confronted challenges such as the high ropes course offered by Siskin, as well as workshops offered by their peers and teachers. James Haugland, the new high school chorus and theatre instructor, dropped by the campfire the first night with a bag of props and improvisation games. The next day, Geof Hewitt, Vermont’s reigning Slam Champion, came for the day to run several poetry and writing workshops. In the evening, Cabot students and teachers gathered ‘round the campfire again for a poetry slam, a lively contest in which competitors perform, in no more than three minutes, their original work. (See sidebar for samples.) Retreat facilitator David Schilling says that the retreat was “far from a ‘summer camp’ experience. The skills learned at an intensive retreat such as this are essential for college and beyond. I firmly believe the Siskin retreat contributes to creating prepared citizens who are better equipped to handle realworld challenges.” “The purpose of the retreat was to build relationships and visualize the school year in order to make it a great one,” commented Bill Tobin, the high school math teacher. “It went really well, and everybody had a great time.” The retreat also featured discussions about what the students wanted the school year to look like as students establish a leadership group that speaks with the combined voices of students and teachers. “The retreat helped all of us realize we are all human, and no one is just ‘a teacher’ or just ‘a student,’” Ella Malamud, a high school science teacher, said. “I got to know the students a little bet-

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I Don’t Want to Be in a City

I don’t want to be in a city, all the non-stop noise piercing my ears, the blinding light that never gets turned off, the sirens that never stop. I don’t want to be in a city. I would much prefer miles of untouched woods full of free-roaming wildlife, a place where I can hear myself think, without the distractions. I don’t want to be in a city car horns honking people yelling from windows far above. Every step I take, I’m plowing through a never-ending sea of unfamiliar faces. I don’t want to be in a city. Walking through thick brush, the only noises are the twigs breaking beneath my feet. I stop and sit on an old rock wall and listen. Nothing. Nothing but pure and uncontaminated silence. This is where I want to be.

– Kyle Celley

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The Lost Photograph

by Kassandra Morse The lost photograph was not actually an image. Contrary to popular belief, it was just a bunch of words. There were about a thousand of them, all strung together into a story that made sense. Not a fictional account, either. It was a story of me, a story of an experience that would stay with me forever, in more ways than one. I kept seeing it, lying around, staying “It eliminates the awkwardness of the school year,” senior Maelily Robison says. “I personally think the purpose was to help us students have time to catch up with each other, have fun, and help us build the community. Hopefully, the school will keep doing this every year.” Workshops introduced students and teachers to many different skills and games, from Scottish country dancing to a rousing game of Werewolves, a traditional Russian game, and students and teachers alike expressed almost unanimous approval of all aspects of the retreat. “Everyone was together working in groups to solve problems at school. We also shared the chores equally,” junior Olivia Bellavance said. “I thought the purpose of the trip was to introduce us to the themes and expectations of the year to come.” When asked her opinion on the retreat, principal Karen Stewart commented that she “was very impressed with the maturity level of the students. They built relationships and formed a stronger community. It was just a magnificent way to begin a new school year together.” Students and teachers also found that the retreat was an excellent way to introduce new students to Cabot School. Through the leadership opportunities, workshops and campfire activities, students learned to trust each other and take advantage of the many skills, talents and interests that exist within the school community. “I think that this was a very positive experience; it was a fun and educational way to get us back into the school mindset without going straight into classrooms,” commented sophomore Lyrica Stelle. “This trip brought us closer together as a school community and gave us a chance to get to know everyone bet-

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Nature’s Gift

The willow creaked, its branches moaned and groaned in the breeze. Leaves were rattling, the sun was shining, the clouds were glowing. I listened and watched, Nature in her splendor, her glory and her beauty. My eyes that had been unveiled watched the butterfly land on a delicate wildflower. The deer that grazed in fields next to mine, raised her head, huge eyes shone. The sun was setting in hues beyond compare, as the bright moon emerged. Night came on. the cool air crept over the sleeping, the restless. The day was short, the night long, as the stars were overhead. As all must end, so I lay down my pen, and follow the call from my bed. – Megan Walker where I put it, smiling vaguely and waiting for me to put it somewhere else. Preferably the corner of my computer’s hard drive labelled “Travel Writing.” A place where I’d forget about it, but where it could be found if I wanted or needed to have it back. But for now, it was safe enough where it was. Still smiling, its title mysterious and a little annoying, so that nosy hackers just had to look at it. Until I went through the necessary process to make the smiling story safe, it just stayed there in the little yellow document. Waiting. Waiting, I found out a month later, to escape. The words I had so carefully cho-

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LOCAL GHOST

One of the Cabot High School would like to collect local ghost stories for a possible radio broadcast or magazine publication. If you know of any haunting or ghost sightings in Cabot or nearby towns, please contact Julia Hewitt or Jennifer Lindert at

extension 230 or 242, to arrange for an interview. You may also email jlindert@cabotschool.org or or mail Cabot School, 25 Common Road,

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By Karen Mueller-Harder

What sort of play are you hoping Cabot Community Theater will do this year? What would entice you to get involved? We will be reading some plays on Saturday, October 21, and deciding on our next production and would love your input or even just your reading voice! We have now done a children's show, and an adult murder mystery, with great success. We are considering various possibilities, including comedies and more serious fare, with smaller and larger casts. Our goal is high-quality, inclusive, affordable theater, with community participants of all ages. Auditions will be held in December, with performances in early spring. If you want to be notified of the time and

Front neighbors terrain what thoughts.

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October 2012 ~ page 11

sen and typed, my fingers frozen in a hotel room, my mind dashing around itself, mired in chaos– those words had apparently developed legs and run away. Naturally, I was pretty upset. When I wrote those words, they had been important, my link with this one-in-a-lifetime experience. They were going to help me remember what I did while I was exhausted and my memory worked only enough to get me off at the right metro stops. They were important! But everything happens for some reason; whether it’s good or not is debatable. Because now, several months later, I realize that the words and phrases that wandered back to me were actually fictional. The things I remember from the trip, the important things, weren’t written into that lost photograph. Those important words were sterilized for the public. Any emotions I felt were written into three layers of snark, so as not to display any weakness. I thought that words might be able to capture the experience better than a camera, but the words I wrote were only photographs of what I might have felt. Photographs only show things on the outside.

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Community Theater?

location of the play readings, or if you want to be part of the conversation, please send your name and email address to karen@praxisworks.org, or phone Karen Mueller-Harder at 5632669 if you don't have email.

porch forum has been a great resource for to communicate on the proposed all vehicle ordinance in Cabot. Sign up, see your neighbors are saying, and voice your

front porch forum more than 400 postings to date

more than 1,100 postings to date

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← From the Cabot Chronicle