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The Cabot Chronicle

March 2013 · Issue Record

← From the Cabot Chronicle

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

Original issue: Download the March 2013 pages (PDF)

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

In This Issue

The Flying Farmer’s Secret Weapon

(2 servings) The following recipe is exclusive to the Flying Farmer, marrying the triple flavor goodness of maple, bacon and peanut butter. See note for recipe to make maple cream or buy some from a local store selling maple products. Whole Wheat or Oatmeal Bread, lightly toasted Butter, softened Peanut Butter, 2 tablespoons Maple Cream, 2 tablespoons Bacon, 2 strips cooked Layer onto lightly toasted bread, in the following order: butter, peanut butter, maple cream and bacon strip. Repeat for second serving. Eat in the morning while wearing cozy slippers and drinking hot coffee with a good friend or loved one.

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How to make Maple Cream

If you have never tasted Maple Cream before, you are missing a real treat. Start by using on toast and before long you'll soon have a long list of foods you'll want to spread this "Butter" on. What you need: Grade A Light or Medium Amber syrup works best. A quart (4 cups) will make 2 pounds of maple cream. Deep cooking pot or pan. Candy thermometer capable of measuring to 260 degrees F. A few drops of butter or vegetable oil. A large pan or sink full of cold water. Directions: Fill pan partially with water and the thermometer. Bring to a boil, and note the temperature of the boiling water. Empty the pan. Place syrup in pan; use a deep pan, as the boiling syrup will foam up fairly high when boiling. Add a few drops of oil or butter. (This helps to keep foam down).

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The Cabot Chronicle Submission

The Chronicle welcomes letters written with recommended to be no longer than 400 words. turned to the author with suggestions for re-submittal. The Cabot Chronicle represent the opinions of the The Cabot Chronicle reserves the right to reject our readers. Letters will not be considered for phone number. We will gladly consider articles and The Cabot Chronicle is not responsible for errors Chronicle assume responsibility for claims arising tised on these pages. If you have editorial questions or would like advertising

other inquiries can also be sent to: The Cabot Chronicle,

DEADLINE: 15th of the month prior

Coordinators: Jeannie Johnson

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Maple

Looking out over Lake Champlain

Boil carefully over high heat without stirring, until temperature of the boiling syrup is 24 degrees F above the boiling point of the water, as noted earlier . Watch carefully as the temperature climbs higher. It can get too hot very quickly near the end. If your pan boils over, you'll have a real mess! If it cooks too long it can scorch. Remember the boiling syrup is very HOT & STICKY. Remove from heat, and place immediately into a large pan or sink of very cold water to cool. Do not move, stir, or disturb the syrup during cooling. You can gently add some ice cubes to the water bath. Cool to near room temperature (Hold the back of your hand close to the surface, its cool enough when you don't feel any heat radiating off the surface anymore). Remove from water bath and stir slowly with a wooden spoon until it looses its gloss and starts to get opaque. You will notice a change in the color of the liquid. This will take a strong hand and some time. It will get to the consistency of peanut butter when finished. Spoon into containers and keep refrigerated. Instructions are from the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association, a web site worth visiting.

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Guidelines

an economy of words. The maximum length is Letters may be edited for clarity and length or reAll letters and commentary published in authors and not necessarily the opinions of staff. letters that may contain unsuitable material for publication unless signed and accompanied by a photographs for publication. in submitted material. Nor does The Cabot in connection with products or services adver-

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hronicle

8 oz Dunc Mill’s Maple Rum (4 servings) Maple syrup is full of good stuff and Maple Milk is a delicious alternative to that dyed, fructose laden brown stuff you see in the grocery stores. The kids are gonna love it! 1 qt milk 1/4 to 1/3 cup maple syrup, grade A or B, amber 1/2 tsp vanilla extract Blend milk and vanilla extract together. Add maple syrup slowly, whisking and tasting as you go. The darker the syrup, the more maple flavor you get, so adjust according to your preference. Serve cold. variations: Turn cold maple milk into hot maple milk by heating over low heat in a saucepan until steaming. Add to hot coffee or hot chocolate. Add a scoop of your favorite ice cream and turn it into a float or add to a blender with ice cream and turn it into a milk shake.

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Vermont Old Fashioned

(1 serving) You’ll find some version of this in many bars throughout Vermont. Adjust amounts based on number of servings. 1 cherry, pitted 1 slice of orange 1 slice of lemon 1 tsp maple syrup, or to taste 2 oz of favorite bourbon Soak cherry, orange and lemon in bourbon for a few hours or overnight. Blend bourbon and maple syrup. Squeeze lemon and orange slices. Add cherry. Stir and serve on the rocks in an old fashioned glass.

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The Hot Buttered Vermonter

(4 servings) This is the Flying Farmer’s variation on the hot buttered rum. Inspired by a description in the book Northwest Passage by Kenneth Roberts, this makes a great drink for a crowd when you scale it up. 4 tbsp granulated maple sugar 2 tbsp butter 1 tsp of cinnamon 12 oz of cider cinnamon sticks for garnish In a large saucepan, melt the butter, cinnamon and maple sugar with a splash of cider. When dissolved, add the rest of the cider and heat slowly until just simmering. Stir in the rum and remove from heat. Serve in mugs with a cinnamon stick garnish or store in a thermos when heading out for winter recreation – caroling, sleigh rides, snowmobile rides or stored in a flask for a ski. Alternatives: Dark rum for the maple rum; 1/4 cup of maple syrup for maple sugar; non-alcohol version would omit the rum and add a splash of orange juice.

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NOTICE TO VOTERS

EARLY or ABSENTEE BALLOTS : The latest you can request ballots is the close of the Town Clerk's office on March 4, 2013. The voter or family member may request an early or absentee ballot in person, in writing or by telephone. Other authorized persons may apply for the voter in person or writing. Following are the ways of voting early or absentee: (1) vote in the Town Clerk's office before the deadline; (2) voter may take the ballots out of the clerk's office for himself/herself and return in same manner as if the ballots were received by mail; (3) have a ballot mailed to you, and mail or take it back to clerk's office before the election day or to the polling place before 7:00 p.m. on election day; or (4) if you are sick or disabled, ask the Town Clerk to have two justices of the peace bring a ballot to you at your home on any of the eight days preceding the election or the day of election.

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

~ Copyright 2011 by The Cabot Chronicle

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

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Mentoring

by Sue Freeburn January was National Mentoring Month, and statewide programs were recognized at the State House in Montpelier on January 29 with a proclamation acknowledging the importance of mentoring. Cabot grade-school teacher and mentor Lynn Talamini attended the reading and toured the State House with mentees Alex Trombley and Jared Lowe. Talamini stated that the kids were “awestruck” by the grandeur of the State House as they sat in the balcony of the House of Representatives, toured the Senate room, and witnessed the bustling activity of the building. The boys realized the importance of the mentoring program during the reading of the proclamation, and being in the State House reinforced the bigger picture of mentoring across the state. The trip helped the boys broaden their knowledge of mentoring, learn about the State House building and its architecture, and see government in action. They all enjoyed lunch in the State House cafeteria. Talamini spoke about her own mentoring relationship with her mentee, Alex. They see each other about once a week, sometimes more or less, depending on her schedule. Their favorite activity is fishing, and she’s looking forward to warmer weather so they can resume. She spoke about the importance of trust, both between mentor and mentee, and also between the mentor and the mentee’s parents: “All shared experiences build trust”. The mentee’s parents are very appreciative to have another responsible adult who cares, and to be a role model. Talamini said

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Seeking New

The Cabot Planning Commission community members who would The Planning Commission is responsible the town's five year plan, site review stewardship of Cabot's zoning bylaws, ous community development projects. members who are interested in development, have experience in tees, and are collaborative in nature. If you are interested, please Commission Chair, by email (gulka@fairpoint.net) 2284).

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DEVELOPMENT CENTER

A federal grant secured by Rep. providing equipment for a new center Technical College (VTC) that will for Vermont veterans hoping to develop nesses. The Office of Veterans’ Entrepreneurship, the Vermont Small Business Development VTC, will provide veterans with space meetings free of charge. The center space, office equipment, high-speed ferencing technology. "Our troops come home with proven them uniquely qualified to start "This center will serve as an incubator turn their good business ideas into Interested veterans can call or mont Small Business Development dock@vtsbdc.org for more information.

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In Cabot

Alex Trombley and Jared Lowe at the Vermont State House on January 29, 2013.

that she, as a mentor, gets as much out of the relationship as the mentee. When issues arise in the mentee’s life, the mentor is already in place as another caring adult, an additional support person. One of the important skills a mentee learns are improved social skills - to interact with another adult. Kathleen Hoyne, director of Cabot’s mentoring program, Cabot Connects, stated that a mentor/mentee relationship builds maturity, which helps in developing peer and adult relationships, and helps the child do better in class and in life. Hoyne discussed the limited funding for this important Cabot program, and hopes that the Cabot Community will step up to help fund the continuation of Cabot Connects mentoring. There are currently approximately 25 mentor/ mentee matches in Cabot. Contact

would like information, or to donate or participate in the mentoring program.

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Members

seeks applications from like serve on the Commission. for the development of for new development, the and involvement in variThe Commission seeks land use planning, community public processes and commit-

contact Gary Gulka, Planning or phone (563-

Peter Welch is at Vermont provide office space and support or expand their own busi-

a partnership between Center (SBDC) and to do work and hold business is fully equipped with meeting internet service, and video con-

leadership skills that make and run businesses," Welch said. to help Vermont's veterans reality." email Steve Paddock at the Ver-

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By Rep. Catherine (Kitty) Toll

Unbelievably, March is here and signs of spring and the production of maple syrup are just around the corner. We have completed our second month of the legislative session, and one can feel the pace quicken as the cross-over deadline approaches. Cross-over, March 15, is the date that all bills have to be voted out of House and Senate committees to be considered for action on the floor. Bills in the Appropriations Committees, House Ways and Means, and Senate Finance have an extended date of March 22. Difficult work continues in House Appropriations on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 budget. The budget proposed by the Governor in January is the basis from which we frame our work. Our economy has improved, but at a slower rate than expected; the job picture is better, but unemployment still remains a problem for many Vermonters; and a $67 million gap between revenue and expenses is not just difficult to fill, but has become controversial as we decide the paths to take to balance our state budget for next year. Issues creating the most debate are the Governor’s proposals to make changes in time-limits in the Reach-Up program that provides temporary aid to needy Vermonters; to decrease the amount of time one can receive General Assistance benefits; to raise revenue for child-care slots by reducing a portion of Vermont’s match of

(EITC); and to create an assessment on “rip-open” tickets sold by clubs and other non-profit organizations. Some support these efforts, while others find these proposals intolerable. Finding a balance between the role of government and sustainability is challenging. The Fee Bill passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee on a unanimous vote and passed through

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Session Report

the House on a voice vote. Fees are structured to fund the activity or service that the fee is related to and is not designed like a tax to support services and programs for the common good. This year the Fee Bill focused on fees in the following areas of government: agriculture, professional licensing, corporate and business regulation, current use, crime victim services and restitution, liquor control, and workers’ compensation. This bill is now in the Senate for consideration. A spotlight has been on the legislature’s task of setting the property tax rate for FY14 as proposed by the House Ways and Means Committee. With over 90% of school budgets in, it is estimated education spending will increase approximately 5.5%. Per pupil spending will increase due to a combination of pressures including special education costs, health insurance and contractual salary increases, and a declining student population in Vermont; per pupil spending is $64.4 million more than last year. The House Education Committee continues to work on legislation to address rising costs and sustainability of our educational system. It has been and continues to be a priority to the majority of Vermonters that communities retain control. We care deeply about our schools and value education. It is a pleasure to have Samuel Carpenter serving as a Legislative Page this month. Not only is he responsible performing the duties assigned to him as a page, he also has the unique opportunity to witness democracy in action. To follow actions of the legislature or the status of bill visit www.leg.state.vt.us or contact me for information, to share your thoughts and concerns or to attend a committee meeting. I can be reached at: kittytoll@live.com ktoll@leg.state.vt.us

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Amy I. McNaulty

Amy Isabelle McNaulty, 80, died Monday, January 28, 2013, at Central Vermont Medical Center. She was born June 26, 1932, in Northfield, the daughter of Raymond and Hazel (Brown) Wilder. graduated from Montpelier High She School in 1950. On September 11, 1960, she married Arnold E. McNaulty in Cabot. She was an assembler at Reddy Plastic Co., DeRonde Safety Pin Factory and National Clothes Pin Factory. She enjoyed fishing, pickling, picking berries and wildflowers, and planting her gardens. Survivors include her husband and a son, Raymond McNaulty, both of Worcester; sisters Laura Potvin, of Barre, Beatrice McAllister, of Williamstown, and Ramona Pierce, of Walpole, NH; several nieces, nephews and cousins. There were no calling hours. A gathering will be held at a later date in Northfield Falls Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice. For online condolences, sons.com. visit www.guareand

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“The Lungs of the Earth”

They take in carbon dioxide and with sunlight and water, put out oxygen. This is called photosynthesis. We are coming to maple sugar season, so let's take a look at how a tree grows and produces sap. Maple is not the only tree that produces sap sweet enough to be boiled to syrup. Yellow Beach also does, but I don't know anyone who does it, anymore. Trees grow by producing new cells. These new cells are produced in specialized areas called meristems. There are two types of these - one is apical meristems, the second is vascular cambium. Apical meristems give growth in terminal buds and roots, are responsible for the increase in a tree's height. As a result of the formation of new cells, new tissues increase the length of a branch or root. The second type of meristems, vascular cambium, increases the width of a tree by forming new tissue in the cambium, a thin layer of cells just beneath the bark. When cambium cells divide, they produce side and xylem cells on the inside. Phloem cells transport sugars throughout the tree. Xylem cells form a series of very narrow collection pipes that allows water by capillary action to move up to the leaves and evaporate. So the living portion of a tree's trunk consists of the thin layer of cells in a cambium layer and a phloem layer. Older xylem cells die, but remain in place because of their strong cell walls they become heartwood, so each year the cambium is pushed outward.

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EMORIALS

"Chuck" and Doris Blanche (Thurber) Paradise. Kevin graduated from high school in Hollywood, FL, in 1983. He married Aprille S. Tougas on December 28, 1988. He worked as a boom truck operator setting signs for Acme Painting Co. and also for Mulcahey's Well and Pump, both of Rhode Island. Kevin and Aprille moved to Vermont in 1995 from Rhode Island. He worked for Cabot Creamery in Cabot, VT, as a machine operator for many years. Kevin loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed four-wheeling, tinkering with vehicles and watching NASCAR. He also loved his therapy cat, Tei Tei. He was predeceased by his parents, Earl J. "Chuck" and Doris B. (Thurber) Paradise; and two brothers, Alan Paradise and Kenneth Paradise. Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Aprille S. Paradise, of East Ryegate, VT; two daughters, Danielle Toshiko-Paradise Enger and husband Skyler, of Vilsek, Germany, and Chantelle Doris Paradise, of Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX; a brother, Earl "Joe" Paradise, and wife Ann, of Bass Harbor, Maine; several nieces, nephews, cousins and two greatnieces. At Kevin's request, there will be no public services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Little Rivers Health Care, 65 Main Street, Wells River, VT 05081; or Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, c/o Palliative Care, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756. Ricker Funeral Home, Woodsville, NH, is in charge of arrangements. For more information or to offer an online condolence, please go to www.ricker fh.com.

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By Roland (Slim) Payne

Phloem cells eventually undergo chemical and physical changes and become bark. So, in the spring when conditions are right, sap with sugar moves up and down the tree to feed roots and buds so they start the new cycle. This is when sap season starts. This season is dependent on temperature and water - it can be a short season or stretched into a long one, it is up to nature with weather. When the buds open, they don't need so much sugar, so the sap will stop flowing and the leaves will start photosynthesis process to make the trees food in reality a tree makes its own food and feeds itself and also takes in carbon dioxide and produces oxygen. Some scientists believe, if there were no plants to produce oxygen, the Earth would be uninhabitable. So take care of your plants and trees.

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Ice-Out Contest

by Jane Brown When you stop at the fishing access at Joe’s Pond to check on the Ice-Out Contest flag this year, you won’t find it in the usual place, just off the shore of the access. Around the middle of March, if you look up the pond, you’ll see it off the West Shore. It will be out earlier than it’s been in past years, and with a bigger flag that you should be able to see just fine from almost anywhere on the big pond. Moving the setup away from ice fishing activity means it can be out earlier and there will be no danger of trucks or snow machines cutting or tangling the ropes. In previous years, the flag couldn’t be safely set up until after ice fishing season was over and all the shanties were off the ice, and, some years, warm weather has found contest organizers rushing to get things set up before the contest closed on April 1 st . There are other changes, too. The old bedroom alarm clock that served for a quarter of a century lost its second hand a few years ago, indicating it was showing some wear, so to avoid a catastrophe, it’s been retired and replaced by a large, specially-built weather-proof clock that we hope will serve at least another 25 years. In addition, because the clock must be checked twice daily, we now have two web cams – one trained on the clock, the other on the flag, so contest officials or anyone else can check them 24/7 via the website. The cameras are the brain child of Bill Rossi, husband of one of the contest’s cochairs, and an added benefit is that nobody has to slog through fender-deep mud twice daily to physically check the setup. There is an additional option for entering the contest. Printable tickets are available on the web site – you fill them out, copy and send them by regular mail with the money.

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in 2013

there is also the option to fill out tickets and actually pay for them on line using major credit cards through PayPal. Purchasers receive a record of the transaction and their choices are entered into the contest almost instantly. Instructions for using on-line options to purchase tickets are found on the website, www.joespondvermont.com. Someone commented that the Joe’s Pond Ice-Out Contest had finally entered the 20 th century and that all that’s needed to bring it into the 21 st century is a more sophisticated arrangement on the ice. However, like they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and the cement block on a wooden pallet with a flag attached works just fine. A major part of the fun of the game that was begun in 1988 by a handful Joe’s Pond Association members who took bets from their snowmobile buddies is that anyone’s guess could win. It isn’t rocket science, and people from nearly every state in the U.S. and a few foreign countries like England, Germany and New Zealand love playing the game. Proceeds from the contest are split between Joe’s Pond Association and the winner, 50/50 after expenses. Winners for the past few years have received about $5,000 – not too bad for a $1.00 donation. Joe’s Pond Association’s share helps pay for the free Fourth of July Fireworks Show at the pond each year. This year, the fireworks will be on July 3, with a rain date of July 5. Joe’s Pond Ice-Out tickets are available at the stores in West Danville or outlets in St. Johnsbury, Cabot, Marshfield, Plainfield, Walden, Williston, Barre or Montpelier. Outlets are listed on the website, or ask any JPA member where to pick up some tickets. Or just go to www.joespondvermont.com to make your purchase. All ticket entries must be received or in the mail postmarked on or before midnight, April 1.

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To The Editor;

The decision to close our school requires thoughtful consideration. Don’t do it in haste, or base it on distortions and deception. Carefully consider all the facts. Once our school is gone, it will not come back. In 1950-51, Fred Blodgett wrote a short History of Cabot, which we call “The Blodgett Papers.” He devotes several pages to Cabot schools. I quote it exactly as he wrote it, without editing. Excerpted with permission - Cabot Historical Society. “The establishment of a High School at Cabot village was more or less a natural development. eighteen hundred and In the early nineties a room was partitioned off in the upstairs Town Hall. . . usually a man teacher was secured, more often than not from Dartmouth College. . . Lester Warren Burbank for more than half a century an honored Cabot doctor taught. . .. The last term I attended at Lower Cabot was the winter of 1890-91. This term was taught by Frederick P. Tuxbury, a student from Dartmouth College, . . .He was a tall, outstanding fine fellow, whom I have heard spent most of his life as a doctor for some insurance company in Boston. . . Mr. McDaniels went on from there to become an honor student in the very exclusive school of Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H. and from there to Harvard University where he was also an outstanding student. Most of his later years were spent as a teacher of mathematics in the schools of Los Angeles, Calif. Here he died a few years ago leaving an estate of some $69,000. to the University of Vermont.” “It would be but natural that I should feel somewhat partial to old District No. 3 at Lower Cabot, but it certainly sent out into the world at least its full quota of those who made some mark of distinction for themselves. To name a few, Burnham Coburn who led a business life in New York City and left an estate of nearly a quarter of a million. Walter Smith, who graduated from Dartmouth College and practiced law in Minn. His brother, Selden, my neighbor and playmate, likewise graduated from Dartmouth and became a wealthy and prominent citizen of Oakland and San Francisco, Cal., and one of the partners in the firm of Cinn & Co., a large publishing house. A sister,

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To the Editor:

While I would not advocate doing anything just because our neighbor does it, still, it is instructive that Craftsbury, with a smaller enrollment than Cabot, has not long ago voted strongly to keep their school intact, and (with very creative financing) totally rebuild their facilities, and build a brand new gym. It can be done, guys! (And I'm sure the state is watching). If there are 95 towns who have school choice, and only 9 who are still small, local, community "family style" schools, I'd say those who prefer choice have plenty of options. It is we who need protection from those people in those towns, and elsewhere, who have no experience with our type of school, and who might like it if they would try it, but are unqualified to judge us or deny us our choice. Walden has been held up as a good example of a "school choice" town. The comparison with Cabot is instructive. While Cabot by the 1950's had chosen to combine all its schools and focus on the village school, Walden's separate schools held out four decades longer. In some measure thanks to the arbitrary postal delivery system, the road system, and the hills, parts of Cabot are still significantly oriented to Marshfield or West

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OMMENTARY

M. Pansy Smith, now retired, has held a responsible position with that firm. Then there was Prof. George N. McDaniel, whom I have already mentioned, who graduated from Harvard with highest honors. Also Prof. Wilfred E. Davison, who was Dean of English at Middlebury College when he died at the early age of 42. . . Another was Prof. Archie W. Stone, who was Principal of Derby Academy, and from then until his death, was Supt. of schools in Essex Co., Vt. He was a poet of considerable ability and a volume of his poems has been published. He also had ability as an artist. . . Dr. Carl W. Fisher, a graduate Veterinarian was, the major part of his professional life, a professor in the University of California at Berkley. He and his brother, Dean, who is a high salaried officer and director in the General Ice Cream Co., often attended at Lower Cabot, living with their grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. M. P. Wallace. Dr. Carl Harvey is an eminent surgeon in Middletown, Conn. Prof Abbie Smith, now Mrs. Babitt, graduated from Boston University, had her Ph.D. from Columbia and holds a responsible professorship in a high school in Mr. Vernon, N.Y. Pres. Royce Pitkin of Goddard College and his brothers, . . .were pupils in the Lower Cabot school for some time . . . Drs. Carleton and Gerald Haines, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Leon Haines, . . .were born there and began their school life there. They are both just completing post graduate work in surgery. Rev. and later Prof. Wesley Atkins was born in the Lower Cabot district and his three sisters, all teachers, attended there most of their district school days, . . .I think the Rev. James Stone, who was a long time minister in several Congregational churches in Vermont, was probably a student there at a period much earlier than that of which I am writing. Several other ladies, who never married, have spent their lives in the teaching profession in the towns and cities of Vermont and New England. If there is another school district of equal size in Vermont that can make an equal showing, we would like to know its location.” Cabot schools have a long history of educating students well. We take second place to no one. We shouldn’t throw it away so easily.

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Bonnie Dannenberg

Danville. The degree has been much less than in Walden, where neighborhoods historically go toward West Danville, East Hardwick, Cabot and Greensboro, with little central focus until the recent consolidation of their schools into one. Walden has never known much townwide community, and school choice has always seemed completely natural, while Cabot much earlier chose to be a whole community. School Choice here is an intrusive and destructive affront to our long tradition and to those of us who came here knowingly and with that tradition clearly in view. If we wanted Walden's way, we could have settled in Walden. We chose Cabot's way, and do not wish to be pushed aside by those apparently unable to appreciate and honor it. Cabot School has long been a great source of community pride and identity. A superficial and short-term focus on what seems presently more convenient for a parent or a child, or to react in retaliation to perceived personal offense without regard for others or for longterm social consequences is unwise at best. Socially and economically, we need to keep Cabot High School. Improve it, absolutely. Kill it, absolutely not.

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To The Editor;

I received an email the other day from a Cabot resident who wanted us to consider an option that he believed would benefit all Cabot residents. He asked us to review changes that were made by the legislature to the Regional School Choice law. Changes that he felt would offer everyone what they want: a win, win, win scenario. To ensure we were interpreting the recent changes correctly, we discussed the law and changes to the law, with the Department of Education and only after confirmation from the Department of Ed that our interpretation was correct…I offer the following. Title 16 V.S.A. § 822a. - Public High School Choice; now allows: • The School Board to open School Choice to anyone who wants it • While keeping the High School open • No tuition would change hands • Students that leave can stay at the new school until graduation • All students would remain and add to the equalized pupil number • There would be a positive effect on our Education Tax Rate Changes made last year by the legislature to the Regional School Choice law that makes all this possible are listed below: • The transfer limit is to be based on the number of resident students enrolled on Oct 1st • There is a cap of 10 percent or 40 students, whichever is smaller • Section 822a (d)(2)(B), allows the board to waive the transfer limits (at any point) http://www.leg.state.vt.us/statutes/ fullsection.cfm?Title=16&Chapter =021&Section=00822a This all sounds great right? • A WIN for parents who want school choice

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Voices From The Other Side

There was a time when my husband and I were not supporters of our local public school. When living in southern Vermont, my husband and I chose to send our children to a private school 20 miles from our home. We felt this school met our children’s needs best. It was a struggle financially, my entire salary went to pay the tuition. There were also the trips to school for after school activities. We had discussions with people in town about our concerns and our reasons for choosing a private school. However much we disagreed with the local school at NO time during those years did we attempt to close the school. Yes, closing it would have reduced our financial burdens. It wouldn’t have been right because that school was right for other families in town. The same way that Cabot School is right for some families in this town. Also lost in the discussion about closing Cabot High School and the feelings of the people who have chosen to send their children to other schools are the parents who have chosen to send their children to Cabot. These are parents who feel that Cabot is the best choice

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March 2013 ~ page 5

• A WIN for parents who want to keep the high school • A WIN for residents who want lower taxes This opportunity was brought to the School Board’s attention at a meeting we had with the board last night (2/22/13) at 5pm. We were there to discuss an array of issues we have had with the school related to our own children. However, at the end of our meeting I presented the new provisions of the law (as outlined above) to the board and asked them if they had considered waiving the limits. A few board members seemed to be unaware of the law and the changes to it; but Nancy Thomas, the Superintendant and Chris Tormey, the board chair were very aware and said that they would “not consider waiving the limits”. I asked “Why wouldn’t the board consider giving those who want school choice - choice; while keeping the high school open; increase the equalized pupil number; and lower everyone’s education tax rate?” The answer we got was “because too many kids might leave.” This surprised me because they have been telling everyone that all the students are happy and no one wants to leave. Which is it? If students and parents are happy then the boards fear is unfounded. I ask everyone to consider what has been offered here tonight. The parents who feel school choice would be best for their children are not unsympathetic to those parents who want their kids to attend Cabot High School. We see the changes made to the law as a window of opportunity where we all can get what we want…but it is in the hands of the school board to allow it.

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Brigitte M. Codling

for their children. They have no voice in this discussion because they don’t live here and can’t vote. Their children do, however, bring in tuition money to Cabot School. The reasons for choosing Cabot School may differ among families but are often very similar. The small size is often mentioned because of the individual attention the students receive. Hand in hand with the small size is the close relationships the students can develop with their teachers. These relationships have been mentioned as influencing career choices. Another reason mentioned is the chance for students to participate in activities they would not be able to participate in at a larger school. The last reason is the opportunity for students to have a voice in their education and their school. All of these reasons and several more have been part of my conversations with families that chose Cabot School for their children. Remember to come to Town Meeting on Monday night at 6:00 p.m. You must be present to vote!

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Planning a Medicinal Herb Garden

with Angie Barger, Clinical Herbalist, Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. You will leave the workshop with six newly planted seeds and planting/growing guidance for the species which you selected. Come and get your hands dirty! Sliding scale materials Fee: $1 to $10 per person. Infor-

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Vermont,

Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Anne Walker, the librarian from the Cabot Public Library, will teach us how to use a free service through Listen-up Vermont to download audio books and ebooks. Bring your I-pads, I-pods, Mp3 players, lap tops, or other devices to the workshop and learn how you can access

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Shakespeare in the Hills/EVCA pre-

sents A Midsummer Night’s Dream on March 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 at the Haybarn Theatre on the campus of Goddard College, Plainfield VT. Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 PM, Sundays at 2 PM. Tickets $15 adults, $12 seniors/students, $5 under 12. For ticket info and reservations, call 2294191.

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Saturday, 3/16

Cabot Maple Fest , 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Cabot School Gym: crafters, kid's activities, 9-3; pancake breakfast 9-11; silent auction 9-2; sugar-on-snow, maple cotton candy, Taste of Cabot soup and cheese sandwiches and Taste of Maple 11-3; live music by Cold Country (10) and Goat Ropers (12:30) and Dueces Wild short film (9:15 & 2:30) in CSPAC. Lego Exhibition , Cabot Public Library, 10:00 a.m. creation of Lego Build an original or Lego-compatible bricks and accessories. Please make sure your work can fit in a space no larger than 1-1/2 ft x 1-1/2 ft and 3 ft high.

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Saturday, 3/30 Minimum of

Cabot Community Egg Hunt, Cabot $4,000 Cash prizes Public Library, 9:00 a.m. Sharp! All ($2,000 1st prize, $1,500 2nd prize, ages are welcome to join in the fun! and $500 third prize Come celebrate spring – bring your own as well as other prizes, BONUS basket or we’ll have bags for you. Infor- raffles, and a chance to get back in

Bingo! Every Friday, Old Schoolhouse DJ from 7:00 p.m. to Midnight Common, Marshfield, 1:00 p.m. Come Snacks provided BYOB join us for friendly fierce competition and laughter. Sponsored by Twin Val- Donation: $100 per couple ley Seniors. (Must show ticket at the door) Book Group for Adults , fourth Mon- Do not need to be present to win! days at 7:00 p.m., Jaquith Public Li- Reserve your number today! Only brary, Marshfield. Information call: 426- 100 tickets available! 3581.

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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

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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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From the Floor

2 Listers (3 years) Cemetery Commissioner (5 years) 2 Auditors (3 years) Library Trustee (3 years) Delinquent Tax Collector (1 year) UDAG Committee Member (3 years) Grand Juror (1 year) Willey Committee Member (3 years) Law Agent (1 year) While no action in advance of Town Meeting is required to be elected from the floor, it is a good idea to advise the Town Clerk or Select Board member(s) of your interest and arrange for someone to nominate you.

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Oliver! Is Coming In April

by Karen Mueller-Harder Mark your calendar now for Friday and Saturday evenings, April 5, 6, 12, and 13, at 7:00 p.m. to head down to the Cabot School Performing Arts Center to see Cabot Community Theater's amazing performance of "Oliver!" Featuring a number of your friends and neighbors onstage and backstage, and directed by Caleb Pitkin, the show promises to be a wonderful experience for the whole family. Tickets are an affordable - $10, or $8 for children. Based on Charles Dickens' novel, Oliver Twist , the story follows the young orphan Oliver (played by Henry Burke April 5 & 6, and Justin Murray April 12 & 13), as he encounters an array of kind and nasty people to help or hinder him on his way, including the scheming Fagin (Todd Jones), the Artful Dodger (Adam Blachley April 5 & 6, Leo Parlo April 12 & 13), and the venomous Bill Sykes (Marcus Becherer). Other Cabot folks in the cast include Megan Walker as Charlotte, Mia Houston, Clara & Karen Mueller-Harder, Billie O'Connor, Mekiah Smith, Ethan & Jonah Socks, and Adele & Jeannine Valcour, and the set design is by Lars Torres. The large cast will limit the fire code's allowable audience size, so we encourage you to make reservations ahead of time to be sure of getting a

and the number of tickets you need, and pay at the door.

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To Sell Local

Sign up first as a member (above) Go to “My Market” tab and contact administrator Provide information requested by administrator for your setup Once set up, enter merchandise on Cabot Community Farmstand Receive order(s) via email before delivery time Drop prepaid merchandise at dropoff location at time indicated

Want to be part of it? Sign up at yourfarmstand.com

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Why We Should Not Close

Closing Cabot High School will eliminate the opportunity for parents to have a significant voice in the education of their children. It will also eliminate the “first choice” for the majority of Cabot middle and high school students. LOSS OF CONTROL : Should Cabot High School be closed, Cabot residents will lose local voice and authority when it comes to educating Cabot High School students. Cabot residents will have minimal say over costs---which will be established by the schools receiving our students---and in the quality and type of education our Cabot High School students will receive. While the receiving schools will accept the tuition dollars, Cabot residents do not play a role in their school governance. They will not be able to vote on the budget, nor provide input to the operation of the school. If some Cabot residents are frustrated today about their lack of voice, imagine what it will be like without any voice?

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VOICE FOR CABOT STUDENTS:

A significant majority of Cabot middle and high school students want to remain at Cabot High School, per anecdotal accounts. Shouldn’t the voices of the majority of students who wish to continue attending Cabot High School be considered---especially because they are the ones being directly affected by this decision---when deciding to close the high school?

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CHOICE ALREADY EXISTS: Cabot

students already have CHOICE: • Cabot students can choose to remain at Cabot High School • Cabot students can attend Barre Technical School • Up to seven (7) students can be accepted in the Statewide Act 150 Choice program and attend a different public school at no cost to Cabot or the parents. Parents not qualifying for any of the above options can choose to send their children to other schools at their own expense

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Cabot NECAP

On February 6, the NECAP test results were released and Cabot School got mostly good news. In several areas there is impressive growth and high levels of performance. In others, despite seeing a slight decline in the percent of students proficient, there is still impressive growth. For example, in reading for grades 3-8, the percent proficient dropped from 78% to 73% proficient, but a quarter of all students were proficient with distinction*. In other words, a quarter of all elementary students in grades 3 through 8 scored in the highest achievement level in reading in each of the past two years, the highest percent in the past six years. In High School, 50% of all students scored proficient with distinction, the highest percent ever in six years of testing. High School math showed impressive growth from 23% last year to 43% of eleventh graders scoring proficient this year, well above the statewide aver-

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Cabot High School

that is preparing students for career, college and citizenship in this changing economy. Below are NECAP standards based results for Cabot in the past three years: • Grade 11 Writing: the % of students proficient or above has increased each of the past 3 years to the highest levels since 2007 (57%) and well above the statewide average of 47%. • Grade 8 Writing: the last 2 years has seen the highest levels of proficiency (88% and 75% respectively) of the past 6 years, well above the statewide average of 59%. • Reading Grades 3-8: % proficient has remained in the 70s but a quarter of all students exceeded the standard in each of the past 2 years, again the highest % in the last 6 years. • Grade 11 Math: Cabot students scored a proficiency of 43% compared to the statewide average of 38% of all students. Grade 11 Reading: The last 3 years have seen steady improvements to 71% proficiency level with 50% of students exceeding the standard, the highest % ever in Cabot. The statewide average is 31%.

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REALISTIC TIME-LINE: Voting to

close the high school in March does not provide adequate time to plan for the closing of the high school, or placement of all students this fall who will be affected by this action. The proposed time-line to close Cabot High School in June of 2013 imposes an unfair burden on the families directly affected by this outcome, as well as the teachers and staff who will also be directly impacted by closing the school in only four (4) months. The time-line to place students in other schools will also be shorted should there be a petition to hold a re-call election. Cabot High School, which has been in operation since 1883, deserves a more considered decision-making process than this rush to judgment.

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Scores

age of 38%. High school math scores around the state have been stubbornly low, so we are particularly encouraged by our students’ performance. Writing has been an area of particular focus, and scores for students in grades 8 and 11 have stayed well above the statewide average for the second year in a row. Eighth grade writing in particular has been a bright spot: in the last two years, we have seen the highest levels of proficiency (88% and 75%) of the past six years, which is well above the statewide average of 59%. Writing in grade 5 improved from 48 to 50% proficient, 1% below the state average. To see a complete report of Cabot’s NECAP scores, go to the Cabot website. To see results displayed as graphs or tables, go to the “District Curriculum Page,” the last button in the drop down menu under Curriculum, and click “Report Viewer.” Cabot School budget will increase by $354,800 should the high school close this year. upon the This calculation is based current high school enrollment of sixty-five (65) students. The addition of just five (5) high school aged students to enrollment numbers would further increase the cost to close the high school to $419,000 in the first year alone. The increased cost associated with closing the high school will impact residential property taxes on $100,000 residence plus two acres of land as follows: If Cabot High School remains OPEN , $1,536 tax on residential property per $100,000 If Cabot High School is CLOSED , $1,816 tax on residential property per $100,000 IMPACT ON TAXES : If Cabot High School is CLOSED , there will be $280 additional tax increase per $100,000

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BREAK-EVEN COST :

The breakeven point---when the cost of closing Cabot High School would be the same as keeping the high school open---is twenty-eight (28) students, according to figures provided by the Washington Northeast Supervision Union. Budgeted enrollment for the upcoming year is sixty-five (65) students, well above the break-even point where the cost to keep the high school open will be significantly less than the cost to close the high school.

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TAXES:

The movement to School Choice is increasing taxes in other area communities. WOLCOTT : “With an overall increase of about 8.5%, the largest lineitem increase was $150,000 for the instruction of secondary students who get the choice of which surrounding high school to attend, with the Town of Wolcott picking up the tab”. SOURCE: The Hardwick Gazette , Wednesday, February 6, 2013.

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hronicle

mate. The Allowable Tuition Rate is determined after submitting financial and student data to the State in August of any year following the close of the school and fiscal year. Allowable Tuition determines actual cost and how much might be owed or refunded in future budgets. This schedule allows schools to have adequate time to prepare for any additional costs. An example: Announced Tuition $14,500 Established January 15, 2011 Allowable Tuition $15,746 Announced 2012 Fall of

Announced Tuition $14,000 Established January 15, 2012 • FY’13 Allowable Tuition TBD Will Fall of 2013 be announced

Announced Tuition $17,000 Established January 15, 2013 FY’14 Allowable Tuition TBD Will be announced Fall of 2014

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IMPACT ON LOCAL BUSINESS

AND COMMUNITY: Should the high school close, parents will be required to coordinate transportation for their students to other locations for classes and other events. Parents will undoubtedly start to shop in and support those communities to the detriment of the greater Cabot community, which will be adversely affected as fewer residents, faculty and staff spend time in the Cabot community.

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DEVELOPMENT:

The Vermont Council on Rural Development wrote in their December 2012 report titled, Cabot Community Visit, Report and Action Plan, “Cabot is what much of New England was, and what much of Vermont still wants to be”. Do we really want to get rid of something that has been and continues to be so important to the greater Cabot community?

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CABOT ANNUAL SCHOOL MEET-

ING: Monday, March 4 at 6:00 PM in Cabot School Gym. Childcare will be provided on site. Please be sure to vote to keep the high school open. The vote will be conducted by paper ballot after Cabot residents have the opportunity to speak. Then, after the vote has been completed, as a community, perhaps we can channel our energy and time into continuing to improve our school and our community.

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First Honor

Grade 12 Grade 11

Grade 10 Grade 9 Grade 8 Grade 7 Mazie O’Connor Olivia Bellavance, Hugh Burke, Timothy Mueller-Harder Heidi Cookson, Madeline Morse, Tiger Bastress, Galadriel Morse, Megan Walker Alisha Celley, Jeremy Hoyne-Grosvenor, Lauren Bellavance, Helen

Camden Celley Joseph Ambroz, Darren Celley, Carter Maxfield Kyle Celley, Forrest Paquin, Ian Lewis Tobias Cooke, Isabella McCallum, Natalie Mudgett-Fox, Clara

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Middle School Girls

Front row (left to Right): Samantha Villeneuve, Isabelle Yu, Lauren Bellavance. Back row bot, Dominique Witham, Alisha Celley, Isabella by Frank Kampf As we wrap up a season full of trials and tribulations, the team looked back upon it with many good memories. Even though the team has not posted many wins, every game is considered a win for the girls, as one team mate put it, “being able to play with friends even when we lose” is still a great memory. Another team member mentioned how the team pulled together and stepped up their play when our top scorer was moved up to Varsity. The girls were excited when the conversation turned to making baskets, as one mentioned how thrilled she was when she made her first basket playing at home in the Cabot Gymnasium. Another team member thoroughly enjoyed watching her first basket of the season on video of the Waterford Tournament during our highest scoring game of the season. One girl noted that when the team gets along and plays well, they have fun and they can win! A few of the girls talked about how they have learned to play more aggressively. One of the 7 th graders men-

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Roll

earn high grades and are on the Honor Roll. period and announced in the The Cabot Chronicle, Gazette and The World. Academics are all students to strive to gain high grades. requirements are: grade below 90 grade below 85 grade below 80

Lars Hammer, Kassandra Morse,

Gage Sironi William Nally, Clementine O’Connor,

Jeremy Maxfield Sawyer

Cypress Ellen, Ashley Maurice,

Emma Stecker, Lyrica Stelle

Isabella Yu Mueller-Harder, Abigail Walker

Maxfield, Caleb Millington Sam Carpenter, Jasiah Fay, Jordan Hale,

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Basketball

Natalie Mudgett, Monique Bigelow, (left to right): Helen Sawyer, Taylor AbMcCallum, Michaela Gokey tioned how she was told by the coaches to be on the ball, and when the other team crossed half court, she charged at the opposing player, forcing her to back up across the half court line. The opponent was called for a back court violation and the ball was turned over to Cabot. Another girl, an 8 th grader in her second year on the team, remembered how she spent last year learning to play more aggressively. This year, she has stepped up her game and was proud when she actually fouled out of a game. The coaches were ok with it, as all of her fouls were “good” fouls. Our conversation returned to shooting skills, and one of the girls mentioned that she is pleased that this year she has been able to shoot foul shots for the first time. And when I asked one of the girls that had been silent up to this point what her favorite moment was this season, she excitedly retorted, “I made a basket at the buzzer from half court!” And that is how the coaches are going to remember the season. A season of learning for the girls, and a season of great individual moments.

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Cabot XC Skiers at

Alan Moody finishing his 1K classic race.

David Moody skiing towards a fun jump

Cabot XC skiers David and Alan Moody traveled to Boston for the regional Bill Koch Festival on February 10, the day after Boston's big blizzard. Over 500 young ski racers were happy to be skiing on real snow for the event. This annual festival hosts young racers in grades K-8 from Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and New York. Alan, a first grader, raced in an untimed skate ski sprint and a timed

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Recreation

• Basketball is going well, with a lot of participation. • Chuck Talbert has sent out all little league signups. Signups must be in by MARCH 15TH. If you have any questions, please contact Chuck. • We would like to thank Suzie Socks for keeping the ice-skating rink up and running this year again. This takes a lot of work and commitment to ensure everyone has a free place to skate. • Someone is needed to run soccer camp for the little kids this summer. This has become a popular summer camp for Cabot, as well as surrounding towns.

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Little League

by Chuck Talbert

Little League signups are here!.. We hope to have enough players for 4 divisions of play - Tball, Farm League, Minors, and Majors. This will be dependent on how many children sign up for each team, so we must have your children signed up early to create the teams and league schedule. Fees will be$35 for first child, $25 for second child and $15 for the 3rd child, and Tball is a flat $25 fee. These prices are the early sign up prices, and if a parent makes the choice to sign up after March 30, then it is an additional fee of $5 per child, pay-

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Bill Koch Festival

in between races.

1K classic event, in which he placed second overall for boys in grades 1 and 2. David, a fourth grader, raced in the skate ski sprint and 2K classic events. He placed eighth overall for grades 3/4 in the sprint race, and fifth overall in the classic race. Both boys received medals awarded by Olympic silver medalist Bill Koch. David and Alan enjoyed cheering on their teammates from the Craftsbury Nordic Ski Club.

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Department

• This spring we need to get the Larry & Sons ball field up and running. We are looking for a contractor that knows how to level and fix the field. If you or someone you know would be interested in doing this, please contact Rebecca Nally or myself. THERE WILL BE NO RECREATION DEPARTMENT AS OF JUNE 1, 2013. As always, if you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Amber Bothfeld amberbothfeld@aol.com

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Signups

able with a completed registration form. All these fees go to Little League headquarters and cover the cost of insurance and ALL equipment other than uniforms. If your child is 4 yrs old before May 1 or 12 yrs old after May 1, they may play in one of Little League’s divisions. Please contact Chuck Talbert

you are interested in signing your child up to play. Consider volunteering, as well, if you have a child who will be playing- we currently need a coach for Minor League (9 and 10 yr olds.).

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To Our Home Base

Faith in Action was originally started in fulfillment of the agreement drawn by Mark Hull and others between Rev. Cobb and Cabot United Church, which brought the Cobbs to Cabot. The agreement called for a dual ministry mission, the Church and forming a not for profit outreach to the community - something Reverend Cobb, who holds a Masters from Harvard and Doctorate from Boston University, had always been involved with in Vermont, Massachusetts and Houston, Texas.

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History:

On a 20-below-zero January morning in 2004 only weeks since notification of approval of our $35,000 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2-yr. start-up grant, Erma Perry led four hardy seniors and as many volunteers in our first Senior Adventure Morning program. Since then, we have added over a dozen other services and programs, 350 volunteers and partners including in November of 2007 on a leap of faith opening a pilot “Northeast Kingdom” satellite office to serve Vermont’s three poorest and most rural counties, which are a designated federal REAP zone. All to help our neighbors in need, seniors and disabled remain in their beloved homes and communities actively, healthily, happily, safely and as long as possible. Community Need: In our rural areas, it is imperative to be able to keep our elders, disabled and other neighbors in need in their communities and part of the local social fabric. In the absence of a local well-organized and expansive network of volunteers to support these activities in our region, we simply do not see that there will be enough local, state, federal, or other resources to support these populations. Such simple services can provide the safety net that makes it possible for those needing assistance to enjoy a better quality of life and to maintain their independence. Volunteers and recipients of FIANCP’s free programs and services partake in the spirit of neighborly compassion and sharing that is individually fulfilling, and strengthens the relational bonds which hold our communities together. “The wood furnace works GREAT! We don’t have to worry about it leaking, us or the kids getting sick!

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Lord for bringing us to you.” --

A Vermont family living by necessity off the grid on a Class Four road. There is no charge for our neighborly services or food, which we now deliver in 53 towns and villages in five counties. The life-giving, sometimes life-saving successes of our volunteers to augment, extend and leverage existing social services for Vermont’s growing elderly, disabled, and other neighbors in need is a critical component to Vermont’s local service and supplemental food distribution matrix.

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Our wonderful volunteers come from

all walks of life, the only test being to be a willing, responsible person who wants to devote some of their time to helping others. While we expect our service numbers to climb slightly, projections based on almost complete data show an increase from 25,450 plus hours to over 3,0 hours and a total value for our alwaysfree food and services increasing from $693,000 to over $854,000. Over these last two years alone, our wonderful volunteers have distributed 400,000 pounds of free food, most of it from Cabot, and given 45,000 hours of always-free services collectively valued at one million five hundred thousand dollars . Ninety cents (90¢) of every dollar we receive goes to helping and feeding neighbors in need. We are a lean and effective people helping non-profit in the forefront of renewing innovative, local, grass-rooted volunteer powered community human services. Our overarching mission is to help communities rediscover what they used to know how to do – take care of their own. The community need, which we innovatively address, is community itself. In this deteriorating landscape of economic contraction and increasing mobility, the need for community reinvigoration through cooperative volunteerism is critical. Historically, family and small communities have been the cornerstone of human civilization and have become Vermont and rural America’s most prized legacy.

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Chronicle

website at

Groups that seek grant funding will be able to do so under the CCA nonprofit umbrella, and can count on the support of CCA to act as fiduciary agent for their awarded funds. The community owes thanks to several residents for their work over the years initiating and maintaining this non-profit resource for the community R.D. Eno, Bob and Peggy Miller, Will Walters, as well as many individuals who served as board members over the years. Their foresight and effort created and preserved a resource of value to the whole community. The CCA board now has two types of directors: program directors represent Cabot organizations that are working with or through the CCA. The officer directors (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer) are elected annually by the members at a meeting in April. The CCA is asking Cabot residents to become members and get involved with the CCA to address needs of the community. Membership applications will be available at town meeting and online at They can be returned by email to cabot.developement @yahoo.com, by placing in the box at the entryway to the CCA office in the Willey Building, or, if you prefer, mailed to P. O. Box 245, Cabot, VT 05647.

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To Tap Their

by Michael Snyder

Sugarmakers begin drilling holes and hammering spouts into their maple trees at their own discretion, and each has particular schedules and reasons for tapping when they do. Still, the traditional time for tapping has always been right around the first of March, at least in northern New England. But this is changing. Just as we’ve seen longstanding sugaring traditions like buckets and horses give way to newer conventions like plastic tubing and vacuum systems, we’ve also begun to see changes in the traditional sugaring tapping schedule. Sugaring operations come in all kinds and sizes – from a few reused milk jugs the kids hang on driveway maples to imposing, sophisticated operations with tens of thousands of taps. Regardless of scale, though, all sugarmakers want to be tapped and ready in time to catch the best sap runs. Nobody wants to tap too late and miss out on a gusher. And yet many do. When Tim Wilmot, the University of Vermont Extension Maple Specialist, asks sugarmakers at the end of each year about what they wish they’d done differently, by far the most common response is that they wished they had tapped earlier. Why did they wait? Because tapping too early has always been regarded as dangerous. The traditional fear is that early tapped holes might “dry out” and give less sap when good sugaring weather arrives many weeks later. And so many sugarmakers agonize over the when-to-tap question during every warm spell in early February. For large-scale sugarmakers with many tens of thousands of taps, however, there’s not much choice. It takes them weeks or even months to be fully tapped and ready; they can’t afford to wait until March. Thus many of them break with tradition, tapping as early as mid-January. The CCA, in conjunction with the UDAG fund, has two articles in the town meeting warning to fund CCA operations for the coming year. Article 10 authorizes the use of $20,000 of UDAG funds and Article 11 appropriates $7,500 of current town funds for support. This will pay for staff support so Cabot can be competitive in obtaining grant funds from government, private foundations and other organizations, and provide administrative support for successful grant applications. Successful grant applications are the result of planning, clear problem identification, well-thought-out action plans and cultivation of people who can bring resources, whether cash or skills, to implement those actions. All these things require continuity of effort and follow through. The community has a number of programs under way which an be strengthened with such support. In addition, the community visit program of the VCRD (Vermont Council on Rural Development) motivated a large number of people to get involved in developing projects in the areas of communications, agricultural network, and a community arts center. The momentum of those efforts will benefit from staff support. This is why the UDAG committee and CCA are requesting approval of Articles 10 and 11.

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Maple Trees?

This all begs some important questions: Do early season tapholes actually dry out earlier than March-drilled ones? And what tapping start date gives a sugarmaker the greatest sap volume for a season? Tim Wilmot designed experiments to address those fundamental questions. At UVM’s Proctor Maple Research Center in Underhill, Vermont, Wilmot divided maple trees into three groups according to when they were tapped – early, traditional, late – and then compared the volume of sap collected from each category over several years. He did so using both gravity and vacuumbased collecting systems, both being commonly used by sugarmakers. The tapholes in Wilmot’s group earliest were a month older than those in his traditional group, yet at the end of the year, sap yields were very similar. “We have learned that you can tap in January and it doesn’t diminish your eventual sap yield,” said Wilmot. “The experiments showed that while tapping early did not appear to hurt overall sap yields, neither did it supplement them.” As to “drying out,” Wilmot explains that the term is not entirely accurate. What happens is that a great variety of fungi, bacteria, and yeasts live in maple forests and they flourish as temperatures rise. Such microbes inevitably infect the tapholes, interacting with the sap inside to form a gummy substance that blocks further sap flow. They don’t really dry out, but they do give less sap when infected. Wilmot explained that microbial infection is a late season problem: “January and February thaws may allow sap flow but rarely involve the prolonged warmth seen in April.” Accordingly, microorganisms don’t cause as much blockage in the colder, early season but are a significant factor toward the end of the season. As Wilmot reported, “Under both gravity and vacuum, sap flow from tapholes drilled in January and February was comparable to sap flow from much fresher holes during the cooler part of the sap flow season.” But, he cautioned, “Toward the end of the season, when temperatures had exceeded 50oF on several days, January and February tapholes yielded less sap than newer ones.” Wilmot interprets all this to mean that there can be benefits to getting out in the sugar woods and tapping early because those late season reductions in flow from older tapholes may be compensated for by capture of early-season flows. “In years when many of the sap flow periods involve relatively low temperatures, perhaps 40oF or less, the additional yield from early tapping may provide a significant advantage compared to tapping on March 1.” Michael Snyder is a forester in Stowe, Vermont. The Outside Story is a series of weekly ecology articles that has been appearing in newspapers across New Hampshire and Vermont since 2002. The series is underwritten by the Wellborn Ecology Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Upper Valley Region and edited by Dave Mance at Northern Woodlands Magazine . Reprinted with permission.

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Pedicure @ Sundara Day Spa

1 Hour Massage w/Jan Smith CMT 1 Hour Massage & Reiki Session w/ Tiffany MacLaren, CMT $25.00 Gift Certificate to Do or Dye Salon $40.00 Makeover or Tan at the Wiggoddess $25.00 Gift Certificate to Positive Pie in Plainfield

Winners will be announced at the Maple Festival in Cabot on March 16th, at the completion of TVSC Bingo held in the Masonic Hall. You do not need to be present to win.

COME JOIN US AT THE MAPLE FESTIVAL IN CABOT ON MARCH 16 TH TO PLAY BINGO AT THE MASONIC HALL FROM 10:00 AM----2:00PM. THIS IS A FUNDRAISER FOR TVSC. WE HAVE HAD GREAT LOCAL PRIZES DONATED FOR THE WINNERS FROM AREA BUSINESS’. YOU CAN ALSO PURCHASE THE PAMPER YOURSELF WINTER RAFFLE TICKETS AT THE EVENT RIGHT UP TO DRAWING TIME, WHICH WILL BE AT THE END OF BINGO. PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND JOIN US!

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Offered at the Cabot Public Library

Curl up in front of the woodstove west Earth Institute’s anthology on with a book on simple living, available global warming. Also included is the at the Cabot Public Library during DVD The Cost of Cool and videotapes March and April. The collection is avail- Affluenza and “ More Fun, Less Stuff. ” able thanks to the Catamount Earth New additions include a wattmeter to Institute. It has been in residence at measure energy use and Vermonter over 100 public libraries. Paul Scheckel’s book, The Home Energy Simple living can be defined as living Diet . purposely or intentionally, with a bal- Catamount Earth Institute also ofance between work and relaxation. Peo- fers free community discussion courses ple who aspire to live simply seek less on voluntary simplicity, sustainable stress and more time for things that living, and sustainable food systems. matter to them - family, friends, hob- The courses range from four to seven 1bies, and their community. Often simple ½ hour sessions, are designed for living is also “sustainable living,” i.e. groups of 8-12 people, and use a course treading lighter on the earth. The collec- book of readings from a rich array of tion doesn’t ask that people follow in sources. Each session, course particiThoreau’s footsteps, but rather offers pants discuss the week's topic and the contemporary approaches to living more course book readings. The courses are simply and improving personal quality largely self-facilitated, with start-up of life. help from Catamount. For more inforThe collection includes Joe Domin- m a t i o n , e m a i l b a r quez and Vicki Robin’s Your Money or bara.duncan@valley.net or see Your Life , and Peter Menzel’s photo es- www.nwei.org. say, The Material World , and the North-

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

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Programs

Please come in and see our special display from the Catamount Earth Institute’s (CEI) rotating lending library, which will be at the Cabot library during March and April. This collection includes books and videos about various ways of living simply. Please see the program below and our separate article in this edition of the Cabot Chronicle for more information.

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Simple Living and Energy Conserva-

tion – Tuesday, March 12 – 6:30 p.m. Presenter Richard Czaplinski will discuss and show slides of how he has tried to live simply and sustainably for the last 30 years at his place in Adamant, where he built a small passive solar house with wood heating and active micro solar for lighting, computer and radio. He will discuss how he has been mostly a localvore without having a refrigerator in Vermont. Come prepared for a lively discussion on the benefits, challenges and barriers to living such a life. Richard was born and raised on a small dairy farm in central Wisconsin. After receiving a degree in engineering and six years in the nuclear navy, he went back to graduate school and redirected his efforts to environmental protection. In 1972, he moved to Vermont for a job with the Water Resources Department. After leaving state service in 1987, he worked part time as an environmental consultant in various capacities while he continued homesteading in Adamant.

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Community Book Group – March

13 - 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to join in! We will be meeting monthly and the second book will be The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker. “A story at once poignant and joyous, it reaffirms how love can transform the harshest of realities into a mystical one. Sendker takes us from contemporary, upscale New York to impoverished Burma, weaving a complex tale that is part romance, part father-daughter story.” Copies will be available in the Cabot Library.

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Saturday, March 16 – 10:00 a.m.

Build an original creation (not from Lego plans) of Lego or Lego-compatible bricks and accessories. Duplo, Megablocks, Bionicle are all fine. It should be primarily Lego materials, but it’s okay to use other things to enhance your creation…paper, fabric, bric-abrac. Please make sure your work can fit in a space no larger than 1-1/2 ft x 11/2 ft and 3 ft high. Be creative! Cars, robots, ships. houses, castles, spaceports. monsters, mythical creatures, barnyard animals. Diorama, mosaic, collage, mobile… what can YOU build that no one has thought of before?

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Get Yours or Donate

Girl Scout Cookies have arrived! Cookies are $4.00 a box and we have all eight flavors: Thin Mints, Trefoils (shortbread), Do Si Dos ( peanut butter sandwich), Samoas (caramel, coconut, chocolate), Tag -Alongs (peanut butter patties), Dulce de Leche (caramel chip), Savannah Smiles (lemon) and Thank-U -Berry Munch (cranberry).

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Opening party on Saturday March

16 at 10:00 a.m. Bring your creation, and have some cookies and punch while we set up the exhibition. Stay for the “gallery walk”, where you’ll talk about your creation, and learn about the work of your fellow Lego builders. Pieces will be on display for two weeks. Please plan to pick up your work on Saturday, March 30. Questions? Contact Susie Socks, 5632073 or Kathleen Hoyne at the

cabotlibrary@yahoo.com.

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Hale , Michael Socks , and Cynthia

Russell for all their work on the Cabot Winter Trail, Susy Socks for organizing the Lego Exhibition, Lynn Rockwell, Mary Anne Tormey and Andrew Simon for their dedication in showing a film about Alberta’s tar sands development, Lisa Olson for always being there for the Dungeons and Dragon’s group, Alicia Feltus for Yoga every Monday night and Beth Wade for story hour every Tuesday. Special thanks to Marge Trautz and Jon Vara for their many years of service as Library Trustees. We have enjoyed your company, appreciated your help and expertise, and we will miss you!

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Reminders:

ο HOURS • Tuesday 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. ** Story Hour 10:30-11:30 am** • 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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To Servicemembers

They will be on sale at both the Annual School Meeting, March 4 (from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.) and the Annual Town Meeting, March 5 (from 10:00 a.m. to noon) . You can also contact any Cabot Girl Scout or leader to purchase a box. In addition, the girls are collecting donations to send cookies to our service men and women overseas (a good way to support both the scouts and the military, with no impact on your waistline!). For more information call Cecilia Gulka

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← From the Cabot Chronicle