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Preserving the history of Cabot, Vermont · Founded 1965

The Cabot Chronicle

April 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 April 2013 pages (PDF)

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

In This Issue

Thank You, Cabot!

What a blast Maple Fest was! So much going on and so much to do. Maple Fest is a fundraiser for The Cabot Chronicle, and enough money was raised to cover about three months of publication costs. The Chronicle staff could never have pulled it off alone. The success belongs to the community as a whole. Thank you to the voters of Cabot for approving purchase of the inflatable slide and bounce house. What a hit they were. Huge thanks go to Jim Abbott for helping get them delivered in time and set up for their maiden voyage, and to Karen Abbott for joining the effort the day of Maple Fest, maintaining order and safety for all the many kids who broke in the inflatables in the gym. We made about $300 on this equipment, and learned a lot about managing them. Kids can look forward to enjoying them again Fourth of July on the Recreation Field to benefit the PTSO. The biggest contribution to the fundraising effort was food sales. Thanks to Stan Linkovich of Butters Restaurant for managing the kitchen for us, and Lynn and Todd Jones, Brigitte and Ashley Codling, Fred and Shirley Ducharme for maintaining a flow of pancakes, sausages and eggs all morning long. Thanks for the maple syrup donations from Goodrich, Talbert, Bothfeld, Pitkin and Ameden families. Cindy Hastings and Amy Hornblas jumped in to make Cabot grilled cheese sandwiches with applewood bacon and apple slices. Soups, sap dogs and homemade beans continued flying out of the kitchen. And Michele Leblanc and Shirley Ducharme managed all those wonderful maple desserts that community members made and brought in – what a bunch of great bakers we have in this town! Merlene Codling baked up a storm, and Beth Hoffman made those gorgeous maple-leaf cookies for us again. Thanks to Merlene, Beth, Stan and all the other fabulous bakers. We were worried there wouldn’t be enough maple dessert, and you really came through for us. Food sales resulted in almost $2,000. We are thankful to our forty vendors who filled the gym. What an incredible variety of offerings – which helped contribute about $1,000 to the publication. Thank you, Cabot, for the donations to the silent auction. Because it ended up being scrunched into the hallway between the gym and dining room, it wasn’t as financially successful as usual

– we only made about $250 this year. But some people got some really great bargains. We are grateful that the Vermont Sugarmakers Association allowed us to borrow their Sugar Shack trailer again this year, and Anson Tebbetts and family used it to cook up almost 100 servings of sugar-on-snow at the best price in the region, earning us about $300. Connie and Richie Hourihan spun two pounds of Goodrich’s donated maple sugar into about $300 worth of cotton candy, which was a huge hit with kids of all ages. Black Horse Farm horse-drawn wagon rides, National Guard Climbing Wall, Twin Valley Senior Center Bingo and Winter Raffle provided something to do outside the school gym and cafeteria, and Cold Country Blue Grass Band and the Goat Ropers provided music to tap your toes and get off your feet to, while songbirds from Oliver! gave a preview of Cabot Community Theater entertainment to come in April. It was a community event, and a community effort, and organizers are grateful for the help and participation. See you next year on March 15, 2014.

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From page 1

The law regarding homestead declarations has changed. Beginning in 2013, those eligible to file a homestead declaration must file by April 15. Some of the forms also have changed.

What is the new law regarding homestead declarations? Beginning January 1, 2013, the law requires that homestead declarations must be filed annually by the due date for filing of Vermont income tax returns. In Vermont, all property is subject to education property tax to pay for our schools. Property is categorized as either nonresidential or homestead. The property education tax rate levied on nonresidential property differs from the rate levied on homestead property. Under the law, all property is considered “nonresidential,” and it is the responsibility of the property owner to claim the property as a “homestead” if he or she meets, or expects to meet, the following requirements as of April 1 of the year of filing: The property owner is domiciled in

Vermont The property owner owns and occupies

the property as his or her primary residence If the property owner does not file a homestead declaration by the deadline or by the extended deadline of October 15 (penalties will apply after the April deadline)e then the property is considered nonresidential and is taxed at the higher of the two rates.

Is this a change in the law? Yes, the new law taking effect in 2013 requires that homestead declarations be filed each year by the due date for filing of Vermont income tax returns. The law in effect prior to 2013 required that the property owner declare the homestead only once until the property was sold or there was a change in the use of the property.

Is filing a homestead declaration a requirement to claim a property tax adjustment? Yes. A homestead declaration must be on file before a property owner can file a claim for a property tax adjustment. Please note that the law requires that you file a homestead declaration regardless of whether you are filing for a property tax adjustment.

I didn’t file my income tax this year. Do I still need to file the homestead declaration? Yes. All property owners who meet the requirements of the law must file a homestead declaration.

What form should I use to declare a homestead? Filers will use Vermont tax form HS- 122, Homestead Declaration and Property Tax Adjustment Claim, to file homestead declarations, but the Department of Taxes encourages electronic filing, as it is a convenient and faster way to file. The HS-122 includes the form to file a property tax adjustment, and you will also need a separate form, HI-144, Household Income. Both the paper forms and electronic filing can be found online at the Vermont Department of Taxes website at www.tax.vermont.gov. Additional information, including definition of a homestead, what to do if you miss the April 15 deadline, and what if the property is transferred to a new owner after April 1 can be found at: h t p : / / w . state . v t . u s / t a x /pdf.word.excel/forms/income/FAQ% 20Homestead%20Declaration.pdf. The Vermont Department of Taxes website address is www.tax.ver mont.gov, and the phone number is 802 -828-2865 or toll-free in Vermont 866- 828-2865.

Calendar:

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~ Due May 1 ~

Who is Eligible?

Eligible recipients are residents pursuing post-high school education/training, and/or continuing education or professional development, who have been Cabot residents for at least twelve months as of the application deadline and who will be Cabot residents on the award date.

What Activities Are Eligible?

Eligible activities that may be funded with these scholarships include the purchase of books and equipment required in connection with educational activities and the payment of tuition and fees for degree programs, courses and seminars.

Application Packet Details:

Completed scholarship application packets must be postmarked on or by May 1 and mailed to the Cabot UDAG Scholarship Committee (P.O. Box 125; Cabot, VT 05647). Additional information and forms may be found on the Town’s website, www.Cabotvt.us. Click on Government, UDAG Committee, then UDAG Scholarship Application.

Notification of Award:

Recipients of scholarships will be notified by mail and are announced at the Cabot High School graduation each year.

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Become a Member of the Cabot Community Association

The Cabot Community Association (CCA) was created in [year] to provide a tax-exempt organization for community projects. Most specifically, the CCA was going to obtain funding to rehabilitate the old Methodist church building in the village as a community theater. Although that did not happen (yet), the CCA did receive grants for some other community activities. Then it became dormant. In 2011, as the federal government’s funding for youth-oriented prevention services was decreasing, including the Cabot Coalition’s budget that was administered by the Supervisory Union, the need for a community-based organization to be the home for The Cabot Chronicle and potentially other community activities became evident, so the CCA was revived. Fortunately a few of the original founders of the CCA had continued to file the annual paperwork to keep it alive. In 2011, the CCA received development funds from the UDAG budget and additional grants from a private foundation. The CCA opened up a bank account, confirmed its tax-exempt status with the IRS and took on handling the finances of The Cabot Chronicle. This required setting up payroll tax accounts with the state and federal government and buying workers’ compensation insurance, since it was now an employer. The CCA is ready to be the organizational backbone for community projects. In order to be able to properly account for and report the financial transactions of those activities, the CCA deposits any receipts to and disburses any funds for an activity from its checking account at the Passumpsic Bank. The funds are kept separate by accounting for each group's activities separately in Quickbooks. Any community group that has a project that would qualify as tax-exempt can use the CCA as its organizational home. To start, the group designates one of its members to be a member of the CCA board. Then, project receipts are deposited in the CCA bank account. When the group approves bills for payment, they are given to the CCA and checks are promptly issued and mailed.

The CCA provides exemption certificates for the group to use in purchasing things. Reports are run whenever they are requested or on a pre-arranged schedule. The CCA will obtain W9s from independent contractors and issue any 1099s that may be required. If the group has employees - probably unlikely but possible - they will be put on the CCA payroll and the CCA will withhold and pay the required payroll taxes. The CCA is responsible for filing the annual Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Tax. Because the CCA takes responsibility for this reporting, it cannot just lend its tax number and status. That is why things are set up the way they are. The community group has complete control over and responsibility for its program and the CCA administers the cash and does the governmental reporting. Originally, the CCA was set up with a self-perpetuating board. Now, it is a membership organization. Membership is open to any Cabot resident or member of a Cabot community group. The Board of Directors is composed of the representatives of the groups that are using the CCA and the officers who are elected annually by the members. So the CCA is asking you to become a member and to participate in its work. This is particularly important since, at the March Town Meeting, the CCA was granted UDAG and Town tax funds to undertake economic development work. To be considered a member, just fill out the short form and drop it at the CCA office, Cabot Public Library or Town Clerk’s office, or email [email protected] or leave a message at 595-7710, and we’ll call you back.

Sam Carpenter in the well of the House of Representatives at the State House in Montpelier, Vermont.

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Cabot’s Highway Gets Upgraded

If you’ve driven down U.S. Route 2 in the past year, you’ve probably noticed some changes. Not only did the village of Danville go through a major overhaul, but Cabot’s own stretch of highway was also reconstructed. Last summer, about two miles of the road was expanded, thanks to an eight million dollar grant from the Federal government. The upgrade included 12-foot travel lanes, an eight-foot shoulder, and a 3900-foot truck lane. While the new stretch looks much more like a highway than the rest of Route 2, we can be assured that more improvements along other stretches are planned for the future.

Richard Hourihan: � I don’t think it was worth the money. I was told we got a bunch of grants years ago. Did it really do anything? At least nobody can shoot the pipes now. Connie Hourihan: � It really looks nice. There are two pull offs now While the Route 2 reconstruction was done in collaboration with the replacement of Green Mountain Power’s hydro penstock, the two were separate projects. However, the fact that they were done in tandem made the changes seem that much more dramatic. The wooden penstock was replaced with a steel one, and then buried under the earth most of the way from the Marshfield Dam to Marshfield Village. During last month’s Maple Festival at the Cabot School, we asked a few locals what they think about the changes to our stretch of Route 2. Here’s what they had to say:

⊳ George Annis:

They didn’t straighten any of the curves. Seems the drivers go faster now, even in the village. I miss the sprinkling water.

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Two 2013 Legislative Pages from Cabot

Two Cabot eighth-graders are participating in the Vermont Legislative Page program this year. Sam Carpenter is currently serving, and Isabella McCallum will start her session in April. It’s remarkable for Cabot to have two students serving in 2013. Each year about 30 young Vermonters are selected to work as Legislative pages in the Vermont State House, out of 125-150 applicants. Pages must be in the eighth grade the year that they serve. Only one child per family is allowed to serve; this gives more families a chance to participate in the program.

Pages deliver messages for the members of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the various Legislative offices. Serving as a page offers a unique opportunity to observe the workings of the legislature and to witness first-hand the often-historic events in Montpelier. Sam is loving his time at the State House. It's a long day and he's pretty tired by the end. He puts on a lot of miles. He is staying two nights a week in Montpelier with friends. He agreed to share a page from his Page Journal.

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Diary of a Page - Sam Carpenter

Sunday, March 17, 2013 It’s windy today. The doorkeepers Mr. Wiater and Mr. Gaibrielson said that they might take us Pages into the dome today. I’m getting excited for that! We’ve just come down from the dome. It was really cool up in there. First we went up the stairs that lead to the balcony in the house and senate. Then we went up another flight of stairs and came into what looked like a complicated basement. Giant pipes and tubes connecting to heaters and such were everywhere! We only spent a short time in there because the next door we had to go through was right against the one we had just come through. Amazingly, once we got up the next steps, we were inside the dome. I was so surprised when I found it was just wood on the inside. I guess I’m not sure what I expected, but it was just regular old time, wood. The view was fantastic! However, we still had stairs to hike up if we wanted to get to the very tippy top. This time though, the stairs were old and creaky. I was one of the first five to start up, but once we started to get very high up, I gave in to my fear. I went back down to the main floor of the dome, where everyone else was signing their name. I put mine on one of the big green girders. When the other group started to come down, I was ready to try it once more. I went up the stairs, trying hard not to think about how much it would hurt if one of the stairs gave way underneath me. Finally I was at some sort of heating vent, which had been opened so we could step outside of the dome and see everything from a higher perspective. I had been inside since about 7:30, so I had no idea what it would be like, now that it was around 1:00, it was windy still. The view was incredible, but insanely scary at the same time with the wind blowing. I looked up, and found we were directly underneath the god’s statue. It was a shame I could not reach far enough to get a sliver of the gold paint. It was a bit of a squeeze when I tried to go back through the vent, but I made it.

While I and some others waited for the others to come down, we started looking around at all the inscriptions from Pages in the past. One I looked at was dated at around 1950. There was another that said: “I made it up here on crutches!” It was a sign of true determination. Soon after I began the climb back down from the dome to resume my duties of a Legislative Page.

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100,000 Maple Sugar Taps in Cabot

By Amanda Legare Whether it’s the Goodrich family with 45,000 taps, all on pipeline, or Willem Talbert with his four buckets, there’s a lot of sugaring going on in this small town. An informal survey shows that Cabot has well over 100,000 taps put in during the sugaring season. While most folks use tubing with a vacuum or gravity system, folks at the Bothfeld Farm tap their trees 4,600 times and hook a bucket on each spout. Down the hill the Talberts have 2,500 taps out, all on pipeline. Mary and Caleb Pitkin have 800 buckets up and 230 other taps on pipeline. Up the road, Sue, Sam, and Barbara Carpenter and Nathan Smith have 50 buckets up and 1,150 taps on pipeline. Martha Rockwell has 100 taps on buckets and her neighbors, Jen Boucher and Mark Christiansen, have 330 buckets out. The Hewitt family has 65 buckets. Meanwhile larger operations like Cabot Hills Maple (Ken Denton and Marcia Maynard) have 9,200 taps. Keith, Johnnye, Gregg and Steph Burtt put out 22,000 taps. Neither uses any buckets.

Jimmy Ackerman has 2,400 taps on pipeline and his brother Ian has 2,500 taps in a different location. Will Amedon (Under Orion Farm) hangs 50 buckets and has 950 taps on pipeline. Morgan Churchill has 2,500 taps and 200 buckets. Cedric Houston’s 3,400 taps and Brian Blaisdale’s 4,000 taps are all on pipeline. Brad Hutchinson lives in Panton, but he puts in 1,700 taps on Wyman Smith’s sugarlot. Hooker Mountain Farm has 480 taps with “a bunch of five gallon buckets” hanging from trees. Chris Duff manages the Cabot Plains Farm sugaring operation where 1,500 taps are used. Paul Stecker put in 1,850 taps this year. Many folks sugar on a small scale. Melissa Yu and Jason Springer have 14 taps and Beth Wade has ten buckets up. Oliver Welters has five and Madelief Bercherer has nine taps. Rye Hoffman has 14 buckets. This informal survey “sugars down” to 6,237 buckets and 98,910 taps on tubing in Cabot. This was an informal survey and doubtless some people were left out, but it’s clear that Cabot residents appreciate their sugar maple trees.

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Tapped Out On Town Meeting Day

Excerpts from Will Ameden’s blog, The Flying Farmer, which you can read and subscribe to at http://catamountaviation.wordpress.com. March 5, 2013 · by Will Ameden Its a historic day! I am not talking the historic turnout at Cabot’s school meeting last night. I am talking about the first time in my memory, which I will admit is not often historically accurate, that my maple trees are all tapped before Town Meeting Day.

M and A learn how to tap a maple with an auger, a hammer and a spout.

The last day of tapping we made a party of it, hanging out 50 buckets with neighbors, friends and family. So today I can sit in town meeting either relieved that I am tapped out and ready for the season, or wishing that I had not used up my Get-Out-of-Town- Meeting-card. “Sorry, can not make it today. I am tapping”. Well, maybe next year.

Wes taps a tree using a drill.

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Cabot Arts to Form Show and Tell Group

Cabot Arts has been formed to address one of the three areas identified for town emphasis during conversations with the Vermont Council on Rural Development. The group has been meeting monthly this year to begin to identify activities that will promote the Arts and support artists in Cabot. We define the term ‘artist’ in the broadest possible sense as basically anyone who creates things (including making music and theater). One effort that Cabot Arts is exploring is the formation of a Show & Tell Group for visual artists – painters, sculptors, photographers, potters, filmmakers, craftspeople, etc. The first meeting of the group is scheduled for Saturday, April 20, from 3:00 to 5:00 (otherwise known as tree food). Picture these reserves like a bank account that the tree adds to when it’s photosynthesizing and draws upon in the spring to open its leaves and grow its early twigs, in the fall to establish cold hardiness, and in the winter to keep living cells alive. And we can measure these reserves. Conventional wisdom holds that a traditional sugarmaker does not take a harmful amount of the reserves. According to a report published in 1903 by the venerable UVM maple researcher Dr. C.H. Jones, only about four to nine percent of an eight- to ten-inch-diameter tree’s total carbohydrate reserves are removed; almost no one taps trees that small, and presumably the carbohydrate loss is significantly less in bigger trees. To make the allometric model that estimate was based on, someone had to dig up a whole tree and record the live weight and dry weight of every piece – from the root hairs to the branch tips. Considering the amount of time, money, and logistics this entailed, you can understand why no one has created a model using a 30-inch diameter tree. This isn’t to say that maple researchers aren’t reexamining the can-you-taketoo-much-sap question from other angles. In 2010, Mark Isselhardt, a researcher at the Proctor Maple Research p.m. in the Willey Building’s meeting room that’s off the kitchen. At this initial meeting, participants are invited to bring some of their work to show others what they do, and to learn about what other artists in town are making. If those attending are interested in continuing to meet, further gatherings might include showing ongoing work, seeking critiques from those attending, discussing tips for navigating the business of selling artworks, or simply supporting each other in creative efforts. Anyone with the slightest interest in exploring a Cabot Arts group for visual artists is invited to attend.

Contact: Roz Daniels: [email protected] Center in Underhill Center, Vermont, measured the carbohydrate reserves of trees under high vacuum before, during, and after the season. One intriguing finding was that trees under high vacuum had slightly higher levels of carbohydrates in early summer, meaning that perhaps the trees mobilized reserves to accommodate for the additional loss, and perhaps this diversion of resources came at the expense of radial growth, which in the fall of 2011 was slightly less than the gravity-only and the non-tapped control trees. But Isselhardt cautions against taking anything from the study as gospel truth. “It’s tempting to jump to conclusions, but the sample size was small and the data lack statistical power. At best we can only say that the results add to the mystery.” And so, for now, we’re still at “no.” People tend to see scientists as sages who have all the answers – I’m as guilty as anyone in this regard – but the truth is that they’re much better at asking questions than answering them. This can be frustrating, but it’s also kind of cool. There’s still so much we don’t know about sugaring, about nature in general. So many puzzles waiting to be solved.

Dave Mance III is the editor of Northern Woodlands Magazine. Reprinted with permission.

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Can You Take Too Much Sap From A Tree?

by Dave Mance III Illustration by Adelaide Tyrol

Our sugarhouse is within walking distance of an elementary school, so we’ve given tapping demonstrations to hundreds of school kids over the years. At the part where someone drills a hole in the tree and it sort of bleeds, the next question is invariably: “Does tapping hurt the tree?” The stock answer is no, as long as you don’t overdo it: use the smaller “health” spouts, follow conservative tapping guidelines, give the tree a year off if it looks stressed. As proof that sugaring is sustainable, we point to some of the trees in our sugarbush that have been tapped for close to a hundred years and are better off for it. Better off because we thin out the trees around them, giving the chosen trees extra light, water, and nutrients. Their increased vigor, when compared to the maples in unmanaged sections of the forest, is plain to see. But the sugarmaking being practiced today in many commercial bushes – including our own – is not the same sugarmaking that was practiced even 10 years ago. New technologies, like highyield vacuum pumps and spouts that keep tapholes open longer, have vastly increased the amount of sap we’re collecting from each taphole. Generally speaking, we’re taking about twice as much sap per tree each spring as my grandfather took – some guys are taking three times as much. So can a modern sugarmaker take too much sap from a tree? The short answer is probably still no. To come up with a longer, more satisfying answer, we’d first need to figure out how much sap is available to a tree at any given time, and this question gets tricky because there’s the water part of sap and the sugar part. It’s reasonably safe to assume that water is relatively easy for a tree to come by. Twenty inches of snow converts to about 54,000 gallons of water per acre, so even if you’re taking 20 gallons of water from a tree over the course of a sugaring season, it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the moisture that’s available. The problem is that nobody knows for sure where the groundwater in the sap you’re collecting came from. Was it melting snow? Or Hurricane Irene in August 2011? The sugar part of sap is no easier to account for, and we don’t know its history either. We do know that the soluble sugars in maple sap are part of a tree’s nonstructural carbohydrate reserves

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 4 onward.

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Cabot Girl Scouts

The girls in the picture are from left to right: Camryn Hoffman, Clara Mueller Harder, Madison Churchill, Charlotte Kellett, Joelle Schumacher, Victoria Pike.

By Cecelia Gulka

The Girl Scouts of Cabot would once again like to express our appreciation for the generous support of the annual cookie sale. Over 900 boxes of cookies were sold in Cabot, including two cases to be sent to our service men & women overseas. The sale netted $498 to support girls right here in Cabot. In addition, individual girls earned approximately $180 in “cookie dough” which they can spend on girl scout camp, events or supplies of their choice. The sale also raised about $1,000 to support council wide programs. This year’s Daisy (grades K & 1) Girl Scouts have been busy focusing on animals, nature and service. They have created birds nest kits, made dog treats for the Humane Society, and will be planting flowers in the spring. At Christmas, they joined the Brownie and Junior (grades 2-4) girls to make and deliver bread and cookies to the residents of Cabot’s senior housing. Next week they will be going bowling and have a bigger trip planned for later in the spring. Last year, the girls attended Disney on Ice and visited Santa’s Village. The Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts have earned their First Aid and Arts badges. They have visited the Fairbanks Museum and have upcoming trips planned to the Jay Peak Water Park and the ECHO Museum for an overnight. If any girl is interested in joining Girl Scouts, call Cecilia Gulka (563-2284) for more information or register directly online at www.girlscoutsgwm.org. While we currently have regular troop meetings for girls in grades K-4, older girls can also register independently to access statewide and regional events and programs.

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COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

Please Support Green Mountain United Way To the Editor:

At this time of year, I think we are all looking forward to something other than winter – even mud season would be welcome. Spring is a time of new life when we all feel revitalized to move ahead with new projects. This is also the time of year when Green Mountain United Way (GMUW) is looking to wrap up its annual fundraising campaign so they can continue to work in helping people in our area become more financially stable, in providing them the knowledge they need to live healthier lives, in assisting families with early learning opportunities for their children, and in maintaining a commitment to your neighbors with basic needs. The goal set last fall was $600,000 and, as usual, people in our area have continued to be generous. But, that $600,000 has not yet been reached and we need your help. As of today, the amount donated and pledged is at $418,774, leaving $181,226 yet to raise by the end of April. Have you made your contribution yet? Remember that all donations received stay local to address local needs. Help your neighbors and community by sending your check today to Green Mountain United Way, 963 Paine Turnpike N #2, Montpelier, VT 05602- 9163, or visit www.gmunitedway.org where you can donate online. Any questions can be directed to Executive Director Nancy Zorn at 802-229-9532. We look forward to hearing from you. With thanks,

Wendy Rea

Branch President – The Merchants Bank – Barre, VT 2012 – 2013 Campaign Chair for GMUW 802-476-4107 all, he says, "all soups are made from scratch." Entrees include ham and cheese croissants and every Thursday is homemade pizza, made with whole wheat dough. "There are NO processed foods," says Scott. Sounds like a great way to save money this summer and be sure your child is getting what they need nutritionally.

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How Did Cabot Vote? List of New Town Officials

Moderator Selectpersons Lister Auditor Delinquent Tax Collector First Constable Grand Juror Law Agent Cemetery Commission School Directors Library Trustees

Recreation Committee UDAG Committee

Willey Building Committee Waste Water Commissioner Pound Keeper Animal/Dog Control Officer Fence Viewers (2 appointees)

Elected at Town Meeting 2013:

Edward C. Smith Jack Daniels , Jeff Gabrielson Jeanne Johnson Sue Freeburn Susan Carpenter Stephen Hogan Dave Pike Chip Taylor Melvin Churchill Chris Tormey, Ry Hoffman Stephanie Burtt, Jeanne McCallum Tara Rogerson Jeanne Johnson, Roman Kokodyniak Brad Alexander Appointed by Select Board March 2013:

Larry Gochey Cheryl McQueeney Josephine Guertin Rusty Churchill, Daniel Cookson Inspector of Coal, Wood, Lumber & Shingles Anson Tebbetts Tree Wardens Fire Warden Health Officer Town Energy Coordinator Town Service Officer Zoning Administrator Planning Commission (4 of 5 appointees)

Zoning Board of Adjustment (4 of 7 appointees) Karen Deasy, Fred Ducharme, Caleb Pitken, Larry Gochey Gary Gulka, Cedic Alexander, ChrisDuff, Mark Christenson Bill Walters Ted Domey Larry Gochey Paul Gillies Esq.

Hardwick Gazette, Cabot Chronicle Ben Davis R. D. Eno Jan Westervelt Carlton Domey Conservation Committee (4 appointees)

Master of Colors Road Commissioner Assistant Road Commissioner Town Attorney Roland Payne, Jr. Andrew Luce Val Covell Michael Socks Bill Cobb Carlton Domey Gary Gulka, Greg Burtt, Lars Torres, Charlie Marian Regional Planning Committee Representative Richard Payne Newspaper(s) of Record

NEKWMD Representative Alternate UDAG Committee (Chair) Willey Building Committee To see a complete list of town officials currently serving, including those elected to multi-year positions prior to this year’s town meeting, go to www.cabotvt.us, click on “Government”, then “List of Town Officials”.

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Free School Lunch for Kids this Summer

Scott St. John, chef at the Cabot school, would like the community to know of a food program available this summer at the Cabot School. "EVERY child, Cabot resident or not, will be welcome to receive a free lunch and snack Monday through Thursday, starting June 24, for the whole summer. There will be a full salad bar, soup and entree every day from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. But if kids need a snack earlier, they can come in as early as 7:00 a.m." There will also be an exciting program of adult supervised activities for kids to stay for the morning. More information about this program will be coming, so stay tuned! Scott says kids will be getting a nutritional meal including fresh fruit and vegetables, a variety of colors in their salad bar, fresh soup and an entree. The salad bar has peppers, carrots, cucumbers, plum tomatoes, broccoli, a three-bean salad and assorted dressings. For soups, St. John says, "You name it, I can make it," giving examples of cream of broccoli, vegetable soup, and corn chowder. Best of .

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2-HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED �

To support the free lunch program for kids up to 18 years old, Scott St. John is looking for community members to schedule kids activities beginning or ending with the lunch period four days per week during the summer vacation. Experience has shown that more children take advantage of the free breakfast snack and lunch program when they are engaged in organized activity before or after the meal. Scott has set up a schedule four days per week, and is looking for community members to plug in an activity for the kids each day. You can volunteer just one day for as little as two hours, or as many days and hours as the schedule will allow. Call Scott at 563-2289, extension 232, to see if you can help.

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SAVE THE DATE! MAY 18, 7:00 P.M.

Cabot School Performing

Arts Center (CSPAC) Benefit Concert for Cabot Connects Mentoring Program on keyboard and on guitar, will present Songs of the a high jinks and comical evening of entertainment.

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Oliver! Is Coming To Cabot!

Coming next weekend to the Cabot School Performing Arts Center: Cabot Community Theater's amazing performance of "Oliver!" Featuring a host of local actors, and directed by Caleb Pitkin, the show promises to be a wonderful experience for the whole family. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings April 5, 6, 12, and 13 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are an affordable $10, or $8 for children under 12, and should be reserved ahead of time to be sure of getting a seat, as full houses are anticipated--just call 563-3338 with the date and the number of tickets you need, and pay at the door. 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 Blachly April 5 & 6, and Leo Parlo April 12 & 13), and the venomous Bill Sykes (Marcus Becherer). Nancy will be played by Erin Hall April 5 & 6, and by Caroline Munroe April 12 & 13, Bet by Winter Seyfer April 6 & 13, and by Hannah Brown April 5 & 12, and Noah by Cal Horowitz-McCadden April 5 & 6, and Jordan Patoine April 12 & 13. Mr. Bumble and the Widow Corney will be played by Travis and Fianna Verret, and the Sowerberrys by Charlie Munroe, Anne Nadel-Walbridge, and Megan Walker. Pad Smith and Beth Kaldor will appear as Mr. Brownlow and Nurse Grimwig, and Lori Stratton as Mrs. Bedwin. Other local cast members include: Barb Colf, Sawyer Estivill, Mia Houston, Dylan Kempton, Michael Lamontagne, Clara and Karen Mueller Harder, Joe Murray, Billie O'Connor, Mekiah Smith, Ethan and Jonah Socks, Lila Stratton, Kieren and Olivia Verret, and Adele and Jeannine Valcour. Accompanist is Eliza Thomas, and sets are by Lars Torres. Come support local theater, and give yourself a treat at the same time!

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Crossing Cultures

Students in Grades 4/5 visited the Hood Museum of Art exhibit, Crossing Cultures, on February 5. This exhibition represented the many art-making practices of Aboriginal peoples across the Australian continent, including acrylic paintings on linen and canvas, earthen ochre paintings on bark, board, and canvas, and sculpture in a variety of media. Students learned how Aboriginal artists shared their knowledge about the land, its animals and plants through Dreamtime, those stories passed down to generation and generation. Before our trip, students made sketchbooks to use in the museum gallery. We had free time after lunch to explore and sketch sculptures and paintings that interested us the most. In addition, students had hands on time during the tour to experiment with patterns and color shapes using materials provided at the museum. In art class, students composed their own Dreamtime compositions, based on stories of their own. Some students borrowed from the symbols seen in the exhibition, while others invented their own. One student chose to represent her family tradition of camping, while another represented his passion for basketball. What makes an art field trip worthwhile? Billie O’Connor and Lilly Bailey both commented on how different the art work looked after seeing slides in the classroom. “It actually felt like we were with the artists who made the paintings”, was Lilly’s response. Billie added, “The textures and brush marks are so much more alive and vibrant.” Jared Gill-Lowe was most impressed with the shark carving, saying “The teeth and colors were the best part.” Many thanks to teachers Ian Burfoot and Austin Faye for making this trip happen.

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Local Potter is Artist-in-Residence at Cabot High School

by Kyler Loveless and Brooke Ann Foster Students in Ruth Kaldor's art class at Cabot High School have been learning about pottery with the help of local potter Harley Strader. Thanks to a UDAG grant, students were able to benefit from his expertise during a series of classes at Cabot. Strader prides himself on his pottery and its color. Starting with a stoneware base, he likes to make a final glaze using local clays, ground granite, wood, ash or other local materials. “My work ties the ancient process of pottery to the Peacham ground that I stand on,” said Strader. His shop, Songbird Pottery, is on Mack Mountain Road in Peacham. There he makes wonderful pottery that is beautiful and distinctive for its form and color. No two pieces are alike, and that is exactly what his customers love about his work. Strader uses clay from local rivers such as the Onion River, and often mixes different clays together to make slip. In class, students used the slip to decorate tiles with a variety of techniques. Other students made small jars, pots, and whistles using the techniques that Strader shared. After helping students work with slip for a while, Strader taught students how to center clay on the wheel. Student John Miner was proud of his progress. “I learned how to raise the clay and throw a pot,” Miner said. “Harley said that I was one of the only people he saw that could throw a pot. I was able to just reach into the clay, and my pot comes out done.” Freshman Zach Coolbeth appreciated the opportunity to work with a professional potter. “I learned how to actually make a bowl on the wheel and how to apply the right pressure in different places to make sure that it doesn't get wrecked,” he said. John Miner agreed. “Harley was wicked laid back, and got along well with the kids, too. He made us some sample pieces and showed us how we could make them. He was amazing with clay! He worked it like he was a part of it. ” For more information on Strader and Songbird Pottery, visit: http://songbirdpottery.com.

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ADVICE FROM THE TREE WARDEN

By Roland (Slim) Payne Last month, I talked about the stems and roots of a tree, and how it makes and delivers food. Now, I will finish the tree - twigs and branches. They get food the same way. Growth in twigs and branches occurs at the terminal bud. Bud scales are modified leaves that protect the bud from damage during the winter months. In the spring, when terminal buds break dormancy and begin to open, the bud scales fall off, leaving a circular ring to mark the former location of the bud. This is the terminal bud scar, and is used to determine the growth of the tree. Trees have a mechanism for promoting growth of one central leader. This phenomenon is called apical dominance. The terminal leader secretes a hormone called auxin. This suppresses growth in lateral branches. If the terminal leader is removed or broken, a lateral branch will take over as the apical dominant branch. Leaf scars tell where the previous leaves were. In a leaf scar is a set of vascular bundles that make up the transport system to the leaves. Like the trunks, twigs are made up of cambium, phloem and xylem cells. This is how basic photosynthesis works. A picture is better than words.

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Young Yankees

The photo is a class picture with students holding the framed cover of Yankee Magazine that they sent us. Pictured, Back Row L-R: Teacher, Miss Lisa Liard, Hunter Lubas, Landen Farnham, Emily Ward, Elijah Gravel, Kurtis Greaves, Brody Moran. Front Row, L-R: Ty Perkins, Mercedes Kempton, Noah Villeneuve, Jesse Mudgett, Alec Moran, Austin Deasy

By Third Grade Teacher, Lisa Liard

By definition, a Yankee is an American who lives in New England, but Cabot Third Graders have discovered it to mean even more. Featured in the newly released March/April edition of Yankee Magazine, the class discovered the power of special places in our lives. They studied communities and map skills, and what it means to live in a small Vermont town like Cabot. They discussed that what makes up a community are not just places and landmarks, but the people and memories they hold. Then the students created maps of their favorite places. “It was really fun to try and put everything into them,” said third grader Mercedes Kempton. She chose to make a map of her home, adding in details such as her bedroom clock and favorite stuffed animals. Other students chose to make maps of their whole community, penciling in the Town Common where they ice-skate, the Creamery where a family member works, and the Cabot Store for its delicious subs. They wanted to share with others why their chosen places were so special. To the third graders, being a Yankee means more than just being from a place, it means being proud of your community, your special place, and sharing it with others. And Cabot is definitely a place worth sharing.

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Cabot Boys Varsity Basketball

Tiger Bastress, Seth Herrick-Trombley, Camden Celley, Zach Ducharme, Lars Hammer, Mark Schumacher, Coach Patrick Tibbetts, Ian Nally, Will Nally, Caleb Maxfield, Darren Celley, Zach Coolbeth

By Patrick Tibbetts

It is my honor and pleasure to be the Cabot boys varsity basketball coach, this year being my first complete season. The team is in the process of building for years to come. We have won and lost some tough games this year, and feel each time the kids step on the court, they're gaining important experience for future years.

We have two seniors who have been good role models this year. We have energetic young underclassmen with a passion for the game, which I appreciate, and will do what I can to bring a competitive attitude and program to Cabot High School. Our team motto this year has been "together we can." With hard work and the support of our families, school and community, we can and will get stronger.

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Cabot Girls Varsity Basketball

Top left-Coach Ashley Ksepka, Olivia Bellevance, Maelily Robison, Alisha Celley, Jasmine Tetrault, Shannon Harvey, Melissa Yu, Emma Stecker, Ashley Maurice, Brittany Houghton

By Ashley Ksepka

The Lady Huskies have been so much fun to coach this year. But all the kids I have coached at Cabot have been great. This year these girls played a varsity schedule. They all are at different skill levels, which can make playing basketball at a varsity level difficult, but these Cabot Huskies played with so much respect for one another on the court. If you got to see them play this year, you would know exactly what I mean. It was tough, and although we didn't bring home any wins, they played every one of their games to their full potential. Because of the way these young ladies play basketball, every game, to me, was a win. They played hard, played as a team and never gave up. Way to go Ladies!

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Cabot Boys 7/8 Basketball

Top; Jamie Miner, Jasiah Fay, Rowan Lanxner, Matthew Lehoe, Jeremy Hoyne-Grosvener, Jeremy Maxfield, Jordan Hale, Coach Brian Hale. Bottom; Frank Schumacher, Chris Chadderton, Assistant Coach Dominick Hale, Henry Burke, Caleb Villareal

By Coach Brian Hale

I’m very proud to be the coach of this hard-working group of boys, that make up the Cabot middle-school basketball team. Throughout the season they learned how to play together as a team, ending with a record of 9 wins and 4 losses. This was not an easy task. They had some very close games. They beat Craftsbury by only two points, and Twinfield by just one point. But by the end of the season, the boys had figured out how to use each individual player’s talent to pull off a big victory, ending our season with a 56-17 win over Waterford. I’d like to thank the boys for all of their hard work, their dedication to the team, and their determination while facing challenges. Congratulations on a great season! Looking forward to following your upcoming basketball season next year!

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Recreation Committee

The Recreation Committee has been working hard to prepare for the upcoming year. Thank you to those of you who are pulling together to make sports possible for the years to come. We are still in need of Coaches for the upcoming soccer and basketball seasons. We are also looking for ideas on whether we should fix up Larry’s Ball Field or find another field. If you have any ideas of dry land that we could turn into a baseball or soccer field, please let us know. This year Shon Marcotte has generously donated his field behind his house again for use. PLEASE respect his property as well as nearby neighbors’ property! All trash should be picked up after EVERY game or practice. If players cannot respect this, the field may not be available for the following years. We are also looking for a community member who may know about Cabot Trails and what we can do to get them up and running again for use. At our last meeting. Life Scout Ian Nally asked the Recreation Committee if they would grant him $500.00 to support him in building a Kick Wall for our recreation field. By completing this wall and serving his community, Ian will advance to the highest ranking in boy scouts. This will be a permanent, 8’ X14’ wall that kids or adults can kick balls against. Zack Ducharme, a member of the Varsity Soccer team, is volunteering his time to paint a design on the wall. This wall will be very beneficial with skills such as shooting, passing and trapping. We are more than happy to support Ian in contributing to our recreation field and glad that he has decided to contribute to the field for his community project. We are now getting towards the end of the year, so we are looking forward to Soccer Camp this summer! Look for signups soon! As always, the Recreation Department is looking for help. There is lots of work to do to ensure our children play sports. The Recreation Department meets the second Tuesday of every month @ 6:00 PM in the Cabot Library. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns: Amber Bothfeld 802-563-2147 [email protected]

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Cabot Connects Hockey

Mentors and mentee's joined forces for a competitive, yet fun pick up ice hockey game at the ice rink on the Cabot Commons to celebrate National Mentoring Month. Back row left to right are Toby Cooke, Jim Goodrich, Martha Rockwell, Kathleen Hoyne, Jeremy Hoyne Grosvenor, Jamie Miner, and Desiree Chadderton. Middle row are Alec and Brody Moran. Bottom row are Steph Burtt, Sarah Antoniello, and Lynn Rockwell.

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Hardwick Chiropractic Doctors Particpipate In Neural Manipulation Seminar (NM3)

Drs. Rick Eschholz and Grace Johnstone of Hardwick Chiropractic recently completed a three-day advanced training in lower body neural manipulation. Led by Barbara Levan of the Barral Institute, the training focused on the spinal cord, nerve roots and nerves of the lower body. The approach uses gentle, hands-on techniques that allow the doctor to address the nerve pathways related to the lower back, pelvis, legs and feet. Dr. Grace Johnstone relates "We can work directly with the nerves and connective tissue surrounding them, which allows us to assist with issues such as sciatica, perineal pain, hip and knee problems, and certain neuropathies." The doctors at Hardwick Chiropractic use a variety of chiropractic and osteopathic techniques to encourage normal function and tone of the nervous system. As this work is gentle and highly specific, they are able to work with people from all age groups to achieve greater ease and functionality. Visit hardwickchiropractic.com or call 472-3033 for more information.

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Northeast Kingdom Warriors

By Michelle Delaney Spring soccer with the Northeast Kingdom Warriors will begin soon. We are still accepting players for the U18, U14, and U10 boys and the U12 girls teams. Contact Michelle Delaney at [email protected] or 563-2427 for registration forms.

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TWIN VALLEY SENIOR CENTER

Julia Light, a student at Twinfield, has a caring heart. Julia, a Girl Scout, sold cookies again this year, and included the Seniors at TVSC in a unique way. Julia asked people to include the Center when they purchased cookies and donate their extra purchases to us. Area residents supported the Troop, Julia and our seniors to the tune of 20 boxes. She and her Dad came to the center and presented the seniors the Girl Scout cookies, which they are bound to enjoy. (Did you know that back in the day, the Scouts actually baked the cookies?!) Check it out: http://www.girlscouts.org/program/g s _ cokies / cokie _ history /early_years.asp) Way to go Julia and thank you!

TVSC OVER “PAYS” THEIR VOLUNTEERS AND THE PROOF

Tom & Jackie DiMatteo, long time volunteers at Twin Valley, came to work one day recently with this beautiful new car. Seems that TVSC is over paying them!

IS IN THE PICTURE PICKLE BALL ANYONE?

If you never have played Pickle Ball or heard of it, TVSC seniors enjoy it! Pickle Ball is an inside game, just like Tennis Ball. They gather bi-weekly and have fun for an hour playing as well as using some great exercise moves. On the left is Madeline, instructor Jo Jo, Dotty and Toni.

TVSC “Pamper Yourself

Raffle Winners”

We want to take this opportunity to thank the many donors who supported TVSC raffle by donating gift certificates from their businesses: Positive Pie (Plainfield), Sylvia’s Style (Montpelier), Water Tower Farm (Marshfield), Do or Dye Hair Salon (Berlin), Wiggoddess (Berlin), Sundara Day Spa (Berlin), Jan Smith (Barre), and Tiffany MacLaren (Barre). We want you to know you made the following winners very happy: Karen Taylor, Jill McGann, Tom Maclay, Roland Payne, Joann Clark, Monica Light, Gwen Douse, Joyce Cloutier and Lindsey Fowler. Congratulations winners and our thanks to everyone who purchased tickets.

TVSC Bingo-Bake Sale Without our dedicated volunteers at TVSC hosting the Bingo-Bake sale fund raiser in Cabot on March 16 we want to say many thanks and know it would have not been done without you! As always, you’re giving of yourself and time helps support the center that we would otherwise not have. To Joyce Fowler for overseeing the project, Tom & Jackie DiMatteo, Dick Payne and Gwen Douse. Your time and dedication is greatly appreciated. Thank you to the following for making the great items for the bake sale. Brien & Jeanne Ducharme, Joyce Fowler, Fred & Shirley Ducharme, Tom & Jackie DiMatteo and Jamie Spector. Thank you to everyone that came to the Bingo games. We hope you enjoyed the games as much as we enjoyed having you there. PS: Thanks to the guy who gave Rita a kiss!

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FROM THE CABOT PUBLIC LIBRARY

Welcome to Steph Burtt and Jeannie McCallum – our new Library Trustees. Thank you for being willing to serve on the board! We hope you enjoy your time with us.

Programs

Please come in and see our special display from the Catamount Earth Institute’s (CEI) rotating lending library that will be at the Cabot Library during March and April. This collection includes books and videos about various ways of living simply.

Special PJ’s and Teddy Bear Evening Story Hour – Wednesday, April 3, 7:00 p.m. All are welcome! Come dressed in your favorite pajamas with one of your beloved stuffed animals and cozy up with some of our favorite bedtime stories and songs. We’ll have tea and cookies and a special nighttime craft.

Alfred Hitchcock and the Art of Suspense – Tuesday, April 9, 7:00 p.m. Hitchcock famously said “Some films are slices of life; mine are slices of cake.” His career spanned forty years and many film eras. Film expert Rick Winston will discuss the evolution of Hitchcock’s craft, exploring his favorite themes, his relationship with his collaborators, and his wry sense of humour no matter how grisly the subject matter. By drawing on twelve film clips, starting with his 1925 silent, The Lodger, and continuing through to his Hollywood classics such as Notorious and Rear Window, Winston will illuminate the arc of Hitchcock’s brilliant career.

General Fitness – Mondays, April 8, 15, 22 & Fridays April 12 & 19, 2-3:00 p.m. All are welcome! Join personal trainer, Michelle Delaney, and learn a mix of resistance, cardiovascular, and stretching exercises that can be done in your own home.

Community Book Group – Wednesday, April 24, 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to join in! We will be meeting monthly and the book this month will be Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks. Copies are available in the Cabot Library. Bethia Mayfield is a restless and curious young woman growing up in Martha's Vineyard in the 1660s amid a small band of pioneering English Puritans. At age twelve, she meets Caleb, the young son of a chieftain, and the two forge a secret bond that draws each into the alien world of the other. Bethia's father is a Calvinist minister who seeks to convert the native Wampanoag, and Caleb becomes a prize in the contest between old ways and new, eventually becoming the first Native American graduate of Harvard College. Inspired by a true story and narrated by the irresistible Bethia, Caleb’s Crossing brilliantly captures the triumphs and turmoil of two brave, openhearted spirits who risk everything in a search for knowledge at a time of superstition and ignorance. Yoga & Wellness Classes – Mondays, 6–7:30 p.m. Welcome the changing seasons! Nourish your body, mind and spirit! Please contact Alicia Feltus for info about yoga. 802-563-3220 or [email protected] Dungeons & Dragons – Fridays, 3:00 -5:30 p.m. Join the group, conquer the obstacles, and get out of the dungeon alive! All are welcome.

Thank You!

Wow – what a turnout - for our Lego Exhibition. It was standing room only as the room was filled with nearly 30 youth (and a couple of adults) with their original Lego creations that remained on display for 2 weeks. Thanks so much to Susie Socks for all her organizing and getting the word out far and wide. Thanks also Susie, for making hand crafted Lego cookies for all the participants. Many thanks to Richard Czaplinski for a very interesting evening discussing ways to build an affordable home and live a simple life – minimizing expenses and working less outside the home. Thanks again to Cynthia Russell for helping to facilitate our new Community Book Group. Always thanks to Beth Wade for helping with our preschool story hour, but especially for help with our Community Egg Hunt. Thanks also to Lisa Olson and the Dungeons and Dragons group for helping a particular bunny find some good hiding places in the library.

See you at the Library!

Kathleen Hoyne and Anne Walker

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Local Writer’s Newest Book

Tony Lolli of Cabot has just had his newest book released. Fly Patterns By Fishing Guides: 200 Patterns That Really Work is a how-to manual with a real difference for fly tying enthusiasts. Most of the 200 patterns shown have never appeared anywhere in print until now. Forty foreign countries are represented. More important, all have proved effective because all were created by professional fishing guides who now have agreed to share their secrets. These are flies for difficult fishing conditions. Readers will also find information on how, when, and where each fly is fished. Every fly in this book is shown in both life-size and in enlarged color photos so that fisherman can examine them in detail. 450 color illustrations show the fly patterns in detail.

Fly Patterns By Fishing Guides is Lolli’s sixth book. He has also written numerous magazine articles and writes monthly columns for several fishing magazines. He is currently writing two books that will be published later this year. Autographed copies of this book are available for $22, postage included, from P. O.Box 9, Cabot, VT 05647.

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Cabot Neighborhood Watch Program

"A good neighbor is one of the most effective crime prevention tools ever invented." What is Neighborhood Watch? Neighborhood watch is a crime prevention program that enlists the active participation of residents in cooperation with law enforcement to reduce crime, solve problems and improve the quality of life in a town. It has a long track record of success, empowering people to prevent crime, forge bonds between law enforcement and communities, and build a foundation for broader community improvement. In Cabot, this program is in its infancy and a work in progress. Soon, neighbors will be able to log suspicious activity online at the Town of Cabot website, where it will be accessible by law enforcement agencies as needed. Please contact Tara Rogerson at 802-917-2992 for more information. A Neighborhood Watch program IS NOT about invading anyone's privacy or taking personal risks. It is the job of the police to apprehend criminals, but this program IS about watching out for each other, guarding against trouble or dangerous situations, overcoming the sense of being a victim, and reviving the feeling of security and well being in our community. Just be aware of your surroundings and what the normal routine is for your neighborhood. If something is out of place, take a moment to take note. You can report your observations in this central database where it will be kept for law enforcement. Go to http://www.cabotvt.us and click on Neighborhood Watch. You can download a Neighborhood Watch Manual from USAonwatch.org or click on the Report Suspicious Activity Button. Reduce the Risk of Being a Victim:

Lock your doors and cars.

Install proper door and window locks. Engrave valuable possessions. Learn about safety in your home your community and in your travels. How to make a report of criminal activity: If you have been the victim of a crime, you should contact the Vermont State Police at 229-9191 (Dial 911 for emergencies). Be ready to:

- give your name, address and telephone number

- briefly describe the event: what happened, when, where, and who was involved.

- describe the person(s) involved: age, race, height, weight, hair color, clothing, and distinctive characteristics such as beard, mustache, scars or accent.

- describe the vehicle: type, color, license plate number, dents, stickers, etc. How to make a report of suspicious activity? If you believe you have witnessed suspicous activity, please take a minute to log your observations on the town website Neighborhood Watch section. Be as detailed as possible! This information will be stored for any Vermont State Police investigations and might provide crucial links to criminal activity in the area.

By J. Scott Davidson Sudoku Golf, Masters Loop-Course Challenge is a math challenge done on correctly completed Sudoku puzzles. The object of the game is to create an 18 “hole” path with the lowest overall score. You start and end the loop course in the 2nd row as indicated. Add the squares as you go and find the path with the lowest total, as in golf. You may move to any adjacent square not already in the path, including diagonals. (Only one hole in one is allowed)

Solution for last months puzzles are shown here� PUZZLE EXTRA:

Pi begins with 32 non-zero digits-Connect them. Pi = 3.14159265358979323846264338327950 3 Math Extra: The 32 digit run odds are about like 5 heads in a row.

Can you figure this out really fast with a pocket calculator.

5

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Strategy to Preserve the Nation’s Smallest Post Offices

What Does This Mean Locally? The USPS is surveying affected communities to determine preferences and needs. A community meeting for the Marshfield Post Office was held January 22 and 598 surveys were mailed. 134 surveys were returned. After reviewing the surveys that were returned, and taking into account Postal Service operational needs, retail hours for the location will likely be: Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with lunch 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Cabot and West Danville Post Offices are not scheduled for review until 2014.

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CABOT TOWN GOVERNMENT POSITIONS AVAILABLE

The Select Board is looking for people to fill the following vacancies:

Emergency Management Officer Zoning Board of Adjustment- 3 positions Recreation Committee Auditor Second Constable Please call the Town Clerk’s office at 563-2279 to indicate your interest in being considered for one of these positions.

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