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Cabot Historical Society

Preserving the history of Cabot, Vermont · Founded 1965

The Cabot Chronicle

October 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 October 2013 pages (PDF)

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

In This Issue

The Mouse That Roared!

For our spring production, Cabot Community Theater has chosen "The Mouse That Roared," by Leonard Wibberley. This satirical comedy about the tiny nation of Grand Fenwick declaring war on the United States (and winning!) is full of interesting twists on the subject of war and peace, and has many medium and small roles, so we'd love to have lots of people join us for the show! (For a more detailed description of the plot, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The Mouse That Roared.) At this point, we are looking for a director for the show--please

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Greetings,

My name is Laura Lee Smith and I am a member of the Cabot community, and have been so for over ten years. This is my introduction to you as a member of the community and my vision of this column. As a part of our lovely community I thought, HEY, wouldn’t it be nice if we could find a way to get to know one another and draw the community closer? It is a sad thing when neighbors do not know their neighbors. In this way, we can learn about each other in a safe forum and also learn about the great things that the people of Cabot are up to. As for myself, well, I have just begun this column and I am also working with a friend in Missouri, illustrating and writing with the intent on creating a series of children’s books. We are up to the query letter stage in finding an agent. But there are so many interesting things that people are doing in the community and for the community and I would like to hear from you! If you have some long forgotten lore of our area to share or a skill that seems to have fallen from favor but still has

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The Cabot Chronicle Submission

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

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

DEADLINE: 15th of the month prior

Coordinator: Jeannie Johnson

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in Spring 2014

send email to karen@praxis works.org to express interest, or if you have questions. We'd also be interested in hearing from anyone who'd like to help behind the scenes in any way. We plan to have auditions in December, and start rehearsals in the new year--check the December issue of this paper, or watch Front Porch Forum for information closer to that time, or send an email to the address above to be added to our electronic mailing list. We are an inclusive community-oriented theater group, welcoming to people of all ages and levels of experience, from Cabot and beyond.

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OMMENTARY

use for those of us off grid, why, that would be great to hear about, too. I can’t promise to print all your letters, ideas, or all my anticipated interviews, but I can promise that we will learn more about one another in a positive up -lifting way. This column can also be a place to ask the community about bartering opportunities or for someone to share their best ever apple pie recipe or any favorite family recipe. I am anticipating this column being diverse, educational, fun and a great way to learn about each other. We all have something we are doing and we all potentially have something to share. The Cabot Chronicle and this columnist want to hear from you! Please feel free to share your stories and ideas. Perhaps you would like to share where you see Cabot five years from now, or maybe you have some good advice to share about how to talk to your dog! The staff at The Chronicle and I really would like this column to be diverse and fun (heavy on the fun, of course) so join us, it would be great to get to know you! In Happiness, Laura Lee Smith

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Guidelines

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

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

advertising information, call our office at 563-

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Update

The Legislature worked on many education issues this past session, including work on factors that impact our rising educational costs and the transition from the Department of Education to the Agency of Education. Here is a summary of some key bills: Flexible Pathways: With the passage of S.130, Vermont expands its “flexible pathways” program, encouraging high school completion while simultaneously allowing students to earn college credit. This dual enrollment offers two state-funded college courses to qualified juniors or seniors available on college or high school campuses. Work based learning, virtual or blended learning, and early college for seniors are some of the new offerings that will be guided by Personal Learning Plans (PLP’s). PLP’s will be fully implemented in 2017 for 7 12 students. Healthy students : New laws put three initiatives in place to improve children’s health and safety in school. First, schools will be required to have a management plan including a clear policy and procedure for those student athletes suspected of suffering a concussion. Second, schools will be required to have epi-pens and staff training to administer an epi-pen. This is intended for those students who suffer an allergic reaction for the first time at school and don't carry a pen with them. Third, to address the growing concern regarding mental health issues in our schools, the Agency of Human Services will complete a study to examine services and programs currently offered in schools. The study will also survey model national programs as well as current and future funding mechanisms.

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School Lunch Program: Previously,

Vermont children who received reduced lunch paid 40 cents. Many children who were eligible for reduced lunch did not participate in the program because their families were unable to pay the required amount. H.60 expands the eligibility for the free lunch program to these families. The estimated cost to expand this program is $322,250. This amount has been appropriated in the 2014 budget. Greater gains in student academic performance, attendance, and behavior occur when children are not hungry. Vermont is the first state to pass such a law. On the docket for next year - Preschool: The House passed a comprehensive prekindergarten education bill that expands access to high-quality education, clarifies oversight, and strengthens quality standards for pre-school education throughout the state. This tional instruction provides a foundation for learning. Unfortunately, not all children have access to foundational supports in these crucial developmental years. Presently, 38% of eligible 3 or 4 year-olds in Vermont are enrolled in a high-quality program. The House passed a bill that would expand schoolfunded quality preschool education to Vermont families that seek to enroll their children. The session ended before the Senate could fully vet these issues and we expect to see continued action next year. Please be in touch with me if you have questions or concerns. To see the actions of the legislature this session visit www.leg.state.vt.us or contact me for information. I can be reached at: kittytoll@live.com ktoll@leg.state.vt.us

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Questions? Suggestions? Email us at

buttersrestaurant@yahoo.com

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 2013 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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Harry August Thompson

Harry Thompson, 98, longtime resident of Cabot, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 3, 2013, in the presence of family at Woodridge Nursing Home in Berlin, VT. Harry was born in Ekalaka, Montana, on August 24, 1915, the son of Frank Thompson and Margaret Rose McCarty. Harry is predeceased by his siblings, Frank "Crow," Herbert "Bert," Edwin "Dude," and Elizabeth "Lib." Harry is survived by his children Hunter, Rose, Lucas and Matthew, his grandchildren August, Ryan, Ethan, Abigail, Seth and Brooke, as well as longtime friends and caring companions Stephen Gregg and Cathleen Besch. Harry was tried-and-true Vermonter, collecting cows, houses, antiques, "junk" and friends, near and far in Vermont and beyond. He was renowned for his kindness and ability to find anything a person might need among his treasures, from a kitchen sink to a gold locket, and sometimes even a little baby Chihuahua to warm a lonely heart. Harry's door was always open for a cup of instant coffee, homemade jam and, if you were lucky, a piece of fresh pie with lots of sugar and a perfect crust. A memorial celebration potluck was held on Saturday, September 28, at Cabot Town Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Vermont Food Bank in memory of Harry Thompson

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Helen Edith Cerasoli Wald

Helen Wald, 91, of Cabot, raised in Barre, died peacefully at home on August 26, 2013. She was predeceased by her mother, Eva Kurz of Cabot, and her beloved husband, Dr. Arthur Wald, of New York, N.Y. Surviving family are daughter Lolly Arena, of Cabot; grandson Garrett Calissi and wife Lori, of Arizona; two greatgranddaughters, Chloe and Amber, of Arizona; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Helen lived a passionate life. She enjoyed cooking, art design, gardening and was fortunate to be able to travel with her husband to see the Seven Wonders of the World. In her early 20s, Helen moved to New York and became gainfully employed as private secretary to the vice president of CBS. For the following 20 years, Helen was admired and recognized for her creativity, dedication and commitment to excellence. Above all else, Helen loved her family and never lost sight of her promise to provide a better life for them. A celebration of life was held on Saturday afternoon, September 21, 2013, at her home in Cabot. If you would like to have an announcement of the passing of a loved one, please send requests to…

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The Cabot Chronicle

Do you have one hour per month to spare? Or perhaps a few more? Or a small advertising budget? The Cabot Chronicle wants your help. More hands are needed at the wheel. When the paper was reestablished in 2008, there were five to seven people around the table, contributing ideas, energy and time. Now, we’re down to two all month long, with (happily) another six helping with the end-of-month tasks, once the paper is put together, but several of those helpers are moving on. Right now, one person is responsible for ensuring all the material that goes into the monthly twelve pages is collected, assembled, prepped for layout, papers are picked up from the printer, mailing paperwork completed and papers delivered to the post office on time. One other person is responsible for graphic design, layout of the twelve paper, getting it to the printer on time and coordinating billing. One volunteer proofreader helps us avoid the dreaded misspellings and punctuation errors. Three kind souls help get the freshly-printed paper labeled, sorted and counted out for delivery to the Post Office and regional drop locations. And sometimes we get some help from our friends delivering the papers to those drop locations. We really need more help during the course of the month, working on content, and a little more help at month’s end. If you have an interest or skill that you would be willing to lend The Cabot Chronicle, please let us know your ideas. If you’re willing to help, but have no idea how, or have very little time, here are some suggestions:

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Needs You!

these communities at the end of every month, it would be a great help if you could make a few dropoffs for us. Storyboard brainstorming: We meet almost every Thursday at 5:00 p.m. in the Willey Building to plan for the upcoming issue. We’d love to hear from community members about what they’d like to read about. Pitch story ideas, send us material via email

something interesting you’re doing or has happened to you. Help us bring more community voices to the paper. AND HERE’S THE BIGGIE: Newspapers don’t get printed or mailed on community interest, alone. There’s a financial side to it, and The Cabot Chronicle continues to fall short. The two people who work throughout the month on pulling together articles and laying out the paper are not sales people, and are already dedicating as much time as they have available and more to getting the paper out every month. The town contribution of $6,000 covers approximately one-third of the annual cost. Maple Fest, advertising and subscriptions provide another third of the budget. We need more advertisers or a different funding strategy if The Cabot Chronicle is to continue. We need your input and support if our town is to continue having its own paper. Please share your ideas

box@cabotchroni cle.org (the best way)

05647, with your ideas and suggestions. And, if you have a local business, consider including The Cabot Chronicle in your regular advertising strategy. edged as The paper was acknowla top communication tool in town during the Vermont Council for Rural Development community visit process, and a symbol of community vitality. People read the paper, and will see your message. The paper has a policy of striving to showcase and promote Cabot businesses. The Cabot Chronicle is very grateful for the businesses that have already shown their support and advertise regularly. But more is needed to keep the black ink flowing.

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Elisabeth is

September 14th. The event benefited the Cabot Connects Mentoring ProElisabeth the cat, featured in the gram. Thanks to the generosity of many local businesses, riders and volunteers enjoyed pizza from Woodbelly wood-fired pizza, cheese from Cellars at Jasper Hill and Vermont Creamery, Burtt's apples, cookies from NECI, ice cream from Kingdom Creamery and Switchel.

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2014 Cabot Community Calendar

Family Contact Name: _ Phone Number: _ Please include/remove/update the following birthdays, anniversaries or in memory dates on the 2014 calendar: Use the following letter codes to indicate the type of listing: (B) = Birthday; (A) = Anniversary; (E) Annual Event; (M) = In memory

Date to be listed Type of Print clearly how listing should read listing

_ Please send me extra copies of the 2014 Cabot Community Calendar for $6.00 each. (Each household in Cabot will receive ONE complimentary copy of the calendar.) Number of calendars _ @ $6.00 each = $_

_ I am interested in advertising on the 2014 Cabot Community Calendar , please contact me with rates and deadline information. If you have any questions concerning your order or the calendar, please

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Return this coupon before October 11, 2013

Drop off at the Town Clerk’s Office, Willey Building, ground floor July edition of The Cabot Chronicle, has found a home. Here is what her new family says: "She is having a fabulous time in her new home. She is still “Elisabeth”. I adopted her because Oscar (Bailey, the tuxedo cat) was so lonely. Since Day 1, they have been best friends, eating out

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By Helen Morrison

I have a special, rather heartwarming story to tell. Sad, but heartwarming. September 14 a young man came into the Kingdom Animal Shelter, very concerned about a stray cat that had shown up at his and his girlfriend’s apartment. He wanted help. He had tried the typical local avenues for that help, but to no avail. The cat, a grey male, was obviously very sick. Ultimately, they took the cat in and put him in their bathroom. But he got worse and worse, bloated, urinating blood, back legs not working. The young man, now becoming somewhat frantic and wanting to do the right thing, reconnected with a volunteer at the Shelter. She contacted the Board and we decided, even though this was not one of our Shelter cats, that we would help. That’s the way these folk at the Shelter are. They care, they help. One of us took the cat to the Littleton Emergency Vet Clinic to get an assessment. Several of us agreed to help pay out of our own pockets, since the Shelter is always working on a shoestring. On the way to the vet, our Board member gave the cat a name,

The vet at Littleton determined that Smokey had a blocked urinary tract, that it was so distended that it was amazing it hadn’t ruptured. He had probably been that way for 48 hours or more, and the kidneys were damaged. Even with very expensive treatment and procedures, the blockage would probably come back, and he may not even survive the procedures. We all decided, after much consultation and a

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By Roland (Slim) Payne

It is time to change seasons. Fall is upon us. This is a good time to reflect on trees. They lift us up in the spring, shade us in summer to help keep us cool, give us oxygen to breathe, give birds and animals habitat to live in and for food. We are nearing the end of the cycle. Fall comes with a scene that is almost unbelievable, with its picture perfect colors spread over the hills and vales. Thank you, Mother Nature. And to think that all of this comes without us doing anything. So, take care of your

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Adopted

of the same bowl, playing soccer and bathing together. They are inseparable! “All of your calendar photos are beautiful--but most beautiful of all is looking at those adorable cats and realizing that they found good homes...and rescued their owners from a dismal life without them!"

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the Shelter

few tears, to put Smokey down. He was held gently and petted lovingly and passed easily and peacefully on, ending his obvious intense suffering. What is so moving for me in this whole story is how caring everyone at the Shelter was, how everyone jumped into action, how relieved the young man was that he got some help with Smokey, and that Smokey got a name before he died. A vet tech at Littleton even offered to take him home and bury him on her farm with her other now-deceased pets. A stray, sick, lonely cat was well-cared for and honored at the end. Probably, Smokey had been abandoned by his owner when he started to urinate everywhere, and rather than take him to a vet (perhaps they couldn’t or perhaps they didn’t want to), they turned him loose. And he ended up suffering intensely with no one caring…at least until the end. Kingdom Animal Shelter is an incredible place. It is all-volunteer, the cats are so well-cared for, clean, played with daily, well-socialized. And everyone does everything they can to see that this all happens, that emergencies are met and dealt with. We live on the edge financially. No one is a professional fund-raiser, for sure. And we need some big events to help us through. along. But little events come

The Cabot Public Library is sponsoring a book and art sale at the Apple Pie Festival on October 19 to benefit the Kingdom Animal Shelter. We at KAS are very grateful. If you have items to donate, contact Kathleen Higbee at the

the cats would so appreciate your help.

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By Gary Gulka

The Planning Commission held a public meeting on September 19 to inform the public of progress on revisions to Cabot’s land use and zoning regulations. Our consultant, Brandy Saxton of PlaceSense, presented ideas being considered for modifying the zoning districts in town to encourage the type of growth and development desired in the future. About ten members of the public joined in the discussion with Planning Commission members. Brandy Saxton is under contract with the town to complete a draft of zoning and subdivision regulations by May 2014. The Planning Commission has had ten meetings thus far and many more to follow. The Planning Commission received a Municipal Planning Grant from the state that covers nearly three-fourths of project costs. Highlights of the presentation were as follows: Existing zoning districts and their boundaries would be changed with an expanded number of districts The existing Medium Developed District and Undeveloped Village District (encompassing Cabot Village and Lower Cabot) would be reconfigured into new districts identified as Village Center, Village Neighborhood, Lower Village, and a Commercial/Industrial District in the vicinity of Cabot Creamery operations The Village Center, Village Neighborhood and Lower Village Districts would generally allow for smaller lot sizes, reduced road frontage, and reduced setbacks from the road to allow for denser development that better reflects existing development patterns. The current Shoreland District (an 800 foot radius around ponds) would be divided into a Developed Shoreland District and Shoreland District, allowing denser development where it already exists on areas of Joe’s Pond, and encouraging less dense development on other shorelands in town (increasing lot size from one to two acres.) The existing Low Density Residential and Agricultural District, which encompasses most of the town, would become the Rural District. Although minimum lot size would remain at two acres, the allowable density in any subdivision of a particular land parcel would be one dwelling per every eight acres. The decreased density would still allow for significant growth but would discourage suburban development patterns and promote retention of open space. A new Conservation District would encompass publicly owned state and town lands such as the lands around the reser-

Girl Scouts of the Green & White Mountains are currently accepting registrations for the 2013-2014 Girl Scout year, which begins on October 1. If your daughter is interested, please register online at http://www.girlscoutsgwm.org/ Girls/join.html and call Cecilia Gulka at

mation. Annual membership is $30.00. $15.00 goes to the national organization and covers things like insurance. $15.00 goes to the GS of the Green & White Mountains, to help defray the cost of program events and camps for girls in VT & NH. We hope to be able to subsidize half the cost of the annual registration for Cabot girls, using the proceeds from the cookie sale. Scholarships are available through GSGWM to anyone who cannot afford the remainder of the registration fee.

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Work

voir, as well as the town forest and some state-owned land near Coits Pond, where recreation and open space would be encouraged. Brandy Saxton explained how these new districts would support the concept of denser development patterns in the village and surrounding Village Neighborhood District, while maintaining a working landscape and open space. Also, a Developed Shoreland District with more flexible development standards than currently exist would relieve some of the administrative burden on variance requests and certain compliance issues, while still maintaining a reasonable minimum standard road setbacks, lot coverage, etc. There were questions raised on how the new density standard of one dwelling unit per eight acres would work in the Rural District, especially for smaller parcels that might be subdivided. Brandy explained that the details of subdivision of land are going to be worked on in the coming months, and there is some flexibility that can be built into regulations that would allow some for smaller parcels to have higher densities. Questions were raised about how large scale wind and solar projects, as well as cellular towers, would be regulated. These will be addressed in new zoning regulations, however, language in town plan documents is sometimes more critical in determining siting issues. Brandy indicated that future amendments to the Town Plan may need to be more specific in order to have more say in the location of these types of facilities. Some questions were raised about the new dimensional standards for setbacks from property boundaries, road frontage, and lot coverage and how they were arrived at. Brandy indicated that these proposed standards have a basis in planning and zoning studies and in standards developed by other municipalities attempting to achieve the same kind of growth and development patterns. The Planning Commission will be working through the fall and winter on various aspects of the regulations. All meeting minutes and draft documents are available by accessing either the town web site www.cabotvt.us or www.placesense.com/cabot. Anyone can also sign up for an email list that will provide periodic updates to the ongoing work. Another public meeting will be scheduled after January to review progress and provide comments on the draft zoning regulations before a draft is finalized for formal public comment. The Planning Commission meets the first and third Thursdays of the month at 6:00 p.m.

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Registration

Cabot currently has three active troops meeting after school twice a month: • Daisies for girls entering Kindergarten & Grade 1 • Brownies for girls entering Grade 2 & Grade 3 • Juniors for girls entering Grade 4 & Grade 5 Girl Scouting for individual older girls (grades 6-12) is available through online activities, independent projects and council-wide events. In addition, a troop for older girls, based out of St. Johnsbury, is looking to recruit girls from surrounding towns. Contact Barbara Connelly at or touchwright@juno.com, for more information. If you have any questions please contact Cecilia Gulka, G.S. Troop Organizer for Cabot, at or cgulka@fairpoint.net.

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October 2013 ~ page 5

CCA plans to bring a proposal to the Select Board and UDAG Committee by November for utilizing funds awarded at Town Meeting 2013. Community members are invited to participate in this planning process. Meetings are 7:00 p.m. in the Willey Building on: September 25 ~ October 23 ~ November 13

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By Sjon Welters

For those in our town involved in the business of agriculture, the Cabot Agricultural Network survey must have reached you by now. It is our first goal: to find out what is happening in Cabot in regard to agricultural activities and what kind of needs exist. It almost goes without saying, but agriculture is an essential part of life in Cabot, it makes up the working landscape, it's a big part of our culture. Many townspeople made their voices heard and want to make sure it thrives in all its aspects. So, please help us help you by filling out the survey and sending it in. Additional copies are available at Harry's Hardware and the Cabot General Store. Look also at the Town of Cabot website for a digital version for you to download. Want to be part of the committee? Come to our meeting: every third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. downstairs in the Willey building. Email Cabot.Development@yahoo.com to get your name on the email list for meeting notices and communication.

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Special Category TMAs (available

any time): Volunteer: $25 3-Day Pass: $50 Commercial: $290 Antique: $115 (one time purchase) Classic TMAs are no longer available. TMAs should be available for purchase by mid-October through your local VAST club. The pricing above does not include club and county dues of $15. In Cabot, TMAs will be available at Harry’s Hardware on Main Street and from Wendy Barnett. For information

Go to www.vtvast.org for information on snowmobile registration, riding passes (TMA’s), insurance, safety course requirement, safety equipment and Vermont laws.

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Instructor Certification

Course is for any adult who would like to be certified to teach the required six hour Vermont Snowmobile Safety Course. Registration is required. Please

Jere.Johnson@state.vt.us. Date: October 8, 2013 Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Location: VAST Office Berlin/Barre Date: October 10, 2013 2013 Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Location: Williston State Police Barracks

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Snowmobile Safety Courses

Date : Saturday, November 16, Time : 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Location : Chez Pidgeon, Norton Sponsored by The Northeast Kingdom Snow Blasters Deadline for Registration is Wednesday, November 6th

Date : Saturday, November 23, 2013 Time : 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Bring a bag lunch Location: Al;s Snowmobile, 3868 Pine Hill Rd., Newport VT Call to pre-register with name, address,

To find more classes, go to www.VTVAST.org,, click on Events, then Safety Class Schedule

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Polar Express Ticket Lottery Opens

It is time to plan a trip on the Polar Express! The Vermont Children's Trust Fund uses a lottery so everyone has a fair chance to ride. The lottery is open October 1-4, 2013, until 5:00 p.m. Rides take place December 14 & 15, 2013. For more information, go to http://www. vtchildrenstrust.org/events/polarexpress/lot tery.php. Cost $25/ticket plus $10 P&H fee (limit 5 tickets). Winners will be notified and given payment instructions via email by late October 2013.

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Movie.

Part Six. 6-9:00 p.m., Savoy Theater, Montpelier. Freedom & Unity: The Vermont Movie is a six-part collaborative documentary that uses cinema verite, personal stories, rare footage, interviews and original reenactments. The film explores the history and contemporary culture of the Green Mountain State. Vermonters including Abenakis, early settlers, runaway slaves, farmers, historians, politicians, activists, newcomers and moving back-to-the-landers tell how one small state has made a very big difference. www.thevermontmovie.com.

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Art Walk at the Vermont History

Museum, 4:00 - 7:00 pm at the Vermont History Museum, 109 State Street, Montpelier. The Vermont History Museum will be free for all visitors as we take part in Montpelier's Art Walk. Come see our award-winning core exhibit, "Freedom and Unity: One Ideal, Many Stories." For more information, please contact Amanda Gustin, Public Programs Coordinator, at amanda.

“Robert Frost: This Verse Business” - A One-Man Play by A.M. Dolan Featuring Emmy Award-Winning Actor Gordon Clapp, 7:00 p.m., Fuller Hall, St. Johnsbury Academy, St. Johnsbury.

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Hardwick 30 th Annual Fall Foliage

Craft Fair, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Hardwick Elementary School. The fair features jewelry, pottery, candles, quilts, greeting cards, bird feeders and other fine arts and crafts. Snacks and lunches on sale all day. 11:30 annual fall chicken barbecue on S. Main St. across from elementary school. Open House at Hardwick Historical Society 10-3:30 p.m. on Church Street. Information - 802-4725906

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Jay Peak's Annual Bean and Brew,

12:00 - 6:00 p.m. Cost: $20 gets an adult 12 draught beer tickets and a commemorative Bean and Brew glass. Jay Peak's annual Bean & Brew will feature some of the finest locally-roasted coffees as well as local beers. It will be complete with coffee and beer sampling, live music, food, give-a-ways and activities for kids and adults. Information: www.jaypeakresort.com.

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Fall Open Studio Weekend 2013,

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Most Vermont craftspeople work in studios located in or close to their residences. These are places of production and inspiration located in downtowns as well as at the ends of dirt roads. Wherever their locations, they are exciting places to visit. Statewide in over

http://www.vermont crafts.com.

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Sunday, 10/6

Harvest Festival at Jaquith Public Library, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m . Free music with Lewis Franco and Colin McCaffrey from 1 to 2, and other local bands from 11 to 1, face painting, handson activities such as cider pressing, popcorn popping, crafts and games with Earthwalk, art table with Susan Green, field games, petting zoo, barbeque, book sale, bake sale and more!!! Autumn on the Green , Danville, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Award-winning showcase for artisans, crafters, cottage industries and businesses amidst the spectacular views and color of autumn in Danville. Over 100 vendors offer items from whimsical to practical and feature Vermont specialty products and foods. The Pope Library hosts a chicken and biscuit lunch at the Creamery Restaurant, just off the Green. Held at the Dan-

www.autumnonthegreen.org.

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The Unknown Rockwell , 3:30 p.m.,

Free, Craftsbury Public Library. Author James "Buddy" Edgerton grew up in Arlington, Vermont, living next door to Norman Rockwell and his family. Buddy Edgerton will be sharing stories and slides of his time as a neighbor to the famed artist at the Craftsbury Public Library. Refreshments will be provided. For more information contact the library

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Thursday, 10/10 – 10/27

The Crucible , 8:00 p.m., Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier. Taut and thrilling, this Tony-Award Winner for Best Play is a masterful must-see. Scapegoating, hysteria, revenge, and the trampling of rights in times of crisis took center-stage in Miller’s iconic yet human drama about the Salem witch trials. Info: 802-2290492.

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New Economy Lunch at the Library ;

12:00 noon at Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier. Michael Shuman, author of several books including “Local Dollars, Local Sense: How to Shift Your Money from Wall Street to Main Street and Achieve Real Prosperity,” will discuss how buying local can positively impact the economy. Information: 802-2233338, vista@kellogghubbard.org.

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Vermonters at Cedar Creek , 2:00

p.m. at Vermont History Center in Barre . At Cedar Creek, the Confederates brought one of the greatest surprise attacks of the Civil War. It fell to a Vermont regiment and brigade to make sacrificial stands. Learn more about this vitally important yet often overlooked battle with preeminent Vermont Civil War historian Howard Coffin. Free with admission to the Vermont History Cen-

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Sunday, 10/27

Murray & Falkenau from Galway, Ireland at The Music Box, 147 Creek Road, Craftsbury, 3:00 p.m. $10 general, $8 students and seniors, kids free. The contemporary Celtic and folk duo come all the way from Galway, Ireland to give an afternoon of beautiful music at The Music Box. For more information call 5867533 or www.themusicboxvt.org.

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Wednesday, 10/30

Halloween Special, 7:00 p.m., Jaquith Public Library. The original 1962 Twilight Zone presentation and “The Simpson’s” spoof of it. Many will remember this Twilight Zone show about the importance of careful reading and timely, accurate translation. For the title or more info: Jaquithpubliclibrary@

our web site: www.marsh field.lib.vt.us.

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hronicle

for Ghoulishly gleeful candlelit performance of the Master of Macabre and other spooky-kooky fun, including costume contest with great prizes, & decadent desserts. Lost Nation Theater (39 Main Street), www.lostnationthea ter.org.

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

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Healthy Living Gentle Exercise Pro-

gram , every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Old Schoolhouse Common, Marshfield, 10:45 - 11:45 a.m., free. All levels welcome. Sponsored by Twin Valley Seniors. Knit & Crochet group : meets the third Sunday afternoon of every month, 2:00 p.m. All skill levels welcome. Bring yarn,

or e-mail bonniesd@Together.Net. Movie Matinee , every Monday, 1:00, Twin Valley Senior Center, Old Schoolhouse Common, Marshfield.

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The Northeast Kingdom of Vermont

Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce

Six unique festivals are held over six consecutive days, now over 50 years running. The communities of Walden, Cabot, Plainfield, Peacham, Barnet and Groton invite you to come celebrate rural Vermont in all of its splendor. The Northeast Kingdom Fall Foliage Festival brings a piece of “Old Vermont” to life for visitors with local crafts, hymn sings, band concerts, church suppers, historical tours and the most beautiful fall colors you have ever seen!

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 - WALDEN

Join us for Walden’s Country Fair! Our day begins with registration at 9 a.m. at the Walden Methodist Church with coffee & donuts. Enjoy the sights and sounds of country life, the small town friendly atmosphere, and the display of traditional action exhibits, crafts and interacting with a myriad of farm animals, large and small. The folks of Walden will share country music and small home businesses nestled in the wooded hills. A homemade soup and sandwich lunch will sustain you for an afternoon of tours to a dairy farm, horse farm and our rural school, with a little dancing and a snack thrown in. A family-style Barbecue Beef Supper will be served with mashed potatoes, veggies and home baked pies, beginning at 5:30 pm, $12. For supper reservations, call (802)

54, W. Danville, VT 05873. We’re anxious to meet you!

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1 - CABOT

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

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2 - PLAINFIELD

A full day of activities begins with Coffee Hour at 9 a.m. and registration at Grace United Methodist Church. Foliage tours available at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tours telling the history of the Barre granite quarries, see glass blowers at work, taste wine at Grandview Winery, scenic spots and a hike to Owls Head with a bag lunch. Other points of interest will be offered throughout the day. Crafts, baked goods, and jewelry will be for sale, along with other items of interest for everyone. Cafeteria-style luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $5.00. Entertainment in the afternoon. Barbecued Chicken, Mostaccioli and Baked Bean Supper at 5 and 6 p.m. for $12.00. For reserva-

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 - PEACHAM

Registration and arts and crafts sale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Peacham Town Hall. Tickets for lunch, ghost walk and dinner can be picked up. Exhibits at the Blacksmith Shop and Historical House. (Homemade treats served). Peacham Library book sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Scenic bus tour at 10:15 a.m. $3. Lunch at Peacham Elementary School 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. $6. Northern Skies Observatory open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ghost walk at 2 p.m. $4. Harp music in Church sanctuary 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dinner at church, seatings at 5 and 6:30 p.m.(Spaghetti supper...vegetarian and meat sauces, salad, garlic bread, homemade apple crisp with ice cream) Adults $10, children $5, under 6 free. Tickets available at door. Coordinators are Marilyn Magnus, 802-592-

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 - BARNET

Come to the Barnet Center vestry at 8 a.m. to 12 noon for pancake breakfast including Vermont maple syrup and sausage. Arts & crafts will be in the vestry and surrounding grounds all day. Wagon rides, starting at the vestry will be given weather permitting. A bus tour between Ben Thresher’s Mill, the Sunset Alpaca Farm, the Walter Harvey Meeting House and traveling scenic back roads. Arts & crafts are also at the McIndoes Church, with a soup and sandwich lunch served starting at 11:30 a.m. A European Coffee Hour will be from 1 to 4 p.m. at the West Barnet Church. Enjoy a Ham Dinner at the Barnet Center vestry, starting at 4 p.m. and continuing until all are served ($10).

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 - GROTON

Join us in Groton for our Festival Day. Start with a Lumberjack Breakfast at the Methodist Church from 8 to 10 a.m. Visit our Library, where there will be a book sale throughout the day. McLure’s Band will perform at the bandstand at 11 a.m. Boy Scout Troop #702 will serve a light lunch at the Food Court. Our Annual Parade starts at 1:30

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Local showings near Cabot:

p.m. Browse in the Peter Paul Historical House anytime during the day. Participate in the Old Fashioned Hymn Sing at the Methodist Church at 8 p.m. to close the day. Serving times for our World Famous Chicken Pie Supper at 4:30, 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30

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CALL FOR APPLE PIES!

Cabot Apple Pie Festival, the premiere fundraiser for the Cabot Historical Society, is around the corner. Mark your calendar for October 19. Please also mark your calendar to bake a couple of pies that week to donate. The heart of Apple Pie Festival is the delicious, homemade pies crafted by some of the best cooks in the state. It’s just as good for breakfast as it is dessert! The Historical Society can’t do it without you, and would be very grateful for pies dropped off Friday evening, October 18, between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. or Saturday morning, October 19, before 10:00 a.m. Also, consider entering the Apple Pie Contest. Pies must be entered by 10:30 a.m., so come early to be sure yours gets in the contest. There is a fee to enter: $5 for adults, $2.50 for youths, OR you can donate a second pie to sell. (All pies in the contest are sold or auctioned after judging.) There are cash prizes, ribbons and more.

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From September to May

The dances are taught and are easily learned by young and old. The contra and square dances are traditional Vermont and New England social dances that have been danced for many generations in the town halls, barns, and kitchens around Vermont. The music is provided by piano and an assortment of fiddles, mandolins, guitars and the occasional surprise instrument. Musicians are always invited to sit in and join with the fun of playing traditional dance tunes. Anyone and everyone is invited to attend. There is a small donation requested to help cover the cost of the caller.

email, samlyman@sover.net. The actual second Saturday dates are: October 12, November 9, and December 14 in 2013 January 11, February 8, March 8, April 12, and May 10 in 2014 The dances will be held on the top floor of the Willey Building. even cherries, while some varieties have hints of anise or berries. There are apples that smell like roses and pineapples. The diversity among apple varieties is astounding. There are apples that are long and narrow. Apples with red flesh or purple skin. Apples from the 1600s and a few have been around even longer. In the year 1900, markets across the country boasted over 14,000 different kinds of apples for sale. While there are still 2,500 varieties of apples grown in the U.S., apple selection for most shoppers is limited to a small selection of varieties that resist bruising in transit, keep well and look pretty. (A total of 15 popular apple varieties account for about 90 percent of the total U.S. commercial apple production.) But “foodies” and apple fans of all ages will be pleased with the nearly 100 apple varieties that will be available to taste at the annual Apple Tasting Extravaganza. The 2013 Apple Tasting Extravaganza will be hosted by Walden Heights Nursery & Orchard on Saturday, October 5 & Sunday, October 6 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Discover new favorite apples, sample some fresh pressed cider, visit educational displays and tour the farm which includes a 1,000+ tree orchard, berry plantation, greenhouses for experimental growing and an arboretum of more than 400 apple tree cultivars to preserve the genetic diversity of apples. And after you’ve chosen your new favorite apple, you can visit the nursery to

Silent Auction Donations

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Beautiful “Morning Star”

The United Church of Cabot is raffling Scholz and quilted by Laurie Coolbeth. First tickets sold at Maple Fest and sales off during Apple Pie Festival, October 19. The quilt is 'Morning Star' pattern in a modern green. The printed border contains mottled beige plus the names of the (96”x109”) and needs to be seen to be various times over the past few months.

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5 & 6

take home a tree for fall planting or order trees for spring planting. “This annual event is a truly unique opportunity to explore the essence of the apple,” said Todd Parlo, owner and orchardist at Walden Heights. “Supermarkets today provide only a limited sample of the thousands of apple varieties once available to 19thcentury fruit lovers. Introducing people to the pleasures of these beautiful old heirloom apples is a real delight.” Part of the Walden Heights mission is to preserve apple tree varieties for generations of future apple tree growers. Apple trees can grow for more than 100 years, but the old varieties planted in the early 1900s are coming to the end of their time. If these trees are identified and branches from the old trees grafted onto new tree stock, these varieties can continue. People who have (or know of) an old apple tree are invited to bring a few apples to the tasting to share with other guests, and may be be selected as a variety for grafting in 2014. Walden Heights Nursery & Orchard is a certified organic, biodynamic farm that grows a wide variety of apples, both popular and relatively unknown heirloom varieties. The farm’s specialty is growing apple trees, apples and other fruits. More information about the farm and directions can be found at waldenheightsnursery.com.

Walden Heights Nursery & Orchard 120 VT Route 215, Walden, VT 05873

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quilt handmade in Cabot

a quilt - lovingly pieced by Christa

will continue until the quilt is raffled

white background with bright blue and all the colors. It is backed with a quilters and date. It is a queen size appreciated. It has been on display at For more information, or tickets, you not be present to win.

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F ROM T HE C ABOT

Thanks again to all who participated in our summer reading program –“Dig into Reading.” Sixty youth (and their families) participated and read a total of 1,793 books! Twenty three youth joined the Thousand Page Club – and collectively read a total of 46,343 pages this summer – wow! Our top reader was Rebecca Blaisdell, who read 9,742 pages!!

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Lincoln and Vermont – Howard Cof-

fin – Tuesday, October 1 – 2:00 p.m. Beginning with Lincoln’s preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, and continuing through to the consecration of the National Soldiers Cemetery at Gettysburg, historian Howard Coffin traces how Lincoln’s leadership of the Federal war effort and his political canniness shaped the relationship between the president and Vermont, a state Lincoln admired though never visited.

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Cabot Old Time Contra and Square

Dance – Saturday, October 12 – 7:30 p.m. Dances will be held on the second Saturday of the month from September through May, sponsored by the Cabot Library. The dances are taught and are easily learned by young and old. There is a small suggested donation to help cover the cost of the caller. For more info, please call David Carpenter at 802-

sover.net.

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Diva Dash A Blast!

at the Apple Pie Festival – Saturday, October 19 – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Brigitte Codling ran the 5K Diva Dash and obstacle course on September 7, 2013, with her cousins, to enjoy a healthy, fun activity together to motivate all to get in better shape! They trained independently and together; running, strength training, and hiking! Their next challenge, as the Chronicle goes to print, is the 5K Zombie Run and obstacle course on September 28, at the Champlain Valley Expo. Brigitte’s two older daughters will be joining in this race, and they’ll be running against the clock, as well as from flesh-eating, virus-spreading zombies. Should be an exhilarating start to autumn! Both the Diva Dash and the Zombie Run benefit charities and non-profits that support local organizations and international programs such as Smile Train; so, by entering a race, they are helping others. They hope to do many more runs in the future!

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Book on Irene has Cabot Connections

The Cabot Public Library is helping to sponsor a Book and Art Sale to benefit the Kingdom Animal Shelter, which facilitates the placement of stray and unwanted animals and pets in desirable homes and never euthanizes the animals in their care. Please look for their table at the Apple Pie Festival.

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Forum on New Health Care System

– Tuesday, October 29 – 6:30 p.m. Vermont Health Connect will offer a new way to choose a health insurance plan for individuals and small businesses in Vermont. Ellen Gurshun, our local area health navigator, will present this forum and will be available afterwards for questions.

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at the Cabot Public

The Cabot Library is presenting a forum on the new Vermont Health insurance program called Vermont online. Storm Its title is Deluge: Tropical Irene, Vermont's Flash Floods, Health Connect on Tuesday, October 29, at 6:30 pm. Our local area health and How One Small State Saved Itself. For this book, Peggy interviewed Vermonters in Pittsfield, Jamaica, South Royalton, Wilmington, and Rutland. These people show the human face of disaster, the losses that can never be fully recovered. She also tells the story of the amazingly quick rebuilding of Route 4 in two places by local contractors, who didn't wait for state government assistance, or even permission, to do the job. The independent spirit of Vermonters, who volVermonter Peggy McKay Shinn, a unteered their time and machines to freelance writer living in Rutland, re- help, shows in all the stories in the sponded to Tropical Storm Irene by book. riding her mountain bike the next day Peggy Shinn is the daughter of Feron a trail through the woods to bypass guson & Jane McKay, Cabot resithe huge washout of Route 4. Then dents. Jane's family has lived in Cabot she made her way to Pittsfield to talk since the 1860s, in the same house on with residents and photograph the Main Street. The McKays have dodestruction. Already, she had a book nated a copy of Deluge to the Cabot in mind, which was released in August Library. and is now available in bookstores and navigator, Ellen Gershun, will be presenting the forum and will be available after for questions. Vermont Health Connect will offer a new way to choose a health insurance plan for individuals and small businesses in Vermont. Vermont Health Connect is a marketplace where individuals, families and small businesses in Vermont can compare public and private health plans and select one that fits their needs and budget. Every plan offered through Vermont Health Connect will offer basic services including checkups, emergency care, mental health services and prescriptions. Details can be found at vermonthealthconnect.gov. Vermont Health Connect will simplify the health insurance world for many Vermonters by serving as the one place to access public programs and financial assistance, such as federal tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies. Individuals, families and small businesses in Vermont will get their health

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Fiction Writing Contest for youth

grade 4-8 and homeschooled students – Deadline: November 14, 2013 This contest is sponsored by Brigantine Media and is based on the book The Spare Room , a diary of twelve-year-old Susannah Allen, who lives on her family’s farm in 1843 Vermont. She chronicles her days at the Middleton one-room schoolhouse, her daily farm and household chores, and her circle of friends. Written by Jenny Land from Peacham, Vermont. Look up thespareroombook.com for official contest rules. We have a copy of this book at the Cabot Public Library.

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Reminders:

• Tuesday 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. ** No Story Hour In August** • Wednesday 2:00 a.m.-6:00p.m. • Thursday • Saturday 9:00 a.m.-6:00p.m. 9:00 a.m.-12:00p.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. • State Park Pass – Allows up to 8 people in a car free day access to the Vermont State Parks.

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Library

coverage through Vermont Health Connect. This includes: Vermonters who do not have health insurance, Vermonters who currently purchase insurance for themselves, Vermonters who have Medicaid or Dr. Dynasaur or Catamount or Vermont Health Access Program (VHAP), Vermonters who are offered “unaffordable” coverage by their employers, and small businesses in Vermont that provide coverage for their employees. This is a chance for anyone with questions about health coverage to have them answered. The forum is free. Come with your questions. Information about the program is found at http:// healthconnect.vermont.gov/ . For more information, call the Cabot Library

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September News

Twin Valley Senior Citizen News

Twin Valley is in need of a Dining Room hostess. This is a very rewarding position, sociable, fun and pays well by giving you free lunch! If you have any time to spare, even if once a week,

also looking for back up Meals on Wheels Volunteers. This position is putting together packaged meals for delivery. This also pays well with free lunch. Our trained volunteer Tai Chi instructors, Sandra Mennella and Michaela Rowan, invite you to join them every Monday from 1:00-2:00 p.m. for some gentle, relaxing exercise. These classes are free and open to the public. Sandy and Michaela have been certified to teach Tai Chi and do a wonderful job. Bone Builder classes are on-going from 10:45-11:45 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday & Friday in the gym at Old School House Commons. Classes are

Fred the September Valley

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ENIOR C ENTER

lead by Kass Phillips, with backup leaders, Joanne Martin, Hildegard Weger and Judy Dix. Classes are also free and open to the public. TVSC would like to offer a complimentary Meals on Wheels lunch to any senior or disabled person who might be interested in receiving Meals on Wheels. If you have a friend, neighbor or family member that could benefit from receiving nutritional meals to help keep them healthy, please contact Rita

livery of one of our meals to them. October is a busy month: October 4 _ Fall Foliage Ride: Twin Valley Seniors will be taking a trip to Mount Mansfield. There will be a brown bag lunch and a gondola ride to the top of the mountain. Anyone interested in attending please call the Center at 4263447. October 9 - Foot clinic at the Center.

October 9 - Open to the public will be an informative presentation on Medicare Basics at 2:00 p.m. in the gym at the Old School House Common. Rae Bunce with MVP Healthcare will be available to answer any questions you may have about Medicare. October 14 - will be the CVH Flu Clinic hosted by TVSC from 9:30 -11:00 a.m. Please bring your Medicare card. Open to other seniors, as well, for a fee. October 21 - SASH (Support and Services at Home) will be present from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Blood Pressure will be taken free of charge.

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Cabot Girls Soccer

In the back Row (standing) from left to Abbott (8th), Gala Morse (10th), Laura Stuemke Student), Jasmine Tetreault (10th), Alisha In the 2nd row (kneeling) from left to (8th), Emma Stecker (11th), Olivia Bellavance Samantha Villeneaue (8th), Monique Bigelow In the Front row: Michelle Delaney (coach),

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House.wordpress.com.

It's been a crazy month, trying to get all the details worked out, but things have been moving along. Lots more free stuff and a few really good finds are helping tremendously. My best finds so far? I have gotten four beautiful new or nearly new windows for only $275! That's an amazing savings, if you've ever looked at the cost of them! I also found a beautiful front door for a one -third of the cost. All this means that everyone's gifts are stretching further than I ever could have imagined. Huge thanks go out to a few dear friends and kind souls in my larger circle who have donated privately to help my dream take greater form and become a true reality. I am nearly there! People

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month…...

have asked me how - and I say I simply have faith that all will work out as it should! I will still have a ways to go to meet my goal for it to go to completion for winter, but the goal for the initial build isn't too far off. Crossing my fingers that funds will stretch to complete it in time! Please get the word out if you're moved to share - the goal is so very close. I truly believe that one step for each of us - to pay it forward - is the way in which all our lives will change for the better. We must build strong community in our lives for the days ahead by helping each other to live a life full of meaning. It is the only way I see we will survive the madness of these last two decades!

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Illustration by Adelaide Tyrol

As the summer bird chorus wanes, we might remember that song can arrive in unexpected ways. Drumming heads, clacking bills, and dancing feet create nonvocal sound. Even flight, that foremost avian feat, creates music of its own. Wings can sing – sound is created by the asymmetry, anatomy, and arrangement of individual flight feathers as they vibrate through the air. A number of birds use wing song to communicate, both with their own species and as a way to thwart predators. Dramatic lift offs can match the best vocal alarms. The explosive flight of ruffed grouse may distract (or frighten) its enemies just long enough to effect an escape. The volatile burst of wings produces a miniature sonic boom as air rushes to fill the vacuum between the powerful wing beats. Similarly, mourning doves warn others as they rise on whistling wings. That sound, which is common among many pigeons and doves, accelerates in tempo among a group of distressed birds to incite a faster dispersal. The wing songs of the breeding season are perhaps the most remarkable. Instead of its single alarm-boom, the courting male ruffed grouse produces a quickening series of whirring thumps to bring mates in and keep other males away. These highly territorial males usually perform on drumming logs ten to twelve inches above ground to best transmit their thunderous sounds. While breeding season peaks in April, you can often catch a repeat drumming performance in October. Most birds that utilize wing songs in breeding performances do so in flight. After a series of preparatory nasal peents from the ground, the courting male American woodcock spirals to the sky in resplendent twittering. His ascending sounds are not vocal. Instead, they depend on flight feathers with short, widely spread margins that vibrate in the air like a string. The woodcock rises 200-300 feet, then tumbles

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October 2013 ~ page 11

behaviors and tones are distinct, similar performances are heard among others in the sandpiper family. The Wilson’s snipe is a renowned example from our region. It exhibits a rising breeding dance much like the woodcock, but its tight, pointed wings create a hoot-like, winnowing howl. It is clear that the shape of the wing affects the pitch of these kamikaze courtiers. Longer, sharper wing and feather shapes typically create sounds with deeper dramatic force. The booming dives of common nighthawks, whose wings are long and scimitar shaped, are an extreme example on the low end of the audio spectrum. Hummingbirds perform opposing variations on this theme, with tiny, jackknife wings that pierce notes with the highest violins. Chris Clark, an ornithologist at Yale University who specializes in the biomechanics of hummingbird tails, suggests the intricate music of bird wings began as incidental sounds in flight, like the tread of walking feet. But over time, males with the most dramatic, freefalling songs were most successful passing on their genes. Charles Darwin also discussed the evolutionary purpose of wing song in The Descent of Man: “In the case of modified feathers by drumming, whistling, or roaring noises produced, we know that some birds during their courtship flutter, shake, or rattle their unmodified feathers together…” Today we can use super slow motion videos and Doppler vibrometers to see the mechanics of wing song. But there is still much to learn about their origins and their functions, which can be as miraculous as flight itself. Rob Rich is a writer and naturalist living in Burlington, Vermont. . The illustration for this column was drawn by Adelaide Tyrol. . The Outside Story is assigned and edited by Northern Woodlands magazine and sponsored by the Wellborn Ecology Fund of New Hampshire Charitable Foundation: wellborn@nhcf.org. 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 below (upside down)

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← From the Cabot Chronicle