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The Cabot Chronicle

February 2014 · 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 February 2014 pages (PDF)

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

In This Issue

OUNTRY

Valentine’s day is coming up and I just have to say I LOVE THE VALENTINE PHANTOM of Montpelier, Vermont! All the hearts are just everywhere, spreading the love, the good vibe. If you have a Valentine of your own, well, you can still enjoy the hearts, many of us have taken them home and display them where they make people smile. If you don’t have a Valentine, then know that the Phantom, who ever he or she or they are, love you. Mysteriously, but still isn’t that half the fun, not knowing who does it? Maybe someone knows, but I don’t want to. I want to believe that some Valentine fairies run around Montpelier in the wee hours, spreading their love so everyone can feel loved! Now, that being said, if you have something you want to say to a loved one in a loving way, please email it here to The Cabot Chronicle

It would be great to hear from all you Romeos and Juliets, romance does not have to be a dying art. The cliché rose

The Cabot Chronicle provides local information delivered free to all Cabot residents on the first of each month. It was identified as one of two main communication tools for townspeople during the Community Visit process conducted by the Vermont Council on Rural Development in 2012. Cabot Chronicle Every month, The publishes articles or notices with information about community organizations and their activities, updates on local people and events and information specifically for Cabot residents. The Cabot Chronicle received $6,000 from the Town of Cabot in 2012 and 2013 for the purpose of printing and mailing the paper to all residents of the town of Cabot. The total cost for 2014 is projected to be approximately $14,892 for 1,000 copies of a twelve-page paper each month for twelve months. Roughly 650 issues go to Cabot residents with mail delivery through Cabot, Marshfield and West Danville. Approximately fifty more papers are mailed to out-of-town property owners, subscribers and advertisers. The remainder is distributed to pickup points in Cabot, Danville, West Danville, Marshfield, Hardwick, Plainfield and Woodbury. We are hopeful the town will continue to contribute a portion of the cost of providing coverage for the many nonprofit and volunteer groups providing services to the community, who are never charged for publishing their information or advertising their events. Personnel costs include stipends for two positions, one for planning, coordination and editing, the other for graphic

DEADLINE: 15th of the month prior

Coordinator: Jeannie Johnson

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OMMENTARY

is still a wonderful thing, and as long as your loved one isn’t trying to diet and isn’t allergic, chocolates are great, too (being I am a number one first rate chocoholic). And I have seen girls give guys a rose, and they love it. At least in the situations I have seen. So, get out there and show your loved ones that you do, in fact, love them, but I suggest you show them every single day. It can’t hurt and can only bring you closer as sweethearts, family or whatever…. Yes, I do show my chickens that I love them every day, and Rick? We let each other know, in so many ways, that there is no doubt that we love each other, the road may get bumpy sometimes, but ya just have to enjoy the ride! Be imaginative, make it special, make it unique, and make it a true gift. Let the world know that ROMANCE is still ALIVE, in the meantime Happy Heart Day! In Love and Roses, Laura Lee Saorsa Smith

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P. O. Box 245, Cabot, VT 05647

design and layout/pagination. expenses are bulk mail and Other printing costs, which usually increase each year. We are not currently paying for distribution, proofing, web management or writer fees. We thank Lynn Maxfield and her mother, Betty Boisvert, and Wendy Heilig for volunteering every month to help us get the freshly-printed paper ready for mailing. We are looking for someone to replace the valued and missed Sue Freeburn to collect the event calendar information. to Stephany Searles We are grateful for finding time to proof-read and Twin Valley Senior Center Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers who drop Cabot Chronicle issues at various locations in Marshfield, Plainfield, and Woodbury for us. Special thanks to the Cabot Post Office for delivering the papers so efficiently, no matter how late in the day they receive them. The online version of the Chronicle has been managed with great ability, responsiveness and humor by Fred Brown, to whom we are very grateful, and Seth O'Brien has provided the platform for our email service and website. Thank you so much for this wonderful help. Thank you for your support since 2008, and please consider contacting us

We really want to hear from you. The more people involved, the better the paper will reflect the interests, opinions and personality of the whole community. Respectfully submitted, Jeanne Johnson, Todd Jones

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Catherine (Kitty) Toll

Addressing members of the House in his opening remarks, Speaker Shap Smith reflected on last year’s challenges and achievements and urged all legislators to work as a group to address and find solutions to the challenges that face Vermonters, and to work for the common good of this state. He stressed the fact that we do not always share the same vision, but, through hard work and compromise, we can move forward to better Vermont. Speaker Smith included closing the budget gap, pressures on the existing education funding system and a growing opiate epidemic as a few of this year’s top priorities. On January 8, Governor Shumlin delivered his State of the State Address. His speech focused on opiate use in Vermont and his proposals to address this epidemic. His four-point plan includes education, prevention, enforcement and treatment. It is estimated that more than $two million of heroin and other opiates are trafficked into our state every week. Easy access on our interstate highway system enables these drugs to be easily transported into Vermont from Boston, New York, Philadelphia and other nearby cities. Heroine that cost $6 a bag in New York City is often sold for $30 a bag in our towns and cities, making Vermont an attractive destination. The Governor’s plan asks for more funding for drug treatment centers, treatment options after arrests, strengthening Vermont’s law enforcement efforts and toughening sentences for transporting drugs and drug-related crimes, and assembling a statewide community forum to fully address this devastating problem. The following week, the Governor presented his fiscal year 2015 budget to the Legislature. In an effort to get the legislative session off to a quick start, this address was given earlier than in past years. The budget proposed by the Governor closes the $71 million gap between state projected revenues and expenses without increasing the sales

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The Cabot Chronicle Submission

The Chronicle welcomes letters written mum length is recommended to be no longer ited for clarity and length or returned submittal. All letters and commentary published sent the opinions of the authors and not necessarily The Cabot Chronicle reserves the right able material for our readers. Letters will signed and accompanied by a phone number. photographs for publication. The Cabot Chronicle is not responsible does The Cabot Chronicle assume responsibility with products or services advertised on these If you have editorial questions or would

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

~ Copyright 2013 by The

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

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PDATE

lion in one-time receipts, a $5 million reduction in debt service payments, and $36 million from federal and special funds. The budget bill is now in the House Appropriations Committee for consideration. A public hearing will be held on February 10 from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. at all Vermont Interactive Television sites throughout the state, including the site at Lyndon State College. This hearing is open to all. Each legislative committee now has an online information page. This tool enables the public to follow the work of the legislature and key in on issues of interest. To find a committee page or to check the status of a bill, visit www.leg.state.vt.us. Under Committee Information Pages, click on Standing Committee Information Pages. Select the committee of interest to obtain weekly agendas, documents, handouts and links to other information. These are live pages and are updated regularly. Additionally, please contact me directly with your questions and concerns. As always, it is an honor to represent our communities at the State House. kittytoll@live.com ktoll@leg.state.vt.us

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Guidelines

with an economy of words. The maxithan 400 words. Letters may be edto the author with suggestions for rein The Cabot Chronicle reprethe opinions of staff. to reject letters that may contain unsuitnot be considered for publication unless We will gladly consider articles and

for errors in submitted material. Nor for claims arising in connection pages. like advertising information, call our or email us at ininquiries can also be sent to: The Cabot

day of the month

for the residents of the Cabot Area. involved in their Community.

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By Bruce Westcott

In December a year ago, the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) delivered a "Report and Action Plan" which highlighted three priority projects that evolved from community meetings and discussion. The three initiatives highlighted were: — Develop a Cabot Agricultural Network — Improve Community Communications — Develop a Community Arts Center In the December issue of the Chronicle, I profiled some of the work of the Cabot Agricultural Network, and this month I would like to share with Chronicle readers some news about how CCA is supporting community arts initiatives in Cabot. Cabot Arts embarked on an exciting performance series for the winter of 2013-14,utilizing Cabot’s three venues – the United Church of Cabot, the Cabot School Performing Arts Center and the auditorium of the Willey Building. The first two offerings, Diane Huling’s piano recital in November and the Old-Time / Cajun Dance Gala in December, brought in over 180 people, many from out of town. We've been able to successfully start a run of events which provide music and entertainment, invite residents and out-of-towners to enjoy our facilities, and offer our local artists appreciative audiences. We look forward to continued success and a planned extension of our series into April. . . and perhaps next year as well. At the same time, Roz Daniels and Janet Van Fleet began a third Sunday “Show and Tell” gathering each month for local visual artists to share new work among themselves. Roz and Janet also collaborated with Lars Torres and a dozen local youths to dismantle and reassemble in new and interesting configurations a defunct piano that is now art instead of junk. The Cabot Arts committee meets irregularly, but you can add your name to the mailing and volunteer list by contacting R.D. Eno (rdeno@fairpoint.net). CCA is getting organized to be helpful to our community in ways beyond the work of these three task forces, and YOU have the opportunity to help shape our efforts and investments. First, we are community recruiting broader

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Walters Receives

Will Walters was honored with second place in the General News Photo (Non-Daily) category at the Vermont Press Association’s (VPA) Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon in December at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Montpelier. Placing third last year, Will figures he’s on the way up, anticipating first place next year, followed by a Pullitzer. Nominated by Ross Connelly, Editor of The Hardwick Gazette , it’s believed the particular photo involved captured the flames and smoke of the Carlson fire in Cabot on Route 215 South, although Ross wasn’t positive, membership. CCA By-laws say that "Any resident of Cabot, or . . . having an interest in supporting and advancing the purposes of the CCA shall be admitted to membership." Members elect a nine-member Board of Directors that meets monthly, and is responsible for staff, budget and strategy. Before Town Meeting, you'll be hearing more about opportunities to participate, and we hope you'll join us. If you are interested in becoming a member, just phone (5633338) or email (Cabot.Development @yahoo.com) CCA Board Secretary Jeanne Johnson with your name, mailing address, and (optional) phone and email address to join our membership roster. Second, as a tax-exempt non-profit organization, CCA will be seeking grants to help serve community purposes. Right now, the CCA Board is very focused on acting on the Articles that Cabot voters passed last March, supporting CCA's hiring of an "Economic and Community Development Coordinator to coordinate volunteer activities in support of economic, educational, and community development in Cabot." CCA has advertised to hire a part time development specialist, and we've received promising applications. We hope that we'll have good news about how new staff capabilities will be put to work in coming months. Our economic and community development plans include establishing a regular presence in the Village for the development specialist, and supporting him or her in learning about all existing groups and activities in our Cabot community. Second, we will ask our development specialist to support the three workgroups (Agriculture, Arts, and Communication) established as a result of the 2012 VCRD Community Visits, and provide them with any assistance needed. Our most important goal will be that the specialist assist individual entrepreneurs and producers, retailers and other businesses and community groups to strategize, identify and obtain technical and financial assistance that may be available through many potential public partnerships (USDA, State agencies, Foundations, UVM, etc.). An article in the March Cabot Chronicle will cover the work of the Communications Committee established as a result of the VCRD Action Plan, the results of the February CCA members' meeting, and the plans we're making for the coming year. CCA hopes you'll be interested in supporting our work; please let us hear your questions and comments, by phone (5633338) or by email at Cabot.Develop ment@yahoo.com. We hope you'll join us for the next members' meeting at the Willey Building at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12.

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VPA Award

because Will has submitted so many great shots. The Editor commented that Walters has a really good eye, and keeps his eyes and ears open to pursue great photos, which he expects Cabot residents appreciate seeing in the paper. VPA President Maria Archangelo presented the award. The annual journalism competition was open to the eleven daily and more than four dozen non-daily newspapers that circulate in Vermont. The New England Newspaper and Press Association secured out-of-state judges to review the various categories.

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By Sjon Welters

In this day and age of “Too-big-tofail” banks, the idea of citizens taking control of their own money in the form of a state bank is gaining traction. A recent report by Vermonters for a New Economy, funded by MPA/CDAE, Gund Institute, and UVM, discusses economic impacts, capital needs, and implementation of a public bank. Towns across the state are looking into supporting further study. North Dakota's state bank (around since it opened its door on July 28, 1919), proved the viability and wisdom of having such an institution. With budgets getting tighter, states across the nation are revisiting the concept of a state bank, and citizens are rising up in support of it. Twenty states are considering some form of state banking legislation, including Vermont. So far, the banking lobby in Vermont does not think this to be such a good idea. The experience North Dakota private banks have had with the Bank of North Dakota (BND) are positive, though, as the BND has a track record of working well with all banks operating in that state. Hopefully, Vermont's bankers will see the light sooner rather than later and change their opposition to support. For us simple folk, a state bank could mean more money staying within the state to invest in our crumbling infrastructure, create jobs, and make money available for economic development. Our Vermont state government deposits hundreds of millions of dollars every year into TD Bank (a Canadian bank) and People's United Bank (headquartered in Connecticut). Currently, costs as well as benefits end up with these banks, with benefits far outweighing the costs. But these could just as well end up with the state. Meaning

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Valentines Day: Not the

(continued from page 1) In 469 A.D., Pope Gelasius declared February 14 a day to honor St. Valentine, one of these three men. One legend says that a Roman emperor banned soldiers from marrying in the third century to ensure soldiers were not distracted by young families, but St. Valentine took issue with this. He became an advocate for soldiers and was executed as a result of his outspokenness. Another legend says St. Valentine was executed for his beliefs in Christianity, and just before he died, he left a farewell note for a loved one, the daughter of his jailer, and signed it "From Your Valentine." A tradition was born. A conventional and widely accepted belief about the holiday itself is that Valentine's Day grew out of a Middle Ages tradition of celebrating February 14 as the day "the birds began to pair." History.com notes that February has long been associated with being a month of love, and February 15 was celebrated in ancient times as a fertility festival.

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Bank for Vermont

with all of us, rather than a limited number of mostly out-of-state stockholders. Early estimates show that an institution owned and controlled by the State of Vermont could create 2,535 new jobs, $192 million in value added product to the state, and $342 million in increased state output. VEDA, Vermont's own economic development authority, could initially take on many of the roles of a state bank and maybe morph into a full-fledged public bank over time. The expectation is that we're going to need to invest tens of billions of dollars in our aging Vermont economy, and the money simply isn't there. Rather than burden each and every Vermonter with new or increased taxes and levies, innovative and smart ways of managing what we've got here in our beautiful state is the better road to take. Support of individual towns and its citizens will go a long way in making it clear to our representatives in Washington, D.C., fer. Montpelier and which road we pre-

For more information on public banks: see online at publicbankinginstitute.org and vtneweconomy.org, email vtneweconomy@gmail.com, or write Vermonters for a New Economy, 12 Parkside Drive, Montpelier, VT 05602.

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By Karen Mueller-Harder

Rehearsals for Cabot Community Theater's April 4-6 production of The Mouse That Roared are underway (mark your calendar!), and it's going to be a great show! Besides acting, there are many other things that need to happen to make a successful performance: sets, costumes, lights, sound, props, publicity, etc. Cast members are helping with these tasks, but we need support from a few others in the community. Here's the overview of what we need--please see if there's anything here you'd like to help with: • We need a stage manager to attend rehearsals in March, helping with prompting and keeping track of where people need to be when, and then being the backstage boss for the performances. • Our group has some costumes, and we can borrow things from other theater groups, but with 35 characters on stage, we'll need some help finding costume pieces at local second-hand stores and so on, and help with altering things we have. • We could always use more help with planning, building, and painting sets, and making or finding props. • We are looking for a lighting designer, and we need someone to run sound--no previous experience needed, though the person needs to be comfortable with technology and computers.

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Broadway-World.com

Todd Jones (right) on stage with Dan DeRosia On January 17, 2014, the winners for BroadwayWorld.com Vermont awards were announced. Cabot resident, Todd Jones, won the award for “Best Featured Actor in a Musical” for his portrayal of Dr. Fredrick Frankenstein in the Valley Player’s production of Mel Brooke’s “Young Frankenstein”. In fact, “Young Frankenstein” took five of the thirteen awards for the state of Vermont, including “Best Musical for 2013”. BroadwayWorld.com is an international entertainment source of news, information and support for the acting community. It covers both professional and amateur venues, as well as both film and theater. Based in the United States, it has sites for each state in the union. It also has individual sites for

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That Roared!

• We'll also need a couple of people to help with makeup for the performances. Anyone who helps make the show happen gets free admission, in addition to a great deal of gratitude! Please email/call Karen Mueller-Harder

if any of these tasks sound fun to you, and ask your family and friends if they can help out as well. The more community involvement we have, the richer the group is. Thanks!

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Award

(left) who was also nominated. nearly every country in the world, including the UK, India, Brazil and South Africa. Nominations for BroadwayWorld.com awards are made each year on the website using their nomination form. Nominations typically start being accepted mid-summer and voting opens soon after. Voting is open to the public and is done through the website for the state or region selected. This past year was a record year for Vermont voting and some of the other Vermont winners include Dan Deluca, Shannon Pitonyak, and Rosemarie Smith. Todd Jones would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the community who voted and who have supported arts in Cabot over the years.

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Opportunities for Singers,

Auditions will be held on Saturday, February 15, for several musical ventures coming up in our area. The auditions take place at the Cabot United Church from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Walk-ins are welcome from 1-3:00 p.m., and scheduled auditions are from 3-5:00 p.m.. The productions are: A double bill of HMS Pinafore and Cox and Box by Gilbert and Sullivan, to be performed from late June through mid-July. Director: Ellen Blachly. Music Director: Mary Jane Austin. The plot revolves around Josephine, daughter of the Captain of H.M.S. Pinafore, in love with a lower-class sailor, although her father intends her to marry the First Lord of the Admiralty. Cox and Box is a one-act comic opera concerning a landlord who lets a room to two lodgers, one who works at night and one who works during the day. Performance venue: Unadilla Theatre. Director: Ellen Blachly. Music Director: Mary Jane Austin. Faust by Gounod, to be performed in French in August. Performance venue: Unadilla Theatre. Director: Erik Kroncke. Music Director: Mary Jane Austin. Faust is a grand opera with minor roles for young girls, laborers, students, soldiers, burghers, matrons, invisible demons, church choir, witches, queens and courtesans of antiquity, and celestial voices. The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart, to be performed in Italian in May. Director: Naomi Flanders. Accompanist: Eliza Thomas. Figaro recounts a single "day of madness" in the palace of Count Almaviva near Seville,

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, AT

Both folk and classical music will be on the agenda Sunday, February 16, at 3:00 p.m. at the United Church of Cabot when Cabot Arts presents a concert organized by violinist/fiddler Ruth Einstein and pianist Rip Keller. Adding their talents to the event are four 9-year-olds. They will sing music ranging from English and American folk songs to J.S. Bach, and one of them—Mariposa Keller, Rip Keller’s daughter—will appear as a violinist, as well. In addition to accompanying the children, Einstein and Keller will take the stage to play Beethoven’s “Spring” sonata—“Out of season,” Einstein admits, “but in this weather, we need anything that can remind us of spring!” The 9-year-olds are classmates at the Orchard Valley Waldorf School in East Montpelier. Three—Jonas Natvig of Northfield, Hannah Smart of East Montpelier, and Mariposa Keller of South Walden— have studied violin with Einstein, while Jojo Michaelson of Chelsea is a recent addition to the class, whose singing abilities struck a chord. The children have prepared music of unusual diversity, ranging from folk songs learned at school to classical music that Keller has taught them. “I’ve conducted and sung with lots of professional singers,” says Keller, “but not many are as spirited and musical as these kids. I traveled through Mexico with my father collecting children’s songs when I was 15 years old, and I’ve been in awe of young singers ever since. Now that I have a 9-year-old daughter, and she has friends, I figured it was time to put my admiration in action. So here we are with a ‘kids-and-grownups concert’

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Techies

Spain – employing well-known and sublime music to tell a tale. Performance venue: Christ Church in Montpelier. Director: Naomi Flanders. Accompanist: Eliza Thomas. All three productions have large and small roles available and large choruses, as, as well as opportunities for dancers/ singers ,singers, stage hands, costumers, lighting people, or assistant directing. We also have roles going a-begging in several Unadilla (non-musical) plays, and it will be possible to audition for these as well. Our approach to auditions is comfortable and casual, and we welcome anyone with some spunk and enthusiasm to try out. If you have never sung, danced or acted, we can give you your first taste of the fun of being involved in a great artistic adventure. We would love it if you could come with a snippet of music to sing with our accompanist, but come as you are if you don’t have anything prepared. We are interested in meeting you, no matter what your background. We are particularly interested in putting together a small chorus that will perform year-round, composed of teenagers and adults, and serving as the core group for local operas and operettas. This would be an auditioned chorus, with a winter concert of classical music. Last but not least, we are interested in forming a Cabot Youth Chorale, for young people aged 8-18. If this interests you, please come to the audition between 1-3:00 p.m. PM. For further information or to choose an audition time between 3-5:00 p.m., please contact Ellen Blachly by phone or email: ellie@together.net or at home 563 -2248.

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CABOT UNITED CHURCH

Rip Keller and Ruth Einstein with JoJo Michaelson, Mariposa Keller, Hannah Smart and Jonas Natvig under the auspices of the arts initiative that has sprung up in Cabot.” The Einstein-Keller collaboration reflects shared values. Like Keller, Einstein has traveled and been inspired by music-making in other parts of the world, from Mexico to Nepal. And like Keller, she finds children irresistible. “I raised two of them,” she says, “but when they grew up, what was I to do?” The answer she found was to leave her job in the state bureaucracy and dedicate the rest of her life to playing music and teaching children how to do it. Ruth Einstein is currently director of the Vermont String School and performs with the Vermont Philharmonic and the Montpelier Chamber Orchestra. Admission to Bach, Beethoven and Beyond will be by donation at the door. Seating in the Church is limited, so early arrival is advised. DownStreet Eats on Main Street in Cabot serves brunch until 2:00 PM, and refreshments will be available during the concert intermission.

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Elizabeth Fitzpatrick

Elizabeth Campbell Rendall Fitzpatrick, born August 3, 1929, in New Stevenston, Scotland, to Euphemia Campbell and William Rendall, passed away on January 11, 2014. Her family immigrated to the United States and settled in New York City when she was a child. Betty married her beloved husband, Howard P. Fitzpatrick, in 1954. They lived in Dumont, NJ, where they raised their five children. In 1971, upon Howard's retirement from the NYPD, they moved their family to Cabot, VT. She was employed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, and retired after 15 years. During their retirement, Howard and Betty enjoyed traveling to Scotland and spent numerous winters in St. Augustine, FL. In 2002, they relocated from Cabot to Montpelier. Betty was loved for her

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Anne G. Lovell

Anne Grace (Watson) Lovell, 99, of Middleboro, MA, passed away Friday, January 3, 2014, at the Island Terrace Nursing Home in Lakeville, MA. She was the wife of the late Samuel W. Lovell, who preceded her in death in 2002. She is survived by her son John, and his wife, Joan, her granddaughter Susan and grandson Peter, his wife, Kaitlin, and their son, Spencer. Anne was born May 9, 1914, in Midway, AL, raised in Tuskegee, AL, and graduated with a bachelor's degree with honors from the University of Montevallo in 1934. Upon graduation, Anne worked for Travelers Aid during the Great Depression, serving families in and around Birmingham, as an assistant editor for the Progressive Farmers Magazine, and as the director of the Louisville (KY ) Dairy Council. In 1944, she met and married the love of her life, Samuel, an officer in the

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Neal P. White

Rev. Neal P White, 63, of Raymond, NH, died of cancer December 26. His family was by his side. Neal served as the minister for the Cabot United Church and the Marshfield Church in the late 1980s. He is remembered fondly by area parishioners and his neighbors from that time. He was also a well-respected volunteer firefighter. He was born November 9, 1950, in Burlington and raised in Orleans, VT. He graduated from Lyndon State College in 1975. He then graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, and went on to receive a Master of Divinity from Bethany Theological Seminary in Indiana. Neal had various jobs during his life, but the one profession he held throughout his entire adult life was firefighting.

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EMORIALS

sharp wit, sense of humor, strong spirit and dedication to her family, which included 12 grandchildren. She was predeceased by her beloved daughter Elizabeth (Betsy) Normand Hiser in 2000. She is survived by her loving husband, her daughter, Nancy Chase of Montpelier, son Howard W. Fitzpatrick and wife Soryun of Seattle, WA, son William Fitzpatrick and wife Pam Knapp of Plainfield, daughter Amy Smith and husband Tim of Warwick, NY, and her grandchildren Jessica Normand, Will and Peter Hiser, Ian, Andrew and Alison Chase, Elizabeth (Chase) Bailey, Owen and Mina Fitzpatrick, Jessa Fitzpatrick, Evan and Liam Smith. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Central Vermont Humane

05601 (www.cvhumane.com). She will be remembered by all who loved her, including her little dog, Annie Laurie. No calling hours or services were held.

Army during World War II. Together, they moved to Middleboro to raise their family and run a successful seafood supply business (S.W. Lovell & Co. Inc.). They continued to live in Middleboro for more than 60 years and summered in Cabot, VT, for more than 40 years. Anne was an active member of the Middleboro Cabot Club, Garden Club and the Historical Society, a former district director for the General Federation of Women's Clubs of Massachusetts, and a summer tour guide at the Vermont State House well into her 90s. Funeral services were held Thursday, January 9, at the Egger Funeral Home, followed by interment at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to Mass Audubon: http:// www.massaudubon.org/get-involved/ ways-to-give/honorary-memorial-gifts or

In 2007, after two decades of serving churches in the area, Neal moved to Raymond, NH. He was a history buff with a “zany” sense of humor. He loved food, the railroad and playing the drums. In Cabot, he had a train set with buildings and scenery set up in the parsonage. Neal is survived by his wife Sally (Vermette). Other survivors include his children, Laura Hurfer and partner Russell, of Chicopee MA; Carol Scott and husband Jeremy of Ware, MA; Tammy Baker and husband Brett of Haverhill, MA; and James White and his wife Erica of Granby, MA. He also leaves brothers Patrick White of Candia, NH, and Peter White of Hanover, MA, and seven grandchildren. A memorial service was held for Rev. Neal January 12, 2014, at the North Salem NH Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Home Health & Hospice Care in Merrimack, N.H., or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital .

hood in East Montpelier and graduated from Spaulding High School in 1954. In July 1956 she married her faithful and loving husband, Daniel (Bunchy) Cookson, Jr. of Woodbury, and they settled in Cabot. Ramona was the loving and devoted mother of their three children, the proud grandmother of six grandchildren, and the very blessed great grandmother of two great -grandchildren. She loved helping others, enjoyed homemaking, her flower

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Northern Communities Partnership

Faith in Action wishes to thank all local community members who so generously contributed to the success of our Fourth annual Toys for Girls and Boys giveaway! More than seventy-five kids were served, 13 children were matched with six Secret Santas; and 15 volunteers worked a total of 51 hours to shop, wrap, set up the Masonic Hall, assist families and clean up after the two days of giveaways. There were only a few used toys left, but many clothes were leftover and will be given to the Cabot School for further distribution through a Cabot Partners in Education event. And a big thank you to the Secret Santas who went above and beyond this year, fulfilling the wishes (and then some) of the children on our list. Again, thank you for making the 2013 Faith in Action Toys and Warm Clothing for Girls and Boys a success! Our most abundant Christmas yet for our youngsters!

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February 26 from noon – 2:00 p.m.

Our Faith in Action Food Share Program is locally made possible by 26 or more volunteers, who, together, contribute 390 plus hours of their time per month to help feed Cabot and area families. Without these volunteers of all ages who give so generously of their time, the program could not happen! They deserve all of our thank yous for their unselfish dedication to helping neighbors in need. During 2013, our Cabot office, alone, produced approximately half a million dollars’ worth of free services and food distribution, with over 19,000 individual service contacts with neighbors in need. There is no charge for our services. We welcome new volunteers and anyone who might have a new idea for a needed service they would like to partner with us in pursuing. Drop in, give us a call, send an e-mail and check out our website to learn more: fiancp.org.

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SERVICES INCLUDE:

(but are not limited to) • —Transportation to medical/other appts. • —Seniors’ Adventure Enrichment Programs • —Respite Time for Caregivers • —Friendly Visiting and Telephone support • —Handyman-type Home Repairs and Ramps • —Seniors’ Handiwork Socials • —Community Nurse Program • —Food Share Pantry and off-site 5,000 lb. distributions • —Global Campus Disabled Person Programs • —Referrals to Other Service Providers • —Food Share Volunteer FarmGardens • —Help with Shopping, Reading • —Creative and Instructional Programs • —NEK Disabled Drop-in Center

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country music – it’s sure to be foot stompin’ fun!

We hope you will all come for this delicious meal and concert. Bring your family, friends and neighbors for some companionship, nourishment and fun! Sponsored by: Faith in Action, 39 Main Street, Cabot, VT

garden and was a kind-hearted and caring friend to many. She is predeceased by her parents, a brother, Roland Copping, and a sister, Norma Bashaw. She is survived by her beloved husband, her children, Michael and his wife Ann Cookson of Cabot, Becky Willenburg of Barre, and Mark Cookson of Hanover, NH. Ramona also leaves behind two brothers, Paul Copping of Montpelier, Clayton Copping of Barre Town, and a sister, Elva Martin of Waterbury. Calling hours will be held Friday, January 31 st from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at des Groseilliers Funeral Home Church Street in Hardwick. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 1 st at 11:00 a.m. at the Cabot United Church. Arrangements are in the care of des Groseilliers Funeral Home Church St. Hardwick.

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Classic Film Night: You can Count

on Me with Rick Winston and Tom Blachly. 7:00 p.m. This film, made in 2000, is directed by Kenneth Lonergan, and stars Laura Linney, Matthew Broderick, and Mark Ruffalo. The life of a single mother (Linney) is thrown into turmoil after her struggling, rarely-seen younger brother (Ruffalo) returns to town. Beautifully acted, this charming and unpretentious snapshot of smalltown life and family ties is both heartwarming and bittersweet. Jaquith Public Library, marshfield.lib.vt.us, (802)

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Jaquith Public Library Story Time

and Playgroup. Wednesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Join Sylvia Smith for story time, and follow up with Melissa Seifert for playgroup including stories, arts, songs, nature activities, and cooperative games. For children birth to age six, and their grown-ups. We follow the Twinfield Union School calendar and do not hold the program the weeks Twinfield is closed. Jaquith Public Li-

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Book Group for Adults. Fourth

Mondays at 7 p.m. The January book is The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. There is no book group in December.

Marshfield.lib.vt.us.

essed in Marshfield during the selfsufficient 1800s (from bricks, to logs, cheese, starch, shoes, butter boxes, liniments, and worm elixir). Audience input is welcome. Janet Nielsen is the presenter for the Marshfield Historical Society. Free, open to all. , Jaquith Public Library, marsh-

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Library Film Series: In the House.

In this 2012 French comedy, a high school teacher encourages a student with a talent for writing. This film tickles the brain as narrative and “reality” invade each other’s territory, and the cost of a good story turns out to be high. 7:00 p.m., Jaquith Public Library,

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School Street, Marshfield

Volunteers show up at 6:50 a.m. to unload 5,000 pounds of food for distribuHome Office NEK Office tion. More help is needed unloading the and Dessert. $10.00 Pick up between Cabot, VT 05647 ist Church Call Susan for reservations: admin@fiancp.org Lyndonville, VT 05851 nekfaithinaction@gmail truck, organizing the food for distribution, and helping senior citizens and others carry boxes of food to their cars.

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CHEST DISCOMFORT

days at 7:00 p.m., Jaquith Public LiMost heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the brary, Marshfield. Information call: 426chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes 3581. away and comes back. It can feel like

Story Hour at Cabot Public Library, pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. uncomfortable

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

• Pancake Breakfast 9-11 a.m. (registration fee includes 2 tickets for pancake breakfast-special vendor seating at 8:30 a.m.) • Craft & Vendor Tables • Silent Auction • Maple Cotton Candy • Sugar on Snow • Maple Delectables • Signature Cheese Sandwiches • Great Family Entertainment Download Maple Fest Vendor Form 2014 at:

Vendor fee $25 before February 28 $30 after March 1

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Dances

if you need pickup, or you can leave your items at the Cabot Community Office on the ground floor of the Willey Building. You can leave it in the vestibule for collection if nobody is in the office, or at the Library or Town Clerk’s office.

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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 second Saturday dates are: February 8, March 8, April 12, and May 10 in 2014 The dances will be held on the top floor of the Willey Building.

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By Helen Morrison

Vern was brought to Kingdom Animal Shelter about a month ago. He had been abandoned at a local apartment complex and the neighbors were tending. But it was getting too cold and so they brought him in. He is roughly two years old. He has been neutered. He is very affectionate and funny. And he is available for a forever home at KAS at 1664 Memorial Drive in St. Johnsbury. Our hours are Monday-Wednesday, Friday from 4:00-6:00 p.m., Thursday from 3:305:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, noon – 3:00 p.m.

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By Helen Morrison

There are certainly understandable reasons why a person would want to put a collar on their cat. It is particularly understandable if the cat goes outside. A cat with a collar lets folk know that someone owns that cat, that it is not a stray. If there is a tag on the collar, all the better, because the owner can be reached if the cat seems to be lost. Folks put bells on the collars so that birds and other wildlife might get warning of impending doom. Perhaps the collar has a rabies tag on it. Then finders of a lost cat know that the cat is vaccinated. And there is information on that tag as to the owner. Collars, then, are a good thing? Not necessarily so. At Kingdom Animal Shelter we have had two instances involving collars that would wrench your heart. One happened several years ago, involving a cat named Collin. This story is actually what first drew me toward Kingdom Animal Shelter. I saw his story in the paper and was moved to donate to his care and begin to check out this local Shelter. Collin was brought to the Shelter as a stray. He had a collar on that was so imbedded in his neck that the skin had begun to grow around it. It was literally beginning to strangle him. It was badly infected. when Probably it had been put on he was a young kitten, and for whatever reason, he had become a stray with a collar that was way too small for

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By Roland (Slim) Payne

We are now in 2014, but let’s go back to 2013 for a minute. We went to the Community Dinner Christmas Day, had a good time chatting with people, and the food was excellent. I want to give thanks to everyone that helped put it together – GREAT JOB! And it was great to see so many involved in a good community effort. OK, back to the present. My son, Roland, Jr., did some of the ash tree count the weekend after Christmas, so maybe we can finish that and the hazard tree survey before spring. I don’t think we had much damage from the ice storm, except for some power outages. We got lucky, some areas didn’t fare so well. The trees for May planting are all set, so just wait for planting time. I may also get a couple of larger trees for

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or Bad Idea?

his potential growth. It took some intricate medical work to remove the collar and another year for Collin’s wound to completely heal. and is happily Collin was adopted in a forever home. About a month ago, a man came to a St. Johnsbury vet and dropped off a cat. He had found him under his porch. The cat had a dog collar on that was too big for him. He had gotten his right front leg up through the collar where it was then stuck so that the collar was rubbing under the armpit. In fact, it was rubbed raw down to muscle, it was infected, and the cat, whom we named Ramses, was so tated that he had become incapacidehydrated and malnourished. The collar was removed, antibiotics given, and good care given so that the wound could heal. Both of these cats were lucky. They were found and the situation remedied. But had they not been found or found much later, the outcome could have been tragically different. My heartfelt advice, from experience, is let your cat be without a collar. If you would like to meet Ramses (who is ready to be adopted and waiting to go home) or any of our other cats, please visit Kingdom Animal Shelter at 1664 Memorial Drive in St. Johnsbury. Our hours are MondayWednesday, Friday from 4:00-6:00 p.m., Thursday from 3:30-5:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, noon – 3:00 p.m.

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T REE W ARDEN

free, and I will have to find a place to put them. On January 7, Roland, Jr., Chris Duff and myself attended a meeting in Danville on the Emerald Ash Borer and Asian Longhorn Beetle. They have not been found in Vermont, yet, but are all around us, so probably will be here in the near future. One thing we can do now is to not move firewood, since that is more than likely how they will be spread to new areas. January 13 I took a hike in the town forest. There are some downed trees that need to be removed. Other than that, I didn’t see much damage. The road into there is really icy, so use care if you go. If we get some snow, it will take care of it. Once you get into the forest, it is quiet and peaceful. Very relaxing (great!). Try it and see for yourself.

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By Rachel Sargent

We humans tend to cringe at winter temperatures. We put on extra layers, crank up the thermostat, and wait impatiently for the tell-tale drip of spring thaw. However, there are plenty of tiny organisms all around us that aren’t just biding their time; they’re thriving in the bitter cold. If you could listen to as well as watch them under a microscope, you wouldn't hear a single plaint comabout the temperature. Psychrophiles, literally lovers,” are organisms adapted to live at extremely cold temperatures. are celled forms, often These singlelife most bacteria, but also blue Illustration by Adelaide green algae, yeasts, and fungi that can grow at temperatures as low as -13 degrees. Why not pack it up and move to Florida? By adapting to low temperatures, psychrophiles have freed themselves from limits that hold back other kinds of life. Over 80% of the planet’s biosphere never gets above 41 degrees; psychrophiles have moved into all these places, from high peaks to extreme ocean depths. Researchers are constantly looking for new species that can survive lower and lower temperatures in remote parts of Antarctica or the deep ocean floor, so you might think these organisms are strange and exotic. But in fact we're surrounded by them. Many are decomposers that live in the soil, eating and growing even through the winter. They'll keep working on a compost pile even in January. Unfortunately, they also like dairy products. When your milk goes rancid, you have a psychrophile to thank. In the freezer, a slowly growing population of psychrophiles is chomping on your ice cream. While most live quiet lives, the group does have notorious members. Consider for example Pseudogymnoascus destructans , the fungus associated with the white nose syndrome that has been killing off bats. If you've ever found a jug of bad milk in the back of your fridge, you might be thinking we’d be better off without psy-

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By Cecilia Gulka

Cabot Girl Scouts, led by Beth Hoffman and Kim Mayo, welcomed five new members this fall. The older girls introduced the new girls to the Girl Scout Promise and Law and talked about what it means to be a Girl Scout. In November, Amber Perry met with the girls, and described her work at the Barre Animal Hospital. The girls have been learning about animals ever since. In December, the girls baked and delivered cookies and muffins to the residents of Cabot Commons. In January, the girls were busy taking cookie orders. This year, six varieties are available: Thin Mints, Trefoils (shortbread), Do-Si-Dos (peanut butter sandwich), Samoas (caramel delights), Tagalongs (peanut butter patties) and

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It Cold

chrophiles, but think again. As decomposers, they make up the very base of the food web, recycling nutrients so other kinds of life can use them. It's a good thing for the rest of us that they've figured out how to thrive when the cold has us inside huddled under blankets. It’s not easy to stay alive in the cold. First, the lack of heat usually causes cells to wind down like mechanical toys with drained batteries, because normal cell will into proteins crumple unusable shapes in the cold. Cells have fatty outer membranes that need to be fluid to do their job, and at freezing temperatures, membranes become hard – think how difficult it is to spread butter Tyrol

nally, if ice crystals right out of the fridge. And fiform inside a cell, they can cut the cell to ribbons. To overcome all this, psychrophiles have developed several clever evolutionary tricks. For starters, they have special flexible proteins that won’t warp into unusable lumps. They also use more unsaturated fats to make up their cell membranes than do most other organisms. Unsaturated fats stay loose and fluid, even in the cold. If our membranes are like butter – which gets hard in the fridge – then their membranes are like margarine, which has higher amounts of unsaturated fats and stays spreadable, even when chilled. As for the risk of death by ice cuts, they have antifreeze that prevents ice crystals from forming and shredding their cells. Psychrophiles have one last trick up their sleeve: they do everything really slowly . They don't need fast metabolisms, because they don't live fast lives. They can divide just six times a year, in contrast to E. coli , who love the same comfortably warm temperatures that we do, and divide every 20 minutes. We can learn from these tiny organisms and slow down the hectic pace of our busy lives; it may make the cold of winter just a little more bearable. Rachel Sargent is an educator with the Fairbanks Museum, as well as a freelance nature writer and illustrator. Reprinted from Northern Woodlands electronic newsletter with permission.

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News

Savannah Smiles (lemon). Cookies should arrive in mid-February, and we should have plenty of extras in case you did not get the chance to place an order. Once again, the girls voted to send all donated cookies to members of the armed services. If you would like to donate cookies to this cause and support Girl Scouting at the same time, be sure to give us a call. Cookies will also be on sale at the Annual School Meeting on March 3 and at Town Meeting on March 4. New girls are welcome to join Girl Scouts at any time. If you have any questions or would like registration information, call Cecilia Gulka at 5632284 or visit the Girl Scout website at www.girlscoutsgwm.org. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month in the Cabot School preschool room.

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Stable, Healthy

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says preliminary numbers show hunters took slightly more deer in 2013 hunting seasons than the previous three-year average, reflecting a stable and healthy deer population in the state. Deer biologist Adam Murkowski says reports from big game check stations throughout Vermont indicate deer hunters had a series of successful deer seasons in 2013. Hunters took a total of 14,116 deer in the state: 3,221 during archery season, 1,706 during youth weekend, 6,711 in rifle season, and 2,478 in muzzleloader season. “The number of deer taken and the weight of deer measured by biologists indicate that Vermont’s deer population continues to remain in good health,” said Murkowski. “Compared to the average of the previous three years, harvest levels rose during the archery and November rifle seasons and remained roughly level during youth season.” “We issued fewer antlerless permits for muzzleloader season the past couple of years, resulting in lower muzzleloader season harvests,” said Murkowski. “This decrease in antlerless permits is based on our management goal to promote a slow and steady growth of the herd in many parts of the state.” Department biologists operated 24 big game registration stations during the two-day youth hunt and eight stations during the November rifle season. Accurate data on the age, sex, weight, antler characteristics, and overall health from 1,091 deer were collected with assistance from members of the University of Vermont Fisheries and Wildlife Society (UVM-TWS). Biologists and UVM-TWS members also assisted the Department of Health in monitoring for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Biological data from the check stations show that Vermont’s deer are healthier than in the past, with the average yearling buck weighing ten pounds more than in the 1960s and four pounds more than the 1990s. According to Murkowski, the primary goal of Vermont’s deer management strategy is to keep Vermont’s deer herd stable, healthy and in balance with available habitat. “Maintaining an appropriate number of deer on the landscape ensures Vermont’s deer and the habitats that support them remain healthy and productive,” said Murkowski. “Healthy habitats and sta-

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By Michelle Delaney

Elementary Basketball wraps up in February and we begin to look towards spring. Thank you to Brian Hale, Ian Burfoot and Dave Creighton for coaching and to Lynn Lehoe for scheduling our games. I myself had a great time working with the K-2 basketball newbies. Thank you to Aaron Fuller for refereeing games and for helping to train up some new referees: Isabella McCallum and Frank Schumacher. Thank you to Michael & Susie Socks, Johneal Hale, Brad Alexander, and Sarah Saggerson for running the clock. Susie Socks has facilitated the maintenance of the ice skating rink, which by all reports has been fabulous this year. Thank you to Jeannie McCallum, Donna & Duncan McKinnon, Martha Rockwell, Karen Alexander, Mark Christensen, Jenn Boucher, the O'Connor family, and Ry Hoffman for keeping the rink clean. Three Cabot students have stepped up and taken the soccer referee course: Isabella McCallum, Henry Burke, and

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Population

ble deer herds are beneficial to the deer themselves, important to Vermont’s deer hunters, and they are beneficial to the health of the land and other wildlife.” “Under our current goal of maintaining a healthy deer herd, a stable harvest is a good indicator that we are meeting our management objectives set out in Vermont’s Ten-Year Big Game Plan,” said Murkowski. “As long as the deer herd is healthy and responding to our management prescriptions, season totals in any given year may be up or down from the previous year. But the fact that fluctuations are small, rather than major boom and bust cycles, is an indicator that management strategies are working.” Murkowski says the 14,116 deer brought home by hunters during the 2013 deer seasons resulted in Vermont hunters being able to benefit from over 700,000 lbs of lean, high protein venison. The 2013 report on deer hunting seasons with final numbers will be on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) by early February.

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Update

Frank Schumacher. Without all of your help, these recreational opportunities would not be possible. We are looking for another community member to become part of the recreation committee and organize elementary basketball for next year. Contact me if you think you could do this and would like to know what it entails. Rebecca Nally has completed handing over the responsibilities to other members of the recreation department. Tara Rogerson is handling the finances, and to streamline our processes, registrations and payments for fall soccer and basketball can be sent directly to the Town

Spring Little League is organized by Chuck Talbert, so contact Chuck directly at wdchuck@pivot.net if you have a t-ball or baseball enthusiast in your home. Spring Soccer is run through the Northeast Kingdom Warrior Soccer Club, and you can contact me at mpsoccer2@aol.com if you have children interested in soccer.

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Winter Hiking

Winter outings in the Green Mountains are exhilarating and beautiful-you may even encounter winter weather at higher elevations during the fall and spring. These trips must be well planned as the margin for error on a winter hike is error is reduced by temperature, wind, snow, ice and limited daylight hours. The Long Trail is marked with white blazes, which are difficult to see against a snowy background and are frequently buried beneath the snow. Deep snow may obscure all signs of the trail -- topographical maps and a compass are necessary. Be prepared to keep warm and sheltered with nothing more than the equipment you carry. Never count on a campfire or wood stove to keep you warm. Stay alert to the dangers of hypothermia and frostbite. Know the signs and how to treat them. Remember that daylight is short in the winter and darkness comes suddenly. Use skis or snowshoes. This will enable you to use energy most efficiently and doesn’t create post-holes (aka “death cookies”) on the trail (which makes the trail unpleasant and dangerous for those on the trail behind you). With the right skills and equipment, winter is a great time to go hiking. One of the best ways to cope with cabin fever is to get out of the cabin and take a hike! In addition to being prepared with your ten essentials and hiking basics, consider these tips to make your winter excursions as safe and comfortable as possible: 1. Stay dry and waterproof. Manage your core temperature while hiking to prevent sweating, which gets your clothes wet and limits their insulative

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Does anyone use the Long Trail in

the winter? Yes, but the Long Trail is primarily a summer trail. You can snowshoe many parts of the Long Trail and its side trails but you must keep in mind that white blazes on the Long Trail are difficult to see against white snow and oftentimes, the snow is high enough to cover blazes completely!

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Vermont Soccer League by Febru-

ary 10 , so please do not wait to register. If it does not look like we will have enough in any age group, we will not submit a team. All teams are unisex with the exception of the 6-8 year olds. Games are played in May and the first half of June. Practices will begin as soon as we can get outside in April. Home fields for those 10 and under will be in Cabot at the Marcotte Field, 11 & 12 year olds will play at Walden, and older teams will likely play at Twinfield.

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Guidelines

value. Wear gaiters to help keep your legs dry, and pop your hood over your head when trekking through dense/ overhanging trees to prevent snow from getting in at the neck. 2. Winter is the wrong time for lightweight hiking -- carry many insulating layers including a spare set of long underwear tops and bottoms – putting on dry clothes may shock the system initially but you’ll feel warmer pretty fast 3. Make sure your equipment works -finding out your thermos is cracked when it’s 10 below at lunchtime is the wrong time to learn this 4. Be aware that solid food items freeze; cut up those snickers bars ahead of time 5. Hydrate constantly because you won’t feel as thirsty in cold weather 6. Know how to repair snowshoe and crampon/creeper bindings 7. Don’t use those ski pole wrist loops – a downhill fall can wrench a shoulder if you go one way and your ski pole stays put 8. Ideally know your winter hike ahead of time; trail finding is tricky with deep snow so knowing the route well is a good idea 9. Favor hikes with few stream crossings; crossings are dangerous as both a water hazard and possibly soaking everything you are wearing and carrying. Even just getting your snowshoes wet can result in heavy globs of ice stuck on 10. If you’re hiking with a dog, check their paws for icing 11. Be especially careful if conditions are icy; crampons and creepers only work if you stay on your feet 12. If you are a beginner winter hiker, consider a group hike to learn more about trail conditions and preparation.

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Can you stay in shelters during the

winter? Yes you can, but be aware that there are no shelters remaining with working wood stoves and shelters are not maintained during the winter. So you need to be prepared for the cold temperatures and to possibly dig out the door to the shelter. GMC does own 2 cabins near Lake Willoughby that have wood stoves, called the Wheeler Pond Camps. If you are looking for something on Mount Mansfield there is the Stone Hut run by the the Vermont State Parks

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Moving

The Twin Valley Senior Center was founded in 1983 and serves the communities of Cabot, Plainfield, Marshfield, Woodbury, Calais and East Montpelier. The Center moved among several locations in the early years and has outgrown its existing space in Marshfield. This growth is attributed in large part to the current Executive Director and an active volunteer Board of Directors who ramped up activities beginning near the end of 2008. A typical day will see 30-35 people on site, where a meal is offered, as well as any of a number of programs and activities. Early in 2009, the Center took over the regional Meals on Wheels program and prepared food on site, requiring a part-time cook. The meals are packaged and delivered by volunteers, coordinated by the Center and underwritten in part by a contract with Central Vermont Council on Aging (CVCOA) and grant funds. These significantly increased membership and additional activities. The Center provides 1,000 meals every month, between Meals on Wheels and those served on site to the members. These are offered regardless of ability to pay, however, donations may be made. The expenses of the Meals on Wheels program are covered largely by the contract with CVCOA. Other operating funds come from requested Town appropriations, donations, fundraising by staff and volunteers and contributions for the congregant meals. The Center’s board will be looking to change its formula for seeking Town funds in 2015 for a more equitable result. Staff and volunteers are continually researching and applying for grants to raise money to help with the operations budget, thus making sure the Center continues to bring the needed services to the members of our communities, our home bound and disabled residents. A significant opportunity presented itself near the end of 2013: the availability of renting the Blueberry Hill property on Vermont Route 2 in East Montpelier. The Center’s Board of Di-

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ENIOR C ENTER

rectors approved an agreement to occupy the facility, which will eventually help fulfill much of the goals and objectives in the five-year plan. The Center cannot expand at its present location, and the opportunity to lease such a wonderful space on the main highway does not happen often in this area. We can and will bring more services, entertainment, educational programs, etc. TVSC wants to bring the Center to an intergenerational activity center for all residents in the communities we serve, with easy access off the main highway. Programs and services have grown over the last five years, to include information and referrals for stronger living, exercise, trips, free blood pressure measurement, foot clinics, tax assistance and more. Some programs are offered in partnership with other local agencies. One exciting example is a collaborative effort, bringing student volunteers to interact with Seniors at the Center. It became necessary to rent additional space in 2011 to accommodate the growth. The Center’s board of directors then embarked on a strategic planning exercise and created a five-year plan (2013-2018) which “envisions a thriving Center (with additional space and program capacity) open five days a week, with 75 seniors visiting the Center each day . . . serving a meal daily and delivering hot Meals on Wheels five days a week, which would eliminate the need for frozen meals except to cover weekends. The Center attracts both younger and older seniors with engaging health, information and social programming . . . the Center will be an intergenerational hub for the communities which helps to improve overall physical, social and emotional health of the residents in the six towns it serves. Vermont has one of the country’s “oldest” populations, and our service area is no exception. Community needs assessments by the Center, Green Mountain United Way and others confirm that an increasing population (age 50 and up) and longevity are resulting in demand for more relevant opportunities for this group. Our particular service area is very rural and a more accessible, expanded and improved Center will address many of these needs. The Center hopes to occupy the property in March 2014. The operational budget of TVSC will increase. Staff and volunteers will have to work even harder to succeed, but, we can see where the benefits of a thriving Center will help all residents in the six towns we serve. We want to ask residents to continue their support and join us in making Twin Valley Senior Center a place that everyone will want to become a part of.

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Lego Exhibition - Attention all Lego

builders, Engineers, and Artists! The Cabot Public Library will be hosting a Lego exhibit, opening Saturday March 15 , in conjunction with Cabot Maple Fest. Bring your creation, and have some cookies and punch while we set up the exhibition. “gallery walk”, where Stay for the you’ll have the opportunity to talk about your creation, and learn about the work of your fellow Lego builders. Build an original creation (not from Lego plans) of Lego or Legocompatible bricks and accessories. Duplo, Mega Blocks, Bionicle are all fine. It should be primarily Lego materials, but it’s okay to use other things to enhance your creation…paper, fabric, bric-a-brac. Please make sure your work can fit in a space no larger than 18” x 18”, and 4’ high. Animate your Legos! If you’d like to share your cool stop-motion creation during the party, bring your laptop with RGB port for connection to the library projector, or plan to play it on your own device. Be creative! Cars, robots, ships. Houses, castles, spaceports. Monsters, mythical creatures, barnyard animals. Diorama, mosaic, collage, mobile… what can YOU build that no one has thought of before? Pieces will be on display for two weeks. Please plan to pick up your work on Saturday, March 29. Questions? Contact Kathleen Hoyne at the

brary@yahoo.com

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Gordon as the Caller. 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

email samlyman@sover.net.

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The World’s Longest Treasure Hunt

– Tuesday, February 11—7:00 p.m. Treasure hunters have been digging on Nova Scotia's Oak Island since 1795 for a mysterious treasure. What's there? Captain Kidd's pirate gold? Money to pay British troops during the Revolutionary War? Or something more astounding, like proof that Francis Bacon actually wrote Shakespeare's plays or even the Holy Grail itself, buried there by the Knights Templar? And why has no one to date been able to recover whatever is hidden there? Chip Taylor, who has made three visits to Oak Island, will talk about the mystery of the "Money Pit" and show both his own photos and some historical photos as he reviews the facts and rumors behind this two hundred nineteen year old treasure hunt which is continuing to this day.

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Celebrate! – Saturday, February 15 —

10:00 a.m. to Noon Cabot Library will be having an open house to celebrate the completion of Anne & Kathleen's Certificate of Public Librarianship. Refreshments will be served. This will be a great opportunity to see the great things happening at your local library and experience the fiber optic project that is now completed!

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Thank You!

Special thanks to Beth Wade for all her wonderful and tireless help with Story Hour – looking forward to another fun year together. A huge thank you to Tim Walker for many hours of help with the Fiber Connect Project. Many thanks to Denise Boucher for her presentation on Developing Early Literacy Skills. Thanks, as always, to David Carpenter for organizing the fun Contra dances in Cabot every month, Alicia Feltus for Yoga and Relaxation, Cynthia Russell for helping facilitate the Community Book Group and Lisa Olsen for the many hours supervising Dungeons and Dragons. An enormous special thank you goes to the UDAG Committee for their generous grant to aid us in the purchase of the FiberConnect equipment. (Please look for the article elsewhere in the Cabot Chronicle.)

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Reminders:

• Tuesday 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. ** Story Hour at 10:30 am** • Wednesday 2:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. • Thursday • Saturday 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. • Closed Sunday, Monday & Friday • ECHO Pass – Allows up to 2 adults and 3 youths, $4 each admission price, into the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center in Burlington.

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Fiber Has Come to the

The Cabot Public Library has recently gotten fiber-based broadband for our internet connection. Community members are able to access this connection by either using the library’s computers or by bringing their own portable devices. Even when the library is closed, if you have a laptop, you will be able to get to our free, open WiFi near the Willey Building. The fiber cable that goes through the village of Cabot is part of the Vermont FiberConnect Project. It was a federally -funded grant awarded to Sovernet Communications so they could develop and maintain a fiber network through the state of Vermont. One of the part-

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The Basics of Fiber Optic

A fiber optic line is a thin strand of glass ferent wavelengths of light. Most non-fiber from 1 megabit per second (Mbps) to perhaps strand of fiber can carry at least 10 gigabits more, a single fiber optic cable may carry of a fiber optic cable is virtually unlimited. on the electronic equipment used at either it is necessary only to change the electronics; mission cable itself. For these reasons, fiber proof” technology. Windhausen, J., Jr. and Visser, M. (2009). Fiber brary Association Policy Brief No.1. Retrieved ala.org.offices/files/content/oitp/PDFs/fiber%20brief_%20published.pdf.

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Lyndonville Annual Poker Run -

Lyndon SnoCruisers are having a Poker Run with the following stops participating: Lyndonville - Valley View Restaurant, Chuck's NAPA, Lynburke Motel Wheelock - Wheelock Store West Burke - Mike's Gas & Redemption Westmore - Robin's Roost Island Pond - the Pond's Edge, Irving Gas & Deli East Burke - the Pub Outback, East Burke Market $5.00 per hand played. Play as many as you want. Extra card draw option at a 6th stop $3.00. All hands are to be turned in by 5:00 p.m. at any stop. Prizes will be awarded at the Valley View Restaurant at 7:30 p.m. You must be present to win. 1st prize - $400.00 cash. Other prizes provided by Buffalo Mountain Arctic Cat, LynBurke Motel, All Around Power, Chuck's NAPA, Dan's Contracting, Robin's Roost, Mike's Gas & Redemption, the Pub Outback, East Burke Market, the Pond's Edge, Irving Gas & Deli (Island Pond).

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Lunch at Roost -

1st Annual Ride-In Cook Out The ROOST (also the Sign-In Camp/ Camp Welcome/Warming Hut) on Corridor #1, Ferdinand, between EX 401 & EX 532. CT Valley Sno-Riders celebrate their 40th year in cooperation with the Lease Holders of the Roost. 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM (or when the hot food runs out) Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Chili, Water, Hot Coffee, Cocoa and a 50/50 Raffle. $5.00 per person

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Cabot Public Library!

ners in this project was the Vermont Department of Libraries, so public libraries would be included. We have now joined an exclusive group of only 43 libraries in Vermont who have this fantastic technology upgrade. We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to the UDAG Committee for their generous support in helping us fund our portion of this project. Without their grant, the Library would have had a very difficult time paying for the necessary equipment. Please stop by and check out the new speeds of our internet. We would also welcome any suggestions for maximizing the use of this new technology .

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Transmission Technology

that is capable of carrying data in diftechnologies can carry data at rates of 200 Mbps. In contrast, a single (10,000 megabits) per second. Furtherseveral fiber strands, so the true capacity The actual transmission speed depends end of the cable. To upgrade the speed, no change is necessary to the transoptics is often described as a “future-

to the Library [PDF file]. American Lifrom http://www.ala.org/offices/sites/

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Benefit for Vermont Elks Silver Tow-

ers Camp Barre Elks Lodge is sponsoring a Benefit for Silver Towers Camp! Stop and see us for lunch. We'll have Hotdogs, Soup, Hot Chocolate, Coffee and Water. There will also be a bonfire! Donations Accepted. Silver Towers Camp is an extraordinary residential camp for people with disabilities ages six to seventy-five who are physically and mentally challenged. It is situated on 26 acres in Ripton, VT, the camp gives campers the social skills and personal enrichment they seek - not to mention a world of adventures!

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Chickens Freestyle Jump Event

This is a ride-in event for all VAST members to participate in some fun on the snow. VAST is partnering up with the Barre Town Thunder Chickens Snowmobile Club and will be hosting the VAST Winterfest/Barre Town Thunder Chickens Snowmobile Freestyle Jump Show. Kiddie Snowmobile Track and more, hot food, Snowmobile Freestyle Jump Show, Fireworks! Mark your calendar - ride in - have a great time. Visit the website for more details. For more information about these and events in other parts of the state:

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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 below (upside down) PUZZLE EXTRA - DATE: 4/15/13 - Tax Day 2013, PUZZLE EXTRA - WORDS: 1-5 = AEIOU, 6-9 = DRST, Words - “Let’s hope the next ASTEROID headed here DETOURS” Connect loose ends to reveal a hidden ‘space’ image.

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By Paul Wade

Have you ever looked at the dark night sky and seen the myriad stars and the Milky Way? In the Northeast Kingdom, we have the dark skies prized by astronomers, with little light pollution. So it is hardly surprising that there are astronomy enthusiasts hidden in the hills. Some of these folks are gathering together as the Northern Skies Observers. Meetings are held each month at a time near the new moon, the best time for astronomical observation, at the Northern Skies Observatory in Peacham, VT. The Northern Skies Observatory is a new astronomical facility in Peacham, built by the Northeast Kingdom Astronomy Foundation, dedicated to improving science education of Vermont students. The facility includes a large telescope capable of imaging distant galaxies, as well as smaller telescopes for visual observation of celestial objects. The Northern Skies Observatory hosts an open house Star Party each month. The website (www.nkaf.org) contains more information, as well as links to some videos by Mazie O'Conner of Cabot explaining astronomical phenomena. The Northern Skies Observers is open to all, from experienced amateur astronomers to folks who would like to learn about astronomy, or just look through a telescope. We share knowledge and learn from each other. Meetings are held at the Northern Skies Observatory to take advantage of the facilities, but a fancy telescope is not necessary - many interesting astronomical objects may be observed with just binoculars or the naked eye. Come and join us. At the December meeting of the Northern Skies Observers, we used the large telescope to capture an image of the spiral galaxy M33, one of the nearest galaxies to our own Milky Way galaxy. For more information, go to www.nkaf.org or email observers@nkaf.org

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← From the Cabot Chronicle