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The Cabot Chronicle

March 2015 · Issue Record

← From the Cabot Chronicle

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

Original issue: Download the March 2015 pages (PDF)

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

In This Issue

Major Repairs Ahead: School Board Update

By Chris Tormey, School Board Chair The facilities committee drawn together by the School Board held its first meeting on February 5, 2015, in the Cabot School library. The purpose of the committee is to develop a proposal within the coming year to renovate the Cabot School gym and to renovate or rebuild the school’s elementary campus. A good portion of the committee’s first meeting was spent discussing the current condition of the gym and elementary buildings. Two representatives from Black River Design, John Rahill and Polly Wheeler, provided an overview to the committee, based on an indepth assessment they did of the Cabot School campus in 2011 and an update they performed earlier this winter. According to their assessments, the gym’s major structure is sound: the foundation, concrete slab and laminated rafters are in good shape. However, as a result of water damage resulting from roof leaks over the years, it’s likely that the roof and walls will need to be replaced as part of any renovation project. Using current construction cost estimates of $250/square foot, the architects estimate that renovating the 10,400 square-foot gym built in 1971, while retaining its rafters, slab and foundation, will cost $2,345,000.

The four “satellite buildings” that have comprised the elementary-grades campus at Cabot School since their construction in 1971 are in need of major renovation. The architects’ assessment of these buildings concluded that, aside from the foundations, all the components of these buildings are in need of replacement. The committee’s focus in the next month or two will be to determine the space needed by the elementary grades in any renovation or reconstruction. That process will identify the square footage needed, as well as how that space should be configured to best serve the current and future needs of our students. Later on this spring, the committee will work to develop a general outline of a building proposal that will meet those identified needs. As we begin this process, we’d like to thank the Cabot community members and Cabot School staff who have agreed to serve on this committee. On the committee are Dave Schilling and Sarah Daye from Cabot School, WNESU Superintendent Nancy Thomas and Business Manager Christina Kimball, community members Stephany Searles, Greg Burtt, Brigitte Codling, Bob Burke, Janet Van Fleet, Brad Alexander, and Jenny Dunham, and School Board members Jackie Folsom and Chris Tormey.

Chris Pierson, Marketing and Community Relations Manager for the Creamery said: "At Cabot Creamery Cooperative, we are committed to working to enrich the legacy of our farms, our families and the communities in which we have facilities. We are excited about our new alliance with the Cabot Community Association, as it complements our commitment to the town and enhances the support we provide to the various groups and organizations within the town of Cabot. The CCA has its finger on the pulse of the community and its needs, and is an ideal partner with which to work.” Further information about the Cabot Community Fund will appear in future issues of The Cabot Chronicle.

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Cabot Sugar Makers Win Big at VT Farm Show

Photos by George Cook, UVM Extension Specialist and huge friend of Maple. The Vermont Farm Show is the most prestigious competition and Goodrich’s Fancy had Honorable Mention, so it was also considered for Best of Class. The winner of the Fancy class was the Williams family of Cornwall, VT, friends of the Goodrich’s. The Outstanding Sugar Maker award is for Glenn's contributions to the maple industry over the past three and a half decades. He is a designer and inventor of maple sugaring equipment & spearheaded the educational aspect of today's maple schools all over the maple producing region. He was one of the first installers of maple sap collection systems in the early 80's and continues Ruth and Glenn Goodrich of Cabot awarded:

• Best of Class for Amber Rich Maple Syrup

• Best of Class for Dark Robust Maple Syrup

• Best of Class for Maple Sugar

• Best of Show for Maple Products with the Sugar.

Glenn Goodrich Named Outstanding Sugar Maker of the Year to install systems for sugar makers from Wisconsin to Northern Maine. He is a regular speaker and teacher at Maple Events and also teaches custom maple classes at Vermont Technical College in Randolph. He has assisted many young sugar makers in their start in the maple industry and has enjoyed working with them, many right here in Cabot. Currently tapping 45,000, and gearing up for the 2015 season, the Goodrich’s invite all to come visit their sugarhouse once the sap starts running and see their big evaporator in action. See page 3 for more on Glenn’s Outstanding Sugar Maker award.

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Changes at Cabot Connects Mentoring Program

Cabot Connects Mentoring Advisory Board received the news late last year of Coordinator Kathleen Hoyne’s departure with much sadness, after her nine years of exemplary leadership. As the first and only coordinator for Cabot Connects, Kathleen established the mentor program under the auspices of the Cabot Coalition, and with the steady hand of Lori Augustyniak and through her own diligence and effort, created a strong program well-respected throughout the state. As many in our community know, she has now taken the full time position at the Cabot Library. The Advisory Board grappled with the task of recruiting and hiring her replacement, and in the process, we made the decision to develop an allvolunteer program, thus reducing the focus on fundraising and increasing focus on kids and mentoring. With the solid foundation of the existing program, seven individuals have committed to carrying out the functions of our community mentoring program, with emphasis on maintaining best practices and providing a much needed service to kids in Cabot. We are so pleased that, with this configuration, Kathleen will continue her participation, along with Gregg and Steff Burtt, Mark Christensen, Ed Lewis, Michelle Delaney, and Lynn Rockwell. Plans for the new, all volunteer Cabot Connects are being refined, and we will keep the community updated in the coming weeks. As always, we appreciate all the support the Cabot community has provided over the years.

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Cabot Winter Sports

Kathleen Hoyne and John Grovenor with son Jeremy clearing an absent neighbor’s roof , while Paul Wade snaps the photo. This winter’s constant and heavy snowfall threatens trees, utility lines and roofs, and makes syrup season seem impossibly far off.

Classifieds:

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COUNTRY COMMENTARY

By Laura Lee Saorsa Smith

Joyful greetings. Here we are again. I must say that I hear people complain about the super cold, but with the super cold comes the magic - like hoar frost on the mountains and crystals a-gleam in the snow. Yes, I do agree being warm is a good thing, but let us not forget the magic that is all around us. I am far, far from perfect, but I try not to complain. I am here, and that is a good thing. One more day to appreciate! I appreciate the ones I love and focus on the beauty in my life. Everyone has their blessings, and I truly hope that everyone is thankful, not just at Thanksgiving, but always. Never let a day pass without an I love you or a thank you. Being positive, you can’t help but be happy, and then, even strangers want to hang around with you for your light and lilting laughter and cheery, upbeat attitude. Share a compliment, it doesn’t hurt, and it may make someone smile.

Love and laughter is my message this month! Love and laughter go hand in hand with healing, and it is contagious in a way that helps the world be a better place. I frolic and flit in my own little world and spread the magic around. A smile is magic in and of itself, so smile and let’s light up the world. There are enough grumpelumpies in the world, let’s fight back with smiles. Never forget that we are, ourselves, full of magic, and spreading laughter, love and smiles is one way we can certainly show it. People are potentially and incredibly full of magic and passion, meant to be shared, as long as it hurts no one. Paint, dance, sing, draw, write, do what makes you smile and laugh, making it easier to pass around. You can always go back to being a grumpelumpy, but I suspect you won’t want to. I expect that there will be more smiles and laughter out there, and I will be thankful for it as I smile and laugh with you!

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To Cabot Voters From Your Selectboard

Dear Cabot Voters:

On Tuesday, March 3, 2015, your Selectboard is asking you to support the following three articles, which we consider of major importance to the Town of Cabot. 1. Article 22. “Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot issue bonds in an amount not to exceed two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) toward the construction of a new town garage, to be repaid from UDAG investment income?" [Australian Ballot]. Cabot has received $750,000 in grant funding to support the $1,250,000 town garage project. This additional $200,000 is needed to meet a shortfall in grant funds, but will NOT RAISE TAXES EVER, since it is to be repaid by UDAG earnings, and when construction is completed, we will have a $1,250,000 facility at a total cost to the taxpayers of only $100,000 (approved last year). The land for the new town garage was purchased in 2014 and key building permits are in place. Please vote “yes” on Article 22 so that the new garage can be built this year. 2. Article 23. “Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot issue bonds in the amount not to exceed five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) to purchase an excavator and grader?" [Australian Ballot]. Both the grader and the backhoe were purchased in 1988, making them 27 years old. Both are in poor condition, have greatly exceeded their useful lives, will require significant repairs to keep them running, and can permanently break down at any time. We can’t expect this equipment to last much longer. Please vote “yes” to purchase a new grader and an excavator to replace the old backhoe.

3. Article 24. “Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot authorize the expenditure of sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) in local tax revenue toward the purchase of 0.58 +/- acres of land between the Willey Building and Whittier Hill Road and will the Town further authorize the Selectboard to transfer 0.08 +/acres of Town-owned land between the Willey Building and the brook to Michael and Ann Cookson as further consideration toward this purchase?” The purchase of the land contiguous to the Willey Building will allow the town to quickly address a problem that has existed in the village for a long time; adequate parking in the village and at the municipal building. The Selectboard considers this an excellent opportunity to address this long standing situation. And we believe we stand an excellent opportunity to obtain additional “Park & Ride” funding, which could allow the town to add this parking at no cost. Please vote “yes” on Article 24. Thank you for your consideration of our request to vote “yes” on the three Articles above.

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ADVICE FROM THE TREE WARDEN

By Roland (Slim) Payne

Now is a good time to tune up chainsaws and other gear to clean up your woodlands after the snow melts. The woods have taken a beating this winter. It looks like a lot more is coming. If this snow keeps coming, the snow depths and real cold temperatures are going to do a job on the deer herd, as food will be hard to get and they will use a lot of energy to get it. I have been talking to Branch Out Burlington about trees to plant in May - I should know what we will get in a week or two. If we ever get the road into the Town Forest squared away so we can use it, we can get going. We should know something by about June, then can start marking out trails, building them, cutting trees as needed, building bridges or whatever is needed and marking them.

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Conversations from the Working Landscape

By Sjon Welters, Cabot Agricultural Network Committee Chair

Cabot was fortunate to host a number of Vermont business leaders this winter, invited by the Cabot Agricultural Network committee. They came to share their experiences in their particular field of expertise. As of this writing, three presentations were held and two more presentations are to come. Chris Pierson of Cabot Creamery talked about the who and what of the stages of bringing food to market. It is a tricky path that requires passion, persistence, and patience. Correctly costing and pricing your product is key to success. Learn to sell your story and familiarize yourself well with the workings of the food distribution system. Calley Hastings of Fat Toad Farm, Brookfield, talked about how important it is to be clear about what you actually want from your business: is it making a living, having fun, purposeful work? Be clear about who you are and how to tell that story. She learned that setting annual goals helps tremendously in achieving what you want out of your business. With an automatic price increase every year, you keep up with inflation while your customers will be expecting it. Sound financial management and record -keeping is a must. A fresh new look at agriculture, our economy, and how we can work together came from Greg Georgakilis of Farmersto-You, Calais. He suggested we create a closed-loop system, or something as close to it as possible, on our farm, in each town, in our economy. Only then will we approach sustainability and begin the journey to building a new economic system and a community-based limited scale society, where there can be a bright future for all. Find your optimum scale as a business and see it multiplied elsewhere, by others, replacing the old obsolete model of the corporate behemoths in the process. Still to come: Mateo Kehler of Jasper Hill Farm, on "Who is your market?", March 7 at 10:30 a.m. in the Cabot Town Hall. The food producing landscape was the working landscape of the past and is Greg Georgakilis of Farmers-to-You at Conversations from the Working Landscape, photo by Paul Wade.

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 3 onward.

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Moving Forward

Paul Costello returned to Cabot to facilitate a conversation about how The Cabot Chronicle can better meet the needs of the community on February 11 in the Willey Building. Paul is Executive Director of Vermont Council for Rural Development, and managed the community visit to Cabot in 2012 that resulted in formation of action groups to work on issues of communication, arts and agriculture. About twenty people attended, and a wide range of ideas were generated for improving content for the community. One was to make The Chronicle "the chronicle of the town of Cabot," since local information will probably not be available on Front Porch Forum and facebook fifty years from now. Other suggestions included: ♦ More human interest stories about

Cabot residents ♦ Broaden the number of people who

contribute ideas, photos and stories ♦ Good quality writing and broader

distribution may attract additional advertising and expand from 12 pages to 16 ♦ Reconsider printing notices for nonprofit and volunteer groups free of charge or at least limit size of nonpaid ads ♦ Find a way to pay or reward story

contributors ♦ Increase distribution beyond the

1,000 currently mailed and dropped at stores ♦ Develop a student writing contest ♦ A student intern program could be

established with a townperson with professional writing experience to mentor ♦ Reprint articles of interest from previous decades of Chronicle publication ♦ Consider reducing printed paper and

using more electronic media ♦ As a record of the community, papers

need to be archived in multiple locations When all was said and done, many ideas generated will show up in the pages of future Cabot Chronicles, but issues of stimulating more community participation and finances were not resolved. As a next step, Frank Kampf, who has volunteered to develop a business plan to secure the future of the paper, will draw together many of the ideas to further develop a business plan.

Note: a first recommended change has already been made. Starting with this edition of The Cabot Chronicle, a new U.S. Postal System program will be utilized to reach all residents of Cabot, West Danville and Marshfield, increasing distribution from 1,000 to 1,900 copies. Thanks to the USPS Every Door Direct program and C.C.A.'s nonprofit status, this expansion is possible while actually reducing postage expense. The only cost increase is a small hike in printing expense, which is almost cancelled out by postage savings. The move from 1,000 to 1,900 copies will cost about $11 more per month.

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Outstanding Sugar Maker of the Year

The Outstanding Sugar Maker award is presented annually to a Vermont sugar maker who sets a good example for other sugar makers to follow, has helped the maple industry by participating in county and state wide maple promotional events, and encourages and helps educate future sugar makers, along with educating consumers of the benefits of using pure Vermont maple products. Matthew Gordon, Executive Director of the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association, had this to say as he presented the award to Glenn Goodrich at the Vermont Farm Show on Tuesday, January 27.

“Our Sugar Maker of the Year is a well-known producer, speaker, and tireless advocate on behalf of Vermont’s maple industry. Having served on nearly every board and committee associated with the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association and before that with the Maple Foundation and the Maple Industry Council, our recipient has done more than his fair share of service to our industry. And he can make some pretty good syrup as well, having received the Best of Show at last year’s Farm Show. Congratulations to Glenn Goodrich for being named the Sugar Maker of the Year. Glenn is always in demand to speak at conferences and workshops and his seminars always draw a standing room-only crowd. Then, what usually happens, is that he has to hold an additional seminar during the tradeshow breaks, because so many people swarm around to ask him questions. He even finds the time to teach a course on maple production at Vermont Tech. Glenn and Ruth run their sugaring business, which includes producing syrup from some 45,000 taps, while also running an equipment supply company and installing tubing for other producers. Glenn has been a strong advocate for embracing new technology in sugaring and helping to make Vermont maple the growing industry it is today.”

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Cabot Community Association Update

By Debra Zimmerman, Coordinator

The Cabot Community Association, Inc., (CCA) is excited to let our town know of an exciting new venture we’re taking on with the support of the Cabot Creamery Cooperative. As part of our mission to build partnerships that enhance the quality of community life for those residing, doing business, and visiting Cabot, CCA will administer the “Cabot Community Fund.” CCA President Bruce Westcott said “Starting with a generous grant from the Creamery, we hope to manage the Fund as an ongoing source of financial support for which any non-governmental recreational, cultural, or community group based in Cabot can apply.” CCA anticipates that the Community Fund will provide small cash grants to organizations which need help with one-time costs of offering programs and activities within Cabot. CCA will be finalizing the process so that any interested group can learn about the amounts of funding available, how funds can be used, and how to apply.

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OBITUARIES & MEMORIALS

Seleste V. Fenoff Seleste Victoria Fenoff, 27, of Spaulding Road, St. Johnsbury, died Friday, February 6, 2015, as a result of injuries sustained in a skiing accident at Burke Mountain Ski Resort.

Born December 29, 1987, in Berlin, she was the daughter of Duanne and Dawn (Twine) Johnson and beloved sister of Corey Johnson. She was homeschooled and graduated from Twinfield High School in 2006. On October 30, 2010, she married Lewis "Chuck" Fenoff in Peacham. Their entire married life had been spent on Spaulding Road. She had been a child care provider for several organizations prior to joining the Cabot Creamery production staff, where she had been employed for the past seven years. Gardening, horseback riding, the out of doors, snowshoeing, her dogs, her memberships in the 4-H program and the Girl Scouts were her special inter-

Gertrude Elizabeth Hale

Gertrude Elizabeth Hale, 96, of Hardwick, formerly of Walden, died February 5, 2015, at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury. She was born October 1, 1918, in Oneonta, NY, the daughter of the late Ora E. and Nettie (More) Bedford. She graduated from Jefferson High School in Jefferson, NY, and received a teaching certificate from Oneonta Normal School. On June 10, 1941, she married Winfred Joseph Hale in Cabot. She taught school for many years in Walden and Danville, retiring in 1981. She was a member of St. Norbert Church, Court St. Veronica Catholic Daughters, the Hardwick Senior Citizens and Mackville Home Dem, all in Hardwick, and the Walden Home Dem. She enjoyed flower gardening, knitting, crocheting and reading.

Sylvia Narma

On January 27, 1945, prisoners held at the Auschwitz Concentration Camp were liberated. We often forget that many of the people tortured in those camps live among us. Ms. Sylvia Narma, a Cabot resident, was one of these people. She was liberated after years of being imprisoned as a young teen. She lost most of her family in these camps, and lost touch with any remaining during liberation and migration to the USA.

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

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Town Meeting Day Please Take Five Seconds To Update Your Data

Cabot residents will be asked to update mailing address and telephone numbers when checking in to vote on Town Meeting Day. Town government wastes postage and printing expense mailing items like the town annual report to addresses that have become out of date. Those mailings end up in the post office trash if the address is inaccurate, and the town office is not notified, so the waste occurs again and again, resulting in lost information and wasted resources. Additionally, if someone from the town office needs to reach you, fewer and fewer telephone numbers are available in the phone book, since many people have given up their landlines for cell phones. We understand the town clerk's office isn't the first place people think to call to update contact information, but town records really do need to be correct. If checking contact information isn't convenient on town meeting day, an email to mleclerctcocabot@fair point.net, a call to 563-2279 or a quick stop at the town clerk's office with your mailing address, if it is different than your property address, and phone number would be appreciated by the town clerk and other town officials.

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COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

Dear Editor, Hi! My name is Betty Ritter a candidate for Town Clerk. I do want to thank everyone for the support they have thus far given me for the position of Cabot Town Clerk. Also, I want to assure everyone that I am committed to Dear Friends, Here is my unqualified endorsement of Betty Ritter to be the next Cabot Town Clerk: My Name is Gleb Glinka. For over 25 years I have been a senior attorney with the law firm of Glinka & Schwidde, which has an office in Cabot, where my family and I have our home. Betty Ritter, who has thrown her hat in the ring for the position of Cabot Town Clerk, served for several years as a paralegal in our law office. She has since also become a close friend of our family. I cannot imagine anyone I know who would be more suitable for this responsible position. As she has demonstrated over the years on countless occasions, she is meticulous in her work, attentive to detail, tireless, supremely responsible, scrupukeeping the assistant town clerk, Michelle, in her position. Looking forward to seeing you at the “Meet the Candidates” on Wednesday, February 25 and answering any questions you may have regarding my qualifications. Sincerely, Betty Ritter, Candidate for Town Clerk lously honest, and inevitably receptive and good-hearted. As the paralegal in our Cabot office, Betty frequently dealt with real estate closings, reviewed research on record title accompanying my title opinions, drafted deeds and other instruments, handled wills and other legal documents, and initially interviewed and followed through with clients. She was always good-natured and never failed to follow through thoroughly and on time, explaining clearly and fully answering questions from clients about the progress of their matters, many of whom preferred to talk with her in any event. It is difficult to convey the full measure of one’s respect for the abilities of another in a short note. Please join me in supporting Betty Ritter without the slightest reservation for the position of Cabot Town Clerk. Thanks.

Sincerely, Gleb Glinka

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Meeting on Flood and Erosion Hazard Regulation

By Gary Gulka, Planning Commission Chair

In late January, the Cabot Planning Commission held a public informational meeting on the basics of regulating development in flood plains - the “Special Flood Hazard Area” and the more recently defined “River Corridors.” Perhaps the easiest way to distinguish between the two: Special Flood Hazard Area is a federally designated zone subject to flooding or inundation by water in a major storm event. River Corridors are state-defined areas along rivers and streams subject to erosion of river banks. Cabot currently has Special Flood Hazard regulations that meet Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regulations, which allows residents to qualify for flood insurance, a necessity for obtaining a bank mortgage these days. The National Flood Insurance Program maps define the Special Flood Hazard Area in a given town. The Planning Commission is proposing to leave these existing regulations essentially unchanged. The FEMA maps identify only those areas subject to inundation by water, or what we typically know as flooding. In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene, the VT Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) has mapped rivers and streams (with a drainage area greater than 2 square miles) and defined those areas subject to erosion in storm events as River Corridors. ANR is strongly recommending that towns adopt river corridor management zones for these mapped areas and avoid new encroachments on rivers and streams. Oftentimes, the River Corridor and the Special Flood Hazard Area overlap in area, but do differ in some respects. The reasons ANR promotes river corridor management are: (1) nearly 70% of damage from Irene was from erosion, not flooding or inundation; (2) rivers meander and change course; and (3) many of our rivers have been scoured out to the point that high water can no longer access the flood plain, and instead, the energy of moving water erodes river and stream banks. In Irene, there were many examples of riverfront homes around the state that were out of the Special Flood Hazard Area but were destroyed and washed away due to eroding river banks. A point that may be confusing: a home substantially damaged or substantially improved (greater that 50% of assessed value) in the Special Flood Hazard Area must be raised above flood elevation (minimum federal requirement). This is not the case for a home solely in the mapped River Corridor; nevertheless, the ANR recommendation is no further encroachments on the river by structures in the River Corridor. The River Corridors mapped by ANR include a 50 foot buffer on both sides of the river or stream. A side benefit of adopting River Corridors: The federal Emergency Relief and Assistance Fund (ERAF) will cover 75% of eligible municipal damage costs in a federally declared disaster. The state will cover 7.5% or the remainder, with an escalating scale of coverage, up to 17.5%, if River Corridor protection is in place (meaning the local share is only 7.5% for road and infrastructure repairs). The May 2011 storms hit Cabot particularly hard, damaging bridges, roads and culverts that were repaired using such funds. The Planning Commission is preparing draft flood and erosion zoning language that, as of this writing, is being reviewed by ANR at our request, to assure that it meets the requirements to receive full disaster relief funding. It was not ready at the time of our January public meeting. The Planning Commission will present this draft language as part of a complete draft zoning document to get further reaction from the Cabot Select Board on the pros and cons of adopting River Corridor protection. ANR has developed an informative web site, Flood Ready Vermont, where further background information can be obtained, as well as River Corridor maps. See: http://floodready.ver mont.gov/. Cabot’s Zoning Administrator, Karen Deasy, is available to review maps with Cabot landowners who are interested in their property location in relation to Special Flood Hazard Areas and River Corridors.

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Comedy Onstage in Cabot!

By Karen Mueller-Harder

Cabot Community Theater proudly presents the New Directions Showcase: a terrific collection of one-act comedies directed by rising talent from within our community. We've had an ongoing mission to foster leadership and expand horizons, and you'll be delighted to see where these new directors are taking us! Performances will take place in the Cabot School Performing Arts Center on Friday and Saturday, March 27 & 28, at 7:00 p.m., and a Sunday matinee at 2:00 p.m. on March 29. Admission is once again a low $5 at the door. All the plays are reasonable for all audiences, but we have put the more kid-centric shows in the first half, so if you have younger children, we recommend that for a nice hour of entertainment--plus intermission refreshments, of course! Here's what's in store:

Act 1:

Beware the Jabberwock, directed by Maggie Palmiero: a fantastical tale of two girls lost in the Tulgey Wood, and the curious and foolish creatures they encounter there.

It, directed by Clara Mueller-Harder: a series of short comic vignettes about art and life, and freezie-pops.

Big Nose, directed by Leo Parlo and Lori Augustyniak: a comedy about what happens when a heckler gets out of his chair and onto the stage.

Act 2:

The Not-So-Private Proposal, directed by Megan Walker: a play about how being surrounded by a loving family can sometimes be too much of a good thing.

The Actor's Nightmare, directed by Adam Blachly: a somewhat twisted comedy about finding yourself in a play you've never rehearsed, and then some. This production features a multigenerational cast of local actors committed to excellent, affordable, and inclusive community theater: Lori Augustyniak, Daria Babbitt, Adam Blachly, Camryn and Summer Hoffman, Cal Horowitz- McCadden, Michael Keene, Isabel Maine-Torres, Lucia McCallum, Lukas Morris, Clara and Karen Mueller- Harder, Declan and Billie O'Connor, Maggie and Marion Palmiero, Leo Parlo, Dick Payne, Silas Scheckel, Gage Sironi, Pad Smith, Jonah Socks, Lila and Lori Stratton, Abigail and Megan Walker, with Andy Gagnon on drums and David Moody on lights.

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Cabot Planning in Progress

By Karen Deasy, Cabot Zoning Administrator and Planner Willey Building Parking We have the opportunity to greatly improve access and parking at the Town Hall in Cabot. This project has been under development for twenty-plus years. We have recently negotiated a contract that provides the Town with the ability to add much needed parking. Parking improvements will include improved drainage around this facility. Green space and walking path to Whittier Hill, additional parking and a paved parking area are part of the proposed plan.

Well Water testing Well system testing for those who are not on the town water system is an important maintenance task to perform on a regular basis, The State of Vermont recommends that your water source, well or spring be tested. For those who are selling their home it is now required as part of the property transfer. The Vermont Department of Health recommends testing for coliform ($14.00) on a yearly basis, inorganic compounds ($100.00) every 5 years and gross alpha radiation ($45.00) every 5 years. The Vermont Health Department laboratory can perform this testing - call (800) 660- 9997 for additional information and required test kits Spring Snows As we are approaching the final days of winter, with this year’s heavy snow and lack of a thaw, check your roofs and remove accumulated snow to prevent collapse. Most structures are designed to carry a significant snow load; however several feet of snow compacted into an icy layer can add excessive weight even to the strongest structures. Check out buildings and garages as well. When clearing heavy snow, make sure it does not block vents for heating or plumbing fixtures.

River Corridor Mapping and LOMA

Cabot has a copy of the current draft layer of the River Corridor maps. This GIS map layer is available at the Town office for review. This new overlay zone indicates river erosion zones and includes several larger tributaries that are currently not studied or mapped by FEMA.

Hazardous Waste Day Cabot is planning a hazardous materials collection day in the fall. Chemicals, household cleaning products, paint and other various items will be accepted. Keep an eye out for the date, as you plan your spring and fall cleaning projects. Please contact Karen Deasy ZA Town Planner at 563-3139 if you have questions, or email zacabot@fair point.net.

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Joe’s Pond Ice-Out Contest 2015

By Jane Brown The spring ritual of betting on when the ice will be out of Joe’s Pond is about to get serious. Although tickets have been available on the Joe’s Pond website, www.joespondvermont.com, and at Hastings Store in West Danville since June of 2014, those early contestants are mostly summer folks or people who want to slip a ticket into Christmas stockings or a birthday card (you’d be surprised how popular these surprise gifts are!) Most of the really serious contenders are locals who watch the weather and wait until March 31 to fill in their guesses. We’ve said it before, the contest isn’t rocket science; it isn’t even complicated, but in case there are some folks who are unfamiliar with the mechanics of the game, here’s how it works. We put a cement block and a flag, all wired together, on the ice in March usually when ice fishing is over and the pickup trucks, cars, snowmobiles and ATV’s are gone. A rope from the pallet is attached to a little disconnect gadget inserted into the power cord of a big round electric clock on shore, and when the ice melts enough to let the block fall through, that breaks the connection and stops the clock. That is the official time the ice is declared “out.” Sometimes Ma Nature plays tricks on us, and, instead of falling through the ice, the block and flag hang out on an ice floe and, thus, move up or down the pond enough to break the connection. When this happens, even though the flag may be still flying, when the clock stops, the contest is over. The ice on Joe’s Pond may remain well into April or even May, but the deadline for getting your tickets in is April 1 at midnight. The earliest the ice has gone out in the 27 years of the contest was on April 5, 2010. In 1992, it held together until May 6. You can go to the website and click on “Ice-Out Contest,” where you’ll find a history of the dates and times the clock has stopped in past years, and also instructions for filling out tickets on line and printing them, which is an option available any time, or after March 1 you can buy tickets on line – still only $1.00 each, but you must buy at least ten – using any major credit card. By March 1, there will be tickets available locally at Cabot General Store, the Corner Stop Inn Shop at Walden and other stores listed on the website – or call Jane Brown at 802-563-2381 or Diane Rossi at 802-563-6088, and we’ll be happy to get tickets to you. Last year, there were about 15,000 tickets sold. These are recorded on a data base, so when the clock stops, we can quickly find the winning ticket or tickets. We verify the information against the actual ticket, and if it checks out, proceed to locate the winner or winners. All of this takes a little time, but as soon we are certain we have valid winning tickets, we get the message to the media. The split, after expenses, has in recent years been in the neighborhood of $5,000 for Joe’s Pond Association’s big free Fourth of July Fireworks Display, and $5,000 for the winner(s). Last year it was closer to $6,000, so even though we had two winners sharing the split, they each got almost $3,000. Video cameras will be focused on the clock, a big thermometer and the block, starting as soon as the block and flag are out, some time in March. Until then, the cameras are already running and you can watch the activity on the ice and check the temperature by going to the website, www.joespondver mont.com using Internet Explorer as your browser, then click on “Webcam.” You’ll also find lots of Ice Out information, like regular updates on ice conditions, notices of media coverage and instructions for getting tickets. There is also Ice-Out history and occasionally a comment from a viewer. We have fun with the contest, and hope you will try your luck and join the fun of counting down the days until we see open water again. It’s been a long, cold, snowy winter, and everybody needs something to look forward to. Please remember that tickets must be postmarked on or before April 1 if you mail your tickets to the address on the tickets. You will be able to purchase tickets at outlets until the close of business on April 1, or on line until 11:59:59 p.m. on April 1.

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Caller: Mary Wesley

(All programs are free and open to the public.)

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. There is a small suggested donation to help cover the cost of the caller. For more info, please call David Carpenter at 802-426-3225 or email [email protected]. This dance is one in a series of monthly dances on the second Saturday of the month September through May. All are invited.

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FOOD SHARE AND FOOD DROP DATES

CABOT FOOD SHARE Wednesday, MARCH 11 Noon-2:00 p.m. Wednesday, MARCH 25 Noon-2:00 p.m. Cabot Masonic Hall 3339 Main Street FAITH IN ACTION NORTHERN COMMUNITIES PARTNERSHIP INC. A Nonsectarian 501C3 ~ Who Is My Neighbor?

Available for Cabot Residents

MARSHFIELD FOOD DROP Second Saturday of every month.

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Cabot Huskies Basketball

By Lynn Maxfield There's nothing like the Cabot Huskies basketball season to get through the long, cold Vermont winters. You don't have to go far (for home games, that is), it's warm inside, doesn't cost much and it's a great time to catch up with your neighbors! The talent and teamwork displayed on the court from both teams is very impressive and exciting to watch! Coaching the girls varsity team for the second year, Coach Kim Dickinson has this to say about the team: "Last year, Cabot girls basketball laid a new foundation. This year, we started rebuilding, with wins against Concord, Craftsbury, and Websterville. The girls work hard and play hard. There's a good bunch of young players coming back, and eighth graders coming up. Things look good for Cabot girls basketball in the future." About the boys team, Coach Alan DeLaricheliere, assisted by Darrin Barber, shares the following: "The Cabot Boys Varsity team, so far this season, has a 9 and 8 record (as of Friday night's win against Chelsea). They continue to improve and work as a team. Our motto is: If everybody works together, you play as one. The word team, broken down means - Together Everyone Achieves More. This is what these boys do on a daily basis. Seeing them grow and improve, both individually and as a team, is an amazing thing. Both Darin and I are very thankful that we have been given this opportunity to be part of such an amazing group of young men. We plan on working hard and going as far as we can go!" Along with the players and coaches who dedicate much time, energy and hard work, are some others who help to make Cabot basketball what it is. A great big thanks goes to both Co- Athletic Directors, Linda Savoca and Deb Bothfeld. Each of them wears many hats in our community...and they wear them well! We also are honored to have our very own Henry Burke sing the National Anthem loud and proud before each home game. Jordan Hale is the manager for the team this season, unable to play ball while recuperating from an injury. So looking forward to seeing Jordan on the court next year! And last but not least, the team has their very own water boy, first-grader Sean Lehoe, who does a wonderful job keeping the boys hydrated, as well as lifting team spirits with his cheerful presence! Thanks, also, to all the faithful fans - your support is much appreciated. "Go Huskies!!"

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Boys Basketball Accolades

Email from Barre Town Middle and Elementary School Principal Tim Crowley, To Cabot School Board Member Ry Hoffman:

"I need to share with you the 'buzz' from my little community of Rochester. This past Saturday, the Cabot boys' basketball team visited the Rochester School Rockets for a Division 4 basketball game. While I wasn't at the game, I've heard from several people something that warmed theirs and my heart.

As you know, a group of fathers in our community have a tradition of singing the National Anthem before all basketball games. This past Saturday was no exception. What really moved our community was this: Your boys stood in the middle of a full gym, shoulders up, chins high, hands on hearts...and sang the National Anthem with our small group of fathers. Small schools? Well, yours "moved" an entire community on Saturday. I thought you should know."

Back row, left to right: Assistant Coach Darin Barber, Matthew Lehoe, Seth Herrick-Trombley, Mark Schumacher, Tiger Bastress, Will Nally, Jeremy Maxfield, Coach Alan DeLaricheliere. Front row: Isaac Barnhart, Caleb Maxfield, Ian Nally, Zach Coolbeth, Frank Schumacher (missing from picture, Rowan Lanxner). (Photo courtesy of Lisa DeLaricheliere.)

Back row, left to right: Assistant Coach Brett Bellevance, Michaela Gokey, Jasmine Tetrault, Mikayla Tiffany, Alisha Celley, Shannon Harvey, Natalie Mudgett-Fox. Front row: Taylor Abbott, Lauren Bellevance, Emma Stecker, Hannah Barnhart, Brittany Houghton, Sam Villeneuve, Ginny Foster. (Photo courtesy of Lisa DeLaricheliere,)

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Cabot Girls Acknowledged by Rutland Herald

Cabot girls lost to Arlington 62-47 in the opening round of Division IV playoffs. But sports writer Tom Haley of the Rutland Daily Herald, on February 18, noted that, once the Arlington girls got ahead, "they never trailed, but it's not like the Huskies went away." He went on to identify Jasmine Tetreault and Alisha Celley as two extremely talented players, and noted that they kept the Huskies in the game much of the night, closing the score to 33-31 early in the third quarter.

The Arlington Eagles successfully used three-pointers to score the win. Tetreault scored 21 points and Celley 13. The article says Kim Dickinson is excited about the Huskies in the future because Tetreault and Celley will both return. Five freshman and an eighth grader who is a total athlete are coming into the program, and Dickinson feels "the athletic program for Cabot is looking up." Nice press, girls!

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Middle School Boys Basketball

By Jamie Gokey The middle school boys had a great season with some wins and losses. They grew tremendously as a team and as individuals. I am proud of the boys and how far they have come in the last two years. We have had compliments from other coaches about how our boys play. They play with heart and don't give up! I'm looking forward to seeing these boys play in high school for years come. A special thanks to Rebecca Nally for keeping our books this season! Cabot middle school boys basketball. Photo by Rebecca Nally. Left top: Robert Nally, Enoche Schumacher, Zach Churchill, coach Jamie Gokey. Middle: Mathew Lehoe, Rider

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School Staff Reductions: A Tough Necessity

Gail Curtis Interim Principal, Cabot School

Since my arrival in Cabot, I have found this community to be caring and generous when it comes to the needs of our students. You are willing to make sacrifices in support of maintaining a small, close-knit community school. While generous, community members who are paying for the school must also consider what is reasonable and attainable in relation to the other expenses they have. We’d all like to have the perfect educational model; however, there are hard choices to be made in light of the state’s current tax situation and school funding model. The administration was assigned the task of reducing the budget while keeping the high academic standards that Cabot values. Our first draft of the budget showed very modest spending increases, yet still reflected an increase in the Homestead Tax Rate of over 12%. This was due to a decrease in our equalized pupil figure, as well as recognizing the need to budget for necessities that have been left out in the past, resulting in persistent deficit spending. Additionally, every high school junior and senior in Vermont is allowed to take two college courses free of charge, for which the local school district must now start to pay half of the tuition costs Subsequent budget iterations trimmed materials and resources, as well as uncovered other potential efficiencies, but it quickly became evident that personnel reductions would be necessary to get our tax increase below 6%. Reducing faculty is always the hardest decision an administrator makes. Cabot teachers are especially studentoriented, and asking someone to put in less time will most certainly make a difference to staff who will remain here full time. In considering our declining enrollment and per-pupil spending, however, right-sizing our workforce is necessary. The problem at Cabot is that we are small enough that there’s already very little excess. Our task began by looking at class sizes and number of classes taught by each educator. Our elementary and middle school courses are already taught in multiage configurations, and even if classes are small, we can’t teach three grade levels together in one room - the developmental differences are simply too daunting to ensure a quality student experience. High School math and science courses follow a hierarchy where certain skills must be mastered before introducing the next skill, and these teachers are already teaching five different courses. A different pattern became clear with the Humanities classes. The classes were fewer and there was flexibility around skills and ways to teach those skills, while still maintaining quality across four years. Is it an ideal way to present English and Social Studies? No, of course not. It is more difficult to find the right balance and there is less flexibility with the schedule. However, it can be done and appears to be the only way to maintain quality across grade levels while finding a price the town can afford. Students will be taught English and Social Studies in multi-aged groups at a time when the two teachers are able to share students in flexible configurations. Community members with questions are welcome to contact me at 563-2289 extension 201. I will work to return your call promptly if you have to leave a message. We understand that this plan is more work for teachers, but we are confident that our high school program will still remain rigorous.

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Animal Advice

By Dr. Lisa Whitney, Danville Animal Hospital

Rabies is most familiar to people as either the vaccine that is required for licensing their dog every April first or for its infamy in the demise of Old Yeller. Worldwide, rabies causes tens of thousands of human deaths, and more than 15 million people are treated with post-exposure vaccination. The majority of cases of human exposure come from dogs, though any mammal can carry rabies. The state of Vermont requires vaccination of all domesticated pets and wolf hybrids. While having to vaccinate our pets can feel like a burden, the law is actually designed to protect people and other animals as much as it is the individual pet. We are fortunate to live in a country where rabies doesn’t seem like a significant issue and we can thank strong rabies vaccination laws for this luxury. Our pets are far more likely than we are to be exposed to a rabid animal, making vaccination very important to them. Vermont reported 55 animals testing positive for rabies in the year 2014, and most of these were wild animals. You cannot tell if an animal has rabies just by looking at it, but if a wild animal is acting overly friendly, aggressively or otherwise unusually, you should be suspicious. Our pets are incredibly inquisitive (and sometimes protective) and have the tendency to put their noses in places they don’t necessarily belong. This can result in being bitten by a scared or defensive wild animal. Casual contact is unlikely to spread rabies, but is still possible. For that reason, you should never handle a wild animal, even a baby. Once rabies is contracted, it affects nerves and the brain. There is no treatment and it is fatal. So vaccination is one very easy way to keep your pets and livestock safe. While vaccines are safe for the vast majority of animals, no vaccination nor medication can ever be considered completely risk free. For those pets who have had life threatening adverse reactions to a rabies vaccine, or those that are ill or otherwise immunecompromised, there is an option for a waiver for a rabies vaccine. Your veterinarian can use his or her judgment in these cases to elect not to vaccinate and, instead, write a waiver for your pet. The waiver is good for one year and must be reviewed and re-written annually. For the rest of those pets out there, rabies vaccine is administered at 3 months of age, at 12 months of age then every 3 years thereafter. If your pet is not currently up to date on a rabies vaccine, contact your veterinarian or consider a rabies vaccine clinic. Dr. Johnson, Vermont Public Health Veterinarian, has compiled a list of clinics statewide which can be found at http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/rabies/Rabies.aspx#clinic. The Danville Animal Hospital will be offering rabies only vaccine clinics on March 21 and 28 from 9:00 to noon at the office.

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Project Based Learning at the Elementary Level

By Cynthia Davis-Lubas

The anticipation and excitement in CSPAC could be felt the second the door opened. With a quick gaze around the room, it was easy to see how much work went into this project. Standing behind each table were students, dressed in business attire, eagerly waiting to present their designs for the ski resorts they created. That’s right. Cabot Schools’ third and fourth grade class has been designing, developing and marketing ski resorts. The first elementary level Project Based Learning presentation was Thursday, February 19, 2015, at CSPAC. Students in Clair Gallagher and Sara Daye’s third and fourth grade classes worked in groups of five to six students to create a ski resort from the ground up. Over six weeks, students built essential skills, such as communication, teamwork, researching, public speaking, marketing, writing and math; and, they all seemed to concur this was a fun project. The specifications showed students left no stone unturned to create a ski resort families would want to visit. Every aspect was carefully detailed, from disability accommodations, resort amenities, safety concerns, prices, events and even directions on how to get to the resort. All of this information was strategically laid out in a beautiful brochure. Each group had maps, business plans and all the work from the previous weeks of preparation on display for parents to admire. Although this took place in Cabot, the atmosphere left a feeling of being transported to a major ski exposition in a heavily tourist-dominated alpine area. The students, while pitching their resorts, left most guests ready to write a check for what would be a fantastic ski vacation getaway. Questions were answered with authority you would expect from the best sales personnel at a top-of– the-line resort. Based on the enthusiastic approach, it was easy to see they enjoyed working on this project, and their intelligent answers showed how much they actually learned. Rebecca Nally said the only teacher involvement in design was providing guiding questions to the students. The ideas came directly from the working groups. In listening to the presentations, not only were they confident in their plans, the students were honest about how hard it can be to work as a team. Many mentioned they argued from time to time; however, they were quick to describe how they overcame these obstacles, and more importantly, what they learned from it. Those skills will build the leaders our future needs. To give even more opportunity to show off their talents, Marketing Director Jessica Sechler from Q-Burke attended the presentation and gave the students feedback for the created resorts. Since Cabot is part of the ski program with Q-Burke, it was easy to ascertain how important it was to these children to make an impression on such a highly thought of ski resort. Cabot school is, indeed, fortunate to have established such a fantastic relationship with Q-Burke. Hopefully, this is the first of many opportunities to implement Project Based Learning in elementary classrooms. This learning method has been predominantly in grades 7 through 12, but there is little doubt, after attending this presentation, of the benefit it had on these younger students. The next project on deck will be marketing Vermont. With bated breath, we must wait.

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Kingdom Animal Shelter

Kingdom Animal Shelter by Helen Morrison

Raisin is about two years old. She is playful and friendly and gets along with most other cats (I guess we are all a bit like that). We think that Raisin has a bb imbedded in her skin on her left side. Glad it didn't hit her in the face, especially her eyes. It doesn't seem to give her any problems. If you would like to meet Raisin or any of the other handsome, beautiful, healthy cats at Kingdom Animal Shelter, visit us at 1664 Memorial Drive in St. Johnsbury, Mondays through Thursdays, 4-6:00 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 3:00 p.m..

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FROM THE CABOT PUBLIC LIBRARY

Programs Teddy Bear Story Hour - Tuesday, March 10 – 10:30 a.m.

Come in your pajamas if you like and bring your favorite stuffed animal. We’ll read some cozy bedtime stories, sing some sleepy songs and make hot chocolate and cookies.

Cabot Old Time Contra and Square Dance – Saturday, March 14 – 7:30 p.m. This dance series occurs on the second Saturday of the month from September through May. All are invited. The caller for the evening is Mary Wesley. 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. There is a small suggested donation to help cover the cost of the caller. For more info, please call David Carpenter at 802-426-3225 or email [email protected].

Music and Tales from Ireland – Tuesday, March 17 – 6:30 p.m.

Join us for St. Patrick’s Day! In Irish folk tradition, no musical session is ever complete without stories about the tunes being played, the musicians who played them, or some mystical or humorous tale. With Irish harp and uilleann bagpipes among other instruments, Hilari Farrington & Benedict Koehler will take you on a tour of Ireland through its music, folk customs, and stories. Benedict Koehler and his wife, Hilari Farrington, have taught and performed widely on uilleann bagpipes, penny whistle, Irish harp, and button accordion, and their East Montpelier home is a noted gathering place for musicians from all over North America and Ireland. Benedict enjoys a worldwide reputation as a maker of the uilleann bagpipes, while Hilari teaches a popular humanities course on Ireland at CCV. They are the founders of the Vermont School of Irish Traditional music, where they offer classes, workshops and concerts of Irish music.

Community Book Group – Wednesday, March 18 – 10:30 a.m. The theme for the spring session is “Portraits of the Artists: Novels about Painters.” What happens when the visual arts and the literary arts meet? How do fiction writers interpret the lives of famous painters and the canvases they leave behind? This month’s title is yet to be announced. All are welcome to join in! Copies of the book will be available in the Cabot Public Library.

Lego Exhibition – Saturday, March 21 – 10:00 a.m. The Cabot Public Library will be hosting a Lego exhibit, in conjunction with Cabot Maple Fest (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at Cabot School). Bring your creation, and have some cookies and punch while we set up the exhibition. Stay for the “gallery walk,” where 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 Lego-compatible bricks and accessories. Duplo, Megablocks, Bionicle are all fine. It should be primarily Lego materials, but it is okay to use other things to enhance your creation…paper, fabric, bric-a-brac. Please make sure your work can fit in a space 18” x 18”, and 4 ft. high. Or 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 by Saturday, April 4. This is an all-ages event, open to children, teens, and adults. Questions? Contact Kathleen Hoyne at the Cabot Public Library, 563- 2721. Fiddle Lessons - Katie Trautz – Monday afternoons All levels and abilities, Ages 4-100! Old time Irish, New England, Cajun and Swedish styles. For more info: [email protected] or 802-279-2236.

Lego Club – Tuesdays in January – 3:00-4:00 p.m. All are welcome! We’ll have Legos for you to build creations with.

Pathfinder – Fridays, 3:00 - 5:30 p.m.

The Pathfinder roleplaying game puts you in the role of a brave adventurer fighting to survive in a world beset by magic and evil! Join the group - all are welcome.

Thank You!

Thanks so much to Bruce Westcott for the great stories and slides of biking in Cuba. Many thanks to Isabella McCallum, Janet Westervelt and Mary Lou DeLacey for help shelving books and other various projects. Thanks also to David Carpenter for the continuing Contra Dances, Cynthia Russell for facilitating the Community Book Group, and Beth Wade, Amber Bothfeld and Christine Harris for helping out with Story Hour.

See you at the Library!

Kathleen Hoyne

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TWIN VALLEY SENIOR CENTER

4583 U.S. Route 2 P.O. Box 152 East Montpelier, VT 05651 By Rita Copeland Executive Director March 16 through 20 is March for Meals Week, and Twin Valley hopes you will visit us during that week. Our Meals on Wheels program collectively serves nutritious meals, warm smiles and a safety check that helps keep thirty different clients, in the six towns we serve, living in their own homes. This effort is a dynamic and effective partnership between taxpayers like yourselves, businesses, organizations, governments and most of all our dedicated volunteers. They contribute generously to the Twin Valley Senior Center. On March 17,a corned beef and cabbage dinner will be presented as a fundraising dinner hosted and prepared by The Abbey Group Food Service Management of Enosburg. This will be by donation, and will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Center. We are asking the public to support our dinner. And, in doing so, know that your contribution will make a difference to, and touch the hearts of, your courageous aging neighbors though our Meals on Wheels program. We ask you to work with us to make 2015 a year we can all be proud of. Help us to reach out and feed more of our seniors, disabled, and veterans in the six towns we serve that could use our Meals on Wheels service. Enabling seniors to stay in their own homes means they are extending their independence as well as connecting to the communities and surroundings that help provide them support. The powerful effect of this result is that it means seniors can stay out of expensive nursing facilities and hospitals – an outcome that saves taxpayers billions of dollars in healthcare and medical expenses alone. We are immediately in need of two or three volunteers that would be able to ride with Meals on Wheels drivers to deliver meals in the Marshfield and Cabot area for approximately two hours, three times a week. If you can do this, please contact Rita at the Center either by phone or email (223-3322 or [email protected]). It is a very rewarding position and you will make a big difference in the lives of our Meals on Wheels clients.

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TVSC February Volunteer of the Month

Sandra Mennella, of Cabot Commons in Cabot, was chosen TVSC Volunteer of the Month. Sandra was presented on Friday, February 6, with a Certificate of Appreciation and a TVSC Volunteer T- Shirt. Sandra is a great asset to the Center, with her sincere dedication and caring. She understands the importance of Seniors continuing to be very active to help maintain a healthy body. Sandra volunteers as an instructor in our Tai Chi exercise program, as well as facilitating the Death Café program. She is a very positive person who goes above and beyond to help Sandra Mennella of Cabot

the Center and all that attend in any way she can. We truly appreciate and

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 10 onward.

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Recycling In Cabot

By Ben Davis Cabot's Recycling Depot is located on Sawmill Road in Cabot. Depot hours are from 8:30 until Noon on Saturdays only. The Depot is open to all Cabot residents and residents of neighboring towns. Recycling is free. Trash is also collected at the Depot for a fee. Here’s what you can now recycle in Cabot:

· NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES & OFFICE PAPER (JUNK MAIL): Can be mixed together - Includes catalogs, telephone books, glossy inserts and paperback books as well as colored paper, white paper, wrapping paper and junk mail. Any color or type of paper can be in this category except brown Kraft bags and boxboard.

· CORRUGATED CARDBOARD & BROWN KRAFT BAGS & BOX- BOARD: NO wax-coated cardboard, egg cartons, cardboard soiled with food waste or styrofoam. Remove excess tape. Staples are OK. Please no strings, handles, or bags with plastic layers.

· TIN (Steel) CANS: Labels are OK. Flattening not required. Separate from aluminum cans (A magnet will stick to tin but not to aluminum). Please rinse.

· ALUMINUM CANS, FOIL AND FOOD TRAYS: Labels OK. Flattening not required, please rinse. Snack bags and candy wrappers are not aluminum foil.

· GLASS (ALL COLORS): Clear, green, blue, and amber bottles and jars. Please rinse. Window glass, mirror, ceramic, Pyrex and drinking glasses are acceptable. NO crystal, lids, metal or wood. NO light bulbs.

· #1 through #7 PLASTICS: Look for the recycling number stamped on the bottom of the container. Includes all labeled rigid plastic containers and lids. Labels are OK, please crush larger containers. Tubs and automotive product containers are acceptable as long as they are completely drained of fluid. Please rinse. No vinyl siding, styrofoam, syringes or medical devices – call for proper disposal options for these items.

· PLASTIC BAGS: Any plastic bag that is labeled #2 or #4, or has been identified as such. Call for the current list of acceptable bags.

· ELECTRONICS (coming this summer) : Personal stereos, clock radios, cable converter boxes, scanners, DVD players, answering machines, fax machines, VCR’s, video game systems, cordless phones, stereo components (receiver, tape deck, amplifier, CD player, equalizers), computers, televisions.

· EMPTY AEROSOL CANS. Other wastes may be collected from time to time, and as capacity at the recycling center increases. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

– PLEASE CONTACT THE NORTHEAST KINGDOM WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AT (802) 626-3532 or (800) 734-4602, on the web at www.nekwmd.org, or email [email protected].

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Cabot Partners in Education

By Sharon O'Connor use the website www.Volunteer Spot.com to organize volunteers, and we send out informal minutes after our meetings. To be added to our mailing list please contact Sharon O'Connor at 563-2144 or [email protected]. We have big and small needs at this point. The high schoolers currently need donations for knitting and clean Clementine boxes. We're always collecting BOXTOPS! You can drop them off at several locations around town: the post office box is down low, near the egg carton pile, the school office has a collection spot, and look for a new collection box at the library. Last year we had generous food donations from many neighbors, but the BOXTOPS check paid for the rest! So every little bit helps! Our tentative Spring Fling BBQ date is Friday, May 22, 5-8:00 p.m. That gives us three official meetings before the BBQ. Last year's BBQ helped with end-of-the year fieldtrips and June Term adventures! Please consider donating to the chance baskets, making your best dessert for the Dessert Contest, offering a small piece of your evening on VolunteerSpot or just save-the-date to bring your family out to dinner! Thank you, C.P.I.E.

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It’s Cookie Season

It's Cookie Season! Cabot Girl Scouts are busy selling cookies, which will be available until the end of March. Call a Girl Scout or look for them at the School Annual Meeting and Town Meeting in the school gym March 2 and 3.

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Where in the World is the Cabot Chronicle?

Chip Taylor in Istanbul, Turkey. The lady in the next cabin was so interested in what was going on in Cabot, she leaned around the corner of her stateroom balcony to catch the Cabot news!

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