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The Cabot Chronicle

May 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 May 2015 pages (PDF)

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

In This Issue

By Representative Catherine

Several large bills were voted out of the House in April and have been forwarded on to the Senate for consideration. These bills include H.490 –an act relating to making appropriations for the support of government; H.489 – act relating to revenue; 361 – an act relating to making amendments to education funding, education spending, and education governance; H. 35 – an act relating to improving the quality of state waters; and S.141 - an act relating to the possession of firearms. H.490 – an act relating to making appropriations for the support of government - passed the House on a vote of 96 – 46. The bill closed a $113 million gap between state revenues and expenditures. Using a three-prong approach identifying cuts, using one-time dollars as a bridge for short term expenditures and raising revenue - was the strategy used to balance the budget. With revenues projected to increase at 3% and expenditures at 5%, the proposal includes a new section to the budget, “intent language”, outlining a multiyear process to bring revenues and spending into balance. This language states intent to reduce reliance on one-time funding for on-going expenses, to create budgets based on less than 100% of forecasted revenue, to consider moving to a two year budgeting cycle, and to establish multi-year analysis of budget proposals and program costs impacting future budgets. Over $53 million dollars in cuts were identified and passed to balance the 2016 budget. These include, but are not limited to, $35.6 million in reductions to programs and services in the Agency of Human Services, reductions to labor costs, and decreases to the working lands grants, the military and the state libraries. The budget fully funds the state’s reserves, fully funds the general fund transfer to the education fund; restores partial funding to Vermont Interactive Technologies, reduces the Governor’s proposed 50% cut to a 6% reduction to the Community High School of Vermont, supports funding to the Veteran’s Home, and provides the state’s judiciary system with $500,000 of one-time funding as a bridge allowing time to restructure, achieving long-term savings. The House Ways and Means Committee proposed $33 million in new revenue to support the state budget . H.489 passed the House on a vote of 90 – 53. The revenue proposal eliminates the itemized deductions for up to $5,000 of

prior year, and caps remaining itemized deductions for Vermont tax filers at two and a half times the standard deduction. Statistics provided by the tax department indicate 27% of resident taxpayers who itemize are affected by this proposal and 6.4% of filers are affected by the 2 ½ cap on standard deduction. This bill is now being considered by the Senate Finance Committee.

DEADLINE: 15th of the month prior

Coordinator: Jeannie Johnson

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THE L EGISLATURE

(Kitty) Toll

H.361 - an act relating to making amendments to education funding, education spending, and education governance - passed the House and is in the Senate Education Committee for deliberation. Many changes were made to the bill just as it was brought to the House floor, and the Senate is proposing additional changes to the bill. As passed the house, the purpose of the bill is to reform education funding, spending and governance creating education quality, stability and sustainability. The bill also aims to address greater equity in student opportunity. Elements of the bill include: — Creating larger education districts where possible — Restructuring small school grants — Setting a threshold to impose caps on local spending increases in 2018 and 2019 — Revising the hold harmless provisions — Establishing a health care cost work group — Setting the 2016 property tax rates ($1.52 non-residential; $.98 homestead; base income amount of 1.94 percent). The Vermont educational system is supported by over $1 billion through the collection of property taxes, 35% of all sales taxes collected in the state, and 33% of purchase and use taxes, as well as all proceeds from the Vermont lottery and an annual transfer from the state general fund to the education fund for a total just shy of $1.6 billion dollars. H.35 - an act relating to improving the quality of State waters - passed the House on a vote of 133 to 11. The purpose of this comprehensive water quality bill is to address all sources of pollutants to Vermont’s waters and define a funding mechanism to support this muchneeded clean-up effort. The bill is being modified in the Senate Natural Resources Committee. Following a four hour floor debate, S.141 – an act relating to the possession of firearms- passed the House on a vote of 80-62, and previously passed in the Senate on a vote of 20-8. Highlights of S.141 include: — Constitutes a misdemeanor crime for a person to possess a firearm that has been convicted of a violent offense or adjudicated mentally ill. — Reports names of individuals prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms for mental health reasons to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). These reports are confidential and only include information sufficient to identify the person and the reason for the report. — Requires that the Departments of Public Safety and of Mental Health report on progress in establishing a Vermont version of the New Hampshire Gun Shop Project, an initiative in New Hampshire to reduce the number of firearms-related suicide deaths by helping gun shop owners avoid providing firearms to suicidal persons.

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How Does the Sugaring Go?

I don’t know a whole lot about it, but my partner and I made syrup on an old box wood stove in our woodshed using lasagna pans and bread pans. I think we made twelve gallons that year? Give or take. It Is time consuming but it was a world of fun. I would have loved to do it with a pair of horses and a sleigh but, alas, we have no horses nor a sleigh. One thing is true about sugaring, you don’t freeze with the stove burning and the sap a roiling and a boiling. I love Maple syrup but I love maple sugar, too. It is wonderful in cooking and makes a mean cup of joe! It was the maple trees that had me falling in love with Vermont at the age of three. I still like to just sit inside of an old hollowed out maple as it still lives and has leaves far above. Nice place to contemplate the universe and such. We have huge maple trees that hang over one of our ponds and creates lovely shade from the summer sun. I can almost hear the rustling of those leaves. From tiny buds do the leaves grow. I make a nice squash pudding, or custard, rather, with maple syrup that is to die for! The trick is to put the pie plate you are using inside another that is bigger and fill the bottom one with water. The custard comes out perfect every time, mmm m! YUM! Maple creemies are wonderful summer fare, and I recall my very first one with too much clarity. It was the most blustery day, and hot. My friend said

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The Cabot Chronicle Submission

The Chronicle welcomes letters written with length is recommended to be no longer than 400 and length or returned to the author with suggestions mentary published in The Cabot Chronicle represent necessarily the opinions of staff. The Cabot Chronicle reserves the right to reject terial for our readers. Letters will not be considered companied by a phone number. We will gladly cation. The Cabot Chronicle is not responsible for Cabot Chronicle assume responsibility for claims services advertised on these pages. If you have editorial questions or would like -3338, visit our website, www.CabotVermont.org Letters and other inquiries can also be sent to: VT 05647.

— Aligns Vermont with the other 49 states and the federal government that currently prohibit possession of a firearm by violent offenders, and 38 states that require or authorize the use of certain mental health records for use in a firearm background check. Finally, S.2 - an act relating to the establishment of a State Latin Motto passed both the Senate and the House. “Stella Quarta Decima Fulgeat” - “May the 14th Star Shine Bright” was brought to the attention of Senator Benning by high school student Angela Kubicke of Peacham. The bill was signed into law by the Governor at Latin Day at the University of Vermont. The motto joins Ver-

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

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OMMENTARY

she’d treat, as I had never had a maple creemie before, so how could I say no to that. We went to a stand with picnic tables and we sat down to make ourselves comfortable, but the wind caught my dripping ice cream and I had it all over my hair, hands, face, pants. Suffice to say, I was a complete mess. My friend’s mini-aussie helped me out and gave me a licking like I have never had. I was trying to get him to stop, but the more I giggled, the more he licked. I have yet to have sugar on snow—I know, a tragedy all unto itself—but sometime I will, maybe the next time we sugar. It won’t be this year, my life partner had a heart attack, and had some surgery done. He is doing fine, but, well, we don’t want to push it too soon. There is always next year, and, with any luck at all, we’ll be down in the new sugar house and boiling away! Spring is on its way and I can hardly wait for mud season to be here and gone. Summer chores are many, and I look forward to them, as they keep me busy and out of trouble. Well, I wish you all sunshine and happiness, you can never have too much of that! And if you are sugaring this year, I hope you get a great yield!

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Guidelines

an economy of words. The maximum words. Letters may be edited for clarity for re-submittal. All letters and comthe opinions of the authors and not

letters that may contain unsuitable mafor publication unless signed and acconsider articles and photographs for publi-

errors in submitted material. Nor does The arising in connection with products or

advertising information, call our office at 563

mont’s English motto, “Freedom and Unity.” For additional information on any bill or actions in the House or Senate or standing committee, please visit www.leg.state.vt.us. These are live pages and are updated regularly. 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

day of the month

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

05647 Cabot Chronicle

Chronicle. Publisher is not responsible approval and agreement by of advertising. Publisher does not assume item in which the error appeared.

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Window Flag Decal

the newly-formed Cabot Community Fund The Memorial Day Foundation is giving away a free 5" x 8" Memorial Day Window Flag Decal to the first 300 people who email their name and address by filling in the form at http://www.memorialdayfoundation.org/. One decal per address. This Flag symbolizes the patriotic ideals of Memorial Day. The rifle with fixed bayonet pointing downward into the ground symbolizes a soldier who went down fighting, sacrificing their life for our country. The boots represent the final march of the last battle. The helmet and dog tags signify the fallen soldier. Collectively, these form what is known as The Battlefield Cross: a symbol of a soldier who has perished on the battlefield. The flag as a backdrop symbolizes the Patriotism of our fallen heroes. This tradition originated during the Civil War when a musket was turned up side down and stuck into the ground to mark the spot where a comrade died, making it easier to find the body after the battle. Over time this image has been used in every conflict and has developed into more that a marker. It is erected to the fallen by their comrades in arms to show honor and respect for the brave souls who gave their lives in defense of their country. How to display this flag: The Memorial Day Window Flag Decal should be placed in your front window for the month of May and removed on the Tuesday after Memorial Day. The Memorial Day Foundation website also contains a map of the foreign burial of American War Dead and the National War Memorial Registry.

DO YOU KNOW A CABOT RESIDENT NOT RECEIVING grant requests. First award decision meeting monthly meetings are anticipated, which are received. Please indicate your willingness to help sage with your contact information, or Committee members will be selected May Association Board meeting from the list of C.C.A. Board will handle until committee is formed

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Sense of Community

(continued from page 1) out Cabot’s high school, there would be “no sense of community”. I know from experience that this is not true. I have heard people in Cabot say that our neighbors to the east in Walden have no real “community” because they have no high school; but speak to a few Walden residents, and they would staunchly disagree with that assessment of their town. To say that without a high school a town has no community, you are saying that many of the towns close to us; such as Barnet, Calais, Stannard, Woodbury, Peacham, and East Montpelier have no sense of their communities; but that is certainly not the case. We travel over the dirt roads and mountainsides to attend the Church dinners, barn dances, plays, field days, and other events that make these communities, communities!

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Sought

Cabot residents willing to volunteer for committee to make decisions about is scheduled for June 10. Regular may be cancelled if no funding requests

email Cabot.Development@yahoo.com. 27 at the regular Cabot Community volunteers. applications and ready to meet.

As we spend the next twelve months contemplating the future of our own small Vermont school within the current political climate of consolidation, funding restrictions and tax increases, consider the ability of our small school to offer our high school students the diverse education they need and deserve, as well as the ability of Cabot taxpayers to support it. As you think about Cabot, keep in mind, only twenty eight towns in Vermont have their own local high school. The remaining two hundred and twenty three towns that have no local high school still maintain a feeling of belonging, a feeling that they matter to one another and to their town as a whole, and they have a shared faith that members' needs will be met through the commitment they have to each other.

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By Roland (Slim) Payne

This month, we will talk about invasives and three ways to get rid of some of them. Bush honeysuckle three ways: 1. Pull them; but if some of the root stays, it will grow again. So, you have to keep pulling it. 2. Mow or cut it, but then you have to keep cutting it, so, when it grows, it can't grow leaves and photosynthesize. You probably would have to cut them three times a year for two or three years. 3. Stump cut them and apply Round Up on the stump. Cut them about 2" to 3" above ground level and daub the stump with Round Up within one hour from cutting. One way to tell which ones you have treated, so you don't do them twice, is to put food coloring in the Round Up - it doesn't take a lot. Use any color you can see well - red, blue,

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of Letter Carriers’

On Saturday, May 9, 2015, letter carriers across the U.S. will be collecting non-perishable food items to distribute to local shelves. letter food Most carriers and post offices in the Green M o u n t a i n United Way five counties of Caledonia, Essex, Orange, Orleans and Washington will be participating. Last year a phenomenal 32,000 pounds of food were donated by the people of these five with counties over 74 million pounds collected nationwide. Twenty of our local food shelves received this food helping them feed many families that are food insecure.

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T REE W ARDEN

green or whatever, because Round Up is kind of neutral, and within minutes, you won't be able to see it. This will get most of the invasive plants, but don't use on Oriental Bittersweet. On the other plants, use Round Up concentrate full strength. And do the stump treatment from mid-August until October. When you work with plants with berries on them, there is a good chance you can spread them, and the seeds are viable for a few years, so be careful. I like to pile them close to where I cut them, so, if I do spread some seeds, I have a small area to pull any new plants from seed. If you spray the foliage, go by instructions on the label exactly as written and be mindful of overspray. You cannot use herbicide on property of another person without a state license and permission of the owner. Good luck.

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Food Drive

Do your part to HELP STAMP OUT HUNGER. Simply place your nonperishable food items in a bag at your mailbox on the morning of May 9th and your letter carrier will be happy to pick it up for distribution. If you do not have a letter carrier, just take your items to your post office and ask that they distribute them to the food pantry in your town. Please do not include outdated any items as government regulations not allow do food shelves to accept them. They will simply be thrown away. Thank you for your participation and for helping your neighbors.

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Cabot Selectboard

An update from your Selectboard on some of the projects and issues being addressed at this time. TOWN GARAGE: Work continues to complete the required documentation to meet the conditions of the Vermont Community Development Program $700,000 CDBG-Disaster Recovery Award. Karen and Jack hope to have this work completed by early May. The Selectboard solicited “pre-qualification” bids to construct the new facility, and the Town received seven responses to the bid offering. The Town Garage Working Group then reviewed the bids and recommend to the Selectboard that six companies be approved to bid on the Town Garage project. proved at the April This was ap14 Selectboard meeting. The “construction bid” document was then issued to the preapproved bidders, and their bids are to be returned to the Town not later than mid-May, allowing time to complete the bid selection process in May. Following this schedule, work on the Town Garage should commence in June. We also continue to develop plans to demolish the existing town garage and restore that site to mitigate future flooding. Lastly, the access road at the new Town Garage site---bid out last Fall---should be completed in May once the snow is gone, as this work needs to be completed before work on the garage itself can begin.

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HILL:

Following a Public Hearing on April 8, 2015, pertaining to VTEL’s plan to install a communications town on Whittier Hill, the Selectboard, with the concurrence of the Planning Commission, voted to request Party Status and a Public Hearing from the Public Service Board on the VTEL application. The Selectboard, Planning Commission and interested Cabot residents will continue to actively address the VTEL Application, doing what we believe is best for the Town. We will keep everyone apprised of actions taken in this area.

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SELECTBOARD MEETINGS: The

Selectboard generally meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. on the second floor of the Willey Building. Everyone is welcome to attend Selectboard meetings. At the beginning of each meeting, following the approval of the Agenda and possibly one or two other administrative items, a PUBLIC COMMENT period is scheduled to allow anyone to speak on any non-Agenda item. While no action will be taken based upon material presented in the PUBLIC COMMENT period, the Selectboard does hope that interested parties will let us know of your concerns, priorities, and possibly projects that you believe your Selectboard should be made aware of. And, your Selectboard commits to listening closely to your comments and concerns and, whenever possible and practical, to quickly address them.

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Dear Editor,

The Cabot Planning Commission must stop its attempt to permanently change the laws and governance system in this town. There have been too many concerns raised about the draft zoning regulation proposal, and it’s time to throw the document out. Qualified community members, including those with experience in surveying, engineering, and construction, have come before the Planning Commission for over a year now, expressing valid concerns. Even the members themselves have expressed concerns, and cannot answer the simplest questions about what would be legal and illegal under their own proposal. There is not one page in the document which has been uncontroversial. However, the Planning Commission marches on. Where does this zoning regulation document come from? This document was written by a paid consultant, who based it on the Town Plan. The Town Plan itself was written by another consultant, and was supposed to be based on the feedback received in surveys and meetings with townsfolk. However, if you read the responses from the survey and meeting, you’ll see that these documents are actually in direct opposition to what the people asked for! You can read the survey results on the Cabot Website, under the Planning Commission’s town plan section (survey and visioning meeting summary chapters) to see for yourself. Listen, our townsfolk are really smart, and they know what they need. They asked for: simpler zoning rules and less zoning regulation, lower taxes, lower expenses, ability to make a living here, services nearby (restaurants, retail, entertainment), access to waterways, and the ability to continue living here as long as possible. However, the documents our consultants have provided will only raise expenses, prevent people from making a living, restrict access to water, and try to force us out. The reason the town plan and the zoning regulation proposal have nothing to do with what the townsfolk want is because they were both pre-written. They are identical to the plans and zoning in towns across the country with similar soils. We are being compartmentalized, and most of us living here now don’t have the “capital and equity” that the newcomers want to attract. In short, we are being driven out. Why are we being driven out? Because we are not sustainable enough! Big brother knows what is best for our land. The very same people who made laws to allow the rich to get richer by polluting the planet are now writing these rules to blame us for the problem! Here’s the equation: Create a problem, sculpt the public reaction, and then offer your own, profitable solution! The only people who will be able to find their way through the proposed rules will be the

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OMMENTARY

very same developers we are supposedly concerned about in the first place. The end result has nothing to do with being “green.” In fact, my main problem with the proposed rules is that they will take away our right to build with natural materials, grow our own food, and do things for ourselves on a small budget. Those rights are the very reason most people live here, and I am very angry that these rights may be taken away from residents in the future. Building your own structures, with natural, local materials, takes a long time! Think of how long it took the original homesteaders to build the family home- sometimes a generation or more! Those are the structures that are still standing today, but would not have been possible (or may have to be torn down) under the proposed rule changes. These rules have nothing to do with sustainability, or with what people want. Nobody asked for all the houses in Cabot to look alike, or complained about the height of their neighbor’s fences. Nobody insisted that future development be bunched together, so every house is in sight of each other, or that there be less people in Cabot cluttering up the landscape. Nobody complained that the small businesses in town are unattractive, or that they are hiring too many people. Yet, these are the kinds of things the Planning Commission insists we need laws to enforce, and a ticket book for the Z.A. {Zoning Administrator} to penalize offenders. Imagine how valuable our land would be if, instead, we made Cabot a free town? We could become one of the last bastions of freedom, encouraging creativity in construction, leading the way in healthy homestead creation! We are always talking about wanting more families to move here, so let’s make it possible for them to do so. Affordable land, with common sense zoning rules that prospective buyers can understand, is what will make our town attractive. Let’s throw away this draft zoning proposal now, and the Town Plan next year when it comes up for renewal. Both of these documents have already wasted so much of our time and resources. The Planning Commissioners would be much more useful, and could actually help meet the needs expressed in the town plan survey, if they spent their 6 hours a month shoveling walkways and stacking wood for seniors instead of working on these agendas. There are no problems with how we are doing things in Cabot; under the current zoning rules, people are able to do things for themselves on their land. The current rules also limit development to 10% a year. Let’s keep the rules we have, maybe tweak them in one place or another so that people have more freedom, and then live and let our neighbors live.

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By Lindsey Grutchfield

Cabot Community Theater's New Directions Showcase was performed in late March at the Cabot School Performing Arts Center. As the name implies, the New Directions Showcase is designed to offer young, aspiring directors a chance to build their skills and gain experience. The show is a series of five one-act plays, which vary widely in both subject and execution. While the entire showcase is appropriate for families, the first half is geared specifically towards children, not only in the audience but on stage as well. Although the cast of the New Directions Showcase spans across all ages, the actors present in the first half are nearly all children, with a few minor exceptions. Opening the show is Beware the Jabberwock, written by Ron Nicol and directed by Maggie Palmiero, which plays like Lewis Carroll wrote The Wizard of Oz. Two young sisters get separated in the Tulgey Wood and must find their way back to each other, even as the characters of the famous poem "Jabberwocky" appear to have come to life. This is clearly a show for children, by children. The costumes are brightly colored, the story kid-centric, and the actors generally very young. The result is a little unpolished, but this is not too great a drawback, as the target audience members are youngsters as well. Moreover, mishaps are minimized by pairing more experienced actors with those with less experience, in what appears to be a conscious choice. The former help to guide the latter, and prevent too many uncomfortable moments. Leo Parlo and Lila Stratton, in particular, do an excellent job of this, staying in character charges. and shepherding their

The next one-act matures a little in its subject matter while still remaining friendly and engaging for the younger set. It, written by James Haugland and directed by Clara Mueller-Harder, is very elegant in its simplicity and humor while also offering a profound thought or two. The play centers around a modern art piece, known only as "it," and the people who gaze upon it. We see a delightfully awkward boy and a girl who does not appear to reciprocate his feelings towards her, a college student babysitting a terrible child, a grandfather and his grandchildren, reminiscing about the past, and an elderly couple, living their lives. The quality of the acting in this short play is very good, perhaps because of how relatable the characters are, in an everyman kind of way. There are no particular standouts, but in this show that is no drawback, as it allows the

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A Chance

characters to flow together without one stealing the stage over another. The third and final one-act of the first half is Big Nose, written by D.M. Larson and directed by Lori Augustyniak and Leo Parlo. This is a rather bizarre play centering around a self-styled theater critic with a rather large nose. One night, after critiquing a particularly terrible play particularly loudly, the critic finds himself on stage, causing general havoc. The New Directions Showcase's version of Big Nose seems like great fun to be in, if the enthusiasm of the actors is any indication. The show is a lighthearted comedy, played by people who are clearly reveling in the jokes, and the result is quite enjoyable. The second half of the New Directions Showcase is more adult based, featuring a greater number of older actors and more sophisticated source material. Starting things off is The NotSo-Private-Proposal, written by Stephanie Kelsh and directed by Megan Walker. This cheerful romp of a show centers around an exasperated couple, desperately trying to privately get engaged in a house full of swarming family members. The family members in question are conducting a seance and attempting to summon the ghost of Abigail Adams, an endeavor which does not exactly lend itself to peace and quiet. This production of The Not-SoPrivate-Proposal is characterized by both seamless directing and great acting. Adam Blachly and Maggie Palmiero are solidly good as the soon-to-be betrothed, but the real star of the show is acerbic younger sister Emily, played with aplomb by Abigail Walker, a hilariously grounding counterpart to the earnest young lovers. Also lending motherly gravitas and a touch of eccentricity is Lori Augustyniak as the seance-conducting Aunt Kate. The final one-act of the New Directions Showcase is the best. The Actor's Nightmare, written by Christopher Durang and directed by Adam Blachly, is the tale of an accountant mistaken for an actor's understudy and forced to perform a play in which he has absolutely no idea what is going on. This production of The Actor's Nightmare does a fantastic job of running smoothly while conveying the idea of a play in utter chaos. As things get progressively stranger, the cast functions as a tight unit, slinging the dryly humorous lines to perfection and great success. Blachly's directing also shines, creating a dynamic and energetic production. This show is a fabulous way to end the night and is well worth the wait. Review reprinted by permission from BroadwayWorld.

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Saturday, 5/2

GREEN UP DAY!! 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Help to beautify Cabot. Meet at the Fire Station. Green Up bags available. Work gloves and boots are a good idea. Residential tire collection same time. Car and light truck tires $3.00, additional charge larger tires. Any questions con-

12:30 p.m. Please donate returnables to Destination Imagination at the Cabot Fire Station. DI will be selling raffle tickets 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. with big 5050 raffle drawing at 3:00 p.m. GREEN UP DAY!! 8:00 a.m.-12 noon. Help to beautify Marshfield. Meet at the Marshfield Town Garage. Questions

Car Wash/BBQ 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. The 8 th Grade Class will be doing this event at the Cabot School parking lot. Hamburger, hot dogs cooked to perfection as you wait, you can browse our great selection of baked goods. All proceeds to benefit the class trip to Washington, DC. Wild Edibles. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Join our Grow Your Own group for a session on identifying and enjoying wild edible plants. GYO gatherings are free and open to the public and children are welcome. RSVP is mandatory as space is limited. Contact Hardwick Area Food Pantry Coordinator Ruby Dale-Brown

5362.

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Film Screening of Tierralismo : Sto-

ries from a Cooperative Farm. 5:30 p.m. The Tierralismo Good Earth Film Tour featuring screenings of the recently released Cuban documentary. It is about the history and practice of one of Cuba's most successful urban farms. Award winning filmmaker Alejandro Ramirez creating a forum to share knowledge and learning opportunities on film and food security. Admission $8.00, Plainfield Town Hall Opera House, 18 High St., Route 2, Plainfield.

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The Art of Creative Aging. 5 -7:00

p.m. Opening Reception of the sixth annual Central Vermont Council on Aging exhibition. A juried exhibit of current work by elder visual artists living in the central Vermont region. All works will be available for purchase. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main Street, Montpelier. Proceeds benefit CVCOA and the library. For more infor-

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Tai Chi for Wellness. Tuesdays and

Thursdays. Starting May 5-June 4. 4:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m. Intro to Tai Chi, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Beginner Tai Chi. Tai Chi practice uses gentle flowing movements that reduce stress and improve health. Both classes are suitable for adults who can walk and stand on their own. Further information to register

Suggested donation of $5 for class is welcome, as well. marshakameron@gmail.com Cabot. Willey Building,

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Wednesday, 5/6

Writing Workshop. 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Margot Lasher will be hosting writing classes on Wednesdays at Twin Valley Senior Center in East Montpelier. Charge for the four week class is $25.00. Please bring a pen and paper, journal, or a laptop to first class. For questions or sign up contact Margot at

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Classic Film Series. 7:00 p.m. with

Rick Winston and Tom Blachly. Paths of Glory (1957). When soldiers in World War I refuse to continue with an impossible attack, their superior officers decide to make an example of them. Stars: Kirk Douglas, Ralph Meeker, Adolphe Menjou. There will be a discussion after the movie. Free. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield.

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Saturday 5/9

7 th Annual Perennial Plant Sale 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Twin Valley Senior Center , Route 2 next to Plainfield Hard-

plants to donate. Car Wash 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Destination Imagination. Come and support a fine group of students and their organization at Cabot Fire Station.

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Plant

Bring Swap . 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. seedlings, established plants either in pots or in a bag with damp soil. Please label your plants. If you have no plants come anyways and see what your neighbors have to offer. Staff will be on hand to answer questions about plant names and care. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield. Spring Bird Walk. 7:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. A walk to view feathered friends with Bob Popp from Marshfield Conservation Committee. Meet at Stranahan Forest parking lot. Rain date May 17. Contact Jaquith Public Library for more information.

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Dance, Sing and Jump Around An

intergenerational fun afternoon, a lively time for folks of all ages, circle and line dances and singing games, all taught and called. Live music by Kenric Kite and friends. Caller Liz Benjamin. 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. There will be a postdance potluck picnic at the Plainfield Recreation Field. Suggested donation $5 for adults. Free for kids. More information lizbenjamin64@gmail.com. Plainfield Town Hall Opera House, 18 High St., Rt 2, Plainfield.

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Community Book Group. 10:30 a.m.

Cabot Public Library book theme is about painters. May's book title is “Portrait of an Artist” by Mary F. Burns. All are welcome to join in, copies available at the library. “Spring Time of Remembrance”. Central Vermont Home Health Hospice Program invites you to join us as we honor and remember those whom Hospice has served. 5:30 p.m. -6:15 p.m. Social time with Hospice staff, Children Art table. 6:15 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Music, readings of remembrances. CVH Conference Center, 600 Granger Road, Berlin. All family members, friends, volunteers, staff and members of the community are welcome. Please RSVP

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Brookfield Floating Bridge Cele-

bration. Yes, we have a new bridge. May 23 There is a parade and Opening Ceremony at 2:00 p.m. Starting at 11:00 a.m. food and memorabilia vendors, the Art Bus for kids, Old Town Hall bridge history and the Bear Hill Jammers at 8:00 p.m. May 24 More events culminating in a rock concert /dance by Brookfield's own Flowting Bridge Band at 1:30 p.m. in the Old Town Hall. transporting fans over the seas of musical mayhem. A powerhouse with influences like the Grateful Dead, Zed Zeppelin, Phish and more.

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hronicle

“Delizioso” 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Twin Valley Senior Center at Blueberry Commons on Route 2, East Montpelier. Come and eat May 's fundraising dinner. Prepared by Paul Mascitti. Italian Penne Pasta (generous portions), Homemade Tomato Sauce, Meatballs (on the side), Whole Wheat Roll, Fresh Crisp Salad, Maple/Apple Crisp Dessert. Take Outs available, too. Price $10.00, please

~ UPCOMING ~

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Hillcrest Nursery in Greensboro .

Sunday Picnics starting Father's Day, June 21. Menu will vary week to week, so you can come frequently, we will pack your picnic basket according to your menu choices and it will be waiting for you when you arrive. Take a leisurely walk and select a spot or have us choose one for you. Hillcrest keeps lots of trails mowed and you won't get tired of the apple trees, gardens and scenery! Menu will post each Monday for the following week. Prices will vary. Visit our website www.hillcrestnursery.net for menus and prices.

The Art of Creative Aging . The Sixth Annual CVCOA Exhibition. Presented by Central Vermont Council on Aging. May 1-May 31, 2015 at KelloggHubbard Library, 135 Main Street, Montpelier. A juried exhibit of current work by elder visual artists living in the central Vermont region. All work will be available for purchase. Proceeds benefits CVCOA and the library. For more information Scott Robbins at 802-4762739. Pathfinder Fridays 3:00 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. Cabot Public Library. Role playing game puts you in the role of a brave adventurer fighting to survive in a world by magic and evil. Fiddle Lessons -Katie Trautz. Monday afternoons. All levels and abilities, ages 4-100. Old time Irish, New England, Cajun and Swedish styles. For more information katietrautz@yahoo.com or

Lego Club at Cabot Public Library, Tuesdays 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. LEGOs provided to build creations of your imagination.

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If you provide your email address,

we will email you electronic versions of poster and event signs to share with friends, family, and your own posting locations Maps available sale day at locations all over town & www.CabotVermont.org Fill out reservation form and send $5 or $10 by June 15 to advertise your location on the lawn sale map.

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Or fill out reservation form below:

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By Jane Youngbaer

Our five Cabot teams had a great time at the Vermont Destination Imagination Tournament on March 28. All the teams were praised for their teamwork, as well as their artistic creations. Each team also participated in a secret Instant Challenge (not to be revealed until May 25), which became part of their score, along with their main challenge. Rising Stars in first and second grade presented their challenge, "Animal Mish-Mash," and invented a new animal called a giraffadolph in a story about friendship. This team included Chris Gile, Cheyenne Herdling, Ryan Kellett, Olivia Ramirez-Valcours, Ethan Searles, and Scarlett Wetmore, with team manager Darci Herdling. Rising Stars is a non-competitive, early learning level. A team of third graders, Neil Alexander, Riley Burak Dunham, Victoria Pike, and Tyler Donahue, with team manager Leonia Pike, presented their challenge solution for "Creature Feature." They got a third place trophy for their story that included a moveable underwater creature which they invented, along with colorful scenery. Another elementary team, Austin Deasy, Connor Lubas, Declan O'Connor, Adele Ramirez-Valcours, and Wyatt Searles, with Team Manager Jane Youngbaer, also got a third place trophy for "Feary Tales," in which they portrayed a character with a phobia (bananas), set in a Candy World, in the style of a fairy tale. Both teams that did the improvisational challenge, "Improv Games,"

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Global Finals

earned first place trophies. The middle level team included Evan Fuller, Lucia McCallum, Billie O'Connor, and John, Schumacher, with team manager Jane Youngbaer. The elementary team, who is now fundraising to go to Global Finals, included Alec Moran, Brody Moran, Hunter Lubas, Jesse Mudgett, and Noah Villeneuve. Their team manager is Laura Martin. Donations and support for Cabot Destination Imagination will be greatly appreciated!: • MAY 18 and 19—Concessions and raffles at the AAU Tournament, Cabot gym • MAY 2, Green Up Day—please donate returnable cans and bottles at the Cabot Fire Station or at the O'Connor’s house across from school. Big 50-50 raffle drawing at 3:00 p.m. • MAY 8, 7-9:00 p.m.—DJ Duct Tape Dance at CSPAC with RPM Entertainment. Admission is $5 plus a roll of duct tape. Creative costumes are encouraged. • MAY 9, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.—Car Wash, Flower Sale, and raffles at the Cabot Fire Station. The team is raffling off a model Fire Station donated by Real Good Toys. • Ongoing: From now through Memorial Day, come by the East Calais General Store and check out the large movie selection! They are right over the hill and movies are only $2.75 for two nights! If you say you are renting to support Cabot Destination Imagination, they will donate the entire cost of the movie rental to the team! For more information, please contact Jane Youngbaer at Cabot School 5632289 ext. 225.

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hronicle

This summer, the Cabot Recreational Committee will have soccer, lacrosse, mountain biking, basketball, and hip hop half day camps. The cost is $60 per week, $40 for the second child, and $30 for the third child in the same family, with a $130 cap per family. Scholarships are available and everyone is encouraged to participate. The morning camps will start with breakfast at 8:00 a.m. in the Cabot School Cafeteria and end with a lunch from 11:30 to 12:00 noon. Second half of the day camps will begin with lunch at noon in the cafeteria and end at 4:00 p.m., either in the school gym or the Cabot Town Recreational Field. Registrations for camps can be found at http://goo.gl/forms/8OxWxPa7aU. Return

3084 Main Street, Cabot, VT 05647. Please register for the camps four weeks prior to the camp so we can prepare properly. For questions, contact Michelle Delaney at mpsoccer2@aol.com. June 22-26: Soccer Camp led by Michelle Delaney . The camp is from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon for ages 6 to 12, beginning and ending in the school cafeteria, and at the Cabot Recreational Field in between meals. Michelle has 25 years of soccer coaching experience and has played soccer for 33 years. She was All Conference at Johnson State College, a Soccer Scholar All American, and her JSC team was inducted into the JSC Hall of Fame. She founded and coaches for the Northeast Kingdom Warrior Soccer Club and coaches the Cabot varsity girls soccer team. She plays for the NEK Warriors women's team. J une 22-26th: Mountain Bike Camp led by Mark Bromley, Kathleen Hoyne, and Jon Vara. The bike camp begins at noon and ends at 4:00 p.m., is for ages 10 to 16, and begins in the cafeteria and ends in the gym parking lot. Mark is the long time leader of the Cabot Roamers and has led countless bike trips. Kathleen has been the Coordinator of the Cabot Connects Mentoring program for nine years. She helped lead many Cabot Roamers bike trips, including a bike trip from Cabot to Maine, and worked for Bike Vermont as a trip leader for three summers. Jon is a recreational cyclist of long experience and a UBI-trained bike mechanic. He has led many bike tours for the Woodstock-based company Discovery Bicycle Tours, formerly Bike Vermont. The Cabot Roamers have some mountain bikes available for use. June 29-July 3: Lacrosse with Aaron Fuller from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon for ages 10 to 16, beginning and ending in the Cabot School Cafeteria, and at the Cabot Recreational Field in between meals. Aaron has coached at MHS for two years and at the youth level for three years. He is a former Vermont All Star, who played at Johnson State. He currently plays with the club team Machine. June 29 -July 3: Hip Hop Dance with Gala Morse from noon to 4:00 p.m. for ages 8 to 12, beginning in the Cabot School cafeteria and ending in the gym. Gala is a junior at Cabot High School with 13 years of dance experience. July 13-17: Basketball with Mike Jarvis and Dave Creighton. 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon for ages 6-10, and noon to 4:00 p.m. is for ages 11-14. This camp will be in the Cabot School Gym with breakfast and lunch available in the cafeteria. Mike has 10 years of coaching experience in Barre Youth Basketball and AAU and Dave has 20 years of basketball coaching experience with everything from elementary to high school, AAU and All Star teams.

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Cabot School Incoming Principal

After a several-year hiatus, the Cabot Roamers are regrouping to lead a youth bike trip from the Canadian border to the southern edge of Vermont. Bike enthusiasts Kathleen Hoyne, Jon Vara, Mark Bromley and Ed Lewis, along with incoming principal David Schilling, will be leading the trip during the first week of Cabot School’s June Term, departing on May 31. The group will follow a 200 mile route from the top to bottom of Vermont, sticking to quiet back roads and smaller byways. This route has been carefully selected for scenic and challenging ride with a minimum of automobile and truck traffic. Riders will be supported by a vehicle carrying the bulk of our personal clothing, food and camping gear. The group will camp along the way, and looks forward to the adventure of traversing the length of the state under their own power! Along the way,

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Roamers!

students will be journaling, vestigating inVermont history, and creating a photo essay of their travels. June Term is an intensive learning experience for our students to get out into the world; to explore and discover. In past years, students have created an original radio drama and performed at the statehouse, taken Cabot’s band on tour, and participated in a national anti-genocide project in Washington, DC. The school is excited about an increased partnership with Cabot’s community members, and is very grateful to the Roamers organization for leading this opportunity! Student participants are: Ian Nally, Will Nally, Taylor Abbott, Toby Cooke, Caleb Maxfield, Jeremy Maxfield, Henry Burke, Isabella McCallum, Mark Schumacher, Frank Schumacher, Rowan Lanxner and Isaac Barnhart.

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Criteria

First Honors—All grades are B or higher Grades are B– or higher

Alisha Celley, Heidi Cookson, Clara Megan Walker

Celley, Virginia Foster, Jordan Morse, Gage Sironi, Emma Stecker, Abigail, Walker

Benjamin Carpenter, Brooke Tobin,

Zachary Coolbeth, Whitney Maxfield, Isabella McCallum, Alexis Paquin, Dylan Wright

Rider LaLomia. Matthew P. Billie O’Connor

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PUBLIC FORUMS MAY 18 & 28

The Cabot School Board would like to invite all interested Cabot residents to attend two community forums in May. The purpose of the forums will be to gather input from community members on two potential plans for rebuilding the current elementary grades campus and gymnasium at Cabot School, and to gather input from community members on the merits of several potential models for Cabot School as a whole in the future. Although the need to

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Kingdom Animal Shelter

Several weeks ago, a father and his young son were driving along a road in St. Johnsbury, headed to do some shopping. By the side of the road, on a large snowbank, they saw a cat carrier, with the door open. The dad decided that, on the way back. they might pick up the carrier, as a friend of his had mentioned needing one. Coming back from shopping, the young son said, "Dad, aren't you going to stop and get the kitty?" He pulled over and, lying by the carrier, out cold, was a small tabby kitty. As they walked over to her, she came to and crawled into the carrier. They closed it up and brought it to the Shelter, where some volunteers were on duty. The volunteers took the kitty in. One of them asked the little boy what he would like to name the kitty, and he said, "Whiskers". And so, Whiskers it was. She had an injured leg, and had had

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Update

renovate or rebuild the elementary classrooms is an immediate concern, the size required for that renovation is linked to the future size of our school. We hope to have a large number of community members join us for a discussion on the future of Cabot School, as well as discussion of two potential building plans at one or both of these forums. The Cabot School Board will convene these forums on the evenings of Monday, May 18, and Thursday, May 28, at the CSPAC. Residents will receive additional information on the renovation plans and future options for Cabot School by mail prior to the forum dates.

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of the Road”

some sort of blow to the head. On examination by the vet, she seemed fine, no lasting, serious issues. She has very unusual and long eyelashes, which give her a king of glamorous quality. Whiskers is now at the Shelter, full of beans, running around, playing. Two families have put in adoption applications for her. It is so heartwarming to see a situation that began so badly turn out so well.

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EAT IN DINNER CHANGE

For over a year now, the TVSC has produced a monthly take out or eat in dinner. The dinners have always been on the last Sunday of the month. For the month of May, the dinner will be changed from the last Sunday to last 4583 U.S. Route 2

East Montpelier, VT 05651

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By Rita Copeland

Twin Valley Senior Center is inviting all ages of residents to join us at a powerful workshop! Twin Valley Seniors wants to hear from you regarding a Personal Protection and Self Defense workshop that we will be offering in June on Saturday mornings, with time yet to be determined, depending on interest. It will be $40.00 for a 4 week course, one-hour sessions each. This 4-week course will give the “real -world" options for personal safety. The focus is on staying safe no matter the situation or location. The course includes: how to avoid potentially violent confrontations; how to identify safe havens; methods for de-escalating verbal aggressors; family safety at home; travel safety; and proven physical techniques to stop attacks. The instructor, Dr. Mark Kaufman, has 54 years of martial arts experience and has taught this constantly updated course for over 20 years to community groups across the country. All you need to bring is comfortable clothing and a smile on your face. PleaThursday night of the month, which is May 28, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. You will need to still call Susan for

also have available some meals for people heading past the Center to home. Please feel free to stop, pick up a takeout and have dinner all set when you arrive home! Starting May 6 through May 27, Margot Lasher will be hosting writing classes on Wednesdays from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. at Twin Valley Senior Center. The charge for the four-week class is $25. Writers often do their most interesting work in cafes, because it sets aside a time when they can just focus on writing in the silent company of other writers. This class will give you that time to just write, saying whatever you want to say. You may want to start or finish a memoir, a short story or a play. You can focus on whatever form and content you want. After writing for a while, you can read aloud some of our work and talk about how to add details, how to make an image sharper, how to get to a deeper meaning in a conversation, and so on: the craft of writing. Please bring pen and paper, a journal, or a laptop to the first class. For questions or sign up, contact Margot at shi-

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KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Parents of all children who will be five by August 31, 2015, and want to attend Cabot School Kindergarten in September, 2015, must register their children during the week of May 4-8, 2015, at the Cabot School office. Please bring an original birth certificate and vaccination records.

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Tai Chi for Wellness - Tuesdays and

Thursdays - 10 sessions- May 5 - June

4:15 to 5:15 p.m. - Introductory tai chi: Class will include stretching and loosening and exercises to improve balance and posture. We will practice a brief standing meditation and learn some basic tai chi postures. Drop-ins are welcome since each class will be selfcontained and good for the person who wants to get an introduction to tai chi. 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. - Beginner tai chi: Participants will be taught the simplified form of Tai Chi consisting of a sequence of 16 postures, a form that is used worldwide. It will be best if students can attend most of the ten sessions and have the time and willingness to practice at home. Supplementary materials will be provided, including internet links and specific teaching videos. Tai chi practice uses gentle flowing movements that reduce stress and improve health. Both classes are suitable for adults who can walk and stand on their own. It is possible to attend both sessions. For further information about class content or to register marshakam-

to the public. Suggested donations of $5 class is welcome as well. It is requested that no outdoor shoes be worn on the wooden floors. Bare feet or clean indoor shoes are suitable. Wear loose fitting clothing.

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Meditation Group – Tuesday, May 5

– 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Meeting on the first Tuesday of the month. Daria Babbitt has been teaching meditation for over 25 years and will introduce different meditation techniques designed to reduce stress. There will also be time for discussion about various healing techniques and inner spiritual growth. This workshop is open to all and donations are gratefully accepted.

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Cabot Old Time Contra and Square

Dance – Saturday, May 9 – 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 Luke Donforth. 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

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Community Book Group – Wednes-

day, May 20 – 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 Portraits of an Artist by Mary F. Burns. All are welcome to join in! Copies of the book will be available in the Cabot Public Library.

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Lego Club – Tuesdays – 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.

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Thank You!

Thanks so much to Amber Bothfeld for all her work on our very successful Spring Egg Hunt – over 40 children enjoyed the festivities. Thanks also to Isabella McCallum and Beth Wade for their help with the Egg Hunt and Story Hour. Many thanks to Michelle Delaney for the Fitness classes. Thanks to Daria Babbitt for leading the Meditation group. Thanks also to David Carpenter for the continuing Contra Dances, Cynthia Russell for facilitating the Community Book Group and Katie Trautz for fiddle lessons.

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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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High Elevation

The Green Mountain Club, maintainer and protector of Vermont’s Long Trail, released its annual message advocating responsible use of hiking trails from mid-April until Memorial Day weekend; warmer temperatures and a substantial winter snowpack have made Vermont’s hiking trails wet, muddy, and especially prone to erosion. Hikers walking on saturated soils or on the sides of trails cause irreversible erosion and damage surrounding vegetation of our beloved Green Mountains. The State of Vermont officially closes high elevation trails on state lands from April 15 through the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend. These lands include: Coolidge State Forest, Camel’s Hump State Park, Mansfield State Forest, Long Trail State Forest, Jay State Forest and all other state forest lands. Trails on the Green Mountain National Forest are not officially closed, but the USDA Forest Service asks hikers to avoid muddy higher elevation trails like the Long Trail until Memorial Day weekend. Not all trails on state lands are closed this spring – just the higher elevation trails on State Lands. Lower elevation state parks and forests have trails that are open. For details on what trails are open, folks should visit the VT Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation website for a complete listing of what is open and closed: http:// fpr.vermont.gov/. “It’s been a long winter and everyone is itching to take a hike. If a trail is so muddy that you need to walk on the soil beside it, turn back and seek an alternative area to hike or an alternate outdoor activity like canoeing or biking,” recommends GMC Director of Trail Programs Dave Hardy. Dry trails at lower elevations, dirt roads, and recreation paths provide excellent opportunities for spring activi-

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Hiking Trails

ties. “High elevation soils retain snow and ice longer, and they dry out later, so we ask folks to use their judgment since a trail may be ready for hiking at the trailhead, but will get softer and still have a snowpack as you climb higher,” says Hardy. The GMC thanks hikers for their cooperation in helping to preserve one of Vermont’s finest recreational resources, our hiking trails. For information on mud season hiking opportunities, please contact the Green Mountain

tainclub.org. Established in 1910 to build the Long Trail, the Green Mountain Club is a private, nonprofit organization with over 9,000 members. The GMC is dedicated to maintaining, managing, and protecting Vermont’s historic Long Trail System and advocating for hiking opportunities in Vermont. Every year more than 800 volunteers work so that future generations may enjoy the 475-mile Long Trail System. Contact the Green Mountain Club to learn more about the GMC or to become a member.

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for Thaddeus

The U.S. post office in the birthplace of Thaddeus Stevens was renamed on April 18 to honor the Civil War-era congressman’s pivotal role in the movement to abolish slavery. The Vermont native was a congressman from Pennsylvania and chairman of a powerful House committee during the Civil War when he steered the 13th Amendment to passage in 1865. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and a representative from the office of U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) spoke during the ceremony. sponsored The Vermont delegation legislation creating this change, passed in October 2014. “Thaddeus Stevens was a man who fought for equality and social justice with considerable political skill,” the congressional delegation said in a joint statement. “Naming Danville’s Post Office after Stevens will help generations of Vermonters recognize the important legislative battles won in the halls of Congress in the Civil War era. Stevens’ leadership during this tumultuous time in our history was invaluable.” Stevens was born in Danville, attended Peacham Academy and was instrumental in assisting President Lincoln to pass a constitutional amendment

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Stevens

to end slavery. Sanders introduced legislation in the Senate to honor Stevens by naming the post office after him. Leahy co-sponsored the measure. Welch steered the legislation through the House. Stevens, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, also is credited with shepherding the 14th and 15th Amendments through Congress guaranteeing the right to vote for all men and ensuring equal protection of the law for all citizens. The noon dedication at the Danville Town Hall included students from the Thaddeus Stevens School, located in Lyndon Center, representatives from the Danville Historical Society and the Gettysburg, Pennsylvania-based Thaddeus Stevens Society. A Post Office in Lancaster, PA, is also named in Stevens’ honor, in the state he served as Congressman.

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← From the Cabot Chronicle