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The Cabot Chronicle

February 2016 · Issue Record

← From the Cabot Chronicle

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

Original issue: Download the February 2016 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

Cabot Selectboard Report Skating on the Common

An update from your Selectboard on some of the current projects and issues:

TOWN GARAGE PROJECT:

By the time you are reading this article, the Town road crew will have been working out of the new garage for a couple of weeks. While the exterior of the garage (siding, roof, window, doors) was completed at the end of December, it was only in mid-January that the interior was completed, thus allowing occupancy by the Town. The space is fantastic! We look forward to hosting an “Open House” this spring, when we can show off this marvelous space which will serve the town's interests for decades to come. Thank you again to everyone who supported this project with your votes, your input and suggestions, your time, and your encouragement. There has been tremendous interest in this project right from the get-go and we do value and thank you for your support.

PROPOSED VTEL TOWN INSTALLATION PROJECT ON THISTLE HILL:

The Public Service Department held a Public Hearing on January 12, 2016, in Montpelier at the Public Service Board. The Hearing did not conclude on the twelfth and will be reconvened as soon as all parties can agree on a date. We do not know the outcome of this process at this time. We can say that the Town has been very well represented by Town Counsel Dan Richardson, and we will continue to do everything possible to best represent and protect the rights of Cabot.

2016 BUDGET SCHEDULE: The Selectboard met every Tuesday in January to complete the 2016 budget and the multiple reports that will become part of the Annual Town Report. Working closely with our new Town Treasurer, Betty Ritter, Assistant Town Treasurer Michelle Leclerc, and very ably assisted by CPA Jan Westervelt, we have been able to complete all budgets and meet reporting deadlines. In February, we will schedule a Public Information Meeting to present and explain to Cabot voters the budgets and Articles that will be voted on March 1, 2016, on Town Meeting Day.

NEW ZONING REGULATIONS:

The Selectboard conducted a Public Hearing on January 14 to provide Cabot citizens the opportunity to comment on the draft Zoning and Sub- Division regulations prepared by the Planning Commission. Then, at its regularly scheduled meeting on January 19, the Selectboard approved the two proposed regulations, subject to voter approval by Australian Ballot on March 1, 2016 (Town Meeting day). We plan to schedule an informational session in February to provide voters with information on the proposed regulations prior to Town Meeting.

SELECTBOARD MEETINGS: The Selectboard meets on the first and third Tuesday 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, a PUBLIC COM- MENT period is scheduled to allow anyone to speak on any non-warned agenda item. While no action will be taken on items presented in the PUB- LIC COMMENT period, the Selectboard does hope that interested parties will let us know of your concerns, priorities, and potential projects that you believe your Selectboard should be made aware of. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Ted Domey, Fred Ducharme, Jeff Gabrielson, Bernie Shatney & Jack Daniels property-tax-adjustment-claim.

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PICK UP YOUR DAFFODILS ON TOWN MEETING DAY

If you ordered Daffodils from Cabot Community Association in support of the American Cancer Society fundraiser, they will be delivered by 1800FLOWERS.COM via Fed Ex on Town Meeting Day (Tuesday, March 1) to the Cabot School Gym. Although we have no control over what time they will be delivered, we hope they will be available during town meeting, and will be available for pickup until the polls close at 7:00 p.m. Although the campaign is run on a prepaid order basis, CCA has ordered some additional bunches, so, if you did NOT get your order in, we may have some available for you to purchase at $14/bunch. The net proceeds of the campaign will support the American Cancer Society’s efforts to finish the fight against cancer through life-saving research and life-changing programs for patients and their families. Thank you for participating.

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SILENT AUCTION DONATIONS REQUESTED Clearing Out? Bought New?

Please consider donating what you no longer need to the Maple Fest Silent Auction. Contributions support the

costs of producing The Cabot Chronicle and may be taxdeductible, because the Cabot Community Association (CCA) is a 501( c)( 3) nonprofit organization.

Donations may be dropped at the CCA office, Willey Building,

Your donation will be very much appreciated.

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LEGISLATIVE REPORT

By Representative Catherine (Kitty) Toll

The 2016 Legislative session is off to a fast start. Topping the list of priorities for many Legislators are changes to Act 46 – the Education Governance Bill – passed last session. Discussions throughout the state addressing consolidation of school governance, strategies to create efficiencies, ideas to reduce costs and plans to increase educational opportunities have been thoughtful and encouraging. However, the established threshold spending provision based on equalized per pupil spending, commonly referred to as “caps”, has created burdensome pressure on many school budgets. Cabot, Walden, Peacham and Danville are all feeling the impact of harsh penalties due to spending above designated thresholds. Early in the session, the House Education Committee voted 11-0 to increase the statewide threshold spending 0.9% to help struggling districts find relief, while the Senate Education Committee voted to completely repeal the threshold spending provision. To complicate matters, in mid-January the Agency of Education and the Education Committees discovered they had different interpretations of the language in Act 46 that determined districts’ threshold spending. It is my hope that legislators will vote to repeal the caps, not only because of continued deep confusion, but also due to the fact that the caps appear to unfairly penalize Vermont’s small schools. There are instances where districts with a high equalized per pupil spending rate are not incurring a penalty, but Walden for example, if Act 46 remains unchanged, with one of the lowest equalized per pupil spending in the state, will be hit with a substantial tax penalty. Knowing that the calculation does not affect every school the same way brings into question the fairness of the penalty. I am actively working to make a change in this legislation prior to town meeting. I will support a bill that addresses education quality and develops a fair and affordable method of paying for our state’s educational system. In his final State of the State address, the Governor outlined an ambitious agenda to accomplish before the fall of the gavel in the spring. Governor Shumlin highlighted a myriad of problems our state continues to face due to drug addiction. Vermont towns are experiencing more criminal activity, including more violent crimes, our court system is stressed and families are in crisis. The Governor has asked for additional DCF employees to be hired to reduce the number of families per caseworker to 16. At present, the average number of families per caseworker is 17 and some have been assigned up to 20 families. The recommended number is 12 families per caseworker. Vermont is experiencing more children than ever in state custody under the age of 6. This pressure is directly related to increased drug usage. Additionally, in his address, the Governor stated his position on the legalization of marijuana – one he supports if legislation keeps marijuana out of the hands of children, eliminates the black market and drug dealers, assigns revenue to addiction prevention efforts, strengthens law enforcement’s ability to respond to impaired drivers and bans the sale of all edible products. He also highlighted good news in the business sector, including existing businesses with plans to expand and the relocation of businesses to Vermont, with one in St. Johnsbury that will create 75 new jobs. On January 21, the Governor presented the 2017 Vermont State Budget to a joint session of the House and Senate. The House Appropriations Committee began its work immediately following the budget address. Complete details of the Governor’s proposed budget, as well as other important legislation being considered, will be outlined in my annual Town Meeting Day Report. The session promises to be full of challenges, and I am committed to working hard to find solutions. To follow actions of the legislature or research the status of a bill visit www.leg.state.vt.us. Each legislative committee has an online information page. This tool enables Vermonters to follow the work of the legislature and key in on issues of interest. These are live pages and are updated regularly. Please contact me directly with your questions, concerns and comments. It is an honor to represent our communities at the State House, and I always appreciate hearing from you.

[email protected] [email protected] PO Box 192 Danville, VT 05828 802-828-2228 (Statehouse) 802-684-3671 (Home)

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COUNTRY COMMENTARY

It is February and here we are, the month of LOVE. It could be considered a month of commercialism with cards, flowers, and chocolates going up in sales. I rather like to think about it as the month of Love. As some of you might know my partner and I live off grid and very frugally, we have little, and we are trying to be as self-sufficient as we can be. With little to no money we celebrate such Holidays a bit differently. He might shovel the snow from around my car and leave a heart drawn in the snow on one of my car windows. I might make him his favorite ginger cookies or a pumpkin custard. Oh it’s different every time but we just show our love instead of buying things. When my partner leaves a heart in the snow on my car I get warm and fuzzy inside every time! I don’t think that flowers, cards, and chocolates hurt anything especially buying locally but I think that Valentine’s Day can be so much more. It’s the little things in the everyday that makes life and love so special. The little surprises like when my partner makes us both a huge breakfast on the weekends when he’s home or when I surprise him with a fabulous dinner. I guess I am saying that you can go all “Shabang” for Valentine’s day and spend lots of money but for us it’s quiet and more intimate. Our love stands the test of time and hardship. We never argue though we did in the beginning. Now it’s just talking things out being honest with one another and allowing each other to be the individuals we are. We have fun in our every day; we laugh at a funny movie or chat about politics or the reason for life. We maintain that open and honest dialog that keeps a couple together. We talk a lot about wild life, and our chickens, they are silly birds. What little things make a big difference? If you don’t know than talk about it and make it fun! Keep warm and love one another,

In peace and love, Laura Lee Smith Fizgigdragon @aol.com

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COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

School Budget To the editor:

Most of the school boards in Vermont's 35 school districts will fight to the death to preserve the smallest schools, even with too few students to justify their standing alone. Because these boards don't want to share the pot of state and property tax money through the consolidation law, they will continue to spread false, dire warnings about Act 46 such as: "It's too confusing"; "It's complicated"; "It will affect how schools are governed"; "Community boundaries will break"; "There will be loss of local control" and "It's a morass of befuddlement". All of which is designed to play on the fears of local communities in order to support their huge budget increases. These increases, due to larger administrative salaries and benefits (beyond the control of the voters), create penalties (higher tax rates) as a result of the budgets being set over the state threshold. And, of course, there is the old ploy to postpone implementation of Act 46 in favor of study groups to investigate the ramifications of the Act. Vermont is the third highest education spending state in the nation, with a cost per pupil of $20,000 and a tax burden among the highest in the country. The school board’s report, on one hand, that Special Education (the second largest expenditure of all schools) was decreased, and, on the other, the biggest increase in budgets is Special Education.

Zoning Regs To the editor:

Almost three years in the making, at a cost of over $30,000, Cabot voters will finally get the chance to approve or reject the new zoning regulations. Contrary to the Town Plan, wherein it appears the focus of development is on the Village Center and surrounding areas, the real thrust of these regulations is to turn the Rural District into the center of development. It is the Rural District that will allow for the most permitted and conditional uses, including gun clubs, campgrounds, cultural and community facilities and mineral and groundwater extraction for commercial use. The rural landscape will be carved up through subdivisions and Planned Unit Developments (denser sub-divisions) without any protections for public health and safety, adverse impacts on the environment, neighboring properties, the character of the area or animal habitats. The dollar amounts of the copious fees attached to the permitting process are not listed, yet clearly listed are the hefty fines for violations of these regulations. Some permits are approved by the Zoning Administrator and others by the Development Review Board, with applicants paying for outside consultants to assist both. The Zoning Administrator has the power to change property lines, and with the property line set-backs cut in half, this is bound to create hostility between neighbors. Extraction, as listed in the conditional uses in the Rural District, means com- But, if it is Special Education's practice to mainstream those students with special needs, why is there Special Education at all? And with Special Education in Cabot costing $600,000, why the need for additional special need services that cost hundreds of thousands more? One of the most concerning admissions from the Cabot School Board is that it doesn't include state and federal grants as revenue, saying only local taxes are considered revenue. This means those other sources of income are not entered into the revenue side of the budget, and thus not balanced against the expense side. How is this acceptable? While the legislature weakens its resolve to implement Act 46 due to pressure from the school boards, local taxpayers will be left, once again, paying the bulk of their school's multi-million dollar budgets, with four teachers to every student in a declining student body. Big budgets have nothing to do with raising the academic record of educating young people and everything to do with the generous salaries and benefits for the administration. After all, reasonable costs shared among multiple school districts for public education will not lead to the decline of the Western Civilization. But if Vermont's schools are allowed to continue operating as usual, an even greater exodus of taxpayers is guaranteed.

Jessica Miller 230 Dubray Road Cabot, VT 05647 563-2136

mercialized extraction of minerals and water. As a result of climate-related droughts and industrial water pollution of water sources, water-privatization is being promoted everywhere. Both of these activities create depletion and contamination and can lead to natural gas fracking and water drilling for commercial use and water-intensive industry. Not only should commercial water and mineral extraction be removed from the new zoning regulations, they should be prohibited now and forever. During the construction of these regulations, public input was as welcome as Ebola. At the beginning of the process, however, Agri-Mark succeeded in changing newly acquired land in a residential district to a commercial one, and leaving the storage of fuel and hazardous materials and commercial truck traffic volume unaffected by these regulations. And, with all of the attention in these regulations given to the most ecologically sensitive districts, consider the fact that the Cabot Creamery sits at the headwaters of the Winooski river and the municipal waste water treatment plant is located in a flood plain. The voters shouldn't be confused by these regulations being split into two articles; the sub-division rules being separated from the bulk of regulations. They are both part of the same thing. I urge everyone to carefully read the entire set of the new zoning regulations and make an informed decision.

Jessica Miller 230 Dubray Rd. Cabot, VT 05647 563-2136 Cabot Zoning Proposal Concerns

Dear Editor:

The common people, who are just trying to live our lives in peace, are being buried in an ever increasing quagmire of rules and regulations. The proposed zoning rule changes in Cabot are just another example of the government punishing the people. For the past two years, I have attended all the meetings and hearings I can in order to stay informed. I have read every version of the proposal and, while there have been a few minor changes in response to the community’s concerns, the main problems with the document still remain. This is because the problems with it are fundamental, and cannot be removed without disposing of the entire thing, which we will finally be able to do in March at Town meeting, when it will be put before the voters. I encourage every Cabot resident to read the proposed rules, and compare them to the ones we have now. When you do, try to not only consider your own current situation, but think about reasons why your neighbors could run into trouble if these were adopted. How could they affect future residents? Will newcomers enjoy the same freedoms we have had? Will the proposed governing board, the DRB, be able to interpret this document fairly? There are many sections which still, after years of review, contradict each other. Will these rules make it more difficult, or impossible, to grow our own food, retain our privacy, and afford to live here? These are my concerns, and it’s why I am bringing this to your attention. For example, the proposed rules will only give us 2 years to substantially complete our building projects. If we can’t finish them in time, they give the local government the power to make us tear them down. (See sections 126 and 512). For folks who like to do things for themselves, this is a serious issue. If you happen to live in one of the proposed overlay districts, you will also find your rights restricted, local enforcement enhanced, and expenses increased astronomically. (Article 3 and section 407.) Under Article 3, if your home or business is damaged, you may not be able to afford to repair it (section 317). If Cabot includes the Flood Hazard Areas in the regulations, landowners in these areas will be able to purchase flood insurance through FEMA. However, many communities are choosing not to participate in the FEMA program because of their distrust of FEMA, and the incredible limitations it places on landowners, which could threaten their ability to live on their land in the future. We should be having a separate town discussion about whether we want to be part of this program, or not. There is a lot to consider first. Think you’ll be grandfathered in? You’ll want to see chapter 120. This section also includes limits on the amount of time you can take to finish a project (126), or can take a break from activities without losing non-residential use rights (124 and 127). The junk ordinance seems to be snuck into section 103 (C), although at the hearing in January there was some disagreement about whether or not the term “motor vehicles” includes cars. As of this writing, it also includes a passage requiring that unfinished projects will need to re-apply for a permit in order to continue (section 121.) The select board members couldn’t agree on the interpretation of this passage at the hearing in January, but I hope they will listen to reason and delete it. If these regulations pass, permit fees will also be rising dramatically. The regulations allow the town to impose new fees for the site visits and inspections, expert advice, surveyors, engineers, certificates from the state, and “certificates of zoning compliance” (sections 501 and 513) that will be required from the town. If you should have the bad luck of falling out of favor with the rules, (some of which you may not even know you are breaking,) they are also imposing fines which are 10 times what they are now (see section 518), or more! Why would we do that to our neighbors? Do we really want to fine them off their property? Another concern is the change in the town governance system. The DRB is a new-fangled governing board, born in V.S.A. 24 chapter 117, which will be responsible for overseeing conditional permits and site reviews. In some of the examples listed above, there are provisions for when the DRB “may” grant a waiver, in certain situations. But why put families through the stress and expense of having to ask for waivers from a review board? Should our town officials be able to hold so much power over our lives? How embarrassing, and uncomfortable, for all involved. One argument for re-writing the rules is that we need to simplify the process. If we want to simplify the process, we can just keep the rules we have now, which people can understand and agree to without difficulty. Another argument is that, under the current rules, residents need a permit for small structures, such as dog houses. Of course, this is excessive. However, adding a hundred pages of rules, including petty ones about things like fence heights (section 113), and putting nearly every project before a review board, is no way to solve that problem. If we want to allow more freedom, we could simply adopt the list of exemptions proposed in chapter 110. We could even expand them, if we were really serious. We’ve been offered this type of “New Deal” before. It was called the “Sub Marginal Lands Act” and it was an attempt by the Federal government to declare 51% of Vermont land uninhabitable. The Feds showed up in Montpelier in the 1930’s and wanted our legislature to adopt their plan. The sub-marginal land would be sold to the federal government, and the people would be moved off the hills and re-located closer to the towns. Luckily, George Aiken and the legislators knew that keeping our independence was the highest priority, and the proposal was defeated. The regulations being proposed in Cabot are continuing this same plan. Only nowadays the state and local representatives are all in favor of more government control. How many people in our town could lose their land under these regulations? With the fees, fines, and use limitations, lots of us could be re-located in the end.

Why are our local leaders pushing forward with this expensive and frightening piece of legislation? The most concerning part to me is that they seem to be doing it blindly. When asked about the document, none of them seem familiar with it. Also, few of them seem to have even read the current zoning rules they are supposed to be enforcing now. They seem to be relying on the fact that the proposed rules will remain “a work in progress” and all the problems will be worked out over the next decades, as residents bump up against the inconsistencies and injustices of it, and the DRB struggles to interpret passages that the Planning Commissioners themselves can’t understand. It is not fair to write laws this way. If the intent is not clear, and the implementation has frightening possibilities, then we don’t have a law worth passing at all. When residents were surveyed for the Cabot town plan, we asked for help making Cabot an affordable place with less government interference. (You can see the survey results on the town’s website on the Planning Commission page: Town Plan Appendices, Cabot Community Survey and Visioning Meeting Minutes.) Instead of what we asked for, we are being offered the opposite. We need to protect ourselves, and those who follow us, by voting against the proposed regulation changes; there are just too many concerns.

Amy Hornblas US Route 2, Cabot

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Open Letter to the Community Zoning and Subdivision Regulations

On Tuesday, March 1, Cabot voters will be asked to approve by Australian Ballot new Zoning and Subdivision Regulations that have been developed by the Planning Commission over the course of the last two and one-half years. These proposed regulations will replace regulations written about fifty years ago, both clarify and provide greater flexibility than the existing zoning regulations, and will significantly provide improved protections to Cabot by bringing our zoning and subdivision regulations into the modern age. Much has changed since the existing regulations were written in the 1970's, and for better or worse, we need to keep up with the changing times if we are to have a full voice at the table when our regulations are challenged. The new regulations also address issues identified in the 2012 Town Plan. Cabot is special, Cabot is unique, and we want to retain our character. We—Cabot—have the best chance of accomplishing this when we have current regulations. The Selectboard has scheduled a Public Informational Hearing, on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.at the Willey Building prior to Town Meeting, to provide additional information on the proposed regulations and to answer questions that you may have on them. The proposed regulations are available on the Cabot website (www.Cabotvt.us) and paper copies of the regulations are available in the Town Clerk's office. The bottom line for the Selectboard: these proposed regulations—which have been developed over the course of the last two and one-half years by the Planning Commission—are not perfect and will never be perfect. And, they will require periodic revision to address changing Federal and State regulations, as well as changing times in Cabot. But, they are also far, far superior to our existing regulations. If adopted by Cabot voters, they will significantly support the Town of Cabot as we work to protect and preserve our wonderful community. The Selectboard asks for your support on March 1, 2016, by voting yes [Australian Ballot] on the Article pertaining to Zoning and Subdivision regulations. Thank you.

Jeff Gabrielson, Bernie Shatney, Fred Ducharme and Jack Daniels

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Planning Notes

By Karen Deacy, Zoning Administrator and Planner

Local Emergency Operation Plan (LEOP) We are currently updating our Hazard Mitigation Plan and Local Emergency Operations Plan. For these documents, we need your assistance. A survey on farm animals of various types is part of the information the Town requires to complete this plan. If you have farm critters of any type, please either pick up a copy of the survey or email me with your contact information and a list of animals at [email protected]. This information is important for us for planning purposes and to be able to distribute information in case of an emergency or disaster.

Water and Wastewater

After completion of an energy efficiency project with Efficiency Vermont at the wastewater treatment plant, we are seeing a significant reduction in power consumption. This project, in conjunction with establishment of a capital budget and additional work by Utility Partners, has allowed us to reduce wastewater fees for community residents. As of January 1, 2016, wastewater rates for all users have decreased to $900.00 per year per ERU (equivalent residential unit).

Winter Roads

The park and ride at the Masonic Hall is available for daytime use for folks meeting or carpooling. Vehicles parked in Town road right of ways, turn arounds and Town parking areas hinder snow removal during the winter season. Vehicles may not remain there overnight and are subject to fines and/or towing. Please assist us to keep the roadways open for all. Winter road conditions also may vary greatly from time to time. The road crew works very hard to keep the routes open, but driving may be hazardous, please use caution and anticipate varying road conditions during the winter months. As always, in the winter season, mailboxes are an issue. If you need to install a new mailbox, please consult with the road crew prior to installation. The front face of the box, at a minimum, must be 12” past the edge of the road surface to be plowed.

Clarks Saw Mill Dam Removal – Grant Awarded

The Town of Cabot has received a grant from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation in partnership with Green Mountain Power Corporation, to conduct an initial engineering assessment to investigate the feasibility of removing the Clarks Saw Mill dam on the main stem of the Winooski River. The primary objective of removing the dam is to mitigate future flood damage to public property. The dam is a stone and concrete structure approximately 14 feet high, and creates an impoundment that extends about one mile upriver. The dam is in poor condition and has not received maintenance in many years. The dam increases the height of the river upstream, increasing the frequency of flooding and the risk to public safety, as well as damage to public and private property. The assessment will provide information on the change to the flood hazard area upstream of the structure and predict channel profile after removal. This information is an important first step in the process of removing the dam. The Town has contracted with Milone and MacBroom to complete this survey.

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You Might Qualify for Property Tax Assistance

The Vermont Property Tax Adjustment assists many Vermont homeowners with paying their property taxes. You may be eligible for a property tax adjustment if your property qualifies as a homestead and you meet the eligibility requirements. The maximum property tax adjustment you can receive is $8,000.00. Who is Eligible to File a Claim? In order to file a property tax adjustment claim, you must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

• Your property qualifies as a homestead, and you have filed a Homestead Declaration • You were domiciled in Vermont for the full prior calendar year • You were not claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer

• You own the property as your principal residence on April 1 of the calendar year

• You meet the household income criteria Ready to file your claim? Review the filing checklist to make sure you have the correct forms. Links for additional information and online forms is available at: http://tax.vermont.gov/property - owners /

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

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OBITUARIES & MEMORIALS

William Oscar Joerres, Jr.

William Oscar Joerres Jr. died on Sunday, December 27, 2015, of complications due to Alzheimer's. He was 75 years old. Bill grew up in New Bedford, MA. He spent summers in his youth hanging out in jazz clubs and working as a lifeguard at Horseneck Beach. While lifeguarding, he developed a penchant for speedo-style swimsuits, a sartorial choice that embarrassed his children on family beach vacations throughout their formative years. Bill was a graduate of Springfield College, where he met his first wife, Nancy Carol Young. They married in 1967 and had two children, Rebecca and Joshua. In the 1970s, he taught at Berlin, East Montpelier, and Rumney elementary schools and was in many community theater productions in central Vermont. He designed and built several homes in Middlesex, and taught his children important lessons about snowbank angles for increased velocity on the family sled run. He also organized the first Bear Swamp Run in Middlesex. Bill was an advocate of the humane treatment of animals raised for food before public concern for their welfare was a thing. He built a house-on-skis for his pigs, so when it was time for slaughter, he could quietly winch the pig house into his van with the sleeping pigs inside it, transporting them calmly and comfortably to meet their maker. A lifelong performer, Bill studied acting with Sanford Meisner in New York. He studied mime with Sigfrido Aguilar, and subsequently spent hours "in a box" and "pulling ropes" at the family home in Middlesex. He also did some clowning, both professionally and not so professionally with his old drinking buddy, Kemp Saunders (RIP). In the early 1980s, he got his real estate license, worked as a professional actor, honed his skills as a carpenter, ran his first marathon, and skied Tuckerman's Ravine with his son, Josh. In the late 1980s, he founded his beloved Shoestring Theatre Company and poured his heart and soul into it well into the 1990s, directing and producing 50-plus productions in its 10-plus year run - while also working as a carpenter in Miami, FL, and on the Philip Johnson Estate in New Canaan, CT. Bill met his second wife, Ana Marcia Gill, in Miami in the early 1990s, and had the utmost love for her. Her daughters, Erika and Marcie, can also vouch for his much-celebrated move from speedos to swim trunks in his later years. Bill spent most of his time in Florida and California from the late 1990s onward; acting in local theater productions, doing finish carpentry and working in the set department at the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, CA. An avid birdwatcher, Bill designed and built his own architecturally inspired birdhouses in retirement. Bill had a deep love for the mountains, lakes and woods of Vermont, the beaches of Massachusetts and the landscape of Southern California. He was an avid gardener, hiker, camper, biker, motorcyclist, scuba diver, skier and swimmer. He was an excellent cook and baker, feeding his family gallons of homemade kale soup before kale was cool and serving up thick slices of buttered Anadama bread hot from the oven. He loved making stuffed quahogs over a campfire after an afternoon at Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown, MA. And he loved dancing with his beloved wife Marcia. In retirement, Bill spent lots of time with his seven grandchildren; hunting for rocks and shells on the beach, bird watching, wrestling and chasing them around the house shaking his dirty hankies at them while they screamed "GROSS, Grandpa Bill! GROSS!" Bill was freakishly strong throughout his life. Just a few months before his death, he lifted a large armchair over his head and carried it 150 feet while helping his daughter move. After placing the chair in the right spot, he did a handstand in the living room, just to emphasize his vigor. Bill is survived by his wife, Ana Marcia Gill, his two stepdaughters and their families, Erika and Matthew Bain and Marcie and Jos Canal, his ex-wife, Nancy Young, and his children and their families, Joshua and Jung Joerres and Rebecca Joerres, his brother Charles Joerres and sister-in-law Anne Joerres, seven grandchildren, a grand-dog, and some loving in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews. At Bill's request, there will be no service, but please visit the virtual memorial and sign the guestbook at http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/timesargus/william-oscar-joerres-condolences/177 187628?cid=full. In lieu of flowers or cards, the family asks that you attend a community theater show of your choosing and give the cast and crew a standing ovation at the end. Or listen to "Candy" by Big Maybelle, while toasting Bill with one of his favorite drinks, a PBR tallboy or a four-finger pour of Tanqueray Gin, neat.

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CCA To Establish Durable Medical Goods Registry

By Lori Augustyniak, Development Director Cabot Community Association

This has not been an easy fall or winter for quite a few Cabot folks. The Cabot Community Association (CCA) and our volunteers have fielded numerous requests from residents looking for medical equipment they could borrow to help while rehabilitating from an injury or surgery. To respond to this emerging need, the CCA has established the community Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Registry.

What is Durable Medical Equipment? A wide variety of equipment; typical items are listed below: Adult taped diapers – depends and

Chux pads Ankle and leg boots Bariatric equipment – wheelchairs,

commodes, walkers, rollators Bed assist rail Bed pans Bed trays Blood pressure kits Canes and quad canes Commode Chairs and Bath Equipment Cryo cuff with cooler Crutches and Lofstrand crutches Cushions Dressing sticks – grabbers/reachers Gait belts Hemi walkers – walker baskets and walker trays Hospital Beds Knee scooters Oxygen tank holders Portable Ramps Sliding/transfer boards Sock aids Step stools Transport wheelchairs and regular

wheelchairs If you have DME that you are willing to loan to Cabot community members who might have a need, please email the CCA with a list and your contact information (see contact info below). When the CCA learns of equipment available to borrow, we will list it on our webpage. A potential borrower needs only visit the CCA website (www.cabotvermont.org) or call the office for a list of available equipment. If you see what you are looking for, contact the CCA office and we will connect you with the owner of the equipment. To help track borrowed equipment between neighbors who don’t yet know one another, borrowers may be required to fill out a simple Loaner’s Agreement with the borrower’s name and contact information, and description of the item borrowed.

Are there DME items I should not

list? Yes, some items should not be shared with other users, those include CPA/BPAP machines, nebulizers, oxygen concentrators, oxygen tanks, tubing, needles, medication, medical supplies or basically anything that goes into or pierces the body. The DME Registry will only be a list of equipment available to borrow, not an actual storeroom of equipment, so it may take a few days to connect lenders with borrowers to acquire the equipment. If you can, plan ahead for your needs, to make sure you have what you need when you need it. The CCA works to enhance the quality of community life for those visiting or residing in Cabot and for those doing business here. The Association is open to all from Cabot and the greater Cabot community who endorse this mission. Lori Augustyniak, development director of the Cabot Community Association, can be reached at cabot.community.assoc @gmail.com or 802-563-3338.

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CABOT AUDITORS’ ANNOUNCEMENT

Pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 1682, the Annual Town Report will be mailed to “the voters of the town”. Further, in accordance with the law, the Auditors will distribute one Town Report per household to help reduce the cost of postage. Copies of the Town Report will be available for pick up at the Town Clerk’s Office after February 15, 2016. Thank you, Your Town Auditors:

Lynn Jones, Cecilia Gulka, Jeanne McCallum

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FOOD SHARE AND FOOD DROP DATES

CABOT FOOD SHARE Wednesday, FEBRUARY 10 Noon-2:00 p.m. Wednesday, FEBRUARY 24 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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CALL FOR CRAFTERS & VENDORS

• REGISTER EARLY, SPACE IS LIMITED,

Registration fee includes… Reservation in the Gymnasium for Maple Fest

• Priority locations available on a first registered, first choice basis Free Group advertising for the event.

2 Tickets for Pancake Breakfast (special vendor seating at 8:30 am)

• • or call 802-563-3338 Vendor fee $25 before February 28 $30 after March 1

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FOR CABOT SELECTBOARD

Hello to my neighbors and friends in Cabot. My name is Michael

position. My wife, Mary Ellen, and our children have lived in Cabot since 1986. I have recently retired after 30 years in state government, with 17 of those years serving as Commissioner for the Department of Liquor Control. My business background is finance, accounting, and IT. In the past, I have volunteered my time as Auditor, Wastewater Commissioner, Lister, and Justice of the Peace in my community.

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 8 onward.

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TOWN OF CABOT UPDATES HAZARD MITIGATION PLANNING TO REDUCE COST OF DISASTER DAMAGE

The Town of Cabot is working to update our plan for reducing the impacts of disasters in the community. With the assistance of the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission, the Town is revising the current Hazard Mitigation Plan to be approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Public participation is encouraged! Please contact Karen Deasy for more information at [email protected] or call 563-227. We will be scheduling a series of public forums for community input.

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Cabot Girl Scouts

By Cecilia Gulka Cabot Girl Scouts are wrapping up the initial phase of the 2016 cookie sale. Orders have been taken and cookies will arrive the beginning of March. We will have plenty of extras on hand at that time. Cookies will be on sale at the annual School Meeting, Monday, February 29, starting at 7:00 p.m., and again at the general Town Meeting on Tuesday March 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Cookies are $4.00 a box, except for the gluten free Toffee-Tastics, which are $5.00. This year, the girls voted to give their donated cookies to the Cabot Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service as a thank you for their service. Please consider buying a few extra boxes to support this effort. Cookies can also be donated to the U.S. service men and women stationed overseas through the GSGWM Operation Cookie program. The sale is a valuable learning experience for the girls. The Daisies will earn two cookie business petals: Count it Up and Talk It Up, and two financial literacy petals: Money Counts and Making Choices. The Brownies will earn two cookie business badges: Meet My Customers and Give Back, and two financial literacy badges: Money Manager and Philanthropist. The Junior girls are also busy earning cookie badges: Cookie CEO, learning how to run all parts of their cookie business, and Savvy Shopper, learning the difference between what they need and what they want, and to save smartly for both. All of the proceeds – every pennyfrom the local council cookie sales remain in the council where the products are sold. For us, this means money stays in VT and NH. This revenue is used to benefit girls, some of it directly by remaining in the Cabot troop treasury, and some of it indirectly by supporting the cost of GS programs within Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains. A significant part of being a Girl Scout is providing service. To quote the GS Promise: “On my honor, I will try… to help people at all times” and the GS Law: “I will do my best to … make the world a better place.” The girls in Cabot collected food for the food shelf in November, brought gifts and songs to the seniors in Cabot Commons in December and are busy planning additional service projects this spring. Parents of children at Cabot School should look for a day of “Random Act of Kindness” in February. Later in the spring, the girls are planning a thank you dinner for the Cabot firefighters and EMT’s. Cabot Girl Scouts want to thank the Mildred Chapin chapter of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union for their generous donation of funds to buy supplies for our service projects. This has provided the girls with a budget to plan and carry out their various service projects, while still allowing them to use their cookie money to plan fun things, as well. Girls are welcome to join girl scouting at any time. For more information, email Cecilia Gulka at cgulka@fair point.net or call 563-2284.

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Cabot Public Fitness Time with the Cabot School and TREC

Summer is coming and it is time to get in shape. There has never been a better time for

Beginning March 23, Trinity Recreation Club and the Cabot

fitness hours in the stage area of the Cabot School Gym. We have a great array of equipment available, including an elliptical, treadmill, concept 2 rowers, bikes, kettlebells, free weights, weighted balls, and many other pieces of small equipment. This will be open to the public for $5 “What fits your busy schedule better, exercising one hour a day or being dead 24 hours a day?”

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 9 onward.

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Common Dog Behavior Problems

By April Frost, Animal Behaviorist/Animal Communicator

• • • •

Most behavior problems begin when the dog is a puppy, because they are small and cute, or when an older dog is brought into a new home. Please remember one very important thing, DOGS ONLY DO WHAT WORKS, FOR THEM. Most dogs receive more attention when they are doing something the owner doesn't want them to do. The dog feels that negative attention is better than NO attention. Unfortunately, we get so busy with obligations in our everyday life that when the dog is behaving properly it goes unnoticed or taken for granted. Dog owners need to stay positive and learn how to interrupt and redirect negative or undesired behavior. Dog behavior will only change when the owner is consistent with what they do or do not allow. There is no one right way to train every single dog as they are unique individuals just like us. In order to train your dog correctly, you will need correct knowledge and proper equipment. Create training around situations that could occur at any moment. Also, make sure that every member of the family allows or disallows the same behaviors. Consistency is of great importance ·Jumping on people ·Not coming when called ·Destructive chewing ·Pulling on lead To break bad habits and reduce inconsistency, I encourage people to create a “fine jar”. Take a coffee can and cut a slot in the plastic lid. Put a photo of your dog’s face on it, and every time you catch yourself, or a family member catches you, or you catch them using wrong vocabulary or making excuses for bad behavior rather than making corrections, you have to put money, (set your own fine fee) in the dog’s jar. If you are honest about doing this, you will be amazed how much money is in the jar, even in a week. Use the money to buy the dog a new toy or some tasty treats. Your dog deserves them because of the inconsistency and confusion that was caused. Once your dog understands and will comply with your requests, that is the first step. The next step is to then introduce tempting but safe distractions to prepare yourself and your dog for the real world of temptations, distractions and dangers. Doing this helps keep you and your dog safer out in the real world.

April Frost Animal Behaviorist/Animal Communicator 802-563-3381 www.animalvisions.com

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ADVICE FROM THE TREE WARDEN

By Roland (Slim) Payne

Mid-January (at the time of writing), and still not much cold weather, only a day or two at a time. About firewood quarantine: From what I have heard, tree-length wood – log length wood – pulp wood will be exempt. All wood shorter than four feet will be quarantined and will not be allowed to come into Vermont from other states or countries, and cannot be shipped out of state. The only exception is kiln-dried wood that has been heated to 165 degrees throughout for thirty minutes. This will take effect May or June this year. By then, there will be more rules, as this is a work in progress. There are new rules for logging to keep debris – silt, mud, petroleum products – out of soils and water for the Clean Water Act. That’s it for now. I will follow this.

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Improv and Earnest!

By Karen Mueller-Harder

What happens when an emu trainer meets a kindergarten teacher? In a snowstorm? On a desert island? Come and find out! A bunch of your friends and neighbors have been meeting weekly since November to flex their creativity and learn to connect with other performers and the audience, and are ready to entertain you! The Cabot Community Theater Improv Workshop is culminating with a public performance on Sunday, February 7, 2-3:00 p.m., in the Cabot School Performing Arts Center. The performance will be free, and enjoyable for all ages! The Improv Troupe comprises Daria Babbitt, Lorelei Bastress, Lillian Gustavson, Camryn Hoffman, Summer Hoffman, Charlotte Kellett, Gyu Ryeong Kim, Cameron Mueller-Harder, Jerrie Nash, Declan O'Connor, Leo Parlo, Mekiah Smith, Jonah Socks, Ethan Socks, and Adelie Tebbetts, under the able leadership of Maggie Palmiero. And The Importance of Being Earnest is in rehearsal, working with Oscar Wilde's brilliant text, and Megan Walker's insightful direction. We have a great cast, and this should be an excellent production! Performances the evenings of March 18 and 19, and matinees March 19 and 20; exact curtain times will be announced in the next Chronicle. If you'd be interested in helping out with the production in any way, and being part of the show, we'd love help with props, sets, costumes, sound, lights, publicity, or makeup. Just email [email protected] or call 793-5617 and tell us what you'd like to do!

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FROM THE CABOT PUBLIC LIBRARY

Programs Yoga with Alicia Feltus– Tuesdays, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Alicia’s training is Integral Hatha Yoga. She blends yoga, breath, relaxation, aromatherapy, affirmation and reflexology! All ages and levels welcome – contact Alicia for more info at 802-563-3220 or [email protected].

Meditation Group – Tuesday, February 2 – 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.

Tai Chi – Will Resume in May Garden Design with Irene Harvey– Saturday, February 6 – 10:00 a.m. noon Getting ready to order seeds for this summer’s garden? Join Irene Harvey for this hands on workshop, where you will create your own garden plan using graph paper. Irene will talk about the friends and foes of the garden world and help with your construction.

Cabot Old Time Contra and Square

Dance – Saturday, February 13 – 7:30 p.m. This dance series consists of monthly dances on the second Saturday of the month September through May. All are invited. Music will be provided by David Carpenter and the Hull’s Union Victory String Band. 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 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].

Community Book Group – Wednesday, February 17 – 10:30 a.m. Cabot Community Book group generally meets the third Wednesday of the month. The theme this year is Pulitzer Prize winning books. February’s selection is March by Geraldine Brooks. All are welcome to join in! Copies of the book will be available in the Cabot Public Library.

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

Pathfinders – 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.

Pokemon Club – Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. – noon All are welcome – bring your own cards if you have them, but not necessary. Call Ethan Socks for more info at 563- 2073.

Thank You!

Thanks so much to the Mueller-Harder family for sharing their photos and stories of an incredible trip to Europe. Many thanks to Beth Wade for helping with Story Hour and many other projects. Much appreciation to Lorelai Bastress, Blue Christensen and Rose Houston for volunteering every week with shelving and other projects.

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

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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

I want to take this opportunity to thank Fred and Shirley Ducharme plus all their elves from Cabot for the most wonderful free Christmas Dinner they put on for the homebound and community members. I was privileged enough, along with Shirley Boardman, to deliver wonderful dinners to the homebound on Christmas Day. To everyone involved in that community dinner, you should be very proud, giving of yourself on such a special day. Bless each of you! Rita

MARK YOUR CALENDARS AS TWIN VALLEY IS AT IT AGAIN!

On February 14 we will host at the Twin Valley Senior Center our first ever Valentine’s Dinner (sit down or take out) for all the sweethearts in your life. The dinner will be by donation. The menu will be Stuffed Chicken Breast, Vegetable, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, rolls and dessert. There will also be a 50/50 raffle. Serving time will be from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Hope you will bring your sweeties and come join us for a great meal cooked by Waneta Mayhew and Joyce Fowler.

TWIN VALLEY SENIORS OPEN HOUSE It is hard to believe that a year ago last May we moved into our new home on US Route. 2. It is harder to believe that we never had an open house. So, it is long overdue, and we want you to mark your calendar. Come and see what your senior center is all about. On February 27, we will have open house here at the center from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. We will have refreshments, as well as a door prize. Stop by to see the facility, meet some friends, and know where your support money goes, opportunities available, and much more. HOPE TO SEE YOU HERE!!!!!

TAX ASSISTANCE AARP will be doing taxes at TVSC call 223-3322 to make an appointment or email Twinvalleyseniors@myfair point.net.

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About Kingdom Animal Shelter

By Helen Morrison Kingdom Animal Shelter

I thought a brief (!) description of Kingdom Animal Shelter might be of interest, especially since I am always posting articles and photos from the Shelter. It might be fun for you to know who we are and how we work. Kingdom Animal Shelter (KAS) is a not-for-profit, truly no kill, totally all volunteer Animal Shelter for cats, serving St. Johnsbury and surrounding towns. We take surrenders, strays, and cats in imminent danger. We rent our small space and thus, we are limited. Even so, the cats are extremely well cared for, played with, socialized, health needs tended to with diligence. As I think about the 20 cats presently in our shelter, half of them came to us as strays, the other half as surrenders. The surrenders usually come because a person just doesn’t want the cat anymore, or they are moving and cannot have a cat in their new home. Sometimes a person has to surrender because someone in the home has become allergic. Saddest of all is when someone needs to move into a nursing home and they cannot have the cat. Often, the cat is elderly. In foster, we have 16 cats. In addition, we have over 30 on our waiting list, and more than 20 of those are strays. We probably receive several calls a week asking us to take cats that have been abandoned. in apartments or houses, where the owners have simply moved and left the cats to fend for themselves. Since 2009, Kingdom Animal Shelter has adopted out more than 600 cats. That averages to 100 per year. Of those greater than half have been strays off the street. I do know that some shelters in Vermont have contracts with their counties or towns in their counties to take any and all animals when the Animal Control Officer calls. That has its positive and negative sides. It means that the strays are taken off the street and will hopefully get a home. But it also means that an awful lot of animals come to those shelters, some of whom are very, very sick, or their behaviors make them difficult to adopt. And they need to move them out quickly or the shelter would be over-run. So, one either needs to euthanize and/or have same day adoptions where folk walk in and walk out with an animal on the same day. Most, if not all, shelters in Vermont choose the latter. Same day adoptions have some drawbacks since you may not have a good sense of how loving and appropriate or safe that home is. Kingdom Animal Shelter, along with several surrounding shelters, does not have same day adoptions. We carefully check the personal references and veterinary references. If the party rents, we check with the landlord regarding permission. It may take us several days to approve or decline. But we come to know our cats very well and have a sense of what will make good matches to adopters. Kingdom does not screen the cats we agree to take. We don’t check on behavior or health status, except to test for FeLV or FIV. If we agree to take them, we will care for their needs and tend to them until they are adopted. We take cats and kittens, including sweet cats, friendly cats, shy cats, senior cats, grumpy cats. Because we are careful and we know them very well, we ultimately find just the right home for each and every one of our cats. Even those with health issues, or those who are quite elderly. Different shelters approach intake and adoptions in differing ways, and all of those ways have very valid points of view. Kingdom chooses to be very careful and deliberate in approving adoptions. It means that we don’t have quite the volume of adoptions as larger shelters. But it certainly means that our kitties find good and lasting and loving homes. And that makes us very happy, of course.

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Kingdom Animal Shelter

By Helen Morrison

Here is Boone, An absolute love.

Boone was surrendered to Kingdom Animal Shelter because the owner thought he was dying and wondered if we would euthanize him. We agreed to take him and see what state he was in. As the vet said, he was a bit rough around the edges, but was fine. He had been living outside a lot in a rather unsavory area. With some tender care, he has healed up very nicely and his sweet personality shines through. He is an orange tabby, about three years old. He does have some trouble with other cats, but seems to be okay with dogs. On rare occasions, cats that come into a shelter just don't thrive there. It can be too stressful. That was the case with Boonie. And so, he is in foster care, and loving it. It is peaceful, he gets lots of attention. He has become a huge purrer...and loves sitting and looking out the window or sitting next to you to be petted. If you are interested in meeting Boone, come to Kingdom Animal Shelter on Memorial Drive in St. Johnsbury Center.

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Cabot Recycling

By Ben Davis, Cabot NEKWMD Representative

The following is a quick guide to what is currently being collected at the Cabot Recycling Depot. Please check the 2015 Cabot Town Report for the annual report of the Northeast Kingdom Waste Management District, and support the District at the 2016 Town Meeting.

Cabot Recycling Guide NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES & OF- FICE 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 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. Dishes, window, mirror, ceramic, Pyrex and drinking glasses are acceptable: please rinse. No crystal, lids, metal or wood. NO light bulbs.

#1 through #4 PLASTICS: Look for the recycling number stamped on the bottom of the container. Includes all labeled rigid plastic containers, 2 Gallon capacity or less. Labels are OK. Rinse and leave tops on. 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 – These items should go in with your regular household or bulky trash.

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.

Please ask at the Depot about recycling other materials, including empty aerosol cans and household batteries.

Ben Davis 802-563-2341

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Cabot Students’ Writing Finds International Audience

By Julia Hewitt and Jennifer Lindert This fall, the grades nine and ten English and social studies classes completed an investigation of historical and contemporary conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians. They discovered that while there has yet to be a solution to this enormously complex situation, hope exists, and many people are working, on a small scale, to address some of the issues within the larger conflict. After researching and writing informational essays about these groups and gleaning words and phrases from their websites, students created found poems to spotlight their influence. These they printed on handmade paper, mounting them with attention to careful design and layout of mixed media. (See photos.) Not content to simply display these at school, students reached out to an authentic audience, the groups themselves, emailing letters that recognized and honored their work. Accompanying these emails were photographs of their found poems. Soon students began to receive replies, and many groups expressed gratitude for the encouragement of Cabot students. One such group was the All Nations Café, which wrote to Cheynne Phillips, “Your email was moving and timely for us. It arrived exactly when we were looking for ways to continue our cross-border meetings and expand our impact. We want to help more people drop prejudice and embrace others, and we want to work more closely with leaders, governments and with extremists. Thank you for encouraging us to continue and never close. At times we may be tired or lose hope, and we definitely can use your encouragement.” Especially exciting was an email from Dalia Ashkenazi Landau, whose experience inspired Sandy Tolan’s book, The Lemon Tree, described by Tolan as an account of “a remarkable relationship between two families, one Arab, one Jewish, amid the fraught modern history of the region.” Throughout this project, students have been inspired by the words of Fred Rogers, who wrote, "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world." For a full account of this powerful project, visit the Cabot School website: www.cabotschool.org, or go directly to http://www.washnesu.org/cabot/lookingfor-the-peacemakers-2/.

2016, from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. They are The Danville Veterinary Clinic will be

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 11 onward.

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MARCH ABIES CLINICS

The Hardwick Veterinary Clinic will be running a walk-in Rabies Clinic for dogs and cats every Saturday during the month of March,

located at 64 North Main Street, Hardwick, 472-8400. The fee is $15.00.

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 11 onward.

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